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We will pause our breeding program until futher notice. Your puppy can remember which behaviors he is allowed and where and when he is fed. He can even begin house-training and start becoming used to being groomed. He is ready to leave his mother and littermates to go home with you, fully capable of taking his place in the family. The following list will help you know what to expect from your puppy has he develops. Most puppies will gain or grow rapidly between birth and 6 months of age. How much they grow or gain will depend on their breed, diet, and ultimate adult size. Growth is generally steady until they attain their adult size. You need to build trust with your puppy. Don't ignore crying but address the cause for the crying with attention and care. Touch is the first sense a dog develops and remains a powerfully important sense throughout his life. The entire body, including the paws, is covered with touch-sensitive nerve endings. Although they can see and hear, their sense of vision and hearing is quietly maturing. They are also developing their general sense of smell. This means you will need to take them out at least every 3 hours to get them "housebroken". A general rule of thumb for how long puppies can hold their bladders: one hour for every month of age, plus one. So if a puppy is two months old, he can wait up to three hours. Although capable of learning, they have a very short attention span. Keep a variety of simple toys for your puppy to investigate. He will also play rough and tumble with his littermates and will gradually begin learning to play by himself. It is extremely important that puppies socialize with people at this age. Include lots of people of varying ages, sizes and shapes to interact positively with your pup. Some puppies have a brief phase of "fear" at this time as they may respond to noises or new objects. Expose your puppy to new objects and allow them to investigate on their own terms until they are comfortable with the new situation. After all, most puppies just learned to walk at 3 weeks of age and run at 5 weeks of age, which was just a few short weeks ago. They are developing their gross motor skills that help them to run, play, and "hunt". Their fine motor skills will come later. Puppies also learn to jump up at this stage. This is a normal behavior that can turn into an undesirable behavior when the puppy reaches adult-hood and jumps on every visitor. You can begin correcting your puppy and giving him positive reinforcement for good behavior. Get your puppy used to the brush and comb by gently using them on him for very short sessions that are kept positive. Don't hold your puppy down to be brushed or combed if he does not want to be. Their muzzle is getting longer but overall they have the characteristics of a puppy. The ears may begin to stand up in some breeds. The rest is spent eating, playing and eliminating. A Poodle puppy, especially a miniature poodle puppy, has specific nutritional needs that should be taken into consideration when deciding how much to feed them. The amount of food that a poodle puppy needs is dependent on their age and size. Generally speaking, poodle puppies can eat wet food three times a day until they reach six months of age, after which they can switch to two meals per day. However, the exact amount of food should be tailored to your individual puppy and will depend on their activity level, growth rate and appetite. If you are unsure how much to feed your puppy it is recommended to consult with your veterinarian for advice. In order to ensure that your Poodle puppy gets all the nutrients they need it is best to provide them with high-quality wet food specifically designed for poodle puppies. When it comes to feeding your poodle puppy, you may be wondering if they should receive any kind of supplements in addition to their regular diet. The answer is yes, supplements can play an important role in the overall health and wellbeing of your poodle puppy. Feeding your poodle puppy these supplements will help them to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Supplements can provide essential vitamins and minerals that are not found in traditional dog foods. Additionally, they can provide essential fatty acids that are needed for growth and development. Additionally, some supplements can assist in the digestion process and help reduce the risk of certain diseases. When choosing what type of supplement to feed a poodle puppy, research the product carefully and make sure it meets the nutritional needs of your particular breed of dog. When it comes to feeding a toy poodle puppy, it is important to recognize that they have different needs than an adult poodle. Toy poodles are small dogs and require smaller portions of food compared to larger breed dogs. The amount of food you should feed a toy poodle puppy depends on several factors, such as its age and activity level. Generally, puppies need to be fed three times daily with the appropriate amount of dry dog food that is formulated for their specific age group. It is also important to make sure your toy poodle puppy has access to fresh water at all times. As your puppy grows older, you may need to adjust the amount of food you feed them accordingly. Additionally, if your puppy becomes overweight or underweight, consult with your veterinarian for advice on how much and what type of food would be best for them. When it comes to feeding a toy poodle puppy, the best practice is to feed them small meals per day. It is important to measure out the amount of food that you are feeding your toy poodle puppy. Overfeeding can lead to obesity and other health issues in your puppy. You should also make sure that you are providing your pup with high-quality nutrition that will help promote their overall health and well-being. Additionally, it is important to watch closely how much they are eating so as not to overfeed them. When it comes to feeding a toy poodle, the type of nutrition needed is going to depend on your individual pup. Generally speaking, the nutritional needs for a toy poodle are similar to those of any other small breed puppy. This puppy formula will provide not only the necessary vitamins and minerals needed for healthy growth and development, but also beneficial omega-3 fatty acids that can help keep their coat and skin in good condition. Toy poodles may also benefit from an age-appropriate diet or food designed specifically for their breed that accounts for their smaller size and higher metabolism. In addition, you should make sure to provide plenty of fresh water throughout the day to keep your pup hydrated. Category : Puppies When you take your puppy home usually around weeks of age they will need to eat 3 or 4 times a day. At 8 weeks old we feed small meals 4 times a day at 7 am, 11 am, 2 pm and then at 5 pm. We allow them free access to water until 7 pm in the evening. An alternative is to feed 3 times a day at 7 am, 12 noon and at 5 pm. If your puppy is hungry split the meals to 4 times a day. By the time they are 10 weeks old they can go to 3 meals a day. If your puppy feels thin you can feel all the ribs and backbone easily increase the amount of food. If your puppy feels fat you should be able to feel some of the ribs reduce the amount of food. Some puppies are very active and burn up every calorie they eat, some are prone to being a little rounder and their food intake needs to be carefully monitored. Research has shown that dogs that are not overfeed have a much lower risk of developing hip dysplasia. Keep your puppy thin and healthy. We do not recommend free feeding of puppies as this makes it more difficult to housebreak your poodle and regulate their diet. Better to move to free feeding after housebreaking if you choose to. It is harder to monitor how much food they eat when free feeding and a glutunous puppy may quickly become fat. Remember a thin puppy is less likely to develop hip dysplasia. We strongly encourage you to keep your puppy on the same food we provide for the first month. Both coccidia and giardia may live in the gut of a healthy poodle and they never have an outbreak. When their bodies are stressed they are more likely to develop an unhealthy balance and the result may be a sick puppy. Moving to a new home, leaving their Mother and siblings and diet changes are all stressful. We encourage you to make as few changes as possible to your puppies diet the first month. Changing to a different dog food — go slowly. It may take a month or longer to switch foods. If at any point your puppy develops an upset stomach go back to the level of food mix that they were doing well on. Should your puppy develop bloody diarrhea take them to the veterinarian, they have most likely developed gastroenteritis and may need some medication or possibly fluids. Go slowly, new protein sources require time for the stomach to adjust. This is true not only in puppies but also adults. We continue to feed our puppies 3 meals a day until they are 6 months old. Our belief is that in keeping food moving through the puppy it allows for better consistent growth and health. At 6 months of age we start to feed 2 times a day with snacks throughout the day. We continue to feed our dogs 2 times a day throughout their life. We feed snacks several times a day to both puppies and adults which may be carrots, green beans, eggs or chicken or pieces of their kibble. We feed our poodles both kibble and home cooked food. Bully sticks are given occasionally for chewing. No Comments.

An empty outlined icon indicating the option to save an item Save Article play icon The triangle icon that indicates to play Any dog lover can agree that when it comes to deciding on which cuddly cutie you want to take home as your own , the options can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many different types of bulldogs — American, French, Victorian, the list goes on! You could choose to invest your time and love into one of the larger breeds see: Bullmastiff , which is likely to serve as the ultimate guard dog. Regardless of the type of bulldog you pick, know that overall, they are sociable, friendly and gentle pups that make great family pets. Get to know the different bulldogs a little more: 1 American bulldog KJG Photography, Kim Guisti These loyal and self-confident cuties have traditionally been known as work dogs. After coming to America in the s, they aided farmers and ranchers as guard dogs and catch dogs. Today you can expect these athletic and agile mid-sized dogs to get along well with children and other dogs. They are also easily trainable. Most American bulldogs weigh pounds and have a year life expectancy, according to the American Kennel Club. They are super affectionate towards children, and can grow between 77 and 83 pounds. It keeps the same loyalty as the English breed, but can be a bit taller and suffer from less breathing issues. When properly socialized and trained, they can also learn to channel their energy into work. But beware, the lovable cuties do tend to slobber. The Victorian bulldog has many of the same calm, friendly and playful characteristics as the English bulldog, but can live years longer. It also is known to get along well with children. Experts say that proper training and multiple walks a day are essential to committing to the care of a Catahoula bulldog. Though their size may be intimidating, they are actually gentle giants that are great with children and highly trainable, according to the AKC. Bullmastiffs typically weigh between and pounds. It's known to be a loyal dog that gets along great with other pups as well as children. They can weigh up to pounds, and grow to about 26 inches in height. Their ability to sense danger and weariness of strangers makes them adaptable guard dogs when they have the right training. They are great for apartment living and are super affectionate. They typically weigh between 45 and 66 pound s. Because of its gentle and loving nature, it is usually touted as a wonderful family pet, according to UKC. These adorable pups are extremely loyal and love their families. They are also the perfect small breed, weighing just about 20 to 45 pounds and standing between 12 and 16 inches tall. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping. They have a specific look, personality, and temperament that may not be for every new or previous dog owner. But if you follow a bunch of French or American bulldog accounts for their utter cuteness, then adopting a pup from one of the dozens of bulldog breeds out there is probably a dog match made in Heaven. Still, it can be a long and emotional decision process that requires time and thought, which is why we've rounded up some of the most adorable, loving , loyal, and kid-friendly types of bulldogs to help you find the best bulldog for your home. Regardless of breed, all bulldogs have that standout muscular build with a pushed in nose, small ears, and rolling gait. They have a short and smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors. Some types can even be classified as large dogs while other breeds are more of a tiny dog. Although bulldogs love curling up in your lap, they are not strictly lazy dogs and enjoy moderate exercise. That said, many can live happily in a city apartment or a countryside home with a backyard. What's important is that you give these pups the care and attention they need so they are fed a proper diet and are trained well from a young age. They should also stay in air-conditioned rooms in hot or humid weather as their short snout makes breathing difficult. Bulldogs are a popular choice for many families across the U. They may act powerful and confident, but all bulldogs still need lots of love and care. If you are considering adopting a bulldog, familiarize yourself with the following types of bulldogs before heading over to a trusted adoption site to welcome your newest cuddle buddy to the family. They have a short and soft coat in various colors. Although American Bulldogs may appear intimidating with a large head and height of 20 to 28 inches, they are actually extremely gentle and affectionate. According to Pet MD, they're known to be a "big lap dog" that loves children. They are also brave dogs; in fact, there are countless stories across the internet of American Bulldogs saving their owners from fires or other serious accidents. They have a bulldog's personality in a small dog's body — which means they are playful, alert, and totally irresistible watchdogs. They're known for their bat ears , according to the American Kennel Club. Their adorable wrinkles roll around their short nose, adding to their charming personality. Frenchies are also super adaptable which makes them a great choice for single dog owners, couples, or families. They also don't require a lot of exercise so you won't necessarily have to get up early for that morning walk and they get along great with other animals if you already have a furry family at home. They're very affectionate dogs who want to be around their humans constantly, and they're especially big fans of kids. English Bulldogs weigh around 50 pounds depending on whether they are male or female, and require moderate exercise about 20 to 40 minutes per day. It's important to note that English Bulldogs are particularly at risk for breathing problems , heart problems, and other health issues due to how they've been bred. So if you adopt an English Bulldog, make sure you stay on top of their vet visits. Like all other bulldogs, they love being part of a family and won't leave your side. They are affectionate, loyal, and intelligent dogs who weigh between 50 and 78 pounds. These bulldogs were bred to adapt to the Australian environment as their breed name suggests , which means they may be more active than their cousins but aren't the most active dog out there. They have a similar build to other bulldogs, but they're athletic and have a bit more stamina. Their ears can be perky or hanging and they have thick, powerful necks and stocky legs. They have a short coarse coat that can come in solid colors ranging from fawn to black and white. Olde English Bulldogges are loyal, protective, and docile, making them great for families but also athletic dog owners. These bulldogs also have a longer lifespan than other breeds, living up to as many as 12 yaers. That said, they are taller than English Bulldogs at about 17 to 19 inches and have a larger snout plus fewer wrinkles. This means their face isn't so squished that it inhibits their breathing. They have similar personality traits to other bulldogs such as being super loyal and protective, but very gentle and affectionate. Victorian Bulldogs demand lots of attention as they can suffer from separation anxiety, but they aren't overly active dogs — so just curling up with them at night is enough comfort. Unlike some other bulldog breeds, they are incredibly energetic and athletic, meaning they'll need quite a bit of exercise. These bulldogs are very intelligent, loyal, and protective, making them stellar watchdogs. DogTime notes that you can often find them in shelters and breed-specific rescues, and recommends generally trying to adopt a bulldog breed before shopping for one. Before the s, the English then brought over their bulldogs and mastiffs. Ca de Bous are quiet, playful, and friendly family dogs, but they won't let you down as a watchdog either thanks to their loyal, courageous, and protective traits. They do, however, need socialization and training from an early age since they were originally bred to be fighting dogs. They have a short coat and can weigh between 66 to 88 pounds. Ca de Bous also have a longer lifespan of up to 12 years. Alapaha Blue-Bloods are protective and possessive, but they are also playful and devoted dogs. With the proper training and socialization, they enjoy playing with children and love attention. Vet Street notes that they are best suited to more experienced dog owners who can train them well from a young age. These bulldogs can also be a bit indifferent towards strangers and don't necessarily get along great with other dogs so they may thrive best if they are your only household pup. Mastiffs and Bulldogs were breeded together to develop a stealthy and fast dog that could help gamekeepers stop poachers from stealing. These impressive and cunning canines protected the lives of gamekeepers and poachers. They are larger bulldogs, clocking in at to pounds and reaching 24 to 27 inches in height, but they aren't aggressive towards other dogs and can behave well around their furry friends with proper care. But don't be deceived by the breed's history, these bulldogs are huge cuddle buddies who just want to be in the same room as their owner. Since they are a larger breed, they are more susceptible to bloat which requires emergency surgery and can be fatal. They have a shorter life span, as well, at 7 to 9 years. Indeed, they are discerning and confident dogs who can be aggressive towards other dogs and animals if not trained from an early age. While they are gentle towards children, it is recommended that they receive proper training from an early age so they are more welcoming towards strangers. Red-Tiger Bulldogs thrive best with a daily long walk but can do just as well living in an apartment as at a home with a yard. Typically, they have a "mantle" coat design with at least 70 percent color and no more than 30 percent white fur. They weigh between 75 and pounds and can live up to 16 years, making them one of bulldog breeds with the longest life expectancy. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B. She currently works as a relief veterinarian for various emergency and specialty hospitals. Washington recognizes the importance of education and also works as a freelance veterinary writer. Although the bulldog is the most popular bulldog type breed, several other breeds fall into the bulldog family. Most bulldog breeds are wonderful for families, including families with kids. That means no pulling on ears or tails, no attempts to ride the dog, and giving the dog personal space when it needs it. Additionally, an adult should always supervise all interactions between kids and dogs of any breed. Breed Characteristics Bulldog-type breeds vary in size, from the smallest the French bulldog to the largest the Dogue de Bordeaux with several bulldog breeds falling somewhere in between. Bulldog breeds also differ somewhat in personality, though most bulldogs tend to be a little bullheaded i. Some bulldog breeds are moderately energetic and others are couch potatoes. Bulldogs are brachycephalic , which means they have flattened faces with short muzzles. Brachycephalic breeds more easily become overheated, especially in very warm weather, so they must be kept cool and not exercised in hot temperatures. Many bulldog breeds also have droopy jowls, and underbites, which can lead to drooling. For hundreds of years the bulldog was used in England for bullbaiting, a gruesome sport that was outlawed in early s. Back then the bulldog larger and more ferocious than the mellow couch potato we know and love today. The transformation came about when breeders sought to remake the bulldog into a sweet family pet rather than a fierce fighter. The breed is a popular school mascot and family dog. They are famous for their friendships with children, making the bulldog an excellent companion for families. In the mids, some toy-sized bulldogs were being bred in England, and they were brought to France with their emigrating owners. In France, these small bulldogs were bred with other breeds, possibly pugs and small terriers, and transformed to the French bulldog we know today, a small bulldog with large bat ears and a huge personality. French bulldogs, or Frenchies as they are affectionately known, are exceptional companions, particularly with children. They are adaptable, active and playful with very steady temperaments. Back then bulldogs were much larger and taller than the short, stocky bulldogs we know today. In the New World, farmers and ranchers put these bulldogs to use as working dogs, where they were especially good at guarding the homestead, herding, catching livestock and hunting feral pigs. American Bulldogs are loyal, affectionate and known for being great with kids. The olde English bulldogge should mirror the looks of the bull baiting bulldogs of the early s. The Olde English bulldogge possesses the drive, temperament and agility to perform for sport or working purposes, but is confident, friendly and alert—never vicious. They are excellent companions for both adults and children. After the French Revolution, the dogue de Bordeaux saw yet another career change—this time being used to drive livestock. Though they may be standoffish with strangers, the dogue de Bordeaux is very affectionate with its beloved family. Most bulldog breeds are considered good with children, but this is provided the dog is well bred and well socialized and trained as a puppy and beyond. Some large, assertive breeds that resemble bulldogs are not the best choices for families with kids, including the cane Corso and dogo Argentino. The bullmastiff , which was created by breeding mastiffs with bulldogs, can be good with kids if well socialized to them, but their massive size can be intimidating for small children.

Please be sure to provide many chew toys to help with this transitional period. Cow hooves can be found at many pet stores and are recommended. Stay away from pig ears and cheap rawhide, and "greenies," as these can cause severe diarrhea, bloat, and are a choking hazard. For instance, keep an eye out for diarrhea if you change your pup's food. If your bulldog develops diarrhea then stop all food for 12 hours. If it persists for more than 24 hours, contact your veterinarian immediately to prevent dehydration. Puppies can dehydrate very rapidly so you need to take it seriously when diarrhea occurs. Dogs can pick up some unwanted guests: ticks, fleas, mites, lice, and intestinal worms. Your dog can be the perfect host for these pests if regular treatment for these nasty pests is not given. Your veterinarian is the best source of knowledge for the local bugs that bug the local dog population and how to prevent these pests. Heartworm is a widespread disease present spread by mosquitoes throughout most of the United States. There is a treatment for heartworm, but it is expensive and takes a toll physically on the dog and can take months to combat. This is especially important for dogs that spend a lot of time outside, that live on farms, or that hunt, as they are at increased risk of contracting this tick-borne disease. Puppies will generally have a first veterinary visit at the age of six weeks by the person who has the mother dog. The veterinarian will examine the puppies to make sure there are no hernias, heart, lung, or eye or ear problems in any of the pups. At 9 weeks, and then again at 12 weeks, the de-wormer and distemper vaccines will be repeated. Then these can be given once a year or on a schedule determined by you and your veterinarian. Lowell Ackerman. This vaccination is required by many communities. There can sometimes be severe penalties if your dog is not rabies vaccinated especially if the dog bites a person or another pet. As your dog ages, more frequent examinations will need to be given. Twice yearly examination will catch medical issues before they become big problems. Older dogs frequently suffer from arthritis and heart disease just like elderly humans. There are effective and safe treatments that can help your older dog live reasonably pain-free and pleasant golden years. It is important to spay females or neuter male your puppy. In addition to various health benefits for the dog decreased chances of certain tumors and infections , there is a big societal benefit in the decreased number of unwanted dogs. Microchipping is also encouraged in case your dog ever becomes lost. The inner ear part of the ear is normally white or darker colored, usually corresponding to the color of the dog's coat, so look for discoloring. The puppy's ears should also not smell nor have any discharge in the ear or on the flap. The ear should be free of debris, dirt, or parasites, like ticks or mites. Any of the following are abnormal: [9] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source Scratching or pawing the ear. Shaking the head excessively. If in doubt, or if you suspect an ear infection, have your veterinarian look in the ear using an otoscope to examine the eardrum. Never stick a q-tip or similar type of product into the ear canal. You will not be able to see the entire ear canal and should not try to put anything down there. Never use human toothpaste on a dog; only use dental toothpaste made for dogs. The fluoride in human toothpaste is poisonous to dogs and can cause serious health problems. Place a little puppy toothpaste on your fingertip and let your puppy lick it off. The next day put it on your finger and rub it along the outer gums. Then try to put a little on a dog toothbrush, let the puppy lick it then run the toothbrush along the outer edges of the teeth and gums. Only the outer part against the cheeks needs to be brushed. Even with regular tooth brushing, dogs may need dental cleanings once in a while. Plaque and bacteria can build up under the gum line causing problems there or in the roots of the teeth. Just like with their human owners, regular mouth examinations by their doggy dentist should be done once a year. Share this article Share She also slammed the fact that Tuna has to go through so much 'in order to be able to breathe'. It is not okay and we should be fighting against how this has become normal for these breeds,' Katherine added. The puppy pictured on the day of left and after right the procedure Tuna - who was rescued in September last year as part of an RSPCA animal welfare investigation - had snored 'extremely loudly', with her body straining for air when she slept. The roll of excess skin around her nose - known as 'the rope' was also causing sore skin and hot spots which could lead to infections. The pup has also had an operation on her eyelids, as, to add to her list of troubles, the weight of Tuna's face pulled them down, making her weep. A brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome surgery - which will help her breathe by widening her nostrils and removing excess tissue from her soft palate - is next on the list. Katherine added: 'Tuna has had thousands of pounds worth of surgery so far, and she's only months-old. Tuna pictured before her surgery. The roll of excess skin around her nose - known as 'the rope' was also causing sore skin and hot spots which could lead to infections 'She's also very lucky to have access to a vet who specialises in these surgeries as they are very complex, and also incredibly expensive. RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines has also hit out at the focus on how our pets look, leading to unhealthy breeding practices. Some can't run and play with their doggy friends, and many find the hot weather incredibly difficult.

Breeds The link has been copied! Are you ready for some puppy talk? If you're a fan of the French Bulldogs, you're in for a treat! These adorable little pups are known for their charming personalities and irresistible squishy faces, but just how many of them can one Frenchie mama have? In this article, we'll explore the fascinating world of French Bulldog litters and answer the burning question on every dog lover's mind: how many puppies can a French Bulldog have? Get ready to unleash your curiosity and let's dive in! On average, a French Bulldog can have a litter size of between 2 to 4 puppies. However, it's not uncommon for some Frenchies to have larger litters of up to 5 or 6 puppies, while others may only have a single pup. French Bulldogs are known for being small, compact dogs with a big personality, and when it comes to their litters, they tend to have a smaller number of puppies compared to other breeds. There are several factors that can influence the size of a French Bulldog's litter, including genetics, age, and overall health. For instance, younger Frenchies and those in peak physical condition tend to have larger litters than older or less healthy dogs. It's worth noting that while having a larger litter may seem exciting, it can also come with some challenges. French Bulldogs, like many small breeds, can experience difficulties during labor and delivery, so it's important for breeders and pet owners to work closely with a veterinarian to ensure a safe and healthy birth for both the mother and her puppies. On average, a French Bulldog can have up to 4 litters in their lifetime, with each litter having between 2 to 4 puppies. This means that a Frenchie can have anywhere from 8 to 16 puppies over the course of their breeding years. However, it's important to note that breeding a dog should be done with careful consideration and only under the guidance of a responsible breeder or veterinarian. Overbreeding can be harmful to a French Bulldog's health, and can also contribute to the problem of overpopulation in the dog breeding industry. It's also important to consider the ethical implications of breeding dogs, including the responsibility of finding suitable homes for each puppy and ensuring that they receive proper care throughout their lifetime. Factors That Affect the Litter Size There are several factors that can affect the litter size of a French Bulldog, including: Age: As a general rule, younger female dogs tend to have larger litters than older dogs. This is because their reproductive systems are more efficient when they are in their prime. Health: A French Bulldog's overall health can play a significant role in the size of their litters. Dogs that are in good physical condition are more likely to have larger litters than those who are not. Genetics: The genetics of the dog can also impact litter size. Some dogs may have a genetic predisposition to smaller litters, while others may be more likely to have larger litters. Nutrition: A well-balanced diet is essential for a French Bulldog's health and can also impact litter size. A dog that is malnourished or underweight may have smaller litters or may experience complications during pregnancy. Breeding frequency: French Bulldogs that are bred too frequently may experience smaller litters due to a decline in fertility. It's important to give the female dog enough time to recover and regain their health between breeding cycles. Breeding method: The method used for breeding can also affect the litter size. Artificial insemination may result in smaller litter sizes than natural breeding. Hormone Imbalance Hormone imbalances can also be a factor that affects the litter size of French Bulldogs. Hormones play a critical role in the reproductive system of dogs, and any imbalances can lead to reduced fertility and smaller litter sizes. One hormone that is particularly important in female dogs is progesterone. Progesterone levels rise during the second half of a dog's reproductive cycle, and they play a key role in preparing the uterus for pregnancy. If progesterone levels are too low, the uterus may not be ready to support a litter, resulting in smaller litters or even infertility. Another hormone that can affect litter size is luteinizing hormone LH. LH is responsible for triggering ovulation, and if levels are too low, ovulation may not occur, leading to smaller litters or infertility. In addition to these hormones, imbalances in other hormones such as estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone FSH , and thyroid hormones can also affect a French Bulldog's reproductive system and ultimately impact litter size. If a hormonal imbalance is suspected, a veterinarian can perform tests to determine the levels of various hormones and recommend appropriate treatments or management strategies to support the dog's reproductive health. Age Female dogs are most fertile between the ages of 2 and 5 years old, and during this time, they are more likely to have larger litters. As dogs age, their fertility decreases, and they may experience smaller litter sizes or infertility. It's important to note that breeding French Bulldogs before they are fully mature can also have negative consequences. Breeding dogs that are too young can result in smaller litter sizes, and it can also put the mother and puppies at greater risk for complications during pregnancy and delivery. On the other hand, breeding dogs that are too old can also increase the risk of complications and smaller litter sizes. Female dogs that are past their prime reproductive years may have a reduced number of eggs, and their uterus may not be as capable of supporting a large litter. In general, the ideal age for breeding French Bulldogs is between 2 and 5 years old, when the dog is in optimal reproductive health. However, it's important to work closely with a veterinarian or responsible breeder to ensure that the dog is physically and emotionally ready for breeding, regardless of their age. Genetics The number of puppies that a Frenchie has in a litter can be influenced by the genetics of both the female and male dogs involved in breeding. In general, large dog breeds tend to have larger litters than smaller breeds, and this can be reflected in the litter size of mixed-breed puppies. However, French Bulldogs are a relatively small breed, and their litter sizes are typically smaller than those of larger breeds. The genetics of the female dog can also play a significant role in litter size. Some French Bulldogs may be more predisposed to having smaller litters due to their genetics. In contrast, other dogs may be more likely to have larger litters. Genetic testing can help breeders to identify dogs with optimal reproductive health and litter size. Health A Frenchie that is in good physical condition is more likely to have larger, healthier litters than a dog that is not. Dogs that are malnourished, underweight, or have an underlying health condition may have reduced fertility, which can lead to smaller litters or infertility. Proper nutrition, exercise, and regular veterinary care can help to ensure that a French Bulldog is in good health and ready for breeding. It's also important to note that French Bulldogs, like all breeds of dogs, can experience reproductive health issues that can impact their litter size. Conditions such as infections, tumors, or abnormalities in the reproductive system can reduce fertility and result in smaller litters. Regular veterinary checkups and reproductive health screenings can help to identify and address these issues early on, improving the chances of a successful breeding. In addition to physical health, a Frenchie's mental and emotional wellbeing can also play a role in their reproductive health. Dogs that are stressed, anxious, or in poor mental health may experience reduced fertility, and this can impact their litter size. It's important to ensure that the dog's environment is safe, comfortable, and conducive to their overall health and wellbeing. The process of breeding for these colors can be complex, and it often involves breeding dogs that carry specific color genes. For instance, a blue merle French Bulldog may carry two copies of the dilute gene, while a lilac Frenchie may carry one copy of the dilute gene and one copy of the chocolate gene. Breeding for exotic colors or even fluffy coats can also involve the use of artificial insemination or the use of stud dogs that are carriers of the desired color genes. However, it's important to note that breeding for these colors can come with some risks. French Bulldogs that are bred specifically for their color may be more prone to health issues, including skin problems and eye disorders. In addition, the popularity of exotic colors like the platinum coloring has led to an increase in the demand for these dogs, which has resulted in some breeders engaging in unethical breeding practices, such as inbreeding or breeding for extreme physical characteristics. These practices can be harmful to the health and welfare of the dogs and can result in a range of health issues. It's important to work with a responsible breeder who prioritizes the health and wellbeing of the dogs above all else. Breeding for extremely small size can increase the risk of a number of health problems in French Bulldogs, including respiratory issues, hip dysplasia, and spinal problems. Additionally, breeding micro French Bulldogs with a focus on appearance rather than health and temperament can lead to a range of serious health problems that can negatively impact both the mother and the puppies. Responsible breeders prioritize the health and well-being of the breed and carefully select breeding pairs based on factors such as health, temperament, and genetic diversity. Breeding French Bulldogs for extremely small size or for specific coat colors can compromise their health and result in a host of problems that can be detrimental to their overall well-being. Female French Bulldogs typically reach sexual maturity between 6 and 12 months of age. However, it's important to note that while a female dog may be physically capable of breeding at this age, it's generally recommended to wait until the dog is at least 2 years old before breeding. Breeding a Frenchie too early can have negative consequences, including a higher risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery. Additionally, dogs that are bred too young may not be emotionally or mentally mature enough to handle the demands of pregnancy and motherhood. French Bulldogs, like many brachycephalic short-nosed breeds, are at increased risk for complications during natural birth due to the shape of their skulls and bodies. The breed's unique anatomy can make natural birth dangerous and potentially life-threatening for both the mother and her puppies. French Bulldogs have a relatively large head and narrow pelvis, which can make it difficult for puppies to pass through the birth canal. This can result in prolonged labor and increased risk of fetal distress, stillbirth, or death of the mother. In addition to the breed's physical anatomy, French Bulldogs can also be prone to certain health issues that can increase the risk of complications during natural birth. For instance, obesity, poor nutrition, and other health issues can increase the risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery. For these reasons, many veterinarians and responsible breeders recommend that French Bulldogs give birth via cesarean section C-section. A C-section is a surgical procedure that involves delivering the puppies via incision in the mother's abdomen, and it can greatly reduce the risks associated with natural birth. The First Month of French Bulldog Pregnancy During the first month of French Bulldog pregnancy, the fertilized eggs travel down the Fallopian tubes and implant in the lining of the uterus. At this point, it can be difficult to detect pregnancy as there are no external signs. However, some dogs may exhibit subtle changes in behavior or appetite. It's important to ensure that the dog is getting proper nutrition and exercise during this time, as this will support the health of both the mother and the developing fetuses. It's also a good time to schedule a veterinary checkup to confirm the pregnancy and monitor the dog's health. The Second Month of French Bulldog Pregnancy By the second month of French Bulldog pregnancy, the fetuses have developed significantly and are about the size of walnuts. The dog's abdomen may begin to swell, and she may exhibit signs of morning sickness or fatigue. During this time, it's important to continue to provide the dog with proper nutrition and exercise, and to monitor her health closely. The veterinarian may recommend additional testing, such as an ultrasound, to monitor the health and development of the fetuses. The Third Month of French Bulldog Pregnancy During the third month of French Bulldog pregnancy, the fetuses continue to develop rapidly, and their organs and body systems begin to mature. The dog's abdomen will be noticeably swollen, and she may begin to experience nesting behavior as she prepares for the birth of her puppies. It's crucial to continue to monitor the dog's health and provide her with proper nutrition and exercise during this time. The veterinarian may recommend additional testing or monitoring to ensure the health and wellbeing of the mother and her puppies. Please Breed Your French Bulldog Responsibly Breeding French Bulldogs is a complex and challenging process that requires careful consideration and responsible practices. The health and welfare of the dogs should always be the top priority, and breeders and pet owners should work closely with a veterinarian or experienced breeder to ensure that the breeding process is done safely and ethically. Breeding French Bulldogs can be a rewarding experience, but it's crucial to approach it with caution and responsibility. Overbreeding, breeding for profit or for the sole purpose of producing exotic colors, and engaging in unethical breeding practices can all have negative consequences for the health and wellbeing of the dogs involved. It's important to prioritize the health and wellbeing of the dogs above all else and to ensure that they receive proper nutrition, exercise, and veterinary care throughout their lives. By working with responsible breeders and veterinarians and by following ethical breeding practices, we can help to ensure a healthy and happy future for French Bulldogs and other breeds of dogs. Final Thoughts French Bulldogs are a popular breed of dog that many people are interested in owning. This is due to their popularity and the high demand for these dogs. If you're on a budget, you may want to consider adopting a Frenchton, which is a crossbreed between a French Bulldog and a Boston Terrier. These dogs can be just as cute and playful as purebred Frenchies, but may be more affordable. It's also important to note that French Bulldogs often require c-sections to give birth, as their puppies have large heads and broad shoulders that make natural delivery difficult. This can add to the cost of owning a French Bulldog, as c-sections can be expensive and require careful monitoring and recovery. If you're considering getting a French Bulldog or any other dog breed, it's important to do your research and be prepared for the responsibilities of dog ownership. This includes providing proper care and training for your dog, as well as ensuring that you can afford any medical expenses that may arise. Keep in mind that there are many other dog breeds to choose from, each with their own unique characteristics and needs. Consider researching other breeds that may be a better fit for your lifestyle and budget before making a decision. Get more expert advice on pet-parenting by visiting the Off Leash blog at TryFi. TryFi's The Fi Dog Collar is a must-have for any pet parent- it is a GPS tracking collar that helps you keep tabs on your dog's location, activity, and sleep patterns, and alerts you if they escape your backyard. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. Indeed, they have inspired an entire fashion industry of French Bulldog clothing, accessories, and even jewelry. That popularity has made an already expensive breed even more valuable. But why do Frenchies cost so much in the first place? The answer lies in their limited ability to reproduce. The average French Bulldog litter consists of 3 puppies. Although some have successfully carried and birthed up to 7 pups, that happens very rarely. In comparison, the average Golden Retriever produces 8 puppies in a litter. Beagles, for example, typically give birth to 6 puppies at a time while pugs produce 5 pups in an average litter. Frenchies typically carry up to 4 litters in their lifetime. Although their average life expectancy is around 12 years old, they can only breed safely between 2 and 8 years old. That limitation affects the number of Frenchie puppies born each year, which directly impacts the value of the breed. Canadian Moto French Bulldogs wearing Frenchie harnesses. French Bulldogs have difficulty reproducing in large numbers because of their physical conformation. Although organizations like the American Kennel Club and the French Bull Dog Club of America see to it that breed standards are upheld, even the healthiest Frenchies will have trouble breeding naturally and copiously. One of the biggest reproductive concerns in French Bulldogs is their narrow hips. French Bulldogs also have trouble birthing naturally. The large heads that are so often perfectly adorned with Frenchie jewelry make a caesarean section necessary. Additionally, the French Bulldog is among the brachycephalic breeds that have breathing issues simply because of their short muzzles and flat faces. Because of this and the way their bodies are built, pregnancy and birthing can be too stressful on their bodies and could become fatal. The limited number of puppies a Frenchie can produce in her lifetime is one of the biggest reasons why this breed is so expensive. And because fewer puppies mean an even smaller probability of producing rare-colored French Bulldogs, the value of specific pedigrees are even higher. For most of us, that cost means settling for getting our Frenchie fix on social media where canine celebrities provide endless joy as they show off the latest in French Bulldog fashion. Shopping French bulldogs are a popular breed loved by many. However, certain factors such as the age and health of the mother can impact litter size. How many French bulldog puppies are born in a litter? The average litter size of French bulldogs is small compared to other breeds, with usually only puppies born in a litter. These puppies are typically born between eight and ten weeks old and weigh around two to three pounds at birth. Within the first few hours, French bulldog puppies can stand and walk, and they will nurse for around twelve to fourteen hours. It is recommended that French bulldog puppies are spayed or neutered at six to eight months old. Keeping these facts in mind will help owners prepare for the arrival of these adorable pups. Typically, French bulldog puppies are born in February or March and weigh around pounds at birth. Taking them for short walks, playing fetch, or allowing them to run around in a safe area can help keep them healthy and happy. By following these steps, you can ensure that your French bulldog puppies grow up to be healthy and happy dogs. Health concerns for French bulldogs puppies French bulldogs are prone to various health concerns, including hip dysplasia, bloat, seizures, skin allergies, eye problems, and ear infections. Unfortunately, French bulldog puppies are born with a high mortality rate. Providing your pup with proper nutrition and regular exercise can also help prevent health issues from arising. It is always best to consult with a veterinarian in case you suspect any health issues. They will be able to provide the necessary medications and guide you through the process of caring for French bulldogs puppies. Taking good care of your puppy from an early age can go a long way in ensuring they grow up healthy and happy. What are the risks associated with French bulldog breeding? French bulldogs generally give birth to puppies per litter, making them a popular breed for those looking to start breeding. However, French bulldog breeding comes with its own set of risks, including health problems and even death in the puppies. Raising French bulldog puppies can also be challenging due to their temperament and specific needs. They require extensive training and socialization before they are ready to be placed with a new family. Additionally, French bulldogs need a lot of daily exercise which can be difficult if you live in an urban area. It is important to take all these factors into consideration before deciding to breed a French bulldog or adopt one as a pet. Published Apr 26th, Get 12 months of mentorship and learning to grow your business confidence and profits Our mission is to help you unlock your potential through brilliant content and training. Join our list to stay up to date on our latest features and courses, and any special offers and free classes. By employing an image background remover tool, you can effortlessly remove the background from an image, leaving only the main subject in focus. Due to this popularity, you may want to breed your French Bulldog to save some bucks since they are expensive. However, the question in your mind will be, "How many puppies can French bulldogs have? Female French Bulldogs can have a maximum of four litters in their lifetime, translating to 12 puppies. Therefore, a female French Bulldog will have 12 puppies before they are considered old to carry more. In the rest of this article, I'll discuss litters as they relate to French Bulldog breeding and the number of puppies. I will also cover the factors that limit a French Bulldog's ability to reproduce. Keep reading to learn more. A French Bulldog will typically have three puppies on average in a litter. This is a low number compared to other dog breeds like Golden Retrievers, which usually have more than eight puppies in a litter. It's worth mentioning that although rare, French Bulldogs can have up to eight puppies in a litter. However, this is considered unsafe owing to the French Bulldog's body size and shape. This means that a French Bulldog carrying more than four puppies at a time is in danger of dying from pregnancy-related complications. As a Frenchie parent, you're interested in knowing how many puppies your Frenchie can have over their lifetime. The number of puppies a Frenchie can have in a lifetime depends on the number of litters. A French Bulldog can have a maximum of four litters in its lifetime. Each of these litters will have an average of three puppies, translating to .Thus, you can expect your Frenchie to give you approximately 12 puppies in her lifetime. It's essential to consider the reproductive age when figuring out the number of pups your Frenchie can have in a lifetime. Most dog breeds, Frenchies included, reach reproductive maturity at six to nine months. Although French Bulldog females usually have their first heat as early as four months old, it's not advisable to breed the dog this early. Breeding a French Bulldog on her first heat exposes her to: Stunted growth Premature aging Complications during pregnancy and birth Even when a French Bulldog has had multiple litters, you should only breed her after two years. For safe delivery and recovery, veterinarians advise that the breeding period should not exceed eight years. However, some breeders inseminate their dogs after eight years to get more puppies. For this reason, knowing the factors that affect litter size will help you decide when to breed your Frenchie. The following are the main factors that affect litter size in French Bulldogs: Hormone Imbalance Frenchie females with a hormone imbalance will often undergo false pregnancies. In most cases, the dog will behave like she is pregnant even though there isn't any puppy inside her. Hypothyroidism is a hormonal imbalance problem in dogs that causes weight gain, lethargy, and depression. In extreme cases, it can cause abortion or decreased litter size in females. Age The older your French Bulldog gets, the smaller the litter size. Dogs bred between two and five years have larger litters because they are still young with more active reproductive hormones. By the time the dog is six years old, the litter size decreases significantly as the reproductive hormones become less active. Genetics Genetics play a role in determining your dog's ability to have puppies at any point in its lifetime. If both parents have a small litter size, you'll most likely have fewer puppies from your Frenchie mom. A mother with a bigger and broader family tree will have bigger litters. Therefore, you're more likely to get larger Frenchie pups if the mom comes from a family of bigger French Bulldogs. Health Healthy dogs can carry healthier and larger puppy litters. For example, your Frenchie can have a healthier and bigger litter if she has good nutrition. That's why it's essential to feed the dog with high-quality pet food throughout pregnancy. You may have questions like: When is the right time to breed my Frenchie? What are the steps to take in preparing for this process? What should I expect when giving birth? To make the experience smooth, here are the two crucial steps to follow: Artificial Insemination Apart from the hassles of looking for an appropriate and healthy stud dog, the narrow hips of French Bulldogs make natural mating hard. As a result, most Frenchie parents rely on artificial insemination. You must get a canine veterinarian to draw sperm from the stud dog and insert it into the female's reproductive tract. This process is usually done two to three times for positive results. The veterinarian will also be in charge of monitoring the pregnancy's progress. Therefore, you must keep in touch with your veterinarian to monitor the dog's progress and prepare for labor. French Bulldogs have a gestation period of approximately 63 days. The day your Frenchie goes into labor will be significantly different for each dog. Besides being responsible for the C-section procedure, your vet will guide you on what to expect during this period. Furthermore, they will take you through how to deal with any complications that may arise after delivery. It's worth mentioning that taking your Frenchie mom through natural birthing can expose them to dystocia. Unfortunately, 1. Factors That Limit a French Bulldog's Reproductive Ability Two to four puppies in a litter is a low number compared to other dog breeds. Why do French Bulldogs have such a small litter size? Read on to find out the limiting factors. Physical Conformation The physical nature of French Bulldogs makes it challenging for them to reproduce in large numbers. French Bulldogs have narrow hips. Although these hips make the dog beautiful, they hinder natural mating. This explains why these dogs are bred through artificial insemination. It's also hard for French Bulldogs to birth naturally due to their large heads. Consequently, most French Bulldogs undergo cesarean section C-section procedures. Due to their large heads, whelping your Frenchie mom naturally is a risky affair that can lead to: The pups getting stuck in the birth canal The mother suffering from complications such as hemorrhage or uterine rupture Injuring the pups Therefore, although costly and risky, C-section is the most humane option for helping your Frenchie canine give birth. Brachycephalic Breed Frenchies are among the brachycephalic dog breeds. Brachycephalic dog breeds have short nostrils and flattened muzzles with longer bottom jaws than the top ones. Due to their squished face, these dogs have difficulty breathing and cooling. This makes them prone to overheating. Moreover, the squished face exposes most of these dogs to Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome BOAS. This syndrome makes breathing a struggle, leading to challenges in carrying pregnancies and giving birth. Prenatal Care for a French Bulldog Your Frenchie's prenatal care should start as soon as she is pregnant. Here are some key areas to focus on: Diet Your dog needs a high-quality diet to support her pregnancy. A healthy, natural diet will strengthen the dog's body, allowing it to accommodate the mom and pups. Pregnant dogs need the following nutrients : Calcium: 1 to 1. Boxer 6 — 8 This table shows that breeds like Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds tend to have larger litters compared to Frenchies. Variations Based on Specific Factors Just like people, every Frenchie is unique and various factors can influence the total number of puppies in each litter. Here are some key factors: Health: As mentioned earlier, a healthy mother will usually have a larger litter compared to one with health problems. Age: The age of the mother can also impact the size of her litter. Older dogs 5 years and exceeding may have fewer puppies than younger ones. Genetics: Some dogs naturally produce more offspring due to their genetic makeup. But just how many puppies do French bulldogs have? The range of puppies in a French bulldog litter can vary widely. You might be wondering why that is. Frenchie Litter Sizes: The Basics Typically, a female french bulldog will give birth to three or four puppies in a single litter. Some litters may have as few as two puppies while others could boast up to five or six. So what causes these variations? Several factors come into play: Genetics: Just like human families where some have twins or triplets more commonly than others, some dog breeds are predisposed to having large litters. Age: Younger female dogs 17 months or younger tend to have smaller litters compared to their older counterparts. Health: A healthy mother equals healthy pups! Dogs with good overall health and nutrition may produce larger litters. But wait! Are there instances when the number of French bulldog puppies goes beyond the typical range? Surgical insemination is exactly as it sounds. They go in and place the semen right on the eggs. This is an invasive surgery and requires 2 week recovery time like a spay would. Selective Breeding: Breeders sometimes selectively breed dogs with a history of large litters in hopes of replicating the result. Large litters can pose risks for both mother and pups such as difficult labor, higher risk for congenital defects, less attention per puppy. I whelped a litter for a friend. The dog had previously had a litter of 3 perfect puppies in her first litter. The second litter, conceived by surgical insemination, was 10 puppies, with a cocktail of problems, heart murmurs and other defects that caused failure to thrive. I think 6 of the 10 puppies made it. The parent paring was exactly the same, but insemination method was different. Make sure your females are getting adequate nutrition from the moment she completes her first breeding through the first 30 days. These dogs are known for their brachycephalic short-nosed features, which can lead to health concerns during pregnancy and birth. A responsible breeder understands that these adorable pups are prone to complications such as dystocia, or difficult labor, often requiring veterinary intervention like C-sections. Great General Health is Imperative Other factors such as vaginitis and bladder infections are common but if left untreated can cause problems for pups as well if bacteria travels up into the uterus. Before Portia was bred in she had some vaginitis. After c section, I was told the placentas on 2 of the 3 pups were dark green and just gross. General Daily Health is Extremely Important French bulldogs are more susceptible than other breeds to things like pancreatitis and yes pancreatitis can cause a dogs pregnancy to fail, along with other serious health issues such as stroke, organ failures, and death. When breeding you need to make sure your dog is in tip top shape not only to carry her pups but to also produce healthy pups. Why would you want it any other way anyway?! They may need a totally different protein, different fat content, different feeding schedule. Make sure your dogs are getting the proper amount of exercise as well. An underweight dog can be just as sick as an over weight dog as well with nutrient deficiencies, low bone density, and more. These things pass on to puppies, why take that chance. Why put that on a pup and new owner knowingly? In alone I have seen 3 dogs get diagnosed with pancreatitis, one of which is severely overweight. Only 1 of the 3 dogs had a successful pregnancy. Litter size plays a significant role in the well-being of both mother and pups. On the flip side, too small a litter might indicate underlying health issues. Breeders need to strike that balance — not too big, not too small — just right! In contrast, irresponsible breeders might overlook these risks for quick profit — leaving unsuspecting new owners grappling with hefty vet bills down the line. As mentioned above health is the most important factor. Their large heads and narrow hips make natural birth a challenge. Infections, blood loss, and anesthesia complications are some risks associated with cesarean sections. Newborn Frenchies may face difficulties such as low body temperature or breathing problems post-surgery. Believe it or not, anesthesia actually affects the pups as well. You need to find an experienced reproductive veterinarian who works with french bulldogs regularly. Knowing the proper dosage of anesthesia is extremely important for both mom and puppies. Too much can hurt both and cause puppies to be slow to wake or not wake at all. Pregnancy itself is taxing on their bodies due to potential complications like eclampsia or dystocia. Here are some health issues that can arise from cesarean sections: Infection: Surgical sites may become infected if not properly cared for. Hemorrhage: Blood loss during surgery is common but can lead to severe problems if excessive. Anesthesia complications: Adverse reactions to anesthesia can occur during or after surgery. Anesthesia Reaction- muscle contractions, she was fine but it did freak me out. A call to my vet confirmed it was only from anesthesia, and not to worry This Photo is minor compared to some of the incision problems I have seen on facebook. Sutures need to be on the inside with sutures or vet bond on the outside. Also, not just 1 long single string of sutures. The weight of the body is too much for one string. Sometimes the pups have so much spit it disrupts the glue seal. This one was a quick easy fix, but if you notice anything wrong with the incision site, call your vet immediately. Breathing problems: Puppies might have difficulty breathing post-surgery due to fluid in their lungs. During the last c section we had 1 pup that was slow to wake due to the cold. Once he was brought to proper temp, everything was fine and he is thriving! Below is a photo of him now! Reproductive Limitations of a French Bulldog Physical Constraints and Fertility French Bulldogs, adored for their compact size and expressive faces, face significant reproductive health challenges due to their unique physical attributes. The narrow hips characteristic of the breed often lead to problems during the birthing processes. This reduced fertility is primarily why artificial insemination and cesarean sections are commonly practiced. As such, many breeders resort to artificial insemination. Frequency of Litters The frequency at which a female French Bulldog can safely have litters is another factor that impacts their reproductive system. Rest Periods: Some people claim having a rest period between litters is necessary. With my vets permission, I have not done this. Portia, one of our smaller females, has more time in between heats. This past heat took 10 months to come back around. The average litter size? Usually around pups. But it can range from 1 to even 8 in some cases! On extreme rarity I have seen .Risks like birthing complications are common due to their unique physique, often necessitating C-sections for safer deliveries. They have their reproductive limitations which should be respected for their health and welfare. So there you have it! On average, a French Bulldog will have puppies per litter. Q2: How often can a French Bulldog safely have litters? Q3: Why do many French Bulldogs require C-sections for delivery? French Bulldogs often require C-sections due to their narrow hips which can complicate natural birth. X ray will give you the best chances of predicting and knowing litter size. Q5: Are there risks involved in breeding French Bulldogs? Yes, there are risks such as birthing complications which may require veterinary intervention like C-sections. Unlike people though, an expectant dog mum-to-be has her work cut out for her, as she rarely, if ever, gives birth to a single puppy. The number of puppies that a bitch has is dependent on several factors, namely size the bigger the breed of dog, the more puppies they tend to have in a single litter and the physical characteristics of a breed. There are, however, no absolutes in nature, which means that the number of puppies that a French Bulldog has per litter can vary. The breed has a higher than average possibility of developing a condition called dystocia, which is similar to a breech birth in humans, but far more dangerous. French Bulldogs are up to twenty percent more likely to suffer from dystocia during pregnancy, which is one of the main reasons why your veterinarian will suggest that you opt for a C-section for your Frenchie. Giving birth is just as hard for a dog as it is for a human, and during and after the birth, your Frenchie will need to breathe harder and faster in order to ensure that her body has the oxygen it needs to make it through and recover from the trauma of having a litter of pups. For a brachycephalic dog like the Frenchie, this is much harder than it is for a normal dog and puts the mother at a much greater risk of cardiac arrest, which again is why most veterinarians will suggest that the safest option for any Frenchie mother is always a C-Section. The procedure also carries a risk to the puppies and can put their lives in danger as well, so the fewer C-sections that your dog has to endure, the more likely she, and her puppies, are to emerge from one unscathed. Which most Frenchies are. Always insist on seeing the paperwork, and the mother dog before you agree to buy a puppy. Before we begin, a word of caution. Most Frenchies tend to reach maturity between eighteen months and two years of age, which is why most breeders tend to let their dogs mate between the ages of two and seven. The typical gestation period the length of a pregnancy for a French Bulldog is between sixty and sixty-three days, and the dog can enter labor at any point during that time. In the first month of her pregnancy, you might notice that your Frenchie starts to become even more affectionate than she already is and that her appetite has increased. Her appetite might start to wane toward the end of the second month, as her body starts to prepare to give birth. Post navigation. Dogs of this nature tend to be smaller, and also have smaller amounts of puppies. And with French bulldog dams the females they have very narrow hips and small body. If a female Frenchie does have a large litter of over 3, there can be health implications for the puppies. They will probably be underweight, with the weaker ones in the litter struggling to get the milk they need during the first few weeks of being born. How many times a year can a French bulldog have puppies? How many litters can a French bulldog have in a year? They should not have any more than 1 litter a year, and most preferably every other year. Because they are delivered via C-section, the female needs time to recover and recuperate, so anything intensive is just cruel and designed to make money. For more information on Frenchie C-sections, click here. How many litters can a French bulldog have? Most female Frenchies have around 4 litters in total, although I have heard of irresponsible breeders who try to get more from them. This litter size of 4 puppies is quite normal, with the average amount of puppies being 3. If you are thinking about buying a French bulldog puppy, talk to the breeder and find out how many litters she has had. How long is a French bulldog pregnancy? Frenchies very rarely give birth naturally, with most puppies being delivered by C-section. A French bulldog pregnancy the gestation period i. She will typically deliver by Caesarean section and will have on average around 3 puppies in her litter. Frenchie breeders will often use artificial insemination to get their females pregnant, as this breed find it very hard to mate naturally due to their narrow hips. You can read more about how long a Frenchie is pregnant for elsewhere on the website. When people say a dog is in heat, what they actually mean is that they are in their oestrus cycle. It is very similar to when a human female gets a period. When a Frenchie dam is on her oestrus cycle it means she has gone into heat and will accept a mate and could end up getting pregnant. French bulldogs go into heat from the point they reach sexual maturity. The regularity of their oestrus cycles tends to be every 6 months on average but will vary from dog to dog. It can take up to 2 years for a French bulldog to develop regular heat patterns. Female French bulldogs can gain sexual maturity as young as 5 months old. At that point, if they have started to have regular oestrus cycles, they are at risk of getting pregnant. Do French bulldogs always need C-sections? If your French bulldog does have puppies naturally, it can be very dangerous for both the female and the litter. Handy Hint: French Bulldogs mating naturally is a very rare occurrence. It can lead to health risks too. Find out more about why Frenchies should not breed naturally in this new blog post. The last word French bulldogs make for great companions and pets. If you browse other guides on the website, you will see plenty of photos and videos of Claude, our own Frenchie. However, in recent years their popularity has exploded, and this has led to an increase in unscrupulous breeders who use irresponsible methods of breeding. This can result in poor health — read the various health problems that Frenchies are prone to. If you are thinking about buying a Frenchie, please do your research into the breeder before you even consider buying from them.

To get attention Howling due to a trigger Most of the time, their howling is simply harmless communication that ends as quickly as it begins. You might notice it when the fire department drives by with sirens blaring, or a certain commercial comes on the television, or during part of a particular song. This howl can be fun and is comical to watch. They seem to enjoy their howling time and then move onto their normal dog business. Howling at other dogs or wildlife If their howling becomes more frequent, it is usually due to the neighborhood dogs howling or even nearby wildlife making animal sounds. This type of howling is usually easy to identify because there is an entire chorus of dogs howling at the same time. The dog may be relaxed or tense depending on what is going on or if they are howling in an attempt to alert their owner. Howling to get attention Dogs might also howl to get attention. This usually happens when they are separated from their owners in another room, crate, outside, or even at another location, such as the vet or while boarding. Howl as a form of begging The begging howl is less common but it can happen in a way similar to a begging bark. In this case, the dog is also howling to get attention and beg for what it wants, such as a toy or treat. Never give the begging dog the treat or attention while they howl unless you want it to become a habit. Howling due to separation anxiety Sadly, German shepherds will sometimes howl when they have separation anxiety. This howling happens when their owners are away from home and can go on for hours. German shepherds with separation anxiety usually exhibit accompanying behaviors such as destructive chewing, pacing, panting, inappropriate elimination, stress, depression, escaping, and more. Separation anxiety is a serious problem that needs to be addressed for the health and wellbeing of the dog. If a dog begins to howl for no apparent reason, especially when accompanied with a behavior change, it could be a signal that they need medical attention. Some signs to watch for include change in appetite, change in bowl habits, licking one area of the body, alienating themselves, becoming needier, avoidance of touch, change in gait, holding the ears back, panting, vomiting, fever, and hiding are all big signals that the dog is in some sort of distress and needs to be examined by a vet. Unleashing their inner wolf Most of the time howling is just a German shepherd channeling their inner wolf and letting some of their ancient lineage out. They enjoy howling and it can be entertaining to listen to them yowl. Howling is a totally normal dog behavior that many breeds enjoy, some more than others. In some cases, howling can be a signal that something more serious is going on. It could be an alert or a sign of distress. In these cases, their body language and the entire situation that is going on at the time must be looked at to determine why they are howling to determine if they need some sort of help. We hope you found this article interesting. As always, please feel free to pass it on to your friends. The amount that they howl depends on the individual dog. Likewise, you can teach them to start as well. So why do German Shepherds howl so much? There are a few reasons why they are getting in touch with their inner wolf. Take a quick glance at some of the most common causes of howling to figure out what has brought on this vocal performance. Howling is a Part of Who They Are Every dog on the planet is descended from wolves, and we all know that wolves how. Making noise is something that comes naturally to them. Image Credit: nori jaafer, Pixabay 2. German Shepherd Boredom Dogs bark and cry, so why do we become so concerned when they start to howl? The German Shepherd breed is usually extremely active. Howling from boredom could also be combined with other naughty behavior like chewing on things. Wolves also do this in the wild for their pack mates to help them find their way back into their territory. Signaling a Warning As herding dogs, this breed made lots of noise to scare off predators and criminals that came onto their land. Demanding Attention Is there a better way to get your attention than making a bunch of noise? If you respond to howling, the dog quickly learns to get your attention this way. This is a behavior that is normally picked up when they are small puppies. Howling from pain is usually easy to distinguish between howling from happiness. Dogs in pain will howl because they need our assistance. Image Credit: GoranH, Pixabay 8. German Shepherd Happiness Some dogs howl just because they are happy. Take comfort in knowing your pup is expressing their joy in such a vocal way. Sirens sound very similar to a dog howling, and your German Shepherd is simply replying to the outside noise. It may not sound similar to you, but dogs are capable of picking up much higher frequencies than we are. German Shepherds are usually on guard at this time, and if they are howling, it is probably because they are trying to signal that something is going on outside. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to stop this behavior. Instead of scolding them, ignore them completely and remain persistent. Doing so lets them know that remaining quiet is the best way to get affection. Image Credit: Happy monkey, Shutterstock 2. Spend More Time with Them If your dog is demanding attention, it might help to be more genuine about your one-on-one time. Go outside and spend an hour playing with them. Give them lots of pats, hugs, and kisses. Counterconditioning Counterconditioning is a practice that tricks your dog into changing the way that they feel while they behave a certain way. For example, dogs that howl whenever someone walks by the house can be counter conditioned by giving them a treat as soon as they spot a person and before they start howling. The dog starts to associate a person walking by with a good feeling, which then makes them less likely to howl. Some breeds are more likely to howl than others. If it truly bothers you, you might think about getting a dog that is less likely to make a lot of noise. However, if you already have a noisy dog, there are ways that you can train them to stop.

This will allow your veterinarian to become more comfortable and familiar with your dog, making it easier for them to detect unusual changes. Aside from vet bills, pet insurance is an important investment that most dog owners tend to ignore. You may not be able to avoid employing the services of pet daycares, dog walkers, and others if you are going out of town or busy with work. These kinds of services are becoming increasingly popular these days. Your pet will be cared for by trained pet handlers at pet daycares. Travel Expenses: If you enjoy traveling with your Golden Retriever, you may need to pay some extra fees because many hotels do not allow pets. Dog Training: This breed has a high level of intelligence. With the right puppy training, your puppy should be able to learn a variety of tricks. Basic obedience training and socialization are important for a growing Golden puppy. Emergency Medical Treatment: Medical emergencies cannot always be avoided. Of course, these scenarios typically come at a high cost. This breed is recommended to visit a professional groomer once every 8 to 10 weeks. All these potential expenses are optional, except for emergency medical treatment. You can learn how to avoid these fees entirely as you go, which will save you even more money if you want to be practical. Make sure to talk to the breeder before adopting or buying, as not all breeders have the best intention for their puppies. They also raise funds for canine health research. Their puppies are sold with a contract for neutering or spaying as well as a registration from the American Kennel Club. This means that the quality of their dog is in their best interests. Sun-Golden Kennels — This Golden Retriever breeder operating in Wisconsin raises all of their dogs in their home, so the temperament is fairly balanced. They allow their dogs to run around inside their home and sleep beside their bed to socialize with them. They also involve them in activities such as playing ball, hiking, and swimming with other dogs. The rescue organization also houses other breeds such as the Labrador Retriever and mixed breeds like the Goldendoodle and Labradoodle aside from Golden Retrievers. Their dogs are ready for adoption and have undergone health screenings, rabies vaccinations, heartworm vaccinations, deworming, neutering, and flea and tick treatment. This shelter is open to long-distance adoption in collaboration with other regional rescue groups, as long as the adoptive family meets specific guidelines and conditions. These fees are usually used by rescues for vet bills, registration papers, and other expenses for their dogs. You can also check out our compiled list of reputable Golden Retriever breeders and rescue organizations that house purebred Golden Retrievers to help you with your search for your perfect dog. You may also want to read our ultimate dog adoption guide to ace your adoption application at any of the rescues listed above. Here are some money-saving tips for Golden Retriever owners: Make your own food and treats. Instead of buying store-bought dog food and treats for your Golden, you can learn how to make them yourself. Recommended dog food for the Golden Retriever includes chicken , healthy whole grain meals, approved veggies and fruits, and unseasoned and natural ingredients. Consider home grooming. Grooming a Golden does not have to be a difficult chore. Grooming Golden Retrievers cost a fortune when brought to a professional groomer. Your dog does not require as much grooming as many other breeds. The simple task of brushing and combing their coat will keep shedding under control and the buildup of mats and tangles at bay. Bring them to the vet regularly and keep an eye out for accidents. Because vet bills can be pricey, you must ensure that your Goldie does not suffer from any significant illnesses or injuries. Try training your own dog. Paying for dog trainers may cost you more money. If you do not want to participate in dog shows or contests, it is preferable to train your Golden yourself. This would save you a few bucks while also providing a bonding opportunity for you and your Golden. Choose quality dog supplies. It is recommended that first-time dog owners get high-quality products for their dogs. Choosing a cheaper item may end up costing you more in the long run because you may need to replace it on a regular basis. You can save money where you can, but make sure your Goldie receives the care and attention it deserves. Always remember that a healthy dog is a happy dog. A healthy Golden Retriever is not hard to maintain. With the right mindset, you could keep your pooch in tip-top shape while saving money. Keep in mind that expenses may vary based on the lifestyle you keep for your Golden. By ensuring their good health and condition as well as applying practical money-saving tips, raising a Golden Retriever is not a difficult task. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. Coat Trim Cost of Veterinary Expenses You can expect to pay for the vet each year so that your dog can remain up to date with their shots. An annual visit can also make sure your dog is healthy, but you may want to take your dog in more often if they get sick or have other problems. You can get pet insurance to help cover the cost of these vet expenses. A good breeder will provide you with not only a healthy, well-socialized puppy but also support and guidance as you navigate life with your new furry friend. But with so many breeders out there, how do you know who to choose? Look for a breeder who is registered with the American Kennel Club AKC or other reputable organizations and who has experience breeding golden retrievers. A reputable breeder will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the breed and will provide you with references from past clients. A good breeder will provide support and guidance as you adjust to life with your new pet. They should be available to answer questions, offer training advice, and help you navigate any challenges that arise. Look for a Breeder with Experience Experience matters when it comes to breeding golden retrievers. A breeder with years of experience will have a wealth of knowledge about the breed and will be able to provide you with valuable insights and advice. They will know how to breed for good temperament, health, and other important traits that make golden retrievers such beloved family pets. This includes information about any genetic diseases or health issues that may be present in the bloodline. By choosing a breeder who prioritizes health and genetics, you can help ensure that your new puppy is healthy and happy. Some breeders may insist that you participate in these events if you want to purchase a puppy from them, but this is not a requirement. Choose a breeder who respects your lifestyle and preferences and who is primarily concerned with finding a good home for their puppies. The right Golden Retriever breeder depends on you as a person, but any good breeder should be able to answer any questions. You may come across the perfect puppy online, but do not commit to any dog until you can visit in person. The dog may be totally different than in their photo. In some cases, you may find that the dog does not exist. Some scammers can take photos of other dogs and collect payment for the dog. But the scammer will disappear before the buyer realizes the dog is not theirs. To avoid these puppy sales scams, always visit the dog in person before you sign a contract or make a payment. Make sure the dog looks like the pictures and that they have the temperament that you want. If you are working with a breeder, be sure to check their credentials and ask for references. You can speak to other dog owners who have gone through the breeder. Finally, do not rush into getting a dog. Conclusion While Golden Retrievers can be moderately expensive to keep over the ten to twelve years that they generally live, there are many ways that people can reduce the cost of keeping them. One of the best ways to save money while raising a Golden Retriever is to get quality pet insurance. As long as their owners are prepared to offer them financial security in the form of good food, a few well-loved toys, and some regular veterinary care, Goldens repay the devotion a hundredfold in terms of loyalty and affection for their families. Check out our list of Golden Retriever Rescue Organizations , they are listed by state. She is board certified a specialist in canine reproduction. In her day job, she is a leader in a small biotech where she and a team of veterinarians and scientists work to develop new medications for pets. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of this wonderful breed of dogs. She and her husband have 2 children, 3 dogs and one cat. They love camping and hiking and she can often be found with her head in a good book. Recent Posts. One or both of this puppy's parents have undergone genetic testing. One or both of this puppy's parents are hip certified. One or both of this puppy's parents is OFA Heart certified. This puppy has had early neurological stimulation exercises. It is also important to understand there are different types of golden retrievers which may affect pricing. For example, if you decide to choose the lowest golden retriever cost option, those puppies almost never have the necessary 3rd-party assurances or veterinarian procedures like dewormings, vaccinations, health-tested parents, or a thorough health checkup. These missing costs and services will be your responsibility, making the total cost ultimately the same. Not to mention the added stress on you these extra expenses and issues create! Adopting vs. Please note that depending on the shelter, you may have to pay additional costs for your Golden certain shots and procedures. Depending on if the golden retriever is a boy or a girl may affect the price as well. Some male vs female golden retriever differences may make you prefer one over the other. This will ultimately save you time and money on your golden retriever price because breeders often pay lower veterinary rates than individuals do. Distemper, for example, is a highly contagious disease that attacks the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and nervous systems of dogs. Unfortunately, there is no cure — just a lot of expenses and stress which really adds to the overall cost of your Golden Retriever puppy. It is wise to ask your vet for guidance on this decision. Talk with your vet about the procedure, when you should get it done, and how much it might cost. Dental Care for Your Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers, like many dogs, can be prone to dental issues such as plaque buildup, gum disease, and tooth decay. These cleanings typically involve scaling, polishing, and potentially extractions if necessary. Some insurance providers offer optional dental coverage as an add-on or as part of more comprehensive plans. If dental coverage is included in the policy, it typically covers a portion of the costs associated with dental cleanings, extractions, and other necessary dental treatments. This typically includes services such as bathing, brushing, trimming, nail clipping, ear cleaning, and sometimes additional services like de-shedding or dematting. Some groomers may offer package deals or discounts for regular appointments or bundled services. This monthly expense may seem like an additional cost, but it can be a worthwhile investment when considering the potential savings on veterinary bills for treatments, surgeries, and medications. By having pet insurance in place, you can ensure that your Golden Retriever receives the necessary care without straining your finances in the event of unexpected health issues. Puppy Training and Socialization Classes Attending puppy training and socialization classes is highly recommended for the comprehensive development of your Golden puppy. These classes provide structured learning environments, social interaction, and essential obedience training. By enrolling your Golden Retriever puppy in these classes, you ensure they receive the necessary foundation for good behavior, social skills, and overall well-being. The cost for food will depend on the size, age, and activity level of your companion. Fortunately, the cheaper brands of dog food can be just as good as the more premium brands as long as they meet the standards of AAFCO and are made with minimal processing. When making your decision, make sure to avoid artificial ingredients and preservatives where you can, since they could cause health problems for your dog. Read the full disclosure here. Golden retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States! Whether you are looking to purchase a golden retriever puppy or adopt an adult or senior golden retriever, money is often one of the first things that come to mind. Due to the huge demand for this particular breed, golden retrievers tend to cost a pretty penny. Truth be told, goldens are expensive, but they are also worth every penny! If you are looking to purchase a purebred golden retriever, you should know what to expect when it comes to the price of one of these dogs. Read on to learn more! At the lower end of this price range, you can find goldens from a home breeder without AKC documentation or health certificates. Read on for the full breakdown of golden retriever puppy prices! When buying a golden retriever, like when buying just about anything else, you get what you pay for. All of these missing costs will end up being your responsibility once you bring the puppy home and will soon add to the initial cost of buying a puppy. On the other hand, breeders who charge more for their golden puppies will likely have a higher breeding standard. This brings me to… Adopting From A Shelter Or Rescue Adopting a golden retriever from a shelter or rescue organization costs significantly less than buying a puppy from a breeder. Besides being much cheaper, adopting a golden retriever is also a more humane thing to do! These dogs too make wonderful pets and companions and are no less deserving of a loving, forever home. Another factor worth mentioning is if you adopt an adult golden retriever, you can save a lot of money on various supplies only puppies need when going into their new homes, like house training pee pads and teething toys. First-Year Average Cost Of A Golden Retriever Puppy Now that you have a better idea of the average price of a purebred golden retriever puppy, you will then need to factor in all the major supplies your new pup will need during their first year of life. Basic Puppy Supplies If you previously owned a golden retriever or a similarly sized dog, you may be able to reuse some of their supplies, such as food and water bowls, a leash, or toys. This can save you some money early on. If you have never owned a dog before, though, be prepared to shell out some serious cash! Basic puppy supplies include:.

Once again, the intelligent, family friendly Labrador retriever has taken the 1 spot on the most popular list for the 23rd consecutive year, the longest reign at the top in AKC history. We have helped birth and place more puppies this year than in any of our previous forty. Read the full text of the AKC press release here. At Twin Lakes Kennel, we have been breeding and training world class Labrador retrievers for almost forty years. Our industry setting Puppy Guarantee makes buying one of our pure-bred Labrador retrievers one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Labrador Retriever owners from around the country. Our Labs can be found across the country in forty 40 states from the great Southwest to historic New England, from frigid Alaska to the Sunshine state. Located near Laurel Hill, NC, we have shipped more than 8, world class Labrador retriever puppies and adults to locations as far away as Alaska. We can easily ship our guaranteed Labs to your location in or around Buffalo. For details, Visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-the-minute puppy information at .Labrador Retrievers Make Good Therapists In recent articles, a licensed professional counselor with thirty years of experience, explained how owning a Labrador retriever can help produce healthier, happier, more well adjusted children and seniors. Children with dogs for pets have been found to have lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and fewer overall physical complaints than those without dogs. In fact, there are several diseases where dogs have been used to help those who have the disease. Two of these are: rheumatoid arthritis and emotional disturbance stemming from cases of severe abuse. Samuel B. Taking care of a dog gives one a great deal of joy and satisfaction. Older people greatly value their friendship with their dogs. This greatly improves their emotional health. Furthermore, it helps people to overcome one of the greatest nuisances of old age, boredom. The responsibility of taking care of the dog who is dependent on them gives the older adult a reason to live life meaningfully. As far as the dog, having such good companionship from an owner is very good for their overall pet health. Dogs are especially responsive to conversation—specifically, tone of voice. Our world class Labrador Retrievers puppies for sale! Our Latest Happy Clients! Become A Happy Client! From Winnie's humans, Hazel's Parents say, "Everything was perfect! I just Love Crawford. He has a wonderful personality and isn't afraid of anyone or anything! Thank you! This was our first time getting a puppy from a breeder and you made it such a wonderful experience! Hazel is exactly as your website states.All Wag and less Bark! She is beautiful, smart, and so excited to meet new people and dogs! Who knew we would be bringing home our puppy at the beginning of a Pandemic! She provided us a lot of laughs and dare I say sanity during the craziest time we have ever experienced. She is amazingly smart and beautiful! From the day Ellie was born it was so wonderful to watch her grow with all the FB updates. Picking her up was a great experience too, the facility is beautiful and very clean. We highly recommend Silver Feathers Labradors!!! Today's his 3 month birthday 13 weeks exactly. He is the most relaxed puppy ever and he's learning so much and growing so fast! He's doing great with his potty training, and he's learned so many tricks already - sit, stay, down, roll over, paw, crate and he comes when called. It also seems he's not afraid of anything - the 4th of July fireworks didn't even phase him. Not to mention he is the absolute cutest. I could gush about him forever but we really do feel like we hit the jackpot with him and can't thank you enough. People have been asking us where we got her from, and we have been directing them to your website for more information. She loves to play with our kids and other dog and loves to snuggle up to them when she is tired. She has gone camping with us twice now, and she is the hit of the campgrounds when we take her for walks. Thank you very much for what you do. Keep doing it! Cooper has been a true blessing to my life. I am certain that his gentle nature has a lot to do with the loving care that he received from your family! She is so healthy and full of energy. She is sweet and smart, and she fits into our family so well. She has quickly become part of the family and we couldn't be happier. Thank you so much for raising such amazing dogs and caring so much about their well being. We believe dogs are more then pets, and one of the reasons we chose to get our lab through you is because we could see that you feel the same way. Thanks again. You have a wonderful operation and are really great people. Thank you for our newest member of our family. Jax is a perfect fit and very loved by all. She is definitely the most confident puppy we have owned. I'm sure she slept on top of her brothers and sisters because she likes to sleep on Onyx's back. She is learning fast sit, fetch and come when off leash. I will be taking her to training classes now that she is fully vaccinated. We are very thankful for Raya and Onyx they have made our empty nest whole! He is huge. LOL for that, 2nd smallest in litter! We love our Wayon!! I left you a review on google to brag about our amazing dog and experience : Thank you! Milo is a wonderful addition to our family. He is sweet, cute and playful. Possibly confused as some folks who look at his silver coat and call him a Weimaraner - LOL!! We fix that right away with a quick education and review of the SFL Facebook pages! The reaction is always the same - joyful faces, gasp and compliments to Milo! Thank you David for all the joy you have given us. We love our beautiful dogs! He is just perfect! My vet said he has never seen a better put together Lab. He is the hit of our community and has to say hello to everyone he meets. Hidden Ponds is just the best place to purchase a Lab. David is so kind and informative. His dogs are gorgeous and well mannered. They treat their dogs with kindness and it shows. They are smart, their costs are beautiful! He has a great personality and is wonderful with the kids! He is lbs and thinks he is a lap dog. We would definitely buy from Dave again!! Lindie is an incredible athlete, as you can see by the photo. Lindie also volunteers at our local hospital in Glens Falls, NY comforting anyone that needs fur therapy! She is an amazing ambassador for the Labrador breed! Thank you! He hiked his first mountains this weekend in the Adirondacks. He is such a wonderful addition to our family and we will be back for a companion for him next year. Read more testimonials Bentley Bentley is almost 4 years old and is absolutely amazing! She is the happiest, cuddliest, wiggliest ball of fur, and I love her more than I can say. She is super smart, very curious, and a little mischievous. She has already learned to walk very well with my wheelchair. Thank you, Hidden Pond! At 9weeks she has accomplished stairs,swimming learned to sit and give paw. Play time and eating remain 1 LOL but,she is full of kisses and love all the time too. My sweet service dog, Rhett, came home in October of and has been the biggest blessing in my life. This breeder not only breeds for confirmation and health but for perfect personality and temperament. They are perfect in every sense of the term responsible breeder. I cannot imagine life without my Labs. And not to mention how welcoming everyone was when we went to pick Rhett up. They care about each puppy they welcome into their home. And they strongly support several forms of care to keep the puppies happy and healthy in their new homes like food and supplements! I cannot thank them enough or recommend them enough!! Savannah Stevens Read more testimonials Chip Chip is a crazy, funny, lovable gem. He is the most gorgeous dog. He has the most regal head. Everyone who sees him stops to tell us what a handsome dog he is. Thank you to Hidden Pond for letting him be ours. We picked her up in early July , and she made our family complete! She is such an amazing dog: sweet, gentle, loving, and playful. It is wonderful to see how much she loves our three young boys. We love how much she loves being outside — especially swimming and playing in the snow. Thank you Dave and your family for bringing her into our lives. She was exactly what our family needed to be complete. She is the sweetest, spunkiest and most wonderful dog we could have asked for. We picked him up this past September. He is a joy, fully housebroken, and so very funny. Everyone who meets him always comment on how handsome he is. He is really beginning to look like his dad, Thunder. He loves walking and meeting all his dog friends in our community. Thanks, David, for this wonderful dog! He has made our house a home again!! She brings so much joy to our home. She is loyal, smart and a lot of fun. She loves going on walks or long hikes in the woods and is a big snuggler in the house. Scout has a very sweet disposition and people comment on what a beautiful girl she is. She enjoys people and dogs of all ages. Thank you Dave, we are enjoying every day with one of your Hidden Pond pups! Courtney Hundley Read more testimonials Raemo This Lab is truly a best friend to everyone that comes his way. Very kind and affectionate. Raemo is now 6 months old and is great with the family, friends and the neighborhood. He is great with other dogs too! David and his Labs are simply the best and worth the wait! Rob Amurao Read more testimonials Daisy We got Daisy in June , but Dave introduced us to her the day she was born; it was love at first sight!!! Dave kept us updated with pictures and short videos as we anxiously awaited the day we could pick her up. She has been an absolute joy in our lives! She is incredibly smart, a sweetheart along with being an active puppy. She was swimming at 10 weeks with our other dogs. She is now 10 months old; everyone she meets loves her. Thank you, Dave, for such an awesome new family member!!! Marilyn Morey Read more testimonials Mabel Mabel is 6 months and we thank you for this blessing. She is a wonderful addition to our family. We love going on adventures with our little girl. Highly recommend and reasonable pricing! He has an amazing temperament, his favorite activities are long walks and swimming! Marlana Broderick Read more testimonials Chip Chip is the best dog we have ever had. He is funny, silly, smart and so handsome. We get stopped on the street every 5 feet. Everyone asks where he is from and tells us how gorgeous he is. Thank you Dave. This photo is with his sister Cocoa. Chip on the left Cocoa on the right. She has such a great personality. Gets along so well with the grandkids ,and so adaptable she took to the crate and house breaking so easily. Accepts new experiences so calmly. Dave has been great to work with a fountain of info. We also went with the dog food he recommended an love the results that we switched our cat to it as well. She is the most beautiful, sweet tempered, smart lab. We could not be happier having her as part of our family. Romy Ziegler. For nearly 50 years we have produced English Labradors in the true style of the all-around dog they were meant to be. Our ultimate goal has been a beautiful dog conforming to breed standards with soundness of temperament and body. Our Labradors retain the hunting ability that has made them the supreme hunting retriever. This intelligent, well-tempered dog is a perfect family companion and service dog. We are pleased to not only have many of our On The Bluff Labradors in pet, show and hunting homes, but also used as guide dogs for the disabled and specialist for airscent detection. Our breeding program strives for perfection in every litter. We use the highest quality stud dogs with a background of multiple Grand Champions. We combine their linage with the outstanding genetics of our females. The result are not just cute, adorable puppies, but dogs that can be well trained, healthy companions for a lifetime. We have never lost sight of our initial goal to produce the perfect Labrador- in mind and body. Feel free to email us for additional information or to get on a waiting list for one of our puppies. Staffed by professional trainers- each puppy receives several weeks and hundreds of hours of individual lessons- Obedience Training, House Living Training, Group Socialization, and Outside Etiquette. We believe our unique training methods and individualized programs sets us apart from any other breeder. Here you will find many adorable pictures of our current puppies.

Located in beautiful Southern California, we strive to breed superior quality family dogs that will not only make great companions and protectors for your family but that also represent the German Shepherd breed well with the exceptional temperament the breed is known and loved for worldwide. We breed only top German V and VA bloodlines that possess superior health and temperament through generations of hip and elbow certified and temperament tested dogs. Additionally all of our dogs are tested for Degenerative Myelopathy to be sure we are producing puppies safe from this disease. Additionally all of our dogs are DNA tested Clear for the MDR1 gene that can cause mild to severe reactions to a variety of medications. Please visit our testimonials page to read review from many of our clients through the years. Also be sure to visit our Dogs For Sale page to see retired females and males we currently have available to the right homes. Check back often as we are always updating photos of our available puppies. With keeping a small number of dogs we have time to give plenty of love and individual attention to them and the puppies when we have them. Our dogs are not kept in kennels, they live with us as part of our family, with room to roam outside on our one acre property and a warm spot inside to sleep. All puppies are raised inside our home in a clean and healthy environment. All whelpings are supervised by us and assisted as needed to ensure the best start and to protect the health of the mother and her puppies. All puppies are well socialized with small children, cats and our other dogs. Temperament is very important to us, our breeding dogs have wonderful temperaments that they pass on to their puppies. Puppies are temperament tested so that we can help you to find the perfect fit for your family and your needs. We actively show our dogs on the local, national and international level thereby striving to breed dogs of quality bloodlines and structure that adhere to the German SV standard for the German Shepherd dog. We make every effort to continue to learn and to improve our bloodlines by importing dogs of superior quality with top German VA bloodlines to bring you the highest and best quality puppy for you and your family to enjoy. Our hope as breeders is that we can provide the best quality German Shepherd puppy with an outstanding temperament that will in turn make a lasting impression on you and your family like they have in ours. I have so many customers that have been lifelong fans of the German Shepherd, that have grown up with German Shepherds and long for that companionship again with the dog of their childhood. I look forward to providing the dog of your dreams to you and your family! Call today to begin your future with a great German Shepherd Dog of your own. Call or email for an appointment to visit us and to meet our dogs and puppies. Our goal at the Ranch is to create a home-like environment the best way we can for each rescue dog. While they are in our care, our Adoption Counselors work hard on behalf of our rescue dogs to find a new loving home that is the right fit for the dog, and the new family. Pictured left, this entire family has adopted all their dogs through Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue San Diego A Coastal Connection From the uncertainty of the unknown to the solid ground of a second chance at life, our rescue dogs are welcomed into a new family at Coastal. A family of dedicated staff and volunteers are committed to helping our dogs become as well-adjusted, happy, and healthy as possible while they are with us. Through this labor of love, each dog develops a special bond and connection with one or more of our volunteers. Whether they are referred to as advocates, angels, or champions, our Coastal family members go out of their way to give our rescue dogs the attention and love they need and help them feel "at home" while they are awaiting their forever home CONTACT. Male deposit 1- ES Female deposit 1-CM Male deposit 2- Female deposit 2-VP Male deposit 3- Female deposit 3- Male deposit 4- Female deposit 4- If you would like to know litters coming later than this please give us a call Before you place a deposit, Please download or print our guarantee and contract. Fill it out and return to us either by texting it, scanning and emailing or through regular mail. Remember that regular mail is slower and cause you to not get the spot you want if I get other deposits and contracts before yours. Once I receive your signed contract and your deposit, I will sign one and send one back. New-contract-June 15 We distribute the best dry food available for dogs and cats! Most people want to feed the best and LA is just that! Or if you will be taking home a puppy soon, make sure you buy a puppy start pack. The start up pack is on the same page as the food. Performance shows what the dog IS. If you wanted to ship your puppy, you would need to first come to our kennels and then ship the puppy out yourself. Or you can use a ground transportation company. By placing a deposit on a litter not yet born, please keep this in mind and be willing to move your deposit onto another litter at a later date. This allows us to offer puppies to pet homes at a more affordable price. You will still get AKC papers except they will say limited. If you bred a dog that was registered limited, then you would not be able to register the offspring. This limit however, can be lifted by the breeder. That said, while it can be done, I strongly urge anyone who lives in an apartment to think carefully about how much time and work it can be to keep a large, working dog in an apartment. I will not sell a puppy to anyone who lives in an apartment and leaves the dog home alone all day. At least one person needs to be home during the day. The dog needs to be taken outside to play at least once a day and taken for potty breaks many times EVERY day. Also, please check with your apartments rules on German Shepherds; some complexes do not allow them. New strains of the Parvo Virus are abundant and it is my job to keep puppies safe. I use a high titer Parvo Vaccine at 4 weeks but this may not protect all puppies. So please understand as much as you would like to visit with your puppies as they grow I can no longer allow this until they are 7 weeks. I will send out emails with pictures or videos weekly. No outside dogs are allowed at anytime. Thank you for understanding how important it is for me to keep the puppies safe. If you do visit other breeders, please do so on a different day that you visit. Von Ward Kennels will take back any puppy at any time in their lives if their owners can no longer care for them. Please never take a Von Wards dog to a shelter if you can no longer keep them. While most of our dogs are larger than the standard, we do have a couple of breeding females that are within standard. We have answers. The cost of German Shepherd San Diego puppies can be affected by a large range of variables such as coat color, gender, breeder experience, pedigree and much more. Our goal is to match families with the best puppies possible. How do you vet San Diego German Shepherd breeders? All of the companies and German Shepherd breeders in San Diego CA we partner with are followers of our binding Breeder Pledge, and we never work with puppy mills. In our humble opinion, Uptown Puppies is the most efficient and fun way to find your dream dog! Unfortunately, that popularity means there are tons of puppy mills and unethical breeders out there, too. Do you have white German Shepherd San Diego available near me right now? Because we work with passionate, experienced, professional breeders, businesses and fellow dog-lovers, we have a great track record of matching families with awesome puppies all over the US. Our MatchMaker process is what helps connect future dog-owners like you with our carefully selected, screened and approved companies and breeders who will set you up with your dream German Shepherd.

The long adolescent period that ends the puppy years is highly individual, but most dogs mature somewhere before 3 years of age. The Neonatal Stage This is the very earliest stage your German shepherd will pass through. Simply put, this is the helpless baby stage when your puppy's eyes will still be closed and he is completely dependent upon his mother. She will feed him, wash him and clean up after his accidents for the first two or three weeks. His eyes will open at around 10 days. At this time, your puppy is little more than an eating machine -- filling his belly to help his tiny body grow and develop. The Transitional Stage Though it is short and indistinct, the transitional stage from the neonatal to the socialization stage is important to your pup's development nevertheless. This brief phase -- lasting only about a week after his eyes open -- marks the period when your German shepherd begins to notice his environment. He will start to look at things curiously and be aware of sounds around him. Prior to this he has been in his own little world with no sights or sounds beyond his own body and that of his mother. When his eyes open, the immediate environment -- with other living beings -- is suddenly a part of life that he must face. The Socialization Stage At around 3 weeks, your puppy begins to learn how to interact with others -- both animals and the humans around him. He has already had some practice with dogs through the daily contact with his mother and litter mates, but now he begins to expand his circle of acquaintance to other dogs or cats in the household and to the family of humans around him. This is the most critically important phase in your German shepherd's development and helps decide his later suitability for work in rescue, service or as a family dog. At this time, he should have opportunities to meet as many new animals and faces under differing circumstances as possible, so he becomes comfortable with meeting people and other animals in a variety of situations when he grows up. This stage lasts to about 3 months of age and is the period when puppies are at their most impressionable and playful. The Juvenile Stage From 3 to 6 months old, your puppy will begin to look beyond the biological world of dogs, cats and people to the larger world around him. He will want to explore new places more than new faces at this point -- which may often get him into trouble. This is an active and trying age for puppy parents. Your puppy looks like a mostly grown-up dog but behaves entirely like a pup. His attention span is about as long as that of the average teenager, so this is not a particularly easy time for obedience classes. Your shepherd will have other things on his mind, but pet parents should continue to persevere because this is the best stage to resolve any obvious aggression or anxiety issues your pup may display. If those issues are not addressed early, they could become larger problems later on. To make things a tad more difficult, at around 5 months of age, your German shepherd starts to mature sexually. The Adolescent Stage The teenage angst that human children go through is roughly equivalent to what pet parents can expect from their adolescent German shepherd. Beginning with the onset of sexual maturity and lasting through the first two years of his life, your puppy's hormones will rage uncontrollably unless he is neutered early. This stage is usually marked by mounting -- anything and everything -- marking his territory and even fighting with other male dogs. Females will enter their first estrus period at this time and may try to escape the yard or otherwise pose problems. The pup's body has become adult, and his brain is fully alert and capable, but his emotions are still in the turbulent transitional phase from teenager to full adult. If he were human, this would be the stage at which you would hide the car keys. As an adult, your German shepherd is finally the calm, dignified, courageous and respectful dog you always knew he would grow up to be. If you were patient and dedicated through those early, sometimes difficult, years, you now have a well-trained and disciplined companion for life. More Articles. A German Shepherd is no longer a puppy at two years old. Therefore, your German Shepherd will no longer gain significant weight, height, or size at that age. Additionally, two years old is when your German Shepherd has changed all his puppy teeth and reached full sexual maturity. Some minor growth variations happen between both genders throughout those two years. Additionally, male and female German Shepherds reach adulthood milestones at different times. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog. When Does a German Shepherd Mature? The process is a lot more gradual than that. Puppy Stage At birth, German Shepherds have a lot of energy. During this stage, your German Shepherd puppy would want to play all day and every day. Yet, as your puppy gets closer to six months of age, things gradually calm down. Adolescence Stage After six months, your German Shepherd puppy is now an adolescent dog. The extra energy stays, but the clumsiness reduces to a noticeable extent. Around that age or a little earlier is when you should start training your German Shepherd. Your dog's instincts at this age allow him to begin adapting to your training. In this stage, your German Shepherd will start to understand basic commands like sit, eat, and stay. The dog is now mature enough to stop all the children's hassle he used to do. Physical Maturity: Physical maturity is the only aspect of the German Shepherd's development that may stay for up to three years. Your German Shepherd might still get bigger after the second year, but it will be barely noticeable. Because German Shepherds keep growing for almost two years after birth, new owners might be a little puzzled about that dog that seems never to stop growing. Both genders will keep growing until they are two years old. However, remember that males and females will have slight weight and height differences as they grow up. Males: Around six months old, a male German Shepherd reaches around half his maximum weight. The average weight range is between 49 and 57 pounds at this stage. As for the height, your dog should be around 17 inches tall. This should be the fastest growth stage your German Shepherd will experience. Once your male German Shepherd ventures into adolescence, the growth rate begins to slow down gradually. At 1 year old, your German Shepherd will weigh 71—79 pounds and be 23 inches tall. Once he reaches adulthood at 2 years, he may add 3 or 4 extra pounds to his weight. A year later, your German Shepherd may add an additional 4 pounds and may or may not gain an extra inch of height. However, you will hardly notice any change between the second and third years. Females: Females of most species have slightly smaller physiques than males, and German Shepherds are no exception. At 6 months, your female German Shepherd should weigh between 44—49 pounds. She should also have an average height of 16 inches. At 2 years, she may add a couple of pounds, but the height will mostly remain the same. However, she may gain an extra inch after the third year, which she often pairs with an additional 4 pounds of weight. It should be no different for your dog. But you need to help him. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is the answer. This handy guide will help you recognize the symptoms of the health problems above. Get the knowledge to stay ahead of these terrible issues that can rob your lovely dog from vigor and life. Sexual Maturity: The average age of dog sexual maturity is between 7—10 months. German Shepherd males lie well within this category as they reach sexual maturity between 6—9 months. Female German Shepherds take a little longer, though. A female can reach her sexual maturity as soon as 12 months. The heat of female German Shepherds starts between 6—12 months. If you want to avoid accidental pregnancy, your ideal neutering window is between 6—8 months. Much like any other puppy, German Shepherds begin their lives with nothing but those soft baby gums. Soon after, at the three-week mark, to be specific, they start to get their first baby teeth. After that, they will keep teething until 30 weeks around 7 months. Remember that your puppies could be easily aggravated and uncomfortable during this period. That will scare them. Scared puppies will be harder to approach, train, and socialize. Instead, invest in some dog toys that they can chew on to alleviate the pain and even help them change their teeth. Paul S. Paul has been creating content for the dog niche for many years. The information he shares comes his first hand experience growing up in dog lovers household and then owning multiple dog breeds of his own as an adult. Paul enjoys doing the hard research to collect, analyze and present our dogtemperament. Like many large breeds, a German Shepherd dog is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds continue to fill out until they are around two years old, while the male German Shepherd growth rate continues until they reach two and a half years of age. Males are larger and require more time to fill out their chest and abdomen. As you can see by the German Shepherd weight chart, these dogs can continue to grow until they are three years old, but the majority of growth occurs within 24 months. If your GSD is older than 36 months and continues to put on weight, contact your veterinarian to ensure weight gain does not lead to obesity. How big should a 6-month-old German Shepherd be? A six-month-old German Shepherd puppy will be quite large, as many German Shepherds undergo massive growth spurts between two and five months old. By six months, a male German Shepherd will weigh 53 pounds on average, whereas a female will weigh about 46 pounds. How much bigger will my German Shepherd get? There are a few ways to gauge how much bigger a German Shepherd will get. First, check your puppy's age. If your GSD is younger than two years old, they definitely have room to keep growing! Another way to tell if your pup still has a lot of growing to do is their paw size. Do their paws look large compared to their legs and body? This is a classic adolescent feature of a dog and means your pup is likely still growing! Most of the time, a dog will not grow bigger than its larger parents. What is the size of a full-grown German shepherd? An adult male German Shepherd is typically 24 to 26 inches tall, while adult female German Shepherds are 22 to 24 inches tall, according to the American Kennel Club German Shepherd Standard. The estimated full-size varies significantly between sexes. In terms of weight, an adult male German Shepherd weighs anywhere from 75 to 90 pounds. A female German Shepherd weighs notably less at 55 to 70 pounds. Please keep in mind that these numbers are only estimates to give you an idea of how much bigger a German Shepherd puppy may get. Some dogs will be both smaller and larger than these weight ranges when fully grown due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Learn all about your puppy's physical characteristics, breed history, personality traits, and more in our comprehensive guide. Preventive care is key in helping your German Shepherd live a healthy and long life. Helping your dog maintain an optimal weight is one of the best things you can do for their health. Taking your German Shepherd to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do to ensure that they are healthy and feeling their best. Compare German Shepherd health insurance plans before they get sick or injured. They are also more susceptible to gastrointestinal tract and hip issues. A veterinarian should regularly assess your pet for these health problems and run tests for anything they may be more prone to due to their breed. Treatment for many conditions, including bloat and GI issues, can cost thousands of dollars. Dog insurance is a wise investment that can give you peace of mind by covering pet emergency expenses. Wellness plans are also available to help cover the cost of vaccinations, vet exams, microchips, and more. Some people can predict the future. For everyone else, there's pet insurance. Use Pawlicy Advisor to easily compare plans from top providers so you can find a great deal with great coverage. Get Peace of Mind Today 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. What are these milestones, and when can you expect them to meet them? We break it all down here, so you know exactly what to expect each step of the way. When you adopt a German Shepherd puppy, it can seem like they just keep growing. A fully grown German Shepherd will stand between 22 and 24 inches tall and weigh anywhere between 50 and 90 pounds. This manifests itself in many ways, but the most notable factor is their energy level. Puppies tend to have far more energy and be a little clumsier than fully mature dogs. German Shepherds leave their first puppy stage at around the 6-month mark, when they reach adolescence. When a dog reaches sexual maturity varies drastically depending on their sex. Male dogs tend to reach sexual maturity anywhere from 6 to 9 months, while female dogs tend to wait until adulthood. If you want to neuter a dog, you have a much smaller window to prevent puppies than with females. Their adult teeth are much larger and less sharp than their puppy teeth. Image Credit: aleksandra85foto, Pixabay Final Thoughts With so many age ranges that your German Shepherd can mature in various ways, it can be hard to keep track of everything. Related German Shepherd Reads:. Every puppy will grow at a different rate, and these figures are average guidelines. A 6-month-old German Shepherd should weigh between lbs for males and lbs for females. Similar to most large breeds, GSDs have their most intense growth spurt between 2 to 6 months of age. At 7 months, their growth rate slows down considerably until they reach full adulthood at 3 years. This growth is nominal from the two-year point to the three-year point an inch or less. On average, fully grown German Shepherds are 24 to 26 inches tall for males and 22 to 24 inches for females. Males will weigh between lbs, and their female counterparts will weigh lbs. Most GSDs are assumed to be fully grown by the end of the second year. Whether a GSD is expected to grow beyond the second year can depend on how big the dog already is. Not all German Shepherds are built alike because not all of them are bred alike. You can also refer to a GSD growth chart and check for consistent lag or lead. Additionally, paw size can be an indication of future size, although this is unreliable. This also applies to the weight category as well. If your dog is a few lbs over the standard weight, he might weigh as much more by the third year. Weight fluctuates even past the complete development, though. And that brings us to the alternative scenario: what if your dog is not consistently smaller or bigger than the projected growth chart? If you notice that your dog is an inch smaller at one stage and half an inch smaller at the next, chances are, your dog is experiencing regular growth spurts as any other German Shepherd except that he is shorter by a set percentage. In that case, you should refer to the percentage of full weight or height in the German Shepherd growth chart. I had a pretty good idea of how big my German Shepherd would be from seeing her parents when I initially visited the breeder. However, there can be a convenience concern. A dog who is too big might be impractical to keep for some. This allows you to decide with more room to maneuver later on. You should lean more heavily on the diet adjustment for a dog younger than six months and exercise adjustment for an older one. If your dog is younger than 18 months and is overweight compared to the growth chart, two factors could contribute to this mismatch. These factors are mutually exclusive, and usually, only one is true. The second is that he needs better consumption to energy use ratio to come to the ideal weight. But how do you tell if your GSD is overweight because of health or due to his genetic predisposition? If both size and weight are greater than what the growth chart indicates as the standard, then your dog is simply the bigger kind, and you can chalk up the additional weight to natural body size. The key is to discover this sooner than later. Discovering early that your German Shepherd needs more exercise and better diet management means you have to go easy on him during physical training. German Shepherds have growth plates made of soft tissue that leaves room for limb bone growth. And if your dog runs or even goes on enthusiastic long walks outdoors, his growth plates might be at risk. I have a post covering exercises for younger GSDs in detail but below are some principles that will help you decide your own exercises for German Shepherds whose growth plates are open. Avoid high places — The growth plates section makes it self-evident that you should keep your dog from jumping. So definitely no skipping rope for your chubby best friend. Interestingly, such games also decrease running speed as dogs are more deliberate in processing where the hidden prize is. The dog will move, and he will move a lot. This means your furniture should be ready for a heavy dog; you should have a place wide enough to accommodate a crate and a crate large enough to have headspace well above the full-grown height of your GSD read my post on best crates for German Shepherds. German Shepherds have a lot of momentum. A pile of muscles zipping around the house can cause a lot of damage, so training early is crucial. Your German Shepherd might look like he can take on anything, but he belongs to a breed prone to diseases. You must be willing to put in the required extra care when raising and living with a German Shepherd. Remember, German Shepherds are smart, which makes them easily bored. Having a companion means the two dogs can engage each other, provided that you have trained them well. An average German Shepherd will be fully grown around 18 months old, although some will continue to grow until 24 months, eventually reaching full adulthood at 3 years of age. German Shepherds grow the most between 2 and 3 months. This is when they have a huge growth spurt. It can also lead to an increased risk of developmental orthopedic diseases. Proper nutrition, exercise, and monitoring can help reduce these risks. A German Shepherd is generally considered a large dog breed. To know if your German Shepherd is too skinny, you should not easily see the ribs or effortlessly feel them underneath the skin due to no fat. You should also be unable to feel the hips, shoulders, spinal cord, or tail base. You can also check the growth chart for any huge differences. To know if your German Shepherd is overweight, you will have difficulty feeling the ribs through the layers of fat. It will also be hard to feel the hip bones, shoulders, and spine, and you should be able to locate the tail bones where the tail joins the back. Check the GSD growth chart as a guide. Neutering a German Shepherd puppy will not stunt growth. Once a belief but now disproven by studies , early-age neutering of dogs does not affect growth, and German Shepherds still grow after neutering. Recovery is also faster in puppies than in adult dogs. German Shepherds do not gain weight after being spayed, nor do they become obese. They will also still grow after spaying. Your German Shepherd might be small due to genetics. Other causes are a poor diet with insufficient nutrients or small portions with not enough calories. Illnesses, a sensitive stomach, or anxiety can be a factor, along with extreme exercise, such as working dogs who need extra calories. Your German Shepherd might be so tall if its ancestors and lineage were also tall. Larger dogs will take longer to develop until they reach adulthood. Final Thoughts German Shepherds grow big and grow in stages with the rates of size and weight increase varying. Finally, make sure to help your dog lose weight if he is over the expected weight but is not over the expected height, as this indicates unhealthy weight. Related Posts You May Like:. May 10, Dogs , Pets John When you adopt a German Shepherd as a puppy, you bring home this tiny, cute, cuddly, bundle of fur that fits in your hands. Fast-forward by a year and you probably wonder if your dog decided to grow at the 98th percentile. The five-pound puppy you brought home will become a full-grown dog of about 90 pounds. Essentially, she or he will grow to the size of a teenager in weight, but about 26 inches in length. You chose one of the largest dog breeds in the world. While these dogs reach physical maturity at three years of age, they typically have a median life expectancy of about ten years. Many German Shepherds live longer than that. Your puppy might grow up to live until the age of 12 or 13 , which equates to 77 to 82 years old. You will get many years of love from this breed of dog. While every dog differs, in general, female German Shepherds reach the age of full maturity before the males do. A female German Shepherd typically grows to two inches shorter than the male and a weight of about 70 pounds. All in all, German Shepherd growth is divided into seven stages. The Stages of Growth: Newborn to Adulthood Perhaps you got to visit with the puppies when they were firstborn. Enjoy it while you can. They gain weight quickly in their early days. Each day, your puppy will gain between 2. As a newborn, your German Shepherd probably weighs around four pounds. That means that in its first year of life, the dog goes through childhood, pre-teen or tween years, and half of its teen years. They gain weight and height accordingly. At the end of one year, the dog typically weighs about 49 to 50 pounds. The German Shepherd will nearly reach its full height by this time, too. Transitional Stage Veterinarians refer to every few weeks, then months as a different growth phase of early development. They call the two weeks to four weeks period transitional stage. T four weeks the typical female weighs between 4. The males may weigh between 5. When it comes to maturity stage for training, you can start even at the transitional stage, especially when you use positive reinforcement. Socialization Stage The socialization stage lasts through their third month. In the middle of this phase, the German Shepherd puppy usually experiences a growth spurt. By the end of the three months, your GSD puppy will measure about 10 to 11 inches in height. Females will weigh between 11 and 17 pounds, males will weigh between 22 and 30 pounds. Juvenile Stage Try not to think of your German Shepherd pup as a juvenile delinquent as they pass through this period from three to six months. At four months, your furry friend reaches the halfway point of height and weight. At the end of their fourth month, your puppy becomes a man or woman-dog. At this point of German Shepherd development, it reaches sexual maturity. At six months, the German Shepherd exits the juvenile stage. Your male German Shepherd exits this phase weighing between 49 and 57 pounds and at a height of 16 to 18 inches, but your female puppy will weigh between 44 and 49 pounds and attain a height of 15 to 17 inches. Adolescent Stage The adolescent stage ranges from six months to two years. At the end of one year though, your puppy becomes a dog. At one year of age, he or she enters adulthood. At this point, the female German Shepherd weighs between 60 to 64 pounds and has a height of 20 to 22 inches. The male German Shepherds weighs between 71 and 71 pounds and has a height of 22 to 24 inches. Some German Shepherds reach physical maturity at the age of two years, but most continue to grow until they reach the end of their third year. Female German Shepherds typically reach a height of 22 to 24 inches and weigh between 66 to 70 pounds. As long as their diet is stable, the adult German Shepherd dog should relatively stay the same weight for the rest of their lives. Genetics Plays a Large Part Like a human, your dog will grow to a smaller or larger size based on its genetics. To get an idea of how large your dog will grow, meet the parents. Tracing the genealogy can also help determine what are the potential German Shepherd health issues even German Shepherd skin issues to know your pup might have down the road. Regardless on the stage of growth, always make sure your German Shepherd pup is healthy. At Vetericyn , we have wellness products that can help keep your pup healthy and happy. Reviewed by Dan Richardson, Veterinarian Dan Richardson has been a practicing veterinarian for over 10 years. He specializes in surgery and orthopedics. Dan is originally from rural western Nevada and attended the University of Idaho for undergraduate study and Oregon State University for Veterinary School. The Richardson Family enjoys camping and spending time on the water fishing, paddle boarding, or digging their feet in the sand somewhere warm. Sources: All Shepherds. When do German Shepherds stop growing. Large dog breeds. GSD Growth Chart.