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We are located in New Durham, New Hampshire. We have been in business for 11 years. Because of our love for American Bulldogs, we want to breed great companions and provide them a forever home. However, most are a hybrid mix between the two bloodlines. We do this in order to bring out the best in both. We also enjoy the many different shapes, sizes and colors this breed comes in. We have established a fourth generation Morrison's American Bulldog bloodline, with no future plans to retire. This is a family business and our children regularly express their desire to help grow us in their future. So we hope you enjoy watching us continue to grow and place our efforts towards producing a more happier, healthier lovable dog! Our dogs are raised around other animals and are well-socialized. They are protectors of our family while also trustworthy around our small children. We actually did not consider ourselves "dog people" until after we met her. After we brought Madison home we quickly fell in love with her sweet, smart and loving personality. She was always gentle around our young children and protected them. After we had her for a few years we knew that her bloodline had to be continued to share her love and joy to other families. When we decided to breed her we loved every moment of her pregnancy and delivery. After we announced her litter we met the amazing American Bulldog community and never looked back. Sharing the joy that Madison brought to our family is something we desire to share with other families. We used to not be "dog people" but now we could not picture our lives without them. Being able to breed, meet new people, see the puppies grow and bring joy to families is what keeps us going. Welcome to Morrison's American Bulldogs. You've reached an American Bulldog website. John D. Johnson American Bulldogs, Summerville, GA The Johnson American Bulldog is a breed of dog unlike any other; their sheer strength and courage coupled with their undying loyalty and devotion make them the ultimate breed of dog for the general public and serious canine enthusiast alike. The modern American Bulldog is believed to have descended from the colossus breeds of ancient history similar to other mastiff breeds. The American Bulldogs earliest history is virtually unknown and little if any recorded records exist. The first documented history relating to the American Bulldog was during the late 19th century. These dogs were by no means pets, but rather utility dogs bred and raised for specific duties. These duties included baiting unruly cattle and swine along with guarding property against thievery. These tasks required a dog that feared no man or beast alive, but was still loyal and obedient to their master and keeper. These traits still exist with the Johnson American Bulldog. Since the early "butcher dogs" the American Bulldog had nearly gone extinct and until recently experienced an evolutionary rebirth. This rebirth is due in large part to two dedicated individuals; John D. Johnson and Mildred L. These bulldogs had grown scare in the Northwest region of Georgia, and John desired a dog with the same stamina and grit to protect his farm and livestock. Initially it was a small operation, but through the hard work of John and Mildred it grew into a life long commitment. He was also the first breeder to have his dogs officially registered. John and Mildred have literally supplied the world with their Georgia bred bulldogs. It was their female lines of Collettes, Sugar Dolls and Sugar Tuffies that when bred produced the big boned pups that mature into the lbs. The kennel has recently been trademarked and is now known as Johnson Kennels llc. A new partnership has also been established. This new partnership between two established dog breeders, Mr. John Johnson and Mr. Scott Weaver. All traditional bloodlines exist and new lines are being established. It contains heating and air conditioning for the dogs comfort. There is a separate whelping and nursery room for new litters and weaned pups. And a licensed vet makes regular on site visits. .We at Johnson Kennels llc. We continue to strive for only the best. Our focus is to produce a powerful, yet balanced American Bulldog with a very muscular body representing the standards created by John D. The Real American Bulldog is very stocky, athletic and imposing. For those interested in acquiring a truly magnificent animal for either companionship or protection. Visit our contact information page. We specialize in Bully-type, also sometimes referred to as Johnson American Bulldogs. However on occasion we do produce fantastic standard- and hybrid-type American Bulldogs. We breed for functional and balanced temperament allowing for the American Bulldog to be a family member and a companion while having the drive and intelligence to perform desired functions. At Grand Future, we typically produce large American Bulldogs. Males range in lbs and females range in lbs. We have always bred to a significantly stricter breed standard than the current American Bulldog breed standards under U. Dogs with the following characteristics are not shown at conformation shows nor bred in our kennel: 1. Full black mask — this genetic trait is usually a result of another breed having been infused into the gene pool. Usually a dog with a kinked tail itself is not at risk of health complications as a result of the kinked tail. Teeth — dogs missing more than 3 teeth. Dogs lacking full pigmentation are more susceptible to various health problems. Lack of pigment is also responsible for deafness in dogs. We have never produced a deaf dog. Interested in a puppy? We have many repeat buyers — over 30 families have purchased 2,3,4, and even 5 dogs. Our dogs generally love children and have balanced temperament. Having produced over dogs in 7 generations, we have history and data that allows us to make some conclusions that we believe are significant. The very common problem of hip dysplasia that afflicts this breed is nearly non-existent in our kennel. Our dogs tend to have normal locomotion — good movement due to anatomically sound physical structure. Our dogs have never torn ligaments such as the Canine Cruciate Ligament CCL , which leads us to conclude that such problems are likely hereditary in nature. Our dogs have never prematurely died from heart problems, which leads us to conclude that such problems are likely hereditary in nature. Our dogs have never been diagnosed with tracheal hypoplasia — a hereditary genetic defect common in bulldog breeds that leads to potential deadly obstruction of the airway. Our dogs tend to live long. Our foundation dog lived to the age of 15 years and 10 months old. Our dogs have never been afflicted with cancer at a young age. The earliest instance of cancer has been encountered at 8 years of age by one dog. The remainder of cases have been documented at over 10 years of age. The biggest tragedy for an owner is in having to care for a sick dog as a result of poor breeding, and be absolutely helpless as that dog passes in their arms. Exorbitant medical bills end up being paid to prolong the time together even by just a little with the beloved family member. As with any animal breeding program, our kennel is not immune from problems. This drives us to continually improve. We maintain contact and help our owners in any way we can; even at 4AM or during a vacation since we have owners all over the world in various timezones. Our breeding expertise enables us to deliver healthy, beautiful, strong, and intelligent American Bulldog puppies. We provide a contractual health guarantee against the following genetic health problems — hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, Canine Cruciate Ligament CCL ruptures, cataracts, entropion, ectropion, heart, kidneys, thyroid, ichthyosis, cryptorchidism, epilepsy, and any neurological disorders including NCL. Our conversation with a prospective owner always involves questions to understand the kind of dog the person would like — the more details the better. If so inclined, the prospective owner can request guidance in picking the puppy based on personality and activity level, temperament, phenotype, and more. We evaluate our puppies at 6 weeks of age on a variety of parameters. We provide lifetime unlimited advice and guidance by phone to owners concerning all subjects relating to dog ownership. You can be sure you will have the information you need to succeed even if this is going to be your first American Bulldog puppy. Because we stand by the quality of our work, we want our owners to participate in our breeding program and we are happy to provide the necessary guidance. Our dogs are also ideal candidates for service animal work. Training a service dog requires a significant investment of time and money, making the genetic health and temperament of the dog even more critical. A service dog needs to be healthy, hassle-free, intelligent and receptive to training, have stable temperament to handle any type of environment, and of course lead a long life disease-free. All of these selective requirements for service dog candidates make Grand Future American Bulldogs an ideal fit. Join us in our mission of producing the best American Bulldogs possible! Professional worry-free shipping worldwide Of course our preference is for you to come visit our home, get acquainted with us, and pick up your new American Bulldog puppy in person. However, we understand that it is not feasible for everyone. Even if you do not live anywhere near Nevada, do not be concerned — we are highly experienced at shipping our American Bulldog puppies worldwide, as even just the list of our Grand Champions and Champions spanning 9 nations attests. We can prepare all necessary export documentation. Search this website. Life Span Did You Know? The American Bulldog is a descendant of a generic bulldog type of dog breed brought into the region that is now the Southern United States by working-class immigrants many years ago. These were all-around working dogs used by small farmers and ranchers for several tasks around the farm. They were often found working as catch dogs, stock dogs, and overall farm guardians. When feral pigs were introduced to the New World, they had no natural predators and the population quickly grew out of control. In addition to their farm duties, the settlers found the bulldog-type dog to be the best solution they had for dealing with it. So, the bulldog continued to thrive, especially in the South. Johnson and Alan Scott that we have what we know today as the American Bulldog. Modern American Bulldogs can still be found working as all-around utility dogs, farm dogs, catch dogs, cattle drovers, and more. They can also be found competing in dog sports, working as a guardian, police, or military dog, and are also popular as a family pet. This dog breed is a sweetheart with a gentle, fun-loving nature. The American Bulldog is affectionate and adores their families. They also love children and tend to be good with other animals. American Bulldogs can have a high prey drive, so you will want to make sure you introduce and socialize them properly with other small animals in the household. Due to their protective nature, they can be aloof towards strangers and strange dogs, especially when they are younger. Early socialization can help them be more comfortable navigating their guardian instincts. Overall, this dog breed tends to be confident, social, and are most at ease and relaxed when they are with the people they love. American Bulldogs are an emotional dog breed and thrives on human attention and affection, so they tend to bond strongly with their owners and may come across as clingy sometimes. They will also often convince themselves that they are lap dogs regardless of their size, so make sure you are ready for a lot of love and cuddles with your American Bulldog, drool and all! The American Bulldog is a moderately adaptable dog breed. They are strong, high-energy working dogs that love being around their favorite humans. This makes them better suited to larger homes with space for them to run. They are not generally a good fit for apartment living, but they can adapt as long as they get more than enough exercise and attention. Because they do tend to bond strongly with their owners and want to be near them, they do not tend to do well with long periods of time alone. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to extreme heat or cold, but can adapt to well to most climates. There are some health issues that can be found in specific genetic lines and are not common to the breed overall, but these can be ruled out with genetic tests. Some potential health conditions to be aware of in general with the American Bulldog include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, thyroid disorders, kidney disorders, bone cancer, and eye-related issues like ectropion, entropion, and cherry eye. Talking to the breeder about the genetic history of the parents and asking to see any health clearances can help allay potential concerns. American Bulldogs are highly trainable and eager to please, so they are a good fit for owners of any experience level, including first-time dog owners. They can have a stubborn streak, so a first-time dog owner may want to consider enrolling in puppy training classes. As with any dog breed, early and ongoing training and socialization are important for your American Bulldog puppy to grow into a well-rounded, and a well-behaved, dog. This dog breed has a short coat that is generally smooth. Common coat colors are white and predominately white with patches of brindle, black, or red. More coat color patterns are emerging and becoming more common like all shades of brindle, fawn, brown, red, and more. The American Bulldog is relatively low maintenance and easy to groom and they are light to moderate shedders. They only require a bath as needed. But, you will need to be prepared to deal with some extra drool! Floppy ears tend to trap moisture and dirt, which can lead to ear infections. The ideal dental care for dogs is using an enzyme toothpaste or brushing their teeth every day. Dental hygiene chews or treats, a specially-formulated dental care diet, and more can be used to supplement your dental care efforts. The American Bulldog is an athletic and high-energy dog breed. They love daily walks and plenty of playtime outside. They may even enjoy plenty of other activities with you like swimming, hiking , and more. With their working dog background, this dog breed does need a job to do in order to stay happy and healthy. They also tend to be a good candidate for dog sports like obedience, weight pulling, the Iron Dog competition, and more. A fully-grown American Bulldog usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between pounds. An American Bulldog generally lives for years. Chance, one of the canine stars from the Homeward Bound films, was an American Bulldog. Featured American Bulldog Article.

Ian discusses how we should learn to see the world from our dogs perspective and in doing so, how we can better earn their love and trust. Armed with this love and trust, we will form a better relationship and as a result, effective training becomes just that much more effective and enjoyable for both you and your dog. But please, first make sure to use the search facility in the footer of this website and browse our other sections as the subject may have already been covered: Labrador health and care , Labrador behavior , Labrador puppies , infobites and Labrador breed information. External Resources On Labrador Training Although referring to all breeds in general and not purely Labradors, for those of you that love to watch and not read, the series of dog training videos on www. If you like reading books then check out one of our favorite Lab books: The Complete Labrador Handbook. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. If this is the case,…. Image used with permission by copyright holder Are Lab puppies easy to train? The Labrador retriever got its start not in Labrador, but on the island of Newfoundland next door, part of the same Canadian province. Modern-day Labs owe their drive and work ethic to their ancestors, who were originally bred as working dogs in the s. With their dense double coats and innate love of water, Labs worked alongside fishermen , helping them retrieve their nets and swimming after escaped fish. Recommended Videos Intelligent, sociable, and eager to please, Labradors are the most popular dog in the United States. That being said, their intelligence can pose a problem if you spend a lot of time away from home. How long does it take to train a Lab puppy? You should also begin socializing your puppy as soon as you bring him home. Labs love people, but they can be boisterous. Teaching them how to socialize without getting too excited is paramount to having a well-trained pooch. Getting your puppy accustomed to being groomed at an early age also reduces anxiety. Fortunately, most Labs love water, so you might have a difficult time getting your pup out of the bath. Image used with permission by copyright holder How do you train a Lab puppy not to bite? Pun intended. So, what should you do if your puppy bites? Avoid rough play Playing the occasional game of tug-of-war is fine, but if your puppy equates roughness with playtime , he could develop a habit of nibbling at your fingers. Reward good behavior Instead of punishing your puppy, which could make him afraid of you, reward his good behavior instead. Give him a treat and praise him when he chews on his toys instead of household items. Image used with permission by copyright holder While training takes time and patience, there are a few rules that apply to all forms of training. Repetition is the best way for puppies to learn. Work in minute training sessions several times a day instead of trying to pack everything into one longer session. Be patient with your pup. Labs are intelligent dogs, but they need time to learn new skills. Editors' Recommendations. Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a biologist and fact checker focused on environmental sciences. Emily has been a proofreader and editor at a variety of online media outlets over the past decade and has reviewed more than articles for The Spruce Pets for factual accuracy. These smart, social dogs are known for their amiable temperaments and their patience. Traditionally bred as hunting dogs, Labs also are among the most popular service dogs, acting as guide dogs for blind people and as therapy dogs. By socializing these dogs early, you can tap into their natural instincts as protectors and companions. Socialize Puppies Labs are natural born people pleasers. Introduce your Lab puppy to as many new people and places as possible during the early months of its life. Keep each new meeting and experience positive and upbeat. Doing this will reinforce your Lab's natural tendency to be friendly and accepting of everyone. If you have young children in the home, be sure to socialize them to the animal as well as the reverse. Although Labs are patient and tolerant, they may still nip at a child who teases or hurts them during play. Make sure everyone knows the boundaries and rules. Exercise Every Day Labrador retrievers are high energy dogs, which is part of the reason they are such great pets for active families. But if Labs aren't given sufficient exercise, they can quickly become bored. This often leads to destructive behavior and other common behavior problems , such as barking, chewing, and digging. It's also why Labs are not well-suited for apartment living; they're too big and too active. Plan on giving your Lab an hour or more of exercise each day. Most Labs love long walks or a game of fetch. These are the perfect way to burn off your Lab's energy. Take advantage of their innate trainability by starting an obedience program as soon as you bring your Labrador retriever home. You can work on basic obedience commands on your own, or sign up for a dog obedience class with a local dog trainer. Classes are a great way to train your Lab while socializing at the same time. Since Labs get to be fairly large and have a tendency to pull on the leash, make walking on a loose leash your first priority. You should also teach your Lab to "come," "drop it," and "fetch," so you can take advantage of its natural tendency for retrieving. Use Positive Reinforcement Training Their eagerness to learn, playfulness, affectionate natures, and their love of treats make Labrador retrievers fantastic candidates for positive reinforcement dog training. Reward their good behaviors with a small treat, a game, or some cuddle time with you. You'll find your Lab is soon offering you the behaviors you like with little prompting. If you decide to use treats in your training, remember that Labs have a tendency to become overweight. Plan on a Long Adolescence One of the most endearing qualities of Labrador retrievers is that they remain very puppy-like long after they've reached adulthood. The downside is that their energy level and tendency to get into mischief continues well into adulthood as well. Therefore, it pays to have behavior management tools handy. The training to become a service animal will vary depending on what the dog will be doing; some are trained to be animal companions to sick children and adults in the hospital, while others are trained to serve as seeing-eye dogs. Others may provide assistance to people with mental illnesses, or behavioral problems. Check the requirements for licensing and training where you live; some places have more strict rules and requirements for service dogs than others. Problems and Proofing Behavior Many Labrador retrievers are happiest and the most well-behaved when they have a job to do. Consider getting involved with a dog sport or training your Lab as a service animal or pet therapy dog. Crate train your Labrador so it doesn't have the run of the house when you're not there to supervise Provide your Lab with a variety of interesting toys and chews to keep it from getting bored. Continue practicing basic obedience commands; it reinforces your Lab's training and provides mental stimulation. No matter what training you decide on, keeping your Lab busy and active is sure to keep one of those famous Lab smiles on its face. Article Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. McGreevy, Paul D et al. Labrador retrievers under primary veterinary care in the UK: demography, mortality and disorders. Canine genetics and epidemiology vol. How does it feel to be a new puppy parent? You must be chuffed. Take a look at these first few articles. All the ingredients you need for a happy home. But for now, beside your bed is the best place for your puppy to sleep — it will help them feel safe. Puppies like their crates rather cave-like; we suggest covering it with a blanket to block out light, but keep the front open so that they can see outwards. Make sure to make it snug inside with something like a vet bed or a blanket, or why not take it up a notch with a heat pad or hot water bottle to recreate the feeling of their mother. Nothing feels more comforting than that. Before you head to bed, take your puppy out for one last round of loo-going. Set your bedtime at a later time too — midnight sounds about right. Come back calmly, and place your puppy in the crate and turn out the light. Stuff you should know about Sleep Training your Labrador Your puppy will wake up several times in the night and will need the toilet at least once! Be prepared for not-so-deep sleeps and tired mornings — just for the first few weeks. Having them sleep next to you is only temporary. Consistency is key! As for you, full nights of sleep will start getting closer and closer. Alone Training How can I teach my Labrador puppy to be ok on their own? Start by feeding your puppy in their crate during meal times. If they seem worried by you leaving, stay in view, and just pop right outside their confinement area. Keep it short and sweet: No need to stay away for long, 60 seconds tops will do for now. Repeat: Do this at least once a day to make progress go steady and smoothly. Socialisation Exercises To Do this week Letting your Labrador puppy explore the garden Besides the gnomes and questionable garden furniture you may have, letting your puppy explore your own garden is a great and safe way to start showing them the sounds, lights and wonders of the outside world. Exploring different surfaces exercise Make sure that the surfaces you use are safe — nothing too crazy just yet. Gather surfaces such as An oven tray with a small layer of water A piece of astro turf A carpet tile A large piece of tin foil, cardboard or something crinkly PRO TIP: Set up for this exercise in the room your puppy spends most of their time in — it will help them to feel safe and confident. Pop the surfaces out safely on the floor and allow your puppy to investigate them. Nobody has ever enjoyed walking on those. Remember to be patient! Lucky for you — teaching them their name is easy peasy. Say their name in a happy jolly tone and reward with a treat. Repeat five times, 5 and take a break. Practice this 2 or 3 times a day so they get the hang of it. Teach your puppy to sit Teaching your puppy how to sit is a popular one. The first two are far more common though. Keep using this word when they do the right thing, and then follow it up with a food reward. In puppy logic, stinky means yummy. How to do it Start at home; where there are no distractions. Just make sure to shut off Gogglebox in the background. Recall — How to teach our Labrador puppy to come back when called Your puppy already knows their name at this point, so this should be a walk in the park. How to do it Treats and a cheerful voice will be what works here. Do these exercises before meal times so your puppy is more motivated. Practice this 5 times a day and in 3 different places in your house and garden to get them used to coming to you in all settings. How to do it Show your puppy that you have their favourite toy, and start to get them excited about it. When they show interest, throw it a little bit away from you. They will likely follow it and pick it up. If they do, encourage them back to you with your voice, so remember to sound happy! Swap the toy for a treat or another toy and do the process again. Repeat this about 5 times. Instead create more distance and excitement sounds to get them to come to you — spaniels like to show off, so they will likely want to parade what they have! Always swap the toy for something when they have it, this could be a treat or another toy. Resource guarding occurs when we force puppies to give up items or snatch things out of their mouths. For breeds like Labradors who are designed to want to hold things in their mouths, this is pretty important! Resource guarding is when a dog protects a resource from being taken by someone else — dog or human. For some reason, there is a solid list of things puppies find irresistible: Socks. Print Early obedience first step to better hunting dog Labrador puppies start out sweet and innocent. All you want to do is cuddle up with your pup and love them! And you should! But rest assured the innocence will not last. As your pup gains confidence and courage, they will begin to test you in many ways. That is why you must obedience train your Labrador puppy. Early obedience training is key to establishing borders and boundaries that will help your puppy grow, learn, and adjust with a good attitude. There is no shortcut to doing this, just use the name often when you talk to your puppy. Over time, the pup will start to respond to the name. Socialization, while not technically obedience training, is the single most important thing you can teach your puppy during the first few months of life. If you are not sure how to do this, refer to this post. Tools needed to obedience train Labrador puppy You will need a few tools to teach your puppy obedience. The products I recommend I believe are a good value or good investment for anyone working to train or maintain training on their retriever. When possible, I include links to the product. Some of these links may be Amazon or other affiliate links in which I am paid a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions and recommendations are my own. Collar — You should purchase a size appropriate collar for your new puppy. You may have to buy new ones as your dog grows, but it is important for your puppy to get used to wearing a collar early on. A simple nylon adjustable collar works great. Chain collar — If your puppy is more than a few months old, a chain or prong collar is extremely helpful in teaching obedience, but they must be used correctly. For more information on how to put a chain collar on your dog correctly refer to this video. A longer lead, called a check cord, is also useful for teaching HERE and retrieving. You can learn more about that here. Heeling stick optional — While optional, a heeling stick can be especially helpful in teaching basic obedience. Treats — Treats are good for teaching very young puppies. I use treats for pups under 12 weeks of age, but treats should be discontinued rather quickly. When to start basic puppy obedience training Obedience training can and should start within the first couple weeks of having your puppy home. Young puppies are ready and willing to learn and teaching obedience to a young puppy is much easier than teaching it to an older dog. How long should obedience sessions be? Most labs do not enjoy obedience training. For this reason, we aim to keep obedience sessions short, especially if your dog is under 4-months of age. Five to ten minutes of obedience a day can work wonders. Especially if you are consistent. Using rewards or praise to teach obedience Many people like to use treats or rewards for obedience training. And this can work, especially with very young dogs. But for hunting dogs, over the long-term treats can become a problem. We do not want our dogs, or the dogs we train to be obedient only because they are getting a food reward. We want them to be obedient because they understand their place in the family and respect the owners. To get these lasting results, we use praise words and petting and a reward that retrievers live for — retrieves! Well-timed praise is a particularly important part of dog training. A message that it is okay to ignore me the first 9 times! This simply means that after a few minutes of formal obedience training, we release the dog with an OKAY command and that means they can run around and be a dog. We then throw a bumper or plug a for the dog to retriever. We do this a few times with a lot of excitement and allow the dog to retrieve the bumper. For retriever breeds, this is often more effective than a food reward. Be careful that you are not letting your puppy get into bad habits with retrieving. For instance, if your puppy often goes out to retrieve the bumper but then runs away with it, or picks it up and drops it, do not continue doing retrieves. While retrieving is a reward for many Labs, it is not an excuse to engage in behaviors that are not going to be acceptable in the field. If you want to learn more about how to properly teach your Lab to retrieve, check out How can I teach my retriever puppy to fetch? Introduction to leash and nylon collar The very first step for any puppy obedience is to introduce your puppy to a regular collar and leash. This should be done in two separate steps, first the collar and then the leash. Introduce the collar by putting a nylon type collar on your puppy. This is normal and you should not react to it. Introducing the leash is a little different. We like to do this outside. After a few sessions of this introduction, you can start holding the leash by the end and walking with the puppy. When the puppy tries to run or walk away, hold tight to the leash, and just let the puppy get used to the resistance. Some puppies have a hard time with this and will growl or whine and whip themselves around at the pressure, but most will not. Remain calm and after a few sessions the puppy should get used to the resistance of the leash. Do not allow the puppy to pull you around. That will make for some bad behaviors that you will need to correct later. If you cannot control your puppy with just a regular collar and leash, you may need to move to a chain or prong collar to keep control. What commands to teach Lab puppy There are only four basic obedience commands that you need to teach your young puppy. Remember when it comes to commands, less is more. OKAY — this is a release command, basically tells your dog were done training, go be a dog. As your puppy grows and learns more, there are some other commands that may be needed, but for puppies I like to start with just the four above. Dog training requires consistency Before you start with obedience training, I want to make a note about the importance of consistency. Obedience training only works if you are consistent. This means that when you say a command, you expect the puppy to perform the command, and are willing to take steps to make the puppy perform the command. If you do not remain consistent in this expectation, you will confuse your dog and get poor results from your training. You and your family must be consistent! How to start obedience training Lab puppy The first command you want to start teaching your puppy is SIT. This is quite easy to teach with a small puppy but gets a little tougher as they get bigger. Then release the puppy with the OKAY command. Repeat this process several times, then stop. If your puppy is weeks old, you can repeat this training several times a day for only a couple minutes at a time. This will be a two-person job for a little while. The other person will put the food down a few feet from the puppy. Then release the puppy to eat saying OKAY. As the pup learns and understands the command better, you will no longer need a second person to hold the puppy. You must be a little careful here because young puppies do not have great bladder control and making them wait, even a few seconds, can mean the difference between an accident and them doing their business outside. But this is a great way to teach impulse control and manners to your puppy. I do not want to have to fight for a position by the door. You can usually start working on this within a week or two of teaching SIT. A great way to teach this command to young puppies is to use two people and sit in a long hallway, one at each end. Take turns calling your puppy with a HERE command. A toy or treat can often help the process. Let your puppy run around a bit but hold onto the end of the cord. Occasionally, call you puppy with a HERE command. It can be helpful at first to crouch down to encourage the puppy to run towards you. Then release the puppy with an OKAY command. Do this a few more times and repeat daily until the puppy is coming to you without you needing to pull the cord. It is also the command most of our clients struggle with the most. Mostly because they are using the wrong tool for the job. For heeling work, it is important that you work with a chain or prong collar. This will give you more control and stop the pulling and surging that many people struggle with. Using a chain or prong collar and a six-foot leash, start walking your puppy at your side. If your puppy is young, be sure to use a puppy chain collar which is smaller than chain collars for adult dogs. And make sure that you are putting it on correctly! An alternate tool to a chain collar and leash is the Wonder or Command Lead. These work great for teaching HEEL. As you start walking use gently tugs on the chain collar with the command HERE to keep your puppy at your side. If your puppy surges or pulls ahead, simply make a degree turn and start walking the other direction giving a sharp, upward tug on the chain collar and saying HEEL several times until the dog is back in a heeling position. Many of our clients have told us they never left their driveway the first few days! But if you are patient and consistent, your dog will quickly learn that if they want to go for a walk, they need to stay at your side. If you want to learn and progress in more obedience work, check out these obedience drills for retrievers. Final thoughts on how to teach your lab puppy obedience Teaching your puppy obedience may take a lot of patience, time and work, but it is such an important thing to do. You will never regret the time! A well-mannered dog is such a joy to be around both in the home and in the field. How to obedience train Labrador puppy. The Labrador is a highly capable and versatile working breed as well as the number one most popular family dog in UK and several other countries around the world! But despite being a common pet dog, they are an extraordinary breed with a fascinating history and a breed profile full of superlatives. This includes fabulous intelligence and trainability, adaptability, friendliness and trust towards people and other animals, motivation for work, endurance, and a phenomenal sense of smell. This makes the Labrador a breed of choice for many canine jobs, for example, medical scent detection, military and security force scent detection, search and rescue, a service or assistance dog for the disabled and people with a broad range of medical conditions, an autism support dog, hunting dog and even a therapy dog! Adorable Labradors can make wonderful family dogs, but only if their needs are met. They have a really goofy and playful nature which is heartwarming for many people! And, their trusting nature and eagerness to please people means they fit in easily into a family and human society as a whole. They tend to be bouncy and full of energy, which makes for a great company on countryside walks, jogging and recreational dog sports. Their boundless affection makes them particularly lovable, which is highly important for a family dog. Labradors: What To Consider As with all dogs, there are some things that you absolutely must consider before you add a Labrador into your home. And, Labrador training is always going to be a big essential. With all of their amazing energy, intelligence, enthusiasm for work, and highly social nature, also comes a list of requirements for potential owners. Unfulfilled and untrained Labradors are likely to find themselves a job or another outlet to release that energy and frustration. This can lead to destructive or inappropriate behaviours and a dog who is simply out of control. Typical challenges can include pulling on the lead and lunging towards anything that interests them, boisterous and over-excited behaviour including jumping up, grabbing the lead in their mouth, crashing into people and objects, stealing food and other items, and running off to greet people and dogs instead of coming back when called. But what do you need to do to make sure that they grow up into perfect family pets? Check out our top tips below to find out more about training this sweet and fun-loving breed. Socialise them early! Early appropriate socialisation is key with this breed. This includes all kinds of places, people, animals and sensations that will be a normal part of their life by the time he or she is 12 weeks old. Self-control is a big part of Labrador training Teaching your dog self-control is a really important skill for a Labrador, or any dog really, to have. You can help teach them self-control through impulse control games and real-life situations. This will help with teaching them basic doggie manners such as how to politely greet people and other dogs with all four paws on the ground, how to wait for their food bowl or their lead to be clipped on, how to pass through the door politely without dashing through, and so on. All those skills require mental self-control and focus despite distractions, which is essential for an excitable and boisterous dog. Lead etiquette is always needed Teach your Labrador to walk politely on a lead from as early an age as possible. For a Labrador, the world is full of fascinating scents, posts and tufts of grass that must me scent-marked immediately, especially for males, dogs and people that he or she is absolutely delighted to see including strangers , and objects that must be immediately investigated. This makes it hard for them to remember that there is a person on the other end of the lead. But with lots of practice, patience and a smart way of rewarding that works for them, keeping an eye on their human counterpart can become a habit for your dog that will last a lifetime! Once this happens, training will become a lot easier. Even better, the whole family can get involved and play with the dog. Recall is vital Teach your dog a reliable, fast and enthusiastic recall as soon as possible. This is so that no matter what other fascinating things are going on, they will always turn on a penny and run like the wind back towards you! Having a great recall is not only useful for your day to day lives, but it is also a safety concern. If there is a potentially dangerous situation for your pup ahead, you can always recall your dog back to you and keep them safe! Their mental wellbeing and happiness is important too! So, make sure to provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, including walks, swims, and sniffing opportunities. So, make sure that you provide them with something appropriate to do if you have to leave them alone. Food dispenser toys, puzzle games for dogs and appropriate raw bones can keep your dog busy and calm, and your furniture and shoes whole! Keep health and wellbeing in mind Always try your best to keep your dog slim and fit. Labradors have a tendency to become overweight because of their keen appetite. You can help to keep your dog lean by feeding them the right amount of nutritious food for their age and activity level, using their normal food as training treats wherever possible so that they can work for their food, and a versatile and appropriate exercise regime that you really stick to! And their appearance! And, regular health checks at the vet are important for any dog, to ensure that they are well and any potential health issues are caught early. Labrador Training Video We love our Labrador customers who come into Royvon for training or boarding! They really do make the perfect pets, especially with a bit of training to help them along their journey. Check out this video featuring Archie the Labrador to see more about what a well-trained Labrador can look like! Here at Royvon, we are passionate about training dogs of all breeds, and this includes Labrador training! Many owners come to us for a whole variety of reasons. Or, they may simply just not have the time to train their dog as they wish, and want to leave it up to the professionals. Whatever the reason, there is no shame in getting dog training help! In fact, you will be amazed at the difference it can make and how well behaved your dog will be, especially for problem pets who are hard to handle! We offer everything from group puppy classes to residential training tailored to aggressive or anxious dogs. Simply visit our website today! Enjoyed this post about Labrador training and want to learn about more dog breeds? We think you will enjoy this post about Rottweilers, or this one about Shiba Inus!

However, you can encounter several other Labrador colors thanks to genetic variation and different breeding practices. Below are six of the most common color varieties. Black Labrador Since four out of nine potential Labrador color gene variations result in a black coat, black Labs are the most common coat color in Labradors. So, the takeaway here is that black Labs are always the dominant coat color. People love black Labs for their soft, shiny coats. The black Labrador pose for a photoshoot! Yellow Labrador Yellow Labs come in as the second most common color after black Labradors. Unlike black Labs, which have an unmistakable, predictable color, yellow Labs can come in many different shades. The genetic makeup of yellow Labradors includes one-third of the possible Lab color combinations. The genetic codes include eeBB, eeBb, and eebb. A Labrador sniffs a smoked dog bone 3. Chocolate Labrador Chocolate Labs are the rarest of the three primary Labrador colors. There are only two genes that will produce these dogs—EEbb and Eebb. As with yellow Labs, chocolate labs vary significantly in their coat color. Some chocolate labs have a light brown coat, others a medium brown, and some are even so dark that they appear mixed with black and brown. Aside from their genetic predisposition to an earlier death, these dogs can also suffer from the same issues as other Labs, including patellar luxation, osteochondritis dissecans, and canine hip dysplasia. So, if you have your heart set on buying a chocolate Lab, keep in mind that you may lose your best four-legged friend about 1. A chocolate Labrador Retriever having its coat brushed 4. They get their dark, reddish coat from the same gene as yellow Labs. But since yellow Lab genes can present a wide variation in yellow colors, it causes some puppies to enter the world with an almost red coat. Red Fox Labrador Retriever looks up. Silver Labrador You might have trouble recognizing a silver Lab as a Labrador when they walk by, given that this is such a distinct color deviating from the three primary colors. And, unfortunately for silver Labs, these dogs are a color variation from chocolate Labs. Another issue that silver Labs frequently face is color dilution alopecia. Alopecia is a condition when the immune system harms hair follicles, which leads to skin issues and hair loss. So, should you be interested in breeding your Labrador, please be responsible and never breed a silver Lab. Silver Labrador Retriever sitting in the forest. Like red fox Labradors, white Labs have the same genetic makeup as yellow Labs. Nevertheless, no one will mistake these dogs for pure white; they almost always retain a light cream-colored look, thanks to some yellow fur. Albinism is a life-threatening and rare genetic condition resulting from a lack of pigmentation. Albino Labs often die young and suffer from conditions like blindness and deafness. A white Labrador Retriever sits quietly. If you think mating two black Labradors is a guarantee for producing black Lab puppies, think again. Black is a dominant gene in Labs, but the color yellow always overrides black and chocolate. Instead, check out the chart below to see the puppy colors from mating different colored Lab parents. Parent Colors. A fox red and traditional yellow Lab, flanked by a pair of black Labs. Black, yellow, and chocolate are the three traditional coat colors recognized by the AKC. If you ask the American Kennel Club , those are the only acceptable colors for a Labrador. And even then, those dogs must have other specific color features like dark noses and lips to count as true Labradors. But lately, non-traditional Labrador retriever colors have increased in popularity. The coats on these dogs look like faded versions of the traditional colors. Charcoal, silver, champagne, and white Labs have all emerged on the scene. So where did these new colors come from? Are they associated with health problems? A yellow Lab rests with her black pups. The dogs that Labs originate from, St. Once multiple generations of Labrador retrievers reproduced, recessive-gene colors like chocolate and yellow emerged from other bloodlines. The sire and dam that produce the litter of puppies pass down those genes to the offspring. Natalie Krebs The black coat color gene is dominant, Wilson explains. The chocolate coat gene, on the other hand, is recessive. Say two black Labs breed and produce a litter of pups. If just one of the parents—in this example, the sire—has all-black genes, none of their puppies will be chocolate. All the pups will be black Labs. Chocolate Labrador retrievers carry the recessive gene for coat color. If two chocolate Labs produce a litter, all the pups will be chocolate, too. The same is true for a black Lab that breeds a chocolate Lab. If the black Lab only has black genes to pass down, all their puppies will be black. But if that black Lab has a recessive chocolate gene to pass down, the litter could include both black and chocolate pups. Two chocolate Labs can only produce a chocolate litter, Wilson explains. All these dogs—the parents and the offspring—only have recessive chocolate genes. This yellow Lab was bred from a black female and a fox red male. Natalie Krebs Yellow coats come from an entirely different pair of genes than black or brown coats. Yellow Labs have the widest range in coat color while remaining within the AKC breed standard, Wilson says. Yellow Labs must have dark, heavily-pigmented noses, eyes, and lips, but their fur can range from a lighter vanilla to fox red. But in reality, the earliest yellow Labs were fox red, Wilson says. The color was first documented toward the end of the 19th century, and today, this coat variation is well within the AKC breed standard for yellow Labs. One of the more common falters is the light brown or pink nose, lips, and eyes. But from a health perspective, says Wilson, yellow Labs with light features are more prone to complications. Yellow Labs fall outside the AKC breed standard when their lips, nose, and skin around the eyes is pink, rather than black. These types of Labs are often referred to as Dudley Labs. This can make the skin more prone to sunburn or melanoma. Lighter, more sensitive eyes also make it harder for the dog to work properly in the field. Black Labrador retrievers are one of the most popular bird dogs in the country. Alex Robinson The best traditional Labrador retriever color is, of course, a matter of personal preference. Each color has their pros and cons. Yellow Labs Are harder to disguise in marsh and timber Are tougher to keep track of during an upland bird hunt since they tend to blend into grassy cover Identifying ticks, cuts, and abrasions is easier on their light coats Black Labs Are easier to disguise in many waterfowl environments, including marsh and timber Are easier to spot while working thick upland cover Their dark coat makes it harder to notice ticks, blood, and thorns Chocolate Labs Are the least traditional of the traditional Labrador retriever colors Have amassed a loyal following over the years Blend well into most habitat types and environments Non-Traditional Labrador Retriever Colors If a puppy inherits the recessive dilute gene from both parents, its coat will be diluted, or lighter in color. Chocolate Labs will turn silver in appearance. Black Labs will become charcoal, chocolate Labs will turn silver, and yellow Labs will turn either champagne or what is known as polar white. Dilute breeding to produce non-traditional Labrador retriever coat colors has its controversies. The practice is particularly frustrating to the traditional Labrador retriever community that strictly adheres to AKC purebred standards. Wilson rehashes a story of the first documented silver Lab, which she says was supposedly born in Wisconsin in to a chocolate Lab female and a chocolate Lab male. But the breeder, who Wilson says she knew about through a friend, was having trouble with a Weimaraner on his property at the time. When the litter arrived, some of the pups were chocolate Labs and some were silver. Silver Labrador retrievers have become wildly popular across the country. They forwarded the information to the AKC, who dispatched a field inspector to determine the genetics of the pups. This was a tricky assignment in the era before modern DNA testing and microchips. The breeder presented a chocolate female as the dam and said the sire, which had been on loan as a stud, was back in the northern part of the state. Silver Labs can have the exact same personalities and capabilities as traditional-colored Labs. Courtesy of Peggy Stalnaker Stalnaker, who breeds dilute Labs at DuckCreek, doubts this version of the silver Lab origin story, given what she knows about dilute genetics. Her hunch is that a few true recessive dilute puppies were born by accident. Stalnaker points out that this book was published well before the first documented cases of dilute Labs in the United States. The charcoal Labrador retriever is darker than silver and comes from a black Lab with the dilute gene. When dilute Labs became popular, she explains, attempts to meet consumer demand resulted in some problematic inbreeding. This resulted in dilute Labs that were less genetically diverse and had higher chances of genetic health issues. But Stalnaker puts all her dogs through extensive genetic testing to determine any predispositions for these issues, which range from dwarfism to exercise-induced collapse syndrome to excessively dry noses. Their fur would be really thin. She has avoided this by breeding in non-diluted Labs that possess the dilute gene. This means some of her puppies are traditional colors and some are diluted. But the diluted Labs have less disorder-prone genetic codes thanks to the genetic diversity from the non-diluted sire and dam. Her customers have been happy with their DuckCreek Labs. She recalls one man who flew to Kansas from south Georgia to pick up a silver puppy and fly it home. She cites the time commitment as a barrier. Despite criticism from traditional Labrador loyalists like Wilson, some owners still register dilute Labs under traditional AKC colors. Choosing a certain color Lab is really a matter of personal preference. If anybody is nasty, I just block them. The new variety of Labrador retriever colors is probably here to stay, since the consumer demand is high. But the dilute Labs will probably remain on the outskirts of the Lab community for the foreseeable future, while the traditional Labrador retriever colors of black, chocolate, and yellow continue to win hearts and field trials alike. Katie Hill Katie Hill is a staff writer for Outdoor Life where she covers outdoor news, hunting, and conservation in the West. She still lives in Missoula. Their fun-loving and positive personalities combined with their gentleness and willingness to please their owners makes them the perfect family pet. Statistically speaking, Black Labs are the most common of all Labrador color variations. This is due to how coat color is inherited in this breed. Without getting too far into a scientific explanation for this, there are nine different possible gene combinations for coat color. Four of these lead to a black coat, three to yellow, and only two to chocolate. Due to random chance, Black Labs make up nearly half of all Labradors. Yellow Labs often have a very light brown or tan colored coat that can appear yellowish. Chocolate Labrador Image Credit: skeeze, Pixabay The rarest of the three major Labrador colors, the Chocolate Lab is beautiful and adorable with a deep brown, chocolate-colored coat. Chocolate Labs are regarded as the most energetic and hardest to train, and while there is no research-based evidence to support this, Chocolate Labs are the only Labs not used as service dogs by the leading dog training organizations. This is possibly due to a higher energy level. Their absence from service dog institutions may also be due to the fact that Chocolate Labs experience more health problems and tend to have shorter lifespans than their Black and Yellow counterparts. On average, Chocolate Labs live about a year and a half shorter than other colored Labs. Simply put, they have the genetics of a Yellow Lab but present a darker coat that appears reddish. White Labs usually have very pale brown fur that can appear purely white, especially in the sun. Their fur normally has light brown or yellowish tinges around the ears and paws. Albino Labs do carry additional health problems such as deafness, blindness, and other eye issues. Austin, Shutterstock Silver Labs are stunning, regal, and sleek. Their light grey coat shines beautifully in the sun, and their appearance is as striking as it is adorable. These pups are similar to Red Labs in that they have the same genetics as one of the major three Lab colors. Silver Labs are really Chocolate Labs, even though they may look more like Blue Labs, but their coat is light or diluted, and the result is a silvery appearance. Like their chocolate siblings, Silver Labs, unfortunately, inherit some additional health issues and tend to live shorter lives than Black and Yellow Labradors. Defining Physical Characteristics What is it that makes this breed so recognizable? Labs are often stocky and athletic with a broad chest and a thick, wide skull. Labs have short, dense fur that is water-resistant. In fact, they were named after the Labrador Sea off of Newfoundland where they were originally bred to retrieve waterfowl. No matter where they go, Labs seem to bring joy and happiness with them. They are loyal, loving, and affectionate. What more could you ask for in a dog? Labs have short, dense fur that is prone to heavy shedding and matting, so you should plan to brush your Labrador at least two or three times a week to cut down on shedding and keep their fur looking sleek. Labradors of all coat colors should be bathed about once every other month with a dog-friendly shampoo. Bathing more often can eliminate those healthy skin oils we mentioned, so avoid giving your pup a bath more often unless they find their way into some mud. Final Thoughts Labs come in three main colors but can have lots of different coat shading that makes them appear unique and especially striking. See also:. Find out how we get chocolate, black or yellow puppies and what color pups we might get when we mix Labradors of different colors. Strictly speaking, there are only three different types of Labrador color: black Labs, brown Labs usually referred to as chocolate and yellow Labs. These are the three colors recognized and accepted by the Kennel Club In practice, there is a wide range of shades of yellow Labrador color, from palest cream to richest fox red. But what makes a Labrador brown, or black, or yellow. And what about Silver Labradors? Where does this new and controversial coat color come in to play? Where do Black and Chocolate Labradors come from? The information that determines whether or not your Labrador is basically black or basically chocolate is passed on through a pair of genes. Why black is a dominant color: It is normal for dominant genes to switch off, or over-ride, recessive genes. And that is exactly what happens here. A dog with BB genes will be black, because he has no little b gene, the one that gives us a brown coat. But a Bb dog will be black too, because if the dominant black gene is present, it switches off the brown gene. How chocolate Labradors are made: Even though a dog inherits a little b gene, the dog will only appear brown if no black gene B is present at all. Two black genes BB gives you a black Labrador One of each Bb also give you a black Labrador Two brown genes bb gives you a chocolate Labrador Remember that the black dominant gene always switches of the brown gene, so only the dog at the bottom will actually look brown. Generation after generation of black dogs can continue to have only black puppies if dogs with the Bb gene are only ever mated to dogs with BB genes. Remember, the dog in the middle of our list above will look black, but pass the brown gene on to about half of all its offspring. But things are never that simple are they? Because of course some Labradors are neither black nor brown. The genetic information that creates a yellow coat comes from another pair of genes altogether. And these genes have a different kind of power. The result is a yellow dog But little ee is recessive, and if the dominant E gene is present, it switches off the masking gene. It only takes one big E gene to do this. So the dog will only appear yellow if no big E gene is present at all. There are three possible combinations of eee gene that a dog could inherit. There are nine different possible combinations. Nine different possible Labrador genotypes! The chart below lists them genotype is the genetic makeup, phenotype is the appearance of the dog. Original Labrador Retriever Color Black is the original, archetypal Labrador color, and genetically the most dominant. Chocolate and yellow puppies were frequently euthanized at birth. To understand that we have to look at the genetic difference between black and chocolate Labs. Labrador Retriever Color Genetics Both types get their color from a pigment called eumelanin. Labs with lots of eumelanin pigment in their coat are black. If they have a little less, they appear brown instead. We use letters to tell each place apart — a bit like giving each locus its own zip code! The B locus is home to a pair of genes called B genes. There are two types of B gene your Lab can get in their pair: One we call big B — it contains an instruction to make lots of eumelanin, and causes a black Labrador coat. And one we call little b — it contains an instruction for less eumelanin, and causes a brown or chocolate coat. Big B is a dominant gene, and little b is a recessive gene. Dominant genes to switch off, or override, recessive genes. So dog with BB genes will be black, because he has two genes for a black coat. And a Bb dog will be black too, because the dominant B genethe recessive b gene. Only a dog with a matching pair of bb genes will express the instruction for less eumelanin in their coat, and be brown. Remember that the black dominant gene always switches of the brown gene, so only the dog with two copies of the b gene will actually look brown. But the dominance of the black color enabled our chocolate friends to remain hidden and rare with the breed, for many decades. Generation after generation of black dogs can continue to have only black puppies if dogs with the Bb gene are only ever mated to dogs with BB genes. In fact, it would take two black Labs both carrying the little b gene to produce chocolate puppies. Like this: Statistically, one quarter of their litter would be chocolate colored. And of course, some Labradors are neither black nor brown. The genetic information that creates a yellow coat comes from another pair of genes altogether. These genes are located at the E locus. And — you guessed it — we call them E genes. Just like B genes there are two versions of the E gene, big E and little e. Big E is the dominant gene. It does not interfere with the B genes. Little e is the recessive gene. It has the potential to mask the B genes that would otherwise give us black or brown coats. And the result is a yellow dog. How Yellow Overrides Black and Chocolate Only the little e gene can mask the instructions for black or chocolate fur. There are three possible combinations of E gene that a dog can inherit. It could have two dominant genes EE two masking genes ee or one of each Ee. Only the middle of these three dogs will be yellow. Nine Different Possible Labrador Genotypes! Every Labrador has a combination of B and E genes — called their genotype. There are nine different possible genotypes. Here they are in full: Can you see why each combination of genes turns out the way it does? Because as you can see, the second dog down the list may look black but he could throw brown puppies, and the fourth dog down the list may look black, but he could throw yellow puppies. The fifth dog down the list is also black but he could throw yellow and brown puppies. Puppy colors are easier to predict when both parents owe their appearance to the recessive genes b or e. Mating Two Yellow Labradors Two yellow Labradors mated together will never throw brown or black puppies. All their offspring will be yellow. This is because yellow dogs do not possess the big E gene which is needed to switch off the masking effect. Mating Two Chocolate Labradors Two brown Labs mated together will never throw black puppies because brown dogs do not have the big B gene. But two chocolate Labs can produce yellow puppies, if each of the parents carries the little e gene — like this: In the mixed litter, statistically one of half of the puppies will be chocolate and one half yellow. Depending on their genotype, two black Labradors can indeed have yellow or chocolate puppies. Remember from our grid above that there are four different possible genotypes for a black Labrador. The genotype refers to the genetic code that the dog carries. And the four different possible black genotypes down the side to represent the father. Inside the grid are the puppies that could be born from each combination. If and only if, both parents carry a little e gene, then some of the puppies may be yellow. Remember that your puppy needs two little e genes one from each parent in order to be yellow. If only one of two black dogs carries the little e gene, all their puppies will be black. Yes it is, check out the bottom right hand square in the diagram above! Notice that it can only happen if both parents dogs have this genotype: EeBb. In other words, they both carry a little e and a little b. This is good example of how complicated, and unexpected, Labrador colors can be. There are six different possibilities for litter color combinations depending on the genotype of the parents. You can even get a litter of all black puppies from a chocolate mother and a yellow father or vice versa! Here are the color possibilities: yellow, black, and chocolate puppies yellow and black puppies. Labrador Colors 1. Black Labrador Most black Labs are entirely black. But, some have one or two white spots on their fur. This interruption in their solid black coat is due to genetic traces left from their late ancestor, the St. The black Labrador Retriever was historically the most common coat color. Even today, nearly half of all Labs are black! When Retrievers were first bred, black coated dogs were the only pups deemed acceptable. Their popularity was driven by two reasons: Black is the favorite coat color for hunting. Four out of nine gene combinations result in a black coat. Sadly, until the 20th century, all other Lab colors would be euthanized shortly after birth. They were not valued the same way black Labradors were. Black Labradors were perfect for their original purpose, hunting. Their dark coat color helped them blend in and move stealthily while hunting or participating in field trials. These Labs tend to have the strongest hunting instincts as their black coats were historically bred for hunting. Even to this day, they are focused, diligent workers. These shiny, sleek dogs are not only beloved in the field, but they also make wonderful pets. Many owners regard black Labs as the calmest and most affectionate of all Lab colors. However, there is no scientific evidence to back up this claim. Chocolate Labrador Chocolate Labs are the rarest of the three major Lab colors. These dogs are rarely used for hunting or working, but are champions in the show ring! Their color stuns judges and earns high marks in conformation shows. The shade of brown that chocolate Labradors can come in varies. Some are a rich chocolate while others are a dark brown color known as liver. Some even have a beautiful red hue within their brown fur! The chocolate color exists on a spectrum and can vary greatly due to genetics. Some of these assumptions have become widely accepted in the Labrador community. Chocolate Labs are regarded as the most rambunctious with a bit too much energy for their bodies! These pups are spunky and often hard to train, which may explain why they are not used as service dogs. Even if these Labs are a bit energetic and naughty at times, they are just as beloved due to their affectionate nature and goofy personality. The unfortunate truth about chocolate Labradors is that they often suffer from more health problems than other types of Labs. Some of these health concerns are minor and include hot spots skin irritation and ear inflammation. However, some are more serious and can shorten their lifespan. They often live a year and a half less than the other Labradors. Yellow Labrador Yellow Labradors may not be the most popular Labrador Retriever color, but they are the most beloved. Many owners claim that yellow Labs are the friendliest and most outgoing. Their outstanding reputation is reinforced by their heavy presence in daily life! Yellow Labs are often seen in movies such as the adorable Lab who played Marley in Marley and Me or the sweetheart who acted as Old Yeller. The media have also boosted their popularity as has their recognition as common service, search and rescue, and therapy dogs. Similar to chocolate, the yellow coat color exists on a spectrum. Some yellow Labs are a light brown or tan, others are yellow like a lemon, and then there are cream-colored Labs. There are also fawn Labradors. Fawn Labs are darker, but are not quite red. The yellow Lab may be the Labrador Retriever with the most variation in its coat color! Yellow Labs are just as hard-working as black Labs, although they are not as commonly used for hunting. They are very similar to black Labs and are just as highly trainable, affectionate, and hard-working. Silver Labrador Silver Labradors are by far the rarest of all colors. These dogs are a light gray to blue color that looks silver in the sunlight. These Labradors are often mistaken for Weimaraner mixes because of their silver coat. Silver Labs actually have the same genetics as any type of Lab, despite looking very different. They are just as smart, fun, and loving as any other Retriever. They have a dilute gene that overrides the designated chocolate coat color. Rather than being chocolate, these dogs have a silver or blue coat color. This same coat color dilution can occur in yellow Labs and in black Labs. Diluted yellow Labs are known as champagne and diluted black Labs are known as charcoal. However, Silver is the most unique. Not many silver Labs exist due to the recessive nature of the dilute gene. Silver Labs are undoubtedly stunning, but they have a higher potential of developing health issues. They often develop color dilution alopecia which presents as itchy skin or patchy fur. Fox Red Labradors have the same genetics as a yellow Lab, but just have a deep yellow or brown hue to their coat. This deep brown looks rusty red and makes them look just like a fox. Labrador Retriever fans adore fox red Labs because of their friendly personalities. They have lovingly nicknamed these dogs Ruby Labradors. Clifford, the beloved big red dog, is even based off a fox red Labrador. The red color gives them a rugged look that many owners love! However, this love does not extend to the American Kennel Club. The American Kennel Club does not recognize fox reds as a unique color and registers these Labrador Retrievers as yellow labs. Judges often view this dark pigmentation as a serious fault, so it is unlikely that a fox red Lab would ever win a conformation show. Some people are highly suspicious of the fox red color. They often argue that fox reds are not purebred and that they are mixed with Golden Retrievers. This is not true. It is all the beauty of a Golden Retriever without the high maintenance and long coat that Goldens are known for. White Labrador White Labradors are just a variation of the yellow Lab. They have the same genetics as a yellow Lab, they just happen to be much paler. White Labs are the lightest shade of yellow possible. This color exists on the opposite end of the spectrum than fox red Labs do. The shade of their fur is typically a pale yellow that looks white in the sunlight. They may also have brown or yellow ears and paws that are darker than the rest of their coat. Their white fur gives them an aura of royalty. Just like any yellow Labrador, white Labs are regarded as kind dogs who love everyone they meet. They make horrible guard dogs as they make friends with everyone and are quick to trust every stranger they meet! They are often pampered and spoiled beyond belief. There are no known health issues associated with this color. Most white labs are healthy because they are just a pale yellow, not true white. Albino Labradors are rarer and also sensitive to bright sunlight. Merle labs may suffer from deafness, blindness, and shortened lifespans. Discussing Labrador Retriever colors can be controversial. Are silver and red Labs purebred? Do personality traits differ between different colored Labs? Should silver, red, and white have their own color category? The answers to these questions are not simple. They say that behavior is determined by genetics, socialization, training, and health. In their opinion coat color is just cosmetic. On the other hand, there are owners and breeders who argue that coat color affects the personality of a Lab. These owners and breeders have lived and interacted with Labs of all colors. In their opinion coat color is linked to characteristic personality traits. These Lab lovers have agreed that: Black Labs are the calmest and most skilled at hunting. Yellow Labs are the friendliest and best with people and children. Chocolate Labs are the rowdiest, most energetic, and difficult to train. On the side of science, color does not affect the behavior of a Labrador Retriever. However, breeders and owners have recorded the behavior traits associated with each coat color. It is up to you whether to decide if color matters for Labrador Retrievers or not! Which Is The Rarest Color? Silver is the rarest Lab color. Silver is rare because it can only come from a unique genetic makeup. The dilution gene needed to produce this silver hue is a recessive gene and is often masked by the genes for a chocolate coat. If you ever happen to see one of these silver beauties, take the time to really admire them as you may never see another one again! Which Color Is The Best? This is definitely an opinion question that has no right answer! Each color of Labrador suits a specific type of owner: Athletic, hunting owners will want a black Lab. Yellow Lab owners claim that their dogs are the best due to their friendly personalities. Chocolate Labs win the most prizes in conformation shows. Silver Labs are the rarest, to complicate the argument even more. It is up to each owner to decide which color they love the best. An argument can be made for each Labrador color as to why that color is the best. Among Labrador owners it is widely accepted that black Labs are the calmest. This could be a result of their hard-working, hunting instincts which cause them to be much more focused and level-headed. Chocolate Labs who parade around show rings are often the most rambunctious. If you ask the experts, you will get the answer that coat color has no effect on Labrador behavior. However, if you read various Labrador Retriever websites and forums, or talk to Lab owners, you may hear a different story. Whether you decide to believe this claim is up to you! There is no scientific evidence to back the claim up that black Labs are the calmest Labradors. Summary Each color of Labrador Retriever is beautiful and unique in its own way. Silver Labs are rare, black Labs are sleek and elegant, yellow Labs have an aura of kindness, white Labs are elegant, red Labs are devoted to their work, and chocolate Labs are gorgeous and show ready! Labrador coat colors are the perfect example that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. Want to learn more about Labs? Read: English vs. American Labrador: Top 10 Differences. Which coat color is your favorite and why? Let us know in the comments below! She is a passionate dog lover and was raised with an affectionate, calm Yellow Lab Golden Retriever mix that fostered her love for her canine companions. Kelsie is actively involved with multiple humane societies and has cared for the dogs of over 45 different families. You May Also Like. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Updated: Nov 15, When it comes to coat color of Labrador puppies, there are three colors recognized by the American Kennel Club. Black Labs, yellow Labs, and brown Labs often called chocolate Labs are the three main varieties of Labrador retriever, however these puppies often exhibit different shades of black, yellow, and brown fur. So with so much variation, what causes a difference in color? Where it begins to get tricky is when we discuss the genetics of black labs and chocolate labs when compared to yellow lab. Allele: One of two or more versions of a gene. When it comes to the coats of Labrador puppies, fur color is determined by one of two different genes, as well as a variety of alleles. When it comes to black lab puppies and chocolate lab puppies, both varieties inherit their fur color from a single gene, known as "Tyrosinase-related protein 1. Here we have two dominant genes for black fur, obviously resulting in a black lab puppy. In a situation in which either parent passes on the dominant allele and the other passes on the recessive, the lab puppy will still have a black coat. When both parents pass on the recessive allele, only then do we see a chocolate lab puppy. So, Where Does Yellow Come from? Yellow Labrador puppies get their hair color from a gene entirely different from the gene that determines black or brown fur. Melanocortin 1 receptor MC1R is the gene responsible for yellow lab puppies, but can still result in fur coats of black and brown. As you may have deduced, the allele for yellow lab puppies is recessive. Both parents pass on dominant alleles for black or chocolate fur, resulting in a black or chocolate puppy. Only in a situation in which both parents pass on alleles coding for yellow fur is the TYRP1 gene overridden and yellow lab puppies are produced. What is also interesting about the creation of yellow lab puppies is the fact that while their fur coat is without black or brown pigment, their skin will still exhibit the same color pigment as that of black or chocolate lab puppies.

Its 50 acres date all the way back to .Make Way for Ducklings? More like Make Way for Zoomies! Today, Boston Commons is a sprawling, beautiful park where all are welcome. Grab a coffee and take a stroll through green lawns and crisscrossing pathways. Dogs on leash are welcome all throughout the park, and off-leash dogs are available in designated off-leash areas. There are areas where dogs gather to play, so be on the look out. Location: Tremont Street 2. Walk the Freedom Trail The best way to orient yourself in a new city while learning all about it is to take a walking tour. And in a city so rich in history like Boston, a tour is a must. Luckily, the city offers one of the most famous trails in the world: The Freedom Trail. The Freedom Trail is a 2. The landmarks include churches, meeting houses, burial grounds and more. This American Revolutionary War blast from-the-past can be walked solo or as part of an official tour. If you want a little more structure and guidance, Boston By Foot , a registered c 3 non-profit educational organization, welcomes well-behaved dogs on their Freedom Trail tours. Their tours are led by knowledgeable local volunteers who like to share their love for Boston. As always, you should give the tour company a heads up if you plan to bring your pup along. Then head to Beacon Hill. As the name implies, Beacon Hill is in fact on a hill, so wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to get your steps in. A few must-hit spots include: Acorn Street — Pictured above and referred to as the most beautiful street in America, this narrow, cobblestoned lane is lined with row houses and is full of old Boston charm. Charles Street is especially known for their independent shops and antique stores. Many of them are dog-friendly, and might even call you over to offer your pup a dog biscuit and a bowl of fresh water. There are also fun events, fundraisers and plenty of dog treats. Designed in the style of an English landscape garden, the garden features several statues, an abundance of trees and flowers, and a four acre pond with swan boats. Free walking tours of the Public Garden are available from May through September, or you can take a self-guided tour via the Boston Public Garden app. The park is located adjacent to Boston Common. Dogs are welcome on leash. Location: 4 Charles Street. Source: flickr The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a 15 acre and 1. This fun park is home to a variety of food trucks, a carousel, art murals, interactive installations and seven different water fountains. Leashed dogs are welcome to visit and explore. For more information, click here. Spend time on the Charles The Charles River is an mile-long beast of a waterway that makes its way through 23 cities and towns before reaching Boston and the Atlantic Ocean. Dog-friendly Water Options Paddle Boston rents kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards to both two and four legged water goers alike. They have seven locations in the Greater Boston area, with one in Boston and another in Cambridge. Boston Harbor Cruises also welcomes dogs. They offer a variety of harbor cruises, ferries, and even whale watching excursions. For seeing the sights, check out their Historic Sightseeing tour or Sea the Stars cruise. Better safe than sorry. Hop on the path to head to lunch, or do a loop and enjoy the views. Your dog can run beside you or enjoy the scenery from a bike basket. It has cafes, plenty of greenery, beautiful bridges, and lots of space to walk, run and people watch. You can find everything here from handmade apparel, jewelry, produce, and even baked goods and sweets. Several vendors offer pet-related products, so your furry friend can indulge in a bit of retail therapy too. The market runs every Sunday from May through October. Location: Harrison Ave. Bring your pack to take a dip and run in the sand. Local Ice cream parlor J. Licks is known for their signature flavors of ice cream and frozen yogurt, plus their house-roasted coffee. There are also oat milk-based vegan options for those not into dairy. Dogs are welcome to enjoy a lick or two in their outdoor seating area. Heads up: they sell dog bandanas! If your dog is in the mood for a special treat other than ice cream , then check out online dog bakery Dog Eat Cake. This Boston small business makes delicious dog-friendly baked goods, like doghnuts, petzels, and pupcakes. They offer local pick up or delivery. Go to a Dog-Friendly Event Besides local yappy hours and adoption events, Boston is also home to bigger and bolder canine happenings. Canine Promenade — This annual Halloween parade of costumed people and pets happens every year on the Charles River Esplanade. Info: esplanadeassociation. Spectators free, fee for parade participants. Carnival of Dogs — In early September, the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway transforms into a dog carnival, complete with a kissing booth and a dog caricature artist. Sounds magical! Info: rosekennedygreenway. While you snack on food truck munchies, your pup can fill their belly at the kibble quest. Info: somdogfest. Admission free, some events ticketed. It features live music, vendors, food, contests, and most importantly, more than animal organizations broadcasting their causes. Info: petrockfest. Ride the T The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, better known as the T, offers subway, bus, trolley car and boat services to just about everywhere in the Greater Boston area and beyond. Dogs ride free! The T welcomes service animals at all hours, and non-service dogs are allowed at all times except during rush hours. However, during off-peak hours, T operators may not allow non-service dogs, so take your chances! Dogs should be on leash and cannot take up a seat ignore the cuteness that you see above. Also, make sure your well-behaved dog is quiet and calm when riding like all commuters should be! Grab a Beer Boston is known for their famous Sam Adams lager, but the city is also home to a variety of other beers. Many of the craft breweries in the area open their doors to well-behaved pups. Remember to drink responsibly and no beer for dogs! The event usually takes place in June. Bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds. The Arnold Arboretum is open free of charge to the public from sunrise to sunset, days of the year. Location: Arborway. You can get there on foot, on the T, or via water taxi. Deep, right? He built an irregular fence, painted it purple, and began writing bits of wisdom on it. Today, the fence is a living, constantly evolving piece of art that is still added to. Fresh Pond Reservation — This lovely reservation features dog-friendly lawns, paved roads, and two ponds where dogs are allowed to swim. While only dogs with Cambridge dog licenses are allowed off leash, rules are relaxed and well-behaved dogs are usually welcome to join the pack. Location: Fresh Pond Pkwy. This no frills seafood joint offers fresh seafood, picnic tables and cold drinks. Location: Putnam Ave. Have you visited Boston with a dog? Let us know in the comments. Get more Boston dog-friendly tips here. Pin for later! Kids love it. Big time. One recent Sunday morning, Oscar and I wandered the path from the dog zone to the marsh and discovered a quiet fishing pier and empty floating dock; we splayed out on the latter to soak up the sun and listen to the wind stir the marsh grass in a soothing sermon. Later we found a swing bench that afforded a dreamy view of the same tidal creek, which we contemplated before stumbling upon grassy plains ripe with tucked away shelters, Rockwell-perfect for birthday parties and family reunions. Overall, this side of JICP felt like a less manicured and less crowded version of a tamed island resort think Kiawah or Sea Pines without the residents-only rules. Us likey. We were sitting at a picnic table when five-year-old James Elliott Handal barreled over, barefoot and thrilled to spasms there was a dog in his vicinity. I burst out laughing and asked his dad, Greg, if he was OK to play. Apparently James Elliott had experienced a miraculous recovery since his earlier adventures, so he and his father loaded up their bikes and came to the park to ride its miles of paved trails. The kindergartner was a natural with Oscar and commanded him to fetch, sit, and play tug-of-war. When my guy got too riled up, James Elliott stood stiff, arms plastered to his sides. All the giggling attracted a gaggle of girls as well as another boy, who claimed to have 12 pets at home—chickens, cats, dog, and squirrel included. To calm things down, I showed the Pied Piper crew how I carry my little man like an actual little man, and they scrambled to follow suit. Oscar made mama proud by dutifully going limp in chubby set of arms after arms, minding the squeezing and smother-snuggling not a bit. After the crowd dissipated, James Elliott had to head home, but not before hugging his new BFF four separate, tender times. As the boy trotted off toward the spray and splash fountain, Molly and Evie trotted over. The U-EL license is applied only for the staff of the organization that holds the account. Maximum number of electronic items is unlimited applies as a total of each type of usage. This is an additional license to the rights included within the regular Royalty-Free license. 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The Contributor is required to disable the file permanently from all other places where he may sell it, as soon as possible after the sale occurred, but no longer than 72 hours. This license grants the buyer exclusivity so the Contributor needs to keep in mind that exclusive media is represented by concepts, models, wardrobe, and subject matter which provide a unique creative message and small variations in the image variations in camera angle, model posture or gesture, for example do not enable other files as being different. All such variations rendering the media very similar in concept and message to the one sold under SR-EL should be removed from sale as well. The photographer acknowledge and agrees to provide the buyer with full ownership for the file retrieved using the SR-EL license. Man with his dog playing and having fun in the park. Concepts of friendship with pets and togetherness More similar stock images.

Categories Dog Training German shepherds make incredible pets! However, the German shepherd is a large and muscular dog that can potentially do a lot of harm to smaller animals. So if you have other pets, such as a cat, you may wonder if they can coexist. German shepherds can absolutely get along with cats. However, this depends on how you raise the dog and the effort you put into socializing them. Whether you have a German shepherd or plan to get one soon, there are things to consider if you also own a cat. Read on to learn how to ensure the two animals will get along. To say a German shepherd naturally dislikes any animal would be a mistake. Though they may look a little scary, GSDs can be as friendly as any dog breed. Also called a prey drive, this refers to how dogs may naturally want to chase or hunt smaller animals. Now, it might be seen as an inconvenience for anyone who wants a dog besides hunters! This natural drive can encourage your German shepherd to see smaller animals as things to chase. This could be bad news for your cats. However, this only serves to highlight the importance of socializing your German shepherd. Depending on how well you socialize your dog, it very well could be the reason your dog sees your cats as friends rather than potential food and prey. Both animals are obviously different species and will have different habits, tendencies, and approach to others. We need to remember this natural inclination when helping our German shepherds get along with cats. German shepherds are smart: Wicked smart. They are consistently ranked as one of the smartest dog breeds. This means proper training is all they need to get along fine with cats or other animals. German shepherds are loyal: When you treat a German shepherd well, it will want to please you. It will respond quickly and happily to any training, which is best for everyone involved. This breed is particular protective, especially when it comes to the people or animals that they love. In other words, they look after their pack. The Personality of Cats It takes two to tango, or to get along. A lot of cats tend to be quite aloof, while others can be surprisingly affectionate. However, if you have an impatient cat or one that does not like affection, it might not get along with a dog. After all, dogs tend to be quite physical with their affection. So a cat might end up losing patience over being licked or bothered. In a study, researchers found the five main personality traits of cats, dubbed the Feline Five. The five include neuroticism, extraversion, dominance, impulsiveness, and agreeableness. Why Cats and German Shepherds Are Similar And according to the five feline traits, German shepherd and cats are more similar than you may think. In fact, I would argue that these dogs have all five traits too. Plenty of owners believe that German shepherds are neurotic and sensitive dogs. As a result, they can grow neurotic over small sounds, digging, or scratching. German shepherds can also be very extraverted dogs, depending on your dog. And if properly trained or socialized, they have a better shot at being extraverts. Dogs are all innately friendly animals and the GSD is no exception. Given the sheer size and power of these dogs, is it really a surprise that German shepherds possess a dominant personality too? And because German shepherds are some of the smartest dogs , they tend to do well with obedience and training. This makes them very agreeable dogs if properly trained. Their loyalty goes deep and the dog will take every opportunity to please their owners. Unless your dog has been socialized with cats, they make act aggressively. However, German shepherds that are raised in a home with cats tend to get along just fine with them due to their unwavering loyalty and devotion to the pack. In fact, Rover calls them one of the top five most loyal dog breeds! German shepherds also have a natural protective instinct , which makes them much more likely to keep the cat safe than to do harm to it. But of course, the dog must be very familiar with the cat and see the animal as a pack member. Because of these two signature traits that define the German shepherd, it can be easy to make the two get along. Or at the very least, cohabit in a civil manner. Of course, there are plenty of variables, including the personality of your cat. And a lot of it depends on how well and often you socialize your dog with the cat. However, often it is up to their owners to shape their temperament and behavior. But any breed can learn to get along with cats, and German shepherds are no exception. However, there are a few steps to take to get your German shepherd to like cats. Start Socialization Early One of the best ways to ensure your German shepherd gets along with cats is to socialize them from when they are puppies. A German shepherd that is around cats from a young age will see them differently from an adult that has never been socialized. According to the American Kennel Club, socialization should start as young as 3 weeks of age. That early window of development is going to be crucial to seeing good results. Socialized dogs enjoy a much calmer and happier life than those that miss out on it. In fact, with how intelligent German shepherds are, they can quickly learn how to get along with cats. Below are a few tips to help you along your way. And, the results may not always be what you might ideally want. However, remaining patient and understanding with your German shepherd through it all will only make things better. Keep the Rewards Flowing: German shepherds are brilliant, and rewarding them only serves to speed up any learning. By rewarding positive behavior , you can see better results far sooner than without an abundance of rewards. And by rewards, we of course mean treats! Focus on the positive and keep up the treats. Your attitude toward the process will have an effect on how your German shepherd responds. They can reads moods quite easily. Does Age Matter? Generally, introducing a puppy German shepherd to a cat will go more smoothly than doing so with an adult GSD. During this period, both animals are more adventurous and willing to explore. But again, this mostly depends on socialization. An adult or adolescent German shepherd that has been socialized early on can pull from prior experience. It likely already feels comfortable and safe around others, so will be less likely to show aggression. Still, we should cover a few tips that will be important regardless of what age you introduce your German shepherd to cats. Introducing Your German Shepherd to Cats We have put together some key tips and suggestions for ensuring your German shepherd and cat have a safe and productive introduction. While there are plenty of ways to do this, these suggestions come from real owners with success. We believe these are important, regardless of whether your German shepherd is a puppy or adult, or has been socialized or not. Supervision Is a Must You will want to have as much control over the situation as possible. Though the chance for aggression may be low, it is always better to play it safe. So we recommend being present from start to finish. We even would suggest continuing to be present for all future interactions, until you are absolutely sure your German shepherd and cat get along. In a lot of cases, you may scare the two animals from wanting to play with each other. This will just give you the opposite of what you wanted. Instead, start with short meetings. Maybe even just a minute at first. Our goal is to get your GSD and your cat acquainted with one another, not to become fast friends from day one though that would be perfect! Remember — patience is key! With that said, below is a quick outline for a natural progression of getting your German shepherd and cat acquainted with one another. After all, both animals rely heavily on their sense of smell. We recommend that both your German shepherd and cat have recently been bathed. Multiple scents can make for a confused sensory experience for both pets. While they are swapping scents, watch for any changes in behavior. Is either party showing signs of aggression? Then call it a day and separate them. Separated Awareness: A good next step is to let your German shepherd and cat be aware of each other, but have a barrier between them. This can be a baby gate or whatever you see fit. Just make sure the two can see each other through the barrier. This can let them grow used to each other without the risk of one chasing down the other. Always be sure to reward any calmer behavior or even signs of gentle curiosity. Make sure to bring out the good treats during this process! Try doing this for about minutes for a week or so, and decide if you can move on to the next step. If there has been no aggression, your pets might be ready. Together At Last: But not forever. For the first face-to-face meetings, we still want you to have complete control over the situation. Even if the two are finally familiar with one another, anything can happen at any moment. To be safe, we recommend still having a leash on your German shepherd. That way, if anything escalates, you can maintain control quickly and easily. Again, try this for about a week for only a few minutes at a time. Friendship Unleashed: Only once you are sure that there is no aggression or chasing from your German shepherd can you let them spend time together without a leash. Still, we strongly advise supervising from start to finish. Only once your pets have spent several peaceful months together can you possibly leave them alone together. Have you had luck getting your GSD and cats to be friends? If so, what steps did you take to foster their friendship? Share your experience in the comments below. Things can get crowded quickly, especially if you own a cat too! Read more here. However, there are different things to consider, along with training, when bringing the two together. Are German Shepherds Dangerous? Not only for your kids, but other pets such as cats. Post navigation. Aug 4, Share Although the rivalry between dogs and cats is a tale as old as time, it is normal for dogs and cats to get along with early socialization. The trick is finding a dog breed that will either ignore the cat or love it naturally. If you like German Shepherds, you might be wondering if this big breed gets along with cats. Instead, be proactive in socialization and temperament selection to find the right German Shepherd and cat. Read on to learn more about how German Shepherds react to cats and learn tips about early socialization. In comparison to more aggressive breeds, German Shepherds are naturally good with cats. That being said, individual German Shepherds may act uneasy around cats or act out right aggressively. In other words, it can be hard to predict if a German Shepherd will get along well with cats since individual personality is the biggest determiner. Because they are less aggressive than some breeds, you have better luck socializing German Shepherds. Naturally, German Shepherds are really loving, but they were originally bred as herding dogs. Their herding background means they have a natural instinct to chase, herd, and protect. Even if German Shepherds are not meaning to be aggressive, cats may often interpret their behavior as such. Luckily, German Shepherds, especially when they are puppies, respond to training well. With early socialization, German Shepherds have a great chance of getting along with cats. Only through socialization efforts can you trust that a German Shepherd will get along with your furry feline friend. Background As their name suggests, German Shepherds were originally used as herding dogs. It was their job to help keep herds together and defend them from predators. Today, German Shepherds still retain this herding drive. When around cats, they can chase and even nip at their tail or heels. If your cat takes off, the German Shepherd is especially likely to behave in this way. Image Credit: lancegfx, Pixabay Personality German Shepherds are known for having one of the most lovable personalities. Today, this dog is considered one of the most popular breeds because it is intelligent, courageous, and responds very well to training. Additionally, German Shepherds are known for being sensitive and lovable, which is why they make perfect guard dogs for families. They get along great with children, but they will protect if necessary. With the right owner, German Shepherds easily become one of the most socialized and lovable dogs. Trainability In terms of trainability, German Shepherds are considered one of the best. They have a high desire to please their owners, and they are very intelligent, which makes it easier for them to pick up on commands. Especially in the first 3 months of their lives, German Shepherds have a great capacity for being trained. Because German Shepherds are intelligent and eager to please, training these dogs is not as difficult as it could be with other breeds. The earlier you socialize your German Shepherd, the better. The best time to socialize your German Shepherd is during the first 3 months of its life. If the German Shepherd is socialized sooner rather than later, it is much more likely to be kind and gentle around cats. Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock Factors That Affect Socialization To get the best result out of socialization training, there are some factors you need to consider. Age and temperament are the two most important. Age The most important factor to think about when you are socializing your German Shepherd is its age. The younger your German Shepherd is, the easier socialization will be. If you already have a cat in your home, it is best to get a German Shepherd puppy as opposed to an adult German Shepherd. Start training your German Shepherd how to properly behave around cats as soon as possible. Temperament Think about the temperament of both the dog and cat in question. If you know that your German Shepherd is aggressive around other animals, bringing it into the home will not be a good option for the cat. Step 1. If the German Shepherd is not yet trained, the meeting can go bad, even if the German Shepherd is not trying to act aggressively. Image Credit: marcin jucha, Shutterstock Step 2. Have two clean cloths and rub one along the back of each animal. Then, bring the cat cloth to the dog and the dog cloth to the cat. Allow them to discover the cloth on their own. Pay attention to how the animals behave. Does either animal seem anxious or overly excited? This will give you a good clue about how the animals will respond to one another. Continue this process until both the cat and dog are calm around the cloth. Step 3. Allow Them to See Each Other Once the animals are comfortable around the scented cloths, allow the animals to see one another but not be in the same room. You can do this by putting one animal on a side of a glass door and the other animal on the other. Do this a couple of days for 5 minutes at a time. Separate Them With a Pet Gate After the animals get accustomed to seeing one another, you can bring them both inside, but still keep them separated with something like a pet gate. This ensures that both pets are safe, but they also have the opportunity to see and smell one another. Step 5. Leash Meeting Once you are ready, you can let the German Shepherd smell the cat while on a leash. As both you and your cat get more comfortable around the German Shepherd, you can select a longer leash and eventually take the dog off the leash completely. Take your time with this process and give both pets treats for good behavior. Final Thoughts If you want to have both a dog and a cat, German Shepherds can be a good choice, but you need to take the time to slowly introduce the two animals to one another after extensive training. With early socialization, most German Shepherds get along great with cats. Some dog breeds are better suited to be kept around cats, which is why it is so important to do your research into the characteristics of each dog breed before making the big decision. No two dog breeds share the same personality, so it is vital not to make any pre-judgments about a particular breed of dog before reading the facts. In this article, you will see the background and characteristics of a German Shepherd while also answering the big question of whether they are good with cats. German Shepherds are renowned for being one of the highest-energy dogs out there, which comes with a lot of work for the owner. You must have a pretty big garden for them to exercise in, and daily walks are a necessity. The personality of a German Shepherd is usually aloof but not aggressive. A well-socialized German Shepherd is a guaranteed best friend and will leave you as a happy dog-owner. German Shepherds and cats A tale as old as time itself that possibly outweighs all hatred felt in the past: cats vs. If there were to be one dog that could rise above this battle, it would be the German Shepherd. Sure they may be big, but German Shepherds are intelligent enough to know the difference between playtime and protecting their owners. But does this gentle behavior mean German Shepherds can rise above this war that has appeared to be unstoppable for so many millennia? The answer to this question depends on how you raise your German Shepherd and whether they are correctly socialized. The term socialization is thrown around a lot in the world of dogs. It essentially just means exposing your pup to different people and animals from a young age. However, check out the next paragraph to figure out in more detail how to properly socialize your German Shepherd and some other relevant factors that contribute towards their social awareness and ability to deal with cats. How to get your German Shepherd to resist the instincts While some dogs seem to prefer meeting new humans and animals more than others, all of them can be trained to respond to these situations appropriately. Everyone gets scared or worried when doing new things or meeting new people, including your German Shepherd. The longer you spend completing an activity and getting used to it, is how you begin to relax when partaking in it. This is exactly what socializing is when introducing your German Shepherd to new animals, people, and settings, preferably from a young age. To do this, you must expose your German Shepherd at a young age to the other previously mentioned things that they are not used to being around. You can begin to socialize your German Shepherd and cat by putting the bowls close to one another. You could also put your puppy on one side of the door and your cat on the other. The first interactions Before you even introduce your puppy to your kitten, it is vital that your German Shepherd can follow the sit, stay, and leave it commands. These three commands are needed so that you will still control the situation when the face-to-face interaction finally happens. The first interaction between your German Shepherd and cat should hopefully be short and maybe even peaceful. Put your pup in a kennel, and once they are on a leash, place the cat in front of him for no more than 10 minutes. If the aggression is still going, then it is recommended you pick up your cat and walk away. Your puppy really enjoys your presence, so they will associate this loss of your company with them not being kind to the cat, which will hopefully alter future encounters. Follow these steps for a couple of weeks daily, and gradually increase the interaction time between them, so it slowly becomes more and more familiar. When each pet can comfortably spend at least a half-hour with one-another, then it is time to repeat the process without a leash on your dog. You must keep a very close eye on your dog in this stage to avoid any injures to your cat. Sign Up We only send quality info with absolutely NO Spam Other helpful tips to strengthen their relationship German Shepherds are one of the most energetic dog breeds and love to run around and just generally go crazy. If your pup gets plenty of exercises, then there is less of a chance of them irritating or possibly harming your cat. If you are adopting, make sure to ask the shelter if your German Shepherd was raised around cats. It is vital to either spray or neuter your German Shepherd before hitting puberty at around six months. German Shepherds respond well to positive reinforcement through things like pats and dog treats due to their intelligence. They need to know when they are doing good. Frequently Asked Questions If you have any remaining questions about German Shepherds and cats in general, feel free to consult below. Can a German Shepherd harm my cat? If you do not follow the steps mentioned above, then yes, a grown German Shepherd could undoubtedly harm your cat as they might see them as a threat. If your pup is well socialized, they will have formed a healthy relationship with your cat, and you will have nothing to worry about. My German Shepherd is now old, and I am thinking of purchasing a cat? Although it is tough to socialize an adult or senior dog, it is still possible. To undergo this, it is recommended that you take your dogs to a school instead of attempting to teach them this at home as it is too risky to put a kitten in the environment of an un-socialized German Shepherd. If the trainer deems your German Shepherd as a lost cause regarding socialization, then it is advised that you do not purchase a cat for the sake of its safety. What to do if my cat is causing the issues and not my German Shepherd? However, if this is the case, you can simply follow the previous steps but replacing your dog with your cat. Your cat might not show it, but they do love your presence! Use these same tactics to get your cat to understand that they must become best friends with your new puppy. I have tried all your steps, and nothing is working. What should I do? It is better to do this sooner rather than later so that your pets are socialized from a young age when it is easiest to learn new skills. The only set-back of this is the price, as this challenging job can often set you back a fair amount of money. Are German Shepherds good with cats? Animals can also sense your energy, so if you stay positive and forward-thinking, so too will your German Shepherd and cat in their first few meetings. Relaxed humans usually mean relaxed animals. You can imagine if you introduce a cat to your large German Shepherd that has never even seen another animal before, it will not be a fun meeting. But if your German Shepherd is well-equipped and has dealt with cats and other animals before then, they are bound to become best friends. It just depends on you and how you follow the previous steps when socializing them. Similarly, if your cat has never seen a dog before, they are bound to be cautious and afraid, which is why you must expose them to all these things from a young age. Finally, for the safety of your cat and dog alike, if your pup has grown too old and can no longer be socialized, it is a wise decision not to purchase a cat. No matter how much you want an adorable furball crawling around your house, it is likely that an unsocialized German Shepherd will react terribly to this and will put your cat in danger. Posted on Last updated: June 5, The battle between cats and dogs is as old as time itself. And German Shepherds and cats are no different. They are very different species, and both view the other as potential prey. But cats and dogs can get along — it is all about how the process of bringing these two species together is managed. The breed can also impact how difficult it or easy it is for cats and dogs to get along. But are German Shepherds good with cats? The short answer is that they can be. More About German Shepherd Dogs Different breeds of cats and dogs have different temperaments or tendencies. Individual temperaments will play a role as well but are more likely to affect how long it takes the two to get on or how well they get on rather than whether they can get on at all. These versatile dogs are intelligent and courageous. They are working dogs and tend to do very well at anything for which they are trained. They are very affectionate family members and good with kids as well as strangers. GSDs are also high-energy and love to play. They need a lot of exercise to stay happy and minimize bad behavior. I have a series of articles on how different dog breeds get along with cats: Can Poodles and Cats Get Along? As working dogs, it is in the genes of a GSD to help herd and keep the flock in line. Indeed, they will nip at the ankles of any lamb who strays from the group. In this way, their behavior can be similar to terrier dogs like Jack Russells , who are bred to chase and catch animals. So when a GSD sees a fluffy cat making quick moves, it will have a strong instinct to chase that creature and nip at its ankles. This is also why some GSDs can become a bit obsessed with a cat and follow them around. However, GSDs can be trained to manage this natural instinct to prey. This can be achieved through socialization. Without socialization, a GSD will only know a small number of people. When it encounters others, it will potentially be scared and uncomfortable. Learning how to deal with new situations helps them to develop belief in themselves — just like humans. Each new socialization experience should make the one after easier. Socializing a German Shepherd dog can take many forms. It can include things like introducing your dog to new sounds, new sights, new objects, and new places. Critically, this should include different people and different animals. Age Do German Shepherds get along with cats? Age has a big role to play in whether German Shepherds are good with cats. The younger both animals are, the more likely they will be able to get along. Kittens and puppies, like humans, are far less set in their ways. There is always the potential for older pets to get along or to mix an older pet with one that is younger, but this is usually an easier process when both pets are younger. If your German Shepherd dog is older, ask the shelter owner or previous owner if it has had any time around cats. And also, ask if they have had any bad experiences with cats, as this could have a major impact on their ability to get along with your cat. Temperament Do German Shepherds like cats? That all depends. How sociable are both animals? How much exposure has each animal had to other animals? However, those animals with more experience in sharing and being around other animals may adjust more quickly. Cats tend to be far more cautious than dogs — but of course, all cats are different. What is your cat like in new situations? Is it quite bold or timid? Prey Drive As a working breed of dog, German Shepherds have a high prey drive. They will have a strong instinct to chase after fluffy objects, particularly if they make sudden moves. A German Shepherd with a higher prey drive will find it more difficult to get along with a cat, and vice versa with a lower prey drive. If the GSD is a bit older, you or its owner will probably have a sense of how strong their prey drive is based on how they react to other animals on walks etc. A GSD that has been spayed or neutered will feel less need to show dominance to a cat. If your dog is neutered or spayed, then German Shepherd and cat friends become more of a possibility. Introducing a German Shepherd With Cats The first step is to feed the two animals in close proximity to each other. However, put your puppy on one side of a closed door and your kitten on the other. Once your puppy is at this stage, try a 5-minute meeting while your puppy is in its kennel. Keep this up for a couple of weeks, and each time gradually increase the amount of time that the animals are together until you reach 30 minutes. The next stage is to do the same with your dog out of the kennel but on a leash. Continue the same process as before until reaching 30 minutes. Then follow the same process with your dog off the leash. If your dog becomes aggressive at any point in this process, remove the cat and yourself from the situation so that your dog learns that type of behavior means it is left on its own. Carve out some space for the cat, such as a spare bedroom. Make sure this space is a safe place for your cat and also contains water, litter, toys, and other things that help a cat feel comfortable. Start with total separation between the two animals. There is no point introducing your German Shepherd to a cat until it has been trained. It needs to be able to stay, and importantly it needs to be able to stay calm when it meets the cat. The first and most important step in a controlled introduction is the swapping of scents. Have one clean cloth for your cat and one for your GSD. Run the cloth on the areas of each animal where there is the most scent. For cats, this is the top of their head, cheeks, and chin. For dogs, this is their armpits and on their sides. They should be left to discover this cloth themselves rather than you giving them the cloth. Watch how each animal reacts to the new scent. Does your cat become nervous? Does your GSD become over-excited? Each day, do scent fresh clothes again and leave them near the animals. Ideally, keep this up until both animals are calm around the scented cloths. Then you are ready to move on to having the animals see each other in a controlled way. Check out my guide to How to Look after a Kitten , 6 Best Kitten Wet Food Options, and 8 Best Kitten Dry Food Options Have your cat inside the house and your dog outside with some type of door with glass on it between them so that they can see each other. Do this daily for about 5 minutes at a time. After a few days, do the same thing but inside the house. If they behave well, give both pets treats. The final stage is interaction with no barriers. However, your GSD should be on a leash. Start off with a very short leash. Then extend the leash as your cat gets more comfortable and if your GSD behaves. Treats should be incorporated here as a reward for good behavior. Remember that your GSD will only chase a cat that is running. So it is important that your cat remains as calm as possible. Take your time to remove the leash completely. Allow your cat to lead the process here — is it comfortable? And make sure you stay in the room the entire time. Puppy School can be a great option for a new GSD that is struggling with its behavior. They are only acting on their instincts. Give your German Shepherd lots of attention. They can get jealous if they see you spending lots of time with the cat and less time with them. Stay positive even if it takes some time to move between the different stages. For different temperaments, the stages can take different amounts of time to complete. If one of the animals starts reacting badly to the other, move back to the previous stage. If you have been trying to introduce the two animals for a considerable length of time without success, consider taking them to a cat or dog trainer. Ensure that each animal has their own space and that it can get away from each other. For dogs, this could be the backyard or a large crate. It is key that both pets are able to leave a stressful situation and go somewhere safe asap. Do respect the animal which has been in the house for the longest. The older pet will have the hardest time adjusting to this new situation. The short answer is yes but. German Shepherd dogs and cats absolutely can get along, but they are not guaranteed to do so. Much will depend on the temperaments and past experiences of each animal. However, as an owner, there are many things you can do to encourage their relationship. Start by following a set introductory process as above and following our key tips as you move through the different stages. Your pets will be best friends before you know it! That means if you click through on most of the links and end up making a purchase I will receive a small commission. This will not affect the price that you pay. I wanted to make sure that you were aware of this. But, keep in mind that GSDs are intelligent, highly trainable, and incredibly social. Just as with other dogs and any other animal they can share a home with a cat peacefully. German Shepherds can be good with cats, but it depends on your particular German Shepherd. Many German Shepherds can get along fine with a cat with proper socialization and training. Keep in mind that individual dogs could react to their feline counterparts differently. Many German Shepherds share their homes with cats and are actually friendly with one another. But, here are some of the critical factors that might make your German Shepherd more likely to integrate well with cats: 1 Age The younger your GSD is, the more open they will probably be to living with a cat. It also helps if the cat is young so that neither of them is already set in their ways. Growing up together just tends to make things easier. Are they wary of or playful with new animals they encounter? Keep in mind that if they tend to be nervous around other animals, their instinct to protect themselves might drive them to be aggressive. Have they had plenty of exposure to cats before? Your dog could have had plenty of exposure to other animals without incident, but is their personality suited for sharing a home with a cat? Do they insist on always being the center of attention? How do they feel about sharing their space as well as their toys? That means they have an instinct to chase after cats, especially those who make sudden movements and run away very quickly. Generally, a higher prey drive may make it more difficult for your German Shepherd to love a cat. Before you begin, your GSD should have at least gone through basic training and already responds to your verbal cues obediently to make this introduction easier. Then, use the other towel on your cat, paying special attention to the area around the face. Then, place the cat-scented towel near your dog and vise versa. Pay attention to how each of them reacts. Even better, give them a treat or praise them when they sniff the towel in order to develop positive associations with the scent. Step 2: Expose Through Glass Anywhere you have a glass door is a perfect place to do this. Start with 5-minute sessions and increase the length of time in subsequent sessions. This way, they get some contact and can sniff each other while keeping them both safe from any possible aggressive reactions. Keep the leash short and maintain control, then increase the slack little by little as they show positive behaviors. Throughout this process, make sure that you give plenty of praises or treats for actions that you want to reinforce. While you maintain control over your GSD, keep an eye out for your cat and lookout for signs of stress and discomfort. If they walk away, let them and try again another time. Use your judgment to determine how quickly you can go through each of the steps. Observe both animals and proceed as you see fit. Your German Shepherd might instinctively lunge or even growl at the cat when they first meet. Similarly, the cat might hiss and scratch. Stay calm. Your pets will always be able to sense your energy. Sometimes, the best you can hope for is a safe and peaceful co-existence. The short answer is I doubt it. At her very first vet appointment a couple of days after I brought her home at 8 weeks old, we came out of the examining room and there was a lady sitting in the waiting room with a small crate on the floor. My dog went up and sniffed at the crate then jumped back and growled. That was my first clue. Allie also has a very strong prey drive and whenever she sees a cat she wants to pounce and chase and sometimes she growls. However, I know many other German Shepherd owners, whose dogs have a different temperament than my girl, and their dogs do wonderful with cats. I know one person who has 3 German Shepherds and 2 cats and they have no problems. The temperament of the German Shepherd and the temperament of the cat is key to their ability to get along or simply co-exist. This varies on a case by case basis. Final Thoughts German Shepherds can get along with cats, but it all depends on the individual dog and cat. Each situation will be different. Apart from the right temperament and proper socialization, it takes a good introduction for cats and dogs to be friendly with one another.

We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. After switching it out for both filtered water and bottled water to no avail, I started researching what else Labrador puppies could drink. By 7 weeks old, most Labs should be weaned from milk and primarily drink water. A good rule of thumb is an ounce of water per pound in weight each day. Occasionally, small amounts of chicken broth can be added for flavor. Raising a Lab puppy will be full of trial and error, but when it comes to what your dog drinks, you need to be sure. According to PubMed , dog milk contains 7. Puppies need the nutrients and calories to grow and develop. Canines have a hard time with dairy milk digestion so they could suffer an upset stomach and even diarrhea. If you must feed your Lab puppy any milk-like product, make it a puppy milk formula like PetLac or Esbilac from PetAg. The mother may not quit nursing entirely, and that can be true even beyond the point when the puppy eats solid foods. However, she will feed her puppies less and less milk as the weeks continue. They should have been eating solid food since about the four-week mark, maybe four and a half weeks. This is where their nutrition comes from now. This should be their drink of choice for the rest of their lives! Puppies already have to pee a lot since they have tiny bladders. Offering them too much water will only increase the number of times you need to take them out…or the number of accidents you have to clean. How much water should you give your Lab puppy? Each day, they should drink an ounce of water per pound of body weight. Your dog should drink at least 8 ounces of water. Using the example from above, an 8-pound puppy should drink 4 ounces of water a day if they consume 0. On some occasions, your Labrador will drink more than even 8 ounces of water a day. Cut off all eating and drinking no later than two hours before you and your Lab go to bed. During the day, please let your Lab drink what they need to. Puppies can become dehydrated much more easily compared to adult dogs. Vomiting Diarrhea Whittenburg adds, "[Milk] is high in fat and calories but isn't filling, so it is not a great option for dogs and may cause excessiv e weight gain if included in their diet. While it must be pasteurized to feed, Whittenburg says it's not recommended because goat milk is not a complete or balanced milk. Instead, use a newborn puppy formula if you need to bottle-feed your pup. As for adult dogs, goat milk is not filling or needed—and it could give them an upset stomach. With that said, it's probably OK to let Fido have a small amount of milk every once in a while, assuming he can tolerate it. Can Dogs Eat Whipped Cream? Notice your dog straining as he tries to go potty? Canine constipation , while not necessarily common, can be extremely uncomfortable for your furry friend. Whittenburg says to avoid giving your dog milk to treat constipation because it can lead to diarrhea and stomach upset. Instead, try taking your dog out for some exercise or consult your veterinarian to see if over-the-counter medications might help your dog get back on track. Plant-based milks are made without any dairy. So, does that make them safer for dogs to drink? It may come as a surprise, but they're not any better for pooches, Whittenburg says. Like cow's milk, plant-based milks are not toxic to dogs, but the same issues exist … which is why Whittenburg doesn't recommend giving any milk to dogs. Whittenburg adds that plant-based milks—just like cow's milk—don't give dogs a sense of fullness but are high in fat and calories, which leads to unwanted weight gain if given often. An additional concern with plant-based milks, she says, is that "the sweetened versions may contain artificial sweeteners that may be toxic to dogs. Whittenburg says almond milk is high in fat and calories and often contains artificial sweeteners like xylitol that can poison your pup. Oat Milk Oat milk is a tasty milk alternative that's become a popular choice for us humans. While made with safe ingredients like rolled oats and water, oat milk is not recommended as a part of your pup's daily diet because of its high fiber content, Whittenburg says. It may give your dog an upset stomach. Coconut Milk Coconut milk is yet another human fan-favorite, but it should generally be avoided because it could be an allergen, doesn't have any major nutritional benefits, and can lead to an upset stomach in our canine companions. Can Dogs Eat Coconut? Are Dogs Lactose Intolerant? If you're a lactose intolerant pet parent, you know just how your body reacts when you indulge in milk, cheese, or ice cream. But did you know dogs can't digest lactose like we do—making them even more sensitive to dairy? It's true: Our four-legged friends can be lactose intolerant, too! Cow milk contains more lactose and fewer nutrients when compared to dog milk. This, along with the fact that dogs' ability to produce lactase the enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose decreases as they grow older, is why dogs have more trouble digesting non-canine milk. Your dog may be lactose intolerant if you notice signs like: Bloating. Chances are that your Labrador will jump at the opportunity to drink anything that you offer it, but are the options you are presenting your dog with actually safe and healthy for it? Unfortunately, dogs do not know what they can and cannot drink, so it is up to you to make wise choices for your pet and limit the options presented to it. What can Labradors drink apart from water? Dogs should only drink fresh filtered, bottled, or boiled water in a clean bowl. However, it is also safe for dogs to drink whole fruit juice in small quantities. While it is true that your Labrador will lap up anything that you put in front of it you really do need to be a bit mindful about what your dog is drinking. Below we take a look at common liquids that people allow their dogs to drink and why they are bad or good for your family dog. Can Labradors Drink Milk? Some dogs seem to be able to drink milk and some tend to get sore tummies and gas from it. When this happens, it can ferment in the intestine instead of being digested. The result is an upset stomach. That being said, a bit of milk every now and then can be a nice treat for a dog, but you should look for lactose-free milk as an option. Also, do not treat your dog to milk on a regular basis. It is highly nutritious for dogs as it contains minerals, electrolytes, vitamins, protein, fatty acids, enzymes, and trace elements that can assist in fighting diseases including heavy metal poisoning, liver disease, kidney disease, kidney stones, diabetes, GI disease, and digestive issues. Almond Milk Almonds are an allergen, so they are not safe for certain dogs. A very small amount of unsweetened almond milk once in a while will not do too much harm. Almond milk may taste nice, but it has no real nutritive value for your dog. As a result, it could end up being a very expensive, useless treat for your pet. Cashew Milk Cashews are non-toxic to dogs, even though some dogs may be sensitive to them. Cashew milk does contain some nutritive value, but it is not easy for dogs to digest. It can be a nice treat but do not overdo it or your dog could end up with a sore tummy. Fat-Free Milk If your dog appears to have no allergy to milk, you can give it some fat-free milk from time to time. Some dogs have the same reaction to fat-free milk as they do regular milk. If your dog struggles to digest the milk sometimes they get gassy , try to avoid using milk as a treat. Chocolate Milk Chocolate contains a toxic component called theobromine. Humans can metabolize it easily while the substance tends to build up in dogs systems and becomes toxic. Chocolate of any type, even chocolate milk, should be a no-no for your pet. Can Labradors Drink Tea? If you have ever had a situation where you turn your back on your cup of tea and your dog sneaks a few sips or the entire cup, which is often the case , you might wonder if tea is safe for your pet to drink. When it comes to caffeinated tea, it is the caffeine that can be toxic to dogs. Do not panic if your dog has a cup here and there though. A small dog would need around 5 cups of caffeinated tea in a day in order for it to be toxic. It stands to reason, therefore, that your Labrador can ingest quite a bit more, with no negative side effects except for maybe a sore tummy. Decaffeinated tea is quite a different story. In small doses, it is absolutely safe and is sometimes used as a treatment for several health ailments in dogs. Can Labradors Drink Beer? Even a small amount of beer can prove toxic to your dog and while smaller dogs are at greater risk, Labradors are just as susceptible to alcohol poisoning, which could even lead to death. It takes far less alcohol to intoxicate a dog than it does a human. Alcohol ingestion can immediately result in confusion, weakened motor functions, disorientation, upset tummy, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty urinating, and then later heart disease or kidney disease. Can Labradors Drink Wine? Alcohol is never good for dogs, regardless of their size. Unfortunately, some people still allow their dog to have a few laps of wine from time to time — this is certainly ill-advised. Wine has fairly high alcohol content when compared to other types of drinks and is, therefore, an absolute no-no for your Labrador. It might seem harmless enough and people may laugh when your dog has a drink, but you will not find it funny when your dog is in pain or suffering kidney, liver and heart disease. Wine consumption can even lead to seizures in dogs. Can Labradors Drink Coffee? No, Labradors cannot drink coffee. It is not so much the coffee that is dangerous to dogs, but rather the caffeine that can be detrimental to their health. Caffeine can be toxic to dogs over time. If you choose to treat your dog to decaffeinated coffee, the negative effects will be less, but just make sure that there is no sugar included in your cuppa! Can Labradors Drink Soda? Feeding a little soda to your dog can seem harmless, but it can also end up doing more harm than good in the end. Sugar-sodas can lead to your dog putting on weight and developing diabetes. Soda can lead to gas, vomiting, diarrhea and gastrointestinal issues. Diet soda can be particularly dangerous for dogs as they do not contain sugar, but very often contain xylitol. Xylitol is toxic to dogs. It can lead to a rapid drop in blood sugar. It can cause your Labrador to collapse and even have a seizure. It is best to avoid all types and kinds of soda, just to be safe. Can Labradors Drink Gatorade? Gatorade is not good for dogs. This particular drink contains sugar, vitamins, and minerals that are beneficial to humans, but not for dogs. Gatorade also includes additives and artificial coloring which interferes with a healthy urinary tract in dogs. When it comes to your Labrador, Gatorade is best to be avoided. Can Labradors Drink Lemon Water? If your Labrador seems to like lemon juice, you are onto a good thing. Small quantities of diluted lemon water can have positive health benefits for your dog. Firstly, it is a refreshing drink. Secondly, it can help counteract bad breath and even repels fleas from the inside and out you can wash your dog in a bit of lemon water for added flea-repelling benefits. Do not over-do it though, as too much acid from the lemon juice can give your dog a sore tummy. Can Labradors Drink Apple Juice? Unadulterated apple juice can be just fine for your Labrador if you dilute it with a bit of water and only provide it as a treat infrequently. The apple juice must be natural with absolutely no other additives except water. Store-bought apple juice usually contains sugar which is a big no-no for Labradors. Make sure that if you make your own apple juice, none of the seeds make it into the juice. Apple seeds are particularly bad for dogs. Can Labradors Drink Coconut Water? Many humans drink coconut water for its undeniable health benefits. It is non-toxic and is packed with vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes, which are great for hydration. Make sure that you do not introduce coconut water too quickly as some dogs can get diarrhea from it. It also has high carbohydrate content, so it should not be a daily treat as it could lead to quick weight gain. Can Labradors Drink Buttermilk? Not really. Most Labradors are lactose-intolerant which means that regular milk gives them gas and sore tummies. Buttermilk has much lower lactose content than regular milk and it also contains bacteria that can aid in digestion. Also, keep in mind that buttermilk is high in fat, so it should not be given to your Lab on a regular basis. Can Labradors Drink Cranberry Juice? Yes, dogs can drink cranberry juice on occasion, but it should not be provided as a daily liquid to drink. Cranberry juice can be especially good for dogs with urinary tract infections. Can Labradors Drink Chicken Broth? Your Labrador can safely drink chicken broth. Bone-based broths, such as chicken broth, have a healthy collagen content which is beneficial to joint health. If you choose to make your own chicken broth, do not include onions and garlic as these are bad for dogs. Can Labradors Drink Celery Juice? Labradors can drink celery juice, but only in moderation. Too much celery juice can lead to diarrhea and gas, as it is a very good source of fiber. Celery contains vitamins C, A, B as well as iron, potassium, and sodium. Too much celery water can lead to excess urination, so only allow small amounts at a time, very infrequently. Can Labradors Drink Carbonated Water? You might think that a little bit of fizzy water presents no potential harm to your pet. But you would be wrong. Unfortunately, your Labrador should not be allowed to drink carbonated water. Larger dog breeds, such as Labradors, are susceptible to gas and bloat, and this can actually be life-threatening. If carbonated water is gulped, it could lead to a bad case of bloat and possibly result in the death of your pet. Can Labradors Drink Ensure? If you are drinking Ensure regularly, you might be tempted to share some with your pet or even feed them some of their own. Can your dog safely enjoy some Ensure? Yes, Labradors can drink Ensure, but only in moderation. It is jam-packed with nutrients to help humans gain weight, so you can expect your dog to put on a bit of extra weight too. If you are specifically interested in allowing your dog to drink Ensure because you want it to gain healthy weight, there is a similar product on the market that is actually designed for dogs, called DogSure. Can Labradors Drink Eggnog? No, your Labrador should definitely not drink eggnog. It should be avoided at all costs. For starters, eggnog contains nutmeg which can be lethal to dogs. It also has a high content of sugar, fat, and milk. Raw egg can also lead to food poisoning. There is nothing really good about eggnog for your Labrador. Can Labradors Drink Energy Drinks? Are you knocking back energy drinks, and want to include your dog? Many people are undecided about just how safe energy drinks are for their dog. The simple answer is that no, your Labrador should never drink energy drinks. When you consider that dogs can be sensitive to the caffeine and sugar content in a cup of coffee, you will realize that an energy drink can be particularly bad for your dog. The sugar and caffeine can lead to upset tummy, diarrhea, vomiting, and in some cases of serious overdose, death. Can Labradors Drink Distilled Water? Yes, your Labrador can drink distilled water, but only if no other water supply is available. Your dog should not be fed distilled water on a consistent basis as it lacks the nutrients they require from water. Distilled water is made by boiling regular water until all contaminants are no longer present. Unfortunately, all minerals are also destroyed in the process which leads to the flat taste that many people report distilled water to have. A flat taste is not the only negative to your dog drinking distilled water. If your dog drinks it regularly, it can lead to poor health. Distilled water can lead to sodium and chloride imbalance in the blood, lower red blood cell count, increased cortisol secretion, and kidney damage. It is also apparently less thirst-quenching, which is not good for your pet. This can lead to overdrinking and may cause your Lab to urinate too frequently as a result. Can Labradors Drink Toilet Water? Toilet water seems to be a regular favorite among most dogs — your Labrador included. But should you really let your Labrador indulge in it? Probably not! If you find that your dog regularly dips his head into the toilet bowl for a drink, it is best to keep the toilet lid closed. Regardless of how clean you keep it, you cannot realistically keep your toilet free from chemicals, contaminants, and bacteria. While a drink every now and then will probably not kill your dog, it can be the cause for a dog to suffer from coliform bacterial contamination, such as E. Finally As you can see there are many foods that can be harmful to your Lab. Related articles:. Facial swelling Difficulty breathing If you notice any of these adverse reactions, call your vet immediately or head to a local animal hospital. It it may lead to anaphylactic shock, an emergency medical condition that's potentially fatal without expedient treatment. Is milk bad for dogs? Many dogs are lactose-intolerant to at least some degree, but it should still be offered very judiciously to dogs that have stronger stomachs with no dairy sensitivity. Though they may be able to tolerate the sugar and protein, whole milk has a high fat content that could trigger vomiting and diarrhea nonetheless. It's also high in calories due to the fat and sugar content, so if dogs drink milk or eat dairy frequently, they could develop obesity or pancreatitis. Aside from the possible long-term health consequences, dogs can drink milk safely so long as they don't have a dairy allergy and it's fed in small amounts. How much milk can dogs have? With your vet's approval, dogs can drink a few sips of milk as an occassional treat. What kind of milk can dogs drink? There are several different types of milk beverages, and as plant-based sources become increasingly available, many pet parents wonder if their pups can also drink almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, and similar lactose drink replacements. Can dogs drink almond milk? Almond milk is one of the most popular plant-based types of milk, but can dogs eat almonds? Almonds are also high in fat, which can result in weight gain and pancreatitis if consumed in big amounts. However, small amounts of almond milk a couple of tablespoons should be fine if offered as an occasional treat. Make sure to read the ingredient list of almond milk to check if it contains added sugar or xylitol, an artificial sweetener that's very harmful in dogs. Can dogs drink oat milk? Oat milk is another plant-based dairy alternative that is safe for dogs to drink in small quantities, as it could be difficult to digest in large volume. Oats are not toxic to canines, so this could offer a good lactose substitute for weaning puppies who like the taste as well as dogs who need additional calories to meet their nutrition requirements. Can dogs drink coconut milk? Dogs can eat coconut for the many different benefits it offers - from a softer, shinier coat to alleviated skin irritation - but keep in mind, coconut contains oils that could cause GI upset and diarrhea if dogs consume too much. Can dogs drink soy milk? In general, dogs digest soy products well, so soy milk in moderate quantities is not harmful to dogs. In fact, many commercial dog foods contain soy-based ingredients. This non-dairy, plant-based milk alternative contains proteins called isoflavones that are known to reduce cholesterol in humans and, according to anecdotal evidence, can help with urinary incontinence in dogs. Some vets might even recommend supplements containing isoflavones. Can dogs drink goat's milk? As with all dairy products, moderation is key. What dairy products are safe for dogs to eat? Dogs can eat cheese in most varietals thanks to its low lactose levels, and yogurt is often beneficial in dogs with stomach upset because it contains prebiotics that can alleviate gas or diarrhea. It may be tempting to give your dog a bite of ice cream, but be very careful and make sure to check the label for chocolate and xylitol beforehand. These two toxins are very common and extremely dangerous in canines, so exerise caution wherever it may be present. What to do if your dog drinks milk If your dog gets their paws on a large helping of milk, monitor for symtpoms of abdominal distress. Gastric upset will generally occur within about 12 hours after a dog drinks milk but can last for much longer, so prepare for frequent trips outside so your poor pup can relieve themselves. If you notice these signs of lactose intolerance, or a change in behavior possibly caused by dairy's adverse effects, call your vet right away. Key Takeaways In general, milk served in small amounts should not cause any harm to dogs. However, many dogs are lactose-intolerant, so it is best not to give your pet milk without testing for lactose intolerance first. Both normal milk and lactose-free milk, as well as other dairy products like cheese and ice cream, contain fat and should only be given occasionally in small amounts as treats. Pups can also safely consume small amounts of plant-based milk such as soy milk, coconut milk, and almond milk. Talk to your vet before feeding any new human foods, and seek veterinary care if your pet starts to show signs of lactose intolerance. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Goats milk and dogs Milk is a good source of nutrients like protein and calcium, as well as important vitamins like D and B.But your dog gets these from his regular food anyway. When it comes to milk, moderation is key, as with any treats. Adult dogs need to drink plenty of water as a priority. You can give your dog a half cup of milk in their drink bowl once a week, or mix that half cup in with their kibble as a special treat. Just keep an eye on their poops and make sure that they are a normal consistency afterwards. Can Dogs Have Almond Milk? Almond milk is one of the most popular plant-based milks. Although almonds are not as harmful to dogs as some other nuts, they are hard to digest and high in fat. What About Soy Milk? Soy milk is a plant based substitute that contains proteins called isoflavones. Some of these proteins are known as phytoestrogens, which are estrogens or female hormones found in plants. Dogs can digest soy milk and it is not poisonous to them, so you can give them a half cup once a week as a treat. Anecdotal evidence suggests soy protein can help dogs with urinary incontinence, but firm scientific studies are as yet to back this up. Can Dogs Drink Oat Milk? Oat milk is safe for dogs provided the other ingredients are also canine friendly. Can Dogs Drink Coconut Milk? Coconut milk is particularly popular for lactose-intolerant humans. Raw goats milk is nutritionally different to cows milk. Goat milk is higher in some nutrients like calcium and potassium, but lower in vitamin B12 and folate.

An Apricot Mini Labradoodle my puppy Max! Fried chicken is a hue of brown, so the dogs on our list have that coat color. Usually, those are your reddish brown dogs, which one might also refer to as apricot. Light brown and curly Goldendoodle puppy sitting in a basket. Tight curls work best because they look like ridges from afar. Fried Chicken or Puppy? Without further ado, here are our top five dog breeds that look like fried chicken: 1. Poodle It only makes sense to start with the breed that makes it possible—the Poodle. These dogs have curly coats that often look fluffy, and they come in various sizes as well. Labradoodle Starting with the breed that makes it possible, we now arrive at the dog that looks most like fried chicken—the Labradoodle. It is a mix of a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. Their curls are so defined that it looks just like you took them from a bucket of extra crispy chicken from your favorite restaurant. Irish Doodle The Irish Doodle is another breed that looks like a piece of fried chicken. Irish Setter and Poodle are the parent dog breeds of an Irish Doodle. Irish Setters are breeds endowed with red coats, a perfect color for fried chicken. Consequently, you end up with a pup with a thick coat of curly ringlets that can be cream, red, brown, or apricot. Remember that their coats can be curly or wavy, but the tighter the curls, the better. Interestingly, the Poochon inherits the curly hair trait from both parent dogs. Consequently, Poochons have a great chance of looking like fried chicken. Poochon stands on the grass at the park. This Poodle mix typically makes puppies cream, tan, and apricot in color. However, since the fur color of a Bichon Frise is white, your Poochon depends on the Poodle parent tremendously for their color. To maximize your chances of your pup looking like fried chicken, search for a puppy whose parent Poodle is a darker color. Cockapoo Another dog that looks like a crispy piece of fried chicken is the Cockapoo —a Cocker Spaniel and Poodle mix. Two happy Cockapoos running! The Cockapoo has an assortment of colors , including black, chocolate, apricot, red, white, and golden. Additionally, there are other patterns such as phantom, parti, tricolor, and merle. For example, your Labradoodle simply lying or sitting on the couch or floor may not take the shape of fried chicken, so you may have to improvise. It may give people the impression of fried chicken cooking on a grill at first glance. Or, you might try purchasing a round white blanket and placing all your newborn pups strategically. The common traits among these breeds are their curly and reddish-brown fur. Lastly, the Poodle lineage is the final component that these breeds have in common. Because Poodles pass that curly hair trait, they make up the bulk of fried chicken dog breeds. When you combine this curly trait with the distinct coloring of the other dog breeds , you create a litter of puppies that look just like fried chicken. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. March 10, p. PT 2 min read Imagine that you are trapped in some kind of twisted "Saw" scenario. You're locked in a dingy room that looks like the store room of an abandoned factory with no windows, doors that you can open by hand or a shred of a memory of how you got there. Suddenly, a low, creepy voice emits from a speaker and asks if you'd like to play a game. Since you're going to be in there for quite a while, you'll need food to survive. The voice tells you that the only chance you'll have at avoiding the pain of slow starvation lies in two locked, see-through containers that are completely sound proof. One contains a delicious plate of homemade fried chicken and the other holds a small litter of Labradoodle puppies. You'll have to choose one as your main source of food purely by sight. It sounds easy.Thankfully, you can take some time to train for that twisted challenge through a new series of dog vs. Can you tell the difference between a Labradoodle and a plate of fried chicken? If not, you can expect to get an angry phone call from the SPCA very soon. She collects photos of different breeds of dogs and the foods that seem to be their dopplegangers and organizes them in albums on her iPhone. Then she takes a screenshot of her collection, posts them to her Twitter account and the rest of the social media universe spreads them across the Internet. So far, she's put together galleries that show the eerie similarities between Labradoodles and fried chicken , puppies and bagels and my personal favorite Chihuahuas and blueberry muffins. She's also explored outside the realms of dog doubles and their edible counterparts with galleries like sheepdogs and mops. Images of Zack's galleries started popping up on the photo-sharing site Imgur, and her "Dog vs. Muffin" gallery scored a spot on the front page of the "Funny" Subreddit. I'm sure that people who have dogs named Muffin must feel really conflicted. View post on imgur. Related links.

I have achieved many National Champion and Grand Champion titles. Over the years, many people came to trust our breeding program and purchased young horses to turn them into Champions as well. After dedicating many years of hard work to my farm, I have decided to retire from breeding horses and to open a new chapter in life. With my fondness for Standard Poodles, I have made the obvious choice to start breeding and showcasing this magnificent breed. My objective is to continue breeding animals of the same high quality as our horses. When adopting a puppy from me, I strive to make it a pleasant experience for everyone involved. All of my puppies are raised in my home, and I believe that daily interactions are vital for their development. At El Silencio, we take pride in breeding healthy, happy, and well-tempered puppies. We have been in the business for years and have gained a reputation for producing some of the most stunning and intelligent dogs in the world. Our breeding process starts with selecting only the best breeding stock. We carefully evaluate the health, temperament, and conformation of our dogs to ensure that they meet our high standards. We also conduct genetic testing to ensure that our breeding dogs are free from any genetic health issues that may be passed down to their offspring. Once we have selected our breeding stock, we carefully plan each breeding to ensure that we are producing the best possible puppies. We work with a team of experienced veterinarians and breeders to make sure that every step of the breeding process is done correctly. We monitor our breeding dogs closely throughout the pregnancy to ensure that they are healthy and happy. When the puppies are born, we continue to provide the highest level of care. Our puppies are raised in a clean and safe environment and receive regular veterinary check-ups to ensure that they are healthy. We also start socializing our puppies at a young age to ensure that they are well-adjusted and confident dogs. At El Silencio, we believe that every dog is special, and we take pride in helping our dogs find their forever homes. We carefully screen potential adopters to ensure that they are the right fit for our puppies. We also provide ongoing support to our adopters to ensure that they have everything they need to provide a loving home for their new furry family member. If you are interested in adopting one of our Puppies, we encourage you to reach out to us. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about our breeding program or our puppies. What are Phantom Poodles? Overview While it is the solid Poodle that is the most common, there is much to discuss regarding Phantom Poodle coloring, which is different than mismarks, the Tuxedo, and parties. What Phantom Coloring Means A phantom Poodle is not a different breed or type of dog, this is simply a term to describe a particular coloring of the dog. This type of coloring, while extremely beautiful and preferred by many Poodle owners, is not yet accepted by the AKC in regard to confirmation. The AKC standard indicates that the Standard Poodle coat is an even and solid color at the skin: Blues, grays, silvers, browns, cafe-aulaits, apricots and creams and the coat may show varying shades of the same color. This is much different than parti colored Poodles, even though both parti and phantoms have a mixture of 2 colors. This term only refers to Poodles that have specific markings on a solid background. Many refer to these markings as Dobie markings short for Doberman , however this pattern also appears on Dachshunds, certain Spaniels, Yorkies, Manchester Terriers and certain Coonhounds. These markings must be: Above each eye On the sides of the muzzle also referred to as the side of the cheeks Across the dog's chest Down the legs Under the tail All phantom Poodles are born with their markings. This does not occur as the dog ages. Phantoms are genetically similar to brindle Poodles. For this reason, a phantom Poodle dam or sire can produce a litter of brindle puppies and likewise a brindle Poodle dam or sire can produce a litter of phantom puppies. With most dog breeds, brindle is a term that means the coat that is striped, with intermingling dark and light hairs making a striping pattern. However, with Poodles, brindle means "sable". Sable is a term that means that the coat is one color yet the tips of the hairs are black. With most dogs, the sabling black tips fade out or completely disappear with age. That price is just about twice as much as what you can find a solid-colored Poodle for. Apricot poodles are the rarest in the world. Caused by a recessive gene, this color comes off as a very light red that borders on cream. As dogs have been genetically bred for generations to have certain characteristics, apricot is hypothesized to be the last color developed in poodles. Red is dominant to apricot, so two red poodles can have apricot puppies, but not the other way around. White is one of the most popular and most common colors for Poodles. A white Poodle isn't the same as an albino, however, as the former has black skin whereas the latter will be pink. Standard Phantom Poodles are distinctively marked! They are a combination of any two colors, one darker and one lighter. The lighter color is over the eyes, on both sides of the face, under the ears and tail, across the chest and on all four lower legs. Brindles are mainly one color with a lighter or darker color brindled in their coat and can even be tiger striped. Phantoms and Brindles are not Parti. These Multi-colored Standard Poodles are very unique and have become very popular. Solid colors were rare! Americans in the New England States imported Solid colors from Germany and produced the Solid colors in America by restricting any other color than Solid in confirmation shows. Of course that was far from true since they were the original colors! Our proven breeding program is producing all the color choices available. We have three pages of our puppies available which include; 1. Solid Colors 2. Parti Colors and 3. Proven Bloodline! Calm temperament! High Intelligence! Sweet Black Phantom Female. Love her! Doggie-Door Trained! This girl is just outstanding in every way!! Super bright and attentive! Phantom, Tri color, Brindle and Sable Poodles What are brindle, phantom, sable and tri colored standard poodles? Brindle standard poodles have two colors that form a striped pattern. They come in a variety of colors including silver, blue, grey, black, and brown. The brindle pattern may cover the whole body or be on the colored part of the dog not the white areas. It is possible to have a tuxedo or spotted parti poodle with a brindle pattern. Phantom poodles have markings often compared to those of a doberman pincher. There are several other breeds that have this color pattern. While phantom-patterned dogs have 2 coat colors, the markings of a phantom poodle are in a specific pattern, unlike a parti colored dog. Phantom poodles have lighter markings on their legs, across the cheeks on the face, across the chest, on the eyebrows, and below the tail. A true phantom will hold these marking throughout its lifetime. Phantom colors can be found in these combinations: Black phantoms: black and apricot, black and red, black and cream, black and brown, or black and silver Brown phantoms: brown and apricot or brown and creme Red phantoms: red and apricot or red and creme Silver or blue phantoms: silver and creme or blue and creme. On a silver, the markings may become almost indistinguishable as the color changes it is common for silver poodles to fade in color over time. Sable poodles are usually born black or brown and clear a kind of lightening with age. Sable dogs will mature to a lighter dog with black tips. When a poodle is groomed you often may see dark markings only on the longer hair such as the tips of the ears. A puppy that is born a dark brown or black that is also a sable may lighten to a creme with just dark tips. Tricolored poodles are genetically two color patterns. They are a parti colored poodle with phantom markings. The legs may be white as is often seen on a parti dog. The only phantom marking that occur may be seen on the face and eyebrows. You may see poodles with multiple patterns such as a brindle parti or brindle tuxedo. There are also brindle and phantom poodles, sable and phantom, and sable and brindle combinations all with or without parti markings. Dogs may have a black or dark mask on the face which is considered rare. The markings of a multi-colored dog may also change over time, which can be interesting to see. Watch Willow, a tuxedo brindle puppy, change colors. Phantom standard poodles We have phantom, brindle, sable and tri colored standard poodle puppies for sale, make sure to check back often to see available puppies. Our waiting list fills up quickly, fill out an application and get the process started.

Labs are known for excellence as sporting dogs, family companions and service dogs. Their coats come in three colors: black, yellow and chocolate, each strikingly beautiful. Regular grooming helps keep Labs looking good and helps manage their prolific shedding. Start grooming sessions while your Lab is a puppy. Labrador Coats Ablestock. Labradors have double coats -- two layers of hair, each with different texture and purpose. One layer provides water resistance, the other insulates the dogs in all types of weather. The outer layer, the guard coat, keeps a Labrador dry in wet weather. The undercoat is soft and downy, like a sweater, providing warmth. According to the American Kennel Club's breed standard, a Lab's coat "should be short, straight and very dense, giving a fairly hard feeling to the hand. The double coats, however, create two separate shedding issues: The undercoat blows about twice a year, and the outer coat sheds throughout the year. Breeders must be sure to educate puppy buyers and help them prepare for the attention needed to care for a Lab's constantly shedding coat. Puppies will start to shed their baby coats at about age 4 to 5 months; within a month or so, their coats will have transformed into the adult version. Most adult Labs shed twice a year, and during this time you will notice lots of hair around the house. Invest in a good vacuum cleaner. Your tack box or supply drawer should have a wire slicker brush to remove loose undercoat, a bristle brush, a narrow-tooth comb, a wide-tooth comb and nail clippers. Brush your Lab at least twice a week to distribute natural oils throughout the coat as well as to keep the hair from distributing itself throughout your house. Grooming sessions also strengthen your bond with your dog. Develop a regular grooming schedule for your dog. You'll come to enjoy the peaceful time you spend together. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. Ask any Lab owner, and they'll tell you that Labs not only fill our homes with love and happiness but also with hair. However, if you look at their coat, you'll find that they have relatively short and straight hair. So do Labradors really shed that much all the time, or is there a specific period of shedding? Labradors shed moderately throughout the year, but the shedding increases during the molting or shedding season. It happens twice every year and lasts for two to three weeks. In spring, Labs shed their winter coat and prepare for summer. In autumn, they switch from a summer coat to a winter one. If you own a Labrador, it's essential to know about their coat and shedding. In this article, we'll discuss how much Labs shed, why they do it, and how you can manage it to prevent your home from becoming overrun with dog hair! So it's only been a few months since you got a new pup. You're already frustrated from having to clean all the hair from your clothes and furniture. Well, I've got good news and bad news for you. The good news is that it's completely normal; there's nothing wrong with your pet. The bad news? You've seen nothing, yet. Just wait till the real shedding begins! A dog's coat type plays a significant role in determining how much he will shed. Single-coat dogs shed much less than those who have a double coat. Labradors have a double coat that shields them from freezing temperatures and water. However, as we've said, a double coat also means they lose a lot more hair than dogs with a single coat. People usually think that since Labradors have short hair, they must not shed much. But that is simply not true; the fact is that Labs shed a lot. There are also other short-haired dogs like the Great Dane and Pug who shed just as much. Labradors keep shedding some amount of hair throughout the year. However, they will shed far more than usual during the molting season, which takes place every six months. This happens because they change their coat to adjust according to the weather. You'll need to be prepared to take extra measures twice a year. Labs lose their thick winter coat in spring and grow a thinner one to prepare for the summer. Similarly, they develop a thick winter coat after shedding the summer one in autumn. The process lasts for two to three weeks, and the period is known as molting or shedding season. Evolutionary Logic Behind the Shedding of Dogs Many wild animals have a biannual 'molt,' especially those living in regions with very different seasons, like foxes and wolves. They switch their coats in spring and summer to adapt to the changing temperature. Some animals even have a different colored winter coat to have camouflage against the new terrain arctic hares are an example of that. The same goes for dogs. Although they don't need to be camouflaged, they switch their coats to cope with changing weather. But your Labrador lives in your home with you, where the temperature is consistent, and his body doesn't have to fight the climate. Why does he still shed? Well, we've had the privilege of protection from weather conditions only recently. In the eyes of nature, it's a minuscular period. So Labs still exercise the shedding attribute they inherited from their ancestors. If they continue to live in our comfortable homes for the next ten thousand years, there's a chance they may not shed anymore. But until then, you'll have to deal with the constant shedding, especially since we're talking about Labradors. Labs shed more than many other breeds because of their thick double coat. Let's understand how it works. If you know anything about Labrador's history, you know that they originated in Newfoundland, Canada. They were bred to swim in icy waters and retrieve fish and ducks for fishermen. Labradors were perfect for this job because their double coat protected them from freezing water. Labrador's double coat consists of two layers: the upper layer is called the topcoat, while the layer beneath it is the undercoat. Each of them has a different purpose. The topcoat is waterproof and has silky fur. It shields the undercoat against water and protects the dog from the cold temperature of the water. Apart from that, it also isolates the skin from the wind and prevents it from getting dry. The undercoat has a short, dense layer of hair that helps regulate body temperature. This is the layer that causes extra shedding every six months. The hair grows thicker in winter to keep the dog warm, and it grows thinner to help your Lab stay cool during summer. Every dog is different and has its own personality. So it's possible for some Labradors to shed more than others. There's been no research on this topic, but logically, it's possible. Note that even if some Labs may shed more than others, you can never predict which one will shed how much. One common query about Labrador shedding is whether yellow Labs shed more than black ones or whether coat colors affects the amount of shedding. The answer is no. Labradors' coat color makes no difference to their shedding quantity and frequency. All of them have the same genetic makeup, and they will all leave hair on your clothes and carpets. Even the American and English Labradors are identical in this regard, even though their appearances are different. This misconception may have come from people noticing less fur around the house with a particular Lab. For example, if you have lighter colored furniture or floor, dark hair will be much easier to see, and you may even have to clean it multiple times a day. In that case, having a yellow Lab will make the shedding less pronounced, so it is a better pick. Similarly, if you have dark-colored floors and furniture, a yellow Lab will make it seem like there's a lot of shedding. So it would be better to own a black or chocolate Lab if you live in such a home. Don't think you can avoid cleaning hair by picking a particular coat color. But you should take your pet to the vet if you notice he is shedding excessively. It could be a sign of an underlying health condition, so you shouldn't ignore it. Lice, fleas, mites, and parasites are some common causes of excessive shedding in Labradors. Skin allergies or other skin conditions also contribute to an unusual amount of shedding. Another reason could be stress. Your Lab may start losing more hair whenever he goes into a stressful situation. Lastly, nutrition is also a factor. The healthier your dog is, the better and shinier your coat will be. A poor diet can lead to excessive shedding and a myriad of other health problems. You can't really reduce the amount of shedding, but there are a few things you can do to reduce the amount of hair in your house. It will make the shedding season more bearable. Here's how to keep your dog's coat healthy: Brushing It is best to brush your Labrador at least once every three to four days. Brush your dog outside regularly, and you'll find less hair inside the house. It not only removes loose and dead hair but also gets your pet comfortable with getting handled. I like the Hartz Groomer's Combo Brush. It's an affordable tool for everyday deshedding. The brush itself has two sides: one with stainless steel tips to remove loose hair and another with dense bristles to redistribute the natural oils on your Lab's coat. There are also brushes specifically designed to reduce shedding during the molting season. We'll discuss these products in the next section. Bathing You shouldn't bathe your Labrador excessively. Doing so can deprive him of the natural oils that are crucial for his skin. Once a month is a good bathing frequency, but you can also do it as and when your Lab needs it. It is made of natural ingredients that moisturize your pet's skin and make it silky smooth. Remember that moderation is the key to using any pet product, so don't overdo it. Diet As we've discussed, diet plays a crucial role in keeping your Lab's coat healthy. So make sure you feed your dog only high-quality kibble. Omega fatty acids are essential to keep the coat shiny and prevent your dog's skin from getting dry. You can also occasionally mix some natural ingredients home-cooked food in your Lab's meals. Many vegetables provide decent amounts of vitamins and minerals to keep your Lab's coat healthy. For a full list of vegetables and fruits your Lab can and can't eat, check out this article from the AKC. Recommended Deshedding Products There are several products you can use to reduce your Labrador's shedding. You don't need them throughout the year, but they are a must-have during the shedding season. When your Lab is blowing his coat, using deshedding tools will make a massive difference to the amount of hair in your home. Here are the two main products I recommend: FURminator Furminator is the recommended tool to remove hair from your dog's coat. It does a remarkable job at removing most of the undercoat in just one or two long strokes. It has about 22, reviews on Amazon, which means a lot of pet owners swear by it. However, it depends on your dog's particular coat. Labs can differ in the way they shed, and their coats' thickness can also be different. Your pet's age may also make a difference in how he reacts to these deshedding devices. Grooming gently and sensibly should not reveal bare skin or harm the dog's coat. You can purchase Furminator and read more about it by visiting its Amazon product page. Dog Rake Some people advise against Furminator and recommend getting a rake instead. Dog rakes are softer on your Lab's coat. They loosen knots and remove some undercoat. The removed hair may be less than if you used Furminator, but it gets the job done for the short and dense coats of Labradors. However, that doesn't mean you should keep brushing in the same area. I don't recommend a maximum of three strokes in an area per session. It's also essential to introduce your Lab to brushing tools gently so that he doesn't become fearful of them. The product I'm going to recommend has rounded ends, so it will not scratch or irritate your Lab's skin. If your pet seems to dislike Furminator, you should try a dog rake as it'll be softer and more tolerable for him. You can check out Oster Dog Rake by following the link to its Amazon product page. Wouldn't it be best to just shave my dog? It would keep him cool and free me of the hairy mess. You should never shave Labradors because they have a double coat. Their fur is not the same as our hair. It has a different function and doesn't grow back properly. Shaving can damage your Lab's coat irreversibly. So here are four reasons why you shouldn't shave your Labs: Labradors' undercoat is a soft layer of dense hair that protects them from cold. But when it grows back, it is rough and heavy never the same again. Labs have muscles that move their fur follicles up and down, letting air pass through the two coats. When you shave both coats, the new fur is not as effective at capturing air. Their natural cooling system is disrupted. As we've discussed, the undercoat protects your Lab's skin from cold weather. But when you shave the double coat, his natural protection is removed, and his skin is exposed to harmful ultraviolet rays. Increased shedding during the molting season can trigger allergies for the pet owners. They believe shaving the pet will make things better. However, shaving will expose you to even more allergens because the coat actually traps them. But that doesn't mean your Lab will not drop hairs all around the house. So the last point to discuss is the best way to clean hair from your home. The first thing you can do is to train your Lab to stay off the furniture. Given that Labs are very energetic and love to snuggle around you, it can be hard to do. But it will make cleaning much more manageable because removing hair from furniture is a challenging task. Next, you will need to regularly vacuum your floor to prevent your home from looking like a dog kennel. All carpets and drapes should be cleaned and sanitized. Most of the dead hair will drop on the floor, but some of it may float around to places your dog has never been. If you don't have time to vacuum the house, robot vacuums are an excellent choice. The one I personally use is half the price of the fancy Roombas, but works awesome! Check it out on Amazon here. It does a remarkable job at cleaning dog hair off furniture and carpets. It is also lightweight and has a sleek bagless design. With more than people rating it 4. Final Thoughts Labradors have a short, dense coat that changes every six months, known as the shedding season, and Labs shed heavily during this two-to-three-week period. This is to cope with the changing temperature. Their thin coat keeps them cold during summer, and the thick coat shields them from the cold in winter. Using deshedding tools like Furminator or dog rake can significantly decrease the amount of shedding. Labradors also shed moderately throughout the year. So expect to see some amount of hair all the time. Regular brushing, monthly bathing, and a healthy diet will keep your Lab happy and clean. There are quite a few breeds that are more likely to shed than others—and Labrador Retrievers near the top of the list. Because of their unique double coats, labs shed a lot throughout the year, and especially more so when the seasons begin to change. In the spring, labs will shed a lot of hair in an attempt to lose their winter coat and prepare for the summer. What Is a Double Coat? To be great water dogs, labs needed to have a waterproof coat with another layer to help regulate their body temperature in cold waters—which is where the double coat comes in. Image Source The first layer, the undercoat, is short and dense. The second coat, the topcoat, is longer and silkier. It helps keep the coat free of dirt and water. When your lab sheds in the spring, their bodies try to get rid of their thick and dense winter coat. That means that you should expect excess shedding anytime between March and May of each year. Later on, labs shed that same summer coat and begin to bulk up for the winter months when fall begins. This means that you can expect excess shedding again between October and December each year. Think of it this way: When temperatures start to drop, you put away your summer clothing and begin unpacking your winter gear. Then, when it begins to warm up, you pack away your winter coats and take out your summer clothing again. The same can be said for labradors. Method 5: Use a Deshedding Tool As you know, labs have a double coat. Depending on the time of year, double coats are extra thick and hard to rake through, even with your best pet brush. Heavy-duty deshedding tools are designed to remove loose or dead hair from the undercoat without damaging the topcoat so that both coats are rid of extra debris and left looking shiny and healthy. At these points, your lab is shedding its coat or growing it thicker for the cooler months. Image Source Some experts say that labs only need to be bathed once every couple of months , while others say once a month is more ideal. But if you do decide to bathe your lab more regularly, you might be surprised to see how much loose dog hair is found at the bottom of the tub. One of the best ways to take the stress out of constantly chasing after furballs around your home is to invest in a smart vacuum. A good rule of thumb is that your lab should have an ounce of water per pound of body weight per day. So, if your lab is around 70 pounds, she should drink 70 ounces of water each day. If you suspect your lab is not drinking enough water, it could lead to skin dehydration, causing increased shedding around your home. You can also flavor the water with bone broth or chicken broth, which can be more enticing than plain water. Giving your lab supplements can also help if your lab sheds excessively, so we always recommend providing them with a good supplement to help make sure they get everything they need. Share on. You might notice that your Labrador puppy is starting to lose a lot of hair. However, there is a good chance you do not have to worry. Labrador puppies usually lose their baby coats when they are months old. They start shedding a lot by this time, but some puppies can start shedding a bit by 3 months old, so it can vary. That is because their fur is falling out faster than it can be replaced. However, that is completely normal. As long as the Labrador puppy is healthy and not stressed, you have nothing to worry about. Additionally, you may notice that your Labrador has subtle changes of color in their coat as their fur falls out and grows, but it varies from each pup. They often lose all of their baby coats a month after they start to shed. By that time, they will have a new adult coat of fur. When puppies are born, they have a puppy coat that is soft and thin. It helps them regulate their own body temperature and protects them from any outside elements. Puppy coats are usually shorter than adult fur. However, their puppy coats are not enough to protect their bodies when they are older. Their adult coats are usually rougher than their baby coats. That is because they grow double coats, which is an essential and helpful trait your Lab has. Labradors have two coats of fur when they are adults. The first coat is coarse and is called the topcoat. The second coat is softer and is called the undercoat. The undercoat can be thick or fine. Labradors have double coats because of their breeding. They are working dogs who hunt and swim. Therefore, they need double coats to protect them from the water and from possible injuries. Dogs cannot sweat. Therefore, they need other ways to keep them warm and cool, which is why some breeds like Labrador Retrievers have double coats. Humans have skin layers, but dogs only have .Therefore, they burn easily, and the guard hairs are their natural sunscreen. As mentioned earlier, double coats help repel water, which keeps their skin dry when they swim. Plus, double coats help your Labrador swim because it does not weigh them down. The fur is practically water repellant, so they will be able to swim without exerting too much effort. As stated earlier, your Labrador will start shedding a lot when they are months old to shed their puppy coat. However, Labradors are notorious for shedding a lot. However, most Labradors will heavily shed at least times a year when they are adults. Since dogs have double coats, their undercoat sheds when it is warm. So, you can expect your Labrador to start shedding a lot when it is spring and summer. They shed their undercoat to prepare their bodies for the warmer months. Can I Shave My Labrador? Absolutely not. First, shaving your Labrador is actually not going to help you deal with the shedding. Your Labrador will grow new hairs, which will be more prickly and painful for both you and them. Those new hairs will fall out, too, so it is not worth the effort. Secondly, you can potentially damage their skin. They do not have any way they can shield their skin from the sun, so they may burn easily. Shaving your Labrador also messes up their temperature regulation. Without their undercoat, they cannot keep hot and cold air away from their skin. Therefore, they may feel extreme temperatures and feel very uncomfortable. Plus, it will be itchy and uncomfortable for your dog to grow new fur after you shave it. Most undercoats will not be the same after you shave it. It will feel prickly when you touch it, and your Labrador will feel very itchy as it grows. Instead of shaving your Labrador , you can use special brushes like a slicker brush to remove their loose undercoat hairs. You can also vacuum your home more regularly to keep it clean. You can brush your Lab a few times a week. However, you may need to brush them times a day during the spring and summer to deal with heavy shedding. To Conclude When you own a Labrador Retriever, a big part of it will be dealing with the fur. While it may be a nuisance, regular grooming and vacuuming can help you deal with the shedding. Post navigation. Keeping your home fur free All Retrievers shed — at times profusely. If you let the hair build up, either on your dog or in your home, it can be quite overwhelming. Coping with Labrador shedding is much easier if you adopt a daily grooming and vacuuming routine. Getting the right tools to help you can really make a difference. Why Do Dogs Shed? Usually in spring and again as winter approaches. During the spring moult, the animal sheds its thick winter coat, and grows a sleek new coat for the summer season. As the temperature falls, the summer coat is shed and replaced by a nice warm winter one. In some animals, the winter coat is even a different color from the summer one, to give the animal camouflage against a very different kind of terrain — think of arctic hares and foxes. But dogs no longer roam the tundra, and battle the elements. Dogs have been living alongside humans for thousands of year. So why does shedding still persist? Those of you that have lived with a Labrador or two, will be smiling at this question. But if you are just starting out on your Labrador adventure, you should know that all Labs do shed some hair, most of the time. And it is something you need to be prepared for. Why does my Labrador shed so much? And while some Labradors are thoughtful enough to shed in a big burst two or even three times a year, many others seem to just shed all year around. This may be connected with the consistent temperature in many modern houses, as dogs that are kennelled often seem to shed in a more seasonal pattern. So why is it, that Labradors shed so much more than some other breeds? The answer lies in your Labradors incredible coat. Underneath that glossy waterproof outer layer, is a dense warm undercoat designed to keep your dog snug while swimming in icy water. This is great for your dog, and partly explains his enthusiasm for swimming at any time of year. People sometimes ask me if a Labrador of one color sheds more than a Labrador of another color. Yellow more than black, black more than chocolate, and so on. It is probable that some Labradors shed more than others. After all, they are all individuals. But whether or not this is linked to color I cannot say. From a personal point of view, I have had labs of all three colors and noticed no real difference. Sometimes one color shows up more in the home than another. It probably depends on what color your carpets are. But essentially black labradors shed, chocolate labradors shed, and yellow Labradors shed too. It is probably worth pointing out at this point, that we need to deal with Labrador shedding in the same way, no matter what color your Labrador is. Home Comforts and Hairy Problems Our bodies, and the bodies of our dogs, evolve beneficial biological systems over thousands of years. It is only recently we have been protected from the seasons with the luxury of air conditioning and central heating. This is a very short period of time in evolutionary terms Evolving new biological systems takes a long time. So dogs still continue to shed because it benefitted their recent ancestors. Especially when you consider that Labradors shed even more than many other breeds of dog. How to Cope with Labrador Shedding I should first say that at the time of writing, there is no pill or potion that you can give your Lab to stop him shedding. The shedding process is entirely natural and normal, if annoying, and there is probably nothing you can or should do, to interfere with it. What you can do however is reduce the impact of a Labrador shedding on your life and home! And when they are not shedding, this is true. However, whenever your Labrador is losing his coat, daily or twice daily grooming is your friend. It will, I promise you, make a massive difference to the quantity of hair in your house. We are talking about a serious dead hair removal process. There are a couple of grooming tools you might like to consider for this purpose. Work from head to tail in firm strokes and watch the mounds of hair gather on the floor. The zoom groom works well for all Labradors, but it can leave a bit of hair behind. And that tool is a Furminator. The Furminator Whether or not this tool suits your dog may depend on his or her individual coat. Labradors really do vary in the way that they moult, and in the thickness of their coats Four year old Tess, pictured here, grows her new coat in, as the old one moults out. Sensible grooming with a Furminator has never revealed bare skin, or done any apparent damage to her coat. All that is stripped out, is soft, dead undercoat. Heaps and heaps and heaps of it. And not only does she feel better for it, so do my carpets. And for some dogs, it is not ideal. Use your furminator carefully Furminators seem to be a bit like marmite. You either love them or hate them. And I love them. They make a huge difference to my dogs and to my house. Remember to use with caution. This is a powerful tool. Can I shave my Labrador? People do occasionally ask me if its OK to shave their Labrador. He could end up with sunburn, he will be unable to control his temperature efficiently, and will be very vulnerable to cuts and injury. Do robot vacuum cleaners pick up dog hair? So I have a robot vacuum cleaner that just potters around for an hour each morning. My elderly robot vacuum cleaner eventually died and I replaced it with a newer model. It has a bigger dustpan than the old one and does a really good job. The battery in mine lasts about an hour and a half which is plenty long enough and I charge it up daily. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own. August 30, .Aside from their exercise needs, food preferences, and whether your future doggo will prefer belly rubs or head pats, you might be thinking about their Lab coat. Do you need to brush them daily, weekly, monthly, or practically never? How often do you need to bathe them? And do Labradors shed excessively, or will your home remain forever fur-free? Do Labradors shed? They certainly do! In fact, Labradors are notorious shedders. The reason why Labs shed is all to do with their working past. Originally, Labradors were bred as working dogs. They also assisted with various duties on-board fishing boats. Through lots of time spent outdoors, Labradors developed a special coat that protected them from the cold. The outer layer is coarse and waterproof, while the inner layer is dense, fluffy, and super cosy. The inner layer, known as the undercoat, keeps Labradors warm — especially when swimming in cold water or during rainfall. In short, because Labradors and other double-coated dog breeds have this thick undercoat, they need to get rid of it from time to time to adapt to the changing seasons. This is why Labradors shed so much. When and how much do Labradors shed? Luckily, ongoing shedding is quite manageable. They shed in spring so they can get rid of their dense winter coat and grow a lighter one ahead of summer. They also shed in autumn so they can replace their thin summer coat with a snug winter one. Each shedding season lasts around two to three weeks. During moulting season, Labradors shed a lot. While the amount of shedding can vary between individual dogs, each coat colour tends to shed equally. Do they shed more than other dogs? So if they indeed are big shedders, do Labradors shed more than other breeds? Compared to some, yes, absolutely. Compared to others, the amount of shedding is pretty on par. Generally speaking, dog breeds which shed most have double coats, just like Labs. Not only do double-coated dogs shed year-round, but they also blow their coats up to several times a year to make way for a new coat. Some single-coated dogs can still shed quite a bit. Dog breeds that can shed a lot include:.