cute miniature poodle puppies

With the Goldendoodle, you get the best of both the Golden Retriever and the Poodle in one breed. Its hypoallergenic coat means little to no allergic reactions for owners allergic to dog hair, as the Goldendoodle is naturally a low to no shedding dog. It also makes a perfect family dog as it is naturally social and gets along with everyone, including kids and other house pets. For residents of the Mountain State of West Virginia, the popularity of the Goldendoodle is fast on the rise, as more and more breeders keep popping up in the state. But It is recommended that you get your Goldendoodle puppies from a reputable breeder. Finding a reputable breeder might be a bit difficult as it requires deep research. Luckily, we help make that easy. In this article, we highlight some of the best Goldendoodle breeders residing in the state of West Virginia. These breeders offer top-quality Goldendoodle puppies to numerous families in West Virginia. So, do ensure you read on to the end. Established in , Fox Creek Farm is dedicated to producing some of the best multigene Goldendoodle puppies that make excellent family pets due to their kind and gentle temperaments and overall playful nature. Their Goldendoodles vary in size, from mini to petite, to medium to standard Goldendoodles, and of different coat colors. Each Goldendoodle is raised in love by the team. They are secure, cared for, and fed highly nutritious food and high-quality supplements to help boost their systems. Their breeding program is also good as they have been able to produce a line filled with numerous AKC titled purebred breeding sires and dams. They are all AKC registered and are carefully selected based on their health, temperament, and intelligence. Also, they are health tested for a large number of possible genetic defects that can be easily transferred to the Goldendoodle litter. Every Goldendoodle puppy from Fox Creek Farm is well health checked by a licensed vet. They come with day health insurance. GANA pedigree, a 2-year health guarantee, their vaccination, and deworming records are updated and they are also microchipped. This means all our breeding dogs trace back to AKC registered purebred dogs or they have been DNA tested to ensure no other breeds are present in their ancestry. Each and every dog in our breeding program has been tested and certified clear of issues of the heart, eyes, hips, elbows, and patellas. Furthermore, every dog has a complete DNA panel completed to determine if they are carriers of any of the issues that plague our breed. Fox Creek Farm is the proud founder of this non-profit organization created to guide the development of the Goldendoodle and to track the lineage of every Goldendoodle. Their mission is to improve canine health and to ensure puppy buyers are working with reputable breeders that meet their requirements for endorsement. They concentrate on breeding practices, physical health of breeding dogs and their puppies, mental health of breeding dogs and puppies, environment, and buyer education and policies. All heart, eyes, hips, elbows, and patella certifications are completed by the OFA. Vets complete x-rays and physical exams and submit the results to the OFA for certification. Fox Creek Farm has these 5 certifications on every breeding dog in our program. They verify the identity of breeders and screen the information against a recognized puppy mill database. They provide resources to breeders to learn about health and nutrition, pregnancy and whelping, and puppy care. Puppies learn to climb objects, problem solve, and manding. We use methods to prevent aggression and we teach our puppies to sit on command by 8 weeks of age. Sign Up for our Newsletter First Name. We specialize in breeding Mini Goldendoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other high quality breeders that raise mini goldendoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! Not all mini Goldendoodles are equal, there are a few different versions to choose from each having a little different genetic background based on the pups parents. We will explain all the differences in Mini Goldendoodle puppies and how they are bred below. We raise all versions of the mini goldendoodle breed. F1 Mini Goldendoodle Pups. A F1 puppy is also known as a First Generation puppy. The puppies mother is a Golden Retriever and the pups dad is a Mini Poodle. This version of mini goldendoodle usually has soft wavy or curly puppy fur. They will shed until they lose their puppy fur, after shedding they will shed a lot less, but will shed. This version is partially hypoallergenic and usually requires low maintenance. F1 mini goldendoodles usually need to be groomed every 6 months along with daily brushing to keep their curly hair from matting and getting tangled. The dogs usually grow up having great temperaments similar to golden retrievers. They usually get about inches high at the shoulder and range in weight from pounds. F1b Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1b is known as a second-generation mini goldendoodle with the pups mother being already an F1 Goldendoodle and the pups dad being a mini poodle also. So the difference between F1 and F1b is that the mom is not a golden retriever but an actual F1 Goldendoodle. They also have very soft curly hair but with almost no shedding. This F1b version is semi-hypoallergenic and a better choice for anyone who has pet allergies. The F1b also should be brushed on a daily basis but will need to be groomed more frequently then a F1. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is recommended to keep their coat in perfect condition. F1b Mini goldendoodles get around 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders and range between pounds in weight. F1bb Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1bb goldendoodle is also known as a third-generation mini goldendoodle. This mini goldendoodle version has a coat more similar to a poodle than of a golden retriever. This is because the pup is more of a poodle than a retriever. Making it the very best version for anyone with pet allergies. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is required to help prevent knots or matting. This version is super intelligent and loving, and usually seems to have more energy than the other versions of Mini goldendoodles. This version is usually smaller in size, weighing around pounds and only getting inches tall at the shoulders. The smaller size makes them a great size for smaller homes and apartments. So if you live near Princeton West Virginia and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Goldendoodle puppy then checkout our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Goldendoodle Pups that have been adopted! Welcome to the West Virginia state page on TrustedPuppies. Renowned for its picturesque landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality, West Virginia is an excellent place to find and raise your new Mini Goldendoodle companion. Our goal is to connect you with the most exceptional Mini Goldendoodle breeders and puppies for sale in the region, ensuring you find the perfect furry friend for your family. Our site features a wide variety of reputable breeders who specialize in raising amazing healthy puppies. Our WV breeders are committed to raising the highest quality puppies. They provide their puppies with all the necessary vaccinations and veterinary checkups to ensure they are in the best of health before they go to their forever homes. They also provide ongoing support and advice to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your new furry friend. Discover the dynamic dog-friendly scene in West Virginia, featuring inviting restaurants, spacious dog parks, and engaging dog shows. For those passionate about dog shows, events like the Kanawha Obedience Training Club Dog Show provide an opportunity to appreciate the elegance and charm of Mini Goldendoodle canines while connecting with fellow enthusiasts. West Virginia comes in at 30th place among U. At TrustedPuppies. Most of our reputable Mini Goldendoodle breeders provide safe and affordable flight delivery, complete with a dedicated flight nanny who accompanies your new pup throughout their journey, ensuring their safety and comfort as they travel to their new home in West Virginia. Many breeders also offer affordable vehicle delivery, utilizing specialized pet delivery services. This option allows your Mini Goldendoodle puppy to be transported directly to your door by a professional who understands the unique requirements of pet transportation. Begin your search for the perfect Mini Goldendoodle puppy on TrustedPuppies.

Lifelong Customer Support Expert advice will be a phone call away. Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. As English Bulldog Breeders, how do you breed for a healthier Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other bulldog breeders from improving the health of their Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes them unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities and produce high quality English Bulldogs for sale. I have been looking for English Bulldog Puppies for sale near me. Where are you located? We are located in the Northeast corner of Indiana. We just happen to be about 2. We are also about a 30 minute drive from the Michigan and Ohio state lines. Other major cities within 2. If you are looking for an English Bulldog puppy near you and happen to be in one of these areas we are certainly within close proximity. What if I am not located locally? Do you offer delivery services? A large portion of our adopters are located on the East Coast and Southern states. While many do make the drive to pickup, we also offer a delivery service to those with extremely busy schedules or limited ability to travel. We also utilize our own flight nanny for our West Coast adopters looking to have their puppy hand delivered. Whether through pickup or through delivery service, we try to be the type of bulldog breeder that is ethical and responsible to both our bulldogs and adopters. English bulldogs for sale in texas "We pride our selves on making exceptional quality bulldogs" Health Guarantee We provide a limited 1 year health guarantee on your bulldog purchased from us. This helps guarantee the health of the bulldog. We want to make sure that our customers feel comfortable and trusted, when buying their English bulldog with us. The blueeyes Bloodline We have built up our English bulldog bloodline from scratch when we just started breeding 10 years ago. We have got colors such as Merle, blue, lilac, double chocolate, and features like Blue Eyes or exotic markings. One of the top canine color testers! This will assure you that what you see in the photo will be what you see when you meet us. We will guide you through every step from vet visits, to grooming, and feeding. If you are using your bulldogs to breed, we will also be their to help you with the process. As seen on.English bulldog puppies for sale As you can tell from our website, we mostly specialize in AKC English bulldogs for sale Texas and French Bulldogs for sale. Since we are a very small hobby breeder owning more than the breeds we already have will just overwhelm us and lower the quality of our dogs. Our main goals are to: 1. Make the breed have better health 2. Give a better quality of life to these amazing dogs 3. Give people the gift of owning a bulldog Some of the colors we offer are Lavender French bulldogs, Merle French bulldogs, Lilac French bulldogs , etc for our French Bulldogs. The Best Bulldog blog! Follow us on our bulldog blog where we frequently post tips, tricks, and new information about French and English bulldogs for sale. Additionally you can subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on new Bulldog blog posts, and new French and new English bulldogs for sale on our website. We are trusted breeders for over 10 years, and have a lot of experience with English and French Bulldogs. So if you need some help go check out our bulldog blog and grow your knowledge of french and english bulldogs.

The iconic skin folds can allow bacterial growth and become infected if not cleaned regularly and kept dry. Cornstarch will help keep these skin folds dry and infection-free. Wash Regularly Your bulldog's wrinkles are little puppy petri dishes, ripe for infection if not cleaned regularly. The frequency of this cleaning varies depending on your pooch's lifestyle, as some pups need daily cleaning while others can go days between washes. Check your bulldog's wrinkles regularly to make sure they're clean and dry. Wipe them out with a warm washcloth if they seem dirty. Dry them thoroughly to prevent excess moisture from causing irritation and skin sores. Powder Lightly Your bulldog can develop moisture in his wrinkles even if you wash his little face daily. Warm temperatures can cause moisture to gather in his skin folds, creating a clammy environment. To absorb this moisture and promote dryer skin, sprinkle some cornstarch into these folds. Use a makeup brush to lightly powder each wrinkle after you wash and dry them. This won't help if he likes to dunk his face into his water dish, but it will help keep his folds dryer under normal circumstances. Watch for Irritation If a little cornstarch is good, a lot is better, right? Not necessarily. If you dust too much of the stuff into this wrinkles, it could do more harm than good. Too much cornstarch can end up clumping and causing irritation as the skin rubs together. This could result in painful sores and lesions, which will require more attention to heal. And your pooch will not be happy. Apply Cream If, despite your best intentions, your bulldog has developed some painful sores in his wrinkles, odds are you won't need to rush to the vet for specialized medications. In most cases, over-the-counter diaper-rash ointment helps clear up this irritation, with a powdering of cornstarch on top to help control moisture. Wash, dry and medicate your pup's wrinkles at least daily to help him heal and keep the cornstarch handy for quick re-dustings to keep moisture down. More Articles. These deep skin folds were bred into them over generations. They can be a lot of work, too. Specifically, those facial folds can be at risk for possible infection, leading to itchy, painful, and sometimes more serious health concerns for your pup. Bulldog Wrinkle Infection Treatment As bulldogs get older, they become more prone to infected wrinkles. This is because mature bulldogs have fully formed skin folds that trap moisture every time your dog drinks or eats and other possible contaminants anytime they go outside or roll in the dirt. These infections usually occur as moist, inflamed areas that are red and painful looking. You should be on the lookout for common signs of infection. Also called dermatitis or inflamed skin , this is the first sign that your dog may be developing an infection. This is often accompanied by dry, flaky skin. You might have to check within the folds, as these early signs might not be visible otherwise. Bad smells can often accompany infection, especially in skin folds. Face Rubbing. Is your pup rubbing their face a lot? It could be with their paws or by rubbing themselves against the carpet, furniture, or ground. While these organisms are present everywhere else on the skin, these skin folds give them the opportunity to grow. The most common type of infection for infected bulldog wrinkles is skin fold pyoderma. This is a bacterial infection that causes lesions, redness, hair loss, crusting, and pustules inflamed pus-filled pimples on the skin if left untreated for any length of time. In bulldogs, this most frequently presents on the facial folds. Bulldogs and Frenchies can also develop staph infections within their wrinkles, leading to many of the same symptoms but with the possibility of leading to later infections of the eyes, throat, and respiratory system. These can be notoriously difficult to cure, too, and may require medical intervention and medications. This is especially the case when it comes to the care of your infected bulldog wrinkles. As easy as it is, the hardest part is incorporating regular cleanings into your routine. However, if you do see signs of an infection, you can still turn things around quickly if you take the right steps! While they can be painful, if you catch them early enough bulldog wrinkle infections can be treated at home. Using a Wrinkle Wipe , you want to thoroughly clean the area with care. Be gentle and make sure you get it entirely clean. Dry the Skin Thoroughly. Adding a water-resistant barrier, Wrinkle Paste helps repel fungus, bacterial, and excessive moisture between cleanings. It also helps soothe any hint of infection there. Keep an eye on it. You will want to keep a close watch on the possibly infected area as you repeat this process over the next few days. Grab a tube of Wrinkle Paste today and start your dog's skin transformation today! Your pup will thank you! For more tips, tricks, and favorite products, roll over to the Squishface Blog.

Some of these you can help prevent, while others are out of your immediate control. If your GSD carries the genes for ears that lie down, instead of standing erect, then more than likely they will have floppy ears. This means they may have ears that never stand up and are floppy for life. Breeding Some breeders choose to pair parents that both have large, erect ears. And some buyers and owners prefer this larger style of ears for show or aesthetic purposes. But, there is some theory that breeding a German Shepherd with larger and larger ears might contribute to ears that stay flopped over. Always see the parents of the puppy you buy from the breeder on the premises to see their appearance. Physical Damage or Accidents Puppies are active and mischievous and can get into plenty of trouble. This includes physical damage or accidents that have the cartilage or muscles in their ears. If this happens their ears may suffer long-term damage and not stand up naturally on their own. So watch out for a rough play that might lead to ear damage. And, if your pup has been in an accident that hurt their ears, take them immediately to the vets. Improper and Poor Nutrition German Shepherds need balanced nutrition during crucial growing stages, including vitamins and minerals that aid in cartilage and muscle development of their ears. You should ensure your dog gets the right nutrition from the start to avoid any issues. Along with Vitamin D, calcium helps strengthen the cartilage to aid in building a strong foundation for the ears to stand up later. Neglecting Ear Cleaning Puppies still need ear cleaning when dirt and build-up are overly present. Dirty ears that become neglected can inhibit proper growth and cause discomfort for your dog, causing them to excessively scratch their ears which can cause damage. This could cause them more harm! Instead, wipe away the dirt from the skin of the ear with a warm, damp washcloth or use special ear cleaning wipes. A dog with one floppy ear and one ear upright is totally normal. Occasionally, your German Shepherd might have one floppy ear and one ear standing upright. If they are a small puppy then they are most likely growing and the one ear down still needs time to go upright naturally. These are some of the best techniques that will help their ears to stand up. They only need to sit inside the ear enough to support cartilage growth. Make sure you check for any creases or folds in their ears before moving on to the next step. Repeat in the other ear. Make a Popsicle Support Now, take the popsicle sticks and place them at the top of the foam rollers both ears should have foam rollers in them at this point. You might need another pair of hands to help with this, so ask your family or friends to help. Take the self-adhering waterproof tape and place a medium-size piece across and around the two foam rollers and popsicle sticks. This ensures even and symmetrical growth. Make a bridge across their ears instead. If your German Shepherd puppy is 9 months old and their ears still flop over, please see your vet for further assistance. When in doubt, get your vet to show you what to do for their ears. Your puppy might become annoyed with the tape on their ears, so they may need close supervision and even some distraction during the taping process. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a German Shepherd that has floppy ears and putting them at risk to have any unnecessary surgery to get their ears to stand up can cause them pain. Speak to your vet about the side effects and pain associated with ear implants. You can help prevent floppy ears in your dog by taking the appropriate steps to keep them healthy. The top ways to help a GSD with floppy ears include: 1. Feed them a high-quality food Giving your dog the proper nutrition for optimum growth is a necessity, especially when they are puppies and growing rapidly. Choose a puppy food with the correct ratio of nutrients and vitamins to ensure they get the correct building blocks for development. When you choose to give them treats, pick ones from this list of the best healthy dog treats for German Shepherd puppies. Provide them with the proper chew toys Chewing helps to strengthen the muscles that surround the ears. Or worse… Injure them. Learn to play and discipline a German Shepherd puppy the right way to avoid accidental ear injuries or damage. German Shepherds with ears that are floppy are a joy to own, no matter their age! Floppy ears are adorable and give your dog even more character. Go on, and find out what makes your companion the happiest dog on the planet! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. German shepherd ears not standing up! What can I do? They will be able to give you expert advice on what to do. Here is a list of ideas and concerns that I have dealt with while working with German shepherd ears not standing up. German shepherd ears not standing? Is the German shepherd puppy still teething? What size are the German shepherd ears? Has the German shepherd ears been damaged? Have I already messed with the ears, and possibly caused permanent damage? How old is the German shepherd puppy? Some German shepherd ears come up at 4 weeks and never go back down. Others may go up; then fall to the side, cross over, and then fall back down before ever standing correctly. Same German shepherd puppy at 16 weeks. With right ear slightly erect. Before ever messing with German shepherd ears, it needs to be determined if it is possible for the ears to still correct themselves. I give a German shepherd puppy to the age of 7 months before I start to worry about their ears, unless I know that damage has been done. I have seen German shepherd ears come completely up after nine months. Here is a 5 month old that is still teething. His left ear is not yet strong enough to stand on its own. Here is the same puppy at 9 months with both ears erect. By the age of 7 months, most German Shepherd Puppies have finished cutting their teeth. If they are still cutting in their adult teeth, then I wait until they are done teething before worrying about the ears. A puppy that is still teething is obviously a sign that it is still in the process of growing into a mature puppy. Always insure that your puppy has plenty to chew on. Use things like Bully Sticks or Knuckle bones filled with peanut butter. This will help with the teething an exercise and strengthen the ears also. There are different types of ears that a German shepherd puppy might have, and this needs to be taken into consideration. Some German shepherd ears are low and conform to the shape of their slightly larger head. Others are taller, and might even be a little thinner. Generally a German shepherd that has smaller ears will have more success with their ears standing on their own. Here is a puppy with large ears Here is a puppy with medium size ears. A German shepherd puppy that is on a poor or low quality dog food might not be receiving the amount of nutrients that it might need to. For a list of recommended dog foods; please visit my Recommended Dog Foods page. It is a better idea to add 1 tbsp. Both of these contain live cultures that can help the puppy. Glucosamine and Chondroitin also helps with the ears. Instead of buying them in supplement form which usually comes from shellfish or shark cartilage. I suggest feeding chicken feet. Chicken feet are full of cartilage and provides a German shepherd with a supply of Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Some Veterinarians might even inject calcium directly into the cartilage of the weak ear. You might want to check with your Veterinarian to see if this method is right for your German shepherd puppy. If the German shepherd ears has been damaged, then it will most likely never correct itself. German shepherd ears can become damaged easily while they are still a young puppy. The puppy constantly sleeping with its head wedged up against the wall of a crate. German shepherd ears should never be rubbed excessively or played with by human hands. Never leave a German shepherd puppy with young children unsupervised, and make sure anyone who comes in contact with the puppy understands that its ears are not to play with. It is very important to check and clean German shepherd ears frequently. You must always keep an eye on how your German shepherd puppy sleeps while crate training. Make sure the puppy has enough room to completely lay down flat; without its head touching a wall, but do got give it too much room or it could prolong the crate training process. This does not create permanent damage necessarily, but can prolong the time it takes for the ears to stand correct. Many times an owner of a German shepherd puppy will over react and begin trying to correct German shepherd ears prematurely. Make sure that if you are going to begin trying to correct German shepherd ears that you have thoroughly looked at all your options and you have consulted your Veterinarian. Different steps that can be taken in trying to correct German shepherd ears are: Taping the German shepherd ears. This is the most preferred method. Here is a great video showing the process of taping German shepherd ears. I also recommend placing tape on the top of the ear to keep the inserts from sliding out. You can also use plumbing pipe insulation or large pink foam hair rollers for the inserts. Moleskin Padding Moleskin Padding In case you are looking for something a little less expensive than ear forms you can try Moleskin padding. Here is how you do it: 1 Purchase Moleskin Padding with adhesive backing from a pharmacy. Or you can simply use baby oil. Inspect the ears for any irritations or infections and allow ears to dry completely. Allow the Torbot glue to dry for about a minute. If you use the 3M adhesive it can be applied instantly. Nasal strips in ear forming a triangular pattern. You can also place one horizontally at the lowest part of the moleskin over the crease to form a triangle shape with the nasal strips. You should end up using two to three strips per ear, and they stick really well to the moleskin. I noticed it still allows for a full range of motion of the ears. When they are erect they are perfect and not heavy; like with pipe insulation. It also does not restrict any blood flow or have to be removed so the ears can breathe; unlike with taping the ears. Even if the ears never stand perfectly on their own this is a technique that can assist them to be erected without being cumbersome. They can last for days up to weeks with no signs of coming loose. When they begin to come loose use the adhesive remover wipes to remove any glue remaining in the ear. The moleskin should fall out naturally. Here is a video showing how to do this properly. Soft ears are a bad genetic trait in German shepherds. It should be our goal to produce the most healthiest and intelligent German Shepherds we can. Although soft ears do not take away from how intelligent the breed is, nor does it take away our love we may have for our K-9 companion. It is not according to the breed standards. And no matter what anyone else tells you it can create some health risk for the German shepherd dog. Try cleaning the inside of both ears with ear cleaning solution and a cotton ball. You will quickly notice that the ear that is erect is much cleaner than the one that is soft. This can cause ear infections, hearing loss, and much worse if the German shepherd ears are not frequently cleaned. This should not change how much we love our dog if they are a companion dog, but it can hurt us financially and emotionally if we intended the dog to be bred or competed. Many times you will see a German Shepherd dog being rescued or abandoned simply because of it ears not standing correctly. In order for us to learn how to keep a positive attitude if our dogs ears are not according to the standards, and to ensure that we are accepting of the fact that this does not change the responsibility we have to love and provide for the German shepherd I recommend obtaining the Acceptance and Responsibility books from The Peaceful Solution Character Education Program, INC. All of these steps can aid the German shepherd Puppy in helping its ears stand erect; but should only be done under the advice of a trained professional. Share this:.

For the complete list please see our main page page. Why Use Dog Breeders? There are many reasons why people decide not to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue and instead go to a breeder. Other people may be looking for something more specific, such as a puppy that is bred with the intention of being trained to become a service animal for someone in need. Yet others may want to buy a dog from a breeder as a way of supporting the humane treatment of animals. When it comes to purebred dogs you should always expect to pay more than what you would pay for a mixed breed or rescue dog. A purebred dog will have a better chance of growing up to be healthy and may have fewer behavior problems than a dog who is mixed with unknown breeds. Some questions you might want to ask include: How long have you been breeding German Shepherds? Do you have any health guarantees for your puppies? What genetic tests have you had done on your dogs? What is the average price of your puppies, and what factors affect the price? When meeting with a breeder, be sure to ask lots of questions and inspect the facilities where the puppies are being raised. The puppies should be clean and well-socialized, and the parents should be friendly and healthy. Finding a reputable breeder is an important part of finding a healthy, well-adjusted German Shepherd puppy for your family. Visit Your North Carolina German Shepherd Breeder in Person Before you bring home a German Shepherd puppy, we highly recommend that you visit the breeder in person to see where and how the puppy was raised. This will give you a much better idea of what type of temperament to expect from your dog and whether or not it will be a good fit for your family. Also ask plenty of questions about the breeding process, genetic health tests performed on parents, and overall care provided to dogs involved in the breeding. Visiting your breeder in person will also give you a better idea of their personality which can help you determine if they are the right kind of breeder for your family. This will give you a better idea of the quality of puppies they produce and how well they take care of their dogs. References can be a valuable tool when determining whether or not a breeder is right for you and your family. References are a must when looking for a German Shepherd breeder in North Carolina. This will give you a clear indication of the quality of puppies that breeder provides and how satisfied their past customers have been. Meeting past customers is a valuable way to determine whether or not a breeder is right for you and your family. Make sure to ask your North Carolina German Shepherd Breeder plenty of questions about their policies, breeding practices, and overall care of dogs before purchasing a puppy from them. This is important because the breeder will need to get regular health checks on the parents and puppies. A good relationship with a veterinarian is an important part of being a responsible breeder. You should also ask your North Carolina German Shepherd Breeder for copies of all health certificates and genetic tests that have been performed on the parents. This will give you peace of mind that your puppy is healthy and has a clean bill of health. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Sadly, not all breeders care for their dogs and puppies the way they should be cared for. They will also be able to provide documentation that proves the puppies have been health checked by a veterinarian. Responsible breeders will always take the time to answer any questions you have about their puppies. The American Kennel Club AKC is a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to upholding high standards in the breeding and showing of purebred dogs. If your breeder is registered with the AKC, it means they are committed to following these high standards. A good way to determine whether or not a breeder is responsible is by checking to see if they are registered with the AKC. Here are a few things you should do: Set up a crate and put a bed inside of it. Buy a few toys and treats to keep your puppy entertained. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They will need to get checked out and begin their vaccinations. Start training your puppy as soon as possible. It will make life much easier for both of you in the long run. Potty Training your New German Shepherd Puppy One of the most important things to do when you bring home a new puppy is to start potty training them. Here are a few tips: Take your puppy out every hour, on the hour. Reward them with treats and praise when they go potty in the right spot. Simply clean it up and continue to take them out regularly. By potty training your puppy, you will be saving yourself a lot of headaches down the road. Most of the time, a wire dog crate with a foldable metal frame will do just fine. However, keep in mind that every dog is different and some might require a plastic or wood kennel instead. 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. We are a small family operated kennel located in the Northern Piedmont area of North Carolina. I only have dogs with excellent temperaments, good minds, strong character and nerves, nice structure and willing to please attitudes. Puppies will all have plenty of drive for training and working, but not over the top prey-monster types. Some will have more drive than others and will be very suited to sport, police K9, and other working endeavors. While other puppies will be a bit more laid back and fit in well with families as companion dogs. Over these years Janette has evaluated many hundreds of puppies and has become very adept at pegging what an individual puppy will be like as an adult. Robert Oglesby and Janette Oglesby have been involved with German Shepherd Dogs, puppy care, and training for many years. In her previous life Janette was a veterinary practice manager, veterinary technician, and kennel manager. During the past 15 years she has been evaluating, working, training, titling, and breeding these fabulous dogs. Robert, now retired, has been in veterinary practice for over 32 years and maintains the successful website www. He is responsible for the veterinary care of the dogs. A Little About the German Shepherds Our male and females are often purchased titled or started prospects from Europe after a thorough evaluation. We also use quality outside males for genetic and color diversity. More recently we are breeding, raising, training, then titling our own dogs. Occasionally some of these older puppies or young green dogs are available. Our goal is to be able to offer your family the opportunity to welcome into your home your new best friend and family protector. Coldwater German Shepherds.

Golden Retriever happily lives with the family and he is an excellent and perfect family dog. Golden Retriever dogs are very good to other pets and children so it is a recommendable family dog. He is not a watch dog and might barks when he see strangers around him. Golden retriever dogs are very intelligent and have very beautiful feathery coat. So, if you are looking to adopt Golden Retriever puppy in Thane and you are willing to know more about the Golden Retriever puppy price in Thane or pet shops or dog kennels in Thane then you are landed on the right place. We help them and provide pet a new loving and caring pet parents. Please mention in comments if you willing to do free adoption. Golden Retriever puppies are available in gold,white gold, off white, creamy, dark gold almost chocolate colour What we offer is: First see the Golden Retriever puppy, Ensure and feel the quality and if you feels that, this is what you need, then only pay. We only deal with Original Breeds. Happy puppy makes the family more happy. Definitely, you will heard from other mediums, that Golden Retriever cost around 10,Rs ,Rs but please beware of mixed breeds, fake sellers and any type of fraud. Before buying the puppies please check the purity and originality of breed then only buy the Golden Retriever puppy or Golden Retriever dog from them. Below we have given the important things which you can consider while checking the quality of golden retriever baby. Remember Original breed is Original because only original breed should have Good Temperament and Qualities which the Original Golden Retriever breeds should have and Golden Retriever cost in Thane depends on that originality only. We will share some below important information here related to Golden Retriever puppy such as: 1. Information of Golden Retriever dog in Hindi such as height, weight, age etc. Name of some Pet shops in Thane along with their addresses. Dog should be vaccinated with required vaccination. Vaccination card should be given by the seller. Golden Retriever puppy or Dog health should be good and he should not be aggressive and most important puppy should be happy. Surety of Better breed and for puppies future health 5. Government guidelines has to be following while purchasing and doing sale of Golden Retriever baby in Thane with proper documentation. Basic Information of Golden Retriever Dog: Golden Retriever dogs are easy to train dogs because of their intelligence. Golden retriever dogs are very active, playful, gentle and they are best suited for everyone either someone is single, couple or family. Golden Retriever enjoy spending time with family, his eyes is so kind and he is so affectionate that no one will miss to love him. Golden retriever have thick, double and long length coat looks like creamy golden teddy bear. Golden Retriever dogs do not like to be alone for a long time. The life span of Golden Retriever dogs is around 10 years. The height of Golden Retriever adult dog can reach up-to inches and their weight can be up-to kilograms. Golden Retriever dogs are very intelligent and have gentle, even tempered and kind temperament. For Original Golden Retriever breed you can directly contact us. We ensure you and will make sure that you will be not disappointed and you will get the dog which you want. No one can compete us with the given Golden Retriever puppy price in Thane or Golden Retriever dog price in Thane and the services provided by us. We only deal with best, original and genuine breed. Please make sure while adopting a Golden Retriever dog in Thane or any other pet animal either from us or from any other pet shop in Thane that the government guidelines should be followed and well documented. Because buying a documented pet animal following government guideline ensures that you will receive the original breed, healthy breed and whatever age of the pet animal was told by the seller would be correct. If you are looking to adopt the Golden Retriever puppy in Thane from the pet suppliers or dog breeders. Then there are lots of pet supplies shops and dog breeders in Thane where you will find Golden Retriever for sale. Golden retriever cost in Thane can vary as we have discussed above. We hope the information shared by us above will help you to adopt original and healthy breed. After all the adopted dog is the one who make our family smile especially our Kids and believe us when you return from your work your dog will do all the thing which makes you happy and to remove all your tensions. Feel free to contact us for any information required on pet animals. Be Happy with Your Pet and give them lots of love. You can find a lot of pet shops around the city where you can get a wide array of dog breeds. There is also an adoption facility with a nominal adoption fee. The dogs in there are patiently waiting for their forever home. Pet shops and kennels addresses where you would get Puppies for Sale 1. Bark n Purr Pet Shop Shop no. They say that buying a puppy is similar to love at first sight. You get to purchase the one that caught your attention. However, responsible pet ownership starts with knowing what dog breed suits your personality. It is favorable for a first-time dog owner to choose a dog with a tamed personality and cool temperament. Stay away from dog breeds that require extensive training, especially the working breeds. Always feed your dog with the recommended diet. Make buying only from a highly reputable and credible source is a habit. Check the registration of the pet shop to ensure that dogs are well-taken care of and not treated for retail purposes only. Assess your budget and level of dedication because owning a dog is like having a child. You need to be financially, physically, and emotionally ready.

We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. After weeks of continuous nagging from my kids, I was considering adding a kitten to our household. I needed to know if this was feasible given that we have a 3-year-old Lab. So, I thought I'd share some of the research and experience I've gathered around whether or not Labradors can live with cats. It is common for Labradors and cats to live together and get along well. It is more likely to be safe to pair a cat with a Lab than most dog breeds because of their mild temperament. In fact, Labrador Retrievers made the shortlist of dog breeds that are good with cats, according to the American Kennel Club. However, anomalies can occur. It is important to understand why Labs tend to do well around cats in the event that your Lab's personality or prior environment is atypical. Additionally, there are precautions to be taken upon the first introduction that you should be aware of. We will cover all of that, below. The temperament of Labs is largely the reason that Labradors can live with cats safely. Let's take a moment and deep dive into some elements of their temperament that make it easy to understand. Labs Are Gentle Even When Hunting Labs are extremely gentle dogs, which is one of the reasons why they make great family dogs. They are usually very tolerant which makes them great around children. Additionally, Labs are usually a top choice when it comes to hunting. It is important to remember that the style of hunting they are most useful for. It does not involve aggressive behavior, nor for the Labrador to perform the actual hunt. Labs are retrievers and are most often used as bird-dogs. Their job is to help in retrieving birds that have been shot and killed or severely wounded. They were bred over time to have what are known as "soft mouths" for the purpose of not clamping down too hard on the prey during the retrieval. So even in their most "aggressive" state, they are extremely cautious and treat the retrieved prey with care. Labs Aim To Please Part of what makes a Lab such a great family pet is their constant seeking of their owners approval. If you've ever been in the situation with your Lab where you put her food down and she simply stares up at you awaiting permission to proceed, then you know what I mean. These dogs never want to do anything to upset their owners. This applies to the acceptance of cats in the home, too. There may always be some instinctual territorial temptations upon the first meeting. But, as your Lab sees and processes that you are accepting of this other animal in the home, she will typically follow suit. The challenge often becomes more of the result of curiosity. Cats tend to be uninterested in being investigated. Prior Socialization is Key Labs are very sociable and curious animals. However, if yours hasn't had much experience socializing then it It would be a good idea to work on this prior to introducing a new animal into the home. This socialization can come in different ways. One way can be one on one time in a familiar environment with a friend or family member's dog. Another could be taking your dog to a local dog park. Personally, I would recommend having some experience in both situations, and then evaluating how those interactions went. What was that experience like? Did she warm up easy to other dogs? Is she skittish? It's also important to consider socialization with other humans, too. Consider how she behaves when guests are at your home. If you have to lock her up because she gets overly excited, this points to a potential opportunity. It may be a good time to start working on improving social interactions overall. Introducing a Lab to a Cat Everything that I found while researching seemed to be in line with typical guidance for introducing two animals. There are some best practices that are not unique to Labradors, or even dogs for that matter. What may be different for you is if you've never introduced two into your home, and only have experience with other animals on the street or at a dog park. Based on what I found, I was really able to consolidate this down to 6 best practices. Those are as follows: 1. Always Be Present In the beginning, it is extremely important that you are present for each interaction. This is important psychologically for the Lab in this interaction. As stated earlier, they aim to please. Knowing that you are there and approve of the cat's presence in the home is vital to keeping them at ease. If there is any scenario that might have the potential for a bad interaction, it would be the discovery of a new and much smaller animal in the home without the presence of her Master. Neutral Location Choosing a neutral spot inside or outside at the house is also important. This reduces the chances for any territorial instincts to take over. While some of that will still be present, it would be heightened if you chose a room where a crate is typically kept. Should the living room be where significant items to the animal are kept, I wouldn't recommend that either. Generally, a kitchen or large bathroom can make a good space as long as you don't close any doors! Don't Hold the Cat! I'd like to believe this one is obvious, but cats tend to be the more skittish of the two during these first interactions. Ironically, many owners have indicated the roles reverse over the long run, though! Given this, holding the cat would not be advisable as it may result in significant injury via extremely sharp claws! Use A Leash It does seem a little unfair to say to not hold the cat, but to put a leash on the dog. However, the leash should really only be used if an indication is given that things might get out of hand. Best practice would be to allow the leash to be a bit loose. Even though your Lab is likely many times bigger than the cat, it is important that they don't feel pressured or trapped and unable to defend or escape if they feel the urge. Give the Cat Room to Escape If it is the first time the cat is being brought to the home, it would be ideal to give the cat an opportunity to explore the place first. We want him to feel comfortable with the environment and to know that safety is within reach. When scared, cats tend to go high. If there are platforms or counters that are within reach this should help. When doing this in a separate room, the door must remain open. Should this lead to the cat leaving before the introduction takes place - so be it. It will be a bad experience if he is forced against his will. You will need to keep a close eye on them during the entire time, and this will really test your refereeing skills! Like a referee in a fight, you may have to know when it is appropriate to allow them to push the limits, and when to call it. For the cat, you will likely see some swatting. If he has been declawed, then the concern of scratched eyes should be minimal and it is probably okay to allow it. This of course depends on your Lab's reaction. Lab's usually tolerate this, though it may startle them. With your Lab, sniffing and poking their snout out against the cat should be expected. This may be met with some swatting. Again, you will have to manage this carefully. Any growling or hissing are typically signs that things are heading south, and you should be prepared to take a break and come back to it later. Will a Labrador Kill a Cat? It seems fairly unlikely that a typical, purebred Labrador that has not exhibited any aggressive tendencies, would harm a cat. However, one fictitious case made the claim which shocked the world, only to later come out as untrue. Although, if a Lab has exhibited aggressive tendencies or the environment at introduction is atypical, anything is possible. After all, we are talking about animals. Regardless of an animal's natural temperament, if unique unfavorable conditions are present, then normal behavior shouldn't be expected. What Other Owners Said I checked with owners through social media platforms to see what experiences they had. For the rest, there were a few suggestions that it was challenging at first but that it ended up being okay. The vast majority indicated there were no issues from the very beginning. Additionally, vetstreet. Labs came in at 2, only behind Golden Retrievers. Conclusion Given everything learned throughout the researching process, it's safe to say that in most cases Labradors can live with cats. I no longer have concerns about Labs and cats living under the same roof, and I don't think you should either. It would be foolish not to acknowledge the possibility, though. If you do decide to co-mingle the two, be sure to follow the introduction steps to a tee! We brought home our labrador pup to her two established, indoor only, Bengal brothers. We also followed the how to-s and the advice on this site. What was most prominent for us was that it was the cats house. They are 6 and 8 years old and they have been our only pets for years. Prior to getting Harley we had a tragic attempt at rescuing a stray pup but she had to be PTS due to unmanagable mega esophagus. She only lived with us for two weeks and throughout that time she needed to be crated for most of it, due to her condition. So we knew that our cats would not FREAK out at the introduction of a dog and we also knew that they are confident but not aggressive cats. They are very well socialised. When we brought Harls home we were prepared with a baby pen and the cats spent the first few days and nights pretending she doesn't exist. She was outside during the day, and at night she was always within our eyesight. So we prevented any unpleasant situations from developing from lack of our management. Once Harls was a little older and spent more time out of her baby pen, unsupervised constantly, when in the house DH made the cats barrier that went across the door of what ever room we were all in. See picture below. This allowed the cats to get away from her without having to jump over anything, we found that that type of behaviour excited everyone in the house. Harley thought it was too good not to chase and the cats because panicky. Luckily my DH is incredibly handy and technical and he built this quickly from some cheap wood we had about the house. Because Harley was at that stage small enough to get through the hole and the hole needed to be a certain size for our "healthy" boys, DH put the temporary piece of pip across the top. I must emphasize that this worked well because of two reasons: 1 Early defensiveness was not required from the cats because we allowed them to gradually get used to Harley and her enthusiam. But I must also point out that we only tolerated so much "drama" from the cats before we told them to stop being silly. Cat people will know that cats can really over react. Same as she still sleeps in the same baby pen even though she could easily escape. She just isnt that type of pup so your pup may push "boundaries" a little more than Harls and you will have to manage that in a positive training manner. The boys have their own room and the barrier is now always across the door. It also prevents Harley from getting to their food and litterbox eeuw! In the rest of the house the three of them cohabit in mostly peace with the occasional bop on the head for Harley or hiss to remind her that she is a stinky dog. Neither cat has ever bitten or scratched her. I also need to mention that it has taken WAY more time than I thought before Harley and the boys started really being okay together. I posted a video of our oldest boy and Harls on the bed last night. It has taken about 3 months for them to be able to touch noses and walk passed Harley without behaving like she has "cooties". Our two cats are very indulged and opinionated boys, the breed is not easy to introduce new animals to and they have been very fixed in their lifestyle for a long time. They are also "jealous" over attention and stuff like toys that Harley gets and will often take her toys. Again, we are really lucky that Harley is a gentle pup. Good luck and don't lose faith, it may take a few months but hopefully you can have a peaceful household, if not best friends. This is the barrier: as you can see it has a "foot" on the one side so that it doesnt get bumped over and the other side fits into the doorway. It can stand independently, if needed but then can fall over if bumped Here our oldest boy is demonstrating. We dont have the pipe there anymore, Harleys is WAY too big to fit through now After three and a half months this is exciting to see Last night our oldest cat started making some play advances to Harley. But poor Harls is as skeptical as a lab pup can be: If I can add some last novice advise. The biggest learning point for me with Harley has been that I couldn't leave her to figure things out for herself. They know nothing. And the same with our cats. DH and I are the stable factor in all of this. So when the three of them interacted we encouraged everyone to be nice, in soft voices. With Harley watching we wouldstroke the cats and say "gently", and visa versa with the cats and Harley. We tried to model behaviour and we tried, as much as possible, to prevent situations that could lead to negative interactions, like big spaces for Harley to chase her brothers etc. Okay, now I am really done. Click to expand.Omg I love it!!! I hope ours gets that way someday. One of three only just braved coming down from the third floor. There is hope! On average, it will take a dog and a cat 2—3 weeks to start forging a friendship. But in some cases, it happens more quickly, and in rare cases, it never happens at all. Are Labs Good With Cats? For every pet owner who has a story of animosity between the family canine and the family feline, there is another pet owner whose dog and cat get along great! Intelligence, breed, and socialization all play a part in whether your dog will be able to tolerate a feline housemate. Intelligence Some dog breeds, like the Labrador, consistently score high in a type of smarts called working intelligence. Which could just as easily be called people-pleasing intelligence. These dog breeds consistently learn new commands in less than five tries and tend to obey commands at least 95 percent of the time. Your Labrador wants to please you and cooperate with you. So your training challenge will be to help your Lab see your new family cat as an extension of you, to be tolerated at the least and cherished ideally. Breed Breed is another important factor in predicting how well a dog and a cat may get along or not. Labradors have been bred for generations as retriever dogs. They do not generally hunt solo but rather will accompany a human hunter and assist with retrieving the downed prey. Their prey drive — the urge to chase anything warm and moving — is relatively low. Labs have also been selectively bred and trained not to bite down hard on what they retrieve. Rather, they have what trainers call a soft mouth. They hold objects, whether a prey animal, a ball, or a playmate, gently in their mouths to avoid doing harm. Well-bred, well-trained Labs also tend to be easygoing, family-oriented, and playful, which can work great if your new cat is a sociable breed that loves to play. The best time to introduce a cat and a dog is when they are a kitten and a puppy. This way, they both go through similar growth phases and training stages side by side and are more likely to get along as adults. Watch them around strange cats, unfamiliar humans, and any small, fast-moving wild animals. If you have let your Lab chase anything and everything, are lax with training reinforcement, and downplay overly rambunctious or aggressive behavior, you will want to address these training and socialization needs before adding a cat to your family. Labs Are Working Bred Dogs If you are caring for a Labrador for the first time or only have experience with American-bred Labs, you may not yet know there are actually two types of Labrador Retriever, the American field, gun, or working and the English bench, show, or pet. American, or working, Labradors typically have a higher natural prey drive than their English show counterparts. However, working Labs also tend to be more consistently obedient due to the extra training required to assist human hunters. So this can work in your favor when socializing your Lab to a new pet cat. American Labs and Cats American Labs typically reach maturity faster and have a longer, more stable attention span for training tasks even during puppyhood. This can work well if you bring home a cat who enjoys playing and is outgoing and sociable like this amazing tabby — not so much if your new feline is shy, low energy, or less social. English Labs and Cats English Labs tend to stay in puppyhood longer than their American counterparts and can be more challenging to train until they grow out of this puppyhood personality. But once they do grow up, English Labs often display a more chill, sedentary personality that remains throughout life. Here, a high-energy kitty might be a good match if your English Lab is still young. But an older, couch-centric English Lab might do better with an equally chill cat. Labradors and Kittens Kittens are so adorable and cuddly, and it can be difficult to imagine anything so small and sweet could cause any real trouble. But just wait until your kitten starts growing up and teething and scratching and clawing everything in sight — including your Lab! The Best Time to Introduce Cats and Dogs If you can, the very best time to introduce a dog and a cat is when both are young and missing the company of their littermates. This shared experience of separation during a critical socialization phase of life makes a new puppy and new kitten more likely to bond right away. This can be particularly advantageous when your puppy is going to grow up to be quite large. Neither is predisposed to behave territorially or possessively. Best of all, they will likely have similar energy levels at similar life stages, making them a better match as lifelong companions. How to Introduce a Cat to a Dog When you decide to add a feline to your family, how you make the initial introductions can set you up for years of stress or success. These tips can help you set up a first meeting that is more likely to succeed: Introduce your Lab to the new cat in a place that is relatively neutral to both. Be sure your is Lab leashed and the new cat is confined safely. Keep the first meeting short — if it goes well, schedule another short one soon after. Watch for signs of personality clashes such as timidity or aggression. By Tom Massey May 18, Popular culture has created conflicting narratives about the relationship between cats and dogs. Some movies and shows claim that these animals are mortal enemies, forever determined to be rivals. But then you see films and home videos where a dog and cat become best friends, cuddling and playing together without a care. Despite the classic trope about cats and dogs hating each other, your pets could become best pals. Generally speaking, Labrador Retrievers are friendly and have a great temperament. And that naturally makes them more likely to behave well around cats, even forming a close bond. While you cannot force a relationship between your two pets, you should prepare for a smooth introduction process and increase their chances of warming up to each other and even becoming best buds. How to Pick a New Playmate Adding a new fluffy friend into the household can be stressful for pet owners. You want to keep the peace, but you know that a new dog or a cat will be confusing for your pet. Failing to prepare adequately for this pairing could be disastrous and cause high-stress levels or destructive behaviors within your home. If you already own a cat, consider their age and overall personality before bringing home a dog. An older cat who has lived alone for most of its life may not adapt to a new dog friend. Sometimes, they will even be upset if you add a new feline into the mix. If your adult cat has this personality type, you might not want to bring an additional pet home. If your cat is young, friendly to other pets, or has had a positive experience with canines in the past, they are likely to tolerate cohabitation with a dog. Choosing a friendly dog breed will increase the chances that your pets will behave well together. Pups who do not listen to your commands when running after a squirrel will likely chase cats. This will create a stressful environment for a feline, so chase-prone dogs should not be paired with cats. Are Labradors Good with Cats? Labradors are well-known for their sweet and gentle personality — these dogs love making new friends and get along fabulously with other animals. But not all Lab puppies are the same. You might want to consider purchasing a Labrador Retriever from a reputable breeder to ensure your pup has the distinct friendly and kind traits their breed is known for. If you want the best possible chance of your Labrador behaving well in a household with cats, look at the available White Labradors from Snowy Pines. These pups will enter your home with prior socialization with other dogs, animals, and humans, which will make the grand introduction easier for owners. Taking Your New Pet Home It would be best to keep your pets apart when your new addition arrives in your home. Keep each pet within a separate room for the first three to four days before the first meeting. Try feeding your pets on opposite sides of a door so that your Lab and cat can smell each other. Our furry friends love eating! Additionally, you want to let your animals take turns roaming freely around the house. This activity allows both pets to smell each other before coming face to face. You do not want your two animals to meet before they are ready. A pet owner needs to be in complete control of the meeting to prevent any chance of aggressive behavior. Fortunately, Labrador Retrievers from Snowy Pines go through lifestyle training and will know the basic commands of sit, stay, yes, and no before coming home with you. Training your Lab helps them learn healthy behaviors and ensures they are more open to new relationships with other animals and new people. At our facility, we also have potential Labrador owners complete the Perfect Puppy questionnaire. This helps us match you with a perfect dog for your family home. If you already own a cat or anticipate having a cat in the future, let us know so we can consider this factor while we match you with a Lab puppy. Create Safe Spaces for Your Lab and Cat Even the best of friends need their alone time, and our fluffy pals are no different. For cats, consider getting a cat tree that they can climb up and get away from your dog. Cats love high places where they can survey their surroundings, and a cat tower provides them a safe space to watch a dog from afar. For dogs, their crate should be their sanctuary for alone time where they can take a nap or enjoy their favorite chew toy. How to Introduce a Labrador to Cats First impressions are everything, especially when introducing your cat and dog. A bad first impression could cause fear in one of your pets, potentially damaging their relationship before it even starts. Use a neutral area of the house , like the living room, for the first meeting. If they want to remove themselves from the meeting, allow them to do so without discipline. However, Labrador Retrievers should be on a leash so that you are in control if anything goes awry. Do not use a retractable leash — not only are these leashes dangerous for dogs , but the line could also snap if your dog runs after the cat. One of the worst things you could do is hold one of your pets during the first introduction. Cats and dogs need an escape route from the room if they become frightened. You could experience deep cat scratches or witness a vicious chase around the house if one of the pets, hops out of your arms during their first meeting. Cats tend to enjoy things like catnip, treats, or soft pets. Labs will prefer attention and treats as a reward for their positive behavior. A cat who stops interacting with family members, using its litter box, or eating and drinking may feel threatened by its canine sibling. There is no specific timeframe for when cats and Labradors will begin to accept each other. If you find that your dog consistently lunges or growls at a cat while in the same room after repeated introductions, they will likely not behave favorably in a long-term arrangement. Alternatively, if your cat continuously hisses or swats at a dog, these behaviors indicate they are stressed in your home environment. The pairing of these two animals will not work well in these situations. All of your hard work with the pets will flush down the drain if they have a bad interaction outside of your presence. By following the right steps at the beginning, the chances are that everything will go smoothly, and your pets will begin to warm up to the idea of accepting their new sibling. However, this process could take months, so be patient with your pets and remember to praise them after each meeting. Conclusion Contrary to what popular media suggests, cats and dogs can absolutely live peacefully under the same roof. To encourage harmony in your home, closely monitor their interactions and designate safe spaces for each pet. Our puppies receive exclusive training sessions focused on socializing and understanding basic commands — qualities that will come in handy when introducing your pets. Get in touch today to learn about our available puppies! Share on. Are Labrador Retrievers good with cats? The key to a smooth friendship is understanding how to approach their co-existing living situation from their first introduction to living together full-time. In this article, you will learn how to make the relationship between your Labrador Retriever and cat work from their first introduction. You will learn how to introduce their relationship depending at which stage of their life each of your pets are at. You will also learn some tips and tricks that can help make the process smoother and allow you to better enjoy a pet-happy household. My Experience With Labs and Cats I have been a Labrador Retriever owner for more than ten years and a lover of the breed for even longer. I also was the proud cat mom to two siblings who were left to fend for themselves and in need of a good home. With my Lab called Bear already established in my home, I was unsure of how introducing not one but two 4-week-old kittens would go. To my pleasant surprise, my fears of a hostile pet household were put to rest after just a few short months. My Lab had not only accepted the two as part of the household but also took some of the mothering responsibilities onto herself. But my experience is not only limited to introducing my middle-aged Lab to young kittens. Being a life-long dog lover, I helped my friend who adopted a rescued Labrador Retriever and introduced him into her household, which was already dominated by her elderly male cat. While both experiences seemed to be from the opposite end of the spectrum, with different unique challenges, both ended in success. My Labrador named Bear So I am here to share with you what I had learned through my personal experience, my knowledge of Labs, and my conversations with my veterinarian to help you enjoy the same success I had when it came time for my Lab and cats to meet. When it comes to the cohabitation of cats with dogs, the situation and disposition of the animals can play a significant factor, but so can the breed of dog as well. While there are some dogs that will naturally be aggressive towards cats, Labrador Retrievers tend to do well with all forms of smaller pets. This does not mean that some incidents do not occur, but if the situation is approached in the right way, you will most likely be able to get your Lab and cat to form a friendly bond or peaceful toleration, at least. While we know the answer is yes, you may now be wondering why. The reason that Labradors can so easily cohabitate with cats largely has to do with the specific traits associated with the breed. These characteristics can reduce the chance of problems and also help to make the transition go more smoothly. They are naturally friendly Labradors are considered one of the most friendly breeds of dogs. They like to be social and get attention from both humans and other animals. Most Labs will approach other animals with curiosity instead of fear. They are happy to make a new friend whenever they can. In many cases, they are not even protective over their food, which can be good if your cat decides they want to try something new for dinner. They are easily trained Labs love to please their owners, which makes training them easier than with other breeds. Since they can be effectively trained, they can get control over their chase instinct, which can sometimes be triggered by a running cat. Having impulse control can help to make the introduction more comfortable for the cat, which can lead to a more peaceful existence. They are not aggressive While any dog can be trained to be aggressive, Labradors by nature are not. They can sometimes be high-strung depending on their mood, but rarely will attack unprovoked. This makes it a safer situation if you bring in a playful kitten. While it is possible to introduce any age cat to any age Lab, you will have greater success by introducing an older Lab to kittens or your older cat to a Lab puppy. You may be wondering, are Lab puppies good with cats? It may seem strange if you have an older, less mobile cat and a high-strung puppy, but the truth is they can get along rather well. Even though Lab puppies have a ton of energy that they are throwing around, and it may seem to stress the cat out at first, their young age makes it easy for them to learn and adapt to the situation. Why are Lab puppies good with older cats? If your older cat is dominant, a Lab puppy will pick up quite rapidly the fact that they are not at the top of the food chain in that specific household. They can learn how to give the cat space, what it likes and dislikes, and how to coexist with them in the household. Lab puppies will also be much more receptive to your guidance, not only through specific training but also through your actions. They will see that you love and respect the cat and will try to do the same in order to gain your favor. In addition to the ability to better learn and adapt to the situation, an older cat may be less intimidated by the smaller size of the puppy than they would of a full-grown Lab. Why are older Labs good with kittens? You can also find that introductions can go easier on the opposite end of the spectrum as well, by introducing an older resident Lab to young kittens. As mentioned before, Labs are not territorial animals when it comes to other pets, so even though they are established in the household already, they will not see the addition as much of a threat. Also, the size of kittens compared to the size of a full-grown Lab will definitely take any anxiety out of the situation on the part of the Lab. Another reason Labs are good with young kittens is that they are playful even when they are older. Kittens are balls of energy, and the Lab will likely respond to that energy by becoming energetic as well instead of being startled. Female Labs especially will take on mothering roles with young pets and may see young kittens as no different than a puppy that would pull at their ears and jump on their back. As for the kitten, they likely have not learned to fear dogs by this point, so the size of a full-grown dog will not intimidate them. If you start with a successful introduction, you will have a better foundation for a solid and mutually respectful relationship. There are different ways to introduce your Lab to your cat, and the method you choose will probably be dictated by the age of the pets that are meeting. The crate and leash method If you are wondering how to introduce a Lab puppy to cats, then the crate and leash method will likely work best. With this method, your cat can still exert its dominance while slowly getting used to the new addition in its living environment. Step 1 Start with your Labrador in its crate , and then bring your cat into the room. Step 2 Place the cat on the table so that they are higher than the puppy in the crate but can still see them. By being elevated, they are likely to feel less intimidated and more in command. After trying this a few times, you can move on to the leash portion. Step 3 Have your cat in the room on the table. Have your puppy in the adjacent room on a leash. Give them treats to calm down. Once the puppy is calm, bring them into the room on the leash and have them sit. Keep both of them calm and reward them with a treat. Step 4 Proceed with this exercise getting the two closer together each time until they are within a few feet of each other. Step 5 If they have shown success with this, now is the time to let them meet without the leash. Stay in the room so you can control the situation. Always make sure your cat has an escape route if they become too uncomfortable. Step 6 Once they can both be loose and stay calm in the same room with each other, they should be OK to be with each other unsupervised. The dinner method If you are introducing an older Lab to young kittens, the dinner method may give you the best success. Step 1 Start by keeping your kittens and Lab separate when eating but place their food on the opposite side of one door. This will allow each of them to associate the sounds and smell of their new roommates while engaging in a pleasant activity: eating. If your dog begins whining or scratching at the door, correct them and redirect them to continue to eat. Step 2 Then it is time for their face to face. Bring the kitten in the room in a crate and the dog on the leash. Have your dog lie down a few feet from the crate so they can now make a visual association with what they were hearing and smelling. Reward them with treats. Start with short sessions to start with and work your way up. Step 4 For the next stage, let the kitten loose in the room and keep control of your Lab on the leash, allowing the kitten to investigate without feeling threatened. If your dog acts aggressively or agitated, verbally correct them, but if they stay calm, reward them with treats. After several calm interactions, they will be ready to both be loose when supervised and eventually unsupervised. What Precautions To Take When Introducing Remember, even the sweetest pets may act aggressively when they feel threatened, and it can be hard to determine what they might consider a threatening act. Because of this, it is important to always take precautions when introducing your Lab to a cat. Always start with having one of the pets contained and have the ability to restrain at least one of them if the need arises until they have had sufficient time to get to know one another. Make sure your cat is always comfortable It is also important that your cat always has an escape route. Even the slightest discomfort can make a cat skittish, and they can attempt to flee. Instead, wait for them to calm down to try another session. Avoid introductions around children Another precaution to take is to never perform the introduction process with young kids around. Children can add to the anxiety of the situation and make it uncomfortable for the pets. There is also the chance that one of the pets could take out their aggression on the child, possibly leading to an injury. Final Thoughts Labrador Retrievers are the ideal breed if you plan to have a cat as well. Their disposition and traits make them good companions for other pets, and their social nature makes them want to seek out new friends. While some Labs and cats will become fast friends, for others, it can take longer. Be patient and take the proper steps to ensure a successful and happy household. Gotta Love Labradors Labradors make great companions when enjoying the outdoors. You may find these articles an interesting read:. I have a friend who has a Labrador and two cats. How come that these pets can live together, while born rivals. That is why I thought about writing an article about Labradors and Cats and everything there is to know about the subject. The fact is- dogs chase cats not because they are born rivals, but because of prey drive or excitement due to motion triggers. This trait in dogs come from wolves as they belong to the same canine family. It is a natural instinct they have. Prey drive is essential for an animal who is superior in the food chain for their survival. Hunter Breeds and Cats Most of the hunter dogs will chase a cat naturally due to prey drive and some healthy dogs just for fun; those who hunt for pleasure are more likely to be friends with a cat. But even when hunter breeds have been trained to live with cats. They have become excellent friends, like family, with the cats. Labradors, unlike other gundogs, were used for retrieving rather than chasing or killing prey. This habit can be easily unlearned with some training and grooming exercises together. So, yes! Labradors can be friends with Cats. Any lab can become affectionate with a cat after some training sessions, which is easy to be done at home. Friendly dog and cat resting over green grass background After being socialized and establishing a bond, you will often see them snuggling, licking, and even teasing each other by love. One friendly warning is, when they will play together, they can mess up your living room settings. Sometimes labs chasing a cat can try to hold her by mouth while playing gently. They generally do share a beautiful and unique bond after being trained. Labradors are a very tolerant dog, and he may allow cats even to eat together and also let her play with his toys. Labs are very fun-loving; he is known for having pleasuring human intelligence. The interaction will also be dependent on the nature of the cat to some extent, but labs are generally friendly with a cat after well socialized. The introduction of a Labrador with a cat is going to be very important for upcoming training sessions. During the introduction, you will get to know about the things you have to work on for making a relationship between your pets better if your Lab is not socialized with cats earlier. Initially, you may face some difficulty while introducing them to each other. Before introducing with a cat, make sure your dog knows basic etiquettes and follows your commands like sit, stand, etc. It is also important that he gets enough exercise. These methods may work initially, but in the long run, it can aggravate the behavior of your dog. Way of introduction will depend on the situations like; whether your dog is a puppy or an adult which one, cat or dog knows you best Whether a cat is an adult, or she is a kitten How to Introduce a Labrador Puppy to a Cat? If you have a puppy lab, then introduce him with a cat in a crate or puppy home. Until they are fully known to each other, never leave them alone. Labrador puppy introducing himself to a cat Always introduce your dog with the cat in your very presence. Use a leash to control the puppy if it shows different behavior or aggression. If the dog is behaving aggressively, then control them by command and for doing well, reward them with their favorite food. How to Introduce an Adult Labrador to a Cat? An adult lab should follow similar methods. If the Labrador is not acclimated to live with the feline, he will try to behave aggressively in this situation hold him by leash and command him to sit calmly. Follow this process of confronting Lab with a cat often, until you have not found them being comfortable with each other in your presence. After being socialized Lab will consider the cat as your part and he will take care of her. Let them smell each other and feel comfortable in the presence of that kind of smell. It is called nose to nose method. You can also exchange their toys for doing so. He will only act a little curious while introduction which is obvious. An adult lab weighs around 80 pounds which is many times greater than even an adult cat. A cat generally hesitates to come near adult dogs because of its size. If an adult dog is not well socialized with cats before, he will have problems getting along with the cat. Labrador puppies look similar in size to an adult cat. So, a puppy is more likely to feel comfortable with a cat. If the puppy grows up playing with cats, he will share a superb bond with his roommate after being an adult. Socializing a puppy to a cat is more comfortable than doing the same with an adult Labrador. The relation between the Lab and the cat is not only dependent on the Lab. It is also dependent on the nature of the cat. If a cat is fragile and shy, it will not tend to play with a puppy. If a cat is bold and confident, she will quickly get along with a dog. A puppy can be trained to live with any cat comfortably. You can rectify the problem of your dog earlier, and you can teach your dog accordingly. The Labrador is a fun-loving breed of dog. Naturally, he is not aggressive. Do Labradors chase cats? The roommate cat, labs sometimes chase just for playing. Chasing cats by a Labrador will be caused by various triggers. The trigger can be of any type; it can be a prey trigger, trigger due to motion and trigger of sound. Prey Trigger Talking about prey trigger, we already know that labs are called retriever hunting dogs. Like they were used to pull fishing nets for their owner or bring downed pigeons for the owner. So, they have less urge to chasing prey than other breeds. But they chase unknown cats due to motion trigger. Similarly, as it chases a moving the ball to fetch it. Moving cats seem like a small running object for them, so they chase them. The way labs chase a cat is dissimilar to the hunting dogs, who keep their feet silently and run agilely behind the prey. Labs run by barking; it proves he is not intended to kill. When a labrador reaches near a cat, he does not attack the neck, rather than he will only move near that place and wink their tail rapidly. If the cat will not be afraid and retaliate strongly, he will not even go near her. Although he has reached a cat, he is not going to bite her hard, but his size and barking are enough to make any small cat afraid. This trait of chasing and the trigger can be easily controlled by some training. Use the right training methods to control the chasing of a cat by a lab. To stop your Labrador from chasing your cat, socialize him with your cat and initially keep them separately to avoid confrontation. Pets will make your house feel livelier. Having a single pet is okay but with more than one pet, and from different kingdom will give you added responsibilities together with added fun. Cat and Dog together on a sofa What do cats and labradors need for the best living space: Labradors.

Ready for new homes: August 11, .Ready for new homes: September .Ready for new homes: October .Ready for new homes: November .Ready for new homes: December .Ready for new homes: June .GSDs are a versatile and highly intelligent breed capable of mastering complex obedience commands. Their intelligent versatility is just one of many unique factors that put GSDs head and shoulders above most other breeds in the canine world. The average GSD can grow to a shoulder height as high as 26 inches and are capable of equal parts grace and power. Because of this incredible mixture of intelligence, grace, and strength, they are the favorite breed of security experts from local K-9 police departments to every branch of the military across many different nations. GSDs are also capable of mastering the highest levels of show dog training making them among the most popular breeds of championship show dog organizations. There are plenty of reasons why German Shepherds have long been thought of as canine royalty. Select your new pup from one of our available litters and make your reservation with us. No problem. You can contact us at or or email us at vomragnar gmail. Our trainers can also train your pup for basic obedience, advanced obedience, and protection or security work. Your puppy will learn excellent manners and communication skills that will provide you with many years of a rich, full relationship with your German Shepherd. Design Please beware of scams and frauds! There are scams out there who use our brand. Their website may look exact the same since they duplicate our website or their domains look similar. Our website is vomragnar. Our brand name is patented. We are licensed breeders in Illinois. Please do not trust scammers and beware. Want to see our puppies available for sale? Write a Review vitali P 2 weeks ago Thank you affinity! We are very happy with our work together! A very special thank you to Jessie. Our new puppy sends you much love! Anastasiya Karovina 2 weeks ago Thank you guys for the beautiful baby. She's gorgeous! Brought joy to the house for the whole family. Excellent work, service, responsible attitude. I recommend it! Hagen 3 weeks ago My journey with my German Shepherd began with the expert guidance of the breeder at I Guard International and was beautifully complemented by the training prowess Jessi, Cody and Nick at K9 Country Club. Together, they've shaped a truly remarkable experience for me and my family. At I Guard International, I found not just a breeder but a passionate caretaker for these noble animals. The attention to detail, the commitment to quality, and the profound understanding of the German Shepherd breed were evident from our first meeting. Our pup was not merely a product but a living testament to their dedication to excellence Cody, working in unison with Nick, brought a whole new dimension to our German Shepherd's training. Their collaboration, with unique insights and methodologies, created a synergy that was reflected in the outstanding development of our pet. Cody's patient approach, his investment in understanding our dog's unique needs, and his ability to work seamlessly with Nick, resulted in a well-rounded and perfectly trained companion. But it wasn't just about the training; it was about the relationships that were forged. Jessi, Cody and Nick became more than trainers; they became mentors and friends to our family. They shared their wisdom, their love for dogs, and their unwavering commitment to providing the best care and training possible. Our German Shepherd's growth under their combined guidance has been a joy to watch. His character, discipline, and happiness are direct reflections of their hard work and heartfelt investment. If you're considering a breeder who truly understands the essence of the German Shepherd breed and trainers who will not just train your dog but celebrate its unique personality and potential, I wholeheartedly recommend I Guard International for breeding and training. In a world filled with choices, choosing them was one of the best decisions we've made for our family and our beloved pet. Their combined expertise and genuine love for what they do have created a lifelong bond and a truly happy, well-trained German Shepherd. Thank you, I Guard International, Cody,Jessi, and Nick, for being more than professionals in your field; thank you for being partners in our family's journey. Tom Jones 2 months ago.Hans Hauge 3 months ago We wanted two dogs that could both defend our home and still be a part of the family. We got it with these two. When someone comes to the door they let us know, and then they just chill out. Megan Mathews 6 months ago.As I was looking for breeders in the Spokane area. I came across I-Guard and gave them a call and spoke with Jessi. We set up a meeting to talk about their German Sheppards and she introduced us to Nick. He listened to our story about our Mal and he matched us up with the perfect German Sheppard for our family, Ace. I was impressed with the knowledge and professionalism that both Jessi and Nick gave to me and my family and feel very fortunate that I made the phone call to I-Guard for our next addition to our family. Since July Nick has reached out to ensure that all is going well on top of training Ace 1 on 1 to help out with my autistic son. Thank you Jessi and Nick for all you have done for my family. Zach Phelps 8 months ago Love these guys! Jessi was super helpful in answering any questions. They breed great tempered dogs for any environment. They took the time to talk and match the right dog to my crazy lifestyle. I will absolutely be coming back to expand my pack in a year or two. Chris Destro 2 year ago We searched and spoke with many German Shepherd breeders. Once we connected with Jessie, we felt super comfortable as she did not rush our decision at all, in fact, she was extremely patient and helpful as we made our final choice. So glad we went with I-Guard and her! He is amazing with kids and has a friendly disposition. We love him very much. Thank you again, Jessie.Koda is the best! We look at every German shepherd puppy as a special member of our family—and a future member of yours. Think of it like skipping the baby stage and the sleepless nights. Puppies range from two to 10 months old depending on your preference. Life Span Did You Know? The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile, well-recognized, and popular dog breeds in the world. The modern German Shepherd is descended from a family of various German herding dogs. Breed standards were not developed until the late 19th century when Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, worked with Arthur Meyer and other breeders to develop the ideal German herding dog. Stephanitz and Meyer wrote the breed standard in and the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in .Although they were originally bred as herding dogs, they were also bred for versatility, which made the German Shepherd an all-around working dog that could excel in a variety of applications. German Shepherds are one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units in both police and military applications. They also make great service dogs and, of course, are still awesome herding dogs and farm dogs! The German Shepherd is a strong-willed and highly intelligent dog. They have a playful, energetic spirit and tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great family companion. A born protector, the German Shepherd will provide a great sense of security for their family while their loving and lively personality will make them fit right in as a companion. German Shepherds are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers at first. A well-socialized German Shepherd will bark to alert you and tends to warm up to strangers once introduced. German Shepherds are dogs that were bred to herd and work. This, plus their high energy, makes them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt well to larger apartments as long as plenty of time is dedicated to ensuring they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention every day. A bored, ignored, or under-exercised German Shepherd can often become a destructive one. They also can be sensitive to their surroundings and large gatherings can be off-putting. With a longer coat, they tend to prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to heat. The German Shepherd is a generally healthy breed, but there are some potential health concerns and good breeding practices make a big difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a German Shepherd include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a barrel-chested breed, the German Shepherd is also at risk for bloat. While the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and highly trainable, they are generally not recommended for novice owners. If you are a novice dog owner, enroll in puppy training classes or enlist the help of a professional dog trainer; not just for your dog, but for yourself as well. Training assistance will help you grow in experience and build a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd puppy, which is essential. Also, the GSD has a thirst for training and fulfillment. They get bored easily and especially with repetition, so continued training with your German Shepherd throughout their life will be necessary. German Shepherds have a medium-to-long double coat. They will shed year-round and heavier as seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient; brushing daily is even better and your GSD will likely love you for it. Bathing is occasional on an as-needed basis. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs. Not only do they require a lot of daily activity, but they also are a herding breed that was made to run, guard, and observe, so they need a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for a GSD, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. With their versatility and athleticism, you can try a lot of different activities when puppies finish growing and they are cleared for higher-impact things. A fully-grown German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. German Shepherds generally live for years on average. Corporal Duncan brought him back to the United States and Rin-Tin-Tin became one of the most famous dog actors in history. Featured German Shepherd Article. May not even be aware of the breed standard. Breeds to any convenient dog. Strives towards the ideal. Often helps to define it. Does not need to promote establishment; sells to brokers, pet shops, etc. Often rescues only to attain more stock. Rarely attends shows or trials. Shows and trials to objectively test breeding stock. Often judges, provides seminars, writes articles, and willingly mentors serious Hobby Breeders. Knowledge Often pretends to know some. May share false or incomplete information. Studies continuously. Impacts the breed for many decades with knowledge of dogs over many generations. All pups sold have full breeding rights. Yes, and diligently follows up on progeny. Keeps up with health and temperament issues affecting the breeding and provides in-depth guarantees No need to; mostly supplies brokers and pet shops. Meets minimum standards as required by state law. May refuse to acknowledge most problems. Maintains a solid support system — accepts full responsibility for every puppy produced. Performs health testing for all breeding stock for genetic diseases affecting the particular breed. No interest, may offer papers as proof of quality. Papers alone are not proof of quality. No interest. May provide undocumented paperwork for appearances sake. Is unfamiliar with health testing usually statements of good health are stated to impress consumers. Intensive testing always a priority. Often initiates club sponsored seminars and clinics. Maintains records on all dogs in gene pool including progeny. Often supplies brokers and pet shops, records unavailable. Dogs and puppies are often auctioned off in lots, records unavailable. Focuses mostly on current dogs, no records or knowledge of genes. Attempts to continuously track every puppy produced. Bases entire breeding program on extensive gene pool data. Clean environment always maintained Minimum standards vary greatly in cleanliness. Minimum standards maintained for state inspections. Conditions may vary greatly depending on available income, usually makeshift accommodations. Clean, healthy and mentally stimulating environment. Expected longevity with any particular breed Will continue as long as the sales are coming. Depends on popularity of specific breeds. Unrealistic expectations — easily disillusioned. On a mission-plans to stay for the long haul. Health guarantee provided No, it cuts into profits. No health guarantee beyond proof of first set of vaccines, if that. Not qualified to give advice if a problem arises. Offers written guarantee and is available to answer questions to new owners. Good knowledge of history in dogs. Extensive knowledge of health history, offers replacements to owners of genetically affected dogs. Ability to meet the parents of the litter If available, may be in poor physical condition. If available, dogs are not used to contact with people. May or may not be well loved and cared for companions, often unwilling to show entire litter or parents to buyer. Shows friendly mother and entire litter in clean environment; stud dog too, if in residence. Helps buyer choose appropriate puppy. Can explain how breeding was planned to emphasize specific qualities and can speak at length about how puppies compare. What you can expect after purchase Nothing, may not be able to contact at all. No concern for dog after sale is final. Available for questions, and wants to keep in touch. Will take back dog or puppy at any time. After purchase will help with training and grooming, available for all questions and knows the answers. Price Priced according to market, but is marked up from original source for profit. Mid-range to move puppies quickly. High end of mid-range. Price will not reflect all that is invested. Use only physically sound, mature dogs of stable temperament for breeding. These characteristics are rarely, if ever, determined before the age of two for females. Continue to educate themselves regarding genetic diseases pertinent to the breed including, hip and elbow dysplasia. Documentation of hip and elbow screenings should be available to prospective puppy buyers. Apply the same high standards to outside bitches sent to their stud dogs as they apply to their own breeding stock. Temperament testing of a litter before puppies are offered for sale is encouraged. Take appropriate steps to have each puppy examined by a licensed veterinarian for general health prior to placement. Each puppy should be vaccinated and de-wormed by a veterinarian. Endeavor to gain personal knowledge of the temperament and health of every dog they breed, or to which they breed, in order to gather information on which to base future breeding decisions. They share this information fully and honestly with other breeders and with prospective buyers. Sell breeding prospects to knowledgeable, ethical and experienced persons or are willing to help educate and guide novices. Do not engage in misleading or untrue advertising and do not use GSDCA membership as a marketing tool. Do not sell, supply, donate or surrender any dog for which they are responsible to a pet shop, catalogue house, wholesale dealer in dogs, Humane Society or to a laboratory. They should have reasonable assurance that each individual receiving a dog will provide a home with appropriate shelter, restraint, control and responsible care. Encourage puppy buyers to go to puppy obedience classes to help their puppies to become better canine good citizens. The achievement of a Canine Good Citizen certificate should be encouraged. Since homeowners insurance and local laws vary greatly, a refusal to let you visit the kennels may not, in and of itself, be a bad sign. You should ask for and receive a satisfactory explanation. The puppies are not social or look sickly. How to read those ads. A few more things to look out for. Anyone can buy a puppy from a champion, but it does not mean that they have any other interest in the breed but to bank on the name and make money. Having a Champion in a pedigree is like having a billionaire relative. AKC registration does not guarantee quality. AKC papers are much like the title of a car; papers are issued to the junked Chevy on blocks in your yard just as easily as they are on a brand new, shiny Jaguar. AKC does not control breeding, approve litters, or guarantee temperaments. AKC Registration is automatic if you buy from a reputable breeder — they will provide all necessary paperwork when you buy a puppy. There are several groups that are registering dogs, even mixed breeds, for a fee. This registration means nothing, and is of no value to you. Are there too many defects for the animal to be bred? Shop with care. Rarely will a good breeder have the luck to own both dogs for the perfect litter. There are some good and very reasonable reasons to have both parents on site. However, you need to ask the right questions and understand why this is true. They might be, they might not. Are they too big to be cute anymore? Need more money? Is there a problem? Usually because there are more on the way. Be very wary of this one. Will a Breeder Ask Me Questions? Conscientious breeders want the best available home for their puppies. This determines the amount of time you will have available for your new addition. There are very important items that should be supplied by the breeder. Breeders will typically give you the following items: A signed pedigree A current Health Record; including de-wormings and vaccinations. American Kennel Club registration papers or application Sales contract. The type of contract varies and must be mutually agreeable to the breeder and buyer. Much depends on what you expect from the puppy show, pet, or performance. Feeding schedule including the type and amount of food. Copy of OFA certification of sire and dam, if available. Sound in mind and body, strong, functional, intelligent, trainable, courageous, and resilient. These are the natural qualities that can only be realized through the incredible genetics of purebred German Shepherds. We only import the best-of-the-best. Certified champions straight from Germany! Due to his home being burglarized in , Wayne decided to train dogs in tracking, obedience, and protection. His untrained Staffordshire Bullterrier was unable to protect his home and he then decided to obtain a Rottweiler for protection. Wayne continued to train Rottweilers up until the early 90s where he purchased his first German Shepherd. He was raised along side German Shepherds which had a huge impact toward his love and respect for the breed. At Kraftwerk K9, we honor the history of the German Shepherd. We here at Kraftwerk K9 care for and teach these world-class dogs to live up to their full potential. Our ethical breeding facility sits on 25 gorgeous acres of Washington soil and is available for touring before purchase. Take a look at our facility Learn more about our certified German Shepherds by calling today at or visiting our Available Dog page!