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This combination produces a cute and loving canine. But what are these dogs like? This article will break down everything you need to know about the Pug and Golden Retriever mix. Stick around to find out! The short answer to this question is yes, a Pug can mate with a Golden Retriever. This combination of dog breeds has been bred many times and produces an adorable-looking dog. The typical route to achieving a Pug and Golden Retriever mix is by having one Pug parent and one Golden Retriever parent. However, this is not the only way to get to the desired dog. Hybrid breeders can have two Pug and Golden Retriever mix parents, as well, and still end up with another Pug and Golden Retriever puppy. This speaks to the variety of techniques that breeders have nowadays. Many dog owners will be wondering: what can I call these cute little dogs? Well, most owners with these dogs tend to call them Golden Pugs. This short name takes a little from both parent breeds, making for a sweet option to call these canines. Another name that has been used is Golden Retriever Pug Mix. While this name is longer, it does provide the full names of both parent breeds, making it more informative than simply Golden Pug. Another central question that avid dog owners will have on their minds is about the size of the Pug and Golden Retriever mix. How big can these bad boys get? Golden Retriever This classic breed of dog can grow to between 21 — 24 inches tall , or about 2 feet in height. Their weight can be between 55 — 75 pounds, depending on whether you have a male or a female. Pug The other parent breed in this combination is the Pug. These canines can grow to between 10 — 13 inches in height, or about a foot. Their weight tends to range between 14 — 18 pounds. We see that the two parent breeds vastly differ in size. One is pretty big, while the other is pretty small. So how does that affect the Pug and Golden Retriever mix? Pug and Golden Retriever Mix When the parent breeds differ so greatly in size, the hybrid breed can kind of fall anywhere in between the parent ranges. That means the Pug and Golden Retriever Mix can be as small as 13 inches and 15 pounds, or as large as 22 inches and 65 pounds. The variety is purely a product of genetics and chance. With traditional pure-bred parents, the range is larger so it can really be anything. The next big question about Pug and Golden Retriever mixes is about their appearance: what do these dogs look like? You can kind of imagine it if you blend the qualities of a Pug and a Golden Retriever in your mind. Rounded face The first striking quality of the Golden Pug is that it has a rounded face, similar to that of the Pug itself. This face bears a slightly longer muzzle than on a traditional Pug, but not as long as that of a Golden Retriever. Slightly wrinkled face Another key component of the Golden Pug mix is the slightly wrinkled quality of the face. Unlike the rest of their body, the nose is actually a shade of black. This is common in Golden Pugs, and makes for an especially cute canine. Coat The coats of the parent breeds involved in this mix are vastly different. While the Golden Retriever features a long, thick coat, the Pug has a much shorter counterpart. Where does this leave the mix? Well, it usually has a single or double-layer medium coat. The Golden Retriever and Pug mix does not shed as much as its parents do; with proper grooming, you can minimize shedding throughout the year. Uncovering the Mystery of the Frenchie! The final component of the Pug and Golden Retriever mix is their personality. Friendly The parent breeds in this combination are both friendly dogs towards humans and other dogs. That makes the Pug and Golden Retriever mix just as friendly. They love to spend time playing with people, and other dogs. Intelligent Another key quality of the Pug and Golden Retriever mix is that they are intelligent dogs. The parent breeds in this equation both contribute solid genes for intelligence, making for a smart canine in the mix. Take advantage of this by training your puppy early. Establish good habits early on to prevent bad ones from coming up later. Loyal The final trait we have for the Pug and Golden Retriever mix is their loyalty. They make for loving companions for life, and offer reliable company to their humans. Post Views: .If socialized properly, they should get along well with their family members and other pets. Hybrid dog breeding or designer dog breeding has given rise to a breed where many breeders cross different purebred dogs to create new, healthier purebred lines. You may like: Pug pitbull mix. What is a Golden Retriever Pug Mixed breed dog? It has one purebred Golden Retriever parent and one purebred Pug Parent dog. This demonstrates the variety of hybrid dog breeding. An early generation of hybrid dog breeders might specialize in crossbreeding two purebred breeds, such as the Pug Dog and the Golden Retriever. To increase the uniformity of their puppies, hybrid dog breeders might focus on crossing parent dogs from different breeds. This is when a hybrid breed can begin to take shape as an independent purebred breed. Information about the parent breed. A Pug can be described as a large dog but in a small area. They are often called the clowns of canine life because of their sense of humor. It features deep wrinkles, big dark eyes, and a flat face. From A. Many historians believe that they may be related to the Tibetan Mastiff. After the Civil War, pugs were brought to America by breeders. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in .Some dedicated breeders continued breeding, and the breed gained popularity over time. You may like: Golden retriever pitbull mix. Golden Retriever. A medium-sized dog breed, the golden retriever, has golden hair. It is a Scottish-bred golden retriever. Also, the golden retriever is a popular dog breed in the United States. They are known for their kindness, loyalty, and enthusiasm for life. Goldens are great family dogs and were originally bred in the Scottish Highlands as hunting dogs. Since the s, the Golden Retriever has been a beloved dog by families all over the globe. They are a popular family dog, but they are also used frequently as service and search-and-rescue dogs. The therapy and service dogs that Golden Retrievers most commonly use include therapy and service dogs. They are intelligent and loyal dogs who can give unconditional love and affection. They can comfort seniors and children with ease. Temperament and Personality of Golden Retriever Pug mix. Families are often concerned about selecting a pet for their family that will be a good canine friend to all family members and possibly other family pets. This dog is intelligent, loyal, and dedicated. These dogs are both very loving and friendly. Moreover, they will have a unique combination of their energy levels. They are calm, intelligent, confident, and friendly but alert and wary of strangers. This makes them a great watchdog. There is a good-natured and well-mannered dog who gets along with everyone. These dog breeds are play-loving dogs that love to have fun. She is loyal, trustworthy, brave, and warm. The Pug, like the Golden Retriever, is very loving and people-focused. Size, height, and weight. It can be difficult to predict the adult height, weight, and size of hybrid dog breeds, as the two-parent dogs may have very different characteristics. Your Golden Pug puppy will be between 14 and 75 pounds in weight and 10 to 24 inches tall. Health issue. Every dog has the potential to have genetic health issues. All breeds are more susceptible than others. The good news about buying a Pug Golden Retriever mix puppy is that it can be avoided as much as possible. Breeders should offer puppies a health guarantee. Reputable breeders will tell you about any health issues in your breed and how they are related to your dog. These are not common issues in both breeds. Training and exercise needs. Pugs and Golden Retrievers are intelligent, sensitive dogs close to their owners. Your Golden Pug might need more exercise depending on how much influence they have from their parents. Positive training will bring out the best in any puppy from these intelligent, sensitive breeds. You may like: Goldendoodle and golden retriever mix. Grooming, shedding and coat care. A coat that sheds is something that Golden Retrievers and Pug dogs share in common. All dog shed. This means that the owner must do more grooming and brushing to prevent tangles or mats from developing. Pugs and Golden Retrievers shed like other dogs. The coat of the Golden Pug will be flat, short- to medium-length. You can have your dog single- or double-coated. However, you will still need to sweep all year. Every dog is different and requires another diet. The majority of overweight dogs in the United States are males. This mix is most likely to be prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. It should be taking fish oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin as soon as possible. It is bad to feed your dog too much as it can lead to health issues such as hip dysplasia and elbow pain. A raw dog Food Diet is a good option. For Wolf backgrounds, a raw food diet is especially beneficial. Are You Choosing the Right Dog? You may like: Pitbull Yorkie mix. The Golden Pug is a joy to behold for a dog lover. These sweet, playful pups can be stubborn, so positive training sessions are essential. I grew up on a farm where we had all sorts of animals, from cows and horses to pigs and chickens. My love for animals led me to pursue a career in writing about them. I have been a pet care writer for over 5 years and have extensive knowledge of animal care, health, and behavior. Most Golden Pug mixes are short-statured, round-bellied animals, owing mostly to their pug genes. They could also have a longer tail and perhaps a longer body like Golden Retrievers. Their physical characteristics are mostly split between the breeds and are most distinguishable in their faces and their bodies. Are you looking for a way to treat your furry friend? Sign up for our newsletter for a chance to win a free month of Barkbox! Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to get emails from myk9life. We'll respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe any time. Meanwhile, in Scotland in the 19th century, breeders were crossing the Irish Setter with Spaniels of various types to create a dog filled with speed and agility, but equally playful nature for fetching ducks from hunts, as well as being a loyal companion. However, the initial breeding for the Golden Retriever is credited to Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, who cross-bred flat-coated retrievers with Tweed Water Spaniels. We can therefore surmise that the cross between the Pug and Golden Retriever is due to a desire to breed a smaller size, lower-energy dog — the desire, perhaps, to create an animal that would be a better fit with families of all types, though as above, the precise history of the crossbreed cannot be ascertained. According to the American Kennel Club, the Golden Retriever frequently ranks among the top five most popular dogs in America. Due to their lovable and friendly nature, the Golden Retriever is widely loved among all people, old or young, single or with families. The history of the Golden Retriever can be traced back to the Scottish Isles and to Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, who needed a dog that would be quick on its feet, lightweight, and agile enough to dart through thick undergrowth and wade into the water to fetch downed ducks — and strong enough to carry them. Fast-forward nearly years and the friendliness and lovable nature of the Retriever have made it the perfect family dog. Its fierce loyalty will make it the perfect protector, though it is not by nature aggressive. They tend to bark at anything that moves, making it a great guard dog for the home. Popular Golden Retriever mixes include:. Why should you look forward to adopting? Where can you find a pug-golden retriever mix? Finding natural golden retriever pug mix puppies is uncommon. If there is a breeder, who is offering such cross-bred pups online for sale or adoption, you should always check their credentials, certifications, and reviews before committing. In all probability, you will not find AKC American Kennel Club certified breeders offering their services in situations like these. The professionals, who offer such unconventional cross breeds, are either new or experimental breeders without relevant documentation. You are more likely to find accidental cross breeds between a miniature dog and a large dog at the shelters. That can happen when people own two dogs of opposite sex belonging to different breeds at home. It can also happen when a male pug impregnates a female golden retriever in heat at the dog park or a day-care kennel. Such instances are not rare and unprepared dog parents often have to resort to giving the new puppies up at shelters. In most cases, people do not risk adopting such uncommon cross bred pups since little is known about their genetic afflictions, general health, and temper. Why are golden retrievers such popular pets? A golden retriever is a docile, playful, intelligent, sensitive and adjusting breed. They are amazing for big homes that have other pets, children, and older people. They are even kind to strangers, although they are protective and loving to their family. Golden retrievers are in no way one-master dogs. They are very obedient and easy to train. Although they require high activity levels throughout life, you will often find them lazing on their beds and on your bed, when they get the chance multiple times a day. Their love for the humans rarely trumps their love for food. They love to be pampered, and they have a penchant for staying close to their humans. How are pugs as pets? Pugs are miniature energy bombs. It is surprising how someone so small never runs out of energy. They are always running about and making mischief when they are not lying on their back snoring away to glory. They are stout, but they are never aggressive. They are super fun loving. It is a little difficult to train them since they are highly intelligent and it does not take them too much effort to fool a human. They get along great with children, other small dogs, larger breeds and other pets. They are grossly funny, and you will always find a pug busy in some antic or another throughout the day unless they have to turn their attention to food. What can be the pros of having a pug-golden retriever mix? When golden retrievers cross with pugs, you do not get golden pugs! Well, it is possible for you to get your hands on a small sized pup that looks almost like a pug and has the golden sheen of a retriever, but the physical features will be a generous mix of both breeds. Therefore, it would be wrong to call it a golden pug. You can expect the new crossbred pup to have a longer snout that is not as snubbed as that of a purebred Pug. This will eliminate the breathing problems; palate issues and regular loud snoring pugs suffer from. On the other hand, pugs shed lesser than goldies. Thus, you can expect the new pooches with short golden fur to shed lesser than their golden parent. The pup should have the happy-go-lucky attitude that its parents have along with genuine love towards the human species. Additionally, they should be incredibly intelligent and easy to train. What are the potential risks of a pug-golden retriever cross? These are the positive trait possibilities we can expect from the pug golden retriever mixes. When breeders first try out crossing two separate breeds, there is no guarantee that the resulting puppies will be the best of both parents. There have been breeding disasters in the past. Cross breeding two distinct dog breeds results in unpredictable combinations of genes that can give rise to serious health problems. For example — the new pug-golden retriever mix can inherit the palate problem of pugs and the joint problems of golden retrievers. Further inheriting the love for food and the tendency to gain weight from both breeds can exacerbate these problems significantly. The threat of potential health problems has led several pet lovers and breeders to be apprehensive about new breeds coming in the market. Unless you know about previous litters from the same parents, who have been doing well for quite a few years and you can get a veterinarian to certify the puppies as healthy, you should always be a skeptic. Know for sure that they will not receive AKC certifications, and they will not be able to participate in the first-tier dog shows. If you are only thinking about adopting cross bred pups from the shelter and giving them a home, then it should not be a problem. In most cases, people do not desire or adopt such uncommon mixes and giving them a safe and loving home will be the best thing in their life. Knowing all the pug mixes , can help you decide which ones to go for. Appearance is one thing, but the traits and temperaments matter too! Luckily, we have all these information for you. Our staff are avid fans and dedicated owners of Pugs. We hope to answer all the questions you have about Pugs. Just read and enjoy. Feel free to share if you find it valuable to others! Best regards, As pugs and golden retrievers vastly differ in their sizes, the size of a full-grown golden pug falls somewhere in the middle. Their appearance is somewhat of a short-statured golden with a face that closely resembles that of a pug. Their muzzle is longer than a pug, but not to the point of being as long as a golden retriever. They also have slightly upturned noses. They do tend to have small wrinkles around their noses. One notable characteristic of pugs is their very tightly curled tails. Golden retrievers, on the other hand, have very long elegant tails with long hair. Golden pugs have a slightly curled tail that has medium-length hair. How Big a Golden Pug Gets When creating hybrid breeds with the first generation, it can be hard to determine if the golden pug will turn out a similar size to either a pug or a golden retriever. While those two breeds vastly differ in height, a golden pug falls somewhere in between. That can provide a lot of variation as pugs are typically 14 pounds, while golden retrievers can reach up to 75 pounds. There is also the difference in height, with a pug standing at 10 inches and a golden retriever standing at 24 inches. One of the benefits of hybrid dogs is that once the first generations are created, then it no longer becomes a process of breeding a purebred pug with a purebred retriever but breeding two golden pugs together. With many hybrid dogs, you see smaller and larger versions. Depending on the demand, a breeder will select golden pugs of similar stature to continue to generate puppies around that size. While pugs have very short hair, golden retrievers sport long flowing hair. When combined, the result is that the golden pug has a single or double-layer flat coat that is of medium length. While they shed, they shed far less than a golden retriever does. With proper brushing and grooming, their coat can remain smooth and you will see less shedding. The Golden Retriever Pug mix, or Golden Pug, is one such hybrid dog breed that is in development right now. One day this dog may become a new purebred dog breed in its own right. Is the Golden Pug the right next companion canine for you? This speaks to the many different layers of hybrid dog breeding. Early generation hybrid dog breeders F1 and F1b may specialize in crossing two different purebred dog breeds such as the Golden Retriever and the Pug dog. Later-generation hybrid dog breeders F2 and later may focus on crossing hybrid parent dogs to produce ever greater uniformity among puppies. This is when a hybrid dog breed usually starts taking shape as a new potential purebred dog breed in its own right. What makes the video even cuter is how the two dogs are so different in size, height, weight, and appearance and yet they look sort of the same because they both have the same beautiful golden coat! The History of the Golden Retriever and the Pug One of the best ways to learn about the potential benefits of hybrid dog breeding is to study up on each parent dog and learn about desirable traits each dog could contribute to your mixed breed puppy. In this section, we take a closer look at the history of the Golden Retriever dog and then the history of the Pug dog so you can imagine what bringing the two breed lines together might produce in a puppy. Golden Retriever history Currently, the Golden Retriever is the third most popular out of American Kennel Club registered dog breeds purebred dog breed in America today. Only the Labrador and the German Shepherd are more popular than the Golden Retriever, and this is subject to change every year when the new poll results come out. Golden Retrievers are so loving and friendly, it is easy to see why they are a popular pick for families and individuals nationwide. These dogs always seem to be smiling and are always eager for human company and attention. The Golden Retriever breed came to us by way of crossbreeding between the Bloodhound, the Irish Setter and a dog breed that is no longer with us called the Tweed Water Spaniel. Pug history The Pug is the 28th most popular out of American Kennel Club registered dog breeds purebred dog breed in America today. The Pug is one of the most ancient dog breeds known today, with a breed history that dates back at least 2, years. The Pug, with their short, cute, flat faces and wide round eyes, continues to be a popular choice for a companion canine to all ages. Golden Retriever Pug Mix: Personality and Temperament Many families, in particular, are understandably concerned about choosing a family pet that will be a great canine companion to family members of all ages and, potentially, other family pets as well. How does the Golden Retriever Pug mix stack up in this area? As long as your Golden Retriever is getting enough you-time, exercise, and activity each day, you can feel confident you are choosing to share your life with a true canine friend. Golden Retriever Pug personality and temperament From this overview, you can infer that your Golden Pug is going to be reliably friendly and loving. What will your Golden Pug be like in adulthood? As you can see, it can be hard to predict! Golden Retriever size, height, and weight The Golden Retriever can grow up to weigh anywhere from 55 to 75 pounds, with males often weighing 10 to 15 pounds more than females. Similarly, Goldens typically will reach a paw pad to shoulder height of .Golden Retrievers tend to be very proportional, with long muzzles and solid bodies. Pug size, height, and weight Adult Pug dogs are quite a bit smaller than Golden Retrievers as adults. The average Pug dog will weigh 14 to 18 pounds and stand between 10 and 13 inches tall paw pads to shoulders. These dogs tend to be top-heavy, with broad faces, broad shoulders, and narrower hindquarters. Golden Retriever Pug size, height, and weight It can be challenging to predict the adult height, size, and weight of hybrid dog breeds where the two-parent dogs are quite different in these areas. With a weight difference of 14 to 75 pounds and a height difference of 10 to 24 inches, you can expect your Golden Pug puppy to grow up to be somewhere in the middle of these ranges. By choosing to work with a later-stage hybrid breeder who breeds hybrid Golden Pugs rather than purebred Golden Retriever Pug crosses, you can have a better idea from puppyhood how tall and heavy your adult dog will become. If you are not sure what type of breeder to choose, just ask the breeder what generation they work with. If they say F1 or F1b, this means they are working with an earlier generation and there will be more variance in the size, height, and weight of their puppies. However, if the breeder says F2, F2b, or later, this means they a reworking with hybrid crossbreeding and the puppies are more likely to be more consistent in terms of their adult size, height, and weight. However, they can have very different exercise needs, as you will see. Golden Retriever training and exercise needs The Golden Retriever is a true working dog breed with a naturally high energy level. These dogs respond best to positive training and plenty of outdoor play and exercise time. Pug training and exercise needs Pugs, with their short muzzles and breathing troubles, do just fine with indoor play and short walks at cooler times of the day. Golden Retriever Pug training and exercise needs Your Golden Pug may need more or less exercise depending on the influence of each parent dog. Either way, positive training methods will get you the best results with any puppy born from these two smart, sensitive dog breeds. All dog shed. But this in turn means the owner has a lot more brushing and grooming to do to keep tangles and mats from forming. This means you will have less brushing and grooming to do but more dead shed hair to contend with year-round and especially with the changing of the seasons. Golden Retriever shedding, grooming, and coat care Golden Retrievers are true working dogs and have the water-resistant, insulating double-layer coat to prove it. Any dog with a double layer coat is always going to do more shedding year-round and seasonally. This is because the coat needs to replenish itself so it can protect the dog well all year long. Golden Retrievers have a mid-length coat and do need regular brushing to keep the skin healthy and control dead, shed hair. Pug shedding, grooming, and coat care It often surprises Pug fans to learn that Pugs do shed rather a lot given their short, sleek coats. Not all Pugs have double layer coats, but many do. With a double layer, the coat comes more shedding, especially when the seasons are changing. Your dog may be single-coated or double-coated, but either way, there will be some shedding and sweeping year-round. Golden Retriever Pug Mix: Longevity and Health Whenever you bring a companion canine into your life, you just want your dog to live as long as possible and be as healthy as possible. Unfortunately, far too many purebred dog breeds today have known genetic heritable health issues that have arisen because of too-close breeding to appearance standards for the show ring. This is where hybrid dog breeding does both purebred dog lines and owners a favor. Along with greater genetic diversity comes the renewed possibility of greater longevity and overall health. Golden Retriever longevity and health The Golden Retriever has a typical life span of 10 to 12 years. According to the Canine Health Information Center CHIC database, the Golden Retriever has the following known genetic heritable health issues that parent dogs could potentially pass along to puppies: Eye and cardiac issues. Hip and elbow dysplasia. While at first glance it may seem like Golden Retrievers do not have any particularly worrisome health issues, this is not entirely accurate. Goldens have some of the highest incidences of canine cancer — particularly hemangiosarcoma and lymphoma, in purebred canines today. The Morris Animal Foundation has undertaken to spearhead a Lifetime Study of cancer in Goldens in hopes of reducing the severity and the frequency of cancer in this beloved dog breed. Pug longevity and health The Pug has a typical life span of 13 to 15 years. According to the Canine Health Information Center CHIC database, the Pug dog has the following known genetic heritable health issues that parent dogs could potentially pass along to puppies: Hip and elbow dysplasia. Serum bile acid test tests for defective liver function. Pug dog encephalitis necrotizing meningoencephalitis. Pyruvate kinase deficiency PKD, or canine anemia. Eye issues. Many of these issues now have genetic screening tests that can help breeders sidestep passing on known genetic issues to puppies. But there is one health condition that is encoded into the breed standard itself and that is the short muzzle type the Pug is known for. The shortened or brachycephalic muzzle shape that gives the pug such a cute facial expression is also the source of chronic respiratory and sometimes gastric distress. With a shortened face comes a smaller skull, a crowded jaw and shortened, flattened nostrils and respiratory passages. Pugs can be very susceptible to some degree of BOAS, or Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, which causes several breathing, overheating, eating, and sleeping issues. The standard practice is to wait until the dog is at least one year old before doing diagnostic testing. However, one perk of hybrid dog breeding programs is that when you cross a short muzzle dog breed like the Pug with a long muzzle dog breed like the Golden Retriever, there is less likelihood that your puppy will inherit any of the more severe BOAS symptoms. By crossbreeding the two purebred dog breeds together, this reduces the risk of both serious health issues in your puppy. The overall span with a Golden Retriever Pug mix is 10 to 15 years. Perhaps you have a Golden Retriever Pug dog mix in your future!

All dogs are unique and grow at their own rate. Pro Tip: Check out our complete guide to puppy care to ensure your Lab gets off to a great start. As a medium to large breed, Labrador Retrievers need at least one year to reach their full size. A general rule of thumb suggests your Lab should be at or close to its full size by their first birthday. However, bigger-boned Lab puppies can keep growing and filling out their chest up to 18 months old. How big should a 6-month-old Labrador Retriever be? The average Lab weight at six months old is about 40 to 55 pounds for males or 30 to 35 pounds for females. Please keep in mind that these numbers are averages, and every puppy will grow at a slightly different rate. How much bigger will my Labrador Retriever get? There are three ways to predict the size of a Labrador Retriever at maturity: Age. Labrador Retrievers typically reach their full height and weight around their first birthday. Larger Labs may need up to 18 months to fill out their chest, but any weight gain after 12 months should be minimal overall. If your Lab is less than a year old, they are likely still growing and putting on muscle to reach their adult size. Paw Size. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, then they are probably still growing, as this is a classic puppy feature. Lastly, if you purchased your Lab through a breeder, you can contact them for a more exact height and weight estimate. What is the size of a full-grown Labrador Retriever? A full-grown Labrador Retriever weighs between 65 and 80 pounds and stands about .The average weight of a full-grown female Labrador Retriever should be about 55 to 70 pounds, standing at .Make sure to consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your Lab is maintaining a healthy weight for its body size. The Labrador Retriever growth rate should be indicative of its athletic body and muscular build. Did you know. ? Their webbed paws made them strong swimmers, along with their otter tail, which acts like a powerful rudder when retrieving ducks. English nobles spotted the dogs and brought them home across the Atlantic, where breeders continued to refine the breed into its own variation. Between their friendly demeanor, adaptability, and outgoing disposition, they make ideal family members. As cherished members of our families, Labs deserve the best care. Unfortunately, like many other purebred dogs, Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to various health issues. Some of the most common examples include:. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. As a dedicated Labrador parent, one of your primary responsibilities is ensuring your pup remains healthy and achieves all growth milestones based on his age. However, some of the most overwhelming factors to crack through are size and weight. So, is your Lab puppy too small for his age? Your Lab puppy might be too small if it weighs less than 12 lbs 5. Lab puppies generally weigh about 2 lbs 1 kg with every week of growth. If your puppy weighs a lot less than that, he may be too small for his age. If you're worried that your pup might be too small for his age, you're in the right place. In this article, I'll outline Lab puppies' size and weight facts to help you understand where your young canine friend stands. Keep reading! In this article How Much a Lab Puppy Should Weigh This is one of the most common concerns and one of the most challenging to address directly. This is because a puppy's weight and size may differ based on his gender, genetic composition, or underlying conditions. However, there's a trick that may help you determine your pup's weight range. In most cases, average puppies add about 2 lbs 1 kg with every week of growth. And just like the weight, Lab puppies have different sizes. You may notice a huge size variance in a litter of Lab puppies. Some may appear too big or too small for their age. Below are 3 factors that can affect a Lab puppy's size and weight. Genetic May Affect Size A canine's size is partially genetic. Therefore, a Lab puppy born of small parents may inherit the genes and appear smaller for his age. However, this isn't always the case because some small-parents puppies sometimes grow into huge dogs. So, it's possible to note a considerable size variance on puppies from the same litter. Diet Greatly Influences Weight A puppy's diet also has a lot to do with his size and weight. Poorly fed puppies may fail to grow properly. Thus they may be low in weight and small in size. When feeding puppies, it isn't always about the amount of food the pup consumes but rather the nutritional value. So, to be on the safe side, it's advisable to consult your vet on the right foods for your pup based on his age. Health Problems Can Inhibit Growth Puppies that have been ill or have underlying conditions may portray slow growth. Their size and weight may be small compared to healthy pups within the same age limit. However, you shouldn't worry about this because such puppies often catch up later after recovery. Note that this chart only gives a weight limit, and it doesn't mean your puppy should weigh precisely that. It's only meant to help you protect your pup's weight and easily point out when he's seriously under or overweight. Between 8 weeks and 10 months, your puppy has a ton of growing to do, and they change drastically from month to month. Each stage of growth requires specific attention, exercise, and diet, so there is much to learn and pay attention to these different growth stages. There may be behavioral challenges while your pup adjusts to their new life without their mother and siblings. This period of adjustment can sometimes lead to fearful and timid behavior, and your puppy will need as much attention and affection as possible. They should be eating 3—4 small meals a day at this stage. You can begin basic command, leash, and potty training at this point too. Although the schedule is not complete this is a critical period to begin socialization and making sure they are calm and friendly with other dogs, just make sure they are also vaccinated. We highly recommend making training a part of their daily activities at this age. Biting can be an issue at this stage too, as they will begin teething, and they will start exploring and chewing whatever they can find. Chew toys and consistent command reinforcement are both vital for avoiding this behavior. The good news is that your puppy will grow out of this habit at around 6 months old. Your lab should also be house-trained by this point, but there may still be the occasional accident. Remember to be gentle but firm when this happens, and your pooch will likely move through it swiftly. They will begin losing their baby teeth at this point, and biting and chewing may reach its peak. Firm but gentle commands, chew toys, and loads of patience are essential at this stage. Your puppy will be testing the limits and may start showing dominance, ignoring known commands, and asserting more independence. You can now drop their meals down to two meals per day, but be sure that they are not eating too quickly. Your puppy will start to closely resemble an adult at 6 months, but remember that mentally, they are still puppies and will need loads of direction and training. Females may enter their first heat at 6—7 months, so keep a careful watch for stray males. They will still display puppy tendencies and traits and have a ton of excitable energy, but they should be fairly obedient and well-trained by this stage. Be sure to give your Labrador plenty of exercise at this stage to help keep them from misbehavior. They will have reached their full height by now but may still gain weight and muscle mass in the coming months. Unless you intend on breeding, you should consider neutering and spaying your puppy to avoid wandering and unwanted pregnancies. While some breeders recommend that you wait until a year old, this is a perfectly suitable time to perform the procedure. They may still gain weight and muscle mass but much slower than during the past few months. They will still display puppy characteristics and even test boundaries, but all in all, they should be obedient and well-trained by now. They will have a ton of energy and still enjoy playtimes and loads of exercise. While they are at their full height at this age, some Labs may appear lanky and still have weight to fill out in the coming months. When Do Labradors Stop Growing? All dogs are unique, and the question of when they stop growing is largely dependent on the individual. Anecdotally, your Lab should have reached their full weight by 18 months and full height by 9—12 months. Most breeders agree that your Lab will stop growing at some point during their second year. Even so, any weight gain during their second year will be minimal, and they will have done the majority of their growth by their first birthday. Mentally, they are out of the puppyhood phase of testing boundaries and disobedience by their first year— if correctly trained. If you have been consistent in training thus far, your Lab should be friendly, obedient, and well-behaved from their first birthday and into adulthood. In males, neutering can sometimes result in a calmer, more relaxed dog, and this, in turn, will slow down his need for exercise and may result in weight gain. A study in showed that dogs neutered before 37 weeks may gain more weight, while dogs that had the procedure after 37 weeks had a slower growth trajectory. The difference was minimal, though, and there is no reason to assume that these procedures have much of an effect on growth rates in dogs. Dangers of Growing Too Quickly or Stunted Growth While some puppies may grow quicker or slower than the agreed-upon average, this is usually nothing to be concerned about due to the individual and unique nature of dogs. However, if your pooch is gaining weight rapidly or not gaining enough, there may be deeper issues to look into. If your dog is from working or hunting stock, they may be smaller than average Labs and are usually lighter for work in the field. Size may also be genetic, and if your Lab comes from small parents, they will be smaller than average. The same may be true of heavier-than-average Labs—if their parents are large, they will likely be similar in size. However, larger-than-average weights may also be due to overfeeding or a lack of exercise , or a combination of both, so be sure to keep their exercise and feeding habits consistent. Image Credit: rebeccaashworth, Shutterstock Growth Distinctions of Different Labradors Although they are designated under the same breed, there are two different types of common Labradors: English and American. English Labradors tend to be stockier and more muscular than their American counterparts and have a thick, waterproof coat , while American Labs have a slender build with a slightly finer coat. English Labs are slightly shorter, topping out at around 22 inches, but their stocky and muscular build often makes them heavier than American Labs. In fact, English Labs have been known to weigh up to 20 pounds more than American Labs without being considered overweight. American Labs are known to be slightly more active and energetic than English Labs, while English Labs tend to be less excitable and more laid back. English Labs are by no means lazy, though, and they still have plenty of energy and stamina to go around. Conclusion: Monthly Labrador Growth Pictures Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand the growth rate of your Labrador puppy and given you a better idea of what to expect during the different stages. See also:. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Labrador retrievers are beloved family members. But too much of a good thing—food and treats—can lead to many potential health problems. If your Labrador Retriever is starting to get a little pooch in his belly your might be thinking how much should my lab weigh? But there are many factors that enter into what determines a healthy weight for your particular lab. And female labs should weigh between 55 and 70 pounds and be between .But keep in mind that even healthy labs may fall outside of these guidelines. There are many variables that enter into why a dog is a particular weight, including the following: Genetics. The parents and family tree of a lab determine his potential size and structure. Diet and nutrition. In order to reach his potential, a lab requires the proper diet for his stage of life and activity level. A lab who is a couch potato will generally require fewer calories than one who is active. Female labs usually weigh less than male labs at the same life stage. English vs. American Labrador Retrievers Although there is no recognized separate breed of English and American labs , in reality there are distinctions regarding their breeding. English labs are bred for the conformation ring and generally weigh in at the higher end of the desired range for labs. And they may weigh even 20 more pounds than American labs without being overweight. American labs, aka field-bred labs, are bred from working lines, in order to hunt. They are leaner and more muscular than English labs. There is no definitive guide stating that labs of certain colors weigh more than others. But their breeding and function enters into whether a lab will weigh more. Black Labradors. Black labs are found in both English and American labs. But an English-bred lab is likely to weigh more than an American lab is. Chocolate Labradors. They are more likely to be from conformation lines than those from working, field lines. So chocolate labs are more likely to be at the higher end of the weight spectrum. Yellow Labradors. They are found in both show and field lines, so there is no likelihood that a yellow lab will weigh more. Other colors. Although not a recognized color, red fox labs are generally American, field-type labs. What Is an Ideal Lab Weight? Muscle weighs more than fat does by volume. Body condition and general health determines what your lab should weigh. Labrador retrievers usually reach their full height between nine and 12 months of age. There are nine different levels that are measured. And you gently palpate the dog to feel how much fat covers those areas. In the first three levels of the chart, a dog is determined to be too thin. Ribs, lumbar vertebrae, and pelvic bones are prominent. And there may even be muscle wasting. There is no to little discernible body fat. And there is an obvious waist and abdominal tuck. In the ideal range, levels four to five, ribs are palpable without excess fat. The waist is easily noted when viewed from above. And there is an evident abdominal tuck when viewed from the side. In the last four levels of body condition, steps six to nine, the dog is too heavy. And the dog has a discernible but not prominent waist when viewed from above and an apparent tummy tuck when viewed from the side. The last three steps range from the ribs barely being palpable to massive fat deposits over the body with no abdominal tuck and even abdominal distension. So you really need to determine where your dog is along this scale. If in doubt, check with your vet to determine whether your lab is an appropriate weight for his age, size, and activity level. So expect them to keep weighing more during that period. Factors regarding how large a lab will get include: Genetics. Generally larger parents and lineage means larger lab puppies. Paw size. Of course, as a lab gets older, he should grow. During the first six months, a lab has rapid rate increases, including growth spurts. On average, a puppy will gain about two or so pounds per week. So a five-week-old puppy will be about 10 pounds and a week-old puppy around 26 pounds. This is the point between their shoulder blades. Labs reach size maturity relatively early compared to other large breeds. They will likely attain their adult height somewhere around the 9-month mark, although realistically this could occur anywhere between 6 months and a year. After that, they will likely continue to fill out, so you could see their weight continue to increase anywhere up until their second birthday. Are There Different Sizes of Labrador? There is only one official size of Labrador. The differences between the two are because of decades of specialized breeding. English Labs were bred for showing and tend to be shorter, stockier, and on the heavy side. In contrast, American Labs were working dogs, bred for enhanced speed and agility, and for this reason can be somewhat taller, slimmer, and more athletic than their British counterparts not to mention more energetic and highly-strung. Beyond that, the sex of your dog can have an impact. Female Labs tend to be slightly shorter at .They may also weigh slightly less, between pounds compared to pounds. Not a significant difference granted, but a difference, nonetheless. Photo by Janelle Everhart on Unsplash As mentioned above, when Labs get to their adult size at around 9 months , they will likely continue to grow outwards as their muscles develop. This means their weight will keep going up for a while. Our interactive puppy growth chart and calculator has more information on that. Check out these guides on best dog food for puppies here. How Big is a Full-Grown Labrador? As can be seen in the table above, a full-grown Labrador Retriever is somewhere between .Labradors usually get to half their full weight between 4. You can calculate their potential adult weight at 23 weeks by taking what they weigh at that age and multiplying it by two. By six months old, your Labrador has likely achieved around two-thirds of their adult weight. At this time, usually weighing at least double what they did four months ago, they will be reaching the end of their rapid growth period. The remainder of the growing that they do will be at a steadier pace and will likely stretch across the next six months, if not longer. While your Lab may seem big and adult in appearance at this age, keep in mind that they are still a puppy in many ways. Photo by Ryan Phillips on Unsplash Those of you considering a pedigree breed, such as the Labrador Retriever, over hybrid dogs like Doodles will be relieved to hear that making predictions about their adult size is a much simpler business. However, there can still be considerable variations in the adult size and weight of perfectly healthy Labs. Hopefully, the information provided here proves usual in helping you to understand precisely what you are likely to be dealing with in terms of the height and weight of your pup a couple of years down the line. Pin It! Labrador puppy weight. It can be hard to know what the right weight is for your specific pup. An American Lab is likely to weigh less than an English Lab in general, but not always! How much do Labs weigh in general? Male Labradors weigh between 60lbs and 80lbs, while females weigh in at between 55lbs and 75lbs. But many healthy Labradors fall outside these averages. As you can see, there is quite a range! Labrador Puppy Weight Lots of our readers want to know how much should my Labrador weigh at this age or that age. Labrador puppies are growing fast, and their weight is constantly changing. We used the data from our forum to create the Lab weight chart below. If you want a rough idea of how much your pup should weigh at different stages of their young life, just compare them to this chart and see how they match up. But remember, average Labrador weight is not totally straight forward… Average Labrador Weight Labradors come in a wide variety of sizes. So average Labrador Retriever weight figures can be misleading. As a very rough guide an adult female Labrador might weigh between 55 and 70lbs. An adult male Lab will weigh 65 — 80lbs. Female Lab weight will on average be lower than male Lab weight, but as you can see there is a considerable cross over. But Labradors also come in a couple of different types, and his type will have an impact upon his ideal Labrador weight. English Labs bred from show lines are likely to be at the upper end of the scale. You can expect English Lab weight to be around 60 — 70 lbs for a female and 70 — 80 lbs for a male. Some of our chunkier, show bred Labs can be a good twenty pounds or more heavier than their field bred cousins, without necessarily being overweight. Whereas the American Lab who is field bred is likely to be at the lower end of average. Volume for volume, muscle weighs more. So it is worth bearing in mind, that a very fit dog will have more muscle and may weigh more than an unfit dog of similar dimensions. Black Lab Weight In theory there should be no difference in weight between Labradors of different colors. Black Labrador weight for an English black Lab will probably be at the higher end of the range, for an American black Lab it will likely be lower. Black Labs are frequently found in both these categories, but some Lab colors differ. For example the chocolates. Chocolate Lab Weight Chocolate Labs are more likely to be show bred than field bred. English Labs weigh more than American Labs in general, and may therefore be at the higher end of average when it comes to weight. This is because yellow Labs are commonly found in both categories. White Labs are more likely to be English Labs, and will therefore probably be at the heavier end of the scale. Fox red Labs are normally American Labs, and will often be thinner in build and therefore lighter in weight. The way to effectively judge whether your Lab is at an ideal weight is not through the scales. It is by feel and appearance. You should not be able to see ribs, but if you press firmly along his sides you should just be able to feel your fingers bumping along them. But in most cases it really is not necessary to weigh your puppy every day, or even every week! Any more than you would weigh your three year old child on a daily or even weekly basis. There are however, some exceptions. Very thin puppies Occasionally we have people post up about puppies that are desperately underweight and clearly failing to thrive. Most of these comments come from people that have purchased puppies that are not ready to leave their mothers, and should not have been sold by the breeder. Some of these puppies are as young as three weeks old. If you have inadvertently been sucked into this horrible trade in underage puppies, do contact a vet for help with feeding your puppy, as a matter of urgency. If you are concerned that your puppy might be seriously underweight, again, your vet is the first port of call. As a very rough guide, many Labrador puppies will weigh around a kilo for every week of their lives. So you would expect a ten week puppy to weigh something in the region of ten kilos or around twenty-two pounds. A twenty percent variation around this would be fairly normal. If your puppy falls outside this variation he may still be perfectly healthy, but if you are inexperienced, a check with the vet is a good way to put your mind at rest. Should I Weigh My Dog? You may need to weigh your dog if he needs medical treatment. Determining the appropriate dose of some drugs requires that we know the exact weight of the patient. But in this case your veterinarian will probably do it for you at their check-ups and assessments. The main reasons to weigh a dog are loss or gain. Trying to put weight on a very thin puppy? You may want to check your progress with regular weigh-ins for a while to make sure they are sufficiently gaining weight. Trying to help your adult Labrador weight decrease? Checking their weight each week will help you to know that you are succeeding, along with visual checks. How to weigh a dog If you need to weigh a puppy, and he is small enough to hold in your arms, you can do this at home. Just weigh yourself on the bathroom scales without him, then weigh yourself again whilst holding the dog, and subtract the first weight from the second. This is accurate enough for most purposes. Larger dogs will need to be weighed on purpose built scales. Most vet surgeries have one in the waiting room, and some pet stores have them too. Really tiny dogs can be weighed accurately on a good sized set of kitchen scales. For once, this is a situation where appearances really do count. Try to get into the habit of looking at your dog objectively and of avoiding comparing with other dogs, many of whom will be overweight. You may find that some other dog owners will tell you your nice slim Labrador is actually too thin. This happens a lot, largely because people are simply getting used to so many dogs being overweight, including some of those receiving the highest accolades in our show rings. Again, if you are worried, check with your vet, but the chances are if someone is telling you this that actually your dog is healthy, and it is really their dog who is overweight.

Lung disease Pain In a healthy puppy, a short lived episode of fast breathing that quickly resolves and is not accompanied by any other symptoms is unlikely to be of concern. During non-REM sleep, the dog is immobile and does not dream. Is your dog twitching in their sleep? If so, this is likely them in REM sleep which can cause them to move their limbs and breathe heavily as they dream. This is normal sleep behavior and does not indicate any sort of health concern. If your puppy is breathing heavily during sleep, he is simply dreaming about chasing his favorite ball! Breathing heavily during sleep is not a problem and does not mean that your puppy is in any kind of distress. A normal resting breathing rate in puppies is breaths per minute when the puppy is relaxed and quiet. The respiratory rate can naturally be higher if the puppy is excited or has recently exercised. Once the puppy calms down, this breathing rate should go back to the normal breaths per minute range. If the breathing does not return to normal on its own within a short period of time or if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as coughing, increased effort to breathe, changes in the color of the tongue or gums, or other changes in health or behavior, then this is a sign that the rapid breathing is abnormal and should be evaluated by a veterinarian. Seek veterinary care right away. Depending on the cause of the breathing problem, treatment could include medications or surgery, or a referral to a specialist for further care. Fast breathing in puppies is often a normal occurrence, especially when it happens during sleep. Puppies dream just like we do and they may twitch, move, or breathe rapidly during REM sleep when they are dreaming. Puppies can also breathe fast if they are excited or after exercise, such as playing with a favorite toy or running to greet the guests that just arrived at your door! At these times, it is not unexpected to see your puppy breathing faster than normal - although it is important to know the answer to how far can a puppy walk and how much exercise they can do in general to ensure you're not over-taxing them. If your puppy breathes faster than normal when he is calm and quiet, and the episode does not resolve within a short amount of time or is accompanied by other respiratory symptoms, then it may be time to see your veterinarian for further advice and care. Fast breathing can be a sign of several illnesses in puppies, including heart disease and respiratory illnesses. Looking for more great puppy content to help you navigate that first year of their life? Find out how much sleep does a puppy need? A puppy may experience 20 sleep cycles nightly. Humans typically go through about four or five cycles. These are the phases. Non-rapid eye movement NREM. This phase often lasts about 10 minutes. Rapid eye movement REM. Breathing increases during this phase of deep sleep, especially if your pup is dreaming yes, dogs dream. Recommended Videos Your dog will run through these cycles. There may be other reasons, too. How can I find out how fast my pet is breathing? However, vets say some dogs have lower thresholds. Count the breaths. Repeat for 30 seconds. Multiply the number of breaths by 2. Should I call a vet? Several factors can trigger fast breathing during sleep. Exertion Best-case scenario: Your pup is still cooling down from a rousing play session or exercise. If you took your puppy out for a game of fetch or went on a power walk together, they may still be breathing heavily as they nap it off. Heatstroke is dangerous for dogs, just like for humans. Turn down the heat or move your puppy to a cooler space, preferably inside, on a hot day. Make sure they have plenty of water. Food poisoning If your puppy got into something they should not have, like garlic or onions , they might breathe heavily. If it collapses or has too much pressure, your puppy may start breathing more heavily. Other symptoms of this issue include a dry cough. This problem typically occurs in older dogs, but puppies can have issues too. Certain breeds, like chihuahuas, are more susceptible to tracheal collapses. Heart issues Heavy breathing can be a sign of heart disease. If your dog is diagnosed with ticker trouble, the vet may have you monitor their resting breathing rate more often. Simply count each breath, which is considered one inhale and exhale, for 30 or 60 seconds. If counting for 30 seconds, multiply the number of breaths by 2. Generally, anything over 30 to 35 breaths per minute is cause for concern. Puppies may breathe rapidly when sleeping if they have recently played or exercised or are too hot. Fast breathing during rest periods can also be a sign of something more serious, such as food poisoning or heart disease. Make sure to keep your dog out of the heat and ensure they always have plenty of water. Call your vet if you notice fast breathing while sleeping. They can advise you on the next steps and evaluate your pup to determine if treatment is necessary. Editors' Recommendations. It may or may not be normal for a Pug to: Pant Burp Have loud breathing Panting and loud breathing sounds are expected- to an extent- from Pugs of all ages - puppies to seniors. Because of how a Pug dog's head and snout is shaped, it is normal for this breed to have to catch their breath every now and then. With this said, heat stress or over-exercise can cause heavier than normal panting noises that require an immediate break from activity, a drink of water and possibly other treatment if the Pug cannot calm down. Since this dog breed overheats very quickly, panting will occur as soon as the dog begins to feel too hot; so this can often happen on hot or humid days or if your Pug ends up walking or running around longer than planned. If a Pug is making noises that appear to be stressed breathing, an owner should bring their dog into a cool environment and allow their Pug to rest. If this is happening, the dog is in distress; most likely from a blockage of some type. An elognated palate can be partially blocking the air way, causing loud breathing sounds. Stenotic Nares narrow or closed nostrils can also cause a Pug to struggle with normal breathing. Both of these issues are common health problems with the breed and often resolved with a surgical procedure. If a Pug dog burps, this may be triggered by the food that he is eating or the rate at which he is eating it. While you may not be able to eliminate all of the burping, making even small changes to his diet can help often the removal of a particular vegetable works. Additionally, obtaining a slow-eat bowl or portion pacer to add to an existing bowl allows for slower consumption of food which means less air is being gulped down. If the burping is excessive, this may point to an acid reflex problem and your vet should be made aware of just how often your Pug is indeed burping. You may also be interested in: Pug Dog Breathing Problems - Being a brachycephalic flat faced breed, there expected to be some level of breathing issues with Pugs. Learn what is normal and what is not. Pug Sleeping Habits - How much sleep is normal according to age, ways to help your Pug get a good night's sleep and more. Pugs and Gas Problems - If your Pug is letting one rip quite often, there are some things you can do to cut down on flatulence. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. In addition to their fun characters and unwavering allegiance to their human companions, pugs have become so loveable and are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world because of their squashed noses, protruding eyes and wrinkled, flat faces. However, their shot noses and flat faces is a recipe for the serious breathing issues that they tend to suffer from. Many people who have interacted with pugs at their homes or in the park often ask; is it normal for pugs to breathe heavily? Heavy breathing in pugs is relatively common within the breed. They often have difficulty in breathing in certain situations given that their breathing passages are shorter and compact. However, pugs tend to have some serious breathing issues that should never be ignored. There are a lot of questions that dog lovers often ponder about before buying and bringing a pug into their homes. Despite being a lovely dog breed, their breathing problem can be a major concern. All you need to know is how to manage the situation. Do all Pugs Breathe Heavily? Therefore, all pugs will breathe heavily and make various noises including; gulping to catch their breath, have reverse sneezing, snoring and even passing gas. As a pug owner, these types of noise become a normal part of living with your lovely pug. In other words, you should expect pugs of all ages to make loud breathing sounds, albeit to a given extent. Why do Pugs Have Breathing Problems? Our canine friends have a respiratory system made up of the nares the nostrils , the sinuses, the nasal cavity and the pharynx, which is a membrane-lined cavity connecting both the mouth and the nose to the esophagus. As you can imagine, any defect in any of these components will leave your dog struggling to breathe properly. Again, all dogs have the following three main types of skull and muzzle shapes: Mesocephalic — These types of skull and muzzle are almost equal in length and are considered medium-sized heads. This is because they offer enough space for the nasal cavities and all other components of the outer respiratory system. These types of dogs include the Golden Retriever and the Beagle. Dolichocephalic — These are thin and rounded skulls with a relatively long snout. Just like in mesocephalic skulls, this type of skull allows for adequate room for nasal cavities and can sufficiently accommodate other components of the upper respiratory system. Brachycephalic — These types of skulls are short, compact and contracted. The distance between the forehead and the muzzle is virtually non-existent and is quite short. In essence, the upper respiratory system is compressed to fit into this inadequate frame. Evidently, such skulls are abnormal and can lead to various breathing issues. Some of the dog breeds in this category include the Bulldog, the French bulldog, American Pit Bull Terrier and our little friend, the pug. According to studies, dogs with muzzles measuring less than half their head length or dogs with thicker necks have increased chances of suffering from BOAS, and pugs definitely fall under this category. Symptoms of BOAS Some of the signs of this condition can range from minor snoring to severe breathing problems. Again, animals suffering from this condition can struggle during exercises, are prone to overheating and can even collapse due to lack of sufficient air! This is because they tend to have nose problems and windpipe issues given that the entire respiratory system is lumped together. Other additional symptoms of this condition include rapid breathing, snoring, frequent panting and even difficulty in gagging and swallowing. In addition to the BOAS condition, pugs are known to suffer from other respiratory problems including: Pug Reverse Sneezing — Ever noticed that your pug sneezes so much? Many pugs have extremely long palate tissues that block their airways. This then leads to excessive sneezes, wheezes, and gasps. Pugs have stuffy noses, which tend to hold up moisture at all times. You should however not panic when you notice that your pug is on a seemingly endless sneezing spree. In such a situation, you can correct the elongated soft palate through surgery. You can consider talking to your vet on the corrective procedure to this issue so as to prevent it from becoming severe or leading to other respiratory problems. Given their conditions, pugs are highly sensitive and can negatively react to various situations. Struggling to grasp enough Air — Your pug can also struggle to grasp enough oxygen and may struggle to breathe properly. This can cause rapid breathing and respiratory distress. Their shorter and narrower breathing passages make them susceptible to extreme temperatures such as heat. If the situation worsens, and the breathing attack is severer than normal, you should immediately take your pug to the vet and have her checked out. Stenotic Snares — This is a general birth flaw found in dog breeds with squashed noses such as the pugs. This occurs in dogs with excessively soft nasal tissues. When they breathe, the nostrils tend to collapse, leaving them to breathe through their mouths. Collapsing Trachea — Pugs are known to suffer from collapsing or narrowed tracheas. As a result, they can suffer from chronic honking, which may lead to difficulty in breathing especially during exercise. Here are some of the perfect solutions: Use a Dehumidifier — Using a dehumidifier can help remove excess moisture from the air. This can help you avoid poor air quality, which may affect your lovely pug. Minimize Allergies — Pugs are a highly sensitive breed and may be affected by various issues such as smoke. For this reason, you should understand the types of allergens that your pug may be sensitive to and ensure that they are completely removed. You should, therefore, keep them in air-conditioned rooms and in pleasant temperatures. You should also avoid walking your pug in sunlight or in extreme temperatures. The ideal way to deal with this issue is to stop exercising and take enough rest. In essence, do not over exercise your pug as this can activate breathing problems. Carry some water — You can keep your Pugs cooler and hydrated during walks by giving them enough water. Instead, opt for a suitable harness that can offer better weight distribution and reduce the force on both the neck and throat areas. You should choose a suitable time that can help work off the calories without straining your lovely pug. However, the breathing problem is not as bad as it has been made to be. They are just fun and joy in little wrinkly packages. Like any other puppy, they are super playful and energetic. They love a good game of tug-o-war, fetch, or hide-and-seek. Occasionally, you may notice your baby Pug breathing hard. Is this something you should be concerned about? Pugs are susceptible to breathing problems because of their flat faces. When your baby Pug is breathing hard, it is most likely due from exertion, like playing or running. You only need to worry when your baby Pug is breathing hard, unrelated to exertion or play. Like their wild wolf cousins, puppies play not only to have fun but to learn how to interact with their surroundings. Playing allows puppies to learn boundaries with adult dogs, their human owners, and other important skills for becoming adult dogs. Puppies need to be with their mothers and littermates until ten weeks old because their mothers and littermates will be their best teachers, and the most important lessons they can learn are the ones they learn through play. To a new owner, the level of excitement a puppy can reach while playing may seem alarming. After an intense play session, your puppy may be exhausted and breathing hard. This is nothing to worry about! Helping your puppy to burn off some of its youthful energy is a great thing to do. No one wants their shoes chewed up! One special note about Pug puppies is that they tend to tire more easily than other breeds that have longer snouts because of their flat or brachycephalic faces. Pugs that are too hot or have been exercising too hard can have trouble breathing because of their flat faces. If your puppy seems to be struggling to take a breath after energetic play, take them immediately to the vet. There is a difference between fast breathing from play and labored breathing stemming from brachycephaly. Pug puppies should be played within cooler environments and may need more breaks than their longer-nosed brethren. Just be a little more cautious with your little Pug. Not all puppies will be infected with worms, but it is so frequent that almost all puppies are given deworming treatments with their first vet visits. If your Pug puppy has a round, taut belly, along with heavy panting, this is a good indication that they may have worms. Worms are very rarely a dangerous affliction to puppies when treated early. Only a vet can give you the medication your pup will need, so take them as soon as possible if you have any suspicion. Heatstroke Heatstroke in dogs is just as serious as the name suggests. Heavy or fast breathing is just one sign of heatstroke. Others include: Drooling. Side Effects of Medication Watching their beloved pup sleeping is one of the sweetest things in the world for many owners. Our pups are gorgeous, but when they sleep, especially in a funny position, we just can not resist them. Looking after our paw friends during sleep is not only quite normal, but it can also be very helpful, as we can recognize any breathing issues that may be present. However, the normal breathing rate for each pup is individual, that is why you may want to consult a veterinarian for accurate information about your paw friend. After 30 seconds you can just multiply the number by two, to determine the breathing rate of your paw friend. Why Do Pups Breathe Fast As mentioned above pups have higher breathing rates than adult dogs, which applies even more to hyper pups, who are eager to play and explore. In general, we could say that there are three types of reasons for faster breathing in pups: 1. Physical-related causes they are quite normal, and you should not worry ; 2. Psychological causes; 3. Underlying medical issues. Psychological causes might be related to stress triggers, that may cause anxiety and lead to increased breathing rate. The third group includes underlying health conditions like heart failure, respiratory problems, Cushing's disease a. In this case you need to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. It is important that the area is not draughty as, as your puppy may get sick. You should always keep in mind that heatstroke is dangerous not only for humans, but also for dogs. During this stage the eyes move fast behind closed eyelids , the heart rate increases and the breathing gets irregular. However, from a medical point of view, there is nothing to worry about. Stress triggers can usually be a rapid environmental change, i. Your Pup Is Breathing Fast During Sleep - When Should You Consult a Veterinarian If you notice that your paw friend is breathing rapidly even when they are resting, or they are panting with a closed or not fully opened mouth, you should contact a veterinarian. Coughing, retching, wheezing as well as producing other sounds , having blue or pale gums, are other signs of underlying health conditions, that require a veterinarian check. This condition can cause permanent lung damage. Coughing occurs as a response of the body in order to help the airways clear the excess mucus. Bronchitis can be acute and chronic. While acute bronchitis is usually caused by infection viral or bacterial and is a temporary condition, if its symptoms remain more than 2 months, it is deemed chronic. Trachea Problems The trachea is a part of the airway system, supported by cartilaginous rings that open to let air in and out. This is a progressive disease, most common in toy breeds like the Pug, the Yorkshire Terrier , the Miniature and the Toy Poodle, the Chihuahua. Tracheal collapse is perceived as an extension of chronic bronchitis. The treatment of trachea problems may feature both medication and preventative care. Dyspnea Dyspnea or the so-called shortness of breath is a condition that prevents the lungs from expanding. As a result, they can not get enough oxygen into the bloodstream which leads to breathing problems. Initial treatment may feature: providing oxygen, taking out fluid from the chest cavity, doing tracheal intubation, inhalation, keeping the pup hydrated, treating any bacterial infections if present. Heart Problems Fast breathing can be a sign of congestive heart failure. Accompanying symptoms can be panting, experiencing fatigue, having difficulties breathing or breathing very rapidly, coughing, and having blue gums. Medication to correct the heartbeat or prevent fluids from build-up may be prescribed. Also, surgery may be administered. Certain types of food such as chocolate, garlic, onion, chives, macadamia nuts, avocado, xylitol, corn on the cob can be harmful for your paw friend. We always recommend that you keep human food which is potentially dangerous for your dog locked and always supervise your paw friend while outdoor. Side Effects of Medication Sedatives and pain relievers can lead to breathing problems in your paw friend. In most cases these medications do not lead to labored breathing when used properly , however, if your dog has an allergic reaction, heart issues, anemia or internal bleeding, breathing problems may occur. You might also be interested in: Normal Breathing in dogs We hope that you all remember from biology class that breathing in brings oxygen into our lungs, swapping it with carbon dioxide to be expelled. The oxygen goes round the body to our cells, providing them with energy to function, producing more CO2 as a waste product. Without this critical action, we pretty much cease to function… we die! Our bodies are pretty good at knowing what they want. When our bodies are metabolising producing energy fast, such as during exercise, we use up oxygen and produce more carbon dioxide. Increased carbon dioxide leads to a drop in the pH of the blood — it becomes more acidic. So if the chemoreceptors detect low blood pH and O2, and high CO2, they tell the lungs and associated muscles to work faster tachypnoea or breathing fast. This brings oxygen into and CO2 out of our bodies more quickly, restoring balance. Once the levels are normal, the receptors tell the lungs to slow down again. So why is your puppy breathing fast? Probably because its chemoreceptors have detected low O2 and blood pH, and high CO2, and are compensating. Question answered! You probably want a bit more information than that. Normal Causes There are plenty of normal reasons why your puppy might be breathing fast. As mentioned above, the most likely reason is exercise. If a puppy has been running around all afternoon, its body will have a huge demand for oxygen to supply the hard-working cells, and a lot of CO2 to remove. Breathing fast will help correct this quickly. Stress, excitement or fear are all linked to the stress hormone cortisol. Also known as the fight-or-flight hormone, when it activates it increases the heart rate. As the heart is a muscle, it needs oxygen to function. A faster heart leads to tachypnoea as the lungs compensate to bring more O2 to the heart. Has your puppy just had a fright or gotten excited? This might be the cause of the fast breathing rate. Cortisol is also responsible for an increased breathing rate due to pain. If your puppy sadly hurts themself, they may breathe faster. Finally, the lungs have a secondary function of helping to cool the body down by expelling warm air and inhaling cooler air. As dogs only sweat through their feet and noses, the lungs are particularly important in regulating heat. Heat is produced secondarily to exercise or just because of the environment — if your puppy is too hot, it will pant fast to lose some of that heat. Be especially wary of exercising puppies on hot days, as the two heat sources can overwhelm their compensation mechanisms and lead to heatstroke — heatstroke can be fatal , especially in puppies, so always help them cool down if they are panting too hard. A fever due to illness can cause rapid breathing for the same reason. Heart Diseases The heart is closely linked to the lungs. It pumps blood to the lungs, allowing oxygen and carbon dioxide to be exchanged. Most heart diseases in puppies are present from birth — developing heart disease at such a young age is rare. The developing heart undergoes a lot of changes before a puppy is born. These cause the blood to flow in the wrong direction, or the heart to have to work harder against pressure. The result is excessive strain on the heart. We can sometimes hear these defects with a stethoscope as a heart murmur. Only the most serious heart defects cause disease and tachypnoea as a puppy — many will either cause no effects or result in disease later in life. Puppies with heart disease may have soft coughs and be very lethargic. To compensate, the lungs speed up — lung disease often results in very fast but shallow breathing. There are many kinds of lung disease. In puppies, the most common are probably infectious lung diseases. These include kennel cough , bronchopneumonia, viral infections like influenza, and lungworm. These diseases damage the lungs, fill them with infection and reduce the area available for oxygen and carbon dioxide to be exchanged. Secondary infections after inhaling objects such as grass seeds or just a simple blockage are also a common cause of tachypnoea. Generally, puppies with lung infections also have a fever, a cough and are quite poorly, so please speak to your vet if you suspect a lung infection. Sometimes newborn puppies can be born breathing very rapidly as a result of their lungs not functioning properly. When animals are born, the lungs are often immature and full of fluid — they usually clear within a few hours of life but they can sometimes take longer, especially if the puppy was born premature. In these cases, the puppy will often be breathing quite fast. Newborn puppies are very vulnerable, so a puppy like this will need a lot of veterinary care. Finally, the lungs can also be physically damaged, reducing their capacity and resulting in compensatory tachypnoea. Examples include bruising or puncture after an accident, or damage to the ribs or diaphragm that control lung movement. These events are obviously an emergency as there could be other issues going on like internal bleeding. However, not all tachypnoea is directly linked to the heart or lungs. These puppies are often dehydrated, e. Hypovolaemia can also occur due to bleeding. Finally, the red blood cells themselves the cells that carry oxygen can be low anaemia or damaged. There are many causes of red blood cell dysfunction, including chronic disease, parasites, autoimmune diseases, carbon monoxide or onion poisoning. Puppies with these issues are often pale, cold and have blue gums. All of the above are emergencies that need to be seen by a vet ASAP. The abdomen is close to the lungs and the abdominal organs even push up on the diaphragm when animals breathe out to help expel air. But if the organs get too big they can start to compress the lungs too much, they reduce its capacity for oxygen movement and causing tachypnoea. One of the most common reasons for a swollen belly in puppies is worms — puppies should be treated for worms regularly to prevent this. Swollen tummies can also occur due to blockages from swallowed objects or stools, twisted intestines or fluid in the abdomen. There is also a rare congenital disease that allows abdominal organs to enter the thorax where the lungs are, pushing on them — we can correct this with surgery. A puppy with a big swollen belly should always be investigated for these diseases. Finally, remember that control of the breathing rate is related to specific parts of the brain. Brain damage can sometimes result in tachypnoea, as well as other serious neurological issues. There is usually an underlying cause, and in puppies is probably due to an accident. If your puppy has bumped their head, please speak to a vet quickly, especially if they are breathing fast, are collapsed or bleeding, or are an abnormal colour. You should only consider talking to a vet if the puppy is breathing fast for prolonged periods of time, or there are other signs of disease. You might also be interested in:.

What are these milestones, and when can you expect them to meet them? We break it all down here, so you know exactly what to expect each step of the way. When you adopt a German Shepherd puppy, it can seem like they just keep growing. A fully grown German Shepherd will stand between 22 and 24 inches tall and weigh anywhere between 50 and 90 pounds. This manifests itself in many ways, but the most notable factor is their energy level. Puppies tend to have far more energy and be a little clumsier than fully mature dogs. German Shepherds leave their first puppy stage at around the 6-month mark, when they reach adolescence. When a dog reaches sexual maturity varies drastically depending on their sex. Male dogs tend to reach sexual maturity anywhere from 6 to 9 months, while female dogs tend to wait until adulthood. If you want to neuter a dog, you have a much smaller window to prevent puppies than with females. Their adult teeth are much larger and less sharp than their puppy teeth. Image Credit: aleksandra85foto, Pixabay Final Thoughts With so many age ranges that your German Shepherd can mature in various ways, it can be hard to keep track of everything. Related German Shepherd Reads:. German Shepherd Development: From Puppies To Adults Posted on Last updated: Categories German Shepherds From early puppyhood to adulthood, German Shepherds undergo significant development that shapes their temperament, behavior, and physical abilities. As a dog owner, understanding the developmental stages of your German Shepherd is crucial to providing the right care and training. German Shepherd development consists of several stages. Hey there! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions if you purchase products from other retailers after clicking on a link from our site. Contents Final Thoughts German Shepherd Development and Growth Stages German Shepherd development refers to the physical, cognitive, and social changes that occur in German Shepherd puppies as they grow and mature into adulthood. These changes include the physical development of their muscles, bones, and organs, as well as their ability to learn and process information. Social development involves their ability to interact with other dogs and humans and to understand and follow social rules and norms. As a dog owner, it is important to understand the growth stages of your German Shepherd. Knowing what to expect during each stage can help you provide the best care for your furry friend. In the latter case, you need to know that the German Shepherd puppy depends on his mother for everything in these initial weeks. This includes food, warmth, and physical security. Here, your only responsibility is to make sure the dam is equipped with what she needs to fulfill her duties. As long as you feed the adult GSD right, she will be able to feed her babies and give them the warmth and company they need. You might notice that the puppies may seem asocial. Do not measure how the puppy interacts with other dogs for at least three to four weeks, which brings us to what you can expect within the next two weeks. This is where the puppy can wean off and not need a diet made up of milk exclusively. The puppy can consume solid food but is not too fond of it, especially if it is strange in texture. Your priority at this stage should be to get him to accept solid food without regressing to a diet of milk. There will be a social incentive in weaning off as the puppy will observe the litter he belongs to and notice a simultaneous change in feeding preferences. This brings us to a very important change: social interaction. I mentioned above that you should not worry about social disinterest up until the third week. However, by the fourth week, you should look for some interaction. If the puppy fails to acknowledge others in the litter or is getting shunned collectively, consulting an expert trainer or a vet can be helpful. Otherwise, the journey from being 4 weeks old to being adoption-ready is a long one, and it starts by accepting a human guardian. From weeks 4 to 5, the puppy is learning to accept a human usually the breeder as his guardian. Both dominant guardian and guiding guardian archetypes work in establishing yourself as the leader, but the dominant frame might box you into less palatable training tactics. German Shepherd puppies are quite intelligent, but a bulk of this cognitive ability is unlocked in two stages. The first is around the five-week mark. This could be the fourth or sixth week, depending on the individual puppy, but it is noticeable when the dog starts getting excited about other dogs. Of course, you need to be on schedule with socialization and carry-walks to notice this. Again, this explains why breeders usually keep the GSD puppies at this stage. Aggression issues can stem from excitement signaling menace. The opposite is true as well. Fortunately, professional breeders expose the dog to other dogs his age at this stage, and he learns to adjust how he shows and perceives excitement, making your life as a new German Shepherd parent much easier. But socializing your German Shepherd happens in stages as well. And of different ages. The wider the variety of people he gets to see and interact with at this stage, the more receptive he will be to people growing up. If your German Shepherd has seen only young people all his life, he might react differently to older ones and vice versa. This also applies to experiences. Exposing your puppy to experiences like car rides and ringing doorbells ensures that he will be calm in normal situations as he grows up. And in addition to getting your German Shepherd acquainted with normal stimuli like bells and travel, you must get him crate trained at this stage. Introducing the crate as a refuge and a secure spot as opposed to jail is a great way to get your GSD puppy to accept the crate. The more you delay this, the harder it becomes to crate-train a German Shepherd. If you want to check how his growth compares to the guidelines, head over to this article, When Do German Shepherds Stop Growing? This also includes a handy growth chart. This is a critical stage because if unchecked, your German Shepherd might end up hurting other dogs or be hurt by them. The watchful dog-parent in you that you were holding back has his chance to shine here. Make sure you keep a close eye on your German Shepherd and how he interacts with any other dogs in the house. The status-measuring step is one even adult dogs take when first interacting with each other. But at this age, dogs engage in prolonged status-measuring inquiry and either establish dominance or accept their subservient spot. You cannot force your German Shepherd to be the alpha in a relationship with another dog. GSDs are very physical, which is fine when two dogs play within the same breed. But if one of your doggos belongs to a relatively fragile lineage, you might want to consider some separation. If you are worried your German Shepherd playing too rough , click the link for some cool tips on how to limit rough play. The easier to walk your GSD is, the more enjoyable it will be for you both. This is better elaborated in my dedicated post on the fun exercises you can do with your German Shepherd puppy. At the same time, his physical energy levels are rising every day, which can be counterproductive as your German Shepherd can get uber-excited about physical activity. Make sure you have him on a no-pull harness instead of a collar-and-leash, so you can get him properly under control without hurting him. You can also see my other recommendations here. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. According to Total German Shepherd , all feeding changes should be made gradually to ensure the best possible results. The food recommended by the breeder or rescue organization should be used for the first few weeks to avoid digestive disruption, and kibble should be mixed with a little water. Clean water should be available to your puppy all day but taken up at night. Puppies between eight and 12 weeks old do best with being fed three or four times daily. After 12 weeks, feeding your puppy twice a day is fine. Any changes to the amount of food a puppy eats should be done gradually. Puppies will experience their most significant growth rates between three and six months old. In most cases, this will be around a year old, although larger males might take longer to reach this size. The Happy Puppy Site states that a lot of problems German Shepherds can encounter are due to bone growth that occurs too rapidly. These issues include hip dysplasia. Choosing the right food and feeding the right amount both play a leading role in making sure your puppy grows at an acceptable rate. A raw diet might prove beneficial once your dog has reached adult size. One of the possible benefits is reducing the possibility of hip dysplasia. When your puppy has a growth rate that follows a proper pace, the dog will reach the appropriate proportions when they are supposed to. Even though all dogs run the risk of injury, a puppy that grows at the appropriate rate has healthier bones. Puppy food for large breeds with a high protein level is best for German Shepherd puppies. Whenever possible, it is always a good idea to continue the same brand and essential formulation, but to switch to the adult version when appropriate. You will not only avoid any issues with finicky behavior but will also help ensure that your puppy continues to meet its essential nutritional needs. The outcome of taking these steps will be better overall health for your dog. Then, you will replace half the food for two days and three-quarters for two days, ultimately making the switch totally to the new food. This process should take two to four weeks. This video helps put the process of switching your dog over to another food into perspective. This relatively simple step is an essential way of making sure that your dog is nourished. Avoid adding supplements, because they may add too many nutrients that are already present in the food. Eggs, cooked vegetables, or yogurt make suitable additives for better digestion or flavor variety if you want to provide a treat. Amanda J. These guidelines may vary depending on the brand and formulation. Make sure your dog keeps a healthy weight. The spine, ribs, and pelvic bones should be easy to lightly feel. All GSDs should have a visible waistline. If the food your puppy is eating seems to be leaving them unsatisfied or they do not appear to be gaining healthy weight levels, you may need to consider following up with your veterinarian. Medium-length beef marrow bones can be a tasty treat in addition to their food, especially if stuffed with pumpkin without any spices or peanut butter. However, avoid pork or poultry bones, because these can splinter very easily. Gravy should never be given as a treat because of its potential to cause diarrhea. Another concern is that gravy might contain spices possibly toxic to dogs. Avoid feeding table scraps for the same reason. There are concerns about some kibble-based dog foods that owners should be aware of, according to Anna Burke. These foods include grain-free varieties high in potato and legume content like lentils or peas. Such ingredients increase the risk of canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Large dogs like Shepherds may be somewhat more prone to this condition. If you want to consider this diet, wait until your dog has achieved adult size. Avoid homemade diets, as these are mostly deficient in crucial nutrients that growing puppies require. Melissa Smith notes that timing is everything when it comes to switching from puppy to adult food, and your vet will play a leading role. One of the reasons why timing is so important is because the calorie content of puppy food is so high. This can make the young adult dog gain weight too quickly, in the wrong places, particularly the belly area, where fat can be dangerous. A growth spurt after a year is possible in German Shepherds, particularly males, and your vet may have a good idea of when the growth will finish. However, what about Shepherds that are not purebred? This question is very reasonable, as it is a little more difficult to guess when a mixed-breed is done growing. Compare your measurements to popular GSD growth charts for reference. Consider making sure your vet is on-board as you make the transition from puppy food to adult. Your vet will be able to spot any nutritional deficits that require addressing. Another advantage is being able to ensure the dog has proper bone growth. If your German Shepherd has needs that require a special diet, your vet will be able to provide valuable guidance about the appropriate timing. Even though you might find it challenging to think about obesity when your dog is transitioning out of puppyhood, this stage is not too early by any means. Early prevention is key to stopping many conditions besides hip dysplasia. Both obesity and being underweight can come with their share of problems for your growing dog. Obesity, when unchecked, can not only lead to bone and joint issues but can also lead to heart disease and diabetes. If your dog is underweight, Amber King recommends a high-protein diet with a moderate amount of fat. Follow up with your vet to help uncover the cause of the low body weight. Another possible health issue of concern, according to Dr. OCD is a condition that involves abnormal cartilage growth at the end of a joint. Wobbler syndrome is another condition that may have its origins in overly rapid growth. This disorder is a neurological condition that affects the spinal cord in the neck area, often leading to difficulties with walking. When you have a growing German Shepherd, the right nutrition makes all the difference in their growth and development. Even though it may feel as though the amount of information on nutrition is overwhelming, it is essential. Making the right choices early on will mean greater health and happiness for your dog. A dog that grows at a reasonable, healthy rate will do much better in life. Recommended reading:.

We are proud to provide an extensive development and socialization program for our puppies as outlined in our "How we raise our puppies" section. In addition to making wonderful family companions, our puppies are sought after for service and therapy work. Passionate about the work of breeding We are a small hobby breeder of Golden Retrievers with European lines located in Prescott, Arizona, approximately 90 miles north of Phoenix. We have limited but well-planned breedings each year. Our dogs are exclusively from European bloodlines and are bred to the exacting Kennel Club Golden Retriever breed standard. We uphold only the highest standards in the health, temperament and structure of our dogs, as well as in their care. Health testing We are consciously aware that our reputation as a breeder depends on the quality not the quantity of puppies we raise. We are exceptionally careful about the pedigrees of the puppies and ensure complete health testing of both dam and sire. This includes hip, elbow, heart, eye, and appropriate DNA testing. First things first Our puppies are an extension of our family. We wish for our puppies to enjoy the life our dogs enjoy. The following values are very important to us in placing our puppies in their forever homes: Spayed ovary-sparing technique only or neutered vasectomy only after 2 years of age if necessary. Given appropriate and adequate exercise on a daily basis. Treated as integral part of the family and live indoors. Vaccinated minimally using the titer method to demonstrate protection. Trained using only positive reinforcement. Fed a species appropriate raw or canned protein diet avoiding too many carbohydrates. Groomed and brushed frequently. How we raise our puppies The Art and Science of Breeding As breeding associates, we utilize current research and data on successful breeding, gestation, whelping, and puppy development from professional memberships with Avidog and Puppy Culture. In addition, we follow the advice of Dr. The Prenatal Period Did you know that puppies are affected by the health, happiness and environment of their mother and father? Did you know mother dogs who receive affection during their pregnancy may give birth to more docile puppies? At Sono Grato, we understand the role stress hormones have in perinatal development and know puppies born of stressed parents may have less bone mass and learning deficits. Therefore, we provide our dogs with the following: Daily exercise- hikes, field running, swimming, and core body training. Lots and lots of affection and praise. Shared space in our home. They really live with us and take turns sleeping with us. Balanced species appropriate diet raw with additional supplements to meet the needs of reproduction. Frequent grooming- brushed daily, bathed at least monthly, teeth brushed nightly. Daily opportunities for exploration and problem solving, therapeutic chewing, training and relaxation. These are the fundamentals of care provided to our dogs on a consistent basis in an effort to meet their needs, which in turn, make our dams and sire happy, healthy and stable parents for our puppies. The Neonatal Period- Days It is said newborn puppies neonates look like sleeping loaves of fur but there is incredible growth activity taking place. Did you know neonates actually double in body weight by day 10? Carmen Battaglia, and implemented by the U. Military in their Super Dog program. From days , we handle each puppy and perform 6 different exercises designed to stimulate the neurological system. Because this is the period of most rapid neurological growth, it is the opportune time to provide minor stress to the neonate as it develops. How we raise our puppies.The Transitional Period- Days Puppies have developmental periods that are defined by behavioral markers. An individual puppy might reach a specific developmental period ahead of, at the same time, or later than its litter mates. At Sono Grato, we observe our puppies' behaviors on a daily basis and make notations on our daily assessment log as each puppy demonstrates developmental markers. In this transitional period, our Golden Retriever puppies show their precocious nature and desire to be clean. We have observed our puppies moving away from their bedding to eliminate at around 2 weeks of age. It is during this period that we introduce our "potty area. Everyone loves that our puppies have mastered eliminating in a potty box. The Critical Socialization Period- weeks Most people are unaware that the critical socialization period begins at 3 weeks for puppies and ends at about 12 weeks of age. Socialization is not simply exposing a puppy to someone or something. It is a healthy mixture of learning new skills, positive experiences with new things, sounds and people, and engagement in enrichment activities. Visitors of all ages arrive to greet and carefully handle the puppies. Precautions are taken to maintain a clean environment devoid of bacteria and viruses. As the puppies' ears and eyes are now open, we provide sounds and sights that engage and enrich their life in the whelping box. We continue to weigh each puppy- now on a weekly basis and trim their toe nails every 3 days. Puppies are provided with a much larger potty box near the front of their pen where they can promptly eliminate before greeting us or their mother during the day. Puppies experience emotional resiliency exercises to teach them to adapt to daily stressors. Puppies engage in problem solving games to stimulate their thinking skills. Puppies are introduced to crates in a positive manner. With crate doors removed and snuggly beds provided, we often see our puppies gravitate to the crate for naps during the day. Puppies are introduced to the Adventure Box which provides noise and stimulation from various dangling objects. Puppies meet our other family dogs through the fence and begin to establish familiarity and confidence in their company. Puppies begin to take weekly cart rides on our land and in our neighborhood. Puppies begin to understand the concept of "bedtime" as we say each night, "Good night, go to bed" while we turn out the lights and turn on the nursery lullaby. We continue to provide opportunities for puppies to nurse from their mother if she is willing. Puppies are introduced to the clicker and rewards that follow the sound. We begin to teach puppies how to give us their attention, sit politely without us asking and to come when called. Puppies are guarded from experiencing fear which may manifest in lifelong fear issues. Puppies continue to learn to be comfortable with crates. They are given treats when they venture into their crates during the day and learn the game of running into their crate for rewards as well. Puppies are observed during play and encouraged to problem solve situations which frustrate them. How we raise our puppies, con't. Puppies continue to meet and play with many people of different ages, shapes and sizes. Puppies continue to practice sitting for our attention or petting. We do not expect or reward jumping up. Puppies continue to experience novel objects, object challenges, unusual footing, heights, and noises. Puppies begin to nap in their crates with their own Snuggle Puppie while doors are left open. This is a tedious process of waiting for each puppy to fall asleep and then carefully carrying it to its crate to finish napping there. Puppies begin to eat some meals in their crates with the doors closed. Puppies are escorted outdoors for elimination every hour during the day. Puppies experience a car by first enjoying raw meaty bones in it ,while the vehicle idles. Later in the week, they experience a short ride around the neighborhood after a second round of raw meaty bones. Puppies experience a warm and relaxing bath followed by a towel dry with a blow dryer running to accustom them with the noise. By this time, their mother may or may not permit nursing. Puppies learn to enter the crate when asked, eat, chew bones, and nap in the crate with the door closed. Puppies continue to have opportunities to eliminate outdoors every hour. Puppies continue to experience car rides. Puppies begin to learn to sit on cue, come when called, and give up a toy when asked. Puppies continue to learn to be comfortable when being handled, brushed, and nails trimmed. Puppies continue advanced crate training. They learn to enter crate when asked, eat, chew bones, and nap with the door closed. She is everything one would hope to have in a companion dog. Joya is intelligent, playful, affectionate, and good with people and other dogs. She is an outstanding mother to her puppies. She loves to run, hike and best of all, swim. Jayne is biddable, fun loving, and friendly with all dogs and people. She is exceptionally affectionate. We are very grateful to have her as Rembrandt and Joya's offspring. Remy seeks affection from everyone he greets and is eager to please. He really enjoys his one on one swim time. Golden Puppies Az Golden Puppies AzThey are intelligent and active, playing well with children, and enjoying time outside. We are doing our part to continue improving the "English" type Golden Retriever breed. Prices may vary based on the breeder and individual puppy for sale in Phoenix, AZ. Our aim in breeding is to produce the perfect golden in type and temperament. Male puppy available now. Bonnie recently moved to Arizona with her human from. All you have to do is sift through our listed pups to find your favorite, contact the breeder or business, and then wait for your new doggo to arrive! We have been rescuing Golden Retrievers since and operate in the State of Arizona. We have a litter due in May .Welcome to Our Golden Home! Breeder of Quality Pet, Working. Take our Puppy Matchmaker Quiz to narrow your search for the perfect companion! Location Breed Gender. Rescue A Golden of Arizona. They make a great family dog because of. Once you apply, Cindy will get back to you about availability, pricing and next steps. Goldendoodle puppies have become one of the most popular breeds in Phoenix, AZ and across the United States. Available Puppies For Sale. But that's not the only reason Goldens are associated with the word family. Welcome to Valor Golden Retrievers. Not only do we love our puppies, we want. Select the "Available Dogs" tab above to view dogs ready for adoption. English Goldendoodles Health tested. Prices may vary based on the breeder and individual puppy for sale in Tucson, AZ. Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Tucson, AZ from trusted. Our English Goldendoodles range in size from 25 to 60 pounds. Prices for Golden Retriever puppies in Arizona are dependant on a number of variables including gender, coloring, breeder expertise, personality traits and more. Having always owned labradors and. This breeder offers delivery to Tucson and Phoenix. Valor Golden Retriever breeders are in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. Arizona Golden Rescue provides a wide range of services. Goldendoodle Puppy Alumni Finding the perfect Goldendoodle puppy has never been easier. We have been breeding puppies since , with a focus on making the transition from our loving home to yours as easy as possible. This rescue spays and neuters rescue dogs, equips them with microchips, and tests for common ailments. Our Goldens are …. To that endeavor we breed to Champion-titled stock, in the hope. Golden's are lovable, highly intelligent, well-mannered and extremely charming. You'll be asked to provide information about yourself and what you are looking for so the breeder can help you find the right match. Xanadu Golden Retrievers 6. We breed only animals with OFA hips, elbow, heart clearances. Easy, transparent and safe: healthy and happy Golden Retriever puppies from the best breeders. Please enjoy browsing through our website. The facility is very clean and well-maintained. Golden Retriever Puppies For Sale. Golden Retriever Male 2. Fantastic breeder, boarder, and groomer! Golden Puppies breeds properly and truly cares about the dogs. Arizona Goldendoodles is proud to announce that we will be adding Mini Sheepadoodles to our breeding program. Arizona Golden Rescue is an all-volunteer, non-profit c 3 , charitable organization whose mission is to rescue displaced Golden Retrievers and mostly-Golden Retriever mixes that may have been abused, abandoned, neglected, unwanted, or surrendered by their owners due to previously unforeseen circumstances. Golden Puppies Surprise AZ. Fill out Puppy Buyer Questionnaire. Originally bred as a hunting dog for retrieving waterfowl it makes an ideal pet for any type of family. Australian Shepherd puppies for sale in Arizona from trusted breeders. We raise our puppies in our home in Mesa, AZ. Ambient Golden Retrievers 8. Golden Retrievers are known as 'family' dogs because they are great around children and they are very friendly towards humans in general. These parents are AKC registered of course as well as Hip and elbow certified. Ramsey x Courage -- breeding this month. Golden Puppies, Surprise, Arizona. We are located a short 2 hour drive from Scottsdale or Phoenix, and about 6 hours from San Diego. Adoptable pets are also vaccinated and. Buddy is available! We breed only a few times a year. We can ship nationwide including Alaska, and Hawaii. We are a breeders specializing in Golden Retrievers, Dalmatians. Please join us for celebration of our new facilities and private dog park. The litter of seven consist of two girls and five boys! Need to relinquish your Golden? Goldendoodles are not just smart but also sensitive to human emotion and eager to please. Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Phoenix, AZ from trusted breeders. Golden Retriever Pupps! We strive to produce beautiful, healthy puppies of sound mind, that conform to the breed standard. Our puppies come with limited AKC registration. But that's not the only reason Goldens. Breeder, Boarding, Grooming. Golden Angels Kennels is located in Douglas, Arizona, miles southeast of Tucson, and miles southeast of Phoenix. Brightness Beauties: Golden Retrievers and Goldendoodles. Valor Golden Retrievers 2. Goldendoodle Puppies in Phoenix, AZ. They go home with a shot record, a sample of their food, and a new puppy packet to make the transition easier on everyone. Arizona Golden Treasures 7. Anasazi Golden Retrievers 4. Contact us today to learn more about our puppies or if you want to make a special order. Our puppies are raised beneath the blue skies and warm sun of Arizona. We have one maybe two litters a year. We strive to breed the best puppies we can, educate their new owners and ensure these precious creatures get the love, care. Check out the Golden Retriever puppies for sale we currently have in our stores. For instance, an English cream Golden Retriever AZ or red Golden Retriever puppies Arizona may be priced higher since their physical traits are less common. Westwing Retrievers in Arizona. English Golden Retrievers. Goldens are very loyal, and need a whole lot of time to run around and play. Find your Golden Retriever puppy for sale in Arizona. Mother is Golden Retriever. They are affectionate, obedient and loyal to a fault. Wildfire Golden Retrievers 5. Goldendoodles thrive in a variety of living situations, and make the perfect friend for kids, pets, and adults of all ages. Contact us today to get added to our adoption waiting list. We go to great lengths to ensure excellence in our doodle puppies health, disposition, and appearance. Golden Angels Kennels 3. Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Phoenix, AZ from trusted …. Desert Hills, AZ .Whoodle Puppies Click to visit our Whoodle Puppies page. Our passion for the English golden started in when we received our first baby golden retriever, Leila. We are located in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. This allows us to focus on our dogs and have better socialized puppies. Not only do we love our puppies, we want what is best for the owners as well! Our dogs are carefully selected and bred to ensure that we are producing quality family members with great temperaments. The puppies are. Learn more 1, puppies available 1, certified breeders Transportation Location. Contact us today to get on our waiting list. The following must be met in order to be accepted into the program:. All of our puppies are raised in the. Our male Bote comes from Champion bloodlines. Most areas of Southern California are only a short 6 -7 hour drive. Individual puppies of these AKC - registered litters, therefore, are eligible to be registered with AKC, subject to compliance with existing AKC Rules, Regulations, Policies and the submission of a properly completed registration application. We strive to produce beautiful, healthy puppies of sound mind, that conform to the breed. The Golden Retriever is one of the most popular dogs in the U. We will also ship to Canada if requested. Winter Ridge Golden Retrievers! Our dogs and doodle puppies are all important members of our. And Thanks for visiting Jovis's Goldens! If you're interested in a puppy from Westwing Retrievers, please apply. Puppies Browse our selection of beautiful puppies for sale. We are a small Golden Retriever breeder located in Phoenix, Arizona. We care for a wide variety of breeds. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help you find the puppy your whole family will love. Golden Retriever Breeders Arizona.

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase the item. This comes at no extra cost to you. If your Golden Retriever is like mine, they just want to play all day. It contains a mix of games that will mentally stimulate them, physically stimulate them, games with toys involved, and games with no equipment needed. Here are the best games to play with your Golden Retriever: Chase All puppies love chasing and being chased, so this is a fun way to tire them out. Treat Toss Treat toss is another way to get your puppy practice coming to you. This is a great game to play to pre-practice recall, get your pup some exercise, and have them learn that good things come from you. This game obviously requires lots of food, so instead of feeding your puppy their meal in a bowl, you could just play this game. To play this game, you and your partner each grab a handful of treats kibble will be fine for young puppies and sit across the room from each other. For more fun or more advanced dogs, there are a few ways to mix this game up. The other option is to take it outside. This is best with older puppies who are not so distracted and who are good at coming when called. We play this game with my 3-year-old Golden Retriever all the time in our backyard where we stand on opposite sides of the yard to get him some exercise. Want to potty train your Golden Retriever puppy fast? Click here to download the Potty Training Cheat Sheet! Tug Tug is a classic game that you can play with Goldens of any age. Once your pup learns how to drop it , you can mix in practicing other commands between sessions of tug. This makes it a great way to get physical and mental exercise, plus bond with them. The only equipment you need to play tug is a rope toy like this one from Amazon. We play fetch with tennis balls he likes the Penn tennis balls better than balls made for dogs or the West Paw Zogoflex Zwig stick. And if you want to make it easy to throw the tennis ball farther, you can get a Chuckit! Launcher to throw the ball like a major league outfielder. Open Sesame This is a fun game to mentally challenge your Golden Retriever puppy and teach them some impulse control. The first step is to grab a treat in your closed fist and hold it out to your pup. The moment they pull away, open your hand and give them the treat. This will teach them that patience, not pestering, will get them what they want. Getting a Golden Retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook. Airplane Game The Airplane Game is a great game to get your puppy to pay attention to you. To play this game, hold a treat in your hand. She might even jump , bark , or paw at you to get the treat. Immediately reward her for doing so. Muffin Game To play the Muffin Game, take a muffin tin and put treats in it. Then, put balls or other objects over the treats so your pup has to move them to get the treats. Oliver loves this game and this is another idea I got from Brain Training for Dogs. The only requirement is that they either know how to stay or you have a partner to hold them still while you hide. I usually have a few treats to give to Oliver when he finds me, but you could also have a tug toy to play with them as a reward. This game is great because it helps them practice stay and recall , as well as builds the bond with you two. You can also play this game with their toys where you hide one of their favorite toys in another room and they have to go find it. Wrestle Mania Wrestle Mania is what it sounds like — wrestling with your pup! Oliver and I wrestle a few times a week and he loves it. Building A Bond With Them Having a solid bond with your puppy will help them want to behave and obey you more — not to mention this is the whole reason you got a Golden Retriever! Playing games, having fun, and exercising with your pup are all ways to have a better relationship with them. When I was a kid, the only thing that motivated me to learn math was that I wanted to keep score of basketball games. Playing games like Open Sesame will help your pup with impulse control, the Airplane Game will help get them to focus on you, and tug interspersed with tricks and commands is a fun way to practice those behaviors. Have any questions about these games? Let me know down in the comments! Related articles:. Even if you take your dog for long walks daily, boredom can still set in if they do not have an opportunity to activate their mind. In particular, Golden Retrievers need a job to do to keep their brain busy throughout the day. Without this type of interaction with the world, you just might find that your dog develops some behavior problems. Golden Retrievers need mental stimulation daily to prevent nuisance behaviors like barking or destructive chewing. These games help keep their minds sharp and prevent cognitive decline in old age. You can practice it with puzzle toys, nose work games, and by allowing them to explore the world. If you think that your Golden Retriever could benefit from some mental stimulation, here is everything you need to know. This breed is known for its helpful relationship with its owners. They are known to be excellent at hunting and fieldwork. Others are highly trained in specialized areas to help act as a sight for the blind or to track down individuals in search and rescue work. Golden Retrievers need a job to do to keep them happy and healthy. If you spend much time at all with a Golden Retriever, you are likely to notice that their brains and bodies are always busy. A dog who does not get enough activity each day is likely to show some disruptive behaviors like barking or destructive chewing. You must give these dogs a job or they will find one on their own. Mental stimulation gives your canine a job to do and relieves them from their boredom. As a result, they are less likely to seek out ways to alleviate their boredom on their own. A mentally exhausted dog is often a happier dog. A Golden Retriever needs a good bit of physical exercise each day to manage their energy levels. Many owners do not realize that mental exercise also plays a role in how tired your dog is at the end of the day. Mental stimulation can help them to feel more tired than just physical exercise like a walk around the neighborhood. A tired dog is a happy dog. Benefits of Mental Stimulation for Golden Retrievers Did you know that your dog can show a cognitive decline in its later years? As your Golden Retriever ages, there is a likelihood that they might start to go downhill mentally. They might have high anxiety, physical fatigue, and a decrease in social interaction. Some may even forget basic commands that do not get used regularly. Mental stimulation can help to prevent this type of steady decline when it comes to your pup. It activates parts of the brain that have gone dormant when dogs are left to their own devices. Games and other mentally stimulating activities can keep your dog feeling younger for longer. However, mental stimulation is good for dogs of all ages. Boredom can cause dogs to misbehave. If they are not given a task, chances are that they will start to look for one on their own. This is when your pup is likely to get into trouble. They might begin to chew on furniture, bark incessantly at the neighbors, or even have housebreaking accidents. Many of these behaviors are easily avoided if your dog feels that they have a job to do. Mental stimulation can also help occupy your dog while you are away. Some dogs may suffer from separation anxiety. However, their experience of this feeling can be lessened if they have something to occupy their attention in your absence. This is why it can be good to leave puzzle toys and simple games for your dog to do while you are away. Get ready to curb some of those bad behaviors and set your dog up for success with these twelve activities. Teach your Golden Retriever a New Skill Training your dog to learn a new skill is one way to activate their brain. This can be anything from basic obedience for young puppies to more advanced skills for older dogs. If your dog already knows a wide variety of skills, you can even start to apply them in new ways. For example, a dog who knows how to retrieve might learn to fetch items from around the home. For those who are unsure where to start with training, consider signing your pup up for a group obedience class at a local pet store. A trainer can help you understand the basic concepts of teaching your dog something new. When the class is over, you will have all the tools you need to teach your dog other skills that were not included in the class. Find It If your dog already has a basic stay command, ask him to do so in one room. Meanwhile, you will go to an adjacent room and hide some delicious snacks. Make sure to choose something that has a strong smell to it. Let him use his nose to seek out the treats that you hid. Puzzle Toys Maybe your Golden Retriever needs some mental stimulation, but you simply do not have time to spend with them today. The good news is that they can still get their brain moving even without you present. Purchase a Kong ball or some puzzle toys that they can play with, in your absence. Stuff them with high-value rewards that they will look forward to. For example, you can fill a Kong ball with peanut butter and then pop it in the freezer for a few hours. This will keep your dog busy for hours. Exploration on Walks Walking your dog daily is important to keep them tired and happy. However, you can also use this as an opportunity to exercise their mind. Once in a while, you can give them free rein to explore as you go. They can sniff and experience the world in a new way instead of just being held in a heel position. Working their mind out this way is important. However, you may want to teach your dog a command to release them from a heel position and let them know that exploration is okay. The question is, does he know them by name? Teach your dog distinct names for their favorite toys so that they know which ones to retrieve. You might teach them the difference between ball and rope, for example. If they have lots of toys, you might need to be creative with the simple names you assign to each one. Once they know the names of their toys, you can hide them and ask your dog to find or retrieve them. Agility Courses Most dog owners associate agility courses with physical exercise, but obstacles also teach your Golden Retriever to use their brain as well. They must figure out how to balance on the seesaw, weave in and out of the poles, and how to go over or under a set of hurdles. Agility courses can easily be made out of common household items or you can set up an elaborate course in your backyard. No matter what, this is one activity that is great for Golden Retrievers in both body and mind. Shell Game You have probably seen the shell game played on the street before, but have you ever played it with your retriever? Take two or three cups and hide a treat under one of them. Shuffle the cups around and then ask your dog to find the treat. This forces them to pay attention visually to where the treat goes while you are shuffling. They can even use their sense of smell to find the treat. You need to give them one if you want to keep their minds active and healthy. Teach them to hunt, get them involved in a sport like flyball, or take them for long hikes where they have to carry the pack. Anything, where they have some responsibility, can help to stimulate their mind. More Play Time A lot of dog owners leave their pups to their own devices during the day. However, interactive playtime can be very mentally rewarding for your Golden Retriever. You should be an active participant in the game you choose whether it is fetch or tug. Take Your Dog on Errands How often does your dog get out of the house? Besides his daily walks around the neighborhood, your pup does not have many opportunities to explore the world at large. You can stimulate their mind by taking them with you when you run your errands. Take them along when you go to fill up the tank, head through a car wash, or go to pick up dinner. Your dog will be excited to spend time with you! Buy New Toys for your Golden Retriever If your dog is already used to puzzle toys, you might have to freshen up their toy box from time to time. Once they learn the trick to securing their snacks, the game becomes a bit stale for them. Think of it this way: would you want to play with the same three toys over and over? Try blowing bubbles in the backyard for the little ones and the canine companions. Watch as everyone tries to chase and catch the bubbles. Your dog will love this game because there are endless opportunities to chase the bubbles, but they will never truly get to catch them at the end. Mentally Stimulating Your Golden Retriever No matter what game you choose to play with your pup, they will soak up all of your attention. These mentally stimulating games and activities will keep them happy and tired. After all, a tired dog is oftentimes a well-behaved dog. Because Golden Retrievers were bred for work, it is all the more important to make sure that they are mentally stimulated each and every day. Related Questions How much mental stimulation does a Golden Retriever need? Golden Retrievers should have about twenty to thirty minutes of mental stimulation every day. This is in addition to their daily walks or physical exercise. If you want to combine these tasks, consider teaching your dog games like flyball or agility. Are Kongs mentally stimulating? Yes, Kongs can be mentally stimulating for dogs if you pack them full of treats. For example, you can pack it full of peanut butter and then freeze it overnight. This will require your dog to work harder to get to those tasty morsels. How do I know if my dog is mentally stimulated? Dogs who are mentally stimulated are often better behaved. Dogs who bark, whine, and destroy things often need an outlet to channel their energy. Consider some of the activities on this list to curb some of these destructive behaviors. References Ellis, Nicole. Greenberg, Aurora. Helmer, Jodi. Hi, I'm the owner of Juniper Pets! You can often find me playing fetch with my dogs, working out or cooking up something legendary in the kitchen. Hope you enjoy my blog! Recent Posts. If you click on a link and choose to make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no cost to you. Making sure your Golden Retriever gets plenty of exercise is vital to its health and well-being. Physical exercise ensures your Golden Retriever has healthy muscles and bones, that its heart and lungs get stronger, and it helps maintain a healthy weight. However, for your Golden Retriever to be well-balanced, it also needs mental stimulation and socialization. Boredom in dogs can often lead to destructive behaviors. So, what are some good activities for Golden Retrievers? Good activities for Golden Retrievers incorporate physical exercise and mental stimulation and should include training and socialization whenever possible. Physical activities help burn excess energy and maintain physical health, while mental-focused activities aid in cognitive skills and problem-solving. The game also works on recall skills as a bonus. Fetch is simple and cheap. You throw it an item such as a tennis ball, frisbee, or practically anything your dog can comfortably carry, and your Golden gets it and brings it back. Or, if the weather is lousy, you can play a shortened version in the house. The tug game is widely recommended by most science-based trainers and animal behaviorists. Begin by showing your dog a toy that they like and that is suitable for the dog. You may have to really wiggle it and shake it around if your dog has never played before. The goal is to get their interest peaked, and movement usually does it. Every game has its rules, and this applies to a game of tug too. Your dog cannot make contact with skin or clothes, and you decide when the fun begins and ends. Rules for us humans are that no aggressive pulling is allowed, nor is pulling aggressively up at steep angles or side to side. The tug of war game is an excellent way for your dog to learn and reinforce skills such as let go, sit, and go-play commands. The tug game can be combined with fetch as well. Teach your Golden to let go and ask for a sit. Mixing it up keeps it more exciting and mentally stimulating. Follow the Leader Follow the leader is a great training game that teaches your dog to follow you while having fun. If your Golden goes right, you go left; if your dog runs ahead of you, you slow down; if your Golden slows down or stops, you run. The rule is that he follows you. It can be a quick activity to start or end a play or training session, and it works well as an add-on to other activities. I usually like playing follow the leader before a fetch game. Puzzles and Games Many pet stores and online retailers carry puzzle games and lick mats, so if your budget affords it, these can be fantastic options to keep your dog mentally stimulated. Puzzle feeders can be used with your kibble, while lick mats work well with peanut butter, yogurt, or dehydrated foods such as beef liver treats. All dogs need mental stimulation, especially higher intelligent dogs such as the Golden. Many games engage a Goldens brain and include anything from hiding treats in toys to commercial puzzle games. Or we put a treat or two in a muffin tin, put tennis balls on each hole, and the goal is for our Golden to find the reward. Or create a foraging box. Keep some boxes in various sizes, such as cereal boxes. Sprinkle some treats in each box and then place the smaller box inside a bigger one and those inside an even bigger one. Your Golden has to use its nose to locate the treats and must figure out how to get the goodies out. Kong toys work well also. You can put some loose kibble in there for your Golden to locate, or you can soak the kibble, put it inside the Kong and freeze it for the next day. Your Golden will need to figure out how to get the tasty reward out. You can use make-shift pylons any object will do , use Hoola hoops, small jump obstacles like cardboard boxes, stairs, brooms, rolled-up blankets, and whatever you think of. Teach your Golden to run through the obstacle with you. Have your Golden run-around, over, and under the obstacles. Find a hiding space. Someplace where your dog cannot see you, but your Golden should still be able to hear your when you call. Once you find the right spot, say behind a curtain or door, call his name. Your Golden will find you pretty quickly unless you are a great hider , but they love seeking you out and finding you. Another variation is using treats. You can do this activity indoors or, if you have a yard, then outdoors. Use cheese, boiled chicken, apples, or any high-value treat your dog loves. You may have to show them the first few treats, so they get the hang of the game, but they catch on quickly. Bubble Game Cheap, fun, and no training is required. Great for kids as well. Get a bubble blower. Blow bubbles. Your Golden Retriever will chase the bubbles and jump up, snapping at bubbles to break them. Just make sure the bubbles are pet friendly yes, they make bubbles for dogs , and off you go. You can use a PVC pipe, an old fishing rod, or a sturdy stick think hockey stick, eh. Attach a long rope or string, and now add a furry toy, a rag, or a dog toy, and you have a flirt pole. The flirt pole is excellent for physical activity and mental stimulation. Your Golden has to run, jump, and anticipate changes of direction and plan for what will happen next. It also benefits those dogs with a more innate prey drive by stimulating that instinct. The rule is, though, you must let your Golden catch the lure or toy on occasion. It also prevents frustration. Not allowing a dog to catch its toy is teasing and can cause behavioral issues. Once your Golden catches the lure, now you can transition into a game of tug. All handy things for your Golden to learn. And, the teaching moment is all wrapped up nicely in a fun play activity. Just remember, dog training is supposed to be fun, so keep it that way. It can be fun and still accomplish the goal at the same time. The best teachers know how to do both. Or teach your Golden an invisible boundary, so it stays out of the kitchen or stays back from the door. Not only are these complex skills a great way to invigorate the mind, but it teaches skills that benefit both them and you. Activities That Require Classes Obedience Training Formal obedience classes are a wonderful activity and one that I consider essential. It combines socialization, mental stimulation, and training. Your Golden gets to meet new dogs and people, learn basic commands, and do all this in a distracting environment. Obedience classes ensure your Golden gets a great foundation of obedience and manners while simultaneously building and strengthening communication between your Golden and you. You each must learn to work together as a team. Hold up. Are you looking for a good online training program for your Golden Retriever? I recently wrote an article comparing some of the most popular online dog training systems. Canine sports classes are especially suited for dogs with high energy or dogs with very ingrained instinctual drives like herding dogs. Scent Work Scent work training is excellent for dogs. Scent work is also great for fearful and reactive dogs as it teaches them to focus and be confident. Nose work starts by teaching your dog how to seek out treats and toys, kind of like puzzle games and hide and seek. Then it expands and increases in difficulty to entire rooms, outdoor areas, and vehicles. Scent detection is actually a competitive canine activity. If you and your dog have an interest, then competitive events are an option. Doggie DayCare Doggie daycare is great for puppies and older dogs alike. Just like children need to play with other kids their age to get exercise, mental stimulation, and to learn how to socialize — your Golden is no different. So, you get a day to relax or run errands. It also helps teach your Golden Retriever to be away from you, which can reduce separation anxiety. If you work and have your Golden in there every day, then you know your pup is getting exercised along with plenty of social and mental stimulation. This a tired pup — physically and mentally. A shout-out to his best friend Milo for the fun times. Strictly Outdoor Activities Swimming For this one, you need a body of water. Golden Retrievers are bred to retrieve waterfowl from lakes, and their coats are designed for the water. Golden Retrievers are very well adapted to tolerate cold because of their double coats, and they dry off quickly. The result? Goldens are ideally suited to the water and love to swim. Body of water includes lakes or ponds, pools, and even slow-moving rivers or streams. If swimming is done in a pool, be mindful of pool chemicals and chlorine. Give your Golden a good rinse after a pool swim. Did you know that overbathing can be bad for a Golden Retriever? Dock Diving Of course, with this one, you need both a lake and a dock. Once your Golden is comfortable with the water, just run and jump off the dock. Chances are your Golden will follow. Dock diving incorporates swimming plus diving plus fetch all rolled in one. Make sure you put a life jacket on them, though. Kayaking and especially canoeing are easier for your Golden, but paddleboarding will take training for the both of you. These activities can involve swimming too if you decide to take a dip with your Golden sometimes that may be unavoidable. However, the real benefit is mental stimulation new sights, sounds, and smells and the time you spend together. Hiking Hiking is an excellent activity for people and dogs alike. It usually incorporates inclines depending on the terrain and offers a host of other sights and sounds for your dog. Not all trails allow dogs, so check in advance to be sure. And if the trails do allow dogs, then most will require that you keep them leashed. Keeping your Golden on a leash is a good idea anyway since if you lose your dog in a thick brush or a forest, you may never get them back. Also, you want to be mindful of any encounters with small animals like squirrels or porcupines or bigger critters like bears. Just keep them leashed to be safe. Rocky and ungroomed, jagged trails can cause issues with their paws, so be alert to the type of landscape on the hiking path. Make sure to bring water and snacks for you and your dog. Also, throw a small backpack on and take some essentials just in case. Bring a first aid kit along at a minimum. Remove any you find and be thorough. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are not unlike walking or hiking in that it gets your Golden Retriever outdoors and trotting beside you. Usually, groomed trails or shallow snow is best, or your Golden may have difficulty navigating itself through the snow. Bike Riding Biking can be an excellent exercise for you and your dog if you have a well-behaved and well-trained Golden. You want your dog to trot beside the bike, which means you need to keep the speed reasonable. It would be best if you had excellent control of your dog, so training your Golden gradually with the bike beforehand is a good idea. You should also wear a helmet. Be very mindful of temperature in the summer; your Golden can overheat quickly. Bring water and snacks for your dog. If your Golden falls behind, then it may be tiring. Turn around and walk your Golden back home. Yes, you can over-exercise a Golden Retriever. Walking During walks, your dog is exposed to the world outside his home. He gets to experience various sights, sounds, smells, and environments, which mentally engage him. Walking is the foundational exercise for all puppies and dogs, which is no different for Golden Retrievers. Walking should be the staple exercise for your dog throughout most of its life. Dogs love to walk, and walking helps bond your dog to you. You may find your dog wants to stop frequently and check things out. A solution is to mix up your walking sessions. One that focuses on fast walking for exercise and another where your Golden gets time to smell and investigate his environment. One is more physical, the other more mental. Both are social. Running Running is a great cardio workout for both humans and dogs. However, refrain from running with your Golden before 14 to 18 months of age due to developing joints, muscles, and bones and the impact of running on those. And be sure to get a thumbs up from your vet first. Every so often, stop and ask your Golden to sit or change directions and vary the terrain. Keep it fun and your dog guessing. If running in the summer, be cautious of not overheating your Golden, so stick to cooler mornings or evenings and bring water for the both of you. The article details the age they can start, how much they can run, how fast and how far, and much more. Check it out here: Need a Running Partner? How About Your Golden Retriever? Written by Small Door's medical experts Being stuck at home is disappointing for both you and your dog. Check out our tips below for how you can keep your dog entertained indoors. Dog activity requirements Dogs need both physical and mental stimulation to stay fit, healthy and happy. Physical exertion comes from walking, running and playing, whilst many different things can provide mental stimulation. From tracking scents outside, to concentrating hard on obedience training, or attempting to get kibble out of a puzzle toy — tough mental concentration results in a tired, happy dog. Ideas to entertain your dog indoors 1. Practice short bursts of obedience training each day Training your dog provides great mental stimulation. Teach your dog a new trick Try teaching your dog a new trick. A great trick to try is tidying up. Give your dog a stuffed Kong or a food-dispensing puzzle toy Stuff a Kong or a similar toy with pieces of kibble, mixed in with a tasty treat like a spoonful of peanut butter, canned pumpkin or mashed banana. Pro tip — you can freeze it to make it last longer for your pup! Puzzle toys and food dispensing toys are great for mental stimulation as well as dogs who gobble up their meals too fast! Some of our favorite food puzzle toys are made by Trixie or Nina Ottoson. Let them watch the world go by Dogs love to sit by the window. If you can, set up a safe spot for your pup where they can see out of the window, and if you feel comfortable doing so, open the window a crack for them to enjoy the smells and sounds of the outdoors. Teach your dog the name of their toys Teaching your dog the names of their toys is not as hard as it may sound. This can be a great activity, especially if you spoil your pup with lots of toys. Start by playing with one toy and give it a name while you do — tell your dog to fetch the specific toy by name and give lots of praise when they bring back the correct one. Eventually, see if your dog can pick out the toy by name out of a pile of toys. Once they understand the name, try moving onto another toy and repeating the process. Dogs love new things. Hide some toys in a cupboard for a few days, then bring them out again for the novelty factor! Other games you can adapt for indoor play include throwing a very lightweight ball in a safe area for your dog to catch or fetch, provided there is nothing breakable around. When they succeed, make sure to react super enthusiastically and reward them so they know they did a good job and enjoy the game as much as you did! Hide treats around your home and let them sniff them out throughout the day. If you repeat this over several days, make sure to vary the placement of the treats to keep it interesting for your dog. Create an indoor obstacle course If you have enough room, why not set up a homemade obstacle course for your pup? Teach your pup the basics of agility , jumping over some small boxes, weaving through stacks of books, and lying down on a blanket at the end. Another great one to keep kids entertained too, you could even work up to hosting your own dog show with an agility course and obedience category with your kids as dog handlers! Learn scent work Our dogs explore and understand their world through scent, so scent work games are a great way to keep Fido occupied by putting their nose to work. For these games, all you need is some dog treats and various household items. When they choose correctly, open your hand and give them the treat. Muffin tin puzzles: Using a muffin baking tin, tennis balls, and dog treats, place treats in a couple of the tins and cover all the holes with tennis balls. The shell game: Using three to four cups, place a treat under one of the cups for larger dogs, you may want to use plastic cups or even upside down flower pots. Let your dog sniff around and discover what cup the treat is under. When your dog paws at the correct cup, lift it up to reveal the treat while praising them. Box search: Using empty cardboard boxes, put several boxes out on the floor. Place a treat inside one or more of the boxes, while your dog is out of the room. Bring your dog into the room and let them search for the box which has the treat inside. When they paw at or nudge the correct box, reveal the treat and give them lots of praise. Summary of how to keep your dog entertained indoors Just like humans, dogs need a balance of physical and mental exercise. Related articles. Playing Games Golden Retrievers really like to play games! A fun way to play with your Golden indoors is to hide a treat underneath a box or other container, then allow them to sniff out the treat and have it as a reward for finding it. After all, Goldens have a very strong sense of smell 45 times stronger than that of humans! This interactive treat toy is a great way for your Golden to have fun, engage their senses, and get treats. Being a Therapy Dog Golden Retrievers really like meeting new people and being pet, which makes them a perfect therapy or service dog. A certified therapy dog gets to spend time every week out interacting with people in the community. They visit nursing homes, schools, libraries, and get to participate in local events. Golden Retrievers were made for stuff like that! Obedience Training Training your Golden is a good way to spend time together, and your Golden will love the mental stimulation. Goldens are very loyal and live to please their owners. They also like, and are highly motivated by, treats. Use food incentives to teach your Golden how to sit, stay, come, or reinforce any other good behaviors. If you have the space for it, you can also set up an obstacle course and teach your Golden how to do agility tricks, navigating around sets of cones and poles, like those in the AGORA Hurdle Cone Set Amazon. You can even use things around the house like broken-down boxes to teach them to crawl through. Watch what a trained Golden Retriever can do with an agility course! Chewing Activities Anyone with a Golden Retriever knows just how much they like to chew. As an added benefit, chewing also helps clean their teeth! Golden Retrievers are a sporting breed, which means that they have a high energy level and need plenty of exercise. A Golden Retriever dog was originally bred to collect fallen ducks and other game for hunters in Scotland in the 19th century, explaining why they love to run and play fetch so much. Only a fit and muscular adult dog with lots of stamina can be a retriever. Exercise is not only fun for Golden Retrievers but also essential. Common destructive behaviors include chewing, digging, and sprinting around the house. Some will even try to escape if left to their own devices. And when a Golden gains weight, a number of other health issues can develop, like diabetes, high blood pressure, and problems with the elbow and hip joints, including hip dysplasia. A sunset trail run with a beautiful Golden Retriever. The amount of exercise that a Golden needs changes with age. A way to gauge the right amount of exercise for a Golden Retriever puppy is to incorporate five minutes of exercise for every month of age. For best effectiveness, this should be moderate to vigorous exercise in the form of brisk walking or games of fetch. It is possible to over-exercise a Golden puppy, so be sure to abide by the five-minute rule even if your new puppy is excited to exercise even more. Too much exertion can cause problems for the bones and joints. Adult Golden Retrievers are generally happy to exercise an hour every day, but there are some variations in genetics that will make your Golden more or less energetic. Some dogs can tolerate two hours of exercise, where others prefer closer to 45 minutes. Elderly Golden Retrievers should be monitored for aches, pains, and heavy breathing, but they generally still love long walks and swims. Conclusion So now you know the top 12 things Golden Retrievers like to do and consider fun. Basically for a Golden, any type of activity that includes hardy exercise is a fun time. This is especially true if they get to do it with you! A Golden is an active dog, so be sure to provide a lot of activity in their lives and you are assured of having one happy dog! How to keep your Golden Retriever entertained Walk it Golden Retrievers are a breed that are meant to get quite a lot of exercise to be fully stimulated. Generally, it is recommended to exercise them for an hour per day. By doing so you should be able to get it to require less work from you for the rest of the day because it will have been stimulated by the walk you gave it. Play fetch Another way to give your Golden Retriever exercise and attention is to teach it to play fetch. Fetch is good because it gets your Golden Retriever to do a lot of sprinting without much rest which will help to wear it out quickly. It will also get it used to interacting with you in a positive way and it will help to make it more responsive to your command. It can be quite difficult at first to teach your Golden Retriever to play fetch but I go through it step by step in the link above. Teach it to swim Another option would be to get it to swim. Swimming is good because it is a low impact way of getting your Golden Retriever to do lots of exercise quickly. Most Golden Retrievers take to water naturally but there are some that do not. However, there are ways to get it to like swimming that I talk about here. Give it toys One way to keep your Golden Retriever entertained while you are around and when you are not around is to give it lots of toys to play with. By doing so you will be able to keep it occupied with something that you want it to be occupied with. Give it lots of training Another way to keep your Golden Retriever entertained and to improve its behavior is to give it lots of training. Golden Retrievers were bred to work with their owners on a daily basis so giving them training is an effective way to keep them stimulated. If you have not given your Golden Retriever much training yet, it would help to start by training it the basics such as to sit and stay in an environment without many distractions and then to build up from there. Give it puzzles Another option would be to give your Golden Retriever puzzle games to play with that will help to keep it occupied. There are a number of puzzle games that you can buy that are designed to make your Golden Retriever think and put its attention into it in order to get the reward. Play tug of war with it You could also play tug of war with it. Use a dog walker If you are unable to exercise your Golden Retriever yourself, one option would be to get a dog walker to do it for you. There are now apps that you can download on your phone that let you find a dog walker in your area. Walk it with other dogs Another way to get your Golden Retriever to wear itself out even more would be to walk it with other dogs. When you walk it with other dogs, it will run around with them which will cause it to get more exercise. Doggy daycare If you will not be at home for a long time one option would be to take it to a doggy daycare so that you can have them look after it while you are away. If it is young then it will require a lot of attention but you will be limited in how much exercise you can give it. It is also important to remember that it will not be able to control its bladder as well yet so it will be necessary to avoid leaving it for long periods. Give it attention daily Golden Retrievers are a breed that require a lot of exercise and attention. We recommend that you let your furry friend watch channels like Discovery or Animal Planet as they keep dogs engaged for a few hours. So, why not use it to your advantage? You can invest in a dog toy that you can stuff with his favorite treats to keep your furry friend occupied for several hours. With an interactive pet camera such as the Petcube , this dream of yours can become a reality! Chew Toys Go a Long Way! You can never go wrong with a chew toy. All dogs love and enjoy playing with their chew toys. Consider Doggy Daycare If you have an erratic work schedule and spend long hours away from home, your dog can get bored and lonely. He may even develop some behavioral issues. So, we feel that enrolling your dog to a doggy daycare near you will benefit you as well as your furry friend! Dog breeds such as the Golden Retriever have high exercise needs so, you can take your dog for a long morning jog before work to ensure that he gets all the exercise he needs and is exhausted. Trust us, it works! Let your dog enjoy the view from your window and watch people pass by. Consider Getting Your Dog a Playmate If you spend more than twelve hours away from home daily, you should consider getting your dog a brother or sister. I hope that this blog post helped you out! Consider getting your dog a partner of you spend a considerable amount of time away from home to ensure his emotional wellbeing. Do you have any questions? More Training. Keeping your dog entertained can be a challenge, and simply trying to come up with new ways to keep your dog entertained can be more exhausting than actually getting up and doing it. By playing with your dog a few times a day you can decrease the likelihood of them developing destructive habits such as excessive barking or chewing. Play a Game of Find The Treats Nose work games are one of the easiest ways to tire out your dog, and they can be played indoors. To play all you have to do is grab some treats and have your dog watch in a stay position as you place them around the room. Have them stay in another room as you hide the treats, and start hiding them in spots they have to sniff out such as under a rug. Play the the Shell Game The shell game is a simple problem solving game for dogs. To play the shell game with your dog let your dog watch as you place a treat under one of three cups. Praise them like crazy, then rinse and repeat. If you want to keep your dog busy for awhile try stuffing a Kong with some of their favorite treats. You can freeze some peanut butter or broth inside, or just put some treats in there and give your dog something to work for. Play a Game of Tug of War Playing a game of tug of war is one of the best ways to engage in meaningful play with our dogs. And contrary to what some people say playing tug will not make your dog aggressive, and letting them win will not make them dominant. Letting your dog win just makes the game more fun for your dog, and it will encourage them to play more. Dogs that play tug with their owners have been found to be more obedient and have higher confidence. If you want to impress all of your friends teach your dog to fetch you something from the fridge. Play Interactive Games To keep my dog busy on rainy days I love using interactive games such as tug, find the treats, puzzle games and fetch. Interactive games are an easy way to give your dog plenty of mental stimulation , and they can help cut down on problem behaviors such as excessive chewing or barking. Make Your Dog Work for His Food We give our dogs a nice comfy life — they get a warm bed, lots of attention, and all their meals for free. But our dogs were bred to work alongside us, and a lot of our dogs are missing out on some mentally stimulating activities. You can make your dog perform some tricks before he gets his dinner, or you can have them eat from a food dispensing toy. Have your dog work for their meals by using food dispensing toys. Start by playing with one specific toy and giving it a name while you do. Once your dog has learned that specific toys name you can test their skills by seeing if they can pick it out among their other toys. Dogs have the ability to learn hundreds of words. As your dog gets better at this game you can make it more challenging by increasing the number of toys they have have to sift through. Keep it fun for them by rewarding them handsomely with a treat or quick game of tug when they succeed. This game will give your dog a great mental workout. Teach Your Dog a New Trick Does your dog know how to weave through your legs and jump through a hoop? Does your dog already know a bunch of tricks? Once your dog knows a bunch of tricks you can step it up a notch and combine their learned behaviors into brand new tricks. Teaching your dog a fun new trick like weaving through your legs. Work on Some Clicker Training One of my favorite tips when it comes to dog training is using a clicker. They costs a few bucks and can help make training easier by ensuring you can capture the exact moment to praise them for doing a new trick or command. When you use a clicker you can mark the exact moment your dog made the right choice. Close your fists and hold them out in front of your dog. When your dog sniffs or paws the correct hand open it up and give them the treat. Tip: Chopped up carrots make excellent treats for scent work games and training. Hide and seek might not seem all that complex or entertaining to us, but a lot of dogs get a real kick out of it. There are a ton of dog puzzle toys available, as well as treat dispensing toys like the Kong Wobbler. If you want to give your dog something to chew on for awhile we love Best Bully Sticks and Benebones. Master the Basics of Obedience Training Does your dog know all of the basic obedience commands? Does he have a reliable recall and stay? Even well trained dogs need a refresher course now and then to keep them sharp. All dogs should have a reliable sit, down, stay, drop it, and come here. You can keep your dog interested in his toys by engaging in a game of tug or fetch. Play a Game of Fetch Most of us do have some extra room indoors for a simple game of fetch, but if you live on the 5th floor with a St. Bernard you should probably skip this game. When it comes to playing indoor fetch hallways, stairways, and big living rooms are popular choices. My dog and I love playing soccer in the basement with her Jolly ball. Master The Art of Doggie Massage Learning how to give a dog massage is enriching for owner and dog alike. A nice massage can help soothe and relax nearly any dog. And dog massages are great for older dogs or those with arthritis, since it helps soothe sore and achy joints. Giving your dog a massage reduces anxiety, relieves stress, improves circulation, and creates a great bond between you and your dog. Tip: If your dog has a hard time settling down for a massage you can practice the relaxation protocol. The basic principle of shaping games is to encourage our dogs to try something new. They get to make their own decisions and increase their mental and physical flexibility. You start out with a box on the ground and without any cues let your dog investigate and decide what to do. Shaping can be used with any item, not just a box. Our dogs need to be brushed, bathed, have their teeth brushed , and have their nails trimmed when they start to get long. Some dogs tolerate grooming better than others, and the more you practice using positive rewards the easier it will become. Play a Game of Tag Playing tag is a fun interactive game for dogs, but it does require a partner. Each of you will sit or stand at one side of the room with a toy or some treats. Take turns calling the dog over and rewarding them when he comes. Make sure your dog is receiving lots of positive reinforcement each time they obey. This is a simple and fun way to reinforce a reliable recall. Have your dog jump over some towels, weave through his toys, and then lay down on a blanket. Use your imagination and come up with a set of obstacles for your dog to follow. Once your dog has learned how to jump over the towels you then move onto the toy weave. Building on prior tricks will keep your dog mentally stimulated and encourages focus. Brushing up on dog tricks, making some yummy treats, and playing a game of fetch are all simple ways to keep your dog busy. And seriously, a few minute sessions of chasing bubbles can work wonders for your dog. You can either buy your dog a new toy to get their enthusiasm going or you can rotate their toys. Instead of giving your dog access to all of their toys all the time give them a couple. Toys take on a whole new value once you get involved and start playing with it as well. Make your own DIY dog toy by braiding some old t-shirts into a tug toy. Make a Doggie Play Date Does your dog have some nice dog friends? Invite them over for some play time. Brush up on Some Old Tricks Just like us our dogs can benefit from a refresher now and then. When was the last time you asked your dog to roll over or play dead? Teach Your Dog to Grab His Leash Before we go for a walk I have my dog go and grab her leash, then she has to fetch me my boots and her harness. This way I can keep her nice and calm, making it easier and quicker to get ready and out the door. Teaching your dog to go fetch their leash or harness is a nice way to give them some extra mental stimulation , and give them a nice simple job to do. Instead of having to get up and turn on the light have your dog do it for you. If you have a small dog you might have to improvise to make it possible for your dog to reach the light switch. Brush up on the basic impulse control commands like leave it, wait, stay, settle, and down. These commands are important if your dog ever gets loose or decides to chase after that squirrel. Instead of handing out a free meal have your dog perform a few tricks before they eat. I love making my own dog treats rather than buying them from the store. Tip: Be sure to check out our list of 25 simple dog treat recipes for some great options. Reward polite behaviors handsomely, with consistency your dog will get into the habit of asking for things in a polite manner. We all need time to unwind, and many of our dogs love to lounge around with us. Before bedtime each night I sit on the couch with Laika for a bit. Play some fun games with your dog or teach them something new. Dogs thrive on interactive play, and it has a big impact on their overall health and well being. We might not be able to provide them with the full time job they were bred for — but we can give them something meaningful to do with a few simple games and tricks. You call to a dog and a dog will break its neck to get to you. Dogs just want to please. Have you read about the recent studies that found a correlation between interactive play and a dogs well being? Does your dog know the name to all of his toys? Do you make your own doggie treats or toys? Does your dog get bored? 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Go for something short, one or two syllables long. It is easier for dogs to learn short names, which means that they will recognize their name more easily. If you want to give your dog a long and complicated name, then remember that you will need a nickname for daily use. Considering it is the nickname that you will be using most and that they will recognize, make sure to give that careful consideration alongside their full name. Avoid tongue twisters. Moreover, as any human with a hard name to pronounce will know, it gets pretty annoying to have to correct people all the time. Consider choosing something that starts with a sibilant consonant or blend, such as an S or a SH, or a hard commanding consonant like a K or C. This helps your distinguish their name from the ambient noise. Avoid names that sound too much like commands that you will use regularly, as this can just confuse your pup. So, if it sounds too much like a command that you use regularly, such as sit or stay, they may confuse the two. Be a little bit wary of going for anything that is too trendy. Remember that trends change quickly, but your pup might be with you for 15 years. For example, if you decide to name your dog after a celebrity, go for something classic, like Elvis, rather than someone new. You never know what the person might do next, which could leave you regretting your dog name choice. You can draw inspiration from the way that your dog looks. What size are they? What color? What breed? Do they have a funny shape or any distinguishing features like floppy ears or an extra long tail? Do they have interesting markings? These can all be a great starting point for choosing a name that suits. Teach Your Dog Their Name Once you have chosen a dog name, you need to teach your dog to recognize it. Otherwise, how else will they identify this special sound with themselves? Training your dog to recognize their name is pretty much like any other kind of training. You show the response that you want to the word, and when they give it, positively reinforce the behavior with some kind of treat edible, praise, or play. So, the first step is to familiarize your dog with their name. Start with five-minute training sessions daily in which you have your dog in an attentive situation and then say their name. When they respond to you, give them a treat. Repeat this several times over a couple of minutes every day for a few weeks. Take them out on the leash even if it is only into the yard and let them explore. Then call their name. If they turn and give you their attention, great, reward them with a treat. When they do turn, you can say their name again, and then reward them for their response. With this kind of training, your dog will learn to associate their name with good things, and will always want to give you their attention. Wrapping Up Choosing the perfect name that your dog will use for life is a pretty big decision. It needs to suit them, and it needs to be something that everyone in the family is happy to use on a daily basis. It is worth putting in the effort to get it right. Sometimes inspiration hits quickly, and you just need to double check the name for any unexpected pitfalls, such as being a word that your dog may confuse with other confusing commands. Sometimes the problem is finding agreement among family members. When you are struggling to find a name, the best thing that you can do is expose yourself to as many names as possible, as you are increasing your chances of coming across one that feels right. We named our most recent male dog Downey after the actor Robert Downey Jr. Why Downey? Because he came from the Avengers litter and his litter name was originally Iron Man, thus Downey! How about you guys? Did you choose a name for your dog? 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. Keep in touch. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. They are ideal family pooches and revered as such, but they are also used for work, such as hunting companions and service animals. With all these remarkable traits, naming your Labrador puppy can be an overwhelming task indeed! How to Name Your Labrador Retriever Image Credit: Jaromir Chalabala, Shutterstock Naming a new puppy can be difficult, and with a dog like a Labrador that is so full of personality, looks, and energy, there are a ton of potentially perfect names. Gender may be a large factor in naming your pooch , along with their appearance, but in any case, a Lab deserves a more unique name than Spot! A name with one or two syllables is best, especially for training, but more elaborate names can easily be shortened to cute nicknames! Female Labrador Names Image Credit: Linn Currie, Shutterstock If you are lucky enough to be the proud new parent of a female Lab, you want a name that not only honors her femininity but also her unique character and sweet, gentle temperament.

Silver Fawn Apricot Despite their short coats, Pugs shed a lot of hair. They should be brushed every week to help reduce the amount of hair in your home. They were originally bred as lapdogs and continue to be a low-maintenance companion breed. Half an hour of exercise each day or a couple of short walks will be more than enough for them. Games of fetch and tug of war are great alternative activities to help them stay healthy. Pug Health Problems Pugs are very popular, but they suffer from several serious health conditions linked to their body shape and facial features. The appearance of Pugs has changed a lot over the last years, and their face today is the result of selective breeding rather than natural evolution. Their snouts have been reduced in size, which gives them their flat face. All brachycephalic breeds are prone to these painful eye conditions, but they're particularly common in Pugs. Their bulging eyes can easily be injured by dirt and debris, and they aren't protected by a longer snout like other breeds. Corneal ulcers can easily be treated with medication, but they can lead to more serious eye problems and even blindness if left unchecked. Another eye issue affecting Pugs is entropion in-turned eyelid which causes a deformity of the eyelids and resulting discomfort. Entropion also causes dryness in the eye, which prevents the eye from producing a normal amount of tears. Symptoms include: Making a lot of noise while breathing, even when resting Difficulty breathing and exercising Difficulty with sleeping often including snoring BOAS can make it hard for Pugs to pant and cool themselves down. If you find your Pug is often panting or breathing heavily, you should visit your veterinarian immediately. Your vet can decide whether or not they should be treated for BOAS. Skin Problems Skin disorders are another common condition in Pugs. This is because of their body shape and their wrinkled skin, which is susceptible to allergies and infections from yeasts and bacteria. Typical signs of skin allergies include scratching and biting of the skin. You may also notice bumps, rashes, and skin sores. Dermatitis is one of the most common skin issues that affect Pugs. It can develop due to a number of reasons, such as food allergies or an irritant found in the home. Obesity Another condition to watch out for with your Pug is obesity. Finding the right balance between their food intake and exercise is important for maintaining their overall health and weight. Pugs also have an unfortunate reputation for passing a lot of gas. Joint Problems Pugs, along with some other dog breeds, are particularly prone to hip dysplasia. They rub and grind instead of sliding smoothly, and the joint starts to deteriorate and lose function. The condition can also affect the elbow joint, known as elbow dysplasia. Signs of dysplasia include stiffness in the hips and elbows, lameness, and difficulty getting up and lying down. Pugs can also experience patellar luxation AKA luxating patella. When the patella dislocates out of this groove, it can stop the knee from extending properly. Hip dysplasia and patellar luxation can lead to pain and lameness in the affected joints. In the long run, these issues can develop into arthritis. Treatment for these conditions often depends on the severity, but in more serious cases, surgery may be needed. These surgeries don't come cheap. Pet Insurance for Pugs Pet insurance for Pugs can be expensive compared to some other dog breeds. Keep in mind, these are just averages based on data from all customer premiums, including the pricier ones. Your pet's age and location will heavily affect your monthly price, and it's possible your premium will differ from the average — get a quote here! That way, you're far less likely to run into any pre-existing condition exclusions, and your dog will still be covered if conditions develop later in their life. Some pet insurance companies place annual or lifetime limits on reimbursement — which means you could run out of coverage when you need it, especially if your dog is particularly prone to illness. Pug Mixes The main benefit of breed mixing is that it reduces the risk of inheriting some of the hereditary diseases to which Pugs are prone. Both parent breeds are happy, friendly dogs, and their mixed pups are loyal, lively, easy to train, and family-oriented. These have been specially bred to look like Pugs but have longer noses to reduce breathing problems. Puggle: A mix between a Pug and a Beagle. Puggles make excellent family pets. They combine the skills and intelligence of a Beagle with the playfulness and energy of a Pug. Jugs are a rare mix that have been bred to retain the basic features of a Pug but with a slightly longer nose to reduce breathing problems. Jugs are more active and energetic than Pugs; a trait inherited from the Jack Russell Terrier. Their outgoing personality makes them great family dogs. Bugg: A mix between a Pug and a Boston Terrier. Breeders of Buggs have aimed for a physical appearance similar to that of the Pug. Both parent breeds are known for their good nature, and Buggs are usually gentle and friendly. But they're still prone to health problems, as both parents have flat faces and large eyes. They need moderate levels of exercise but are intelligent and have a lot of energy, which makes them great for families and kids. Chug: A mix between a Pug and a Chihuahua. Playful, loyal, and small, the Chug has some of the best traits of both of its parent breeds. A small breed, they have a lot of personality. They can be very confident and behave like much larger dogs. What to Consider When Choosing a Pug When meeting a Pug breeder , make sure they give you evidence that the parents of the puppy you want have been health-checked. You should always ask to see the results of any health tests before choosing your puppy. Look at the features of both the parents and their puppies. Extreme characteristics such as a very squashed nose or overly large eyes could lead to later health problems. Pugs popularity Frequently asked questions about Pugss Are Pugs hypoallergenic? Definitely not. In fact, they're known to shed a lot of hair. How many puppies do Pugs have? The average size of a Pug litter is between four to six puppies, but litter sizes can vary. Some litters can be as small as one or two puppies. At the larger end of the scale, a litter can be as big as nine or 10 puppies. Can Pugs be left alone? Pugs are companion dogs and enjoy the company of their owners. They can sometimes experience separation anxiety. When do Pugs stop growing? Pugs reach their full size at around nine months but may continue to fill out until they are a year old. Where does the name 'Pug' come from? The name most likely comes from the Marmoset monkeys which were also known as Pug monkeys. Marmosets were popular pets in the early s and their faces look a bit like Pugs' faces. Compare Compare Ready to sign up for pet health insurance? A mixed-breed can inherit any combination of traits from their parents. Should a Pug Mix take after their Pug parent, they will be an affectionate, social dog that loves their families. A Pug tends to be playful, social, friendly, and gentle. They thrive on attention and affection and tend to get along well with children, other pets, and other dogs. As long as they are well-socialized, they also tend to be open and friendly with strangers. They can be prone to barking and it can become a nuisance behavior if you do not train your dog to stop barking early on. If the other parent breed has a similar temperament, then you can expect the same from a Pug Mix. You still want to ask the breeder about the other parent breed as they will likely introduce their own potential quirks. You can also meet the mother in person to get a sense of her temperament and see the behavior she is modeling for her puppies. Although the breeder should have started socialization and training, it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home. Pugs are moderately adaptable dogs. Although they do well in apartments as well as larger homes, they are particularly sensitive to heat and cold as a snub-nosed dog breed. They also do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. If the other parent breed is similar, then you should be able to expect the same from a Pug Mix. The other parent breed could still introduce some traits that affect adaptability, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. Mixed-breed dogs can sometimes be healthier than purebred dogs, but it is not a guarantee. They can inherit none, some, or all of the conditions common to their parent breeds. From the Pug side, potential health conditions to be aware of include eye problems, luxating patella , encephalitis, and hip dysplasia. As a brachycephalic, or snub-nosed, dog, they are prone to allergies and respiratory issues. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues on to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. A Pug is eager to please and tends to pick up on things quickly. They tend to be a good fit for owners of all experience levels. The other parent breed could make a Pug Mix easy to train or more difficult, so you want to make sure you ask the breeder about them. A Pug Mix can inherit a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is truly a mix of both. Should they inherit the Pug coat, it will shed a bit year-round, require weekly brushing, and the occasional bath. Cutting nails once or twice monthly keeps them from growing too long. Ear checks on a weekly basis with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. Brushing teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day in addition to cleanings at the vet as needed are ideal dental care for dogs. Pugs tend to sit in a low to moderate energy range. Usually, daily walks and some playtime are enough to keep them happy and healthy. They may be up for more activity, but can also get easily overheated. There are safe ways to exercise flat-faced dogs to help make sure they get enough activity. If the other parent breed also has a low to moderate activity level, then you can expect something similar from a Pug Mix. However, if the other parent breed is a higher energy dog, then you will want to make sure you are prepared for the potential of a high-energy dog. Fully-grown Pugs are usually inches tall and weigh pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother. Although it is not a guarantee, you can meet the mother in person to get an idea of what to expect in a fully-grown Pug Mix. A Pug generally lives for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, but you should be able to expect a similar average life span from a Pug Mix. Featured Pug Mix Article.

Optimal feeding amounts may vary according to your pet's temperament, activity level and environment. If you have any questions regarding your pet's health, please contact your veterinarian. Transition Instructions We recommend at least a 7 day transition before you begin feeding the new food exclusively. On the 7th day, you can feed the new food exclusively. All of our dry diets are preserved naturally with mixed tocopherols, citric acid, and rosemary extract. Our canned diets are naturally preserved and sterilized during the cooking and canning process. Where do the ingredients in Royal Canin diets come from? Royal Canin is making strides towards sustainability by attempting to obtain sources of raw materials as close to each manufacturing facility as possible. In some cases, we use international suppliers, because only those suppliers can offer raw materials that comply with our quality and food safety standards. Why do some Royal Canin diets contain by-products? Royal Canin chooses ingredients because they deliver high-quality nutrients that support our customized pet food formulas. Using chicken by-product meal instead of chicken meal for example will allow Royal Canin to maintain its highly customized nutrient standards while achieving a more secure and sustainable supply. Why do some Royal Canin diets contain grains? As always, we focus on the nutrients each ingredient provides and grains can provide many important nutrients. How do you ensure Royal Canin diets are safe for my pet? Our Quality and Food Safety systems are state-of-the-art and we continue to invest heavily in new technology to make sure they remain that way. We monitor every load delivered to our plants to verify the safety and quality of the ingredients we use to make pet food. We perform tests on finished pet foods before they are shipped to our customers. How do I know which Royal Canin diet is right for my pet? Based on size, age, lifestyle, and breed, each cat or dog has unique nutritional needs. For healthy pets, use our Product Selector to find the right diet for your cat or dog. If your pet is experiencing health issues, please refer to your veterinarian for more information. Your veterinarian will consider multiple factors when recommending an appropriate diet. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Read More Necessary Always Enabled Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information. Non-necessary Non-necessary Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Consider adopting a French Bulldog?