frenchie pug puppies for sale in illinois

How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. E-mail Share by e-mail German Shepherds make great family dogs — they are loyal, intelligent, and have lots of energy! A good diet is key to giving your pet a long and healthy life, and the wrong diet can lead to a number of health problems. German Shepherds are big dogs with active lifestyles, so making sure they get the right nutrition at different stages throughout their lives is essential. Feeding your German Shepherd Puppy Puppies are growing rapidly and have very specific nutritional requirements. Puppy food tends to be high in calories and protein as they are bundles of energy at this age! Feeding your German Shepherd puppy a good quality balanced diet is essential to ensure that they grow up to be healthy adults. There are some foods designed specifically for large breeds such as German Shepherds, which provide extra support for their growing joints. You should look out for these foods in the pet store and ideally choose one of these large breed diets. You can find further general puppy feeding guidelines and advice via the AKC as well as specific German Shepherd facts and info. How often should I feed my German Shepherd puppy? Puppies need to be fed more frequently than adult dogs to support their rapidly growing bodies. German Shepherd puppies should be fed 4 meals a day until they are 3 months old, then reduce to 3 meals a day until they are 10 months old when their growth rate starts to slow down. Once they reach this age, they need 2 meals a day. When should I start feeding adult food? Puppies must stay on puppy food until they reach adult size. German Shepherds are large dogs and tend to reach adult size later than smaller dogs. They are usually fully matured at months. German Shepherds should stay on puppy food until they are months old, then they should move on to an adult diet. Feeding your adult German Shepherd An adult German Shepherd will weigh around lbs and need at least an hour of exercise every day, so their diet needs to reflect this. It might seem like your dog is eating a lot, but they need to replace the energy they burn off and eat enough of the right nutrients to sustain them! How often should I feed my German Shepherd? Adult dogs should be fed two meals a day. When should I switch from adult to senior food? As dogs get older their nutritional requirements change again. They are less active, and German Shepherds are more prone to joint problems such as osteoarthritis. You should consider switching to a senior diet at around 8 years of age. What type of food should German Shepherds eat? Whichever diet you pick, you should ensure it is suitable for large dogs or working breeds and that it has plenty of protein and calcium, and also includes some type of doggy superfoods, too. Commercially prepared foods are the best way to ensure your dog gets a balanced diet with all the nutrients they need to stay healthy, and they come in wet or dried forms. Some dogs prefer one or the other, whilst some enjoy a variety and mix of both. Dry Food Dried food is cheap, easy to feed and store, and has lots of benefits for your dogs. Dogs fed a dried food diet will drink more water, and you can soak the kibble to add a bit extra if you like. Wet Food Wet foods contain more water than dried, and often resemble meat which some dogs love. The food is usually in chunks with jelly or gravy, and some dogs prefer it to dried. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are large and active dogs with demanding nutritional requirements throughout their lives. They go through a rapid growth stage as puppies, and as adults need the right balance of nutrients to replenish the energy they burn off exercising. They need to eat a diet that has the right balance of protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients, and ensure they get the right number of meals a day to maintain good physical and mental health. Puppies should eat meals a day until they are around 10 months old then they should eat 2 meals a day as adults. Do German shepherds require a lot of food? German Shepherds are large dogs so naturally, eat larger portions than smaller breeds. They are active dogs and need lots of protein and energy to keep them healthy. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. The two most obvious goals of feeding your German Shepherd are for health and growth. How fast do German Shepherds grow? German Shepherds are medium-large dogs and therefore grow at a fast rate over the first six to seven months leading up to adolescence. Adult German Shepherds are 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh 50 to 95 pounds. Reputable weight charts suggest your German Shepherd puppy will have attained three-quarters of their final weight over these first six to seven months. This is A LOT of growing to do in a short amount of time — when you brought your puppy home, it was probably only eight inches tall and weighed around 15 pounds. By 12 to 15 months old, a German Shepherd is within an inch or less of their adult height. Therefore, your male German Shepherd will be 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh 59 to 93 pounds by his first birthday. How does diet affect the health of growing Shepherds? Recently it has come to light that a proper diet for puppies does more than prevent malnutrition. As part of this proper diet, there are many things that should never be fed to German Shepherds. Orthopedic Problems Many orthopedic problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia have a strong hereditary component. However, people often discount the role of diet in bone developmental issues. Merely creating an oversized puppy, as is often the case for show animals and people fixated on large dogs, can lead to several painful disorders: Hip dysplasia Elbow dysplasia Panosteitis — Generalized inflammation of the long bones in puppies; common in German Shepherds. Overnutrition and over-supplementation of certain vitamins and minerals lead to paradoxical malnutrition of the bone, and subsequently improper development. Nutritional experts have modified their recommendations regarding the diets of large-breed dogs. Many nutritionists and veterinarians advocate feeding German Shepherds and other large-breed puppies an adult or professionally-formulated homemade diet to limit the occurrence and severity of developmental problems. Pet food manufacturers have caught onto the concept of overnutrition in puppies, and most carry special diets for large-breed puppies. Also, do not supplement your puppy with vitamins, minerals, or proteins without veterinarian direction — their excessive use will disrupt bone and cartilage growth and harm the growth plates. Many people use the food bag as a starting point to decide how much to feed their dogs. However, a label on commercial food is one of the easiest ways to overfeed your growing puppy. Feeding your puppy involves regularly evaluating and tracking their weight. You should be able to assess how close your pup is to their ideal weight just by looking at them. Silhouette from the side — a slight tuck. Pat the ribcage where the abdomen slightly lifts towards the hips. From above — Clear waist; should see an hourglass shape from rib cage to hips When you palpate — You should feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat without having to prod very hard. Puppies will vary in their body scores and may change rapidly within a few days. Pups often lose their abdominal tuck right after a meal. Puppies under 16 weeks old commonly have a pot-bellied appearance without much abdominal tuck. Thin dogs will show more visibility of ribs, waist, and pelvis without appearing emaciated or unhealthy. If your puppy eats well but fails to grow or gain sufficient weight, consult a medical professional. German Shepherds can be susceptible to rare cases of pituitary gland dwarfism or a deficiency of enzyme production from the pancreas. Volume The easiest way to determine how much food to give your Shepherd pup is to figure out how many cups they need in a day and divide it by the number of feedings. German Shepherds eat about four cups of food daily from 16 weeks of age to nine months or a year regardless of weight. The volume accounts for the relatively high caloric requirements of the young growing animal. German Shepherds over a year old may need as much as five to eight cups of dog food. Other references, however, use weight rather than age. Pups eat one cup of food daily per 15 to 20 pounds. Dogs over pounds receive five cups of kibble plus an additional half a cup for every extra 20 pounds. Like all models, more active dogs need to eat more food — make adjustments up or down based on body scoring. You can estimate the volume to feed your German Shepherd pup once you find the conversion rate. Dry dog food bags and wet food cans usually have the kilocalorie equivalence of each cup of the product. The number of calories you feed your Shepherd depends on how close to the adult weight they are. Once your puppy reaches six weeks old, you may still have to feed it a mash but can decrease meals to four per day. German Shepherd puppies between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks can eat three to four times daily, while most dogs over four months of age decrease to a frequency of two to three times daily. Centering a few potty breaks around meals that stimulate their intestinal tracts helps develop consistent habits. GDV Your German Shepherd puppy will begin to develop a deeper chest combined with significant size by four to six months of age. Both physical characteristics put your puppy at additional risk of gastric dilatation and volvulus compared to smaller breeds. Four months is the age at which most pups will see a significant increase in their meal sizes. Studies have linked large meals with GDV , or bloat, life-threatening distension, and rotation of the stomach. Increasing the number of feedings greatly reduces the incidence of GDV. We recommend at least two meals a day for your dog, even as your Shepherd approaches adulthood. How much to feed a German Shepherd puppy is part of a broader equation that includes avoiding overfeeding, calculating portion sizes, and scheduling appropriate mealtimes. However, a fat or pudgy puppy is not a look anyone should encourage. The puppy may appear to be in good shape, but you need to feel the ribs to be certain. Four Months You can really start to see the amount the pup has grown compared to the eight-week-old puppy! To get a better idea of what to expect with a young GSD, feel free to watch this video! It illustrates the rapid growth rate of the German Shepherd and touches on diets as well. Recommended reading. So, how many times a day should you feed your German Shepherd? German Shepherds should be fed at least twice a day. Vets recommend two smaller meals instead of one large meal for healthy digestion and energy. For puppies, feed 4 meals a day up to three months old, then 3 meals a day up to six months old, before finally reducing to 2 meals a day. It is essential to stick to food schedules that are consistent for the long-term health of your German Shepherd, especially as the breed is prone to the life-threatening condition, Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus GDV , commonly known as bloat. This article will cover how often to feed a German Shepherd whether puppy or adult and how much to give your dog to keep him healthy and happy. 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. My German Shepherd Willow eating her meal Hey! As a working breed raised to herd and protect sheep, they are typically energetic, enjoy physical activity, and love having a job to do. Due to their dynamic character, they demand a high-energy diet. However, as large, deep-chested dogs, they are one of the breeds prone to bloat GDV , and vets advise against feeding one large meal a day. Twice per day is the standard, with a good few hours in between, as it allows your GSD to eat and digest his food properly. German Shepherds, like most dogs, work well when fed on a schedule. I absolutely agree with this, especially as the German Shepherd is susceptible to a sensitive stomach and is known to have more digestive problems than other breeds. However, if you have any concerns, you should speak to your vet. If you have a high-energy or working German Shepherd, such as a guard dog, assistance dog, or Police or Military dog that gets a lot of exercise, you may consider feeding little and often to prevent hunger. German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Schedule German Shepherd puppies will require more frequent feedings as they expend far more energy and have smaller stomachs to hold their food. You should feed a German Shepherd puppy four meals a day between 6 and 12 weeks old. Puppies aged between 12 and 24 weeks should have three meals a day, and from 24 weeks onwards, German Shepherd puppies should be fed twice per day. Age of Puppy. Split that daily amount up between all meals. For example, if your 3-month-old GSD puppy is a male and weighs 30 pounds, you should feed him approximately 2 cups per day. Since she no longer needs the extra calories to help support her fast growth period, you can safely reduce her feedings to 2 or 3 meals per day. While she should still be eating puppy food at this point, you may consider purchasing a bag of her eventual adult formula. You can use individual kibbles from the adult formula for treats or training rewards. This will help her get used to the new flavor and texture. Around 9 months of age, you can begin slowly adding a small amount of the adult formula into her puppy food, though she should still be eating primarily puppy chow. Only your vet will be able to tell you when your dog has reached maturity and can be safely moved to adult food. So, make sure you are in close contact with your vet to be sure that your feeding plan is individualized for your specific dog. Adult dog food will have a different ratio of calcium, protein, phosphorus, and other nutrients than puppy food does. Feeding an adult dog a puppy formula can cause obesity as well as put too much strain on kidneys and other vital organs. Long term use of inappropriate food for an adult dog can have catastrophic consequences. That said, there is no need to panic if your adult GSD eats a bowl of puppy food now and then. Adult German Shepherds should be fed twice a day. Again, bloat is a real problem for large breed dogs, and large meals seem to be a big cause of this. I feed my adult dogs this particular blend for a number of reasons. The blend is designed specifically with German Shepherds in mind, as it uses high-quality, animal-based nutrients to counter the extra stress put on the joints of GSDs and to help the development strong lean muscle to keep your dog in peak physical condition. You really can see the difference. This is evident by the fast decline in health, joint flexibility, and energy in older large breed dogs compared to same-age smaller breeds. When your GSD moves from the adult life stage to senior, you need to adjust her diet. Large breeds reach the older stage not quite senior, but close around half of their assumed life expectancy. Inevitably, your GSD will need to switch over to a senior diet. Older large breed dogs have lower energy needs. Older dogs also tend to slow down their digestion, so an increase in fiber might be a good choice for your senior GSD. Do be sure to confirm this with your vet, however. Not all foods are created equal. For treats, senior dogs should avoid calorie-dense milk bones and high-salt or fatty treats. Opt for healthy, whole-food treats such as apple slices or carrots. Some senior dogs begin to develop health conditions that will require special care. This is often a result of poor nutrition early in life, but can sometimes simply be genetics and old age catching up with them. But for GSDs with health issues such as kidney disease and joint pain, diet can play an even bigger role in the quality of their lives. Getting a personalized recommendation from your veterinarian is worth the time, expense, and effort. These charts can seem pretty straightforward at first glance. Instead, use them as a starting point. Observe your dog, see how he looks and feels, and note any changes in his bathroom habits, weight, or energy level. Adjust his meals accordingly. Generally speaking, they talk about daily intake, not per meal. It means to split that 3 cups total over the entire day. If your dog eats 3 times per day, that would be 1 cup at each meal for a total daily intake of 3 cups. To further confuse dog parents, some manufacturers do list per-meal serving sizes, not the total daily intake! In these cases, if you read it incorrectly, you would end up underfeeding your dog. To help mitigate some of this confusion, it may be helpful to ask your vet how many calories your dog should be consuming each day. Then you can check the calorie content in the dog food and measure things from there. Raw Diets, Cooking for Dogs, and Other Alternative Feeding This article has been focusing mainly on commercially available dry kibble since that is what most pet parents ultimately choose for their dogs. However, there are many dog owners that choose to feed alternative diets. These include raw diets and cooking regular people food for dogs. There are many viable options for feeding your healthy German Shepherd, but there are just as many harmful fads, too. As with commercial foods, be sure to speak with your vet before starting your dog on a raw diet or home-cooking her meals. Human supplements are often unregulated, minimally effective, and often contain substances harmful to animals. Never use a human supplement for your German Shepherd. Final Thoughts What you feed your German Shepherd is just as important as how much you feed them. Pay special attention to the first 4 or 5 ingredients listed on the back of the packaging. Choose high-quality, safety-tested foods with clear ingredient and nutrition labels. The best food for German Shepherd puppies in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to German Shepherd breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a German Shepherd puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. Before the four month mark, it is advised to include some dry food in their diet. You can do this in a few simple steps: Mix some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day. Over time, reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture, until they are at the point where they are happily eating dry foods. Read on to learn how much you should feed your German Shepherd puppy as they get older. With this rapid growth can come some risks. German Shepherds are susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia, that can start in puppyhood. They will be very active in their adolescent years, and so should be fed with this in mind. The transition from puppy food to adult food should happen between 12 and 24 months of age. This is because, being a larger breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. Remember that the more active the pup, the more food they require. While following feeding guidelines is important to avoid over and underfeeding, you can adjust the amounts of food you provide to your dog based on level of activity. If you are unsure, it is always best to ask your vet for guidance. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your German Shepherd puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. For puppies, this amount will often be two of three times higher, as they are more active and growing quickly. German Shepherd puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are also essential for supporting your active pup. Aside from nutritionally complete dry puppy food, German Shepherd puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. However, they can also be at risk of gastric dilatation or volvulus, or GDV. Certain dog breeds can be more susceptible to GDV; particularly deep chested breeds including German Shepherds. GDV can occur when a dog bloats a few hours after eating a meal. Though the exact causes of GDV are not known, grains and cereals are suspected to be contributors. The amount of food you give your German Shepherd is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult German Shepherds, between 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female German Shepherds, which tend to be about 8 kilos lighter than males, may need less food, as will less active dogs. Dogs who need less food, whether they are less active or simply older, will usually still need around 1, and 1, per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your German Shepherd based on how calorically dense their food is. German Shepherds should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split evenly between these two meals. For most dogs, it is recommended that you exercise your dog before meal times to assist with potty training. However, some dogs who are at risk of GDV may benefit from exercise after eating, to aid with digestion. You should also try to give your German Shepherd a high quality food that is specially designed for larger or working breeds, especially if they are very active. For example, less active senior dogs will need to eat less food as they will not be burning calories as quickly as a lively little puppy will. Senior dogs may benefit from a higher fibre and lower calorie diet. Your dog may also develop chronic or short term medical conditions that require specially formulated food. German Shepherds can be particularly susceptible to skin disease or allergies, including canine atopic dermatitis, bacterial skin infections, flea allergy dermatitis, forms of contact dermatitis, or scabies. If your dog develops a skin issue, it is often a sign that they may be suffering from a form of food sensitivity. If you are unsure about what you should feed your German Shepherd, you should always consult your vet as they will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any allergies or chronic health issues: creating a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for years to come. Part of figuring out what you should feed your German Shepherd includes deciding between wet, dry, or a raw food diet. Wet food for German Shepherds is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. A raw diet can be a good option for your German Shepherd as you have more control over the kinds of food and amount of nutrients your pup is consuming. For this reason, raw diets require a lot more work on your part as an owner. Whatever you decide to feed your German Shepherd, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. The amount of food you feed your dog should be determined by their activity levels, age, weight, breed, and size. Any meals prepared for your dog need to contain the right balance of nutrients. You should also be extra careful not to introduce your dog to foods that are harmful to their health. While we might enjoy the taste of nuts, artificial sweeteners, alcohol and onions, these can be toxic for dogs and can cause serious illness and even death. German Shepherds in particular need plenty of exercise as they are a large working breed with a lot of energy. No matter how old your German Shepherd is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress.

And those alert ears! Frenchies are making a big comeback popularity-wise , climbing up the list of the most popular dog breeds in the United States in recent years. If you bring one of these puppies home, you might learn to understand their adorable language before they start to learn your human words. This may not be apparent, as French Bulldogs take to training slowly, but they do love you. They may have breathing issues As adorable as those smooshed faces are, the French Bulldog is a brachycephalic breed , meaning they have shorter snouts than other dogs. This can lead to breathing issues, especially when it comes to swimming or flying in an airplane. If you want to take your Frenchie for a swim , be sure to have them geared up with some puppy floaties, and stay close to them, as they literally cannot keep their snout — or the rest of their body — above water. Some airlines will not let brachycephalic breeds fly. Being in a small, hot area under a lot of stress can make breathing very difficult for these dogs and can even be fatal. As fancy as French Bulldogs are, the jet-set lifestyle was not made for them. Frenchies have something of a reputation for not only breathing issues but also for being gassy. Prepare to grab some non-toxic air fresheners and open up some windows! They can be champion couch potatoes and incredibly playful French Bulldog puppies can grow very accustomed to living in the lap of luxury. French Bulldogs can be incredibly silly and playful. Description You too can be an artist when you paint with Diamonds! Every kit gives you a chance to create a work of art you can be proud of. This diamond painting kit includes everything you need to create your masterpiece. Creating Diamond paintings are a great way to relieve stress and all ages can enjoy the process. Whether you work on yours alone or with a loved one, you are sure to experience many hours of joy creating and admiring your creation. This is very similar to Paint by Number drawings you did as a child. The painting canvas is waterproof and has a sticky background so that you could easily complete the picture. They help to make an exquisite portrayal of the picture which is very sparkling and sure to grab all your visitor's attention once displayed. These exciting kits don't require any knowledge or Drawing skills to create. Children as young as 6 and 7 can begin this art form with some assistance. Diamond painting kits are fun and easy to paint. Experience a sense of achievement as well as reduce stress, enhance self-confidence and most importantly enjoy your free time. These paintings can be the ultimate wall decoration choice for your home or office or any other place. It is a great gift for birthdays or any occasion really. Each one includes everything you need to complete an entire picture. The kits are packaged properly in order to prevent any kind of damages. Please contact us if you have any questions. About Why Basket of Love Frenchies? Because we sell the best AKC blue French bulldog puppies! We are a family who love our frenchies like they are a part of the family. We would love to be a blessing in helping you find the perfect frenchie for your family. Basket of love is a home based breeder of the highest quality blue French bulldogs. We strive to produce exquisite Frenchie puppies each year so that others can discover what we have known for years. French bulldogs are the sweetest most lovable dogs available. They can melt your heart with those big loving eyes. They learn quickly and are always eager to please you, their best friend. Frenchies are an attractive and eye catching breed. Their bodies are small but muscular and heavy boned, giving them their characteristic appearance that is so desirable. They average 18 to 30 pounds, so are small enough to fit into most living situations. They love car rides, leash walks, and just spending time with you. Let us guide you to the perfect addition to your family. We can counsel you on what personality of puppy will best fit your lifestyle. Check out our available puppy page.

The mother dog was my first bitch to give birth naturally. First bitch to give birth naturally Every breeder someday has bad luck; for me it was in and .An unsuccessful litter by means of a C-section and all the pups were still-born. Then a litter with only one pup, again a C-section. I had no choice but to keep this one pup, otherwise I would have lost one of my two breeding lines. Nobody could understand why I kept Happy because she was no beauty. I knew, however, that I had never had such an energetic and tenacious bitch. From the outset, these never-ending C-sections and unnatural rearings have been a thorn in my side. To this day, many breeders believe that English Bulldogs cannot give birth naturally and would die during a natural birth. The C-section appointment is determined in advance, without giving the bitch a chance to whelp. The mother dog is often so groggy after the birth due to the strong anaesthesia that the pups are not left with the mother because of the danger of being crushed. The mother comes into contact with her pups only as a milk bar. These breeders are convinced that they are raising their pups with special devotion! On 22 July , Happy began having dilation contractions, and I telephoned my veterinarian as usual for the birth. He had gone hunting and was not available. What now? So I tried what the vast majority of breeders fear to this day. Success: my first naturally born litter with six perfectly healthy pups L1 litter , whose mother could take care of them day and night. Happy, by the way, lived to be almost 12 years old and became the first Swiss Veteran Champion. A pup has just been born. This birth and the natural rearing the mother dog was always with the pups were a sensation on Facebook. I am now looking back on the fifth generation of naturally birthing Bulldog bitches, who have, by the way, very frequently placed very high in international shows. A Complete Guide Having a litter of puppies is an exciting and tiring experience! To watch those well-rounded puppies grow and head off to their forever homes to be lifetime companions is a magical moment. The entire puppy raising process starts at birth. Bulldogs have many health issues and daily exercise is taxing on their stocky frames. With their stubby legs and small bodies, many wonder if a bulldog can give birth naturally. In general, bulldog puppies are often too large for the birth canal. This requires the aid of a trained veterinarian to perform a c-section. However, some bulldog breeds do not require c-sections and can have a natural birth. Breeding bulldogs is complicated and not always the same from start to finish. While some conditions and issues are common when our bulldogs are expecting, bulldog breeds often present a few challenges. Some issues are natural breeding, whether they can whelp naturally, and even if they are pregnant which can be surprisingly difficult to determine. Can Bulldogs Get Pregnant Naturally? While the answer is yes, bulldogs can get pregnant naturally. First, with many bulldog breeds, the chest, shoulders, and head are much larger than their hips. What this means is that the dog is usually heavier in the front than they are in the back. When a male bulldog mounts a female, his front weight pushes down the backend of the female bulldog. This makes it very difficult for them to obtain a tie. Is My Bulldog Pregnant? Unfortunately, signs are few and far between for pregnant bulldogs and all dogs in general. In fact, most signs and symptoms do not occur until your bulldog is over 40 days pregnant. However, when you start to see signs, you can quickly determine if your female is pregnant or not. If you find that your dog is napping more than usual, especially around week 3, there is a good chance she is pregnant. Morning Sickness: I already mentioned this, but dogs can have mild sickness. This means she has decreased appetite around day 21 and may vomit. Increase in Appetite: This can be difficult to determine, but as the weeks progress, you should find that your pregnant dog eats more than usual. Nipple Changes: Every dog is different when it comes to nipple changes. Some changes are early in the pregnancy and others have none until close to delivery. However, you can usually spot differences in nipples by 3 or 4 weeks. Nipples will be slightly darker and will start to look rounded in shape. Finally, you may see hair loss around the nipples as her body prepares for nursing. Changes in Temperament: Another symptom that varies from dog to dog, changes in temperament are a good sign. Often, bulldogs become clingier or go off on their own. Any abnormal behavior for your dog could be a sign that she is pregnant. Your dog gains weight if she is pregnant, but most of the weight gain is seen closer to the end of the pregnancy. Knowing if your bulldog is pregnant is tricky because female bulldogs show few signs. How Long are Bulldogs Pregnant All dogs follow the same pregnancy schedule, regardless of breed, and will usually deliver their puppies on day 63 from ovulation. Breeders follow a guideline of 59 to 70 days from the date of the first breeding. Your bulldog should deliver any time in those 11 days, but frequently, they will deliver on day .You will usually know the date of ovulation and the vet will simply do the c-section on day 63 or when the bulldog shows signs that labor is imminent. What is a Bulldog Pregnancy Like? The best way to understand your pregnant bulldog is to learn about the weeks of pregnancy. With dogs, week 1 of pregnancy starts on the day of ovulation or the day of the first breeding. Bulldogs are pregnant for roughly 9 weeks before they deliver and a lot is happening during those weeks. Your bulldog female, or bitch, is bred this week and you may notice that she is a bit tired. Life should return to normal during this week. Regular activities should continue, and your dog will eat a normal amount of food. Your dog, more than likely, is in heat for another week , but you can continue with her regular schedule. She may be her usual self and return to how she was prior to her heat. During this week the vulva stays slightly swollen However, this can be hard to notice, especially in maiden bitches. Week Three: During this time, the embryos are finally attaching to the lining in the uterus. Too much weight gain can cause complications. During this week, you can get a blood test to detect relaxin, which indicates pregnancy. A slight increase in food is all that is needed. Your female bulldog can continue her usual activities and exercise at this stage of pregnancy. Week Five: Between day 30 and 35, after the first breeding, you can schedule an ultrasound to determine if your furry friend is pregnant. With your pregnant bulldog, you should start to see some weight gain. In addition, her appetite will increase and will need more food on a daily basis. Be careful not to overfeed her. In addition, avoid any strenuous activity, but incorporate daily exercise. Your pregnant bulldog may be tired and need small, frequent meals throughout the day. Week Six: You may notice that week six is when your bulldog begins to reduce how much she is eating. To help offset this, portion her meals into more feedings per day. Mood wise, she may be sleeping more. You may find that she is very uncomfortable and should monitor her behavior to know what she needs. See also Do Bulldogs Fart? And How to Stop It! Week Seven: Week seven is similar to the previous week. Your female will be uncomfortable, and she may start looking for a quiet place to sleep. She may also become clingier than usual. When week seven arrives, you are getting closer to delivery day! You should be able to feel puppies moving and your pregnant bulldog may start losing her hair around her nipples. Now is the time to start setting up a space for her to give birth. Week Eight: If you are planning to do an x-ray, now is the week to do it. During this time, the skeletons of the puppies have calcified enough to be picked up on an x-ray. This is a great way to find out how many puppies your bulldog is having and will help you plan for the delivery or c-section. Your pregnant bulldog may start producing milk this week, however, not all dogs produce milk at this stage. Some can start producing shortly after the puppies are born. Now is the time to keep a close eye on your female. Week Nine: This is the week when your pregnant bulldog is due! She can go any time and you want to watch for nesting behavior. In addition, her temperature should spike before dropping down by about 2 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if you are planning a c-section, monitor her temperature in case your pregnant bulldog goes into labor before the scheduled surgery. Bulldog Pregnancy Cycle. References 1. Clinical and pathological effects Dystocia difficulty in giving birth can occur for a variety of reasons. Both affect the English bulldog Johnston et al and lead to a very high rate of dystocia in this breed. Abnormalities of pelvic shape have been investigated in relation to dystocia in the Boston terrier and Scottish terrier Eneroth et al but, as far as we are aware, there have been no corresponding studies in the English bulldog. The foetal factor that is most likely to cause dystocia is a large head Johnston et al .The larger the puppy the greater the risk. The English bulldog is a brachycephalic breed. Dogs with brachycephalic airway disease have a shortened and distorted upper airway, narrow nostrils, an elongated soft palate, and an abnormal larynx voice box. Secondary to these airway obstructions, these dogs can develop collapsed airways, especially involving the larynx and trachea. These defects commonly make it difficult for the breed to breathe adequately whilst undertaking normal activity. Stress caused by exercise, excitement, heat or giving birth can exacerbate this and lead to collapse and death. It is likely that a proportion of the large number of caesarean sections carried out on English bulldogs are elective procedures arranged by breeders to avoid any chance of dystocia and the risk of asphyxiation of whelping bitches as might otherwise occur during the normal birth process Harvey .Return to top 2. Intensity of welfare impact Dystocia is a severe welfare problem for the affected bitch and, if untreated, it will usually lead to her death. Treatment of a bitch that is having difficulty giving birth involves transportation of the dog to a veterinary practice for examination and imposes further stressors for a brachycephalic dog with breathing difficulties. Uterine contractions are painful and control of this pain is difficult in the home environment, so any delay in the birth process causes more prolonged and severe pain than usual. Caesarean section is usually required to treat English bulldogs with dystocia. Unplanned, emergency caesarean sections are likely to have a higher welfare impact than either natural birth or elective caesarean, and a higher death rate for the puppies. Caesarean sections are major surgical procedures and anaesthesia presents particular risks to brachycephalic dogs because of their abnormal respiratory tracts and breathing difficulties. It is likely that a significant proportion of caesarean sections in English bulldogs are performed electively. Return to top 3. Duration of welfare impact If untreated, dystocia may continue for up to hours although, as this time goes on, mortality among the puppies will increase. If a caesarean is performed, there will be pain from the surgery for some days although effective analgesia should be available. A further issue is that if live puppies have been delivered and the bitch is to rear them normally then their sucking on a teat close to the surgical wound may cause her pain in the first week, or so, after the procedure. Return to top 4. English bulldogs were found in a study undertaken in Canada and the USA, to be in the top five of the breeds most likely to have elective and emergency caesarians Moon et al .From data on estimates of total dog population in the UK and on the percentage of all micro-chip registered dogs that are English bulldogs Lucy Asher, , personal communication , we estimate that the UK population size of this breed may be around 50, Return to top 5. Diagnosis A normal labour has three stages. In the first stage, the body prepares itself for birth with the cervix relaxing and dilating. During this stage, if left alone, the bitch in the wild would seek seclusion and dig a den. The second stage involves the loss of uterine fluids, progressively more vigorous straining, and birth of the puppies. The third stage of labour is delivery of the foetal membranes and, in dogs, this stage can be concurrent with the second stage, as membranes are sometimes expelled with their puppy. In some cases of dystocia, stage two never starts and dystocia is diagnosed once a dog is recognised not to have progressed from stage one to stage two after about 24 hours. Radiographs can be used to investigate if foetal-pelvic disproportion is the cause and to help in judging if normal birth will be possible. Return to top 6. The part of the canine genome responsible for brachycephaly has been identified and two genes have been implicated Bannasch et al .There are no genetic tests to help determine which dogs are least at risk of dystocia and therefore most suitable for use in breeding. Return to top 7. How do you know if an animal is a carrier or likely to become affected? All female English bulldogs are at risk of this condition. All puppies have the brachycephalic head shape and many bitches are unable to give birth naturally because of this and perhaps also because of pelvic abnormalities. Thus it is very difficult to find a puppy which has not been born via caesarean section. Ideally only puppies born by natural birth from a bitch that did not have dystocia, should be used for breeding. Return to top 8. Methods and prospects for elimination of the problem It might be argued that breeding from dogs that had been born naturally would help to select for a strain population able to give birth naturally in the future. However, any advantages that might bring would have to be 'weighed' carefully against the risks associated with allowing all births to progress naturally rather than undertaking elective caesarians to preclude the risk of dystocia. It might be possible to assess the size and shape of the pelvises of prospective mothers, as has been described for Boston and Scottish terriers by Eneroth et al .These authors found that bitches in which the pelvis was larger vertically than horizontally were less likely to suffer from dystocia. Breeding from such dogs, and from those with the greatest pelvic measurements, might be a reasonable approach and may be helpful in reducing the incidence of dystocia. However, this speculative proposal has not been validated and might be hard to undertake in practice. As yet no such scheme is in operation. Given the high proportion of animals that appear to suffer from foetal-pelvic disproportion in this breed, efforts to breed only from a minority judged to have the best chances of giving birth naturally might risk, through diminution of the size of the breeding population, inadvertent selection for other genetic diseases. Selecting for smaller head size in puppies is theoretically possible and, if successful, would probably help in reducing the incidence of dystocia. However, this might result also in unpredictable changes to other aspects of conformation or biology. Efforts directed at reducing the prevalence and severity of brachycephalic airway disease in the breed eg by out-crossing with dogs that are not affected with this disease would probably have an impact through reducing the severity of the brachycephaly itself. Return to top 9. Return to top .References Bennett D Normal and abnormal parturition. It got to the eighth one and it didn't look like she was sIowing down. Bulldog Cali is an Alapaha blue blood bulldog, seen here with the puppies' father Kongo The puppies nurse and sleep beside their mother, Cali, a rare breed of bulldog 'It was a bit of a traumatic birth and Cali's water broke before some of them were ready to come out. Even though they are only a week old they have grown so much. Nine of the twenty pups sadly died Some of the pups are dark like their father, Kongo, rather than sandy coloured like their mum Sadly nine of the puppies died but Amber still has eleven puppies. Amber works as a payroll and tax consultant as well as running Blue Blood Empire, a company specialising rare breeds. Cali is an Alapaha blue blood bulldog. Although sad about the deaths, she said they weren't unexpected. She said: 'The vet said he was surprised there wasn't more [deaths]. Cali did well to push out the ones that she did. A pic of new mother Cali, pictured playing with the puppies' father bulldog Kongo The pure bred pups catch forty winks. The massive size of the litter may be a record for Amber's home town of Swindon, Wiltshire. They will stay with Cali until they are rehoused 'I thought about going with Disney princesses for the females but after calling one of them Ariel, I decided that it didn't really suit her. I still work part-time but I'd love to go full-time as a breeder. The first birth took place at pm on Wednesday, March .A total of 12 births had taken place by pm on Thursday, March 12 when Cali was taken to the vet. The rest were born over the following hours. Following these recommendations will help you raise as many healthy pups as possible and make the experience as easy and enjoyable as possible for both your family and your Bullbitch. When you raise a litter, you will feel an enormous sense of having accomplished a difficult task. You will enjoy many pleasurable hours with your pups, if you also make a profit, that is fine. But go into this venture with the realization that you may do everything right and still not raise a single pup. You may be emotionally traumatized by having your favorite pup die in your hands. You may lose every dollar you spend. Do not breed your bitch unless you are sure that you or a responsible person will be available to care for the bitch when she is ready to whelp and have time to care for the pups for the first few weeks. This may even mean having someone to care for the pups for 24 hours a day. If you anticipate your bitch will be due for her boosters at about the time of her season or during her pregnancy, have her boosters given early before the time you expect her to be in season. Before she comes into season, have her checked for intestinal worms and deworm her if necessary. This is for the bitch's good. It will not keep the pups from being born with worms. They will still need to be checked and dewormed. Your bitch should be checked for heartworms within the last 12 months. She should be on heartworm prevention. There is a fairly common misconception that heartworm preventive medicine causes infertility. This is nonsense! Heartworm infestation and heartworm disease cause infertility. Heartworm prevention is an absolute necessity. We recommend either Heartgard or Interceptor monthly. Go to dog shows and compare your Bullbitch to the champions and winning dogs. Decide what your bitch's faults are. Long back, small head, narrow jaw and light bone are the most common faults. Now select a stud that does not have any of the same faults your bitch has. It is not wise to breed to a closely related dog father, brother, uncle except in very special circumstances. Breeding to a very good quality more distantly related relative grandfather, granduncle many times will produce better pups than breeding to an unrelated dog. Breed to a dog that has produced some good quality pups. A champion stud that meets the above criteria will be a better choice for stud than a non-champion. We can provide you the names of serious breeders in the San Antonio area who have proven champion Bulldog studs. See as many studs as possible and choose the one that fits your breeding purposes THE MATING On a normal heat cycle, a bitch is ready to be mated the first time about the eighth to the thirteenth day. There is a lot of variation among bitches. Breeding according to the day of heat alone is not an accurate way of catching her at the right time. Vaginal smears can determine when a bitch is ready to breed. The cells lining the vagina change types when a bitch ovulates and is ready to mate. Bring your bitch in for us to do a vaginal smear about the fourth day of heat for the first vaginal smear. Then we will tell you when she will need the vaginal smear checked again. Do not be concerned if your bitch has a bloody discharge throughout her season. This is not unusual in bullbitches. We breed on the first day the vaginal smear indicates ovulation, skip a day and breed again. If there is any doubt that these were the best days, we will skip a day and breed a third time. Particularly when breeding a bitch that has failed to conceive before, it may be best to breed more than twice. We use only artificial insemination to breed bulldogs. Artificial insemination is easier on the bitch, the dog and the person doing the breeding. When people talk about "natural breeding" of bulldogs, they are really referring to hand breeding. This involves strapping the bitch to a breeding board and physically helping the stud dog mate her. We breed only by artificial insemination, Breeding boards are not used in artificial insemination. Serious breeders who have experience artificially inseminating with their own stud are usually very capable and can do the AI at their house. After you take your bitch home after breeding, continue to keep her away from all males for at least a week. For any bitch that has failed to conceive on a previous breeding, we strongly recommend using Progesterone tests to determine the correct time to breed. This is more expensive than breeding by vaginal smears but is worth the cost. The liver during their season increases fertility, during pregnancy reduces the chance of pups with cleft palates and makes for healthier pups with bigger livers of their own. This increases their chance of surviving any neonatal problems. Either beef, pork or venison liver is fine. Cut the liver into 1 ounce pieces and freeze them five pieces to a bag. That way you can thaw out a new bag every five days and make a pound of liver last 16 days. Some bitches will not eat liver the first day. Try again tomorrow and she will eat it. Some bitches will get loose stools from liver. Stop the liver and give cottage cheese with her food until the stools firm up and then start the liver again. During pregnancy, feed your bitch a good quality food. We recommend Purina Pro-Plan. Feed adult dog food for the first four weeks of pregnancy, feed half adult and half puppy food Purina Pro-Plan Puppy the fifth week, then puppy food through the rest of pregnancy and throughout all the time the mama is nursing pups. Do not feed generic or store brand dog food. With a good quality dog food, we feed no supplements other than the liver. Do not give bone meal or any other calcium supplements. They are not needed and can be harmful. With a bitch that will relax and cooperate, we might be able to feel the fetuses in her abdomen at 3 to 4 weeks. From 4 to 7 weeks, there is a lot of fluid around the fetuses making it difficult to feel them. By 7 weeks, most pregnant bitches will be obviously showing it. Almost all bitches will have some mammary enlargement 3 to 4 weeks after their season whether they are pregnant or not. If her vulva does not decrease much in size after she is out of season, she is probably pregnant. We can x-ray the bitch anytime after 45 days after breeding to determine pregnancy. Withhold food by 8 PM the night before the x-ray and be sure she is given a chance to move her bowels before bringing for the x-ray. Let her have all the water she wants. A sonogram done at 28 days is a very accurate way to determine if she is pregnant. We can refer you to a veterinarian who can do a sonogram if you wish. Even if your bitch does not look pregnant, bring her in one week before her due date for us to examine. A large bitch with only one or two pups can hide them up under her ribs and not appear pregnant. If there is any doubt, have an x-ray taken. If her season and discharge last longer that 3 weeks, bring her back for a check-up. She might be a bitch that just has a longer than 3 week season. Or the extended discharge might indicate an infection. If any time after her season she has a vaginal discharge again, bring her back for an exam and a white blood cell count. She could be aborting pups. She could have a minor vaginal infection or a serious uterine infection. A uterine infection needs immediate attention. The Cesarean Section is scheduled 60 days after the last breeding. We will make the appointment for 8 AM. We will also schedule an appointment for a week before the Cesarean to examine her and answer any questions you have. We can also do the pre-surgery lab work at that time. While this 60 day schedule works almost every pregnancy, occasionally a bitch will start labor before the Cesarean Section appointment. If your bitch starts labor during our regular office hours, call us to let us know you are coming in and bring her to the hospital. We will do the Cesarean. If your bitch starts labor during the night, weekend or holiday when our office is closed, call one of the emergency animal hospitals and take her there for the Cesarean. When you call our regular office number, the answering machine will give you the numbers of three emergency hospitals. We do not do emergency Cesarean surgery during non-office hours. A Cesarean requires a full staff of personnel that we cannot provide during non-office hours. Labor is not nesting or passing a mucus plug. Labor is seeing her abdomen contract and seeing her push. She may pass some fluid or you may see part of a puppy. This is labor and indicates she needs her Cesarean. Bullbitches have a difficult time trying to whelp naturally for a number of reasons. The pups have large heads. The bitch has a small pelvis. A bullbitch that has any breathing difficulty can find that labor is too strenuous for her. A bitch with a large number of pups can get too tired and exhausted before she has the last one. When there are only one or two pups, they are usually larger and more difficult to deliver. Many bulldog pups die during attempts at natural whelping. They could have lived if delivered by Cesarean section. A bitch that becomes exhausted trying to whelp naturally is then not a good anesthetic risk for Cesarean section. It is better to plan for a Cesarean ahead of time rather than make it an emergency procedure. It can be scheduled at a more convenient time than 2 AM some morning. Of course, saving only one pup with the Cesarean that might have been lost free whelping pays for the Cesarean. Most bitches will start nesting a week or so before they are due to whelp. They will gather up towels or scratch in the carpet or dig a hole in the yard to make a nest. This does not mean labor is imminent. While your bitch is pregnant, she has had a mucus plug in her cervix to seal it. She will start passing this clear mucus the last week of her pregnancy. This is normal. At the appointment for the Cesareans section, bring a box full of towels to take the pups home in and a sheet to lay the bitch on in the car on the way home. The bitch will have a heavy discharge for 3 days - red, black, green, almost any color is normal. After 3 days, the discharge should be no more than a little spotting - several half-dollar size spots a day at the most. A heavy discharge after 3 days or a brownish-red tomato soup discharge with a bad odor anytime is an indication of trouble. Bring your bitch back to the hospital. If the bitch has any discharge from her surgery incision, wash it with hydrogen peroxide and dry it before nursing. If the incision is dry without a discharge, leave it alone. If the incision should gap open more than a quarter of an inch or if a lump develops under the incision, bring her back to the hospital. It is not unusual for bullbitches to lie on pups and smother them. Some bullbitches will accidentally step on a pup and kill it or badly injury it. A few bullbitches will intentionally harm pups. For these reasons, we keep our pups in a puppy box and put them with the mama only while nursing. An adult or older child must be there watching all the time the pups are with her to be sure she does not harm the pups. Of course, this is a lot of trouble and takes a lot of time. But bulldoggers have found that this is the best way to raise as many pups as possible. We use a wooden puppy box. If you anticipate raising only one litter, a cardboard box will do. Our puppy box is 32 inches long by 16 inches wide and 12 inches deep. It has a Plexiglas window in the lid. There are holes in the side that can be opened for ventilation. There is a 60 watt light in one end of the box for heat. The light has a rheostat so that the heat can be controlled and adjusted. If you use a cardboard box, you can adjust the heat by using different watt light bulbs and by moving the light closer or farther away from the box. The important thing is to have a rectangular box with the light in one end. Adjust the heat by watching where the pups stay in the box. If the pups stay right under the light, adjust the heat higher. If the pups stay in the other end of the box to get away from the heat, adjust it lower. The box temperature will need to be about 95 degrees the first week, 85 degrees the second week and 75 degrees thereafter. However, it is important to adjust the heat according to what the pups do, rather than according to the thermometer. If pups lie on a hard flat surface all the time, they will become what we call swimmers. Their chests flatten out and their legs spread out sideways. They cannot get their legs under them. When the chests flatten they start having breathing problems. To prevent swimmers, it is important for the bottom of the box to be soft and irregular. We line the bottom of our box with foam rubber egg crate mattress pad material and cover it with towels. Two alternatives to egg crate material are rubber hot water bottles half filled with air and covered with towels or to wad up newspaper into balls to fill the bottom of the box and cover with towels. The first few days the pups should nurse every 2 hours. Put an old quilt on the floor for mama to lie on. If there is any discharge from mama's Cesarean incision, wash it off with hydrogen peroxide and dry it before putting the pups down to nurse. The first few times, squeeze the nipple to get a drop of milk to come out on it and put the pup's mouth to it. Watch to be sure all the pups get attached. Be sure the big pups do not push the little pups away. Allow the bitch to lick the pups to stimulate urination and defecation and to clean them up. If the mother refuses to lick and clean pups, you must use a cotton ball dipped in warm water to stimulate elimination. Rub the pups' sides, genital area and anus with the cotton ball. Pups can not eliminate freely on their own for the first 2 to 3 weeks of their lives. Someone must stay with the bitch all the time the pups are nursing. After you can see that the pups are gaining weight and are sleeping longer than 2 hours before they awaken and cry, you can start slowly lengthening the time between feedings. If the pups are not definitely gaining weight nursing on mama, start tube feeding them. If one pup is not growing like the rest, tube feed him. Also if you tube feed, you can go a longer time between feedings than you can nursing. We will be happy to show you how and help you start tube feeding and get you the equipment you need. Tube feed Esbilac Puppy Formula. If necessary, use Similac baby formula until you can get Esbilac. If for any reason you are tube feeding the pups exclusively, do not neglect stimulating their bowel and urinary functions. Either let mama lick them or use the cotton balls. Put Esbilac in a shallow bowl or pie pan. Put a pup up to the edge and spoon a little formula up to his mouth. Some of the pups will start eating on their own right away. Others will take a few days to learn. Grind the Puppy Chow in a blender to a fine meal. At first, mix just a little ground puppy chow with the Esbilac to make a thin gruel. When all the pups are eating this, gradually make it thicker. To get as close as possible to providing complete protection for your pups from preventable diseases, follow this vaccination schedule until you place the pups in their new homes and recommend that the new owner continue this schedule: Start vaccinations canine distemper, hepatitis, coronavirus, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus at six weeks old. Repeat this combination vaccination every three weeks till the pups are sixteen weeks old. The last vaccination should also contain Leptospirosis. Rabies vaccination can be given anytime after twelve weeks. If you have pups that did not nurse on the bitch during the first 24 hours of life, start their five-in-one combination vaccine at 3 weeks of age. However the time from 6 weeks to 12 weeks is a very important age for the behavioral development of the pup. During this time the pup must have both interaction with other dogs mother and littermates and interaction with people. Therefore 8 to 10 weeks is the best time for the pups to go to their new homes. Pups that go too early to a new home that does not have another dog in it may later in life have a fear of other dogs or be aggressive to other dogs. Pups that stay with their litter too long before being placed in their new homes may have a hard time adjusting to their new home after 12 weeks of age. If any pups are not going to their new homes by 10 weeks of age, be sure to socialize them to people. Separate them from the litter and give them individual attention for at least 30 minutes every day. All pups should have some contact with children before they are 12 weeks old so they will not be afraid of children later. Of course it is important that they are not hurt by a child early in life. If I send prospective puppy buyers to you, that means that I have recommended you and your pups to the prospective buyer. It does not mean that I am recommending the prospective buyer to you. It is not my place to screen buyers for you. It is up to you to interview prospective buyers and determine which ones can be entrusted with your precious pups. Ask about other dogs in the household. Do they have a fenced in yard? Do they know bulldogs need to be inside air-conditioned dogs? Will they continue the vaccination series? Do they know bulldogs are generally more expensive to care for than other dogs? Is the prospective buyer buying a pup for himself or is he a broker that is going to resell the pup? When you know the new owner is not going to breed or show, encourage the new owner to spay or neuter their pets. Spaying females prevents mammary cancer, uterine infection and accidental pregnancies. Neutering males prevents perianal cancer, perineal hernias and prostate problems. Be sure you are satisfied that your pup is going to a loving home. Tell the new owner that if something happens that causes them to have to give up their bulldog that you will take him back or help them place him in a good home. Fill out the dam's part and send it to the American Kennel Club. They will send you individual forms for each pup to be registered. This takes two to six weeks. They often rank in the top 5 to 10 spots! Bulldogs are brachycephalic, not thanks to their short snouts. They are therefore more likely to snore, snort, grunt, drool, breathe loudly, and have excessive gas. No prizes for guessing who farted! English Bulldogs are frequently quite laid-back and easygoing. They do require some exercise, but a quick stroll will suffice. An English Bulldog gives birth to an average of 3 or 4 puppies in a single litter. Although there are some instances when they give birth to 4 or more, this is really rare and can actually pose a danger to the dogs. English Bulldog births are often quite difficult due to their small birth canal and will require human intervention in the form of Caesarean section in most cases. Although they are a medium-sized breed, they are known to have smaller litters than others in the same category such as Dalmatians and Huskies. Fun fact: the largest English Bulldog litter is shockingly 16, and that accolade belongs to Gucci, who lives in Coventry, England. Her breeder Jay Dhaliwal had to enlist the help of his family to help with this epic delivery! The size of a litter can be influenced by the breeding lines; some lines tend to have larger litter than others. English Bulldog owners who are considering breeding their dogs should talk to a veterinarian or breeder about the size of the anticipated litter. Many other variables, which I go into more detail about in the sections below, will also affect how many puppies there are in a litter. An English Bulldog puppy weighs between 10 to 14 ounces less than a pound! They put on weight quickly though and can be expected to reach 35 pounds by the time they are 6 months old only. The breed standard for an adult English Bulldog is between 40 to 50 pounds females tend to be smaller and the weight can vary slightly depending on genetics, diet, and activity level. All dogs, including English Bulldogs, do not go through menopause and can conceive puppies all the way into their older years. In general, their heat cycle lasts six to seven months or roughly twice a year. However, you should not take it to mean that just because they are in heat, they should be breeding. This is to give them a chance to recover properly. Your dog will experience a lot of stress due to overbreeding, which can result in heart disease, arthritis, and infertility, among other health issues. Stopping early also allows a breeder to spay their dog while they are still quite young and let them enjoy a quality life in their retirement. You should realize the significance of not overbreeding once you take into account that in some countries it is against the law to breed a dog more than four to six times during its lifetime. In the US, the American Kennel Club AKC does not accept registrations for dams that are bred over the age of 12 and under 8 months, and sires that are over the age of 12 and under 7 months. Age of the dam It should not be surprising that as the dam ages, the size of the litter decreases. After your English Bulldog breeds again after the first two times, you would probably see your dam having an extra puppy or two. Interestingly enough, the first two litters are typically smaller than the following ones, likely yielding only 2 or 3 puppies. Try to get your dog spayed long before that time to ensure their general health. Avoid breeding older dogs if possible. Health of the mom Only healthy mothers can give birth to healthy puppies, and that is the truth. Additionally, nutrition has a big impact on how many puppies are born in a litter. All year round, high-quality, protein-rich food should be provided to increase the possibility of producing a larger litter. Mothers who receive inadequate nutrition, especially those who are overweight, frequently have smaller litters. Size of dog In general, dogs within the same breed can differ quite widely in size. This is due to larger body frames in some dogs, just like us humans. Because of that, it also plays a part in the number of puppies an English Bulldog can have. Larger dams typically have a higher likelihood of having a larger litter. On the other hand, if your girl was born in a small litter herself, you can typically expect that she will have a small first litter. Type of breeding It might be preferable to save this topic for a later post given how quickly it could become complex. Just keep in mind that the type of breeding might significantly affect both the number and quality of the puppies. For instance, severe inbreeding will lower the quality of a litter. These difficulties are more likely to occur with two dogs that are closely related. Linebreeding , on the other hand, aims to maintain sufficient genetic diversity while preserving the best genes from a bloodline, making it frequently a safer method of dog breeding. Time of breeding It is said that a dam is more likely to have a larger litter size the closer she is to ovulation. This is defined as the period after the estrogen period when the Luteinizing hormone triggers ovulation. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any studies supporting this theory, so at this point, I would say this factor is probably not that significant. When an English Bulldog reaches its first heat cycle, it can start breeding, but this should never be done. They normally have their first heat cycle between the ages of 6 and 8 months, which is far too young for them to begin breeding. If you want to allow your dog enough time to grow sexually and acquire weight and size, wait until she is at least in her second or third heat cycle. Most ethical and responsible breeders will wait till an English Bulldog is at least 2 years old before breeding them. This would give them sufficient time to complete all the necessary medical checks which can identify potential for inherited diseases or conditions. Most female Bulldogs go through their first heat cycle between the ages of 6 and 8 months. A useful rule of thumb is that it will go into heat at about the same age that its mother did. Numerous symptoms, including bloody discharge, receptivity to male dogs, restless behavior, and others, can indicate that a dog is in heat.

Tiny bernedoodles range in size from pounds. F1B Mini Bernedoodles will have a higher success rate for non-shedding and are recommended for families with moderate to severe allergies. The F1B Mini Bernedoodles have beautiful loose wavy to curly plush coats Utahbernedoodles welcomes you to a world of Bernedoodles. We raise the best Bernedoodles in America. Bernedoodles are a hybrid cross between a Bernese Mountain Dog and the Poodle. To my knowledge I was one of the first breeders in America to purposely cross the Bernese with the poodle. I have worked hard to develop a program that focuses on health, calm temperament, and consistent beautiful colors. We focus on Tricolor, Sable tricolor, Merle tricolor, and Phantom. Be sure to also check out our Available Puppies page and information on our Upcoming Litters. A mini bernedoodle is a cross between a mini poodle and a Bernese Mountain Dog. Mini Bernedoodles can range in size from pounds with the average pounds. While the Mini Bernedoodle is typically a low-shedding dog, it does shed some. The Mini Bernedoodle works well for many allergy sufferers. F1B Bernedoodles will have a higher success rate for non-shedding and are recommended for families with moderate to severe allergies. The F1B Bernedoodles have beautiful loose wavy to curly plush coats. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. What IS a Bernedoodle? These are NOT mutts which implies a breeding between unknown breeds or not carefully planned. These are designer breeds that are bred for a specific purpose. We produce an incredible bernedoodle that displays the qualities of both our champion line Standard Poodles and the Bernese Mountain Dog pedigrees. The advantage of a carefully planned mixed breed is that you get the added advantage of a phenomenon called "hybrid vigor". This process shuffles new combinations of genes that helps to increase longevity and decrease the usual ailments that impact many purebred dogs such as various forms of inherited types of cancer not all cancers have a genetic basis such as small and large cell lymphoma which is usually a result from environmental exposure. The bernedoodles are super healthy and are not as prone to the same issues that Bernese mountain dogs and standard poodles are. As a result, you have a family member for a lot longer and that will live a vibrant and healthy life if properly cared for diet, exercise, and family integration are all important components toward helping the dog to live a long happy life with you.You can see the links above about the qualities of Standard Poodles and Bernese Mountain Dogs as both are extraordinary breeds in their own right and for many, purebreds of these may be a great option as well. We prefer the Bernedoodle as they get the best of both breeds, incredibly loyal, goofy, smart, playful, intelligent, and has one of the best dog personalities we have seen in a family dog. The Premier F1 Standard Bernedoodle is a low- to mostly nonshedding we use standard poodles that do not carry the improper coat alleles and Bernese mountain dogs that have thick wavy curly coats.If you want a guarantee on non shedding, then you should try to select an F1b or F1bb bernedoodle. Both look amazingly similar to the F1 standard bernedoodles but maybe a little smaller. We will produce about 2 F1b and F1bb standard bernedoodle litters per year for those wanting a more curly coat in their bernedoodles. Premier Bernedoodles love to be with the family and do not do well in enviroments of isolation. Wherever the family is, that's right where they want to be. They are stunning dogs, and you'll likely get alot of attention and people asking you what kind of dog you have. They are beautiful and along with their incredibly gentle personalities, you will have an absolutely stunning dog. They are a perfect companion dog that love to go on walks through the city or hikes in the woods or mountains or a swim at the beach. They love it all and will be at your side the entire time. They don't tend to wander away as they prefer to be with you.They equally love just hanging out with you on the couch watching your favorite movie or watching you reading a book. They really love it all as long as you're a part of it. They are so loyal to the family. Bernedoodle puppies do have energy like most puppies, and this will continue thru about years of age at which time they really mellow out. They are not nervous nor hyper but will need some off leash time where they can really stretch their legs and run. The old motto "a tired puppy is a good puppy" always prevails! Just make sure they have a lot of fresh water and a cool spot to cool off afterward. Due to the the recombination and shuffling of new genetic variations, they do show some variation in their coloration however they also all have a common morphology that tells you it's a bernedoodle. Although we do take deposits on a first come, first pick basis, we will know the puppies well, their personalities, and can help select a puppy that best fits your lifestyle and what you are looking for. We only use Standard Poodles and Bernese Mountain Dogs to produce our Premier Bernedoodles so that any dog we accept into our Premier Bernedoodle program have passed stringent health tests, display family oriented personalities, and exhibit the best of conformation so that our bernedoodles are absolutely beautiful. Be very cautious when purchasing a purebred or bernedoodle without doing your due diligence as the puppies will always be cute, but will exhibit the personalities of the bloodline used later in life.Therefore, use a reptutable breeder that has invested in the dogs they use for their breeding programs and that raise them as their own family members. They should be able to produce their pedigrees as well, and should have both parents on site so you can see how they react to you. We are very Type A when it comes to the quality of dogs which makes it more difficult to give referrals. We are always going to be biased and believe that the wait for a Premier Bernedoodle is worth it and you'll be very happy you did! Also you can visit your local humane society and help rescue a dog at the shelter.If you have young kids be sure to get a younger dog from the shelter that can adapt to your family. But if you're looking for a unique new family member, a Premier Bernedoodle will be a true delight. Colors and Fur Our Premier Bernedoodles will be traditional tri-color much like a Bernese Mountain Dog , abstract tricolor similar to a traditional tricolor with less white in the face , sable similar to a traditional tri-color but has more reddish-browns due to the poodle genetics we use , phantom, merle, merle tricolor, or bi-colored brown and white, black and white, or shades thereof. Our F1b's will consist of black and whites, traditional tricolors, abstract tricolors, and lots of variable brown and reddish brown and whites. Color never reflects temperament and personality so usually most people don't really care too much what color they are. They are all really beautiful. Although there's variation due to the hybrid vigor present as a result of the recombination of genes in many arrays, there is definitely a bernedoodle appearance that is fairly consistent. If you let the hair grow, they will look like big shaggy dogs that you can't help but to give a big hug to. And they enjoy every minute of it! Our Premier Bernedoodles will tend to have wavy curly coats due to the coat types we require in our bernese mountain dogs which helps to minimize or eliminate shedding.We do make sure that our standard poodles do not carry the genetic marker known as the "Improper Coat" allele or IC for short. Wavy curly coats do require a little more grooming as compared to straight, but many, straight coats shed more.Although they are considered to be large, they don't act like a large dog in the house. They are generally very careful and calm natured as adults however they do have some puppy-fun energy thru the puppyhood stages and thru 3 years of age. They love people and other pets! We do thorough genetic testing of our adults that we use in our breeding program to assure that you are purchasing the healthiest of bernedoodle puppies. Our Bernese mountain dogs come from very long-lived blood lines in Western Europe and these longer lifespans is one of the many reasons we obtain our Berners from several specific populations known for their longevity. Obviously we can't guarantee lifespan as there are many variables outside of our control not to mention, environment, stress, climate, food, etc. But track record seems to show a longer lifespan. What's the Difference? An F1b is an F1 standard Bernedoodle backcrossed to a standard poodle or could be a backcross to a Bernese mountain dog but we generally use the poodle as the backcross. An F1bb is an F1b standard Bernedoodle backcrossed to a standard poodle. Behaviorally they are all very similar with the F1b and F1bb's being slightly smaller than our F1 standards and tend to have slightly curlier coats to a tight wave. If you're looking for a smaller standard Bernedoodle these would be a great option. Pictures are posted below with the other pictures. We continue to get lots of praise from those that have purchased our F1b and F1bb standard bernedoodles. Is the Bernedoodle for Everybody? I would like to think so, but if you do not plan on being with your bernedoodle and keeping it with you, in your home, as part of your home, this is definitely not the dog for you. They thrive on being with the family and not isolated we believe this is the case for all dogs, and especially bernedoodles. Any of our puppies kept in a permanent kennel situation, on a tether, or the like, will violate the terms and conditions of our puppy contract and will have to render the puppy or dog back to Premier Doodles see puppy contract in link above. We definitely support crate training, but these dogs are not meant to live their life in a crate nor kennel! If you want a pet that prefers to be in isolation, you may want to consider a nonsocial pet perhaps a Betta fish! Yes we have done a lot of the hard work the first 8 weeks as we do extensive early neurological stimulation bio-sensor and Puppy Culture program, along with starting crate training and housebreaking, BUT, they are puppies and will need your undivided attention for the next weeks as they work towards being completely housebroken and earning more privileges. They have been communicating with their siblings for the past 8 weeks using their mouth. During their normal daily interactions, you will occasionally hear a loud "yelp" in response to one biting another too hard. This yelp usually ends the mouthing behavior. Now puppies have fur and people generally do not. When you bring your bernedoodle home, they will likely display some degree of mouthing behavior toward their human family. This will usually stop this behavior. We then redirect their desire to mouth to something more appropriate like a chew toy and after a few seconds of cooperating we praise them. The good news.We have a Puppy Guide under our tab "Puppy Central" on how to unpack this process so that you can have success. If you put them time in early, they will have this knocked out in a few days. The rule of thumb is to get them outside ALOT.Be sure to purchase two Midwest XL crates can get from our Puppy Store , one for the back door and one next to your bed. The power of meiosis specialized cell division event that occurs in the reproductive organs, ovaries for females and testes for males and crossing over assures that each offspring will be diverse and different and this difference will be noticeable in color and a little bit in behavior. All will be superior, but some will be more playful and others less so, some will mouth more than others, etc. Available Puppies.Check out our "Available Puppies" tab at the top to find out how to get onto our Master List for a future puppy! Bernedoodles come in a variety of sizes and colors. Color is heavily determined by the Poodle parent and what colors are in its pedigree. Their colors can be pure black, black and white, black and brown or the tri-color look that the Bernese has of brown, sable, brindle, chocolate and phantom. There are typically three types of coat. The curlier the coat the less it will shed. Most Bernedoodles have the wavy type coat that is low- to non-shedding. Straight Coat: Like the Bernese coat, it may have a slight wave to it. This coat will shed, less than a Bernese, but noticeably. It is rare to see a Bernedoodle with a straighter coat, however, the straighter the coat, the more it will shed. This type of coat is minimal- to non-shedding. Curly Coat: This is the most similar to the Poodle coat and should not shed. The curlier the coat, the less it will shed. Since most Bernedoodles shed little, they need to be brushed regularly to prevent matting For lower maintenance, you can have their hair clipped every few months, depending on the desired look. This can be done professionally or you can learn to do it yourself. Brushing your bernedoodle will make shedding less noticeable. Puppies should only be taken to the groomer after it has had its full set of vaccines. They should be taken as soon as you can, to get them use to the groomers and the process of being bathed, ears cleaned and nails clipped, or if you choose to do this yourself. There are no guarantees what type of coat a Bernedoodle will have. Bernedoodles are not fully hypoallergenic but do tend to be allergy-friendly. Most people allergic to the dog dander, usually tend to be fine with a Bernedoodle. However, this is not a guarantee. An F1B does tend to be even more 'allergy friendly'. It really depends on what size the Parents are in its pedigree. We can only estimate weights according to parents size. Females do tend to be smaller than males. These are only ranges and a puppy can be out of the expected range when crossing two different breeds. The Standard Bernedoodle is bs in weight and inches in height. The Mini is lbs in weight and inches in height. The Tiny is lbs and inches in height. Our Bernedoodles are from excellent bloodlines and all Pedigree information traces back to their AKC lineage. Our Dams and Sires have obtained extensive health clearances prior to being bred. These dogs will have a higher success rate for non-shedding, and are recommended for families with allergies. F1 Bernedoodles all have loose wavy coats that are typically minimal to light shedding, while F1B Bernedoodles coats can be loose wavy just like the F1 or curly and there are both coat types within the F1B litter. The F1B Bernedoodle is typically minimal to non-shedding. The coat of a Bernedoodle can vary from straight, loose wavy or curly. An F1 Bernedoodle will have a loose wavy coat, while an F1B Bernedoodle litter has both curly and loose wavy coats within the litter. The coat colors of Bernedoodles can vary based on the color genetics of the parents. We will also have Parti Bernedoodles. Daily walks are a must if you don't have a safely enclosed area for them to run freely. The Bernedoodle can be independent and does great being with family engaging in play, then happily laying on their own with a toy. It is still unknown how long Bernedoodles will live as it is a newer cross. The expected lifespan is hoped to be years. As with any dog, socialization and training should start while the dog is still a puppy and continue throughout its life. Look for a puppy kindergarten class locally or join the AKC S. Puppy Program , training based on positive techniques. You do not have to be an AKC purebred puppy to participate in their S. Puppy Program. Find a class here. This is a great place to start socializing and training. A well-socialized, well-trained Bernedoodle makes a wonderful family companion. Early socialization and training establishes those lifetime bonds between the family and puppy as these programs teach you how to communicate with your new puppy and get started on the right foot. An F1b Bernedoodle is the first back-cross generation of the breed. Back-cross means that the Bernedoodle has been bred back to a purebred Poodle. What Is An F1b Bernedoodle? An F1b Bernedoodle is the first cross-back generation of the breed created by crossing an F1 Bernedoodle with a purebred Poodle which can be toy, miniature or standard sized. F1b Bernedoodle via zucca. In comparison to F1 Bernedoodles, F1b Bernedoodles have a much curlier coat due to the higher percentage of Poodle genes. F1b Bernedoodles look slightly more like a Poodle than a Bernese Mountain Dog however there is so much variation with mixed breed dogs that it is hard to predict exactly what they will look like. F1b Bernedoodles may be leaner and taller than F1 Bernedoodles. Additionally as F1b Berendoodles have a higher percentage of Poodle genes, they are more likely to have a wider range of coat colors like a Poodle instead of the standard tri-color coat of a Bernese Mountain Dog. Yes, F1b Bernedoodles generally have curly hair however it can also be wavy. Most F1b Bernedoodles will not have tight curls but will rather have loose curls or waves. If you want a Bernedoodle with a very curly coat, consider getting a F1bb Bernedoodle however if you are okay with getting a wavy coat, an F1b Bernedoodle mya be suitable. They are leaner and taller than the standard Bernedoodle. That being said, they still have many of the physical characteristics of Bernese Mountain Dogs such a a squarer face shape and their coloring. This means that F1b Bernedoodles have curlier, more hypoallergenic coats and usually have a leaner, taller build. This means that F1b Miniature Bernedoodles have curlier, more hypoallergenic coats and usually have a leaner, taller build. It is quite subjective as to whether an F1 or F1b Bernedoodle is better. Many people view F1b Bernedoodles as better as they are more hypoallergenic and better for allergy sufferers. People who prefer Poodles over Bernese Mountain Dogs may also view F1b Bernedoodles as better as they have more temperament and physical traits of Poodles. However, other people view F1 Bernedoodles as better as they have more hybrid vigor and benefit more from the health benefits of cross breeding than later generations such as F1b Bernedoodles.

Apart from recurring costs such as dog food, toys, and grooming essentials, a great chunk of your finances must go to routine veterinary care and pet insurance. Annual check-ups should be done on adult German Shepherds to check their physical condition and ensure they are healthy dogs. This involves listening to the heart and checking the ears and eyes. The typical lifespan of a GSD is 7 to 10 years. Other Potential Expenses Owning a dog is already comparable to parenthood. German Shepherds, much like any other dog breed, have other needs that go beyond food, water, and shelter. Your dog will be watched over, fed, and socialized with other dogs. Grooming Services: For your GSD to have a well-maintained coat and appearance, you should take them to a professional grooming salon. They will be cleaned, trimmed, and pampered as they deserve. Emergency Treatment: Dogs grow up so fast. As your German Shepherd puppy gets older, they are more prone to health issues like hip dysplasia. Sudden injuries can also happen that will require immediate medical attention and treatment. This will allow them to join various dog shows and other competitions. Places to Find German Shepherd Puppies for Sale and Adoption Once you plan everything out financially, you are ready to find places where you can buy your German Shepherd puppy. Cheap German Shepherd dogs can be bought from puppy mills or a backyard breeder. Buying from responsible breeders is the best option to get healthy puppies that will grow up to be strong adult dogs. To help on your quest, here is a list of breeders certified by the American Kennel Club that offer high-quality German Shepherd puppies: Vom Ragnar German Shepherds — This is a small kennel located in Illinois dedicated to breeding show-quality German Shepherds with sound temperament and the best condition because they have their puppies undergo health testing. This breeder strives to match their GSD pups to the most suited families. Mittelwest German Shepherds — As a well-renowned breeder, the owner ensures that they only produce show-quality German Shepherd puppies that can serve as show dogs, guard dogs, K-9, and much more. They also import and ship their dogs worldwide. West Coast German Shepherds — If you are located in California, this breeder can offer you a health-tested German Shepherd puppy coming from the best bloodlines. Buying the cheapest puppies online seems tempting, especially if you are on a budget, but you might spend more in the future due to medical expenses. To easily distinguish a responsible breeder from a puppy mill or backyard breeder, check out our puppy buying guide. Are you considering adopting a German Shepherd instead of buying from a breeder? If you are, this list can help you find the perfect GSD pup for you: German Shepherd Rescue and Adoptions — Based in North Carolina, this non-profit organization was established to protect and promote the German Shepherd breed. German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County — This volunteer organization is all about placing unwanted, neglected, and abused German Shepherds into permanent, loving homes. Applicants are encouraged to meet up with their chosen dog prior to adoption. Matching their rescue dogs to a suitable owner is their top priority, along with the restoration of their health. For more chances of finding your lifelong companion, check out this list of the 10 best German Shepherd rescues. You can surely find one in your location! Adoption is the cheapest alternative to getting a German Shepherd Dog, and this is more suggested than buying from backyard breeders. Buy high-quality items. You will spend more on replacing them rather than having good products that can last for a longer time. Purchase supplies in bulk. When buying food or treats for your pup, make sure to stock up by buying them in bulk. This can save you a lot of money than buying small bags of kibble or cans of wet food. Keep your dog in excellent shape. To avoid expensive veterinary bills, keep your German Shepherd puppy fit and healthy. Do this by feeding them high-quality dog food equipped with the right nutrients. Groom your GSD at home. Instead of going to a professional groomer, learn to groom your German Shepherd puppy at home. All you need to do is buy the basic grooming tools and research how to groom your dog effectively. Plan your finances accordingly so no one will have to suffer in the long run. They are highly intelligent and loyal dogs that will protect you at all costs. Buying one from a reputable breeder is worth the hefty purchase price than purchasing from backyard breeders or puppy mills. On another note, you can adopt from a local rescue organization, but make sure to ask about any current health conditions that the dog may have. Aside from the financial aspect, make sure you are prepared for the full responsibility of being a German Shepherd puppy owner. Now you know how much German Shepherds cost, are you ready to own one? Share your thoughts in the comments below. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. What factors determine the price of a German Shepherd Puppy? The price of a German Shepherd puppy does vary, depending on her age, color, bloodline, litter size, location, as well as breeding cost. German Shepherds obtained from animal shelters and rescue organizations are relatively inexpensive because they charge only enough to cover their costs. Here are the 5 most prominent factors that will affect the price of a German Shepherd: 1. Age Age is the most important factor in determining the price of a German Shepherd Dog. All in all, it has a lot to do with the desirability of a cuddly puppy. Puppies that are only weeks old will cost the most. It is because this marks the beginning of the most precious moments of a puppy. The demand drives up the price. The price of German Shepherd puppies of 12 weeks or older will start to decrease. Adult German Shepherds will be offered at much lower prices because some people see them as less desirable. Another reason is that the new owner may need to set a budget for health issues related to senior dogs. Coat Color Some colors are more expensive than others. For German Shepherds, colors such as white will cost more than the usual black and tan. This is because these rare coat colors are more difficult to breed. Bloodline Although purebred German Shepherds puppies are the most sought-after ones, mixed-breed pups usually cost much less and have the potential to be healthier than many purebreds. In general, German Shepherds have working lines and show lines, totaling five different variations. We will get into them later in this article. Litter size It refers to the number of puppies in a litter. Usually, the more the number of puppies in a litter, the cheaper the price will become. Location The location from where you purchase your German Shepherd can actually affect how much you pay. Areas with a lower cost of living, or places where there is less demand will typically charge lower prices than more populated cities. Certain states or cities may even have more regulations on breeding which may increase the cost, thus the price of a German Shepherd pup. And these all come at a cost for the breeders. What are the different variations of the German Shepherd bloodline and their prices? While the German Shepherd is a dog breed of its own, you may probably stumble upon different variations. Purebred German Shepherds come in many different sizes, colors, coloration patterns, and body styles. In general, German Shepherds are divided into working lines and show lines, totaling five different variations. Here is a four-minute video from which you can learn about their variations: 1. They have a distinctive angulation with their back legs shorter than their front legs, thinner bones, and significantly smaller heads. They come in quite a few colors, mostly solid with occasional bi-color variations, including black and tan saddle, solid back, solid white, and saddle sable. But their obedient and playful character make them fantastic pets. There are certain measurement minimums for their hips and elbows. This results in a stunning, very specific, and uniform appearance. These dogs have a very strong, pronounced build with a black and tan saddle, and solid back. They make good house protectors and need a lot of exercises and to be trained frequently. These dogs are very social. So they are perfect for families with kids. This is the line of GSD you would normally see in movies. They are also closest to the original breed that was bred and developed by Max von Stephanitz, who is acknowledged as the father of German Shepherd Dogs. With a stable temperament, they excel in working jobs, and also make awesome family pets. Rigid control of the original DDR breed prevents the gene poll from diluting. They must be free from any history of hip dysplasia, among other health conditions, to be able to reproduce. This resulted in a very distinct look — with large heads, large bones, and a shiny dark coat. The Czech further tightened the breeding standards, resulting in arguably the most intense breed of German Shepherd available to date. But they are extremely loyal and obedient, with a pleasant temperament. They could be the best guard dog to protect people. But they are extremely rare nowadays. Other factors that affect the cost of a German Shepherd A puppy whose parents and often grandparents and other relatives are hunting champions has the potential to excel in these areas as well. And it will cost you more than any puppy who is the offspring of just average parents. And the most expensive German Shepherds are those adults with proven records as show dogs, K9, or breeding dogs. What is a reasonable price for a German Shepherd puppy? Reputable breeders, when pricing their German Shepherd puppies, must factor in the cost of breeding, feeding, raising, and caring for the pups as well as their mother. German Shepherds are considered healthy dogs that can live many years. You must be able to pay for these dogs every month of their lives. For the most part, providing your dog with a lot of exercise and high-quality food will prevent the dog from developing unforeseen health issues. You will need to buy a dog-safe toothpaste, dog-safe shampoo, and certain medications, such as heartworm prevention, to keep your dog healthy its entire life. Not only do you have to feed your German Shepherd a lot of food, but you want to feed your dog food that is high quality and healthy. As long as your dog does not have any known illnesses or issues, you should not have to pay monthly prices. At the minimum, you should take your German Shepherd for an annual visit, assuming it is healthy. You also need to pay for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. Most of these medications last for 1 to 3 months at a time. It is completely up to you whether or not you decide to get pet insurance. If you are interested in getting health insurance for your new pet, Lemonade offers customizable insurance plans and responsive customer service. If you do not want to pay for pet insurance, you can simply set up a savings account instead. So long as you have a house and a yard for your dog to play, the home environment is generally suitable for dogs. Some environmental maintenance things you will need to buy include doggie bags. You need these if you take your dog for a walk or if you have a yard that you have to maintain. You may also need to pay for carpet cleaner, deodorizer, and other items to keep the house clean, despite your heavy shedding German Shepherd. This means that your German Shepherd can help you out when you are in a pinch, but it also means that you need to provide your German Shepherd ample entertainment, or else your dog could become destructive. At the very minimum, you need to buy heavy-duty toys for your German Shepherd. German Shepherds can be really rough with their toys. So, we recommend some sort of brand specific for rough-playing dogs, such as Kong. These boxes will offer toys, treats, and more for your dog, but these boxes can be pretty expensive too. Additional Costs to Factor In In addition to initial costs and monthly payments, there are some other additional factors you need to think about. For starters, obedience training is really important for dogs of this size. Obedience training can be a bit expensive at first, but it will be worth it in the long run. You need to pay for a pet sitter or kennel whenever you go on vacations and your dog does not come with you. If you are buying a German Shepherd puppy, you may also have to pay to replace or fix items the puppy damages. Think about accidents or unforeseen illnesses too. These can cost a whole lot in vet visits. Owning a German Shepherd on a Budget If you want a German Shepherd but are worried about destroying your budget, there are ways that you can own one of these wonderful dogs without spending a fortune either. Unfortunately, there is little you can change about the price of these dogs up front, but you can save on the monthly expenses. The most important tip for taking care of a German Shepherd on a budget is to know when to splurge. When it comes to dog food, make sure to select high-quality food. This will be more expensive upfront, but it will ensure that your dog is healthy for as long as possible, resulting in fewer bills. Splurging on heavy-duty toys is another great idea. These toys will cost more at first, but they should last much longer than cheap ones. For instance, there are a lot of coupons and promo codes you can use when purchasing toys, food, and other items for your German Shepherd. Even if you find coupons, only spend money on the essentials. Not to mention, buy crates and beds that are suitable for the dog as it grows. Many people make the mistake of buying crates and beds suitable for the puppy, but the puppy soon outgrows them. The initial cost primarily accounts for the dog itself and any other items required when bringing the dog home for the first time. Even after the German Shepherd has made your home its home, you will still have to pay some pretty hefty bills for the remainder of its life. Although the initial and monthly costs for this dog are a bit high, they are required for this dog to live a happy life. If you cannot afford to provide a German Shepherd the sort of life it needs and deserves, simply do not get a German Shepherd. For example, if you search on puppyfind. Instead, others like gooddog. I suggest that one way to ensure the breeder is reliable is by checking they have a decent website. So, when searching for breeders, following up on the information on their website gives authority to the breeder. This tells you how much experience they have as a breeder. Address, social media pages, and phone contacts. Ways on how you can contact the breeder, which is one way of finding out if they are authentic. A collection of photos of their dogs and available puppies or those already sold. These give you a first idea of the quality of their dogs, the prices of their German Shepherd pups, and the waiting time. Breeder achievements. For example, German Shepherds who have won sporting or other awards indicate the quality of their breeding. A copy of their purchase contract, a questionnaire for gauging your suitability, and an application form. All these are key in creating a first idea of what you should expect from the breeder you will buy from. An indication of the price of their puppies. This gives you a more updated idea of how much the pet will cost compared to breeder search sites. For example, some German Shepherd breeders listed on gooddog. Nonetheless, many factors impact how reputable breeders price their dogs. But what makes German Shepherds so expensive? German Shepherds are so expensive as breeding costs are not cheap, and as a popular breed, breeders can demand more. Health screening, vet visits, and vaccinations need to be paid for. Factors influencing price are lineage, color, type, litter size, breeder qualifications, and registration. And this is without counting additional costs if you are using a top German Shepherd sire and need to make trips abroad. You can read my article, Costs of Owning a German Shepherd, to get a clear picture of what awaits you after buying. German Shepherd Prices In the below table, I have researched the current prices of German Shepherd puppies from 17 breeders. You can find some examples of UK prices later in the article. I am not endorsing any of these breeders, and you should still do your due diligence before purchasing. Most will offer details of future planned litters and how to apply for and reserve a pup. Current German Shepherd Puppy Prices. Less - The German Shepherds are medium to large-sized dogs , well-balanced, muscular dog, slightly longer than tall, with a medium length coat, erect ears, and a low-set natural tail that normally reaches to the hock and is carried in a slight curve like a saber. The outline of the German Shepherd Dog is made up of smooth curves rather than angles. The head is in proportion to the size of the body, strong without appearing coarse or fine. Gender differences are readily apparent. The German Shepherd Dog is confident and fearless, willing to be approached, yet a certain level of aloofness towards strangers is acceptable. When working, the German Shepherd is alert and eager, adapting well to new tasks. Lack of confidence is a serious defect in the character of a German Shepherd. The structure of this breed was designed for efficient locomotion, particularly at the trot, so poor movement is another serious fault. History Less - The German Shepherd Dog is a relatively young breed, developed almost single-handedly in the first half of the twentieth century by a German cavalry officer, Max von Stephanitz, president of the Verein far Deutsche Schaferhunde S. Using a variety of German sheepdogs as his foundation stock, von Stephanitz developed a distinctive breed in a very short period of time, due in large part to the authoritarian practices of the German dog fancy at that time. Von Stephanitz emphasized utility and intelligence in his breeding program, enabling the German Shepherd Dog to switch easily from herding duties to other fields of work, particularly military and police work. All things German were shunned and popularity slumped. After the war, however, movie star Rin-tin-tin stimulated interest in the breed again. The striking good looks of this breed, combined with its remarkable intelligence and loyalty, have made it a favorite working and companion dog. If your breeder had not run these genetic tests on your dog—or if you adopt a German Shepherd from a rescue or shelter, you can run the Embark Dog DNA Test using a simple saliva test you can perform at home. Dogs with CLAD, type III typically exhibit symptoms such as recurrent ear infections, skin infections, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections. Dogs with DM first lose coordination in their hind legs, then they lose muscle mass and eventually the ability to walk. It is caused by a lack of one of the proteins needed for blood to clot properly. Dogs with hemophilia A will often suffer from uncontrolled bleeding, most commonly into the joints. Uric acid is a waste product that is normally eliminated from the body through the kidneys. When the kidneys are not able to remove enough uric acid, it builds up in the blood and can cause health problems. Dogs with hyperuricosuria are at risk for developing bladder stones, kidney stones, and other health problems. P-glycoprotein is involved in the transport of drugs and other molecules across cell membranes. Drugs that are known to cause adverse reactions in MDR1 dogs include digoxin, ivermectin, loperamide, and milbemycin. There are several different types of MPS, each caused by a deficiency in a specific enzyme needed to break down mucopolysaccharides. It is caused by a genetic mutation that impairs the ability of the blood to clot properly. This can lead to frequent and sometimes severe bleeding events which can be difficult to control, even with the help of medications. Dogs with this condition are at an increased risk for bleeding and may require lifelong monitoring and medical management. Symptoms include weight loss, decreased appetite, vomiting, and increased water consumption. Affected dogs have problems with the development of their skin, hair, nails, and teeth. They may also have problems with sweating and the function of their tears and salivary glands. Dogs with this disorder usually have a very thin coat of hair, often with areas that are bald or have very thin hair. Their skin may be dry and cracked, and they may develop sores on their skin. Nails may be abnormally shaped or missing altogether, and teeth may be missing or poorly developed. Dogs with X-linked ectodermal dysplasia often experience overheating. Attend a sanctioned dog show and talk with breeders and competitors for recommendations. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations regarding reputable breeders. Check the Facebook page of the breeder and read through the comments. Remember, however, that comments can be deleted by the page owner. The breeder should be happy to share the name and contact information for customers. Ask questions. Lots of questions. The breeder should be glad to share the test results from the health tests and screenings and should be happy to let you meet at least the mother if not the sire as well of the German Shepherd Dog puppies. Ask how often the dogs are bred. Ask to tour the kennels. Are they well maintained? Do the dogs look healthy? Beware of operations that will not let you tour the kennels and breeders that want to meet you in a parking lot to hand over the puppy. Be prepared for questions. The breeder should ask YOU questions as well; be suspicious if the breeder has no questions about your past history with pets, your living situation, etc. The breeder should want to know how much experience you have with herding breeds, what your training plans are and your plans for exercising the dog. Ask if the breeder will take the German Shepherd puppy—or adult dog—back if necessary. Ask for a contract. If medical problems are diagnosed, the breeder should readily take the pup back and provide a full refund. German Shepherd breeders may adopt out of the area but, nonetheless, you will want to go to the breeder to meet the parents, view the kennels and bring home your puppy in person. This will add to your expenses—but breeders that transport a puppy by air are putting the dog at risk. If you want to buy a German Shepherd Dog from an online breeder, please think again. There are numerous scams; people spend thousands of dollars for a dog and never receive a puppy. AKC warns potential pet parents to be wary of any seller asking for payment by Venmo, in gift cards or as a wire transfer. Dogs purchased from puppy mills can mean years of heartache and expensive veterinary care—and perpetuation of a cruel industry. The pros of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder: You may be able to select a puppy—including a choice of gender. A reputable breeder will be passionate about German Shepherds and will a resource for years to come. The cons of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder You will pay far more for a cattle dog from a breeder than a rescue or shelter. If you find a breeder who has German Shepherd puppies for sale at prices much lower than you are seeing from other breeders, you must suspect you are dealing with a backyard breeder who has not done health screening, with an online seller who is operating a puppy mill or with someone who is running a scam. You will need to wait until puppies are available. You will need to do your own due diligence to select a reputable breeder. German Shepherd Dogs in rescues are far less expensive that those at a breeder. Puppies under a year old will be the most costly. This group provides funding to a network of GSD rescues — they do not have dogs themselves for adoption. They have a list of affiliated rescues that can help located adoptable GSDs in your region. A breed rescue is, like the name suggests, a pet rescue that is specifically for one breed of dog. These are generally small non-profit groups that operate through a foster system of volunteers who love the breed. German Shepherd rescues specialize in German Shepherds of all ages; some have primarily purebred German Shepherds while others may also have adoptable Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds. How to Find Breed Rescues Along with the list mentioned above, many breed rescues list their adoptable dogs on large adoption sites such as:. Deworming Spaying or neutering If you were to add up the cost of all of these services separately, and not part of an all-inclusive adoption fee, the price tag would invariably be considerably higher. Additionally, you can also feel good about adopting a GSD puppy from a shelter, as the proceeds acquired through adoption fees are used to help support the shelter from which you adopted the puppy. This allows a shelter to continue to rescue new animals and relocate them in safe homes. One potential downside to adoption is the time and effort that it may take you to find the right pup for you. Unlike a breeder who is able to provide you with rather specific dates, there is no telling when a new GSD puppy may be available through a shelter. Additionally, purebred GSD puppies tend to be adopted out very quickly, so if you choose this option you must be very diligent and persistent. Be prepared to make lots of phone calls on a daily basis, as it is unlikely that a shelter will call you specifically when the puppy you want arrives, as many others will undoubtedly have the same request. This is because purebred dogs that are ethically raised by responsible breeders are expensive to breed in general. Also, in contrast to a purebred shelter puppy that spends a short portion of its life at the shelter prior to adoption, a breeder must pay all of the costs associated with raising an entire litter for a minimum of 8 weeks, as is mandated by law in many states. Next comes the cost of pre-breeding health checks performed on both parents, prenatal care, stud fees, shots, food, wormings, vet visits, and a host of other unexpected medical costs. You must also figure in the time and effort that it takes to socialize an entire litter, coupled with the fact that many breeders are dealing with more than one litter at a time, and it is easy to see how the costs can quickly add up. Essentially, a purebred German Shepherd puppy from a breeder will cost more because they are more expensive to raise. However, a purebred puppy from a reputable breeder will also come with health and temperament guarantees, so you do actually get what you pay for. For more detailed understanding of adopting a German Shepherd puppy from a shelter versus purchasing one from a breeder, we have an excellent article here that will answer all of your questions and remove all of the guesswork for you. The Cost of the First Year of German Shepherd Puppy Ownership While the amount of money that you spend to acquire a German Shepherd puppy will vary in accordance to the different factors that we have described above, keep in mind that acquiring the puppy is just be beginning of your financial commitment. It is important that you pay attention to these costs, as they can be significant, and may have a bearing on whether or not acquiring a GSD puppy is a good economical choice for you. While there are other related costs, the main costs that you will incur during the first year of GSD puppy ownership can be apportioned as follows: Initial Cost of Your Puppy As described above, this is entirely dependent on whether you adopt from a shelter or purchase from a breeder. This cost varies widely and can exceed several thousand dollars on the high end. Dog Food With so many different dog food brands on the market today, this cost can also vary considerably. From basic dry dog food to available gourmet raw diets, you can spend as little or as much as you choose. Grooming While you can groom your GSD puppy yourself, many people opt to take their puppy to a professional groomer. Necessities such as nail trimming can be intimidating to the first-time puppy owner and may harm the puppy if performed incorrectly. Training While it is our preference that you take the time to properly train your GSD puppy on your own, as this is a unique and irreplaceable bonding experience on many levels for you and your GSD puppy, many people opt to seek professional obedience training. Some people simply do not have the time to do this, or perhaps it is their first dog and they are unsure of where to begin. If this is the case for you, then you should plan on this expense during your first year of GSD puppy ownership. It is, however, important to understand that individually these items do not cost very much, but if you love to spoil your puppy, then costs can add up very quickly! Crate and Divider A crate is another essential item that there is just no getting around purchasing if you want your puppy to be well-trained. Be sure to not make the mistake that many people do by purchasing too small of a crate and then having to upsize as their puppy grows. It is wise to purchase a large crate as well as a crate divider. This way, you are able to place the divider so that the volume of the crate can be increased as your puppy grows in size. Veterinary Care A preliminary veterinary health check and vaccinations are essential. If you adopt from a shelter, these are likely included in the adoption fee. However, if you purchase your puppy from a breeder, you may incur these costs after bringing your puppy home. Keep in mind that you can, and should, also plan on unexpected veterinary bills. What happens when your puppy gets into something that he definitely should not have, and even worse, after veterinary office hours? It is wise to prepare and set aside some extra funds for such emergencies. Heartworms can be deadly, so heartworm preventative medication is a must. Ticks can also transmit disease that may cause severe illness, such as Canine Anaplasmosis , and fleas are wildly uncomfortable for both human and puppies alike. Table: First Year of German Shepherd Puppy Ownership Costs Now that we have gone over the basic essential expenses of GSD puppy ownership during the first year, we can get more specific as to the expenses that you may incur, depending on your own personal preferences. The table below provides a reasonable estimate of all costs associated with the first year of German Shepherd puppy ownership. Keep in mind that, while this is a reasonable estimate, it is still an estimate. There are certain services and items within the table below that are elective, such as boarding the puppy while on vacation or obedience classes. However, as discussed above, there are certain mandatory, nonnegotiable expenses such as food and veterinary care that you must take into consideration. If you are looking to buy a German Shepherd puppy, then you should find one from a reputable breeder. While these puppies are more expensive, a reputable breeder can guarantee the health and behavior of the puppy. These dogs are prone to genetic diseases such as hip and elbow dysplasia. These health issues can be avoided by genetically testing the parents, which is something reputable breeders usually do. When improperly raised puppies might have behavioral issues and can cause a lot of damage if they bite someone. A good breeder will have their dogs pass a temperament test. German Shepherd Dog Price While most dogs in shelters are adults, adopting a German Shepherd is a great way to find a dog without supporting unethical breeding. Sometimes these hardworking shepherd dogs are given up because they are very energetic. Not everyone is able to take care of a dog that needs a lot of attention and exercise. Some people buy a German Shepherd puppy without understanding the work involved in caring for this breed. Why Are They So Expensive? Breeding a healthy and well-behaved German Shepherd puppy is not easy! It is not as simple as crossing German Shepherds together. However, if you want a puppy of good temperament that is genetically healthy, there are other costs involved in the breeding and raising. This is especially important for a German Shepherd. You do not want a puppy that grows up to be aggressive or that suffers from mobility issues due to hip and elbow dysplasia. Papers A paperless German Shepherd puppy will be the cheapest. Typically breeders invest as little as possible in these pups. You get a puppy just how it is, without knowing its pedigree or background. A puppy with health certifications, temperament test results, and registration papers costs more than this. However, those papers will be beneficial not just for you, but also the puppy. This means your puppy meets the breed standard and is a purebred dog. The last thing you want is to buy a German Shepherd wolf-mix thinking it is purebred. Veterinarian Visits Reputable breeders not only genetically health test the parents, but they will also take the puppy to see a vet before 8 weeks for a basic health check. During these visits breeders will also have the puppies vaccinated, dewormed and placed on preventatives. When you buy a German Shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder, they will offer you a health guarantee. Most will also be able to provide you proof that the puppy has passed a temperament test. Training Some breeders also take the time to socialize and train their puppies. Many experienced breeders have a specialized training program that begins the process of potty training and basic obedience. This will mean you have an easier time housetraining your puppy, but you will have to pay for their efforts! These are all good signs that the puppy you are buying is of good quality. This will mean you are more likely to avoid any temperament issues or having to pay for vet visits to diagnose and treat hip and elbow dysplasia. Bloodlines Breeders who focus on breeding championship bloodlines will charge more for their puppies. A family might not need such a high-quality German Shepherd. All they need is a healthy and well-behaved puppy that will bring them years of happiness. However, there are many people who need a working dog or show dog. The most expensive dogs are those that are bred to be champions or protective and hard-working. Some breeders spend thousands of dollars just training a world class service dog. A family friendly guard dog with a protective temperament is not easy to breed consistently. Breeders have to factor in not just the genetics, but also the temperament and training. Origin The most expensive types of German Shepherds are those that are imported directly from Germany. Breeders must pay to stud and import these dogs which is not cheap. Since the German Shepherd breed originated in Germany, breeders in the US import dogs from Germany to breed puppies with a purebred lineage. Breeding in Europe is more regulated so the bloodlines are better protected. These puppies are known as European German Shepherds and are slightly different. They are smaller, have straighter backs and brighter coat colors. Some people think they look similar to a belgian malinois. Most European dogs are bred to be working dogs, while American dogs are more frequently bred for companionship. This is the same for American and German Rottweilers and American vs. European Dobermans. All of these breeder will be able to provide: Pedigree and kennel club registration. Documents that certify the puppy is free of any disease and has been checked by a veterinarian. A health warranty. Health records that guarantee the parents are genetically healthy and will not pass on elbow or hip dysplasia. These German Shepherd breeders all breed their puppies in accordance with the breed standard. None of them will sell puppies that are not registered with the American Kennel Club. Another good place to start looking for breeders is the American Kennel Club marketplace. Many of these puppies are bred to be family dogs and come with their papers. As you start looking into more well-known breeders or those that produce dogs of championship or working bloodlines, then the price of a German Shepherd starts to increase. Julia was a German Shepherd bred by the Harrison K-9 facility, highly trained in protection. She could also understand commands in three different languages. Her intelligence, as well as her ability to protect, were why she was priced so highly. Julia was bought by a billionaire businessman in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The rarest coat color is panda, which is why it is also the most expensive. These German Shepherds are black and white. It is a piebald pattern where the black coat is splotched with large patches of white. Some puppies can have other colors like tan, instead of white. Panda dogs are purebred, but the rarity of this mutation makes them very hard to find. There are very few breeders that sell the panda color. And he actually cost nothing! By the end of his life, Rin Tin Tin had appeared in 27 Hollywood films. Rin Tin Tin most notably helped Warner Bros. But these dogs come in more than just this classic color! There are 11 colors that are recognized by the breed standard. Check out the table below for some German Shepherd prices based on coat color. The tan color covers the chest, belly and legs. White A white puppy has a furry coat that is entirely white, allowing it to blend in with the snow. Its eyes and nose are black as coal. Black A black German Shepherd has a coat that is entirely black. Any other color would classify them as a bi-color. Blue A blue German Shepherd is not literally blue, but has a gray color with a bluish hue. Sable The sable color is one of the most common colors, but is a bit more interesting than the black and tan. The hairs of these dogs have bands of tan and black, giving them a very unique coloring. Some of the factors that contribute to this cost are: Food. If a breeder tries to tell you that his puppies are healthy because their parents never had any issues — do not believe him! It is impossible to diagnose e. Where can you find cheap German Shepherd Dogs? The question is — do you want to purchase a dog with questionable health and temperament? These dogs often are not purebred German Shepherd puppies, but are mixed with e. Labradors, Pitbulls or Golden Retrievers. If you end up with a dog with genetically based health conditions however, be prepared to spend a multiple of the original purchase price on vet costs! Temperament and behavior While a lot of good manners can be taught through consistent training, temperament is genetic to a certain level. When you buy an extra cheap German Shepherd puppy, you not only get a dog with questionable health, but also with unpredictable temperament! Even aggression can be genetic and can be passed on from the mom and dad to the offspring. You can save yourself a lot of time, nerves and money spent on future behavioral training by getting a well-bred and more expensive dog. What is the most expensive type of German Shepherd? Like in many dog breeds, certain rare German Shepherd colors are much more expensive than the most common colors and patterns. It is much more important that your puppy has a sound temperament and fits in well with your family and lifestyle than that he has a certain rare look. These dogs are mutts German Shepherds mixed with Miniature Poodles, Shelties or other smaller breeds. Once more, be certain to not decide on your future dog based on looks alone. A stable temperament and good health is much more integral than a certain size or weight. Working lines vs show lines The German Shepherd was originally bred as a working dog. Since his original use as a shepherd dog however, he has filled many different roles — from guarding properties over being used in the show ring to participating in Schutzhund and IPO trails. Depending on which lines your German Shepherd Dog comes from, the prices can vary a lot! Show line German Shepherds are the dogs that are bred for conformation shows. These are the type of dogs you should decide on if you would like a shepherd puppy as a pet and companion animal. If you are interested in using your German Shepherd as a protection dog and to participate in IPO trials, you should pick one from working lines. There are a lot of highly successful working line breeders both in North America and Europe. For this price, you get an absolutely flawless dog with extensive skills and perfect obedience. Some US dog owners interested in Schutzhund choose to import a puppy from old European working lines. While this might sound insanely high for a pet dog owner, for Schutzhund enthusiasts it is a typical price for a pedigreed German Shepherd pup. How much does it cost a month to own a German Shepherd? This will cover the basics: high-quality food and regular vet checks. Some German Shepherd owners spend considerably more money. Professional grooming is necessary for many German Shepherd owners, as these dogs shed heavily. This breeds tends to exhibit several behavioral issues that can be difficult to fix for first-time dog owners, including: Separation anxiety.

Conclusion Golden Retriever tail positions Golden Retriever shows their emotions and communicates with you with their different tail positions you should keep in mind about different tail positions of Golden Retriever Did you know that different tail-wagging gestures of Golden Retriever dogs mean different things? Below we will tell you what the different positions of the golden tail mean. Generally speaking, dogs are more relaxed at this time Tail wagging sharply It is a friendly signal of the dog at this time, especially when the dog plays with the dog, it means that the dog is in a happy mood. If the swing is violent and the buttocks are shaken, it means that the golden retriever is very excited. For example, it will happen when seeing the long-lost owner or family members. The tail swings slowly Generally, this kind of situation often occurs during golden retriever training, which means that the golden retriever is a little confused, thinking, or wants the dog owner to do the training action again. Generally, when the dog finally solves the problem, the wagging of the tail increases significantly. This occurs when dogs track or identify differentiated odors. Stiff flat extension It can also be used as a cautious greeting when two dogs who do not know each other meet for the first time. In this case, they often estimate their own odds, and often one dog retreats. It generally has an insulting meaning, and it is a way of challenging strangers and intruders. What does it mean to have a golden retriever clip its tail? Hair on the tip of the tail: This kind of situation is rare. Only the hair on the tip of the tail stands up, which means anxiety, fear, and uneasiness on the basis of attack. So many people raise the question that how long is the tail of the golden hair. The fur of a golden retriever usually grows on the body first, then the hair, and the hair will grow well after the body is formed. Therefore, the tail hair of a golden retriever hair should wait until the dog grows into a beautiful fan. Owners usually give dogs some nutritious food. Golden retriever grows up, the hair is a bit bad. When he grows up, he has to change his hair. Why does Golden Retrievers bite their tail? As we all know, dogs are animals that like to bite their tails, but they also want their tails, chase their tails and wag their tails. These are abnormal behaviors! Whether at home or out, we often see golden retrievers hovering around their tails. Some golden dogs like to entertain themselves and bite their tails, which is very interesting. The specific reasons are as follows. If the dog has insects or other things on it, it will bite its tail. Another reason is that golden dogs need to squeeze the anal glands. The above is our classification based on the statistical data of the reasons why golden retrievers like to bite their tails. The owner cannot ignore the behavior of the golden retriever biting its tail. When the Golden Retriever bites its tail, the owner had better find a toy for the dog to eat, or play with it, so that it forgets to bite its tail, and slowly changes the habit of biting its tail. If the golden retriever is bored and plays by its tail, the owner should take the golden retriever out to play. The owner should always check whether the golden retriever has any diseases or skin diseases and if so, solve it in time. It is suggested that the owner of the golden retriever must discover the bad habits of the dog in time, so as not to develop bad habits. It shows that the Golden Retriever is not a pure breed. The root of the tail of the golden retriever is high and the bottom of the tail is thick. When a purebred golden retriever adult dog looks straight ahead, the whites of its eyes should not be exposed. The ears should not be too large. Too large and too long ears are not an advantage but a defect. If it exceeds too much, it is a defect. In addition, the nose of the Golden Retriever should be black. If it is red, it is considered a disqualification. When the golden retriever is standing still, the tail should be stuffed behind the bottom or drooping moderately. It should be mentioned that the tail hair of golden retriever puppies grows much slower than the hair of other parts of the body, so the owner will find that the tails of golden retriever puppies around half a year old are bald, at least until 7 The tail of the Golden Retriever only begins to explode at 8 months , and the tail is basically formed when it is about one year old, that is to say, the tail blooms and grows into a beautiful fan shape. What does a Golden Retriever tail look like The tail of the little golden retriever is straight and a little below the back line, and it will only rise a little when excited. Some little golden hairs with their tails rolled up will get better after 3 months. Some golden retrievers are still growing and developing after 5 months, and their tails will be upturned or curled when they are young. As the puppy grows up, its tail will naturally hang down. When buying a golden retriever baby, its tail should be clamped behind the buttocks or drooping moderately when standing still. Golden Retriever is a very intelligent dog breed. As a good dog trainer, you should take care of your golden retriever and understand his intent when he gave movement to his tail. Golden Retriever shows his all emotions through his tail. Golden Retriever is a very popular dog breed in the USA. Golden retrievers are one of the most popular breeds of dog. Golden retrievers are perfect for anyone looking for a companion member of their family. A golden retriever is a great dog to bring into a home with other pets, as well. Not to mention, they are absolutely beautiful with their long and shiny coats of fur. We are very passionate about the Golden Retriever and our dogs are bred with love and care. We work hard at pairing our dogs to breed the gentle temperament that makes golden retrievers famous. Our adults are all indoor family pets who are also trained performance dogs. Tails of Gold adult dogs have earned multiple agility titles so the puppies you get from us have parents whose intelligence and trainability has been tested. A wonderful showcase of awards have been won with these highly intelligent golden retrievers. In addition to their own merits, the parents also have good breeding lines. They have Champion lines in track and field, conformation and obedience. Thank you for visiting our website. Our puppies are treated as members of our family and we will happily welcome them into yours. If you would like to adopt a wonderful and beautiful Golden Retriever, please contact Tails of Gold today. We look forward to hearing from you. I will be happy to help find the right dog for your family! Happy, Healthy Bloodline Our track record for producing healthy puppies is exceptional and has been proven in an 22 year breeding history. An excellent written health guarantee is offered with each puppy. All of our golden retriever puppies have regular veterinary check-ups and are kept up to date on vaccinations. Rest assured that your Tails of Gold puppy has gotten off to a healthy start! A Furever Friend Soft, furry, lovable and full of snuggles. And who can resist those eyes? We work very hard to breed the very best puppies. It is our privilege to provide one of our babies to your loving home. Tom Thorpe Blog Golden Retrievers have long and strong tails that seem to have their own life. It wags like crazy whenever the pooch is excited. It plays an important role in their movements as well as body language. However, it will vary on how feathery the tail would be. For example, the Red Tail Golden Retriever has a lesser feathery tail as compared to show quality Goldies. Still, Red Tail Goldies have longer tails than the former. Also, different types of Goldies have subtle differences in their tail lengths. In the end, all of it wags strongly and can topple things around the house. Their tail is one of the most expressive, which will tell you how the pooch feels. While wagging is perceived as a happy gesture, it may not be true all the time. A nervous dog may wag its tail as a way to release its tension. Dogs do this to compress their most vulnerable body parts away from predators. Also, you should try to calm your dog down to reduce its stress. But if the pooch is baring its teeth, you should proceed with caution as it can snap and bite. Some relaxed Goldies will carry their tails low so it depends on the personality of the dog. This can happen if there are other dogs around that they find threatening. Hair loss. It can be due to allergies, intolerances, or flea infestations. Due to the itchiness, the pooch will chew on its tail. It will result in bald spots and eventual hair loss. Broken tail. Since Golden Retrievers are active dogs, they may dislocate or fracture their tails. Severely damaged tails may need to be amputated. But if the fracture is located at the tip of the tail, it may not require a cast or intensive treatment. Dead tail. This condition is scientifically known as the Acute Caudal Myopathy. This needs to be treated with an anti-inflammatory medication together with rest. Nerve damage. This is usually a secondary condition to Goldies with chronic disc disease. It will deprive the tail of its ability to move or feel. This is rarely a standalone health problem. Conclusion The Golden Retriever tail length varies, but it will usually be long enough to reach the hock. The help of a veterinarian is important to keep your pooch healthy and in the best shape. Zeb the cat who loves playing in the bathtub wins pet of the week There's no shortage of tail-wagging where Jax is concerned but while the Golden Retriever's antics may not be an indication of his feelings, they certainly demonstrate the canine's eagerness to play, even if the playmate happens to be his own tail. In the clip, Jax can be seen doing something approaching a handstand or maybe that should be a paw-stand while attempting to engage with his tail by batting away at it. It makes for an unusual sight. Something that evidently was not lost on his owner, who shared the footage alongside the hashtags "silly puppy" and "not one thought. One TikTok user, posting as Andrew, joked: "He's broken" with katalthouse34 responding: "He sure is! And there's no reset button on him. Peyton Brunson, meanwhile, wrote: "And people ask me what I mean when I say Golden retrievers are derpy dogs " with PaHaAs commenting: "Clearly an only child and can entertain themselves. I'd say you've raised a successful child. Lol he's the cutest!! A puppy called Jax has developed quite the fascination with his own tail. Send them to life newsweek. By: Author Jennifer Seegmiller A tail can tell us so much about our dog, they are a very beautiful and important trait of our precious Golden Retrievers. But what is it about the tail that makes it so special? How do we know if our Golden Retriever has a normal tail, or if something may be off or different? Well, I was curious about this too so I took some time to Paws and Learn so I could find all the answers to every question you could have about your Golden Retriever tail. Its thickest and most muscular point is from the rear end of your dog and it should slowly taper to a point. The hair on its tail is long and feathery and may be a bit thicker than elsewhere on its body. Pro Tip: If you are interested in the best grooming tools for your dog you can find them by clicking here now! How long are Golden Retriever tails? Golden Retriever Tails can range from 3. Golden Retrievers do not have curly or curled tails. Their tails are long and straight and should arc up slightly. If your Golden Retriever has a kink or curl in its tail it could be a sign of a genetic flaw or an injury. Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. We only recommend high-quality products that are used and recommended by real owners. If you use these links to buy something we earn a small commission. A purebred Golden Retriever will have a long straight tail that extends out from its body and slightly curves upwards. If you are not sure that your Golden Retriever is purebred you can find out by doing a genetic test. The most accurate genetic test is an Embark test. You can find this on Amazon. If your dog has this condition it is important to confront the breeder from whom you got your dog and let them know. A responsible breeder will not breed dogs that carry this gene in order to help eliminate it from showing up in future litters. If your Golden Retriever is still a puppy and has somewhat of a curly tail or holds it up over its back it is possible that it will straighten out as it gets older. Golden Retriever Puppies will sometimes hold their tail up over their backs what looks like a curled position when they are happy, playful, or excited. Golden Retriever are not a breed that gets their tails docked. Some Golden Retriever mixes such as a Goldendoodle will have their tails docked, if the breeder was following the standard for the other breed that your Retriever is mixed with. Historically Golden Retrievers are bred to be Hunting dogs helpful in retrieving prey. A Golden Retrievers tail can also have a lot of good uses! Besides being able to communicate with other dogs and their owners see the section about communication further down. Golden Retrievers use their tail to help them balance on land as well as in water. When they are running their tail can help them maneuver and change directions more easily and while swimming their tail acts as a rudder. Their tails can keep their bodies warm in cold weather by curling up underneath it. As stated above there are rare instances that a Golden Retriever mix like a Goldendoodle may get its tail docked if the breeder is following the standard for poodles. You can read more about that in this article. One of the most beautiful parts of our Golden Retrievers is their long fluffy tails! When you have a Golden Retriever puppy you will notice that the hair on their tail is short and course. You may wonder when your dog will get that long feathery coat. Golden Retriever tails will generally begin to get fluffy or feather out around months old. Their tail will most likely not be fully feathered out until around age 2 or sometimes even longer. This is a long process that will not happen suddenly overnight. It can also depend a lot on the genetics of your Retriever. Thank your Lonneke G. They could be conveying other emotions like nervousness or fear as well. The key to understanding their tail wags is to put it together with all the other contextual clues they are giving you. What are their ears doing, their eyes, how is their posture? Noticing these things as well will help you know why your Golden Retriever is wagging their tail. Here are some things your Golden Retriever could be communicating to you with its tail. Calm and chill — Tail in the natural resting position. Sleeping or resting or casually walking around. Greeting or I love you — Usually, a big carefree wag, accompanied by eye contact, coming to you and jumping on you or trying to get your attention. What Does it Mean? Maybe sniffing around a little, intense and curious staring. Looking to you for reassurance. Body tense, eyes down, ears laid back. Could also be trying to communicate a submissive position. Aggression — Tail high in the air and rigid. Poised, rigid, and making eye contact. Could be barking or growling as well. Happy and Excited — Fast care-free wagging. Wiggling body, happy facial expressions. Body not tense, possibly going in circles around the object causing excitement such as a treat or toy. Wagging their tail towards the right side of their body can indicate more positive emotions such as relaxation, and happiness. Wagging their tails on the left side of their body is a sign of more negative emotions such as nervousness or fear. For most Golden Retrievers wagging their tails to communicate is a natural and normal thing for them to do. However, it may indicate a medical problem, in which case your dog should be seen by your vet to rule out any serious issues. If you have just moved, or they are new to your home this could just mean they are nervous and need some time to get acclimated to their new environment. Some dogs are bigger tail-waggers than others. You will cut the hair of the tip and then cut the rest of the hair into a fan shape. Gently pull your Retrievers tail down and find the tip of the tail bone. This Brush works really well for keeping the mats away on long hair dogs like Golden Retrievers. If your Golden Retriever is prone to getting mats in its tail then it may be necessary to thin it out a little bit. You should always consult with your vet if you are worried something may be off, but in the meantime, I know that having an idea of what it might be can bring some peace of mind. Here are some common problems that you might run into concerning a Golden Retrievers tail. Puppies tend to do this a lot because they are so playful and exploring more about their world and discovering their fun long tails. The problem comes when your dog is obsessively chasing its tail and it seems like they are in pain, stressed, or biting its tail and causing things like bleeding, or hair loss. If this is the case then rightfully you are probably concerned. The cause for this could be one of several things. Here are the things that you can look for. Impacted anal glands Parasites like fleas or ticks in the tail Injury or sharp pain somewhere on the tail Allergies or itchy skin Boredom and in need of more exercise. Golden Retrievers should get at least 90 minutes of high-quality exercise a day Tip: If your Golden Retriever is licking its tail read this article Golden Retriever Obsessive Licking Quick Solutions Guide Tail hanging down or Limber Swimmers Tail Your Golden Retriever puppy or adult dog may hang its tail between its legs if it is nervous, scared, or feeling guilty for something. This is a temporary tail position and should not last long. Limber tail Also known as swimmers tail, frozen tail, dead tail, broken wag, or cold tail is a condition that causes your dog to hold his tail limp and down instead of the usual upright position. Its official name is Acute Caudal Myopathy. It is most likely to happen after your dog has had very active or strenuous play, exercise, or excessive tail wagging. This could cause your dog pain and swelling in their tail, making it difficult to sit. Usually, this condition will go away on its own after a few days of rest. If it is causing your Collie a lot of pain then consulting your vet is a good idea. Coldwater play, or being confined in a crate too long are often things that could trigger this condition. Keep the hair near their rear clean and trimmed. Keep wipes handy to clean it out right away. Check for infections or parasites such as worms. Other Articles all about your Golden Retriever.

Lab Puppy proof the house. Things like dangerous chemicals, solvents, cleaning solutions, paint and other dangerous substances need to be secured. As well you will need to look at cords hanging and things falling on the puppy if they accidentally pull something down. Stairs need to be gated off until your puppy is older and learns how to walk down them without trying to jump off. Purchase a quality dog food. It never ceases to amaze me how some people end up feeding a low quality food to their dog, or something experimental like a vegan food, or even feed them a so called raw diet and not balance their nutrition requirements. The single biggest thing you can do for your dog is feed them a proven diet with nutrients delivered in the proper ratios. A second thing to consider is where your food is made and how you can be notified if there is a recall. At the time of writing this there is a popular food under recall for toxic levels of vitamin D. There have been numerous cases of deaths related to this and yet the company claims they independently test their ingredients. The food we recommend is such because we have years and years of experience over 13 years with it using it ourselves and recommending it to those who adopt our puppies. We have actually had so few health issues with our puppies and aging adults eating this food that we have increased our warranty to 4 years and include all major organs. Bottom line, feed a high quality proven food from the day you bring your puppy home, not necessarily one with the most protein. We will provide you with feeding suggestions once you place your reservation for a puppy and a proven puppy food to feed them. Visit the pet store for the required equipment. You are going to need a large dog crate with a divider so in the beginning your puppy will have just enough room to sleep. Crate training is the best way to protect your puppy while making them safe when unsupervised. As your dog grows you can remove the divider so it has room to lay down and not touch the walls. We stock the most popular toys and cover all the different types you will need so that you can get them when you pick up your puppy. They come with explanations of how the different types are used to both stimulate, calm and play with your puppy, how to cycle them, teething, and more. A stainless steel water and food bowl is also another good choice. I would wait on getting a collar so that you can fit them properly. We have inexpensive training leashes that adjust to any size for you to purchase when you are here. Have a family meeting to establish expectations. Every human in the home will need to follow the same rules consistently so that your puppy understands what is expected of them. Schedule an appointment with a good Veterinarian. Not all Veterinarians are of equal experience. We have heard some pretty crazy stories, so we suggest you get some referrals of some long term relationships of people you trust for a Vet. You should take your puppy to the vet a couple of days after you get home so it has time to get use to its new surroundings before being taken somewhere. Prepare fore the Drive Home 1. Your puppy can last about 2 or 3 hours without a potty break. We normally feed your puppy early in the morning on the day of pick up so that it has time to go potty before the drive home. Our recommendation is to give your puppy some water every 3 hours and then let them have a pee. This could also go along with letting them play or explore outside a bit. When you stop, find an unused grassy space to potty on. Arriving at home with your puppy 1. First quickly bring them to the spot you want them to potty. This is the beginning of your dog being house trained. They will likely have to go right after you get out of the car. So when you stop, give them a drink in the area you want them to relieve themselves in. Wait until they go and then you can take them into the home. Treat your puppy like a puppy. It is breakable and will be a puppy for about a year. Things like playing with larger dogs and such should be carefully supervised. Constant supervision. Your new puppy needs to be constantly supervised until they can be trusted and you know that they understand the rules. Constant supervision means either you or someone watching them, they are in their crate the crate is the supervisor , or that they are in a section of the home baby-gated off or also an outside run with a kennel and a cement floor so they cannot dig under the fence yes they will dig. After a potty bring your puppy to the room with their crate. Introducing them to their crate perhaps with a few pieces of kibble in it will show them where their safe space is. This is also where they need to be comfortable enough to self-calm and fall asleep. If you have another dog, first introduce them outside on neutral territory. Bringing a new puppy and simply coming straight into the home could have one of three effects. The first being that both dogs might be ok with it. Second is that the older dog has an issue with a new strange animal in its territory. This would result in your older dog being defensive, maybe even protective or possibly anxious and scared and once this has happened it is out there. Undoing this type of trauma could take days or weeks. Relax and let them get to know each other and all will be good. After some get familiar time begin training your puppy without distractions using Positive Reinforcement training methods. We suggest that everyone participates in some training classes either in a group format or private. The important thing to understand is that you are training you to train your puppy. Your puppy will also lose any training it has done if it is not reinforced by everyone in the home. Other resources are 80 Puppy Training tips that you can learn as well as an excellent site with video called Puppy Trained Right. We have a discount code available for those who are taking home one of our puppies. This will allow them time to eliminate most of their food and urine and will give a better chance of sleeping the night without having to go potty. Prepare their crate in a quiet, dark spot. Make it a sleepy place, place a blanket over the top and down 3 sides to block draft and to make it den-like. Some mild exercise or training just before bed. Just like a human, you want them to be tired before bed. So for example if you let them sleep from 9 to 11 pm they may not need to go down at 11 to sleep. The last while before bed try to stimulate them mentally and physically so that they are ready to turn in. This can be training sessions, a walk, a play session or even fetch in the house. One final potty around 11 pm. After you prepare them for sleep take them out one more time and give them ample time to relieve themselves. Bring them back in, let them settle in the crate, put an item of clothing in there that smells like you for them to snuggle on. The quicker they learn the new pack and learn to settle in the crate the better and that happens by not reminding them of their old litter. If they smell their old litter they will whine for them to find them. Settling in their crate. Once your puppy goes down you will want to be teaching your puppy that the time in their crate is for sleep, they are safe in there, and that if they bark or whine they cannot summon you to save them. So, what if they really have to go? This is something you will have to figure out. It may be possible that they must go outside to relieve themselves, but, they may also just want you to hold or feed them. If they go, just put them back in their crate to settle and go back to sleep. You will know within reason that next time they are just lonely. This normally stops after about 2 or 3 days. Whoosh them out to their pee spot. Pick them up and carry them quickly to their pee spot. When they go reward them with praise and say the potty word that you use. Feed, and then woosh them out again to their pee spot. Puppies often need to poop right after they eat, or sometimes while they are eating. Some exercise, training and mental stimulation. After waking up and eating they will be ready for a walk and some training. Setting them up for their first full day in the home. Plan their day out so that there is a balance of play, training, napping, eating, and potty. In the beginning your puppy will need about 20 hours or so of sleep a day so be sure it is getting enough. If your puppy gets nippy they may be trying to tell you they are tired and want to be left alone in their crate. Every opportunity that your puppy presents in the form of nipping is a training opportunity to teach bite inhibition. Coming home to your puppy after work. Learning how to greet them. If you work full time it is important to understand that a young puppy cannot hold their bladders for more than 3 or 4 hours. If you work full time you will need someone to watch them or at least visit them once or twice during the shift to let them out, drink and play. When you arrive home this is the time to teach them manners. Most dogs will be excited and will jump on you to greet you. Be sure you teach them how you want them to greet people. We will teach a dog to sit in front of us before it gets any attention. No attention means no talking, no eye contact and no touching. Will they need to relieve themselves? If they have been in a crate you will likely need to let them go potty, a walk or some fetching would also be good at this time because they likely have some energy to expend. Training pre or post feeding? There are also some Labs who are not food motivated. So if your Lab is not responding well to training after they are fed, you may want to train them before eating so the hunger is on your side. Socialization with people other than your family, and animals other than those in the home. While socializing you want to expose them to many people while not overwhelming them. To start we recommend 1 new person each morning and one new place each night. After you can see that your puppy is not overwhelmed you may decide to increase the frequency of exposure to new places, animals and things. Prepare for night time routine. Get your new furball ready for bed time as outlined above. Setting your puppy up for success. Avoiding dog parks and strange dogs. Until your puppy is fully vaccinated around 14 weeks old they are vulnerable to other diseases by unknown dogs. By all means, if you know someone who has a dog and you can verify that their dog is up to date on all shots such as Parvo, Rabies, Leptospirosis, Kennel Cough, Distemper, Hepatitis, Corona and Para Influenza, 2. Get into a reputable training class or private training with a reputable trainer. Training classes are mainly to train you. Ask around in your area for a recommendation of a good trainer at a reasonable price. Gentle, regular exposure to everyone and everything. For example, while you are exposing them to people you will need to expose them to female babies, toddlers, pre teens, teenagers, young adult women, middle aged women and older women. You will need to include women with glasses, hats, soft voices, loud voices, etc…. Adjust their food as they grow and as their activity level increases or decreases. If for example your dog is much more active or much less active then the recommended feeding amount will not be correct. Instead use your eyes. You might have to adjust the food amounts up or down as your Labrador gets more or less activity. Positive Reinforcement training by everyone in the pack. When you get into your car and you to go somewhere, you tell your gps where you want to go. Dogs are the same way. Instead teach your dog what you want it to do. Instead of scolding, simply withdraw your attention. This is enough punishment. Then, get back to showing your dog what you want it to do. If your puppy is not eating or has a loose bowel movement. Not eating much is pretty common when a puppy goes to its new home, however if it stops drinking then that would be cause for an immediate vet visit. In a new home your puppy might not be comfortable for a couple of days and eating might be just grazing. This is ok as long as it is drinking and seems to be playful. Loose bowel movements in the beginning could be due to nerves or your puppy could also have a parasite. At this young age puppies put everything, and I mean everything into their mouths. It is quite common for puppies to get loose stool from a parasite. This can be addressed easily if you take a stool sample into your Vet for analysis. What is a puppy emergency that requires a visit to the vet? Our rules for an emergency trip to the vet are: Uncontrollable bleeding, puppy not breathing properly, broken bone, puppy is not drinking and appears lethargic. If any of these present themselves you may want to consider getting help right away. Other things can normally wait until the next morning to be addressed because they are not critical. Depending on where you live however you may have a vet that is open 24 hours and even on the weekends. So this is a start for you to think about when you take a Labrador Puppy home. Information contained on this page is provided by an independent third-party content provider. Frankly and this Site make no warranties or representations in connection therewith. If you are affiliated with this page and would like it removed please contact pressreleases franklymedia. Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox! Morning Headlines. She is exactly 8 weeks old. We managed to get by with no accidents in the house! I took her out for the last time at about 11pm. I brought her into the bedroom and put her in her crate with the help of some treats. We turned off the lights and she was quiet until the treats were done. She barked and cried for a couple of minutes. My wife desperately wanted to get her out of the crate and I insisted this was a terrible idea. She decided to lay down on the floor next to the crate. Scout quickly calmed down and fell asleep. I woke up at and she heard me get up and woke up. I took her outside and she relieved herself pretty much immediately. I was so excited she slept through her first night from 11pmam!! My question is this.Was it a bad thing for my wife to sleep on the floor next to her? If she cries again tonight I was going to take a turn and sleep next to the crate but I'm also worried about starting a bad habit. Not sure if I should be impressed with her first night or if I should be worried that we "cheated" by sleeping next to her????? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!! PetMD is operated by Chewy. Bringing home a new four-legged family member is such an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming—especially for your new puppy. When dogs are nervous, they tend to seek out small spaces to create a protective shelter for themselves. Crates are a great way to provide that safe haven for them. There are several things you can do to make the crate a safe space for your pup: Feeding meals or treats inside the crate is often seen as a reward and creates a positive association for dogs. Keeping dog toys in the crate can also provide a similar reward and positive association for pets. Adding a dog bed or blankets to the crate can make it even more comfortable although some dogs do prefer to lie on hard surfaces. This gives him enough time to digest his food and go to the bathroom one last time before bedtime so hopefully! While there are no hard and fast rules on timing, having playtime in the hours leading up to bedtime can be very helpful. The hour leading up to bedtime should be used to allow your puppy to gradually calm down, which will help him with the transition to bedtime. This gives him from p. Some great stimulating activities for puppies include: Training: Dogs love to be trained, and it provides a lot of benefits for them. Training is mentally stimulating and can be as exhausting as physical exercise. It can also help keep them safe, and the more rules dogs know, the more comfortable they tend to feel in a home. Long walks: Walks not only provide dogs with physical exercise, but all the smells are mentally stimulating for them, too. Just be sure your puppy is fully vaccinated before going for long walks in public places! Playing games: Puppies love to play games like tug of war, hide and seek, scent games, and play with puzzle toys. This should be a short outing, just long enough for him to go to the bathroom. If timed well with dinner, he will hopefully both urinate and defecate during this potty break. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help your new puppy feel more comfortable in his new home: Putting the crate in your room can help your puppy feel closer to you, while also providing him with the safe space of the crate. Typically, anxiety and stress crying occurs early in the night when your puppy is first put into his crate. If he starts crying in the middle of the night, he might need to go to the bathroom. Bringing home a new puppy is a major lifestyle change for both of you. But once the first few nights are through and your bond grows, puppies can be some of the best companions—and their love is worth all the sleepless nights. Featured Image: iStock. Brittany Grenus graduated from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in with her doctorate in veterinary medicine and a.Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Getting a new puppy and bringing it home is the day every dog owner remembers. But that first night with a new puppy is the night most owners want to forget! Well, that may only be the case if you have great earplugs or can sleep through a hailstorm without blinking an eye. The first night with my puppy was the night to remember! He whined, barked, and howled all night long, and I was hoping my neighbors would come knocking so I could get an excuse to take my pup from the crate and cuddle him. Arm yourself with patience, some earplugs, and keep on reading. The day has finally arrived and you have brought your new puppy home. Bringing a puppy home the first night is a lot like bringing a newborn baby home for the first time. Your new puppy will need time to adapt to his new environment and get used to new faces, without the security of his mom and littermates. Like people, dogs form strong bonds with their family and prefer the company of their siblings and parents. Once you bring a new puppy home, you are separating it from its family, so it is only natural for your pup to feel sad and anxious to some extent. The best thing you can do is to be supportive and stay patient while your pup adapts to his new life and home. All puppies have a natural instinct to whine, howl, and squeal when they are separated from their mother. Therefore, you can expect that your puppy will be quite vocal and restless during the first night in a new home. Some puppies may take separation harder than others and continue to whine and howl for the first few days or weeks. When it comes to the first night with a new puppy, you should be prepared for the worst and hope for the best. Rest assured, every dog owner goes through this, and while the first night can be challenging, everything will get better soon. When I brought home my first puppy, Linus these were my exact thoughts. Our local shelter had a 14 day, no questions asked, full refund policy. Your puppy will need food and water bowls, a collar and a leash, puppy food, toys, a bed, and a puppy crate to start. Having all must-have puppy supplies already in your home will give you a chance to spend an entire day getting to know your new pup. Get A Warm Bed While getting a puppy bed might seem like a no-brainer, many owners forget about it due to all the excitement. When choosing a bed, you should look for models that offer support, keep your puppy warm, and can accommodate various sleeping positions. Bear in mind, puppies like to chew, so the bed has to be durable and safe without any parts that can be a potential choking hazard if chewed and swallowed. And since dogs feel more secure in tight spaces, instead of something big, get a small and replaceable dog bed. Tire Your Puppy Before Bedtime While puppies are full of energy, they usually sleep between 18 and 20 hours a day. However, rather than sleeping for 20 hours straight, your puppy will have several naps a day. This means that your puppy might be playing with a toy one minute and be fast asleep seconds later. To help your new pup settle in for the first night, you should tire him out with active play, games, and walks a few hours before bedtime. Instead, give your pup time to slowly calm down just in time for bed. Start Crate Training From The First Day While crate training is a subject of much controversy, it is a proven training method when used appropriately. Whether you want to crate train your puppy or not is completely up to you, but crates give dogs a sense of security and comfort. If you decide to give crate training a go, use positive reinforcement training techniques and treats to get your puppy to like his crate. A crate can also be a useful tool for house training your puppy , since no dog will urinate where he sleeps. The goal of a crate is to serve as a safe and private space for your dog, and you should never use it as a form of punishment. Please note, puppies under six months old should not spend more than three to four hours being crated at a time. Your puppy should spend the majority of his time interacting with you and your family and not locked in a crate for hours on end. We got one for our first puppy, Linus over 18 years ago and still use the same one anytime we get a new puppy. Keep in mind that puppies need sleep to grow and develop properly. Be Prepared For Accidents Even if you got your puppy from a breeder who potty trains their dogs, accidents can happen, especially the first night in a new home. Generally speaking, a puppy can control its bladder one hour for every month of age. So, if you have a two-month-old puppy , he will need to pee every two hours or so. However, when your 2 month old puppy is awake she will have to potty much more frequently then every two hours. When they sleep they can usually hold it for about 2 hours. But while accidents can happen, you should do your best to avoid them. So watch your puppy at all times and set up a potty schedule as soon as you bring him home. This will thoroughly remove any odor that your puppy might smell. If puppies can still smell the urine they will try to potty in the same spot. As mentioned earlier, you should be fully prepared for disrupted sleep or several sleepless nights in a row. Consider this when bringing a new puppy home and plan accordingly. If possible, you should consider taking a few days off work or at least try to work from home for the first couple of days. When it comes to sleeping arrangements, your new puppy should sleep in your bedroom inside a crate for the first week or so. Your close presence will reassure your pup and help him feel safer in the new environment. After hearing these sad cries, your first instinct will be to take your puppy and comfort him, but you have to resist! Cuddling your puppy now will only make things worse later because your pup will expect to be comforted every time he whines. The only way you are ever going to establish a good sleeping routine is to ignore your pup while he is whining and let him calm down on his own with your presence nearby. And once your pup quiets down, tell him what a good boy or girl he is and offer gentle praises. Not only is this cruel, but it can also cause separation anxiety problems and attachment issues. There is no sugarcoating it: The first night with your puppy will be the hardest, but at least you will be prepared and know exactly what to expect. The good news is, with patience and consistency you will be able to establish a normal sleeping routine and get your pup settled into his new home. You can easily set up the crate inside your bedroom close to you, so your puppy knows you are there. As an alternative, you can place the crate just outside your bedroom, leaving the door open. You should place a dog bed inside the crate or line it with warm and comfortable bedding or blankets. However, keep a close eye on these things because some puppies will chew and swallow blankets and pet beds. To help your pup settle in, you should also include something that came from the breeder, like a blanket or a toy that smells like his mom and siblings. This will help your pup to feel more secure and hopefully make him fall asleep faster. We take our Calmeroos puppy with us and rub it all over littermates and momma if they are available. Your pup will most likely whine and cry when you first place him in; however, he will settle in after some time and go to sleep. Using a crate and placing it within your bedroom is extremely helpful in this case. Keep in mind that puppies tend to eliminate a few times before they are actually done. And once your pup is finished, praise him, give him a treat, and get him inside the crate again. On the first night, your puppy should sleep in a crate inside your bedroom, having your reassuring presence nearby. Ideally, you should leave the crate in the same place for three weeks at least, and only then start to gradually move it to another area. By doing this you are teaching your pup that he will get into the bed every time he cries. The best thing you can do is to leave your puppy inside the crate until he calms down and falls asleep. As an added deterrent, one of our friends allowed her puppy to sleep in the bed with her. The next morning her puppy was happily wagging her tail licking her face. She found a few tootsie rolls smashed between the sheets and stuck to her pajamas. This is a follow up to the previous question. My answer is an adamant, no. There are a few reasons: My 1 reason is potty training. The best way to get through the first night with a new puppy is to prepare in advance and have realistic expectations. And even if it seems unlikely, your puppy will quiet down at some point and fall asleep. If you acknowledge this behavior, your puppy will learn that it is acceptable to whine for attention and will continue to do so every night. Almost all puppies cry at night, especially on the first night in a new home. While it is hard to hear a crying puppy, you should ignore this behavior until your pup stops crying on his own. By not caving in, you are teaching your pup that crying will not get him anywhere, and eventually he will completely stop vocalizing at night. Our most recent puppy, Elsa woke up 4 times her first night home. I did not sleep more than 2 consecutive hours that first night. However, by the fourth night she was sleeping solid 8 straight hours. Final Thoughts The day you bring a new puppy home will be one of the most exciting days of your life, but the first night with a new puppy can be challenging. Almost all puppies whine, cry, and howl the first night at a new home, and you should be prepared for a sleepless night or a few! Countless dog owners survived to tell the tale of the dreadful first night and so will you. Have you raised a puppy recently? How was our first night with your new puppy? Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Learn how your comment data is processed. Keep in touch. First day and night with puppy First day with a new puppy Your first day and night with a new puppy Getting a puppy is a really huge step for anyone and if it's your first puppy it's important to know what to expect. We've put together our tips and advice on the first 24 hours with your four-legged friend. A new member of the family is a big commitment but also really exciting. If you're a first-time puppy owner, you might have heard stories good and bad about owning a puppy. Your first day and night together will help to set the tone for your time together, so it's really important to be prepared. Our vets have put together their advice on dealing with your first day with a new puppy. Be prepared before bringing your puppy home Before you even bring your puppy home, there's a lot you can do to prepare! Remember to make sure to get all the supplies you need first - our new puppy checklist can help you decide what to get. This will be an area they can go and take naps in, chill out in when they want a bit of alone time and generally feel safe in. If you do decide to get your puppy a crate, remember they might not be used to one so you will need to take your time introducing them to it to make sure they are comfortable and happy with it. Take a look at our guide on crate training for more advice. Growing is thirsty work, after all! Ideally you want this near to their quiet area and bed. Set some ground rules Before your puppy comes home, you have some decisions to make. Will they be allowed on the sofa? Are they allowed on the bed? You need to set some rules and make sure everyone at home knows what they are — and sticks to them! Consistency is key when training any dog and your puppy will be learning all the time. Puppies will need to go to the toilet regularly, so giving them the opportunity straight away will help before they go inside. Remember to give them lots of praise or even a treat when they go to the toilet in the right place — for more information, visit our toilet training guide. When you take your puppy inside for the first time, try to take them to their space first. Too much too soon can get them over-excited or stressed, so slow introductions to new things is key. Make sure you keep your home and everyone in it! The breeder or rehoming centre can let you know when, what and how much your puppy normally eats. Offer lots of toilet time. Give your puppy the chance to go out to the toilet regularly and give them lots of praise when they go in the right place! Playtime can be OK. Short playtime sessions are absolutely fine, but remember that your pup will tire out quickly so keep them short and sweet. Naps are important. Puppies are still growing, which is tiring! Avoid walks. Your puppy is unlikely to be fully vaccinated when you first get them. Stick to supervised playtime in a secure garden, keeping them away from water sources and thick undergrowth where rats could have been. Spend lots of time together. Your puppy is always learning, so make sure you spend lots of time with them so they know they can be happy and safe around you. Pets love routine, so get your puppy into a regular routine as soon as possible! Decide where they are sleeping. Whether you plan on your puppy forever sleeping in your bedroom, or want them in a separate room, you need to start this from the beginning and stick to it. If you have your puppy in your bedroom but plan to move them into a different room at a later date, this can be really distressing for them. Keep calm. Keep bedtime as calm as possible for your pup. Give them gentle praise such as a few strokes when they settle where you want them to. Sleep in the same room for the first few nights. For the first few nights, your puppy will need time to adjust to being without their mum. Remind them of mum. Pop this where they sleep every night as it will help to comfort them and keep them calm. Night time toilet breaks may be needed. Puppies have little bodies and little bladders! For the first few weeks you might find they need a toilet break during the night. If your puppy is worried during the night, they might cry or bark. This is completely normal as they adjust to a new home and environment. When your puppy is scared, comforting them will help, but being ignored will make them feel isolated and even more frightened. Got a question? Quiet nights and crate training. This article will take you through everything you need to know, from what to buy, to how to help your pup settle in on his first day and night. Bringing a Puppy Home Bringing home a new 8 or 9 week old puppy is a potentially stressful experience for you and the pup. Of course, it will be better if you have been able to visit your puppy regularly before collecting him. But for most people, time and distance make this an unlikely option. Everything he sees, smells and hears, in your home will seem very strange to him at first. Fortunately, most puppies leave their mother and siblings at an age when they will readily accept their new friends and family. In a few days time, he will have settled in and accepted your home as his, and your family as his own. Holding Your Puppy The first thing to master when bringing home a new puppy is holding them the right way. This is the most comfortable position for puppies. But if you have had a long car journey, the first thing your puppy will need is to pee! Carry him in your arms to the area you want him to use for toilet purposes, and put him down there. Your first steps in potty training have begun. Maintaining Regular Bathroom Breaks Puppies vary widely in how often they need to empty their bladder. Some may last an hour or more from day one, whilst others seem to need to go every 15 minutes or so. During the course of the day, take the puppy to the toilet area at regular intervals half hourly at least to begin with. In addition, take him there every time he finishes a meal or wakes from a sleep. Set an alarm on your cell phone to remind you. Many Labrador puppies are very greedy and will eat astonishing quantities of food. New puppies are especially prone to upset tummies. The new environment and the stress of leaving home all add to the risk. You can reduce that risk by feeding little and often. If you want to change diets, do this gradually once the puppy has settled in. How often to feed Four times a day is the minimum number of feeds for an 8 week old puppy. Five or even six portions are better for a puppy with an upset tummy. Remember that the daily quantity is the same. More portions means smaller portions. If you get this right, there will be little or nothing left to put in the bowl when mealtimes come around You can find out more about using puppy food in training games by joining our Puppy Parenting course Meeting the Kids Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time for all the family. For much of the first day, your puppy will probably be cuddled and admired. Kids should also be aware of safety precautions, such as learning to let the pup be if he seems uncomfortable. Some older dogs will play too roughly with a puppy. Others will growl and appear to reject the puppy at first. These are normal reactions but they do indicate that you are going to need to keep a close eye on things for a while. A baby gate or other barrier is a perfect way to keep a puppy from annoying the resident dog or cat while they adjust to the newcomer. As the day draws to a close, your thoughts will turn to night time, and getting your puppy to sleep! Or he howls the house down either constantly or intermittently throughout the night. There are two approaches to choosing where a puppy sleeps for those first few nights. One is to get him used to his permanent sleeping quarters right from the start. The other is to have him next to your bed until he has got over his homesickness usually three or four days. And if you keep going back, the howling may well increase. Leaving a puppy to cry alone in a strange house is also probably very distressing for the puppy and not a great way to start their new life. But we recommend having the puppy next to your bed for the first three nights. This reduces the risk of getting into an increasing spiral of night howling or having your puppy miserable for the first week. Just pop his blankets in there and put the box right next to where you sleep. Night waking Most 8 week old puppies wake in the night to pee for the first week or so. But the first few days is a time for settling your puppy in, building their confidence and avoiding bad habits such as whining or howling, getting started The best way to meet all those goals, is to keep your puppy very close to you until their homesickness has passed. Bonding with your puppy Your main objective now is to bond with your puppy. Spend lots of time with your puppy. Make him feel at home. Pay him a lot of attention when he is quiet, fuss and praise him when he pees outside. Once he has settled in, there will be plenty of time to think about crate training and learning manners, but for now just enjoy his Labrador puppy loveliness, and that scrummy new puppy smell. It will be gone all too soon, replaced by a bouncing, boisterous, and joyful friend who all too often smells of pond water. What you are doing is establishing good habits, which will last a lifetime. What About Crate Training? A quality dog crate is an excellent source of help with potty-training. But a puppy should not be left inside a crate for longer than his immature bladder can hold its contents. For some puppies, this is not very long at all. Socialization is a big part of bringing home a new puppy. This is the process we take puppies through, to make sure they are comfortable with all aspects of living in human society. For instance, dogs need to be confident around things like vehicles and machines. They should be happy to meet people of all different shapes and sizes and to go boldly wherever people want to take them. A confident dog is not just a happy dog; he is a safe dog. Socializing also means taking your puppy out and about. Naturally, many worry about exposing a not-yet-fully vaccinated puppy to the risk of infection. Yes you can! If you use modern dog training methods, you can get going right after bringing home a new puppy! In the first week puppy training is based on a series of fun games. So that your puppy will be learning without even realising. The games you play should lay foundations for future good behavior, teaching your puppy not snatch, to say please, to focus on you, to love their crate, to wear a harness or collar and to run towards you rather than away from you. A lot of people worry about whether or not to take a puppy to classes, and some are unable to do so. But there is a great deal you can do at home by yourself. You can avoid this by getting off to a great start with recall training in the very first week. The video below will help you. And never chase after a puppy. Puppy recall training starts right after bringing home a new puppy. Build an association between the act of running towards you and the sound of the recall word or whistle. If you call the puppy and he does not come, you will have begun to teach him that the recall command is optional. Check out our puppy recall training video to give you an idea of how easy it is to build this a good association if you start off in the right way. You can find out more about building a great recall from the beginning in Total Recall. But for now, in these first few days at home together, make sure no one calls the puppy to them. When they want him, they can simply pick him up. If he runs away, all they need to do is run in the opposite direction and he will come chasing after them. For the first few days after bringing home a new puppy, focus on bonding and helping him to feel safe. Consider having your puppy next to your bed for the first few nights. This will comfort him while he is feeling homesick and missing his mom and playmates. Expect to get up in the night to take your puppy out to pee for at least the first couple of weeks. Set a reminder to avoid teaching your puppy to cry for your attention. During his daytime naps, dive into the feeding, potty training, and obedience training guides mentioned in this article, and head over to the forum for support from our other readers, many of whom have been where you are now, and come safely out the other side! If you want help choosing an adorable puppy name, make sure you take a look at this article too! The puppy should be allowed to explore and meet his new family. You should now start teaching your puppy his name amazing because now Stetson knows his name like the back of his paw. Try again in 10 minutes. If the puppy does relieve himself in the proper area, give him lots of praise. Afterward, you may take him inside, but remember to supervise the puppy; do not let him out of your sight. Talk to your puppy when it explores to make him feel more at home. The first few nights at home may be difficult for both you and your pup. At night the puppy will feel lonely and will probably demonstrate this by whining Oh, you betcha! These are a few things that you can do that might make the puppy feel at home. We use a MidWest Life Stages Double Door Crate which comes with a divider this allows us to adjust the crate size and put a blanket over it to make it seem cozier. Keep the crate in a draft-free area next to your bed. For approximately the first three weeks, if your puppy cries, take him out, on a leash to relieving area. After relieving put him back into his crate. Do not give him any treats or any playtime. Put him right back into his crate and he should go back to sleep. Under no circumstances take the puppy to bed with you. This will form a very undesirable habit. Give the puppy a stuffed dog toy to snuggle with. Then when it was time to crate Stetson for the first night he could snuggle with the toy and smell the scent of his littermates. Our favorite and one we highly recommend is the Calmeroos Puppy Toy with heartbeat and heat pack. Our last puppy, Anna loved her Calmeroos Puppy Toy and it helped her sleep better her first night in her crate. Hold your puppy by his collar by slipping your thumb in his collar and set his food about two feet away. This should be done at every meal throughout training. Even within a breed. There are several people in our group who have raised 10 or more Labrador Retrievers in the Guide Dogs of America program and each one is different. My experience with Stetson was very difficult in the early days and weeks. I had no problem with Stetson when I first got him home. I already knew about the trials and tribulations of house training and crate training after raising my first rescue puppy, Linus. Puppies tend to piddle about every 10 to 20 minutes. You have to watch them like a hawk or they will end up using your house as their personal restroom. Stetson had some accidents here and there, but nothing out of the ordinary. The agony came in the evening. Stetson did NOT take to the crate! He whined, howled, cried, and barked…probably made every noise he could possibly produce, but would not relax and go to sleep. He did sleep once in a while honestly I felt like a zombie for over a month. During those first 4 weeks, the most sleep I got was approximately 6 hours, broken up 3 or 4 times a night by whining, howling, barking…you get the picture. I was a wreck and I thought Stetson would never get used to his crate. Awww, the first night home with puppy Stetson was…sleepless… I have two words for you — consistent and patient. After about 4 weeks of consistently sticking to my guns, not letting him out of his crate, and praising him when he was quiet Stetson suddenly stopped making noise in his crate. In the long run, it pays off. Stetson has not barked, howled, or whined in months. New puppy owners often ask me where should a puppy sleep on the first night? Starting on day one we want our puppies to get used to sleeping in their crate. If we allow them to sleep elsewhere like our beds then we are reinforcing the behavior of sleeping on the bed. Therefore, trying to start them in the crate will be more difficult on day 2. Also, I want them to get used to sleeping in their crate until they are potty trained and learn the appropriate rules in our house i. Most likely he will wake up crying times at night. What happens when your puppy starts crying? Should you let your puppy cry the first night? That question is more complicated than it seems. First, as mentioned earlier we crate train our puppies. If at the end of the night our puppies start crying in the crate they will most likely settle down after about minutes of whining. Therefore, yes we let our puppies cry. Second, if our puppy wakes up in the middle of the night and starts crying we take him immediately to his potty spot. After he goes potty we take him straight back to his crate to go back to sleep. This generally happens times a night. Those are the two most likely crying scenarios with your puppy. However, there are an infinite number of other possibilities for puppies crying in the crate on the first night. Should you leave your puppy alone on the first night? I sleep about a foot away from my puppy in my own bed, puppy in his crate. If I feel like my puppy is experiencing some anxiety on his first nights home I will also sometimes sleep on the floor for a few nights and slowly start to migrate back to my bed. This is the question I fear when I bring home a puppy. The answer is it depends, every puppy is different. However, you probably want to know what I consider normal for how long a puppy will cry at night? At which point he will likely settle down and go to sleep. Over the next 8 hours, most puppies will wake up times and will need to go outside and potty. When you get back from the potty break most puppies will cry for another minutes before they go back to sleep. After about 8 hours of sleep, your puppy will want to wake up and eat breakfast. As I mentioned earlier, all of my puppies sleep in their crate on the first night. This calls for a story: Many years ago, I talked to a friend who allowed her puppy to sleep in her bed. She cleaned up the mess but could still smell poop. Check out our New Puppy Checklist. Get a good book on raising and training a puppy like Puppies for Dummies. Let him get comfortable in his new environment. Start training your puppy immediately with basics like potty training, name, and crate. Always supervise your puppy. Use a small crate near your bed. Give your puppy a stuffed dog toy to snuggle with. Be consistent, persistent, and patient when training your puppy. The first night with a puppy is often a sleepless night. On the other hand, if you get a homesick puppy then you might have to endure a night possibly several nights of barking, howling, crying, and yelping puppy. Hopefully, you get the latter and are only disturbed a few times in your nightly slumber. Good luck! Tell us your experiences in the comment section below. Related Article. That Mutt may earn money from the companies mentioned in this post. He actually takes long naps! The first two weeks with our new puppy have been fun but also stressful! We all make mistakes and puppies are very adaptable. Try to get into somewhat of a routine as quickly as you can and adjust as you go. For example, I chose not to have my puppy sleep in my bedroom the first two nights but then I decided to move his kennel next to my bed so I could hear him easier. Here are some ideas on how to make the first night with your puppy go as smoothly as possible! This will help everyone adjust to a routine — mainly the bedtime routine, kennel training and potty training. I got my puppy from a breeder out of state, so I chose to fly to Minneapolis to pick up my puppy. He and I stayed with my parents for two nights because they live near the breeder. Then we flew home on Sunday. I wrote an article on how to fly with your puppy. It was a fairly easy process. Puppy potty training — lots and lots of potty breaks the first day Once you get home, I recommend a potty break first thing! This means less accidents during the first few days while teaching your puppy to go potty outside. Take your puppy out after she plays and after she wakes up from a nap. For example, if they puppy was just running and playing with a toy and then gets distracted and sniffs, pick her up and take her outside. For more details, see: How long does it take to potty train a puppy? Have another adult help you, if possible. When we introduced our adult dog Remy to puppy Rip, my husband had Remy on a leash while I held the puppy. Keep in mind, some dogs are more reactive while on a leash, however. I was confident my dog Remy would be friendly and accepting of the puppy and I was correct. He loves the puppy and is great with him! But other than that, these two are best buds. The introduction was not so easy 5 years ago when we introduced 8-week-old Remy to our senior dog at the time. Our senior dog was NOT happy with the puppy and was not accepting at all. In fact, he would growl or snarl ferociously if the puppy got too close. So, just be very aware and take things slowly. I also wrote this article on aggression between dogs in the same house. Let your puppy explore a little Your puppy is just a baby and she might feel overwhelmed or scared in a new environment. On the other hand, she may be feeling confident and eager to play and explore. My weimaraner puppy Remy was feeling overwhelmed when we brought him home at 8 weeks old, but Lab puppy Rip was ready to run and play immediately! For example, the kitchen with a baby gate. Show her a few toys and offer her a little food and water. She may be too nervous to eat or she might practically inhale it! They are all different. Head out for another quick potty break after 20 mins or right away after your puppy eats! This is a great time to introduce her to her new kennel or crate. You can leave the door of the crate open and put a soft bed or blanket in there with a few toys. Toss a treat in and your puppy might actually go in on her own and settle in. It helped Rip to have a small blanket from his breeder that was with the momma dog and litter mates. He still sleeps with that blanket in his kennel. We ended up waking him up because we wanted him to be good and tired for bedtime later! We had him sleep in the travel crate so he would be used to it before his big flight! Where should my puppy sleep? You can have it right next to your bed or in another room. In our case, Rip did not cry at all when I put him in his kennel for the first night amazing! I think he was just so tired from being in a new place with new people. However he started to whimper at about a. Good boy! Then back in the kennel. He cried for about 5 minutes and then fell asleep again until my mom got up with him for the day at 5 a. Does an 8-week-old puppy need a potty break in the middle of the night? My rule of thumb is to calmly take the puppy outside for a bathroom break if he is crying. I try to keep the lights dim or not even turn them on, if possible. Then, I put him back in the kennel. If he cries again, I ignore him. Usually, the puppy will fall back to sleep in a few minutes. Do Lab puppies need a potty break in the middle of the night? My Lab puppy has needed a potty break in the middle of the night up until last night, but every puppy is different. If your Lab puppy is crying in the middle of the night at 12 weeks old, then the puppy has trained YOU, our breeder says! So … my puppy Rip is now about 10 weeks old. Last night was night 14 and he finally slept from p. Over 7. Woo hoo! Should you let your puppy sleep in your bed the first night? Using a kennel for bed time until that point will help the puppy with potty training, prevent her from chewing your stuff and develop a little independence. Just wait until your puppy is potty trained. Think of it as a privilege your puppy will need to earn. Another option is to eventually allow her to sleep out of the crate but on her own dog bed next to your bed. If you train your puppy to sleep in her crate at night, you are building a confident, well-adapted puppy. She will be less likely to develop separation anxiety. You are also helping her with potty training because she is unlikely to go potty in her crate. See my article on what to do if your puppy is having accidents in her crate. Why do puppies cry at night? Your puppy is likely to whine and bark the first couple of nights because he is in an unfamiliar place without the usual comfort of his mom and litter mates. His routine is off and his whole world is turned upside down! However, it does not take long for a puppy to adapt to the new routine if you stick to a consistent routine. Here is my detailed article: How long do puppies cry at night? How much do puppies sleep? Puppies sleep a lot! Puppies sleep hours or more in a day! Adult dogs also sleep a lot, as you have probably noticed. My Lab puppy will play for about an hour and then sleep for 2 hours. He will voluntarily go curl up somewhere and sleep on his own. It is so nice! Every puppy is different, however. My weimaraner puppy never fell asleep unless I put him in his kennel with a Kong. Then, he would often crash. See my article: Why is my puppy so crazy in the evenings? Start puppy kennel training the first night home I go into the details of kennel training in this article , but wanted to mention it briefly here. I use a fold-up wire kennel but plastic also works. Another option is to use a baby gate to block off a certain area. Or you can use an ex-pen or puppy play pen. That might be in your bedroom at first, and then you can move it to another room later if you choose. Think about how you will keep your puppy confined to a smaller area of your home during the day as well. You can do that by using a gate to close off certain areas. Puppies do best with less freedom in the beginning. How much should I feed my puppy? Each puppy is different. He was actually too distracted to eat not a normal Lab, I know! You might have a puppy that devours her food in one breath Remy! Rip is a 9. He weighs .He is a slow, slow eater. I know, can you believe it? But he is a healthy weight. I like the fold-up wire kind but plastic also works. Cheap bedding in the kennel like towels or a sheet.

Our puppies make the perfect pets! Our menu on a smart phone is located at three lines on the top left corner Our menu on a smart phone is located at three lines on the top left cornerOur menu on a smart phone is located at three lines on the top left cornerOur menu on a smart phone is located at three lines on the top left corner Thanks for coming to our website.For the best social media experience click the icon Welcome We have amazing happy and laid back Standard Poodle puppies In Colorado. Please let us help you find the family companion you are looking for. Scroll down to see some great videos on how we start our puppies using puppy culture. We love our dogs, you will too! Here at Grace Poodles, We take great pleasure at producing fine family friends. We have taken what we think are the best dogs we have found and developed a great breeding program. Jose and Toni Managed a commercial Thoroughbred farm In Kentucky and learned what it takes to have a solid breeding program, and have implemented the same heart and skill to produce the best for you and your family. Our dogs have become service dogs, companion dogs, family guard dogs, and snuggle companions. We have had great success with them becoming a part of a home where one or more members have allergies. We believe you will love our puppies! They have super temperaments, are extremely intelligent and eager to please - PLUS they are absolutely gorgeous! We spend a lot of time with our puppies as you can see by the videos and we encourage children and adults to come and play with them. Your puppy will come with their: first set of vaccinations. This website was updated except Newsletter — which is whenever I have time… on September 6th. We ALREADY practice the cleaning protocols necessary to stay virus-free and to keep our puppies, clients and family members safe — not only from COVID, but from any other virus that may be brought unintentionally onto the premises. Virus prevention is a way of life here. It always has been and it always will be. Bringing certain fairly common viruses onto the property can kill every puppy on the premises. It is something that is always forefront in our minds. And, more importantly — we have been using them. Please Read. Powder Valley Poodles wants to protect you against fraudulent scam artists preying on innocent consumers. Please be aware that not all websites you will find that sell puppies are real. There are many websites out there — some on the first pages of your search — that are complete scams. The people have stolen pictures, text and testimonials from reputable breeders such as Powder Valley Poodles and put them together to form web sites that entice people to place deposits on puppies. They call themselves by the first names of the reputable breeders whose websites they are stealing. My Testimonials from my very happy poodle puppy and doodle puppy buyers appear ALL OVER the internet as testimonials within scam websites in order to convince people that they are dealing with a reputable breeder. But, there are no poodles. There are no puppies. They take your credit card information or money order and that is the end of their involvement with the client. These are not breeders. These are Cyber scam artists. How do you tell the difference between a real breeder and the con artists? The real breeders will have a physical address. An address that you can contact the post office in their town to see if the address is real and if the names they provide go with that address. Con artists typically have only a post office box. Con artists also typically will communicate only by texting or email. A genuine, reputable breeder wants to TALK to the people potentially buying a puppy. Most reputable breeders are the same way. I want to make sure these people will provide a good home for my puppy. Also, con artists are frequently operating out of foreign countries. They may have a foreign email address and if you do speak with one they may have a foreign accent. Know that we do have the authorities working on stopping these criminals but it is difficult and for law enforcement a fairly low priority. Since I was first made aware of this problem over a year ago when one of my clients saw her testimonial to me on another web site there has been no progress in stopping the scams. Make sure the breeder you are contemplating has a REAL physical address and will speak to you by telephone. Ask MANY questions. Be a savvy consumer. Be safe. Be aware and insure that you are dealing with a reputable, and real, dog breeder. We also offer all sizes of goldendoodles, from the tiny 6 pound micro goldendoodle to our much bigger 65 to 75 lb. The quieter, non-shedding perfect lap dog. No matter what the breed — Powder Valley Poodles puppies are the very best dogs available. We guarantee it! Although you can pay a whole lot more for a puppy somewhere else, you simply will not find a better dog for your family. Our dogs are loyal, long-lived and people-oriented. They are playful, affectionate, and healthy. They are the perfect family dog, companion and Service Dog. We are not a large multi-dog kennel. Our dogs live in the house with us and our puppies are born in the house and generally are not outside unless we are outside with them. They are raised with other dogs, large and small, cats, and children. Please enjoy these photos of some of our dogs and puppies over the years! Christmas Litter Has Arrived! All puppies have been reserved! Contact us to get on our standby list. Payments Accepted through good dog Payments through good dog are secure, fully protected and guaranteed. Meet Sofia and Tux! Sofia is an extremely loyal chocolate toy poodle with a very sweet temperament. To view a detailed image of Sofia's pedigree, click here. To view Tux's pedigree or health tests, please contact us directly. Tux also weighs 6. Does being a registered purebred dog matter? A dog that is purebred and registered cannot be interpreted to mean it is high-quality dog. It is no reflection on the quality of the dog's health or temperament, but only a reference that the dog has known parentage according to the breeder. Some breed clubs can now guarantee parentage through DNA testing but for the most part all breed clubs must rely exclusively on the breeder's word and choice of parentage. Even in the modern age of breeding, a DNA proven purebred can have serious health issues. We always evaluate temperament, health, and verifiable parentage before we decide to breed. What is your health guarantee? The puppy you are purchasing is guaranteed to be in good health at the time of sale, with first vaccine and a series of de-worming given every two weeks. This is all recorded on the health record you'll receive. Should your puppy be deemed to not be in good health the puppy will be accepted back and the original purchase price of the puppy will be refunded. We will not refund any additional cost the buyer, including shipping, tax or medical expenses. Will you dock the puppies tails? No we will not. Our preference currently is not to alter the dogs physically since we don't breed toys for competition. Outside of that, it is surely a personal preference but it's not something we like to do. What deposit do you require? I paid my deposit, now what? We will update photos of your puppy each week on our website and will offer you one Facetime or Duo video call while you are waiting for the twelve week period to pass. Final payment for your puppy is collected at the time of pickup. To download a sample of our current contract, click here. Is my deposit refundable? Once we receive a deposit, the puppy is no longer offered for sale and we will likely reject potential families. Can I return my puppy? Ideally, we always hope that our puppies end up in great homes. Of course, you are free to transfer ownership of your puppy to anyone you wish. We love our pups dearly and would love to have first right of refusal if you find yourself in this situation. What veterinary services will have been provided for the puppies before I get them? Initial round of vaccines will be given around week 8. Are we a puppy mill or backyard breeder? We are not a puppy mill nor are we a backyard breeder. We consider ourselves a boutique breeder. Adam and Jeannie both have experience breeding Toy Poodles. Our litters are very sparse and intentional while always ensuring health, temperament, and pedigree before we decide to breed. What are the differences between pet registries? The AKC is a breed registry for only those purebred dogs that live in the United States and it was founded in .The AKC maintains a registry for purebred dogs and does not accept registration from other U. Founded in by Chauncey Z. Bennett, the registry has always supported the idea of the "total dog", meaning a dog that looks and performs equally well. At the end of the day, all are ways to register purebred dogs, all issue pedigrees, and they all have dog shows. If you are not planning to show your dogs, the nuances between registries should matter very little since they all demonstrate lineage of the pure breed which should be the focus. What is paramount over registration status is the actual health history of the dog, the temperament, characteristics, and mostly if you feel the dog is right for you and your family. We will not breed any bitch or stud without verifiable pedigree yet at the same time, we breed for temperament, character, and health, not for certificates. Will you ship your puppies to us? Unfortunately we do not offer shipping services to ensure the safety of our puppies. In-person pickup of your puppy is required. Hello Friends! Responsible Breeding program recognition We pride ourselves in that we always evaluate temperament, health, and verifiable parentage before we decide to breed. That's why we've earned the good dog responsible breeding recognition. That's why we've been recognized by good dog for good health testing practices. How can we contact you? You may use our email address denverpoodle gmail. From there you can message us. Who are we? We pride ourselves on placing quality toy poodles over anything else. Our goal is to have a healthy, intelligent, and happy toy poodle to be a part of your family. Jeannie is a consultant for a large religious organization and Adam is a software engineer. We both work from home and enjoy being with our dog, Sophie, and traveling when we can. How did we get into breeding? We bred Sophie because of how much time we have to dedicate to caring for her and her puppies. It is a task that we could handle and have fun with at the same time. We love Toy Poodles and puppies are insanely fun. What makes our breeding program special? We focus on temperament, health, and genetics over the perceived value of being in a registry. We want to educate our families about what makes a quality dog and for them to know that our focus is not cranking out pedigreed puppies. We carefully curate our sires. Puppy pick-ups will be made by appointment only. Masks will be required at all times. All rights reserved. Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.Top 30 Smartest Dog Breeds In The World If you're a dog lover, you've probably heard the age-old debate: which dog breeds are the smartest? While all dogs have their own unique intelligence and personality, some breeds have proven to be consistently brilliant over time. In this guide, we'll explore the top 30 smartest dog breeds ranked, from problem-solving whizzes to trainable and intuitive pups. We've done our research to provide you with an updated and informative.These pooches are joyful, lively, eager to please dogs. They are adventurous, kind, family-oriented pups who love hiking, swimming, canine games, sports and any, and all, family activities. These puppies are merry and bouncy little marshmallows. They are cuddly and sweet pups who love running around, playing, making friends and are very enthusiastic learners. The breed is divided into 3 recognized categories: Toy Poodle; Mini; Standard. Although they differ in size, one thing is for sure: they are glamorous companion pets. We have answers. There are many benefits to Uptown Puppies, one of which is that you're not restricted by distance. The experienced and professional breeders in our network understand how to travel with dogs comfortably, so many families have their puppies flown to the nearest major airport, like DIA. This can be a much more comfortable experience for your puppy than ground travel. How do you screen Poodle breeders near CO? Applications to become a breeder come in constantly, and our team can only accept a small fraction of them. This is because we prioritize the welfare of dogs and want to avoid working with puppy mills or dishonest breeders. It may seem tough, but it's the best way to ensure that your puppy will be healthy and happy, and that your family will get the best possible pet. What makes Uptown Puppies so different from other puppy finders? Looking for new Poodle puppies Denver can be overwhelming, but with our network of top breeders, we make it easy. We only work with the best of the best, so you can be sure you're getting a healthy, happy pup. Plus, our transportation services make it easy to get your new friend home. Why are puppy mills a breeding ground for unhealthy Poodles? The solution is quite simple - puppy mill owners breed dogs for quantity rather than quality. By producing large numbers of poorly bred pups, many families end up with puppies that have dangerous and expensive genetic disorders. Help us say NO to puppy mills, and only work with reputable, ethical breeders. Looking for a Poodle for sale in Denver? You're not alone! These popular pups are in high demand, especially for rare coat patterns. If you see your dream dog, don't hesitate to reserve them right away. Denver Poodle for sale Denver. What type of dogs are Poodles for sale in Denver, CO? Poodles are a popular dog breed known for their intelligence and obedience. They are rapid learners and excel in all types of dog sports. Denver Poodles for sale Denver! Poodles are sometimes used as assistance dogs because of their great intelligence and love for humans. How do I know these breeders are trustworthy? As a responsible dog owner, you want to do your research before bringing a new pup into your home. With so many scams and dishonest Poodle breeders in Denver, CO out there, it's hard to know who to trust. Uptown Puppies is different. We carefully screen all of our breeders to ensure that they meet our high standards. Plus, all of our puppies come with a year health guarantee. Now that's peace of mind! Are Poodles easily trainable? Poodle lovers will be quick to tell you that these dogs are not only smart, but they love learning new things! Poodles pick up tricks quickly and enjoy having their minds challenged. If you're thinking of getting a poodle, professional training from a young age is a great idea. With a little patience and persistence, you'll be amazed at how intelligent your new puppy can be. How do I groom my Poodle? Poodles are such elegant dogs with their signature haircuts. While they may require a bit more grooming than other breeds, the tradeoff is that they shed very, very little. This means your home will be much less hairy, and you'll have fewer stray dog hairs on your clothing. Poodles should be trimmed every weeks, and will need regular bathing, too. But the effort is well worth it when you have a beautiful, low-maintenance dog by your side. What kind of Poodle hybrid breeds will I see in CO? Doodles are amazing dogs that can be bred with many different types of dogs to create new and unique breeds. Similarly, crossing a Poodle with a Yorkie creates a Yorkiepoo. There are endless possibilities when it comes to breeding Doodles! How much exercise do Poodles need? A Poodle needs around an hour of exercise a day, which can be split up into a few smaller sessions. This breed doesn't require a strenuous workout, so don't feel like you need to run your Poodle for miles on end. A trip to the park should suffice! Denver Poodle puppies for sale in Denver, CO! Have a walk around Confluence Park or Washington Park and see for yourself! What kind of food do Poodles eat? When you get Poodle puppies for sale Denver, CO, it is important to discuss with the breeder and your family vet what the best diet for your pup would be. Every dog is different and may have different dietary preferences. However, don't worry - it's not complicated!

Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Schnoodle Overview The Schnoodle is cheerful and intelligent. He makes a terrific jogging companion and his love of activity can get you off the couch. Despite that, he will also happily cuddle on the couch with you. A Schnoodle will fill your life and lap with both love and laughter. This breed is loyal like the Schnauzer and fun-loving like the Poodle. Like his Schnauzer parent, a Schnoodle has a protective nature and makes a good watch dog. Schnauzers are solid terriers and tend toward being a bit stubborn and independent. At the same time, they are known for being extremely loyal. Contrastingly, the Poodle is smart, agile, and active with a high-maintenance coat. Accordingly, the Schnoodle should have plenty of exercise every day, at least 30 to 60 minutes. Both Schnauzers and Poodles are smart, so this hybrid requires daily mental stimulation as well. This pup also has an unusual propensity to use his front paws as hands to hold toys and blankets. Unfortunately, some really enjoy digging. Some really enjoy barking , too. There are three different variations of both Schnauzers and Poodles, making for a wide range of sizes in the Schnoodle. The larger ones are still relatively uncommon. There is no breed standard for Schnoodles — nor any breed clubs — so, as of yet, their different sizes are currently defined as Toy, Miniature, Standard. Notably, size may make a difference in the personality of this hybrid. A large Schnoodle should have a softer temperament than a Giant Schnauzer. In the latter case, someone could simply slap a litter together because she has a purebred Schnauzer and lives down the street from a purebred Poodle. When the parents are carefully selected, the Schnoodle is a great dog. Hybrid vigor can work wonders, but poor parent selection can result in the worst traits of both breeds with none of the good ones. If you want the temperament that the hybrid is meant to provide, get a puppy from a responsible breeder who has taken care in selecting the parents. You can also adopt from a reputable rescue or shelter , since these pups are now appearing in those places. A small Schnoodle can do well in an apartment , but the larger Schnoodle does better in homes with fenced yards. Schnoodle Highlights Schnoodles are a cross between a Poodle and a Schnauzer, and they are known for being intelligent, friendly, and hypoallergenic. They come in three sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. Here are some of the highlights of the Schnoodle breed: Intelligence: Schnoodles are highly intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They can learn basic commands quickly and can be trained to do more complex tasks, such as agility or obedience. Friendliness: Schnoodles are known for being friendly and outgoing dogs. They love to be around people and other animals, and they make great family pets. Hypoallergenic: Schnoodles are considered to be hypoallergenic, which means that they do not shed as much as other dog breeds. This makes them a good choice for people with allergies. Active: Schnoodles are active dogs that need plenty of exercise. They enjoy playing fetch, going for walks, and running around. Loyal: Schnoodles are loyal dogs that form strong bonds with their owners. They love to cuddle and be petted, and they will always be there to greet you at the door. If you are looking for a smart, friendly, and hypoallergenic dog, the Schnoodle may be the perfect breed for you. Here are some additional things to consider before getting a Schnoodle: Grooming: Schnoodles need to be groomed regularly to keep their coats looking their best. This includes brushing, trimming, and bathing. Training: Schnoodles are intelligent dogs, but they can also be stubborn. They need to be trained consistently and firmly. Exercise: Schnoodles need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. They should be walked for at least 30 minutes a day. Schnoodle History The Schnoodle was developed in the s, when the interest began to grow in Poodle crosses. The original goal with the Schnoodle was to create a low-shedding, low-dander family dog. The Schnoodle is generally the result of breeding between a Schnauzer and a Poodle, although some breeders have started breeding multigenerational Schnoodles Schnoodles bred to other Schnoodles. Right now there are no breed clubs or standards, but efforts have begun to create both. Schnoodles can come in a variety of sizes, since there are three Poodle sizes and three Schnauzer sizes. The range of possibilities has created an interesting variety of hybrids. Despite that, Schnoodles have traditionally been small dogs. The introduction of the Giant Schnauzer and Standard Poodle into the mix is the most recent variation, producing a dog of a different temperament from the small, cuddly Schnoodle. Schnoodle Size The size of the Schnoodle depends on the size of the parents: a Standard Poodle bred to a Giant Schnauzer will produce offspring who will be the size of their large parents. If a Standard Poodle and Standard Schnauzer are crossed, than the result could be sizes ranging between both the Miniature Schnoodle and the Standard Schnoodle. This uncertainty is part of the joy of a mixed breed: the ultimate details can be a welcome surprise. Like any mixed breed, the variation involved can eliminate guarantees of size. Mixing and matching can add up to some interesting ranges and the variety is enticing. However, most Schnoodles tend to be 20 pounds or less. Toy Schnoodles range from 10 to 12 inches in height and weigh 6 to 10 pounds. Miniature Schnoodles range from 12 to 15 inches in height and weigh 13 to 20 pounds. Standard Schnoodles range from 15 to 26 inches in height and weigh 20 to 75 pounds. Giant Schnoodles range from 20 to 28 inches in height and weigh 50 to pounds. Schnoodle Personality The well-bred Schnoodle is a wonderfully happy, loyal, and intelligent companion. He enjoys having fun and aims for a life filled with love and play. A Schnoodle can have a strong temperament but generally is loving and loyal to his people. Socialization helps ensure that your Schnoodle puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly — as well as taking him to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors — will also help him polish his social skills. However, there is a general misconception that hybrid vigor automatically applies to mixed breeds. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA website. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA : This is a family of eye diseases that involves the gradual deterioration of the retina. Early in the disease, affected dogs become night-blind; they lose sight during the day as the disease progresses. Many affected dogs adapt well to their limited or lost vision, as long as their surroundings remain the same. Cataracts : These cause opacity on the lens of the eye, resulting in poor vision. Cataracts usually occur in old age and sometimes can be surgically removed to improve vision. Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease : This involves the hip joint. If your Schnoodle has Legg-Perthes, the blood supply to the head of the femur the large rear leg bone is decreased, and the head of the femur that connects to the pelvis begins to disintegrate. The first symptoms, limping and atrophy of the leg muscle, usually occur when puppies are four to six months old. Surgery can correct the condition, usually resulting in a pain-free puppy. Patellar Luxation: Also known as slipped stifles, this is a common problem in small dogs. The patella is the kneecap. Luxation means dislocation of an anatomical part as a bone at a joint. Patellar luxation is when the knee joint often of a hind leg slides in and out of place, causing pain. This can be crippling, although many dogs lead relatively normal lives with this condition. It can cause mild or severe seizures that may show themselves as unusual behavior such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding or even by falling down, limbs rigid, and losing consciousness. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. Diabetes Mellitus : This is a disorder in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels, due to improper levels of insulin. Symptoms of diabetes are excessive urination and thirst, increased appetite, and weight loss. Diabetes can be controlled by diet and the administration of insulin. More severe signs occur when a dog is stressed or when potassium levels become high enough to interfere with heart function, causing severe shock and death. But if your Schnoodle is on the large side, and had a Giant Schnauzer for a parent, this condition is worth knowing about. Bloat is more common among older dogs. GDV occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists torsion. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid himself of the excess air in the stomach, and the normal return of blood to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen and is salivating excessively and retching without throwing up. He also may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak, with a rapid heart rate. Schnoodle Care Although the energy level of the Schnoodle is reflective of the parents, and is therefore variable, expect to exercise your dog for about 30 to 60 minutes per day. Some require less while others require a bit more. Schnoodles enjoy brisk walks and make great jogging companions. Schnoodles can adapt to a variety of residences, but take size into consideration. A Toy or Miniature Schnoodle will do well in an apartment or condo , but a larger Standard may not. Ideally, a home with a fenced yard is best for all Schnoodles. Schnoodles can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods of time. This can lead to barking and destructive behaviors. And once that habit starts, it can be difficult to stop. Keep your Schnoodle in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice or three times a day rather than free feeding , or leaving food out all the time. How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. When possible, minimize the amount of highly processed food your pup is consuming. Talk to your vet about switching your Schnoodle to a vegetarian diet if they suffer from certain health issues such as food allergies , skin issues , or even coat dullness. First, look down at him. You should be able to see a waist. Then place your hands on his back, thumbs along the spine, with the fingers spread downward. You should be able to feel but not see his ribs without having to press hard. For more on feeding your Schnoodle, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Schnoodle Coat Color And Grooming The Schnoodle coat can be black, gray, silver, brown, white, apricot, sable, black and white, black and tan, and even parti-color. The wavy coat occurs in multigenerational breeding. While Schnoodles are low-shedding dogs, they must be clipped or trimmed. The amount of grooming needed for a Schnoodle really depends on the coat of the individual dog. If your dog has the soft, wavy type of coat, brush once or twice a week to prevent tangles and mats. The Schnoodle will also need to be bathed on an as-needed basis to keep the coat soft. The best time to brush is after a bath. Drying the coat with a hair dryer will help prevent any mats from forming. These dogs were believed to be a cross between the Toy poodles and smaller canine breeds of the Terrier clan. The creation of these dogs in actuality as documented began in in the United States of America by crossing the Poodle and Schnauzer, with the first purposeful crossbreeding done in Minnesota. It was developed with the intention of creating a companion breed, inheriting the intelligence of both their parents, also being well-suited for people with dander allergies. Though it has not gained sufficient popularity in comparison to the other designer breeds, Schnoodle puppies are being highly sought after at present. At present breeders have also begun creating multigenerational Schnoodle where one dog of this breed is bred with the other. You might even spot a tiny teacup variety acquiring the genes of the teacup Poodle. Temperament and Personality The friendly, loving and easy-going disposition of the Schnoodles makes them ideal family dogs. In fact, traits of both their parents may be observed in these dogs, making them alert and playful like the Schnauzer or intelligent, active and obedient as the Poodle. Their intelligence may at times come in the way of their personality, making them over-demanding. Small-sized Schnoodles are well-suited to live in an apartment though the larger variations thrive well in large homes having a fenced yard. Keeping them alone in kennels is not recommended as they are prone to separation anxiety that might make them noisy and destructive. These loyal and devoted dogs are highly protective towards their family, a trait wholly inherited from their Schnauzer parent, which also makes them an excellent watchdog, causing them to bark on seeing any unfamiliar face at the door. Although they display fondness towards all members of their family, they might have a special affection for a particular person in the household just like the Schnauzer. Though the Schnoodle is said to mingle well with other pets, it might be harsh to other dogs regarding sharing their toys or space, especially if they have inherited the stubborn instinct of Terriers the Miniature Schnauzer categorized as a part of the Terrier group. If you have a Giant Schnoodle, it might adapt the behavioral traits of the Giant Schnauzer, being territorial reserved and even aggressive. They are highly inclined to hold blankets and toys with the help of their front paws that they use as hands. Schnoodles will develop a knack of digging and be very clingy towards its family members if one of its parents is the Miniature Schnauzer. Care Exercise Owing to their highly active nature, they need to be exercised at least for an hour every day to maintain a sound physical and mental health. They enjoy going out for a brisk walk or accompanying their master on a jogging spree. Since they are fond of playing, you can engage them in a ball fetching game when confined indoors. Grooming Their grooming needs vary according to the kind of coat they have. Those with a soft, wavy coat require brushing once or twice a week to prevent the hair from getting matted and tangled. If your pet has a double coat like the Schnauzer, then the coat would need to be stripped many times in a year, whereas if they have acquired the single-layered coat of the Poodle, then clip their hair in every six to eight weeks. Bathe your dog whenever needed to keep its coat clean and soft. Schnoodles have a tendency of developing hair inside the ear that should be removed by a professional groomer to avoid infections. Moreover, check their ears on a weekly basis for redness, bad smell or dirt and clean it using a damp cotton ball dipped in an ear cleaner prescribed by your vet. Do not allow excessive growth of fur around the anal to facilitate the excretion of the feces without any obstruction. Go for a professional groomer rather than trimming the hair on your own to avoid any injury and infection. Health Problems Though a healthy and hardy breed, they might acquire the health issues of both their parents. The Miniature and Toy breeds may be prone to developing luxating patella. Some of them may even suffer from allergies. The risk of dental problems is observed more in Toy Schnoodles because of their small mouth size. Socialization and obedience training are to be imparted to the Schnoodle puppies to help them develop a pleasing personality. As they get bored, quite easily try keeping them motivated by positive reinforcement techniques so that they acquire interest towards the training procedure. If you do not want to go through the tedious task of training your puppy, you may send them to a puppy kindergarten school. Feeding Schnoodles weighing up to 20 pounds can be given three-fourth to one cup of dry dog food of a higher quality daily. Miniature or Toy variants need a lesser amount of food, whereas the quantity for your Giant Schnoodle, should be greater. It is essential to feed your pet twice a day rather than giving him an excessive amount of food in a single meal. Their tails remain straight and upright when they are highly active or in a good mood, but they tuck them up whenever they get nervous or are sad. FAQs What is a Schnoodle? Schnoodles are small hypoallergenic dogs and are perfect for families needing a low-shedding companion. The Schnoodle is an excellent companion for families and can adjust to living with other dogs, children, and seniors. Appearance Like any other mixed-breed dog, when it comes to physical traits, a Schnoodle can have a wide variety of characteristics that largely depend on the traits of its parents. However, one thing is certain: Schnoodles are incredibly sweet and adorable. Typically, Schnoodles stand 10 to 12 inches tall and weigh 10 to 20 pounds. Most commonly, the Schnoodle puppy has a curly or wavy coat that is kept a medium length. Colors The American Kennel Club recognized three main colors for Schnauzers: salt and pepper, black and silver, and solid black. Additionally, Poodles and Schnauzers can have different coat patterns like parti and tuxedo. Being that there are so many different options for coat colors and patterns, you can expect a Schnoodle to be a range of colors! The most popular color for Schnoodles is solid grey and solid black. Grooming Having a non-shedding dog may seem like an easier option, but that is not always the case. Miniature Schnoodles, for example, have high-maintenance coats that require a lot of at-home grooming. Ideally, you should do it every day, but at least once a week to keep their coat free from tangles and painful mats. Additionally, Schnoodles need regular nail trims and ear cleanings. Toy Poodle Back in the day, people bred Toy Poodles to be mushroom hunting dogs. Eventually, people learned how affectionate this little dog was and they began to breed them as companion dogs. Today, people all over the world enjoy having the intelligent Toy Poodle in their family. They are keen to learn new fun tricks and please their owners with their skills, but they must be trained in an environment with plenty of positive reinforcement. Along with learning tricks, Toy Poodles have a lot of energy and love to play with their owners, families, and other dogs. Just like the Miniature Poodle, the Schnauzer is full of confidence, independence, and intelligence. They are ready to please you by learning tricks and obeying commands, and the Miniature Schnauzer will always be there to watch out and protect its loved ones. The Schnauzer breed was originally bred as a ratter dog—a dog who kills small mice and vermin. Schnoodle Schnoodles are the perfect mix of both parent dogs! Affectionate The Schnoodle is a very affectionate and loving companion. While the exact temperament depends on the dog, generally Schnoodles are cuddly and love to be near their owners. The Schnoodle loves to play and will keep everyone in the family in tip-top shape. Intelligent Schnoodles are intelligent dogs that are easy to train and love to learn new tricks. Being so intelligent, they make excellent dogs for first-time dog owners. Loyal The Schnoodle dog is fiercely loyal. They love being around their families and like both parent breeds, have a protective nature. They love participating in dog sports such as agility, barn hunting, and obedience. Being so intelligent, Schnoodles also need mental enrichment. To keep a Schnoodle mentally enriched you can turn to nose work, treat puzzles, and daily training. The exact price depends on the breeder and where you live. Reputable breeders who take the time to health test their breeding dogs and raise their puppies in a loving and social environment may charge more for their puppies. On the other hand, breeders who do not put as much effort into their breeding program may charge less. If you see a Schnoodle for a price that seems too good to be true, it probably is. Where to buy a Schnoodle There are two places to find a Schnoodle: 1. Rescues There are plenty of Poodle mix dogs in animal shelters across the country waiting for a loving home. Before seeking out a breeder, consider searching through rescues. I put together a list of Poodle rescue agencies —use these as a starting point to see if there are any Schnoodle dogs up for adoption. You can also search through Schnauzer-specific rescues, which often have Schnauzer mixes available to adopt. Reputable breeders will answer any questions, potentially let you visit the puppies before choosing one, and vet you as a potential buyer. They also provide health testing certificates and vet checkups, so you know your Schnoodle comes from healthy purebred dogs. Health problems A few health issues can be related to the Schnoodle breed, but this does not mean they are automatically born with them. Typically, a breeder will health test the parent dogs to ensure no diseases get passed onto the pups. However, diseases and illnesses can still happen over time, regardless of the health of the parent breeds. Dental issues: Small breeds are prone to dental issues. Yearly trips to the vet for teeth cleanings can prevent teeth from decaying and needing removal. Skin allergies: Schnoodles can develop skin allergies that can cause itching, redness, and inflammation. You can prevent many health issues by scheduling regular appointments with your vet, feeding your dog high-quality dog food, and providing them with the right amount of exercise. Lifespan Generally, Schnoodles can live anywhere from 12 to 15 years, which is typical for small to medium-sized breeds. But you can make sure your Schnoodle lives a long and happy life by making sure they get plenty of exercise, regular check-ups at the vet, and lots of love. Of course, every dog is different, so some may live shorter or longer than others. The Schnoodle can be quite clingy, needing to be by your side and the center of attention almost always. If you are the only one in your household and are gone frequently, this may cause a dilemma. Lots of love and attention is required for these little guys! If you work long hours and are away from home often, a Schnoodle might not be right for you. The Schnoodle is a medium to high-energy dog. Adopting a Schnoodle can bring joy and create unforgettable memories with your loved ones! Should you get a Schnoodle? Miniature Schnoodles are adorable, affectionate, and intelligent dogs that make wonderful companions for families with children, individuals, and households with other dogs. They inherit the best traits from their parent breeds, the Miniature Schnauzer and the Poodle, which makes them highly adaptable to different lifestyles and environments. As with any dog, proper care, exercise, and regular vet check-ups are crucial to ensuring their health and happiness. While they may require extra grooming and exercise, the joy and companionship that a Miniature Schnoodle can bring to your life make it all worthwhile. Do you have a Schnoodle? FAQs Are Schnoodles small? Yes, most Schnoodles are small dogs, although you can get Giant Schnoodles. Do Schnoodles shed? Schnoodles do not shed very much—if any—dog hair. The AKC does not recognize mixed breeds like the Schnoodle. Amazon Associates Program This article may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchase. The cost is not inflated to account for the commission earned. Veterinary Disclaimer: travellingwithadog. Please consult your vet for any questions you have regarding your pets health. She has years of experience fostering dogs and has helped find homes for a variety of different breeds, both large and small! Learn more about her here. Schnauzerpoo Description The Schnoodle is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the Miniature Schnauzer and the Poodle. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. They are good with children and get along fine with other animals. They are great watchdogs because they will let you know when someone is near, but they are non-aggressive. They not yappy dogs unless you allow them to take over your home. They love car rides. This great companion dog excels in obedience, agility, Flyball and makes an excellent therapy dogs , but they are first and foremost a loyal and loving companion! They would be fine in an apartment or on a farm, as long as they are with their family. These dogs are so loyal and affectionate they would not be happy kept outdoors. As far as exercise, the Schnoodle is very adaptable. A game of fetch played in the house or a 5-mile jog, either one is fine with them. Because the Poodle and the Schnauzer both do not shed, the Schnoodle does not shed so they must be brushed weekly and clipped every 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the length of hair preferred. Their nails should be kept trimmed. The Schnoodle sheds little to no hair and is considered good for allergy sufferers. Quick to learn and can wear himself out playing. Very, very inquisitive and loves to chew his toys. Picked up his name, "fetch," "sit," "pee-pee" and "poopers" quickly although seems a little bashful. Took to the leash well. A little yappy with the neighbors and outdoor sounds. Loves people—presents his little tummy with ease. Plays hard with other dogs and doesn't share toys well. When running on "puppy power" somewhere between speed of sound and wartends to wipe out He is a little headstrong—little more coaxing required. Often willful—you can see the wheels turning. Hasn't figured out goldfish in our little pond—we're afraid he will attempt his own sushi recipe soon! Arlie is a Standard Schnoodle shown here at 9 months old. His mother was a Giant Schnauzer and dad was a Mini Poodle. Not a day goes by when people do not stop us to ask what kind of dog Arlie is. In fact, after playing with Arlie and seeing him walked daily , many people have inquired about Schnoodles. He loves to be cuddled and loved. We are fortunate to have gotten a dog that loves endless hugs, kisses and cuddles. He also loves to play tug with his rope. Doesn't matter what kind of rope as long as it's long and someone is at the other end pulling. He will drop the rope when asked and has been very easy to train. He is probably about 2 years old. His legs are very long, though, and his hair is soft and wavy. He is very affectionate, energetic and eager to learn. He is 16 inches tall at the shoulders. She is a month-old Schnoodle. We rescued her. She has a wonderful personality and she has a high energy level. She loves car rides and boating. She doesn't like to be left alone. She is a very loyal dog. She loves to play with our kids and she also loves to cuddle and give lots of kisses. She is a sweet and playful dog. As the mix is still climbing in popularity, not many specifics are known about the original time and purpose when the Schnoodle first came on the scene. But, the cross was likely first developed in the s in the United States. Like most Poodle mixes, the goal was most likely to achieve the perfect dog for people who suffer from allergies to dog dander. As well as those who prefer not to have dog hair coating their clothing and home. But both parents are intelligent working dogs first and foremost. The Schnauzer Poodle mix is one of the Poodle mixes that people seek for its low-shedding coat and teddy bear qualities. When you cross a purebred Poodle with a purebred dog which does not have a curled coat, such as the Schnauzer, the offspring F1 generation may or may not have a curly coat. Appearance traits like this are unpredictable, and even puppies in the same litter can have very different coat types. These hybrids are usually solid-colored and sometimes have a mask, markings, or points in black or white. From the black Schnoodle to the white Schnoodle and every shade in between. Even more colors are possible when the parent stock have non-standard coat colors — parti-colored Schnoodles may be possible in these cases. Or it may have a wavy coat that falls somewhere in between. Keeping curls or waves in check, though, will help to prevent severe matting or tangling. Are They Hypoallergenic? No dog is truly hypoallergenic. All dogs shed, even if in very small amounts. You can learn more facts and myths regarding non-shedding dogs in our article about hypoallergenic dogs. However, we can confidently say that this mix will be a low-shedder. Both Poodles and Schnauzers shed minimally. Grooming can help to control any small amount of shedding. Owners may also prefer to go to a professional groomer. Selecting a later generation of Schnoodle cross may help you get a puppy with breed-specific looks and tendencies. Generally, thanks to the shared traits of the parent breeds, a Schnoodle will be energetic, intelligent, and generally friendly. As long as they are socialized well. Are They Good with Kids? Schnauzers of all sizes are excellent with children and people in general. They are extremely active dogs who are outgoing and love to run and play. Make sure to socialize your Schnauzer Poodle mix well to ensure they get along well with children, strangers, and other animals. Miniature Schnauzers in particular can be a little noisy, thanks to their alert personalities. So, choosing a miniature Schnoodle mix could result in a vocal dog. You can train a dog not to bark in some instances. Training Your hybrid will be intelligent and probably very active. With good socialization and training, he will also likely be friendly with all sorts of people and get along well with children and other animals. Stick to positive reinforcement methods to create a strong bond between you and your dog. This will also help you to avoid any potential stubbornness. Like Schnauzers, all classes of Poodles are very active dogs who love stimulating activities that keep their bodies and brains moving. They do not take kindly to being bored. Poodles also do not like being left out of activities with you or being crated for long periods. They are intelligent, working dogs who want to have something to do or play with, which is why many of them are amazing in the show pen! Training can be a great way to offer your Schnoodle mix some mental and physical stimulation each day. But, this mix will also need structured exercise. Exercise These dogs need a job to do or plenty of space to run and play in order to be happy and to stay out of trouble. Schnoodles may also play on the rough side. As neither Schnauzers nor Poodles appreciate being bored, a Schnoodle may be likely to develop bad habits if you do not give her adequate attention. Scheduled time for exercise each day will help to minimise the risk of bad behavior, such as barking and digging. Schnoodle health risks to be aware of include heart disease, epilepsy, vision problems, joint issues and liver disorders. Health testing potential puppy parents can significantly reduce the risks of the litter carrying any of these conditions. Both Schnauzers and Poodles can become overweight easily, so a healthy diet and plenty of exercise will be required to keep the dog fit and the joints fluid! What is the Schnoodle Life Expectancy? Poodles and Schnauzers have a generally similar life expectancy , with about years for the larger sizes and closer to 14 for smaller. You can expect your mix to reach somewhere within the averages of the parent breeds, depending on size. As long as they receive good veterinary care and general care throughout their lives, Schnoodles will often live well into their teens. Due to the typical personality traits of the parent breeds, Schnoodles can be recommended as family pets. However, it must be emphasized that all dogs need socialization and training. For a giant Schnoodle, make sure to supervise smaller children to keep them from getting accidentally knocked over or involved in play that gets a little too rough. Likewise, for a mini Schnoodle, ensure that small children treat the little dog carefully. Remember that this breed is going to be very active and will want to be with his family. If no one is at home for a large part of each day, or if the dog will be kept in a small area without room to run and play, this is not the breed for you. They need families that have plenty of time to dedicate to them. Including to grooming, playtime, and training. Schnoodle Breeders Before you purchase a Schnauzer Poodle puppy, carefully research Schnoodle breeders so that you choose responsibly. Responsible breeders use genetic testing to prevent the passage of undesired traits, and they keep their breeding stock at a good weight and in clean conditions. Mixed breed dogs are growing in popularity. Go to breeders with lots of questions, and make sure you see evidence of health testing. Life Span Did You Know? As a cross-breed, the Miniature Schnoodle is meant to take on the best traits of both parent breeds, but they can end up with any combination of traits from one or both of the parents. Overall, Mini Schnoodles tend to be loyal dogs that are devoted and affectionate to their families. They also tend to have a very friendly disposition and a playful, energetic personality. Miniature Schnoodles are popular family pets and they often make good therapy dogs too. The Miniature Schnoodle is a small, cheerful, playful, and loving ball of fluff. They are intelligent dogs with a friendly, happy disposition and a gentle nature. Mini Schnoodles tend to get along with just about everyone including children, other dogs, other pets, and strangers. They tend to be a great addition to any family and a great companion for single owners too. The Mini Schndoodle is affectionate, loving, and devoted to their families. They thrive on affection and attention from their favorite humans and tend to bond closely with them. A Mini Schnoodle can also be prone to jumping up and ignoring personal space because they are so friendly and excitable. Training and socialization early on can help curb this behavior and channel it more positively. Mini Schnoodles are highly adaptable dogs. These little dogs may be energetic, but they adapt well to larger homes as well as apartments. They tend to thrive wherever they are as long as they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention. They also tend to do well in most climates. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to heat. Due to their small size, they may need to bundle up to stay warm when winter sets in. But, having the right mix of winter dog products on hand can be a big help. Because a Mini Schnoodle tends to bond so closely to their families and owners, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. With a mixed dog breed, they can inherit the potential health concerns from both, one, or neither of their parent breeds. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to avoid passing genetic issues on to puppies. Also, you can talk about any relevant health clearances or test results. Both of the parent breeds of a Miniature Schnoodle are highly intelligent, eager to please, and highly trainable dog breeds. So, your Mini Schnoodle should also be a highly trainable dog that learns quickly. Oftentimes, your Mini Schnoodle will master basic commands and be ready for more advanced commands and tricks quickly if they are challenged and motivated. Although they are a good fit for dog owners of any experience level, puppy training classes can still be a good idea as they tend to offer great opportunities to brush up on training skills and to socialize a puppy. The Poodle is known for their low-shedding hypoallergenic coat, which is one of the reasons why there are so many Poodle mixes. There is no guarantee that a Schnoodle will inherit a full Poodle coat. Poodle coats need daily brushing to remove tangles and prevent mats. They also need professional grooming every weeks. On the Schnauzer side, weekly brushing is sufficient. However, they need regular bathing, stripping, and clipping to maintain a healthy coat. This usually means professional grooming every weeks. Checking ears on a weekly basis is usually a good routine for helping to prevent ear infections. Miniature Schnoodles tend to have moderate exercise requirements, but they also tend to match their energy levels to yours. Daily walks plus some playtime or extra activity is usually enough to keep this dog happy and healthy. But, if you want to do more, your Mini Schnoodle probably will too. Who knows? Your Mini Schnoodle might love taking trips to the dog park, going for a swim, learning to play frisbee , going on hikes, and more. A fully-grown Miniature Schnoodle usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. A Mini Schnoodle generally lives years. Although Mini or Miniature Schnoodle is the most common name for this designer dog breed, they are also sometimes referred to as a Miniature Schnauzerdoodle, a Mini Schnauzerpoo, or a Schnauzer Poodle Mix. Featured Mini Schnoodle Article. In this cross however the size of Schnauzer used has a marked difference in temperament as the Giant Schnauzer is a strong-minded, powerful, active working dog whereas the Miniature is far softer although still with terrier-type tendencies! The Poodle is a lively, sociable and affectionate dog who is both intelligent and amusing, and makes a wonderful and fun companion. They love to be included in all family pursuits and can be good watch dogs, announcing visitors but never being aggressive. The Standard Poodle is still at heart a working dog and can easily be the start of your training class, your agility group or in the obedience ring. They thrive with a job to do where they can work with their owner. The smaller poodles are still clever and active and many can be seen excelling in agility or training classes. It is clear however from looking at the two breeds that make up the Schnoodle that this is an active dog whatever its size who needs a lot of exercise, training and input from owners. But personalities are hugely variable. If a Giant Schnauzer and a Standard Poodle are crossed, this will be a large, active, athletic dog who may well guard, be territorial and be best suited to experienced owners. A Toy Poodle crossed with a Miniature Schnauzer however will in all likelihood produce a bouncy, happy, very talkative companion dog who will be highly bonded to their owner and will enjoy long walks or nights on the sofa equally! The personality of a Schnoodle seems to be more consistent when they are first crosses F1. As a line is successively bred, they can be either bred back to one of the original breeds and so strengthen either the Schnauzer or the Poodle personalities or be bred to another Schnoodle - in which case there is less predictability in temperament and in-breeding becomes more of a potential issue. Created in the US during the s, the goal was to design a friendly, low-shedding dog breed, that would fit in with family life. The two breeds that go into the formation of the Schnoodle are the Schnauzer and the Poodle. Schnauzers Country of Origin: Germany The original Schnauzer is the Standard size, and while it is known as the Mittelschnauzer in its homeland to distinguish it from the Miniature and the Giant, it is more usually just referred to as the Schnauzer. The Schnauzer has been a working farm dog in Germany since at least the 14th century where it took the role of a fearless terrier largely employed to kill vermin. But they could also turn their paw to flock-guarding, property guarding and cattle driving. The ancestry of the Miniature Schnauzer is not quite so clear, although we know it dates from the end of the 19th century. It is commonly believed that the Schnauzer was crossed with the Affenpinscher to create this miniaturisation, but there are also experts convinced that Miniature Poodles , Pomeranians , Scottish Terriers and Miniature Pinchers could have contributed to the breed. The original idea was to produce a smaller vermin killer but they soon became better known as companion dogs. The Giant Schnauzer however was created by farmers wanting a much stronger working dog to work mostly as a cattle drover and a guard dog. The original Schnauzer was crossed with breeds such as the Rottweiler , the Great Dane and the Bouvier des Flanders - as well as with local herding dogs. While keeping the vital organs and joints protected, much of the rest of their hair was shaved off. The Schnoodle can have any combination of the two breeds in their size, appearance, behaviour and temperament. Health and Common Issues One aim with crossbreeds is to dilute or eliminate any inherited health issues that may exist within one or other of the breeds. This dilution or elimination is only likely if only one parent is the carrier of any particular condition, and where this is a first cross F1. Exercise Needs Both the breeds that make up the Schnoodle are active and enjoy exercise and will be happy with up to two hours every day less for smaller Schnoodles. They will enjoy games, training, interactive toys and being involved in all family activities. Potential Issues This cross can be noisy - especially if bored or left for long periods of time. Giant Schnauzer crosses need early and ongoing dog socialisation. They may be suspicious of strangers human and canine and can become territorial. If bored, chewing and destructive behaviour can become an issue. Space Requirements This depends on the size of dogs used in this cross. Whereas the larger ones need a much bigger living space, a well-fenced garden and access to long walks. Nutrition and Feeding The Schnoodle diet needs to have the right balance of all the main nutrient groups including a constant supply of fresh water. It's important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape and remember to feed him at least twice daily and in accordance with the dog feeding guidelines of his particular food. Grooming Schnoodle Dogs It is difficult to predict what kind of coat the Schnoodle is going to have, as they may inherit a coat like a Schnauzer or they may inherit the Poodle coat or any mixtures of the two! Poodles do not shed or shed minimally but they do need trimming, whereas the Schnauzer does shed slightly but far less than the majority of breeds. Dog ear care is extremely important as Poodles can have problems with excessive hair inside the ears which can cause infections or sore ears. Training the Schnoodle This is a very active dog who is smart, busy and who will need dog training early on. They are a joy to train as both the breeds are intelligent and love working with their owner, but they will learn bad habits as quickly as good ones so reward-based training should start early and be ongoing. Smaller Schnoodles will enjoy agility and even heelwork to music, while larger ones can excel in obedience classes and do need training to ensure they are happy around other dogs and people, walk calmly on a lead and have a good recall. Early and ongoing socialisation is important. Toy Poodles can be quite sensitive and any rough handling or raised voices can worry them greatl. Therefore, all training and handling should, as always, be positive and reward-based. It is important to train a Schnoodle to enjoy handling and grooming as they will need a lot of it.