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Things to do with your English Bulldog Kentucky is a great place to live with an English bulldog. The state has a diverse landscape, plenty of outdoor activities, and dog-friendly businesses. Hike the Trails Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. There are many hiking trails in Kentucky that are perfect for English bulldogs. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for your dog, and take breaks often. Visit a Campground Camping is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many campgrounds in Kentucky that allow dogs. Be sure to bring a tent, sleeping bags, food, water, and other supplies. There are many places to fish in Kentucky, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to get a fishing license and follow all the rules and regulations. Go Boating Boating is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many places to boat in Kentucky, both on rivers and lakes. Be sure to bring a life jacket for your dog and follow all the safety rules. There are many places to swim in Kentucky, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to supervise your dog at all times and follow all the safety rules. Visit a Dog Park Dog parks are a great place for English bulldogs to run and play off-leash. There are many dog parks in Kentucky, both in urban and rural areas. Visit Dog-Friendly Businesses Kentucky has a number of pet-friendly businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and stores. These are just a few of the many things you can do with your English bulldog in Kentucky. With its stunning scenery, endless activities, and friendly people, Kentucky is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your furry friend. How do you breed for a healthier English Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other breeders from improving the health of the English Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes the unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities. What are the steps of your adoption process if I am located in Kentucky? Check out our available English Bulldog Puppies page. At times, we have available puppies but almost always have a waiting list as well. A quick look at our available puppies is the starting point to begin the process. Send us an email or give us call .If approved to adopt one of our puppies you are welcome to place a deposit to hold until your puppy is ready to go home. Greetings from the Wysongs! Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. Nestled in the Southeastern region of the United States, Kentucky boasts a rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and an abundance of dog-friendly activities, making it a fantastic place for English Bulldog enthusiasts. Our site features reputable KY breeders who specialize in raising healthy and happy puppies. Our breeders are committed to raising the highest quality puppies. They provide their puppies with all the necessary vaccinations and veterinary checkups to ensure they are in the best of health before they go to their forever homes. They also provide ongoing support and advice to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your new furry friend. Kentucky falls into 32nd place among other states, with a dog population of over thousand dogs in the state. Kentucky is a haven for dog lovers, offering a wide array of dog-friendly restaurants, parks, and events where you can enjoy the company of your furry friend. At TrustedPuppies. Most of our trusted English Bulldog breeders offer safe and affordable flight delivery, with a dedicated flight nanny accompanying your new pup throughout their journey, providing a safe, secure, and comfortable trip as they make their way to their new home in the Bluegrass State. In addition to flight delivery, most breeders also offer affordable vehicle delivery utilizing specialized pet delivery services. This option guarantees your English Bulldog puppy is safely transported to your doorstep by a professional who understands the unique needs of pet travel. Begin your search for the perfect English Bulldog puppy today on TrustedPuppies.

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. Foods made for senior dogs will not be suitable for puppies. The exception to this is when the label clearly states that the food is suitable for all life stages. Goldendoodles come in three sizes, depending on the size of the Poodle parent. Mini Goldendoodles are 15—30 pounds as adults. Medium Goldendoodles are 30—45 pounds as adults. Standard Goldendoodles can reach 45— pounds when fully grown. The type of Goldendoodle that you have will determine what type of food you need. That said, many of the foods on this list support healthy digestion and are gentle on sensitive stomachs. If your pup is sensitive or prone to food allergies , choose foods with the fewest ingredients possible and a novel protein source such as duck. Picky Eaters Most dogs love to eat anything and everything, but some can be picky eaters. If you notice that your Goldendoodle puppy is not eating with enthusiasm, they may prefer a different flavor. Lamb, bison, fish, turkey, and chicken are used as protein sources in many dog foods, and your puppy may just want to try something different. If your puppy is not regularly eating no matter which foods you try, talk to your vet to rule out any potential health problems that could be the cause. Growth Rate Goldendoodle puppies grow quickly. Since they grow and change so rapidly, high-protein food is best for them. A balanced diet filled with vitamins, minerals, healthy carbs, and protein will give your puppy the energy that they need to stay active and happy while growing. Dog foods should contain one to three main protein sources and be the first ingredients on the label. The protein content should always be higher than the fat content of the food. Fiber Fiber helps promote healthy digestion. In dog food, this is usually provided with fruits and vegetables. Rice and oats are also added for fiber. Fat Fat provides energy. Healthy sources of fat in dog food are flaxseed, canola oil, and omega fatty acids. Vitamins and Minerals Dog food with a balance of vitamins and minerals will keep your puppy healthy as they grow. If you notice that your puppy is having diarrhea, scratching themselves incessantly, chewing their paws, or vomiting, they may have an intolerance to something in their food. This could be an allergy or sensitivity, but switching foods may help. Try a different brand with a different protein source to see if the issue clears up. If your puppy is still showing signs of illness without an explanation, speak to your vet about possible food allergies. Then, different foods will gradually be reintroduced to try to identify what is making them sick. This food is ideal for dogs of all life stages and is minimally processed and gentle on puppies with sensitive stomachs. The nutritional value makes it ideal for promoting healthy growth in puppies. This food is high in protein and helps puppies stay energized and active. We hope that our reviews have helped you find the best food for your Goldendoodle puppy. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.Read more Advertisement. 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. 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. Additionally, certain completely natural foods humans can consume could have potentially fatal consequences for a Goldendoodle. Goldendoodle puppies do need to be fed more frequently than adult Goldendoodles. This is because they burn a lot more energy as they grow and develop and need to top up the tank more often. A Goldendoodle puppy should be fed around three times a day — once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once in the evening. Once they have reached around months of age, you can transition them to twice-daily feeds — once in the morning and once in the early evening. In terms of how much you should be feeding them, it entirely depends on their size, age, and weight. When to switch from puppy to adult food? They may not have fully bulked out yet, but once they have stopped growing upwards, they can be changed to adult dog food. Generally speaking, this is around months of age. It depends on which of the parents your Goldendoodle takes after and when they will stop growing completely. You can contact your vet for some professional advice if you are still uncertain. A big part of the decision-making process typically pivots on budgeting as each type of food and brand can vary dramatically in price. There are pros and cons to each type of food, which we have listed below for you: Dry Dog Food Dry food is often rich in nutritional benefits, protein, fiber, and vitamins. So long as you find good-quality dry food, this is generally the most affordable and manageable option. You also need to ensure that your Goldendoodle has plenty to drink with a dry food diet as it often triggers a thirst at mealtimes. Wet Dog Food Wet dog food is delicious, nutritious, and hydrating. However, it is an expensive option. Especially seeing as wet dog food is often not as nutritionally dense as dry kibble, meaning more is needed per meal to match the nutrient intake of dry food. Of course, your dog will love it! But your bank account might not. Raw Dog Food The raw feed diet is the closest your dog can get to eating a completely natural meal, meaning closely resembling the type of food they would eat in the wild. However, you may need to supplement the meat with some vegetables to boost their vitamin intake. The major downside of feeding your dog a raw diet is that it is easily one of the most expensive options, especially since Goldendoodles are quite large dogs and require a good amount of feeding daily. However, it is time-consuming, so you need to consider the preparation time for each meal. Homemade food is a great way to monitor exactly what your dog is eating, as there would be nothing but personally selected ingredients. Just be sure to give them everything they need in terms of nutrition. You want to ensure your Goldendoodle gets protein, fiber, nutrients, and vitamins. Ingredients: This recipe can be adjusted depending on the size of the dog in question. Bring everything to a boil and thoroughly stir the mixture until the protein has broken up and everything is evenly distributed. Once everything is stirred together, bring the temperature down to a simmer and allow to cook for 20 minutes. Add the frozen vegetables, thoroughly incorporate the veg into the mixture, and cook the combined mixture for 5 minutes. Remove the cooked food from the heat, allow it to cool, drain any excess liquid, and store in an airtight container. Keep the food refrigerated — it can be kept for up to 5 days. Common Goldendoodle Health Problems There are a few hereditary conditions that Goldendoodle can be predisposed to developing from their parent breeds, some of which can be more severe than others if left untreated: Hip Dysplasia — Goldendoodles are prone to developing hip dysplasia, which can be made worse by their weight, increasing the pressure in the already-damaged hip joints. Allergy-Triggered Skin Diseases — They are also susceptible to an allergic skin disease which can be brought about by various causes and will often require a thorough workup. Patella Luxation — Some Goldendoodles are also known for developing patellar luxation in which the kneecap slips out of its normal anatomical position. Epilepsy — Epilepsy varies in severity, but it can be treated with medication in most cases. It can result in abnormal bleeding during heat or after surgeries or injuries. Retinal Atrophy — An incurable condition that causes significant sight loss and blindness. Corneal Dystrophy also has these same symptoms. Bloat — A dangerous condition that, if left untreated, can become fatal. Otherwise, you can always seek comprehensive DNA testing to identify genetic markers for canine diseases. Frequently Asked Questions: Are Goldendoodles picky eaters? Not always, but sometimes. Like all dogs, some Goldendoodles can have a tendency to be fussy with their food. However, this is usually due to their personality as opposed to their overall breed. Is a grain-free diet good for Goldendoodles? Yes, for the most part. Poodles are a delicate breed that is commonly known for having frequent digestive problems and delicate digestive systems. As a result, the Goldendoodle can inherit this digestive sensitivity and may require a grain-free or limited ingredient diet to compensate. How long do Goldendoodles live for? Goldendoodles can grow old up to 15 years, but only if they are able to maintain their excellent level of health. Lack of exercise and a poor diet can significantly reduce their lifespan by making them more prone to the development or occurrence of health problems. She comes from a family which has never gone a day without a pet or 3! A knowledge that she has put to good use, to help others navigate the limitless world of pet care. Leave a reply Please enter your name here You have entered an incorrect email address! Please enter your email address here Please enter your comment! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

If not well-trained and socialized, these dogs could cause serious trouble; thus, we only recommend them to experienced owners. Some Golden Chows are reserved and aloof, like Chow Chows. Others love to be around people, like Goldens. They love to run and play, and many love the water. Not only do you have to train them consistently, but you also have to keep up with their significant exercise demands. Chows and Goldens are both smart dogs, but that intelligence manifests itself in different ways. A Golden Retriever will use its considerable brainpower to try to find ways to make you happy. Chows love their owners too, but their brains are often used to scan for threats and offer protection. Golden Chows can closely resemble either parent breed in this regard, but they often fall somewhere in the middle. They love to spend their time playing and goofing off with their families, but they become all business as soon as a threat appears. Are These Dogs Good for Families? A Golden Chow tends to bond tightly to their family, so the dog would likely give their life to protect your children. If you decide to bring a Golden Chow into your family, then training is in order—for both the kids and the dog. The dog needs to learn how to tolerate unpredictable little people, and the children need to be taught how to behave around animals. Some love other animals and can make fast friends at the dog park, but they tend to be the exception rather than the rule. If you want to increase the likelihood that your dog will tolerate other pets, then socialize them early and often. These are complex animals, and to raise one properly, you have to do your homework. Excess weight is a problem for this breed, especially since many of them can suffer from hip dysplasia and other joint issues later in life. Find a suitable diet we recommend one high in fat and protein , and feed your dog a set amount every day. We also think you should give your pooch a regular glucosamine supplement to help with those achy joints. Image Credit: William Wise, Dreamstime. About 60 to 90 minutes of vigorous exercise usually does the trick. These dogs are smart, so mental stimulation is equally important. They tend to do better interacting with people than trying to figure out puzzles, so make sure any mental challenges involve both of you. We like agility training for this purpose, as it taxes the body and mind equally. Golden Chows are playful with family members, so you may even be able to just run around in the backyard with them for exercise. This means that small children can often get bowled over by overly enthusiastic dogs, so try to keep their energy levels in check. It needs to be done regularly—every day, if possible—and it needs to be done thoroughly. Along with training, socialization needs to happen from day one. Make sure your dog is confident and comfortable in a variety of situations, including around other people and pets. Socializing them properly will go a long way toward nipping future problematic behaviors in the bud. As for training styles, positive reinforcement is always best. We reviewed the best clickers for training your dog — check out our favorites here! Many Golden Chows suffer from dental issues , so brushing their teeth regularly is essential. You also need to keep their ears clean and their nails trimmed. Still, you should monitor your dog regularly to rule out the following conditions. Minor Conditions. However, have you ever considered a Golden Chow? This might just be one of the best choices from all the puppies and dogs available for you. These protective but gentle dogs are fantastic companions, but they are not the dog for everyone. In this article, we will take a look at this remarkable mixed-breed dog. What Is a Golden Chow? It is an attempt to take the best of two wonderful dogs. The history of the Chow Chow Golden Retriever mix is not well known. They have only emerged in the last 20 years as part of a growing trend to cross breed different purebred dogs. Some of these cross-breeds have been successful. The Labradoodle is a classic example. The hybrid is now standardized, meaning that owners know what they are getting when they buy one. The Golden Chow has not got that far. The appearance and temperament of the dog can vary depending on the parents. The first parent breed of this mix is the Chow Chow. The Chinese developed this dog more than 2, years ago as an all-around working animal. They served as farm animals, temple guards, and even army dogs! Many people are wary of the Chow Chow. It is known for being aggressive and standoffish. Some insurance companies will even increase your rates if they know that you have one of these as a pet. Without proper socializing, this dog can be mean and scary. Martha Stewart is also a fan and owns three. The other half of the equation is a lovable Golden Retriever. This breed is young compared to the Chow Chow. These dogs were developed in Scotland as hunting companions. Golden Retrievers are one of the most popular family dogs out there. This is because they are obedient, affectionate, and easy to train. They are known for being fluffy, aloof, and devoted pets. Golden Chows can be very similar to Golden Retrievers—or they could be very different. The answer depends largely on your individual dog and its genetics. As a hybrid, this dog tends to lean one way or the other. This is true for both appearance and temperament. Chow Chows usually weigh in at about 50 to 75 pounds and will stand 20 to 25 inches tall. They are considered medium-sized dogs, but they are at the larger end of the scale. Both the Golden and the Chow Chow are somewhat big dogs, so this cross is no small pup. Chow Chows can have a variety of appearances. Some will look like fluffier Golden Retrievers. Others might look like thinner Chow Chows. No matter what, you can expect a thick double coat that will need daily brushing. It will generally be more of a red or gold color, but this is not always the case. An interesting characteristic that you might find in your dog is its tongue. Chow Chows are known for their blue-black tongues, and it looks like this is a dominant trait. Your dog might have a splotchy multi-colored tongue. The mouth will also probably be darker as well. But lest that discourage you, check out this video of super adorable Golden Chow puppies. Temperament is where these dogs differ most from a Golden Retriever. This is because the two parent breeds are very different. Goldens love affection of all kinds, including from strangers. Chows are wary of people in general and are protective of their homes. If your dog leans more towards a Golden, it will be an attention-seeker. It will also be friendlier towards strangers. It will have many of the lovable traits that you look for in a Golden but might be more reserved and relaxed. A Golden Chow that leans more toward Chow traits, however, will not be as friendly. These dogs will be more protective of their homes and are suspicious of anyone who enters. If you are considering a Golden Chow, you should be prepared to change your lifestyle. These dogs will take up a lot of your time and energy when it comes to training and exercise. If they are more of a Golden Retriever, they will be easy to train. Goldens live to please people, and they are naturally obedient. They are focused to the point of obsession and will work hard to achieve any task that you give them. Goldens are also extremely active dogs. As hunting companions, they were bred to be outside and running around for long periods of time. Their favorite game in the world is fetch, especially if you throw a stick or ball into a lake or ocean. If your dog is more of a Chow Chow, training will be more difficult. You will need to establish yourself as the alpha dog right away. Chow Chows typically require more discipline than other dogs. This should never be physical though. You will likely find a unique training program that works for your dog. It is important to socialize Chow Chows and Golden Chows from an early age. The Chow side needs to learn that other animals and people do not pose a threat. The Golden Chow is only recommended to experienced dog owners. It also is not a dog for families with young children. Conclusion The Golden Chow is a difficult dog to raise. However, the reward is a sweet, loyal, and protective dog that will keep your family safe. Already Have a Golden Chow? Check out our feeding guide here. There are several reasons why people choose to buy a hybrid. Some people do so because they want to keep a pet that is neither purebred nor a designer dog. In fact, you can often find puppies in your local area for much less than they cost when you shop online. Of course, it is a good idea to find out as much as you can about the breed before you decide to buy a puppy. This way, you will know what kind of temperament you are going to be getting and whether the dog is a good fit for your family. This is not always an easy task, but this great breed can be a wonderful addition to any family. You should take your time in looking at the breed and then making your decision. There are many different breeds, so it is best to make sure you have a list of criteria that you are going to look for. If you are not sure where to start, you may want to consider taking a class on dogs or contacting a breeder who has had a lot of experience with Golden Retrievers. The Internet is a great place to get tips on finding the right breed. You may find that some breeds sell much cheaper on the Internet than they do at your local pet store. There are many breeders and even some individual dogs that sell puppies for sale. If you are interested in one specific breed, be sure to contact the breeder and ask them about the price that you can expect to pay for a puppy. You also need to think about the type of new home that you will be moving into. Some golden retriever breeds are more suited to being in the home of a very active, outdoor dog. Others are better suited to indoor life. Take your time when buying a puppy, and see which breed would be a better fit in your household. It is also a good idea to think about how much time you will be able to spend with the puppy while you are taking care of your new pet. If you will be traveling a lot, it may be a good idea to look for puppies for sale that have been trained to be boarded. In this case, a waiting period before you bring the dog home could be a good idea. Dogs can have varying degrees of tolerance for noise. Besides, some dogs are better at playing with small children and other pets. If you are not the type of person who enjoys this type of thing, be sure to look for puppies for sale that do not have a lot of young children in their household. You may also want to consider a dog that is best suited to a small apartment, as well as where you will be renting the place. Some dogs need a large amount of room, especially if they are smaller breeds. Before you buy a puppy, make sure that you have taken all of these things into consideration. When you are looking for puppies for sale, you should do your research and look for the right breed for you. Some breeds are better suited to certain lifestyles, so take your time and decide what you want. Whether you are just starting to be a pet owner or are planning to raise a family of dogs, you should never settle for anything less than the perfect pet. Usually, there are 1 to three discount coupons for one item. But in every single order, clients can only use one discount coupon. So, always try to choose the most appropriate coupon with the biggest discount. However, the best way to find out which Golden Retriever Chow mix is best is to find the best breeder offering the puppies. But finding reputable breeders of chows may sometimes prove to be tedious and time-consuming. It is because these breeders are very careful about the health of their puppies and do not resort to selling them to irresponsible people who may not take good care of them. Also, breeders like to sell their chows at cheap prices to reduce the expenses they have to incur to maintain them. However, there are still several trusted breeders in the market who can provide good quality Golden Retriever puppies at reasonable prices. When looking for Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Michigan, it is better to ask around first before making any purchase. People living nearby can give you an idea about the prices of the different kinds of breeds. You can visit the local dog shows as well. Here, you can see the dogs in action and know what kind of price range they generally belong to. Knowing about the prices of different breeds will also help you decide if any of the mentioned breeds are suitable for you. If you are a first-time buyer, you may want to inquire about the requirements that the breeder wants for his puppies. Breeders normally require only those dogs that show good working qualities and possess good health. Besides, you have to check out whether the breeder has a license to operate a business dealing with breeding dogs. It is illegal to own a business that offers dogs for sale if it does not have a license to operate. Golden Retriever breeders that sell Golden Retriever puppies for sale can be found in almost every city in the U. These breeders usually have many dogs for sale and a lot of knowledge about how to take care of them. Usually, these breeders have a good relationship with other reputable breeders and can easily get their help in terms of finding the right dogs and puppies. There are several popular national brands available in the market, including the Boston Terriers, the Collie, the Irish Wolfhound, the Standard Schnauzer, and the Shih Tzu. It should be noted that these registered dogs have undergone all the necessary testing and evaluations to ensure their health and temperament. Purebred Golden Retrievers and any other dog or puppy that belongs to the same breed group have very close physical resemblance but are still distinct from each other genetically. Another reason is that they believe that the American Kennel Club has not done enough testing to verify the health and temperament of hybrid dogs. And even though there is little proof to suggest that hybrid chows do suffer from serious health problems, they cannot be assumed to be safe. Many pet stores also offer Chow mix puppies for sale. Though this type of hybrid is also referred to as American Bandog or Cocker Spaniel mix, it is actually unrelated to either breed in terms of the bloodline. Instead, it is an American breed of dog that was crossed with a Standard Poodle to create the designer dog. In most cases, these dogs have pedigrees that trace their origins back to the same American breed standard. This makes them eligible for all types of licenses as purebred American Kennel Club registered dogs. Share this:. Sponsor Meet Kibbles Adorable Kibbles is in search of his forever home! This boy is a doll with a million dollar smile and a beautiful soft fluffy coat! We placed Kibbles with a loving family 4 years ago but due to some unfortunate circumstances, and through no fault of Kibbles, they are no longer able to care for him. This was very difficult and painful for all as Kibbles is a very much loved member of the family. He is a sweetheart who loves people of all ages. He has been living with ten children who adore him. Kibbles is happiest around his people and likes to be near them. Velcro dog! He is very friendly and affectionate. His list of favorites include walks, car rides, and couch cuddles! Did I mention he loves car rides? Kibbles sees the keys and he is ready to go! Though he does well with friendly dogs after proper introductions, and currently lives with several furry siblings in his foster home, Kibbles would be just as happy being the only dog as he loves being the center of attention. He enjoys the company of other dogs but tends to want all of the human attention for himself once he gets comfortable and can get a bit alpha and possessive when another resident dog wants that attention too. For that reason we feel he would do best as the only dog. Kibbles ideal home would be single or empty nesters grandkids that visit often would be wonderful that want a companion, or family with older children that also want the companionship of a furry family member. No cats or small dogs for Kibbles as he does like to chase the smaller critters. If you are looking for a sweetheart of a dog and a new best friend, Kibbles would be a wonderful addition to the family! He is house trained, fully vetted, UTD on vaccines, preventatives, Heartworm tested, neutered and microchipped. If you are interested in meeting Kibbles please email us at huntershoperescue gmail. Please email is us at huntershoperescue gmail. We do our best to respond within 24 hours but please be patient as we are short staffed. Applicants under 25 years of age will need to demonstrate an adult lifestyle. If you rent your home we require a letter from the landlord submitted with your application granting permission for a pet. A secured fenced yard is preferred and for most of our dogs is required. Considering Kibbles for adoption?

Aug 18, Share Boxers were originally bred in Germany as guard dogs in the 18th century. This medium to large-sized dog was bred as a cross between the Bullenbeisser dog now extinct and the Bulldog. The Boxers we know and love today for their silliness and energy have emerged from a Molosser-type dog that was used in hunting. It is important to note that officially there is only one type of Boxer breed that has different bloodlines. Sometimes, these bloodlines are mixed, while other times they are absolutely pure. There are no variant types or official sub-categories in the official sense. However, there are plenty of morphological differences among Boxer breeds to consider. Below are the different types of Boxer dog breeds and their differences. The 3 Types of Boxer Dogs 1. The dog is preferred for its slightly larger frame as compared to the UK and American Boxer. The bones are dense and large, which helps give the musculature a slightly more pronounced definition. The width of the thigh in this breed is slightly wider as compared to others. A feature typical to German Boxers is the length between their skull and snout. The length is exactly in the ratio of in German Boxers with a pure bloodline. The snout, in comparison to other types, is smaller than the American Boxer and wider than the UK Boxer type. United Kingdom Boxer Dog A post shared by Boxergone boxergone Defining characteristic: Considered the most elegant among all Boxers, owing to its high knuckles atop small feet This breed is also called the English Boxer or British Boxer. The UK Boxer stands out for being more lithe, sleek, and athletic as compared to other Boxer breeds. It has a slender musculature and a stylized body that allows for further agility and precise movements. English Boxers have the highest knuckles of all other variants. They are also thought to be the smallest with thinner and shorter legs. However, this does not mean that they lack strength or speed. However, it was the first one to be given official recognition in by American Kennel Club. The breed is the easiest to recognize among all other variants, thanks to the lack of wrinkles in adult dogs. Their coat is also denser, brighter, and stronger than English and German Boxers. The American Boxer stands differently from the English Boxer. This is because of the shape of its ankles, paws, and knuckles. However, it is easy to confuse American Boxers with German Boxers since both of them have the same stance. Further information: Bullenbeisser Friedrich Robert and his boxer, The Boxer is a hunting mastiff developed in Germany in the late 19th century from the now extinct Bullenbeisser , a dog of English Mastiff descent, and Bulldogs brought in from Great Britain. Its task was to seize the prey and hold it until the hunters arrived. In later years, faster dogs were favored and a smaller Bullenbeisser was bred in Brabant , in northern Belgium. The Brabanter Bullenbeisser is generally accepted as being a direct ancestor of today's Boxer. The club went on to publish the first Boxer breed standard in , a detailed document that has not been changed much since. During World War I , the Boxer was co-opted for military work, acting as a valuable messenger dog, pack carrier, attack dog , and guard dog. Taken home by returning soldiers, the dog was introduced to a wider audience and soon became a favorite as a companion, a show dog, and a guard dog. Boxer early genealogy chart Flocki, the first Boxer German citizen George Alt, a Munich resident, mated a brindle-colored female dog imported from France named Flora with a local dog of unknown ancestry, known simply as "Boxer", resulting in a fawn-and-white male, named Lechner's Box after its owner. This dog was mated with his own dam, Flora, and one of his offspring was a female called Alt's Schecken. George Alt mated Schecken with a Bulldog named Dr. Flocki was the first Boxer to enter the German Stud Book after winning the aforementioned show for St. Bernards in Munich , which was the first event to have a class specific for Boxers. Blanka von Angertor, Flocki's sister, was even more influential when mated with Piccolo von Angertor Lechner's Box grandson to produce the predominantly white particolored female dog Meta von der Passage, which, even bearing little resemblance with the modern Boxer standard early photographs depict her as too long, weak-backed, and down-faced , is considered the mother of the breed. Our great line of sires all trace directly back to this female. She was a substantially built, low to the ground, brindle and white particolor, lacking in underjaw and exceedingly lippy. As a producing female, few in any breed can match her record. She consistently whelped puppies of marvelous type and rare quality. Those of her offspring sired by Flock St. Salvator and Wotan dominate all present-day pedigrees. Combined with Wotan and Mirzl children, they made the Boxer. Breed name[ edit ] The name "Boxer" is supposedly derived from the breed's tendency to play by standing on its hind legs and " boxing " with its front paws. Brace's Pet Owner's Guide to the Boxer, this theory is the least plausible explanation. At that time, the spelling "baxer" equalled "boxer". Both the verb boxen [English "to box, to punch, to jab"] and the noun Boxer were common German words as early as the late 18th century. The term Boxl, also written Buxn or Buchsen in the Bavarian dialect, means "short leather trousers" or "underwear". The very similar-sounding term Boxerl, also from the Bavarian dialect, is an endearing term for Boxer. These dogs were the result from mixes of Bullenbeisser and other similar breeds. Bier beer probably refers to the Biergarten, the typical Munich beer garden, an open-air restaurant where people used to take their dogs along. The nickname "Deutscher Boxer" was derived from Bierboxer and Boxer could also be a corruption of the former or a contraction of the latter. This seems improbable. Any such action would likely result in a badly bitten if not broken leg. On the other hand, a German breeder of 40 years' experience states positively that the Boxer does not use his feet, except to try to extinguish a small flame such as a burning match. But a Boxer does box with his head. He will hit not bite a cat with his muzzle hard enough to knock it out and he will box a ball with his nose. Or perhaps, since the German dictionary translates Boxer as "prize-fighter", the name was bestowed in appreciation of the fighting qualities of the breed rather than its technique. Boxer is also the name of a dog owned by John Peerybingle, the main character in the best-selling book The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens , which is evidence that "Boxer" was commonly used as a dog name by the early 19th century, before the establishment of the breed by the end of that same century. A brindle Boxer with two white socks Brindle, fawn, and white Boxer puppies See also: Dog health A healthy Boxer puppy Leading health issues to which Boxers are prone include cancers , heart conditions such as aortic stenosis and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy the so-called " Boxer cardiomyopathy " , [35] hypothyroidism , hip dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy and epilepsy; other conditions that may be seen are gastric dilatation volvulus also known as bloat , intestinal problems, and allergies although these may be more related to diet than breed. An emerging health concern among boxers is Boxer Juvenile Kidney Disease JKD , where the kidneys do not develop normally during gestation and leads to chronic renal failure. There is strong evidence to suggest JKD is an inherited condition in boxers with research being undertaken by the University of Ohio to determine the gene mutation, as well as other work separately by the UK Boxer Breeder Council. Mortality due to infection increases significantly with increases in inbreeding. The breed is particularly predisposed to mast cell tumours, a cancer of the immune system. Because of their brachycephalic heads, they do not do well with high heat or humidity, and common sense should prevail when exercising a Boxer in these conditions. See also: Dog food Boxers need plenty of exercise, which means their diet should be high in quality calories. The main source of these calories should be lean animal protein, which include lean chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish. They sometimes appear at dog agility or dog obedience trials and flyball events. These strong and intelligent animals have also been used as service dogs, guide dogs for the blind, therapy dogs, police dogs in K9 units, and occasionally herding cattle or sheep. The versatility of Boxers was recognized early on by the military, which has used them as valuable messenger dogs, pack carriers, and attack and guard dogs in times of war. Notable Boxers[ edit ] Punch and Judy were awarded the Dickin Medal for conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving in a military conflict. How about a UK Boxer? The answer is very little. All are considered to be 1 breed: The Boxer. However, each of these 3 Boxers have very slight differences. Dogs of these countries are bred to perfect these slight variances. With German Boxers, the nose is generally smaller; however only by a very small degree. The width of the thigh is slightly wider than the other types. As you can see, the skin other than the head has no wrinkles. Most, but not all, will have a tighter coat. The American Boxer, as well as the German Boxer stands differently than the UK Boxer due to the shape of the paws, knuckles and ankles. FAQ Are there different breeds of Boxers? The answer is no; there is only 1 Boxer breed. There are even dogs with all 3 types in the bloodline. How do I know which type of Boxer I have? If you obtain your Boxer from a professional Boxer breeder they will most certainly tell you which bloodlines they are breeding. Some do focus on just one certain style and will obtain dam and sires of that bloodline.What type of Boxer conforms to dog show standards? It depends which country you are in. In America, the judges tend to base their opinions on not only the American breed standard, but how the dog compares to others most commonly seen at shows. The written breed standards for many clubs can be applied to all 3 styles of Boxers. Some will say that U. Do breeders ever mix bloodlines? Some breeders who live by the rule that a Boxer is a Boxer, will mix bloodlines. Others hold a strict standard to never mix at all and work to preserve a strong line without any other types being mixed in. Many dogs have both American and European bloodlines.And with all of the breeding that has occurred over all of the past generations, one would be hard pressed to locate a dog that does not hold a trace of 2 or even 3 of the different bloodlines somewhere, even if it is very far back in the pedigree. Which type is the best? Generally, temperament is the same across the board. There are some that will say one type has more energy than the other, or one bloodline has more aggressive tendencies, however this has nothing to do with UK vs US or anything of the sort, it only has to do with the particular dog. There is no one to judge which Boxer breed type is the best; it is all a matter of personal taste. Someone living in America may have a gorgeous German Boxer and visa-versa. You may also like: Oldest Boxer Dogs - Boxers that have lived past the expected 9 to 12 years.

Section 1 Sheepdogs. With working trial. The German Shepherd Dog, whose methodical breeding was started in after the foundation of the society, had been bred from the central German and southern German breeds of the herding dogs existing at that time with the ultimate objective of creating a working dog inclined to high achievements. In order to achieve this objective, the breed standard of the German Shepherd Dog was determined, which relates to the physical constitution as well as the traits and characteristics. General appearance The German Shepherd Dog is medium-size, slightly elongated, powerful and well-muscled, with dry bone and firm overall structure. Important dimensional ratios The height at the withers amounts to 60 cm to 65 cm for male dogs and 55 cm to 60 cm for female dogs. Character The German Shepherd Dog must be well-balanced with strong nerves in terms of character, self-assured, absolutely natural and except for a stimulated situation good-natured as well as attentive and willing to please. He must possess instinctive behaviour, resilience and self-assurance in order to be suitable as a companion, guard, protection, service and herding dog. Seen from the front and side, the forehead is only slightly arched and without any or with only a slightly indicated middle furrow. The width of the cranial region more or less corresponds to the length of the cranial region. The cranial region seen from above tapers evenly towards the nasal bridge with gradually sloping, not sharply depicted stop in the wedge-shaped facial region foreface of the head. Upper and lower jaws are powerfully developed. The nasal dorsum is straight, any dip or bulge is undesirable. The lips are taut, close well and are of dark colouring. The nose must be black. The teeth must be strong, healthy and complete 42 teeth according to the dental formula. The German Shepherd Dog has a scissor bite, i. Occlusal overlay, overbite and retrusive occlusion as well as larger spaces between the teeth gaps are faulty. The straight dental ridge of the incisors is also faulty. The jaw bones must be strongly developed so that the teeth can be deeply embedded in the dental ridge. The eyes are of medium size, almond-shaped, slightly slanted and not protruding. The colour of the eyes should be as dark as possible. Ears — The German Shepherd Dog has erect ears of medium size, which are carried upright and aligned not drawn-in laterally ; they are pointed and with the auricle facing forward. Tipped ears and drooping ears are faulty. Ears carried rearward when moving or in relaxed position are not faulty. Neck — The neck should be strong, well-muscled and without loose neck skin dewlap. The angulation towards the trunk horizontal amounts to approx. Body — The upper line runs from the base of the neck via the high, long withers and via the straight back towards the slightly sloping croup, without visible interruption. The back is moderately long, firm, strong and well-muscled. The loin is broad, short, strongly developed and well-muscled. The chest should be moderately broad, the lower chest as long and pronounced as possible. The depth of the chest should amount to approx. The ribs should feature a moderate curvature; a barrel-shaped chest is just as faulty as flat ribs. The tail extends at least to the hock, but not beyond the middle of the hind pastern. It has slightly longer hair on the underside and is carried hanging downward in a gentle curve, whereby in a state of excitement and in motion it is raised and carried higher, but not beyond the horizontal. Operative corrections are forbidden. Limbs Forequarters — The forelimbs are straight when seen from all sides, and absolutely parallel when seen from the front. Shoulder blade and upper arm are of equal length, and firmly attached to the trunk by means of powerful musculature. The elbows may not be turned out either while standing or moving, and also not pushed in. The forearms are straight when seen from all sides, and absolutely parallel to each other, dry and firmly muscled. The pastern has a length of approx. The paws are rounded, well-closed and arched; the soles are hard, but not brittle. The nails are strong and of dark colour. Hindquarters The position of hind legs is slightly backwards, whereby the hind limbs are parallel to each other when seen from the rear. Upper leg and lower leg are of approximately the same length and form an angle of approx. The hocks are strongly developed and firm; the hind pastern stands vertically under the hock. The paws are closed, slightly arched; the pads are hard and of dark colour; the nails are strong, arched and also of dark colour. Gait The German Shepherd Dog is a trotter. The limbs must be coordinated in length and angulations so that the dog can shift the hindquarters towards the trunk without any essential change of the top line and can reach just as far with the forelimbs. Any tendency towards over-angulation of the hindquarters reduces the stability and the stamina, and thereby the working ability. Correct body proportions and angulations results in a gait that is far-reaching and flat over the ground which conveys the impression of effortless forward movements. The head pushed forward and the slightly raised tail result in a consistent, smooth trot showing a gently curved, uninterrupted upper line from the ear tips over the neck and back to the end of the tail. Skin — The skin is loosely fitting, but without forming any folds. Coat Hair texture Hair: The German Shepherd Dog is bred in the hair varieties double coat and long and harsh outer coat — both with undercoat. Double coat: The guard hair should be as dense as possible, particularly harsh and close fitting: short on the head, including the inside of the ears, short on the front side of the legs, paws and toes, some-what longer and more strongly covered in hair on the neck. Long and harsh outer coat: The guard hair should be long, soft and not close fitting, with tufts on the ears and legs, bushy trousers and bushy tail with downward formation of tuft. Short on the head, including the inside of the ears, on the front side of the legs, on the paws and toes, somewhat longer and more strongly covered in hair on the neck, almost forming a mane. On the back side of the legs the hair extends to the carpal joint or the hock and forms clear trousers on the back side of the haunches. Colors Colors are black with reddish-brown, brown and yellow to light grey markings; single-colored black, grey with darker shading, black saddle and mask. Unobtrusive, small white marks on chest as well as very light color on insides are permissible, but not desirable. The tip of the nose must be black in all colors. Dogs with lack of mask, light to piercing eye color, as well as with light to whitish markings on the chest and the insides, pale nails and red tip of tail are considered to be lacking in pigmentation. The undercoat shows a light greyish tone. The color white is not allowed. Faults Any deviation from the aforementioned points should be considered as a fault whose evaluation should be in exact proportion to the degree of deviation. Serious faults Deviations from the above-described breed characteristics which impair the working capability. Faulty ears: ears set too low laterally, tipped ears, inward constricted ears, ears not firm Considerable pigment deficiencies. Severely impaired overall stability. German Shepherd Dog Herding Dog Group The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges. Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated. Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dogs ability to perform its traditional work. The tendencies toward exaggeration and steep angles are unacceptable. German Shepherd Dogs with unstable temperaments, sharply angulated croups, overly long front and rear pasterns, and hocks that are weak and wobbly are poor representations of this working breed. UKC is unwilling to condone the validity of using exaggerated specimens of this breed in a breeding program and, to preserve its health and vibrancy, cautions judges about awarding wins to these representatives. History The German Shepherd Dog is a relatively young breed, developed almost single-handedly in the first half of the twentieth century by a German cavalry officer, Max von Stephanitz, president of the Verein far Deutsche Schaferhunde S. Using a variety of German sheepdogs as his foundation stock, von Stephanitz developed a distinctive breed in a very short period of time, due in large part to the authoritarian practices of the German dog fancy at that time. Von Stephanitz emphasized utility and intelligence in his breeding program, enabling the German Shepherd Dog to switch easily from herding duties to other fields of work, particularly military and police work. All things German were shunned and popularity slumped. After the war, however, movie star Rin-Tin-Tin stimulated interest in the breed again. The striking good looks of this breed, combined with its remarkable intelligence and loyalty, have made it a favorite working and companion dog. General Appearance The German Shepherd Dog is a medium-sized, well-balanced, muscular dog, slightly longer than tall, with a medium length coat, erect ears, and a low-set natural tail that normally reaches to the hock and is carried in a slight curve like a saber. The outline of the German Shepherd Dog is made up of smooth curves rather than angles. The head is in proportion to the size of the body, strong without appearing coarse or fine. Gender differences are readily apparent. The German Shepherd Dog should be evaluated as an all-around working dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dogs ability to work. Disqualifications: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Characteristics The German Shepherd Dog is confident and fearless, willing to be approached, yet a certain level of aloofness towards strangers is acceptable. When working, the German Shepherd is alert and eager, adapting well to new tasks. Lack of confidence is a serious defect in the character of a German Shepherd. The structure of this breed was designed for efficient locomotion, particularly at the trot, so poor movement is another serious fault. Disqualifications: Viciousness or extreme shyness. Head The head is proportional to the size of the dog, and cleanly chiseled. Males should appear masculine without coarseness; and females feminine without being overly fine. The skull and muzzle are of equal length, parallel to one another, and joined at a very slight stop. There is little or no median furrow. In males, the skull is slightly wider than it is long; in females, the skull is slightly narrower. Viewed from the front, the skull tapers evenly from the ears toward the muzzle. The cheeks are just slightly rounded but do not protrude. In profile, the bridge of the muzzle is straight and parallel to the topline of the skull. Lips are tight and darkly pigmented. Faults: Muzzle too short, blunt, weak, pointed, or overlong. Faults: Overshot or level mouth; missing first premolars. Serious Fault: Missing teeth other than first premolars. Disqualifications: Undershot; wry mouth. The nose must be black. Disqualification: Nose that is not predominantly black. EYES The eyes are as dark as possible, of medium size, almond-shaped, and set slightly obliquely. Expression is alert, calm, and intelligent. Eye rims are dark. Fault: Protruding eyes. EARS Ears are erect, moderately pointed, of medium size, broad at the base, and set high. Ear leather is firm. When the dog is alert, the centerlines of the ears, viewed from the front, are perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. Disqualifications: Cropped ears; drop or tipped ears. Neck The neck is relatively long but strong and muscular. The skin is tight. The German Shepherd Dog normally carries the head just a little higher than the shoulders, particularly when moving. Forequarters The shoulder blades are long, well muscled, well laid back, and laid flat to the body. The upper arms, also long and well muscled, join the shoulder blade at nearly a right angle. A straight line drawn from the withers to the ground should pass just behind the back of the foreleg. The pasterns are strong and supple, sloping no more than 25 degrees. The elbows are neither close to the body nor out, but are set on a plane parallel to the body. The length of the forelegs should be just slightly more than half the height of the dog, measured at the withers. Serious Faults: Pasterns slanted more than 25 degrees. Pasterns so long and weak that proper movement is compromised. Body A properly proportioned German Shepherd Dog is longer measured from prosternum to point of buttocks than tall measured from the withers to the ground in a ratio of 10 to 9. The length is derived from proper construction of forequarters and hindquarters and not from length of back. The line of the back slopes downward from the withers into a straight, strongly developed, and relatively short back. Ribs are long and extend well back, resulting in a short, broad loin. The croup is long and slightly sloping. Viewed from the front, the chest is deep and well filled. From the side, the forechest extends in front of the forelegs and the brisket down to the elbows. Tuck-up is moderate. Faults: Barrel ribs; ribs too flat; long loin. Serious Faults: Any measure of a roached back. Shelly appearance. Hindquarters Viewed from the side, the hindquarters are broad and muscular. The angulation of the hindquarters is in balance with the angulation of the forequarters. The rear pastern is short and strong, and should remain upright and functional. Powerful hindquarters are necessary to enable the effortless movement that is an essential feature of this breed. Rear pasterns should remain upright and functional. Serious Faults: Over-angulated rear, with anything exaggerated beyond a mild slope. Rear pasterns so long and weak that proper movement is compromised. Feet Feet are round and tight, with toes well arched. Pads are thick and hard. Nails are strong and dark. Front dewclaws may be removed but are normally left intact. Removal of rear dewclaws is preferred but not mandatory. The feet should recoil cleanly from each stride. Serious Fault: Feet that drag along the ground on recoil. Tail The tail is set on low in a natural extension of the unexaggerated, slightly sloping croup. The tail extends at least to the hock joint. When the dog is relaxed, the tail hangs in a slight curve, like a saber. When the dog is excited or moving, the tail may be raised and the curve accentuated but the tail is never carried above a vertical line extending from its base. The coat on the tail stands outward, giving the tail a bushy appearance. Dogs with docked or altered tails resulting from working injuries are not to be penalized. Faults: A slight hook in the tail to the extent it mars the dogs general appearance. Serious Faults: Tail too short; ankylosis. Coat The German Shepherd Dog is double coated. The outer coat lies close to the body and is dense and straight with harsh texture. A slight wave is acceptable in a particularly harsh coat. The undercoat is short, dense, and fine-textured. The coat on the body is of medium length but not so long as to detract from the dogs ability to withstand bad weather conditions. The coat is shorter on the head including the inside of the ear , the legs, and the feet. The coat on the neck is longer and thicker, forming a slight ruff, particularly on some males. The hair on the back of the legs is longer and thicker, forming trousers on the hindquarters, and extending to the pasterns in front and the hock joint behind. Serious Faults: Short, mole type coat; long coat that stands away from the body; soft coat; absence of undercoat. Strong, rich colors are preferred. Small white marks in colored dogs on the chest or tips of the toes are permissible. Nose, lips, and eye rims must have dark pigment, regardless of coat color. Disqualification: Panda characterized by white markings on the muzzle, chest, legs, neck and tip of the tail , pale, washed-out colors, piebald, brindle, blue, or liver. Height Desirable height at maturity for males is 24 to 26 inches; for females, 22 to 24 inches. Gait Absolute soundness of movement is paramount. Correct gait is an essential feature of the German Shepherd Dog. When trotting, it moves with a long, effortless, efficient stride that is driven by a powerful forward thrust from the hindquarters. The rear leg, moving forward, swings under the foreleg and touches down in front of the point where the forefoot left an imprint. The result is that one rear leg passes outside its corresponding front leg and the other passes inside its corresponding front leg. This is a breed characteristic and should not be penalized as long as the body is straight in relationship to the direction of movement. As the rear leg moves backward, the body is propelled forward. The front and rear feet remain close to the ground throughout. When trotting, the back remains firm and level with no superfluous vertical movement. Hocks should be strong and straight, turning neither in nor out as the dog moves. There should be no visible wobble to the hock. Neither front nor rear pasterns should strike the ground; this is an unacceptable exaggeration and an indication of incorrect movement. As the speed of the trot increases, there is a tendency to single track. Correct movement and soundness must be evaluated from front and rear as well as the side. Serious Faults: Any fault that affects correct movement. Disqualifications A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC. Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Females: pounds. Height Males: inches. Females: inches. Unlike most herding breeds, the German Shepherd was bred to move the herd and patrol and protect both the herd and the shepherd from outside dangers and predators. The test consisted of basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, and retrieve and also included a section where the dog had to attack on command. If the dog failed the test, he could not be bred. The results of the Schutzhund trial can be seen in the intelligent and versatile modern-day German Shepherd. Today, the German Shepherd has proven to be a very adaptable breed. They can do nearly anything, including protecting sheep, guarding homes, assisting the disabled, aiding the police in search and rescue missions, and, most importantly, loving and loyally serving their family. Breed Characteristics Head: Somewhat mesaticephalic to slightly dolichocephalic skull-type, moderate in size, somewhat long, yet wedge-shaped when viewed from above or in profile. It is in proportion to the rest of the body. The length of the head, from the tip of the nose to the occiput, is approximately equal to the length from the occiput to the withers. The topskull is broad, measured in front of the ears; it is as wide as it is long from occiput to stop. In profile, the forehead is just slightly arched never domed from the front or in profile. In profile, it may also appear as a straight-sloped plane. A furrow extending from the stop and up the center of the topskull may be absent or barely perceptible. The head is clean-cut without excess skin or wrinkles. Eyes: Moderate in size, oval to open almond in shape, and may be set slightly oblique. They are medium to dark brown in color. The eye rims are well-fitted and well-pigmented. The eyes should never be large and round or with exposed whites. The eyes are never bulging. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Ears: Medium in size, firmly erect, thick-leathered, and set high on the skull. When alert, they face forward, in repose, or in motion; they may be held back, neutral, or in a relaxed position. The ears are never long, overly large, tipped, drooped, rounded, or broken. Muzzle: The muzzle is long, full, broad, and deep, never snipy, weak, or boxy from pendulous flews. The upper and lower jaws are equal in length, have good bone substance, appear strong and well-developed, and are never snipey or weak. The nasal bridge is fairly straight. The muzzle is equal in length to the topskull. The jaws are powerfully developed and strong. Nose: The nose is well-pigmented and black or self-colored according to the coat in non-standard color varieties. The nostrils are well-opened and broad. Neck: Moderate length allows for a proud head carriage. Strongly muscled with a slight arch. The neck tapers smoothly from the deeper and broader body toward the head. The neck is clean-cut and without excess skin, throatiness, or dewlap. Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The forechest is well-developed yet not overly protrusive. Body: Strong, deep, of good substance, and powerfully muscled. The body should allow for strength, agility, stamina, and endurance. The body is never light, weedy, racy, rangy, heavy, or refined. The width at the forequarters is approximately equal to the width at the hindquarters. Feet: Oval to round, compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads. Tail: Set neither high nor low on the croup. It is thick at the base and tapering toward the tip. It is of a medium length, with the tip of the last vertebrae extending to the hock joints or lower when held down. The tail may be straight, gently curved, or curved toward the tip. Movement: The original function of the German Shepherd required that the dog be capable of trotting tirelessly and effortlessly for long distances, as well as allowing for power and agility. Therefore, the German Shepherd must exhibit healthy trotting action. Therefore, a standard trot will be favored over the over-extended flying trot. The characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the center line of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and a good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring. Temperament: The German Shepherd breed is strong-nerved, fearless, self-assured, self-composed, confident, watchful, poised, and alert when necessary. They should never be timid, shy, nervous, anxious, or overly fearful including fear-aggressive. The breed is physically capable of speed, power, agility, and endurance and is self-aware enough to know their capabilities and limits. This offers them a great deal of confidence. The German Shepherd is an extremely intelligent breed, capable of learning and discerning many tasks and activities. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed. The ideal body-height-to-length ratio is approximately , with the body exceeding the height by percent. The body is deep, of good substance, and solid in bone. The German Shepherd is always presented in a hard-working condition. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. The weight of a male or female is always in proportion to height. The intermediate-sized German Shepherd excels at physically demanding tasks. Head General Appearance: Somewhat mesaticephalic to slightly dolichocephalic skull-type, moderate in size, somewhat long, yet wedge-shaped when viewed from above or in profile. Expression: Confident, keen, noble, watchful, and anticipating. Stop: The stop is sloping yet definite and never overly pronounced or sharp. Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is , with the topskull being equal in length to the muzzle. The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis is parallel or may be just slightly convergent. Lips or Flews: The lips are clean and fit tightly over the teeth and jaws, revealing the wedged shape of the strongly defined muzzle. The lips are never loose or pendulous. The lips and flews are well-pigmented. Cheeks: Powerfully muscled, giving substance to the face, but never excessively protrusive. The cheeks should not appear chiseled or coarse. Dentition and Bite: Forty-two strong, clean, and white teeth. The bite may be level, scissor, or reverse-scissor. Contact must be made between the top and bottom incisors. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized. Body and Tail General Description: Strong, deep, of good substance, and powerfully muscled. Topline: Straight and level from slightly prominent withers to loin. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut and may be flat and level preferred or just slightly sloped yet supportive. Croup: Broad and long. It may be somewhat flat and level with the back or just slightly and gently sloped, no more than 23 degrees to the horizontal. Underline: There may be a slight tucked-up present or level to the horizon. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight. Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, oval-shaped, and never barrel-chested or slab-sided. Forequarters and Hindquarters Forequarters: The forequarters are always balanced with the hindquarters and well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. The shoulder blades are approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm. Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. The distance from the withers to the brisket may be equal to or greater than the distance from the elbows to the ground. Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle, of solid bone, and parallel to one another. Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns. Pasterns: Never weak or broken. Hindquarters: The upper and lower thighs are equal in length, strong, sturdy, of solid bone, and well-muscled. Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another. Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another. An unexaggerated German Shepherd dog should be capable of standing in a traditional stack used for any other working breed, with both rear pasterns set naturally under the dog, parallel to one another. Preference is given to dogs capable of stacking naturally in a traditional stack as opposed to the GSD stack. Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump, or within one paw-length behind the point of the rump, with both rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another. Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns. Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters. Coat Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog. Coat Type: The German Shepherd comes in two coat varieties: the standard smooth coat and the long coat. Smooth-coat variety: Very dense, harsh, close-fitting outer coat. Soft, dense undercoat. Short on the head, face, ears, and front of the legs, paws, and toes. The hair is slightly longer on the backside of the legs, forming moderate "trousers," and on the neck, forming a slight ruff. Long-coat variety: Dense, soft, long guard hairs, forming fringe on ears, tail, and legs, forming bushy trousers on the backside of haunches. Short on head, face, the front side of legs, paws, and toes. Longer on the coat, nearly forming a mane. Coat Color or Pattern: CKC recognizes three color varieties of the German Shepherd breed: the standard, the nonstandard, and the white. Standard coat color variety: Solid black, black saddle with tan, black with tan points, black with running or creeping tan, all shades of agouti, wolf-sable, all shades of sable, fawn, all with or without reserved black mask. Non-standard coat color variety: Liver, blue, brindle, brindled tan, brindled tan points, fawn with liver, or blue mask. Any of the standard or non-standard varieties with or without white markings Panda. White: Solid white with black points. Movement The original function of the German Shepherd required that the dog be capable of trotting tirelessly and effortlessly for long distances, as well as allowing for power and agility. Temperament The German Shepherd breed is strong-nerved, fearless, self-assured, self-composed, confident, watchful, poised, and alert when necessary. Faults All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As we all know too well, what we put in our belly has a huge impact on our health, vitality, length and quality of life. They have to strike a fine balance between getting enough nutrients to grow and avoiding an over-abundance that can lead to abnormal growth and disabling conditions. In this article you will learn precisely how to feed your puppy. What they can eat, what they should not, how many times you should feed them each day, basic information on home-made diets and the pros and cons of various commercial dog foods. The majority of Labrador owners feed their puppy kibble. Kibble is ground meal, shaped into dried biscuit-like pellets that are extremely convenient to buy, store and feed, providing everything a puppy needs in one easy to handle product. All the major brands carry a range of kibble and many are specifically formulated to suit the precise needs of puppies. For our recommendations of the best puppy food for labs, please read our article on: The Best Food for Labrador Puppies. Good breeders will supply you with all the information you need to feed your new puppy and you should follow this advice. Puppies almost always get upset tummies during a change of diet. The stress of moving to a new home is enough to deal with without them potentially having tummy upset on top. So try to avoid this. But expect your puppy to get diarrhea after such a sudden change. What Can Puppies Eat? With a bewildering choice of different puppy foods available, what to feed your puppy may not be the easiest decision to make. You Can Feed Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is ground up food, formed into pellets and dried for easy storage and convenience. It is a specially formulated, complete and balanced diet, containing everything a puppy needs to grow and be healthy. Many people believe kibble is the best way to feed a puppy, with it being so easy to buy, store and feed while containing every nutrient a puppy needs in the right proportions. Wet, Complete Puppy Foods Are An Option As the name suggests, complete wet dog food is complete and balanced, meaning nothing should be fed in combination. Everything needed is included in this one food. Complete wet foods come in individual pouches or tins with one pouch or tin containing one single serving. In the main these foods are low in nutrition, contain a high amount of cheap fillers, by-products and water and need mixing with a biscuit to give them some substance and to make them more complete. Because the food is such low quality, you have to feed a lot of it. And what goes in, must come out. This type of feeding was popular decades ago and I do remember my parents feeding our first dogs this way, but most people have moved on from this and are feeding their dogs in better ways now. Raw Food, BARF And Home-Made Diets Raw feeding is a diet that consists of mostly raw meat, edible bones and animal organs, though most practitioners also mix in small portions of fruit, veg and selected other foodstuffs. There are many people feel strongly that this is the best possible way to feed a dog. But I would caution most people that to feed this diet successfully, you need to do A LOT of research, gain a lot of knowledge and truly understand a dogs nutritional needs to make sure they get exactly what they need in the right amounts. Many people wonder if they can feed their puppy human foods, anything found in the fridge or larder. Furthermore, there are many human foods that are toxic to dogs that you should avoid at all costs. Too much of some nutrients can be bad in itself, but also prevent the absorption and use of other nutrients too. So supplementing a balanced diet is a bad thing to do. Can You Give Puppies Milk? Assuming you get your puppy at the recommended 8 weeks, they will have been fully weaned before you bring them home. Many puppies are intolerant of cows milk and drinking it leads to an upset tummy and diarrhea so you would do best to avoid giving your puppy any milk at all. One exception is for very young puppies under 6 weeks of age. When we have newborn puppies at our house we sometimes need to supplement and use Esbilac Milk Supplemen t. However, if you have a very young puppy that you think may need supplementing please first consult with your veterinarian. Are They Necessary? You will likely be feeding your puppy a commercially available complete and balanced dog food, in which case you certainly should not supplement their food. Supplementing this will mean too much of one or more things, making it unbalanced which can actually lead to harm. But an excess amount of calcium in the diet of a Lab puppy can lead to skeletal development problems. So adding a calcium supplement to an already complete diet can actually do more harm than good. There may also be times your vet advises you to do so. But if feeding raw, you should know more about nutrition than I do. This is a hard question to answer and sadly I cannot give you a definite quantity or weight to feed them each day. Puppies grow at different rates, some are more active than others and there can be large differences between metabolisms too. However… The biggest determining factor is how concentrated the nutrients and calories are in the brand of food you feed them. High quality foods are nutrient rich and give a puppy all they need from quite small amounts of food. But cheaper brands are full of low quality and nutritionally empty fillers that mean a puppy needs considerably more to get what they need. Start by feeding your puppy according to the guidelines on the label of the puppy food you buy for them. Then see how their body develops. Puppies should not be fat! But at the other end of the scale if they start to look and feel a little slim, up their portion sizes a little. The guidelines on the food you buy are just that…guidelines. You might also be interested in:. They are outgoing, active and affectionate companions who have a lot of energy and love making their owner happy. They have strong retrieving instincts as they were bred to be gun dogs, so they love both soft toys and diving into bodies of water. It is highly unusual for the puppy's owner to care for them during this time and is best left to a responsible, reputable breeder. Your puppy's body will double in weight as their muscles, organs and bones develop. Nutrition During the neonatal stage, your Labrador puppy will get most of their nutrition from their mother's milk. At around 4 weeks you may wish to introduce a mush of minced protein such as beef, but always consult your vet first before changing your puppy's diet at this stage. Health During this time it is important to monitor your Lab for any infections, diseases or birth defects. Puppies are unable to urinate or defecate by themselves initially, so their mother helps them but may additionally require your assistance. Keep your vet's contact details close by and educate yourself thoroughly on this stage of puppy development. By the end of this period, your puppy will be mobile and will explore the world mouth first — be sure to keep choking hazards and toxic foods out of their reach. Behaviour During most of this time your Labrador puppy will be asleep or inactive, but they will soon be playing with their brothers and sisters. After weeks they will go through as much sensory development as a human baby does in a few months. It is important to avoid disturbing the puppies' mother as she will be likely be protective, but some interaction with the young pups is normal so they become used to human touch. This is a formative time for your puppy and will be when they learn to walk, play, bite, hold their bladder, and interact with others. You will soon notice their attentiveness to you and their intense love of play — many Labs keep this caring and fun attitude for their whole lives if you foster it. Nutrition During the weaning stage, you should slowly introduce into their diet a nutritionally complete dog food which is appropriate to your Labrador's large size and young age. Labs are notoriously greedy and will quickly gobble down food and snatch treats from hands. You should familiarise yourself with lists of toxic foods and plants to avoid and hide as your puppy will soon find ways to get into forbidden snacks found only in bins. Labradors puppies instinctively like to 'dig' inside their water bowls so much of their water will end up on the ground. Make sure to get your puppy used to touching inside their small ears as they are prone to ear infections and will need regular checkups. Behaviour Due to the changes in their environment, your Labrador puppy will likely be under a significant amount of stress. It's important that you provide lots of attention and positive reinforcement for good behaviour at this time to establish boundaries early. Labradors are eager to love anyone but can be overbearing, so you should introduce them to a number of different people and environments so that they are not overwhelmed with excitement later in life. PUPPY By the time your Labrador Retriever reaches puppyhood their personality will be well developed and you will have established a loving, social friend who wants to maximise time with you and others. Your Labrador puppy will do well socially and behaviourally from puppy training classes as long as treats are involved. Nutrition Your Labrador puppy's diet should be based around a high quality, nutritionally complete puppy food. You may also wish to introduce them to fresh, lean raw meat — however, don't feed your puppy any meat you would not feed to a fellow human being. Bloat is potentially fatal but can be combatted by feeding your dog two smaller meals per day, a habit you should start while they are a puppy. A rough guide is that they should exercise for minutes per day and less after 5 years when many lose their appetite for long marathons of activity. Your pup will need brushing every few days, with more frequent grooming during seasonal changes to combat shedding. Bathing should be infrequent as this can damage the waterproofing of their coats, however, you should wash them after swimming or rolling in muck. After around 8 weeks your puppy will be due for some vaccinations, so they will need a checkup at the vet and to arrange for boosters after that. Studies showed that dogs supplemented with a diet of bovine colostrum had a quicker and stronger immune system response to CDV vaccine as compared to dogs fed a control diet. Colostrum supplemented dogs maintained a higher antibody level even after 40 weeks A diet supplemented with Colostrum helps bridge the immunity gap in puppies that occurs between 3 weeks and 5 months of age. Behaviour Do not be complacent with training your Labrador puppy — almost all are very gentle and well behaved, but this does not mean that training is unnecessary. Labs are very loving and patient with all that they meet, but they often do not know their own size. To combat this, they should be trained in how to act around small dogs and children to avoid intimidation or accidental injury. They will also benefit from obedience training to drop things from their mouths, avoid rushing across busy streets and make sure they come when called. Recommended Articles. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. Once they reach eight weeks, changing to dry kibble food is best. We recommend feeding a Labrador puppy dry kibble for the first months before changing to an adult food type. But to remain healthy, owners should know what to feed them. Dog owners should feed a Labrador puppy dry food kibble , wet food, or fresh human food, depending on their budget and lifestyle. There are many options for food for dogs, and it can become challenging to determine which one is the best option for the dog. We have found the best options and listed them below. They help us with our daily tasks, are always there when we need them, and bring great joy to our lives. But, it is essential to ensure that our dog gets the best nutrition possible. They have a lot of energy and need to be fed accordingly. This includes the number of calories, food type, and the number of meals per day. We will explain all of these factors to help understand what to feed these precious animals. A Labrador puppy needs high-quality protein in their diet, so they should not be fed just any type of food. This is why we recommend three food options: dry food or kibble, fresh food or human food, or wet food. We prefer using dry food or kibble in most cases, but it is beneficial to start with wet food for young puppies and transition to dry food after a few weeks. Feeding a puppy human food is possible, but it can be more expensive and requires extra work to stick to a cleaner diet at this age. We have found it to be a healthier and more convenient option for our pets. It is also a good alternative to wet food which can be difficult to store and prepare. The benefits of dry dog food are that it offers the pup a balanced diet that doesn't need refrigeration. It also offers convenience because we can buy it in bulk and store it in the pantry or freezer until needed. Dry dog food is also less expensive than wet food, which is another benefit for pet owners. Fresh Food Human Food Feeding a Labrador puppy a diet of fresh, real human food is one of the best things to do for their health and well-being. It will not only make them happy and content, but it will also keep them healthy. This eliminates the guessing game; they are only fed real, natural foods with no unknown ingredients. However, it will become expensive and require regular cooking and preparation. Wet Food Wet food is recommended for Labrador puppies when they are first born and for the first weeks while they grow. It can be either raw or cooked. Wet food is a good source of water and minerals, which are important in the early days of their life to help them grow strong bones and teeth. It should be given to a puppy as soon as it comes out of its mother's womb, but it must not be given before it starts eating solid foods because it will cause diarrhea. Once they get more mature, moving to kibbles is best. It is known for its low level of grain and carbohydrate content and high protein content. Once they reach the week mark, there are better options to help the puppy continue to develop and grow. This food also helps with digestion and weight management. It also promotes proper bone growth with antioxidants and necessary nutrients like vitamin E. The kibble is also shaped strategically to help puppies who chew fast while helping with jaw growth. Overall, this is the best food option for a Labrador puppy. It is designed for all life stages, from puppies to seniors, and we love the benefits it provides to younger labs. The product features a blend of highly digestible proteins, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, taurine, and glucosamine. This ensures the dog gets the nutrition they need while also reducing the risk of digestive tract problems such as bloat or pancreatitis. It also has a low glycemic index and no corn, wheat, or soy in the recipe. Dog owners can also expect an excellent protein ratio when using this food. Both veterinarians and nutritionists have recognized it for its high-quality ingredients for young puppies. The Acana High Protein formula is made with a blend of chicken, turkey, and fish meals, whole eggs, and natural beef or lamb meal. The product has a limited ingredient list with no corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. It also has no added sugar and a low glycemic index. This food also contains probiotics and prebiotics to help the pet maintain a healthy immune system. This is the perfect dry dog food for puppies after eight weeks old. This brand is also very affordable for those who want to feed their dog a healthy diet without breaking the bank. It features a patented recipe that helps to promote healthy digestion, strong teeth and gums, healthy skin and shiny coat, a strong immune system, healthy joints and muscles, and a healthy heart. This is a high-protein food option for Labradors too. It promotes lean muscle growth and improved body health with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics 5. It is made with high-quality ingredients and has a great taste and texture for labs to enjoy. This food is to help with puppy development and is suitable for all Labradors under one-year-old. This wet food provides the perfect balance of healthy proteins to support a dog's growth while providing the energy they need to maintain its fitness levels. This can be fed as a meal or as an occasional snack between meals. It has no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or added sugar. It also contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which are important for healthy skin and the dog's coat. They are large, strong, intelligent dogs that need a lot of attention, exercise, and food. These dogs can be picky eaters and usually need a lot of calories because of their size. This is especially true for puppies so they can grow properly and remain healthy due to their increased risk of health issues. Food Type Labrador puppies' most popular dog foods are kibbles and canned wet food. Kibbles are the best option for a puppy because they are easy to chew and digest. Canned food is a good option for pups who have difficulty chewing or digesting dry food and would benefit from a little moisture in their diet. The food type also depends on the owner. Dry food or kibbles are faster to prepare, while serving human food to a lab puppy requires extensive prep time. Nutritional Value When it comes to nutritional value, we want dog food that has high-quality protein and carbohydrates. This will help the puppy grow strong and healthy. This is why we need to take into account the nutritional value, quality of ingredients, and taste. It should be made with all-natural ingredients that are sourced from human-grade materials such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. A brand should have all the essential nutrients for a pup but still, be low in toxic elements and preservatives too. Dietary Restrictions Lastly, consider the dietary restrictions of the Labrador puppy before choosing a dog food option. This includes any allergies or health concerns for the dog and shopping for something that suits them best. For example, lab puppies must reach a certain carbohydrate and protein number daily. Labradors are also known to have allergies, especially young ones, so planning around this is crucial. A puppy should be fed at least three times a day, with a meal size that is appropriate for its body weight. They should also be given small daily snacks to keep them satisfied and happy, including treats to help with training. We feed our puppies the best that we can. We want to give them all the nutrients and vitamins they need. We also want to make sure that they are getting a balanced diet. The most important thing when feeding a Labrador puppy is that they get enough calories from their food every day. In the first weeks, the puppy should eat four smaller daily meals. Once the lab reaches three months, this can be changed to three meals per day. And after months, we recommend two meals per day. The key is not to change the calories much when the meals change but to simply modify the size of each meal to fit the total daily food amount. Feeding a Labrador puppy is not rocket science, but there are some things everybody should know about what to feed them and when to feed them. We have covered this basis, but changes need to be made as they age. This leads to a common question about changing food to fit the needs of a grown adult Labrador. The dog's age will determine how quickly they grow and how much energy they need. Lab puppies can stick with kibbles for up to 12 months. Tomato green Moldy food I have a more in-depth article on toxic foods to Labradors that you will find helpful. Suppose you are concerned that your dog may have consumed something dangerous. In that case, the Pet Poison Helpline is another helpful resource that lists tons of poisonous stuff, including plants, household items, and medications. We all want the best for our Labradors and want to feed them the best diet to keep them healthy and happy. People usually feed their dogs commercial dry food or wet canned food. Here are the main types of dog foods you can feed your Labrador: Complete dry foods A mix of dry and wet Home produced diet Complete raw diet Dehydrated and freeze-dried According to the AAFCO guidelines, all commercial dog food should be complete and balanced. This means that the food must have all the nutrients required and be in its correct ratios. There is a ton of information here, but these are the main points: The packaging should state the ingredients of the food in descending order of predominance by weight. Details of specific nutrients should be prominent. Feeding directions must be given. Therefore, when selecting dog food, you should check both the ingredients used AND the nutritional content of the food. This statement is designed for dog owners, vets, and nutritionists to evaluate the nutritional value of the food to their pets. High-quality protein sources beef, chicken, turkey, fish, lamb, pork, etc. High-quality dog foods will also include additional protein sources, such as eggs and plant-based proteins, like vegetables, legumes, and grains. So, what type of dog food is best for Labrador Retrievers? The best type of dog food for Labrador Retrievers is dry food as this is more practicable for medium-large breeds, provides more nutrients per bite than wet food, and is inexpensive. Even if you opt for a high-quality brand, it will still be cheaper than canned wet foods. Having said that, you should choose the diet that best suits your Labrador, depending on his needs, health, and lifestyle. But you must also satisfy your own needs and beliefs. This should help you decide the kind of food to feed your dog. Dry Foods Dry foods are one of the most popular types of dog food. There are two varieties of complete dry dog food. Cold-pressed dog food is quite popular in the UK and Europe and is becoming more widespread in the US and other regions. So what exactly is kibble? Kibble is simply ground-up ingredients made into pellets of different shapes and sizes. This is made either through an extrusion process or oven baking under high pressure or temperatures. All kibble is made the same way using the same kind of machinery. Even high-quality kibble made with the best ingredients is made using the same process. What is cold-pressed dog food? Cold-pressed dog food is made by a unique cooking method. The food is produced at a much lower temperature and cooked quickly to retain greater nutritional value, vitamins, and flavor. It is then pressed into its desired shape. Cold-pressed pet food is the closest to feeding a raw food diet. Both kibble and cold-pressed provide more nutrients per bite than wet food because they contain less moisture. Dogs with dental problems may also benefit from dry food as it helps to clean their teeth and gums. Dry dog food is the most practical choice for a medium-large dog, such as a Labrador. However, kibble and cold-pressed come in all shapes and sizes, so smaller breeds can choose a smaller variety. Although I feed my dog a top brand of cold-pressed dog food, I often add a small amount of chicken, beef, turkey, or even a spoonful of Greek yogurt to her food to mix it up for her and vary the taste and texture. She also likes tuna in oil, which helps keep her coat and skin shiny and healthy and reduces shedding. When I add a topping, I slightly reduce the quantity of her dry food to ensure that she is not putting on extra weight. Therefore, the higher the water content, the fewer nutrients, so your Lab has to consume more food to get all the nutrition it needs. Another thing to know is that not every brand of canned food provides sufficient protein that your Labrador needs. Therefore, a wet diet can work out more expensive, especially if you have a medium-large breed of dog, but it may be ideal if your dog enjoys eating a larger portion. Also, a wet diet may be better for smaller breeds. Be cautious of lower-quality canned foods, as manufacturers often add thickeners such as wheat flour, white rice, or other grains. Wet food may be more suitable if your dog is a picky eater or if you have a senior Labrador who has lost his appetite and who may find wet food more appetizing. You can buy semi-moist dog foods; however, these are not as popular as they offer the least nutritional value and can also be expensive. Unfortunately, dog food companies add sugar and salts to preserve moisture and shelf life. Many semi-moist foods are also loaded with artificial colors, chemical preservatives, and flavor enhancers. A semi-moist diet may not be appropriate for your Labrador Retriever, especially if he is on the heavy side and needs to lose a few pounds. However, semi-moist food may be the best choice if your Lab finds it challenging to digest all other types of food. He may also enjoy the meaty taste and see this food more palatable if he is a highly fussy eater. If you are contemplating this type of food, you should seek the advice of your vet to determine the calorie content of the food and an appropriate daily portion for your Labrador. A Mix of Dry and Wet Some dog owners choose a mix of both dry and wet foods. You can mix the foods at each meal, or you can alternate, giving wet in the morning and dry in the evening or vice-versa. Home Produced Diet Some Labrador owners like to feed their dogs a home-produced diet known as home-feeders. Due to the convenience and variety of both dry and wet dog foods, this got me wondering exactly why someone would choose to be a home feeder? Here are the main reasons I discovered: Home feeders sought alternatives to commercial pet foods as they were concerned about the nutritional value of the ingredients used. Home-feeders simply enjoyed preparing the food and strengthening the bond with their dog, or satisfying their views. Home feeders believe their pets will simply not like or refuse to eat commercial dog food. A home-prepared diet may be needed to help with a diagnosis eg, for a food elimination trial or if a dog has several diseases for which no commercial diet exists. Home feeders sought comfort for dogs with chronic or terminal illnesses. There are several disadvantages to the home preparation of dog food. You can achieve it, but it takes a lot of dedication and hard work, and it may end up being more expensive than the best quality dog food you can buy. Homemade diets can provide complete nutrition. However, you need to make sure your Labrador gets the correct mix of protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. This can be pretty difficult to do daily. You can also find professional pet nutritionists, certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, who have the expertise to customize a healthy diet for your Labrador. Here is their directory that you may find helpful. It is recommended to cook all animal products to kill bacteria that could make your Labrador sick unless your dog is used to a specially prepared raw diet. You should also cook vegetables and grains to make them easier for your dog to digest. There are many top-quality commercial dog foods on the market that have all the nutritional requirements your dog needs. Although sled dogs and racing greyhounds have long eaten a raw food diet, every now and again, there will be a trend for feeding dogs an all-raw diet consisting of raw meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruit, and some dairy. However, there are two essential factors to consider when feeding a raw diet to your Labrador. The first is to ensure that your Lab is getting a complete and balanced diet and all the nutrients he needs to keep him healthy and free from disease. This is particularly important when feeding a growing puppy. Like homemade diets, formulating raw diets can be demanding to ensure you are not under or overfeeding key nutrients. More so if your Labrador is either pregnant, lactating, or sick and therefore has different nutritional requirements. The second biggest concern is food safety issues relating to bacterial or parasitic contamination in raw meat. Food poisoning is a significant threat to human and dog health when feeding raw foods. If you consider feeding your Labrador a raw food diet, you should make sure you are fully aware of the safe and proper handling of raw foods and all associated food safety issues. Many raw-feeders will claim that feeding a raw diet has numerous health benefits, ranging from higher energy levels, better digestion, a shinier coat, healthier skin, cleaner teeth, and generally living a healthier life. However, there have been insufficient studies to evaluate the risk or benefits of feeding raw meats to dogs. Therefore, most of the believed benefits of feeding raw foods remain unproven. But, there is sufficient evidence for vets to discuss the human health risks of raw diets with pet owners , according to this study from the Canadian Veterinary Journal. If you choose a raw diet for your Labrador, you can either prepare the food at home or purchase commercial raw food products. These range from complete foods, which are usually sold frozen or freeze-dried, which leads me to the next section. Dehydrated and Freeze-Dried You have the option of feeding your dog a dehydrated or freeze-dried diet, and both have become more popular over the past few years. Both diets are similar in that they have their moisture removed to preserve the food, so artificial preservatives are not required. However, they do have quite a few differences. Dehydrated foods are partially cooked at low temperatures to remove most water. The food is heated but not fully cooked, so nutrients and enzymes remain intact. They are a complete diet and are often seen as a step up from regular extruded kibble. When preparing dehydrated dog food, you just need to add warm water. The result is food similar in texture to canned wet food but far less processed. These foods are convenient to feed, easy to store, do not need refrigeration, and have a long shelf life. A dehydrated diet is a good choice if your dog has a sensitive stomach, as the food is easier on the digestive system due to the gentle cooking process. Freeze-dried foods are essentially a raw diet presented differently. The raw ingredients are frozen first in freeze-dried dog food and then added to a strong vacuum that converts the moisture into vapor. The food is then packaged in an airtight container. This process decreases the number of bacteria such as salmonella, unlike a true raw diet. Freeze-dried food has the appearance of kibble and does not have to be rehydrated before being eaten. However, your Labrador may find it more palatable and easier to digest if some water is added first. They are usually very high protein diets with fruits and vegetables occasionally added. These foods are more expensive than regular kibble, but since they have most of the moisture removed, they are more nutritionally dense, so you feed your dog less. Pros and Cons of Different Dog Food Types To help you decide on the best diet for your Labrador, I have put all the above information in handy tables to easily visualize the pros and cons of each type of food. The source of protein matters when considering a high-quality diet. FATS The rest of the diet should be made up of fats, carbs, and vitamins. Labs need to have a correct protein -to-fat ratio, where protein takes the lead. Dogs tend to convert fat into glucose, so this is an important source of energy. Dogs rely mostly on protein and fats, but carbs are necessary. That said, a low carb diet is best for puppies. However, you still need the right percentage of carbs, since this gives your dog the sensation of being full. These include starches, fibers, and sugars. Try to opt for more complex carbs like starchy grain and veggies because these are easier to digest. Your Lab puppy will thrive when his or her diet includes: Vitamin B12 especially during puppy development , Vitamins A and E, C, Vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium, Potassium Each of these required vitamins and minerals contributes to a healthy, happy, and energetic puppy. They also help offset issues like obesity. Vitamins A and E are important because they help your dog burn calories and promote eye and skin health. Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus, on the other hand, are part of a trifecta that works to strengthen teeth and bones. Potassium is a heart health-preserver. Labs with poor genetics are especially prone to orthopedic issues. Osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are common health problems for this breed. Glucosamine, an amino-sugar, together with chondroitin sulfate, helps replace and support naturally degrading cartilage during old age. Recently,"grain-free" foods are being championed as a preferred and even high-quality form of dog food. That's, not the whole story. An investigation launched by the FDA revealed that there are potential links between a form of canine heart disease and grain-free foods. So far, researchers have provided an update to this researchers have provided an update to this research staring that the issue may not just be grain-free diets. Grain-free may be part of other trends knows as "BEG"- boutique companies. Puppy diets don't' need to be complicated. They also don't need to include ingredients that humans might enjoy. Enjoyment doesn't necessarily bring any nutritional value to your puppy's development. Keep it simple, using the guidelines for fats, proteins, and carbs above and don't shy away from food with grains in them. It's not their presence that's a problem it's often the ratio. There shouldn't be more carbs or grains than protein. Nor does including only legumes, seeds, lentils, or chickpeas as the primary ingredients make the food more superior. It's perfectly healthy to include complex carb sources like starchy rice and other grains. Grain-free isn't and shouldn't be a qualifying factor for your choice in puppy food. Feeding Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is dried, pelleted food that stores well is easy to eat, and is pre-formulated with everything your puppy needs to thrive and grow in his early developmental months. There are plenty of popular brands that don't measure up to the Snowy Pines standard. That's why it's so vital for you to learn how to read puppy food labels. Puppies should stick with "puppy stage" food, while adults should stick to bags marked "adults. Instead, your dog should have regular bowel movements, allowing them to absorb all the nutrients available. You should also keep in mind that caloric intake is calculated a little differently for puppies. Kibble diets are measured by how many calories the proteins, fats, and carbs represent for each gram. For puppies, this should be 3. Sticking to these ratios will help ensure your kibble choice is a healthy one. It's also important to note that kibble calories are often higher when compared to wet food. If it's high-quality wet food, it won't have as much fat to preserve it, which means fewer calories. You may have to supplement with dry food, especially if you're trying to keep the calories of carbs, proteins, and fats in the right per-gram ratio. How often and what time to feed I will show you the best puppy foods, whether dry, wet, or raw, and look at food safety, together with schedules, quantities and even a handy puppy diet chart. Best Puppy Food for Labs The best Labrador puppy food provides a diet that is nutritious, healthy, and tasty. So, what is the best puppy food for your Lab? Puppy kibble or dried food is the most popular option. Kibble is complete and can give a perfectly balanced diet. Puppy kibble and tinned dog meat combined is another common choice among puppy parents. Feeding your Labrador puppy on home cooked food or on a totally raw diet is also possible. Raw puppy food is growing in popularity, and there are pros and cons to raw feeding your puppy. People often feel very strongly that one way of feeding is better than another, and you can always find evidence to support your view. Dog breeders, veterinarians and even nutritionists have their own strong views. The dire consequences they list for not listening to them can have puppy owners very worried. The truth is that there is no good quality evidence showing that kibble is better for the long term health of your dog, or that raw feeding is better. There are risks and benefits to both, and the main thing is to ensure that your dog has good quality food to eat. Puppy kibble suits some better, and raw puppy food is better for others. Puppy Kibble for your Labrador Puppy food made into pellets is called kibble. An airtight plastic container or tin will do the job, although you should make sure it is food grade quality. Puppy kibble is the best way of feeding your Labrador according to most breeders and your veterinarian is most likely to support this method of feeding. Good puppy kibble will contain every nutrient your Labrador puppy needs in order to grow and remain healthy. The kibble pieces will be tasty, good for keeping teeth healthy, and free from additives that can provoke allergies or stomach problems. Labrador puppy kibble only needs to be fed next to water. Puppy kibble from a reputable manufacturer is intended to be a complete and balanced food. But some owners like to mix in canned dog food or even scraps of raw food with kibble. Your puppy is likely to get an upset stomach or to not have the right balance of nutrition when fed this way. Whether you decide to feed only with kibble or you want to mix it up, pick a good dried food manufacturer and stick with them. Feeding your Labrador puppy raw food has its benefits and drawbacks. One of the downsides is that there is a lot to learn. Here is a link to the articles you need to help you decide whether or not raw feeding is for you: Although I like the raw diet for my dogs, most puppies fed kibble go on to have long and healthy lives. Whatever puppy food you choose, the most important thing is portion control. How Much to Feed your Labrador Puppy? People often tell me how much their puppy weighs, and ask how much puppy food they should give him. Your Labrador is particularly at risk if they grow too quickly. The following diet chart is for kibble fed puppies and does not apply to raw fed pups. It gives you an idea of how much to feed your Labrador puppy Lab Puppy Feeding Chart The Lab puppy feeding chart below is only a very rough guide. The quantity of food you need for your puppy will vary depending on your puppy and on the brand of food you are feeding him. Labrador puppy food must be aimed at medium to large breed dogs. Check the pack carefully and look at the dietary charts. Ideally, you want the optimal protein content and the lowest amount of additives. Part of this always comes down to the cost. The healthiest puppy food is usually the most expensive and may not be affordable for some families. The Cost Of Puppy Food Some puppy food brands are more concentrated than and contain a higher proportion of proteins, essential oils, and other nutrients. The absence of these fillers means that you can often feed lower quantities of more costly food, making them less expensive than they first seem. You might also find that cheaper brands make your puppy poop more due to those extra fillers going straight through him. While some brands are beyond the budget of many families, it is usually good to buy a premium brand. High Quality Brands of Puppy Food Some brands of puppy food have developed a reputation for producing a high quality product and have many devoted supporters, including breeders that have fed them to generations of puppies. Although I am not a veterinarian myself, I have been a lab owner for 11 years and been in the pet food industry for the last 6 years. However, if this is not the case for your pupper, no need to worry. Be sure not to feed normal cerelac or cow milk as that will result in loose motion as well as stunted growth. At this tender age, you need to feed your lab pup via feeding bottle like you would feed a human baby of age 2 months. Milk is the only food apart from purified water which your dog is gonna need till 1. After this age, till 3 months you have two options. You can either continue with milk or look at starter food options like Royal Canin Maxi starter , Drools starter, Farmina Puppy Starter, Canine Creek Starter , Orijen puppy and plenty of other brands which are available in the market. The kibble for starter food is small and most probably, your puppy will be able to chew it. Certain dry food can be extremely hard to chew, so depending on the toughness of the kibble you might have to break i. Puppies of age 1. You should be following this diet of starter food till 3 months age at least. Also, make sure you are vaccinating as well as deworming your pup at the right intervals. So, a proper nutritious diet is essential to achieve good growth. You can either go for Royal Canin Maxi Junior or Royal Canin Labrador Junior or puppy variants of other brands like drools, canine creek, Orijen Puppy and Junior Recommended , Acana large breed puppy, pedigree not recommended at this age. If you are giving a good diet like Royal Canin, farmina or even home-made food, growth should be good. For those who can extend their budget, you can go for something even more premium like Acana, Orijen, Arden Grange and the likes. No need to add additional supplements. If you are feeding home-made food like boiled chicken which itself is a very good food option, consider adding some fish oils like Beaphar Salmon Oil. However, a good diet is recommended to ensure a good life span above 12 years and muscle development. Homemade food can be a healthy option as well. Feeding guide amount to feed in grams depends on dog weight and varies from brand to brand. You will find the recommended portion for your brand based on the calories it carries on the packet you will buy. At other times, you can give chews or treats but whole meal should be fed not more than twice a day. Do not keep food available in front of the dog except during his eating time. However, you can keep water available in a bowl all the time. Sticking to schedule regularly is recommended. Wait, till now we have been speaking about commercial dry food. Yes, this happens to many dogs. While some dogs like pugs are voracious eaters, labs or goldens can be extremely choosy. They will eat whatever liquid you put in the feeding bottle at this age. However, once puppies mature and learn to eat themselves, they may not like dry food, rarely touch it. In these cases, the best option is to first add a home-made additive with the dry food. You may add many things dog like in small quantities of chicken stalk, chicken pieces boneless for puppies , curd, egg and others to the dry food. Changing or trying out another brand helps as well. I have seen many dogs who hate Drools but like Canine Creek although they are manufactured by same company. Every dog has a mind of his own. Most common diseases of Indian bred dogs like canine hyp dysplasia, ear infections, bent hind legs can happen to any dog. Take your dog to a registered veterinary practitioner in case such situations arise. Lack of appetite is also observed during this age at times. For not-so-severe cases, you may administer Himalaya Liv52 syrup or tabs or other appetite stimulants of various brands twice a day for days. In case, your dog has gastrointestinal disorders, referring to a prescription diet under the guidance of a veterinarian can be immensely helpful. This entry was posted in Pet Blog. Bookmark the permalink.

Both sire and dam of our pups have their health clearances. Usually these health clearances go deep into the pedigree with grandparents, great-grandparents, etc. However, this still is not a guarantee as many health issues are not created by a simple recessive gene and the fact that the parents are not affected does not prohibit them from still producing the occasional problem. At this time, the closest thing we have to an absolute is the Optigen test for Progressive Retinal Atrophy which is .This is the one disease we feel we are truly protected from. How are your puppies raised? Our pups begin their lives in our homes, and therefore are used to all the noises of a household. Later, as they get older, they begin to go outside during the day, weather permitting, and coming back into the house with their mother at night. Eventually they will be outside day and night, usually just before they are going to their new homes. Will my puppy be vaccinated and microchipped? We give all vaccination information to you when you pick up your pup so you can take it to your vet. Will my puppy be AKC Registered? We sell all of our pet puppies on an AKC Limited registration. This means they are AKC registered dogs which cannot be used for breeding and cannot be shown in conformation shows or field trials. They can, however, be shown in obedience, agility, rally, tracking, retriever hunting trials, service dogs, and other performance events and can earn titles. If they are bred, AKC will not give a registration to the resulting puppies. What happens when I bring my puppy home? We ask that you take your puppy to a vet for a physical exam within 48 hours of receiving it. If there is anything wrong with the pup that causes you to feel you cannot keep the puppy, you may return it within 24 hours of the diagnosis with a letter from the examining Veterinarian, for a full return of your puppy price. We will not be responsible for any unauthorized vet bills. When can my puppy come home? Puppies begin going to new homes after they turn 8 weeks old. Do you offer returns or a home if I can't keep a dog purchased from you? We will take back one of our dogs at any time in its life for any reason, and in fact, we want to be your first phone call if for any reason you can no longer keep your dog. We will take the dog back and if we can resell it, will do so and then return your purchase price. Sometimes the dog might be middle aged or older and cannot be resold and in that case you would not get your purchase price returned, and we would probably keep the dog for the rest of its life as one of our house dogs. Our main goal is to know where our dogs are and that they are in good, happy homes where they are part of the family. Do you have a waiting list? Yes, we have a waiting list. We start a puppy waiting list when we know that we either have a pregnant female or actually have puppies. Our puppies are sold on a first come, first serve basis. How do we choose our puppy? Our process for letting the pups go to their new homes is to critique or grade the litter at 6 to 8 wks of age and at that time they are vaccinated and microchips are assigned. We keep a record of notes on our evaluation of the pups. If we can we make a choice at that time regarding which are show quality pups and which are companion dogs, we will call the pet buyers and let them know what is available. If we cannot make a decision, we will look at the pups again at 8 wks of age. Once our decision is made, we notify the new puppy buyers and have them set an appointment to pick up their new baby. Can I have the first pick puppy? When we breed a litter we are breeding for ourselves and will keep as many puppies as we deem necessary to continue with our breeding program on this particular pedigree. While we always choose first, it doesn't mean that the puppies that are left aren't perfect for you. Many times, you won't notice the difference between our keepers and your beautiful puppy. Our choices are usually made by splitting hairs. After we make our choices, our puppies are sold on a first come, first serve basis from our waiting list. What about Pet Health Insurance? Please as us about Trupanion medical insurance for pets. We highly recommended you have some kind of health insurance for your new puppy. All our puppy can go home with 30 days of free health insurance if your let us know your interested and want to sign up for it. Do you offer support throughout the lifetime of our new dog? We are happy to guide you throughout the dogs life with answers to your questions and help you in anyway we can. Our goal is, first and foremost, to produce dogs that are physically and temperamentally sound, and in turn, to give them the best life possible. Welcome to the Family When you purchase a Labrador from us, we welcome you into the Hylakes family. We will support you and your new addition for the puppy's life. We love to hear from you and get photo updates. Current Litters Yellow Labrador Puppies for Sale in Northern California If you are interested in adding a new furry member to your family, consider adopting a yellow lab puppy. Yellow labs are known for being friendly, easy-to-train companions. This breed is often used as service animals because of their intelligence and loyalty. Dawgs, we have yellow lab puppies for sale that are AKC-certified and carefully bred for calm temperaments and health. If you are in Northern California and are interested in adding a yellow lab puppy to your family, contact D. Dawgs today to learn more. Health Testing At D. Dawgs, we have over 30 years of experience breeding yellow lab puppies, so we know to provide healthy labs with calm temperaments. We only breed with dogs that pass extensive health tests and certifications. All of these health tests and certifications ensure that hereditary defects are not passed on to your new puppy. For example, all our dogs are AKC-registered, meaning that they are purebred and registered with the American Kennel Club. We also make sure all of our parents are certified with the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals OFA to ensure that their hips, elbows, and joints are healthy. Along with these tests and certifications, we make sure that all of our puppies go into their new homes healthy and socialized. Until you adopt your puppy, we make sure to keep the puppies surrounded by other dogs as well as people to make for as smooth a transition as possible to their new home. We also send them to their new home with the proper vaccinations and de-worming procedures. Dawgs is a family-owned and -operated breeder and clinic in Northern California. Husband-and-wife team Dave and Ruth Ramsey are passionate about providing healthy and gorgeous puppies to families in Northern California. To learn more about yellow Labrador puppies for sale, contact D. Dawgs by calling .Alternatively, visit our facility at Washington Rd. Dawgs - All Rights Reserved. Powered by GoDaddy This website uses cookies. We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. Kenya Labradors breeds the best, so YOU will live with the best. Kenya Labradors is solely dedicated to "breeding excellence" in order to offer you the most outstanding family pets and champions of conformation, hunting, agility, and obedience. We specialize in English-type chocolate and black Labs of exceptional quality and brilliance. See our website for photographs, pedigrees, and information! Why Labradors? Our home is on 20 acres in the gorgeous Santa Margarita Valley on California's central coast. With all this land, we could have chosen ANY breed of dog.Why did we choose Labradors? We chose to love, train, breed, and show only English-type Labrador Retrievers because we believe no other dog will suffice. These fabulous dogs fulfill our every criterion for the perfect canine companion. They are magnificently built for stamina and agility. They are off-the-charts bright and eager to please — loving, easy to train, and full of personality. Kenya Labradors are filled to the brim with SO MUCH love, devotion and intelligence — sure to become an important member of your family. It was an easy choice for us. We started with one dog, as many people do. Read our story. Now we strive to produce the best quality Labs possible, specializing in chocolate and black colors with the English-type conformation. Kenya Labradors are beautiful, bold looking dogs, and especially athletic. They love to swim, play catch, and retrieve, but can just as easily kick back to watch movies with you. Our Labs are super friendly "people dogs", good with young children and the elderly, and for announcing to welcome visitors. That's a BIG title and with good reason! It is also one of the most popular assistance dog breeds in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States, and many other countries, as well as being widely used by police and other official bodies for their intelligence and desire to please. Please contact us for a phone appointment. We don't post our phone number here because we are often outside with our dogs, and paying proper attention to numerous phone calls became quite a challenge. Establishing a first contact by email allows us to agree upon time where you will receive our full attention. We appreciate your understanding on this. Simply click on "contact us" or fill out the quick form — at the bottom of every page. Unless we are at a dog show or hunt trial, we will get back to you typically within the day. We look forward to meeting you! Sorry, we do not ship. Kenya Labradors does not sell puppies via the Internet or to pet dealers. You must be physically present to purchase a Lab puppy from us. We also do not cross-breed Labs to make designer dogs. We breed amazing English Labradors and take great pride in doing that one thing well. Come and see for yourself. You just might fall in love! Santa Margarita, CA .Here at Kentfield Kennels we are firmly committed to breeding the traditional English Style Labrador Retriever that will become your best friend, a loving family member, hunting companion, service dog, or will be out there competing in one of the many events you can enjoy with your dog. What we wish to produce is a substantial, medium sized dog with a good bone structure, strong muscles, a broad head and muzzle with wide set eyes that have a kind expression. A great double coat to keep out the cold and that thick traditional otter tail that is carried straight and flat from the body is our goal in each breeding. We want our females to weigh approximately lbs, and our males to weigh around lbs. All of our puppies are registered with the American Kennel Club, micro-chipped and enrolled in the AKC ReUnite program before they go into a new family home. What makes us different The Labrador Retriever is a loving, affectionate and patient dog. They are highly intelligent, quick to learn, lively, good-natured and love to play, especially in the water! We wish to breed into our dogs the excellent, reliable temperament that is sociable, friendly, loyal and above all else, great with children and other pets. You are among an elite group whose love for dogs is unwavering; and it carries through in all you do as a breeder and dog owner. The AKC is proud to have you represent the largest, and most respected registry in the world! The program gives AKC a new way to engage, encourage and recognize ALL breeders who meet specific health testing standards and who participate in continuing education. Questions about Labrador Retriever puppies for sale in Northern California? We have answers. What affects Labrador Retriever puppies for sale in Northern California price? The price for Labrador Retriever in California depends on a number of factors, including experience of Labrador Retriever breeders in California, coat color, and the type of the dog. For example, puppies from American Labrador Retriever breeders from California and puppies from English Labrador Retriever breeders in California could be priced differently. Do Labrador Retriever breeders from Northern California ship puppies out of state? We have a huge breeder network so we might have the perfect Labrador for you in the neighborhood. How do you screen Northern California breeders? Uptown has strict requirements to all breeders that are based on their facilities, experience, animal care standards and more— you can find more information about it at our Breeder Pledge. Why is Uptown different from other places that offer Labrador Retriever puppies for sale in Bay Area? The internet is full of scammers and our job is to cut through all the scams. If you are looking for Labrador Retriever in Northern California, we can help you connect with the best breeders who love dogs as you do. We have selected them via a strict application process and know for sure they are ethical breeders who care about dogs. We make it easy for families to find ideal puppies. What is a puppy mill? A puppy mill is actually a factory for dogs where profit is given priority over the well-being of the dogs. The biggest problem with them is animal cruelty and the inhuman treatment of breeding dogs and puppies. Puppies from puppy mills often have a myriad of health issues and exhibit anxiety, fear or aggression due to improper socialization. Are there any purebred Labrador Retriever puppies for sale near me? Looking for Labrador Retriever puppies in Bay Area? Take advantage of our free MatchMaker process and tell us all about you and preferences. What is the MatchMaker process? The goal of the MatchMaker process is to make sure that great dogs are going to great families where they will be loved and cared for. You tell us everything about your ideal dog and we find the right breeders for you and help you connect with them to make your dream dog a reality. How do I know I can trust you? Unfortunately, online puppy scams are common. At our service, we use strict screening process and the Breeder Pledge to select the best breeders and do our best to build long-term relationships with our customer using the MatchMaker process. Just have a look at some of our reviews to understand what kind of service we offer.

Both Both the Retriever and the Poodle are in the top 5 in terms of intelligence. The Poodle is 2, while the Golden Retriever is 4! Teddybe Show More Teddy Bear Golden Doodles are a beautiful and unique hybrid breed that has become increasingly popular since the early 's. Teddybear Goldendoodles make amazing companions or service dogs. They are very intelligent, highly trainable, loving, loyal, and hypoallergenic. English Goldendoodles are very friendly. They love everyone, not just bonding with one person. They give affection to everyone they meet! They are a very adaptable breed, an excellent choice for beginner owners, easily trained, laid back, great with children, the perfect companion, and have a strong desire to please people. With training, Goldendoodles make excellent service dogs. They do very well with a positive reward based training. We give a one year warranty for any unforeseen genetic defects. Our babies will be sent to you with a full health certificate from head to tail, and fully up to date vaccines. Your new family member will be ready to give you hugs, kisses, and lots of lov Show More Our relationship does not end at the adoption of one of Gunter Golden Doodle puppies! Your new family member will be ready to give you hugs, kisses, and lots of love! Gunter Goldendoodles stay in touch with our extended family offering help and advice through the training periods. We love to get pictures as the puppies grow as well as hear all the great and funny stories! We want to help you have the best experience possible with your new family member. You will always have an open communication with Gunter Goldendoodles! We become family! We make sure our families are ready for the puppy transition and have been educated on the challenges of a puppy and how to handle each step of the maturing process. One of our most important goals is to insure our puppies are completely ready for their transition to their forever home by giving them the best start possible. First and foremost we want our families and puppies to be completely happy! Breeding dogs has been a passion for people through many centuries. It is exciting, heart warming and very challenging. The purpose should be to improve the breed not to just increase its numbers. It is a hobby for us and we absolutely love it! Drop us a line, we love to talk about our hobby! Some differences for the English Golden Retriever include a shorter and more muscular body, lower energy, lower cancer rate, broader muzzle, shorter coat, and coats are lighter in color ranging from cream to gold. We will produce solids, parti-factor or abstract, as well as Parti English Goldendoodle Puppies! Our Parti English Goldendoodle Puppies will range from red and white, apricot and white, chocolate brown and white, black and white, and sable parti puppies. All Dams and Sires have obtained extensive health clearances prior to being bred. This combination produces an F1 Goldendoodle. These dogs will have a higher success rate for non-shedding. Coats are loose wavy to curly and mostly non-shedding. The F1 Generation sheds light to minimally, while the F1B Generation typically is minimal to non-shedding. Weight: typically 25 lbs. Weight: typically lbs. Medium: Height: over 17 but under 21 inches 43cm to 52cm at wither. Standard: Height: over 21 inches 53cm to 63cm at wither. Weight: typically 51 or more lbs. We do not currently breed mini or petite sizing. The coat of a Goldendoodle can vary from straight, loose wavy or curly. An F1 Goldendoodle will have a loose wavy coat, while an F1B Goldendoodle litter has both curly and loose wavy coats within the litter. Goldendoodles can be black, red, white, apricot, brown, cream, Cafe Au Lait, silver beige, silver or blue, and may be a combination of these colors. Goldendoodles carry the color patterns brindle, sable, ticking, abstract, tuxedo, parti, and phantom. They have an excellent write-up explaining Colors and Coats. This website in general is a great resource to learn all about the Goldendoodle! Daily walks are a must if you don't have a safely enclosed area for them to run freely. They love games and many are attracted to water and love to swim. This breed does wonderfully with all, including children and makes for an overall wonderful companion dog, many with therapy potential! As with any dog, socialization and training should start while the dog is still a puppy and continue throughout its life. Look for a puppy kindergarten class locally or join the AKC S. Puppy Program , training based on positive techniques. You do not have to be an AKC purebred puppy to participate in their S. Puppy Program. Find a class here. This is a great place to start socializing and training. A well-socialized, well-trained Goldendoodle makes a wonderful family companion. Early socialization and training establishes those lifetime bonds between the family and puppy as these programs teach you how to communicate with your new puppy and get started on the right foot. Yes, email me when puppies become available. Message sent. Because of flight shortages, we are offering these puppies only to families that can either come and meet them in person for pickup or meet at the Pittsburgh PA airport. Please contact Rita Power directly about this litter at: and schedule a facetime call or call. Please ask Rita about pricing. I'm April Power and we have a location near you in Maryland. We are a family partnership. Sisters and brothers, Mom and Dad, we all are breeders together with the same high standards. We have Goldendoodle puppies in a couple of different states because we are family breeders. We raise puppies in our home, highly socialize our Goldendoodle puppies, use high-quality food, and health test our parent dogs! We are so excited to be a high-quality puppy breeder and work with you on your journey. We have a few dogs and run a Guardian Program just like a few of our family members do. That keeps all of our urban doggies in less than 2 dog homes and also keeps them from ever being rehomed! We really enjoy our little business, and we hope you will enjoy the process with us too! About our English Goldendoodles English Goldendoodles have better health testing and more mellow personalities. This makes them extremely suitable for urban areas. They have such amazing temperaments! We chose this breed starting out with the English Cream Golden Retrievers and absolutely adore our mellow English Golden Retriever mothers. Add the poodle for non-shedding and intelligence and, wallah! The most perfect blend of all time! Goldendoodle Puppies Please feel free to contact us! We are horse lovers and dog lovers. We still enjoy both in the DC Maryland area. Our experience growing up on the farm in Pennsylvania gives us a love for farm life. We are so happy to be able to develop puppies and breed amazing lifetime companions. Please reach out to us and get to know us better, see our available Goldendoodle puppies below and enjoy watching them grow. Please reload Did you Find Answers Frequently asked questions such as "Do you have any puppies available right now? Do you take a waitlist? Do you know when the next litters are going to be? Will you have litters later in the year? Most of the puppies are being raised in Idaho right now, but we have a couple litters a year in PA right now. We are all blood family members The Power Family. Situated on beautiful acreage, our home is located about 35 miles north of Springfield, Missouri. Breeders that aren't serious come and go but our passion for raising quality puppies with a distinctive look and excellent temperaments has been a dedicated journey since .A clear vision and outline of socialization and a team of experienced trainers develop puppies that will be a joy to your home, not to mention the star of your little one's obedience classes! We have had the privilege of raising and keeping back our best puppies from champion sired parents since to develop healthy puppies with correct coat, body type, excellent temperaments, specialty colors and adorable looks that you can enjoy and be proud of. Our team knows that you have probably done a lot of research and may still have questions. Feel free to reach out to us to talk about what you are looking for in your new family member. We look forward to meeting you and helping you choose a quality puppy that will bring joy to your home for many years to come!

Our dogs have mellow, affectionate, and playful temperaments, love water, and especially children. They are living as trustworthy family members, as emotional support dogs, service dogs, and medical alert dogs around the world! Content Link Block Polarbear is our Name. Or perhaps just looking for the total package in a dog? Health and longevity remains the foundation of all we do. Take for example, the standard German Shepherd dog as seen in this photo: View fullsize …Dogs bred with these traits often end up with crippling disabilities and premature death. This is so inhumane. The focus of our kennel, on the other hand, is to produce dogs with straight backs, broad heads, and short coats, as in the photo of Polarbear's foundation sire, Shack Von Hammer below. Aside from their magnificent appearance, Polarbear White Shepherds are calm, sociable, and affectionate. They are gifted empaths and comedians at heart. Their goofy personalities and love of children make them perfect nannies for even the youngest child. They love water, retrieving frisbees, and diving into the occasional swimming pool. What kind of dogs do all that? And they are living fulfilled lives, as medical detection dogs, service dogs, and family and companion dogs in nearly every state in the United States! World Map of our Clients Before leaving, you might like to click on some of our pages. Our "Words of Warning" for those purchasing a purebred dog for the first time on the internet is a favorite. Just remember this quote…. No amount of training or special food will fix a problem dog. If you want to view videos of our dogs, check out our Youtube Channel page. If you appreciate our breeding philosophy and love what we do, do let us know by becoming a fan! Their lovely mostly cream or white colored coat makes them quite rare and highly sought after among canine lovers within the country. Just like the regular German Shepherd, they are blessed with the same level of intelligence, which makes them easily trainable and highly versatile. They make great dogs as family companions as well as therapy and service dogs. As stated earlier, German Shepherds with a white colored coat are quite rare in the country, as only a handful of breeders within the US are dedicated to these German Shepherd coat types. With that being said, there are some white German Shepherd breeders residing within the country but you still would need to search for a reputable breeder with good breeding practices and programs. This article attempts to ease the search for you as we provide you with a list of some reputable white German Shepherd breeders residing in the USA. The article also provides the contact details of these breeders to help make it easy for you to contact them. It is very important that you only view this article as a guide toward helping you find the best breeder possible. Personal research is still highly recommended. We also recommend that you read this article till the very end as we reveal our personal pick from the list of white German breeders below. As their name already suggests, they are top breeders of premium quality white German Shepherds. They started their breeding program in the year , so they have over 10 years of breeding experience behind them. They are genetically health tested for genetic health issues and are rated by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, OFA to show they have good working hips, elbows, eyes, and hearts. Their newly produced puppies should each come with their written health guarantee. The puppies are raised as family dogs and not kennel dogs. This means they get to live in the family house in Middletown, Connecticut, and not in a kennel. They are loved and cared for by members of the family, given their full nutrients in puppy food and supplements and they are properly dewormed and vaccinated at the appropriate age ranges. All their dogs are properly handled by people of varying age groups. They are introduced to new stimulating experiences to help build their confidence. Raising dogs for you and your family. Call or text .Every breed has different requirements, whether the space they must have or the amount of exercise they need. If you are not certain yet, check out our essential White German Shepherd breed info to find out everything about the White German Shepherd. How to find White German Shepherd puppies for sale? When buying a puppy, it is important to consider not only the pet but also the breeder. Because a responsible breeder will ensure their dogs come from the strongest bloodlines and have the best start to life. Ask about the health and temperament of their White German Shepherd pups as well as their living environment. But also find out about the breeder's practices and commitments. A good breeder will be happy to answer everything before you decide. After all, they will want to ensure that their dog goes to a good home. When you have done your research and got all the info you need, you can then choose the right breeder with confidence. To help ensure you choose a responsible breeder, all the White German Shepherd kennels you see listed here are verified by Pets4You. You will also find that the best breeders will provide a guarantee with their dog. This information, and more, is available on the breeder's website within Pets4You. Browse through our dog breeder directory with complete breeder profiles and current puppies for sale to find your dream dog. Disclaimer It is the duty of every person that is considering buying a puppy or dog to confirm all the information provided to them by the breeder is accurate. Pets4You makes no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the condition of any dogs offered for sale, the standards or practices of any breeder, the quality of their canines, or the accuracy of any information contained within our site. Pets4You does not endorse, recommend, or guarantee a particular kennel, breeder or dogs listed on the Pets4You website. For Buyers.