german shepherd puppies 10 weeks

Both parents come from a 5-generation pedigree. Mother is IKC registered. Grandparents and great grandparents are field trial champions. Father is a strong, chunky Labrador with an excellent breeding background, he was never registered but both grandparents were IKC reg. Both mother and father are cherished family pets, live together and can be seen. Parents are gentle natured, excellent with kids and have great personalities. Owners are vets themselves. This is our first and last litter as we are not breeders. We wanted to keep a line from both parents which was the motivation to have a litter. Our beautiful puppies are happy, healthy, and very confident. They have a fantastic temperament. Pups have been raised in our family home ensuring they have been well socialised with kids and other animals such as cats. These confident puppies are extremely intelligent and will be easy to train! They are already semi-toilet trained and have great re-call. Puppies are very affectionate and loved by all the family hence we are only looking for suitable home as a family pet or loyal companion. All pups are - Vet health checked - Vaccinated - Microchipped - Wormed at 2,4,6 and 8 weeks - Treated for fleas and mites. Pups will be ready to go to their forever homes from September 17th. For more information or to arrange to view the puppies please call or email me on or megandoherty00 gmail. If I do not answer please leave a message and I will get back to you. Thank you! We currently have puppies available now as our mothers have hade much larger litters than expected and we had more puppies than people on our waiting list. When searching for a Retriever Breeder in Ontario it never pays to gear your search toward finding a Labrador puppy quickly, rather, focus your efforts on finding a Chocolate Lab puppy of quality, bred by a breeder with a reputation who will stand behind the Labrador Retriever puppies they breed. Please visit our Facebook site by entering luckylabspuppies in the search box on Facebook, see the pictures of our Labrador puppies and hear what our owners have to say about our commitment to quality. Look for quality puppies for sale not quick puppies. A second thing to consider is that you will want your breeder of Labrador retrievers to provide you with support after your Labrador puppy goes home with you. Lucky Labs guarantees this lifelong commitment to support for you and your Lab and we are happy to do so. We have deep discounts to Labrador puppy training websites , many articles on our blog dealing with health, behavior and other aspects of owning a Labrador puppy. We are available for you after your puppy goes home either by email or a phone call. Our availability changes at times in regards to the color of Labrador puppy we have available. As well, there are times when we get so busy and focused on our pups that we may have beautiful ckc yellow black or purebred chocolate lab puppies for sale that are not listed here. So if we are the small scale family based registered breeder for you please send us an application for a puppy in order to get the most accurate and up to date information about what our availability is. Puppies for sale Our silver lab puppies for sale are actually a faded coat chocolate lab. When both parents carry the chocolate gene, and they both carry the dilute gene then the color is diluted to a silver. If you look close you will notice that the silver lab still had brown pigment around its eyes and mouth because officially it is a chocolate lab. Silver Labradors make excellent family dogs. The Labrador Retriever breed regardless of color has been the most popular breed for over 25 years and the Silver Lab is no different. We have some Silver Labs who will be mating in the future resulting in puppies for sale. If you are interested to get on the waiting please read toward the bottom of this page to see what colors we are accepting applications for. For more information about silver Labradors click here. There is 1 male and 1 female yellow Lab puppy available to reserve who go home Oct 7th. One of these yellows will go to an Ontario Police force and the sibling will be available. Please apply below for more information. There are 2 black males available to reserve from this litter. Please apply below. Haddie and Archie Haddie had her puppies. There is 1 chocolate female available to go home Sept .Reservations are available please apply below. Ginger and Hank Ginger had her puppies Aug 5th and they will go home Sept 30th. Available for reservation are 2 black females, and 1 chocolate female. Reservations are available please apply below Chanel and Archie Chanel had her puppies. This litter will go home Oct 7th, 1 yellow male, 2 yellow females, 1 chocolate male and 4 chocolate female puppies are available for reservation. Daisy Flowers and Gus One chocolate female puppy is available for reservation to go home Oct 8. Ruby Emma and Archie Ruby has 5 chocolate males available and 1 chocolate female available to go home Oct 18th. Interested in one of our chocolate lab puppies for sale? Click here and visit the Lab Puppy Quality page for further information and price. If you are ready to apply click the button below and send us an application for one of our puppies for sale. You may want to consider being a guardian of one of our dogs, if so, click here. We are accepting applications for chocolate, silver, and black lab puppies. For chocolates we have some mothers mated who will have puppies ready for homes Sept through December. Our availability changes daily as people reserve puppies and sometimes change their minds for a puppy later on, or a different sex or color. We are expecting one litter with a few yellow puppies who will be ready to go home in Oct. We will have black lab puppies that will be born in August and Sept, reservations are available. For silver litters our next silver puppies will be ready in winter of .We are accepting applications now for our silver waiting list and first born silver puppies will be offered to those on the waiting list in the order that their deposits are received. To reserve one of our silver puppies or to get onto our waiting list for winter silvers please apply below. The earlier you place your deposit the higher up on the list you are. To check the quality of our purebred dogs click here. If you have had a family talk, everyone is on board getting a puppy, and you are ready to take that step please apply here. If you want a puppy later this fall or winter we are accepting applications for those timings as well. If an adult lab is better suited for you view availability on this page. View our Labradors There are many pictures of our Labs on the pages of our website, please click through some of the pages to view them. There is a photo gallery of our dogs here. As well, once a litter is born and we reach your position on the waiting list we will email you a picture of the puppies and the parents for you to decide if you want to move into that litter and take one of the puppies, or, you can wait for the next litter. To see many many more pictures and videos of our dogs please scroll back through our Facebook page as it goes back to .Trained Chocolate Lab Puppies.

At what age is a Poodle fully grown? Poodles are considered fully grown adults at two years old and tend to show emotional signs of maturity, like a calmer nature, around 18 months. At a year old, most Poodles will have reached their final height or very close to it. However, most Poodles will require a full two years to fill out their chest and reach their final weight. Image Source: Pexels How big should a 6-month-old Poodle be? A six-month-old male Poodle will weigh around 41 to 48 pounds, while a six-month-old female Poodle will weigh about 28 to 34 pounds. Both male and female Poodles at this age stand at around 18 to 22 inches tall, which for some Poodles is already their full adult height. Pro Tip: Check out this ultimate pet parent guide with 39 dog care tips on pet first aid kits, puppy-proofing practices, training, veterinary appointments, and more! How much bigger will my Poodle get? There are a few ways to assess how much bigger your Poodle will get. The first is age. If your Poodle is less than a year old, they still have significant growth left! If your Poodle is between one and two years old, they are likely still filling out a bit, but are probably at their adult height. Do they still look oversized next to their legs and body? If this is the case, they are probably still filling out as this is a classic puppy feature! A Poodle puppy will rarely grow larger than their bigger parent, so this will also give you an idea of their maximum size. What is the size of a full-grown Poodle? According to the American Kennel Club Official Poodle Standards , an adult male Poodle is 60 to 70 pounds while an adult female Poodle weighs between 40 and 50 pounds. By these standards, full-grown Poodles will be over 15 inches tall when measuring from the ground to the highest point of their shoulders while standing. Most Standard Poodles will stand between 18 and 24 inches tall. Smart lifestyle choices are essential in keeping your Poodle happy and healthy. The Veterinary Centers of America recommend a long walk, jog, or intense play to fulfill their daily exercise needs. Poodles were bred as retrievers and, as such, are keen on games involving retrieving like fetch. Many Poodles also enjoy swimming. Due to their full coats, Poodles can put on excess weight without their pet parents realizing it. Poodles are not overly prone to weight issues with a balanced diet, but their coat can disguise weight changes. Their full coats also require regular upkeep like brushing and combing every other day, professional grooming every six weeks or so, and watching for potential eye problems. Poodles are prone to weeping eyes and eye irritation from lashes or hair, so keeping their eye area free of long hair is ideal. As a purebred dog breed, Poodles are more susceptible to genetic health problems. Many of these genetic health problems can be screened for early on using DNA technology. These early screenings can help you and your veterinarian prevent and minimize health complications from these genetic diseases. A bove all else, regular veterinary care is the best way to make sure your Poodle stays healthy. Between health screenings, regular veterinary care, bloodwork, x-rays , dental cleanings , and more, your veterinarian is your best resource in caring for your precious Poodle puppy. Be aware, vet visits can quickly become expensive - especially when immediate treatment or surgery is needed for an emergency or illness. With many treatments and surgeries costing thousands of dollars, this can quickly put pet parents in a pinch should the worst happen to their pet. Poodles are larger dogs, which can also increase the price of treatment. This is where pet insurance comes in. Pet insurance reimburses you for out-of-pocket veterinary costs and provides a safety net should the worst happen to your Poodle. As purebred dogs, Poodles are more prone to genetic health problems, like bloat or hip dysplasia, which can quickly become expensive to treat. Final Considerations Poodle puppies grow into elegant, proud dogs who are true aristocrats of the dog kingdom. We know how much your Poodle pup means to you and that they deserve the best! Give yourself peace of mind today when you use Pawlicy Advisor to compare personalized pet insurance quotes from the top Poodle pet insurance companies. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Poodles are amazing canines, capable of high intelligence , strong loyalty and having a range of emotions. Just like people, Poodles can feel sad, depressed, excited, happy, bored, overwhelmed.The Poodle is known for being one of the most intelligent dog breeds in the world within the top 5 with a unique temperament. Being so elegant, particularly the show dog, many people do not realize just how friendly and "people orientated" a pet Poodle is. They love human companionship, love to play and are truly a fantastic canine family member. Along with each Poodle having their own unique personality, owners find that their Poodle can also have some odd or particular habits or behaviors. Let's take a look at some of the behaviors of this breed and whether one should be concerned.Sleep Puppies - Poodle puppies up the age of 8 months can sleep anywhere from 15 to 20 hours per day! Their sleeping needs will decrease with age. With puppies, it is very normal to sleep quite a bit and to be extremely active while awake. It is normal for Poodles to take naps. Dogs that are left home alone during the day for more than 3 hours will usually take many more naps than ones that have companionship during the day. Senior Poodles - Senior dogs will sleep more often and naps will increase as the dog grows older. A Toy Poodle is considered to be a senior at the age of 10, a Miniature Poodle at the age of years and a Standard Poodle at 7 years old. It is important to allow an older dog to take naps whenever they wish and not to "push" playing or exercise on them. While daily walks are still very important to health, do allow a senior to rest when needed. Most Common Behaviors Seen There are many stages that a Poodle puppy enters during this fast time of growth and development. Some stages happen so fast, you can see your Poodle changing right before your eyes! Other behaviors can be present for the dog's entire life.Let's take a look at what is normal behavior for a Poodle puppy , adolescent and adult dog.The Hyper Poodle Puppy - This phase will last from 8 weeks to approximately 1 year. It will be normal for your puppy to have an abundance of energy! Poodle puppies will want to play from daybreak to nightfall. It is normal for a pup to run around the home, investigate every object they can get their mouths on and generally wear you out! Do keep in mind that a puppy will want to chew on everything, well before teething even begins. Be sure to puppy proof the house can use firm training if your Poodle is not listening to commands. Read more about how to help a hyper Poodle. The Clingy Poodle - Some Poodles can be rather shy and may wish to stay very close to an owners as opposed to venturing out even a bit to interact with others or to independently play. Over time, this can be wearing on owners and does not allow the dog to have a quality life that is full with exploration and self-confidence. Read more about what to do if a Poodle is clingy. This can be negative or positive. Some Poodles have Separation Anxiety, a term used when a dog has a difficult time coping with being home alone. Dogs who feel this way may become so happy when their owners return home that they loose control of their bladder. Since we can't be with our Poodles every moment although we wish we could , you may wish to read the separation anxiety section. The Chewing Machine - As mentioned above, puppies have an almost uncontrollable instinct to chew on everything that they can find. This is actually a very important stage, as it is a learning stage. An owner must keep the home "puppy proofed", however at the same time one must allow a puppy to explore their world, both inside and outside of the home. When teething begins, this can be an especially trying time. You may wish to read more about this in the teething section. Nipping - Nipping can become a bad habit, if training is not given to show a Poodle that nipping is not acceptable. This can interfere with many aspects, including having your dog behave when company comes over or when your dog is playing with children. Puppies naturally nip because this is the 1st form of play that a puppy learns. It will be the owners job to show their Poodle was is and what is not acceptable so that you do not have a nipping adult dog! You may wish to read more in the temperament section. Jumping on People - This comes from a good place, a Poodle that jumps up to say hello just has a lot of enthusiasm in their greetings. But, this can quickly become frustrating behavior. Read how to allow your Poodle to release pent up energy and learn self control when saying hello: When a Poodle Jumps on People. It's important to deal with this sort of behavior at the onset to correct things quickly. Learn more in the Poodle Growling section. Marking - Marking is different than having housebreaking accidents. With this, a Poodle will spray urine in the house to mark his or her territory. And the reasons behind this can be triggering very strong canine instincts. Fortunately, there are ways to stop a Poodle from marking , by using a combination of establishing proper hierarchy and responding to this in the right way. Coprophagia - Commonly known as eating feces , this is a disturbing behavior that is not uncommon with all varieties of Poodles. A dog may ingest his own poop, that of another dog or even cat feces from the litter box. Learn what can prompt a puppy or dog to do this and steps you can take to stop this. Begging - Dogs that have learned the art of begging can be relentless. If you find yourself giving in, these tips to stop a Poodle from begging can stop this behavior and lead to less stress for both you and your puppy or dog. Disobedience - Poodles can have independent streaks and if care is not taken to teach rules and guidelines, there can be issues with no obeying. Read how to address a Poodle that won't listen to turn things around. See also: Chewing and Licking at Paws - There are several route causes for this. Read how to limit this and at-home remedies to stop itching and possible inflammation. Poodle is humping a lot - This sort of behavior can come from Poodles of any age and even from those that are fixed. Why a dog does this and helpful advice regarding how to stop a Poodle from doing this. All rights reserved. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Share Us. Proper care for the Poodle will involve many aspects that will all work in combination to maintain excellent health and promote learning and good behavioral habits. It is important to establish a foundation of proper care during the puppy stage that will carry over throughout the Poodle's life. We will discuss: The items that you should have to care for a Poodle puppy Details on the 5 most important tips for proper care - Feeding, house training, offering the right amount of exercise, grooming and how to offer a healthy environment. Toy Poodles and Mini's will be puppies for the 1st year; standards mature at a somewhat slower rate and are considered to be puppies until the age of 2 years old. During this time, much care is needed for both physical growth and mental development. Bringing your new Poodle home is not as simple as just picking up your new family member from the breeder. Good care involves planning ahead. It helps to have all needed items well in advance so that you can focus on the puppy without having to rush out for a needed supply items. One of the most important elements to be aware of is that no matter what the puppy has been fed since he or she began eating solid food, you should have the exact same brand on hand. Quickly switching foods can cause upset stomach and other issues…and in the case of a puppy it can be the cause of hypoglycemia. A slow change must be made. If you opt to go with a different brand or to home cook, have enough of the 'old' food on hand for several weeks, as well as the 'new' so that that you can make gradual changeover. A quality dog bed — A new puppy will feel stress going to even the best of new homes. This is why making sure that you have a nice, soft, comfortable dog bed is important. You should show your Poodle that this is the area in which he can rest, sleep or just get away from noise when things seem to overwhelming. If you will be leaving your puppy home alone during the day, it is best to have the bed placed in the area where he will be staying. A gated off section of a room or inside a canine playpen works well. The entrance to this can be left open when you are home with your puppy can of course, closed off when you are away. In this way, the puppy will become accustomed to the area. If you will be home with your puppy, place this in the corner of room that is frequently used but not chaotic. Dogs like to have their own quiet spot, but not feel isolated. Walking and ID accessories — Along with a retractable leash and a collar for ID purposes, it is highly recommended to have a harness for your puppy. Toy Poodles no matter what the age and all Mini and Standard puppies should have on a harness and not a collar when they are on a leash. When a leash is connected to a dog collar, this can create too much tension on the neck, which can cause collapsed trachea. The trachea windpipe is protected by rings of cartilage…when this happens, those rings collapse in, causing pain and breathing problems. These can be purchased at a pet supply store and come in many unique and interesting designs so that your Poodle always looks stylish. If you are not sure which harness would be best for your Poodle puppy, you may wish to look to both 'Accessories' and 'Clothing- Harness' in the Poodle Specialty Shoppe. A Car Safety Seat - Long ago cars did not even have seat belts for humans. But now, of course, we all know how many lives they save. The very same is true for dogs. Even if you are a conscientious driver, you cannot be in control of those who are driving near you. Be sure to secure your Poodle into a canine car safety seat. All it takes is 1 second of you having to quickly brake for your Poodle to go sliding off of the seat, completely unprotected. These are also great for dogs that are prone to car sickness. A raised booster seat will assist a puppy in being able to look out of the window which reduces motion sickness. However, choosing high quality toys that can stand up to continual chewing and hold a puppy's interest is better. Puppies are full of energy and filled with curiosity; having a good supply of toys at all times will be very helpful. Puppies that are in the teething phase will be experiencing discomfort and teething toys will help to sooth sore gums and offer a chewing outlet See also: Poodle teething Grooming Supplies - Poodle care certainly involves proper grooming. This includes nails, dewclaws, bathes, drying, wrapping, trimming, clipping and topknots. See also: Bathing a Poodle Clothes - Particularly for tiny toy Poodles, protection against the elements should be implemented as needed. During cold, icy winters the use of canine shoes or paw wax helps protect paw pads from ice melt chemicals and aids with traction. A sweater or cute vest can keep a small Poodle puppy from becoming chilled. During hot months, shoes help protect sensitive paws from hot surfaces. Bowls - Plastic bowls often contain heavy dyes that can cause staining on a Poodle's coat. In addition, tiny scratches that easily develop in plastic bowls can also harbor dangerous bacteria. It is best to use stainless steel or ceramic bowls for both food and water. Dishes should shallow so that a puppy can easily reach both food and water without bumping their heads or straining to reach. Toys and Mini's may like raised bowls. However, Standards - who are prone to bloat- should only eat and drink from bowls that are at floor level. Free feed until 3 months old leaving food out at all times and then give your puppy 3 meals per day plus healthy snacks. Please choose your food wisely; cheaper foods with fillers will not offer the proper nutrition needed to aid with the rapid growth that is associated with the puppy phase. You will find that if you reserve snacks and treats as rewards for training, housebreaking and command training will go smoother. Read more: Feeding a Poodle 2- Start house training right away, keeping in mind that it is your commitment to the process that will bring about success. Generally, housebreaking takes 2 to 3 months. If your Poodle puppy will be expected to use an outdoor area, do not focus too much on indoor training when the pup is home along, since it is difficult for puppies to learn 2 different methods. Do keep in mind that young puppies should not be over-exercised since it can interfere with growth plate development; however a daily 20 to 30 minute per walk is perfect. Walks allow a puppy to release pent up energy, it expands their view of the world and is a good staring point for socialization techniques and learning proper heeling. Poodles are generally very active dogs. Aside from a walk each day, this breed loves to run , jump and show off their agility capabilities. Playing catch, Frisbee or training your Poodle to jump through hoops will keep them in good health, both physically and mentally. See also: Poodle Exercise Requirements 4- Begin a routine of grooming and care. While many puppies will balk at the idea of being brushed or having teeth cleaned, doing these tasks on a regular basis allows a puppy to become accustomed to being touched and taken care of. Taking care of the teeth during the puppy stage is important since dental hygiene will affect the adult teeth that have not yet erupted. Read more: Poodle dental care 5- Limit stress, focus on fun. One of the most important elements of Poodle care is to offer a loving, safe environment. Puppies and dogs are sensitive to their owner's moods and the atmosphere of the house in general. Puppies can become easily stressed in noisy, chaotic homes. Puppies should be given a designated area to retreat and rest if feeling overwhelmed. Often, a gated off area that is secured when a pup is home alone, but the entrance is open when owners are home works best. Speak to your pup in a pleasant voice and remember that positive reinforcement for good behavior works much better than scolding for bad behavior. Take time to puppy proof the home, clearing the floors of any small items and stowing away shoes and other objects to higher ground. This should be done before bringing a puppy home but also on a regular basis. See also: What it means when a Poodle puppy shakes - If a Poodle is suddenly shivering, you'll want to look to these top reasons. Poodle Winter Care - Everything you need to know about caring for your Poodle during the wintertime. Other Articles: Apricot Poodles - This is a super popular coat color. Details and photos. Black Poodles - Another gorgeous color. Poodle tear stains - Putting to rest the old myths on what works. A list of the most effective at-home treatments to remove stubborn stains. Poodle hair tangles - Due to the nature of the curly coat, tangles are not uncommon yet should be removed as soon as possible with a method that does not affect hair growth. Are You a Member Yet? When you sign up to become a Member of the site, this allows you to receive a friendly notice when new pages of information have been added. Always something to help keep your Poodle happy and healthy. All rights reserved. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Share Us. Their body temperature at birth is around 94 — 97 degrees. They are not able to regulate their own body temperature so they depend on their mother for warmth. They also cannot see or hear or eliminate on their own. They cannot walk. About all they can do is smell, suckle and crawl. They are totally dependent on their mother and the environment the first 2 to 3 weeks. They are mostly influenced by their mother and litter-mates during this period. We weigh the puppies everyday the first 2 to 3 weeks. Week Two: Poodle Puppies usually open their eyes around 8 to 10 days and their ears around 13 to 17 days. While sleeping all healthy and contented puppies will twitch. This is an activated sleep, characterized by muscle twitches. This is normal and healthy. Week Three: During the third week we will often see teeth start to erupt and the puppies will start to stand and walk around. Everyday is amazing to see these helpless puppies start to become independent. At this age their nervous system is more developed so that they can urinate and defecate by themselves. This is when the puppies will also start to play a little bit more with their litter-mates. This week is very important in the puppies emotional development. They will start not only the interaction with their litter-mates but also with their mother. We never start the weaning process during this week. While mother may come out of the whelping box during this week she will never be far. Week Four: At this age the puppies will be introduced to our own homemade puppy mush and their supplement which will help grow their immune systems. Puppies are born without an immune system and depends on their mother to supply this protection through her milk. Their body temperature will usually be around degree and they will be able to begin regulating their own body temperature. Every day they will eat more and more. The puppies will start to eat more food and move around more easily. They may even start to chase each other, bark, and bite. We still weigh them at least every other day if not every day. This is the time that the mother starts leaving the puppies at longer intervals of time and start to regulate their nursing. So this is a good time for us to introduce the puppies to the weaning box and start the weaning and potty box training. Week Five: Puppies start to establish some sort of dominance in the pack. Growth and development is rapid in this week. They become very aware of their surroundings and respond quickly to training. They begin to growl, play, challenge, and learn disciple from their mother. They also develop a bit of a competitive spirit. Training ability is developed and puppies are ready to begin learning. They also start to discover their toys and play with them more. Keeping them stimulated is important. Puppies can start to control their need to potty and now know they need to move away from the sleeping area. Good experience with people from week 5 — 7 will play a large roll in how they will continue to interact. Week Six: By this time it is amazing to see that little puppy wake up and walk over to the potty box to eliminate. Puppies enter their socialization period by the end of the third week. However, the most critical period — age six to eight weeks — is when puppies most easily learn to accept others as part of their family pack. The integrating of the human family is so important and will effect them for the rest of their life. The puppy brain waves look of an adult dog by about the 50th day, but he is not yet programmed — that is the job of the human trainer, and the job of his mom, siblings and other canine family members. This is when the fun begins for all humans and puppies. We know how important this time is for puppy to adjust to humans and how playtime stimulates their little brains to grow smart and wise. We introduce them to the outside. We bring in more interactive toys. We introduce them to the pool, weather permitting. If outside pool is out we use the grooming bath for water play. They also learn not to bite the human hand ever! It is at the 7th week, day 49, that we conduct the Volhard Test. This is actual one of several that will occur through its life. Instead of meeting new or familiar people and objects with curiosity puppies start to react with fearfulness. Anything that frightens them at this age may have a lasting impact. So take care that the baby is not overstimulated with to many changes or challenges at one time. This does not mean that your puppy will grow up to be a scared-y-cat; it is simply a normal part of development where puppies learn to be more cautious. Careful socialization during this period helps counter fear reactions. Because your puppy is actively working on social skills and is paying attention to both litter-mates and humans. Your puppy is learning at an extremely fast rate. This is why we will NOT hold any puppy beyond the 9th weeks. All puppies that cannot be picked up during puppy pickup week must enter their puppy into a training program. Weeks Thirteen — Sixteen: During this phase a puppy will attempt to challenge you for dominance. Here is where they test to see just how much they can get away with and test your level of tolerance. The more a puppy is allowed to get way with during this phase, may cause the dog to lose more and more respect for his owner. This may result in behavioral issues that can snowball if not corrected through training and obedience. Formal obedience should begin here. This will assist the dog in becoming the best he can be. This is the time your puppy will begin to understand and use ranking in terms of submission and dominance. Are you the owner going to be a good pack leader? Puppies will need to be taught what they can and cannot chew. Puppies need to be taught that it is never acceptable behavior to jump on a human, small or big. This is the time that the pack leader, the human in charge, especially needs to be confident, but firm with positive reinforcement. An obedient dog, a good canine citizen, is a pleasure to be with. A disobedient dog causes stress for all and can cause damage to things and other humans. What do I mean by that? The canine depends on a human, however, he is and his thinking is canine. He needs the human to communicate and set the standards for him. If the human does not then the dog will have no choice but set his own standards, doggy style. Be prepared to be a Good, very good, pack leader! Your puppy now understands that he has a pack which may consist of both humans and canine and his behavior will be most influenced by this group. You can expect your dog to challenge you more as he explores dominance and his role in the pack. Rather they are just working out what their rank is in the pack and what is expected of them in their position. Again: be a Good, very good, pack leader! Canines that are not spayed or neutered will also start exhibiting sexual behavior during this period. Be responsible and spay or neuter you canine. Some puppy owners hire a canine trainer to come to their home to teach them how to train. Some owners learn ahead of time what they need to do and immediately begin their puppy on this program. Still others have their puppy enter into our training program. We have much information on the website about training. And for our puppy buyer we are here whenever they need any coaching along the way. Be Consistent, Persistent and always have a Routine! Category : Puppies When you take your puppy home usually around weeks of age they will need to eat 3 or 4 times a day. At 8 weeks old we feed small meals 4 times a day at 7 am, 11 am, 2 pm and then at 5 pm. We allow them free access to water until 7 pm in the evening. An alternative is to feed 3 times a day at 7 am, 12 noon and at 5 pm. If your puppy is hungry split the meals to 4 times a day. By the time they are 10 weeks old they can go to 3 meals a day. If your puppy feels thin you can feel all the ribs and backbone easily increase the amount of food. If your puppy feels fat you should be able to feel some of the ribs reduce the amount of food. Some puppies are very active and burn up every calorie they eat, some are prone to being a little rounder and their food intake needs to be carefully monitored. Research has shown that dogs that are not overfeed have a much lower risk of developing hip dysplasia. Keep your puppy thin and healthy. We do not recommend free feeding of puppies as this makes it more difficult to housebreak your poodle and regulate their diet. Better to move to free feeding after housebreaking if you choose to. It is harder to monitor how much food they eat when free feeding and a glutunous puppy may quickly become fat. Remember a thin puppy is less likely to develop hip dysplasia. We strongly encourage you to keep your puppy on the same food we provide for the first month. Both coccidia and giardia may live in the gut of a healthy poodle and they never have an outbreak. When their bodies are stressed they are more likely to develop an unhealthy balance and the result may be a sick puppy. Moving to a new home, leaving their Mother and siblings and diet changes are all stressful. We encourage you to make as few changes as possible to your puppies diet the first month. Changing to a different dog food — go slowly. It may take a month or longer to switch foods. If at any point your puppy develops an upset stomach go back to the level of food mix that they were doing well on. Should your puppy develop bloody diarrhea take them to the veterinarian, they have most likely developed gastroenteritis and may need some medication or possibly fluids. Go slowly, new protein sources require time for the stomach to adjust. This is true not only in puppies but also adults. We continue to feed our puppies 3 meals a day until they are 6 months old. Our belief is that in keeping food moving through the puppy it allows for better consistent growth and health. At 6 months of age we start to feed 2 times a day with snacks throughout the day. We continue to feed our dogs 2 times a day throughout their life. We feed snacks several times a day to both puppies and adults which may be carrots, green beans, eggs or chicken or pieces of their kibble. We feed our poodles both kibble and home cooked food. Bully sticks are given occasionally for chewing. No Comments.

Uncovering the miracle of Frenchie maternity begins with understanding that French Bulldogs can, in fact, give birth naturally despite their physical structure. Before undertaking this task, you should be aware of the risks associated with natural French Bulldog births, such as the potential for complications. To help ensure a successful natural birth, it is important to prepare with the right breeding practices, as well as to be aware of the signs of labor and when to seek help. With this knowledge and the right guidance, you can look forward to the miracle of French Bulldog maternity. What is a French Bulldog? A French Bulldog is a small, compact breed of dog with distinctive bat-like ears and a wrinkly face. They have a stocky body and a short, smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors. French Bulldogs are friendly, playful, and intelligent and make excellent family pets. They require minimal exercise and grooming and they are quite adaptable to living in an apartment or house. If you are considering getting a French Bulldog, it is important to be aware that they can have difficulty giving birth naturally. This is due to their short and wide heads, which can make for a difficult delivery for both the mother and the puppies. With proper preparation, French Bulldogs can give birth naturally and the whole process can be a miraculous experience. It is essential to seek out a veterinarian who is experienced in naturally delivering French Bulldogs in order to ensure a successful and safe delivery. French Bulldogs can have difficulties with natural births because of their unique body shape and the size of their litters. The narrow pelvis of a French Bulldog makes it hard for them to give birth naturally, as the puppies may be too big to pass through the birth canal. French Bulldogs tend to have larger litters, which can put a strain on the mother as she is trying to give birth. The larger the litter, the greater the chances of a natural birth being complicated. French Bulldog breeders should consider reducing litter sizes to decrease the risk of complications. Make sure your dog is healthy before breeding and that they are receiving regular veterinary check-ups. Make sure to monitor the mother throughout the pregnancy and be prepared to provide assistance during delivery if needed. By following these steps, you can help ensure a successful natural birth. But with the right preparation, owners can help make the process a lot smoother for both mom and pup. This can help reduce the chances of complications during labor. French Bulldogs can give birth to puppies naturally, although it can be a challenging process for the mother due to their physical structure. The first step is to ensure that the mother Frenchie is healthy and receiving proper nutrition leading up to the birth. You should also make sure to research the best breeding practices for French Bulldogs to increase the chances of a successful birth. If the mother is having difficulty, you may need to provide assistance to ensure a safe and successful natural birth. As long as the mother is healthy and receives proper care leading up to the birth, French Bulldogs can give birth naturally. With the right preparation and understanding of the process, the miracle of Frenchie maternity can be a beautiful, safe experience for the mother and puppies. While natural childbirth can be an empowering experience for both mother and pups, it comes with possible complications. First and foremost, the mother must be in good health, both physically and mentally. Before breeding and during pregnancy, the mother should be monitored closely to ensure she is healthy and capable of giving birth naturally. Natural birth can become difficult or even impossible if the pups are too big to pass easily through the birth canal. Another thing to consider when preparing for a natural French Bulldog birth is the environment. Make sure that both the mother and pups are in a warm, safe place with minimal distractions when giving birth. A quiet, secure den should be prepared for the mother and pups prior to giving birth. The bedding should be soft and comfortable for the mother to rest between contractions, and it should be easy to clean after the birth. The mother should be given as much time as necessary to give birth. She should not be rushed or forced into labor. If the birth is taking longer than expected, the mother should be monitored closely to ensure that she and the pups are safe. If any potential risks are identified, a veterinarian should be consulted to provide medical advice. Find Out Now! To ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible, stay informed on the potential risks and ensure that the breeder practices high standards of health and care. The Frenchie should also be examined by a vet to ensure that they are in good health and can handle the birthing process. It is also important to be aware that French Bulldogs can be prone to difficult births, so be prepared to assist in the birth if necessary and be prepared to act quickly. Possible Breeding Practices When considering a French Bulldog breeding, it is important to speak with a veterinarian and carefully consider the risks and complications that can arise with natural birth. There are certain practices you can follow to give your dog the best chance of a successful natural birth. It is important to carefully select the right male and female French Bulldogs for the breeding, looking for healthy animals with good genetics. Proper nutrition and health care throughout the pregnancy will help prepare your Frenchie for birth. It is also worth discussing the possibility of a Cesarean section with your vet if the birth appears to be difficult. Before a natural birth is attempted, make sure that the mother is in good physical health. Ensure that the mother is up to date on all of her vaccinations and has received a clean bill of health from the vet. It is also important to ensure that she is at an acceptable weight and does not have any serious health problems. It is also important to consider the number of puppies in the litter. A French Bulldog should not have more than four puppies in a litter. Having too many puppies can be dangerous for the mother and may even result in death, so it is important to make sure that the number of puppies is manageable. It is important to provide your Frenchie with a comfortable environment during labor. This should include a temperature-controlled area with plenty of bedding and a good diet throughout her pregnancy. Natural Frenchie Birth Process French Bulldogs can give birth naturally, although it is a miracle of nature due to their physical structure. Make sure you are well prepared for the natural Frenchie birth process in order to reduce any risks for your dog. It is important to ask your vet for advice and to be aware of the signs of labor. You should consider possible breeding practices which may improve the chances of a successful natural birth. This includes having a female Frenchie puppy that is well conditioned, with the right weight and nutrition, and has a fully developed pelvis. It is essential to get health checks for both the mom and pup, as well as to ensure that both have the necessary vaccinations. During labor, you should be present to help the mother Frenchie and make sure everything is going smoothly. It is best to have a vet present in case there are any complications. Her temperature may drop, her nesting behaviours will increase, she might appear anxious or restless, and she will start producing a mucous plug. She may have more frequent trips to the litter box and appear uncomfortable in her abdomen. These are all clear signs that labor is coming soon. It is important to be prepared for labor, particularly if you are planning on assisting in the delivery. Make sure to have your vet on speed dial, or be prepared to take your Frenchie to the vet, depending on how her labor progresses. You should also ensure that the area your Frenchie will delivery in is comfortable, warm and clean. Have a few towels and a heating pad nearby to help with the process. Be sure to have a list of emergency contacts in case of any complications. Make sure you have experienced personnel with you to assist your Frenchie, such as a veterinarian or experienced breeder. They can help you spot labor signs and provide assistance to help ensure the wellbeing of both the mother and the puppies. This can help the vet determine if a C-section will be necessary and can also help them identify any potential issues that could arise during the delivery. These items can be used to keep the puppies warm and clean during the birthing process. A good supply of food and water is recommended to keep the mother comfortable and healthy. Following these tips can ensure that your Frenchie has a safe and successful natural birth. Conclusion When it comes to giving birth naturally, French Bulldogs can pull off a miracle. These cute and cuddly creatures can have their own set of problems and risks associated with their birthing process. You should also consider obtaining assistance from a veterinarian or experienced breeder if you are unsure about the birthing process. With the proper preparation and support, a natural French Bulldog birth can be a safe and successful experience for both pup and owner. Post Views: .All things considered, French Bulldogs do often have trouble giving birth naturally. Purebred French Bulldogs are very specific and carefully bred, making them — essentially — a manmade dog breed. This is not a dog breed that ever could have existed without human interference. A fairly sensitive breed, French Bulldogs are commonly thought to have a lot of difficulties throughout pregnancy as well as in delivering puppies. Due to the physical anatomy, French Bulldogs have a narrow birth canal. This means that delivering puppies through this birth canal is very challenging, to begin with. The labor process for French Bulldogs is often long and, well, laborious. If your Frenchie does have a natural labor, you can settle in for a long day. Signs of labor to watch for include a decrease in temperature as well as obvious discomfort. This includes scratching or digging her nest and panting and general restlessness as her body readies itself to deliver. Possible complications giving birth naturally There are quite a few possible complications to know about when it comes to your French Bulldog doing so naturally. These are listed below for you to know and prepare for. Anasarca swelling require c-section This is especially common in Frenchies, which are small dogs in terms of their body proportions with a belly full of puppies! This is when there is a serious and severe swelling directly before giving birth. This can cause all sorts of complications with breathing and heart rate and also can be fatal to both mom and puppies. The puppy gets stuck Even just the sound of that is terrifying! But, a puppy getting stuck in a narrow birth canal is actually very common with French Bulldogs. This is happening if you not that she has been actively pushing for minutes with no obvious signs of delivery. Dystocia Similarly to getting stuck, this means that the puppy requires external support to help it gain access to the living world. This is typically a vet or someone experienced in births to help guide the puppy into the world safely. You should have a vet on-call or, even better, on-site to make sure everything goes smoothly. Do Frenchies have to have C sections? They are physically capable of giving birth naturally. That being said, natural birth is often dangerous and potentially fatal to both mom and pups. When it comes to French Bulldogs giving birth, a c-section has many advantages. Even if you get an ultrasound that says she has only 1 puppy, you may actually find out that you have 2 puppies. You guessed it. She effectively aborts her last puppy and this can lead to her much later passing a stillborn puppy at best, and dealing with a nasty and heartbreaking infection at worst. If you are planning on having her deliver later litters of puppies, you may find that giving birth to a litter naturally prevents her from becoming safely pregnant or having a healthy pregnancy later. Less stress on Mom Again, labor is very challenging on her body. If she pushes out 2 or 3 puppies, she is well past exhausted and can be severely weakened for a long time after delivering her puppies. This means that you will need to care for her puppies and deal with a potentially sick and struggling mama, too! Mom is anesthetized The first thing after she is prepped for surgery shaved around her tummy is to put her under anaesthesia. Her uterus is cut open and the vet removes the puppies A vet makes an incision in her uterus and beings to remove the puppies in their gestational sacs, leaving them intact if at all possible just like they would be in case of natural birth. The puppies are cleaned and stimulated Vet assistants will remove the gestational sacs and clean the puppies off. They then have to imitate a momma by carefully stimulating a puppy. This stimulation is required to get them to breathe and officially join the world of the living! The goal of a c-section, particularly with a potentially at-risk Frenchie more on that later , is to keep it as short as possible to minimize the time that she needs to be under the anaesthesia. Possible complications in a c-section Just like giving birth naturally, a cesarean section can also have its own complications that you should be aware of. While they are, of course, much less than natural birth and they are watched over by an experienced vet and their supplies, they are something to be aware of. Lack of oxygen As you may already know, French Bulldogs are brachycephalic. This flat face can lead them to breathing issues and this is no better exemplified than in a surgery where she is put under anaesthesia. Since oxygen is crucial for making sure that she can breathe while under she is no longer able to voluntarily do so , it can be challenging for even experienced vets to make sure she is getting enough oxygen. Choking on vomit Vomit is a common problem when a dog is under anaesthesia and with a dog who has breathing issues, this can be especially dangerous. They will often suffocate on their vomit much faster than an average dog, so stepping in and clearing it completely, immediately, is crucial. Conclusion There is a lot to know about French Bulldogs and giving birth. Whether you opt for a natural birth or for the safer c-section, this will help guide you in making the right choice for your Frenchie and her short- and long-term health. However, due to their physical traits, Frenchies often require artificial insemination and C-section deliveries. But did you know that it is possible for French bulldogs to give birth naturally? In this blog post, we will explore the process of natural birth for French bulldogs and what you need to know if you are considering breeding your Frenchie. Firstly, it is important to understand that while natural birth is possible for French bulldogs, it is not always recommended. Frenchies are a brachycephalic breed, meaning they have a shortened skull and flat face, which can lead to breathing difficulties and other health issues. Additionally, French bulldogs have a narrow pelvis, making it difficult for them to give birth naturally. This can result in a higher risk of complications such as dystocia, which is difficulty giving birth, and even death for both the mother and puppies. If you do decide to allow your Frenchie to give birth naturally, it is crucial to have a licensed veterinarian present to ensure the safety of both the mother and puppies. The vet will be able to monitor the progress of the delivery and intervene if necessary. The natural birthing process for French bulldogs is similar to other dog breeds. The gestation period for Frenchies is between 58 and 68 days, with an average pregnancy length of 63 days from conception to birth. As the due date approaches, you may notice your Frenchie becoming restless and seeking out a comfortable spot to give birth. During the delivery process, your Frenchie may experience contractions and begin to pant and push. It is essential to provide a quiet, warm, and comfortable environment for your Frenchie to give birth. You will also need to have clean towels or blankets on hand to help clean the newborn puppies. Once the puppies are born, it is crucial to ensure that they are breathing correctly and nursing from their mother. If you are considering breeding your Frenchie, it is crucial to work closely with a licensed veterinarian and carefully monitor the mother and puppies throughout the delivery process. It is always best to prioritize the health and safety of your furry friends. French Bulldogs have been selectively bred for their distinctive physical traits, including their short snouts and compact size. Unfortunately, these traits can also make it difficult for them to give birth naturally. Due to their narrow hips and large heads, many French Bulldogs are unable to deliver their puppies through the birth canal, which can result in serious health complications for both the mother and her offspring. As a result, many French Bulldogs require a cesarean section C-section in order to safely deliver their puppies. While not all French Bulldogs will require a C-section, it is a common procedure for this breed. Additionally, French Bulldogs are also often artificially inseminated due to the difficulty of natural mating. This can further increase the likelihood of a C-section being necessary. It is important to note that C-sections should only be performed by a licensed veterinarian and under appropriate medical conditions. While they can be life-saving for both mother and puppies, C-sections are a major surgical procedure that carries certain risks and should only be considered when necessary. French Bulldogs may require a C-section to safely deliver their puppies due to their physical characteristics. However, this should always be determined by a licensed veterinarian and should only be done when necessay to ensure the safety and well-being of the mother and her offspring. Source: youtube. However, they are also known for their susceptibility to certain health issues, including birthing problems. Dystocia, or difficult birth, is a common problem among French Bulldogs due to their unique physical characteristics. French Bulldogs have a relatively large head and a narrow pelvis, which can make it difficult for puppies to pass through the birth canal. Additionally, French Bulldogs are bred to have a short, stocky build, which can further complicate the birthing process. Symptoms of dystocia in French Bulldogs include prolonged labor, weak contractions, and the inability to deliver puppies. In severe cases, dystocia can lead to the death of the mother or the puppies. If you own a French Bulldog and are planning to breed them, it is important to work closely with a veterinarian to ensure a safe and successful pregnancy. Regular check-ups and ultrasounds can help detect any potential issues early on and allow for proper treatment. French Bulldogs do have a higher risk of birthing problems than other dog breeds due to their unique physical characteristics. It is important for owners to be aware of thee risks and work closely with a veterinarian to ensure a safe and successful pregnancy. On average, the pregnancy lasts about 63 days from conception to birth. Once the French bulldog goes into labor, the delivery process can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day. It is essential to monitor the dog closely during labor and delivery to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Unlike some other dog breeds, French bulldogs usually give birth naturally wihout any complications. During labor, French bulldogs may exhibit signs such as restlessness, panting, and pacing. The first puppy should be delivered within an hour of the onset of active labor. Subsequent puppies should be delivered every 30 to 60 minutes, but it is not uncommon for some puppies to take longer to be born. French bulldogs can give birth naturally, and with proper care and monitoring, the delivery process can be a smooth and successful one. French Bulldogs are a popular breed due to their affectionate, playful, and loyal nature. One of the main reasons why natural birth is risky for Frenchies is that they have a narrow birth canal. This can lead to dystocia, a condition where the puppies get stuck in the birth canal. When this happens, it can cuse distress to both the mother and her puppies, and it can even be life-threatening if not addressed quickly. Another issue with natural birth in French Bulldogs is that the puppies are often larger than the birth canal, making it difficult for them to pass through. This can result in the puppies becoming stuck and causing severe health complications for both the mother and her puppies. In contrast, c-sections provide a safer and more controlled environment for both the mother and her puppies. C-sections also reduce the risk of dystocia, making it a safer option for French Bulldogs. C-sections provide a safer and more controlled environment for both the mother and her puppies, ensuring a successful delivery. Breed of Dog That Cannot Give Birth Naturally Bulldogs are a breed of dog that cannot give birth naturally due to their physical characteristics. As a result, bulldog puppies must be delivered via cesarean section. The flattened faces and wrinkled skin that make bulldogs so recognizable also contribute to a host of other health problems, including breathing difficulties, eye infections, and skin irritations. Despite thse issues, bulldogs remain a beloved breed due to their affectionate personalities and loyal nature. Bulldogs are a breed of dog that cannot give birth naturally due to their physical characteristics, specifically their misshapen heads. This is a result of selective breeding practices that have prioritized appearance over health. Caring for a French Bulldog During Pregnancy and Birth French Bulldogs, like other dogs, are capable of giving birth on their own without the need for human intervention. Here are some things you can do: 1. Prepare a whelping box: A whelping box is a safe and comfortable place for your Frenchie to give birth. The box should be lined with clean towels or blankets that are easy to clean. Keep a close eye on your Frenchie: During labour, your Frenchie will exhibit signs such as panting, restlessness, and nesting behaviour. You should monitor her progress from a distance and only intervene if necessary. Provide support when needed: If your Frenchie seems to be struggling during labour, you can offer support by gently massaging her back or offering her water. Avoid touching or examining her too much as it can cause stress and delay the birthing process. Contact your vet if necessary: If you notice any signs of distress or complications during labour, contact your vet immediately. They can provide advice or come to your home to assist with the birth if necessary. Cost of C-Section for a French Bulldog A Cesarean section, or C-section, is a common procedure for female French Bulldogs due to teir narrow hips and large heads of puppies. This breed often encounters birthing difficulties, making C-sections a necessary and sometimes life-saving procedure for both the mother and her offspring. The cost of a French Bulldog C-section varies depending on several factors, such as location, veterinarian fees, and the complexity of the procedure. The cost of a C-section for a French Bulldog may also vary depending on the time of day or week that the procedure is scheduled, with after-hours or emergency surgeries typically costing more. Additionally, some veterinarians may require pre-surgery blood work or imaging, which can add to the overall cost. French bulldogs are known to be a popular breed of dogs that many people adore. If you are a French bulldog owner, you may be wondering how long it takes for your female Frenchie to give birth. The pregnancy of a French bulldog typically lasts about 63 days from conception to birth. However, it is important to note that the labor can occur a few days before or after the expected due date. In the first few weeks, you may notice that your Frenchie is more tired than usual and may experience some morning sickness. As your Frenchie gets closer to her due date, she will begin searching for a safe and calm place to nest. This is the time to prepare a whelping box for her to give birth in. It is recommended to set up the whelping box at least a week before the expected due date to give your Frenchie time to get used to it. When it is time for your Frenchie to give birth, it is essential to be attentive and povide her with the care she needs. The labor typically lasts between 2 to 4 hours, and you should be present to monitor the progress. If your Frenchie is taking too long to give birth or seems to be struggling, it is best to contact your veterinarian immediately. As a responsible owner, it is essential to provide your Frenchie with the necessary care and attention during the pregnancy and labor to ensure a safe and successful delivery. One of the most common questions that people ask abot Frenchies is how many puppies they usually have in a litter. On average, French Bulldogs will have 2 to 4 puppies in a litter. However, it is important to note that this number can vary depending on a few different factors. For example, the age and health of the mother dog can impact the size of the litter. Additionally, the size and health of the individual puppies can also play a role in the overall litter size. It is worth noting that most French Bulldog litters are delivered via C-section. While C-sections are generally safe for both the mother and the puppies, they do require extra care and attention during the recovery process. It is also worth mentioning that any litter larger than five puppies is considered extremely rare for French Bulldogs. French Bulldogs typically have 2 to 4 puppies in a litter, with larger litters being quite rare. If you are considering breeding French Bulldogs, it is important to speak with a veterinarian or experienced breeder to learn more about the process and ensure that both the mother and puppies are healthy and well-cared for. The Cost of Giving Birth to a French Bulldog French Bulldogs are popular breeds among dog lovers because of their cute, affectionate, and loyal nature. However, breeding and raising a French Bulldog puppy litter can be quite expensive. The cost of a French Bulldog giving birth can vary depending on various factors such as the location, breeder, and the health of the mother dog. This cost covers various expenses such as pre-breeding health checks for the mother dog, veterinary care during pregnancy, delivery, and post-natal care for both the mother and the puppies. Breeding and raising a French Bulldog litter is a significant investment. However, it is essential to ensure the health and well-being of both the mother dog and her puppies. Therefore, it is crucial to consier all the costs involved before deciding to breed French Bulldogs. Conclusion French bulldogs are known for ther adorable physical traits, but unfortunately, these traits also make them prone to reproductive issues. Due to their narrow hips and small pelvis, Frenchies often require C-sections to give birth safely. Additionally, spaying your Frenchie can prevent these issues altogether and ensure a healthy and happy life for your furry friend. Related posts:. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Is your French Bulldog about to pop? If you have a pregnant dog, it is essential to learn everything about the birthing process. However, this beautiful breed is more likely to suffer complications while giving birth than other dogs. Are you preparing to help your Frenchie during the birthing process? If yes, below is everything you need to know about Frenchies and giving birth. Yes, French Bulldogs can give birth naturally, but a natural birthing process is rare for this breed of dogs. Natural birth for pregnant Fnrechies is risky, with frequent complications like puppies getting stuck in the birth canal. Research by the Royal Veterinary College shows that female French Bulldogs are more likely to have a difficult birth and require cesarean surgery to have puppies. A few characteristics make a completely natural birth for Frenchies impossible. This term refers to dogs prone to difficult breathing because of their head shape, short muzzles, and throat. This trait makes a c-section the only safe and viable option for French Bulldogs when whelping. Pelvic Abnormalities The second reason Frenchies cannot give birth naturally is their pelvic abnormalities. Aside from their head shape being too big, Frenchies also have a small pelvis. Without the proper expansion, it is more painful and strenuous for a french bulldog to give birth naturally. The lack of canal expansion also increases the risk of fatalities while whelping. Breeding With plenty of breeding information about French Bulldogs, it is clear this breed came about primarily because of human interference. Not only is giving birth naturally for French Bulldogs difficult, so is getting pregnant. French Bulldog studs are mostly infertile due to low sperm count, which means female dogs need insemination to conceive. If you have a French Bulldog and are considering breeding, you should know that it is not easy, especially for amateur breeders. Breeding through insemination requires a lot of work and is expensive. Humans still breed Frenchies, knowing their bodies are too small to handle safe natural delivery. Possible Complications With Natural Births The chances of your Frenchie having a difficult birth is higher than other dogs. There are various conditions breeders, and dog owners should consider before delivering Frenchie puppies naturally. These include: Puppy Getting Stuck: the worst thing to happen when a Frenchie is whelping is for the puppy to get stuck on its way out into the world. Anasarca refers to extreme swelling right before giving birth and is common in Frenchies. Frenchies are more likely to suffer from Anasarca when giving birth due to their small body proportions. A belly full of puppies can cause breathing problems due to their small size. Dystocia: This condition is similar to when the puppy gets stuck, and a vet needs to help get it out. Dystocia is a complication that requires a vet or someone with experience whelping puppies to ensure safe delivery. It is much safer. Natural birth can endanger the lives of the mother and her puppies. When it comes to Frenchies giving birth, a C-section has many more benefits. If you are planning to go the c-section route, there is a lot you need to do, from scheduling the c-section to having your vet on speed dial in case of emergencies. Aside from assurance from the veterinarian of a safe birth, here are other reasons why you should consider a c-section for your Frenchie: Safe delivery: One thing you can be sure of is that your Frenchie will safely deliver her pups through a c-section. Despite some risks during surgery, this is a safer alternative for breeders to prevent stillbirths or abortions. With a vet checking up on your Frenchie, you can help prevent infections as well. Frenchies Uterus stays strong: Labour for French Bulldogs is stressful to their mind and body. Giving birth to a litter of puppies not only risks their health but can also prevent them from having a healthy pregnancy later on in her life. Less stress: Frenchies can undergo excessive stress while giving birth naturally. Pregnancy is already tricky for French Bulldogs because of their small body. If she naturally gives birth to two or more puppies, Her body and mind will be weak and exhausted after the delivery process. The stress on her body can mean longer after-care for the mum and possible health complications, not to mention caring for her newborn puppies. Risks With C-sections The C-section process for French Bulldogs involves prepping your Frenchie for surgery by putting her under anaesthesia because it is an invasive surgery. Although a c-section is a safer option for pregnant French Bulldogs, it also has its risks. Breathing Problems: Frenchies are prone to breathing problems because they are brachycephalic. Most dogs are put under anaesthesia while undergoing surgery which, combined with their flat face, can cause breathing issues. Breathing issues are why they need plenty of oxygen while under anaesthesia. Even experienced vets have a hard time knowing how much oxygen they are getting because they can no longer breathe on their own. Choking on Vomit: This is a common problem when a Frenchie gives birth. It is even worse with a brachycephalic dog breed like a French Bulldog that suffers from breathing problems. Unlike other dogs, Frenchies can choke on their vomit. A vet needs to step in to prevent choking, which can be fatal. First and foremost, make sure you have your vet on speed dial. Here are some telltale signs to look out for that could mean your French Bulldog is going into labour: Frenchies exhibit nesting behaviour by looking for a safe place to bring their pups into the world. It can start a week before the due date but occur more frequently on the day of or before delivery. Most pregnant dogs might stop eating days to the due date. Your Frenchie might also experience large bowel movements due to the pressure from the pups moving into position as they prepare for birth. Two consecutive drops in their body temperature most likely mean that labour will start within 24hours. Your Frenchie is shaking and trembling. Once the labour starts, your Frenchie will be trembling and lying down so that they can begin to push their pups out. After labour, you will need to clean the pups, cut their umbilical cords and clean the area where they gave birth. If the natural delivery is successful, you will have healthy French Bulldog puppies in your hands. With health risks like dystocia and the puppies getting stuck in the birth canal, it is usually much safer to schedule a c-section. Having a vet around for the whelping process ensures the safety of both your Frenchie and her pups, and while c-sections may expensive, they are often necessary to ensure the safety of your dog and her pups. In most cases, Frenchies will deliver by C-section, but there will be exceptions to that rule. Do French Bulldogs give birth naturally? There are risks with natural births including the puppies getting stuck in the birth canal. Consult with a veterinary professional for advice on natural births and labor. In this guide I am going to go into more detail on natural births, what the French Bulldog labor and delivery looks like, plus show you a video of a Frenchie delivering their puppies. This same physical trait is also one of the main reasons why natural births are so rare. French Bulldogs have narrow hips and large heads. This means puppies are at risk of getting stuck in the birth canal dystocia. This can lead to very difficult labor, with the possibility of death not just to the puppies, but also the mother. If you are thinking about breeding your Frenchie, please do consult with your vet. They will be able to give you advice on how likely it is that your French Bulldog can give breed and give birth naturally , and then create a pregnancy plan. It will be highly likely that they will recommend you get a C-section booked. Video of a French Bulldog giving birth naturally If you decide to opt for a natural labor you will find this video of a pregnant French bulldog giving birth really fascinating. The female Frenchie cleans the puppies straight after labor and then even plays with them after giving birth towards the end of the video. French bulldog labor signs Your Frenchie will act restless pacing around and digging Your Frenchie will want to start nesting. French bulldog labor temperature One of the most common signs of labor will be a drop in temperature. You can expect a drop of around one and a half degrees from .You will need a rectal thermometer to do this. Before labor you will see a lot of panting, walking around, and the restless behavior. Once labor starts, your Frenchie will shake and tremble, lie down, and then start to push. You will need to help clean the puppies, cut umbilical cords and then tie them up. You will also need to clean the area up with paper towels. After labor, your Frenchie will clean the puppies, and they should eventually start to feed from her. A healthy litter of Frenchies who are starting to feed from their mother a few weeks after labor. Do I recommend your French Bulldog giving birth naturally? I am not a breeder and I am not a vet. In fact, I have ethical questions myself over Frenchie breeding and how these dogs have developed over the years. According to the Royal Veterinary College view website Frenchies are almost 16 times likely to have a difficult pregnancy and natural birth than other dogs. As a result, French Bulldogs are 2. Many of these will have to be emergency operations when an owner opted for a natural French Bulldog birth. The potential health complications and risks are something that you should consider seriously. In addition to French Bulldogs, other pure breeds, such as Boston terriers , chihuahuas and pugs, are also at risk of suffering birthing problems. Compared to crossbred female dogs, Boston terriers are .All dogs are different and so the time it takes a Frenchie to give birth will vary drastically. Having spoken with our local vet, he said the majority of dogs will give birth from the point the puppies start to deliver between 20 minutes and a couple of hours. In the video of a French Bulldog birth I show on this page, the entire delivery took around 10 minutes. However, I would imagine this is quite a rare scenario given how difficult French Bulldog labor can be. Do I recommend you proceed with a natural birth? No, but then I am not a breeder myself, but can only go on the guidelines I have seen published by professional vets. You might also like… Now you know a little bit more about French Bulldog labor and birth, you might want to check out these other articles I wrote on similar topics. They are known for their friendly personality and playful nature. However, breeding a French bulldog can be difficult. There are many different methods you can use to try and get a French bulldog pregnant. If you get your Frenchie pregnant the next step is how your pup will give birth. There are many complications related to this process. Here in this blog, we will discuss in detail can French bulldog give birth naturally and what are the complications related to it. A French bulldog can give birth by a natural process, but it is very rare to see one do so. There are many issues and complications related to their birth process. The most common complication is prolapse. Cesarean section is a common surgical procedure opted for these dogs. It is considered to be the best option for French bulldog owners who have a complicated delivery or who are pregnant for the first time. Cesarean section is safe and effective, and it can provide your dog with the best possible health. French bulldogs are known for their impressive looks and strong personality. But there is another reason why these dogs are called man-made dogs. These dogs were bred specifically for humans and they cannot continue their life without human preference. The reason behind this is because of their body structure and their sensitive nature. French bulldogs are also sensitive during their pregnancy because they are bred to be working dogs. They are known for being very protective of their puppies, and during their early stages of development, they are especially vulnerable to physical and emotional stress. This can lead to problems for the dog during their pregnancy, including contractions that are difficult to control, difficulty breathing, and even premature delivery. Frenchie puppies are born through a very narrow birth canal. This can lead to complications such as long and painful labor. While some Frenchie puppies do well during delivery, others may get stuck and require help from a vet. What Are the Signs of French bulldog getting into Labor? When a dog is giving birth, there are many things you should know about it. This includes understanding the process of childbirth, knowing what to do if your dog is having difficulties, and being prepared for any possible problems. French bulldogs are notorious for giving birth with difficulty, but this behavior is not always indicative of labor. Some common signs that a French bulldog is in labor include changes in breathing patterns and a heightened sense of urgency. If you notice any of these behaviors, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible! Different complications occur during the natural process and you must know about them. Here are some common problems that you should be prepared for Anasarca Anasarca is a term used in French bulldogs to describe the swelling in the body just before giving birth. When a French bulldog is with puppies his body is big in terms of proportion and swelling makes it even bigger. When puppies are about to be born, they are filled with air and fluid. Swelling can form in these fluids and air. Some of the problems that can occur during birth with swelling include an increase in heart rate, breathing, and tiredness. This makes it difficult for the dog to eat and drink. Dystocia Dystocia is a condition in French bulldogs that can occur during delivery. It is a medical emergency that often results in the dog being born prematurely or with major defects. Dystocia can be caused by problems such as contractions too strong to be allowed to pass through the birth canal, prior pregnancy, or puppies whose physique is too much weight for the mother to carry. When puppies get stuck they usually require external effort from a vet. French bulldogs can give birth naturally and a c-section is not necessary. However natural birth is very dangerous for them and often leads to the death of moms and puppies. C section has many advantages and keeps both pups and mom healthy. C-section readiness is a vital step in the life of any dog. If your pup has not gone through a c-section before, it is important to have them checked out by a veterinarian. When a French bulldog goes through a c-section she needs a lot of time to recover. A Frenchie can go through a maximum of two to three c-sections in her life. If you want to keep the mom Frenchie in good health it would be best to pass one cycle and gives time to mom to recover. If your French bulldog recovers well from this process she will behave well in the next pregnancy. It will be really helpful if you give your Frenchie a nice comfy bed like house for Frenchie to take rest. A Frenchie can give birth to a maximum of 4 puppies in a litter. The number of puppies also affects the size of all puppies. If the size of a few puppies is large it will affect the development of other puppies. Conclusion There is not enough scientific evidence to support the claims that French bulldogs can give birth naturally, but there is enough anecdotal evidence to suggest that this may be possible. If you are thinking of getting a French bulldog pregnant, please do your research before that. A vet can give you the best advice for your pup.

Following the Labrador feeding chart by age will give you a rough idea of how much to feed your puppy. Labradors are known for their playfulness, and sweet disposition, and are good at fetch which is why you should provide them with the best nutrition to support their growth. Ensure that the food contains the right amounts of protein, carbs, fat, and vitamins. You should avoid feeding your Labrador puppy too much food as they are prone to joint issues, but also avoid feeding them less food as they will be malnourished and not reach their growth milestones. Continue reading to understand how much to feed a Labrador puppy. The amount of food that your Labrador puppy should eat depends on a combination of certain factors such as activity level, weight, type, and brand of food. Heavier and bigger puppies need to eat more food than smaller puppies, and dogs that have active lives will need more calories than those living sedentary life. Fortunately, all dog food contains a feeding guideline on the packaging to get you started. It is important that you create and maintain a feeding schedule for your puppy so that they can maintain a healthy weight and develop good habits. Consult your pet nutritionist or vet, to learn more about how much food you should give your specific Labrador. Labrador Feeding Chart By Age A Labrador can be fed between one and six cups of food depending on their level of activity, age, and type of food. The amount will differ from one puppy to the other as every puppy has there own requirements. Therefore, you should follow a feeding guideline that is indicated in the dog food brands or the one designed by your vet. As a Labrador owner, it is important to understand that the nutritional requirements of your puppy are different at each stage as they grow. Therefore, adult and puppy dogs should be trained to eat the correct amount at the right schedule. Ensure that you keep a Labrador puppy feeding chart with you. Calculating the Resting Energy Requirement RER of your puppy and doubling it can help you get the right number of calories to feed them. Feed your puppy a little amount, in the beginning, to ensure that they are ready to eat. If they are not ready, do not force the food on them. Be patient with your puppy and they will be on puppy food soon. The puppy will be relying less on the milk. When your puppy starts eating all the food you offer them, you can reduce the amount of water and increase the food amount. The puppy will start becoming active and start exploring away from the mother as they no longer rely on the mother. By the end of the week into week seven, the puppy will be able to eat just puppy food. Ensure that you feed them dry food that is full of healthy protein. They should be eating three to four times per day and need about 2 cups of food. Avoid free feeding the puppy as it may be hard to know exactly how much they are eating. Create a feeding schedule as early as possible and this will help them develop good habits in the future. Put the food out for only 10 to 15 minutes and take the bowl away if they do not finish. This can be tricky if you are working but it is important that you maintain their feeding schedule as this is a developmental stage. Three meals per day will help your growing puppy develop their digestive system and ensure that they are getting their nutrition. This is also the beginning of the teething stage and they will be biting a lot of things including hard dog food and chew toys. They should eat about two cups of food distributed over three meals. But you should still maintain feeding them two cups of food but can reduce the mealtimes to twice per day. Watch out for the amount of food your puppy eats to avoid them gaining weight. Also, ensure that they are getting enough exercise to burn off the food. So, you should transition them to adult food. Ensure that the switching process is done slowly to avoid causing vomiting and diarrhea to your puppy. Your Labrador can be fed once per day now and the amount reduced to about two cups of food. Understanding Labrador Puppy Nutritional Needs If you stick to feeding your Labrador high-quality food, be assured that they are getting all the necessary nutrients. However, it is useful to know the types of nutrients that they need and the ingredients to watch out for. Carbohydrates — healthy carbs are necessary for providing energy for your puppy. Sources like barley, rice, and oatmeal are great. Healthy carbs can also be found in veggies such as sweet potatoes, peas, and lentils. Fiber — it helps regulate the digestive system of your puppy and helps the stool become healthier and firm. Sources include spinach, chicory root, and beet pulp. Sources include fish oils, fish, canola oils, and fish. Vitamins and Minerals — are needed for improving the immune system which helps in protecting your puppy from diseases. Veggies and real fruits like cranberries and blueberries are great sources. The frequency of feeding your Labrador depends mostly on their age. Puppies need to eat three to four times per day while senior and adult Labradors can eat one to two times per day. Labrador is a breed that is motivated by food, meaning that the chance of them turning down food is low. Given their nature, it can be difficult to figure out whether they are really hungry or just food obsessed. Since they cannot regulate their eating habits, it is important that you develop a feeding schedule to prevent them from gaining weight. Both types of food provide your dog with the best nutrition they need to grow and develop. Also, check the label on the packaging and make sure that it contains the perfect balance of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Kibble is cheaper than wet foods and stores easily as it does not require refrigeration. It also helps clean the teeth by removing tartar and buildup when your puppy chews it. Wet food also provides balanced and complete nutrition for your Labrador. It provides more hydration to your puppy as it contains high moisture content. However, wet food needs to be put in the fridge once opened otherwise it will go bad. Some dog owners mix wet food and kibble to give their dogs the best of both worlds. Therefore, most premium dog food brands have different specially formulated puppy food. Puppies can be fed with puppy food until they are about 12 to 15 months old then transition to adult dog food. When transitioning your dog from puppy food to adult dog food remember to introduce the feed gradually for about seven to ten days by mixing small amounts of the adult dog food with the puppy food. Decrease the puppy food gradually every day with a simultaneous increase in adult dog food. This will helps the pup o adjust to the new meal easily. Experienced Labrador Retriever owners will tell you that not all puppies eat a lot. Studies also have indicated that puppies eat more when fed with other puppies or in a group. When the puppy gets to a new home, they might go off the food for the first few days. They might eat a few kibbles and then leave it. Your puppy may also prefer to eat from your hand and not the bowl. However, call your vet if your puppy refuses to eat for more than four hours. Call immediately if your puppy looks unwell. There are a few reasons you need to keep an eye on because they indicate serious problems: Your pup neither drink nor eat Diarrhea. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As we all know too well, what we put in our belly has a huge impact on our health, vitality, length and quality of life. They have to strike a fine balance between getting enough nutrients to grow and avoiding an over-abundance that can lead to abnormal growth and disabling conditions. In this article you will learn precisely how to feed your puppy. What they can eat, what they should not, how many times you should feed them each day, basic information on home-made diets and the pros and cons of various commercial dog foods. The majority of Labrador owners feed their puppy kibble. Kibble is ground meal, shaped into dried biscuit-like pellets that are extremely convenient to buy, store and feed, providing everything a puppy needs in one easy to handle product. All the major brands carry a range of kibble and many are specifically formulated to suit the precise needs of puppies. For our recommendations of the best puppy food for labs, please read our article on: The Best Food for Labrador Puppies. Good breeders will supply you with all the information you need to feed your new puppy and you should follow this advice. Puppies almost always get upset tummies during a change of diet. The stress of moving to a new home is enough to deal with without them potentially having tummy upset on top. So try to avoid this. But expect your puppy to get diarrhea after such a sudden change. What Can Puppies Eat? With a bewildering choice of different puppy foods available, what to feed your puppy may not be the easiest decision to make. You Can Feed Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is ground up food, formed into pellets and dried for easy storage and convenience. It is a specially formulated, complete and balanced diet, containing everything a puppy needs to grow and be healthy. Many people believe kibble is the best way to feed a puppy, with it being so easy to buy, store and feed while containing every nutrient a puppy needs in the right proportions. Wet, Complete Puppy Foods Are An Option As the name suggests, complete wet dog food is complete and balanced, meaning nothing should be fed in combination. Everything needed is included in this one food. Complete wet foods come in individual pouches or tins with one pouch or tin containing one single serving. In the main these foods are low in nutrition, contain a high amount of cheap fillers, by-products and water and need mixing with a biscuit to give them some substance and to make them more complete. Because the food is such low quality, you have to feed a lot of it. And what goes in, must come out. This type of feeding was popular decades ago and I do remember my parents feeding our first dogs this way, but most people have moved on from this and are feeding their dogs in better ways now. Raw Food, BARF And Home-Made Diets Raw feeding is a diet that consists of mostly raw meat, edible bones and animal organs, though most practitioners also mix in small portions of fruit, veg and selected other foodstuffs. There are many people feel strongly that this is the best possible way to feed a dog. But I would caution most people that to feed this diet successfully, you need to do A LOT of research, gain a lot of knowledge and truly understand a dogs nutritional needs to make sure they get exactly what they need in the right amounts. Many people wonder if they can feed their puppy human foods, anything found in the fridge or larder. Furthermore, there are many human foods that are toxic to dogs that you should avoid at all costs. Too much of some nutrients can be bad in itself, but also prevent the absorption and use of other nutrients too. So supplementing a balanced diet is a bad thing to do. Can You Give Puppies Milk? Assuming you get your puppy at the recommended 8 weeks, they will have been fully weaned before you bring them home. Many puppies are intolerant of cows milk and drinking it leads to an upset tummy and diarrhea so you would do best to avoid giving your puppy any milk at all. One exception is for very young puppies under 6 weeks of age. When we have newborn puppies at our house we sometimes need to supplement and use Esbilac Milk Supplemen t. However, if you have a very young puppy that you think may need supplementing please first consult with your veterinarian. Are They Necessary? You will likely be feeding your puppy a commercially available complete and balanced dog food, in which case you certainly should not supplement their food. Supplementing this will mean too much of one or more things, making it unbalanced which can actually lead to harm. But an excess amount of calcium in the diet of a Lab puppy can lead to skeletal development problems. So adding a calcium supplement to an already complete diet can actually do more harm than good. There may also be times your vet advises you to do so. But if feeding raw, you should know more about nutrition than I do. This is a hard question to answer and sadly I cannot give you a definite quantity or weight to feed them each day. Puppies grow at different rates, some are more active than others and there can be large differences between metabolisms too. However… The biggest determining factor is how concentrated the nutrients and calories are in the brand of food you feed them. High quality foods are nutrient rich and give a puppy all they need from quite small amounts of food. But cheaper brands are full of low quality and nutritionally empty fillers that mean a puppy needs considerably more to get what they need. Start by feeding your puppy according to the guidelines on the label of the puppy food you buy for them. Then see how their body develops. Puppies should not be fat! But at the other end of the scale if they start to look and feel a little slim, up their portion sizes a little. The guidelines on the food you buy are just that…guidelines. You might also be interested in:. Made with real meat and no artificial colors or flavors how much should a lab eat? Allergies Labs can also have allergies. Some dogs may be allergic to wheat, macadamia nuts, etc. It can manifest as a runny nose, high volumes of shedding, rashes on the skin, and so on. Different dietary needs are crucial, especially if they display allergy symptoms. Avoid all types of human foods. You can give your lab puppy supplements You can get great quality adult dog food and puppy kibble from companies like Royal Canin Labrador Retriever, Blue Buffalo, Canidae Grain-Free, etc. Only adult food must be given to labrador retrievers who have crossed 1. Your puppy needs 4 small meals consisting of half a cup of food per meal till he is 2 months old. From 2 to 6 months, he needs 3 meals daily consisting of 1 cup of food per meal. From 6 months onwards , you can give your puppy 2 meals daily of 2 cups of dog food per meal. Is This A Problem? Yes, this is a major problem! Fat dogs are adorable but also extremely unhealthy. An adult labrador retriever should weigh at most pounds. Labs that are fatter than this stand at the risk of obesity, arthritis , and other lifelong diseases. Refrain from feeding your labrador too many dog treats. Onions and garlic: surprisingly, anything in the onion and garlic family is incredibly toxic to dogs. Meat with bones: if not chewed properly, sharp edges can rupture the throat, stomach lining, intestines, and other parts of the digestive tract. Other human foods and beverages to avoid giving your dog are alcohol, sugar, citric fruits, and anything with caffeine. Your labrador retriever should weigh between 55 to 70 pounds at full adulthood. Male labs are heavier than female labs, so they can fall on either side of the optimal weight spectrum. Some healthy treats for your labrador retriever are cut fruits and vegetables. Carrots, celery, cucumber, beetroot, apples, bananas, and berries strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, etc. Dogs also love peanut butter! Veggies dipped in peanut butter also make a great snack for your dog. This is entirely up to you as dog owners. If you have the time and patience to cook meals for your dog, go for it. Store-bought food is easier and is filled with the right nutritional requirements for your lab puppy. On the other hand, with the right recipe, home-cooked food works, too. What Should I Do? A dog growling at you when you go near his food bowl is most commonly a trauma response or a way to protect his food. We often see this with rescues. House training your lab puppy is equally important to avoid food aggression. Labrador Retrievers get piddly after their meals. Dog owners must take out their lab puppy as frequently as they eat sometimes even more often to let their energy out and adult labradors less frequently. A lab puppy needs a ton of exercise. The amount of kibble you should feed your Labrador puppy will vary depending on their age, weight, and activity level. A good rule of thumb is to start with cups of kibble daily and adjust as needed. Best Dog Food For Lab Puppies: The best dog foods for lab puppies include those that are high in protein and low in fillers. The food you should feed a black lab puppy is the same as for any other Labrador puppy. A chocolate lab puppy should be fed the same food as for any other Labrador puppy. A 2-year-old chocolate lab should eat about cups of kibble daily. You should stop feeding puppy food to your Labrador at around months of age. At this point, their growth plates will have closed, and they will no longer need the extra nutrients found in puppy food. Labradors live for years. They start to slow down around 7 and may develop some health problems in their senior years. You should also increase their exercise level. Lab breeders feed their dogs high-quality dog food specifically formulated for large-breed puppies. A lab puppy should drink about 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. This amount may increase as they get older and more active. A labrador needs at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. This can be a combination of walking, running, and playing. Golden labs live for years. Chocolate labs live for years same like labs of any color. Labradors lose their baby teeth between 3 and 6 months of age. You can start to transition your puppy to eating twice a day at around 6 months of age. By the time they are 1 year old, they should eat only once daily. You should stop feeding your large breed puppy food at around 18 months of age. Why Are Labs So Hungry? Labradors are a very active breed of dog, and they need a lot of calories to fuel their energy levels. They are also prone to gaining weight, so keep a close eye on their food intake About The Author Shradha Kabra Shradha is a seasoned writer at Labradorandyou. Her experience as a pet owner and dog enthusiast drives her to create meticulously researched and fact-checked content, offering valuable insights on Labrador training, grooming, and health. Each article reflects Shradha's passion and dedication, enriched by personal experiences with her beloved Labradors, Tom, and Kurt. Whether exploring breed-specific training techniques or providing product reviews, Shradha ensures Labrador owners receive the most accurate, up-to-date, and trustworthy information, aimed at enhancing their companions' health and happiness. Remember, Labs do not have a natural food intake regulator so you will need to monitor them with portion control. Using a cheaper brand is a poor option at half the price. You will use twice as much and you will have to clean up larger amounts of waste in your yard. To allow for an accurate control of body weight and growth rate, this amount of food can be dispensed over 3 meals per day. After 5 months of age, the feeding regularity can be reduced to two meals per day with the commensurate increase in food quantity. The amount of food a Labrador puppy requires will increase then level out during first 14 months of their life. At months, their bone density is increasing and their growth plates are set. We do not recommend desexing you pup until at least 3 years of age. This allows for an appropriate development and supply of hormone which in turn produces proper bone, muscle and vital organ development. Table foods dispensed randomly to dogs are not nutritionally balanced. We do not offer our dogs table food at all. There will be no problems if you are feeding a puppy with a homemade diet but it should be prepared from prescribed recipes that are nutritionally complete and balanced. Diets consisting of an unplanned and indiscriminate mixture of human foods particularly including carbohydrates will likely result in obesity and even dietary-induced disease. When you Lab reaches 14months of age, it should be given an adult food that contains less energy and calcium. This will decrease the risk of obesity and orthopaedic conditions. And do not feed them coffee or tea as they can contain caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. These toxic substances can dangerously affect the heart and nervous system. Onions, garlic, raisins and grapes can be severely toxic in labradors. Raw meat is potential source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria for your puppy. Eggs yokes are an excellent source of protein. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin a B vitamin. This can, in extreme cease, lead to skin and coat problems. Liver contains higher levels of protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Raw liver can be a source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria. Excessive amounts of liver can cause Vitamin A toxicity. Raw bone chewing will control tartar buildup on a pups teeth. However, bone chewing can cause intestinal blockages and perforations. Never use cooked bones. Commercial Puppy Foods Most commercial puppy foods are designated for small, medium, large and giant breeds. This designation can be found on the label. Puppies of medium sized breeds are less than '25 kg fully grown adult body weight'. A full grown and lean Labrador will usually weigh between 25kg and 45kg. We feed our dogs at the 'lower' level of the recommended range. The 'Hills Body Fat Index' is a very helpful body shape indicator. The same food as the bitch You should feed your new puppy with the same brand of food as the bitch received during lactation. From 2 weeks into pregnancy, our expectant mothers are fed 'Royal Canin Labrador Puppy' food. Introducing a new brand of food If you are wanting to introduce a new brand of food to your puppy, then blend it gradually with the existing brand in increasing amounts over 3 days. This should prevent food rejection and any kind of gastric upset. It is best to choose a diet designed for large breed puppies. Selected commercial feeds should contain a limited percentage of filler compounds. Pawlinglabs uses Royal Canin Labrador as our preferred option. Growing labradors Labrador pups have a very steep growth curve, and their total daily energy needs do increase as they grow. Calculate the amount of puppy food that will satisfy that need. The feeding guidelines on the commercial pet food label provides an estimated quantity of feed for several different ranges in body size. These instructions will give you an estimated starting point for the particular brand. Medium or large? Medium breeds should be transitioned to an adult diet by 12 months of age, while large breeds between 14 — 18 months of age. Mature female labradors are medium and weight approx kg. Mature males are large and weight approx kg. Their calcium and energy content should not exceed that level recommended by a registered nutritionalist. Sound skeletal development Sound skeletal development in labradors is produced by the interaction of genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors. The phase prior to weaning and the growth phase, up to 14 months are integral to sound skeletal structure. Don't take your young pup on extended distance walks and certainly not 'running' until at least 18mths of age. You must avoid stairs and slippery floors for the same reasons. Their growth plates are set at about mths of age. Feeding and Overfeeding Large breeds like Labradors are the most susceptible to skeletal disease. Feed consumption, nutrients balance and feeding methods influence our ability to produce sound skeletal development and eliminate skeletal disease. Appropriate food consumption and nutrition plays a critical role in bone development. Overfeeding will not increase or benefit the growth rate of young and growing labrador puppies. And it does not correlate with optimal adult size. However, it does increase the risk of skeletal abnormalities. The vast majority of skeletal disorders occur in large breeds including labradors and they are associated with consumption of table food and an excessive intake of a commercial food and supplementation. The large breeds like labradors are limited in their ability to cope with an excess of minerals such as calcium. The result of this over consumption is abnormal bone development and skeletal disorders. Nutritional management will be critical in the to prevention of bone and joint diseases. In most cases, skeletal disease can prevented by appropriate quantities of feed in a regulated diet with optimal nutrient levels. A complete and balanced commercial diet is essential. Dietary deficiencies will be of little concern if your labrador pup is fed with a complete and balanced commercial diet. Brands like Eukanuba and Royal Canin are specifically formulated for young, growing labradors. There is real potential for harm by over feeding and giving additional supplementation. Housing safety and activity levels Housing safety and activity levels are under the your influence. Nutrition is also under your control and it is the single most important factor affecting the development of the musculoskeletal system. Energy, protein, and calcium are the critical nutritional components affecting skeletal development. However, if they are given in excess, they will be detrimental to normal bone and joint growth. Most pet owners feed commercial dog food. These prepared diets are balanced and complete. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. The source of protein matters when considering a high-quality diet. FATS The rest of the diet should be made up of fats, carbs, and vitamins. Labs need to have a correct protein -to-fat ratio, where protein takes the lead. Dogs tend to convert fat into glucose, so this is an important source of energy. Dogs rely mostly on protein and fats, but carbs are necessary. That said, a low carb diet is best for puppies. However, you still need the right percentage of carbs, since this gives your dog the sensation of being full. These include starches, fibers, and sugars. Try to opt for more complex carbs like starchy grain and veggies because these are easier to digest. Your Lab puppy will thrive when his or her diet includes: Vitamin B12 especially during puppy development , Vitamins A and E, C, Vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium, Potassium Each of these required vitamins and minerals contributes to a healthy, happy, and energetic puppy. They also help offset issues like obesity. Vitamins A and E are important because they help your dog burn calories and promote eye and skin health. Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus, on the other hand, are part of a trifecta that works to strengthen teeth and bones. Potassium is a heart health-preserver. Labs with poor genetics are especially prone to orthopedic issues. Osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are common health problems for this breed. Glucosamine, an amino-sugar, together with chondroitin sulfate, helps replace and support naturally degrading cartilage during old age. Recently,"grain-free" foods are being championed as a preferred and even high-quality form of dog food. That's, not the whole story. An investigation launched by the FDA revealed that there are potential links between a form of canine heart disease and grain-free foods. So far, researchers have provided an update to this researchers have provided an update to this research staring that the issue may not just be grain-free diets. Grain-free may be part of other trends knows as "BEG"- boutique companies. Puppy diets don't' need to be complicated. They also don't need to include ingredients that humans might enjoy. Enjoyment doesn't necessarily bring any nutritional value to your puppy's development. Keep it simple, using the guidelines for fats, proteins, and carbs above and don't shy away from food with grains in them. It's not their presence that's a problem it's often the ratio. There shouldn't be more carbs or grains than protein. Nor does including only legumes, seeds, lentils, or chickpeas as the primary ingredients make the food more superior. It's perfectly healthy to include complex carb sources like starchy rice and other grains. Grain-free isn't and shouldn't be a qualifying factor for your choice in puppy food. Feeding Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is dried, pelleted food that stores well is easy to eat, and is pre-formulated with everything your puppy needs to thrive and grow in his early developmental months. There are plenty of popular brands that don't measure up to the Snowy Pines standard. That's why it's so vital for you to learn how to read puppy food labels. Puppies should stick with "puppy stage" food, while adults should stick to bags marked "adults. Instead, your dog should have regular bowel movements, allowing them to absorb all the nutrients available. You should also keep in mind that caloric intake is calculated a little differently for puppies. Kibble diets are measured by how many calories the proteins, fats, and carbs represent for each gram. For puppies, this should be 3. Sticking to these ratios will help ensure your kibble choice is a healthy one. It's also important to note that kibble calories are often higher when compared to wet food. If it's high-quality wet food, it won't have as much fat to preserve it, which means fewer calories. You may have to supplement with dry food, especially if you're trying to keep the calories of carbs, proteins, and fats in the right per-gram ratio. Table scraps and snacks There are so many different brands of Labrador food available! And so many different opinions on dog food generally. Not to mention the alternatives to commercial food. Labrador Feeding Guide The amount you feed your Lab will vary depending on his age and the type of food you are giving him. The Eukanuba Adult Breed Lamb and Rice food suggests these serving sizes: 40 — 45 pound Lab, feed: — grams per day 50 — 55 pound Lab, feed: — grams per day 60 — 65 pound Lab, feed: — grams per day 70 — 75 pound Lab, feed: — grams per day 80 — 85 pound Lab, feed: — grams per day 90 — 95 pound Lab, feed: — grams per day However, these serving sizes will change depending on the food you use, and only apply to dry kibble! Most experts agree that the best food for any dog is one that keeps him in excellent health at a reasonable price. And choosing the best dog food for Labradors is not straightforward. We will look at the different styles of feeding first. How to feed a Labrador — different methods There are currently two very different approaches to dog feeding that are popular with many Labrador owners. Both methods of feeding have their supporters and detractors. At one time a lot of dogs were fed on canned food with an added biscuit mixer. Nowadays, only a small number of dog owners still feed this way. What about BARF? At one time, raw feeding or what you probably know as the BARF diet was considered to be a cranky and extremist fad. But as interest in raw feeding has grown and more dogs are fed this way, it is becoming clear that they are thriving too. The majority of dogs are now being fed kibble and a substantial and the growing minority are fed raw. Labrador dog food choices — dry kibble By far the majority of Labrador owners nowadays, feed their dogs on kibble. That is the dried pellets of dog food that you can buy in pet stores and online. All major pet food companies now supply a dried version of their brands. Is kibble good for dogs? It is really only a very short time a couple of decades since almost all dogs were fed on canned meat. These are a lot less popular now. The effect that this shift away from wet food and onto dried food, has had if any on canine health remain the subject of intense speculation. Busy modern homes are pressed for time these days. So convenience is an important factor. Storage Not only is kibble convenient, it also stores well, even after opening. Provided that it is stored in an appropriate container and kept in a dry place. Most dogs nowadays are trained with food. But what comes out of a kibble-fed dog smells very unpleasant. These are additional bulking agents that are not fully digested and that pass through straight through the dog. These fillers mean that kibble fed dogs produce much greater quantities of poop and much smellier poop, than dogs fed on raw meat and bones. Kibble fed dogs may also need their teeth cleaning on a daily basis. There may also be a small increased risk of bloat in susceptible dogs fed on a dry food diet. Should I feed my dog raw meat? Over the last ten years a more natural raw diet of meat and bones has become increasingly popular. Some people now believe that raw meat is the best food for Labrador Retrievers and many other breeds of dog. This is despite some websites giving out dire warnings of the dangers of letting dogs consume bones. Unfortunately, raw feeding does seem to attract a few extremists. Plus, it can be tricky to find objective and unbiased discussions of the pros and cons of raw feeding on the internet. The pros and cons Raw feeding is quite a big topic. It is both complicated and simple. Complicated because we tend to worry about the nutrients our dogs are getting. Raw feeding is not as convenient as kibble feeding, It requires plenty of freezer and refrigeration space, a designated preparation surface, and good meat preparation hygiene. Just as with meat preparation for people. Small puppies are growing fast and are vulnerable to diets with a poor nutrient balance. It is very important you do your research before attempting to raw feed a small puppy. This is because raw fed dogs get messy. It is hard in this situation to keep raw meat juices containing pathogens, away from children too small to understand the importance of hand washing The important fact here is that there is no right way to feed a dog. Your family needs to be considered as a whole. The feeding method you choose needs to fit in to your lifestyle and current circumstances. I fed raw to my dogs for many years. But I did not do this and could not have done this, when my kids were little. Nowadays, I sometimes feed kibble, if circumstances demand it. But prefer to feed raw whenever I can. Remember, many dogs thrive on kibble, and many dogs thrive on raw. Choosing the best dog food for Labs may also depend on your own circumstances. If you have a small puppy you may be happier feeding kibble With children under five, it may be safer for you to feed kibble If your dog has a close relative that has suffered from bloat, he may be safer eating raw If your dog suffers from allergies, he might do better on raw Now may be the right time to feed raw for you, or it may be the right time to feed kibble. Your circumstances are unique so only you can decide. For those of you the majority that will be feeding kibble. Choosing the lowest price Labrador food may not necessarily be the cheapest option. As very often, you will need to feed larger quantities of the cheaper food. Biologically appropriate kibble? It is usually a reasonable option to choose a mid-range in terms of cost food and see how your dog gets on with that. If your wallet can stretch to it, we especially like the Orijen brand. Orijen is what my dogs have as training food, and when I am not able to feed them raw. So if you decide to switch brands, do it gradually over the space of a few days by adding a little more of the new food and a little less of the old, each day. How often to feed your Labrador Many dog owners continue to feed their dogs twice a day throughout their lives. Some people feed their dogs once a day after twelve months of age. We do know that there is an association between bloat and large meals. Though this may only apply to kibble Once daily feeding is probably fine if you decide to feed raw meat. But with kibble it may be too much dry food in one go. I recommend that you feed your adult dog morning and evening. How often to feed puppies The amount of food that your Labrador puppy needs to eat each day must be divided into several portions. But it will almost certainly give him diarrhoea and could damage his stomach as kibble swells after drinking. From eight to twelve weeks your puppy will benefit from four meals a day. Breakfast, lunch, tea and supper. Space the meals at least three hours apart to give him chance to digest them properly. And make sure the last meal is a two to three hours before his last trip to the toilet at bedtime. Once your puppy gets to three months old you can divide his daily ration into three portions, and by six months to two. Breakfast and supper. How much to feed a Labrador? Recommended quantities can be found on kibble packaging and these will vary quite widely from brand to brand. They are also often on the high side. If your dog is a little overweight, feed about a third less than recommended for a few days and then re-assess his appearance. Your dog may well need less food than you think. How long should a dog take to eat his dinner? I prefer my dogs to eat their meals up fairly quickly. Plus, he will eat more enthusiastically at the next meal if he is a little hungry. How to feed a Labrador slowly A much more common problem in Labradors, is the dog that scoffs his dinner in a heartbeat and then begs for more with pleading eyes. There is an association between bloat and rapid eating, so if you can slow down your dog a little, it is probably good thing. The best way to do that is by using a slow feed bowl. Provided there is nothing in there which is unsuitable. Giving leftovers to puppies Puppies need a very well balanced diet to grow up strong and healthy. Unless you are a very experienced dog owner and knowledgable about nutrition and the dietary needs of a growing animal, it is not a good idea to feed your puppy on household scraps. And complete puppy foods contain all the nutrients your pup needs to develop a healthy body. Dog feeding equipment and storage There is a huge choice of feeding bowls available. You can get some very cheap and colorful plastic bowls. I like stainless steel. But I admit it is quite noisy to handle and use. And not as pretty as some of the ceramic products. Think carefully before you buy raised bowls as some studies have associated these with bloat. Storing dog food Kibble is for the most part a convenient food source. To keep your food fresh, an airtight container is a better bet. We like the wheeled pet food storage bins and they enable you to move heavy quantities of food around without putting your back out! This slimline version fits nicely in a cupboard. Well worth thinking about, especially if you have several dogs to feed. There are also some gorgeous storage containers now that beg to be put out on display. Feeding Labrador puppies When you first bring your puppy home, your breeder should have provided you with a diet sheet, some food, and plenty of information on feeding Labrador puppies. It is really important to stick with his familiar food for the first few days. Moving home is traumatic enough for an eight week old pup without giving his tummy a shock too. If you have not been given any food or any information on how to feed a puppy then I suggest you call in to your local pet store and buy a small sack of kibble puppy food that is appropriate for his breed and age. Giving water to your Labrador Puppies and older dogs need water available to them at all times during the day. Provided that it is at least an hour since his last meal. Kibble fed dogs drink quite a lot of water, raw fed dogs may drink very little. This is normal. When feeding problems need veterinary help All puppies need regular veterinary check ups and when you take your puppy to the vet for his vaccinations. This is a great time to ask any questions you might have on his diet and welfare generally. All dogs may eat less in very hot weather. But changes in appetite, especially sudden changes, can be a sign that a dog is not well. How often and what time to feed I will show you the best puppy foods, whether dry, wet, or raw, and look at food safety, together with schedules, quantities and even a handy puppy diet chart. Best Puppy Food for Labs The best Labrador puppy food provides a diet that is nutritious, healthy, and tasty. So, what is the best puppy food for your Lab? Puppy kibble or dried food is the most popular option. Kibble is complete and can give a perfectly balanced diet. Puppy kibble and tinned dog meat combined is another common choice among puppy parents. Feeding your Labrador puppy on home cooked food or on a totally raw diet is also possible. Raw puppy food is growing in popularity, and there are pros and cons to raw feeding your puppy. People often feel very strongly that one way of feeding is better than another, and you can always find evidence to support your view. Dog breeders, veterinarians and even nutritionists have their own strong views. The dire consequences they list for not listening to them can have puppy owners very worried. The truth is that there is no good quality evidence showing that kibble is better for the long term health of your dog, or that raw feeding is better. There are risks and benefits to both, and the main thing is to ensure that your dog has good quality food to eat. Puppy kibble suits some better, and raw puppy food is better for others. Puppy Kibble for your Labrador Puppy food made into pellets is called kibble. An airtight plastic container or tin will do the job, although you should make sure it is food grade quality. Puppy kibble is the best way of feeding your Labrador according to most breeders and your veterinarian is most likely to support this method of feeding. Good puppy kibble will contain every nutrient your Labrador puppy needs in order to grow and remain healthy. The kibble pieces will be tasty, good for keeping teeth healthy, and free from additives that can provoke allergies or stomach problems. Labrador puppy kibble only needs to be fed next to water. Puppy kibble from a reputable manufacturer is intended to be a complete and balanced food. But some owners like to mix in canned dog food or even scraps of raw food with kibble. Your puppy is likely to get an upset stomach or to not have the right balance of nutrition when fed this way. Whether you decide to feed only with kibble or you want to mix it up, pick a good dried food manufacturer and stick with them. Feeding your Labrador puppy raw food has its benefits and drawbacks. One of the downsides is that there is a lot to learn. Here is a link to the articles you need to help you decide whether or not raw feeding is for you: Although I like the raw diet for my dogs, most puppies fed kibble go on to have long and healthy lives. Whatever puppy food you choose, the most important thing is portion control. How Much to Feed your Labrador Puppy? People often tell me how much their puppy weighs, and ask how much puppy food they should give him. Your Labrador is particularly at risk if they grow too quickly. The following diet chart is for kibble fed puppies and does not apply to raw fed pups. It gives you an idea of how much to feed your Labrador puppy Lab Puppy Feeding Chart The Lab puppy feeding chart below is only a very rough guide. The quantity of food you need for your puppy will vary depending on your puppy and on the brand of food you are feeding him. Labrador puppy food must be aimed at medium to large breed dogs. Check the pack carefully and look at the dietary charts. Ideally, you want the optimal protein content and the lowest amount of additives. Part of this always comes down to the cost. The healthiest puppy food is usually the most expensive and may not be affordable for some families. The Cost Of Puppy Food Some puppy food brands are more concentrated than and contain a higher proportion of proteins, essential oils, and other nutrients. The absence of these fillers means that you can often feed lower quantities of more costly food, making them less expensive than they first seem. You might also find that cheaper brands make your puppy poop more due to those extra fillers going straight through him. While some brands are beyond the budget of many families, it is usually good to buy a premium brand. High Quality Brands of Puppy Food Some brands of puppy food have developed a reputation for producing a high quality product and have many devoted supporters, including breeders that have fed them to generations of puppies. The best food for Labrador puppies to consume in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to trained breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a Labrador puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. You can do this by mixing 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, you can 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 a Labrador puppy as they get older. In their four months living with you, and once they are weaned off milk, Labradors are likely to reach almost half their adult weight. They will reach their full adult weight by the time they are 6 to 7 months old. With this rapid growth can come some risks. Labradors can be susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia and joint abnormalities that can start in puppyhood. Once your Lab puppy hits 6 months, their growth begins to slow down. Once puppyhood is over, you can move to feeding your lab twice a day instead of 3 or 4 times. Labs are still 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 at around 15 months. This is because, being a breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your Labrador puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. It is also dangerous for a puppy to overeat. Labradors are large breeds, which means they need plenty of nutrients and calories as they grow to ensure they go from being active puppies to healthy adult dogs. Labrador 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, Labrador puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. The amount of food you give your Labrador is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult Labradors, around 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female Labradors, who tend to be around 5 to 10 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, to 1, calories per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your Labrador based on how calorically dense their food is. Adult Labradors 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 may benefit from exercise after eating: especially high energy Labs with a lot of energy to burn off. You should also try to give your Labrador a high quality food that is specially designed for large 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. For example, Labradors can be particularly susceptible to obesity. As a breed, they tend to be one of the most commonly obese dogs in Australia. This is due to several factors, including a genetic predisposition to unhealthy weight gain and a famously large appetite. However, plenty of Labs suffering from obesity are simply overfed and not getting enough exercise. Choosing a low carb diet is crucial to preventing obesity in your Labrador. If you are unsure about what you should feed your Labrador, you should always consult your vet. They will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any chronic health issues, and they will be able to create a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for many years to come. Wet food for Labradors is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. Chewing on dry food can be especially good for teething Labrador puppies. A raw diet can be a good option for your Labrador 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 Labrador, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. Different dog breeds will need different kinds of nutrient support as they go through the various stages of their life. It can also be easy to overestimate the amount of food your Labrador needs to stay fit and healthy — especially if they are skilled at begging! You need to make sure that your dog is eating the right amount of food for their breed, their size, and activity level. You should also avoid foods that, while delicious for humans, can be harmful or toxic for dogs. Foods like onions, nuts, alcohol, cooked bones, and artificial sweeteners are commonly included in dinners meant for humans, but can cause serious health issues for your Labrador. No matter how old your Lab 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.

A healthy male Golden Retriever weighs between 65 to 75 pounds while growing up to 23 to 24 inches tall. A female weighs between 55 to 65pounds and can grow up to .How long does it take a Golden Retriever to reach its full size? For Golden Retrievers, full physical maturity takes one to two years. Once this is attained, its bones become fully grown and can perform the same amount of physical exercise as an adult dog. Do Golden Retrievers smell? Golden Retrievers often smell bad because of its thick water-resistant coat. You can, however, maintain its cleanliness to control its bad odor. How can you keep a Golden Retriever healthy? There are several ways to keep this dog healthy few of which are high-quality food, providing it with plenty of clean and freshwater, developing a good feeding schedule, etc. How many times a day should a Golden Retriever be fed? The required food for a Golden Retriever is dependent on its age, activity level, size and built. Vets recommend about 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food per day for two meals. How much exercise does a Golden Retriever need? This dog is a sporting breed and therefore requires a whole lot of exercise when fully grown, high-intensity exercise is very beneficial to it. Is it alright to get a Golden Retriever in a hot climate? The Golden Retriever can thrive well in hot climates; all it requires is a shaded and aerated area with lots of water. However, it should not be allowed to exercise too much in the heat. What age can a Golden Retriever Puppy be brought home? A puppy Retriever should not be taken from its mother earlier than when it is 8 weeks old. This is because up until that age, it gets important socialization and learns important skills from its mother and siblings. Should a Golden Retriever be left indoors or outdoors? A Golden Retriever naturally wants to be with its family, if its family is indoor, you will find it right there with them. Does a Golden Retriever bark a lot? The Golden Retriever is not one to bark a lot except in cases of boredom or mental stimulation. Are you interested in purchasing a Golden Retriever? Fill out the below form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible. We have answers. Jacksonville Golden Retriever puppies for sale are popular, so we do see quite a few of them listed. But a pup's popularity also means they usually don't stay available for very long. A litter that's listed one day could easily be gone the next. So don't feel rushed -- but don't expect pups to wait around for you! How can I be sure that the Golden Retriever puppies for sale Jacksonville breeders have are healthy? It's one of the big reasons people choose Uptown. Each of the Jacksonville Golden Retriever breeders and businesses in our network can offer comprehensive nose-to-tail health checks, examining every important physiological aspect of your pup. So you can get documented proof you're getting a healthy puppy. Are the Golden Retriever puppies in Jacksonville considered "designer dogs? Any Jacksonville Golden Retriever for sale you see listed is a purebred, descended from a long line of other Golden Retrievers. How much exercise do Golden Retrievers need? Active doggies with plenty of get-up-and-go, Golden Retrievers love getting out for brisk walks. Two good walks of 30 minutes a day should suffice, but many Golden Retrievers, especially young adults, can go even longer. And as you might guess by the "Retriever" in the name, these pooches simply love rousing games of fetch. Are the Golden Retriever puppies Jacksonville breeders offer good for apartments? Exercise is key to this answer. Any Golden Retriever for sale in Jacksonville you choose will likely be on the large side from 55 to 75 pounds and brimming with energy. So if you want them to be content in an apartment, Golden Retrievers need plenty of daily exercise outdoors. Ideally, a home with a yard is best. How does Uptown work? It's pretty straightforward. Just begin by browsing through all of those adorable pups. Maybe with an eye out for a Golden Retriever Jacksonville breeders or companies have listed. When you find that perfect pup, contact the breeder. Get your questions answered, talk about transportation, and before you know it, that puppy will be in your arms! Does Uptown have the cheapest puppies? For that, you have to go to some unsavory characters -- backyard breeders and puppy mills. These disreputable folks often produce pups that are prone to having health problems. The Golden Retriever breeders in Jacksonville that make it into our exclusive network are top-level professionals who give the best humane care to canines. They charge fair prices. What's a backyard breeder? Differing from puppy mills, which are big operations motivated by profits, backyard breeders are small-time amateurs who dabble in dog breeding. But both of these bad actors contribute to health and overpopulation problems. Rest assured that any Golden Retriever for sale Jacksonville breeders and companies list with us doesn't come from these folks! Can I show up in person to pick up Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Jacksonville? Each of the various Golden Retriever breeders Jacksonville has may have different policies regarding transportation. Best to speak with them directly about how they'd like to handle the transfer. While you're chatting, they can also tell you all about your puppy, from history and heritage to what they're eating and the milestones they've passed. Where did Golden Retrievers originally come from? That's not a joke title! The 19th-century Scottish aristocrat is credited with creating the breed, having set out to make the perfect hunting dog with a breeding program that first crossed a Tweed Water Spaniel with a Yellow Flatcoated Retriever.

A puppy can be the perfect addition to a home to give and receive love and build a strong mutual bond of devotion. Welcoming a new puppy into your forever home is an exhilarating time, but it also brings a wealth of responsibilities. At Almond Blossom Doodles, we want this homecoming to be a beautiful and joyous occasion, and we are here to support you every step of the way. We ensure that these adorably perfect family companions receive an abundance of love and affection from the moment they enter this world. Our hands-on approach helps socialize the puppies while also aiding in the development of their loyalty and trust. We put a piece of our hearts into each puppy that we raise and share with you so the transition into their forever home will be seamless. Our sweet and lovable puppies are ready to come home with you eight weeks after birth, and all puppies come with the following services: Two-year health guarantee A Start on crate training-one week before you take them home ENS Early Neurological Stimulation Age-appropriate shots and worming with records included Collar and leash Almond Blossom Doodle Swag Bag. We have the tremendous opportunity to raise these little mini goldendoodle nuggets of joy for Sacramento, California. These mini goldendoodles have the deep wiring to find joy in almost anything. Familiar person; joy. New person; joy. New toy; joy. Sunny day; great. Rainy day; awesome chance to play in the mud. They have been intentionally bred to make beautiful companions for families, so that they can flourish and enjoy great health in Sacramento. We also know that these joyful mini Goldendoodle puppies - and adults - raise the joy of the people who meet them. These beautiful mini Goldendoodles end up becoming a dear part of the family unit, and get their own particular piece of our hearts. We do not take this lightly. As a breeder, all of these different clubs, groups, and programs are aimed at raising as much joy as possible in our mini Goldendoodles for Sacramento. Happy and Healthy Sacramento Mini Goldendoodles We know that there is much more to breeding healthy, confident, flourishing mini Goldendoodles than just getting a dam and sire together at the right time. These organizations serve as a source of accountability for us, in order to help us breed for mini-goldendoodle puppies with the puppies health in mind. So our mini goldendoodle parents must pass hip, elbow, patella, cardiac, eye, and genetic screening in order to be a part of High Desert Family Doodles. Our mini Goldendoodle parents - Brownie and Rosie - have passed their health-testing and are ready for a litter of puppies in the next couple months. These puppies will be in the pound range, and we will have a variety of coat colors and textures in the litter. Your mini Goldendoodle puppy would be a day trip away, if you wanted to drive up to pick them up. We can meet you at the airport with your mini goldendoodle puppy so that you can just enjoy the brief flight north to Oregon. We look forward to our joyful mini Goldendoodle puppies joining you in Sacramento, California. From that point, we begin to integrate different exercises and exposures that help the mini goldendoodle puppies with overcoming fear responses to become both brave and confident. We give them practical problems to solve - such as navigating obstacles in order to get to their meals - in order to nurture problem solving and trouble-shooting. Mini Goldendoodles come from the hybridization of two intelligent breeds- poodles and golden retrievers - which tends to lead to a highly intelligent puppy. Our hope and desire is to encourage this intelligence as much as possible, and to to teach the mini Goldendoodle puppies that the world - especially Sacramento California - is a trust-worthy place that is safe. In the final weeks we have these mini Goldendoodle puppies, we begin to work with crate exposure, and potty training. We help them begin to understand that their crates are safe places for them as well. They begin to quickly pick up on potty training. The mini Goldendoodle puppies also get a large amount of early socialization with different people in order to help them trust the wide array of humans. Hat: yep. Beards; oh yeah. Tall people; indeed. Kids; all the way. We do all this stuff so that these mini Goldendoodle puppies can handle all the Sacramento California has to offer. Our mini Goldendoodle puppies go home when they are 8 weeks old. The next month is an important window for you to continue to work on exposure with new situations and people to help them continue to grow confident and brave in Sacramento, California. Our breeding dogs undergo thorough testing and selection to ensure they are healthy and happy, and suitable for their new homes. As a top-tier breeder, we pride ourselves on providing the best care possible for all our dogs. They all live inside our homes with loving caregivers who ensure their well-being and happiness. Our puppies are also born and raised in our homes, where they receive plenty of socialization and interaction with the world around them in a safe and nurturing environment. They are usually bred to be companion, therapy, guide, and other types of assistance dogs. A Goldendoodle is a crossbreed dog that is a mix of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Goldendoodles are known for their friendly and affectionate personalities, as well as their hypoallergenic coats, which make them a popular choice for families with allergies. They come in a variety of sizes, depending on the size of the Poodle parent used in the crossbreeding process. Goldendoodles require regular grooming to maintain their curly, non-shedding coats, and they also need daily exercise and socialization to stay healthy and happy. Goldendoodles are known for being highly intelligent and easy to train, making them a popular choice for therapy and service dogs. Goldendoodles can come in a variety of colors, including cream, gold, red, chocolate, and black. They are often considered to be hypoallergenic, as they inherit this trait from their Poodle parent. Goldendoodles are social animals that thrive on human interaction and attention. They require regular grooming to maintain their curly, non-shedding coats. Goldendoodles are active dogs that enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking and swimming. They are known for their love of play and can be quite silly and entertaining. Goldendoodles have become increasingly popular in recent years, as more people discover the many wonderful qualities of this unique crossbreed. Goldendoodles are considered a designer breed and are known to be intelligent and extremely agile. They also can weigh to be about pounds. Goldendoodles are perfect family dogs. They are known to be friendly, energetic, trainable, and sociable. Around children and babies, they are extremely even-tempered. They are just as friendly and playful indoors as they are outdoors, great for going on walks and hikes. Training Goldendoodles Goldendoodles are extremely smart and easy to train. The best way to train them is through positive reinforcement- since they are always willing to learn. Bring home a new addition to your family Bring home a new addition to your family Goldendoodles are a wonderful choice for families as they are a crossbreed of two of the smartest dog breeds, Golden Retrievers and Poodles. They are highly trainable, intelligent, and well-suited for families. They are affectionate, playful, and loyal, making them easy to care for and love. Additionally, Goldendoodles are hypoallergenic, making them a great option for people with allergies. They are created by breeding a purebred Golden Retriever with a purebred Poodle. The new Goldendoodle mix is a friendly, intelligent, and affectionate dog. F1B Goldendoodles are created by breeding a first-generation Goldendoodle with a purebred Poodle. Because F1B Goldendoodles have a higher percentage of Poodle genetics, they are often even more hypoallergenic and non-shedding than first-generation Goldendoodles. They also tend to have more predictable traits and can exhibit more of the desirable characteristics of Poodles, such as intelligence, trainability, and affectionate personalities. F1B Goldendoodles are popular pets for families, especially those with allergies or who are looking for a low-shedding dog. They are typically friendly, affectionate, and intelligent, and require regular grooming and exercise to keep them healthy and happy. Physical Characteristics of Goldendoodles Goldendoodles can have a range of physical characteristics, as their appearance can vary depending on factors such as the size and coat type of the Poodle parent and the Golden Retriever parent. However, here are some common physical characteristics of Goldendoodles: Goldendoodles Color: Most Goldendoodles are white, cream, chocolate or black, although other colors are also possible. Goldendoodles Coat Goldendoodles coat are usually wavy like mostly Golden retriever coat with a little mixture of poodles curls or completely curly more like the poodle coat. Goldendoodles Size and weight Most Goldendoodles size upon reaching adulthood will either be the mini size Goldendoodle that will weigh around lbs or the medium size that will weigh around lbs or standard size that will weigh around lbs. Goldendoodles Height The male Goldendoodles height at the shoulder is generally inches higher than its corresponding female type. Goldendoodles Facial features Goldendoodles tend to have a soft and friendly expression, with round eyes and floppy ears. Bring home a new addition to your family.

It is best to get puppies accustomed to having their ears handled from early on. Be patient with training an older dog who is afraid of the ear cleaning process. Create and maintain an ear grooming schedule to maintain ear health. Large open ear canals not only vastly improved their hearing capabilities, acting like the perfect antennae, but also aided them in staying clean and healthy as well. Labradors have been selectively bred with a different structure to their ears than their pointy-eared ancestors, and the ear canal is covered with a soft furry flap. While these lovely soft ear flaps give our floppy eared dogs a distinctive look that we find so endearing, floppy ears are less practical from a health perspective. Plus, that soft inner ear fuzz that is so efficient at keeping out small debris is equally as efficient at trapping ear wax which creates a sticky trap for bits of gunk, hair and parasites. It also traps dirt, ear wax and all sorts of daily grime deep in the ear canal and inner ear. And is one of the reasons that Labrador ear problems are sadly fairly common. As owners, learning how to clean dogs ears will help keep our dogs comfortable and healthy. Dogs with Hairy Ear Canals? Another cause of ear trouble in some Labs is an excess of hair inside the ear canal. Whilst some hair is useful for stopping debris moving down the ear canal, excess hair can cause it to block more quickly and make it harder for wax to shift. The best thing to do is to show your vet and ask for their advice on whether any action needs to be taken in this respect. Small Ear Canals Get Mucky! Finally, some Labradors have small ear canals relative to the size of their head. Again, this makes it more likely that wax will become lodged and become a breeding ground for bacteria. Impacted wax may also create a host of issues from pain to hearing difficulties. So how will you know whether an ear cleaning session is in order? You can tell by doing simple checks on a regular basis. If you notice the ear appears to have a bit of extra dirty build up or the wax is looking thicker or darker then it is time for a cleaning. The ear should still be a healthy, pale pink with no unpleasant odor or broken skin. Be sure to note the difference between a dirty ear and a medically unwell ear. This will ensure you keep on top of his ear health and make sure you catch or prevent any problems early on. Make sure your Labrador is standing, sitting or lying down comfortably. Begin by calmly stroking his head. You can also give him a piece of kibble or a treat to distract him. Lift the flap of his ear and look into the ear canal. It should also be fairly free from ear wax, debris, discharge or blood although it may have a few flecks of ear wax dotted around the outer ear. Your dog should not react as though in pain, and they should be comfortable with you handling the ear flap. Your Dog Ear Cleaning Kit. Either with water, in what is often referred to as the natural method of cleaning, or using specially designed ear cleaning chemicals. If your Labrador is still a puppy pop him into your lap. If he is fully grown try and encourage him to lay down next to you with his head in your lap. Remain calm, petting and reaffirming your dog. Use treats if necessary. A second set of hands may be useful for less confident dogs. Soak the cotton wool in warm water. Test the temperature of the water. Ensure if it only warm NOT hot! Squeeze out the excess water to leave the cotton damp not sopping wet. Remove any visible dirt and waxy buildup. Begin close to the ear canal and continue outwards towards the outer rim of the underside of the ear flap Each time you wipe use a new piece of cotton wool, so that you are not reintroducing any removed dirt and debris back into the ear with subsequent wipes. Only wipe around the external parts of the ear, coming near to but not entering the opening of the ear canal. Do not introduce water or cotton wool into the ear canal. If your dog appears happy and settled you can repeat this right away with the other ear. If he is becoming restless or stressed, then wait until they have settled down before continuing with the other ear. This usually comes in a tube fitted with a pointed nozzle, so that the liquid is directed into the ear canal. You can also buy proprietary ear cleaning solutions online. We like Zymox but always check with your vet before using this or any other commercial ear cleaner on your dog. Always follow the instructions given by your vet or on the package carefully. This will often be along the lines of placing the tube at the entrance to the ear canal, squirting the requisite volume of solution directly into the ear and then massaging the ear and the area beneath it with the ear flap closed. You will hear a squelching sound as the solution cleans the inner ear and while the ear will become damp there should not be a lot of solution leaking out of the ear if the correct amount is used. Use cotton swabs to wipe out any excess cleaning solution wiping from the inside to outside of the ear flap. You can help your Labrador to find the process less frustrating by giving him a high value treat immediately after you have massaged the solution into his ear. This will help them associate the less than pleasant ear cleaning with the much more enjoyable reward of a yummy treat. This is perfectly normal. Still it is probably best to carry out the cleaning process in a relatively empty, well contained space away from any fragile items—a bathroom is often preferred. You may be able to distract your dog afterwards with a game or a brisk walk. Some dogs do not like having their ears cleaned. This can be an issue for some dogs with general cleaning, even more so for dogs with recurring inner ear problems who need routine inner ear cleanings. The best thing you can do is to get your dog used to being handled and having their ears cleaned from a young age. If you are bringing home a new puppy, then every few days when he is sitting on your lap calmly gently stroke around his ears, lifting the flaps and doing a visual check. When he responds by staying calm and still give him a small piece of kibble as a reward. This will help him to get used to letting you inspect the ear. And see it as a rewarding experience when he shows the desired behavior. When you are happy with these checks, you can do the same but with the occasional gentle wipe of the ear using a damp cotton wool pad. Just remember to reward him for being still, disinterested and calm, and to ignore him when he gets excited. Tips for Adult Dogs If your dog is older and has developed a distaste to having his ears checked or cleaned you can combat this but at a very slow, patient pace. The best place to start is by training a reliable sit command. Make sure your dog will happily sit while you are both on the same level. And while you have your hands on a a body part or area in which he is comfortable. Gradually over the course of several training sessions move your hands closer to his head and ears. Only go as far as your dog is comfortable. And every time he remains relaxed give him a piece of kibble to reward him. Begin repeating the process with a cotton wool pad or the ear cleaner in your hand. If he is nervous of these items you will need to begin training by simply rewarding him for staying calm when you hold them in the same room as him. Make sure you have lots of high value rewards ready. Stay calm and confident in your handling of him. If you have a friend that your Lab knows well and trusts, then you may find it easier to carry out the final stage with them treat-streaming. Ask them to give your dog a continuous row of small treats while you do the cleaning. Ear problems in Labradors can cause them and you a lot of stress. We are going to look at some of the most common cause of Labrador ear problems. Helping you to know the signs, symptoms, causes, treatments and preventions. Why do Labradors get ear infections? If your Lab is shaking his head or flapping his ears, he may have an ear infection. Nature designed dogs with pricked up ears for a good reason. Upright ears allow good air flow which helps to keep ears free from infection. Floppy ears have flaps which cover the ear canal, creating a warmer, darker environment where germs and other unwanted visitors can grow and flourish. What this means is that Labradors, and other floppy eared dogs, are somewhat more prone to ear problems, than dogs with pricked up ears. Individual Labradors with narrow or very hairy ear canals may also be at particular disadvantage. And Labradors in general are prone to a number of allergies which are known to be associated with ear problems. Symptoms of Ear Problems in Labradors Ear problems can be highly irritating, so you may see behaviors like head shaking and ear flapping. Or the dog may simply keep tilting his head to one side. Your dog may scratch at his ears with his hind feet. Or he may drop his head down and rub his ears with his front foot. He may even put his head on the ground and rub his ear along the floor. But, sometimes, ear problems can go undetected. A grubby or sore appearance with a lot of dark brown wax coming from the ear canal, is not a good sign. Nor is any kind of odor. Common causes of Labrador ear problems The pain and irritation that causes your dog to rub or scratch himself repeatedly is the result of an inflamed ear canal. Vets call this inflammation Otitis which simply means inflamed ear. Including: Ear mites Yeast Bacteria One of these three types of creature is usually the culprit. Otitis Externa is closely associated with atopic dermatitis and other allergies. The bugs that are found in the ears of dogs that are sufferers, are also present in the ears of healthy dogs, though in smaller numbers Symptoms of Ear Mites in Dogs If your Labrador has been shaking his head vigorously and repeatedly, ears flapping wildly, he may be troubled with ear mites. These irritating parasites are a relatively common labrador health problem. What are ear mites? Ear mites are minute creatures that look a bit like tiny white crabs. They live in the ear canal of affected animals feeding off the debris there dead skin cells etc , and sometimes causing intense irritation. Has my Labrador got ear mites? Dogs are affected differently by these creatures with some Labradors scratching their ears until they bleed whilst others barely seem to notice them. Your vet will be able to confirm the diagnosis, and if you have more than one dog, or a cat, you will need to treat them all because the problem is easily spread from one dog to another. Treating ear mites Treatment takes a few weeks to eradicate the problem completely so you will need to be persistent. Remember to keep cats away from dog flea products, they can make cats very ill. You will need a cat specific product to treat your cat. Canine Ear Infections Caused by Yeast A yeast or fungal infection is another common problem in dogs, especially those with floppy low hanging ears like Labradors. Yeast infections are one of the problems that may also be more common in dogs with allergies. A study published in showed that dogs with an allergy to mould, trees, or cultivated plants were more likely to suffer from skin and ear yeast infection. A yeast infection can cause the ear to smell unpleasant, as can a bacterial infection. What do I do if my dog has an ear infection? The first step is to get a diagnosis. He may want you to clean your dogs ears each day for a while to help improve the environment inside them. If your vet thinks that there is a bacterial infection he may prescribe antibiotic drops to be placed into the ears. A yeast infection can be treated with anti fungal drops. Do dogs ear infections get better on their own? It can be tempting to leave what seems to be a relatively minor problem, and to wait and see if it clears up on its own. With ear infections this is a bad idea, for three main reasons. Firstly because they are distressing for the dog. And secondly because the dog that is flapping his ears to relieve the irritation inside them, is quite likely to give himself a haematoma of the ear flap. This is where bleeding occurs inside the flap from the constant shaking, and a big cyst fills with blood and if left may eventually burst. Treating the haematoma, stitching, draining etc, can be a lot more trouble, and a lot more expensive, than treating the original ear infection. And thirdly, Otitis Externa can be even more serious is left untreated in the long term, involving expensive surgery and occasionally in permanent hearing loss How do you prevent ear problems in dogs? A good circulation of air helps to keep ears healthy. Upright ears have the advantage, but you can help your Labrador by keeping his ears clean and free from debris so that the environment inside them does not encourage and overgrowth of unpleasant visitors. If your dog has a lot of hair growing in around the entrance to the ear canal, your vet may recommend you trim it. It may be tempting to dunk your dog in a medicated shampoo to try and fend off more problems, but washing a dog more frequently may not help. Not only do you risk pushing water into the ear canal, but allergies in Labradors may be more common in dogs that are washed regularly. Cleaning their ears can potentially help to prevent ear problems in Labradors. A large ball of cotton wool moistened with warm boiled water or a little of the ear cleaner recommended by your vet can be gently wiped around the opening of the ear canal, as far as you can easily see. What should I do if I suspect my dog has an ear problem? Your first port of call is a trip to the vet. References and further reading Zur G, .Canine atopic dermatitis: a retrospective study of cases examined at the University of California, Davis, —.Part I. Clinical features and allergy testing results. Veterinary Dermatology. Meury S, et all .Role of the environment in the development of canine atopic dermatitis in Labrador and golden retrievers. Zur G, .The association between the signalment, common causes of canine otitis externa and pathogens. Journal of Small Animal Practice. Total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy in the dog.

Ideally they need owners around all day. Common health problems in French Bulldogs French Bulldogs are playful and fun-loving dogs who love spending time with their owners. Sadly, like so many other purebred dogs, they are at risk of certain conditions relating to their breed. If you are thinking of buying a French Bulldog puppy , make sure the parents of your puppy have had the relevant health screening to reduce the chances of your puppy being affected by certain conditions. Frenchies are a flat-faced breed, which can often cause breathing problems and means they overheat quickly especially when they exercise in warmer weather. Some of the conditions Frenchies may develop include: Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome BOAS — this can cause severe breathing problems and is caused by their shorter faces. Parents should be screened before breeding. Luxating patellas — where the kneecaps slipping temporarily out of place. Dental problems — shorter faced dogs often have crowded teeth with can cause dental problems. A range of eye problems, including cataracts there is screening for this. Back problems such as Intervertebral disc disease — where the discs that provide cushioning between the vertebrae back bones bulge or burst, pressing on nerves in the spine. Skin conditions — particularly skin fold dermatitis where the skin in their wrinkles gets inflamed and sore or even infected. Hyperuricosuria — a condition where stones or crystals can form in urine causing infections, difficulty passing urine or blood in urine. If you want to minimise the risk of your dog getting problems due to exaggerated features, you can read our advice on choosing a pedigree dog. Caring for your French Bulldog Frenchies are loving dogs, known for being quite laid-back and happy to fit in with family life. French Bulldogs can be lower maintenance because they tend to prefer shorter walks, but they definitely have huge characters and personalities and will do anything for a bit of fuss and attention! French Bulldogs and barking As with any breed, your Frenchie is likely to make noise. How much they make is completely down to the individual, their training and personality. Training and socialisation French Bulldogs are eager to please their owners which can make them easy to train, but are also known to be strong-willed at times. They are a sensitive breed, so respond best to positive, reward-based training which needs to be started from an early age. This will help them grow into confident adults and help their laid-back nature shine through. They thrive off company and so could develop separation anxiety if left alone. Exercise Although Frenchies are thought to be less high maintenance than some breeds when it comes to exercise, they still love to keep busy and exercising is a huge part of that. Your French Bulldog will need up to an hour of exercise every day. This should be split into a few shorter walks, with time to play off-lead in a secure area and have a good sniff around. As a flat-faced breed, French Bulldogs can overheat and struggle to breathe really quickly, especially in warmer weather. Make sure you can recognise the signs of heatstroke in your dog. Early mornings and later in the evenings would be better times to go for a walk in the summer. Due to the extra rolls of skin around their face, French Bulldogs are at risk of developing something called skin fold dermatitis. You can clean them with damp cotton wool pads but always make sure to dry them thoroughly after. Will you give now to help people and pets in need? As the cost of living continues to rise, vet care could be out of reach for many. Donate to our emergency appeal now to provide vital vet care to pets in need and keep families together during this crisis. Donate French Bulldogs and children Frenchies are known for being pretty laid back and adaptable, so they tend to get along well with children of all ages which makes them popular family pets. Always supervise your dog with children and vulnerable adults. French Bulldogs do have a high prey drive. If they have grown up with a cat in the home, they will be fine with that cat but are likely to chase unfamiliar cats and smaller pets. You should always supervise your dog with family pets and introduce them slowly from a young age. Your vet will be able to tell you how much your Frenchie should be eating. You should feed them a good quality, commercially available, complete dog food. We usually recommend splitting their daily allowance into two meals. If you give your dog the occasional treat or use treats for training, remember to take this into account and reduce their daily allowance. Flat-faced breeds such as Frenchies can suffer from reflux or struggle to swallow their food. Speak to your vet for more information about how to manage this at home. Try to feed your dog at similar times every day as they like routine. Remember to leave a gap between eating and exercising. Beware unusually cheap puppies as they could come from a puppy farm. These breeders must do extra health tests and meet higher standards. Set-up costs Puppy vaccines — if you rescue a dog, reputable centres will often vaccinate them for you. Remember that ongoing booster vaccinations will be needed to continue their immunity. Neutering — you should usually arrange for your dog to be neutered at around six months old, though your vet will be able to advise you exactly when is best. Check prices at your local practice as these will depend on your vet and where you live. Some rescue centres will neuter any dogs they rehome, saving you this cost. Equipment — including a collar and tags, lead, harness, dog beds, dog bowls, pet-safe toothpaste and toothbrushes, grooming brushes and toys. Keep in mind that all these will need to be replaced with wear or damage or if your dog outgrows or damages them! Ongoing costs Food. Preventive healthcare — budget for routine vet visits to help stop your dog getting ill and catch any problems early. They need annual check-ups, vaccinations and regular flea and worming treatments. Check if your vet offers a health care plan as this can help spread the cost throughout the year. Accessories — including lots of poo bags, replacing worn toys and grooming accessories, buying doggy toothpaste and any other extras they might need. Other costs Training — basic training is very important and dogs can benefit from formal classes. Some dogs may have, or develop, behavioural problems which might need professional management. Boarding — you may also need to budget for boarding or dog sitting costs if you are planning to go away from home on holiday. If you are having difficulty with veterinary costs, you can check if you are eligible for treatment at PDSA here. PDSA Pet Insurance Fun facts An early version of the breed were used by lace makers in the UK shortly before the industrial revolution to warm their laps while they worked. French Bulldogs are known for their big, bat-like ears. They are lovable dogs who fit easily into family life, but come with a lot of extra responsibility and potentially higher healthcare costs. Rehoming centres There are plenty of rescue centres across the country where you may find a French Bulldog. Breed-specific rescues that specialise in French Bulldogs are also out there. Good rescue centres should let you know of any health and behaviour problems. Breeders If you buy from a breeder, make sure your puppy will be well socialised and have all necessary screening tests, health checks and vaccinations. December 6, In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? Quickly rising in the popularity ranks to spot number two, the French bulldog or more commonly known for their nickname Frenchie is a bundle of cute, silliness, and affection! This compact, low-activity, lap companion is a perfect fit for puppy parents that like a relaxed lifestyle! How do you know if the French Bulldog is the right fit for you and your family? A Brief Background on French Bulldogs! When it comes to French Bulldogs, not where they originally come from! These pups actually made their way over to France from England and were actually Toy Bulldogs. During the mid s, lacemakers from Nottingham, England traveled to Paris bringing along their toy bulldogs and cross-breeding them with bull-baiting bulldogs to gain those tall erect bat ears Frenchies have today! Soon, their popularity in France spread as more Parisian women introduced these pups a staple into city, cafe-culture. What are French Bulldog Breed Characteristics? French Bulldogs have short snouts, round adorable bodies and short legs, square-shaped faces but the most undeniably French Bulldog quality.Although these characteristics breed standard, French Bulldogs come in a variety of colorings including white, cream, tan, grey, black, brown, blue, multi-color, fawn, brindle, merle, lilac, and combinations of each of these! What are French Bulldog Personalities like? These pups have silly personalities, love to play, and can settle right up next to your lap. Unlike the common yappy small dog stereotype, Frenchies are quite affectionate and even-tempered. They love their human families, seek companionship, and enjoy playing with their people. If you were looking for a pup that was thrill-seeking and had a protective quality to their nature, French Bulldogs are far more content with a walk, quick game of tug-of-way or fetch, and would probably rather play with new people and dogs than be protective. While they are relatively easy-going, they can have a bit of a stubborn streak so be prepared with obedience training and to coax your Frenchie with some treats! Much like their early days, French Bulldogs are a great choice for puppy parents living in urban, city environments like apartment buildings. Frenchies, while they love to play, are what is known as a brachycephalic breed. High activity can cause them to overheat and they will have difficulty panting to cool off. While the idea of letting your French Bulldog puppy cool off in water seems right, no swimming for these pups. If you live somewhere with a pool or close to a lake, be mindful of your Frenchie, and even keep a protective float or vest on them! All in all, a home that provides space in a room to play, or walks around the neighborhood or in a park are just what Frenchies need to burn off their energy and keep entertained! How to Care for Your French Bulldog! French Bulldogs, like many short-snouted dogs, can suffer from respiratory issues such as wheezing, snoring, and over-heating in warmer temperatures. While their short coats are generally low-maintenance, French Bulldogs can suffer from eye infections and infections in the folds of their skin. Keeping their eyes clean, regular brushing with a rubber glove, and making sure their skin is completely dry after bathing can significantly help prevent these issues! When you first bring home your new French Bulldog puppy, set up an initial visit with your veterinarian to discuss French Bulldog breed nutritional needs, preventive care, and schedule their vaccinations! Thanks to their adorable looks, French Bulldogs receive a lot of affection from their humans. Basic Obedience and Tricks French Bulldogs are fun and easy-to-train breed! However, some Frenchie parents may find bouts of stubbornness such as refusing to take another step on a walk or not coming when called! If you start to experience this with your Frenchie puppy, try to keep them on a leash while under supervision at home to have them follow you and start to establish leadership. Since these pups love a good playtime session, teaching them some fun tricks is a great way to keep them engaged while still working on listening and following your lead! Potty Train Right Away With the right consistency and patience, all puppies can be potty trained! Some French Bulldog puppies may take a bit longer to master pottying in a specific spot so start from the very first day your puppy comes home! Pick a designated spot, start bringing your puppy there every time they have to go potty, and supervise them at home, or crate them at night to prevent accidents! As companion dogs, French Bulldogs can develop separation anxiety so establishing crate times during the day and at night will help your puppy start to feel comfortable being alone and boost their level of confidence. Set times for feeding, play, puppy training, and sleep will provide your puppy with routine and structure, encouraging good behaviors and fewer chances of your puppy developing bad habits. A daily schedule also makes certain things such as potty times far more predictable for you and helps to speed up the potty training process. Lastly, a set routine creates a well-adjusted puppy that will grow up confident, healthy, and happy! One of the best things about a daily puppy schedule is that you can establish one that aligns with your own! Teach them "Drop-It! One of the fastest and most fun! Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! Preparing for your French Bulldog puppy Here is the list of things you must have before your puppy comes home: The food that I start my puppies on occasionally changes as I search for the very best products. At this time my highest recommendation is to feed a raw meat diet which consists of muscle meats, bone, organ, vegetables, and supplements to ensure your new family members berst health and longevity. You fill find these in the freezer sections of boutique pet stores. You are welcome to supplement with kibble for those times when the food is not defrosted in time, for travel, and other unforeseeable circumstances. Goat milk kefir or yogurt not cows milk! I wean my puppies onto water by 8 weeks old, however I do recommend to have a quart on hand during the transition period just in case. If not used, it can be frozen for later use or your can drink it yourself. Its very easy to digest and puppies absolutely love it! Instead choose freeze dried raw meat treats. These can be ordered online through chewy. Enzymatic cleaner for tidying up potty accidents. Regular bowls work fine but if you would like to go the extra mile there are special bowls designed specifically for brachycephalic breeds which helps slow down eating and therefore swallowing less gas and creating less gas and less chances for over eating and then throwing up those can be purchased online. Raised bowls are an extra plus! Spending all that time bent over a bowl can be painful on the joints. A raised bowl will keep proper body conformation and promote correct position of joints. Choose durable toys and generally stay away from plushies as these can be easily torn apart and the fluff inside is easy to choke on. Edible chews are okay too, just no bleached rawhide as this is toxic. They make both a vitamin-mineral wafer as well as a joint support wafer. I recommend both. Please use my breeders code for a discount on your order: nuvet. Making food available during specific intervals during the day will make bowel movements more predictable, because they typically poop within 20 minutes after eating. You can start to take away food earlier each evening to have less bowel movements over night. If feeding kibble, I highly recommend taking a moment to boil and mash some carrots. This will help to keep their digestive system settled during the stressful transition between homes. If you choose to add any additional supplements, just follow the packaging instructions. If your puppy eats all of it and seems to still be hungry, mix them another portion. There is no need to measure or count calories at this point. Growing puppies need a lot of energy, just like growing children. I will always and forever recommend only raw unprocessed diets for this breed. If this is the case I highly recommend adding canned food from the same brand. I mix this thoroughly until there are no chunks left and the mixture is uniform otherwise they will pick out the chunks and leave the kibble behind. Try not to mix other cooked meat into your kibble otherwise your puppy will never eat kibble without meat. If you are okay with cooking daily for your puppy, then by all means add cooked meat and vegetables into their kibble. Please do not feed beef or chicken based products. If you elect to feed cooked meat, choose organic turkey only at this young age. I always have clean water available day and night. If your puppy is experiencing separation anxiety and not wanting to eat then you can offer goats milk kefir or yogurt as well as egg yolks. Goats milk kefir and egg yolks are hard for puppies to resist and it will provide both hydration and calories. Your French Bulldog puppy should be kept on the diet they were started on for a few months, as changes from what they are used to can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. I am enthusiastically happy to share any resources and guide you on a diet change to raw meat feeding: French Bulldog Puppy Hygiene Your puppy does not need to be bathed unless visibly dirty. DO NOT allow water to enter the ears! Frenchie ears are erect and open, so its easy to water to get in. In addition to this, ears are dark and warm perfect for bacteria or fungus. Dry the ears thoroughly after each bath and walks in the rain and avoid allowing water near the head in general. For cleaning the ears on a regular basis weekly or more frequently I like to use cotton pads soaked in a specifically formulated cleaning solution called Ph Notix. The Ph Notix does an excellent job of melting the ear wax for an easy wipe away. Though, coconut oil, colloidal silver, and any vet prescribed ear cleaner can be used as well. Clip nails monthly at a minimum. The more frequently nails are clipped, the shorter they will become. Same applies to their tail pocket. Puppies don't typically have tail pockets, but as they matures this feature can develop. The most important step is to very thoroughly dry your puppy whenever they are wet! I check this area with each bath, and completely dry the paws especially in between the toes after each bath and each time they get wet. If you notice redness between the toes, then it is likely yeast. I personally do not brush the teeth of my dogs, and have never had a dental issue. Providing large raw real bones for chewing will naturally clean the teeth and this is something that I give all of my dogs. However if you are keen on doing so, daily brushing will provide additional protection to your dogs teeth. There are special savory flavored tooth pastes just for dogs available to make this task more enjoyable for your puppy. As a preventative measure you can also add a specially formulated probiotic into their water to support dental health called TEEF. I administer these vaccines at home in a single dose containing all five strains of virus. I use the brand name Duramune Max and I special order these to be delivered to be via one-day-air on ice to ensure their viability. This initial dose is given once your Frenchie turns at least 7 weeks old. Please wait a minimum of 3 weeks to give the next booster vaccines. This is very important, I do not recommend the leptospirosis vaccine due to a high rate of adverse reactions. It is not necessary unless your French Bulldog puppy will be in frequent contact with wildlife or livestock and you live in an area where leptsospirosis is rampent. Bordetella can be given at 10 weeks old and rabies can be given once your puppy is a minimum of 3 months old. I also give my adult French Bulldogs a booster of Bordetella kennel cough as well as canine influenza vaccine once each flu season. Deworming Simply due to the nature of puppies, I recommend you submit a fecal sample during your initial vet visit. I deworm the entire litter multiple times before coming home to you. But please understand that puppies are messy creatures. Puppies also put absolutely everything in their mouths including each others paws. So please understand its likely that you may need to continue one last treatment of dewormer when your puppy comes home, even if they are having solid poops. All of my mamma dogs are dewormed before and after having their litters as well to reduce exposure to internal parasites. Additionally I deworm all of my adult dogs twice yearly with a combination of metronidazole and fenbendazole, or drontal plus. Certain parasites like giardia are extremely difficult to eradicate in our cool and wet climate. Giardia will live in the soil and water and can be spread through wild animals coming through your yard as well. Adult dogs with strong immune systems will develop antibodies to giardia and will have no symptoms. Puppies who test positive for giarida may or may not have symptoms. I personally have never had a flea or tick problem with any of my dogs in all my years of breeding and I choose not to treat my pets with pesticides. Pesticides are teratogenic and can cause birth defects as well as neurologic disorders such as seizures. Personally I would only consider one dose of oral NexGuard during the hottest month of Summer when these parasites are most active in my geological area. Each individual dog and household must weight the risks and benefits to use or not to use pesticides based on their personal circumstances and geological area. I understand you might live in an area with a known problem with these external parasites or might be living on a farm where it will be necessary to keep them under control. There are many different kinds of medications that can be used but they treat different things, some are applied topically, some given orally, some work for one month and others up to 8 months, and some medications will also treat internal parasites in addition to external. For puppies under six months old the oral medication NexGaurd can be given for fleas and ticks, as well as off-label for mites. A third kind of treatment is a Seresto collar which is a collar made from a special material that is filled with medication that is slowly released and absorbed by your dog. My brother who lives on a farm finds favor with this method and it can be used as early as 7 weeks of age. Ridgefield, Washington. Minimal exercise needs and a low barking tendency make her perfect for apartment living. The French Bulldog descended from the English Bulldog in the s when it was translocated to France. The breed has flourished as an adored companion ever since. The Frenchie is known for its bat-like ears and short, wrinkled nose. She tends to have a curious and gentle nature and is notorious for being the class clown. She will often have sporadic bouts of energy followed by prolonged periods of resting. The French Bulldog is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of years. That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your French Bulldog. By knowing about health concerns specific to French Bulldogs, we can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks. That does not mean your dog will have these problems; it just means that she is more at risk than other dogs. We will describe the most common issues seen in French Bulldogs to give you an idea of what may come up in her future. This guide contains general health information important to all canines as well as the most important genetic predispositions for French Bulldogs. At the end of the article, we have also included a description of what you can do at home to keep your Frenchie looking and feeling her best. And unfortunately, your French Bulldog is more likely than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. It starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. Infections French Bulldogs are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections — the same ones that all dogs can get — such as parvo, rabies, and distemper. Many of these infections are preventable through vaccination , which we will recommend based on the diseases we see in our area, her age, and other factors. Obesity Obesity can be a significant health problem in French Bulldogs. It is a serious disease that may cause or worsen joint problems, metabolic and digestive disorders, back pain and heart disease. Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or perhaps take her for a walk. Everything from fleas and ticks to ear mites can infest her skin and ears. Hookworms, roundworms, heartworms , and whipworms can get into her system in a number of ways: drinking unclean water, walking on contaminated soil, or being bitten by an infected mosquito. Some of these parasites can be transmitted to you or a family member and are a serious concern for everyone. Vida Veterinary Care will also recommend preventive medication as necessary to keep her healthy. Spay or Neuter One of the best things you can do for your French Bulldog is to have her spayed neutered for males. In females, this means we surgically remove the ovaries and usually the uterus, and in males, it means we surgically remove the testicles. Spaying or neutering decreases the likelihood of certain types of cancers and eliminates the possibility of your pet becoming pregnant or fathering unwanted puppies. Performing this surgery also gives us a chance, while your pet is under anesthesia, to identify and address some of the diseases your dog is likely to develop. For example, if your pet needs hip X-rays or a puppy tooth extracted, this would be a good time. This is convenient for you and easy for your friend. Routine blood testing prior to surgery also helps us to identify and take precautions for common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk. The disease is caused when the jelly-like cushion between one or more vertebrae slips or ruptures, causing the disc to press on the spinal cord. If your dog is suddenly unable or unwilling to jump up, go up stairs, is reluctant to move around, has a hunched back, cries out, or refuses to eat or go potty, he is likely in severe pain. He may even drag his back feet or be suddenly paralyzed and unable to get up or use his back legs. Call us or an emergency clinic immediately! For less severe cases, rest and medication may resolve the problem. As with so many other diseases, weight control helps to prevent this problem. Spinal Deformities French Bulldogs are more likely than other canines to be born with spinal deformities a condition called hemivertebrae , which may lead to spinal cord damage, instability, or disability. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD is an immune system disorder common in French Bulldogs in which the intestinal lining becomes overrun with immune system cells called lymphocytes and plasmacytes. Chronic vomiting or diarrhea is common or it may flare up suddenly and then improve again for a time. Stress, diet change, or intestinal parasites may make it worse. If your friend has diarrhea or digestive upsets that are not explained by the more common reasons, diagnostic tests, which may include intestinal biopsy, will be needed. Lifetime medications and special diets are usually required to keep this bellyache under control. Unfortunately, French Bulldogs can inherit or develop a number of different eye conditions, some of which may cause blindness if not treated right away, and most of which can be extremely painful! We will evaluate his eyes at every examination to look for any signs of concern. Cataracts are a common cause of blindness in older French Bulldogs. Many dogs adjust well to losing their vision and get along just fine. Surgery to remove cataracts and restore sight may also be an option. Distichiasis is a condition caused by extra hairs that grow inside of the eyelid and rub on the surface of the eye. This is one of the most commonly inherited diseases in dogs, and your French Bulldog is more likely than other dogs to develop this painful condition. If untreated, these abnormal hairs can cause corneal ulcers and chronic eye pain. Several treatment options are available, and the prognosis is good once the hairs have been permanently removed. Entropion is a condition where the eyelid rolls inward, causing the eyelashes to rub against the cornea surface of the eyeball. This is an extremely irritating and painful condition that can ultimately lead to blindness. It can happen in any dog breed; however, your French Bulldog is especially at risk for this heritable disorder. Surgical correction is usually successful if performed early. Because your Frenchie has eyeballs that naturally protrude, he is more vulnerable to eye injuries. Scrapes or punctures to the cornea the protective covering on the eyeball are the most common injuries. Not only do they hurt, they can become infected and affect his vision. Call us at right away if he has any problems with his eyes. A damaged cornea is painful and should be treated immediately. Medication and sometimes surgery is required. Allergies In humans, an allergy to pollen, mold, or dust makes people sneeze and their eyes itch. In dogs, rather than sneeze, allergies make their skin itchy. Commonly, the feet, belly, folds of the skin, and ears are most affected. Symptoms typically start between the ages of one and three and can get worse every year. Licking the paws, rubbing the face, and frequent ear infections are the most common signs. The good news is that there are many treatment options available for this condition. Bleeding Disorders There are several types of inherited bleeding disorders that occur in dogs. They range in severity from very mild to very severe. Many times a pet seems normal until a serious injury occurs or surgery is performed, and then severe bleeding can result. You might notice that he runs along and suddenly picks up a back leg and skips or hops for a few strides. If the problem is mild and involves only one leg, your friend may not require much treatment beyond arthritis medication. When symptoms are severe, surgery may be needed to realign the kneecap to keep it from popping out of place. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia Both hips and elbows are at risk for dysplasia, an inherited disease that causes the joints to develop improperly and results in arthritis. You may notice that he begins to show lameness in his legs or has difficulty getting up from lying down. We can treat the arthritis—the sooner the better—to minimize discomfort and pain. Surgery is sometimes a good option in severe and life-limiting cases. Keep in mind that overweight dogs may develop arthritis years earlier than those of normal weight, causing undue pain and suffering! Respiratory Distress Syndrome This disease, also known as brachycephalic syndrome, affects dogs with a short nose, like your French Bulldog. As a consequence, the soft palate the soft part at the back of the roof of the mouth , is too long and hangs down into the airway. The nostrils are often too small, and sometimes the trachea, or windpipe, is narrow and undersized. All of these things lead to a narrow and obstructed airway. Many of these dogs can barely breathe! Watch for exercise intolerance, loud breathing, coughing, bluish gums, or fainting. With his short nose, he is also more likely to develop other problems, such as flatulence from excessive air intake, pneumonia from aspirating food, or heat stroke. In severe cases, surgical correction may be recommended. Bladder or Kidney Stones There are a few different types of stones that can form in the kidney or in the bladder, and French Bulldogs are more likely to develop them than other breeds. Call us immediately! It affects French Bulldogs more frequently than other breeds. If your dog has this disease, he will become increasingly weak and disabled in the hind legs and will eventually suffer from paralysis in his hindquarters, along with incontinence. Rehabilitation, exercise, acupuncture , and dietary supplements can be helpful, but there is no cure. A genetic test is available to determine whether your dog is at risk for this heritable disease. Mange Demodex is a microscopic mite that lives in the hair follicles of dogs. All dogs have them. In mild cases, pet owners may notice a few dry, irritated, hairless lesions. These often occur on the face or feet and may or may not be itchy. Secondary skin infections may occur. Prompt veterinary care is important to keep the disease from getting out of hand. Many pets seem to outgrow the problem, while others require lifelong management. Skin Infections Your French Bulldog is prone to a form of skin infection called lip-fold pyoderma, which occurs because the folds of skin along the lower jaw are usually moist. Bacteria and yeast can readily gain a foothold and cause a reddened, smelly area that is uncomfortable for your dog. We will examine him for this problem, but let us know if you see signs. When symptoms are severe, the excess skin folds can be surgically removed. Taking Care of Your French Bulldog at Home Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. Another very important step in caring for your pet is signing up for pet health insurance. There will certainly be medical tests and procedures she will need throughout her life and pet health insurance will help you cover those costs. Routine Care, Diet, and Exercise Build her routine care into your schedule to help your Frenchie live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime. We cannot overemphasize the importance of a proper diet and exercise routine. Supervise your pet as you would a toddler. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary. She has low grooming needs. Brush her coat as needed, at least weekly. Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. Check her facial wrinkles and eyes often. Her droopy skin and eyes can collect debris. She is well suited for apartment living; she will need a daily walk and regular inside play. She can be sensitive to warm temperatures; avoid any prolonged exposure and be very alert to the signs of heat stress. Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age. What to Watch For Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease, or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help, and how urgently. Many diseases cause dogs to have a characteristic combination of symptoms, which together can be a clear signal that your French Bulldog needs help. A balanced diet, regular exercise, proper grooming, and regular vet check-ups will keep them healthy and happy. French Bulldog care is a delightful experience that brings so much happiness! In this article, we have collected all the most important tips covering the ultimate Frenchie care! Are Frenchies easy to take care of? French Bulldogs, also known as Frenchies, are a popular breed of dogs known for their charming personalities and adorable wrinkled faces. When it comes to taking care of them, Frenchies are relatively low-maintenance dogs. They have a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming, and they are not known to be heavy-shedder. They also have a low exercise requirement, making them suitable for apartment living. However, Frenchies are prone to breathing difficulties due to their short snouts, so they may require special attention during hot weather or heavy physical activity. Additionally, they are prone to certain health issues such as skin allergies, hip dysplasia, and eye problems, so regular veterinary check-ups are important. A responsible dog breeder filters these very strictly so that the chances of occurrence can be kept to a minimum. Responsible breeders also help to identify and treat illnesses. Overall, Frenchies can be a great addition to any household with the right amount of care and attention. Frenchies are sensitive to heat French Bulldogs are a brachycephalic breed, meaning they have short snouts, which can make it difficult for them to regulate their body temperature , especially in hot weather. Limit exercise Avoid strenuous exercise during hot weather and opt for early morning or late evening walks instead. Use cooling products Invest in cooling products, such as cooling mats, cooling vests, or fans, to keep your Frenchie comfortable. Avoid overheating Be mindful of signs of overheating, such as heavy panting, red gums, and a lack of energy, and take steps to cool your Frenchie down immediately if you notice these signs. By taking these steps, you can help protect your Frenchie from the dangers of heat and keep them healthy and comfortable during hot weather. Keep your Frenchie fit Keeping a French Bulldog fit and healthy requires a combination of proper diet, exercise, and preventive health care. Here are some tips to help keep your Frenchie in shape: Provide a balanced diet Feed your Frenchie a high-quality, well-balanced diet appropriate for their age, size, and activity level. Avoid overfeeding, as Frenchies are prone to weight gain. Regular exercise Frenchies are a low-energy breed, but they still need regular exercise to maintain their health. Offer daily walks, playtime, and other forms of physical activity to keep them fit. Offer healthy treats in moderation and avoid giving in to those puppy-dog eyes at the dinner table. Provide mental stimulation Frenchies also need mental stimulation to keep them fit. Offer interactive toys, puzzle feeders, and other forms of mental stimulation to keep them mentally and physically fit. First name Email 3. Here are some tips for grooming your Frenchie: Brush regularly Frenchies have a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming, but regular brushing can help remove loose hair and prevent shedding. Trim nails Regular nail trims are important to avoid painful cracks or splits. Watch out for common Frenchie health issues French Bulldogs, like all breeds, are prone to certain health issues. A responsible dog breeder will always screen the parent dogs before including them in their breeding program. By doing so, they can largely reduce the chance of passing over genetic diseases that may affect the French Bulldog lifespan. Here are some of the most common health problems seen in Frenchies: Breathing difficulties Frenchies are a brachycephalic breed, which means they have a short snout, and this can lead to breathing difficulties, especially in hot weather or during physical exertion. Loud breathing, snoring, and grunting are completely normal in French bulldogs. You should take your dog to a doctor if it is visibly bothering him. Skin allergies Frenchies are prone to skin allergies, which can cause itching, rashes, and other skin problems. Eye problems Frenchies can develop various eye problems, including cherry eye, dry eye, and cataracts. Hip dysplasia Hip dysplasia is a common genetic problem in many breeds, including Frenchies. It is a congenital abnormality that can cause arthritis and other joint problems. Hip dysplasia is always filtered by responsible breeders, and our puppies get tested too. Intervertebral disk disease Frenchies are also prone to Intervertebral Disk Disease IVDD , which is a condition that affects the disks in the spine and can cause back pain and paralysis. It can be prevented by not letting them jump from high places or climb stairs too much. Gastrointestinal issues Frenchies can also suffer from a variety of gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation, bloat, and megaesophagus. Provide the right diet The right diet for a French Bulldog will depend on its age, size, and activity level, as well as any individual health concerns. Here are some general guidelines to help you choose the right diet for your Frenchie: A high-quality, balanced diet Feed your Frenchie a high-quality, balanced diet that is appropriate for their age, size, and activity level. Consider small, frequent meals Frenchies can also suffer from a variety of gastrointestinal problems, such as bloat and reflux, so consider feeding smaller, more frequent meals to help minimize any digestive issues. Avoid table scraps Table scraps can be high in fat and calories, and can also lead to digestive problems and food intolerance. Instead, stick to a balanced, nutritionally complete diet for your Frenchie. By following these guidelines and working with your veterinarian, you can help ensure that your French Bulldog is getting the proper nutrition to maintain optimal health and well-being. Prevent any ear problems French Bulldogs are prone to ear problems due to their floppy ears, which can trap moisture and bacteria. Be sure to dry their ears thoroughly after each bath or swim to prevent moisture from accumulating. Avoid exposing their ears to water Try to avoid exposing their ears to water, especially during baths and swims. Consider using ear protection, such as ear muffs or earplugs, to keep their ears dry. Ultimate Guide. French Bulldog Care How to take care of newborn french bulldog puppies? Most, if not all, owners will let their litter grow for about 9 weeks before finding them their forever home. These initial weeks are very crucial as the newborn puppies initially cannot see, hear, regulate their body temperature, defecate nor urinate on their own. Although the mother keeps her babies warm, you should always check to make sure that she does not accidentally suffocate the puppies. Other artificial sources of heat like heat lamps, heating pads, or a space heater may be used but be very careful because the puppies can easily dehydrate and die when overheated. Make sure that the temperature of the whelping box is at a range of 86 to 90 degrees. It is important to check their weight every day and make sure that they are gaining weight daily. If not, you should take a closer look at them to make sure they nurse adequately from their mom or provide them with a supplement like goats milk or prepared formula milk for puppies. Stimulation For Bowel Movement The mothers need to stimulate the puppies for them to urinate and defecate. Some mothers will do this regularly but others may not want to so it is up to you to do it. Use damp cotton balls with warm water or a small dab of petroleum jelly on your finger. Gently wipe this over their genitals until they urinate and defecate, then clean them up. Make sure that the puppies and their whelping box are clean to avoid infection. About Us The exclusive destination for all your luxury accessory needs. Inspired by French Bulldogs, made for all pups.

We have a small family run farm on 14 acres. Puppies are born in our home and socialized from day one by ourselves and our children. We do not take our dogs off the property Silver Brook Labs are members of our family and embraced by all the comforts of our home. We pay careful attention to the lines and heritage of our dogs, we ensure the finest pedigrees are bred all of our puppies come with a lifetime of support. Labs make excellent hunting dogs and companions, they have a great desire to please. The only way our puppies travel is with our flight nanny Loretta Ferster Paws N Claws Inflight where they are on board In the safety of her care. Please click on links provided for more information on upcoming litters. If you would like to see what our kennels look like click on the our Kennel link. We do not allow visits to our Kennels. Why you may ask? It is for the Safety of not only our adults but our expecting moms and younger puppies who do not have the immunity to disease yet , many diseases can travel on foot and your clothing. Such as Parvo Virus and Canine Flu are just a few. No Sale of any of our puppies is worth the risk to us. Contact Us. From Winnie's humans, Hazel's Parents say, "Everything was perfect! I just Love Crawford. He has a wonderful personality and isn't afraid of anyone or anything! Thank you! This was our first time getting a puppy from a breeder and you made it such a wonderful experience! Hazel is exactly as your website states.All Wag and less Bark! She is beautiful, smart, and so excited to meet new people and dogs! Who knew we would be bringing home our puppy at the beginning of a Pandemic! She provided us a lot of laughs and dare I say sanity during the craziest time we have ever experienced. She is amazingly smart and beautiful! From the day Ellie was born it was so wonderful to watch her grow with all the FB updates. Picking her up was a great experience too, the facility is beautiful and very clean. We highly recommend Silver Feathers Labradors!!! Today's his 3 month birthday 13 weeks exactly. He is the most relaxed puppy ever and he's learning so much and growing so fast! He's doing great with his potty training, and he's learned so many tricks already - sit, stay, down, roll over, paw, crate and he comes when called. It also seems he's not afraid of anything - the 4th of July fireworks didn't even phase him. Not to mention he is the absolute cutest. I could gush about him forever but we really do feel like we hit the jackpot with him and can't thank you enough. People have been asking us where we got her from, and we have been directing them to your website for more information. She loves to play with our kids and other dog and loves to snuggle up to them when she is tired. She has gone camping with us twice now, and she is the hit of the campgrounds when we take her for walks. Thank you very much for what you do. Keep doing it! Cooper has been a true blessing to my life. I am certain that his gentle nature has a lot to do with the loving care that he received from your family! She is so healthy and full of energy. She is sweet and smart, and she fits into our family so well. She has quickly become part of the family and we couldn't be happier. Thank you so much for raising such amazing dogs and caring so much about their well being. We believe dogs are more then pets, and one of the reasons we chose to get our lab through you is because we could see that you feel the same way. Thanks again. You have a wonderful operation and are really great people. Thank you for our newest member of our family. Jax is a perfect fit and very loved by all. She is definitely the most confident puppy we have owned. I'm sure she slept on top of her brothers and sisters because she likes to sleep on Onyx's back. She is learning fast sit, fetch and come when off leash. I will be taking her to training classes now that she is fully vaccinated. We are very thankful for Raya and Onyx they have made our empty nest whole! He is huge. LOL for that, 2nd smallest in litter! We love our Wayon!! I left you a review on google to brag about our amazing dog and experience : Thank you! Milo is a wonderful addition to our family. He is sweet, cute and playful. Possibly confused as some folks who look at his silver coat and call him a Weimaraner - LOL!! We fix that right away with a quick education and review of the SFL Facebook pages! The reaction is always the same - joyful faces, gasp and compliments to Milo! As one of the most energetic breeds, your Silver Lab puppy will always be down for exercise, play, swimming or any other outdoor activity. Playful and excitable, be prepared to remove any knick-knacks from coffee tables or end tables — this breed is notorious for knocking these over with an almost constantly wagging tail! Widely considered the sweetest tempered dog breed, your Silver Lab puppy will light up every time you walk in the room — greeting you with kisses and affection when you come home after a long day at work. Highly intelligent, these dogs can easily be trained to respond to a variety of commands — and their alert nature makes them natural guard dogs. As one of the most lovable dog breeds, your Silver Lab puppy is sure to get along with everyone — from other dogs to small children and the elderly — making the breed a perfect fit for almost anyone who has the stamina to keep up with it! Many of these conditions affect dogs in later life, though some can occur during adolescents and early adulthood. To learn more about our commitment to ethical breeding practices , read about the Keystone Puppies Health Guarantee! This hunting breed has a water-resistant or water-repellent coat that is slightly dry and oily. Unlike many short-haired breeds, Labs are outdoor dogs. They are usually able to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Silver Labrador Retrievers have short, straight coats that shed seasonally. They have a double coat — with thick, dense hair — which helps keep them warm during winter months. Their heavy coats also offer additional insulation when swimming — a favorite pastime of Labradors, Silver Labs included. With a low-maintenance coat, the Silver Labrador Retriever only needs brushed once or twice a week. Meet Silver Lab Puppies for Sale. Silver Valley Labradors is a family owned kennel that is proud to offer top quality silver, charcoal, and champagne labrador retrievers. We pride ourselves on being a top quality kennel and the breeder of your new best friend and family member. All of our dogs are registered with the American Kennel Club. Please note that the light silver color is considered to be a shade of chocolate and charcoal is considered a shade of black. Therefore, silver labs are registered with the AKC as chocolate and charcoal labs are registered as black. We are located in Stanley, Virginia in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Our dogs are very athletic and LOVE to swim. They are wonderful with children and love to play catch and retrieve games. Their kind, outgoing temperament make them excellent family dogs. We have spent a great deal of time researching the pedigrees and temperaments of our dogs to ensure that we have a top quality breeding program. All puppies have been wormed and received their 6 week vaccinations before going to their forever homes. Please explore this site to learn more about our dams, sires, and puppies. Feel free to call or email us. Thank you for visiting our site. We have Lab puppies for sale in California that are available throughout the year in different colors, including Silver Labradors , Charcoal Labs and Champagne Labs! Let us know what you are looking for and we will find the right puppy for you! About our Wonderful Labs.The Labrador Retriever loves to retrieve. Show a Lab to water and it will retrieve all day: balls, sticks, small boats and even children who might happen to go for a swim. Descended from dogs found in Newfoundland by explorers, fishermen and settlers, the Labrador Retriever evolved by natural selection. An excellent retriever of fish and game, these dogs have been known by several names, among them the Black Water Dog, the Lesser Newfoundland and the St. John's Dog. In the early s, the breed was introduced to Britain, where it was eventually crossed with other sporting breeds. The final product was the strong, sturdy, happy Labrador Retriever, which is America's most popular dog, thanks to its outgoing, eager-to-please and loving temperament. Males usually measure .Weight for males ranges from 65 to 80 pounds, with females averaging about 10 pounds less. The coat is short, dense and hard in colors of black, yellow, silver, charcoal, chocolate and many shades in the middle such as the white and champagne Lab. The AKC only allows black, chocolate and yellow to place in the show ring but that doesn't stop us from loving the other colors! A simple good brushing will remove dead hair and keep the coat shiny. A distinctive feature of the breed is the medium-long tail. Thick and round at the root and gradually tapering to the tip, it is often described as an otter tail. This tail can clear a coffee table in seconds! The Labrador is easy to train and excels as a field dog as well as obedience trials. Labs enjoy all outdoor exercise but are especially fond of swimming. They say this medium-sized, high-energy dog is best suited to a suburban or country home with a yard and a family that can provide it with the activity it loves--but that said, many city-dwelling Lab owners tell us it is the most wonderful "city" dog they have ever had! City, country or anywhere in between, the Lab is simply the best! At Happy Lab Kennels, we specialize in healthy, happy silver Labrador puppies, a variation of a chocolate lab with a gene mutation that creates their distinctive gray coat. Explore more about silver Labrador puppies for sale in NC and learn about the other great Labrador puppies we offer, including black, yellow and chocolate. The reason for this record is simple. Labs are great dogs. They have a wonderful temperament and are filled with Love to share. They seem to have one goal in mind, making Life long friends and memories. Labs are the perfect example of unconditional Love. While they do thrive on Love and attention, they require little maintenance. No long hair and curls to worry about and shedding is minimal. At Happy Lab Kennels, we focus on producing dogs that are healthy, friendly, gentle and full of love! While our dogs are mainly loving companions, they do come from hunting stock. With proper training, they would make a great hunting partner. About Happy Lab Kennels Our love for dogs has been growing for over 30 years We both grew up with a family dog, and knew we would always have a dog or two when we were older. Well, our love for dogs have been growing for over 30 years, with never having just one. Our dogs are a big part of our family. We have them spend time with us indoors, as well as, outdoors. We have them sleep inside when the weather is cold and to take a break on those very hot days. In our dog journeys, we have taken our dogs to field trials and have been active members of a K-9 Search and Rescue Team. What is A Silver Labrador? Loving companions, with the outgoing, friendly personalities Silver Labrador Puppies for Sale NC Silver labs were first created by a breeder in the early 80s and were officially recognized as a subset of the chocolate lab breed by the AKC in .While some think the unusual color comes from outside the breed, these dogs are verified by the AKC as percent Labrador retriever. Male labs grow to an average of .Our silver labrador puppies are bred as loving companions, with the outgoing, friendly personalities that have long made labs one of the most popular family dogs. These rare purebred, pedigreed pups are registered with the American Kennel Club. The Silver Labradors are registered as chocolates. Like other lab variations, silver labradors need lots of exercise. Get ready to play endless games of catch and take long walks around your neighborhood, where your pet is sure to make friends with other dogs and humans alike. These dogs respond well to training and easily adapt to new environments. They also tend to be great with children, although younger labs can be quite boisterous and may be excitable around those younger than 5. Our Other Labrador Retriever Colors Silver, chocolate, yellow, and black Labradors available for sale Black Labrador Puppies Black labs are sometimes considered the original Labrador puppies, brought to Newfoundland in the s. Because black is the dominant color gene for these dogs, they are more common than yellow, silver and chocolate labs. We offer an impressive selection of purebred chocolate labrador puppies for sale. This chocolate color comes from a gene variation on the classic black lab. Their golden hue occurs when both parents carry the gene for yellow fur rather than the dominant gene for black. Our love for dogs have been growing for over 30 years, with never having just one. Labrador Litters. For over 20 years, Silver and Charcoal Kennels has worked to establish itself as the highest-quality Labrador breeder around, including silver lab puppies! Today, as a household name throughout the Greenwood, MS area, they strive to uphold this reputation by providing you and your family with the Labrador puppy of your dreams. Whether you are interested in silver , charcoal , champagne , red or white lab puppies, you can rest easy knowing that the quality of our labs will not be compromised by color. At Silver and Charcoal Kennels, they bring only the finest lab litters into this world. They believe all their breeds, including silver Labrador retrievers , are the kindest, most intelligent breed of dog, which is why all of their puppies are treated with only the highest level of affection and care. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Silver and Charcoal Kennels today at .They look forward to speaking with you! Check out the current litters of silver and white labs for sale. These labs are the highest quality of labs that can be produced with fourth and fifth generation pups! They are located in Greenwood, Mississippi. If you are picking up your lab puppy from their location, your lab will come with some of the most sought after breed traits and health guarantees including: Sire has numerous Field Trial Championships and has a Senior Title When grown, their adult Labs are large in size and have great temperaments All pups come with AKC Registration month hip guarantee on pups free from genetic defects Puppies are current on all vaccinations If choosing to have your lab puppy shipped, Silver and Charcoal Kennels can arrange to have your puppy shipped once it is eight weeks old. Be sure to inquire about this service, as the time of year and shipping location may affect delivery. Deposits are nonrefundable and puppies will be sold with limited AKC registration unless otherwise discussed. Their Current Litters page allow interested buyers to see new arrivals and to learn about upcoming puppies! Contact As a breeder that lab lovers trust, Silver and Charcoal Kennels welcome your inquiries! Life Span Did You Know? One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they come in many colors. Silver Labrador Retrievers, or Silver Labs, are relatively new compared to the other Lab coat colors. Contrary to their Yellow, Chocolate, and Black Lab cousins, which have recorded sightings from and before, Silver Labs have only cropped up since .There was some heated debate over their authenticity, as many breeders believed the silver tint appeared from outside the breed. A diluting factor in coat color dominance traits is responsible for the silver hue — something that is also present in Charcoal and Champagne Labs as well. At any rate, Silver Labrador Retrievers are regal, loyal, and friendly Labradors that have a lot of energy and a lot of love to give! Silver Labs are curious and playful dogs. Their curiosity will often get the better of them and they may wander off in search of adventure if they are off-leash. Labrador Retrievers are known for their gentle, friendly dispositions and good natures. Well-socialized Labs tend to get along with children, other dogs, and even other pets and strangers. Because of this they make the ideal family dog and are one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. Despite being one of the most active dog breeds , Silver Labrador Retrievers are highly adaptable. They prefer bigger spaces to stretch their legs and explore. As one of the sturdy dog breeds for outdoor adventures , they will often take an outside adventure over an inside one any day. But, they will also just be happy to be spending time with you. They do well in most climates, but are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Silver Labs are one of the most affectionate dog breeds. They are happiest when they are spending time with their favorite humans, so they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Silver Labrador Retriever can include elbow dysplasia , hip dysplasia, hereditary myopathy, heart disease, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy. A condition called exercise-induced collapse EIC has a genetic link and can occur in young adult Labradors. Good breeding practices and the health of the parents make a big difference in the health of Silver Lab puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, the Silver Labrador Retriever is at a higher risk for bloat. Silver Labs are one of the smartest dog breeds. They pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. Despite their energy and getting bored easily, they are still a great fit for dog owners of any experience level. Labrador Retrievers are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Silver Labrador Retrievers have short, water-resistant fur in two layers. Because of this dense double coat that protects them from the cold, and being one of the dog breeds that tend to love water , they may try to go for a swim regardless of the season. They shed year-round and more heavily twice a year when seasons change. Plus, your Lab will love spending the time with you. Trimming their nails once or twice monthly keeps them from growing too long. Regularly checking ears and cleaning them as needed can help prevent ear infections. Proper dental care for dogs , like daily brushing and cleanings at the vet when needed, is important to prevent the tartar buildup that causes painful dental diseases later in life. Silver Labrador Retrievers need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for this dog. Although they are high-energy dogs, Silver Labs will tend to mellow out a little bit as they get older. Labrador Retrievers tend to have an extended puppyhood and maintain that puppy-like energy until they are around years old. Swimming is a great low-impact activity. Once your Lab puppy is cleared for more intense activity, you can try a lot of different activities with them. In addition to being one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs , Labs are also athletic and versatile dogs that tend to be a good fit for a wide range of activities. Fully-grown Silver Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Silver Labs generally live for years on average. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds used as guide dogs, therapy dogs, and search and rescue dogs. They are also commonly found working as police or military dogs. They are even one of the best dog breeds for farms! Featured Silver Labrador Retriever Article. Check out our Puppies for Sale page for Available pups and anticipated litters! Blue after a successful hunt! DuckCreek Kennels is located about 40 miles southeast of Wichita, Kansas, nestled along the edge of the great Flint Hills. Our labs come from reputable lines that are second to none. We pride ourselves in the fact that they are as comfortable in the field and duck blind as they are on a couch! As we build our kennel, look for good solid litters that will compliment and enhance the Dilute coated Labrador Retriever along side the Standard colors. We strive to enhance the breed with quality dogs that are not only intelligent and easily trained but loving and great additions to your home and hunting trips. Our dilutes have been enhanced with improvement breeding and all our Labs have extensive genetic health testing prior to breeding. Please browse our web site. I hope you enjoy. Take special notice of any print in yellow. It will link you to whatever subject is being discussed. We welcome your input. The puppy whisperers!