french bulldog puppy belly

This is a classic! Get these treats from Chewy here. Cheese While this takes a little more effort on your part, cheese from the grocery store can be a great treat for training time. You can purchase a block of cheese from your grocery store, cut it up into very small cubes, and put it in a Tupperware for convenient usage throughout the week. But it can be a really great, high-value treat for a lot of Golden Retrievers. You can easily prepare some meat at home to use as treats. Chicken is usually the cheapest, but any meat will do! Pro tip: Divide the cubed meat into several ziplock bags or Tupperware and freeze. This way none of the meat will go bad before you can use it all up, and you always have some high-value treats on hand. PureBites Mini Trainers Chicken These treats are great for puppies because they come pre-cut in tiny cubes. Wild Meadow Farms Minis The size and shape of these treats are super unique and perfect for puppy training. High quality and delicious — your new Golden pup will love these! They also come in a variety of flavors: beef, duck, lamb, pork, chicken, venison, turkey, wild boar and salmon. Real Meat Puppies love real meat just like adult dogs! You can see more tips on using real meat as training treats in the adult dog treat section above. Getting a golden retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook! But puppies can sometimes get loose stool if they have too many treats, or if the ingredients are too rich for their systems. From the adult dog treat recommendations above, go easy on the cheese and liver treats, as those can sometimes be a bit much for little guys. Use small amounts at first to see how your pup tolerates it. However, here are some things to keep in mind that can really super-charge your training when it comes to using treats: Size Pea-sized treats typically work best for training your Golden. You want them to be able to chew and swallow the treat quickly so they can get back to the training session. While your pup might be overjoyed to be handed a large treat, it can really slow down the training process. Texture Soft treats are usually ideal for training time. Again, you want your pup to be able to chew and swallow quickly. A crunchy treat can take longer for your dog to eat, and sometimes eager Goldens can briefly choke on it as they scarf it down. Some treats can be pretty crumbly, which can cause crumbs to fall on the ground which distract your dog from the task at hand. If the treat is the same color as the ground, your dog may struggle to actually see the treat. In these cases, choose a treat that contrasts in color to the surface from which your pup will be eating. Value The key to using positive reinforcement is finding out what your dog really likes. Every Golden Retriever is unique and will have their own preferences when it comes to treats, so take note of what they seem to like best. Your dog might eat anything you hand her, but there are likely certain treats that really make her light up. This is because different treats have different values to your Golden. A Cheerio might be a 3 out of 10, a piece of cheese might be an 8 out of 10, and a tidbit of smoked sausage might be an 11 out of .Matching the value of the treat with the training task at hand can really take your training up a few notches. So perhaps, a mid-value treat is the way to go for this particular training scenario. It just feels good to provide yummy food for our loved ones, dogs included. Just like with training treats, health is always a priority when it comes to snacks for your Golden, so these recommendations keep that in mind. Here are some of the best treats for snacking for your Golden Retriever: Farm Hounds Treats These treats have an impressively healthy ingredient list, and come from farms that use humane farming practices. The company even tells you exactly which farm your treats came from, which is pretty unique! Lamb Crunchys This single ingredient treat is a great snack for Golden Retrievers. Simple and nutritious — the perfect snack. Honest Kitchen Ocean Chews Another single ingredient treat — are you seeing a trend here?! The smell can be a little off-putting for our noses, but your dog will thank you for this delicious treat. Honest Kitchen Ocean Chews Made from wild-caught fish, these chews are a healthier alternative to traditional rawhide chews. Although the smell may be unpleasant to our senses, your dog will appreciate this tasty treat. Ultimately, the best treats for your Golden Retriever will be determined by their tastes and needs. While many healthy and tasty dog treat options exist, some should be avoided. Here are some treats you should not give your golden retriever: Rawhide treats can be difficult for dogs to digest and pose a choking hazard if not properly chewed. Treats high in fat and calories: While a balanced diet is vital for your dog, treats should not account for a large portion of their caloric intake. High-fat, high-calorie treats can contribute to weight gain and other health problems. Always read the labels and ingredients of treats before giving them to your dog, and consult with your veterinarian if you have any concerns. As a responsible pet owner, you must exercise extreme caution when choosing treats for your golden retriever puppy. Consider a few key factors before making your decision. Avoid treats that contain added sugars or corn syrup, for example, as these can lead to health issues such as obesity. Similarly, avoid treats containing preservatives or artificial dyes, which have been linked to carcinogens. Consider the texture and size of the treat and the presence of filler ingredients, which can harm your puppy in the long run. When choosing treats for your puppy, prioritize their health by keeping these factors in mind. The Difference Between Low-Value And High-Value Treats Low-value treats are used for most training purposes, significantly when reinforcing commands your dog already knows, working in low-distraction areas, and walking down familiar streets. As low-cost treats, many trainers use regular dog food. The important thing is that your dog will consistently work for them. If you and your dog are dealing with a lot of distractions, or if your dog is having difficulty following commands, you may need to up the ante. Low-cost treats are tasty; high-cost treats are delectable. High-value treats are more appealing and are used in challenging situations to motivate and reward dogs better. Switch to high-value treats if your dog is responding slowly, not paying attention, or simply struggling to stay on task. It is critical to understand that dog treats are not the same as dog food and should not be used as a complete source of nutrition. While dog treats may taste better than dog food, they can disrupt nutrient balance and should be given in moderation. Excessive consumption can lead to serious health issues such as obesity and nutritional imbalances. Golden retriever puppies can be given three types of treats: high-value rewards, low-value training treats, and biscuits. High-value rewards are high in calories and should be reserved for exceptional circumstances. Low-cost training treats are smaller and contain fewer calories, making them ideal for workouts. Biscuits are dry and hard, have many calories, and can be used as a snack or on non-training days. Give your dog a treat and praise within seconds of asking for a behavior to help your dog associate the command with the behavior and reward. Give your dog a treat every time they obey your command during the learning phase. As your dog improves, only reward them for quick and perfect responses. Use a treat as a lure to position your dog when teaching a new skill. Remember that using a lure is only necessary when teaching a new command and should be stopped once your dog consistently obeys your request. Try different treats to see which ones your dog prefers, then switch them up to keep your dog interested. Pet your dog while giving the treat to make the reward even more valuable. This will help your dog associate your touch with the treat, making it even more rewarding. However, be careful to do it on the treats. As your dog becomes better at obeying commands, gradually reduce food rewards in favor of praise and sporadic treats. Keep your dog guessing to keep their motivation and enthusiasm for training. Here are some different types of training treat pouches to consider:. Of course, you should! All dogs love to get a treat! Golden Retrievers especially are very motivated by food, which is why training them is so much easier when treats are involved. Treats are the only way to get her to move sometimes! When she gets stubborn and wants to eat something off the ground that is bad for her, or when she decides she wants to go another direction and just sits there, I need to use treats! Not all treats are created equal, and some are complete junk and unhealthy, those types of treats should be avoided. However, healthy treats that are low in fat and calories with real ingredients are safe and good to give your Golden. It is so easy to give in and overtreat your Golden Retriever, but you are doing more harm than good. Using treats to give your Golden affection is not a good idea. Golden Retrievers are food-obsessed, they will always be on the hunt for food and will always seem hungry. Many owners fall into this trap and tend to overtreat their Golden, causing them to become overweight, obese and diabetic. The treats that you feed your Golden Retriever should be included in the total calories given per day. It is important to remember that treats add up, no matter how small they are! To read more about the 10 percent rule check out this article from the American Kennel Club. What you feed your Golden Retriever plays a key role in helping your dog live a longer and healthier life. Ingredients When it comes to ingredients, the fewer there are the better! Some of the best treats consist of only one ingredient. Avoid Filler Ingredients Soy, wheat and corn are often found in commercial dog treats and should be avoided. They offer no nutritional value to your dog whatsoever. These ingredients are unfit for human consumption and should be avoided for your Golden Retriever too. If you see corn syrup on the ingredient list, avoid it at all costs! Xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is very toxic to dogs, it can cause liver failure, seizures, and death. Having a variety is good, and you can use treats for different things. Small treats or soft treats are great for training, and longer-lasting chew treats are great for when you need your dog to enjoy time alone in his crate. Allergies Many dogs have allergies to certain food ingredients, the most common allergies are to chicken and beef, but it takes a bit of trial and error to find out what your dog is allergic to. Treats that have limited ingredients or only one ingredient are best for dogs with food sensitivities. They are all-natural, safe and healthy to give your Golden Retriever. Conclusion Healthy Treats and Finding a Balance Dog treats not only strengthen the bond between dogs and their owners, they can also come with some great health benefits. Knowing what to look for in a treat can be extremely important. Treats can also contain some of the ingredients commonly found in joint supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin. Be Cautious There are many commercially available treats on the market, and it can be difficult to know which is the healthiest for your dog. Even the lowest-calorie treats can cause weight gain if they are given in excess. It is a good idea to offer treats no more than two or three times a day. If he gains too much weight, it could be detrimental to his health! They can be commercially produced dog treats or can be as simple as the fruits and veggies in your kitchen! Here are some examples of healthy treats for your canine companion. Natural Dog Treats: Fruits and Vegetables Many of the fruits and vegetables that humans eat are healthy and safe to give to your dog. Below are just a few safe options to share with your dog. They can be served at room temperature or even frozen for a nice treat on a hot summer day, and they are an excellent source of antioxidants. Bananas Peeled bananas are also a sweet antioxidizing treat but have more natural sugars in them, so give these infrequently. Apples Apples are an excellent fiber source and can be given in small cut-up pieces, making sure to avoid the core and seeds. Important Be sure to avoid grapes and raisins which are toxic for dogs. The cause is unknown, but just one to three grapes can cause kidney failure in a dog. Vegetables Vegetables like greens beans and carrots are safe for dogs and are a great source of fiber. Leafy greens like kale are good sources of calcium, iron, and vitamins like A and C. These can be served chopped or steamed. Peas and cooked sweet potatoes are also great dog treats and are common components of most commercial dog foods. Important Dog owners should avoid mushrooms because some are toxic, and vegetables from the Allium family like onions, chives, and garlic can cause severe health problems like vomiting, diarrhea, and anemia. Veterinary Dog Treats Some dog treats can be purchased from your veterinarian, and most of these have a dual purpose because they are often recommended for health reasons. Dental Chews. This will help you better understand what you should have in mind when you choose the treats you want your baby Golden to try. Size In most situations, size may not matter, but when it comes to picking treats for Golden Retriever puppies, it certainly does. While your Goldie will eventually be a good-sized dog , bigger treats are not a smart idea when they are pups. Large treats can be a choking hazard. They also take far longer to chew up when you are attempting to train. Your Goldie will make short work of treats designed for tiny puppies so look for treats that you feel your puppy will enjoy. Ingredients Quality ingredients in their food is the best way to start your Golden puppy out on the right foot. The same can be said for their treats. Instead, you want ingredients that provide lots of nutrition, vitamins, and minerals. Treats that are high in calories can cause your pup to pack on the pounds. Written by Melissa Gunter Author Melissa was born and raised in the mountains of East Tennessee where she spent her time writing in an old notebook and playing outside with her pets. As an avid animal lover, she has brought many into her home over the years. Currently, she is the mom of 5 fur babies. Her 2 cats, Princess and Pepper are total opposites who demand attention. Her dogs Jazzy, Whitey, and Demon are full of spunk and keep the entire family on their toes. Beyond life as an animal mom, Melissa is a dedicated wife and mother to 2 children. Writing in her old notebook led her down the path of becoming not only a freelance writer but a published Indie author under the pen name, Rena Marin.Read more Advertisement. You may need to experiment a bit to find something that works perfect for you and your dog depending on your training techniques, but there are a few requirements to keep in mind. First… If you ask for a behavior, and your dog complies, give them a treat immediately within seconds , along with lavish praise. Your dog will begin to associate the command with the wanted behavior and the treat. Then… While your dog is learning a behavior, give them a treat every single time they obey your command. As your dog becomes more proficient, you can become more picky, only rewarding them for a quick, perfect response. Lastly… If you are just starting out with a brand new skill, you will have to use your treat to lure your dog into position. Your dog will follow the treat with their eyes, usually sitting in the process. As soon as they sit, give them a treat and lots of praise. Just be sure to keep in mind that a lure is usually only necessary when teaching a new command, and should be discontinued once your dog is reliably complying with your request. The Difference Between Low-Value and High-Value Treats Low-value treats are used for most training applications, but especially when reinforcing commands your dog already knows, working in low-distraction areas, and walking on familiar streets. Many trainers use regular dog food as low-value treats. The important thing is that your dog will work for them reliably. If you and your dog are working through heavy distractions, or your dog is have trouble following commands, you may have to up the ante. High-value treats are more enticing, and are therefore used for challenging situations. Low-value treats are tasty — high-value treats are delicious. If your dog is responding sluggishly, not paying attention, or simply struggling to stay on task, switch to high-value treats to up their motivation. Make note of what really excites your dog and change it up accordingly so your dog never knows what to expect. Pet your dog when you give him a treat. Your dog will start to associate your touch with the reward, which will raise its value. If you are ever caught without food rewards, your touch will be enough. No need for a pudgy retriever. Phase out food rewards when your dog is nailing the command most of the time. Keep your dog guessing, but always offer praise for a job well done. Behaviors To Train Away There are some behaviors that you should be sure to consider training in your dog, even if its not yet a problem. Some behaviors can be avoided altogether by training early, so make sure to train against these techniques: Separation anxiety: Some dogs cannot deal with you being away all day, so you will want to train them to understand that you will come back. Socialization: Many dogs have a hard time getting along with other dogs and other animals. Socialize your dog from a young age to avoid this. Puppy socialization is especially important! Puppy classes for behavior training are a great idea for this. Grooming: Dogs in training should be taught how to behavior while being groomed. A good dog will have good behavior while in this stressful situation! Barking: Most owners expect that their well behaved dogs will not bark. Train your dog about when it is and when it is not okay to bark. Excessive barking can become a bad habit quickly, so make sure to teach your new puppy good manners. Here are our top recommended Anti-Barking devices to control excessive barking. Puppy training: You should get your puppy into an obedience training class from a young age with a good dog trainer. This will make sure they learn important commands and skills with you. Training your puppy takes time, so get help from the experts. Biting: If you are having a problem with your dog or puppy biting, it is important to get dog trainers involved as soon as possible. Work with them and your pooch to learn how to teach your dog that biting is not okay. All dogs have some discomfort at the vet, so take extra time with this. The veterinary is a scary place for them, too! Chewing: Many dogs, especially puppies, have problems with chewing on shoes, leashes, and more. Training your dog not to chew will save your sanity and save you money! Dogs in training classes tend to have less behavioral problems than a dog with little or no formal training. Dog behavior depends on more than dog owners, but all dogs should get some training. Remember this: Canine behavior can be very hard to understand. If your new dog has behavior problems or you are in need of dog training tips, considering hiring a professional dog trainer or behaviorist to help fix your problems. This is especially important if your dog is exhibiting serious aggression. High-value treats are the ones your dog will do anything for, and every dog will have their own preferences. Here are some great choices for distracting situations or rewarding your dog for going the extra mile when you are training a dog. No additives. Dogs go crazy for these biscuits, and if you mix them with low-value treats, your whole treat pouch will smell like liver. Your whole treat pouch will smell like liver. Is it worth it? Test them out on your dog and decide for yourself. We certainly think they are…and so will your dog! In conclusion Finding the best treats for golden retrievers can be tricky. You want them to have fun and be healthy at the same time. So, you need to consider all their preferences to make sure any food you give them will be a winner! Golden Retrievers are known to be quite picky when it comes to dog treats. This can make finding the best ones for your own pup more challenging than you might think. Check out these great options below and see if your retriever will love them as much as we know they will. There are so many choices when it comes to good dog treats, so it can be difficult to know which ones are right for your pet. Goldens love most kinds of food, but some things make them happier than others. This article will give you a few suggestions for choosing the perfect treats for your canine friend. And some breeds, like large Great Danes and Saint Bernards, have a higher risk of bloat if they regularly eat small pieces of hard chew toys. Another thing to consider is the ingredients in the treats you buy. Many common treats contain wheat, corn, or soy, all of which are common food allergens that could potentially cause an allergic reaction in your golden retriever. When you choose the best treats for golden retrievers you should consider their health history. Finally, you can also talk to your veterinarian about what they recommend. They can also give you advice on other things, like nutritional supplements or food options. Treats are a great way to reward your golden retriever for good behavior and give them a chance to burn off energy. Biscuits: Homemade biscuits are usually made with whole-wheat flour and oatmeal, but some commercial brands may have artificial ingredients added to them. Candy: Candy is an easy source of calories for your dog without adding too much fat or sugar which might upset their stomach. Chocolate chips or pieces of candy can provide a quick boost in energy for your pup during playtime or when he needs a little extra motivation to work harder at training sessions. There are some best treats for golden retrievers. In this blog post, I will be going over what to look for, the best treats for golden retrievers, and helpful tips. Safely air-dried ingredients deliver peak nutrition and a mouth-watering taste for the pickiest dogs. We believe that a holistic diet starts with only the best natural ingredients. Rooted in New Zealand culture, it is strongly in our role as guardians of the land and sea. The PeakPrey recipes are rich in meat and organs in authentic ratios, free from unnecessary carbohydrates. Proudly made by passionate Kiwis, nothing delights us more than crafting recipes that bring joy and peace of mind to pets and their guardians. These treats come in convenient, bite-sized pieces that are easy to train with. They can also be easily broken in half if you want to stretch them further. They have a limited ingredient list and are formulated as a complete dog diet so they are healthy and fun and tasty. These raw ingredients are all sourced from New Zealand farms and pristine oceans. Farmed without added hormones or antibiotics, the meals contain only omega-3 fatty acids from New Zealand salmon and krill oil from Antarctic krill. It helps support digestion, healthy skin and coat, joint health, reduce inflammation, and promote heart and brain health. You can break off bite-sized pieces to use for training, or give them whole if you prefer. These treats are healthy and natural, but made in the USA! Sugar is a common ingredient in most treats and it is sometimes unavoidable. However, when you look at them, these treats are completely safe and healthy. These treats are made of real jerky and smell and feel just like it. They come in a bag with a zipper closure to keep them fresh, and they can be broken into smaller pieces to make them last longer. They are rich in glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support and are completely digestible. No artificial flavors, chemicals, or preservatives These premium dog treats are made of only one ingredient, beef tendon. This tasty beef tendon is hand-inspected and packaged in the USA, so your dog can enjoy a good chew without worrying about preservatives, hormones, or chemicals. These beef tendons are a great treat for your dog. They contain no artificial colors or flavors. Instead of splintering or breaking into small pieces, they are safe and fully digestible. Dogs love them because they taste great! Made from real beef, these mini nibs provide your dog with a rich and healthy source of protein. These freeze-dried treats are simply delicious and perfect for training. They come in a variety of proteins: turkey, beef, chicken, duck, rabbit, and salmon. The Vital Essentials dog treat is made from limited ingredients and can provide a fun crunchy snack for Golden Retrievers who enjoy snacks with beef bits, vitamin E supplements, and zinc. These healthy snacks are freeze-dried, so they retain all their flavor and nutrients. This grain-free beef dog food is a complete and balanced diet made without added fillers, flavorings, artificial preservatives, or rendered by-products. This dry and lightweight raw dog food can be served as-is or mixed with other food for a meaty protein boost! This complete and balanced natural dog food is protein-packed and low in starch. These snacks do not contain soy, corn, or wheat as filler ingredients. These crunchy biscuit snacks are packed with deboned chicken as their main ingredient. Kitchen Bites start with real deboned meat, fruits, and vegetables for a crunchy and healthy treat for dogs. Unlike many biscuits, Kitchen Bites are grain-free and gluten-free. Made in the USA with no ingredients from China. The number 1 ingredient is deboned chicken, followed by real potatoes and peas. These specific treats come in small, bite-sized pieces, which are great for training. Every treat has just five calories and is high in protein, making it perfect for dogs with health problems, diabetes, allergies, gastrointestinal issues, or a restricted diet. The freezing process preserves the nutritional integrity of fresh RAW meals, by only extracting water. It is made with no artificial coloring, fillers, or sweeteners. Freeze-dried treats are a fantastic supplement to a RAW diet since they maintain many of the benefits of RAW without the trouble of keeping them cold. These jerky treats are made using chicken that is raised without antibiotics or steroids. These delicious, chewy treats are slow-cooked and packed with protein. You can feel confident that you are giving your dog a healthy, all-natural treat with True Chews. These treats are not long-lasting chews, because of their softness, therefore you may tear them into smaller pieces or let your dog enjoy the entire thing. Many reviewers mention how nice these treats smell, particularly for dogs that are finicky eaters. The first ingredient is real chicken. Chicken is raised without hormones or steroids, and this meal is free of corn, wheat, and soy. Furthermore, this meal contains no artificial flavors or preservatives, and it does not contain any animal by-products. If you are not pleased, we will refund your money. This product is available in 4-, , and pound sizes. Giving your Golden Retriever a treat is a great way to show him that you care. We all know how much our dogs love treats and we want to give them what they need, but should we? The answer is yes and no. If you are giving your dog a special treat, it should be something he enjoys and has earned themselves. Dogs do not respond well to rewards in this way and they will not learn anything from them. In conclusion There are many options to choose from when finding the best treats for golden retrievers. The following list is a compilation of the top 7 best treats for golden retrievers. These treats are ranked on their popularity as well as their effectiveness when training your dog. If you have a golden retriever, then you know how persistent these dogs can be. They are fast learners, and they are very food motivated. This makes them ideal candidates for treatment training. Thank you for visiting the site. If you found this information relevant, please click on the provided links to be directed to where you can purchase various best treats for golden retrievers. Anything To Add About Like this article about the best treats for golden retrievers article? Have a point of view to share? Let us know! Share your training tricks below! Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about purchasing a puppy, owning a dog, training, or anything else related to pets.

Train your Frenchie here! You should start training your French Bulldog puppy as soon as you get them home. Puppy brains are a lot bigger than we think — they soak up so much good information despite their young age. French Bulldogs can be a rather independent breed of dog. In fact, we sometimes might feel like we need them more than they need us! What age can I start to train my French Bulldog puppy? You can start training your French Bulldog puppy as soon as you get them home. Build positive training experiences with Zigzag! We can start you off with a personalised training programme straight away in the Zigzag puppy training app , in fact, you can even use it before you bring your Frenchie puppy home as we have a pre-puppy section. Before bringing your French Bulldog puppy home, you can also get in touch with our Zigzag puppy experts with any of the many questions you may have! While blingy collars and outfits might be top of the list, there are some more sensible things you need to get your French Bulldog puppy that will help with your training. Here are my top picks for getting prepared for training your Frenchie. My favourite all-rounder is the Rapid Rewards treat pouch , it comes in many colours and looks stylish when on. The Mikki treat pouch is also good and a bit cheaper. You can go to town and choose pretty colours and designs for Frenchies! A lead — Around 2m is a good length for a lead. A training lead is a good idea as you can change the lengths of them to suit. A comfortable mat or a piece of non-slip vet bed. Treats The more smelly, the better. Have a look at the best puppy treats here. Chews and chew toys — lots of them! Our faves for Frenchies are West Paw Toppl and hollow buffalo horns for stuffing food into, and cow ears and pizzles for edible chews. Two identical toys : Excellent for swaps — your French Bulldog puppy will be super playful and enjoy the retrieving games in the Zigzag app. Originally, French Bulldogs were bred from English Bulldogs, who had a shady past as bull-baiting dogs. People enjoyed their cheerful nature and kept them as companion dogs after these awful blood sports were prohibited. When the need for these workers declined in England, their skills were still required in France, so the workers relocated, bringing their dogs with them. Relocate your training to Zigzag! When they arrived in France, they were adored by shopkeepers, butchers, and, most infamously, Les Belles de Nuit — the ladies of the night! What does this have to do with how I train my French Bulldog? Knowing the characteristics of the breed will help you better train your Frenchie puppy and understand why they behave the way they do. Here are a few things to keep in mind: Frenchies are incredibly loving and enjoy being in the spotlight. They can have a lot of energy possibly even more than a lot of energy and enjoy an active home life. Lack of stimulation WILL foster self-employment; provide them with items to rip up and pull apart to keep them out of trouble. By the way, if you leave them to it, they WILL go into your recycling and have a field day. Frenchies often think they are big dogs, thus they often do well playing with dogs larger than them. They look dashing in them too! Preparing for your French Bulldog puppy Here is the list of things you must have before your puppy comes home: The food that I start my puppies on occasionally changes as I search for the very best products. At this time my highest recommendation is to feed a raw meat diet which consists of muscle meats, bone, organ, vegetables, and supplements to ensure your new family members berst health and longevity. You fill find these in the freezer sections of boutique pet stores. You are welcome to supplement with kibble for those times when the food is not defrosted in time, for travel, and other unforeseeable circumstances. Goat milk kefir or yogurt not cows milk! I wean my puppies onto water by 8 weeks old, however I do recommend to have a quart on hand during the transition period just in case. If not used, it can be frozen for later use or your can drink it yourself. Its very easy to digest and puppies absolutely love it! Instead choose freeze dried raw meat treats. These can be ordered online through chewy. Enzymatic cleaner for tidying up potty accidents. Regular bowls work fine but if you would like to go the extra mile there are special bowls designed specifically for brachycephalic breeds which helps slow down eating and therefore swallowing less gas and creating less gas and less chances for over eating and then throwing up those can be purchased online. Raised bowls are an extra plus! Spending all that time bent over a bowl can be painful on the joints. A raised bowl will keep proper body conformation and promote correct position of joints. Choose durable toys and generally stay away from plushies as these can be easily torn apart and the fluff inside is easy to choke on. Edible chews are okay too, just no bleached rawhide as this is toxic. They make both a vitamin-mineral wafer as well as a joint support wafer. I recommend both. Please use my breeders code for a discount on your order: nuvet. Making food available during specific intervals during the day will make bowel movements more predictable, because they typically poop within 20 minutes after eating. You can start to take away food earlier each evening to have less bowel movements over night. If feeding kibble, I highly recommend taking a moment to boil and mash some carrots. This will help to keep their digestive system settled during the stressful transition between homes. If you choose to add any additional supplements, just follow the packaging instructions. If your puppy eats all of it and seems to still be hungry, mix them another portion. There is no need to measure or count calories at this point. Growing puppies need a lot of energy, just like growing children. I will always and forever recommend only raw unprocessed diets for this breed. If this is the case I highly recommend adding canned food from the same brand. I mix this thoroughly until there are no chunks left and the mixture is uniform otherwise they will pick out the chunks and leave the kibble behind. Try not to mix other cooked meat into your kibble otherwise your puppy will never eat kibble without meat. If you are okay with cooking daily for your puppy, then by all means add cooked meat and vegetables into their kibble. Please do not feed beef or chicken based products. If you elect to feed cooked meat, choose organic turkey only at this young age. I always have clean water available day and night. If your puppy is experiencing separation anxiety and not wanting to eat then you can offer goats milk kefir or yogurt as well as egg yolks. Goats milk kefir and egg yolks are hard for puppies to resist and it will provide both hydration and calories. Your French Bulldog puppy should be kept on the diet they were started on for a few months, as changes from what they are used to can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. I am enthusiastically happy to share any resources and guide you on a diet change to raw meat feeding: French Bulldog Puppy Hygiene Your puppy does not need to be bathed unless visibly dirty. DO NOT allow water to enter the ears! Frenchie ears are erect and open, so its easy to water to get in. In addition to this, ears are dark and warm perfect for bacteria or fungus. Dry the ears thoroughly after each bath and walks in the rain and avoid allowing water near the head in general. For cleaning the ears on a regular basis weekly or more frequently I like to use cotton pads soaked in a specifically formulated cleaning solution called Ph Notix. The Ph Notix does an excellent job of melting the ear wax for an easy wipe away. Though, coconut oil, colloidal silver, and any vet prescribed ear cleaner can be used as well. Clip nails monthly at a minimum. The more frequently nails are clipped, the shorter they will become. Same applies to their tail pocket. Puppies don't typically have tail pockets, but as they matures this feature can develop. The most important step is to very thoroughly dry your puppy whenever they are wet! I check this area with each bath, and completely dry the paws especially in between the toes after each bath and each time they get wet. If you notice redness between the toes, then it is likely yeast. I personally do not brush the teeth of my dogs, and have never had a dental issue. Providing large raw real bones for chewing will naturally clean the teeth and this is something that I give all of my dogs. However if you are keen on doing so, daily brushing will provide additional protection to your dogs teeth. There are special savory flavored tooth pastes just for dogs available to make this task more enjoyable for your puppy. As a preventative measure you can also add a specially formulated probiotic into their water to support dental health called TEEF. I administer these vaccines at home in a single dose containing all five strains of virus. I use the brand name Duramune Max and I special order these to be delivered to be via one-day-air on ice to ensure their viability. This initial dose is given once your Frenchie turns at least 7 weeks old. Please wait a minimum of 3 weeks to give the next booster vaccines. This is very important, I do not recommend the leptospirosis vaccine due to a high rate of adverse reactions. It is not necessary unless your French Bulldog puppy will be in frequent contact with wildlife or livestock and you live in an area where leptsospirosis is rampent. Bordetella can be given at 10 weeks old and rabies can be given once your puppy is a minimum of 3 months old. I also give my adult French Bulldogs a booster of Bordetella kennel cough as well as canine influenza vaccine once each flu season. Deworming Simply due to the nature of puppies, I recommend you submit a fecal sample during your initial vet visit. I deworm the entire litter multiple times before coming home to you. But please understand that puppies are messy creatures. Puppies also put absolutely everything in their mouths including each others paws. So please understand its likely that you may need to continue one last treatment of dewormer when your puppy comes home, even if they are having solid poops. All of my mamma dogs are dewormed before and after having their litters as well to reduce exposure to internal parasites. Additionally I deworm all of my adult dogs twice yearly with a combination of metronidazole and fenbendazole, or drontal plus. Certain parasites like giardia are extremely difficult to eradicate in our cool and wet climate. Giardia will live in the soil and water and can be spread through wild animals coming through your yard as well. Adult dogs with strong immune systems will develop antibodies to giardia and will have no symptoms. Puppies who test positive for giarida may or may not have symptoms. I personally have never had a flea or tick problem with any of my dogs in all my years of breeding and I choose not to treat my pets with pesticides. Pesticides are teratogenic and can cause birth defects as well as neurologic disorders such as seizures. Personally I would only consider one dose of oral NexGuard during the hottest month of Summer when these parasites are most active in my geological area. Each individual dog and household must weight the risks and benefits to use or not to use pesticides based on their personal circumstances and geological area. I understand you might live in an area with a known problem with these external parasites or might be living on a farm where it will be necessary to keep them under control. There are many different kinds of medications that can be used but they treat different things, some are applied topically, some given orally, some work for one month and others up to 8 months, and some medications will also treat internal parasites in addition to external. For puppies under six months old the oral medication NexGaurd can be given for fleas and ticks, as well as off-label for mites. A third kind of treatment is a Seresto collar which is a collar made from a special material that is filled with medication that is slowly released and absorbed by your dog. My brother who lives on a farm finds favor with this method and it can be used as early as 7 weeks of age. Ridgefield, Washington. Pin2 2 Shares Once the excitement of bringing your French Bulldog puppy home for the first time is over, the reality will soon start to bite as will the puppy. I remember my wife and I wondering what we had let ourselves in for on that first night of crying and howling! Bringing our French Bulldog puppy home to meet our son for the first time was an amazing experience. Bringing your French bulldog puppy home am: Paid via online bank transfer It was the morning of the pick-up! I transferred the money via online banking, then called the breeder who confirmed receipt you can see how much it costs to buy a Frenchie here — it was now time to go pick up our Frenchie puppy! Injections and vaccinations are super important, and I explain more about it in the questions you should ask a breeder before you buy a Frenchie. We were now the proud owners of a French Bulldog and were ready to bring him home! Ideally any dog should be properly restrained in your car when driving, and now Claude is older we use his own car booster seat. Claude the puppy was fine with the drive, but in some cases Frenchies can get car sick. This meant my wife and I had until 3pm to get Claude settled into our house so he was ready for his first day home. The things that I remember very clearly are how he wanted to run around the house sniffing at everything and getting used to his new surroundings. And then, we had to introduce him to our cat! Claude was a lot smaller than her, but being a puppy, he just wanted to run up to her and find out what she was all about. As you would expect, he wolfed it all down in super quick time! For guidance on how much to feed a Frenchie puppy, take a look at this feeding chart. I went to pick our 3-year-old up from nursery — he had no idea we had bought a dog! In the video below you can see the moment when my son met Claude for the first time! This is all because of their vaccinations, with public walks only advisable 2 weeks after their final set of injections which is around the week point. You can read more about how this work in this guide to when your puppy can go outside. He also had his third and final feed of the day at around .He was quite happy to snuggle up to us Frenchies are very cuddly , but we did make sure to take him downstairs every hour to try to get him used to peeing in the same place. You should try to get your puppy into a routine as soon as possible. Bringing our French Bulldog puppy home for the first time had proven to be an exhausting experience. It was now time for us to go to sleep, and we were hoping Claude would too! And, oh, how mistaken we were. What we did was place his crate in the corner of our bedroom. We put him in the crate, shut the door, and switched our lights off. Within 10 seconds he started crying and howling. It was heart-wrenching. We let him cry in his crate for a few minutes before we could take it no more. Handy Hint: Read my guide about French Bulldog crying and how you can start to stop them whining in their crate at night. We got him out and let him come back onto our bed for another 45 minutes then tried again. Frenchies really do suffer quite badly with separation anxiety , and at this age need you so much. We let him come back onto bed for another cuddle and gave him lots of reassurance. He had a comfy blanket in there and lots of cuddly toys here are the toys we used and this time fell to sleep… success! But it does get better… over time he will forget about his mother and siblings and start to view you as his family. The crying will stop over time, and a regular sleeping pattern will develop. In the graphic below you can see what to expect as your Frenchie gets older and how many hours they will sleep a day. The following days… Over the following days we tried to get Claude to sleep in his crate downstairs. It was impossible to do without lots of crying. In the end we gave up and kept him in his crate in our room for about 8 weeks. After two months we decided it was time for his crate to go in the kitchen. We had to be quite tough at first, as he cried the first couple of nights, but soon developed into his routine — him and our cat actually now share a bed! Claude would constantly be attacking our feet, chasing our shoelaces, chewing things like tables, door mats, shoes, and we would have to hide everything away out of his sight! Prepare to puppy-proof your home Firstly, prepare your home. You almost need to chew-proof everything. Also make sure that any potential escape routes and sealed off! We got a 42 inch one knowing that it would be ok for him as he got bigger and older. Inside his crate we placed some soft bedding and a few toys, plus laid down a puppy pad view on Amazon in the corner for him to pee on in the night. Get some toys and things to play with Frenchies love to play. We bought Claude a couple of stuffed toys, a Kong for teething on , and a few balls. You can see all the toys he still loves to play with here. It contains all the nutrition growing puppies need, plus… and this is a biggie… is said to reduce their terrible farts! You can buy Royal Canin Frenchie puppy food on Amazon. Be prepared to give him your undivided attention and be prepared for lots of crying at night. The sooner you can get this behavior ingrained into them, the quicker they will learn. Pin1 1 Shares Frenchie puppies are adorable and it would be very tempting to take one home as soon as you can. However, you need to be aware that there are certain ages at which they cannot leave their mother for both health and legal reasons. If you want to know what the best age to get a Frenchie puppy is, read below for a quick primer on the important factors regarding age. What is the best age to get a French Bulldog puppy? The best age you can get a French Bulldog puppy from is once they have reached 8 weeks of age. Any time past this is the best age to take them away from their mothers as they will no longer be in the weaning stage. We got Claude after he had turned 8 weeks old or two months. I think any time past this date is the best age, and I am going to explain why and what you need to know if considering getting a French Bulldog yourselves. The bottom line is this; do not buy a French Bulldog before the age of 8 weeks old. Frenchies are a massive bundle of fun at any age, the 2 month or 8-week mark is the perfect age range to bring a Frenchie puppy home. Aside from the weaning issue, there are lots of reasons why too, some of which I will go into below. Why 8 weeks is the best age to get a French Bulldog puppy 1. This crucial moment of their life will determine almost everything about their future. During this period, French Bulldog puppies are raised by their mother and learn the core basics about being a dog. This is what Claude looked like when we first got him. He was just over 8 weeks old and was ready to leave his mother. French Bulldog puppies are properly nursed and naturally weaned up until 8 weeks of age. They are fed with the right kind of milk for puppies of their age and they receive the proper parental care and attention. Frenchies are renowned for having a whole range of health problems see the list of issues here and many of these can be picked up in the 2 month period after they have been born. French Bulldog puppies that live with an expert breeder up until 8 weeks should get the proper medical attention and a health maternal environment that is favourable to their development. By taking home a younger pup at 8 weeks and over, you are almost starting with a blank slate and in theory should be able to train them easier. They are a stubborn breed, but getting the training initiated from the age of 8 weeks will mean you should get far better results. Younger dogs will adapt better as will other pets When we brought Claude home for the first time, we were very nervous about how he was going to adapt to being away from his mother. We were also worried about how our cat would react to having a strange dog in the house. However, because Claude was 8 weeks old, he was still smaller than our cat. I think this made the introduction and adapting so much easier. I think if we have brought a 6-month-old puppy home, it would have scared our cat and made things a lot harder for us. Our cat thought she was in charge, and in fact, she still does to this day and they get along just fine. I have put together some tips on how to introduce Frenchies to cats which you might find useful. You can see a video below from when my young son met Claude on his first day coming home to our house. Claude was 8 or 9 weeks old at this point. The fun is just endless. As I mentioned earlier, it is hard work as the puppy will poop and pee on the floor, so you have a lot of hard work ahead of you. However, at this age they are full of excitement, are inquisitive, adventurous, and want to play constantly. You will never get that time back again unless of course you get another puppy and we are so happy that we were able to share these formative weeks and months with Claude. You can start socialising your Frenchie early Puppies who have not been socialised properly with other dog and people can be a handful. The sooner you can start the socialisation process the better it will be easier if you have two French Bulldogs instead of one. We took Claude to puppy socialisation classes at our local vets. The idea here is to get lots of young puppies in a room with some older dogs so they can get used to each other. Here you can see a Frenchie puppy at 20 weeks old. It also helps that we our son was around 4 years old at the time, so Claude was also able to get used to the way young children can approach dogs. Why you should not get a Frenchie before 8 weeks of age Only ignorant people and breeders would let a French Bulldog puppy leave their mother before 8 weeks of age. They are very difficult and expensive to breed Breeding your own Frenchies is a difficult and expensive process. If you are not an experienced or professional breeder, the chances of you doing it right are very low. It will be a lot easier than trying to breed them yourselves. You will have a lot of sleepless nights If you bring a French Bulldog puppy home before they have been weaned from the mother, you are in for a full-time job. You will need to nurse the dog, keep them warm, steadily rub them to stimulate bowel movements, bottle feed them with special puppy milk supplement for up to eight times a day or more — and a whole lot of other necessary and demanding breeding measures. Looking after a Frenchie puppy younger than 8 weeks of age will be so exhausting and could lead to them having health problems. You will visit the vet more often Sickness is a huge risk when you take home a Frenchie before the time is right. What to look for when buying a Frenchie puppy No matter what the age you buy, there are some key things to look out for. The main things are to make sure you see the dog with the mother, to check the background of the breeder, and to check overall health and signs for infections such as flaking skin, bare spots, bruises, lesions, scabs and cuts that are caused by bacteria. Here are some more… Know the age of the puppy before buying. Never buy a puppy without seeing the parents the mother at least. This will help you know that the puppy comes from a healthy background and you can find out more about the circumstances surrounding the dog. Find out if the parents of the puppy have been health tested. Make sure that the puppy has had the first vaccinations as these should be done by a vet before they leave the mother. Only buy puppies from reputable breeders. Ask about any potential genetic health and behavioural problems of the parents before buying. For more details on what to look out for and the warning signs to be aware of, read this guide on what you need to know before you buy. Clean their ears regularly with a damp, warm cloth. Maintain and trim their nails regularly. Prevent infections by always cleaning and drying the wrinkles between their skin folds. Brush their coat once or twice every week to help keep the coat healthy and clean. Feeding advice The most important aspect is how to feed the puppy. Related questions on age And finally, here are some answers to some common questions people also ask when researching what the best age to get a French Bulldog puppy is. What is the best age to neuter a French Bulldog? Recommendations on this will vary, but your vet will typically say that a Frenchie can be neutered between the ages of 4 and 9 months. We waited until Claude was 6 months for this short and simple procedure. He had no recovery time, just a few stitches, and was his normal self within a few hours. There is some opinion that this can lead to longer-term health benefits and can even stop negative behavioural problems including aggression. I can only speak from experience when I say that we noticed no differences with our own French Bulldog. He was just as mad and fun after he was neutered. What age do French Bulldogs come into season? The age French Bulldogs are said to come into season will vary from 6 to 8 months old. Once they have come into season, they will typically come into heat a couple of times a year. What age to French Bulldogs stop teething? Just like humans, dogs will also teeth and start to lose their milk teeth as they grow older. French Bulldogs tend to stop teething once they read 7 to 8 months of age. Teething can start at around 4 months old. You can read all you need to know about the teething stages and what to expect in this teething timeline. I remember us finding small teeth on the carpet in our lounge when Claude starting teething. I wish I had kept them now! Conclusion To conclude, the best age to get a French Bulldog puppy is once they reach the age of 8 weeks of age. In the first week we had Claude, he would cry and whine at night which I can only put down to being scared and wondering where his mum and siblings were. The bottom line is this; having an adorably cute Frenchie puppy as a new family member is really exciting… but very manic at the same time. In fact, I would almost compare it to having a baby. You need to keep a constant eye on them, they mess everywhere, and need constant attention. You might also like… This month I published a new blog post which talks about the pros and cons to male versus female French Bulldogs. You might want to read that before deciding what gender puppy you will be getting.

Overall, boxers love people and children. As long as they're properly socialized, they get along great with other pets. But boxers do sometimes have aggressive tendencies that need to be kept in check. Same-Sex Aggression The most common problem with aggressive behavior in boxers is territorial and dominance aggression toward other dogs of the same sex. This is especially true with female boxers. Although they generally get along fine with male dogs, female boxers tend to pick fights with other females. Boxers also tend to hold grudges; once one becomes angry with another dog, he might consider that dog to be a lifelong enemy. On-Leash Aggression Boxers need to be exercised regularly; unfortunately, being on-leash sometimes brings out their territorial nature, causing them to behave aggressively toward other dogs they meet. Boxers also sometimes become more protective and defensive of their owners while on leash. A head collar with a loop that goes over the muzzle can give owners more control and help to keep this sort of aggressive behavior in check. In the event that it goes too far, such a collar can help the owner to regain control of a fighting boxer without getting in the middle of the fight. Prey Instinct The boxer was originally bred from crossing a bulldog with a bullenbeisser, which is a German hunting dog. As such, the boxer inherited a strong instinct for catching prey, which leads the breed to display aggression toward small animals such as squirrels, rabbits and birds, and even sometimes larger animals such as sheep and deer. Dealing With Aggression Boxers are highly energetic dogs who require daily walks and other forms of exercise to help them release pent-up energy and stay calm. They are strong-willed and need owners who are both willing and able to be strong, dominant leaders and establish firm boundaries for acceptable behavior. Early socialization with other animals and people can help avoid aggressive tendencies as the boxer gets older. If your boxer shows aggressive tendencies despite your best efforts to contain them, consult a veterinary behavioral expert for help in getting the aggression under control. More Articles. Aggressive Behavior in Boxers: Fact or Fiction? Written by Dr. However, many people perceive them as aggressive. But is it true that they are aggressive without reason, or is this a misconception? Boxers are predisposed to display aggressive behavior. On the other hand, lack of exercise, socialization, training, traumatic experiences, and health challenges can make them aggressive. So, keep reading to learn more. Are They Aggressive to Humans? Boxers can be aggressive to humans they are not used to seeing. They have a friendly temperament and can become best friends with humans. Like other dog breeds, they will assume a defensive position and become protective when they see their parents with strangers. However, their training and breeding can influence aggressive behavior towards babies. Toddlers Boxers are great with toddlers and bond better with them if they grow up in the same household. However, you should monitor the interaction between boxers and toddlers. The child is still too young to read the cues from the dog thoroughly, and the dog may still be learning to interact with the child. Older Kids Older kids and boxers get along very well. Naturally, these older kids are more developed and can be trusted to relate well with dogs. The jovial temperament of boxers makes them great companions for older kids, especially when raised as puppies in the same household. They are familiar with these adults in the home. Familiarity over time tends to reduce any tensions. On the contrary, if the adults in the family are unfriendly toward dogs, you can expect your boxer to be hostile toward them. These breeds will defend themselves if they feel threatened rather than cower. Strangers Boxers react negatively and become protective when strangers appear at your front door. Lack of exposure as puppies makes them suspicious of everyone besides their parents. They will try to protect you if they feel you are in danger. They display their loyalty through aggression. This aggression can either be mild or intense and is a factor dependent on their training and level of exposure to people. They can either bark and retreat or attack the stranger in rare cases. If you ever experience the latter, you need to hire a canine trainer. Guests Guests will receive a similar treatment to strangers showing up in the house. However, boxers trained to be social when they were puppies will be friendly to anyone, including guests. Nonetheless, nature and nurturing play vital roles in the behaviors of dogs, and this affects how they treat humans. When nurtured by trainers and confident pet parents, they can adapt to new traits that are friendly to even guests. They often display severe hostility in this situation. This aggression could escalate to attacks if you trained the dog to be a guard rather than a pet. In this case, they are only friendly to family members and will defend their territory whenever a strange face shows up. On the contrary, boxers bred and trained as pets will only bark and rarely attack. Training can make them friendly towards family and friends and hostile to intruders or burglars. Outside Your Home Boxers are not suited for the outdoors. They can exhibit territorial dominance, extreme aggression, disobedience, and wild behaviors that are difficult to contain by pet parents. The best place to keep boxers is within the home. Most boxers require additional training to behave well outdoors. Are They Aggressive to Other Animals? Many boxers exert dominance and aggression over other animals. In extreme cases, this aggressive behavior will have them killing, fighting, or hurting others. Breeding, training and lack of socialization as puppies influence the level of aggression shown toward other animals. Other Animals in the Household Boxers are aggressive to other animals, including other dogs within the house. You can correct this trait through training from an early age so they can learn to cohabit with other pets. When it comes to cats, birds, rodents, and reptiles, boxers have strong instincts to hunt them, owing to their genetic makeup. Germans bred them for hunting, and this trait will linger until they have undergone intensive training. Animals They Encounter Outside Outdoors, this breed may show hostility toward other animals, including other dogs. They may also show friendliness depending on their mood and other factors like health issues, lack of exercise, social anxiety, and training. Boxers that are trained to be friendly or social with other animals, and people will not show aggression outside unless they perceive a situation as threatening. If your pet is always aggressive, a visit to a veterinary doctor and then a pet trainer can be the start of a rehabilitation process. Male boxers are generally more outgoing and aggressive than their female counterparts. This outgoing nature can make them exert dominance over their territory and become confrontational. Conversely, females are most aggressive when nursing their puppies and when they spot other females within their territory. They are more introverted and prefer the indoors. However, both genders are playful, fierce, and affectionate. As a pet parent, frequently observing your boxer for excessive displays of aggression is a good idea since underlying health challenges, lack of care, exercise, and other factors can influence such behavior. Always keep your vet doctor on speed dial or a trainer even if your pet is healthy. What Can Cause Aggressive Behavior? Some factors that can cause aggressive behavior in boxers include breeding history, tendency to exert dominance over their territory, socialization, and training. Breeding Germans originally bred boxers to be aggressive and strong. However, times have changed, and modern breeds are no longer vicious. They are now domesticated and serve as companions to humans while also playing the role of guards. When sourcing boxers, go for breeds that just got out of their litter and are between eight to ten weeks old. The most submissive will be too weak, and the most dominant will be challenging to tame. Having boxers that fall right in the middle of the dominance scale makes training easier. Socialization Aggression can be a product of social anxiety and fear. You can avoid this by bringing in the dog as a puppy and exposing them to different social situations. You can tackle this with training and by taking them to doggy daycare and off-leash dog parks where they can learn to be in packs and interact freely with others through the help of trainers. Training Dogs are intelligent by nature. They can learn and unlearn many concepts, but you must be conscious of your chosen teaching approach. The proper training can influence positive behaviors in them and curtail aggression. Conversely, a lack of adequate and responsible training can encourage aggressive behaviors. They are protective if they think someone is trying to hurt their parents or puppies or invade their territory. Your boxer is being protective when: They react to and focus on new changes like sounds and sights in the environment. Bark at perceived threats. Stand in between you and the perceived threat. Maintain their usual composure when the threat turns out to be harmless. On the contrary, they are aggressive when they: Bark continuously even after a perceived threat is averted. Growl and display their teeth aggressively. Assume a rigid and battle-ready posture. Display readiness to advance toward the threat. Identifying these signs can help prevent them from going wild on strangers, other animals, and family members. The signs include the following: Raised furs. They are known for being very loyal, and that can sometimes turn into aggression. If you are worried that your Boxer may become aggressive or if there are already signs of aggression, there are some things you can do to correct the behavior and help make your Boxer a loving pet. Can Boxers be aggressive? Boxers can be aggressive, but if they are bought from a legitimate breeder and are raised, socialized, and trained properly, they are not likely to be aggressive. Past negative experiences, lack of exercise, and feeling threatened can manifest in aggression, though these issues are easily corrected. If you are considering getting a Boxer and want to know if he or she could become aggressive, be sure to read on to learn more. Poor Breeding Some dogs are bred from animals that are aggressive or have genes that make them more likely to be aggressive. There are also certain health problems that can make a Boxer more likely to become aggressive. Lack of Socialization Dogs that have not been properly socialized with people, children, or animals may become aggressive out of fear or if they are territorial. Lack of Training Some dogs need to be trained to keep their aggression at bay and to learn how to act in certain situations and with new people. If a Boxer is not trained properly, he could become aggressive in new situations and around new people. They may guard their toys, bed, and even people. They can also have food-aggression issues. This problem is known as resource guarding and is a natural reaction in some dogs or can be something they develop over time if they are not cared for properly. Unneutered Male Males are more likely to become aggressive than females, especially if they are unneutered. Boxers that show signs of aggression typically become less aggressive after they are neutered. Past Trauma or Negative Experiences Dogs that have been abused or have had past trauma and negative experiences may become aggressive in situations that remind them of these experiences. Female-Female Aggression Many Boxer females can become aggressive when other females are around. This is especially true if the female is in heat, has puppies, or is pregnant. Overly Protective Nature Boxers are guard dogs, and they tend to be overprotective by nature. This can something show up as aggression if they feel that their family or they themselves are being threatened. High Prey Drive Boxers have a high prey drive, and this can cause them to see smaller dogs, cats, and other animals as prey and act aggressively toward them. This can usually be resolved with proper training. How To Stop Boxer Aggression If your Boxer is showing signs of aggression, the sooner you intervene, the more likely you are to stop the behavior before it gets out of hand. Here are some tips that can help. Create a Safe Place Make sure your dog feels safe. Many dogs show aggression out of fear and confusion. Talk calmly to your dog when he starts to show signs of aggression to distract and calm him. Instead, redirect him and offer positive reinforcement to help keep him calm and let him know his calm behavior is rewarded. Make an appointment with your veterinarian to have a health problem ruled out or treated. Socialize Them Proper socialization is important for every dog breed and especially Boxers. Make sure your dog has plenty of socialization with other pets, animals, and people. You can find trainers who specialize in dealing with aggressive behavior and can help you correct it. As opposed to a costly lawsuit should your dog attack someone, hiring a professional will be money well spent. Your Boxer likely stares at you because he wants to anticipate what you will do next so he can go with you. Boxers bond with their owners quickly, and your Boxer may want to be by your side at all times. If your Boxer is older, he may be staring at you due to vision problems or another disorder. Are Boxers Good With Cats? Boxers can be good with cats as long as they are introduced to them early in life and have plenty of time to socialize with them. When you introduce your Boxer to a cat, always monitor them closely to make sure they get along. Conclusion Boxers are great dogs and make great family pets. They can, however, be aggressive if they are not properly trained and socialized. Related Posts:. No breed description will describe all boxers or will even accurately and totally describe one. However, some traits do apply to many boxers. Boxers tend to be silly, playful dogs who act like puppies for much of their lives. They are clownish dogs who seem to take particular delight in making their human family laugh at their antics. However, their puppy-like behavior is not always a source of amusement for everyone. Boxers love to be with people — as much as possible and as close as possible. They are not an aloof or independent breed. Their social nature and their typically high energy level make them well-suited to joining in family activities. If your boxer needs to be home alone for many hours each day, he will likely need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation when you are home to keep him happy. Boxers cannot be left outside unattended without access to the indoors for any considerable length of time. Not only are they intolerant to heat and cold, but they also have been known to escape yards in an attempt to find their people. Boxers are family dogs in both their social nature and their physical needs. Boxers have a reputation for enjoying the company of children, and, indeed, many of them are quite tolerant around children. Boxers are large and bouncy and are not always the best judges of their size and strength, so special care should be taken with an exuberant boxer around small children. Always keep in mind that rescue dogs often have unknown histories, so it is a good idea to take extra precautions with any rescue dog, including boxers, around young children. Many boxers enjoy playing with other dogs, but their rough style of play and method of approach may be off-putting. Many boxers are selective about which dogs they want to be around, so introductions to new dogs should generally be controlled. Although boxers are not typically an aggressive breed, their enthusiasm and forwardness can escalate into reactive behavior or can trigger undesired responses from other dogs who do not understand them. Boxers are strong, can be stubborn, and can pull hard on their leash if they want something! A boxer is a joyous, funny, athletic dog who loves nothing more than being part of the family. However, boxers are not for everyone. Boxers require special consideration when it comes to the amount of exercise and activity they need, their social nature, their limitations in warm or cold climates, and their often-expensive veterinary care. Most purebred dogs that end up in shelters find themselves there because their people did not like the things about them that were, in fact, typical of their breed. The same traits that make boxers so much fun for one person may make them challenging or frustrating for another. Do your research, and if possible, spend time with some boxers before deciding if the breed is right for you.

We come from many walks of life, and have agreed to donate our many and varied talents so that pugs everywhere can live out their lives with comfort, love and care. We are all volunteers, with no paid employees. Each person serves in the way best suited to their lifestyle and individual skills. We are proud of the way we have built this organization. We have determined that our common welfare and the welfare of the pug breed must come first. Our leaders are but trusted servants, in that they do not govern. There is no power structure, just a service structure. The only requirement for membership is a desire to help homeless pugs and promote education about the breed and the need for domestic animal population control. We allow, and strongly encourage participation in other groups, rescues, and shelters, as it is the best way to strengthen the rescue effort and make sure that our motto is upheld: "Let no pug go unloved. We give rescued pugs veterinary care, a nurturing foster environment, and permanent placement into a loving home. In addition, we offer education to the public on the special responsibilities of pug ownership and the need for domestic animal population control. Make a donation today! We do not respond to questions about our dogs sent through email or social media. A lovable 4 year old good with kids of all ages, he is not a dog who can live without dog company at home, so he needs a live-in best buddy. Frankie was well cared for and has not suffered abuse. He is friendly and affectionate and has bursts of happy energy when meeting new people and dogs. Due to family events his heartbroken owner needs to rehome him. He wants nothing more than to make you proud and is quick to learn. He loves cleaning up any food off the floor and a good back rub and hanging with his buddy Leonard. Frankie loves sleeping most of the day cuddled up next to another dog or a person with a few short bursts of energy throughout the day mostly when meeting new friends or seeing a bunny or squirrel outside. He is healthy, housetrained and good on a leash. Apply at crisisdogsnc. We reply only to completed applications, no calls, no emails. Excellent vet references and a virtual home visit required. Your prior or current dog must be on year-round heartworm prevention. We transport by land or air whenever possible. Unless there is definitive documentation our breed assessments are based on visual appearances.

In addition to their high energy level, German Shepherds are very well-suited for families. Sable dogs are extremely typical in working lines. Sable dogs frequently have a color pattern that looks somewhat like gray wolves. German Shepherd dogs are deemed senior or geriatric around 8 decades old. The German Shepherd dog comes in an assortment of colors. Some German shepherd dogs tend to be on the thinner side and could have digestive issues from time to time. German Shepherds are famous for their intelligence. They shed via the year subsequently that they ought to be brushed every day. These Shepherds are no more inclined to have health problems than every other color Shepherd. German Shepherd is thought to be a friendly dog breed also. German Shepherds have a pure curiosity, making them perfect concerning search missions. If you prefer something found a German Shepherd is an ideal alternative. All our puppies descend from pure bloodlines with superior Hips and Elbow history that is documented for several generations. The only means to recognize a puppy at birth for a bicolor versus a black is to try to find a tiny bit of brown under their tail. Large-breed German Shepherd puppies are somewhat more prone to malnutrition and developmental orthopedic disease when compared with small-breed pups. This breed is a great companion for any household and can be a great addition to any family. These dogs are incredibly popular throughout the world and are also popular with law enforcement. The Doberman Pinscher is one of the most popular breeds in the Philippines. These dogs are very loyal and are good with children. This breed can weigh up to 90 pounds and may not be suitable for every household, but it can make a great companion for the right owner. They require a lot of daily exercise and a high level of activity. Some breeders have multiple locations, while others only have one. Some of them will have several dogs in one litter, and some will have multiple litters. In general, the more litter, the lower the price. A puppy can cost a lot more than an adult dog, so be sure to research the breed before you decide on a puppy. A German Shepherd is a very active breed , and it needs its owner to be active. As long as it is well-cared for, it can live for up to thirteen years, making it a wonderful pet for a family. A dog that gets enough exercise is happy. They are great companions for outdoor activities and are a good choice for families with children. They are loyal to their owners and are known for their loyalty. They are loyal and protective towards their owners. Because of this, you need to make sure that you know that your dog will protect its pack. They have strong instincts to protect their pack, and they will defend the people in their homes. Another option is to adopt a German Shepherd for Sale in the Philippines. This type of dog will be friendly to children, but they can be scared of strangers and may even bite. You want to take care of it well. If you have a family, this breed is the perfect dog for you. Share this:. Too often, unsuspecting people buy puppies from puppy mills, or sometimes neighbors who breed their dog to make a little money or simply because they have a dog "with papers. A German Shepherd Dog who has genetic health problems due to poor breeding practices or who develops significant behavior problems due to a lack of early socialization can cost thousands of dollars to treat—and result in grief and heartache as well. The last place on earth that I would look for a German Shepherd Puppy is in a pet store. Any breeder that is forced to sell his puppies to a pet store has no credibility. This only indicates he has no reputation as a breeder and nowhere else to sell his dogs. The majority of the dogs that end up in pet stores come from puppy mills. Puppy mills are a legitimate despicable business in many states and countries. You are definitely at the right site to begin with. Always do your Homework! Use the contact form below the Breeders Ad that interests you and ask questions. Make sure that they offer a dog health guarantee. Bookmark and share this category: Classified Ads Top Tags.

Country Life June 21, This picture could only be improved if the puppies were using their paws to cover ears, eyes and mouth respectively.But, well, you can't have everything. Credit: Alamy If you're after a labrador — aka 'the world's favourite dog' — you'll need to take some expert advice. It is one of the most versatile breeds, capable of working in search and rescue, as a guide dog, in medical detection, as a sniffer or assistance dog and in the theatre of war. Labrador tips from the experts Go to a specialist breeder, so that you can see the different generations of a breeding line. Make temperament, not sex, your overriding factor when choosing. As soon as your puppy wakes up, take it outside. When introducing the labrador to a lead, walk it with an older dog. A yellow Labrador puppy. Possible labrador problems to look out for Canine hip dysplasia is a genetic disease, causing the abnormal development of the hip socket, resulting in pain and lameness. Listen for a popping sound when the dog walks, and look for reluctance to use stairs, as well as sensitivity when you touch the hindquarters. Labradors can also be prone to retinal dysplasia, an inherited condition that affects labradors used for field work, and results in their developing blind spots. Generally, the dog can work around this by changing head position. Reputable breeders will be able to show certification that the dog has no eye conditions, which you should ask to see when buying a dog. Head and skull: Skull broad with defined stop; clean-cut without fleshy cheeks. Jaws of medium length, powerful not snippy. Nose wide, nostrils well developed. Eyes: Medium size, expressing intelligence; brown or hazel. Ears: Not large or heavy, hanging close to head and set rather far back. Mouth: Jaws and teeth strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite. Coat: Distinctive feature, short dense without wave or feathering, giving fairly hard feel to the touch; weather-resistant undercoat. No need to scroll down: we can confirm that the Golden Retriever is indeed on the list below. Credit: Alamy Which is the more popular spaniel, the springer or the cocker? Shooting Times's David Tomlinson weighs up the pros and Close up of dog. Credit: Getty Images With a silken coat, affectionate nature and boundless enthusiasm for life, the Cavalier King Charles spaniel lives up to its Credit: Getty As the dog world prepares for Crufts , we take a look at the breed of dog which has been A sprocker spaniel Picture: Alamy Whether you own labradors, springers, cockers or a mix of all three, debate over which gundog is best has raged Related. Your breeder should be concerned with breeding healthy dogs, rather than focused primarily on selling them. Visit a potential breeder and observe his interactions with his dogs; they should be friendly and relaxed. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Look for breeders who are registered with national organizations such as the American Kennel Club [3] X Research source or with breed-specific organizations such as the National Labrador Retriever Club. Ask the breeder why these two particular dogs were bred. If they have had other litters, ask for references from people who bought those puppies. If you want a gun dog, don't choose a breeder who primarily raises cuddly pets or award-winning show dogs. These breeders will be able to assess puppies more accurately for the qualities you're seeking. Look for quantifiable measures. For example, select breeders with litters from parents who have hunt test or field trial scores if you want a puppy who will grow into a good hunting dog. These are organizations that work to find homes for Labradors who need a good home. While these organizations often have many adult and even senior dogs who need homes, they also place puppies. Charities or non-profits may offer Labrador puppies for auction as a means of raising funds. Because these auctions are often conducted without appropriate legal oversight and because they encourage rash decisions about pet ownership, they are opposed by groups such as the National Labrador Retriever Club. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. That sweet ball of fluff who will be your walking buddy, later snuggling up on the couch together. After all, your pup will probably be with you for a dozen years or more. So he has to be a great fit. It should never be a hasty decision. But it should also be FUN! That brings us to the question: how to choose the perfect puppy? Read on! You picture fun romps in the field, playing frisbee, and showing little Max off to all of your friends. But before getting a puppy, there are so many practical things to review in deciding whether to even get a puppy. My first dog as an adult was a shih tzu named Cuddles. My husband and I had discussed getting a dog for a while. We both worked and knew that the pup would take up a lot of time. Not to mention the expenses associated with a dog. But I saw the little gold and white week-old ball of fluff and was smitten. Luckily, I had a family member who could take her out to potty and exercise her during the day. In choosing your new pup, the following considerations are important. Are You Active or a Couch Potato? Can You Afford a Puppy? A puppy is more than the initial purchase. That can be a drop in the bucket compared with the lifetime costs of owning a dog. There are bills for: food and treats; chews; vets; crates ; beds; collars, harnesses, and leashes; training classes; dog walkers; dog daycare; pet insurance; enzymatic cleaners ; grooming—and more. These can really add up. You may decide not to get pet health insurance and not need pet walkers or doggie daycare, but expenses can really add up over the years. Do You Have Children? Children and pets can be a great match. You want to make sure that you choose the right canine. A toy breed may not be the right choice for a toddler. A tiny dog may inadvertently be injured by such a young child. We raised puppies for years before we had kids so we had a good idea of expectations for our puppy. If you have very young kids a rambunctious Lab may not be the right choice. Do You Have Other Pets? You need to take into consideration any other pets you have. If you have a senior dog, for example, a young puppy may not be a great choice. Are you gone too many hours to take care of a puppy? A friend of mine who works hour days decided not to get a puppy. The pup would have been alone too long. A puppy needs attention and potty breaks. Of course we need to work. You may be able to have someone come in and exercise, feed, and potty the pup. And give him attention during the day. As I discussed, you may need help with the new puppy. If you have reliable relatives or friends who can regularly help out, it can make getting a puppy much more realistic. Or you can hire pet sitters or walkers to help out. If you live in small quarters, a large, rambunctious breed may not be best. As young puppies, goldens can be wild, even inside. Of course, with a sufficient amount of mental stimulation and physical exercise, you can make it work. After Dalmations came out, everyone wanted one. Dalmations are high-drive, independent dogs. I was called to work with a family who got a Dalmation puppy that was wrecking their house. The minute walk the pup was getting was just a warm-up for the dog. We set up an exercise and training program for the puppy and the family was able to keep him. Do your research. The American Kennel Club lists purebred dogs and their needs and health profiles. Before choosing a certain breed, consider the following. Large or Small? You should have an idea what size dog you want. Conversely, if you want a frisbee or jogging partner, a chihuahua would be a bad choice. Why Do You Want a Dog? This may seem like a silly question. Most people want a dog for companionship. But you may have additional things in mind. You may want a jogging partner. Or a dog to do therapy work with. Or to show in obedience. Grooming Needs Would you love spending time every day brushing and combing a dog? Exercise Needs As you know, some breeds need a lot of exercise. We also do obedience training and she plays with puzzle toys. Lifespan Of course we want our pups to live forever. But some breeds generally live longer than others. Generally, larger—especially giant breeds—have shorter lives than their smaller counterparts. Friendliness or Independence Of course within any breed and litter you can have a wide array of personalities. But there are certain breed characteristics that can help guide your choice of which breed you want. I have dogs at both ends of the spectrum. My golden retriever Riley loves everyone and would do great in any setting. But my Lhasa apso Ralphie—true to breed—is more discriminating when making friends. So Riley would be great with well-behaved children and would love to be hugged by them. Health Problems Any dog can have unforeseeable health problems. But some breeds are likely to have more health problems than others. For example, bulldogs, pekingese, and pugs are among the breeds that are more likely to have breathing problems and overheat. Breed Types Of course there are many breeds and mixes to choose from. If you get your dog from a breeder, consider what lines your puppy comes from. If from working lines, the dog will likely be more intense than if from show lines. All of the below classes of dogs can make great companions in the right setting. Herding dogs were bred to herd, of course. Popular examples are border collies, Australian shepherds, and Shetland sheepdogs. Generally, they require more exercise than some breeds like toy breeds. And they may become destructive if left to their own devices. Also, some bark excessively and may not be good in an apartment setting. Sporting dogs were bred to hunt. They have a lot of energy and need regular, invigorating exercise. Popular examples are golden retrievers, labrador retrievers, and cocker spaniels. Just like other working-type dogs, hounds have almost limitless energy. So attention to you may be an issue. Also, some bay when excited. Popular examples are beagles, dachshunds, and greyhounds. Dogs from the working group are alert, intelligent, strong, and bred to work with people to perform various tasks. Some were bred to guard property, to pull sleds, or to perform water rescue. Some popular examples are Doberman pinschers, huskies, and rottweilers. They require not only exercise and precise training so that their natural instincts are kept in check. Terriers are feisty and energetic and vary greatly in size. They were bred to hunt and kill vermin, So a squirrel they see on their walk will be very alluring to them—and, without training, they may almost pull you off your feet trying to get to it. Some popular examples are Parson Russell terriers, Staffordshire terriers, or West Highland whirte terriers. Pit bulls which is a generic name for many types of terriers are also in this group. Toy breeds were generally bred as amiable companions. They may make great lap dogs and have big personalities despite their small stature. Shih tzus, Maltese, Yorkshire terriers, and chihuahuas are some very popular examples. Nonsporting group dogs are a catch-all group with various sizes and personalities. Some popular examples are bulldogs, French bulldogs, bichon frise. There are so many options. You may want a certain breed. So a breeder or rescue of that breed should meet your needs. Just make sure that the breeder is a good one. Good breeders do so to improve their breed. Bad ones care only about making money. They do any necessary health certifications. They put a lot of time into their litters socializing them to new experiences and people. Good breeders are invested in their litters and will help you choose the right puppy for you. They stand behind their dogs for life and will readily answer your questions and take the dog back if you need to give him up. You can get referrals to such breeders through breed clubs, dog clubs, and resources such as the American Kennel Club. A reputable, good breeder also will have questions for you regarding your family, work, home, activity level, and reason why you want a dog or their breed. The pups will also have been checked by a veterinarian and been given the appropriate vaccinations for their age. There are also breed rescues that rehome dogs of their chosen breed. However, they rarely have puppies. Shelters and rescue groups can also be great places to get a puppy. Many use foster homes, where a puppy or litter of puppies are located. Foster parents get to know the puppies and can help determine whether any particular puppy is a good fit for you. Many rescue groups try to place a puppy in the best home possible. When I adopted my Aussie mix puppy Mille, the rescue group would adopt her out only to people who had experience with herding breeds. Many shelters are first come-first served. In order to place as many dogs as possible, they will adopt out a puppy to the first person who wants him—barring any obvious reason not to. How to Choose a Puppy from a Litter There are many tests that can be given to determine whether a puppy is a good fit. This assumes you have a litter to choose from. There is a range of temperaments and personalities in each litter, No puppy may perfectly meet every test below. But look at the big picture. So, in addition to your own observations, you can bring a friend along to have another opinion about the litter. Or you could hire a trainer to help you choose. Overall, as a companion, a middle-of-the-road dog usually works out best. Also, a reputable breeder or good rescue group or shelter who knows the puppy can help guide you in making your decision. See the Mother and Littermates If you can, watch the puppy and his littermates and mother interact. The puppy you choose should be able to take a proper correction and back off then re-engage. The breeder should have the mother available. Check Out the Puppy The puppy should look healthy and alert, not lethargic. Inspect his coat and skin. He should be well-fed with a little fat around his rib cage. The pup should run and walk normally, without a limp. A puppy should engage with people and be curious, not slink away or cower. A scared puppy will probably be more difficult to socialize and train. Will he follow you if you walk away? Clap your hands and make a kiss sound. Will he come towards you or run for the hills? Hold Puppy on His Back Hold him on his back for about 30 seconds. Ideally, he should briefly struggle and relax. When I had two sheltie puppies to choose from and one fought constantly when held and the other struggled briefly, then settled, I chose the latter. I had already gotten another dog from this great breeder. I wanted a dog who was a companion but who I also wanted to show in competitive obedience. My choice turned out to be the right one. Duffy was a great dog to live with and became a nationally-ranked obedience dog. He also did agility for fun and was a therapy dog who visited a hospital on a weekly basis. Hold the puppy and touch and gently open his mouth. Look in and gently rub his ears. .Gently touch each paw, even putting slight pressure on them. The puppy should be comfortable with these activities. He may slightly struggle. But a puppy who really fights against such touching, even to the point of mouthing or growling may turn out to be difficult to groom, handle, and pet. Pet the dog calmly from head to toe. He should enjoy it and relax. Pick the Puppies Up If you hold each puppy around the middle, ideally he would be relaxed and not struggle. Also, cradle the puppy up against you. Ideally, he should relax and like the attention. He may startle at first but should rebound and even go and check out what made the noise. Social Dominance Fall to the ground at least a few feet away from the puppy. He should want to come over and see what happened. Even if you like the look of a certain puppy, he may not be the right puppy for you. Consider the above factors as well as the following when choosing a puppy. The dogs live in rabbit-type hutches or dark barns. They receive no proper socialization, vet care, or human contact. There are also small back-yard breeders which, essentially, are puppy mills on a smaller scale. The mothers are bred at each heat and have horrible lives. Dogs sold in pet shops and through the internet usually come from them. Of course, do your own research because no one will admit they are a puppy mill. But two puppies may bond too much with each other. And to train, socialize, and exercise each puppy requires a lot of time, energy, and money. The dogs in shows have been highly trained and specially selected for their jobs. Then pick a great breeder, rescue, or shelter. Final Thoughts Getting a new puppy is such an exciting time! Do you have a puppy? How did you decide to choose him? Please let us know in the comment section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. I had wanted a female red lab, none were available. A trainer near me was getting a second dog from a renowned breeder in Ireland and she asked if he had a puppy for diabetic service dog work. Both her pup and my pup flew over from Ireland together. A pup with a desire to work, a willingness to please, and a calm demeaner. I received a cute ball of fluff, a male yellow lab pup with red ears and red highlights. A good breeder is able to match you with a dog that will meet your needs, give them all the information you can. I never met the breeder, but my pup arrived at 10 weeks old already already on his way to being well socialized, exposed to sounds, not nervous, liked the vacuum, fireworks are not a problem, loves the motorcycle sounds, handled all sorts of traffic noise at 3 months. We started his public training at 3 months old and he handled it like a champ. I had to buy a motorcycle with a sidecar as he always wanted to go out when the bikes were started up, so at 9 months he was in the sidecar with Rex Specs goggles. Did I mention he loves to travel and meet me people, when his tail wags which is all the time his whole body wags. Selecting Your Labrador Retriever Puppy Selecting your puppy Try to restrain your emotions when you are selecting our pup. Remember that the breeder has been with the pup from day 1 to selection day at 5 weeks. At Pawlinglabs, we will ask you to forward a list of the characteristics that your are hoping for, prior to selection. When you come to select, we will ask you to observe the litter before entering and handling the pups. Labrador pups are very cute and cuddly, but when it comes time to select the right one for you there is plenty to consider. Carefully observe Labrador Retriever puppies before buying them, ensuring that the pup you select looks healthy and is to breed standard. There are some basic points to note about Labrador Retriever standards. The coat of a Labrador is their most distinctive feature. Labs have two coats, the water resistant undercoat which is unseen, and the top coat which is dense, straight and short. There is might be a slight wave in their coat, however the coat should feel rough to the touch. Labrador puppies come in three different coat colors: yellow light cream to red fox , chocolate liver and black. There must not be any other colours in the coat. Labs have a broad skull and a well defined stop. Their head is quite large but the features on the head, such as the ears, look proportioned. The ears of a Labrador should be set far back from the face. The inside skin of the ears should be a pale pink and soft without any scabs or discoloration. There shouldn't be any odour coming from them. The eyes of a Lab pup are round, either deep brown or hazel with black rims. The eyes should be friendly and express intelligence. The Labrador Retriever has a wide black and well developed nose with distinguished nostrils. The nose should be clean and without discharge. Be aware that a wet nose is not an indication that the Lab is healthy, nor does a dry nose indicate he is unwell. The teeth should be set square to the jaws with the top teeth slightly overlapping the bottom. Labrador puppies have fewer teeth than adults and they will lose their baby teeth as their adult teeth grow in. Labs have a well developed and strong chest. It has good depth and width. Their barreled ribs are well sprung and their back is level. Their loins are wide and strong. The skin of a Lab should be without scabs or bumps. It is normal for Labrador puppies to have extra skin at the back of their neck; this is how their mother picks them up. The skin color of a lab is usually pale pink but it can also be brown or even spotted. The tail of a Labrador is thick at the base and tapers towards the tip. The tail is a moderate length and has no feathering. It is as smooth like the rest of the coat with a rounded appearance. The tails is even with the back or slightly upwards. It should never be carried over the back or hang down. Labrador have long and sloping shoulders that connect to the strong front legs. The hind legs are developed well and have a turned stifle. Both the front and hind legs should be straight. The feet of Labrador pups are compact and perfectly round. Their toes are arched and pads well developed. Feet should be straight, not turned inwards or outwards. The gait of a Labrador should be carefree. Labs take long strides and walk straight. Observe your puppies as he walk. Make sure it is not favoring any leg or paw. This can be a sign of a current or future health issue. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. Tweet on Twitter Buying your first dog can be a life changing decision. Choosing the right dog will help to ensure that your life changes in a good way. There are some wise precautions you might like to consider before viewing any litter of Labrador puppies. Or choosing which one to bring home with you. Buying a Puppy from a Friend It is often tempting to buy a puppy in an opportunistic moment of enthusiasm. Perhaps because you happen to hear of a friend who has a litter that will be ready to go to their new homes soon. Or a neighbour who has a gorgeous litter of puppies that you fall in love with when you pop over to admire. But the puppy that lives just around the corner, and the puppy that is going to bring you years of pleasure, may be two very different things. It is a really good idea to put your sensible hat on at times like these, and to approach the whole business of selecting your puppy in business-like way. The first decision to make is to choose what type of Labrador you wish to end up with. Which characteristics are most important to you, and will help him to fit into your family best. Choosing a Working or Show dog? Those bred for work, and those bred for the show ring. The working bred dog is generally very responsive and easy to train. But he may also fall short of what you expect in appearance. If you are hoping to get involved in gundog fieldwork, or agility at some point it is important to purchase a field or working bred labrador. Of course choosing a dog is so much more than just weighing up the pros and cons. There are now a number of hereditary diseases in labradors that can be tested for. Routine testing under these schemes is gradually growing in popularity for a number of conditions. These include hip dysplasia, elbow displasia, and a number of inherited eye diseases. However, there are still many puppies available for sale in the UK whose parents have not been tested, or that have been tested and fall below the necessary standard for breeding. Amazingly, in the UK, the Kennel Club will still register puppies from parents that have poor hip scores. Hopefully this will change in the future. You will need to read up on these to make sure you understand what you are looking for. Finding the right dog breeder Knowing where to look for a breeder is not easy. Labrador breeders come in all shapes and forms. At their best breeders are dedicated experts on their breed, who produce a few litters each year of top quality puppies for their own kennels show or field and sell any surplus to quality pet homes. At their worst, breeders are simply puppy farmers who churn out litter after litter with no thought to the health and welfare of either the puppies or their mother. Telling the difference is not always straightforward. In some cases these may be excellent puppies, in other cases they will not. The key to a good litter is a quality female dog with excellent health clearances, put to a compatible quality dog with equally excellent health clearances, and given quality care throughout pregnancy and beyond. The female dog must have a purpose beyond producing puppies, whether that is as show dog, working dog or highly treasured family pet. On the whole, this is more likely to be achieved by an experienced breeder. The Kennel Club in the UK run an accredited breeders scheme, and members agree to meet certain minimum standards. However, there are many excellent breeders who are not members of this scheme so do not dismiss a breeder on these grounds alone. The scheme is not perfect yet, and its standards are not necessarily enforced, as the KC prefers a voluntary approach. If you are inexperienced it is very important that you get some help in finding a breeder. Choosing one from a newspaper advert or from the internet when you know nothing of the source can be a risky decision. If you want to buy a pup from top working parents, then you may find the pups are all spoken for very quickly, long before they are eight weeks old. It can be disheartening to phone advert after advert only to find all the pups are gone. It pays to plan ahead. If you do some research, locate a really nice female dog, and book one of her pups before they are born, you may find the whole process a lot smoother. You may also be able to enjoy visiting and photographing the puppies whilst they are growing. Check the ancestry of the dog If you are buying a Labrador for gundog work, or agility, make sure the parents of the litter you want to view are from working stock, look for a few FTCH and FTW field trial champion and field trial winner in the pedigree. If you are hoping for success in the show ring, you should be looking for CH and SH CH title SH CH is show champion, CH is a show champion with a working certificate which is not a demanding or difficult test of working abilities. Viewing the puppies Some puppies will be raised in the home with the family. This can be ideal, as the pup will have been accustomed to people and the hustle and bustle of family life from the very beginning. Be aware though that not everyone who has a litter of puppies knows what they are doing. Look at how the pups are handled and how clean their quarters are. The pups should smell nice, and look bright and healthy. The litter may have been whelped and raised in kennels. This is also perfectly acceptable provide the breeder has accounted for this. An experienced breeder will have made sure that the pups have had plenty of human contact regardless of where they are living. Again look at the surroundings. A responsible breeder will run a clean and tidy kennels. Always see a puppy with its mother. If possible see the father too. The parents should be friendly and relaxed. The mother may not look her best seven or eight weeks after giving birth, but she should look healthy. Again, if you doubt your ability to make a judgement on a puppy or his parents, take an experienced person with you. Dog or female dog? Until fairly recently male dogs were more popular than female dogs. Fashions come and go, and at the moment, female dogs seem to be in favour. You will hear various claims as to the differences in temperament between them, but most of these contradict each other and it really is a matter of personal taste. The main disadvantage of a female dog is that she will come into season twice a year each year from the age of months until the end of her life. This can be inconvenient. Having your female dog spayed will prevent her coming into season, but the procedure is a major and expensive operation, and recent research has shown a few problems associated with spaying that you will want to consider before making your choice. Because female dogs are currently fashionable, you will probably pay more for a female dog, but as the price of a puppy is such a tiny fraction of what you will spend on her over her lifetime this is probably the least relevant factor. The appearance of a male dog may be more pleasing to some. Males tend to develop a squarer, more chunky head which some owners prefer. The average male will also grow a little taller and weigh a little more than a female. These differences are however fairly minor ones. If you are not sure whether you want a dog or female dog, keep an open mind. At least you will have a wider choice of puppies. Which puppy? If you have booked a puppy in advance from a reputable breeder, there may be little or no choice as to which puppy you have. It is not unusual to find that all puppies due in popular kennels have been booked before birth. If you are keen to buy a dog with plenty of red ink on the pedigree, you may need to do some research and book the pup as soon as the female dog has been mated. If you do get the chance to choose your puppy out of several in a litter, how should you go about it? Puppy Health Having made sure that the parents of the puppy you are viewing have good health clearances is a good start. You still need to make sure your puppy is healthy. A thorough check up by your own vet soon after you get him home will help put your mind at rest. But how can you be sure the puppy you are viewing is not sickly even before you bring him home? Some puppies may be more lethargic than others when you visit, but this may be a reflection of how hard they have been playing before you arrived, rather than how healthy they are. A good breeder will not try and sell an unhealthy puppy and if relevant, will point out any minor defects to you. Puppies are sometimes born with slightly misaligned jaws for example, which may not matter to someone who has no intention of breeding from the puppy or working him, but such a defect should not be concealed from the buyer. Umbilical hernias are not uncommon and can be troublesome. When you go to view a litter of pups it is really important to take someone with experience with you. This is especially important if the breeder is unknown to you and does not come recommended by anyone. Arrange to visit your vet within a day or two of bringing the pup home, and try not to form an attachment until he has been given a clean bill of health. If you have any doubts about the health of the puppy or the litter in general, ask for time to think. This dog will be with you for the next 12 years or more. You will become deeply attached to him or her and serious health problems can be cripplingly expensive to fix. Not to mention very distressing for you both. This needs to be the right decision for you and your family. Whilst health problems in puppies can be devastating the majority of puppies are robust and healthy and providing you take the precautions outlined above, you are unlikely to have any problems. More information on puppies Check out our Labrador Puppies section for more help and advice on choosing your new friend. Published in April , the Happy Puppy Handbook covers every aspect of life with a small puppy. It will help you prepare your home for the new arrival, and get your puppy off to a great start with potty training, socialization and early obedience. This article was first published on 21st November , and was updated to include new information in March .Readers Also Liked. No doubt, selection of the right pup to meet one's particular expectations is extremely important. Making a correct choice can improve the odds of producing an excellent retriever with the least amount of frustration and perhaps even avoid disappointment. The first and most important point to consider is that one must approach puppy acquisition as a genetic selection process rather than trying to utilize methods to select a promising prospect from a particular litter. Focus not so much on picking a pup, rather pick litters. The way to pick potentially successful liters is to pick a breeder who has proven brood stock and a credible reputation for producing healthy pups genetically predisposed to perform in a manner you desire. Carefully consider your expectations for your future gundog. What are the desirable traits? What will the dog's primary functions include? What breeds interest you and why? Once you decide on a breed and the desired traits are defined based upon your intended uses, then seek a reputable breeder who has experience producing pups which exemplify the traits that best suit your purposes. Genes determine the reaction of the dog to its environment, as well as, confirmation and soundness. Genes are the building blocks of heredity and are passed from parents to offspring in a predictable manner. The topic of genetics can quickly progress into a lengthy discussion unsuitable for this article but one can count on knowing this-like begets like. Total outcrosses, matings of unrelated genetics, may produce the occasionally exceptional offspring, but this is an unpredictable undertaking. The only way to gain predictability of traits is to seek an experienced breeder with proven bloodlines which produce successful progeny. This will usually involve some form of line breeding. The mating of similar genetic relationships line breeding is conducted to intensify qualities within the line and to improve upon the predictable traits within litters. Line breeding is successfully practiced in all forms of livestock. Line breeding itself produces nothing, good or bad, it merely intensifies what is genetically there in the bloodline. Most professional breeders use some form of line breeding as soon as they find a successful combination. In other words, outcrosses, random matings, despite the parents' apparent abilities and or titles, will not assure that the traits of the parents will be passed to the offspring. Only line breeding can offer this possibility. Consider, too, there is often as much difference between litter mates in ability, temperament, and tractability as one might find between separate litters within a breed. The chance factor remains, but the odds improve if the buyer: 1. Buys from established, reputable breeders who know their business. Buys pups from breeders who specialize in producing the type retriever they desire. Buys pups produced by excellent gundog parents who have produced proven progeny from previous matings. Select litters with strong mother lines. Dams should be trained hunting dogs and she should possess the qualities you desire in your dog, not just in the sire. Dams project more influence on the litter than the sire. Good bitches are seldom mated to poor dogs, yet the opposite frequently occurs. A poor bitch is unlikely to produce good pups despite the virtues of the sire. Look closely for desirable traits and strength in the trailing bottom line of the pedigree That is the dam, granddam, great granddam, etc. Excellent mothers are important. Don't pick litters based solely on the number of titles in the pedigree. These are impressive achievements to be sure, but they are not indicators of natural tractability, temperament, and gamefinding ability. Nor do titles indicate whether the traits may be passed successfully to the offspring. Evaluate parents of pups based upon gundog standards important to your needs and their demonstrated ability to produce good pups. Seek out sires, dams and grandparents that project strong genetic traits that can be passed through to their offspring. Research has indicated grandsires and granddams prove to have more genetic influence upon the litter than the sire and dam. Genetics can influence natural gifts, such as: calm temperament. Normally Lab puppies travel well, find more on this here. For many people it can be stressful not knowing how to pick or why you should pick any specific puppy. We will try to clear things up here so that you have a few criteria to select with. For the most part, the genetics of the purebred Lab puppies in the litter are set once the parents mate. When we choose to keep parents to breed we are choosing the best specimens and mating them with the hope that we are going to be creating even better puppies through the combination of their genes. Improving on weak areas with each litter is what professional breeding is all about. Now that you understand the genetic potential is set, you will work within your litter to try to narrow down the puppy who goes home with you. Keep in mind, that all of the puppies in the litter are of high quality. So, standing over the puppy box containing the puppies have a look without saying anything or doing anything. The puppies will either have different colored collars or different colored ribbons on them to identify them. Each different color corresponds to a unique microchip number implanted in that puppy. What are you looking for? Well, observe which puppies are the most active and the least active. Observe which puppy is bossy and more of a leader, and, which is more of a follower. Are there any outgoing puppies? Are there any shy ones? Please understand that puppies and all dogs for that matter will feed off of the energy of the animals and the humans around them. So, if you bring your children and they are full of energy, talking loudly, excited, etc… then the puppies will pick up on that and imitate their behavior to an extent. We love to see the kids! The vet bills, training, the poop cleaning, nail clipping, taking out to go pee at 6 am, trips to the vet, and so on are yours. All yours! So unless you feel your children have better skills to choose the puppy than you, try to leave them out of it. You want to use the criteria here to select the lab puppy that fits your family the closest. Ok, there are a couple of things I need to say first. On your pick up day and depending on how many puppies are in the litter, your puppies may be sleeping. The good news to this issue is that there will not be a bad puppy in the litter. As professional Labrador Retriever Breeders our primary goal is to create better Labrador Retriever puppies with each litter we produce. Depending on what the issue was with the puppy we would care for them or home them with a person who fully understood any issue present and was willing to care for them. Getting back to selecting your puppy. As you watch over the litter try to narrow it down to two puppies you are interested in and watch them. Look for any excitement, playfulness, shyness, active or lying around, or differences in color, size, or other physical attributes such as tail size, ear size, forehead and snout size, etc…. This means that these dogs are super smart, even tempered, loving and willing to please all because of the Labrador Retriever breed and the selections we make in our breeding program. Training is key to having a well behaved Purebred Lab Retriever puppy. On the day you pick up your puppy it will be normal for the puppies to be on the shy side. Though they have been socialized by 5 or 6 of us they get use to us. So the new sights, smells, sounds etc… that you bring will all be a brand new thing for them. At 8 weeks old they are unsure if these new stimuli are safe and they may be cautious coming to you. Again, all normal. On the other hand, a puppy who comes right up to you with no apprehension may be the one you want. Especially if you are a hunter and you need your dog to work to retrieve game. You should also know that if a puppy runs from its pack to see you it is not choosing you! It could be the more dominant or most curious puppy and it would approach anyone coming to see the litter not just you. Can we pick your lab puppy? Sure we can! The latest research we have read on the topic indicates that how a puppy behaves at 8 weeks old when with its litter has no bearing on the puppy it becomes after you train it properly. This means that for most people the training and socialization you provide is much more important than which puppy you choose. We always suggest picking the most easily trainable puppy and we will be happy to do this for you. For the best explanation on setting yourself up properly to lead your puppy to becoming a well behaved dog, please sign up for the www. A generous discount is available for our clients to help you understand how to use positive reinforcement to train your puppy. So we are happy to offer advice and can absolutely choose your puppy in the event you cannot make it, but doing so on your own would be the best scenario. Another method we frown on is the breeder evaluating a puppy with a tool to grade their personality and then comparing that to a marking tool that you complete to grade yourself. Remember when I said puppies respond differently to different people? Well they have basic emotions similar to that of a two year old. If you are not in the room, and I am evaluating the puppy remember my experience with puppies and your lack of , then how can a score sheet be used to match the two of you together effectively? You need to see the puppy behave with you. So you have it narrowed down to two puppies, compare similar personality traits and physical features as I mentioned earlier. Toss in the fact that they have medium energy and poof! Please understand what you see the puppies doing on pick up day are not how they are going to act for the rest of their lives. Puppies are not born with any knowledge of these things and rather need to be trained to understand your boundaries. For this reason we have focused on breeding smarter puppies generation after generation. At least you have some guidelines to use when you arrive. For example, the largest puppy is not necessarily going to be the biggest one when full grown. At 8 weeks old the biggest puppy has been the one who is the pushiest at the food bowl and eats the most at feedings. This is why 8 weeks is the best time for your Lab puppy to go to bond with their human family. As some puppies get larger in size they can push the other smaller puppies around so size then becomes another factor in the development of your puppy. Take your puppy home at 8 weeks old and you have provided them time with their litter to learn puppy to puppy manners weeks 4 to 8 and you have eliminated the possibility of them being bullied by the larger pups after week 8. The larger pups also will not learn to become overly dominant because there are not smaller ones around them to boss around. What about people who want the runt? The first group feel that because the runt is smaller they will listen better when truly listening is a skill learned through training. And the second group feel that a smaller puppy is sick and weak and will not thrive. Again this is not the case as smaller puppies simply do not have as strong of a food drive than their siblings. The larger issue surrounding the runt is this. Professional Lab Retriever Breeders breed for consistency. It is this consistency in our breeding program that ensures the first picked puppy is of the same high quality as the last picked. So before you arrive to choose your Purebred Lab Puppy, have a couple behavioral qualities in mind and a couple physical qualities. Observe quietly and try not to bring too many people with you so that the puppies only pick up your energy and not the energy of the group. This is the best way to truly observe how the puppy will react to you alone. Narrow it down to a couple and compare them together measuring them against your list of traits. If you make a choice to not train you have to be ready to deal with whatever your Lab decided to become. And one final note. Some people have heard to wipe a blanket where the puppy sleeps or on the mother because the scent will calm the puppy in your home. Think of it this way, if your puppy smells the mother or one of its littermates what does it do next? So a blanket with this scent on it will cue your puppy to look for someone who is likely not coming back. Imagine the frustration of a puppy newly separated from its litter being able to smell them but not find them. We suggest you do not do this to your puppy. Our suggestion to help settle the puppy only if you need to is to put a t shirt into the crate with the scent of the person who they bonded the most to. This is their new pack. Get them accustom to their new pack and the quicker they forget their old pack the easier it will be for them. Love them, set clear guidelines, and enjoy them for years to come. Chocolate Lab with pumpkin.

Visit the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory website Labrador retrievers have coats of three basic colors: yellow, black, and chocolate. These colors are determined genetically, just like almost all of the traits that offspring get from their parents. The modes of inheritance of these coat colors are autosomal not related to the sex of the dog. The information for black or chocolate comes from two versions of the same gene different versions of a gene are known as alleles. This gene is different from the one that causes yellow hair. There are four known alleles at this gene in the Labrador Retriever: one is the allele for black designated as B and three different alleles that result in chocolate collectively designated as b. In determining if your puppies will be black or chocolate, the black coat color B is dominant to the chocolate b. Therefore, a puppy will only be chocolate if each parent contributes a chocolate allele bb. If one or both parents Bb or BB contribute the black dominant allele, the puppy will be black BB or Bb , although a Bb puppy would carry chocolate and could therefore produce chocolate puppies. Black Labrador Retriever. Photo by Katy Robertson. Chocolate colored Labrador Retriever. There are several known alleles of this gene in dogs, but for Labradors the most common are E produce black and brown pigment and e only produce yellow pigment. An e allele at the MC1R gene prevents expression of the black or chocolate color in the hair follicle and the puppy's hair ends up yellow. Interestingly, the black or chocolate pigment is still expressed in the skin, just not in the hair. In order to be yellow, a Labrador must have two recessive alleles of the MC1R gene ee. This means both parents contributed a yellow allele e. However, if only one Ee or no EE yellow-causing alleles are contributed, this puppy will be either black or chocolate depending on which alleles are present at the TYRP1 gene see above. Yellow Labrador Retriever. Two yellow labs can only have yellow puppies ee , since they both only have the yellow allele e to contribute to their offspring. If they are bred to each other, there is a chance that some puppies will get a copy of e from each parent and have yellow hair Bbee, BBee, or bbee. If you are interested in breeding your Labrador and would like to know the genetic make up of your dog to predict the color of your puppies, genetic tests are available. The tests are easy, non-invasive, and simply require that you take a swab of the inside of your dog's cheek and send it to the laboratory. Primary Category. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. Chocolate Labs are the rarest of the primary three colors of Labradors yellow, black, and chocolate. Finding a reputable breeder that sells chocolate Labs can be difficult, especially if the Labs look different from your expectations. Many dogs have different fur colors when they're born, so do these rules apply to chocolate Labs? Chocolate Labs don't look black when they're born, but they can be such a dark shade of brown that they appear black. They often lighten as they age due to natural discoloration, sunlight exposure, and diet. Some of them have unique markings, but none that would make their coats black. In this article, I'll show you why your chocolate Lab might look dark brown or almost black, whether or not their coat color will change, and what color they are when they're born. In this article Chocolate Lab Puppies Are Chocolate, Not Black Before you go after the breeder asking why you have a different dog, I want to explain a handful of reasons why your Lab might look like it has a black coat. Young pups often have darker coats, regardless of their breed. Here's what you should know about a chocolate lab's dark fur: Chocolate Labs Are Never Born Black First and foremost, you should know your chocolate Lab shouldn't be born black. If a breeder tries to convince you that it's possible, they're either incorrect or explaining why their coat can be extremely dark. It's often difficult for our eyes to process the difference between dark brown and black, which could be the issue. They Can Look Black for Many Reasons Just like any other color, a chocolate Lab can be born a slightly different shade that will change over time. Puppies of all breeds usually have the darkest coat they'll get because they have all of the nutrition they need and haven't been affected by aging problems. If your chocolate Lab has a dark coat, it'll be even darker when they're born. I covered the popular Embark dog genetic test , which is more than worth reading. There's only one gene between a yellow and chocolate Lab, so why not get an official verification? This rare coat color often costs more than other Labradors. You should get what you paid for! Your chocolate Lab should never be solid black at any time in their life. However, it's easy to see why some people think they might be black when they're born. Their coat's darkness can be deceiving. The good news is you'll quickly be able to tell what color their coat will be as they get older. I'll cover the stages of a chocolate Lab's color below. You might've noticed many Labradors grow into their coat's shade as they get older. For example, a champagne Lab can look yellow or gray when they're born, but their shimmer becomes more noticeable when they're a few weeks or months old. The same process can happen with chocolate Labs, but they won't necessarily darken. So, how does aging affect a chocolate Labs coat? All dogs have lighter fur as they get older. Every animal has lighter fur when they get old because it turns white, gray, or a softer shade of their original color—a chocolate Lab experiences similar natural processes. Not only will their coat not darken, but it'll also do quite the opposite! Sunlight exposure can make your chocolate Lab's coat look light brown. UV rays are prone to lightening hair and fur. Your chocolate Lab could have a softer or lighter topcoat if they're always lying in the sun. This process typically takes many years to become evident, though. Their ancestors have a significant impact on how your chocolate Lab's hair looks when they age. If your dog comes from a family of dark black or chocolate Labs, they'll likely look might darker throughout their life. Their diet, exercise, stress, and many other factors influence the shade of their fur. If a dog isn't getting the proper nutrition or they're anxious, depressed, and experiencing other negative emotional issues for a long time, their fur color can change. They might develop dark or light spots, but it's not something you want to happen. It's highly unlikely that your chocolate Labrador's fur will get darker when they're older. All of these factors contribute to your chocolate Labrador's topcoat getting lighter, which is why you'll rarely see their fur darken over time. They might get darker for a couple of weeks or months after birth, but their coat will lighten eventually. Chocolate Labs typically don't get darker, but you still might believe they look black from time to time. How can a dog get darker or appear black if they're a purebred chocolate Labrador? For more information, read on. Your chocolate Lab might look black when they're born for a number of reasons. Perhaps the most common explanation is they have a darker coat than most chocolate Labs you're used to seeing. It'd be best to avoid adopting a chocolate Lab before they're born because they could come out black. Try this list of four reasons your chocolate Lab might look black: They might actually be a black Lab. Adopting a dog before they're born usually isn't an issue. This common practice can result in getting a shade you didn't expect, which might be a bummer if you're set on a specific color. Yellow, black, and chocolate Labs can all have puppies of any color, depending on genetic variables. Many chocolate Labs are incredibly dark when they're born. Jane Lefler , a professional dog trainer, explains some chocolate Labs can look black in different lighting. Take the pup on a walk or bring them outside to see their true color. It's important to check their coat color in all lighting conditions to know if they're chocolate or black. If your chocolate Lab has wet fur, it can appear black. Water makes every hair or fur color appear darker than it is. If your chocolate Lab has a dark coat, they might look black when they're swimming or running through the sprinklers. This issue isn't a cause for concern because they'll look like chocolate again once they dry off. Some chocolate Labs are much darker than others. At the end of the day, your chocolate Lab simply might be one of the dark variants of the same coat color. Some chocolate Labs are dark, some are light, and most are in between. As long as they're verified to be a purebred chocolate Labrador, you're good to go. Chocolate Labs might look black, but they'll never be darker than dark brown. Your Lab will likely lighten with age, but it'll always have the stunning sought-after chocolate color! If you're interested in learning more about chocolate Labs, I have a complete guide about them. Conclusion Chocolate Labs should never look completely black, but they can be quite dark. Since human eyes can only see a handful of colors, it's understandable that they might look black to some pet owners when they're young. Remember to get genetic confirmation when buying a purebred Lab to ensure you're getting what you paid for. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. The yellow Labrador Retriever's most distinctive feature is its short, thick, and weather-resistant coat. Many pups' coats begin as one hue and gradually change to another as they mature. So, do yellow Lab puppies get darker with age? Yellow Labradors don't get darker with age. Instead, this breed will get lighter as time goes on. As puppies, their coats will have more of a yellow color to them. As they age, it is common for the coat to fade to a more white hue. Throughout this article, you'll learn about the variables that contribute to the color of your Labrador's coat and how they're affected by age. Additionally, I will offer methods for determining the hue of your yellow Labrador when they're older. It is a darker variant of the yellow Labrador, and these puppies' coats do typically darken with age. However, it's also possible for it to stay the same hue throughout its life. To have a better estimate of what to expect, invest in a genetic test kit. By understanding your puppy's ancestry, you can better gauge the anticipated coat change. There are also environmental factors that you can try to influence that we will discuss next. A Labrador must possess two recessive alleles of the MC1R gene to be yellow. This indicates that both parents gave a yellow allele to the offspring. Two yellow labs can only produce yellow puppies since they both have the yellow gene. Certain black and chocolate Labrador Retrievers may have the yellow-causing gene. If they mate with a yellow Lab, some pups may have yellow hair, but they would not be considered yellow Labradors. Besides genetics, other factors contribute to the shade of a yellow Labrador. Nutrition Plays a Part The color of your dog's coat at birth will vary over time, in part owing to their nutrition. Notably, your dog's food is unlikely to bleach or color their hair directly. However, poor nutrition will cause your Lab's hair and skin to appear lighter or darker. A yellow Labrador with insufficient nutrition will have a dull, dry coat and shed a lot, and excessive shedding may give the appearance of a lighter coat because of its thinness. Additionally, a bad diet may result in oily hair. When your dog's coat is very oily, it may seem somewhat darker due to the constant appearance of moisture. Your dog needs a well-balanced diet rich in digestible proteins, fats, and vitamins to keep the skin and hair healthy. Labradors need more protein than other breeds because they have an active and muscular nature. Additionally, since protein is a component of hair and fur, it directly affects your dog's color. The optimum meal plan should be tailored to your dog's life stage, whether a puppy, adult, or senior. The Undercoat May Cause a Different Color at Birth When dogs are a few months old , their actual color begins to emerge from under the undercoat. Undercoat refers to the layer of hair underneath your dog's guard hairs and it's softer, lighter in color, and more densely packed than guard hairs. If your dog's hair seems darker, this may be due to the development of their natural coat. Their hue can shift to darker or lighter shades. And after this transition occurs, you'll be able to anticipate your puppy's adult color. On the other hand, overcast weather slows the lightening process and contributes to darker tones for more extended periods. Your dog will look different in various lighting conditions, especially if they're a Fox Red Lab. In addition, white fur around their paws and mouth typically develops when they're seniors. Melanin is the most influential factor in this. When your canine has adequate melanin, it'll seem as yellow as it can be. But melanin decreases with age, which has an impact on your pet's coat. You may use the following techniques to help your Labrador minimize thinning, breakage, and excessive shedding: Bathe your dog as needed. Very filthy canines always look darker. Maintain a pleasant environment for your dog. A stressed dog sheds more naturally. Keep an eye out for brittle fur and areas of baldness. You may address this problem by supplementing your dog's food with a fresh, high-quality protein source. Maintain a weekly regimen of brushing your Lab. This maintenance helps eliminate knots, which may result in matting and a darker look. Keep an eye out for chapped skin, redness, or frequent scratching. If your dog has allergies or skin problems, they may scratch their hair, resulting in light or empty areas. You can also consult a veterinarian who will be able to give you a detailed plan for giving your dog its best coat possible. However, there are a few ways you can predict the color of your adult Labrador before maturity. It's worth noting that influencing a color shift is difficult since it's the product of years of breeding. Therefore, your golden Labrador will retain its original hue. Pay Attention to Their Immediate Family Each dog receives several gene pairs that contribute to coat determination. Although scientists have not yet identified the number of genes that eventually influence hair color, they agree that close relatives and grandparents contribute to the hue. For instance, if two yellow Labradors create a Fox Red Labrador, both parents have recessive yellow genes. Still, only the darker genes were passed on. If both parents and siblings have a similar coat, your pup is likely to follow suit. Additionally, it would help if you looked at some of the older dogs in their lineage to better understand the coat that will develop over time. Ask the Breeder Additionally, you may check with the breeder what color coat your dog will have. A reputable breeder grooms dogs for years before mating them. They research their DNA background and potential traits they may pass on to their pups. After all, it's the breeder's responsibility to produce pups with distinct and intended characteristics. So, they should be able to provide you with the most accurate answer. Final Thoughts While numerous factors affect the color of your dog's coat, it's unlikely to darken with age. Proper nutrition and genetics will maintain the coat color for an extended period following maturity. It's essential to keep in mind that it's not easy to anticipate the precise coat color of a yellow Labrador puppy. There are, however, methods for you to make a reasonable estimate. Labradors can change color, but they always keep the original color coded in their genetic makeup. Nonetheless, due to aging, seasonal factors, nutrition, anxiety, and some health issues, Labrador coats can lose their sheen and color intensity to become lighter. Concern about coat color change is plentiful among dog owners. For example, a Lab owner on The Labrador Forum recently discussed his worry about his jet-black Labrador puppy that began to develop a chocolate coat at four months. A few other responders in the forum quickly expressed similar experiences with their Labs. So what is it that causes your black Lab to turn chocolate or white or your chocolate Lab to turn yellow? Your Labrador changes color due to genetic, age, health, nutritional, environmental, and emotional factors that influence the production, intensity, and distribution of skin and hair pigmentation melanin in the hair cortex and hair shaft. Usually, coat color change in Labradors and other dogs presents as hair discoloration and fading or the staining of white and black coat hairs into a yellow or red color. As such, some dogs may be genetically predisposed to graying early, and others may gray later. This variation is thanks to the genes inherited from their parents. Genetic predisposition to early graying explains why perfectly healthy Lab puppies may show gray hairs as early as age four. Nonetheless, early or later graying genetic predisposition should not be confused with progressive graying. Progressive graying happens when a dog inherits the gray gene G locus , which causes progressive premature graying in black and liver-colored dogs the eumelanin pigment. However, this is not the case in Labrador Retrievers because Labs are not among dog breeds that inherit the graying gene. There are two aspects of Labrador coat color change that come with aging. First, while Labrador puppies will keep their birth coat color, the intensity of the color may show a slight change at maturity when Lab puppies acquire their adult coat around months. This DNA change slows down the production of melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin. So, you can expect a dark-colored labrador to gray, while light-colored Labs will develop whitish or yellowish spots. These hairs are more noticeable on the muzzle and face of black Labradors. Further, dog coat color generally tends to lighten with age, regardless of the graying element. As such, a Lab may show a deeper coat color when younger and a whiter shade as the dog grows older. Natural lightening usually starts when your dog is around 6 to 8 years old. Labrador Color Changes With Seasons and Weather Conditions Seasonal and weather-related coat color changes in Labradors are linked to three main factors: Exposure to UV Rays Labradors and other dogs constantly exposed to UV rays can have their coats changing color to a light sheen. Specifically, while humidity and temperature tended to darken dog coat color in the first 24 hours of exposure, exposure to UV lightened the coat color. UV light affects melanin production in dogs, and it is also known to destroy the amino acids in the skin. So, exposing your Lab to direct sunlight, especially in the hotter months of the year, can lighten their coat. Besides, from a different health perspective, prolonged exposure to the intense sun can cause heatstroke in dogs. Seasonal Shedding Dog hair has a cycle of growth that happens in 3 phases: The Anagen phase is when the hair grows. The Catagen stage is a transitional stage when hair growth is stagnant. The Telogen phase is when the hair falls. In Labs, the catagen and telogen phases occur in spring and fall when the Lab grows its coat. The stagnated hair in the catagen phase may appear to be changing to a lighter shade. On the contrary, when the new fur grows, its coat color may appear brighter and more intensely colored. Do you want to know more about shedding and how to keep it under control? Labrador Color Changes Due to Health Issues Illness, injury, and surgery can disrupt the production and distribution of melanin in dogs. When your Lab has an injury or a surgical operation, the fur on the scar area is lost. During healing, a surge in melanin production occurs to facilitate hair growth, causing hyperpigmentation. The new hair has the characteristics of freshly grown puppy fur and portrays a darker shade. However, this surge in melanin production only affects the injury or surgery area. They include: Cancer. Hormonal health issues such as hypothyroidism. Liver and kidney disease. Autoimmune skin diseases like vitiligo and Uveodermatological Syndrome. Vitiligo is a rare autoimmune skin disease that destroys skin melanocytes the cells that produce melanin , leading to depigmentation in the affected areas. However, the disease is not painful, and your dog can lead a normal life. While Labradors are not among dog breeds predisposed to vitiligo, they can get the disease just like all other dog breeds. In fact, a black Lab named Rowdy has recently gained internet fame for his vitiligo patches, among other characteristics. Uveodermatologic Syndrome is an autoimmune disease that destroys melanocytes in high-pigment cells such as the skin and eyes. The white patches, similar to those of vitiligo, are most common on the face, eyelids, nose, and lips, as well as the footpads, scrotum, anus, and vulva. Although Uveodermatological Syndrome is rare and not fully defined medically, most experts believe it is a canine version of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome in humans. An inadequate diet can be the reason your Labrador loses fur excessively or loses its coat sheen to become dull and lighter. Several studies have identified dietary deficiencies that can cause dog coats to change color. For example, a study on nutritional influences on dog hair color established that certain body minerals and vitamins significantly influence coat appearance. These include: Trace elements like copper and zinc. Certain amino acids, especially tyrosine and phenylalanine. Vitamins, especially B2, B complex, and H. In a similar vein, another study confirmed that dietary intake of tyrosine amino acid facilitates melanin deposition in the fur of black dogs, resulting in a deep coat intensity. Similarly, a third study found that a diet rich in phenylalanine, tyrosine, and copper reduced off-white discoloration in white dogs and improved the level of fur pigmentation. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. Original Labrador Retriever Color Black is the original, archetypal Labrador color, and genetically the most dominant. Chocolate and yellow puppies were frequently euthanized at birth. To understand that we have to look at the genetic difference between black and chocolate Labs. Labrador Retriever Color Genetics Both types get their color from a pigment called eumelanin. Labs with lots of eumelanin pigment in their coat are black. If they have a little less, they appear brown instead. We use letters to tell each place apart — a bit like giving each locus its own zip code! The B locus is home to a pair of genes called B genes. There are two types of B gene your Lab can get in their pair: One we call big B — it contains an instruction to make lots of eumelanin, and causes a black Labrador coat. And one we call little b — it contains an instruction for less eumelanin, and causes a brown or chocolate coat. Big B is a dominant gene, and little b is a recessive gene. Dominant genes to switch off, or override, recessive genes. So dog with BB genes will be black, because he has two genes for a black coat. And a Bb dog will be black too, because the dominant B genethe recessive b gene. Only a dog with a matching pair of bb genes will express the instruction for less eumelanin in their coat, and be brown. Remember that the black dominant gene always switches of the brown gene, so only the dog with two copies of the b gene will actually look brown. But the dominance of the black color enabled our chocolate friends to remain hidden and rare with the breed, for many decades. Generation after generation of black dogs can continue to have only black puppies if dogs with the Bb gene are only ever mated to dogs with BB genes. In fact, it would take two black Labs both carrying the little b gene to produce chocolate puppies. Like this: Statistically, one quarter of their litter would be chocolate colored. And of course, some Labradors are neither black nor brown. The genetic information that creates a yellow coat comes from another pair of genes altogether. These genes are located at the E locus. And — you guessed it — we call them E genes. Just like B genes there are two versions of the E gene, big E and little e. Big E is the dominant gene. It does not interfere with the B genes. Little e is the recessive gene. It has the potential to mask the B genes that would otherwise give us black or brown coats. And the result is a yellow dog. How Yellow Overrides Black and Chocolate Only the little e gene can mask the instructions for black or chocolate fur. There are three possible combinations of E gene that a dog can inherit. It could have two dominant genes EE two masking genes ee or one of each Ee. Only the middle of these three dogs will be yellow. Nine Different Possible Labrador Genotypes! Every Labrador has a combination of B and E genes — called their genotype. There are nine different possible genotypes. Here they are in full: Can you see why each combination of genes turns out the way it does? Because as you can see, the second dog down the list may look black but he could throw brown puppies, and the fourth dog down the list may look black, but he could throw yellow puppies. The fifth dog down the list is also black but he could throw yellow and brown puppies. Puppy colors are easier to predict when both parents owe their appearance to the recessive genes b or e. Mating Two Yellow Labradors Two yellow Labradors mated together will never throw brown or black puppies. All their offspring will be yellow. This is because yellow dogs do not possess the big E gene which is needed to switch off the masking effect. Mating Two Chocolate Labradors Two brown Labs mated together will never throw black puppies because brown dogs do not have the big B gene. But two chocolate Labs can produce yellow puppies, if each of the parents carries the little e gene — like this: In the mixed litter, statistically one of half of the puppies will be chocolate and one half yellow. Depending on their genotype, two black Labradors can indeed have yellow or chocolate puppies. Remember from our grid above that there are four different possible genotypes for a black Labrador. The genotype refers to the genetic code that the dog carries. And the four different possible black genotypes down the side to represent the father. Inside the grid are the puppies that could be born from each combination. If and only if, both parents carry a little e gene, then some of the puppies may be yellow. Remember that your puppy needs two little e genes one from each parent in order to be yellow. If only one of two black dogs carries the little e gene, all their puppies will be black. Yes it is, check out the bottom right hand square in the diagram above! Notice that it can only happen if both parents dogs have this genotype: EeBb. In other words, they both carry a little e and a little b. This is good example of how complicated, and unexpected, Labrador colors can be. There are six different possibilities for litter color combinations depending on the genotype of the parents. You can even get a litter of all black puppies from a chocolate mother and a yellow father or vice versa! Here are the color possibilities: yellow, black, and chocolate puppies yellow and black puppies. Find out how we get chocolate, black or yellow puppies and what color pups we might get when we mix Labradors of different colors. Strictly speaking, there are only three different types of Labrador color: black Labs, brown Labs usually referred to as chocolate and yellow Labs. These are the three colors recognized and accepted by the Kennel Club In practice, there is a wide range of shades of yellow Labrador color, from palest cream to richest fox red. But what makes a Labrador brown, or black, or yellow. And what about Silver Labradors? Where does this new and controversial coat color come in to play? Where do Black and Chocolate Labradors come from? The information that determines whether or not your Labrador is basically black or basically chocolate is passed on through a pair of genes. Why black is a dominant color: It is normal for dominant genes to switch off, or over-ride, recessive genes. And that is exactly what happens here. A dog with BB genes will be black, because he has no little b gene, the one that gives us a brown coat. But a Bb dog will be black too, because if the dominant black gene is present, it switches off the brown gene. How chocolate Labradors are made: Even though a dog inherits a little b gene, the dog will only appear brown if no black gene B is present at all. Two black genes BB gives you a black Labrador One of each Bb also give you a black Labrador Two brown genes bb gives you a chocolate Labrador Remember that the black dominant gene always switches of the brown gene, so only the dog at the bottom will actually look brown. Generation after generation of black dogs can continue to have only black puppies if dogs with the Bb gene are only ever mated to dogs with BB genes. Remember, the dog in the middle of our list above will look black, but pass the brown gene on to about half of all its offspring. But things are never that simple are they? Because of course some Labradors are neither black nor brown. The genetic information that creates a yellow coat comes from another pair of genes altogether. And these genes have a different kind of power. The result is a yellow dog But little ee is recessive, and if the dominant E gene is present, it switches off the masking gene. It only takes one big E gene to do this. So the dog will only appear yellow if no big E gene is present at all. There are three possible combinations of eee gene that a dog could inherit. There are nine different possible combinations. Nine different possible Labrador genotypes! The chart below lists them genotype is the genetic makeup, phenotype is the appearance of the dog. Email Your pet wants you to read our newsletter. Then give them a treat. Sign up for product updates, offers, and learn more about The Wildest, and other Mars Petcare brands. Must be over 16 years to sign up. I'm In See our privacy statement to find out how we collect and use your data, to contact us with privacy questions or to exercise your personal data rights. A couple months ago, a woman in a Havanese-owner Facebook group posted a question for her fellow Havifans: How was it that her beloved dog, who had had a dark, chocolatey brindle coat when it was a puppy, now had fur the color of pale, milky tea? Other devotees of Havanese — a small, perky companion breed from Cuba that has the long, lustrous locks of a Pantene model — shared that their pups had undergone similar color transformations as they aged. Would Lorenzo be unrecognizable in a couple of years? This leads to a question: Can you ever really know a dog? Lots of puppies have soft, downy coats that look like they emerged directly from a cloud. According to Dr. Clark, puppy coats are generally thinner and softer than their adult counterparts. As they age, there is an increase in the density of hairs, and the hair itself grows more coarsely. How the transition from puppy fuzz to adult fur happens depends on the dog. Clark explains. This evolution is usually when a change of color happens. Clark says. She adds that, just like humans, dogs go gray as they get older, and some may experience hair loss. Related article From shaggy Sheepdogs to curly Cocker Spaniels, a groomer lists 10 breeds that need the most upkeep. Dogs change color slightly as they get older. During the transition from puppy fur to adult fur, lots of dogs will get a little lighter or a little darker. Others change more dramatically. How much they change depends on their breed and genetics. But Dr. None of us are the fuzzy young pups we once were, either. And what should a healthy coat look like, exactly? Veterinarian Dr. Shea Cox separates fact from fiction when it comes to low-shedding breeds. The best way owners can maintain a glossy, pliable, dandruff-free coat, Dr. Clark says, is a good diet, and routine veterinary care.

With over 20 years of experience, we have shared our Labradoodle Puppies with families across this Country, and around the world. As an Authentic Australian Labradoodle Breeder, we offer our Riverbend Australian Labradoodle puppies in Miniature sizes lbs , Medium sizes 45lbs , and Standard sizes lbs. Because of our years of experience and success with our English Style Labrador Retriever Breeding Program , our Riverbend Labradoodles are stocky, heavy-boned, and have a beautiful, blocky style of head that gives them a soft, intuitive expression. We are so blessed to be involved with a fantastic Worldwide Labradoodle Breed organization, bringing together nearly Breeders from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia that are dedicated to protecting the breed we love so much. We are honored at the opportunity to help protect and promote the breed we love so much with our participation in these organizations. Our commitment to quality and accountability to these organizations offers peace of mind in purchasing one of our Australian Labradoodle puppies. Our Labradoodles have allergy friendly coats that are non-shedding, and we are dedicated to helping people with allergies add to their family. Our Labradoodles are known to have a laid- back, easy-going temperament, and are great family companions. They are intelligent and easy to train, and typically finish at the top of their obedience classes. Here at Riverbend, we have made it our focus to protect the health and future, while maintaining the integrity, of the Labradoodle breed. Our carefully planned breeding program is dedicated to Quality, not quantity. We believe it is of utmost importance to have OFA hip, OFA elbow, ACVO eye clearances, and also breed specific health clearances, as well as Champion Quality pedigrees within all of our dogs' bloodlines, to ensure we have the healthiest Labradoodle Puppies possible. Take a look at Our Dogs. All of our Riverbend puppies are raised in our home for proper socialization and handling from birth. Our home is designed for our puppies to live with us, so we can provide a healthy environment, to build the foundation that will help them grow to their full potential. Paying attention to how a puppy grows, from the day he is born, is important for the very health and vitality of each puppy. And, we believe that the first eight weeks of a puppy's life, is of vital importance in determining his later behavior as an adult. We share our Australian Labradoodle Puppies with loving caring families, and you can be confident that our puppies are handled continuously, are exposed to our everyday life, and everyday noises, to create a positive social experience that will enable them to become lifelong companions. We hope that you enjoy our website and find it easy to navigate, helpful, informative, and fun. If you have any questions or would like more information about this fantastic breed, please feel free to contact us by phone or email. We love sharing our Riverbend Labradoodles with others, and welcome all inquiries concerning them. Support an American Company and Small Business! We are confident these products are the best for your furry family member and we refuse to use anything else! We are an Australian labradoodle breeder specializing in authentic top quality Australian Labradoodle puppies in mini, and medium sizes. Sharing our puppies with families since , we have established our breeding program with fully tested breeding stock that can be traced back to the very earliest bloodlines. Located north of Dayton, Ohio in the rural area of Conover. We have shared our puppies across the US. Check out our available puppies page to learn about each one Latest News September Puppies available! Head to our available puppies page to see who is waiting to be your next family member! Available Puppies Boarding Available We are now offering boarding for our puppy families. Now taking reservations for fall. Spaces limited call Boarding Information Offering in home- training Did you know our trainer offers an in home board and train program? Get a head start before puppy goes home. Here our puppy will stay with the trainer and learn basic obedience, house training crate training, learn proper manners and receive lots of socialization to people and places. Why us Superb Temperament Australian labradoodles are known for their amazing temperament. Our love for this breed began with our first Australian labradoodle, Georgia pictured below in the snow. She taught us what the Australian labradoodle was all about. With her intuitive connection, and sociable personality, we fell in love instantly and so did everyone who met her. She was a joy to train, willing to please, gentle, and just as funny as she was affectionate. Due to their extreme willingness to please and ability to train, a percentage of our dogs have gone on to do therapy and service work. Nourishing Environment Puppies like babies need nurturing and human interaction. We are asking them to live in our world so the more human experiences they can have before going home, the easier the transition. We utilize Early neurological stimulation, Early Scent Introduction, Puppy Culture, a 10 step handling exercise, as well as extensive socialization to raise the most well-balanced dogs. All of our dogs are fed a high quality, all natural diet, for maximum health. We believe in a holistic approach to the well being of our dogs, and they are minimally vaccinated. Excellent Health While we have a strong emphasis for temperament, having a sound, physically healthy puppy is of upmost importance. Healthy puppies begin with the parents. Our breeding dogs have to meet strict requirements to enter the program. We start with carefully selected breeding stock coming from a controlled breeding line. Our Labradoodles have allergy friendly coats that are non-shedding, and we love helping people with allergies add to their family. As a registered member of the Worldwide Australian labradoodles Association, WALA our breeding program along with hundreds of other programs across the world, are dedicated to ethical breeding, and continued focus on the improvement of the Australian labradoodle breed. Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association We are grateful that we are able to raise and share these gentle, fun-loving, and intelligent dogs with others. I would love to hear from you! If you are interested in bringing one of our Australian labradoodle puppies home, or have additional questions not included on our website, please contact Kristina. I grew up with dogs in our family from a very early age, and always wanted to have a career involving dogs! I went to university to become an Elementary School Teacher and later found myself in Mansfield Ohio with my husband Marc to raise our two children. In , an opportunity to become a dog groomer presented itself, and since then I have developed a successful mobile dog grooming business serving the Mansfield, Ohio area and I decided to retire from teaching in .Our first dog together was Jasmine, a Golden Retriever. Since Jasmine, we've had a couple other wonderful dogs but our love for Labradoodles started when we purchased Layla, an F1b Labradoodle. She stole our hearts and put into motion researching the breed that turned into Providence Labradoodles. This breed is extremely clever, sociable, comical and joyful! They are energetic when free, and quiet when handled. They approach people in a happy, friendly manner and make amazing therapy and service dogs as they are keen to learn and easy to train. Their amazing qualities made it very easy to concentrate only on breeding this wonderful breed! Our puppies, like our dogs, are raised in our home with lots of human contact. Our puppies are started with a focus in socialization, constant love and a nuturing environment to ensure that they will have loving and easy-going dispositions. My goal is to provide a family with a loving companion, whether a house pet, therapy dog or service dog! It is so important to me to raise well rounded and happy puppies that will make wonderful companions. We adhere to high-quality standards when it comes to our breeding dogs. Each breeding dog is carefully chosen, tested for orthopedic conditions outlined by OFA Orthopedic Foundation for Animals as well as genetic conditions prior to breeding to ensure that our puppies will be healthy. Aside from being healthy, our breeding dogs are loving, kind and have amazing temperments that will be passed down to their offspring! Our Australian Labradoodles are non-shedding, allergy-friendly, and asthma-friendly. They are sweet, smart and provide hours of entertainment! Providence Labradoodles wants the best for all involved. A well-loved, well socialized and well trained puppy promises years of delight. You can read more about our dogs and puppies on the " Meet Our Dogs " page and " Puppies " page. These puppies are a mix between Labradoodles and either an English Cocker Spaniel or an American Cocker Spaniel which means you will be getting the best of all the breeds when it comes to their coat type and temperament. Australian Labradoodles are known to be very intelligent and are one of the more popular breeds for families. Providence Labradoodles pups have playful, gentle, and calm temperaments meaning they would be a great addition to any family with children. Our puppies are all-around happy dogs that just love to be around their families.

Although she stands no more than 10 inches tall and weighs between 4—6 pounds, the Toy Poodle has a big, playful personality that can fill up a room. While frequently associated with France, Standard Poodles were first developed in Germany, where they were used in duck hunting. They have lower exercise needs than many other dog breeds, but still benefit from a daily walk and play session. Poodles of all sizes have curly coats with extensive grooming needs. Their coat grows continuously, calling for a trim every four to six weeks. However, there is no such thing as a completely "hypoallergenic" dog. People with allergies should spend time with the breed before officially bringing home a Toy Poodle puppy. But during this long life , they are predisposed to a few health issues that may require care. Pet parents may benefit from investing in pet insurance early in life. Progressive Retinal Atrophy Progressive retinal atrophy PRA is a group of diseases that cause a breakdown of the photoreceptor cells rods and cones on the retina. Initially, the dog may have difficulty seeing in the dark, but the condition can cause blindness over time. PRA is an inherited disease and there are currently no effective treatments available. Patellar Luxation The patella kneecap is a small bone that normally sits in a groove within the femur at the knee. In dogs with patellar luxation, the patella moves luxates outside of its assigned groove when the knee is flexed. This movement can cause discomfort and may eventually lead to arthritis. Many pets will skip or run on three legs when the patella is out of place. While some cases will correct themselves, in more severe cases the patella remains out of place. In mild cases, joint supplements such as fish oils and glucosamine or anti-inflammatory medications are used to control pain and prevent arthritis. In more severely affected dogs, surgery may be recommended. This causes pain and limping occur as the bone breaks down. In some cases, pain can be controlled with medications. In severe cases, surgery to remove the head of the femur may be recommended. Symptoms include visible debris, redness, odor, head shaking, and scratching. If any of these signs are noted, take your dog to the veterinarian for an exam. In most cases, ear infections can be resolved by cleaning the ear and with topical medications. Toy Poodles develop ear infections more often than most other breeds. This may be partly due to Poodles having long ear canals with excess curly hair to trap in moisture and debris. Trimming not plucking the hair from the ear may help reduce the incidence of ear infections. Dogs with chronic or recurring ear infections frequently have allergies that should be addressed. Dental Disease Dental disease is one of the most common conditions seen in dogs as they age, especially in small breeds like the Toy Poodle. Dental disease occurs when bacterial tartar and plaque build up, leading to inflammation of the tissues around the teeth—and eventually to tooth and bone decay. Daily tooth brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste is the best way to prevent dental disease, though some diets, treats, and chew toys also help prevent plaque and tartar. Tracheal Collapse Tracheal collapse occurs when the trachea commonly called the windpipe flattens. This happens due to weak cartilage rings or the sagging of a membrane along the trachea. Most cases are treated using medications, but in severe cases where breathing is impeded, surgery may be necessary. Toy poodles are likely genetically predisposed to tracheal collapse. When on walks, use a harness instead of a collar, as pressure on the trachea can cause further damage. The condition causes a deficiency in a protein called the von Willebrand factor, which is necessary for platelets to stick together and form a clot. In dogs that are deficient in this protein, the blood may have difficulty clotting, which can lead to bleeding from the nose, vulva, bladder, or gums. Additionally, dogs with this condition may bleed for a long time after trauma or surgery. If there is concern about VWD, a screening test may be performed. This test measures how long it takes for a small cut in the mouth to stop bleeding. If the time is longer than usual, additional testing is needed to confirm VWD. Because some dogs with VWD do not have notably prolonged bleeding until later in adulthood, blood levels of von Willebrand factor can be measured to help with diagnosis. Most veterinarians recommend testing for VWD prior to any planned surgery, including spays, neuters, and dewclaw removals. Puppies should be fed a diet formulated specifically for puppies or designated for all life stages. For Toy Poodle adults, dental-focused diets may be recommended by your veterinarian to help prevent dental disease. Toy poodle puppies, however, should eat three to four small meals per day on a consistent schedule to help maintain their blood sugar. Additionally, the feeding guide labels on the dog food provides valuable information for pet parents. Just remember: In small breeds like the Toy Poodle, calories in treats add up quickly. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in skin and joint supplements , fish oil, and even in some specially formulated dog foods. These fatty acids act as natural anti-inflammatories that help support the skin, coat, kidneys, joints, and heart. They are playful and self-confident when socialized at a young age. While relatively calm, Toy Poodles enjoy playtime and exercise with the family. The breed is gentle with children and other pets, though all interactions between dogs and kids should be supervised. Because these pups are so tiny, they can accidentally be hurt during playtime. Toy Poodles have lower exercise needs than many other dog breeds, but still benefit from a daily walk and play session. Toy Poodle Behavior Toy Poodles bond closely to their families and may develop separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods. They can also be sensitive to stress, and sudden changes in the home environment may lead to gastrointestinal upset. Additionally, because Poodles are so smart, they need mental stimulation to keep themselves entertained—and out of trouble. Bored dogs are more likely to bark, jump, be destructive, or misbehave. Toy Poodle Training Toy poodles want to please their owners. Paired with their smarts, this makes them an easy breed to train. As always, training is most successful when based on positive reinforcement with praise and tasty treats. Fun Activities for Toy Poodle Obedience training. Toy poodles double down on the froofroo rep with their tiny size and by sometimes sporting those fancy haircuts. But trust us, poodles are more than happy to get down and dirty. In fact, poodles started life as hunting dogs for the rich and famous in Europe. What made them so popular, however, is their incredible intelligence. Generally regarded as one of the smartest dog breeds , poodles are highly trainable, extremely eager to please people, and love being the center of attention through tricks and activities. None of that has changed over the years: The poodle consistently ranks as one of the 10 most popular breeds in the world. Appearance Toy, miniature , and standard poodles are all the same breed of dog, so they'll look more or less the same—except for their size. Toy poodles are the smallest of the three, standing no more than 10 inches tall and generally weighing right around 5 pounds. All three classifications of poodle have squarish bodies, generally about as long as they are tall. Poodles have a proud bearing, with heads kept high and their large, dark-colored eyes looking alert. Poodle coats come in a stunning array of colors from black, through the browns and yellow colors all the way to white. Bi-colored coats are also seen, though not hugely common. Poodles don't shed much , making them great for owners with allergies. While there aren't technically any hypoallergenic dogs , most people will find toy poodles close enough to not really quibble over it. Additionally, groomers can style a poodle's fur many different ways, and the breed has become famous for its outlandish show cuts. They tend to consider themselves a vital part of the family, have strong personalities, and learn things in a flash. They will get legitimately disgruntled if they think they're being left out of family activities. Of course, this temperament is kind of a double-edged sword. Toy poodles are devoted family pets who love to be the center of attention, learn tricks, and take walks. They're excellent in agility and obedience training and will play with children for hours. Because of their extreme intelligence, poodles are even quick to learn how to engage in more complex games such as hide and seek. On the flip side, poodles can develop common stress behaviors associated with separation anxiety. If you leave them alone for too long or don't give them the attention they deserve, these pups can be passive aggressive and do things they know you don't like—while you're there to watch. The toy poodle's teensy-tiny size makes it tempting to carry him everywhere, and he's so cute that it's no surprise owners are tempted to spoil him rotten. But, again, poodles are brilliant. A toy poodle who is carried everywhere will start to expect to be carried everywhere. As a result, every poodle owner should take full advantage of the breed's brilliance and eagerness to please, and obedience train their pet as quickly as possible. Living Needs Here is where the toy poodle's aptitude as an ideal family pet really shines. While poodles can be active dogs and will require some kind of daily exercise, toy poodles can get all their needs taken care of right there on the living room floor. Nichols says these little dogs will be happy with whatever type and amount of exercise their owner provides. Their tiny size makes them marvelous apartment-dwellers , and their innate desire to be lapdogs makes them great for seniors and people with mobility issues. Poodles of all sizes make great therapy dogs , and toy poodles in particular will love sitting near you for hours at a time. Toy poodles do great in households with other dogs, and the breed's lower prey drive , high intelligence, and friendly attitude make them ideal for houses with cats as well. Poodles love children and are eager to play, but most vets and breeders will steer households with children under the age of 10 toward the miniature or standard varieties, simply because the toy poodles are so small. They can be easily hurt by a falling child or by being handled too roughly. Always supervise children when they play with any dog and teach them how to properly interact with pets. Care No breed is perfect, and for poodles the biggest setback is going to be their grooming needs. That coat that is so shed-free and allergy-friendly? It's going to need brushing. A lot of brushing —ideally, every day. Because his hair curls in on itself, it's extremely prone to matting and, if left unchecked, can cause skin infections and have to be shaved off entirely. Aside from the brushing, poodles will need a bath and haircut every four to six weeks. While show dogs have a variety of complicated cuts to choose from, most non-show owners opt for a more standard sporting cut because of its ease to maintain. Like all dogs, you'll need to trim his nails regularly. Special attention should be paid to the ears , as their hair will grow up inside the ear canal, trapping wax and dirt and leading to infections. Because toy varieties have the same number of teeth as other poodle varieties but their mouths are smaller, it's easy for food to get trapped and decay to occur rapidly. Health Though the three varieties of poodles are the same breed, they do not suffer from the same conditions. While the standard poodle will be more prone to bloat , toy poodles can be slightly more susceptible to blood clotting disorders including Von Willebrand's disease and hemophilia , Beck says. Finally, smaller dogs can have a higher propensity for dental problems. In addition to being at greater risk for tooth decay , they don't lose their puppy teeth as easily as bigger dogs, Beck says. Reputable toy poodle breeders will conduct all health tests recommended by the Canine Health Information Center. History The poodle is the national dog of France, which is why you'll hear many people refer to the standard poodle as the "French poodle. Today in France, the poodle is known as the caniche, which translates to "duck dog. Toy poodles began to see favor by the late 18th century, appearing in artwork and in the courts of French aristocracy. The American Kennel Club recognized the poodle as a registered breed in .Jinkee , a 5-year-old red toy poodle, has more than 70, followers on Instagram. Was this page helpful? Your browser does not support the audio tag. Description When groomed to show dog standards the body is meant to give off a square appearance. It is approximately the same length as the height at the withers. The skull is moderately rounded with a slight but definite stop. It has a long, straight muzzle. The dark, oval-shaped eyes are set somewhat far apart and are black or brown. The ears hang close to the head and are long and flat. Both the front and back legs are in proportion with the size of the dog. The topline is level. The tail is set and carried high. It is sometimes docked to half its length or less to make the dog look more balanced. Dewclaws may be removed. The oval-shaped feet are rather small and the toes are arched. The coat is either curly or corded. While it does not make the written show standard, some breeders are breeding parti-colored Poodles. See grooming for different types of Poodle clips. Temperament The Toy Poodle is remarkably intelligent. Highly responsive, it is said to be one of the most trainable breeds. Sweet, cheerful, perky and lively, it likes to be with people. Delightful, very amusing and keen. Socialize these dogs well. They make very good watchdogs for their size. Without the proper type and amount of exercise they may be high-strung and timid. Toy Poodles are generally good with other pets and dogs. Unless given rules to follow and limits as to what they are and are not allowed to do, this breed will tend to bark a lot. Do not let this small dog develop Small Dog Syndrome , human induced behaviors where the dog believes he is pack leader to humans. This causes varying degrees of behavior issues , including, but not limited, to snapping, growling, guarding , demanding, untrustworthiness with children and sometimes adults, sensitive, nervous, reserved with strangers and obsessive barking, as the dog tries to tell the humans what it is HE wants THEM to do. This little dog can be good with children, however is usually recommended for older children who know how to display leadership skills. The reason is that most humans treat the dog in such a way that makes it unsure just who the pack leader is in the human-dog relationship. The dog, in his mind, is convinced HE is the leader to humans. Height, Weight Height: up to 10 inches .The Toy Poodle is 10 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders. Any Poodle that is more than 10 inches at the highest point of the shoulders cannot compete in the AKC show ring as a Toy Poodle. Health Problems A long-lived breed, Poodles are, nevertheless, subject to many genetic diseases. Eye problems such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy can cause blindness. Skin conditions, possibly due to unskilled use of clippers. Brown Poodles tend to become prematurely gray. Living Conditions Toy Poodles are good for city life as well as country living. Given enough exercise, they are not active indoors. They will lie right next to you and are more sedate when indoors, although they love to play outdoors and are a highly intelligent breed, so they do like lots of thoughtful activities to stimulate their mentality. They will do okay without a yard. Exercise These are active little dogs that need a daily walk. Play will take care of a lot of their exercise needs, however, as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their primal instinct to walk. Dogs that do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe, open area off lead, such as a large, fenced-in yard. Life Expectancy. Life Span Did You Know? Breeders developed Toy Poodles in 18th century England as smaller versions of their German predecessors. The Toy Poodle began to represent social status, and nobles would decorate their dogs in high fashion of the time. They became so popular, in fact, that they were one of the first toy breeds recognized by the Kennel Club. Toy Poodles are smart cookies. Their intelligence is one of their predominant features, and is often showcased during obedience training. These dogs have tremendous problem-solving capabilities that make them ideal for competitions. On the other hand, this same intelligence makes for an easily bored pup. They need mental stimulation, like challenging games and toys , to keep their busy minds occupied. The Toy Poodle may also be suspicious of strangers and slow to warm up to new people. This dog breed can adapt to a wide range of living situations due to their small size. As a matter of fact, they have trouble dealing with any kind of alone time. As such, the Toy Poodle is an excellent companion animal for people who love a little company. There are a few health conditions that Toy Poodles are more susceptible to than other dog breeds. For example, they may suffer from eye disorders, like cataracts, or blood clotting disorders, like Hemophilia. Because of their size, they may also bear the risk of dental crowding, kneecap migration, or trachea instability. With regular visits to the veterinarian, many of these potential health concerns can be comfortably managed. Owners typically have an easy time during obedience training with Toy Poodles. Their intelligence often hastens the training process. However, they can present destructive tendencies when left to their own devices for too long. Toy Poodles have famously low-shedding coats. They lack undercoats, so their shedding is minimal. Their fur is hypoallergenic and mats rather than sheds. These pups will only need to be groomed to prevent matting and increase shine. Usually, brushing your Toy Poodle once or twice a week and grooming every six weeks is sufficient. As a small dog breed, they are more prone to developing dental disease so good dental care is important. Poodles are an active breed in general, and Toy Poodles in specific are just as active. After a few laps around the kitchen, the Toy Poodle will tire out and happily sit by their owners during daily activities. The Toy Poodle stands at a mighty inches at the shoulder. Their weight ranges from pounds and usually averages around 8 pounds. Toy Poodles usually live 12 — 15 years. The Poodle coat is built for the water and even the Toy Poodle tends to have excellent, practically innate, swimming abilities. Featured Toy Poodle Article. Nutrition and Feeding Small dog breeds , such as the Toy Poodle, have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate, although their small stomachs mean that they must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion. Discover more about how to offer your dog a balanced diet with our easy-to-follow guide. Grooming Toy Poodles Toy Poodles do not shed and are often though not always tolerated by allergic people. Their coats do take a great deal of care, though, generally requiring professional dog grooming , as well as regular combing and brushing at home. The poodle should be taken to a groomer about every six weeks to be clipped, or you can learn how to do it yourself. A groomer will also advise on ear care. Training Toy Poodles Poodles are a joy to train as they are clever, quick to learn and love working with their owner. They can also turn their paw to dog sports such as mini agility, heelwork to music and even obedience with no problems whatsoever - and in fact training and working with their owner will keep this often-busy little dog happy and relaxed. Best Family Dog Breeds The Toy Poodle can make a fabulous family dog but are better for older children and quiet households as, especially as puppies, they are very small and easily injured by rough or boisterous play. While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with each other and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them. Poodles - especially the ones you see in the show ring - seem to have all kinds of crazy hairdos but these often flamboyant-looking styles all started off with a purpose. Poodles were originally water-retrieving dogs but their coats could easily get water-logged and pull them down. The answer was to clip off all their hair but leave some around their vital organs to keep them warm, and around any vulnerable joints to protect from injury. Similar breeds:.