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

Website: appleridgegsd. They have been deeply committed to the breed for over a couple of years, and they are one of the only breeders in the state to have both AKC and SV German Shepherd Dog Club of America breeding permits. They are a small, family-run kennel that breeds German Shepherds for companionship or working purposes. They breed German Shepherd dogs that are versatile, stable, loving, loyal, extremely smart, and trainable from the best West German lines in the world. Their breeding stock is all OFA certified for hips, elbows, heart, and diabetes. Their breeding stock is also VWD-free, so their puppies will not contract the disease. They strive to breed German Shepherds that are healthy, happy and have good temperaments. They also have a small number of retired adults who are looking for loving homes! Please contact them if you are interested in adopting one of these pets. You are guaranteed lifetime support and coaching! Provided at no additional cost. Emial: mechezarreta yahoo. They breed German Shepherds and provide a stud service, drawing on the best genetics acquired from Germany to achieve their success. Their puppies come with a health guarantee, which makes them one of the few breeders who do so. If you decide to purchase a German Shepherd puppy from them, they can assist you with the full process of bringing your new pet into the country in order to make it as seamless as possible for you and your loved ones. A hereditary hip and elbow guarantee, current vaccinations and deworming, a microchip, and AKC registration papers are all included with every puppy purchased from Puppy Heaven. The puppies are available in two sizes: small and medium. According to their owners, a number of championships, including Best In Show, have been won by their Shepherds at both the regional and national levels. If you are looking for a reputable and reliable breeder of German Shepherds in Florida, then these 11 breeders should be at the top of your list. Each of them has a long history of breeding healthy, happy, and beautiful puppies that make excellent family pets or working dogs. We hope this list will help you decide which of these kennels are best for your family and pets. Do any of them sound like a good fit? What other factors do you think should be considered before making this decision? Remember, this is one of the most important decisions that you will make in your life, so take some time to research these breeders before contacting them. The German Shepherd makes a wonderful companion dog, as well as a guard dog if trained properly. The breed has been used in many roles throughout history, including therapy and search-and-rescue. If you have any questions about the breed or their temperament then feel free to contact your local German Shepherd rescue for more information on how this amazing dog can enrich your life. Are there any other Florida German shepherd breeders that should be on this list? Please let us know by leaving a comment below. I've been breeding German Shepherds of sound body and mind for over 30 years and specialize in providing families with loving companion dogs, and dogs for emotional support therapy, for veterans suffering PTSD, and for other special needs. I'm trying to share my extensive knowledge on breeding and training the perfect German Shepherd with the wider community. We offer lifetime guarantees on health and temperament. Our bloodlines started out of the top 2 bloodlines in the world, Vom Arlett and Bad-Boll. As I continue this blog I will help you learn how to assure you are picking a healthy and happy pup for your next family companion. Recent Posts. These puppies have been raised indoors and around other dogs since birth. We expect these puppies to have nice deep pigments, solid nerves, nice bone structure and all in all an excellent quality dog from top pedigrees from Germany, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Dad is a 95 pound Sable Male with good hips and elbows along with solid nerves and a great disposition. Mom is 84 pounds with an extremely nice blocky build. She too has good hips and elbows. Mom is more of a fun loving free spirited dog. We own a 50 acre kennel in Daytona Beach, Florida. Our goal is to improve the breed through selective, quality breeding. All Imported sires and dams used for breeding have Europes highest hip ratings A Stamp. Importing German Shepherds of this quality is not easy nor is it inexpensive. Unlike most American breed Shepherds, our German Shepherd adults and puppies have great temperaments and strong nerves. Our breeding stock is here on site and impressive to say the least. You may make an appointment to visit our kennel at anytime. If you are interested in purchasing a pup in the near future, keep in mind that many times the pups are sold before the litter arrives so you may have to be on a waiting list. We take great care in the placement of our animals. The ideal home for a German Shepherd will include a yard or kennel run with plenty of daily exercise. Hope you enjoy the pictures on our site! Receive updates on new litters, get PupPact Assistance from Mike, communicate with other Shepherd's Meadow Parents and Staff or share information about your new pup. Merry Christmas!

If your bulldog lost much water because of excessive bowel movements, you may give this as a first aid. To be sure, consult your veterinarian for the dosage to give. This bland diet could be plain rice topped with vegetable broth. Rice is low in fiber and easy to digest which is exactly what you want for your bully. Many people may suggest to feed your bulldog yogurt, but remember that yogurt is an allergen for many bulldogs so avoid yogurt, as it may make things worse for you and your dog. Therefore, you may do the following while observing the progress of its health: Let your bulldog fast for 12 — 24 hours. Simply put, do not feed your bulldog first. This will allow its digestive system to heal itself by eliminating the improper contents inside then resetting after everything is expelled. Feeding your dog while its stomach is upset may actually interfere with the process of cleansing. Hydrate your dog while it is fasting to avoid dehydration. As your dog is pooping, it is losing much water. Thus, keep it hydrated during the hour period. Yogurt is a dog friendly food that you can offer your bulldog as they recover from diarrhea. Use yogurts that do not contain artificial sweeteners or added sugar. Yogurts have active good bacteria for the stomach and are a probiotic. Because overeating can make your dog suffer diarrhea, make sure that it eats the right amount of food every meal time. As humans, a bulldog needs to maintain health as it has a sensitive digestive system. Therefore, make sure that you do not feed your bulldog with so much treats with poor ingredients. Also, check the ingredients to avoid giving food that your dog is allergic of. Bulldogs have many food allergies. Some of the most common food allergens are chicken , beef, and dairy. Most dogs love chicken and beef, but bulldogs must avoid these ingredients. Do not make sudden dietary changes. A gradual change in diet, preferably more than 10 days, is much better than treating a diarrhea. Conclusion Knowing the food and medicine to feed your bulldog during times of diarrhea is as important as knowing the first aid treatment you should do to relieve discomfort. As diarrhea is a sickness of the digestive system, food is the key to deal with the root cause of the sickness. Give your bulldog extra rest as they recover and a diet that is gently on their stomachs. Once your bulldog shoes signs of recovery, slowly start introducing foods that will be gentle on their stomachs such as rice. Hopefully with the proper treatment, the diarrhea will pass in a couple of days and your bulldog will be back to themselves. Remember to re-introduce food slowly as your bully friend recovers. Also be patient and loving with your bulldog while they are sick. Post Views: 1, Lethargy Poor appetite Gums that are pale or tacky to the touch, which can indicate dehydration, anemia or shock Watery poop that lasts for more than a day Deciding Whether To Go to the Veterinarian A puppy with diarrhea almost always warrants a call to your veterinarian. At the very least, this will get you individualized guidance on what home therapies you can try and what doses to give your pup. Puppies metabolize many medications differently than mature dogs, so dosage adjustments may be necessary. When a puppy has loose stool, talking to a veterinarian can also help you determine whether a trip to the hospital is needed. Treatments that are often needed in more severe cases of acute diarrhea include: Fluid therapy to treat dehydration— given under the skin or intravenously Medications to slow down the bowels and reduce diarrhea and fluid loss Medications to manage vomiting Antibiotics to treat or prevent a bacterial infection arising from within the gut Hospitalization and close monitoring for extremely sick puppies Your veterinarian can also run tests to determine why your pup has diarrhea—a fecal examination for parasites or a test for parvovirus, for example. Scoop up some diarrhea and seal it tightly in a plastic bag or container. If you see a parasite or incriminating evidence like a chewed piece of plastic, make sure you bring that too. Puppies, especially those really young and really small, can dehydrate quickly. Make sure your puppy has access to fresh water at all times. Bring it to them if necessary. Entice a reluctant drinker by adding some low-sodium bouillon to the water or a few drops of liquid from some tuna canned in water. Pediatric hydration fluids for human babies work well, too, if your pup will drink them. Stick to bland food. This might be boiled, unseasoned hamburger or white meat chicken with some rice or a prescription diet for intestinal problems that you can get from your veterinarian. Check with your veterinarian to see if you can give any supplements or over-the-counter medications like canned pumpkin, kaolin-pectin or probiotics. A: The reasons why your puppy has diarrhea could include a change in diet, eating something unusual, exposure to toxins, viral or bacterial infections, food allergies or intolerances, intestinal parasites, stress, and other potentially serious health problems. Q: What to give dogs for diarrhea? A: Pet parents have to be careful in what they give for dog diarrhea—some over-the-counter treatments are dangerous if used incorrectly or in the wrong situations. If the diarrhea is mild and not associated with a serious health problem, it may respond to a bland diet boiled white meat chicken and rice, for example and extra water intake. Your veterinarian can let you know whether it is safe to give your puppy canned pumpkin, kaolin-pectin, probiotics and other supplements or medications. Q: How long does puppy diarrhea last? A: Puppy diarrhea can last for just a few hours, or it may persist for days or even longer. Always talk to your veterinarian if puppy diarrhea lasts for more than a day or two or if it is associated with vomiting, lethargy, weakness or any other symptoms of disease. Q: Does puppy teething cause diarrhea? A: Many pet parents report that puppy teething seems to be associated with diarrhea. However, diarrhea during this time can still be serious enough to require veterinary care. Teething puppies will often chew on and swallow almost anything they can get their mouths on. Also, the immune systems of young puppies who are teething are not yet fully formed, so they are at higher risk for the bacterial and viral infections that can cause diarrhea. Q: Is blood in my puppy's diarrhea an emergency? Call your veterinarian immediately for advice. Q: Why does my puppy have diarrhea after changing food? Whenever possible, make dietary changes over the course of a week or two. If you suspect your pet is sick, please call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your regular veterinarian when possible as they can make the best recommendations for your pet. If you need help finding a vet near you, use this link. We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Make some vegetable broth mixed with pumpkin. This firms the bulldog stool and relaxes the stomach. They can be given plain rice topped with vegetable broth too. Rice is supposed to be low in fiber, which is what we need for our bulldog to ease their digestion. Many people may advise you to feed your bulldogs with yogurt. You can also feed them with wet dog food. It will help them recover slowly. Let them fast. By doing this, the cleansing of their stomach will not be interrupted. Their digestive system eliminates all the harmful contents and then resets itself after everything is gone. All the inappropriate and undesirable contents come out in the form of poop. Feeding your bulldog while having diarrhea may hinder the cleansing process of the stomach. Keep your bulldog hydrated all the time. They must have lost a lot of water while pooping. As your bulldog is recovering from diarrhea, try feeding them yogurt. It is a dog-friendly food. Remember not to give them yogurt that contains artificial sweeteners or added sugar. Yogurts consist of good active bacteria for the stomach and are also probiotics. Do not forget to consult your vet about feeding them the yogurt. Measures for Preventing Bulldog Diarrhea The causes of bulldog diarrhea are already known to you now. Bulldogs have a susceptible digestive system, which makes it compulsory for you to check the ingredients. You must not give your bulldog food that has inferior ingredients. Also, check for allergies; if your bulldog is allergic to anything, check the ingredients to avoid allergies. Most bulldogs are allergic to many things, such as beef, chicken, and dairy. Bulldogs love chicken and beef a lot, but it should be avoided at all costs due to allergies. Ensure they eat the perfect amount of food, as overeating can cause diarrhea. Do not change it suddenly, as it can make their stomach upset. If you decide to change their diet, then plan it accordingly. Start by giving them old and new meals together for around ten days. In those ten days, change it gradually and replace the new one with the old one. It is always better to prevent diarrhea than to treat it. They will get used to new meals too. These were some standard measures for avoiding diarrhea. Keep observing your bulldog, and you may know the changes in them. Before You Go Bulldogs have a susceptible digestive system, and diarrhea is prevalent in them. You have to notice their routine to know whether they have diarrhea or not. You should give them proper treatment immediately if you see any symptoms. If you observe any additional symptoms, then rush to the vet immediately. Take care! Leave a Reply You must be logged in to post a comment. Preventing Puppy Diarrhea Puppy diarrhea is, unfortunately, a reality of pet ownership. Puppies do not have fully functioning immune systems, so they can be a little more sensitive to changes and potential sources of infection than their adult counterparts. Mild cases of diarrhea may go away quickly on their own, but other causes—including infections and parasites—can be a sign of a serious problem. Here's what to watch for and how to know what your next steps should be when your puppy has diarrhea. Some of the most common reasons for diarrhea in puppies include environmental factors, infections, and parasites. Hopefully this helps you find answers to "Why does my puppy have diarrhea? Moving into a new home, meeting new people and animals, learning to walk on a leash , vet visits and vaccinations , that first encounter with the Roomba. All of these experiences can cause stress, and your puppy may get diarrhea because of that. Diarrhea related to stress usually occurs within hours to a day of the stressful event, and generally resolves quickly on its own. Ask your puppy's breeder or previous owner what brand and formula of food she is used to eating, and start off by using that same diet. If you want to switch to a different food, do it gradually over several days, starting with just a little of the new food mixed in with the old and increasing the ratio of new food over time. Some dogs may have food intolerances or, less commonly, allergies to specific ingredients. These can also cause diarrhea. Identifying a food allergy or intolerance is a time-consuming process and will require guidance from your veterinarian. Some common parasites that can infest puppies include roundworms, hookworms , whipworms, tapeworms , coccidia, and giardia. Parasites are most commonly transmitted through poop a dog with worms poops out eggs and larvae, a puppy sniffs poop and inhales them. But some, such as roundworms, can be transmitted from mother to puppies through the placenta. As well as having diarrhea, puppies with parasites may have distended bellies, bloody diarrhea, appear thin, or be lethargic. Sometimes you may be able to see worms in the poop. Your veterinarian can c heck your puppy's stool for worm eggs and other parasites. Always bring a sample along if your puppy is having diarrhea. Once the offending parasite is identified, your vet can prescribe the best deworming medication to resolve the issue. Being treated for worms or other parasites does not prevent your puppy from getting them again, however. Remember how parasites are often spread through poop? Be sure to thoroughly clean your yard, removing all poo to minimize the number of parasitic worms living in the soil and environment. Otherwise, your puppy can reinfect herself from her own poop. All puppies should be on a regular deworming schedule starting while they are with the breeder. Most veterinarians recommend continuing regular, long-term deworming, such as with a monthly product. Dietary Indiscretion and Toxicities Like toddlers, puppies love to put their mouths on anything and everything. Eating the wrong thing can cause diarrhea in a couple different ways. This could range from feasting on the garbage leftover from your cookout to swallowing a chewed-up tennis ball or munching on your amaryllis plant. Eating an excessive amount of rich or fatty foods can cause stomach upset. In cases like these, your puppy may vomit or appear uncomfortable as well as having diarrhea. If your puppy has eaten something toxic, exact symptoms will vary depending on what and how much she ate. If you suspect your puppy has eaten something toxic, or are unsure about the potential threat of her illicit snack, contact an animal poison helpline such as the ASPCA Poison Control Center or the Pet Poison Helpline , , immediately. These services do charge a fee, but it's well worth it to have access to the most up-to-date information on toxicities in dogs. Even nontoxic non-food items can be problematic if they get stuck in your puppy's gastrointestinal tract and cause a blockage. Besides having diarrhea, a puppy with an obstruction may vomit, be lethargic, refuse to eat, and have abdominal pain. Viral and Bacterial Infections Parvovirus, often referred to as simply "parvo," is a diagnosis that strikes fear in any puppy owner's heart. This virus is highly contagious and wreaks havoc on your puppy's immune system and body, causing severe diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, anorexia, fever, and lethargy. Treatment consists of supportive care to help your puppy fight the disease and target symptoms. A puppy with parvo will likely be admitted to the hospital for intravenous fluids to keep her hydrated, medications, and round-the-clock supervision from her veterinary team. Parvo is often fatal, especially if treatment is started too late. Thankfully, there is an effective vaccination for parvo, and it is included in the routine puppy series. Your puppy will receive several rounds of the vaccine depending on her age. It's essential to get your puppy to her booster appointments on time; even one missed vaccination can leave her unprotected. Once she has finished her puppy series, the following year she can either get a one-year or three-year vaccine. Avoid places with other dogs, such as dog parks, boarding kennels, and popular dog-walking spots until she is fully vaccinated. Only allow her to interact with dogs who you know are vaccinated. If your puppy does get parvo, she will need to be kept away from unvaccinated dogs and puppies to prevent spreading it to them. Besides viruses such as parvo, your puppy can also get bacterial infections in her G. Common culprits include clostridium, E. Your puppy can pick these up from eating rotten food or poop from an infected animal. As she matures and her immune system finishes developing, she will be less susceptible to these tiny invaders. Puppy Vomiting and Diarrhea Vomiting and diarrhea are a dangerous combination. Both cause your puppy to lose water from her body, leading to dehydration. Dehydration can cause permanent damage to her internal organs in a matter of days. If your dog is experiencing this one-two punch of vomiting and diarrhea, you'll want to call your vet right away. When to Call Your Vet If your puppy has diarrhea but is still playful and normal, there is no need to panic. It will likely resolve on its own. Here are the signs to call your veterinarian to schedule an appointment: Diarrhea that lasts more than a day Bloody or black stool. At this point I do not think it is the food, but it could be although the food change may be only making the initial problem worse and causing stomach upset too. Whenever you get a new puppy, the first thing on your to do list should be getting a fecal done by your vet. Even if you are not having problems with diarrhea, get one done anyway. Almost every puppy I have bought has had either worms or coccidia. There is no real signs of this except for swollen looking belly and diarrhea. Molly had worms but her poo was not soft so go figure. Otherwise they are playful and happy just like a puppy should be. And they will be hungry. Very hungry. But all bully pups are, so that you can throw out the window. Almost all puppies have internal parasite, coccidia and worms, and if not treated by the breeder lets face it, not all breeders take care of it as they should. Depending on the cleanliness of the kennel there can also be giardia or worse. So if you have not yet, get your pup to the vet and have a fecal done. You can bring some with you to make it easier, just grab a ziplock bag, turn it inside out, and then put it on as a glove. Scoop up as much of the poo as you can grab, and then reverse the bag off your hand and seal shut.

More than a rescue. Our Sanctuary Vision Our goal is to create a sanctuary in nature away from fear, and stress for our pups to live their best lives while in our rescue. This will be a place for dogs to thrive and for people to find community and happiness. Read More Corporate Partners If your business or organization loves animals and a message of love and compassion - please contact us! Whether it's a brand partnership, matching donation, or you have an idea to share, please email jtylka roadogsandrescue. Join our Newsletter to stay informed on all of the latest roadogs action! Thank you! Your submission has been received! Something went wrong while submitting the form. After taking a look at all the loveable lemons there were to adopt, my husband and I fell in love with Antonio Flynn, known to us as Flynnie. They made the adoption process very quick and easy. They made sure our family was the right fit for Mossy and we would be good for her. We started following Roadogs on Instagram because of the beautiful and special pups they rescue! They were so kind and welcoming when I expressed interest in adopting Merlot. November 11, 25 December 9, 23 We do show dogs on the weekends that we are not at Petco, after the interested party has filled out the online application by appointment only. Seniors for Seniors Program As an advocate for the underdog, Ace of Hearts largely focuses on seniors who are often ignored because of their age and medical concerns. We believe that seniors deserve to live out their golden years in loving homes, not die alone a shelter. All dogs are vetted, current on vaccinations, spayed or neutered, microchipped, and we'll even include a month's supply of food. Our goal is to rescue more at-risk senior dogs from high-kill shelters who will in turn provide unconditional love and companionship to a senior who otherwise would not have had the means to adopt a dog. After 15 years of love, joy, and happiness, he left this world. He lived the very best life he possibly could and was a happy dog until his very last breath. He passed under his favorite jacaranda tree with his adopters at his side, holding his paw and head after a day at the beach with his family. His family wanted him to live and die with dignity and love and he did just that. They are so grateful to Ace of Hearts from saving him from the shelter and allowing them to give him the perfect forever home. They have asked for dogs lovers everywhere to donate to Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue in his name so we can save others like him who just needed a second chance at life. Click here to download the song Avery - before Despite the terrible neglect and abuse she has endured, Avery still welcomes hugs! She is an English bulldog who was overbred until her ovary swelled up to the size of an orange it should have been the size of a grape! We can't even imagine the kind of pain she must have been in. Because of neglect, she also has spindle tumors all over. She was sick and malnourished and because of being in such bad shape, ended up needing a blood transfusion after her surgery and had to stay at the vet for three days. Please help cover the cost of helping this brave lady!!! Please visit our donations page to help! And please pass her story on to people who think it's okay to buy puppies from stores! Avery, recovering from surgery. Ever wonder who cares for the seniors or unwanted bulldogs when a family no longer has time for the bulldog that has been a family member for a number of years? These senior Bulldogs depend on other people that take the time, to show concern and open their hearts for these Bulldogs that are no longer puppies — but just as adorable nonetheless. The need for help with senior Bulldogs and unwanted bulldogs far outstrip homes that can take them in or be willing to accept them as part of their families. Help is needed for seniors: Foster homes to care for them and not have them in kennels. Rethink your relationship with your bulldog. It is a choice when you got your bulldog and a choice when you give them up. NorCal Bulldog Rescue is in desperate need of foster homes! If you can help out, even if only for a short time, please contact us. The Bulldogs do not have to be integrated into your family of dogs, many of them need to be placed as only dogs so they need to be kept separate. If you have the ability to gate them off, this would be a tremendous help. You shop. Amazon Gives. Amazon donates 0. AmazonSmile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same service. Pacifica, CA .If your dog has a specific medical condition, we recommend you consult with your veterinarian before booking a swim at The Rex Center Donate your vehicle to help Northern California Bulldog Rescue. Please call or click here to donate now. In most cases, they are able to pickup your vehicle within 48 hours. Vehicles For Charity will make your donation experience a pleasant one. Through no fault of their own, more than four million dogs end up in shelters and rescue organizations every year, and nearly half of them never find a place to call home. The foundation provides grants to c 3 shelters and dog rescue organizations nationwide and encourages dog lovers to adopt, volunteer, and donate to support the cause. For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation online, visitwww. Each year, we help animal-welfare organizations find lifelong, loving homes for millions of orphaned pets, as well as fund spay and neuter efforts, animal-assisted therapy programs, and humane education.

Since , the volunteers of SGRR have rescued Golden Retrievers, Golden mixes, and Golden-hearted dogs who have been abandoned, abused, or relinquished by their owners. We are dedicated to finding the best possible homes for these dogs in need. September is National Preparedness Month! The peak of Atlantic hurricane season is here which is why it's important to take some time to reflect on disaster preparedness. As unlikely as it may seem, a disaster can strike at any moment. Whether it's a fire, tornado, hurricane, flood, or blizzard, it's critical to be prepared and have a plan in place. Unfortunately, pets are sometimes unintentionally left out of their owners' disaster preparedness plans which makes it difficult to know what to do with them during an emergency. Luckily, you can plan ahead for your pets using these tips: Listen to your veterinarian Make sure your pet wears a collar with up to date information on it, get them microchipped, and have them vaccinated. These recommendations will come in handy during a disaster and help you avoid any potential pitfalls, such as being unable to get into a shelter with an unvaccinated pet or losing them during an evacuation. If possible, take your pet's medical records with you and attach their rabies tag to their collar. Find out which shelters allow pets Do some research into where you can safely evacuate with your pet during a state of emergency before a disaster occurs. Your local police department can typically give you this information. If not, they'll likely be able to point you in the direction of someone who can. Though unfortunate, it is not true that hotels must accept pets during evacuations, so please keep that in mind while planning ahead. Prepare a pet disaster kit In a suitcase or other easily movable storage container, pack food and water bowls, a manual can opener, two weeks' worth of canned food and bottled water per pet, plastic poop bags for dogs , litter and a small litter box for cats , and two weeks' worth of any medications your pet may need. You should also pack cleaning items, sturdy leashes and harnesses, toys, and a copy of your pet's medical records. For small animals and cats, have a carrier ready. Use this checklist to prepare. Create handouts Create an identification handout and a boarding instruction handout. Have both ready to go at a moment's notice. They should contain important information, such as your pet's name, age, sex, markings, microchip number, allergies, and vaccination status. If you get separated from your pet, make sure you're safe before you begin your search. If you're in a shelter that houses pets, inform a caretaker and provide them with the identification handout. Once you've been given the OK to leave the shelter and return home, contact animal control and call the microchip company to make sure all information about you and your pet is current. Stay safe out there! Some dogs become comfort or therapy dogs, while others are champion security systems. Dudley's adopters, however, found he is quit the poet!! Kind of melts your heart, doesn't it? We hope you will be too! Looking for a good gift for yourself or someone else and make an impact at the same time? Go over and see our friends at Golden Retriever Coffee Company! Not only do they have amazing products, but they're big supporters of SGRR! Also, shipping is always free in the U. This all-natural craft bakery offers delicious treats for your furbabies such as pumpkin hearts, peanut and blueberry chews, turkey and sweet potato duckies and more pup-alicious flavors. Everything in the dog bakery is made with natural, healthful, nutritious ingredients, blueberries, duck, cheese, turkey, rolled oats, whole dried eggs, and more. Sunshine also will share a percentage of the bakery profits with other golden rescue organizations. Our Goldens and Golden-hearted dogs make wonderful pets. We want our applicants to also know that rescued dogs come from a variety of backgrounds. Some dogs are older dogs, including well-behaved and cared for pets whose owners have become ill or died. A patient and loving owner can make all the difference. The joys of seeing these dogs become the devoted and contented pets they were meant to be is remarkable. New to SGRR? Want to Learn More About Us? We at Sunshine Golden Retriever Rescue take the job of finding the best possible forever homes for our dogs very seriously. The adoption process is thorough so that we can learn as much as possible about those to whom we entrust our precious pups. Once a dog is placed with an approved adopter, they are welcomed into the SGRR family and given the tools and support to make the adoption successful. We have gathered comments from some of our adopters who are happy to tell you how they feel about us! You can read more comments on our Get to Know Us! To make a very long story short, she went on to become the saving grace of my life and a certified therapy dog who was with me for 13 years. After she crossed over that rainbow bridge, I did a lot of research with adoption agencies and came across SGRR. After filling out the application and being interviewed I was offered a dog by the name of Daisy, a beautiful red Golden Retriever. I thought I would never feel about another dog the way I felt about my Julie but it was not long before I fell in love with that sweet, sweet girl who was also with me for 13 years. Everyone loved Daisy, she would go up to people and do that lean into thing, a Golden thing, and they would just laugh and pet her. That is when I realized what an amazing organization, so full of caring and wonderful people who often go above and beyond for these wonderful animals. When my Daisy girl crossed over after a few months went by I thought it time to bring another friend home. Golden Retrievers had become hard to find so I decided to take a mixed breed home which was a big deal for me being the Golden Retriever lover that I am. I never had a male or a mixed breed before so I did not know what to expect. Finnie settled right in and is a wonderful companion and friend to furry sibling Gracie. Finnie took some training but I knew in time he would be a great dog and he is a great dog. He is very different than the other dogs in my life but he is so much fun to have with us. He loves people and gets very excited with everyone and will jump up in the air like an acrobat we are working on that , but a great dog. I would encourage everyone to think about a mixed breed. With time, love and patience you get a great dog and companion. We are excited and proud to share it with all of you. Click the button below and enjoy! The soft light and subtle fragrance will be a sweet reminder of the love you have shared. Please check out their website to learn more about J. Lilienne Custom Candles Pet Collection. SGRR is designated as a c 3 organization which means your donations are tax-deductible. You can make a donation to our general fund or designate your donation for a specific purpose such as a memorial or a tribute. Single Payment Use for a single donation or to pay an adoption fee. Recurring Donation Sponsor a Dog If you would like to provide for the care of a particular dog's needs, you may sponsor that dog. We will then note you as a sponsor on the dog's dedicated bio page. We thank you in advance for your generous support! Our Breeding Practices Behaviour and socialisation We are proud to raise our puppies in our loving home using the puppy culture method. As a breeder, we have the power to change the outcome of a puppy's life by what we choose to teach them during this critical period in their life. The training ensures we… Read more Health We feed mother and pups a quality diet of Royal Canin and add probiotic to ensure our puppies have a healthy gut. Dogs with… Read more View all breed additional tests Moanakuri Golden Retrievers conducts 4 additional tests available for the Golden Retriever. Degenerative Myelopathy DM Genetic Test This is a disease affecting the spinal cord of older dogs, initially causing wobbliness and eventually hindlimb paralysis. It can affect a wide range of breeds. There is now a DNA test that can indicated if a breeding dog is carrying this disease. Ichthyosis Genetic Test This is a serious genetic skin disease that causes flaky dry skin and footpad problems. It can occur in many breeds but is fairly common in Golden Retrievers. There is a DNA test to identify whether a breeding dog is carrying this disease and could pass it on to their puppies. As it is a genetic disease, breeding parents can be tested to ensure it is not passed onto their puppies. There are a variety of sub-types of PRA, which can occur in various breeds. There are various DNA tests available to identify whether a breeding dog is carrying this condition. I live and breath dogs! I am passionate about training each puppy to give them the skills to thrive in their new environment. Why we got involved in breeding My passion started at an early age as my mother has been breeding Labs and Goldens for over 20 years. She has taught me everything there is to know about raising puppies and well rounded adult dogs. We purchased our first Golden Retriever Sasha in and have not looked back. She is the light of our life. She has… Read more Our special touch As a breeder I take my job very seriously and understand that what I do during the first 8 weeks can impact them for the rest of their lives. We use the puppy culture method which It is a comprehensive, organised program for breeders to follow during the first weeks of a puppy's life. Using techniques to build… Read more.

Not all dog foods are created equal, nor is it a one-size-fits-all situation. Always talk to your vet about the best food choice for your goldendoodle. The protein content in your dog's food should not only be high, it should also be high-quality protein. There are many options available for high quality dog food. Congratulations on your new family member! Your adorable, teddy bear-like bundle of energy and cuddles known as a goldendoodle puppy, who has inherited intelligence , friendliness, and sociability from both of its parent breeds golden retriever and poodle. Obviously, you want a high-quality dog food, so you're probably wondering, "What is the best puppy food? Best Puppy Food for Your Goldendoodle There are a lot of requirements and factors to consider when you're selecting a pet food for your goldendoodle puppy. However, most high-quality puppy foods should be formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of your goldendoodle at any life stage. You should think about: Your puppy's weight and size Your puppy's nutritional needs. What is the Best Dog Food for Goldendoodles? Guest Contributor .Along with the joy of having a Goldendoodle as part of your family comes the responsibility of providing for their nutritional needs. Like every dog breed, Goldendoodles need a diet of high quality, nutrient-rich food to ensure they grow healthily, live vibrantly and maintain their energetic lifestyle. With the right wet or dry food for dogs , you can help them maintain their well-being and longevity. Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Goldendoodles As an active and intelligent crossbreed that is fairly energetic, Goldendoodles require a balanced diet to support their health and vitality. Understanding their dietary requirements, such as the type of protein they need, the role of carbohydrates in their diet and the importance of essential fatty acids, is the first step towards choosing the right dog food. Additionally, considering the potential health issues common to the breed can guide you toward more targeted nutritional choices. All dogs, including senior canines need a moderate to high amount of protein. To choose the best food for your Goldendoodle, look for options with the following ingredients. These sustainable ingredients can help your dog stay healthy and happy at any stage of life: High-Quality Protein Sources Goldendoodles thrive on high-quality proteins. These can be derived from various sources such as chicken, beef, lamb, fish or plant-based proteins like lentils and peas. Protein should be a priority when considering the best ingredients in dog food , as it supports muscle growth and development. Our dog food products contain ethically sourced protein for your pet. Balanced Carbohydrates for Energy Given their energetic nature, Goldendoodles need a balanced amount of carbohydrates for sustained energy. Opt for dog foods with wholesome carbohydrate sources like sweet potatoes, brown rice and vegetables rather than those with simple sugars and fillers. To keep their skin healthy and their coat shiny, look for foods like Rawmix dog food that include essential fatty acids like omega-3 and omega.These products contain ingredients like fish oil, flaxseed and certain animal fats high in omegas. Look for dog foods that include a variety of fruits and vegetables, which are natural sources of these essential nutrients. Your pet can also get these nutrients from bone broth. There are many benefits of bone broth for dogs , including stronger bones and joints and a healthier coat. Avoid Artificial Additives, Fillers and By-Products Choose dog foods free from artificial additives, fillers and by-products to provide your Goldendoodle with the most nutritious meals. These ingredients can be harmful over time and offer little to no nutritional value. Always opt for natural, wholesome ingredients when possible. All our dog food at Open Farm contains natural, sustainable ingredients. We never use artificial fillers or by-products; instead, we help you provide your pet with high-quality proteins, carbohydrates and fats to promote an improved quality of life. How much should I feed my Goldendoodle? To know how much I should feed my dog , consider their age, size, activity level and health. Should I choose grain-free or grain-inclusive dog food? If your dog has grain allergies or sensitivities, stick to a grain-free option. If not, consider dog food with healthy grains, like brown rice or millet, for the best nutrition. Can my Goldendoodle eat freeze dried food? When thinking about is freeze dried food good for dogs , it depends on the quality of the food. If your Goldendoodle is thriving on its current diet, there may be no need to change. However, if you notice signs of food intolerance or your dog seems unenthusiastic about their food, it might be time to try something new. Share this post. We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. Feeding your puppy meat meal is by no means an inherently bad thing. The owner pouring dog food in a bowl. Acana Regionals Grassland The main ingredients in Acana Regionals Grassland are deboned lamb, deboned duck, eggs, lamb meal, and goat meal. Most dog foods use one type of protein, which is perfectly fine, but your Goldendoodle can benefit from eating multiple types of protein. In that case, I strongly recommend considering Acana Regionals Grassland. When to stop soaking puppy food? This brand is among my highest recommended dog foods because of its well-roundedness. The Pomeranian puppy stands in front of a bowl. Unfortunately, some foods are difficult to digest, and in some cases, that can lead to digestion-related health issues, which no owner wants for their growing Goldendoodle. Also, even though this is for bigger breed puppies, there are multiple kibble sizes, so you can get the best size for your puppy to eat. Golden Retriever puppy eats kibbles. Some people mention how small the size of the kibble bag is, as the largest bag you can get is .However, depending on how much you feed your Goldendoodle a day, this amount of food can go relatively quickly, so you can spend quite a bit of money on buying new bags frequently. Giving a Jack Russell Terrier a dog food. Due to the sheer number of dog foods you can find, deciding on one is difficult because it might not offer your puppy all the things you desire. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. It should promote good health and prolong life. When determining what to feed dogs, you should consider their breed, age, size, and activity levels. Since a miniature Goldendoodle is slightly active, it should eat more proteins than grains. We will disclose seventeen of the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles below. Moreover, we will answer frequently asked questions. As a first-time parent to a miniature Goldendoodle, you should read food labels. Check the ingredient list to see if a dog food product can nourish your mini Goldendoodle. The best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles will provide a protein-rich ingredient as the first thing on the label. If the dog food has grains, they should be the lowest quantity on the label. A miniature Goldendoodle has a higher metabolic rate. Hence, dry dog food for Mini Goldendoodles alone is inadequate. Consider buying food with meat additives. It will keep your puppy more energetic and healthier. You will locate the most appropriate item for a puppy or a senior pet in our list of the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles. Also, you will discover the products that most veterinarians prefer and the items that can give you the best value for your money. It contains USDA-approved chicken liver, chicken, and brussels sprouts. Every cup of this fresh food provides up to calories. We picked it as our first choice because the highest ingredient on the list is chicken, a rich protein food. This is the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles as it contains forty-nine percent protein, thirty-seven percent fat, seven-point-five percent moisture, and one percent fiber. They also provide omega-3 fatty acids that could promote brain health. We like this dog food because it has no synthetic additives or preservatives. Above all, dog parents can choose from three other proteins: pork, beef, and turkey. The way you select food for your pet is easy. Wait for the company to send you a list of the best recipes for your dog. Lastly, this is the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles with a subscription plan. Once you choose a subscription, the company will send you dog food consistently. Pros The dog food is hypoallergenic. You can receive a dog-specific recipe. Cons 2. Ollie Fresh Dog Food Here is another choice of fresh dog food for your pet. Ollie produces the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles. This product is subscription only. As its top ingredients are protein-based, Ollie Fresh Dog Food is safe to buy. The protein content in this product consists of beef, chicken, turkey, and lamb. You can make fresh or wet food using beef, lamb, chicken, and turkey recipes. As for dry or baked food, Ollie gives you two recipes with beef or chicken. Its food is nutritious since it has antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries and chia seeds. It also has sweet potatoes, which contain a lot of vitamin A and other nutrients. Ollie Fresh Dog Food provides a quiz to help customers pick the correct pet recipes. Pros Can offer recipes for dry and wet food for Mini Goldendoodle puppy. Ollie uses fresh and natural ingredients. Slow-cooking and freezing retain all nutrients. You can serve your dog almost the same type of food you have at home. Cons Only dog owners from the continental U. S can buy this dog. You can only buy it by subscription. This dog food looks like a messy powder. You can make food recipes with deboned beef and salmon. We love this miniature Goldendoodle food for its high convenience and safety. Unlike other dog food products, we have described, this has no chicken recipe. If your Mini Goldendoodle dislikes chicken flavors, this food type fits it best. You can serve it as an only meal or use it as another meal topper. When going out with your pet, you can bring Merrick Backcountry Raw Meal as a snack. Pros Dog food is easy to serve. Your pet can digest it easily. Ideal for dogs that dislike chicken. It has deboned beef. Some customers dislike freeze-dried food. Storage of unused food can be challenging. This dog food is expensive. Cesar Classic Cesar has the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles. One of its top-selling products is the Cesar Classic. It is a wet option with many flavors. It provides ninety-one to one hundred and five calories. We highly recommend this loaf to any person with a small budget as it is affordable. You can choose beef, fillet mignon, grilled chicken, or porterhouse steak flavors. All flavors are delicious and soft enough for your miniature dog to chew and digest. If you have a senior dog with teeth problems, you might want to get it this meal. Pros This dog food is soft and easy to chew. A high-quality food product without grains. All ingredients are available in the USA. It is an affordable high-protein diet. Cons 5. It is dry dog food with a high protein content of twenty-five percent. Each cup will give your pet up to calories. Fourteen percent fat is a safe concentration for your dog. Other protein sources are soybean meal, sorghum, and dried beans. We would recommend this diet to owners of adult Mini Goldendoodles. The small puppies might not chew this kibble as it is too big for them. In terms of nutrition, this diet contains omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. These omega nutrients can improve coat and brain health. It is among dog foods with healthy levels of protein. An affordable dog food product. This dog food has energetic whole foods. Cons Small dogs might not handle the kibble size. This food is so oily. This dry dog food has fewer calories. If your adult dog needs to cut some weight or maintain a fit body, the Blue Buffalo food can help it. As you can guess, this adult dog food has the highest protein concentration. As a result, it can help your dog build some lean muscles. Pros Blue Buffalo is a low-fat dog food. Contains no fillers, additives, or by-products of grains, poultry, or dog meal. Ideal for weight loss and maintenance. This food is high in protein. Cons Some dogs disliked this product. It may not fit dogs with sensitive guts. Nutro gives you two flavor choices: brown rice and chicken. The dry kibble provides up to calories per cup. Protein content makes up twenty-eight percent of this dog meal. This product is a balanced diet for your puppy because it has nutrients for promoting body and brain development. Your Mini Goldendoodle will have strong bones, healthy skin, and a glossy coat. Instead, the Nutro Nature Choice diet has kale, spinach, bran, brown rice, pumpkin, and rice bran. All these are healthy foods. Pros A high-quality non-GMO dog food. Boasts high protein levels. An exclusive kibble for puppies. Cons The brand is hard to locate in stores. Slightly expensive for some puppy lovers. One dog food product that could give you exactly that is Sold Gold Wee Bit. It has whole foods like brown rice, pearled barley, and real bison. It is a holistic dog food without any potatoes. The ingredients label shows that this dog meal has a balanced amount of protein, fat, and fiber. Consult about the suitability of this as the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles with sensitive stomach. A high-fiber diet can prevent constipation and can also cause an upset stomach. Pros A nutritious dog food item with adequate nutrients. Sold Gold dog food has an ideal bite size for miniature pets. This is a high fiber diet. Cons 9. This dog food is fit for miniature Goldendoodle puppies as it has more protein. Its four recipes include water buffalo, lamb, egg product, and sweet potatoes. The fat content is seventeen percent. You can purchase bags weighing five, fourteen, or twenty-eight pounds. The protein content comes from water buffalo, venison, and bison. The Taste of the Wild has also added fruits and vegetables like blueberries, raspberries, and peas to this product. These are high in antioxidants. Your little pet can also get adequate omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids from this dog food for Mini Goldendoodles. We have not found another dog food with probiotics and prebiotics. Hence, this puppy food can help dogs with stomach problems. Pros An adequate level of proteins. Has fruits and vegetables for healthier skin. Antioxidants reduce inflammation in the body. The product has nutrients that improve gut health. It has zero artificial fillers, additives, or preservatives. Cons Some puppies might excrete loose stools. Costly dog food. Solution Sensitivities. This is dry dog food with a salmon flavor. Each cup of this dog food provides calories. The fat and fiber portions are twelve and four-point-five percent respectively. This kibble has ten percent moisture content. Solutions Sensitivities is an affordable dog food for Mini Goldendoodles with sensitive bellies. Its nutrients are easy to digest. The product has no allergens or unsafe artificial additives. Instead, it contains a high-fiber food called chicory root plus coconut oil, chickpeas, and peas. Due to salmon, this best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles from Go! Solutions have high omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Hence, it will give your pet a healthy coat and skin. Pros Go! Solutions Sensitivities Dog Food has salmon protein. Dogs can digest nutrients fast. This dog food has no synthetic chemicals. You can buy it for puppies with digestive difficulties. Ideal for underweight puppies. This is a high-calorie diet unsuitable for obese dogs. Healthy puppies could get overweight. We have picked it as the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles because of this simple fact. Adult dogs weighing nine to twenty-two pounds can eat this high-quality dog food. Another good thing about this best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles is that it can potentially boost brain development. However, we dislike that this dog food provides low protein content and more grains. Pros Appropriate kibble size for small pets. Can give your pet more energy. It can boost skin and brain health. Cons .Protein comes from pork meat, chicken fat, and beef. Victor Classic Hi-Pro is also a grain-based dog diet without gluten. Eighty-eight percent of that protein comes from meat. This dog food can boost immunity through nutrients like selenium and omega fatty acids. Again, the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles by Victor Classic can assist dogs with poor gut health via healthy prebiotics and probiotics. Pros Contains nutrients fit for the immune system. This dog food can boost gut health. Dogs in all life stages can eat Victor Classic Hi-Pro dog food. It has a super high level of protein. Cons It might make some pets have an upset stomach. Some dogs dislike the flavor. The dry kibble has up to thirty-four percent protein, the highest we have seen. One cup of kibble contains calories, making this a high-energy diet. The fat content is half the amount of protein, fiber is three-point-five percent, and moisture is ten percent. If your miniature Goldendoodle loves non-stop play, it can replenish its energy levels with the Crave High Protein Dry Food. As this dog food formula has no grains, it will work for dogs that dislike cereals. Additionally, dogs that require nourishment from grains might not benefit from this item. It contains a high amount of protein. Provides a healthy level of fat content. Cons Can cause obesity in dormant pets. This dog food has no grains. Hence, it could be a perfect choice for an obese miniature Goldendoodle. Offering up to forty-six percent protein from rabbit meat and thirty-two percent fats, this dog food is super healthy. Additional nutrients are five percent fiber and an equal amount of moisture. Finding a high-quality raw dog food product like this is difficult. Thus, you are lucky to read this article on the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles today. It also contains organ meat, bone, fruits, and vegetables. Offering up to 50,, CFU live prebiotics, this raw dog food can boost gut health. Pros Raw rabbit is not an allergen. This dog food has live prebiotics. You can serve raw rabbit food as the main meal or as a topper. High protein dog food. Stella and Chewy is expensive dog food. Some dogs might dislike the food texture. It is in the form of delicious treats for your small dog. Including four different flavors, these treats offer flexibility when selecting the most appropriate taste for your pet. We made this product among the best choices because it is high in protein. It also has other pure ingredients. You can serve it to your pet as it has no gluten or artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. This dog food is in the form of jerky sticks. Pros This dog food is high in protein from venison and beef. Treats have no grains as the main ingredient. The only flavor of this dry kibble is chicken. If your senior dog loves chicken meat, the Iams Proactive Dog Food could be ideal for it. It has calories per cup and is up to twenty-four percent protein. This dog food has a lower fat content of .It is the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles who seven years are and above. Pros A recipe with nutritious free-range chicken meat. Chicken fat can enhance skin health. Ideal for older dogs. This kibble can cause bloating. Some small dogs might not like this kibble size. However, it might only work best for you if you have another high-protein dog meal. However, its fat content of 1. For healthy miniature Goldendoodles, this food alone might not provide adequate protein. Pros Perfect for dogs with indigestion symptoms. Proteins that take a short time to digest. Cons A prescription is a must to get this Mini Goldendoodle puppy food. An expensive food product. FAQs 1. The best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles puppies is the one you will select from our long list. Mini Goldendoodles do not necessarily need a grain-free diet. The best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles should have a low number of whole grains for fiber, antioxidants, etc. Ensure a product that has grains also has protein as the highest ingredient. Grains should be gluten-free to prevent stomach issues. Choosing the best dog food for Mini Goldendoodles is not enough. You should feed the dog adequate food for its body size and weight. Older dogs should eat four to five cups twice a day. After finding thebest dog food for Mini Goldendoodles, feed your puppy according to its age. Small dogs should eat more often but in small portions. Larger dogs should eat big portions twice daily. We highly recommend Iams Proactive food for Mini Goldendoodles puppy. This dog food is a specific product for senior dogs. Related Posts. Salty foods Foods that contain a lot of sugar Raw food diet items like eggs or raw or undercooked meat can contain salmonella no, the raw diet is not healthy for dogs Why should I feed my Goldendoodle a raw diet? Here are potential risks: You could expose your furry friend to the risk of bacterial contamination. Raw meat can be contaminated with harmful bacteria such as salmonella and E. How often should a Goldendoodle eat? When your Goldendoodle is a pup, you should feed them 2 to 3 times a day. Goldendoodle puppies should be eating a puppy formula specifically designed for their growing bodies. P uppy food contains higher fat than adult dog food. Adult dogs should eat at least once a day. Most people will feed their Goldendoodle twice a day as their Goldendoodle tends to be more content with the twice-a-day feeding. When you feed Goldendoodle a few times a day, they are less likely to have any food aggression and will stay full longer. This will help prevent them from destroying things in the house or eating things that they should not eat. How much should a Goldendoodle eat? Usually, the feeding guidelines are on the back of the bag. Sometimes this is a little more than your Goldendoodle needs , especially if they are not very active. A good rule to follow is 1 cup of food per 15 pounds of body weight a day. So a pound dog should eat about 1. You will also need to consider their exercise. Some Goldendoodles may participate in agility or other sporting events. During their training and competition months, you will need to increase their dog food intake to make up for the extra energy, whereas in the off-season, you need to decrease the amount of dog food they eat to help keep them at a healthy weight. What if My Goldendoodle is a picky eater? If your Goldendoodle is a picky eater , there are a few things that you can do to help entice them to start eating their dog food. Add Warm Water to Their food You can try to add a little bit of warm water to their dog food. This will make a gravy-like consistency when mixed with the dry kibbles. It will also make the dry kibble a little softer, and your Goldendoodle may like to eat it. Just a small spoon full added to the food and fully mixed will help. If you do not mix the wet dog food in with the dry food, your Goldendoodle may just eat the wet food off the top and leave the rest of the dry kibble. Switching Diets or Protein Source There may be something in the diet that you are feeding that they do not like. Switching to a different diet or a different protein may help. If you are feeding chicken and rice, try switching a lamb and rice or a duck protein. See Your Vet If your Goldendoodle has suddenly stopped eating their dog food, it may be time to see your vet. Some illnesses will cause your dog not to want to eat. Your vet can examine your Goldendoodle and make sure that there is nothing causing your dog to feel bad to cause them to not want to eat. There are many great treats that are available for your Goldendoodle. Some of these treats also have added nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and supplements that have health benefits too. You can also give your dog fish oil supplements to ensure they are getting enough omega-3 fatty acids, which help with brain development and keeps their coat healthy. Glucosamine can help their joints, which is great for this breed since hip dysplasia is common in both the Golden Retriever and Poodle parent breeds. And a simple multivitamin can help support their immune system. If your Goldendoodle has joint or skin issues, look for a treat that will help with these problems. These treats have added calories that can quickly cause your Goldendoodle to become obese. This means they can carry some traits from their parent breeds, which may even affect their diets. With that in mind, here are a few things to consider when choosing the right food for your Goldendoodle. For instance, adult food can be fed on both wet and dry food. Again, adult dog food needs more protein and fewer calories, while Goldendoodle puppies need more calories. Nutritional Life Stage According to Dr. The table below shows the growth stages and nutritional requirements for Goldendoodles. More importantly, always check with an expert for professional dietary guidance. Nutritional Life Stage. Here, is what you need to know about the best dog food to feed your Goldendoodle. Here in this blog, we have covered all the information about the best food for Goldendoodles. What are the nutritional needs of your Goldendoodle dog? According to pet nutrition experts, dogs are different from true carnivores like cats. It means they are meat-eaters primarily but they can also survive on plants. An appropriate diet for a dog is a meal with a high concentration of protein with moderate fat content and limited carbohydrates. Protein is the main component for puppies to grow and develop properly. For adult dogs, it helps in building muscles and healthy body weight. Fat provides a good source of energy for your dog. The best dog food for your Goldendoodle must contain as much protein and essential nutrients. List of the best food for Goldendoodle Goldendoodle deserves the best and healthy diet for proper and healthy growth. Here are some of the best options to feed your Goldendoodle. It consists of chicken as the main ingredient with real fruits and veggies in a meaty broth. Merrick Limited Diet Its major ingredients are chicken and brown rice and are free from soy, dairy, artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors. Taste Of The Wild Ancient Prairie This dog food is a roasted bison and roasted venison recipe made with ancient whole grains. It consists of ingredients like ancient grains which are higher in fiber. This food consists of proteins like chicken, lamb, and salmon for a boost of nutrition. American Journey This dog food consists of large-breed salmon, menhaden fish, and brown rice as a source of carbohydrates protein to provide a high protein diet to your Goldendoodle. Nulo Senior Grain-Free Recipe Dry Food High nutritious food including glucosamine and chondroitin to give joint support this Goldendoodle food is the best-categorized food for your dog. This trout and sweet potato recipe provides a complete and healthy balanced meal for your senior Goldendoodle. Nom Fresh Dog Food This dog food acquired the first rank in best dog food for Goldendoodles according to scientific research. It is a cleaner and healthier food which makes your dog hungry to eat this because of its great look and taste. Purina Pro Plan The food consists of a good amount of fiber to give a healthy and strong immune to your Goldendoodle. Also, it holds the second position among the best dog foods. American Journey Puppy The best and idle food for puppies of Goldendoodles. It consists of tons of crude proteins, and plenty of omega 3s, and is a good source of protein. Here we provide some information about dry, wet, and raw dog food so that you can understand the difference and pick up the best type for your Goldendoodle. Dry Dog Food Dry dog food is the most popular and preferred choice among dog food varieties. They consist of tons of nutrients and a very good taste due to a freeze-dried coating. Wet Dog Food The next option dog owners go for is wet dog food. It consists of dog food with added perks that your dog loves to eat. Raw Dog Food Now, it comes to the last option, raw dog food. It is approximately equivalent to human food and thus it provides the highest quality. Also, it is the favorite and the first choice of picky eaters. All the best foods illustrated here have a more than sufficient amount of protein.

Here are the top 3 Labradoodle Breeders in San Diego. Shadow Mountain Labradoodles The main aim of the Shadow Mountain Labradoodles is to provide people with physical impairments with a lovely service dog. These breeds are also hypoallergenic in nature which makes them an ideal choice for people with allergies. They begin to train their dogs at a very young age so that they can develop their socialization skills and other skills. These dogs are also a good choice if you already have a pet at home. Labradoodles are extremely social with people and other animals too! This is one of the best shelters in San Diego if you are considering adopting a furry Labradoodle companion! The main aim of this shelter is to find a loving home for all their adorable little puppies. They have a puppy nursery complete with dog toys and accessories to help them socialize and play well with the other Labradoodle puppies. They also have their own personal veterinarian who regularly monitors the pups. We also practice regular vaccinations and breed testing in order to make sure they are not prone to any genetic diseases. They also give you a complete experience. Even before your pup is born, the Moo Cow Labradoodles keeps you updated with regular X-Ray pictures and pictures of when they were born to help make you feel included. This will also help you develop a connection with the pup right from the early stages! Their puppy nanny will bring them right to you! These pups are well-behaved, well-trained, and lovable animals and make for an ideal companion for your home. Contact Information Email address: moocowlabradoodles gmail. Rosebud Labradoodles The Rosebud Labradoodles is a small shelter run by a family of dog lovers. They have years of experience in breeding Australian Labradoodles, and they consider their dogs to be a part of their family. The main goal of Rosebud Labradoodles is to provide homes with healthy, happy little Labradoodle puppies in San Diego! They start training at a young age, as most breeders do. However, they use a unique approach to training these adorable canines. Since these puppies love listening to their masters, they are very easy to train. As a result, you get a highly disciplined dog for your home. They also recommend that the owners continue training the puppies this way so that they will retain this knowledge and stay well-behaved and disciplined. That being said, Rosebud Labradoodles still retain their rights of breeding and will handle all the expenses needed for breeding purposes. If you are interested in adopting your furry friend from Rosebud Labradoodle, all you need to do is simply fill out an application form and submit it. You will automatically be put on the waiting list, and if your application is selected and approved, the team at the shelter will reach out to you. Every pup has its own needs and requirements. It is known for its ability to assist people who are physically impaired. This makes them an ideal companion for those who have allergies and are looking for low-maintenance dogs. Temperament These dogs are known as very friendly, social dogs with people and other animals as well. So if you want to adopt a dog that will also get along with the other animals in your house, this is the perfect choice for you! They are also very gentle animals who require a lot of exercise and simulation. They have a lot of energy in them, and in order to release it, they constantly keep themselves active. They also require a lot of attention and leaving them by themselves for an extended period of time can cause them to become very restless. They are very easy to train as they love to please you. Training them from young ages will further help in improving their skills. Fitness Requirements As mentioned earlier, these dogs are highly energetic, and they require some form of physical activity to keep themselves healthy. A maximum of 2 hours of exercise is required every day for these animals. Possible Health Issues Labradoodles are usually less prone to catching diseases, unlike the parent breeds. However, there are a few diseases they can catch despite their immunity. Hip Dysplasia This is a genetic condition that can be acquired from one of the parent breeds of the pup. The ball and the socket of the hip do not join properly. This can cause them a lot of discomfort, especially when walking as the ball and the socket constantly rub and grind against each other. They can treat it with surgery, hydrotherapy, or pain medications. Infections Of The Ear Labradoodles usually have very droopy ears, making it very easy for them to get ear infections. The moisture in the ears can often get trapped easily because of the droopy ears, which attract many bacteria. You can easily identify that your pup has an ear infection just by the way they contact, shake and itch their ear. It is best recommended to take your doctor to a vet at this point and get it treated as soon as possible. Allergies Of The skin Labradoodle puppies in San Diego are pups extremely prone to allergies, especially those of the skin. A skin allergy to your Labradoodle can be triggered by fleas, dust, pollen, plastic, and so on. There is no specific cure for an allergy. But your vet will definitely prescribe your dog medication that can help ease the symptoms of an allergy. Retinal Atrophy Retinal Atrophy is a condition where the retina of the puppy starts to slowly deteriorate, which further leads to blindness. Initially, your Labradoodle might have only night blindness, but if this is left untreated, it can further into blindness during the daytime as well. Although there is no cure for Retinal Atrophy, Labradoodle puppies in San Diego can easily adjust to their surroundings. They will learn how to navigate around the room as long as the furniture remains unchanged. You need to find a puppy that is friendly with your children, animals, and other unfamiliar faces. Adopting an adorable little Labradoodle is the ideal choice in this scenario, but they are also an expensive long-term investment. In order to find your ideal dog, you need to look for quality breeders. There are plenty of Labradoodle puppies in San Diego. We hope our list of the three best Labradoodle breeders in San Diego helps you find the perfect companion for your home! These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. Learn more The last destination we recommend on our rundown of the best Labradoodle breeders in San Diego is Pococreek Labradoodles. Cindy and Ron Stickney are reputable breeders who offer quality Miniature, Medium, and Standard size Australian Labradoodle puppies to anyone in California and other surrounding states. Their coats have wavy or fleecy textures. They come with up-to-date vaccination and deworming records, a microchip registration, a month of pet insurance, pedigree forms, and a puppy starter pack with food samples, grooming equipment, and toys. However, these prices can differ from breeder to breeder. They can also charge extra for shipping them with a puppy nanny or meeting a family at the airport. Some questions you should ask a breeder about before purchasing a Labradoodle from them include: Their experience with the breed The types of health and temperament checks they perform for their breedable dogs and future litters. Inhumane breeders operating puppy mills prioritize selling their litters for profit without focusing on producing healthy pups or improving the breed. If your Labradoodle is prone to food allergies, consider reaching out to your vet about potential ingredients your pup might react to before switching to an alternative kibble formula. Create a chart for whenever you feed your Labradoodle or let them use the toilet to keep track of their daily routines. The number of times they eat and go throughout the day changes as your pup ages, so keep that in mind if you need to update their charts. Be sure to take your Labradoodle to the vet within the first few days of taking them home. Although your pup goes home with up-to-date deworming and vaccinations, additional blood and fecal testing can identify hidden issues early. Consider compiling a shopping list of supplies to pick up before taking your dog home, including puppy food, toys, a size and age-appropriate crate, and brushes for maintaining a non-shedding coat. Leave us a comment to share your thoughts. Meet our writer Jen Clifford is an animal behaviorist and veterinary technician with more than a decade of hands-on experience working in small animal and specialty veterinary clinics. Leave a Comment. We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle 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! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near San Diego Country Estates California and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted. We have answers. In comparison, American Labradoodles are typically a cross between Poodles and Labs only. How much are Labradoodles San Diego? The price you see online for Labradoodle puppies will be different depending on the breeder. There are many factors that can affect price, including coat color and type, size, gender, and breeder experience. Will you only connect me with local San Diego Labradoodle breeders? How do you screen Labradoodle puppies for sale in San Diego? Our team processes loads of partner applications from prospective breeders and businesses, both near LA and elsewhere in the nation. There are so many puppy scams online nowadays, and the situation is frankly ridiculous. What is a puppy mill? Puppy mills are basically factories for dogs. These are places where profit takes precedence over ethics and animal care, and where dogs are treated like objects instead of living animals. Are there any Labradoodle puppies in San Diego available now? All you need to do to begin is start your MatchMaker process below, tell us a little about your dream dog, and our team will take care of the rest. MatchMaker is our process that we use to connect the right families with the right puppies, breeders and businesses. MatchMaker takes into account your preferences—like size, breed, temperament and more—and helps you match with current and upcoming Labradoodle litters we believe to be the best fit for your family.

At what age is a Poodle fully grown? Poodles are considered fully grown adults at two years old and tend to show emotional signs of maturity, like a calmer nature, around 18 months. At a year old, most Poodles will have reached their final height or very close to it. However, most Poodles will require a full two years to fill out their chest and reach their final weight. Image Source: Pexels How big should a 6-month-old Poodle be? A six-month-old male Poodle will weigh around 41 to 48 pounds, while a six-month-old female Poodle will weigh about 28 to 34 pounds. Both male and female Poodles at this age stand at around 18 to 22 inches tall, which for some Poodles is already their full adult height. Pro Tip: Check out this ultimate pet parent guide with 39 dog care tips on pet first aid kits, puppy-proofing practices, training, veterinary appointments, and more! How much bigger will my Poodle get? There are a few ways to assess how much bigger your Poodle will get. The first is age. If your Poodle is less than a year old, they still have significant growth left! If your Poodle is between one and two years old, they are likely still filling out a bit, but are probably at their adult height. Do they still look oversized next to their legs and body? If this is the case, they are probably still filling out as this is a classic puppy feature! A Poodle puppy will rarely grow larger than their bigger parent, so this will also give you an idea of their maximum size. What is the size of a full-grown Poodle? According to the American Kennel Club Official Poodle Standards , an adult male Poodle is 60 to 70 pounds while an adult female Poodle weighs between 40 and 50 pounds. By these standards, full-grown Poodles will be over 15 inches tall when measuring from the ground to the highest point of their shoulders while standing. Most Standard Poodles will stand between 18 and 24 inches tall. Smart lifestyle choices are essential in keeping your Poodle happy and healthy. The Veterinary Centers of America recommend a long walk, jog, or intense play to fulfill their daily exercise needs. Poodles were bred as retrievers and, as such, are keen on games involving retrieving like fetch. Many Poodles also enjoy swimming. Due to their full coats, Poodles can put on excess weight without their pet parents realizing it. Poodles are not overly prone to weight issues with a balanced diet, but their coat can disguise weight changes. Their full coats also require regular upkeep like brushing and combing every other day, professional grooming every six weeks or so, and watching for potential eye problems. Poodles are prone to weeping eyes and eye irritation from lashes or hair, so keeping their eye area free of long hair is ideal. As a purebred dog breed, Poodles are more susceptible to genetic health problems. Many of these genetic health problems can be screened for early on using DNA technology. These early screenings can help you and your veterinarian prevent and minimize health complications from these genetic diseases. A bove all else, regular veterinary care is the best way to make sure your Poodle stays healthy. Between health screenings, regular veterinary care, bloodwork, x-rays , dental cleanings , and more, your veterinarian is your best resource in caring for your precious Poodle puppy. Be aware, vet visits can quickly become expensive - especially when immediate treatment or surgery is needed for an emergency or illness. With many treatments and surgeries costing thousands of dollars, this can quickly put pet parents in a pinch should the worst happen to their pet. Poodles are larger dogs, which can also increase the price of treatment. This is where pet insurance comes in. Pet insurance reimburses you for out-of-pocket veterinary costs and provides a safety net should the worst happen to your Poodle. As purebred dogs, Poodles are more prone to genetic health problems, like bloat or hip dysplasia, which can quickly become expensive to treat. Final Considerations Poodle puppies grow into elegant, proud dogs who are true aristocrats of the dog kingdom. We know how much your Poodle pup means to you and that they deserve the best! Give yourself peace of mind today when you use Pawlicy Advisor to compare personalized pet insurance quotes from the top Poodle pet insurance companies. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Their growth happens quickly with the correct nutrients received from the mother. Your pup will grow rapidly from this stage, gaining about 1 pound 0. Their eyes will now be fully open and also be able to hear sounds. Your puppy will weigh between 4 and 5 pounds 1. Most puppies will move on to their new homes at this age. They will receive their first vaccinations at this age, and it is a good time to have your vet give them a thorough examination to determine any issues going forward. Their bones and joints will grow and strengthen, so proper nutrition is vital for their development. By the time your puppy is three months old, it will be around 13 to 19 inches 33 to .They will be learning to explore and become active. Your Standard Poodle will weigh about 30 pounds .They will start becoming far more active and should be between 19 and 23 inches .This period is all about exploring and mischief. Both male and female puppies will stand around 18 to 22 inches .This is the full adult height for some standard-sized Poodles, and you should not expect any more significant height growth. This will range from 23 and 37 inches .Their weight will be between 45 and 70 pounds .Genetics and Common Health Problems When trying to work out how big your puppy will be as an adult dog, one of the best ways of determining this would be to look at the parent dogs. When you purchase a Poodle puppy from a breeder, you will have a chance to meet the mom and the dad. If they are on the large or small side for the breed, likely, your dog will also follow in their footsteps. If your dog contracts any common health problems that haunt this breed, his growth could also be affected. Hip dysplasia is also a common ailment in large breeds and causes significant amounts of pain and can affect growth. Bloat is another terrifying ailment for this breed that is potentially life-threatening if not caught early. It occurs in big-chested breeds where gas gets trapped in the stomach, requiring surgical intervention. Epilepsy is a hereditary ailment in Poodles and is known as Idiopathic epilepsy. Many of the above diseases can be avoided through proper nutrition and regular vet checkups. Neutering or spaying dogs too early could cause them to grow unevenly. This is because bone and joint development are affected by reproductive hormones. While Miniature and Toy dogs can be neutered at around six months, you should wait until your Standard Poodle is around one year old before the procedure is performed. At the right age, neutering or spaying your dog can have many health benefits, including reducing cancer risks, preventing aggression, and preventing unwanted puppies. Feeding Habits A balanced nutritional meal plan will ensure that your pet grows at the optimal rate, developing strong bones and joints to carry their weight. To prevent your dog from growing too quickly and to provide him with all the supplements and nutrients he needs for healthy growth, it is recommended to feed your Standard Poodle, a large-breed puppy food for at least the first year of his life. Physical Activities While Standard Poodles need plenty of exercise, be careful not to over-train your growing puppy, as their joints and limbs have not fully developed, and irreparable damage can be caused. Dogs need to be brushed and groomed regularly. Included in this regime should be teeth brushing. We know Standard Poodle dogs develop problems with their teeth. You will also need to maintain a healthy diet with plenty of exercise. Healthy Diet Large breed dogs like Standard Poodles should eat high-quality dog food crafted explicitly for them. Foods for large dogs differ from other dog foods in that they generally have higher levels of protein, fat, calcium, Vitamin D, and Phosphorus. Also read: Best Dog Food for Poodles 2. Their joints and limbs are not fully developed, and any strain could lead to a lifetime of complications for your Poodle. Standard Poodles love water, so swimming is always an excellent way to exercise. A full coat can weigh your dog down, so if your Poodle loves to swim, you might consider giving him a shorter haircut like a kennel cut or summer clip. Manage Stress To keep your puppy stress-free, expose him to as many new situations, people, and dogs as possible during his early years to become well-socialized. It can take these dogs a whole year to reach their full height and even longer to reach their fully grown weight. Trying to get your dog to grow more quickly by feeding him more or exercising him intensely to build body mass is a dangerous process that could lead to the opposite effect. Even once your dog has reached his full height at a year, it will still take him another year to fill out to his final adult size. When do Standard Poodles stop growing? At a year old, your Poodle should have reached its total height, or at the very least be very close to it. There will not be much height growth after this milestone. Your dog will start adding body mass and strengthening the joints to handle the weight. A Standard Poodle should have matured and calmed down by the month milestone; however, this depends on the owner and how they have interacted and trained him in his foundation months. An untrained Standard Poodle can keep their momentum going until the age of 4 or 5 years. Do Poodle types have different growth rates? Yes, Standard Poodles are much slower to grow than other Poodles. These dogs are not small, and their bones and joints have much more growing to do. Miniature or toy breeds will reach their adult size quicker than bigger dogs. Miniature and Toy Poodles will already look the size of an adult dog by around six months old. What if my dog is overweight or underweight? Standard Poodles are full of high energy and fast metabolism. It can be challenging to tell if your dog is overweight, mainly if he is very fluffy. You should use your hands to check your dog to see if he is overweight regularly. You should easily be able to feel his ribs under his skin. You can also cut out all treats and increase his daily exercise. Making these small lifestyle changes can quickly help your dog lose that extra weight. For Poodle breeds, underweight dogs are very common, though. You could also increase portion size or opt for high-quality food with higher fat content, although this should be done under the professional guidance of a trained veterinarian. With more information about Standard Poodle puppies, their height, and their weight now in hand, you can begin measuring your pup. The food you give your dog and his exercise regime also has a big part to play in keeping your dog healthy and growing well. Do you have a Standard Poodle at home? How big is your dog? We would love to know more about him in the comments below. Raised by a bundle of botanists, researchers, and biologists, she is passionate about things related to the animal kingdom, including, our furry friends. However, as a terrible allergy sufferer, she is limited in her pet selection and so has grown up surrounded by curly-haired Poodles. Leave a Comment. The Standard Poodle will grow continuously for the first year of their life, but after turning 1, they will stop growing in height but will fill out in weight. This increase in weight should take about 6 months. By 18 months of age, the Standard Poodle is usually at their maximum weight and height. Smaller breeds tend to grow into their adult size much faster than the larger breeds. The Toy Poodle might gain her mature height and weight as early as 5 to 6 months. However, the average for Miniature and Toy Poodles to physically mature is 7 to 8 months. Mental maturity usually takes a little longer. Of course, some dogs might be adults but will remain puppyish in behavior for their entire lives. Unfortunately, these studies have not yet determined the right age, but it is recommended to wait until your dog has reached full skeletal growth, particularly large breeds, before spaying or neutering. Dangers of Growing Too Quickly or Stunted Growth If you end up overfeeding your puppy, some health concerns can include obesity, hip dysplasia, abnormalities in the skeleton, and osteochondrosis. This will cause pain and difficulty walking as your puppy becomes an adult. Follow the guidelines on the back of the dog food bag for the amount you should feed them over the course of the day. These same rules apply to your Toy and Miniature Poodle puppies. When you settle on the food for your puppy, follow the food bag guidelines for the amount you should feed your puppy every day. Following the charts and creating your own chart to keep track of how they are growing should go a long way to ease any worries you may have. All puppies will have growth spurts and times when it seems to slow down, but this is a normal part of puppy development. Their body temperature at birth is around 94 — 97 degrees. They are not able to regulate their own body temperature so they depend on their mother for warmth. They also cannot see or hear or eliminate on their own. They cannot walk. About all they can do is smell, suckle and crawl. They are totally dependent on their mother and the environment the first 2 to 3 weeks. They are mostly influenced by their mother and litter-mates during this period. We weigh the puppies everyday the first 2 to 3 weeks. Week Two: Poodle Puppies usually open their eyes around 8 to 10 days and their ears around 13 to 17 days. While sleeping all healthy and contented puppies will twitch. This is an activated sleep, characterized by muscle twitches. This is normal and healthy. Week Three: During the third week we will often see teeth start to erupt and the puppies will start to stand and walk around. Everyday is amazing to see these helpless puppies start to become independent. At this age their nervous system is more developed so that they can urinate and defecate by themselves. This is when the puppies will also start to play a little bit more with their litter-mates. This week is very important in the puppies emotional development. They will start not only the interaction with their litter-mates but also with their mother. We never start the weaning process during this week. While mother may come out of the whelping box during this week she will never be far. Week Four: At this age the puppies will be introduced to our own homemade puppy mush and their supplement which will help grow their immune systems. Puppies are born without an immune system and depends on their mother to supply this protection through her milk. Their body temperature will usually be around degree and they will be able to begin regulating their own body temperature. Every day they will eat more and more. The puppies will start to eat more food and move around more easily. They may even start to chase each other, bark, and bite. We still weigh them at least every other day if not every day. This is the time that the mother starts leaving the puppies at longer intervals of time and start to regulate their nursing. So this is a good time for us to introduce the puppies to the weaning box and start the weaning and potty box training. Week Five: Puppies start to establish some sort of dominance in the pack. Growth and development is rapid in this week. They become very aware of their surroundings and respond quickly to training. They begin to growl, play, challenge, and learn disciple from their mother. They also develop a bit of a competitive spirit. Training ability is developed and puppies are ready to begin learning. They also start to discover their toys and play with them more. Keeping them stimulated is important. Puppies can start to control their need to potty and now know they need to move away from the sleeping area. Good experience with people from week 5 — 7 will play a large roll in how they will continue to interact. Week Six: By this time it is amazing to see that little puppy wake up and walk over to the potty box to eliminate. Puppies enter their socialization period by the end of the third week. However, the most critical period — age six to eight weeks — is when puppies most easily learn to accept others as part of their family pack. The integrating of the human family is so important and will effect them for the rest of their life. The puppy brain waves look of an adult dog by about the 50th day, but he is not yet programmed — that is the job of the human trainer, and the job of his mom, siblings and other canine family members. This is when the fun begins for all humans and puppies. We know how important this time is for puppy to adjust to humans and how playtime stimulates their little brains to grow smart and wise. We introduce them to the outside. We bring in more interactive toys. We introduce them to the pool, weather permitting. If outside pool is out we use the grooming bath for water play. They also learn not to bite the human hand ever! It is at the 7th week, day 49, that we conduct the Volhard Test. This is actual one of several that will occur through its life. Instead of meeting new or familiar people and objects with curiosity puppies start to react with fearfulness. Anything that frightens them at this age may have a lasting impact. So take care that the baby is not overstimulated with to many changes or challenges at one time. This does not mean that your puppy will grow up to be a scared-y-cat; it is simply a normal part of development where puppies learn to be more cautious. Careful socialization during this period helps counter fear reactions. Because your puppy is actively working on social skills and is paying attention to both litter-mates and humans. Your puppy is learning at an extremely fast rate. This is why we will NOT hold any puppy beyond the 9th weeks. All puppies that cannot be picked up during puppy pickup week must enter their puppy into a training program. Weeks Thirteen — Sixteen: During this phase a puppy will attempt to challenge you for dominance. Here is where they test to see just how much they can get away with and test your level of tolerance. The more a puppy is allowed to get way with during this phase, may cause the dog to lose more and more respect for his owner. This may result in behavioral issues that can snowball if not corrected through training and obedience. Formal obedience should begin here. This will assist the dog in becoming the best he can be. This is the time your puppy will begin to understand and use ranking in terms of submission and dominance. Are you the owner going to be a good pack leader? Puppies will need to be taught what they can and cannot chew. Puppies need to be taught that it is never acceptable behavior to jump on a human, small or big. This is the time that the pack leader, the human in charge, especially needs to be confident, but firm with positive reinforcement. An obedient dog, a good canine citizen, is a pleasure to be with. A disobedient dog causes stress for all and can cause damage to things and other humans. What do I mean by that? The canine depends on a human, however, he is and his thinking is canine. He needs the human to communicate and set the standards for him. If the human does not then the dog will have no choice but set his own standards, doggy style. Be prepared to be a Good, very good, pack leader! Your puppy now understands that he has a pack which may consist of both humans and canine and his behavior will be most influenced by this group. You can expect your dog to challenge you more as he explores dominance and his role in the pack. Rather they are just working out what their rank is in the pack and what is expected of them in their position. Again: be a Good, very good, pack leader! Canines that are not spayed or neutered will also start exhibiting sexual behavior during this period. Be responsible and spay or neuter you canine. Some puppy owners hire a canine trainer to come to their home to teach them how to train. Some owners learn ahead of time what they need to do and immediately begin their puppy on this program. Still others have their puppy enter into our training program. We have much information on the website about training. And for our puppy buyer we are here whenever they need any coaching along the way. Be Consistent, Persistent and always have a Routine! The AKC calls for Standard Poodles to be taller than 15 inches and weight pounds females or pounds males. Most adult dogs reach a height at the withers of inches. Size genetics can vary quite a bit and even within puppies of one litter there could be big differences in adult size. Of course, you should never choose a dog based on looks alone — whether those are colors like the Parti Poodle or certain size requirements. However, if you want a specifically small dog, a female is more likely to fit the bill. On the other hand, if you want a large dog, pick a male. Is a Standard Poodle a large breed dog? Yes, Standard Poodles are large dogs. Standard Poodles will require daily exercise and stimulation like every dog breed. They are very handler-focused and love to be with their people. How big is a small Standard Poodle? In reality finding a Standard Poodle who is just above this height would be highly unusual. Small females are closer to inches tall. If you are looking for a specifically small Poodle, going with a Toy or Miniature Poodle might be your best bet. Do big Standard Poodles require more care? Every dog is going to require daily care, exercise and enrichment, regardless of their size. Unleash the real potential of your companion! We will email you daily with training tips, ideas and videos. This is an introductory course into our training philosophy. You will get customized video lessons based on your training goals — and you can implement them in just 5 minutes a day. Teacup and tiny toy poodles are still toy poodles, only smaller. There is no separate classification for them. Height: A puppy will grow at least 8cm more from the 8 week stage until maturity. Meaning a puppy that is 13cm tall at 8 weeks will be at least 21cm at adulthood. If you want a small not so tall teacup, make sure the puppy you are thinking of buying is no taller than 13cm at 8 weeks. Puppies may or may not grow very much between 8 and 12 weeks, depending on if they are in the teacup range or not. This is why we choose to keep our puppies until they are 10 to 12 weeks of age so we can better judge an approximate adult size. Weight: Teacup poodle puppies are born very small, they usually weigh between 70g and g at birth. Most puppies in a litter are born about the same size, give or take a bit. They may even grow and gain weight at the same rate as each other. It is impossible to tell what the adult size of a 2 to 3 week puppy will be. Parental genetics are a good indicator but not an absolute. We cannot be sure what its adult size will be until the puppy is at least 6 weeks of age and even then it is a guesstimate. We will have a much more accurate estimation when the puppy reaches 12 weeks of age. Teacups and tiny toy poodles are usually finished growing in height by 6 to 8 months but will still fill out a little more. We do our very best to estimate the adult size of our puppies based on previous litters if applicable , sizes of parents and their ancestors as well as the toy poodle growth chart shown above. Genetics is very complicated and recessive genes can come into play. Like humans, female puppies tend to be a similar size to their mother, whereas male puppies tend to be the same size as their father or grandfather.

The greatest danger to newborn puppies is getting chilled. Puppies cannot regulate their body temperature for the first two weeks of life and can die if they are not kept warm. If you need to separate them from the mother dog to move them, they can chill quickly, so moving them must be done with care. Picking Up the Puppy Wash your hands before picking up the puppies. Be sure the mother dog is comfortable letting you handle them. Prepare her by speaking quietly to her in a reassuring manner. Run your hand over each puppy gently, and slide your hand under one puppy at a time. If the puppies are large, place both hands under the puppy. Carefully pick up the puppy. Moving Puppies Have a box, dog crate or clean laundry basket large enough to hold the litter beside you. Place a clean towel inside. Heat a pet-safe disk according to the directions and place it under the towel. Make the sure disk has a cover and will not directly touch the puppies. Carefully place each puppy in the container. Cover the box or basket with a towel. She will want to follow you. Let her accompany you as you move the puppies, and show her the new location. When you relocate the puppies, place them one at a time in the new location and let the mother dog watch you. She likely will join her litter as you place them. A mother dog will not want to be separated from her puppies, and any separation should be as brief as possible. The puppies need to begin nursing as soon as they are born, and will nurse frequently for several weeks. Moving by Car If it's necessary for you to move a litter by car, place the puppies in a dog crate lined with towels that can be secured with a seat belt in your car. Use a heated disk to keep them warm while you travel. Put the mother dog in a separate crate so she does not lay on the pups while you travel. Maintain the temperature in the vehicle at a minimum of 70 degrees. If the outdoor temperature is cold, move the puppies as quickly as possible in a covered box. Whelping means the process where a female dog gives birth to puppies. And a whelping box is a container or box designed to keep the puppies safe and warm. Having a whelping box makes it convenient for the mother to give birth comfortably. Female dogs are very protective of their puppies. Hence the nesting box offers a sense of security. Female dogs need assistance and a safe place to give birth. Hence, a whelping pen would be of great help. If your dog is about to give birth, it would be better to get a box or make it yourself. For a small dog like Pomeranian, you can convert a large card box into a whelping pen. You can put your creativity into the process and make a nesting box for your dog. If your dog is big, she might probably give birth to a large number of puppies. Hence, the size of the box should be large enough to fit the puppies and the mother. Furthermore, you can get the box from a pet store if creativity and DIY are not your forte. Here are some of the factors that you need to consider: The sides of the pen should be high enough that can keep the puppies safe for three weeks. Also, make sure that the mother can move to and fro freely. The size of the pen should be spacious enough for your dog and puppies. It should have enough space where the mother can feed her pups comfortably. In addition, it should allow them to move freely. It will help to keep the pups warm when the mom is not around. These are the factors that you need to consider while getting a nesting box. It helps the mother and the pups in the long run. You would notice the growth within the first few weeks. They can move and stand up over the sides of the whelping pen. By three weeks, they become mobile and able to move towards the edge of the nesting box. However, before it reaches that stage, you should take care of it diligently. Some pups would go astray and get lost. Hence, getting a box with proper height is essential. Sometimes the mother has to go out of the box for a nature call or food. The box offers a sense of security both to the dog owner and the mother. When the puppies are born, they have no control over their body temperature. So, while the mom is out, the box will keep them warm. However, you have to make sure that the bottom of the box is covered with a soft blanket. By three weeks, they will start moving, and some puppies might even get out of the box. So, the real chaos begins when they reach three weeks. It would be best if you were more careful than ever. How to Keep the Nesting Box Clean? Taking care of puppies can be quite tiring. Once the puppies are born safely in the box, it would be better to change the sheet or the beddings. The mother will take care of it. However, from the second to the third week, the real work starts. It will help if you make sure that the box is clean. While cleaning the box, you can keep the pups temporarily in a warm blanket. You need to replace the sheet or newspaper at least twice or thrice per day. However, keeping the box clean prevents the puppies from possible bacterial infections. It also helps to keep the puppies clean. You should see that the nesting box is clean and dry. So, like a responsible dog owner , make sure that the box is clean and warm. Changing the Whelping Box to Other Areas Once the puppies have passed the first week, you place the box in other areas. It will help them to get used to the new smell and sounds. However, make sure that the place is quiet and warm. Some kids would like to hold the pups, which would be too early and maybe dangerous. During the first two weeks, puppies are pretty delicate. So, it would be best to keep far away from children. The first three weeks are a crucial moment for you and the pups. The puppies are in their developing stage, and they need a quiet and calm environment to grow. So, you should make sure that puppies are kept safe and warm. They would be too young to take the regular food and would cause indigestion. But you can keep water for the mother. They get very thirsty while taking care of the puppies. She requires good protein and energy to keep the pups fed through her milk. You can place the food in the water once they can move or walk. However, make sure that the food is easily digestible. Also, puppies tend to eat food without a limit. So, you should give the food moderately. Overeating can cause indigestion and vomiting. Hence, it would help if you were careful not to overfeed them. It offers a sense of security to the mother and the dog owners as well. Having a nesting box helps to keep the puppies from going astray. The first three weeks are crucial for the puppies to grow and develop healthily. Having the right size of the whelping box can help both the puppies and the mother move freely. It allows the mother to breastfeed the puppies comfortably. If your dog is about to give birth, it would be better to arrange a whelping box. It offers safety and assurance to both the mother and puppies. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. A whelping box is an important item to have when puppies are about to be born. You can construct something yourself or buy a specifically designed boxes from pet stores. When can puppies leave the whelping box? Puppies can often leave the whelping box at 3 weeks old. At this age, puppies can move out of the whelping box as they become more mobile. Puppies can stand up and even climb out of the whelping box nest. At this age, puppies start to explore outside of their nest, to find out more about the wide and exciting world around them. Well, I can tell you that a whelping box will help you and the mother cope better with a horde of tiny puppies in their first few weeks. What is a whelping box? Also known as a nest or whelping pen, the whelping box is a container designed to keep the newborn litter in one safe and cozy place. The mother also likes to have a place where she can give birth to her puppies in comfort while having a sense of security. Whelping means to give birth hence the name of the box. It should be placed in a quiet part of the house and set up a couple of weeks before your dog gives birth. This gives her time to get familiar with the box. Image via Pixabay. What can I use as a whelping box? If your dog is a little girl, you could convert a large, sturdy cardboard box into a nesting box. You can make your own if carpentry is your hobby or you could go to the local pet store and buy a whelping box. What to look out for when picking a whelping box You need to make sure you pick a whelping box that takes into consideration the following factors: The sides are high enough to keep the puppies safely contained in their first 3 weeks but low enough for the mother to move in and out freely. The size is big enough to accommodate all the puppies being born. The bottom of the box may come with whelping pads or you can simply line it with newspapers and a soft blanket. Some breeders will use wood shavings to cover the floor of the box. Some whelping boxes come with an extension which is great for more active puppies who are still too young to leave the pen but are moving around quite a bit. Picking the right whelping box goes a long way to keeping mum and pups comfortable and secure. When is the right age for puppies to leave the whelping box? Puppies develop and mature very quickly in their first few weeks. A whelping box is designed to keep the newborn puppies safe, warm, and comfortable. Keeping the puppies in one place and even using a heat lamp will help keep them warm. And, when the mother needs time out, she can leave the box and get some space knowing her pups are all safe in one spot. A whelping box gives you peace of mind your puppies are well-protected, staying warm, and not disappearing once they start crawling. But be ready for the exodus once they reach 3 weeks old and might start walking! How do I keep the whelping box clean? If your dog gave birth to the puppies in the whelping box, you would need to change the bedding once all the puppies are safely delivered. Keep them warm with a blanket. Use a non-chemical cleaning detergent and warm water to wash out the box. Remove any dirty bedding and replace with clean blankets, newspapers or wood shavings. Some breeders do put in a litter box for puppies once they start crawling. This could be the first step to house training your pups. Do regular inspections throughout the day to make sure the whelping box is always dry and clean. Can I move the whelping box to other areas? Once your puppies have passed their first week, you could consider moving them to different areas in the house. But remember, you need to keep them warm so make sure there are no draughts and the puppies are not too intimidated by the new environment. Be careful also with handling newborn puppies when moving them. For the first 3 weeks, the puppies are small, developing, and can be easily disturbed by too much activity around them. Do I need to put food and water in the whelping box? The puppies will be drinking milk from their mother for the first 3 to 4 weeks, before moving onto water. For the first 3 weeks, you could keep a bowl of water in the box for the mother. She will be very thirsty while nurturing her puppies. However, once the puppies start becoming mobile keep both the water and food outside the box. Conclusion Get ready for a whole lot of fun, but also stress. She will take them no doubt but being able to help just a little with whelping boxes, nesting, and more will make it so much easier for you. You might also like…. Stages of Puppy Development Birth to 3 weeks The first 20 days of a pups life it is not capable of much learning. The mental capacity is about nil. The pup will react when it is in need of food, sleep, warmth and its mother. During the first 3 weeks it is VERY important to look after the dam as well. She will in turn, look after the puppies. Once or twice a day the puppies should be handled by a human and they should be weighed daily. During the first 3 weeks most dams like to be in a warm secluded area, not in the family living area. Pups remain contently in their whelping box for the first 20 days of their life. Newborn puppies sleep most of the day away. No matter what the breed, this is the time when the dormant senses wake up. From day 21 to 28 puppies are in need of their mom more than any other time as their brains and nervous systems begin to develop and they become aware of their surroundings. As mom jumps out of the box, they suddenly watch her wondering where she went. Pups may start climbing out of the whelping box at this age, so it is time to expand their home. At this stage we add a small potty area beside the whelp box. If a puppy were to loose his mom at this stage it would greatly affect his emotional wellbeing. Emotional growth is just blossoming as the puppy realizes it is alive. It is also at this age that characteristics can develop like shyness and fear. Any negative characteristics that develop at this stage in life are often permanent personality traits. The puppies sleep 20 or more hours a day. They will not go far, but they will begin to explore. At this time we expand their area to add a play and eating area in the daytime. This is the time to move them out to the kitchen and family room area, where life is happening in the home. This is not the age to be in the back bedroom, garage or barn. During this time, a puppy will learn to respond to voices, sounds and recognize different people. The puppies in their group will establish a 'pecking order', some will want to lead and some will want to follow. The dominant ones will eat first and the omega ones will wait. The dominant ones can become bullies and hog all the toys. This is an important stage to watch to learn the temperaments of each puppy and should be used for placing puppies into the proper homes. Some scientific studies prove that if there is a bully in a litter that is making others cower and be shy it can set in traits that are very hard to turn around, but it is also important to leave puppies in a social group long enough to be adventurous and for the puppy to acquire some social competitive skills. On the same note, a puppy should never be allowed to get too pushy. While shyer puppies have to learn to handle themselves in social groups, a dominant puppy needs to learn it is not acceptable to be a bully. Different breeds need to be separated at different ages. Often if the bully is adopted out first the remaining puppies will loose some of their shyness. Puppies at this age sleep 18 to 20 hours a day. By 7 weeks, a pup is considered emotionally developed and ready to learn, but the pup does not possess an adult brain yet. At 7 weeks old the breeder of the pups can start crate training for an hour or two a day with 2 pups in a crate. This helps with separation anxiety. By 8 weeks of age a puppy should be able to go in a crate alone for a nap, and it is almost ready for its new home. A puppy should never be taken away from it's mother before weeks of age. The mother dog teaches the puppies in the litter manners, respect, social skills, and proper etiquette, along with many other valuable lessons. When a puppy misses this stage it can cause the pup to have future behavior issues as most humans do not understand natural dog behavior enough to teach the pup these things. What a puppy learns now will be retained and become part of who the dog becomes and his personality. Most dams stop caring for their pups by 7 weeks, as they have teeth and she pushes them away. If a pup is left with the dam during this period it's emotional development can be altered, as it remains dependent on her. The same can happen if littermates are placed together. They rely on each other instead of the new owner and they often do not find adequate security in their mom or littermate. They need their new owner to take over the role and it is important that the humans understand natural dog behavior in order to fulfill the puppies instincts and needs. First shots should be done at 7. When a puppy stays with his litter after 8 to 9 weeks of age without adequate human contact it doesn't adjust as well to a human social life. The optimum time to take a new puppy is from 8 to 9 weeks of age. It is always best to have a pup do his learning from his new owner and in his new home. Puppies are often adopted out at 8, 9, 10 or 11 weeks. Older puppies can do just fine if the breeder has spent a lot of time socializing them away from their littermates. Ideally 9 weeks seems to be the perfect age for most breeds to go to new homes. What the dog learns from 8 to 12 weeks will be with him forever. At this time the puppy must be introduced to other people and go for walks on the pavement street avoiding dirt or grass until it has had its 2nd shots. If the first shots are done at 8 weeks and second are done at 12 weeks it is a good idea to enroll in puppy kindergarten that starts right at 12 weeks. At this age on up to several months old, puppies will sleep 16 to 20 hours a day, give or take depending on the puppies energy level and the activity around them. Sleeping more during rapid growth sprurts. The sleep is broken up between night time sleep and naps during the day. It is common for a puppy to play hard, running around with bounds of energy, then suddenly crashing into a deep sleep. It is important to keep in mind that all puppies by this time have formed a general personality. Some are natural born leaders, some are middle of the road and could go either way and some are very submissive and really prefer not to lead anything. All puppies have an instinct to have a leader who can provide structure, because in their minds without it the pack cannot survive. Therefore even the most naturally born submissive dog may feel the need to take over as an alpha should they feel everyone else around them is too weak to care for the pack. These dogs are often very stressed out about their role because they really do not want it, but feel the need to lead just the same. After all, to them it's a matter of life or death. One of the biggest questions new owners call about is that the pup is an angel for the first couple weeks and then it starts to nip in an attempt to control things around it. This happens when a puppy does not see the humans as natural born leaders to which it can respect and it attempts to get the pack in order. If this happens it does not necessarily mean you got a bad puppy, but often means you are not being a good canine owner. Owners must be calm but firm and follow through. Set the rules of the home and stick to them. Teach basic obedience and how to heel on a leash. Do not let the puppy bolt out the door. Stay calm and confident and remember that dogs can feel your emotions. If you have emotional problems your dog knows and will see you as a weak being. Always remember to a dog anger is a weakness, so take a deep breath and control yourself. Should the puppy feel it is stronger minded than the humans it will not want to be at the bottom. Puppy owners should be prepared that the pup may attempt to establish itself as the dominant one in the family. This is where you need to understand a dog's natural instincts and learn their language so you can read them. It may see whether it can physically strike out at his owner like some teens and could nip or growl. Should this happen be prepared to stop the behavior immediately. It is kind of like kids wanting dessert before dinner or to stay up later. You just have to say NO. Each dog is different, just as kids are, therefore you need to figure out what works for you and your situation. If it is being aggressive one method is to pin it on its back and hold him there with a firm NO. If a pup is allowed to get away with bad behavior it will lose respect for the owner and learn that rebelling gets him his own way. The key is for the humans to be calm, confident and firm all at the same time. If you find yourself yelling or angry you as the human are out of control and need to learn how to portray yourself as someone your dog can look up to and respect. Dogs do not listen to unstable humans and anything but calm, confident and firm, to them is unstable. There should be zero tolerance for aggressiveness. Heaps of love and understanding will not stop bad behavior. A pup must be shown fast and firmly that you are the one in charge. If you have a good breeder who understands the dog even returning him for a few days can help as the breeder gets the dog back under control and you assess your own behavior and understanding of this animal you are trying to live with. Sending a dog away to be trained without training yourself never works, as the way your dog is acting often has more to do with the humans it is living with. This goes for any dog of any age. Learn how to groom your dog. Teach it to lie still for grooming and nail trimming. If you are having trouble call the breeder or a behaviorist for help. It is best to have earned a dog's respect and trust in regards to grooming by 16 weeks of age. A pups natural instinct will be to periodically try to test the order in the pack. Especially if there are children. If the owner is submissive, quiet and week, thus making the dog feel the need to lead the home, its respect for its owner will weaken and the owner will become inferior in the dogs eyes. In these cases the owner is destined to be owned by the dog and you will surely see behavior problems emerge. A puppy should have a good start on crate training when it leaves a breeder's home. Help your puppy feel secure by giving it its own bed and crate in a place where it can be alone when it needs some quiet time. It should be crated for one or two naps per day, especially when making and eating dinner and crated at night. It should not ever have the run of the house till after 6 months of age or housebreaking and training can become very difficult. A puppy should start formal obedience by 6 months of age, preferably sooner. Remember when you choose to adopt a dog you are choosing to take an animal into your home. The animal is not a human baby and humans are not born with canine instincts. Take some time to learn about the canine and be prepared to change your way of life to accommodate the new member of the family. During that first three weeks we weigh the puppies daily, trim their toenails every days, and put new collars on them every days as their growth is so rapid. The standard puppies are weighed on a regular digital scale and should gain an ounce a day at first and then up to ounces daily, whereas miniature puppies gain in a tenth of an ounce to start with and then an ounce or two a day. Jenny with litter at birth in 4' x 4' whelping box with lots of absorbent padding. Tasy in her "birthing bed" with the first three pups of the TS5 litter "Tasy" moves into her "doll crib" after the puppies are born - shown here at 3 weeks of age. We find it essential that the dam have food and water inside her whelping box the first week, however once she is willing to leave the box for short periods of time it can be set just outside the box, otherwise she will not eat and drink enough to provide all the milk needed for the puppies well being, and if you are not supplementing with goats milk, your puppies can suffer from dehydration. The standard dam has to produce almost two gallons of milk a day by the time a litter of puppies is two weeks of age. That's twice the amount a good dairy goat gives, who is at least double the dam's body weight. We find that goat milk, canned or fresh, is a much better supplement than the commercial formulas, as we have better weight gains and hardly ever have diarrhea in our puppies. If you have more than 8 puppies it is also essential that the dam's tail area and vulva be washed each time she goes out to go, as since there are not enough teats to go around there will always be a puppy trying to latch onto the vulva. The puppies can pick up bacteria and worm eggs, and a one celled organism called coccidiosis in this way which can lead to diarrhea. Mandy with AM3 Litter x Sterling at 1 week old. We practice what we call "giving the puppies an opportunity to learn" as a puppy raising method. We whelp the puppies in one corner of the living room where we have easy access to the box. We have found that moving the whelping box or puppy pen set-up on a weekly basis exposes the puppies to new scents and air currents and increases their adaptability and development by about two weeks, especially compared to puppies who are raised in the same corner until they go to their new homes. This is the first stage of their house breaking. Within hours the smartest puppies of the litter, barely able to crawl, will crawl out to use the paper and then crawl back into the whelping box. Within a few days the entire litter will usually be using the paper. Supplementing the puppies these first weeks gives us a good chance to play with the puppies feet, and get them used to their faces being handled for grooming, however even when we don't supplement we take time daily to handle every puppy and get them used to different textures, smells, and having their feet, faces, ears and tails handled. At three weeks of age when the ears open we start their cereal feeding, and use a soft clap with a "come, babies" command each time they are fed. This leads to the next step in the transition of removing the second box and the addition of a paper lined exercise pen to the whelping box at four weeks of age. At this time we start walking the puppies outside about every two hours from AM to PM. During this time ,the 4th-5th week, we teach them some basic commands - "in", "out", "potty outside", "walk", "watch", and continuing with their "come" command. Once they have understanding of these basic commands we then take them out to an outside play yard, regardless of the weather. It's really important to have this set-up close to an outside door if possible, or to use sections of an exercise pen to make an aisleway directly outdoors. Puppies can be carried outdoors, however their "potty outside" is learned much faster if they walk out the door in tune to the "out" command and the "potty outside" command at the same time. Usually within two days my standard puppies have quit having messes on the paper and are actually asking to go "out" - often at AM at this stage, and I do get up to accommodate them as this speeds their training amazingly, and I have a lot less mess to deal with - and less dirty crates when that time comes along. You can see that I do sleep within hearing of the puppies - usually until those we are continuing training with for their new families are weeks old. TS5 Miniature Litter - 2nd day of cereal feeding and 1st trip outside to the "big" world. We also start the grooming training at 4 weeks of age - starting with a bath with a soft water spray in a utility tub, and using a soft flow warm air dryer and a slicker brush - brushing the coat up the body toward the head, and up the legs toward the back as it dries. We always groom on a table, or the washer or dryer, or a counter - this is essential in getting the puppies used to being groomed on a grooming table and getting over any tendency toward the fear of heights. We cuddle them in our arms on the table to help them feel loved and secure, and to build their confidence level. We try to take pictures at birth, day old individual pictures, then every week thereafter for their new families, and for our albums. We also try to take litter shots as well at the various stages. I find that special touches add a lot of enjoyment, both for us raising the puppies, and for our families who are kept in the "link" of their puppy growing from infancy to toddler weeks. A Tasy x Promise Puppy before his first grooming and after his first grooming. My, oh my, what a difference!! We also start the worming program at four weeks of age - and this is really essential if you occasionally have a puppy that coughs after feeding, or vomits back up milk or cereal. Round worms are the one type of worm that the puppies can get in utero, and they grow as fast as the puppies. A heavy case of worms can often mimic other serious conditions in young puppies. It is also essential to use a low dosage of wormer in cases of heavy infestation, and at times give the puppy a few drops of oil by mouth, and possibly even an enema with a few drops of oil to help pass the worms. We use pyrantel pamoate for our first series of wormings. It is essential to worm every days until no worms are seen - these worms look like spaghetti - and once you see a litter of puppies pass them you never forget them. The wormer works in about six hours and is very effective. We have a computer generated health record that we complete on each puppy, and note all the worming's on it and on the litter weight records as well. Once the worming has been done, and if the teeth are coming in on the entire litter we start adding softened and mashed with potato masher kibble to the puppies cereal mixture - gradually reducing the rice baby cereal. During the next two weeks we gradually start adding cooked rice, cooked oatmeal, scrambled eggs, cottage cheese, ground apple and carrot, and a supplement Green Vibrance which has microbials in it to their soft feed. As soon as the puppies are able to eat dry kibble well and not just play with it we gradually reduce the soft feedings to AM and PM. The puppies often prefer dry kibble during times of heavy teething, however dry kibble no matter how well promoted does not meet all of their nutritional needs. Also the more organically chemical, steroid, and low grade antibiotic free a puppy can be fed, the better for its health and longevity. We keep our puppies on microbials their whole life as this keeps their intestinal system in optimal health - they absorb more nutrients, they produce less fecal material, they are less prone to other bacterial infections, they don't have smelly gas, they are less prone to bloat typical in a number of large breeds , they have better pigmentation as a result of absorbing more nutrients. We have also found that since taking this approach to diet that puppy and show coats on adults are more luxurious. As you can see their fourth week involves a lot of changes for the puppies. At six weeks of age we start the weaning process - although most "mothers" have already started it. A poodle "mom" is the most devoted creature ever the first week or two, but after that usually reclaims part of her own life to be with her human family. She will return to the whelping box every few hours to take care of her puppies needs, but other than that spends her time on a blanket or pad outside the box. Using a higher powered water spray, a higher powered table dryer, and if the coat is still thin enough a palm pro clipper again to clip the face, feet, tummy and tail. At this time Mishelle also adds standing the puppy properly on the table and does the first scissoring around the tail head and up the rump - as much to get the puppy used to the sound and feel of the scissors as because there is that much coat to scissor off. This is also when we try to take the first pictures of the puppies in a nice stance to send to everyone. This also helps to train the puppy for standing on the table which benefits when we do the conformation evaluations at 8 weeks of age. Puppies fearful on the table are very difficult to assess. This is also essential for miniature puppies that are going to be shown. It's very sad when a miniature is put on a table in the show ring for the judges inspection, and is fearful. Just minutes a day on a table, being encouraged to stand and be touched, can make a remarkable difference in just a week. A Maddy x Calvin puppy at 6 weeks of age after her 2nd grooming Six weeks is also when we remove the whelping box, as the mother now just gets in with the puppies about 4 times a day and either sits or stands to nurse them. She also starts to regurgitate her feedings for the puppies at this stage. The teeth are starting to come all the way in at this time, and the puppies will start sparring, and at times will really yelp. They learn at this stage not to bite each other too hard, and this is the first step to them learning not to bite humans too hard. We often have families who want to get their poodle puppies at this age, especially if they are going to training in agility. We do not allow any puppies to go to their new homes until they are weeks of age, as we feel that they need the "sibling rivalry" stage to learn aggressive and defensive behavior - which is learned by their interplay with each other. Many of our poodles go to homes with runners, and I can't tell you how many times they have had to defend their owners from aggressive dogs of other breeds, and always successfully. You never know when your poodle may have to come to your defense, and the maneuvers they learn as puppies at this age are the foundation for their defensive techniques, increase their alertness, and the speed of their thinking and their reactivity time. I love watching the puppies develop their skills during playtime at this stage. It is their transition from infancy to toddlers. It is also at six weeks that we remove the whelping box replacing it with two small crates without the gates on. Our favorite crates are the Furrari's, as they just snap together, and the gates can be opened from either side and simply lifted off for this stage of training. The first night all the puppies will crowd into one small crate - then I will hear them in the middle of the night groaning and grumbling, and in the morning the puppies will be divided between the two crates. That day we add a third small crate, and go through the same process - which we repeat until there are two puppies per crate. We never put the gates on at this stage, just allow the puppies the freedom to sleep in or out of the crates, and to play with them. We estimate that a poodle puppy develops 21 years in it's first year. From infancy to toddler, to preschool, to kindergarten, to pre-adolescent, to adolescent, to pre-teen, to teenager, to post teen, and early twenties. Their intelligence is equivalent to that of many humans, and the learning of human vocabulary in a standard poodle is amazing. They are a joy to work with and to train, many almost training themselves. At this point we start giving the puppies rawhide chew bones to help with their teeth cutting, the cardboard rolls from toilet paper, paper towels, tape rolls, and small boxes that they can pack around, tear up and destroy. Much like a toddler builds a stack of bricks and then knocks it down destructive stage so also does a puppy need to go through this stage. So we give them things that don't cost anything, that are light weight, and the right size around for a puppy jaw to pick up. They love it. We also start giving the puppies soft and hard toys to play with, and also try to observe which puppies in the litter are water lovers - they play in the water and empty the container almost as fast as we can fill it. We often get asked for puppies that like water by families that boat, or live on rivers or lakes, or on house boats. We start watching closely for the different types of personalities that the puppies have, how they relate to each other, to new situations, to new people, to other animals they come in contact with. Those that are more adventuresome, more curious, more courageous, etc. We are also watching for activity levels and how they move. It is also at weeks that we take the puppies to the back yard to play - as they are then big enough to be taught to go up and down steps. We have closed back steps, and open backed steps like condos and the steps at the air cargo depots for them to learn on. This can be quite a challenge to some, and we usually have to delay this training with the miniatures for a couple of more weeks when they are a bit bigger. They are so proud of themselves when they achieve success in going up and down the steps, even though it is just three steps - and will run up and down just for the joy of it. In the back yard they also learn to drink from an automatic waterer, so that they don't fear the hissing sound as it refills. Having nice clean feet, faces, and tail head and rump helps us to evaluate the puppies much better, and they will score better when all can be seen and evaluated. We do not give the puppies any treats prior to testing, nor do we do any actual crate training in closed crates. At this age the puppies get their first bath in the grooming tub with a harder spray of water instead of in the utility tub. The Force dryer is used for the first time, and the Andis or Oster clippers. This is also the clipping that helps us to determine the color that the puppies might end up as - blues and silvers are born black, silver beige and cafe-au-lait can be born very dark brown, light apricots that are going to cream out - we study the nose, feet, heels, and under the tail and neck for signs of color change. Tasy x Promise Pup - Black - at 8 weeks! A Mandy x Sterling Pup - Silver - at 8 weeks. Silvers and blues are born black and change gradually - starting with the muzzle and feet We try to schedule temperament testing 16 tests and conformation evaluations a three page form using AKC breed requirements, International breed requirements, and Puppy Puzzle testing at 8 weeks minus or plus three days, as this is the most accurate time for assessing conformation before the puppy starts its rapid growth spurts. This is at times a little early for temperament testing, however as so many families want their puppies at 8 weeks of age, it is necessary to do this before the litter starts to go to new homes. Often our entire litters are reserved before they are even born, or at least by the time they are 6 weeks of age, and this helps us to match puppies and their capabilities and personalities and temperament to the homes they are going into, especially the puppies that are shipped across the United States. This also means asking our prospective families for lots of details about their home style, their activities, other pets or animals in or around their homes, and what they want to do with their puppy as an adult. We also help families at this point to decide the best age of puppy to suit their lifestyle, as many families in todays age have difficulty getting the time those first weeks to house train a young puppy. The weekly cost covers food, treats, training, vaccinations and wormings. Temperament testing is beneficial, although there are those that disagree. It is done in a strange place by a strange person. It's purpose is to note the natural instincts and adaptability of the young puppies, and our families have found our assessments to be pretty accurate as their puppies have developed. The disadvantage of testing at 8 weeks versus 12 weeks, is that puppies can be conceived over a ten day period. The gestation period is days, with all of the body development being in the first 50 days, and the weight gain being in the last days. If the bitch whelps according to the first puppy conceived, then the last puppy or puppies conceived may not have had much weight gain - however due to genetics it will not always be the smallest puppies. When we do temperament testing we also try to be aware of which puppies opened eyes first and last, which had teeth coming in first and last - as these can be indicative of which puppies in the litter are the oldest and the youngest - as the psychological development can also be different, with the thinking processes of the youngest not being quite as developed as the thinking processes of the gestationally oldest puppies. In temperament testing we are looking at social skills, inanimate object retrieving instincts, sensitivity testing, chase response, bird retrieving instincts, perseverance and motivation. These help to determine which puppies might be best suited as companions, service and therapy candidates, agility and obedience prospects, those with "bird" instincts, and very important today those with good search and rescue and tracking instincts. Conformation evaluations are where we literally take a puppies body structure apart and put it back together again - all on paper. We are looking for the few puppies in a litter that are the most correct by breed specifications in bone structure. As companions for runners, horse back riders, hikers, bikers, etc. Most of our standard puppies, after 10 years of breeding are quite structurally correct - however we try to match structural correctness, temperament and personality to the needs of a family. To be a pick of the litter puppy it must score high in all three areas. At times a structurally correct puppy may not have the best temperament for competitive events, and a senior family doesn't need a puppy with a high working drive. When we complete the testing we vaccinate each of the puppies and tattoo them with their individual identification number - that designates their dam, her litter number, and the number of puppy within the litter - in their left ear. This tattoo must be read and entered in the medical records of the puppy by the families veterinarian at the time of the "well puppy check" within 10 days of receiving the puppy for our 2 year from date of birth guarantee to go into effect. As soon as the testing is completed we start crate training the puppies. The first night two puppies are put into a crate with the gate on, and given 3 small treats. They are cuddled before being put into the crate, and we use the "in" command which they are used to. When they are taken out in the morning they are hugged and cuddled again, and given their "go potty outside" command as we take them "out" the front door. The second night they are crated individually, and are also crated during the day for short periods of time, to get them used to taking "naps" in their crates. They are always given three tiny biscuits when we want them in their crates, and usually within three days they compete to see who can get in the crates first and turn around for their treats. Usually at this age the puppies will crate from approximately PM to about AM without having accidents in their crates, however I do get up in the middle of the night and let them out if someone gets really fussy. In hot summer weather they at times need out during the night to get a drink just as much as they need out to go potty. We always make their last soft feeding of the day by PM, so that they have plenty of time to evacuate before bedtime. Remember poodle puppies are very smart, and if they get me up several nights in a row - I watch very carefully to see if they really needed to go - and if not they have just decided to get me out of bed for some extra attention and playtime - remember the pre-adolescent who wants another drink of water, etc. They will test their new families in the same way, and if they win they are ruling the family instead of the family ruling them. At this point the puppies are ready to go to their new homes to families living locally, or those driving from other states to get their puppies. If they are flying we keep them for two more weeks - and ship when they are approximately 10 - 12 weeks old. This allows us to start travel training and leash training of the puppies, and allow them to develop better holding capacity for daytime crating before shipping. Also it gives us time to receive family t-shirts worn until sweaty and placed in ziploc bags to give to the puppies in their crates three days before shipping. Having items of clothing which we tie into knots for a pillow or toy allows the puppy to get used to it's new families scents, and helps it to adapt and bond much more quickly. It also gives us time to ship their puppy pack to them, before the puppy is shipped. We follow up on our puppies for years, and encourage our families to keep in touch with us and contact us with any questions regarding nutrition, training problems or needs. We also board our own puppies back, which is wonderful as then we get to assess their development and personalities as adults. We have families now who purposefully plan their vacations for the Oregon Coast just so they can leave their much loved poodles with us - they come from as far away as Montana, Idaho, north eastern Washington, California, Utah, and of course the closer regions of Oregon and Washington. Unless we are expecting a litter imminently they get to come back and live in the house with us, and always enjoy playing with so many other poodles in our huge back yard, and side yard play areas. We also continue any training that is in progress on the younger puppies. A Mandy boy at 15 weeks! A Lucy daughter at 1 year - sent by her family in Idaho Many of our families also return with their puppies to take the one-on-one grooming classes with us - with Mishelle now being the primary instructor. Many of our families are now doing all of their own grooming, and even if they aren't have found the class very beneficial as they have learned what to expect from a good groomer. Many have returned for second and even third classes to learn advanced scissoring techniques, and several are now learning show grooming and handling from us as well. It's biblical that the older are to teach the younger - and we feel very strongly about this after not finding anyone willing to assist us when we first started out. We want those who have a true desire to become breeders of the poodles to start in the right way, learning to do the proper testing and research, taking part in genetic research projects, learn to groom their poodles properly, and to breed properly, caring for their whelping bitches and puppies correctly. Mishelle should have been in the picture with "Eve" but was in the Show Ring with her instead. She groomed 14 standards and 2 miniatures for this show. The poodle is a wonderful and unique breed - sharing life with it's family. The puppies have arrived. They have been weighed and identified; they have nursed and are now sleeping quietly except for the normal twitching. Now what? Your job is not over yet, in fact, it's really just beginning. Nutrition and Feeding The mother will be ready for some food and water. Bring the dishes to the whelping box, as she will not want to leave the newborn puppies. Do not leave the dishes on the floor in the whelping box, as the puppies could crawl into them. Hang the dishes from the side of the whelping box or offer her food and water at least every hours to start. She should be taken outside on a frequent and regular basis to relieve herself. Within days, the mother's appetite will dramatically increase to times her pre-pregnancy intake. She will need a near constant supply of a high quality puppy food do NOT use large breed puppy formulas, which are generally lower in protein, fat, and minerals and water to maintain her weight and health while feeding the puppies. She should not look gaunt or thin if her weight is maintained. Ideally, she should weigh the same at the time of weaning, as she did when she was bred. A healthy puppy is firm, plump, and vigorous. Puppies should nurse every 2 hours or so. If they nurse until their stomachs appear round and they sleep quietly, they are eating enough. If they are crying and moving a lot, they are not eating enough. They may be swallowing air, which makes the stomach appear larger. As they become weaker, they will lay still and not cry. Their weight should double in the first days. Before, during, and after nursing, the mother will lick the stomach and perineal area to stimulate urination and defecation. She will continue to do this for weeks. Weigh the puppy daily for the first 2 weeks, then weigh at least weekly. A food scale typically works well for weighing the puppies. Failure to gain weight is often the first sign of illness in puppies. At about 3 weeks of age, the puppies will begin to imitate the mother's eating and drinking. A secure shallow water dish should now be available at least part of the day. Prepare the puppy mush by placing 2 cups of high quality dry puppy food in a blender with .This should be blended until the consistency of human infant cereal. This feeds puppies of a medium-sized breed. The puppies should receive meals a day of this to start. Once the puppies have checked it out, walked in it, and have eaten some, the mother can be allowed to finish it and clean the puppies off. Each week, increase the amount of food, decrease the amount of the milk replacer and water that is added and the time of blending, so by 7 weeks of age, the puppies are eating dry food. Once they are on dry food, it may be left in with the puppies when the mother is out of the box or the meal times can continue. As the puppies eat more solid food, the mother may be let away from the puppies for an ever longer period of time. If the weaning is not rushed, she will naturally start decreasing milk production, as the puppies increase their intake of solid food. As the puppies begin eating the puppy mush at 4 weeks of age, start changing the mother's diet back to adult food to also help her decrease milk production. Keep increasing the adult food and decreasing the puppy food until by the 7th week postpartum she is eating only adult food. Hopefully she has been fed well during pregnancy and lactation so she weighs the same at weaning as she did before pregnancy. Want to learn how to save on your dog's veterinary care? Click here Sanitation and Housebreaking During and after whelping, the mother should be allowed to go outside to urinate and defecate. Take her out on a leash bring a flashlight if it is dark , and watch her closely, as she could have another puppy. The whelping box needs to be changed at least once a day at this stage, and times a day as the puppies begin eating solids and the mother is not cleaning up after them. A large heavy paper may be laid on the bottom, several layers of newspaper over that, and a tightly stretched blanket over the newspaper. The blanket should be large enough to fit under all 4 sides of the box. If the box was made so the sides set into the floor, the sides are picked up, the blanket stretched, and the sides set down to hold the blanket in place. Puppies can become lost under blankets or under wrinkles in blankets. When cleaning, check the consistency and color of the puppy stool. It should be brown and formed, but not overly firm. Any deviations and the veterinarian should be contacted. To facilitate housebreaking, the puppies should be given definite feeding, playing, sleeping, and elimination areas. Once the puppies are mobile, they will use one area for elimination. Cover this area with a layer of newspapers with cedar or pine shavings on top. The new owners then place a small amount of cedar or pine shavings in the preferred location of their yard to aid in housebreaking. Keep the elimination area clean and dry. Puppies head toward the heat source to nurse so do not have the heat source warmer than the mother. Hanging a household thermometer on the inside of the whelping box will help you know the temperature in the box. Puppies typically lay side by side or on top of each other to share warmth. If the puppies are scattered throughout the whelping box and away from the heat lamp, the temperature is too warm. If they are all piled on top of each other, it may be too cold. Puppies need the extra heat, as they are unable to regulate their body temperature until several weeks old. Health of the Mother Each mammary gland and nipple should be checked at least once a day for redness, hardness, discharge, or streaking color. If mastitis develops, the veterinarian should be notified immediately. If caught early, milking out the affected gland and applying hot compresses will help prevent a spread of the problem. Sometimes, antibiotics are necessary. If she gets multiple glands with mastitis, the puppies will need to be bottle fed. The puppies' nails should be trimmed weekly starting within days of birth. This will help prevent some of the scratches on the mother's mammary glands. The deciduous teeth start coming in around day .Check the mammary glands of the mother daily for bite marks. The mother will have a bloody discharge from her vulva which may be quite heavy for several days. It should decrease in amount and become darker and be almost gone within weeks. The mother's hair may have become very thick and luxurious during the pregnancy. Around the time of weaning, the mother starts to shed. This extreme loss of hair coat is natural and it should be back to normal in about another months. This shedding is more extreme than a normal shed cycle and some mothers become quite bald. This is often called 'blowing a coat. Click here Puppy Healthcare Puppies who are not thriving should be examined as soon as possible by a veterinarian to check for birth defects. Some defects, such as a cleft palate are not compatible with life. These puppies should be humanely euthanized. Dewclaws are removed and tails docked at days of age. Make an appointment with your veterinarian for these procedures to be done. Check your breed's standard, as some breeds need to have dewclaws left intact in order to show. Tail length changes, so again, the current breed standard should be consulted. When the puppies are at the clinic and having these procedures done, the mother should be taken for a walk around the block until the puppies are done. She should not be close enough to the clinic to hear the puppies crying. Once they are put back with the mother, the puppies normally nurse and then sleep. Vaccinations are started at weeks of age. Some breeders give a parvo virus vaccine at 5 weeks of age, if the puppies are at a high-risk. Ask your veterinarian if your puppies should be vaccinated early for parvo virus. They recommend puppy deworming for roundworms and hookworms start at 2 weeks of age and be repeated at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. Thereafter, use a heart worm preventive medication that is also effective against hookworms and roundworms. Foster and Smith suggest that owners of newly acquired puppies obtain the deworming history of their new pup and contact their veterinarian to determine if additional deworming is needed. The mother should be dewormed at the same time as the puppies. A health check done by a veterinarian at weeks of age before the puppies head for new homes should include checks for heart murmurs, hernias, cryptorchidism, demodectic mange, other parasites, eye disorders, etc. Normal puppy development The umbilical cord normally falls off within days of birth. Infections of the umbilicus are rare in clean, well-managed kennels. Puppies normally twitch and jerk while sleeping. This helps with the development of their nerves and muscles. The puppies crawl well by days, walk at 16 days, and have a normal gait at 21 days. They need to be on footing that offers traction. By 4 weeks of age, the puppies follow each other and carry toys in their mouths. They will play-fight with each other and learn how to inhibit their bites. If a puppy bites a littermate too hard, the littermate will yelp and stop playing with him. If the puppy is allowed to bite humans, he will not learn to inhibit his bite. It may be cute as a 7-week old, but it will not be as a 7-year old. Puppies are born without teeth. The deciduous baby teeth start to erupt at weeks of age. All of the deciduous teeth are usually present by 8 weeks of age. The puppies' eyes will open around days of age. The retina matures around 21 days of age. Puppies should see clearly by 4 weeks of age. Do not pry open the lids for any reason, as the immature eye is not yet ready to handle light. If the eyes appear swollen before they open, take the puppy to a veterinarian immediately as an eye infection may be present that needs to be treated to prevent loss of vision. Some puppies will take a day to open the eyes while others will take days. The eyes will have a bluish color to them at first and then change to their adult color over time. If the eyes appear white or solid blue, take the puppy to the veterinarian right away. The ears open at days of age. They should hear clearly by 4 weeks of age. Deafness may not be noticeable while the puppies are together and first noticed when the puppy is in her new home. Interactions Between the Mother and Puppies By the time the puppies are weeks old, the mother should have an area near the whelping box, but separate from the puppies to allow her time to rest. At about this time, the puppies will start trying to leave the box to explore. They should be well supervised and have safe toys available. The box at this point should be big enough to be divided between eating, sleeping, playing, and eliminating rooms. At this stage, a crate with the door removed and lined with sheepskin or a dog bed can be given to the puppies for sleeping quarters and to familiarize them with crates. Puppy Socialization Early socialization of the puppies will help them become confident and develop fewer behavior problems. The puppies should be exposed to everything possible from metal food dishes dropping, to vacuums, garage doors opening and closing, thunderstorms, sirens, garbage trucks going past, cats, and other pets, etc. Do not try to keep the area quiet during the day. The puppies need to get used to normal household noises. Children should be allowed to play outside the whelping box supervised so they do not enter the box or drop toys in , as children behave differently than adults. Everything the puppy is exposed to now, will help her become a well-socialized, unafraid adult. The puppies should be handled several times a day. They can be picked up, their teeth looked at, ears checked, toes played with nails will need a weekly trimming , and have anything that may be done as an adult started slowly now. Play helps to develop the puppy's mind, as he needs to find solutions to problems he encounters. If the puppies are not in new homes by 10 weeks of age, they should be separated from each other for a large part of the day and given one-on-one time with humans. They can have play times during the day, but they should eat, sleep, and be handled separately. Being in a kennel group situation beyond weeks of age decreases trainability. Ready to start saving money on pet wellness care? Then take a look at Mint Wellness, the pet wellness plan that provides fast reimbursement on routine pet care. Save on vaccinations, wellness exams, preventatives, dental, and more!