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December 28, Congratulations! You have decided to bring a new French Bulldog family member into your loving home. A French Bulldog can be a wonderful addition to your home. When you decide to bring a new Frenchie puppy into your home, you will want to make sure their lives are complete. Taking the right steps to welcome your new Frenchie into your home will make sure the transition is a good one. You can choose between buying a new French Bulldog puppy from a reputable breeder or you can try adopting a Frenchie although you will want to be careful with this option. Both actions are wonderful because you will make one dog happy. Of course, it is a bit better to adopt some lost soul that was abandoned or even abused. After the horror life they had, new chapter with you will be like heaven to them. Our Frenchie Augie the day we brought him home 8 Essential Steps to Bringing a New French Bulldog Home You really need to think wisely before you choose and bring a new dog into your home. There are a lot of things you need to think and be careful about. Your new Frenchie will become an important part of your family and you will become the center of their universe. So, before you choose the right one for you, read our little guide. We will give you the 8 essential steps to bringing a new French bulldog home. First, you need to read a lot about the French Bulldog breed and be well informed about all things you need to do with your dog. If your choice is French bulldog, read a lot about this breed. You will want to do your homework about all there is to know about owning a French Bulldog. Be sure to know all about their physical abilities , the investment involved , their history , and also about their potential health problems. Having a Frenchie can be very expensive, as they have a lot health problems. Think about the health of your French Bulldog puppy — make sure it is vaccinated This step is also important. When you get a French Bulldog puppy from a reputable breeder vaccines should be included. Get informed about it, for sure. Getting all the vaccines is important for the new dog, and also for other pets if you have them at home. When you bring the new dog home, make sure to find a personal vet where you will bring your dog when it is sick. Be prepared for everything from the very beginning! As we said in the previous chapter, French bulldogs can have a lot health problems. Be sure to know all about it before you even get your new dog home! Give your Frenchie the grand tour and introduce him to your home When you come home with your new French Bulldog, keep it on a leash and take a long walk around his new home together. It will be a good time for both of you. Those moments will be special for you and your dog, trust me. When we first brought our Frenchie puppy home he was a little scared of his new environment and it took him some time to acclimate to the new environment. When you come home, keep it on a leash and then take a walk around your home. Introduce your home to your new family member. This will be good for your dog because pretty quickly it will get used to new sounds and smells. Next you should introduce your Frenchie to the back yard and show him around. After that, take him around the neighborhood. The dog will get to know you and your neighborhood, and you will get to know your dog better. I highly recommend crate training your Frenchie so you will want to get the right sized dog crate for him. For our Frenchie, we keep his dog crate in our bedroom. Some people choose a spot in their living room and you can even look into a wooden furniture crate as an option. I am not a big fan of leaving dogs outside, especially French Bulldogs. You will of course want to choose the right dog bed , buy some toys and bring bowls for its food and water. After the tour around your home, take your dog into this area, and show it around. Make sure the dog feels comfortable. Offer him or her a reward for good behavior and make sure bowls are ready to be used. Make sure that other family members accept your French Bulldog Your family needs to love your bulldog as much as you because you will all live together from now on. Before you bring the dog home, talk to your family members. Make this your group decision. You will want to get everyone onboard and bought into the idea of welcoming a new puppy into your home. Always be calm around your French Bulldog puppy You need to be calm from the first time you meet your new dog. Especially if your new Frenchie puppy is only a couple months old and newly separated from his mom and litter. So, take a deep breath and stay calm. If you have young children, you may want to have them be calm as possible when you introduce them to their new Frenchie. Give your dog maximum attention and make sure it begins to trust you. This is essential for you two becoming best friends. Once when you come home together, you will be the only familiar face this dog knows. During this entire process, you need to act this way. Start the socialization of Your Frenchie The first part of the socialization is letting your new dog experience other animals, places, things, people, etc. During this step, you really need to stay calm all the time. Some of the dogs have never seen other animals or devices around the home. They have never heard the sound of a vacuum cleaner or a hairdryer, and it will probably be scary to them at first. There are definite steps to socializing a new Frenchie puppy so you will want to be diligent during this phase as it can affect how they act in the future. French bulldogs are curious by nature so you will have to be calm watching your new pet sniffing around. Some dogs are not used to people, so you need to take small socialization steps. Be energy neutral around your French Bulldog You are the leader of the house and you want your Frenchie to know it from the beginning. Show affection, show love, but also show who the leader is. They need to know that. Otherwise, in their nature is to become leaders, so they might disregard you and threat you like they are here to lead you. Be careful! Summary — Bringing a French Bulldog Home It is a great step in your life when you decide to bring a new dog into your home. If your choice comes to French bulldog, be sure you will get a new best friend. These dogs love being around humans. But be sure to put away shoes, clothing, books, and other things your new dog can grab. Your new fun chapter is about to begin. You and your Frenchie will become best friends! You can possibly lay newspapers on the floor during the night. Then you have less to clean up in the morning. Place the newspapers by the door so that your puppy will associate them with going outside. Leave the door open on nice days and, if necessary, leave a newspaper outside. Always remind your puppy where he should do his needs and reward him if he does well. Use the same command each time, such as pee or poop, so that he can start associating this. Your puppy can pee droplets when he is excited. That is very normal, and as he becomes more socialized and accustomed to various situations, it will automatically stop. If he does this when he is an adult, take him to the vet. Never punish a dog for an accident at home; this does not help! Staying Alone… Your puppy may cry the first night. To prevent this, you can put it in a crate with its own blanket and let it sleep next to your bed for the first night. Then he knows that he is not alone and will fall asleep quickly. During the day, you put the crate with the door open in the room where he must stay during the day. After a few nights, when the entire house is in an area that is familiar to the puppy, you can move his sleeping place to the place you have in mind. If your French Bulldog still wakes up at night or is restless during the night, he may have to pee. Let him do his needs, reward him and bring him back to his place to sleep. Just know that a fixed routine is very important. It is necessary that a dog can remain quiet and alone for a while without destroying stuff or barking hard. You can practice this with your puppy. Play with your puppy until you know that he is tired and goes to sleep. Put him in his basket or crate and give him a small reward. After this, you go to another room where he can hear you but cannot see you. Come back after 5 minutes and reward him for his good behavior. You can build this up until the puppy can maintain this for about fifteen minutes. After that, you can practice the same, but now you go outside. If your dog barks after you have left, make sure you only come back when he is quiet for a while. Disclosure HappyFrenchBulldog. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Always seek advice from a certified veterinarian in a case of emergency. Contact Have questions about our content? Contact us at info [at] happyfrenchbulldog. Footer Nav. You can also attach the leash to the front and train your Frenchie how to walk properly on a lead from a very young age. With the Health Harness which is already puppy proofed against chewing you don't have to worry about your puppy chewing or ingesting the plastic buckles found commonly in dog harnesses. You can be worry free knowing each of Frenchiestore Health Harness comes with premium materials such as metal buckles. Always look for durable chew toys for your Frenchie, they have very powerful jaws that will go through toys like water. We recommend getting the Vet Pet Box for a new puppy. Every product in the VetPet Box has been hand-selected by veterinarians for quality and safety. All you have to do is specify what breed of dog you have French Bulldog is on small breed category then click "need more customization" there you can choose your pet is a puppy and chewing style we recommend choosing "Powerful Chewer" and thats it! You'll be able to choose what plan you want and you'll be covered for as long as you. French Bulldogs can't rely on a thick coat of fur to keep them warm during the winter. Signs your French Bulldog might be cold: shaking, shivering, seems uncomfortable or anxious. If your French Bulldog is hunched over, or stiff with a tucked tail. If your Frenchie is exhibiting change in behavior and is more vocal. If on a walk your French Bulldog is seeking a place to hide or reluctance to keep walking or tries to turn around to go back home. Frenchie puppies are usually very energetic though they also sleep a lot , so after an exhausting day of expending all that energy, a real dog bed, nice and comfy will be just what your Frenchie needs. To minimize back issues an orthopedic bed would be optimal for your dog's back. Car seat - the first experience your puppy will have is the car ride home. Puppy gates - You will need to section off an areas of your home that could pose a danger for your new Frenchie puppy such as the kitchen. Frenchies are very curious by nature and they get into everything. In order to avoid your Frenchie pup from getting into the kitchen cabinets or the trash it would be helpful to put some boundaries and use baby gates. Not only is it helpful in minimizing dangers it is also beneficial for potty training your Frenchie puppy by not allowing full range of your home. Bathrooms - can be a very dangerous place for a Frenchie puppy. In order to avoid your puppy from going into the bathroom unsupervised you would have to make sure to close your bathroom door every single time. A trick that would be helpful is hanging a sign on your door, wall or above the sink reminding you to close the door when you leave the bathroom. Fireplaces - does your home have a fireplace? Make sure you block it off from your Frenchie pup. Grooming supplies - dog shampoo should be carefully picked for a Frenchie pup as they often have sensitive skin. Nail clipper and facial anti bacterial wipes for your Frenchies' folds and tear stains. Puppy pee pads - if you are planning on house training with dog wee pads you should consider having them ahead of time prior to the puppy coming home. You should find a vet - preferably one that is knowledgeable in the French Bulldog breed and you are comfortable with that lives close by. In case of an emergency you don't want to start looking for a vet and calling everyone, or traveling very far. You need to have your vet already picked and ready to be dedicated to your Frenchie. Pet insurance - Prior to bringing your Frenchie dog home is is a good idea to have pet insurance. In this video we'll cover all the puppy proofing tips, best ways to puppy proof your house or apartment, and tons of puppy safety tips. There are some great puppy hacks in this video too. Raising a puppy shouldn't be stressful, so get the best puppy training tips and grab the puppy checklist so you can be fully prepared for your new puppy's arrival. French Bulldog puppies are known for chewing everything around the house, whatever they find they will chew or try to eat it. If puppy proofing your entire house seems like an insurmountable task, create a dog space. You dedicate an area of your house solely for your Frenchie, preferably one that you and or your family frequent. You can secure this area by using the puppy fence. This not only keeps your puppy in a safe and protected area, it also helps to not overwhelm them. You should go through your home and look for anything that could be hazardous to your new French bulldog puppy. Electrical cords, choking risks, shoes or anything of the sort should be cleared out. You also have to be conscious of any dangling cords that your Frenchie could chew, trip over or worse. As soon as you put all of these in place, you are all set and ready to bring the newest family member home. Bringing home your French Bulldog puppy The most efficient way to raise a well-adjusted, well-mannered French Bulldog is to expose them to everyday scenarios and experiences as soon as possible. The first experience your puppy will have is the car ride home. You should make sure the breeder will not feed your puppy right before the car ride home to avoid stomach upset or vomiting. As mentioned above having your Frenchie puppy secured in a car seat will be the safest option. This is because consistency goes a long way in training a well-behaved all rounded Frenchie dog. Now that you have gotten home, resist the urge to spoil and over indulge your Frenchie. You should start training your puppy early and refrain from excessive scolding, use positive reinforcements, and lots of praises. Potty training your Frenchie puppy takes patience the easiest way is to take your puppy outside every half hour or so and encourage them to go. Bringing them to the same area will help them quickly understand that this is their pee area. Always give them a treat as soon as they pee outside. Continue to do this, and then gradually drop the treats and use only praise. If you are training your French bulldog to go indoors on pee pads, just do the same as mentioned above. How long do French bulldog puppies sleep at night? Frenchie puppies can sleep anywhere from 12 to 18 hours per day, only waking up occasionally for an hour or so every few hours of rest. It is best to develop a nighttime routine. If you wake up your puppy to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, you will develop this habit with your puppy. In adulthood your Frenchie might wake you up in the middle of the night and you want to avoid developing this habit if possible. It is best to establish a night time house training routine. Take your Frenchie puppy to the bathroom right before bedtime and immediately upon waking up. Why won't my French bulldog's ears stand up? It is normal for French bulldog puppies to have one or two floppy ears at puppy-hood. In fact, it can take anywhere from ten weeks to five months for them to stand up completely and they usually do after they are done teething. Some French Bulldog puppies' ears stand up prior to their 8 week mark and before they go to their forever home. Taping them is always an option for French Bulldog owners however, not one we recommend or endorse unless it is really necessary and recommended by your Frenchie breeder or specialized in French Bulldog vet. Puppy proof the outside of your home and garage Antifreeze taste sweet to your dog however can be lethal. Remove any rat poison or traps around your home. Fence off areas where there could be toxic plants such as wild mushrooms or any water sources like pools. Frenchies are not good swimmers and most will sink. Make sure your backyard is safe and secure without any way for your Frenchie to get out of the fenced area. If needed fix loose fencing or holes prior to your French Bulldog's arrival. Always watch your Frenchie puppy when going outside since puppies get bored easily. Once they are bored they will get destructive and exhibit bad behaviors such as digging holes throughout your backyard or chew patio furniture etc. Always keep your trash secure, and away from your Frenchie. Frenchies are prone to obesity, watch their weight, give them lots of exercise. Regular check ups with the vet will help them stay healthy. Keep them under supervision at all times, and spend time with them especially in those first few weeks. Congratulations on getting a new family member, you now know how to house proof for a new French bulldog puppy. You have all of the information you need here to ensure your canine journey goes as smoothly as possible. We care about you and your Frenchie. Pin2 2 Shares Once the excitement of bringing your French Bulldog puppy home for the first time is over, the reality will soon start to bite as will the puppy. I remember my wife and I wondering what we had let ourselves in for on that first night of crying and howling! Bringing our French Bulldog puppy home to meet our son for the first time was an amazing experience. Bringing your French bulldog puppy home am: Paid via online bank transfer It was the morning of the pick-up! I transferred the money via online banking, then called the breeder who confirmed receipt you can see how much it costs to buy a Frenchie here — it was now time to go pick up our Frenchie puppy! Injections and vaccinations are super important, and I explain more about it in the questions you should ask a breeder before you buy a Frenchie. We were now the proud owners of a French Bulldog and were ready to bring him home! Ideally any dog should be properly restrained in your car when driving, and now Claude is older we use his own car booster seat. Claude the puppy was fine with the drive, but in some cases Frenchies can get car sick. This meant my wife and I had until 3pm to get Claude settled into our house so he was ready for his first day home. The things that I remember very clearly are how he wanted to run around the house sniffing at everything and getting used to his new surroundings. And then, we had to introduce him to our cat! Claude was a lot smaller than her, but being a puppy, he just wanted to run up to her and find out what she was all about. As you would expect, he wolfed it all down in super quick time! For guidance on how much to feed a Frenchie puppy, take a look at this feeding chart. I went to pick our 3-year-old up from nursery — he had no idea we had bought a dog! In the video below you can see the moment when my son met Claude for the first time! This is all because of their vaccinations, with public walks only advisable 2 weeks after their final set of injections which is around the week point. You can read more about how this work in this guide to when your puppy can go outside. He also had his third and final feed of the day at around .He was quite happy to snuggle up to us Frenchies are very cuddly , but we did make sure to take him downstairs every hour to try to get him used to peeing in the same place. You should try to get your puppy into a routine as soon as possible. Bringing our French Bulldog puppy home for the first time had proven to be an exhausting experience. It was now time for us to go to sleep, and we were hoping Claude would too! And, oh, how mistaken we were. What we did was place his crate in the corner of our bedroom. We put him in the crate, shut the door, and switched our lights off. Within 10 seconds he started crying and howling. It was heart-wrenching. We let him cry in his crate for a few minutes before we could take it no more. Handy Hint: Read my guide about French Bulldog crying and how you can start to stop them whining in their crate at night. We got him out and let him come back onto our bed for another 45 minutes then tried again. Frenchies really do suffer quite badly with separation anxiety , and at this age need you so much. We let him come back onto bed for another cuddle and gave him lots of reassurance. He had a comfy blanket in there and lots of cuddly toys here are the toys we used and this time fell to sleep… success! But it does get better… over time he will forget about his mother and siblings and start to view you as his family. The crying will stop over time, and a regular sleeping pattern will develop. In the graphic below you can see what to expect as your Frenchie gets older and how many hours they will sleep a day. The following days… Over the following days we tried to get Claude to sleep in his crate downstairs. It was impossible to do without lots of crying. In the end we gave up and kept him in his crate in our room for about 8 weeks. After two months we decided it was time for his crate to go in the kitchen. We had to be quite tough at first, as he cried the first couple of nights, but soon developed into his routine — him and our cat actually now share a bed! Claude would constantly be attacking our feet, chasing our shoelaces, chewing things like tables, door mats, shoes, and we would have to hide everything away out of his sight! Prepare to puppy-proof your home Firstly, prepare your home. You almost need to chew-proof everything. Also make sure that any potential escape routes and sealed off! We got a 42 inch one knowing that it would be ok for him as he got bigger and older. Inside his crate we placed some soft bedding and a few toys, plus laid down a puppy pad view on Amazon in the corner for him to pee on in the night. Get some toys and things to play with Frenchies love to play. We bought Claude a couple of stuffed toys, a Kong for teething on , and a few balls. You can see all the toys he still loves to play with here. It contains all the nutrition growing puppies need, plus… and this is a biggie… is said to reduce their terrible farts! You can buy Royal Canin Frenchie puppy food on Amazon. Be prepared to give him your undivided attention and be prepared for lots of crying at night. The sooner you can get this behavior ingrained into them, the quicker they will learn. Your first pet will most likely feel threatened and protective over his territory and get jealous. Here are my tips for introducing your French bulldog to a new puppy. It has something to do with their scent — puppies have a different smell than adult pups. He stopped drooling around her after a couple days. Apart from that, have your dog meet your new puppy for the time first time in an open location, like a large park If possible, let them reach the meeting location at the same time and keep the leashes loose or even off-leash. Sometimes on-leash, dogs can become more agitated and aggressive. Let them eat individually with their own dishes. Let your first pet go straight into the house while your new pup runs around the yard. This is because at night, dogs have a harder time seeing one another, which can put them on edge. And at mealtimes, many pups can get territorial. That includes feeding dishes, toys, beddings and other shared items. Additionally, clean up their common area and let the existing pet have an idea that another pet is set to arrive. Weston went in there occasionally to roll around in the bed and mark it with his scent. Whenever we left the house, we had Fira stay inside her playpen which was her safe place. Play with them, train them together and always give lots and lots of love to the older pet. He will also make his own rules with the new sibling, so allow him to create his own boundaries and teach the younger one his rules, how to play and more. Fira never did it again. Interactions between your Frenchie and your new puppy should not be forced. Weston did such a great job teaching Fira how to play and wrestle. Follow us on Instagram wtfrenchie to see all our updates in real-time. 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German Shepherds of all ages are typically heavy year-round shedders. The reason for their noticeable increase in shedding is that this is when they start to grow in a new adult coat. For this to happen, their baby fur has to go. Yet, unlike other breeds where they shed their hair all at once. It happens gradually over the course of a week or two. It then gets replaced with a new, coarser, denser coat. Keep reading to learn more about when these adorable puppies and their coats. Losing the Puppy Coat At Birth German Shepherd puppies are born with a dense, fluffy coat that keeps them warm and snug. It was also thick enough to keep him protected from bumps and falls. That soft, but highly dense, coat helps reduce their risk of injury. You probably know by now that German Shepherds are big shedders anyway. Although, during that time, there will be a distinct increase in shedding. GSDs have a medium-length coat that consists of two layers: an undercoat and an outer coat. The undercoat is the one closest to their skin. This fuzzy layer is thick with fluffy hairs that are relatively short, measuring less than two inches on average. It serves one primary purpose: to keep the dog comfy and cozy all winter long. Then, you have the outer top coat. It comes in three different lengths: short, medium, and long. Even though GSDs shed non-stop all year long, there are two times during the year when their shedding becomes excessive. They do this again in the fall to make room for a new, thicker coat to grow in preparation for winter. This ability to adapt is one of the reasons why GSDs are great at functioning in all kinds of various weather conditions. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog. That said, they still do a lot of shedding, and their fur is just as susceptible to getting tangled and matted up. Thus, the best type of grooming brushes for this short-haired breed is pin brushes. It helps remove tangles and dirt. They also work to eliminate pests, such as fleas and ticks. Slicker brushes work best with dogs that have wiry hair. They have short, thin wires placed close together on a flat surface designed to effectively remove mats, dirt, and pests. Those with hair on the longish side will also benefit from an undercoat rake. Long-Haired To keep their coats slick, shiny, and tangle-free, long-haired GSDs do well with an undercoat rake. As the name suggests, this grooming tool has many tiny, curved, sharp blades placed close together. It also helps break up mats and remove loose hairs. Dogs with a long outer coat will also need a slicker brush to ensure their fur is clean, knot-free, and shinier than ever. It should be no different for your dog. But you need to help him. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is the answer. This handy guide will help you recognize the symptoms of the health problems above. Get the knowledge to stay ahead of these terrible issues that can rob your lovely dog from vigor and life. This is especially important because GSDs are such people lovers. So, being the friendly, fun-loving dog that he is, grooming becomes a special way for the two of you to spend quality time together. Check out more emotional benefits grooming has on your German Shepherd: Increases the special bond you have with your furry four-legged friend It makes your pooch calmer and more relaxed The positive reinforcement dogs get during grooming makes them more confident Fosters positive behavior Paul S. Paul has been creating content for the dog niche for many years. The information he shares comes his first hand experience growing up in dog lovers household and then owning multiple dog breeds of his own as an adult. Paul enjoys doing the hard research to collect, analyze and present our dogtemperament. They will grow to similar sizes with the males from both varieties being larger than the females. Both dogs will require the same amount of exercise around two hours a day. Separation anxiety is an issue that is prevalent in both types of GS. They both have a protective and possessive nature — this will be particularly apparent when looking after their family. Both are susceptible to the same health conditions: hip dysplasia and heart disease. As long as you buy both from responsible breeders who use healthy dogs to breed, they should have similar lifespans. The Short Haired German Shepherd has a double coat that consists of an outer coat and an undercoat. The medium-length coat is usually covered by an undercoat, or guard coat. Other long-haired GSDs only have a long, single-layer coat, with a missing undercoat. If a German Shepherd is lacking an undercoat, it is considered defective by the AKA and will not be allowed to participate in their exhibitions. Thanks to their double coat that protects them from cold and is waterproof, the Short Haired German Shepherd is more suited to working outside and to work in general. Due to their aptitude for working, the Short Haired German Shepherd is more likely to behave in an aloof manner to strangers. The breed was refined by Captain Max Von Stephanitz to be the breed we know and love today. They are well known for their movie roles such as Rin Tin Tin and Strongheart. It was appearances like this that helped to bring the breed back into favor after the First World War. These dogs are loyal until the end. They form extremely strong bonds with their family members and would protect them with their life. This devotion sometimes leads to an aloof nature with strangers. They are highly energetic dogs and need at least two hours of exercise every day. This pup loves joining you on walks, hikes, runs, bike rides, swims and any activity really. You name it and a GSD has probably done it. As their coat has that double layer, the Short Haired German Shepherd is much more suited to being out in colder, wetter weather. Brushing them two to three times a week should help remove some of the loose hair but you are still going to find fur everywhere. During shedding season. During this time of the year, you need to brush them every day. Photos Appearance and Size This is an athletically built dog. They should stand between 22 to 26 inches tall at the withers and weigh between 50 to 90 lbs. Males are generally larger than females and have a distinctly masculine look. They have a long muzzle and ears that face forward and stand erect. Their back should be straight, the slope that we have seen develop over the past years is incredibly bad for the health of the dog. They have a double coat. The outer layer should be dense and close to the body. It is preferred to be straight but a slight wave is allowed in the breed standard. The coat colors are generally black, black and tan, red and black, sable and grey. Breeders prefer darker, richer colors and many light colorations are not accepted by the breed standard. Temperament Short Haired German Shepherds are prized for their character and temperament. They are an allrounder that are able to complete almost any task you set them. This is why they have excelled as working dogs in many fields, including the police and the military. This dog is fiercely loyal and protective — they will look out for their family and are always alert. They may be slightly too possessive at times and this can cause them to be aloof towards strangers. Short Hair GSD tends to have a one-track mind and this is why they are so effective as working dogs. You should always use positive reinforcement methods when training a German Shepherd. These are incredibly intelligent dogs who want to please you. Rewarding them with treats and praise when they do what you ask will get better results than not rewarding them or punishment. One thing that they struggle with is separation anxiety. Their excessive devotion can cause them to feel anxiety when you are not around. They will bark and chew up furniture. Unfortunately, many German Shepherds do end up in shelters. Lifespan A healthy German Shepherd should live between 10 to 13 years. Health concerns you should be aware of are hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, heart conditions, and eye conditions. Having pet insurance could also save you from the headaches of going to the vet. You could get reimbursed for every vet bill! Try to look for breeders that specialize in German Shepherds. When you bring home a plush coat German Shepherd, be ready to have a high-energy dog with you at all times. They can live for up to 15 years so take your time to research the dog breed that best fits your lifestyle since this is not a short-term commitment. Their nickname is the German Shedder. German Shepherds all shed and they shed frequently. The Plush Coat German Shepherd will shed longer hair. A recessive gene causes the Plush Coat length, so finding this breed is a little difficult. Die-hard German Shepherd breeders tend to dislike this coat, so if puppies are produced with Plush Coats, it means each parent is carrying the recessive gene. Image Credit: Jumpstory 4. Medium-haired German Shepherds still have the intelligence, courage, and work ethic to be military and police dogs. They can also be personal service dogs. Their ears stand up on their own. Their bite is super strong. While the dog might be 90 pounds, they can deliver a bite with a force of over pounds. Image Credit: Jumpstory 7. The name was changed. The name was changed back in .The Plush Coat German Shepherd is an extremely smart dog. Their ability to be trained so easily combined with their loving natures make them popular choices for family pets. With the same personality and traits, this dog has a strong work ethic and is a wonderful companion. Regular brushing can help with the shedding, but this dog is going to shed frequently no matter what. As family dogs, Plush Coat German Shepherds are great with kids and make loyal and loving pets. These fluffy beauties have captured the hearts of dog lovers around the world. Long haired German Shepherd puppies bring an extra dose of cuddliness and charm to the breed. Long haired German Shepherds have, you guessed it, long hair! Their flowing locks add an extra layer of elegance and sophistication to their already striking appearance. These fluffy friends also have some unique characteristics that set them apart from their short-haired counterparts. The Benefits of a Fluffy Coat Aside from being absolutely adorable, the long hair of these German Shepherds provides them with some practical advantages too. Regular grooming is essential to keep their fur in tip-top condition. So, stock up on brushes, combs, and maybe even invest in a stylish hairdryer just kidding. If you or someone in your household suffers from allergies, you might be wondering if a long haired German Shepherd is the right choice for you. So, get ready to embark on a journey of floofy adventures and unconditional love with your new long haired German Shepherd companion. So, prepare yourself for some serious cuddle sessions and be sure to stock up on lint rollers. Long haired German Shepherd puppies are waiting to wiggle their way into your heart and fill your home with joy. So, are long-haired German Shepherds really better? Long-haired German Shepherds are an absolute delight to behold. Their majestic coats, flowing like a glorious cape in the wind, make them look like the canine equivalent of a superhero. Picture a regal creature strutting through the park, with its fur catching the sunlight and shimmering splendidly. But aesthetics aside, the long hair of these German Shepherds also translates to extra cuddling comfort. Picture this: a chilly winter evening, and you curl up on the couch with your long-haired German Shepherd nestled beside you. Their luxuriously soft coat acts as your own personal blanket, providing warmth and coziness that only a fluffy friend can offer. Sensible Shepherds: Comfort and Protection Now, you may be wondering whether all that luxurious hair creates discomfort for our furry friends. Well, fret not, for Mother Nature has equipped long-haired German Shepherds with a coat that serves a practical purpose. You see, that magnificent fluff not only looks fabulous, but it also helps protect them from the elements. During scorching summers, the dense undercoat of these long-haired pooches works as insulation, regulating their body temperature and keeping them cool as cucumbers. And in colder climates, that same coat acts as a natural barrier against the biting wind and freezing temperatures. Just like maintaining a luscious head of hair requires effort, so does the coat of these majestic dogs. Expect regular grooming sessions to keep their fur tangle-free and healthy. Brushing their coat becomes a necessity rather than a luxury, with a frequency that matches the density of their fur. But hey, think of it as an opportunity for some quality bonding time with your fluffy friend. Turn it into a mini spa session, complete with gentle strokes and calming music. Who needs a fancy salon when you have a long-haired German Shepherd to pamper? Fur-tastic Conclusion And there you have it, my dear readers, a comprehensive look at the question of whether long-haired German Shepherds are better. These majestic creatures are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and of course, their stunning coats. But not all German Shepherds have long hair. These glamorous pups have a luxurious, flowing coat that would make any supermodel envious. These hardworking canines are known for their incredible stamina, intelligence, and dedication. While their coats may not be as long as their American counterparts, they still have a certain charm to them. There is a middle ground. Some may lean towards the long-haired end of the spectrum, while others may have shorter, more manageable coats. This way, you can get the best of both worlds. Comb or Vacuum? You Decide! Owning a long-haired German Shepherd comes with its fair share of grooming responsibilities. Long hair is beautiful but requires extra attention to prevent tangles and matting. On the plus side, you can have some quality bonding time while you pamper your furry friend! So, there you have it! Whether you opt for the fluffy elegance of the American Showline German Shepherd, the rugged charm of the European Working Line German Shepherd, or something in between, these long-haired pups are sure to steal your heart. Just remember to embrace the grooming routine — after all, a little extra hair is a small price to pay for the love and companionship of one of these majestic dogs. Look no further! Long-haired German Shepherd puppies can be found near you, ready to steal your heart and make your home complete. These fluffy little bundles of joy are not only adorable, but they also possess the intelligence and loyalty that German Shepherds are famous for. Avoid those pesky backyard breeders who only care about turning a quick profit. Instead, look for breeders who prioritize the health and temperament of their dogs. Trusted Local Pet Stores If you prefer a more hands-on approach, you might want to check out your local pet stores. Some pet stores work with reputable breeders and can provide you with information about long-haired German Shepherd puppies available in your area. Online Platforms: The Virtual Pawsome Marketplace In this digital era, online platforms have become a popular way to connect with breeders of long-haired German Shepherd puppies near you. Rescue Organizations that Warm Hearts Another paw-some way to find long-haired German Shepherd puppies near you is by adopting from a rescue organization. Check out local animal shelters or rescue groups specializing in German Shepherds, and you might just find your new best friend waiting for you. Take advantage of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to join groups or follow pages dedicated to German Shepherds in your area. You never know when an adorable long-haired pup might pop up in your newsfeed, ready to wiggle their way into your heart. Scammers prey on unsuspecting individuals by posing as legitimate breeders, taking advantage of the high demand for these adorable pups. Always ask for references, visit the breeder or shelter in person, and be cautious of any red flags that might indicate a scam. Make sure you have everything prepared, from cozy bedding to nutritious puppy food, to ensure a smooth transition for your fluffy bundle of joy. Get ready for never-ending cuddles, playtime, and adventures with your long-haired German Shepherd puppy! So, go ahead and begin your search for the perfect long-haired German Shepherd puppy near you. Get ready to experience unconditional love, boundless joy, and endless amounts of fur. Happy puppy hunting! Picture it: a majestic creature with flowing locks, devoid of the endless tumbleweeds of fur that plague traditional German Shepherds. But is this just a whimsical dream, or could it actually be a reality? Unfortunately, no dog breed is completely immune to this process — not even long haired German Shepherds. Sorry to burst your bubble, but all German Shepherds, whether long or short-haired, will shed to some extent. Shedding can vary from dog to dog, with some German Shepherds shedding like a light breeze and others rocking a full-blown fur tempest. Brush, Brush, and Brush Some More Regular brushing is the secret weapon in your battle against shedding. A good brush session not only removes loose fur but also helps distribute natural oils, promoting a healthier coat. Embrace the Vacuum Invest in a high-quality vacuum cleaner and become one with its cleaning powers. Embrace the daily ritual of vacuuming to keep those furry tumbleweeds at bay. Opt for a Balanced Diet Believe it or not, diet can affect shedding. Ensure your furry friend is getting proper nutrition — a well-balanced diet with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids can work wonders for their coat. Shedding is a small price to pay for the love, loyalty, and companionship these beautiful creatures bring into our lives. So, grab your brush, put on your vacuum cleaner cape, and get ready for a lifetime of shedding adventures with your long haired German Shepherd! Note to the writer: Please make sure to double-check and proofread everything before submitting it. Remember to follow the given guidelines and enjoy crafting this fascinating subsection! At least 2 inches long. Coat Appearance Dense topcoat, straight, coarse fur lying close to the body. Longer and thicker hair on the neck. Slightly longer fur on the rear of the forelegs and hind legs to the hock and pastern. Soft topcoat, not close lying to the body. Feathering on the ears and legs. Longer and thicker hair on the neck, having the appearance of a mane. Hair is shiny and may form a parting along the back. Coat Double coated having a thick undercoat and a dense guard coat. Mainly single coated open coated. Function Companion pets, working-line or show-line. Companion pets. The AKC views single-coated, silky hair or hair too long as faults for conformation. Short stock is the preferred working type. Temperament Intelligent, loyal, protective, high-energy, affectionate, brave, guard dog, working drive, athletic, confident, versatile, aloof, territorial. Intelligent, loyal, protective, high-energy, affectionate, brave, guard dog, athletic, confident. Slightly more friendly due to a reduced working drive. Shedding Rate High shedding. Will shed all year round and more so in the spring and fall when the undercoat is shed. High shedding but stays consistent all year round if open-coated. Higher stud value. Lower stud value. You can also check out our YouTube video here… Short vs. Medium vs. On the other hand, long-haired types have a topcoat with hair length going beyond 2 inches. This creates a significant enough difference in appearance. Short-haired German Shepherds have a short, dense topcoat, and the fur will be straight, rough, and lie close. In contrast, long stock coats have longer fur, which is softer, and not close fitting, with feathering on the ears and legs. The hair appears shiny and is longer and thicker on the neck, forming a mane. However, the sleekness of their topcoat alongside the absence of an undercoat can also make them look more fox-like. On the other hand, a short-haired German Shepherd has the classic German Shepherd look because shorter coats set the breed standard. Consequently, your idea of the breed is the same as the short coat. Coat Type While long coat German Shepherds are closer to their wolf ancestors in terms of their fur length, the short stock coats are closer in terms of coat quantity. Wolves have double coats, as do short-haired German Shepherds. They are referred to as being open-coated. Working line German Shepherds have to be compact and agile. Even harsher is the judgment from the show crowd. The missing undercoat gets long-haired German Shepherd disqualified from most dog shows, and their entire category is labeled a fault by the American Kennel Club. Long-haired German Shepherds are not bigger than the short-haired variety. Although their long silky fur and thick mane may make them look bigger, they are the same size as all other types. Males are inches tall and weigh lbs, and females are inches tall and weigh lbs. But does any particular type shed more? Long-haired German Shepherds do not shed more than short-haired types, although the rate of shedding varies throughout the year among short-haired GSDs. That is because their undercoat is the source of a significant amount of shedding, and it sheds more during the spring and fall seasons. Long-coated dogs usually have only the topcoat, which sheds at an even rate all year round. However, if a long-haired German Shepherd has a double coat very rare , then his shedding rate will also vary throughout the year. Work Acceptability Both long-haired and short-haired German Shepherds make good family dogs. However, when it comes to taking puppies in as canine labor prospects, almost all the long-haired types are left out. Show Ring Acceptability If you think working line criteria are harsh, wait till you see how the show ring treats long-haired German Shepherds. Both types are seen as visually appealing by different people, but after all, beauty is subjective. But if beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder, then the show ring judges seem to be entirely blind when it comes to long-haired German Shepherds. They are not only seen as faulty because the missing undercoat disqualifies them from the show ring, but even double-coated long-haired ones get judged critically upon making it to the show ring. Nonetheless, this has a pleasant side effect. The lack of show ring acceptability ensures that those buying long-haired German Shepherds are not doing so in hopes of show circuit glory or rewards; they are doing so out of love. Long-haired German Shepherds are not less aggressive or calmer than the short-haired variety. There is no difference between the two. However, they are known to have a slightly friendlier temperament due to not having a strong working drive, as most working lines are short-haired. As far as aggression is concerned, there is often a misconception that German Shepherds are aggressive due to their appearance and resemblance to wolves. However, with proper training and early socialization , they are a friendly and affectionate breed. Cost Short-haired German Shepherds cost more than long-haired ones because they are more versatile and widely accepted. They have higher chances of qualifying in the show ring, so most show-line German Shepherd breeding is done with short hair in mind. They are also used as working lines. Such a dog is sold cheaper. Such a deal would be absurd for a short-haired type. For most breeders, the answer is a short-haired GSD. Coat variation is governed by gene variants. Long hair is a recessive trait which means both alleles gene halves must correlate with long hair to have a long-haired puppy. A short-haired German Shepherd might carry one long hair gene half, and it will not show, but if the same dog mates with another who also has a dormant half gene of long hair, the two dormant genes might pair and form a full long hair gene which would make the puppy long-haired. And guess what happens when a short-haired stud produces a long-haired puppy? The short-haired parent is often removed from the stud pool. Now that you know the differences between the long-haired German Shepherd vs. However, it is primarily true because any dog with an absent undercoat is disqualified. Given that double coats in the long-haired variety are pretty rare, the general assumption stands true in most cases. If you intend on entering your dog in a show, you should get a short-haired German Shepherd. To learn more about which colors are considered faults, check out my post on German Shepherd colors. The dog is also considered exotic because of its rareness and distinct looks. This has social currency not in dog show circles but in upscale suburbia. However, the long-haired ones are equally trainable and competent, and ironically have a better look for the job. Color plays an important role here. For example, a white long-haired German Shepherd looks cuddly and truly non-threatening. In contrast, a darker long-haired doggo looks intimidating. It is safer to raise and train them because they are interchangeable between teams, squads, and institutions. If you want to enroll even one dog but plan on having more in a pack to guard or serve a business, farm, or school, you should get a short-haired German Shepherd. Are you looking to buy something for your dog? Make sure to check out my favorite dog gear below. Puppies When choosing a companion dog, it is normal for coat color to be a major consideration. But how about the German Shepherd coat? Do German Shepherd puppies change color? This article will discuss German Shepherd puppy coat coloring and how that coloring changes over time. Yes, German Shepherd puppies change color as they develop into adulthood. Even after they completely shed their puppy coat and grow their permanent adult coat, you can still expect to see some subtle changes in color. Instead, it sheds and changes continuously from birth to around 6 months. Once your German Shepherd turns 7 months old, the changes to their coat color will be more subtle. Nevertheless, it will continue to transform until they become adults at around 2 years old. Puppies are single-coated and their fur is generally soft and fluffy. Over time, they will shed that coat and develop a double-coat composed of dense fur and coarse outer hairs. Thick, downy fur helps puppies regulate their temperature within their first few months of life. However, their needs will change as they develop into adults. In the spring, German Shepherds blow their undercoats in preparation for the warm summer months. They will again shed heavily in the fall to develop a thicker and possibly darker winter coat. However, their appearance will still change—possibly multiple times—until well into adulthood, which starts at around 2 years old. However, you may still notice some subtle changes in thickness as the seasons turn. The color might also change slightly due to various factors like diet and sun exposure. However, experienced breeders can often tell whether a puppy will be long-coated before they turn a month old. It is also common for some unique markings to appear or disappear at this time. Nevertheless, the change in appearance might still be significant between 7 and 18 months old. Their shade could become darker or lighter, and their coat pattern can show some slight changes as well. Changes could still occur as a result of diet, environmental exposure, or health issues. No matter what color you prefer, your German Shepherd will benefit from proper nutrition and supplements for dog coat growth.
All breeds of Labrador Retrievers are known for being kind and gentle — and this trait runs especially strong with the chocolate-colored sweeties. While these dogs are very friendly to strangers, they have even more affection to give to their beloved families. Your Chocolate Lab puppy or adult will be happiest spending time with their favorite people. If you have young children, a lab is a great fit, as this breed is usually quite tolerant of the horseplay of small children who are still learning how to interact with pets. Just like many people, Chocolate Labs enjoy both downtime — especially if it involves being pampered by their family — and active high-energy fun. We recommend daily exercise, which can include anything from fetch, to tag, or even frisbee games. The average Chocolate Lab lifespan is between 9 and 11 years. The most common Chocolate Lab health problem is hip dysplasia, which occurs more commonly in older and overweight dogs. This is just one of the reasons to make exercise a common part of your time with a Chocolate Lab puppy or fully grown adult. Another problem that occurs in overweight labs is joint and movement issues. The other most common Chocolate Lab health problems are: Progressive Retinal Atrophy Cataracts Elbow Dysplasia As is the case with any dog, when you bring home a Chocolate Labrador, make sure that you have a good vet to handle routing vaccinations and check-ups as well as emergency health problems. Learn more about the Keystone Puppies Health Guarantee! Chocolate Lab Coat Care In general, Chocolate Lab coat care is easy compared to many other dog breeds which require weekly or daily work. Labrador Retrievers all have double coats, which includes an under layer of short hairs and a slightly longer top layer. This coat is useful for repelling water and keeping them cool in warmer temperatures — and warm in cooler ones. Their coat is also noted to be slightly dry and oily. Chocolate Lab coat care is fairly minimal and considered low maintenance. The coat should be brushed with a firm bristle brush 2 — 3 times per month to minimize shedding. In addition to that, baths are needed fairly infrequently. What is more crucial is ensuring that their toenails are well cared for throughout the year. Meet Chocolate Lab Puppies for Sale. It quickly became clear that this new dog, at the time called the St. Then, in the 19th century, visiting Englishmen took note of these incredible dogs, brought them home to England, and soon perfected and standardized the breed—which had now been dubbed the Labrador Retriever. When they began as the St. While this is still true today, the recessive colors of yellow and chocolate have become more and more coveted by those seeking Labs as pets. Thanks to years of breeding efforts, those recessive colors are not as difficult to find as they once were. Chocolate Labrador Retriever Puppies for Sale Chocolate Labs are a favorite among those looking to add a member of the breed to their family. Coat shades can range from a warm, light brown to a deeper chocolate color. Both parents must carry and pass on the recessive chocolate color gene in order for a puppy to be born with this coat. Just like their black and yellow counterparts, chocolate Labrador Retrievers are known as doting and capable dogs. You can put them to work as hunting or service dogs, but they make excellent cuddle buddies as well. Their beautiful coats and breed stature make them great show dogs too. The chocolate lab puppies we breed for sale at Hidden Pond Labradors come with their first round of shots, one-year written health guarantee, and a veterinarian health certificate. We are dedicated to breeding our puppies for premier health and pedigree, as well as raising them in our home so their personalities and happiness can blossom. Experience the love, joy, and comfort this amazing breed has to offer with a chocolate Labrador Retriever puppy of your own from Hidden Pond Labradors. Give us a call at or message us online to inquire about our available and upcoming Lab puppies! Life Span Did You Know? Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds. The Chocolate Labrador Retriever is not a distinct dog breed from other Labs, but it is a separate coat color variation that is specifically bred for. Similar to the other standard coat colors of Labrador Retrievers, Chocolate Labs are energetic dogs that get along well in a family setting. As a Retriever, they also make great hunting dogs and have also been known to fill other working dog roles including service dogs, guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and more. They are even one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units. A point of interest is that all modern Chocolate Labrador Retrievers can be traced to three specific Black Labradors that lived during the s. Chocolate Labs are industrious little pups. They were bred for retrieval and will often sniff about for something to get into. They are also one of the most affectionate dog breeds and absolutely love being with their favorite humans. Properly socialized and well-trained, Labs are one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. They get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They are famously even-tempered and playful. This makes them fantastic dogs for a growing family, as they tend to be gentle and patient with little ones. They can have a high prey drive. They usually do well with small pets within the family that they have been raised with or socialized around, but likely will still have the urge to chase other animals while out and about. They also tend to be open and friendly with strangers. After all, strangers are just more people to give them attention and play with them. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers may be high-energy dogs, but they are also highly adaptable. They will thrive in homes with fenced yards where they can run freely. They can adapt well to apartment living as well as long as they get plenty of daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. Their natural urge to dig and bark when they are bored or agitated can be quelled with a little training and exercise. Although they can handle some alone time, Labs love to be with their families and thrive on attention from them, so they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Chocolate Labs also have a water-resistant double coat that makes them well-suited for most habitable climates. As with most dogs, they are sensitive to heat. Although they can handle some cold and will likely love to play in the snow, they are not a snow dog breed and may need to bundle up while out on walks in areas with harsher winters. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Chocolate Labrador Retriever can include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hereditary myopathy, and heart disease. There is also a condition with a genetic link called exercise-induced collapse EIC , which can occur in young adult Labradors. Carriers of this can be identified by DNA tests and it is advised that breeders test for this and avoid practices that would produce the disease. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies and 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 and about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are at a higher risk for bloat. Bloat in dogs can be dangerous and can quickly become fatal if the stomach flips gastric torsion. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers are incredible companions and are also one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Their energy can make them a handful at times, but their intelligence, adaptability, patience with people, and eagerness to please make them easy to train. Labs are one of the smartest dog breeds , so they pick up on things easily. As long as training is consistent and focused on positive reward and praise, a Chocolate Lab will do their best to respond as expected and will often exceed expectations. Chocolate Labs have a short, water-resistant coat that will shed year-round. Brushing a few times a week, daily brushing during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath are all that are needed to keep a Lab coat healthy and looking great. They may need baths more often if they are avid swimmers, go on a lot of outdoor adventures, and get dirty a lot. Floppy ears tend to trap dirt, moisture, and debris. Proper dental care for dogs is imperative to help prevent painful dental diseases like gum disease or tooth decay later in life. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with vet-approved dental hygiene chews. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds and need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough, but your Chocolate Labrador will likely be up for more activity if you are. One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they have an extended puppyhood and tend to maintain that puppy-like energy and maturity until they are years old. Swimming can be a great lower-impact activity and Labrador Retrievers are one of the dog breeds that tend to love water. Between that, their water-resistant coat, and webbed toes, you may have trouble getting your Chocolate Lab out of the water. Fully-grown Chocolate Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Chocolate Labs generally live for years on average. Fourteen years later, the American Kennel Club did the same in .Featured Chocolate Labrador Retriever Article. 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.
How many hours do the French Bulldogs sleep? On average, you can expect French bulldogs to sleep around 12 to 14 hours a day, and another hours at night. French bulldog puppies and older Frenchies might sleep even longer, ranging between 18 to 19 hours a day. Why do French bulldogs sleep so much? Known as REM or rapid eye movement. You might have heard that term before as humans need REM sleep too. You might have observed your French bulldog twitching their tails or rapidly moving their eyeballs with eyes closed, well this is maybe their deep sleep phase. Most of the sleeping habits of your French bulldogs are the same as that of humans. You will see a puppy between 0 to 18 months sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day. Young bulldog puppies are full of energy and you will always find them running around in the house and creating havoc. They need a good amount of sleeping time to recover from all the activity. Additionally, your French bulldog puppies are constantly growing. And a lot of sleep is required during this period of growth. Sleeping at this age helps your Frenchie grow into a well-developed adult. The next phase of their life is adulthood, between the age groups of 3 and 6 years, you will find them sleeping between 12 to 14 hours a day. They will usually sleep during the nights for full 6 to 7 hours and scattered sleep sessions throughout the day. Generally, adult French bulldog divides their day into 3 periods. When your French bulldog gets older and is between the age of 7 to 8 years, they will return to similar sleeping habits to when they were puppies. Like humans, as your French bulldog is aging it will need more rest. Hence, you will find them lazing around, napping or sleeping around most of the time when they become senior citizens. What times of the day do French Bulldogs sleep? You will find French bulldogs sleeping their longest sessions during the nights. The remaining 5 to 7 hours of sleep is done throughout the day in the form of frequent naps. When to be concerned with their sleeping habits? It might be the onset of something serious so better get your dog examined. Some symptoms such as change or loss of appetite, Coughing and Sneezing, Vomiting and diarrhea, drinking either too much or too little water, overall general lethargy might be a sign your French bulldog has an underlying medical condition that needs treatment. Conclusion French Bulldogs are endearing and lovable dogs. When they enter your home, they become a part of your family. Make sure you provide this special member of your family with everything it needs. The most important of all being, its sleep and rest. April 4, Is your French Bulldog sleeping a lot in your opinion? Perhaps you are concerned if this is normal behavior for this breed of dog? It is a perfectly normal question to ask and I definitely researched this when my Frenchie was a puppy. But have you ever wondered if all this sleeping French bulldogs do is normal? Their sleeping patterns closely mimic our own, but differ in some important ways. When entering their sleep phase, French Bulldogs can take about 10 minutes or more to transition from the slow wave where their breathing slows, their blood pressure decreases, and their heart rate lowers. This is part of the process of your four-legged friend entering into rapid eye movement known as REM sleep. Sometimes my Frenchie has his eyes slightly open which creeps me out. I often see my Frenchie running or playing in his dreams and his little legs kick like they are running. French Bulldogs may only spend about 10 percent of their snoozing time in REM because of their irregular sleep patterns. Since they tend to doze off whenever they want, often out of boredom, they also wake up quickly and jump to alertness. Make sense? Do you think your French Bulldog is sleeping too much? Did you know that most fully-grown adults sleep around hours a day? Crazy right!? French Bulldog puppies require even more sleep, sometimes sleeping as hours per day! Older Frenchies can also sleep as much as their younger counterparts. The average French Bulldog spends about half of their day sleeping. Pretty impressive. As you have likely noticed, they are active in short bursts of activity and then go back to resting. Life is hard for a French Bulldog. Check out my article on crate training and picking the right crate here to assist with setting a good sleep schedule. I have personally found having a set sleep schedule helps to stem some behavior problems and helps with training. Does my French Bulldog sleep too much? Fear not my fellow French Bulldog owner it is perfectly natural. As I mentioned above, these little bundles of joy require ample amounts of down time. It is very unlikely you have anything to worry about with your Frenchie sleeping as much as they do. It is perfectly natural for your French Bulldog to be sleeping the majority of every day. Due to how they get into REM sleep it is very normal and nothing to worry about. Share on facebook. While we humans are designed to require around hours of sleep per night, adult French Bulldogs generally need around 12 to 14 hours of sleep daily. Frenchie puppies can sometimes sleep for even longer, anywhere from 18 to 19 hours of sleep per day, only waking up for an hour or so after a few hours of rest. The truth is that the amount of sleep your dog need really depends on these four factors 1. Age As previously stated, Frenchie puppies are going to require much more sleep than their adult counterparts. As they age into seniorhood, your Frenchie is also likely to require more sleep during this time of their life as they tire easier. Activity Level Does your Frenchie live a sedentary lifestyle? Unlike breeds that are bred to perform specific activities such as sniffing out bombs and drugs, assisting a patient with their medical problems, or other service animal needs, Frenchies are best at just hanging around keeping you company. Life Changes Has your dog been going through any major life changes, such as but not limited to the following? Current State of Health Is your Frenchie suddenly sleeping more than usual? Do you think your dog is sleeping a bit too much? There might be a reason why… Sure, as your dog ages they will tire more quickly and require more sleep. But does something just seem a bit off about their sleeping habits? There could be a few reasons why your Frenchie is sleeping excessively… Cancer. This is family and dinner time. We all spend time in the lounge. Awake for 3 hours. In the evening he comes upstairs. Sleeps on our bed whilst we watch TV. Asleep for 3 hours. We than take him downstairs. Before he beds down for the night he goes outside. Sniffs about for a while doing his business in the garden. Awake for 1 hour. He then goes back into the kitchen. He sleeps with our cat for the night. Asleep for 7 hours. Total hours a day asleep: 14 hours average. How these hours of sleep look over a 24 hour daily period I also put a graph together below which shows you what this sleep schedule looks like pictorially, running from 7am in the morning, through a 24 hour period. Not every day is the same, but the above is a pretty decent stab at what you might expect on average. Occasionally he will also have a mini-nap around mid-morning. Important: Dogs sleep for more hours in a day than they actually are awake. How many hours a day does a 3-month old French bulldog sleep? French bulldog puppies are a different case altogether, as just like human babies, they will sleep for hours and hours. French bulldog puppy sleeping habits are certainly different to adult dogs. If your puppy is between 8 and 12 weeks old or 3 months old, he could be sleeping for as much as 18 hours a day. This is Claude as a puppy, catching up on some sleep. Notice that he was sleeping with his eyes open! I know that the temptation will be to wake him, as they are so much fun at this age. Does my French bulldog sleep too much? The answer to this question is probably no. As a breed, French bulldogs tend to be a sleepier breed than your average dog. However, there can be some health issues to keep an eye on, if you feel that your Frenchie is exhibiting unusual sleep patterns and sleeping habits. Claude will come sleep on our bed for a few hours before he goes down to his own bed. Increased sleeping hours. Not sleeping well and out of sync, particularly staying awake at night. French Bulldog sleeping habits Below are some of the more common questions I see people asking on Facebook about their French Bulldog sleeping habits and schedules. Why does my French bulldog sleep with his eyes open? Sometimes French Bulldogs will sleep with their eyes open. When Claude falls asleep, often it will be with his eyes half open. I did some research online into why dogs and Frenchies sleep with their eyes open and found that this can be traced back to their ancestors. Sleeping with their eyes open was a defense mechanism which would let them keep safe from predators whilst resting. However, do keep watch on him, as if he is twitching in his sleep it could be the sign of a seizure if it gets to be violent movements, so look for any unusual behaviour. The most likely reason your Frenchie is sleeping with twitching legs and eyes will be because he is having a dream. Why does my French Bulldog sleep on his back? For example, a Frenchie who sleeps on his back will help him keep cool. This is because sleeping with an exposed tummy will let heat escape, letting him keep cool and happy on a warmer night. Why does my French bulldog is make puffing noises in his sleep? The physical make-up of a Frenchie is commonly known to lead to breathing issues. As brachiocephalic dogs they have short snouts. They will make a lot of strange noises in their sleep, puffing be just one of them. Similar to rapid breathing which I will come onto next. Claude as a puppy again. Sometimes French bulldogs will sleep on their backs. Why does my French bulldog have rapid breathing in his sleep? Rapid breathing is a common issue during Frenchie sleep too, most of which is related to their snout and airwaves not being as free as other dog breeds. But there are some signs that you should look out for. If your dog has rapid breathing in his sleep that seems unusual to him as a individual it could be a signal that: He is hot and his body temperature has increased. If you are worried, wake him up and see if he still has laboured breathing. If he is also sitting up in an unusual posture or his chest is moving irregularly it could be the sign of something serious. In fact, YouTube has plenty of videos showcasing this cute and funny behaviour. The following symptoms will often be seen in conjunction with hanging tongue syndrome. His tongue looks dry, rough, sore, with possible patches or spots. His tongue looks paler than normal and could be swollen. His breath smells worse than normal. His drinking has become less and loss of appetite. Final thoughts French bulldogs are adorable. The need their beauty sleep after all! But do be prepared, as once they wake up they will want your undivided attention! Handy Hint: Another guide you might find helpful is recommendations on how far and how often you should walk your French Bulldog puppy based on my own personal experiences. Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea because of obesity How do identify abnormal sleeping habits As a serious pet owner monitoring your Frenchie sleeping habits should be a top priority as abnormal sleeping habits could be a sign that your pooch has fallen sick. Here are a few symptoms we recommend you to look for: Continuous rapid breathing while sleeping. Staying awake for 10 hours or more. Unexpected convulsions with frequent eye-rolling indicating possible seizures. Unusual sleep cycles Trouble waking them up even after sleeping for a good amount of time. Do Frenchies sleep through the night? While some adult Frenchies comfortably sleep at night, in most cases young Frenchies have trouble sleeping at night, but this improves as they age. Besides that, if you move to a new house, your pooch may have challenges sleeping as he tries to adapt to the new environment. You can help your Frenchie adapt to the new environment by allowing him to sleep with you for a few days. Your Frenchie may also struggle to sleep at night if he has been resting the entire day. If that is the case, he may struggle to close his eyes when it is time to sleep. Taking time to play with your pooch around the house for a few hours before sleep can help him sleep throughout the night well. Make your Frenchie comfortable Frenchies rely on their owners to live a comfortable life. So, you should try as much as possible to provide him with a good environment. To help your dog nap more comfortably, we recommend you find a soft Frenchie bed filled with memory foam. It is also vital to teach your Frenchie how to crate as this can prevent him from suffering from separation anxiety in the near future. Keep your Frenchie fit It is obvious your pooch will gain weight for spending most of the time indoors and lounging quite a bit. You can prevent your Frenchie from obesity by keeping him entertained. For example, get your Frenchie some cool toys to play with. Alternatively, take your Frenchie for a minute walk and remember not to do this in warm weather as Frenchies are prone to overheating. Wrapping up While French Bulldogs tend to nap quite a bit than other dogs, it is good to be mindful of abnormal sleeping habits as they may be a cause of concern. Immediately your notice any irregular sleep pattern makes sure to keep a close eye and to consult your vet in case that change persists. Written by jay kang. Search Close this search box. This is understandable, they nap their way throughout the day. Since sleep is crucial to their health, you should know what habits are odd for your furry companion. Table of Contents French Bulldogs are big sleepy heads. They have personalities that shine even in their weird sleeping positions. But their long sleep hours can concern even dog lovers. Most of the time, it is nothing to worry about. What is more worrying is that even in their sleep, they want to be beside you. So to help them get the quality sleep they need, read on. Do French Bulldogs Love to Sleep? When they say that a tired Frenchie is a happy Frenchie, it is because they can sleep comfortably. Their love for sleep is what makes them perfect apartment dogs. They are content with lounging and napping the day away until you come home. Age Depending on their age, Frenchies will sleep more or less. Puppies tend to sleep more than adults. And once your Frenchie becomes a senior, they will go back to sleeping more Lifestyle Frenchies who are more active may need to nap more to recharge their energy level. Those who have a more sedentary lifestyle may not nap as much. This can lead to unwanted behaviors if they get bored while awake. Environmental Changes Frenchies may sleep less in response to changes in the household. Moving houses, a new family member, and death are a few things that can stress them out. Also, Frenchies who have separation anxiety may sleep much less. Older Frenchies are more susceptible to developing these, so they sleep more. The following are a few health issues that can cause excessive sleepiness: Canine Depression Hypothyroidism Sleep Apnea Due to Obesity There are a lot more other illnesses that can make your Frenchie sleep more than usual. Do French Bulldogs Nap a Lot? Many people regard Frenchies as a lazy breed, but that is because they love napping a lot. And it may surprise you that when they are awake, they can get pretty hyper. They make the most out of their energy while awake, so they will play and run around when they can. But since they are a low-energy breed, this energy can wear out fast. That is why they need constant naps throughout the day to recharge. It is alarming if your Frenchie is wide awake for 10 hours or more in a day. This is not a normal sleeping habit for them since they have to nap a lot. When a Frenchie is sleep-deprived, their immune system becomes weak. This makes them prone to getting sick and developing serious health issues. So if you notice that your Frenchie is not napping as much anymore, take them to the vet for a check-up. Adult Frenchies sleep anywhere between 10 to 14 hours a day. While older Frenchies need to sleep at around 15 to 18 hours a day since they easily get tired. This is why older Frenchies go back to sleeping like puppies. Another reason is that Frenchies become prone to health issues as they age. Their bodies are working so much, so it needs to recover with sleep. Both short-term and long-term illnesses have this effect on Frenchies. Frenchies can sleep 7 hours at night uninterrupted, but this can vary. While some can sleep as long as you do during the night, others cannot. The most common reason for this is that they have slept enough during the day. So when it is bedtime, they do not feel tired enough. This is why you should provide your Frenchie with means to keep themselves active during the day. If you cannot play with them because you are at work, interactive toys will do. And if your Frenchie has other furry companions, they will keep each other active while you are away. Older Frenchies may find it hard to sleep through the night. They cannot hold their bladders as well as they used to. So they may take frequent trips to the bathroom at night. This can also be true for younger or adult Frenchies. Stress, health issues, and medications can make them pee more than usual. You may think that your Frenchie is sleeping too much, but it is normal for them to spend most of the day sleeping. They are only awake for about 30 percent of the day. For a breed that can sleep as much as 20 hours a day, it is not unusual to ask yourself if there is something wrong with them. But do not expect them to sleep as long as you do, as they have different sleeping patterns. Frenchies only get about 10 percent of REM sleep whenever they are snoozing. While humans get 25 percent of REM sleep to compare. This means that they can nap whenever they feel like it and wake up completely alert. But that would mean that they need to sleep more to make up for the incomplete REM sleep that they had. As long as your Frenchie sleeps within the normal range hours per day , you should not worry. If they are sleeping more than usual, it can be due to stress or underlying health problems. Frenchies spend half of their day sleeping because they need a lot of rest. It is because of their love for sleep that many regard Frenchies as a lazy breed. If your Frenchie naps a lot throughout the day, this is their normal sleeping habit so you should not worry. You should only worry when your Frenchie presents abnormal sleeping habits. Frenchies can regulate their sleep times on their own, relying on their body clock. As long as they are healthy, they should get the right amount of sleep themselves. For adult Frenchies, this would be around 10 to 14 hours per day. While puppies and older Frenchies need more, at around 15 to 19 hours a day. Some can even sleep as much as 20 hours per day. Of course, this will also depend on factors other than age. Especially if your Frenchie has a health issue. If your Frenchie does have one, it is best to talk to your vet about this. If your Frenchie is not tired before bedtime, they will not sleep and you may not be able to as well. So play with them right before your bedtime! This releases all the energy that they have accumulated with naps throughout the day. It does not even have to be a long playtime, 10 to 20 minutes will do for their low energy. Other than that, there are other ways that you can help your Frenchie to sleep through the night. Below are a few of them. Crate Training To your Frenchie, their crates are like their own rooms. This is where they are most comfortable and where they feel protected. Having their safe space to go to is one of their canine instincts. The first step in this is to make their crates appealing to them. A quiet and cozy place of their own will help them to sleep at night. Comfortable Dog Bed You should not underestimate the magic that a cozy dog bed can do. If you want a soft bed for yourself, your Frenchie also wants one. But cotton-filled beds are the best to start with. If your Frenchie is older, you may want to invest in orthopedic dog beds. Especially if they have arthritis or joint pains. This will make sleeping more comfortable for them as it eases their pain, even a bit. With a routine, they will know exactly what is going to happen and when. And with an intelligent breed like Frenchies , they will quickly learn this. So schedule their bedtime and figure out what you can do before going to bed. You can insert playtime as part of your night rituals, which is effective in tiring them out. Comfort Toys As a clingy breed , Frenchies can get attached to anything that brings them comfort, even if it is a stuffed toy. Having their comfort toy beside them as they sleep will help to ease their anxiety. This can help you and your Frenchie to sleep uninterrupted at night. Sleep Beside Them This is especially helpful for Frenchies with anxiety. As their fur parent, you are their greatest source of comfort. Being able to feel your warmth and cuddle with you at night should bring them ease. Frenchie puppies sleep way more than adults. Having more energy means that they are spending more time playing. This leads to more and longer naps throughout the day for them to recharge. Puppies can sleep for hours and hours and this is necessary for their growth and immune system. So you should not worry about their sleeping habits. Relish the moment while they are asleep because it will get rowdy when they wake up. As puppies, it is normal for Frenchies to sleep around 18 to 19 hours per day. This unusual sleeping behavior is necessary for a rapidly growing pup. Other than that, puppies have too much energy for their bodies to handle. So they may be playing with their toys one minute, then sleep without you noticing it. When your Frenchie pup is awake, they take up a lot of energy too. Other than playing, they also use energy to explore the world. Constantly analyzing new sounds, smells, and sights take a toll on them. If you are trying to socialize your puppy, all the information they take in can be overwhelming for them. And at this young age is when most of the training should happen. They have to learn from you, all the behaviors you want and do not want. With all that they go through during their waking hours, they need to sleep. Not only to recharge but also to process all that has happened during the day. This is when they can store all that they have learned in their brains. So if you think your Frenchie puppy is sleeping too much, they are probably not. You will know if they sleep too much when they have no energy after waking up from a nap. They should be happy and playful after snoozing. You need to wear down your Frenchie pup before bedtime since they have weird sleep cycles. Puppies find it hard to sleep through the night, but you can train them to. As they grow older, their sleep will sync with yours. Play Before Bedtime Spend some time playing with your Frenchie throughout the evening. At least 10 minutes will do to for their short attention spans. For dinner, you can use a puzzle feeder or a slow feeder bowl. Making it tricky for them to eat their meals will get them to work their brains. But make sure that this is not too difficult as they may give up trying. You can also play with your Frenchie right before bedtime. One last release of excess energy will make them want to snooze right away. Give Them a Comfort Blanket Puppies used to sleep with their litter and mothers. So this may be the reason why your Frenchie cannot sleep at night. You can give your pup a fluffy blanket to mimic the sensation of sleeping beside them. Lights in your home, even from your phone, can affect the release of this hormone. So having a crave cover for your Frenchie can prevent this from happening. Potty Break Before Bed Frenchie pups have small bladders , so they may need to go on frequent trips to the toilet. To help prevent this, take them for a potty break before you sleep. Calming Bedtime Ritual Canine behaviors like sniffing, chewing, and licking are all soothing to your Frenchie. You can use this to your advantage and calm them down before bedtime. Freezing their meals will make your Frenchie lick their food more. But you can also use a licking mat and their favorite treat for this. You can get creative and see what works! Use White Noise There are many playlists online made to lull your Frenchie to sleep. This can also help to distract them from other noises in the house, some of which may scare them. Frenchie puppies will start to sleep uninterrupted at night at around 4 months old. This will depend on your Frenchie. But you can speed up the process if you start training them at an early age. There are areas that your Frenchie may nap in more than others, like your sofa. As a breed who loves to sleep, Frenchies have certain places in your home that they love to snooze on, but why? Below are common places that Frenchies go for a nap and why they like them. On Soft Surfaces Frenchies love to lie down in soft places as humans do. So they will hop on your bed or sofa to get a good nap. Close to the Heater or Aircon As a brachycephalic breed, Frenchies cannot regulate their body temperature well. So during the winter, you will find them nestled near the heater for warmth. And during hotter seasons, they will nap near the aircon or fan to cool down. Frenchie puppies should have a soft and cozy place to sleep in a quiet place. You can even have sleep beside you if you want them to. No matter where your Frenchie sleeps, it should be in a cozy and quiet place to make them comfortable. They should have a soft and cuddly bed to lie down on too that is slightly elevated. If your puppy has a crate, you should keep these in mind It will also help if you leave them comfort toys and a piece of your used clothing. This will make them feel at ease since they can smell you while they are off to dreamland. But a lot of puppies will also want to sleep beside you. They are still getting used to sleeping away from their mothers and littermates. Having you, their fur parent, beside them will ease their distress. Since Frenchies are companion dogs, it is natural for them to desire to sleep beside you. They are very affectionate so they will want to cuddle with you and feel your warmth while sleeping. And if you have been showing them lots of love, they will want to sleep beside you even more. Another reason is that they see you as the leader of their pack. Their instinct is to seek protection as sleeping is when they are vulnerable. They know that you are their protector, so they will snuggle up to you for this. According to experts, you can let your Frenchie sleep beside you if you want to. It is a great way to bond with your Frenchie and it can have a positive impact on your mental health. As long as you do not run over them while you are sleeping, they can sleep in your bed without problems. Having your Frenchie sleep in bed with you is a matter of preference. You can if you want to and having them sleep beside you is comforting. Especially if you have issues with your mental health or sleep disorders. But of course, it is not that simple. To help you decide, here are the factors that you should consider. But they cannot help it, their deformed face shape restricts their airflow. If you are a light sleeper, this may not be a good idea. They Fart A Lot Frenchies are prone to flatulence. This can be due to their sensitive stomachs or it can be due to the way they eat. Chances are, you will wake up because of their stinky farts. They Invade Your Space It may surprise you that they take up much of your bed space even if they are not that big. Frenchies love to stretch when they are asleep, leaving you less bed space. Another thing to consider is your personal space. They will push themselves into your face whether you like it or not. This can be an issue if you sleep with your partner. They Can Trigger Allergies If you are an allergy sufferer, keep in mind that Frenchies are not hypoallergenic. They shed quite a bit, leaving dander all over your bed. And even if you are not allergic to dogs, their fur can trap pollen, dirt, or dust that can trigger your allergies. They Can Get Hot While this is great for winter, sleeping with your Frenchie in the summertime is a nightmare. They can get very warm, which can disrupt your sleep. They Can Get Harmed Both you and your Frenchie move around when asleep, so they can get physically hurt if you share a bed with them. You can roll over them at night without you noticing. Or they can get caught in the sheets when they roll around, injuring themselves. They Get Too Attached Once your Frenchie gets so used to sleeping with you, they may get separation problems. An over-attachment to you can lead to separation anxiety. And this is the cause of many unwanted behaviors in Frenchies, including aggression. It is not the best idea to let your Frenchie puppy sleep with you. As tempting as it is, this does not help in teaching them to be independent. If your puppy gets used to sleeping with you, it will be hard to get them to sleep in their dog bed as adults. Also, they will grow up to struggle whenever you are away. Like adults, this can lead to separation anxiety, which can be crippling for your Frenchie. Making your Frenchie sleep in their beds needs a lot of your effort and time. It can be hard, but with consistency, your affectionate companion will get there. Below are the necessary steps to take to teach them how to sleep alone. Get a dog bed that is right for their size and is soft to tempt them to get in. Throw in some stuffed toys and a fluffy blanket for comfort and this will make their bed more appealing. Pick the Best Sleeping Spot You should place their dog bed near yours, so they feel at ease sleeping alone. Once you have chosen a spot, do not move it anymore. Their own space makes them feel secure and relaxed, so moving it will make them feel insecure. Prepare for Sleep Timing is everything, so make sure they had enough time to digest their dinner before going to sleep. This way, you can take them for a potty break before they sleep. A routine like this will help them know what to expect, so they are more open to your commands. Use Verbal Commands Tell your Frenchie to go to their beds before bedtime every night. Make sure to reward them if they listen so they will have a positive association with their beds. Do this at around the same time at night for them to learn their night routine. This will help if your Frenchie is afraid of sleeping in their beds alone. While they would prefer to sleep beside you, Frenchies can learn to like sleeping in their beds. This requires consistent and repetitive training. There is no cut-and-dry answer to this. The best dog bed for your Frenchie will depend on their needs and their likes. It is up to you and your companion to figure out what works best. But not any dog bed will do. Frenchies like to stretch and change positions, so this is important. For them, the best dog bed is an orthopedic bed which eases their joint pains. Make sure their bed can withstand their bites. Cleaning The Bed: For messy Frenchies, their beds can easily get dirty. There are beds with removable covers to help cut down your cleaning time. Bed Style: You can opt for dog beds that are covered if your Frenchie likes enclosed spaces. What Size Bed for a French Bulldog? For a standard-sized French Bulldog , a medium bed size will work. Keep in mind that male Frenchies are larger than females, so you may need to size up or down depending on their sex. Can French Bulldogs Sleep Outside? Frenchies are indoor dogs so they should not sleep outside under any circumstances. Even keeping them outside for a long time is not a good idea. The main concern is that they cannot handle hot or cold weather well. They have short furs that do not provide them enough insulation for the cold. And they have restricted airways that will not help them cool down efficiently when it is hot. Another concern is that this companion breed will get depressed when left outdoors a lot. They thrive on human interactions so depriving your Frenchie is cruel. Frenchies will sleep on their backs when it is hot so they can cool down. You will see them do this more often during the summer when it gets too warm. The only sweat glands dogs have are in their paws. Also, the fur on their bellies is thinner and sparser. So by lying down on their backs, they expose their paws and bellies to the air. This maximizes their way of cooling down. Any dog breed will do this, but this is especially important for Frenchies. A consequence of being a brachycephalic breed is that they cannot cool down properly. Other dogs do this better by breathing, but Frenchies have inefficient airflow. Also, Frenchies are prone to obesity. Dogs with excess weight have trouble cooling off since they have too much fluff in the way. Another reason for this position is that they feel safe in their surroundings. Leaving their internal organs exposed is dangerous if they are in an unsafe place. They cannot get up quick enough to protect themselves. But they will do this in a safe environment with people and other furry companions that they trust. So if you see your Frenchie exposing their belly to you, take it as a compliment. Lying down on their backs is a good way for your Frenchie to regulate their body temperature. Most dogs do this without risks. The only issue is if they sleep on their backs in an unfamiliar place. They will not be able to spring into action when there is some threat. But they are smart enough not to do this, so you should not worry about this. Digging beds is a presleep ritual that dogs do to make their bed more comfortable. There are various reasons behind this behavior including the following: Regulating Their Body Temperature Depending on the weather, your Frenchie will look for a cooler or warmer spot to rest. Their ancestors did this in the wild to protect themselves from other animals. While your Frenchie does not need to do this, their instincts are still strong. So when they are pawing at their bed, they are trying to spread this to claim their spot. This reason is likely for households with many dogs. Nesting If your Frenchie is pregnant , they are trying to prepare for their babies. They create a nest using their bed and blanket so that their puppies have a comfortable place to sleep in. Fluffing Their Bed Frenchies will also try to fluff their beds as humans do with their pillows. Once they have the arrangement that they like, they will circle around and then lie down to snooze. Frenchies will burrow themselves under the covers for protection. This is because sleeping is when your Frenchie is most vulnerable. It can also be because it is chilly and they are trying to keep themselves warm. If your Frenchie is sleeping under your covers, it is because they feel safe with you. You are the leader of their pack, after all, so they seek protection whilst asleep beside you. Close share Copy link Being a dog owner comes with a lot of responsibilities and it goes from knowing the right time to feed your dog down to the right time to make them sleep. If you own a French bulldog, we are here to enlighten you on some of the sleeping habits of a Frenchie. Like humans, French bulldogs have some identifiable sleeping habits that will boggle your thoughts. It is quite normal for a French bulldog to take a nap every now and then especially during the day. However, the duration of sleep differs based on whether it is a Frenchie pup or an adult French Bulldog. For an adult Frenchie, the number of hours spent in bed is between 12 to 14 hours and still feel sleepy while a baby of 10 weeks spends 18 hours in a day. These may seem to be long hours of sleep especially when you need your buddy to play with but it is advisable that you allow them to have the complete hours of sleep that is necessary. Doing the reverse may have an adverse effect on their health, so enjoy the snore while it lasts. It is however, not abnormal if you found your Frenchie sleeping a lot lesser than those number of hours in a day. It would largely depend on some differing conditions; health, emotional state, environment, and more. How Does your Frenchie Sleep: closed eyes or open eyes? Another thing to observe is the sleeping pattern of your French Bulldog. It might interest you to know why some French Bulldogs sleep with their eyes closed while others sleep with their eyes open. Research has shown that Frenchies can sleep with their eyes opened, sometimes it may appear that they have their eyes rolled to the back of their heads like they are looking at you while having their smooth ride in bed. Knowing this will save you a lot of stress from wondering what is wrong with your buddy who is not reacting to your usual play words. Sometimes, there may be elements of seizures on your Frenchie, which may be causing this kind of sleeping habit. So, if you notice anything strange, be at alert to rescue your Frenchie. What happens to the tongue when a French Bulldog is asleep? If the Frenchie has got a problem with closing its eyes when sleeping, then you should know that its tongue is not left out in the list of weird sleeping habits of a French bulldog. It tends to hang out its tongue while sleeping which comes with heavy drooling and you know what that means if it happens to spend the night on your bed. It is absolutely normal for the Frenchie to sleep this way but you must ensure that the tongue is put back into its mouth when wakes up in order for it to get moisturised. You can also make a complaint to a vet doctor to have your Frenchie properly examined against jaw injury or hanging tongue syndrome. Early detection will help prevent this syndrome as soon as practicable. Due to its short muzzle and narrow nostrils, breathing can be a bit difficult for the Frenchie while sleeping. It breathes rapidly due to the restricted airwaves. It is important that you monitor its breathing habit in case of any changes and do well to contact your vet doctor if you notice anything. We know that a Frenchie loves sleeping more than anything else but it is very important for you to be able to detect odd habits that are not normal in your Frenchie such as: - Being awake for more than 10 hours in a day when it is supposed to be sleeping. These symptoms could be as a result of numerous health conditions such as canine depression, cancer, sleep apnea due to obesity, hormonal imbalance, hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalance, etc. Sleeping with the eyes open does not mean that it is awake, it is advisable that you let it have its beauty sleep when nature comes calling. May 20, No comments The amount a French Bulldog sleeps is a topic of interest for many new Frenchie owners. It makes sense, because it would be concerning to see your dog sleeping all day if you were unfamiliar with the amount of sleep dogs typically need. The thing is, Frenchies vary in types , personalities , and family history which means each individual pup will have slightly different sleeping patterns. It may be in the nature of some Frenchies to sleep more than others, just like it is for humans. But, of course, there are some hard and fast rules you should be aware of. How much do French Bulldogs sleep? The simple answer is — French Bulldogs require a lot of sleep. Most adult Frenchies sleep approximately hours a day. However, for French Bulldog puppies or elderly dogs, this average can go as high as hours per day. Although Frenchies are avid sleepers, it is vital to note that they are also flexible sleepers. They can routinely change their pattern according to your schedule. Just like other dogs, Frenchies wake easily if there is a sudden knock at the door or another abrupt sound — their instincts are always ready to protect their owners. Is your French Bulldog sleeping too much? Wrap Frenchies are the perfect apartment-living dog given their small size, tendency to sleep long hours in the day, and small appetite for exercise. In fact there are different structures depending on whether you are training for a feeding routine or house training routine. This article will just tackle the sleep schedule as a way of helping you and your puppy adjust to living together. Needless to say sleep is essential for healthy growth, and puppies are no exception. They can sleep up to 18 hours a day, and in their waking hours be bursting with excitable energy. The large amount of sleep is essential to the development of their muscles, brain and immune system. When awake, puppies burn a lot of energy; learning about their new environment and experiencing how to interact with both humans and other animals. And like children, they wont always be aware of when they are over tired and need time out to rest. The following are a few helpful tips you can use as a sort of guideline to help you create a healthy napping and night-time sleeping routine. This may be when playful fun starts to turn into mischievous behavior like being hyperactive, and not listening to commands. Alternatively, the opposite may be observed, like excessive panting and drinking more water than normal. Whichever it is, you need to be observant and ready to stop and guide him to their rest area and encourage them to settle down. Show your puppy where to rest. This may be their bed, or it may also be a special spot on a cushion that they will identify as being a quiet place for napping. Do not disturb! This is sometimes the hardest thing to do, especially if there are children in the household who will want to keep petting and cuddling the puppy. Everyone needs to learn to leave him alone and let him wake up naturally. Remember that when he does wake, he will very likely need to go outside to do his business. Follow a daily routine. This is particularly important after a walk or outing to the park. Every puppy is different. Some will nap for 30 minutes while others may sleep for up to 2 hours. All of this sleep is healthy and normal. Tips for making puppy beds. Resist the temptation to spend big on getting the best bed. Find a couple of old blankets to line the base of their bed. Soft felt blankets are ideal. Just be aware not to use old wool blankets, as these may be chewed into long strings that can become a choking hazard. The same goes for soft toys. Make sure they are sturdy and cannot be broken up into small pieces that he could choke on. Find a quiet sleep area. This creates more of a comfy den-like environment to help them sleep. Tricks and Treats. Part of a typical routine would be to make sure they have their walk or exercise before sleeping. Also make sure have a chance to go to the bathroom either during their walk or just after some exercise. Reward him with a treat for getting into bed. That is all part of the routine. So, just be prepared for some whining or getting up again in the beginning. If that happens, lead him patiently back to his bed again. Eventually, he will go there without any prompting. There will be interruptions. Always keep in mind that puppies are learning. Sometimes, they may wake up and need to go outside again during the night. If they need to go, then take them outside and speak to them gently. Need more help with your puppy? Check out our recommended dog training program here. Conclusion The most important thing is to not be overwhelmed by the whole process. Remember, this is the time for developing loving bonds that will last a lifetime. Related Info And Products:. Home » Blog » Should you let your puppy sleep in your bed? Should you let your puppy sleep in your bed? The sleeping habits of Frenchies are the source of ongoing discussions, and there is no definite answer to this, as the habits of families and the personality of the puppies vary. However, there are some useful tips you might want to consider to establish a healthy lifestyle for your boy or girl, and still nights for yourself. A calm place to sleep French Bulldogs like to nap and sleep at any time and almost anywhere. Still, make sure you allocate a nice, calm spot where your puppy can go to sleep for their night sleep. This is where their crate or cushion is, and where you should encourage them to return in the evening. Limit his or her food in the hours before the sleeping time, as a full stomach makes it difficult to sleep and is not healthy. Plus they might wake up during the night as a result of this. Subscribe to our weekly blog newsletter: Subscribe to our blog newsletter! On the other hand, they fall asleep easier if they spend some time outdoors; walk, run or play with you. Not to mention the other positive impact activities have on both of you. If your boy or girl wakes up and makes some noise, check if there is any special reason for that. If it regularly happens, try to change his or her pre-sleeping habits see above. Check out our French Bulldog Puppies Should your puppy sleep with you in the bed? From time to time you can let him or her do that, but to do that every night is not recommended for the sake of both of your health. After some nap, send him or her back to his or her regular sleeping place and try to be consequent with that. How much do Frenchies sleep It varies within the breed, but they need more sleep hours altogether when they are young and it gradually reduces until they are one year old. When they get old, their sleeping needs might increase again. One of the beauties of Frenchies, however, is that they can easily adapt to the lifestyle of their parents, and sleep as much or as little as the other family members do. Visit our webshop to find some great dog beds from Chewy that we recommend for your fur baby! The article was written based on the experience of the Tom Kings Puppies Team. Tom Kings Puppies have been breeding French Bulldogs for 10 years on their farm. All the pictures in the post belong to them and show a puppy from their breed. Check their available puppies here , or if you have any questions or comments let us know below the article.
Articles Sit. Heal German Shepherd Hip Dysplasia Signs and Treatments Muscular, intelligent, and loyal, German shepherds are steadfast guardians and all-purpose workers. Highly trainable and obedient, German shepherds provide a range of services—excelling as show dogs and household companions, as well as military and search and rescue animals. Exuding confidence, this breed is royalty of the dog family. They are susceptible, however, to challenging hip and joint issues like hip dysplasia any time from puppyhood all the way through maturation. As with many large breed dogs, German shepherds are prone to canine hip dysplasia CHD , a dog skeletal condition that can be inherited or caused by a traumatic fracture or other environmental factors. CHD occurs from malformation of the ball and joint socket of one or both hips the hip joint is called the coxofemoral joint. If so, it maybe be because of breeding. The exaggerated hind leg angulation is often bred into the dog because of standards that dictate rear legs upper and lower thighs should come as close to a degree angle as possible. Along these same lines, a sloping back causes hindquarters to become more angulate and, thus, prone to lower back pain. These bent legs could point toward one of many health problems, one of which is hip dysplasia. Although irreversible, canine hip dysplasia can be monitored and treated to reduce chronic pain. According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals , .The progression of it and the treatment options available depend on a number of factors, including the degree of misalignment and age of the dog. CHD has a range of signs, depending on the severity of the disease and degree of looseness in the joint. The severity also ranges from mild to extreme pain—some German shepherds even have to use a wheelchair. CHD Treatment Options Dog hip dysplasia surgery for severe cases in medium to large dogs can be expensive. If invasive surgery is not the best choice for your dog, look into non-surgical, conservative management options, such as dog leg braces, physical therapy, weight control, acupuncture, anti-inflammatories, and massage therapy. Ortho Dog specializes in flexible, adjustable, and affordable dog leg braces. Additionally, leg braces for hip dysplasia may slow the progression of this chronic issue. Is a Hip Hound Brace right for your pup? Designed for dogs who suffer from arthritis and mild to moderate hip dysplasia. Below are four common disorders of the hip and joint commonly seen in this breed: Degenerative Myelopathy As a German shepherd owner, you have likely heard of the fatal, chronic, and progressive disease called degenerative myelopathy that is most prevalent in this breed. Typically apparent between the ages of , degenerative myelopathy is a neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord and muscle coordination, ultimately leading to paralysis of the back legs within months. CHD shares several symptoms with early stages of degenerative myelopathy, including difficulty rising and jumping, and progressive weakness of hind limbs. As with any signs that something may be off with your dog, contact your veterinarian for a full exam. Canine Myasthenia Gravis A rare neuromuscular disease, canine myasthenia gravis is a disorder of the signal transmission between nerves and muscles, resulting in progressive muscle weakness, and fatigue with mild exercise. This disease is not typically confused with CHD because the signs tend to show up on the face more than the hindquarters. This incorrect movement can put a strain on their hips, which causes them to walk with an irregular gait. Our Hock Holder brace offers stabilization and support to the hock to help relieve stress. Osteoarthritis Most often seen in senior dogs, osteoarthritis is the inflammation of the hip joints due to cartilage deterioration. You may notice your dog moving a bit more slowly and having trouble with stairs. With less cartilage, bones can grind against each other and cause inflammation. Much like a human wearing a wrist or hand brace for arthritis, the Ortho Dog Hip Hound brace limits the movement of the joint, which helps with the pain. Hip Dysplasia is an issue commonly occurring in most big-size dog breeds like GSD. Some lazy, small-size breeds that are not physically strong and agile may also suffer from it. The only way to prevent it is by paying attention to the nutrition and physical activity needs of dogs. A regular examination from the vet can also help. Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative Myelopathy is an uncommon nerve disorder, but a reality in dogs. The disease progression of this disorder shows its origin from the spinal cord. When not treated or in an advanced stage, the disease covers the hind portion of the body and weakens it. Thus, the GSD suffering from degenerative myelopathy shows discomfort in walking and maintaining posture. Panosteitis Panosteitis is an inflammatory disease of the bone marrow. The disease can emanate from not feeding the dog correctly, which leads to the formation of fatty deposits in the bone marrow. Some researchers associate it with defective genes, but the researchers are yet to trace the complete genetic association. Is the regal fruit right for your dog royalty? And their concerns are real. Researchers attribute this deformity to the neuro- and musculo-degenerative disorder called Myasthenia Gravis. However, those who did not suffer too fatal symptoms, still struggled with issues like deformed limbs, bad posture and joint pain. The leg problems diagnosed in GSDs that suffered from Myasthenia Gravis were: Difficulty rising up on legs Inability to maintain posture Resistance to fetching games, exercising Slight limping Bent legs Sometimes, the disease is not the reason for bent legs though. This characteristic may arise due to breeding and can be considered as an identifying feature to spot pure breeds from mixed ones. It is the chronic counterpart of muscular degeneropathy and differs distinctly from the latter in cause and progression. Mostly, it is the sign of aging in this species and poses a problem when this furry angel shows the signs of premature degeneration of hind leg bones and joints. It is always better to talk, in detail, to an experienced pet veterinarian to learn about the plausible leg problems while picking the dog for making a family member Some of the vets share that the symptoms may comprise: wobbly legs difficulty climbing stairs or walking reluctance to exercising. This is because German Shepherds are intentionally bred to have a steeper angulation to the hind legs. The AKC breed standards for the breed, require German Shepherds to have as close to a degree bend as possible in their hind legs. Unfortunately, this steep angle in the back leg makes German Shepherds more susceptible to back pain and hind leg problems. After years of wear and tear, this makes them prone to serious leg problems as they age. For instance, studies have shown that German Shepherds are five times more likely to develop dysplasia as compared to Labradors, Rottweilers, and Golden Retrievers. A brief overview of these medical conditions: Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative myelopathy DM is a neurological disease that makes German Shepherds slowly lose control of their hind legs. In the end, the dog may lose control of the urinary and bowel functions, and paralysis is a serious possibility. DM typically occurs in older dogs of about eight years or older, although it may also occur at a younger age. Unfortunately, there is no cure for DM. However, there are ways to reduce the suffering of your GSD because the condition progresses gradually. Therefore, treatment options for DM are geared towards ensuring a better quality of life rather than curing it. Most dogs with degenerative myelopathy will lose the function of their hind legs within six months to two years of diagnosis. Although there is no cure, regular exercise has been shown to improve the quality of life for dogs with DM. As a result, the ball of the hip joint causes pain as it glides roughly against the socket. Signs of hip dysplasia include a wobbly gait, lameness, limping, a decreased range of motion, and pain while walking. The most common causes of hip dysplasia include genetics, leg trauma, and environmental factors. In extreme cases of hip dysplasia, the dog may lose the function of their back legs and require a wheelchair. Arthritis may also occur due to the pressure exerted on the hip joint by hip dysplasia. Since GSDs are prone to hind leg weakness, they are at an increased risk for severe arthritis. Dogs with bad hips and arthritic joints may change their gait and walk lower to the ground, causing German Shepherd legs to appear even more bent. Signs of arthritis in German Shepherds include lethargy, loss of muscle mass in the hind limbs, reluctance to run, jump, or go up a flight of stairs, and stiffness in the hind legs. Prevention of osteoarthritis through proper dieting, exercising, and joint supplements helps to reduce the onset of osteoarthritis. Once osteoarthritis begins, the treatment is geared towards pain reduction, reducing inflammation, and improving the quality of life. Since osteoarthritis is difficult to detect in symptoms until the affected joints are badly affected, it is crucial to keep up with regular wellness visits with your vet. The best way to prevent these diseases is through genetic testing and following good breeding standards. This is possible by checking with your breeder for the hip score regarding hip dysplasia and proper parent matching to avoid degenerative myelopathy. Diet It works wonders for humans, and it will work for your best friend too. Since this breed is already a large-sized breed and the effects of breeding may be unpredictable, maintaining an optimal weight and observing a healthy, balanced diet is a wise precautionary measure. Some of the important dietary options to provide include ample proteins, vitamin D, vitamin K and magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin E. You should also ensure that the dog food you buy for your German Shepherd is well-suited, with enough calcium and phosphorus for healthy bone development. Your vet may also prescribe bone and joint supplements such as glucosamine, chondroitin, green-lipped mussels, and collagen if they are required. An obese or overweight will experience increased mobility challenges. Second, regular exercise, especially walking and swimming, is important. Lastly, consult your vet on supplements or medications that may slow down the progression of DM. In any case, for these medical conditions , keep an eye out for changes in movement and contact your vet if there are any concerns. Some common symptoms that your German Shepherd may show include a wobbly walk, slipping on the floor, sitting crooked, hips giving way, swelling, lesser muscle mass in the back legs, and having a shorter stride on the hind legs. Remember that most dogs will not express pain or discomfort at first, so it is up to you to spot the symptoms if they do appear — This is especially important for degenerative conditions because when it comes to treatment, the earlier, the better! Regular exercise Regular exercising does two important things for your German Shepherd. One, it strengthens the hind and front leg muscles, and two, it helps you spot changes in the performance of the hind legs. This is the sit-to-stand routine. In this routine, you start with your dog sitting in front of you. Then, you move back a bit and call the dog to you. When he follows, give a treat to keep his interest and, once again, sit him down. Repeat as many times as needed. Taking your dog on daily walks up and down a hill especially or having swimming sessions will also strengthen the leg muscles and help in managing the weight. Hydrotherapy is especially beneficial for dogs dealing with mobility issues. Canine massage relieves fatigue and tension in the hind leg muscles and helps to spot any unrelated pain that may be a sign of something to watch out for. How to massage your dog: Compress the muscle against the bone with your flat hand using both your palms and fingers. Glide your hand along his spine, following the lay of the fur. Apply semi-circular strokes on the muscular areas of the back legs. Using a support harness Sometimes, it is crucial to moderate the pressure that your shepherd applies to the back legs when he moves about. This is where the support harness comes in. A harness helps to remove some of the stress that the dog may be feeling when taking walks, for instance, until the muscles of the back legs are strong enough to take it. The use of the harness reduces the pressure placed on the bad back legs and makes it easier for your dog to walk. Keep them at a healthy weight and ensure they get plenty of exercise. Even if your GSD is battling a degenerative illness affecting his mobility, you can explore treatment and supportive methods that will enable a good quality of life. German shepherds are known as a very resilient and strong breed. Your dog will match and appreciate any effort you put into ensuring his good quality of life. Related Articles:. Why is that? While your own GSD may not be a shining example of the breed, why does it seem as though the show dogs have such bent back legs? The simple answer is, of course, breeding. Sometimes it gets taken too far. The listing is fairly detailed, so we will just focus on the one portion that pertains to this article — the hindquarters. A typical kennel club breeding guideline for the modern-day German Shepherd Dog. Photo: Taiwan Kennel Association Health Problems There are other reasons for German Shepherds to have bent legs, and the health problems listed below may be contributing factors. Hip or Elbow Dysplasia Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease. While the actual leg length may not be affected, the gait of the dog is changed because it is difficult for him or her to climb stairs or perform much physical activity. Some warning signs of hip dysplasia include unwillingness to jump or stand on hind legs, not wanting to use stairs or steps, difficulty standing up or even seeming lame. This disease can present as early as 2 years old — so if you feel that something is not right, see your vet. Elbow dysplasia can be another contributing factor. Elbow dysplasia is a complex condition caused by abnormal bone growth of the elbow. While it does affect many places in the body, German Shepherds traditionally have hip weakness, and the hindquarters certainly are vulnerable to this disease. One of the biggest signs of myasthenia gravis is the rapid depletion of energy. Your pup will get up and start moving about but tire quickly. Arthritis Arthritis could cause inflammation in the hind legs as well. People get arthritis and so do pets, and just like in people the disease has varying degrees of impact on the body. Simple pain in the hips can cause your German Shepherd to change gait and walk lower, making the legs appear more bent. German Shepherds generally have a history of hip and hindquarter weakness and are susceptible to diseases prevalent to those areas. German Shepherds are highly resilient, wonderful dogs who can adapt to almost anything, so do remember that a diagnosis of disease is not often the tolling of the doom bell. As always, a little dedication and a lot of love go a long way. This pet health content was reviewed for accuracy by a veterinarian, Dr. It was last reviewed and updated Dec. The chances of bending the leg increase and the bone plates remain weak. Physical management Nowadays most people build slippery floors or marble tiles in their homes, as we all know that dogs are part of the wolf that grows mostly on the ground. Their paws or claws are designed to maintain weight. If we keep them in slippery places so there is a problem with the grip. One thing to keep in mind is that the front legs are for weight lifting, and the rear is for continuous movement. The problem of bending the leg is more noticeable in the front legs compared to the hind legs because the weight balance is controlled by the front legs. If your dog lives in a slippery or slippery area then the chances of bending the leg will increase because there will be no proper grip. Genetics The two names Osteochondrodysplasia and Osteochondrosis are usually genetic diseases, no appropriate treatment is available. Genetics refers to how information is transmitted from parents to offspring. There is no cure for these diseases however if a male or female dog is diagnosed with any of these two diseases. Such dogs should not be allowed to come into contact with others, as the disease will spread. Genetics is the main reason for the spread of these problems Causes of Front Leg Deformity in Dogs There are many potential causes for front leg deformities in dogs; some of the more common ones include: Trauma: This is most common cause; it may interfere with new cartilage production, resulting in a stoppage of bone elongation Osteochondrosis: A disturbance in the change of cartilage to bone; the cause of this disease is not completely understood, however, it is thought to have genetic, nutritional, and traumatic components Elbow malalignment syndrome: It tends to occur in chondrodysplastic breeds e. Diagnosis of Front Leg Deformity in Dogs With front leg deformity, the diagnosis method is similar in many cases. The veterinarian will need to take radiographs in order to diagnose the extent of the deformity, to see the extent of the hyperextension, or to assess the damage to ligaments. Checking for broken bones will also be part of the x-ray process. Your dog may need to be sedated or put under general anesthesia for the radiographs. If additional imaging is necessary, as is sometimes the case when more detail or better clarity is required, a CT scan or MRI may be performed. In the situation of elbow dysplasia, a technique called an arthroscopy is used to diagnose joint problems. Done under general anesthesia, this procedure allows the veterinary surgeon to view the inside of the joint. With this technique, correction of the problem is sometimes possible while in the exploratory stage. Blood tests may be performed to check for nutritional deficiencies. In the case of malnutrition, puppies should be fed a sufficient amount of nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, D3. Similarly, there should be a close examination of excess or overdosing and suckling puppies. Heavy exercise or running should be reduced during the growing phase from 1 to 12 weeks because the bones grow at a faster rate, as it puts more pressure on the front and hind legs which increases the chances of bending. It is therefore suggested that their exercise and long walks should be reduced from 1 to 12 weeks old and kept at home when this period is over you can give them proper exercise, as the growth rate is not so fast as stress on the bone plates, the bones are reduced and the legs will not bend. In this case, if bending continues for pups for 6 to 9 months, surgical management is necessary because the bones become harder as a result of the calculation. But if the age is close to 4 to 5 months, it can be treated without surgical intervention, as we know that bones are soft during this time and can be easily treated using the compressive force, while the addition of certain cartilage protection such as glucosamine and chondroitin can also help to control this. Sometimes in puppies, the balance of calcium-phosphorus is disturbed because malnutrition occurs and causes the legs to bend. Bending the legs can also be reduced if the dog or even the puppy is allowed to stay in the rugged terrain, especially these days when all the marble tiles are built and preferred in homes, so dogs and puppies should not walk and run because they are slippery and can not hold these dogs. If you want to solve this problem choose a place in your house that is rough and put in the ground so that your dog does not slip, so also avoid being chained which means do not tie your puppy with a chain. It is one of the main causes of dog leg bending. Evan calcium syrups are available at pet stores or medical stores. If your dog did not have this issue, you can give him calcium that will prevent bending problems in the future. Another reason for the lag problem is a lack of proper exercise, due to which dog can not walk or run, so if your dog has this problem give proper exercises such as running and walking slowly and when conditions get better, the problem will do with the contempt it begins to heal. Treatment of Front Leg Deformity in Dogs Treatment of the deformity will depend on the cause and the extent of the problem. The goal is always to correct the position and length of the limb and regain comfortable joint movement. Of course, preventing further complications that can be secondary to the deformity is of utmost importance, too. The treatment protocol may involve diet, surgery, splints or physical therapy. For example: Antebrachial Growth Deformity Corrective surgery will be done, conducive to stabilizing the limb with external or internal braces or framework. Sometimes cutting the bone, with the goal of realignment or equalizing bone length, is a success. Carpal Hyperextension The use of veterinary applied support splints, bandages, and physiotherapy can bring resolution. In some cases, the complete or partial fusion of the carpus is necessary. A procedure called arthrodesis is done to fuse the forelimb and paw using internal plates and screws. Retained Ulnar Cartilage Cores This deformity is treated with diet change. Adherence to a complete and balanced diet, with the removal of excess supplementation can have a favorable outcome. Other treatments for front leg deformity include removal of part of a bone or plate. Some severe cases of front leg deformity will require complete amputation of the limb. It should be noted that most dogs can function very well on three legs. Recovery of Front Leg Deformity in Dogs The prognosis for a dog with front leg deformity can be good; however, there can be some obstacles to face during a surgical recovery period: Risk of infection around the implants Breakage of the surgical repair screws, etc. Poor bone healing You may find that there is a need for an Elizabethan collar to prevent your dog from licking the surgical site. The veterinarian will be able to provide this for you if required. Many dogs, as they recover from surgery, have a lack of appetite. This should be of no concern for a day or two. If your pet still has no interest in food, try softening it and warming it up to increase palatability. Constipation is often a post-surgery complication; you can expect limited bowel movements for a few days simply due to the fact that your dog did not consume much food before and after the operation. Some medication for pain and inflammation may cause constipation as well. If you are concerned, contact the veterinarian for advice. Vomiting can occur for a period of time after the surgery. As dogs recover from the anesthesia, they can experience nausea. Allow your pet plenty of rest and quiet time to recover from the stress and fatigue of a surgical intervention. As always, let the veterinarian know how your pet is doing, and do not hesitate to contact the clinic with any questions or concerns. Early Detection and Prevention is Key The problem with bowed legs is that your baby is growing faster than your diet is allowing. Put on adult diet not puppy food and wean. Some large breeds are still nursing at this five to 12 week stage, and milk is all calcium! A maintenance diet or giant breed diet will not push growth. Limit the protein and slow the scaffolding growth slightly until we catch up. Limit exercise until bone is hardened as you want the bone to heal straight, not crooked. Pressure from romping and running bows the long bone while soft. Usually one week does it. Reference-on request.
Breeds The link has been copied! Have you ever been curious about the German Shepherd and Great Dane mix breed? They are a rare but stunning crossbreed that can make the perfect pet. In this blog post, we'll explore everything that makes this one-of-a-kind breed so special - from training tips to potential health issues, so if you've had your eye on a German Shepherd-Great Dane mix pup, get ready to learn all about them. A German Shepherd and Great Dane mix are, just as it sounds, a combination of two iconic breeds that results in a unique, lovable pup. The parent breeds are both known for their intelligence and loyalty, making this mix an excellent companion. Due to their mixed-breed nature, you'll never know what you will get. Some may take on more of the appearance or traits of one or the other breed. However, most will end up looking like a cross between the two. If you know enough about their parent breed traits, you will be able to identify your pup's inherited characteristics early on. These dogs also have the potential to be quite large due to the size of both parent breeds. This unique hybrid has characteristics from both parent breeds, including their intelligence and loyal nature, while also adding size, thanks to their larger-than-life ancestors. As with any breed, there are many things you need to consider before getting a German Shepherd Great Dane mix puppy. Knowing what to expect can help you make an informed decision when choosing your companion pet. The German Shepherd German Shepherds are a breed of herding dog, bred for their intelligence and strength. They were originally bred in the s in Germany. Known for their loyalty, German Shepherds make great companions for almost anyone. They are highly trainable and intelligent, meaning you can use them to do all sorts of tasks, from search and rescue to tracking, protection work, agility courses, and more. Physically, these dogs feature a large, rectangular-shaped body that is supported by robust legs and a proud neck for a naturally handsome stance. Their coats come in several colors, often black and tan with a pronounced saddle pattern. Intense, almond-shaped eyes of varying color bring alertness and intelligence to their expression. On top of it all, they are incredibly affectionate and loving towards their families, making them a great companion for children who may be scared around larger dogs. The Great Dane The Great Dane is an iconic breed often known as the 'Apollo of all dogs' due to its imposing size and great regal bearing. The breed originated in Germany in the 16th century, although it wasn't until later in the s that it was officially named the Great Dane. Some credit the origin of this majestic canine to the Bullenbeisser, a now-extinct German mastiff, while others attribute its development to a mix of English Mastiff, Irish Wolfhound, and other breeds. It's one of the most popular large breed dogs in the world. Standing up to inches tall at the shoulder, the average Great Dane has an imposing presence. They have large strong necks with broad heads, long snouts, and powerful jaws. The coloring of these dogs can be varied, including fawn brindle, harlequin black mantle, and blue merle. Along with their signature size and appearance, their temperaments are also notable — gentle giants that make loyal pets and thrive when given plenty of love from their owners. Why is it a Good Mix? The German Shepherd and Great Dane mix have many qualities that make it desirable as a pet or working dog. Both parent breeds are incredibly intelligent, which means that these pups will learn quickly with proper training techniques. They're also loyal companions who will love spending time with their families. In addition, they are known to protect their owners and make excellent guard dogs. On top of all this, they can be very friendly towards other animals and children, which makes them great family dogs. Highly adaptable and social, they require an ample amount of attention from their owners and a home with lots of room to roam. Because of their protective nature and tendency to be territorial, they should regularly be socialized as puppies so that they become comfortable around strangers, other animals, and new environments. These intelligent animals will require a high level of mental stimulation or else they can become destructive and bored. This co-mingling of the energetic German Shepherd and docile Great Dane makes for a lively pet that keeps its owners entertained while still providing protection if necessary. In terms of size, they can range from medium to large dogs, depending on the size of their parents. On average, they typically weigh anywhere between lbs and measure between inches when fully grown. Fur length generally ranges from short to medium, depending on the dominant breed's genetics in the mix. Potential Health Issues of This Dog Mix Although German Shepherd Great Dane mixes are generally quite healthy dogs with a life span of years, there are some potential health issues that could arise from this particular breed combination, such as: Bloat Bloat is a serious condition that can affect deep-chested dogs, such as the German Shepherd and Great Dane mix. Bloat occurs when the stomach twists on itself, trapping gas and fluid inside. This can cause the stomach to swell and put pressure on other organs. If not treated immediately, bloat can be fatal. Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia is a condition that affects the hip joint. In dogs with hip dysplasia, the ball and socket of the hip joint do not fit together properly, which can lead to pain and lameness. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it is important to take them to the vet for an evaluation. As mentioned, they require regular exercise to maintain their physical health, so they get enough walks each day if possible - ideally off-leash. Additionally, brushing them regularly will help keep any shedding under control while keeping those beautiful coats shiny and clean. The fur on your pet can be brushed every days to remove dirt and early matting from its coat, as well as having regular nail trimming done once or twice a month. In most cases, they don't need a regular bath, usually only when they have rolled in something unpleasant. Diet-wise, they don't require anything special; feeding them good quality dog food filled with plenty of protein and healthy fats is best. Also, always ensure they have access to fresh water throughout the day - especially during summer when hydration is vital. And finally, don't forget about the mental needs of this vibrant mix. Regularly spending time training and bonding with them can help create new associations and encourage good behavior. For more helpful articles about pet-parenting tips, check out the Off Leash blog at TryFi. Want to know more about TryFi. This is the fastest way to find your dog after an escape. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. Meeting the parents can also help you determine the likely size and physical attributes of your puppy as he ages. This is partly because they are easy to train, but it is also because they are wary of strangers. They will trust family members and handlers completely, but it can take a few meetings before they trust somebody new. The Dane Shepherd tends to adopt the same attitude. Early socialization can improve their confidence around strangers, but most examples of this breed will remain cautious with new people. Considering the sheer size of the breed, though, this is considered preferable to having a giant dog that jumps up to greet everybody he passes. They Really Are Giant Dogs German Shepherds are big dogs, but nothing in comparison to the Great Dane, and depending on which parent breed is dominant, you could end up with a very large dog, or a mammoth canine. If your dog takes after the Great Dane, he will need a lot of space and room. Even tasks as seemingly simple as turning around can become a problem if this hybrid breed lives in a confined space. As such, although the breed does not require as much time outdoors as some other large breeds, the Dane Shepherd is better off living in a large house with a decent yard. If you have small children, take careful note of the size of the dog. Accidents happen, and when that accident involves a lb dog with clumsy feet and big claws, it can be potentially dangerous. The breed is used by police forces around the world to protect and serve. They are trained to sniff out and rescue people trapped in buildings. They are also used to pick up the scent of criminals and even explosives and drugs. In fact, the first seeing-eye dog was a German Shepherd, even though the Labrador Retriever is better known for this role nowadays. They will happily sit in front of the fire or, if allowed, on your lap, for hours. But when called upon, they will spring into action. They are highly intelligent animals, and usually want to please their owners, which makes them relatively easy to train. However, some dogs of this breed require an experienced trainer because they can get carried away. They will usually enjoy spending a lot of time with their family and might struggle with being left alone for long periods, and they will especially love going for walks or playing with the whole family. Are These Dogs Good for Families? With that said, they are giant dogs and they need a lot of room. They may cause accidental injuries when playing, so you should always take care when they are around kids. It can be tempting for children to treat a dog of this size as a horse, but this should be actively discouraged. You should also prevent children from pulling his ears or tail to ensure that they get along well. This is true in their own home and is also true outside of the house. Again, you need to consider the size of the dog. Cats are usually instinctive enough to get out of the way when a dog of this size starts to charge around, and you should always supervise time between a giant dog and small animals. Enroll in puppy classes and take your Dane Shepherd to the dog park for extended walks. This will help with socialization and will ensure that your dog is well adjusted and responds to your commands. They are easily one of the biggest designer breeds, especially if they get their physical attributes from the Great Dane parent breed, but the German Shepherd is no lap dog either. They have energy and dietary requirements to match their size, so expect to go on lots of walks and to feed a lot of food. As such, you need to ensure that you stick to a good diet. Expect to feed between three and four cups of good quality food every day. Their size means that the Dane Shepherd will not struggle to get food from the worktop or countertop. Expect to provide around 60 minutes of exercise a day, which can include some playtime in the yard, as well as walks. It is worth remembering that this breed needs mental stimulation as much as physical exertion. They are very intelligent, and this means that they can become bored if they are not stimulated. A bored dog tends to mean a destructive dog, as they will create their own means of entertainment and may bark and whine to get attention. The Dane Shepherd might enjoy agility classes, but they may also struggle with some of the agility courses and classes due to their size. Flyball, fetch, and vigorous games like tug of war will be popular, though. The Great Dane, although loving and eager to please his family, can be a little more challenging. The Dane Shepherd will usually fall somewhere between these extremes. They are clever and they will pick things up quickly. Many of them are suitable for first-time dog owners because they are easy to train, but others will require an experienced hand that is dominant without being cruel. Use praise and positive reinforcement but remember that if you fail to take the lead, then the German Shepherd in your hybrid dog will take over and your dog will dominate training proceedings. This means that your dog will have short hair that is easy to manage. You can brush him every day to keep his coat under control, and he will probably enjoy the attention. Your dog will shed twice a year, but this is usually only a moderate shedding, unless he takes after the German Shepherd, in which case you might need to brush more often especially during shedding season. Only bathe your dog when he is especially dirty. Brush teeth three times a week , and check inside their ears every week. You may also need to clip his nails occasionally, especially if his daily walks are in the park or another soft surface. Most dogs naturally grind their nails down when walking on concrete and abrasive surfaces. Unfortunately, the breed can be prone to some of the genetic conditions of the parent breeds. Puppy screening will identify any of these conditions that they are likely to suffer. This hybrid breed can suffer from allergies including dermatitis, bloat, and joint dysplasia. Minor Conditions. It is always a great idea to shop around and look into several breeders before finalizing your deal. Keeping their coats healthy and clean would only require brushing at least two to three times a week with a smooth bristle brush. Brushing their coats will help to evenly distribute the natural oil of their coats to make them look shiny. This will also help you lessen your trips to the groomers. This crossbreed sheds twice a year the most. You can better manage their shedding during these seasons by brushing their coats more frequently at least once a day. They would also need to be given a bath occasionally or when they get really dirty. Bathing can help get rid of excess hair and dead skin, too. Make it a point to have their nails trimmed regularly to prevent them from breaking or splitting. Cleaning their ears should also be an important part of your grooming routine. You need to frequently remove moisture, wax, or debris from their ears to avoid infection. Redness or bad odor is a sure sign that they got an infection. These dogs love to chew, and this can play to your advantage in terms of taking care of their dental health. You can provide them with dental chews to maintain and improve their oral care. This coupled with regular brushing of at least three times per week will help keep them healthy. They can be prone to a number of genetic health issues that are typical to their parent breeds. Having your puppies screened can help you predict which disease they are more susceptible to. This will, in turn, help you make all the necessary care and preventive measures. These dogs are generally healthy, but some of the major health concerns with this cross breed that they might experience later in life: Allergies — Like their German Shepherd parents, they may be prone to allergies such as dermatitis, food allergies, and inhalant allergies. Bloat — It is one of the most common health issues that stemmed from their Great Dane heritage. What happens is that their stomach is filled with air and it twists back. This occurs when they eat too quickly. It can only be cured through surgery, but owners could take a few extra steps to ensure they eat slowly. Elbow and Hip Dysplasia — It is very common for large dogs such as these to develop painful arthritis in their elbows or hips which results in abnormal bone growth in these joints. This health issue can develop as early as five months and could worsen as they grow old. Skin Infection — Although most dogs can be plagued with skin diseases like ringworm, dermatitis, or manage, this hybrid may also be vulnerable to demodicosis, zinc-responsive dermatosis, hypothyroidism, acral lick dermatitis, and histiocytoma. You should definitely make sure that your puppies are screened of these health issues before you adopt. It can help guarantee you get a healthy puppy and save yourself from expensive treatments and heartaches. They are not picky with their food and therefore eat almost anything that you provide them. You can divide their food into two meals of high-quality dry dog food to keep them satiated. Due to their slow metabolism, it is recommended to give them a healthy and regularized diet. Their formula is easily digestible. It has probiotics which help improve digestion and prevent bloating. It also works to strengthen the joints and their immune system. Due to their susceptibility to bloat, you might need to use a couple of tools that can help you ensure your dog stays healthy. Automatic Dog Feeder — If you are too busy to feed your dog twice a day, you can use an automatic dog feeder instead. It can come with a couple of features and programming functions. You can schedule their feeding or set it up on a continuous stream. It works with dry dog food or kibble. This tool can also help you regulate their portions according to their diet. Water Dispenser — An automatic water dispenser will help ensure that your dog could get access to fresh filtered water whenever they need it without having to refill their bowl numerous times during the day. You love your pooch, and you want them happy and healthy all the time. So, no matter if they are a large breed or small, make sure to avoid giving them the worst dry dog food , and only go for the best dry dog food , for example, Dog For Dog Food , Wellness Core Dog Food , or the Nutra Thrive dog food supplement. Every mixed pup carries the genes of their respective, sometimes vastly different parents. So, try your luck with both the best dry dog food for small dogs and the best large breed dry dog food and see which one they like better! Physical and mental activities will help in keeping them healthy, happy, and well behaved. These dogs are highly intelligent and very clever. They can easily get bored and cooped up indoors with nothing to entertain them. It becomes a problem because they have a tendency to develop destructive behaviors like excessive barking and chewing. Aside from two long leisure walks each day you might also want to let them join you for a jog, hike, run, or cycling. They need at least an hour of activity per day. As they tremendously enjoy being outdoors, a trip to the dog park once a week would be a nice treat. They would want to have some time off leash to let them run free and play with other dogs. These dogs have an inclination to gain weight when inactive; that is why it is important for them to have regular activities. Access to a large yard will be useful as they can run and play by themselves. They are very playful in nature. Having a few toys to keep them busy would be a great way to prevent boredom. They are highly perceptive, intelligent, and clever. Your dog will greatly appreciate the time you can spend with them training or playing. Just be careful not to over-exercise your dog. A German Shepherd Great Dane Mix grows fast, making them prone to injuries especially when they are still under two years of age. These are smart and clever dogs that are very eager to please. They love learning and enjoys every minute of training. Here are a few things you need to remember to help train your dog more effectively: Socializing — Socializing these dogs should start at an early age. They are wary of strangers, and it would benefit you both if they can get familiarized with other pets and humans in your group. It is a great way to teach them how to be comfortable in a crowded setting. Positive Training Method — This hybrid is easily trainable and quick to learn. Positive reinforcements using treats will help you keep them interested and obedient. Harsh or punishment-based training can only result in aggression, stress, and fear. Firm and Consistent Trainer — It is natural for this hybrid to attempt to exert their domination. If you remain consistent and firm with your commands, they would soon understand and follow immediately. Their trainers need to be confident because these dogs can sense it and it brings out the alpha in them. They are playful, patient, and loving. They enjoy the company of family, friends, as well as other pets. With proper training and socialization, they can be the most gentle, affectionate, and perfect companions. They need owners who love to stay active and spend time with them. Your only concern would be with regards to smaller children. These dogs are enormous, and they can easily bump to them while playing. So, you need to keep in mind not to leave them unsupervised. You might also want to explain to your kids not to engage them while they are eating, and never try to pull or ride your dog. They are prime watchdogs because of their protective instinct, physical characteristics, and mental abilities. Intelligent, always alert, and perceptive. These dogs are devoted to keeping their families safe from danger; that is why they can be cautious or suspicious of anyone whom they are not familiar with. After a while, they can form close bonds and become very loyal to their owners. This big dog is suitable for homes with large spaces or a yard. But, if you can take them out to exercise each day, they can be docile and happy to sit around inside your home. If you are looking for a smart, loving, and a gentle giant, Great Dane German Shepherds will be an excellent addition to your family. References: Wang, Ping, et al. Wilcox, Charlotte. The Great Dane. Capstone Press, .Coile, D. German Shepherds for Dummies. Hungry Minds, .They typically thrive on any high-quality commercial dog food. We recommend a diet that is high in protein, as these dogs are quite active. Furthermore, you may want to look at a formula that supports their joints. These dogs are prone to some joint problems, and there are a few ingredients that can potentially help with this. Of course, if your dog has any specific health problems, you may want to consider a diet to help with that as well. For instance, skin and coat problems can often be helped with a diet high in omega fatty acids. These dogs are large, so they need a substantial amount of food. We recommend carefully budgeting for their food needs due to their size. German Shepherds tend to be very active. Great Danes are a bit more laidback. Their puppies can fall anywhere in this category. Typically, dogs that are not exercised appropriately will exhibit destructive behaviors. If your dog is behaving badly, it may be because they have not had enough exercise. Because of their people-oriented nature, these dogs prefer to exercise alongside their people. They make great exercise partners. Many will thrive on agility training and similar exercises. Look for ways to combine mental and physical exercises. They often pick up commands very fast and listen to their owners quickly and easily. However, their protective instincts often mean that they need training. While they will listen to their owners easily, they have to know what your words mean first. We do recommend classes for the vast majority of owners, as these dogs need proper and correct training. You should also focus heavily on socialization. These dogs can be quite protective and territorial. They will assume that people and other dogs are the enemies unless they are socialized otherwise. You should introduce them to a variety of different dogs and people at a young age. Puppy classes are a great place for this. They provide your canine with an opportunity to meet many different puppies and people in a group setting. You know that the other dogs there are vaccinated and that the environment is safe, which provides the perfect opportunity for your dog to socialize. We recommend taking your puppy to many different locations when they are young. Explore stores in your area that allow puppies, take them to parks, and visit friends. This will ensure that your puppy is used to a wide variety of situations and people, which prevents them from becoming scared once they are adults. You can plan on brushing them once or twice a week. This will help remove any loose fur, dirt, and debris. Your dog may have short- to medium-length fur depending on the exact traits they inherit. Either way, your main concern is going to be shedding. Occasionally, these dogs may start shedding more than usual. This is likely to occur during the changing seasons, such as during the spring and fall. You may need to increase their brushing routine to every other day or even every day when this occurs. Adjust your grooming sessions as necessary. The brushing sessions will help remove the majority of the dirt and dust. You will likely only need to bathe them if they roll in something particularly dirty, like mud or trash. In this case, be sure to use a sensitive shampoo, as some of these canines are prone to skin irritation. We do not recommend putting these dogs on a regular bathing routine. Like all dogs, you will need to trim their nails regularly. This not only prevents their long nails from hurting you and your furniture, but it prevents the nails from splitting. Very long nails can also cause walking problems and pain. Many offer nail-only appointments that are very inexpensive. The ears can trap dirt and debris, which can cause ear infections. They may need to be cleaned with a damp cotton ball. This will help prevent periodontal disease, which is extremely common in dogs. Their dental health affects their whole well-being. Damaged gums provide germs with quick access to the bloodstream, damaging organs and causing a wide range of problems. This occurs when the hip joint does not grow congruently. The ball and socket stop fitting together properly while the dog is a puppy, which causes them to rub together. After the damage begins, the hip will never correctly fit. Over time, this causes arthritis-like signs. Some dogs are affected but never show any signs. Other dogs may actually have minor wear, but they may be in severe pain or even lame. Treatment varies widely depending on the dog. Sometimes, surgery is required. This disease is partially genetic and partially environmental. Some dogs are more genetically prone to it than others. However, factors that affect growth, like food intake, are what usually cause this disease to occur. If puppies are overfed while they are growing, it can make some parts of their body grow faster than others. This uneven growth causes hip dysplasia. Like their Great Dane parent, this mixed breed may be more prone to bloat than other breeds. This is a life-threatening condition where the stomach fills up with gas and expands. Without treatment, the stomach will push on the surrounding tissues and cut off blood flow. This lack of circulation kills the tissue and causes shock. Dogs can die after only a few hours. The only treatment is emergency surgery, which can be quite expensive. Without the surgery, the dog will die within 24 hours. Because of the high likelihood of bloat, some vets may recommend a procedure to prevent it. This involves securing the stomach to the inside of the abdominal wall, which prevents the stomach from flipping and filling up with gas. If their ears are floppy, this breed can be prone to ear infections. You can reduce the odds of this by carefully cleaning the ears if there is a build-up of debris. Be sure to dry the inside of your ears completely. Minor Conditions. They are often pretty large-sized dogs reaching heights of up to 28 inches high at the shoulder. These dogs are strong and stocky with long legs and a square-shaped body which makes them look like mini Mastiffs, but they have the intelligence and agility of a German Shepherd. However, it has also started gaining more attention in America and Canada. This means that he does not have the same traits as either his German Shepherd or Great Dane parents. Rather, these traits are blended to create this unique mixture of canine features. The average German Shepherd great Dane mix will weigh between pounds should they reach full maturity at around two years of age. Their height can vary depending on their genetics but generally fall in between inches tall at the shoulder area, putting them solidly within the range for both parent breeds. As far as color goes, there really is no way to predict what pattern your puppy may carry; however, black and white color coats seem to be predominant among many of these hybrids. Keep in mind that while there are some persistent characteristics inherited from each parent breed, these dogs can be trained just like any other dog. Some training issues regarding the German Shepherd Great Dane Mix may include: A high prey drive can be problematic if the dog is being trained to become a working dog. If you have another pet that requires training at home it may be difficult to manage while your German Shepherd Great Dane mix is in the house. This characteristic does not usually allow for successful off-leash training either. These dogs are also very dominant and will need more consistent leadership from their family members or owners. They are used for this reason in police work because they are obedient, intelligent, quick learners, and often do well with an authoritative figure. This breed can get along well with children but should always be supervised when near them due to their size and strength. Many of these dogs have a very high energy level and will require a minimum of one hour per day for exercise. They can be trained to become excellent running or jogging partners, which helps them burn off some of that excess energy. Without the proper amount of both physical and mental workouts, they can become destructive and chew everything in sight! As far as training goes, it is possible but should be handled with patience and consistency by someone who understands the specific needs of a dominant breed. In addition to patience and consistency, it is also important to stay calm but firm when training any dog. You can do this while they are eating or drinking which should help to keep them still for longer than when you try and groom them when they are in another room, etc. Towel dry their coats after shampooing use dog shampoo then leave it in for 20 minutes before shaking off the excess water to reduce the amount of dampness left on their skin. When brushing their coat to remove tangles, be sure to go against the hair growth using a comb or slicker brush before smoothing it out with your fingers. When brushing their teeth, be sure to use canine toothpaste as human toothpaste can actually be poisonous for pets. Consult with your vet about how often you should do this, but generally speaking at least once a day is recommended. The other option, if you have the time and patience, is to try using a dog toothbrush which you can pick up at just about any pet store. If your German shepherd Great Dane mix is still having difficulties with the idea of brushing their teeth then this should definitely help — just add some doggie toothpaste on top and before you know it they will be going to town without a care in the world. However, one needs to keep in mind that this crossbreed dog has some very specific health problems. In fact, due to the size differences between these breeds, many of these health problems are amplified. Some people may think twice before adopting such a large breed dog when they realize what issues can arise from their own neglect or ignorance regarding proper breeding practices. Owners will need to make sure they know how to properly take care of their pet if fully grown or puppy for those who adopted as an adult. Many of the health problems associated with German Shepherd Great Dane mix dogs can be avoided by making sure that both parents are healthy and cared for as well as the pups themselves. Also, one must ensure they purchase their puppy from reputable breeders who screen their dogs for genetic diseases and defects before breeding them. The more you know and understand your pet and what could happen, the better off he will be in the long run. This can cause severe pain and lameness in your pet. It can also lead to arthritis later on in his life. Elbow Dysplasia — This problem is very similar to hip dysplasia, but it occurs within the elbow joint instead. Again, this is often due to poor breeding or neglect on behalf of their parents or owners. Heart Disease — Many breeds are prone to different types of heart disease — German Shepherds included! The most common type they deal with is dilated cardiomyopathy DCM. Other conditions they may suffer from including patent ductus arteriosus PDA , subaortic stenosis, and diseases that affect the heart valves. Enthusiastic and active — is how many people describe their GSD Dane. Their endless supply of energy is quickly consumed by various activities that require their attention. They need plenty of exercises each day either through long walks or playtime inside where they can burn off some steam by chasing after toys. Be aware that the Dane side will most likely be more than happy to tag along with whatever you have planned whenever these two meet so it is important to establish boundaries with your new puppy right from the beginning. Lovable and loyal — the Great Shepherd is considered to be one of the smartest dog breeds around. They are always eager to please their owners which makes training a breeze. If socialized from a young age, GSD Dane will love interacting with friends and family members alike while also being gentle enough playtime around children without doing any harm or becoming too excited Intelligent — these dogs have been known to become bored easily so having plenty of toys on hand during playtime is a must. Protective — like most large breeds, the German shepherd Great Dane mix tends to be quite cautious around strangers or someone they are not familiar with which makes them suitable watchdogs. They are extremely alert so you can rest assured that their acute sense of smell will pick up on any potentially dangerous scents coming towards your property which could ward off thieves who may try to get inside by using an alternate route. When it comes to other pets, GSD Dane has been known to be good with cats although this really depends on the personality of the dog itself. The same goes for small animals such as birds, guinea pigs, etc. Make sure that it is formulated for large, active dogs and is made with a named meat meal as the first ingredient. The amount that you need to spend would depend on how much your pet eats per day. You should expect it to grow anywhere from lbs. Having said that, there are always exceptions and you may find yourself with a very small or very version of either parent breed. You must make sure that they get along with all kinds of people and animals including cats. Once they become adults, it gets even harder. Basically, if you ever want them to become a family member, as well as a good citizen, socialization has to happen. The earlier, the better. That is because, during their formative phase before 12 weeks of age , they take in all kinds of information and make sense of it by making associations. This is how they learn about the world and how to behave in it. If you want your German Shepherd Great Dane mix puppy to be a nice family member, make sure they get as much exposure as possible during their first months of life. This will help them develop the ability to make associations with all kinds of things humans, animals, places. Potential of German Shepherd Great Dane Mix as a family pet: The german shepherd great dane mix is a mixed breed dog that belongs to the group of working dogs. This makes it relatively easy for one to acquire or adopt a German Shepherd Great Dane mix. It is important to note that this breed of dog is best acquired at an early age. This is because younger and smaller puppies are more adaptable and receptive to training as compared to mature ones. Adopting one from a young age also reduces cases of aggression as well as other behavioral issues. Life Span Of German Shepherd Great Dane Mix: On average, most German shepherd great Dane mix dogs weigh between pounds and grow to be around inches tall at shoulder height when they reach adulthood typically after 1 or 2 years. The life expectancy of these hybrids falls within the years range and generally speaking is considered to be on par with either parent breed; however, this will depend on several factors such as whether the dog is allowed to become overweight, exercise habits, etc. German Shepherd Great Dane Mix Temperament: When you mix two breeds together, the end result is a blend of both breeds. There are some cases where you will find a hybrid who may lean more heavily towards one parent or the other, but this should not be expected. The German shepherd great Dane mix is a very intelligent dog and because of this, it can be frustrating when trying to teach them tricks and commands. They need to be provided with clear instructions in order to follow through on any task that they have been ordered to complete. They can be classified as giant size dogs and hail from the working breed selection of dogs. German Shepherds are known for their intelligence level whereas Great Danes are known to have low activity levels more suited for indoor activities. This crossbreed has the potential to inherit both of these positive traits and if not, it will go halfway to either side. Another pro is that they are very loyal and love to be around their humans. They can be really protective of your family and will stick with them during tough times. These dogs do great in a home environment, making them ideal for families who live in apartments or smaller homes that cannot accommodate much space for a large dog breed like a Great Dane or a German Shepherd. This mix can either lean towards a very laid-back temperament or an active one depending on the genes it gets from each parent breed. The German Shepherd is known to have high energy levels during its puppyhood but this trait decreases as it becomes an adult. Still, these dogs make a great fit for a very active family who loves to go out and about doing things. Cons of having German Shepherd Great Dane Mix: If your German shepherd Great Dane mix ever feels threatened or anxious then there is a chance that they will attempt to climb up anything they can find in an attempt to get away from whatever it is that is causing them distress. Be sure not to give in to this sort of behavior and, if it persists, then maybe contacting a professional trainer would be beneficial for all involved parties. However, there will more than likely come a time when they need to go but are unable to hold it in because of their size. Be sure not to neglect them if this happens, especially if you are out and about — take your German shepherd Great Dane mix somewhere safe before cleaning up any accidents that may have occurred. The next thing that bothers people a lot is that the other dogs tend to bark and howl in order to get your attention even when you might be busy at some work so it creates problems for other human beings as well as for yourself as well. The other problem that many people think about with these dogs is that they tend to grow large very quickly without proper care and feeding habits. These dogs need a balanced diet in order to grow at a steady pace which should definitely be maintained from their early age up until death. Final thoughts: German shepherd Great Dane mix puppies are some of the most lovable bundles around and with their intelligence and size combined you might just have yourself one hell of a dog! Although easy to take care of when compared with other breeds such as Poodles or Pomeranians give me a break I like big dogs, ok? As always, any potential owners should research the breed to see if they are suitable for them before even thinking about getting one. If you are thinking about having this breed of dog at your home then you must have to clean up the poop very quickly after it is done with its business because the smell might attract other neighbor dogs or human beings to your abode which can create unwanted problems. You need to carry some snacks in your pocket or purse just in case if they start feeling hungry once per while on that particular walk you are taking them on so that they can eat it on time without making too much of a mess for you. FAQs 1. The German shepherd great Dane mix can be a very loyal and affectionate dog when properly socialized at a young age, but there are some concerns that come into play when deciding whether or not this hybrid is the right choice for you. Because of their size combined with their high level of energy, The German shepherd Great Dane Mix should only be allowed around children who are older than 10 years old unless closely monitored. We also recommend that your new puppy should never be left alone with smaller pets such as hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, etc. Because of this, they can be easily controlled by even the younger members of your household. For the most part, the answer is NO. This dog breed tends to get very high in terms of energy level and strength. The following thing that bothers people a lot is their constant need for running or walking throughout the day. However, even though the GSD Dane would appear well-equipped to protect you and your family from intruders and other dangers, they are also more than willing to accept someone into their inner circle if they are properly introduced. Post navigation. Among largest crossbreeds on earth - this mix is considered a large to giant-sized breed. Typical colors: black, brown, hazel, white, merle. Great Dane genetics will typically give these dogs a shorter coat that's easier to manage than a GSD's, but this varies depending on parent dogs. Lifespan: 8 - 13 years. They need to be supervised around young kids due to their large size. Smart, energetic, loving, warm, affectionate, friendly, loyal, protective. Can be wary around strangers. Their intelligence and energy makes these dogs trainable, but they'll need a lot of daily exercise - big open spaces are great for these large dogs to run around in. This will help limit any destructive behaviors. This will depend on the breeder. Hektor eventually became the founding sire and was first named German Shepherd Dog in thanks to the keen eye and ambitious goals of Max von Stephanitz. German Shepherds split from a group of dogs similar in appearance and purpose that included the Dutch Shepherd and the Belgian Shepherd. The Belgian Shepherds would eventually divide even further. They would include the well-known Belgian Malinois and three other types. A scientific article that addresses evolution in certain dog breeds states that the five Italian herding dogs, like the Bergamasco Shepherd, had ancestors in common with the German Shepherd. The German Shepherd line split from the Italian dogs and a French herding dog around .First, fanciers developed the breed in Germany in the late s. Finally, Great Danes evolved in appearance over the passing generations. Great Danes have much more ancient roots than German Shepherds. They appear in the art of Egypt from 4, B. As you have probably surmised by now, Great Danes are not Danish, although they had a distinctive slender type in Denmark. Danes became proficient at hunting wild boars, which at the time, hunters considered among the most challenging game to overpower. Boars were incredibly strong, smart, quick, and fearless. The dogs who hunted them had to be tough in mind and body and very swift of foot. Breeders during the 14th century blended their huge Mastiffs with the fast-coursing Greyhound and perhaps the scrappy Irish Wolfhound to produce the ideal boar dog that would come in at the end of the pursuit and grab and hold the hog. Their slow transformation began in the s when German noblemen discovered the fearless and magnificent Great Dane. These people of elevated status did not often hunt boars, but they appreciated how large and imposing the Danes were. They began seeking out the dogs for their families and to guard their properties. Nobility selected dogs for good looks and height because beauty and intimidation were of paramount importance for aristocratic households. After progressive selection for taller dogs, the breed standard for the Great Dane was born about .You will have a large hybrid dog German Shepherds are usually 22 to 26 inches tall at the top of the withers and weigh from 60 to 90 pounds. Males are slightly taller and substantially more muscular than females. Female Great Danes are 28 to 30 inches at the shoulder while males are 30 to 34 inches tall. The weight difference is also significant between the genders, with females about to pounds and males as much as pounds. Even current standards prefer dogs to be as tall as possible. The tallest dog ever was a Great Dane, Zeus, who stood 44 inches at the shoulders. GSD Great Dane mixes are quite tall at 28 to 30 inches at the shoulders. However, this mix can be very lean at 65 pounds or massive like a Great Dane at up to pounds. Expect a male to be a little taller and substantially heavier than a female. What traits will your Shepherd Dane mix have? German Shepherds immediately strike you with their confidence and self-assurance. Most of them are black and mahogany or black and tan. Even Shepherds who are solid colors like red, blue , or black , are easily recognizable with their noble, slightly domed heads, large erect ears, majestic and powerful necks, rather long torsos, and strong hindquarters built for driving. German Shepherds are smaller than Great Danes, but they have as much presence and poise. The Great Dane is very tall, but your first impression should be one of elegance, strength, and balance. Like the Shepherd, they have a noble head carriage on a slender but powerful neck. They are galloping dogs in contrast to Shepherds, who are trotting workers. A Great Dane has a long and deep muzzle with a slightly furrowed brow and medium drop ears. Cropped ears are quite long as they stand upright, especially for show dogs. Great Danes notably have long and powerful limbs, relatively square proportions, and a long slender tail that tends to curve up at the tip. A Great Dane can also be brindle, harlequin, mantle, solid white, blue, or merle. Unique colors that may not find favor in the show ring are any shades of chocolate including chocolate and white, blue brindle, blue and white, and merlequin. What are merle, harlequin, and merlequin? Merle is a marbling effect of the colors grey and black in Great Danes. Color variations of merle, as seen in breeds like the Australian Shepherd, are not standard for Great Danes. Harlequin, a color pattern unique to Great Danes, is a white base coat with random splotches of black and sometimes gray. Harlequin and merle are closely-related genetically, according to Doggenetics. Merlequin is where the black patches in an otherwise Harlequin dog express as merle splotches. What about mantle? Picture a Boston Terrier with a classic black and white coat. In a Great Dane, the Boston black and white color is a mantle, referring to the black blanket effect over an otherwise white dog. Although some dogs can also be fawn or blue in the areas of black, the traditional tuxedo colors are preferable. Many Great Dane German Shepherd mixes have a typical look about them. Shepherds mixed with Great Danes commonly sport colors like fawn, merle, black, and black and white. German Shepherd Great Danes tend to be leggy. German Shepherds have earned a sometimes justifiable reputation for aggression. They are naturally protective , a characteristic that people enhanced over the generations to produce good guarding instincts for home security and exceptional bite force for police and military work. The result of irresponsible breeding has produced a highly popular dog that shows up way higher on biting dogs lists than he should. German Shepherds are meant to be excellent guard dogs who discriminate appropriately between harmless strangers and malicious intruders. They should only bite as a last resort or in response to a direct command. Fear aggression with defensive biting persists in some German Shepherd lines. Great Danes were hunting dogs before they were guard dogs. Today, they are companion animals before they are formidable guards. Although inheriting some guarding instincts from their Mastiff bloodlines, Great Danes often have a bark worse than their bite. However, Danes always historically could be protective when warranted. In a fascinating statistical analysis by the American Animal Hospital Association , German Shepherds were in the top five dogs most likely to bite while Great Danes were in the bottom five with Dalmatians and Pointers. The Great Dane makes an excellent watchdog, able to loudly warn of suspicious activities, intimidate with her size and presence alone, and back up her stance if necessary. Some family bloodlines are fearful like the Shepherd, producing dogs that cower and bite with little provocation. Your Dane Shepherd should be a calm and steadfast companion, confident and friendly to strangers, and territorial and boldly sounding the alarm when sensing trouble. You should carefully train your Shepherd Dane mix so he can readily discern between guests and people who intend harm. He will likely be naturally protective of you, your family, and house, and many experts advise you not formally train such a dog to guard or become aggressive. The German Shepherd has an average lifespan of about 10 to 12 years and the Great Dane 7 to 9 years. Often a hybrid will live a couple of years longer than his German Shepherd parent breeds, but unfortunately not in the case of the Great Shepherd. Shepherd Dane mixes only live about 7 to 10 years. The notable condition the Great Dane and German Shepherd share is bloat. A peculiar and life-threatening condition whereby the stomach distends with gas or fluid and rotates about to degrees is fairly common in large, deep-chested dogs without proper management. Your Great Shepherd can also inherit certain diseases from his German Shepherd parent breeds, some more so than others. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency — A disease where the pancreas does not produce enough enzymes to digest food properly, EPI is more common in the German Shepherd dog. Signs include a healthy appetite with failure to maintain a healthy weight. Affected dogs appear malnourished. Diabetes — a problem common to German Shepherds. Diabetes is a far different disease in dogs than humans or cats, rarely tied to insulin resistance. Cardiomyopathy — Although not as afflicted as Dobermans, Great Danes see their fair share of dilated cardiomyopathy, or heart disease, and can pass it to their puppies. Cancer — Great Danes are vulnerable to bone cancer and malignancies of the lymph nodes and system. German Shepherds commonly develop spleen cancer as they age. Hip dysplasia — Great Danes and German Shepherds both commonly struggle with hip dysplasia which they may pass on to their offspring. While German Shepherds may lack patience for children, especially strange ones, Great Danes typically are loving and playful around young people. While you would need to socialize your Shepherd to accept a child as part of her flock, you must teach a Great Dane to be gentle and mindful of his size. Great Shepherds may be unpredictable around children, but many of them display the easy affection of the Dane parent. Again, you must exercise caution when you have such a large dog around toddlers or infants. Commonly, Shepherd Dane mixes enjoy small kids but can act dangerously rambunctious. Great Shepherds typically have more energy than purebred Danes. What can you expect around other dogs? German Shepherds can get along with other dogs , typically with plenty of socialization at an early age. It is not uncommon for Shepherds to prefer to be the only animal in a household, but some also learn to get along with cats. The typical GSD has a high prey drive , one which early breeders refined for herding purposes. German Shepherds also have a very combative history with military training, Schutzhund guard requirements, and even some dog fighting. If you go to a dog park, you will often see Great Danes dancing around the field, perfectly comfortable with canine playmates. Despite their proficiency as ancient hunters, Great Danes seem to enjoy social interactions with both animals and people. If your Shepherd Dane puppy inherits more of the Great Dane personality, she will be friendly and playful around other dogs. Those more like Shepherds will need heavy exposure to other dogs at an early age. You should always supervise your Shepherd mix around small dogs because of her size. It is not difficult for an oversized dog to seriously injure a toy breed even if the larger canid intends no harm. Moreover, minor arguments can quickly turn ugly between dogs with vast size differences. German Shepherds rank second or third in intelligence, combining working proficiency, obedience, and instincts. However, German Shepherds are also a breed with a strong mind and a high incidence of overbearing dominance. Stanley Coren ranked the Great Dane 88th, and thus average, among dog breeds. While the Dane does not excel in obedience or as a working breed, she shows a remarkable ability to figure things out on her own. Great Danes also still possess good hunting skills. Great Danes with Shepherd bloodlines are often cooperative and highly trainable with an outgoing temperament. Some may inherit willfulness from the Great Dane. Qualities from both parents suggest the Great Shepherd needs persistence and consistency with her training as well as firmness and clear leadership. German Shepherds historically bred to sustain long periods of work through the day, need large amounts of activity. If you own a Shepherd or ever did in the past, you know how intense and driven the breed, is and how high its energy levels are. German Shepherds regularly need up to two hours of exercise a day. Great Danes require an hour of exercise every day, not having quite the stamina that a German Shepherd does. Plan on providing 60 to 90 minutes of exercise for your Shepherd Dane mix every day, depending on her body structure, age, and energy levels. Growing puppies need moderate exercise because their joints are susceptible to the damaging effects of overexertion. Your puppy may potentially keep growing to 18 months old, so restrain your dog from jumping and excessive running until he has finished. Consult with your veterinarian if you are unsure. You may also need to restrict exercise if your puppy or adult dog exhibits any signs of hip dysplasia. Appears to hop like a bunny as he runs Pain or obvious discomfort towards the rear end Difficulty getting up or laying down Can not or will not sit straight — always orients haunches to one side or the other Difficulty negotiating stairs Loss of muscle development in the hindquarters or exaggerated musculature of the forequarters Are German Shepherd Great Dane Mixes Suitable For Apartment Living? German Shepherds do not do well in small spaces. They are medium to large dogs with a limited ability to relax and stay still for extended periods. Moreover, Shepherds can quickly become destructive when left alone. Finally, the GSD presents a new and expanding liability with leased properties and insurance agencies. Most guard dogs feature on dangerous, banned, or uninsurable dog lists, and German Shepherds are not exempt. Therefore, even if your German Shepherd liked living in a condominium, it is not likely that many property owners would allow it. Great Danes may fit in with apartment living better than German Shepherds because they can lounge, but their size usually prohibits it. They find it difficult to get comfortable if the space is too small, and their tails are deadly to anything not nailed down. Moreover, insurance companies are not extremely fond of giant breed dogs any more than they are of guard dogs. According to Showbiz Cheat-sheets, Great Danes head the list in front of Rottweilers for undesirable canines for insurance companies. Your Shepherd Dane mix will most probably look like a Great Dane hybrid to most concerned parties. Insurance companies and rental properties will likely give your dog a second glance because of her size. Some policies have strict guidelines that treat mixes the same as dangerous and banned purebred parent breeds. While neither the Great Dane nor the German Shepherd is dangerous with appropriate socialization and training, always check all relevant bans before you decide to move into a residence with your Great Shepherd. Such a coat ensures the GSD is well-insulated when it gets freezing and snowy outside and also in moderate heat. Shepherds have two major sheds each year corresponding to seasonal changes that cause them to change out their undercoats. Great Danes have a smooth and short coat generally without an undercoat, but they are still moderate shedders. You should brush a Great Dane once or twice a week to remove dirt, stimulate circulation, and distribute oils to the fur. Great Danes can struggle in cold weather because they have a thin coat and like other sighthounds, minimal body fat. They do better in warm climates but do not have the insulating coats of German Shepherds. Their massive size can make it difficult for their bodies to lose heat. You should brush your dog two or three times weekly to minimize shedding and keep her free of excess soil. Bathing is only necessary twice a year, though most owners feel more comfortable with a monthly schedule. Use mild shampoos. Clip nails once every six to eight weeks. Depending on their coats, Great Shepherds will probably tolerate the heat moderately well and perhaps also the cold. Their size helps a little with frigid conditions, so most Shepherd Dane mixes do fairly well as long as temperatures do not dip too much below freezing and as long as they are not of a particularly lean body type. These crucial milestones are bloat and rapid growth. The risk of gastric dilatation and volvulus stomach distends and then flips dictates that you should feed your Great Dane Shepherd mix a few small meals throughout the day rather than one or two large meals. Feeding recommendations are about 5 to 10 cups daily for adult dogs, so spread that out over three feedings spaced apart by several hours. Your Great Shepherd will be a large dog. You also want to avoid an overweight puppy to decrease joint strain. You can formulate a homemade raw or cooked diet for your dog with your veterinarian or nutritionist. There are also commercial diets that manufacturers specifically modify for large and giant breeds. Summary German Shepherd Great Dane mixes are large but lean dogs that are commonly black, black and white, or fawn. She may even have mixed heritage herself. There are two fawns and a black pup. Occasionally, your Great Shepherd could be merle. This dog looks much like a Great Dane except for a heavier frame, more energy, and the semi-prick ears. He has a single-minded focus common in German Shepherds. Genetics are unpredictable, and your dog may sometimes have upright ears and look like a shepherd. Rarely you could see a black and tan Shepherd Dane mix. Recommended Reading:.
About Us Experienced Breeders We have been successfully breeding quality labs since .It all began as a hobby for my oldest son that has grown to a small family business. Happy, Healthy Bloodline We live on a acre farm with 3 large ponds. This picture to the right is Samson. He was our first Charcoal Lab that produced several beautiful puppies. Our number one concern is producing great family pets. We have also produced some great hunting stock as well as service dogs in the past. A Furever Friend Labrador Retrievers are the best big dogs for the average family. This is a past silver puppy. This is Roxy's first litter. More info coming soon.See Available Puppies page for more info 6. See Available Puppies page for more info 5. See Available Puppies page 5. See Available puppies page 3. See Available puppies for more info 2. See Available puppies for more info 1. They were both born the first week of Jan .See Available Puppies for more info 5. See Available puppies for more info 5. See Available puppies for more info 4. Pics coming soon 2. Pics coming soon.See Available Adults page for more info 2. See Upcoming litters for more info 1. See Upcoming Litters for more info 1. See Available puppies for more info .See Upcoming Litter for more info .See Available puppies for mor info .See Available Puppies for more info .See Upcoming Litters for more info .See Upcoming Litters for mere info .See Available Adults for more info .This will be a chocolate litter .See Upcoming Litters for more info 9. See Upcoming Litters for more info 8. See Upcoming Litters for more info 6. See Available Puppies for more info 6. See Upcoming Litters for more info 4. This has been in the works for a few years now 2. More info to come soon.See Available Puppies for the latest info .Her name is Layla pics coming soon .See Upcoming Litters for the latest info 9. See Upcoming Litters for more info.See available puppies for the latest info.He is just a puppy now, but he will grow fast! See Available Puppies for more info. We tragically lost Hercules. See Available puppies page for more info 6. See Upcoming Litters page 6. See Upcoming Litters page 4. See Available puppies page for more info. Hoping to replace her in .See available puppies page. We are seeing awesome results! Please let us know what you think! See Upcoming Litters for more info. These breedings didn't take! She had one yellow puppy. She will be having a litter of puppies in November. Sign Up For Updates Be the first to hear about new litters, availability, and helpful pet advice. Email Address. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Here, we highlighted six of the best Labrador Retriever breeders in the state. Keep in mind that before purchasing a puppy, you need to do your homework and visit the breeder. But this list should get you on the right track! The 6 Labrador Retriever Breeders in Kentucky 1. The breeder also offers breeding rights for an additional fee. They have multiple breeding couples, giving customers a wide array of color options to choose from. High-quality purebred Labrador Retrievers are exactly what you get with Kentucky Labs. Just keep in mind that you should still visit the breeder in person before sending any money! Lincoln Park Labs also offers a month guarantee for hip dysplasia. All their Labs are AKC registered and get health clearances before breeding. These predictable, durable, steady breeds, like Labs and Goldens, are great with kids and offer the whole family more dog to love. Labrador Retrievers For Sale in Kentucky Our Labs can be found across the country in forty 40 states from the great Southwest to historic New England, from frigid Alaska to the great state of Kentucky. Located near Laurel Hill, NC, we have delivered more than 8, world class Labrador retriever puppies and adults to locations as far away as Alaska. We can easily deliver our guaranteed Labs to your location in the state of Kentucky. For details, Visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-the-minute puppy information at .Our industry setting Puppy Guarantee makes buying one of our pure-bred Labrador retrievers one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Labrador Retriever owners from around the country. Visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-the-minute puppy information at .They were born less than one hundred miles and one year apart. State Flower: Goldenrod. Davis Lakeside Labradors is the best Labrador Breeder in the Paducah locale known for the care they take in selecting top purebred bloodlines. Their farm is located on the border of Lake Barley in western Kentucky. Davis Lakeside Labradors have temperature-controlled kennels and a acre play or training area including a swimming pool. The latest litter includes silver, charcoal black, and chocolate labs, registered with the AKC, vet checked, and guaranteed for long-term genetic health. Like most qualified breeders, Davis ensures that the lab puppies for sale have been raised as per the AKC guidelines and given appropriate claw treatment, vaccinations, and other medical therapies to create strong puppies that are fit for hunting journeys. West KY is a massive labrador enterprise with a acre farm and over 15 years of experience as a breeder. It is one of the few breeding services that offer chocolate, champagne, silver, charcoal black, white, and fox red lab puppies in Kentucky. Some breeders engage in malpractice in order to get the best colors. However, West KY Labs is a dedicated quality breeder that only sources new colors from pure, natural, and certified bloodlines. All the puppies are AKC-certified, vaccinated, and come with both a health guarantee and continued support from the breeder for all matters. All the puppies sold are registered with the AKC at no additional charge. Your puppy undergoes vaccination, deworming, microchipping, and potty-training before you take it home. According to customer testimonials, they have produced some of the most beautiful-looking, well-socialized healthy Labs and safely delivered them all across America. In addition to high-quality Lab puppies, Grandview also offers stud services if you want to breed your female Labrador with a healthy, top-of-the-line male.
They are prone to take naps during daytime, but are alert and protective by disposition. Sometimes they tend to display independent and stubborn behavior if not properly trained from puppyhood. Care Exercise Considering their big size and high level of energy, the golden pyrenees need lots of activities daily. Take them out for brisk walks and jogging every day to assure they stay healthy and in good shape. These dogs love to play like fetching games etc. Allowing them to play and run around in an open but safe space would help relieve their energy. Grooming Most golden pyrenees dogs would shed a lot, and hence it is not the right dog for those who are looking for a low-shedding breed. Brush them every day, and quite frequently, if you think your dog is shedding too much. These dogs are also prone to developing that typical doggie odor, and hence try keeping it clean and hygienic. Bathing is advisable whenever you get that unpleasant stench. Health Problems Generally a healthy breed, they have no known breed-specific problems, but do keep an eye for any general dog health issues. Training Socialization training is a general requirement for all pet dogs. The golden pyrenees dogs are often obstinate and would try to act according to its own whims. Hence, a consistently firm training is required. However, if you act diligently to prove yourself its pack leader, the intelligent and easily-trainable dog would learn to be obedient right from its puppyhood. A professional training class should also help. Interesting Facts Some golden pyres are known to gain a weight of up to pounds. These dogs are accustomed to cold temperatures. But they can also withstand heat for short time periods of time provided they get enough shade and water. This mixed breed is a cross between two very definitive dog breeds — one a retriever or hunting and the other a guardian. This mix receives parts of both parent breeds. The Golden Retriever has been around since the early s, their presence documented in the accounts of a Scottish lord. This parent breed was designed to retrieve waterfowl without tiring and has also grown to exhibit an upbeat and overtly happy demeanor. The Great Pyrenees, however, tends to take a much calmer and quieter approach to life. These dogs were bred as mountain-top flock guardians. They appear unassuming at first but can snap into action fluidly to meet a potential threat. The product of these two well-known breeds, the Golden Pyrenees, has no breed standard as they are only crossbred. There are no breeders actively breeding these dogs. Their breed history is the combined history of their two parent breeds. The mixed breed can take on any trait or temperament from the two parent breeds, or any combination of them. On average, though, Golden Pyrenees tend to be less energetic than their Golden Retriever counterparts and more engaged than your typical Great Pyrenees. This Golden Retriever and Great Pyrenees mix will be highly intelligent. This is a fantastic trait to have, as it means the dog will be easier to train. However, this also means that the pup will need more mental stimulation. If dogs are bored, they can become destructive towards objects in the home. Thankfully, they can glean that mental stimulation from their humans. Their Golden Retriever parent typically passes on a friendly and outgoing personality. We all know the look of that goofy, constantly wagging tail. Goldens are known to have no discretion when it comes to asking for pets or playing. The Great Pyrenees, on the other hand, is very aloof. They tend to be quiet, calm, and watchful. This makes them fantastic with kids, as long as they are trained early on to understand their size and strength. They were bred for protection and can be a wonderful family guard — they will protect a farm and livestock, and they will also have the inclination to protect your children You will need to fine-tune these protective behaviors early in your Golden Pyrenees. Unchecked, these dogs will not learn boundaries and how to accept guests without extreme suspicion. Make sure to socialize your puppy properly. What does a Golden Pyrenees look like, you ask? Well, they can be any combination of the traits of their parents. The only characteristics that could come from both sides are the warm, brown eyes and lots of fluff. This crossbreed could be medium to long-haired, with colors ranging from stark white to deep honey gold. Both dog breeds express long, fluffy ears and big, broad heads. Another trait that occurs in most if not all the Great Pyrenees mixes is a double dewclaw in the hind end. The dewclaw is the claw that rests higher on the paw than the others, a remnant of what would have been the thumb. Some dogs have these on the front, some on the back, or some on both. Regular nail trims are necessary to keep the dewclaws from curling onto themselves. Nail trims also keep the dewclaws short so that they cannot snag on furniture or other objects. Ripped nails are highly preventable. The Great Pyrenees is known for having double dewclaws in the hind end, rather than only one. These dewclaws were originally there for assistance in scrabbling up the mountainside. The extra appendages can be removed early in life via surgery if there is no bone connection between the dewclaw and the leg bones. The only reason that these would be removed is if your dog has a talent for getting the claw caught on things and ripping the nail. These are not typically removed in puppyhood, and not all dewclaws can be removed. This should be a decision made by a veterinarian and should be solely based on whether there is a bone-to-bone connection between the extra digits and the leg itself. This procedure has been widely proven to cause chronic pain to the animal for the rest of their life. The Lifespan of a Golden Pyrenees Unlike other mixed breeds, the Golden Pyrenees does not seem to have gained any extra length to their lifespan. Both the Golden Retriever and the Great Pyrenees have an average lifespan of years. Large breed dogs tend to have shorter lives due to the increased strain on their hearts in comparison to their smaller counterparts. A mix of the two seems to continue that trend and will not outlive their parent breeds. If you are looking for a dog with longevity, this may not be the breed for you. This is a mix of two large breed dogs; there is no opportunity for a different outcome. As such, a Golden Pyrenees should always be on a Large Breed diet. A Large Breed diet is any dog food that is specially formulated for large breed dogs. They contain the correct amount of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to support quicker and more dramatic bone growth, larger muscles, and a higher body mass. Big dogs need more from their diet than little dogs. A Large Breed diet can sometimes even alleviate growing pains. Most brands have a Large Breed diet option. Your veterinarian will probably recommend Science Diet, Royal Canin, or Purina, as these three brands have a veterinary nutritionist on staff. It has also consistently been the easiest to find in pet stores. I cannot stress that enough. Grain Free foods have actually been proven to cause heart problems such as cardiomyopathy in large breed dogs, and they specifically used Golden Retrievers for the study. Stick to the brands and types of food recommended by your veterinarian so that your Golden Pyrenees or any other large breed dog can live a long, happy life. Large breed dogs are notorious for early onset arthritis and joint problems. You can start over-the-counter glucosamine chondroitin as early as 6 months to 1 year of age. Glucosamine chondroitin has no negative side effects so it can only help your dog strengthen their joints before they start to have problems rather than maintaining them after problems are noticed. A Golden Pyrenees is, without a doubt, going to need plenty of outside time. They may be medium to high energy, depending on how much of their energy comes from the Golden Retriever parent. However, the Pyrenees in them will make them want to patrol what they consider as their territory. If that is a backyard, they will probably prefer to be outside. These walks will also give your dog mental stimulation in terms of new sights and interesting smells. Walks are necessary unless you are releasing your dog into a yard or fenced area for an off-leash time. The trainability of a Golden Pyrenees Puppy With this crossbreed, you have a high chance of an easy training experience. Golden Retrievers are very rewarded motivated and the Great Pyrenees is known for its high intelligence. It stands to reason that training should go relatively well. There are, however, some specific behaviors that should be watched for and trained out early. These behaviors typically are inherited from the Great Pyrenees. The first of these is guarding behaviors and suspicion of strangers or guests. This can be caught and trained out early on. A second behavior that can be trained out of Golden Pyrenees while they are young is alert barking. They will let you know, in a very deep and loud voice, that someone or something is approaching. Even if that something is only left falling outside. Desensitization training and positive reinforcement for quiet responses are crucial. A third behavior that is inherited from the Great Pyrenees is nighttime pacing. This may not be something that you can train out. If you start to see this behavior in your puppy, consult a behaviorist who has a background in working with Great Pyrenees. This means that he wants to be outside patrolling and is anxious that he cannot do so. You may find that these dogs will do well as service animals. With a history of Golden Retrievers as guide dogs added to the calm energy of the Great Pyrenees, they have unlimited potential. They could be trained as guards or alert dogs, as well. There is not very much information on either of these two parent breeds as protection animals but if you partner with an experienced trainer, that is also possible. If you do decide to pursue guarding or protection tasks with your Golden Pyrenees, take extra caution to make sure that your dog can still assimilate into life as a house pet. They have the potential to do really well in guard dog training but it has to be taught young and they have to be guest and child-safe. Potential Health Problems of Golden Pyrenees This mixed breed has a chance of inheriting several health problems from their predecessors. One of these is early onset arthritis or inflammation in the joints. As a large dog breed, they are also predisposed to hip dysplasia. This is a physical deformity that worsens over time where the head of the femur the long bone that connects to the hip does not sit correctly in the socket of the pelvis that it is designed to fit. This gets worse with age and cannot typically be fixed. This is not the only type that could be affected. These dogs also have a higher chance of experiencing patellar luxation. This is the fancy name for when the kneecap pops out of its designated groove. This can sometimes be fixed with surgery but the surgery is usually less successful in larger breed dogs. For some reason, Goldens are known in the veterinary field for this issue specifically and that chance passes on to their offspring. Golden Retrievers could also share their tendency towards hypothyroidism. This is a complication with the thyroid, a gland that produces different hormones. When thyroid levels are too low, the body starts to slow down and becomes less functional. Another issue that would require chronic medication is allergies resulting in skin issues. Dogs can experience two types of allergies: food or environmental. If they encounter allergens the thing that they are allergic to , symptoms include itchy skin, stomach problems, and weepy or crusty eyes. Sometimes they itch to the point where they are causing themselves body-wide skin infections. Every dog is different and responds to different types of treatment. Seek out a veterinarian if your dog is itching beyond what you feel is normal. The final health problem that could possibly plague a Golden Pyrenees is entropion. This is when the eyelashes curl inward, scratching the cornea, or the surface of the eyeball. This needs to be surgically corrected or it could cause constant irritation, injury, and possibly blindness. There is one health concern to note that is not hereditary but these dogs would have a higher chance of contracting. Since these dogs desire to be outside most of the time, they are more at risk of heartworm and tick-borne diseases. A heartworm is a literal worm that is transmitted via mosquito bites and grows in the blood vessels of a dog until it blocks them completely, killing the pet. These are treatable but they are also preventable. In terms of what this dog would cost you, the vet bills are going to be the most expensive. Big dogs require bigger doses of medication which costs more money. Also, it would really benefit you to look into pet insurance. These dogs are going to eat you out of the house and home. Golden Pyrenees have the potential to grow to the size of a small horse and need to eat like one. Be prepared to look into the rewards programs at big-name pet stores to find savings on dog food. Refer this post to know how much it cost you to buy and raise a Golden Retriever Puppy. Is Golden Pyrenees Right for You? Would I recommend a Golden Pyrenees as a pet? I honestly would. I think that they have the potential to be fantastic family dogs as long as they are trained properly. They could also make excellent working dogs — working as service animals, alert dogs, guard dogs, or in certain cases, protection dogs. These are not cheap dogs, by any means. If you are operating on a low budget, I would not recommend these guys. Purchasing food alone for these dogs would beggar you. Vet bills would throw you into bankruptcy. I would also say that these Golden and Pyrenees mixes would not be ideal for an apartment situation. They want to be outside and have distinct territories and apartments may not fulfill that need. Also, if you have dark-colored furniture these are not the dogs for you. They will shed all over everything and light-colored fur will appear very obviously against dark couches. Overall, a Golden Pyrenees seems like a well-mixed breed to bring into the family. They are typically lower energy than the Golden and more outgoing than the Pyrenees. Just make sure you keep them on their year-round prevention, give them enough outside time, and train them properly when they are still young. These dogs could turn out to be great pets! Other Golden Retrievers Mixes. Lifespan Sociability The price of a mixed breed dog is partially determined by the average cost of its parents. A Golden Pyrenees puppy is generally less expensive than its parents. The pedigree of its parents also determines the price of a puppy. A show quality dog costs more than a pet store puppy. They have strong mothering-type instincts. Combining the traits of the two breeds that are the parents for the Golden Pyrenees equals a very loving and attentive dog. The dog practiced extreme care and loyalty for the flock and was aggressive towards suspected dangers. This trait often carries over in families with children. They are better suited for colder environments. The Great Pyrenees was a European mountain dog, and throughout decades of genetic preferences, they grew thick and long coats meant for protection in high altitudes and cold temperatures. The dog should be kept cool, though, especially during hot periods of the year. It is especially given to overheating and even heat stroke if left in warm conditions for long periods. Getting the dog blown out every spring is another fitting way to keep it cool. They need extra grooming to keep them looking silky and golden. The short, soft undercoat combined with the long, straight hair on the outer coat tends towards matting. The hair initially helped to protect the two dog breeds, helping to control their interior temperature. It does shed quite a lot, especially during spring and early summer. The Golden Pyrenees requires more grooming than most, needing a brush every day to keep the coat looking healthy and golden. This mix makes for an odd possibility of expected traits. Golden Retrievers are generally outgoing, sometimes overly friendly with people and other animals. The purpose of the breed is to retrieve. These tendencies contrast the Great Pyrenees, meant to be a watchdog and stay wary of strangers and other animals. The expectation for the Golden Pyrenees can typically be a cross, with the better characteristics winning out: enthusiastic and loving. These dogs are quite intelligent and have large personalities. This can be a lovable feature, but it also makes them more challenging to train than other more obedient breeds. These tendencies make the dog a better match for owners that are well-versed trainers or have a lot of determination. When it comes to having this bulky pooch around the kids, it needs to be watched due to its lack of understanding of its size. They like to believe they are lap dogs and may accidentally knock over very young children because of its sheer size. Are These Dogs Good for Families? It is very loyal and loving and will often protect its small companions if it feels danger approaching. It is not always the best fit for families with very young kids since it is so large. It would never do anything to harm a child purposefully, but may accidentally due to its sheer size. They have a very playful nature. Get them accustomed to strangers and other animals as young as possible to train them into being an approachable dog and agreeable with other animals in their space. Their food should be of high quality but can be a general kibble. Since this breed is genetically accustomed to cold temperatures and a high level of activity, they gain weight quickly without the right care. Watch them to make sure they avoid overeating and stay in the best shape for a long healthy life. On average, the dog should get around minutes of activity per day. This is why they are generally not suitable for apartment living, as having a yard or acreage to roam around in will supply them with the bulk of their needed activity. It is recommended that an owner be prepared to walk an average of nine miles with them each week to keep them fit. In order to train them well, they need a strong pack leader they can respect. The first part of training is convincing them that you are the pack leader and not them. They need a firm, calm owner to work with them. If more than one person is working with the dog, be sure that everyone agrees on the training protocol. Some owners rely on the expertise of a professional to guarantee a solid training regimen. They need to be brushed every day, even more during the seasons such as late spring and early summer, as the temperature increases. Golden Pyrenees may develop a doggie odor if they are not kept properly groomed. Although brushing them out frequently may help, it is also a good idea to give them a bath whenever the odor begins to develop. The best tools to use for the coat of this particular dog is a pin brush, a comb, and a deshedder to release the undercoat and keep them cool during warm months. Great Pyrenees often struggle with bloating, although proper exercise and a healthy diet help alleviate this stress. They also suffer from hip dysplasia, luxated patellas, as well as bone cancer. Any of these may carry down the line to the Golden Pyrenees puppies. This is not a guarantee that a Golden Pyrenees will suffer from these, but the owner should learn about and watch for early indicators. Lastly, due to their thick fur coats, Golden Pyrenees may struggle with skin irritants and other problems. This especially applies to humid areas around the world. Minor Conditions. The Golden Pyrenees is not purebred. It is a crossbreed of the Golden Retriever and the Great Pyrenees. The parent dogs are quite different in physical and personality traits. However, crossbreeding a Golden and Pyrenees brings out the best of these dogs in the resulting puppy. This dog is intelligent, friendly, loyal, and loves to please. Goldens are outgoing and will get along with family, strangers, children, and other dogs and animals. Besides, you can quickly train a Golden Retriever using its favorite treats to reward desired behavior. These are some of the great traits Dudley Marjoribanks, 1st Baron Tweedmouth, desired when he crossed several breeds to create a fast, energetic, and loyal dog — the Golden Retriever. Goldens were initially water and land retrievers, and they made faithful and obedient hunting companions. The popularity of Golden Retrievers has spread widely since then. Today, Golden Retrievers take the 3rd position in the most popular dog breeds list. Great Pyrenees The Great Pyrenees is a snowstorm at first glance. Its snow-white fur gives it an air of majesty, even though some Pyrs can come with markings. The Pyr is a good dog and is known for its patience and affection with family. However, a Great Pyrenees can also be a blazing fire if someone threatens their family as they have acute guarding and protective skills. Weighing the Pros and Cons At some point in history, Great Pyrenees dogs decreased in numbers with the decline in sheep predators. But their arrival in North America and their registration by the AKC in helped revive this royal breed. Appearance, Coat, and Colors Being a crossbreed, it is difficult to precisely predict what your Great Pyrenees Golden Retriever mix will look like. The crossbreed will adorn the majesty and elegance of the Pyr and show the symmetry of the Golden Retriever. In addition, your Golden Pyrenees will display the regal expression of the Pyr with an incorporated aspect of the kindly yet alert and confident expression of the Golden Retriever. First, your Golden Pyrenees pup will have a weather-resistant double coat that could be coarser like the one of the Pyr or take a softer texture after the Golden. The fur may be straight or wavy depending on their Golden parent or flat after their Pyr parent. The length of the fur may vary from medium to long. The Great Pyrenees and the Golden Retriever have heavier feathering on the neck, back, and tail. These aspects are likely to reflect in the Golden Pyrenees puppy. The Golden Pyrenees puppy coat can be golden in color after their Golden Retriever parent or pure white like their Great Pyrenees Parent. Alternatively, the puppy could come with a mixture of white and golden dark or light or bear reddish-brown, gray, tan, or badger markings from the Pyr parent. The head is proportionate to the body. Muzzle: The muzzle will tend more to a well-balanced length and head skull as with the Pyr parent or show more of the straight Golden muzzle that blends smoothly and firmly into the skull. Eyes: Medium-large eyes with the friendly and intelligent expression of the Golden Retriever. The eyelids fit closely. The color of the eyes is dark brown like that of the parent breeds. Nose: Black from both parents, with a possibility for a brownish-black nose from the Golden Retriever parent. Ears: Small to medium-sized ears, carried flat and close to the cheeks. Tail: Long, extending to the hock. It may be well plumed as that of the Pyr. The tail carriage may vary from low to level and have a moderate upward curve. The tail might also extend over the back like the Pyr. A male Golden Pyrenees will grow to around inches .A male Golden Pyrenees grows to approximately 65 to lbs .It is a cross between the Golden Retriever and the Great Pyrenees. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. He was born at the end of January in Saskatchewan. Charlie is a laid-back, easy-going and very friendly dog. His best friend is my year-old boy; they are the perfect match. He has a temperament of a Great Pyrenees ; he likes to watch the world go by, but when he is outside playing ball he is as gentle as a Golden Retriever. Charlie is not a very active dog. We go to the dog park as many times as we can in the winter and most days in the summer he runs around for about 30 mins and then is looking to mom and dad to go home. Charlie lives with two cats that he gets along with great, one snake , and two Great Danes named Stella white Dane; she is deaf and Dexter, a mantle Dane that just came to us in January of .I owe them both a world of gratitude. Without knowing the training tips I have learned my home would be a scary place to visit and live. He is a Golden Pyrenees who we found at our local shelter in NC. He is so sweet and is famous in our neighborhood as everyone loves him. When I found him, he was 40 pounds at 1. He had been a stray for those 1. When we brought him inside, he did not know what to do with stairs so I had to carry him up and down the stairs to teach him. Let's say he has blossomed since we brought him home, and he now weighs pounds. He is the best dog we've ever had and would highly recommend his hybrid. Does not have a mean bone in his body. He is the picture of both breeds; he's very good with children, even at such a young age, gentle, intelligent and quite lazy. He weighs 30 pounds in these photos, and gets bigger by the day. His coat has the texture of a Golden, but hasn't completely filled out like a Pyrenees. He's got a very low energy level; two minute walks a day will suffice for him. He eats about two cups a day and maintains a very healthy weight. Our vet expects him to be around pounds as an adult with a projected height of 30 in. He's trained very well thus far and excels at demanding tasks. Fen adapts well to new people and situations, and is currently working toward getting his Canine Good Citizen certification. We have collected the best large breed dry dog food to help you choose the best options for your pooch, but we also have tips on how to recognize the worst dry dog food. It goes without saying that you should avoid overfeeding the dog with snacks once they have eaten their main meal as that can quickly lead to obesity. Feed your Golden Pyrenees with general dog food that is high quality and that is meant for their weight range and size. While they are young and still growing, you can offer them some of these best dry dog foods for small dogs or one of the overall best dry dog food brands on the market. Small breeds are known to have a refined taste, so you can bet your dog will enjoy those flavors, too. Give them plenty of physical exercise in order to keep their weight at a normal range. In case you think they need more from their diet, consult with your vet, and introduce a supplement if they agree. Golden Retriever Great Pyrenees Exercise Requirements Golden Pyrenees puppies and adults may only be moderately active because of their large size. They tend to sleep most of the time. Thus, two hours of regular exercise is desirable to keep them in shape. Keep your dog fit and active through long walks or runs at the park or in the neighborhood. A one- or two-hour walk each day should be sufficient for burning extra fat for a breed that has a tendency to gain weight. The problem with Golden Pyrenees, or golden pyres as some call them, is that they tend to grow up to pounds heavy. Thus, you should break this habit through constant regular exercise. Take care not to expose them to heat for a long time. Give them enough water and shade too during exercise if possible. This is because they are accustomed to the colder areas of the world. Take exercise breaks too in the form of intermittent naps. This should be good enough for Golden Pyrenees puppies and adults that are used to being a couch potato. These dogs love to play outdoor games such as fetching games. They can also join you and other family members in your swimming sessions. You may also run around with them in a large and open but entirely safe place. The importance of exercise is to keep them at a healthy weight range. Your dog is most likely to get sick if they put on excess weight. If you do not want swimming or jogging long distances, you can have a variety of play activities instead, from chasing a ball to playing tug of war. The most important thing is to do your play activity early in the morning or late in the afternoon when it is not too hot for your dog. Overall, I recommend the following exercises for maximum benefit: Jogging. If a Great Pyrenees Mix takes after their Pyr parent, they will be a large, powerful, and intelligent dog that is loyal and affectionate with their families. They will also be protective of them. Great Pyrenees tend to have a calm and patient nature. Although they are a serious, focused, and independent working dog, they often have a sweet, gentle, and affectionate personality with their families. They tend to get along well with children and other pets and tend to take on a guardian role. Their protective instinct makes them wary of strangers, but they will open up once introduced as long as they have been properly socialized. If the other parent breed has a similar temperament, then you should be able to expect something similar from a Great Pyrenees Mix. In addition to talking to the breeder about the other parent breed, you can also meet the mother in person. This allows you to see what her temperament is like and what behavior she is modeling for her puppies. The breeder should have started some socialization and training, but it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home. A Great Pyrenees is a moderately adaptable dog. They are built to roam and wander, so do best in homes with fenced yards. They do well in the cold, but are sensitive to heat. Although they are one of the most independent dog breeds and can handle some alone time, they may become bored and destructive if left alone for too long. The other parent breed will introduce their own quirks and traits that may affect adaptability, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. You also want to be aware of any potential quirks you should be prepared for in a Great Pyrenees Mix. Just as they could inherit none of the conditions common to their parents, they could inherit some or all of them. Good breeding practices make a huge difference. From the Pyr side, potential health conditions to be aware of in a Great Pyrenees Mix include patellar luxation, elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, eye conditions, and some types of cancer. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing issues to puppies, so make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. As a large dog breed, the Great Pyrenees can be at risk for bloat, which means a Great Pyrenees Mix may also be at risk for bloat in dogs. A Great Pyrenees is an independent work dog that is used to making their own decisions and working without guidance. Because of this, they are a better fit for experienced owners. Even if the other parent breed is a good fit for first-time dog owners, you need to be prepared for the potential of a Great Pyrenees Mix that may be a challenge to train. Being prepared to enroll in puppy training classes and to enlist the help of a professional trainer is a good idea with this mix. A Great Pyrenees Mix can inherit a coat similar to one of their parents or one that is a mix of both. If they inherit a Pyr coat, they will shed year-round and more heavily when seasons change. Weekly brushing, brushing a few times a week during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath are enough to keep a Pyr coat healthy. Nail trims once or twice monthly are usually enough to keep them from growing too long. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. Brushing teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste daily along with cleanings at the vet when needed can help prevent dental disease later in life. The Great Pyrenees may be a working dog and need a job to do, but they sit in a more moderate activity range. Daily walks plus some activity to get them moving are usually enough. If the other parent breed has a higher or lower activity range, you will need to be prepared for that potential range in a Great Pyrenees Mix. A fully-grown Great Pyrenees usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother. Great Pyrenees generally live for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar average life span from a Great Pyrenees Mix. Featured Great Pyrenees Mix Article. Saint Berdoodles perfectly combine the playful, obedient, eager-to-please side of the poodle with the gentle, calm, affectionate, and loyal side of the Saint Bernard. We have very happy buyers from our past litter, and two of the puppies from our last litter are now therapy dogs! Our puppies are extremely smart, easy to train, sweet, and are fully potty trained within their enclosure which should make potty training at home a lot easier! All puppies will be dewormed, health checked, and UTD on their shots. Baron male : Baron is a playful puppy with a very sweet temperament. He is black with tinges of brown, a white chest, white back toes, curly hair, and will be medium build between pounds After losing our sweet Millie Big-Butt, we decided to get a puppy. Teddy has received two-thumbs up by our vet in terms of his health and demeanor. After losing our sweet Millie Big-Butt, we decided to get a puppy. We are over the moon happy with Nova. Already sits on command and fetches most of the time. She is a beautiful puppy with a great temperament. She has caught on to potty training quickly too. Thank you soooo very much. From the moment the family handed her to us in a very simple exchange, she has been a very sweet, very healthy, exuberant pup. Thank you for raising her on a farm we are farmers and exposing her to all the good that comes from that type of life. We would highly recommend autumn creek ranch to anyone looking for a healthy, happy, ready for the world, pup! Thanks again! We had a lengthy car ride home from picking her up and she settled right in for the ride. She is smart as a whip and learning fast. We are enjoying every minute with her and love her very much! With a regular routine and high-food drive, Hamilton has learned so much in just one week; he is already house trained, sleeps in his crate with minimal fuss at night, and is excelling on sit, stay, lay down, paw, off, and no commands. We are so proud of him and so happy with our choice to get our Golden Retriever from your family farm! From our first communication to taking Hamilton home, you have been informative and timely with your responses to my many questions. The puppy selection process was clear and fair, and pick-up was seemless. And as a researcher, I really appreciate all the scholarly research you provided on why fresh food diets are best. Ham is thriving on his fresh food diet! We were very intrigued with the farm raised dogs, knowing they were coming from a good home meant a lot.
Found on the street, homeless, hungry, and maybe sick. Or worse dropped off by his family for being old or unwanted. Shivering in a cold strange place that smells of bleach and other dogs that overwhelm him. The endless barking day and night. Wondering what happened -- what did he do wrong to be put in such a place? What will happen? How many days until he feels the needle that takes him to sleep forever? Or, will he be one of the very few to be found by someone looking for a new family member or maybe a rescue that understands the need to help him. Do they know his breed and are they good at finding just the right home? Will he be lucky enough to be placed into a forever home where he will find that he has a new family to be a member of? In reality, once lost or turned away from their family and left with a broken heart, dogs go into a self-protective shield. Once they realize they don't need to be afraid anymore, their true personality blossoms like a beautiful rose. A truly awesome experience to witness.All dogs are hands-on evaluated. We are a foster-based rescue and all dogs live in private homes prior to adoption. We DO adopt outside of the State of Arizona, but you must be willing to travel to Arizona to meet a dog and us. Home visits are required and may be accomplished by a local rescue or a video call with one of our staff members. The adopters are responsible for coming to Phoenix, meeting the dog and then taking him or her home with them. These are all purebred German Shepherd Dogs.Because they are! There is a tremendous degree of variation within this breed, which is why we go to such lengths to ensure that the dog in which you are interested is, indeed, the right dog for you, your household and your current lifestyle. GSDs vary in structure, type and temperament, contingent upon the lines from which they were bred, coupled with their level of training and socialization. While you may prefer a certain "look," take care to make temperament, drive levels and the dog's history, the most important factors in choosing the right companion.First and foremost, we are all about the DOG. We do not place a dog into a home just because we need to make space for a new rescue. We put the dog's best interest at heart at all times and will not place a dog into a home that is not suitable. They are set, taking into account the dog's age, training level, medical condition s if any and other factors. Some dogs require that hundreds of dollars and many weeks, even months, be spent before they are ready for adoption; others do not. Adoption fees are used, not only to rescue and place the dog you are personally adopting, but to aid in the future rescue and rehabilitation of other deserving dogs. Adoption fees are necessary; without fees our rescue efforts would quickly come to an end. Office expenses add up as well. Rescue is an expensive undertaking, both financially and emotionally, and is motivated solely by our passion for German Shepherd Dogs. We are volunteers. We volunteer our time countless hours every day , and we are by no means wealthy. We do not make a profit and seldom break even. Adoption fees come in and go right back out to the next rescued dog. Once a questionnaire is submitted, you will be contacted usually within 24 hours to set up an introduction with the dog s that you are interested in if they are a suitable match for you and your family. All owners are required to sign an Owner Surrender form prior to placement. Our dogs have mellow, affectionate, and playful temperaments, love water, and especially children. They are living as trustworthy family members, as emotional support dogs, service dogs, and medical alert dogs around the world! Content Link Block Polarbear is our Name. Or perhaps just looking for the total package in a dog? Health and longevity remains the foundation of all we do. Take for example, the standard German Shepherd dog as seen in this photo: View fullsize …Dogs bred with these traits often end up with crippling disabilities and premature death. This is so inhumane. The focus of our kennel, on the other hand, is to produce dogs with straight backs, broad heads, and short coats, as in the photo of Polarbear's foundation sire, Shack Von Hammer below. Aside from their magnificent appearance, Polarbear White Shepherds are calm, sociable, and affectionate. They are gifted empaths and comedians at heart. Their goofy personalities and love of children make them perfect nannies for even the youngest child. They love water, retrieving frisbees, and diving into the occasional swimming pool. What kind of dogs do all that? And they are living fulfilled lives, as medical detection dogs, service dogs, and family and companion dogs in nearly every state in the United States! World Map of our Clients Before leaving, you might like to click on some of our pages. Our "Words of Warning" for those purchasing a purebred dog for the first time on the internet is a favorite. Just remember this quote…. No amount of training or special food will fix a problem dog. If you want to view videos of our dogs, check out our Youtube Channel page. If you appreciate our breeding philosophy and love what we do, do let us know by becoming a fan!
german shepherd puppies baltimore md - As their name suggests, this mix is made up of a German Shepherd and a Wolf, these hybrids crossbreeds are often called Wolfdogs or Wolf-Shepherds. Whilst there are many types of German Shepherd Wolf mixes, the Saarloos Wolfhund is the most notable. They were created by Leendert Saarloos back in when he crossbred a German Shepherd with a Eurasian wolf. The aim of this cross-breeding was to bring back the natural traits the GSD had lost when domesticated. You should also keep in mind that they are illegal in several areas across the US, so do your research before keeping one. The German Shepherd already resembles a wolf, so this hybrid does not look hugely different. Due to the genetic diversity, there is no way to tell what a specific pup will look like when they mature. However, there could be a pup that will look more like their German Shepherd parent, rather than their Wolf parent, and vice-versa. Wolfdogs tend to have smaller skulls than the common wolf, they have pointed ears and brown almond-shaped eyes. Height and Weight A German Shepherd can weigh around lb male and lb female. Males stand at around inches and females between inches. So depending on age, sex, diet, and genetics, the German Shepherd Wolf mix can weigh anywhere from lbs. Colors Pups can be found in a number of colors as the classic German Shepherd has 11 different official colors, with the most common being black and tan. But they can also have colors such as sable, black, white, and gray. Wolves can be mottled gray in color, but occasionally can be nearly pure white, red, brown, or even black. Coat German Shepherds have a thick double coat that is medium length. They have a dense outer coat with straight hair that lies close to the body. They have short undercoats and long, coarse outer coats. The GSD and Wolves have very similar coats, so it is fairly likely that their mix will have a double coat and medium-length fur. They will also shed annually, getting rid of their winter coat when the days become warmer. It is safe to say that this crossbreed should not be kept in warmer climates. German Shepherd Wolf Mix Personality and Temperament Both German Shepherds and Wolves have very different personalities, so it can be difficult to predict what their mix will be like. But we will do our best below to explain some behaviors which should be expected. Wolves are pack animals, meaning they are very protective and loyal to their family — they will do anything to protect their kin. They are den-dwelling animals, meaning that your mix is likely to dig anywhere they want. Being wild animals, Wolves are reserved when it comes to unfamiliar surroundings, people, and inanimate objects. They may be very protective but will cower at the sight of strangers. It should be said that the German Shepherd Wolf will be unpredictable in social situations, they can become aggressive when fearful. This can be avoided by giving them lots of socialization as a young pup. They are also very curious and will try to escape whenever opportunity strikes, so make sure to keep your backyard securely fenced. This hybrid will have a strong prey drive, as the GSD was bred to herd livestock and the wolf is a natural predator, so your Wolfdog mix will chase anything and everything that moves. They are also prone to howling as this is how they communicate in a pack. This is not a dog that should be living with small children. This dog should be kept by experienced keepers who are firm and disciplined with their pooch. If they favor their German Shepherd parentage, they will be eager to please dog training will be easy. Either way, you should be training them with positive reinforcement. Give them rewards when they follow your command or when they stop unwanted behavior. Many people believe that dominance training is the way forward with this dog as wolves are pack animals, but studies show that this training method leads to further aggression and reduces the quality of your relationship with your doggy friend. This is a dog for someone who has experience training strong-willed dogs before — you need to be firm and consistent. Do not let them think they are the boss of you. Socializing a dog like this is very important as the wolf can be reserved and unpredictable. Make sure to socialize them with a range of people and different situations. Mental stimulation is very important if you do not want your Wolfdog to get bored and chew everything in sight. You can give them lots of toys and play with them, playtime can decrease their stress levels and make them more confident. Caring for a German Shepherd Wolf Mix Owning a German Shepherd Wolf mix is not something you should take lightly, there are specific laws on owning Wolfdogs, so you should check your state regulations. This cross breed needs an owner who is experienced in training difficult dogs that need lots of attention and care. You will also need a large backyard which has very secure fencing. You should not own a Wolfdog in heavily populated areas, as they have a habit of howling a lot. There are many other responsibilities that you will have when owning this hybrid so keep reading to learn more… Exercise Requirements This is a very energetic dog, as wolves can travel up to 30 miles a day. They will need around hours of exercise each day to keep fit and healthy. Not getting their exercise will result in them destroying your furniture and anything else they can bite. It is also recommended to let them roam around in a fenced backyard, so they can play, dig and explore. You should not take your Wolfdog to dog parks and make sure to keep them on a leash and harness. They will need regular brushing to avoid matting and tangles, and more when shedding season comes along. Do not bathe this dog too much as it can strip away the natural oils that make the coat healthy and shiny. As with every dog, dental hygiene is important so brush their teeth once a week. You should also cut their nails, to avoid overgrowth and splitting. Feeding and Diet Deciding what to feed your Wolfdog is not an exact science, but you should be feeding your dog a diet rich in protein. Avoid buying traditional store-bought dog food as these are rich in carbohydrates and artificial ingredients. You will need to do research into what type of meat-based diets you would prefer your dog to eat. Be mindful of how much you are feeding your dog, too much food can lead to obesity. Keep an eye on their weight by using a body condition score. Known Health Problems Wolfdogs are generally healthy animals, but they are still prone to certain health issues. Having pet insurance could save you from the headache of going to the vets with reimbursement for every vet bill from now on! The German Shepherd resembles a wolf in appearance, to begin with, so you can count on the hybrid to be large, with a long face, thick coat and pointed ears. The coat of the Wolfshepherd can be gray, sable, white, black, or a mixture of these colors. It will most likely inherit the thick fur that is standard for both parents and is known to shed heavily. You can take a closer look at this Wolfdog mix in the video. Is a Wolf Shepherd dangerous? If a Wolfdog is uncomfortable, it can attack out of defense. This has earned them a reputation for being dangerous and they are banned in several US states. Wolves build dens and roam frequently. They also have a strong pack and predatory instincts. These traits translate into destructive behavior for the Wolfdog, such as digging holes in the garden and chewing up wooden furniture. They also may urinate more frequently than other dog breeds to mark their territory. It takes one who is passionate and willing to devote time and energy to a German Shepherd Wolf dog. Because of its unpredictable nature, it is advised that this crossbreed should not be left alone around other pets and especially children. Black German Shepherd Wolf mixes in particular, are known for being less tolerant towards children. They have been known to react by biting and shaking. This is a natural response of the Black GSD when correcting puppy behavior. With rigorous training, a Wolfdog makes a protective and loyal companion. They are strong, intelligent, playful, and affectionate towards family. Are Wolf German Shepherd Mix health issues common? As we mentioned above the life expectancy of a German Shepherd Wolf Mix is up to 14 or even .However, the German Shepherd breed is vulnerable to serious genetic diseases that can get passed down to this particular Wolfdog hybrid. Hip Dysplasia : A painful hip joint deformity that causes loss of mobility and lameness. Elbow Dysplasia: A joint deformity that affects the elbows and can cause pain and loss of mobility. Bloat: A build-up of gas in the stomach that can cause it to twist and lead to shock or even death. Cancer: Abnormal cell growth that can spread throughout the body. Feeding time Since the Wolfshepherd is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia , it is important to keep her on a strict feeding regime to avoid obesity. Aim for 2 to 3 cups of meat-based dog food divided between meals each day. Remember that every dog has different health needs. Exercise time The German Shepherd Wolf hybrid needs daily activity to thwart destructive behavior and keep physically fit. A house with a large fenced-in yard is the most suitable environment for this crossbreed. They need room to stretch their legs and roam. If you live in an apartment, you might want to consider a smaller dog breed or perhaps a dog that resembles a wolf. Not only is an apartment too small a space, but this mix prefers to spend time outdoors, like its Wolf parent. Playing fetch with a ball or tugging games can help get that chewing habit under control. Can you train a Wolf Shepherd? This is the only way to lessen the inclination towards aloofness, fear, and an unpredictable temperament. Training needs to start at the puppy stage to be effective. Be prepared, because Wolfdogs are not easy to train and require time, patience, and consistency. Dominance is one of the main German Shepherd Wolf mix characteristics that you will have to focus on. As the owner, you must be confident and assert that you are the leader of the pack. If attention wanes during a game or your Wolfdog decides to ignore commands, stay positive yet firm and above all — do not let them dominate you. Socialization is key to helping a Wolfdog accept other pets in the household. Walks around the park can help, but always keep your pup on a leash. Supervise them when other dogs are present. When searching for reputable German Shepherd Wolf mix breeders, look for someone that is open to you visiting and will provide health clearances. They should be able to answer questions about the parents, especially regarding medical history. This results in a high number of them being left at rescue shelters. Here are 3 Wolfdog rescues where you can look for a German Shepherd Wolf mix along with other Wolfdogs. Many places have laws against owning any sort of wolf mix, including a German Shepherd-Worf hybrid. This is because, unlike dogs, wolves are completely wild animals, and while they can be domesticated to a certain extent, that wild streak is likely to live on. It just means that in extreme circumstances, these dogs are likely to be less predictable than those without wolf DNA inside them. The appeal is undeniable, but you still need to do your homework before adding one to your pack. Most experts would contend that a wolf mix is one with a purebred wolf in its bloodline within four or five generations. They act just like canine puppies for the most part. However, once they start to grow up, the wolf-like tendencies begin to emerge. They can start slowly in adolescence before becoming extremely apparent in adulthood. Many people have fallen in love with a wolf mix puppy, thinking that it has the features of a wolf but the sweetness of a dog. That may be true in some cases, but in others, the animal grew up to be quite a fearsome pet indeed. They Can Be Quite Unpredictable You would think that a wolf mix would be proud and fearless, never backing down from anyone or anything. The fact of the matter is that while these dogs can certainly be ferocious, they also tend to be extremely shy and skittish. Wolves are scared of people and for good reason, sadly. That means that while your German Shepherd Wolf mix would readily sacrifice their own lives to protect their family, they usually also prefer to cower and hide when strangers arrive. That can lead to dangerous situations, especially with children. If you push these dogs past their breaking point, the wolf will eventually come out — and that can have tragic results. Some of these animals take after their canine parents, while others favor their wolf lineage. Generally speaking, though, you can expect your German Shepherd Wolf mix to be fiercely loyal and protective of their families yet wary of outsiders. Due to the wolf in them, these dogs tend to be more pack-driven than other pups. You may even want to give them a canine companion, although this can have its own set of challenges. That intelligence makes them capable escape artists, though. Are These Dogs Good for Families? Little ones will often push a pet too far, and you never know when the wolf will come out. If you do bring one of these animals into a home with little kids, never leave them unsupervised. You should also teach your kids how to deal with the dog, making sure they know not to mess with their food or toys or abuse them in any way. Older kids may be able to get along with them, though, so if your children are a little more mature, you might be able to bring one of these dogs home without issue. All of this assumes that you know how to handle one of these animals, of course. They get lonely easily and may become depressed if left alone for long periods of time. However, they may be prone to aggression with other dogs as well. Pack culture is a much bigger deal for wolves than for dogs, so your mix may be prone to dominance. Other pets, however, are likely a bad idea. Cats and smaller animals will most likely be seen as food rather than friends, so you should keep your German Shepherd Wolf mix as far away from them as possible. All of this also means that you need to be absolutely certain that your mix is kept on a secure leash and collar or harness during walks. You may not feel up to the task once you realize how much is involved with raising one of these animals. That will affect how much they eat, but you can expect them to have a healthy appetite regardless. These are energetic pups, so they need as much long-lasting energy as they can get. Avoid problematic ingredients like soy, wheat, corn, or animal by-products, as these can make your dog fat without giving them much in the way of nutrition. Many dogs have trouble processing these ingredients as well. In addition to feeding them a proper diet, you should exercise strict portion control and never allow them to free-feed. As a result, expect to provide your pet with plenty of exercises. They can easily destroy your entire lawn if not properly tuckered out. Long walks are a good idea, but you should also play fetch or something that requires more energy every day. Just be careful not to make them run and jump too much, as it puts quite a bit of strain on their spines. Mental stimulation is equally important. You can give them puzzle toys, play hide-and-seek, or put them through extensive training sessions. They respond best to positive reinforcement, so try to convince them to cooperate by offering them treats or affection. The problem with this is that eventually, those emotions will boil over. That could lead to unpleasant consequences for you. The shedding becomes extreme twice a year when the dogs blow their coats. You should only need to bathe them if they get visibly dirty, but you will need to brush their teeth and trim their claws regularly. Be sure to keep their ears clean as well, as they can be prone to infection. This reduces the risk of spinal issues later in life. Still, there are a few things to be aware of. Minor Conditions. Wolf vs. While these are generic numbers, they can still give you a better understanding of the ideal size to expect. Of course, note that your German Shepherd has to be a purebred, and the mating needs professional intervention. Below is a photo of a Czechoslovakian Wolfdog , which was initially bred from working line German Shepherds and Carpathian grey wolves in .This hybrid has a special diet requirement. Look for high-quality dog food that contains real meat as the first ingredient, and avoid fillers like corn, wheat, and soy. Some options include: Dry kibble: This is the most common type of dog food and is convenient and easy to store. Look for brands that offer high-quality protein sources like chicken, beef, or fish. Wet food: This type of dog food is more palatable than dry kibble and can be a good option for picky eaters. Look for brands that use real meat and avoid fillers. Raw food: Some dog owners prefer to feed their GSD-Wolf Mix a raw food diet, which consists of uncooked meat, bones, and organs. But why do I stress it under the diet section? Hip dysplasia: This is a genetic condition that affects the hip joint and can cause pain and mobility issues. To help prevent hip dysplasia, make sure your dog maintains a healthy weight and gets regular exercise. To help prevent these issues, feed your dog a high-quality diet and avoid table scraps and other human foods. Joint problems: Because of their size and activity level, GSD-Wolf Mixes are also prone to joint problems like arthritis. Multivitamins: A multivitamin supplement can help ensure that your dog is getting all the essential vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy. Here are some tips to help you keep your GSD-Wolf hybrid healthy and happy. Grooming Your German Shepherd-Wolf Mix has a thick, dense coat that requires regular grooming to keep it healthy and shiny. Here are some grooming tips to keep in mind: Brush their coat at least once a week to remove loose fur and prevent matting. Bathe them as needed, but not too often, as it can strip their coat of its natural oils. Trim their nails regularly to prevent them from getting too long and causing discomfort. Clean their ears regularly to prevent infections. These are only a few tips. Ideally, once you get a German Shepherd Wolf Mix, you may encounter new requirements based on their health conditions as well. Nevertheless, regular grooming is mandatory! Combining the power and strength of a German Shepherd and a wolf, this mix is inherently stronger. Here are some exercise tips to keep in mind: Aim for at least 2 hours of exercise per day, including walks, runs, and playtime. Provide plenty of mental stimulation, such as puzzle toys and training sessions. Consider enrolling your dog in agility classes or other activities to keep them engaged. Training Your GSD-Wolf Mix is a smart and independent breed that needs consistent training and socialization to thrive. In fact, they can understand and grasp commands faster than usual because of their mix. Here are some training tips to keep in mind: Start training and socialization early to prevent behavior issues. Use positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats and praise, to encourage good behavior. Be patient and consistent in your training approach. Consider working with a professional trainer if you need help. Maintaining a German Shepherd Wolf Mix requires a bit more effort than other breeds, but with the right approach, you can keep your dog healthy and happy for years to come. By providing them with plenty of exercise, training, and health care, you can enjoy a strong and rewarding bond with your unique and beautiful German Shepherd Wolf Mix. They have a natural instinct to protect their loved ones and can be fiercely loyal to those they trust. Your German Shepherd Wolf Mix is a smart and inquisitive breed that thrives on mental stimulation. They are quick learners and respond well to positive reinforcement training techniques. Similar to their parents, your GSD-Wolf hybrid is an independent breed that can be stubborn at times. They may not always follow commands or listen to their owners and may prefer to do things their own way. However, this hybrid needs early and consistent socialization to prevent behavior issues. They may be wary of strangers and other animals if they are not properly socialized from a young age. Your GSD-Wolf Mix has a strong prey drive and may be prone to chasing small animals like squirrels and rabbits. A German Shepherd Wolf Mix is safe for people professionally trained to handle wolf dogs but is not safe for ordinary pet owners, first-time dog owners, and families with children. Three primary reasons move people to interbreed wolves and German Shepherds, or any other dog breed: The desire to create the attractive wolf look in a wolfdog. The expectation is that breeding a German Shepherd and a wolf will produce an exceptionally hybrid pup with a balanced blend of the domestic and the wild traits in the two canines. The attempt to tame the wild in the wolf and create a fiercer guard dog than the purebred German Shepherd. Unfortunately, these expectations rarely materialize. Instead, German Shepherd Wolf hybrids can manifest extreme aggression and stubbornness for several reasons. Dogs sexually mature by 6 to 8 months, but they also have less aggressive hormonal changes and a more stable behavioral pattern in the years of sexual maturity. In contrast, wolves only mature sexually at around 1 to 4 years. The species-specific roles that come with sexual maturity, such as fighting their place in pack roles, can generate aggression and stubbornness and make their behavior patterns extremely unpredictable. Inheriting the unpredictable behavior of a wolf can make German Shepherd Wolf Mixes challenging to manage. And pruning out the wolf traits in the Wolf Shepherd can be tricky, even with training. That means having to deal with a difficult-to-manage pet. A Wild Prey Drive Prey drive is the instinctive tendency of carnivores to pursue and capture prey, also known as predatory behavior. Both the wolf and the German Shepherd have a strong prey drive , the first more than the second. This behavior can make your wolfdog threaten the safety of livestock and other animals when you walk with them or even try to escape to meet this instinctual hunting drive. Territoriality Wolves are a territorial species, a trait that German Shepherd Wolf Mixes can inherit. Wolfdogs often show territoriality through urine marking. But being territorial especially means that the wolfdog will be possessive of things and spaces in the home. As a result, the Wolf Shepherd will tend to be aggressive and defensive when other animals and people approach areas and things they consider to belong to them. Winter Wolf Syndrome Winter wolf syndrome, or seasonal aggression, is the aggression that characterizes wolves and wolfdogs around the mating season. The manifestation of the winter wolf syndrome can vary from wolf to wolf or wolfdog to wolfdog. Some wolves and wolf dogs may just show a bit of grumpiness, while others can show outright aggressiveness and extreme possessiveness. In German Shepherd Wolf hybrids and other wolfdogs, the extent of the winter wolf syndrome behaviors may vary with: Wolf content: The amount of wolf in a German Shepherd Dog. Sex: Males show protective behavior towards females, and females may show aggression towards their fellow females. In both cases, the wolfdogs can direct this aggression toward the owner or other persons. According to the Colorado Wolf Sanctuary , because of the natural element in the winter wolf syndrome, wolves and wolfdog owners should be aware that it is unsafe to interact directly with their pets in the five months or more around the mating season. The resulting question from the discovery that wolfdogs can be unsafe is whether governments allow people to own wolfdogs, even though they can turn violent. In some states, owning a wolfdog is illegal. Others regulate the ownership of wolfdogs with the same laws set for the ownership of wild animals, while others regulate wolfdogs in the same way as dogs. When owning a wolfdog is permitted by law, some states and local laws may specify the permissible wolf content in the wolfdog or require owners to get additional permits. A good number of states, including California, Montana, Idaho, and Florida, have both local and state restrictions on wolfdog ownership. Fewer states like Alaska, Georgia, Michigan, and Illinois completely outlaw wolfdogs. No state in the US is without restrictions on wolfdog ownership. As laws are constantly changing, please contact your city, county, and state governments before purchasing a wolf dog. In other countries like the UK, you require a license to own first-generation F1 wolf dogs, which are regulated by the Dangerous Wild Animals Act .However, it is legal to own a wolfdog as long as it is 3 generations F3 from the parent wolf. In other words, you can own a German Shepherd wolfdog if it is born of second-generation wolfdogs or a second-generation wolfdog and a German Shepherd. Going forward, you should check the safety and legality associated with the mix before you decide to get one. Even if you possess adequate knowledge in raising one, this hybrid is pretty challenging and can pose complexities on the go. Related Posts You May Like:. Prone to shedding. Lifespan: 12 - 14 years. They can have several health issues including joint problems and cancer. No - definitely not recommended for families with young kids. Unpredictable temperaments. Although GSDs are easily trainable, wolves are wild animals. These hybrids should be reserved for very experienced dog owners. They need a ton of exercise, which is easier said than done. Once they reach a certain age and level of strength, walking your wolfdog in public can be difficult. In most places in the United States, it is illegal to own a wild animal like a wolf unless you have a special and expensive wildlife permit. GSD-wolf mixes walk a tightrope between being considered wild animals or domestic pets. Because of the wolf parent or grandparent, the law considers the resulting mix not reliably domesticated, and thus prone to acting dangerously. Therefore, if you want a wolf-dog mix, you may have to do a lot of research to even find a place in the world that will let you do so. Some proponents of wolf-dog mixes claim that some dog breeds have more grey wolf parent DNA than other dog breeds. If these breeds are allowed, then so should GSD and wolf mixes. According to Science Trends. These breeds include the Finnish Spitz, the Shar-Pei, the Siberian Husky another breed often crossed with wolves , and the Greenland dog. However, the ancestors of these breeds branched off from wolves thousands of years ago, and not simply one or two generations ago. Over one hundred years ago, German shepherds were popularly called Alsatian Wolf Dogs, since they were bred in the Alsace region of what is now France and looked like wolves. However, no wolves were actually involved in creating German Shepherd mixes. Other breeds mistakenly thought to have wolves in their recent ancestry include Siberian Huskies and the Alaskan Malamute. Although descended from wolves, the last wolf in their pedigree was thousands of years ago. Even puppies in the same litter can act in vastly different ways. Wolves tend to ignore people and do what they want. Any wolf-dog mix will be prone to unpredictable behavior at times, and will tend to act more like a wolf than a dog. Wolves are intensely territorial creatures. They attack any predator in their home range, including wolves not in their packs. This behavior has convinced some people that GSD-wolf mixes make better guard dogs than dogs. This, however, is a myth. According to the International Wolf Center, dogs have been bred for thousands of years to bark when intruders appear. Wolves on the other hand stay silent. This is because large dogs age faster than small dogs. Why this happens in dogs and not other species is not known. The future health of a wolf mix is harder to predict than the health of a purebred dog. After decades of study, it is now known what health problems certain breeds are prone to. Because German Shepherd — wolf hybrids are a genetic toss of the dice, you have no way of knowing what health problems these animals will be prone to. A wolf mix needs to be well-behaved in order to be treated for an illness, but the mix may even be too dangerous to treat. Never assume that all vets will be willing to take in a German shepherd wolf mix as a patient. All the vets in your area may refuse to work on such an animal, and this is not due to prejudice against wolves. Although all vets are trained to help domestic animals like dogs, very few are trained in the care of exotics. One problematic area for vets and exotic animal owners is that of vaccination. Rabies vaccines are crucial for dog owners. Because of the threat of rabies and the problems of the rabies vaccine working on wolf-dogs, any wolf-dog that shows signs of rabies or has been exposed to a rabid animal needs to be euthanized. The two most common medical problems with any wolf-dog mix are complications from being overweight and hip dysplasia. Being overweight can also contribute to hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is very common in German shepherds and in most large dog breeds. Hip dysplasia symptoms like limping start when the dog is young, and gets worse over time if left untreated. This is a very painful and chronic condition that may require surgery to treat. Depending on the genetic roll of the dice, a GSD wolf puppy may be looking at a very short, unhealthy life. GSDs are also prone to a deadly and incurable condition called degenerative myelopathy that hits GSDs seven years of age and older. However, this can become quite complicated since wolf-dogs cannot be walked and played with like normal dogs. Puppies may be able to walk on a leash in the beginning. Sadly, a lot of wolf-dog hybrids wind up staying permanently in an outdoor pen because they cannot be walked or trained. Despite the endless unknowns surrounding a GSD wolf mix, their size is actually predictable. The smallest hybrids will be as small as a GSD — roughly 49 pounds. The largest will be about pounds, which is the size of a large male Mackenzie Valley wolf, the largest known wolf species. As is common in most wolf species and dog breeds, females tend to be smaller. GSDs are as tall as small wolves, but wolves can actually reach heights of 34 inches tall at the shoulders. GSD wolf mixes come in a wide variety of colors, but most have two or even three tones to their coats. Common two-toned colors include black and tan, grey and white, silver and white, brown and grey, and tan and grey. Puppies of dogs, wolf-dog mixes, and even wolves can be trained and easily handled. However, once the wolf-dog hybrid becomes physically and sexually mature, all bets are off. Just when a GSD wolf mix matures differs from puppy to puppy. Dogs mature a lot faster than wolves. A German shepherd wolf mix could mature as early as six months, when a GSD matures, or as late as four years old when a wolf typically matures. However, these are not wolves. However, if you want an animal that obeys commands all the time, why not just save yourself the time and money, and go with a dog? They also ask people for affection. They have to be taught to hunt by their older pack-mates. They grow accustomed to being given food at predictable times. All wolf hybrids, including GSD wolf mixes, have severely bitten or attacked people and pets in the United States. Wolf-hybrids often attack children more than adults because children make noises resembling small prey animals. More often, wolf-dog mixes will attack other pets than people. These are very territorial animals. If any other animal is perceived as being on their turf, a GSD wolf mix may not only attack but kill a dog, cat, or other animal. Not only will you have to pay restitution and possible court costs, but depending on your local laws, your GSD wolf mix may be confiscated and euthanized. Your chances of appeal are very small, and will involve significant legal expenses. The only known factors are that this is a large animal with the ability to inflict serious damage on pets, livestock, wildlife, and people, especially children. You may have to keep the animal in a pen for the rest of its life. You may never be able to find a vet willing to look after the GSD wolf mix. You may have laws banning the ownership of such an animal where you live. A GSD wolf mix puppy or adult costs thousands of dollars. You will need plenty of land, fencing, and legal advice in order to keep it. When it comes to any wolf-dog mix, leave it alone. Get one of the safer German Shepherd mixes instead. German Shepherd wolf mix breeds are one of the biggest dogs you can get, averaging to around 24 inches tall. In terms of weight, they average to around 60 lbs heavy when they are fully grown. While this is slightly smaller than the average German Shepherd, this is still large for a dog. Remember, their personality will make them seem even larger than they physically are. This mix breed is highly unpredictable. This means that while German Shepherds are generally bigger than the wolf mix breed, they are much more obedient. A larger and more obedient German Shepherd will seem much smaller than a GSD wolf mix that has an unpredictable and potentially dangerous temperament. Even though GSD wolf mix breeds might grow to be slightly smaller than a regular German Shepherd, the average lifespan of both is the same. They are both considered medium-large breeds, which means that they can come with a variety of health issues including joint problems and cancer. What percentage of German Shepherds are wolf? Technically speaking, every dog derives from wolves. They were never bred with wolves. It all depends on the genetics of the German Shepherd, as some might have come from a background that bred wolves into the family. Instead, German Shepherds descend from the Canidae biological family in the same way as other domestic dogs do. This biological family includes wolves, foxes, and dingoes. Other breeds of dogs like Siberian Huskies and Finnish Spitz are more closely related to wolves as their ancestors had been wolves for thousands of years. How can you tell if your German Shepherd is part wolf? German Shepherds were never bred with wolves when the breed was standardized in Germany in the s, which means that there is no element of wolf in their DNA. Still, they are part of the Canidae family in the same way as other domesticated dogs are. However, you can still commit to a genetic test to see if your German Shepherd has come from a family that attempted to breed a wolf into the genetic line. Also, when buying or adopting your GSD, the seller should make you aware of if the dog is part wolf.
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german shepherd puppies baltimore md - The effect is producing a sociable and friendly pet for everyone. Their dog breeding program started in , where the grandmother showed Scottish and Manchester Terriers. Right now, they are breeding fawn and black pugs that abide by the AKC standards. All their pups are raised indoors, so they are friendly to people. They are sociable and capable of joining dog shows. In fact, the majority of their pugs are still joining dog shows in Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Northwest America. As a reputable pug dog club, they train all their dogs before adoption. They have different pug breed available for you to choose from. Some of these are black pugs and fawn. As a member of the American Kennel Club, all pugs evaluated are of the highest quality. They are sociable and friendly to people. All pets are vaccinated, spayed, and groomed. All pugs are litter box trained as well. Hoskins Pugs have been breeding quality AKC registered pugs for around fifteen years. Their pride pugs are one of the best in Washington and Oregon. Visit their website to get more information about them. C Pride Pugs prioritizes the quality of Chinese pugs they are selling in Washington. All their pups abide by the AKC standards, so you can expect they are vaccinated, spayed, and inserted with microchips for easy tracing. All their pug breeds stay in a family-like place, this is to make them sociable to children. You can have them as your best friend since they have good social skills. These pups are as sociable as poodles, so having them as part of the family is great. It helps them give early medical treatment for any diseases on their dogs. If you want to know more about them and their programs, visit their website. You can also call their office for inquiries. Our pugs are our family members and we breed them in the comfort of our home. They are loved and cared for by myself, Aneta, and my husband Chris along with our 2 boys. The puppies are loved and very well socialized this is so important! We welcome all future pug owners to call or text with any questions as well as schedule a visit with the puppies. We also have scheduled meetups so you can visit the puppies as often as possible, especially at fun milestones. If you have Facebook you are welcome to join our specially created groups for each litter so you can follow your baby's progress until they are ready to go home with you! We frequently post videos, photos and helpful advice for you and you puppy. Our puppies are litter trained as well! We are always so proud to see how smart these little babies are and how quickly they learn to potty in their litter box. This makes for a much easier transition to outdoor potty training once they go to their furever homes. All of our puppies also go home with a wonderful puppy package. We feed them Fromm Puppy Gold, a wonderful research-based dog food and you will get a full 5lb bag of it to take home. The puppy also goes home with a bowl set, toothbrush set, a blankey that has been with Mama and the littermates, and a Busy Buddy chew toy. On top of all this we like to send everyone off with some great literature from AKC and Trupanion. We provide you with 30 days free puppy insurance through Trupanion and are happy to discuss the details of and why we chose them. Amongst the literature we have some puppy training tips, milestones to look out for and advice on caring for your puppy in the upcoming season. You also get a free veterinarian visit certificate courtesy of VCA Animal hospitals! There is so much more to say so please message us however is most convenient and we would love to chat about everything with you! We absolutely love our pugs and hope we can share that love of this amazing breed with you! AKC proudly supports dedicated and responsible breeders. We encourage all prospective puppy owners to do their research and be prepared with questions to ask the breeder. Amanda Bogart. Email: charliehoskins13 comcast. Hoskins Pugs is run by a retired military, Pug-loving, family from Olympia, Washington. They care about producing top of the line, quality Pugs from their own home. All Pugs are clean, well cared for, and an important part of the Hoskins family. Aura Pugs Email: aurapugs gmail. They strive to always put health first and do their best to better the breed. Aura Pugs tests for health concerns and have their Pugs evaluated and vetted at different stages. All dogs are raised in the home as members of the family, promoting good social skills and manners. Aura Pugs show their dogs regularly throughout the Northwest, and invite prospective owners to come and visit them. These breeders have a dedication and commitment to the Pug breed that drives them to provide a loving haven for their dogs. All Pups are well socialized and bred to AKC standards with parents on site. C Pride Pugs go to their forever homes equipped with AKC registration papers, vet checks, dewclaw removal, vaccinations, and deworming. All Pug parents are genetically tested and puppies are sold as pets with a limited AKC registration. Puppies are baby checked and microchipped before being rehomed and come with a health guarantee and lifelong advice. This Pug loving family from Washington wants to spread the joy that Pugs bring to others. All Grumble of Love Pugs are bred from the comfort of the family home. Each pup is loved and cared for by Aneta, her husband Chris, and their two boys. She is a longtime breeder of Pugs with a special interest in colored Pugs. Her dogs are all pets and live in the home with humans. Puppies have the opportunity to become well socialized with children, adults, and other dogs. Stephanie is available for advice for as long as you might need. They love their dogs and show commitment to the betterment of the breed in everything they do. But how can you spot reputable breeders when you start searching for a Pug puppy? Here are some tips to help you out. A good breeder will… 1. Issue a health guarantee Make sure that your breeder of choice offers a health guarantee. A reputable Pug breeder will write up a binding health guarantee for all of their puppies. The guarantee protects you against any genetic defects or diseases. It shows that the breeder is confident that their puppies are bred according to best practices. This means if you can no longer look after your pup for some reason, you will be expected to return the puppy to the breeder rather than taking them to a shelter. Provide standard health clearances Your breeder should have full health clearances for both parent Pugs. Good breeders often provide some early health-check clearances for their pups too, although some health clearances simply cannot be carried on such young pups. Issue a written bill of sale Reputable breeders offer written bills of sale to all of their new Pug parents. This bill of sale should be signed and will outline all the roles and responsibilities to be taken on by the buyer and seller as part of the transaction. Vaccinate their puppies All puppies should be up to date on their vaccinations before being homed with new families. Your breeder of choice should be able to provide evidence of these vaccinations. Reputable breeders welcome prospective parents into their homes to see the puppies. Follow age guidelines Puppies should never leave the litter before 8 weeks of age. Any breeder offering pups for adoption before this time is not following best practices. In fact, this could be quite damaging for the puppy developmentally. A reputable breeder will keep their pups at home until eight to twelve weeks so that they can be properly socialized and spend that crucial time with their mother and litter-mates. Answer your questions Last, but not least, a reputable breeder will be knowledgeable. In most cases, they will also want to ask you plenty of questions to ensure that their precious pups are going to good homes. We have a strict selection process that takes a variety of factors into account. That way we can ensure that only the best breeders end up on our lists. This way we know that our chosen breeders offer genetically sound and healthy puppies. Health testing shows a commitment to the health and wellbeing of each Pug. Contact information Any breeder that does not offer up their contact information is a big red flag. A reputable breeder will make it easy for you to get in contact with them by providing telephone numbers, email addresses, and they will usually have a well-established website as well. It shows a commitment to breeding best practices. Event participation Breeders who also compete in doggie events are often some of the best. Because these people tend to be dog lovers par excellence. They live and breathe for their Pugs and are proud to show them off in public. They are also more likely to have a high level of breed knowledge — an excellent sign for a breeder. Breed club membership There are lots of breed clubs out there that breeders can register with. These clubs have rules, regulations, and membership fees. If your breeder is registered with the Pug Dog Club of America, this is a great sign showing commitment to the Pug breed. Recognition awards Lastly, we look out for awards! Institutions like the AKC recognize the efforts and achievements of top breeders. The very best will be awarded the AKC recognition of merit award. During this time we recommend getting everything ready before your new arrival rattles through the front door. Your puppy will need: a crate for sleeping and training during the early days quality puppy-grade food a leash and harness plenty of toys You may also wish to purchase a puppy gate if there are areas of your home that you want to keep your Pug away from. This is all about making your home as safe as possible for your new arrival. Make sure anything that could potentially cause harm to your pup is removed. Clear your schedule Having a Pug puppy is a bit like having a human baby. So make sure to clear your schedule and get all of those errands done ahead of time! Once they arrive… 4. Avoid crowds Hold your excitement. That means no crowds. Try to keep the home environment as stress-free as possible so that your puppy can settle in and start to feel part of the family. Crate training is the first step. Lay down a regular routine from the get to and your Pug will be good as gold in no time.