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german shepherd puppy breathing fast while sleeping - You have done your research, and are ready to take the leap. It is no surprise that many people are adding Bernedoodles to their families. This large breed puppy has a friendly temperament and a fierce loyalty. We personally got a Bernedoodle last year, and she just turned one. I remember the day we brought her home trying to figure out how much to feed a Bernedoodle puppy. As a new puppy parent, the last thing you want to do is over or under feed your new pet, so hopefully this post serves as helpful for you with your new Bernedoodle puppy. This post may contain affiliate links All about Bernedoodles Bernedoodles are adaptable, making them a wonderful choice for novice or veteran owners. They are smart and protective dogs. This makes them great for young ages. If you are just doing your beginning research, the Bernedoodle breed is a combination of a Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle. They inherit their intelligence from the Poodle parent. It is obvious that the goofy traits are those of the Bernese Mountain Dog parent. These parent breeds create a perfect family dog. Their size is determined by the Poodle parent. They are broken down into size categories. Bernedoodles can be toy, mini or standard. One thing that is pretty surprising is that the different sizes do not typically affect their food choices during puppyhood. Bernedoodle puppies are known to love younger children. They are playful and gentle as a lifelong companion. Bernedoodles are smart but are also silly. This trait makes them a good choice for all ages. As a mom of four kids, this was very important to me. If you want to learn more about owning Bernedoodle — I have a whole blog post here with all the details on what is like to truly own a Bernedoodle puppy. How much to Feed a Bernedoodle Puppy As you prepare to become a bernedoodle parent, their growth and development are important to you. You are undoubtedly concerned about health issues or health problems that may arise. Did you know that there is a big difference between puppy food and adult dog food? It may be hard to know where to start, but I will break it down for you! In their full size, they are big dogs. At their full height, they are also very tall. Their looks can be deceiving. Even though they are larger dogs, they may not need more food than a typical dog. You want to be prepared with this knowledge before you decide if this dog is right for you. How do you ensure a healthy lifestyle for your pup? It is important to learn how much food is necessary in their different life stages. The Reasoning Behind the Puppy Food New dog owners have several choices to make when it comes to food. It can be overwhelming, but there are a few simple things to keep in mind for a balanced diet. Your main goal is a healthy, happy dog! Adult dogs and puppies have different nutritional needs. Puppy food is specifically designed for growing pups. As they grow, they are burning more calories. This means that they need more calories per pound of body weight to sustain their developing bodies. Bernedoodle puppies need more fatty acids and high protein diets. These puppies complete a majority of their growth within two or three years. In these first few years, they will need higher amounts of protein calories. Veterinarians will say that it is, however, not toxic for your puppy to eat adult dog food. They may suggest that you do your best to stick to these separate kinds of dog food for optimal health. This type of food is typically referred to as adult maintenance for day-to-day living. It should be clearly labeled on the packages. Once they have reached their adult weight, they can maintain the health benefits from their simpler diet. The transition from puppy food to adult dog food should be seamless. Bernedoodle dogs are laid back and not picky! Most of the time, they will eat what is put in front of them. Now that we have covered the difference between the types of dog food, we will get right to specific amounts for Bernedoodle puppies. Our Penny had a very sensitive stomach as a puppy, and we have stuck with this puppy food and been very happy with the choice. She seems to be happy and thriving on it. Specific amounts of Food for Bernedoodle Puppies Young puppies that are two to six months of age typically eat three different times a day. The daily amount of puppy food depends on weeks of age and how much they weigh. It will also depend on how much exercise they receive. I will break that down specifically. But, it is important to keep in mind that their food intake will increase as they grow. At around six months of age, Bernedoodle puppies can eat twice a day. This schedule may continue for adult Bernedoodles. They are growing very quickly. Setting your puppy up with proper nutrients will benefit growth, brain health and a long lifespan. It is helpful to stick to designated eating times for your puppy. Do not forget that It is a good choice to check the directions of the healthy dog food you purchase. On the back of each package, there should be a suggested serving size. As always, contact your veterinarian if you are concerned about how your Bernedoodle is developing. Interestingly enough, adult Bernedoodle dogs tend to only eat one serving a day. They can finish their larger amount of food in one sitting. When they reach an even older age it may be difficult for them to finish this serving in one feeding. It is helpful to spread these servings out for older dogs while it gets harder to finish a meal. At this point you will be in tune to what your Bernedoodle dog needs. Bernedoodles are known for their love of food! It is easy to over-feed your puppy. A general rule is to check their ribs. You should be able to feel the ribs easily but not be able to see them at a glance. This is a great way to check on your Bernedoodle dogs and their weight gain. It can be tempting to feed your pup food from the table. This seems innocent but can create poor eating habits down the road. It can also disrupt their digestive systems. You have worked hard to create a healthy diet and want to keep it that way. If a Bernedoodle puppy is hungry, they will eat from their designated spot and will not need anything extra. Do not forget that although the feeding schedule is important, we cannot forget about giving our dogs plenty of exercise! Long walks will encourage a healthy life for your Bernedoodle and for you. Overall health includes diet and exercise. This is another reason why Bernedoodle puppies are a wonderful family dog. They have plenty of energy to keep up with toddlers. It is also a helpful way to encourage your teens to get outside and away from their technology. Bernedoodle Puppy Food — Dog Food Options With a growing amount of dog food brands, it can be hard to pick the best food. As you browse the isles, it is obvious to note that wet food is more expensive than dry food. However, they are both great options! The standard Bernedoodle loves to eat and they are such large breeds that they can eat a lot. Fortunately for dog owners, many dogs love dry food. Wet or raw dog food has less carbohydrates than dry food and can be more hydrating. Many veterinarians suggest that either kind is a great choice! I would find a brand and type that fits into your grocery budget. Bernedoodles tend to eat what they are given. If only this trait would rub off on the human puppies we have. There is nothing wrong with the dry kibble choice! Each type of dog food has the nutrients it needs to help your dog grow. The biggest difference between dry and wet dog food may be the way it is digested. Keep in mind — that as with kids and yourself there may be adjusting to find what is best for your puppy. Start with a small bag the first time you purchase puppy food, and if you are changing them from what they were on at a breeder or in a shelter mix the new food with the previous food for a slower change on their gut. Now that you have been prepared with nutrition knowledge, you are ready to welcome that pup in to the family. Giving them proper puppy and adult dog food will help create a healthy dog. More than food, your Bernedoodle needs love and affection. This will not be difficult at all. Bernedoodles are easy to create a bond with. I know that you will love your Bernedoodle puppy as much as my family does! If you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments below, and be sure to pin the photo below to find this post later. Related Posts:. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Mini Bernedoodles planned for, loved on, and prepared for forever families. If you want to give your dog a treat, then get a treat that is meant for your dog and not for you. The best kinds of treats for your dog are freeze dried meat or fish. This is strictly meat, no additives, no coloring. Chews are good for your dog but do not give your dog rawhide because it comes off in big chunks and can choke your dog. Other chews you should avoid are any sort of treats or chews made in China, buy local as much as possible. Go to your local butcher and ask for raw meaty bones, specifically for dogs. Bully sticks, pig ears, chicken feet, and cow hooves are all very good options. If you would like to get your puppy on a good potty schedule you need to offer your puppy food at least three times a day until it is at least 4 months old or over 3 pounds. After it is 4 months old and eating well and weighs over 3 pounds you can offer it food twice a day, in the morning and evening. Put the food in the pen and leave it for approximately 15 to 20 minutes and then take it up again. Pay attention to see if your puppy does it and just take note that they are eating regularly twice a day. Once you dog is potty trained and if it is not a glutton, you may leave food out for longer periods of time if you prefer. Nutrition The idea that canine diets should be grain free may have come about due to some allergy concerns as well as the realization that dogs are carnivores and should be eating a diet with a substantial amount of meat. Of course, many manufacturers were quick to promote this new fad diet and eager to capitalize on sincerely concerned pet owners. The problem is that there have been no significant studies conducted on these grain free diet feeding plans for dogs. In fact, many veterinarians and even the FDA are now realizing that grain free dog food is actually causing more harm than good. The concern is that when grains are taken out of the food, another filler must be added to take the place of these grains. These fillers are usually high in carbohydrates like peas and lentils, which have been linked to Dilated cardiomyopathy DCM , diabetes, and other serious health issues in dogs. When you are looking for dog food be sure that you do your due diligence and check ingredients, do your research. Look for a reputable brand, which is generally one you can't get at the grocery store. Your local feed store is an excellent source of high quality dog food that often comes with some great advice. Keep mixing and giving more and more of the new food, little by little. In this way you can avoid tummy upsets for your dog. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. How Much to Feed a Bernedoodle One of the most common questions we get is how much to feed their puppy, teenager and adult bernedoodle. Great question and unfortunately many do not understand the needs and requirements of an F1 standard bernedoodle bernese mountain dog x standard poodle that has Bernese mountain dogs in them. So to expect a bernedoodle to have a waist line like a Great Dane will put your bernedoodle into hunger mode and if young will lead to potential behavioral challenges and this is a time when they need calories due to them being a fast growing mixed breed. We shoot for always having a little bit of food left over and we let them have access to food for about minutes but this can be adjusted based on your schedule. We only do this for the breakfast. We will begin adding about tablespoons of different types of lightly cooked meats can go raw as well and sardines to the above topper along with a little bit of cut up or shredded carrots, blueberries and can add other dog friendly fruits and veggies but make sure you check before using. We would also add dog-based salmon oil according to the instructions about a tsp. Often in the morning we would do sweet potato, yogurt, and a meat and dinner some of the other ingredients. Lunch we keep plain. Be sure you are washing your food and water bowls once per day with hot soapy water. Lastly we recommend starting with TLC adult all life stages dog food for large growing breeds like bernedoodles and even for the puppies. The adult food exceeds AAFCO requirements for puppies and has glucosamine and chondroitin which is important for joint development. Many vets compare bernedoodles to what they consider a typical healthy dog build high thin waist line, etc but that is not the case for F1 standard bernedoodles as they will have a thicker build. Recent Posts. This is important for all dogs but especially for a growing puppy. Protein is what essentially determines the quality of dog food. When you read the label, you will see one or more of the following protein types: Meat protein. As the name implies, this type of protein comes from other animals. It is usually made up of muscle or organ meat and is the closest protein to human quality. It is superior to other types of protein for dogs. Animal by-products. This protein type is made up of the parts of the animal that are not included in meat protein. It can be made of hair, hoofs, lips, and even eyelashes. Vegetable and grain proteins. These are mostly soy- or corn-based. The goal is to provide a diet with more animal protein than veggie protein, which you can do by choosing a food with at least two animal sources of protein listed within the first five ingredients on the bag. Carbohydrates Just like humans, Bernedoodle puppies get energy and dietary fiber from carbs. Many different types of carbs can be found within puppy food. High-quality carbs include rice, barley, and oats, while lower-quality carbs include corn or wheat. Fats and Preservatives Of all the ingredients in puppy food, fats are the most expensive. Because they are harder to extract and more challenging to preserve. The best usable fats for puppies are those from chicken, sunflower, or canola oil. Other fats you might see include fish oil and lactose-free dairy fats. Remember that vitamins are nothing more than organic additives that help give the puppy anything it needs that it is not getting from its food. If the food is of high quality, then there should not be a need for a significant amount of calories coming from vitamins. That said, some vitamins should be included within the food to allow your Bernedoodle puppy to digest it properly. There are two main types of vitamins: Fat-Soluble. Examples include A, D, E, and K, and these types of vitamins are stored in the liver and fatty tissue. Water Soluble. Examples include B and C. You will find plenty of foods with long lists of added vitamins. This might look impressive, but, again, if the food is of high quality, then less is more when it comes to vitamin additives. Consider the Ease of Obtaining Puppy Food Another factor to consider is how easily you can get a food. When it comes to ease of access, you will find three main options: Brands you can find anywhere. These are the most popular brands you have likely heard of, and they can be found at just about any grocery store, big-box store, and even some drug stores. These are also generally the least expensive options. However, they often choose meat from 4-D categories, which means the animals that make up the protein are dead, dying, or diseased. It is also common for the fats used in these brands to be of lower quality and not as easily digestible, which might require your Bernedoodle puppy to eat more to get the nutrients they need. Premium brands. Historically, they were found in specialty pet stores and animal hospitals. They generally use a higher grade of meat and higher quality fats, which means that puppies generally need less of these foods than those that are more commercially available. Holistic foods. These are only found in specialty pet stores or online. These are the cream of the crop and generally have human-grade meats and highly digestible fats. Even the grain carb mix will be made from high-quality foods. You will find many of these to be free from hormones and steroids. Of course, this quality comes with a high price, and they can be harder to find. Once again, the high quality means less food is needed compared to lower-priced options. Balancing Cost and Quality Not everyone can effort to pay for holistic food. The key is to find the best quality you can for the price you can afford. You do not need to spend that much money to keep your puppy in good health. Adult Bernedoodle Nutrition As your Bernedoodle ages, it no longer needs the extra calories for growth. Most dogs will become less active once they leave the puppy stage between 18 months and two years, which further reduces their need for calories. The type of Bernedoodle affects its total expected weight: Standard Bernedoodles get to pounds Miniature Bernedoodles get to pounds Tiny Bernedoodles get to 10 — 24 pounds If you are not sure how much your particular dog is likely to end up weighing, you can talk to your vet. Smaller Bernedoodles might be at their adult weight by six or seven months old, while standard Bernedoodles often grow well beyond 12 months of age. Once again, look at the package for its breakdown of nutrients. The two main options for adult dogs are adult maintenance all-stages. Adult maintenance is generally the better choice for dogs that are overweight or not as active, while all-stage food contains extra nutrients for more active dogs. Senior Bernedoodle Nutrition As your Bernedoodle becomes a senior dog, its nutritional requirements will change. Many senior dogs deal with a wealth of health issues , including obesity, arthritis, and cognitive issues. Meanwhile, they can also suffer from appetite loss. The opposite is actually true. A healthy senior Bernedoodle will need more protein to fuel their muscle. As dogs age, they begin to lose muscle mass — sometimes so much that they cannot move around with assistance. Find the Right Calorie Balance Younger senior Bernedoodles are often overweight, but as they get older, they tend to become underweight. You will need to know the calorie content of the food you are feeding and adjust it accordingly if your dog gains or loses weight when you do not want them to. Because many of the elements that you want a lot of — or none of — vary widely or are not listed at all on regular senior dog food. For example, a dog with heart or kidney disease should have low sodium food, but the amount of sodium on the most popular senior dog food brands ranges from 33 to mg per kcal. Likewise, a dog with kidney disease would need a diet that is low in phosphorous, but no dog food label notes how much phosphorous is in a diet. If your senior Bernedoodle develops a health condition that requires strict control over specific elements of their diet, a prescription diet might be the only place to achieve that goal. You Will Need to Find a Food That Your Dog Likes When it comes to feeding younger Bernedoodles, unless your dog is particularly picky, you can likely feed them whatever is healthiest, and they will be happy to eat it. The same cannot be said for senior dogs, who often do not have a healthy appetite. In addition to loss of appetite, senior Bernedoodles might have dental issues that make it hard to chew their food, or digestive issues that make them uncomfortable after eating certain food types. At this stage, you might choose canned or soft food that they enjoy eating more. You can also help your dog eat more easily by feeding them on a raised platform or while they are lying down so that they do not have to bend down. Bernedoodle Treats When your Bernedoodle is still a puppy, you will need treats for training. You will need to experiment to determine what this is for your puppy. One of the most popular options is freeze-dried liver. Your dog might prefer small pieces of chicken or other proteins. For training, treats should be very small so that your dog can quickly eat them and move on to the next part of the training. If you are training for an extended period and offering a significant number of treats, then you should reduce the amount of kibble you give your puppy to balance the calories they received via treats. As your dog grows, you might still want to treat them from time to time, but you will not be offering them as many treats as you did when they were training. Feeding Schedules for Bernedoodles The amount of food you feed your Bernedoodle will depend on the food you choose for them. Look at the bag to see the recommended number of cups. If you have a puppy, there will be a chart with weeks or months of age along with weight. Find where your puppy fits and feed based on that amount. Note that these are just starting places. Your food might suggest 3 cups of food, but if you find that your puppy is constantly hungry and not gaining weight as quickly as they should, then they might need more. Feeding Frequency Until six months of age, puppies should eat three times per day. After they reach this mark, feeding them twice per day is recommended for the rest of their life. However, if you cannot feed your puppy three times per day, trust that your puppy will adapt. The number of times you feed them is not nearly as important as feeding them the correct amount. If your lifestyle allows for it, feed your puppy or dog at the same time every day. This helps comfort the pup because it will learn that food is coming. It also helps keep their digestion regular and makes it easier for you to notice if your dog is eating more or less than they usually do. If their appetite varies slightly from day to day, there is likely nothing wrong. However, if your Bernedoodle suddenly loses its appetite or changes its diet preferences for several weeks, it is time to call the vet. Post navigation. My Bernedoodle is 18 months old and around 60 lbs. She currently eats 1 cup three times per day and has maintained a healthy weight. Bernedoodles perfectly pair the loyal and laid-back Bernese Mountain dog with the intelligent, low-shedding Poodle. Their gentle but playful nature makes them a popular choice for families with children, but even active seniors and singles can enjoy the company of a Bernedoodle. Also referred to as the Bernese Mountain Poo, Bernedoodles love to eat! Because of this, many new owners have concerns about whether their Bernedoodle is getting enough food. Variations in breed types toy, mini, and full-size , as well as the specific activity levels, age, and health of each dog, can further complicate the feeding time and schedule required for optimal health. Gain more insight on feeding your Bernedoodle in this guide , including the amount, type, and frequency of food. Dogs need a well-balanced diet to support a healthy immune system and proper growth like all living things. As omnivorous animals, dogs need a diet of animal and plant proteins. Malnutrition, or failing to supply any nutrients, can result in serious health complications for a Bernedoodle. Protect your pup with a varied, high-quality diet rich in protein, grains, vitamins, and minerals. Each has its own set of pros and cons. Wet dog food can ease the transition for a weaning puppy, but the prolonged feeding of wet foods particularly canned versions can lead to digestive problems. Dogs who consume a diet primarily of wet foods also tend to have more dental problems, such as plaque buildup and tooth decay. While you can counteract this effect by offering whole bones to your dog, it may not be sufficient in helping them avoid dental issues. Kibble dry dog food is generally the preferred feeding method for dogs, particularly among large dog breed owners. It is often because kibble tends to be less expensive per pound than other dog foods. Kibble also typically lasts longer than raw or cooked food, so there is less potential for waste. The hardness of kibble can also protect a dog from dental issues, as it helps to wear away plaque, the leading cause of tooth decay. If you choose this feeding method for your Bernedoodle, take some time to research and compare the various brands. Pay special attention to major recalls. Opt for a trusted and reputable brand. Consider using dog brand comparison sites for an in-depth look at the ingredients. Avoid by-products and focus, instead, on kibbles that contain mostly whole-food ingredients. Cooked and raw dog food diets have emerged as a trend over the past few years. These diets typically involve the preparation of human foods like liver, eggs, cottage cheese, sweet potatoes, chicken, and beef cuts. However, there are commercial selections available for purchase. The potentially large size of a Bernedoodle can make raw and cooked food diets cost-prohibitive for some owners. Even those that can afford it should talk to their vet. Should it be administered incorrectly, a raw or cooked diet can lead to serious nutrient deficiencies. This can lead to long-term and even life-threatening health problems for your Bernedoodle. Regardless of the age or size of your Bernedoodle, a feeding schedule should be used to prevent overeating and obesity. The only exception is when the pup is weaning during its first three months. Grazing can be permitted during this stage to help them adjust to regular dog food. When Bernedoodle puppies reach four months of age, owners should move to a regular feeding schedule. The pup should be fed at the same time each day, three times daily. At around six months of age, the growth of a Bernedoodle begins to slow, and obesity becomes more of a risk. To minimize it, Bernedoodle puppies should be transitioned to twice-daily feedings once they reach six months of age. Older senior dogs may sometimes need to return to grazing, as they may struggle to eat their entire serving in one sitting. Just be sure to watch your dog for excessive weight gain. Bernedoodles tend to be voracious eaters, so they can quickly become overweight when allowed to graze. Puppies can be especially prone to bone problems if permitted to gain weight too quickly, so watch them closely for any signs of excessive eating. Also, be sure to feed your Bernedoodle the right amount of food. Larger Bernedoodle dogs will need more. However, the amount of dog food should not be determined through charts alone. They are only guidelines. Health, age, exercise and activity levels, and sub-breed can alter the amount of food a Bernedoodle needs — sometimes significantly. Healthy Bernedoodle pups can eat as much as three times the food as an adult dog of the same weight. As such, Bernedoodle owners should start at the minimum amount of food and then monitor the dog for weight loss and weight gain. An observation journal can help you note small changes over time while also allowing you to keep track of how much your Bernedoodle is eating. Dogs getting the appropriate amount of food usually have visible ribs and a tucked tummy. This is when viewed from the side. When viewed from above, they should have a visible waist. If your dog continues to appear underweight, despite increases in food intake. You may need to schedule a trip to the vet to rule out parasites or underlying health conditions. Should you start noticing a rounded stomach, a waist disappears when viewing your dog from the side. Reduce their food amount slightly until their shape returns. You can also take your Bernedoodle out for more exercise to reduce their weight. Bernedoodle Treats — Yes, No, or Sometimes? Treats are often used to train young Bernedoodles. Of course, senior dogs love treats, too! Yet, because Bernedoodles can be prone to overeating, avoiding excessive treat giving with this breed is important. Bernedoodles rarely mind. Give only limited amounts of commercial dog and protein-dense treats to minimize the risk of obesity in your Bernedoodle. Bones with marrow should only be given on occasion. Keeping Your Bernedoodle Healthy Diet is not the only health consideration that Bernedoodles owners need to make, as it is not the only pillar to good health. Depending on their age or specific health needs, your dog may also need additional vitamins or supplements; your vet can advise you further. Such as malnutrition, tooth decay, excessive weight gain, sluggishness, unusual shedding, or other alarming symptoms. Regular check-ups and vaccinations are also important for ensuring good health in your pet. From puppy to senior, you can keep your Bernedoodle happy and healthy. Whereas by feeding them a well-rounded, high-quality diet rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Good health allows them to be a loved member of your family for years to come. Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. Sharing is caring! Totay How much should I feed my puppy? Visit this link to find where you can purchase this food near you: Diamond Naturals Website It is good to let your puppy have free-choice access to his food for the first week of being re-homed. After that, we recommend them being on a schedule of eating four times a day, offering as much as they will eat in the time frame of seven minutes. As your puppy gets older, he can be fed less times per day 3x at 12 weeks old, and then cut it down to twice a day. Please read the article below by Dr. Becker and see condition chart. The article is talking mostly about large breeds growing too fast, but this can happen in the doodles, too. After all, they have large breeds in their genetics. Becker By Dr. Becker Serious Health Problems Often Develop in Puppies Who Grow Too Fast There are several factors that contribute to the skeletal development of puppies, including genetics, exercise, trauma and nutrition. One of the most important factors is nutrition. The good news is that nutrition is something you, as a pet owner, have complete control over. Many large and giant breed dogs are genetically predisposed to grow too fast. Unfortunately, humans continue to help the process along by feeding inappropriate, high-growth pet food formulas to these puppies. Rapid bone growth can result in structural defects of the bones, which makes the skeleton even less able to bear the increasing body weight. Also, big dogs have less bone density than smaller breeds, meaning their bones are more fragile and prone to injury. Overfeeding a puppy during the active, rapid growth period right after weaning leads to skeletal problems. The goal for large and giant breed puppies should be controlled growth — not overgrowth. The size a dog ultimately becomes is primarily dictated by genetics. But the time it takes a dog to reach full adult size can be controlled to a large degree by nutrition. Protein is Not the Culprit — Excess Calories and Minerals Are Researchers have studied the diets of large breed dogs for over 30 years to understand the link between improper nutrition and skeletal problems. Studies have repeatedly concluded dietary protein levels have no effect on the development of skeletal problems in large and giant breed dogs. But still today, many breeders of large dogs, owners and even some veterinarians will tell you protein is the problem, even though there is no evidence to prove it. Protein excess is not the problem. The elements of nutrition that have been scientifically proven to negatively impact skeletal development in puppies are excessive calories and high or unbalanced mineral content, specifically calcium and phosphorus i. Absorption, of course, occurs through the intestines. The higher the calcium and mineral content of the diet, the greater the level of absorption and assimilation into the developing bone structure of the puppy. This can disturb the natural process of bone growth and result in lesions in the skeleton and joints. High mineral concentrations in the diet can quickly cause bone mineral changes that play into skeletal abnormalities in a growing puppy. These include hypertrophic osteodystrophy, also called HOD. This is a severely painful bone disease that affects multiple limbs and causes lameness. Also craniomandibular osteopathy, a disease that affects the bones of the skull, including the lower jaw. A high mineral content diet has also been shown to cause conformation problems and abnormalities in both stature and weight gain. Puppies who get too big, too fast and go on to develop orthopedic issues are typically fed a very tasty, high energy, high mineral content diet. Many of these puppies are free-fed. Others are simply fed too much at each meal. The problematic high energy nutrient in all these diets tends to be too many carbohydrates. A healthy, large or giant breed puppy will thrive on a portion-controlled, balanced, species-appropriate diet. You can feed a spot-on balanced homemade diet or an excellent quality commercially available food. What about those large breed puppy foods? Traditional puppy foods often provide much higher calorie content than large breed puppies require, causing them to gain too much weight too quickly. This is why pet food manufacturers began producing formulas specifically for large breed puppies. These are typically diets lower in calorie density the number of calories per cup or gram of food than a regular puppy diet. These are two very important factors for reducing too-rapid growth in big puppies. Some adult foods may also be low calorically, but often they have high calcium content on an energy basis, which is not what you want for a growing large or giant breed pup. I do not recommend feeding a traditional high growth puppy food to large breed puppies. How Much to Feed Most vets and breeders agree puppies can be moved to adult foods between six and 10 months of age, depending on the breed, size, and current physical development. Several factors will play into the amount of food you feed your puppy. Puppies eat much more for their weight than adult dogs, and young puppies actually eat quite a bit more than older puppies. Very young puppies should be fed three to four times a day, in fact, whereas older puppies often do well with twice-daily feedings. Following feeding guidelines on the back of a dog food bag can give you some guidelines on portions to feed, but remember those are only general guidelines. Raw-fed puppies need a larger volume of food than kibble-fed puppies, because raw food contains less fat and calories per ounce. Another common feeding guideline is to allow your pup to eat at her own pace for about 10 minutes three times a day. Most importantly, I recommend you feed your puppy the amount of food required to keep him lean, which is about a 2 out of 5 or a 4 out of 9 body condition score. They are smart dogs, family-friendly, and very loyal. They can vary in size from 10 pounds to 50 pounds because poodles come in different sizes toy, miniature and standard. Their personalities can vary quite a bit as well, making each Bernedoodle unique! It really depends on which parent breed they take after. They can differ even more the original litter is bred with other Poodles or Bernese Mountain Dogs. Additionally, the Bernedoodle is a newer breed so people are still learning about them with each generation. They usually have curly or at least wavy coats that tend to shed less and cause fewer problems for allergy sufferers. They do not like to be left alone and can develop separation anxiety. Good training can help to prevent this, however, and this quality makes them wonderful canine friends anyway. Feeding Your Bernedoodle Puppy Thorough knowledge of puppy feeding can help deter bad behavior and potential health issues down the road as your puppy blossoms into an adult. Your puppy needs a well-balanced diet just like a human baby. It should contain a combination of proteins from both plant and meat sources, as well as some grains. Also, puppy food and adult dog food are not the same. Puppies require more nutrients and more calories than adult dogs because they are growing so quickly. You can choose between dry food, canned food, cooked food, or raw food. Dry and canned foods are designed to provide all of the nutrients that your puppy needs to grow and be healthy. There are also size-specific food types you can choose from that contain different nutrient amounts or smaller kibble. As puppies transition from nursing to puppy food, it may be easier to feed them a mixture of wet and dry food. This will help them adjust to eating just kibble as they get older. Bernedoodle puppies tend to overeat, so they must be kept on a feeding schedule. Puppies younger than four months can be allowed to graze as needed as they transition from nursing to puppy food. At four months old, Bernedoodle puppies should be fed three times per day, at the same times each day. At six months old, you should transition your Bernedoodle puppy to feedings twice per day instead of three times. Be sure to feed your Bernedoodle puppy early enough in the evening that he has time to digest and go potty or he may have accidents overnight. The amount of food you feed your Bernedoodle puppy can vary greatly based on the size of poodle the Bernese was bred with toy, mini, or standard. Smaller Bernedoodle puppies, those that were bred from toy or miniature poodles, will require much less food than the larger Bernedoodle puppies. Keep an eye on the shape of your puppy. You should be able to see his ribs slightly and his tummy should tuck upward. You should not be able to see his hips, however. Begin feeding your Bernedoodle puppy the smallest amount for their weight, but if he looks underweight, increase that amount gradually. If he looks overweight, decrease his food intake. The first step to determine how much to feed your puppy is to figure out approximately what your puppy will weigh once he is an adult. The following chart show approximately how much to feed your puppy based on weight and age range: Bernedoodle Puppy Feeding Chart 6 weeks to 3 months 4 — 5 months.

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german shepherd puppy breathing fast while sleeping - How much does a C-section cost for a French bulldog Breeding French Bulldogs Before discussing the litter size of the French Bulldog, we need to talk about dog breeding in general. While we discuss different dog breeds here regularly, it is important to know there are still many issues involved in breeding. While loving a particular breed and enjoying its ideal traits is not wrong, there is a problem with population numbers. Shelter systems around the world are overrun with abandoned and stray dogs, rescued from circumstances which often cause psychological trauma and physical harm. The reasons so many dogs enter the shelter system are varied, but they often come from negligent owners who cannot meet the responsibility of dog guardianship. While you yourself may be a responsible dog guardian, finding the same for all of the puppies in a French Bulldog's litter may not be an easy task. Due to canine overpopulation, there are more dogs than homes to accommodate them. Shelter systems work hard to rehome and care for abandoned dogs, but many do not have the resources to do so. The difficulties from which many of these dogs suffer often means they are shuffled back and forth or are directly euthanized. Another worrying aspect is the presence of unscrupulous breeders. The popularity of French Bulldogs began with professional and legally registered breeders. They not only guarantee that the characteristics of the breed are maintained, but they look after the dog's welfare and give them the best chance to be happy and healthy adult dogs. Unscrupulous breeders only want to make money. They will house dogs in inhumane conditions, not give them proper socialization, neglect their health needs and may be involved in abuse. Keeping dogs in puppy farms means the mothers are often used solely for breeding and are not given a happy existence. Keeping so many dogs in close proximity can also promote many diseases, parasitical infections, skin disorders and more. Even if the dog is physically healthy, they may suffer from serious behavioral problems. Another reason for taking care when breeding French Bulldogs is due to their particular health issues. Although French Bulldogs are wonderful animals which can lead happy lives, they are also a product of certain breeding practices. In a desire to have certain physical characteristics, French Bulldogs have a particular morphology. Their snout is shortened and their stature is very stocky. The result is that these breeds are prone to certain disorders such as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. Studies show that many Bulldog owners are not even aware of the condition [1] , but it can lead to severe respiratory problems and a significant decrease in quality of life. Other health problems common to the French Bulldog include eye problems, entropion , invertebral disc disease, cleft palate and more. For the above reasons, it is not advised you breed your French Bulldog. You will be contributing to an overpopulation of dogs which means dogs already in need are often overlooked. Veterinarians recommend sterilization for both female and male dogs not only for the larger dog population, but for the individual dog. It helps avoid certain physical and behavioral disorders which can make their care difficult. After a French Bulldog gives birth to their litter, they will be able to become pregnant again as soon as they reach their next heat cycle. If your French Bulldog has become pregnant and you are wondering how many puppies they will have in their litter, you should consider spaying the dog as soon as they have been able to wean the puppies and are ready to be separated from their mother. Average number of puppies in a French Bulldog litter If you do not take our advice or your French Bulldog is already pregnant , you will want to know how many puppies are in a French Bulldog litter. In doing so, you will know how many homes you will need to find for each puppy or if it is possible an adopter will take in more than one puppy. The average size of a French Bulldog litter is 3 puppies. It is not abnormal for a French Bulldog to have 4 puppies in a litter, but anything over 5 puppies is unusual. While we will not be able to tell how many puppies a French Bulldog will be able to have early on, we need to carry out checkups with the veterinarian. How to know how many puppies a French Bulldog will have While we may know how many French Bulldog puppies are likely to be born, many people will want to know an exact amount. This can be a difficult to determine, especially in the early stages. Apart from determining the health of mother and fetuses, the veterinarian can help to determine how many puppies will be in a litter. Palpations will be used initially to determine pregnancy. The vet will press and tap the French Bulldog's abdomen to look for the presence of fluid sacs which contain the fetuses. These can only be felt after a minimum of 3 weeks after conception. Even during this time, it will not be possible to know how many fetuses are present. An x-ray is a better way to determine the amount of puppies in a French Bulldog litter, but not until later in the gestation. The reason is that the x-ray needs to pick out the spine and skull in the fetus, which don't develop until at least day 42, but even then it may not be easy to determine exactly how many fetuses are in the litter. Perhaps the best method of determining how many puppies are in a litter is with an ultrasound. This should be carried between the third and fourth week of pregnancy and then again further into the gestation. An ultrasound will not only help to determine the amount of fetuses present, but they will also be able to find out if they are alive. Earlier in the pregnancy, a miscarried fetus will be absorbed into the mother's body, but this will not happen if it has developed sufficiently. An x-ray can tell if the fetus is present, but an ultrasound will let us to know if there is a heartbeat. Complications in French Bulldog pregnancy As we state above, the French Bulldog has certain health issues which affect them as adults. The same problems will affect a French Bulldog's pregnancy. As the Bulldog's hips are narrow, giving birth normally becomes more difficult. Another aspect is the fact that French Bulldogs are brachycephalic dogs. The shape of their head can lead to various problems, particularly with respiration. A mother dog which is giving birth to multiple puppies may struggle to get enough oxygen. If they already have other health issues during their pregnancy, this can exacerbate them. Not only is it problematic for the French Bulldog mother to have complications, but the shape of this breed's head means it can be difficult for the puppies to pass through the birth canal. The word for problems during labor is dystocia and recent reviews have highlighted the specific problems faced by brachycephalic dog breeds. Firstly, French Bulldogs are .It is important to monitor your dog's pregnancy, regardless of breed. With French Bulldogs it is imperative. How much does a C-section cost for a French bulldog As we have seen, regardless of how many puppies a French bulldog can have, a caesarean section is likely. This is regardless of whether it has been scheduled by the veterinarian or if it has to occur due to obvious complications in the birth. The caesarean section is a type of abdominal surgery which involves the veterinarian cutting into successive layers. Once they are in far enough, they will reach the uterus which they open with a scalpel. The puppies are then extracted from the abdomen and their amniotic sacs pierced so they can breathe air. The French Bulldog dam will be anesthetized during the procedure, but this needs to happen just before otherwise further complications such as hypotension may occur [5]. Another reason the anesthetic needs to have short duration is the fact that the puppies will need to start feeding almost immediately. The veterinarian will dry the puppies after the c-section and keep them warm until all the puppies are birthed and the mother regains consciousness. The price of this procedure will depend on various factors: Time of the operation: if the c-section is an emergency and is performed outside of clinic hours, it will normally cost more. Complications: if there are any issues during the operation which require the dog to have extra medical care, this will add to the bills. This is particularly the case if the dog needs to stay in for observation. Weight: if the dog is particularly large, they may need more drugs or procedures to carry it out safely. The same goes if they have related medical conditions. Place: different countries, regions and individual clinics will have varying prices. For the above reasons, we cannot give you the exact price of a c-section for a French Bulldog. You will have to discuss pricing with your veterinarian as you go on checkups during the pregnancy. While this may be expensive, we are paying for the expertise of the veterinary health professional, the materials required during the procedure and various other factors. If you want to read similar articles to How many puppies can a French bulldog have? References 1. Liu, N. February 2, This post may contain affiliate links. Read more here. French bulldogs are a breed of dogs that have gained popularity over the past few decades. Most importantly, French bulldogs, like all brachycephalic breeds, suffer from many health issues due to their physical characteristics. The lifespan for a French bulldog can be a short as years since they often die prematurely due to breathing difficulties such as collapsed lungs which can be caused by their flat faces. A well-bred French Bulldog can live the full years assuming they do not have the brachycephalic dog syndrome or other diseases causing a premature death. While the grunting noises may sound silly, they really can be interpreted wrongly by other dogs. That being said, it should be clear that all dogs need socialization. A good breeder will have taken measures to ensure that the puppies do not have any problems, which includes a good breeding program and health testing. French bulldogs, like all breeds of dogs, are subject to a wide variety of health problems. Photo by MirasWonderland on Shutterstock There is no one cause of death for the majority of French bulldogs. They just seem to be more prone to certain types of diseases or conditions which can lead to their early death. Frenchies are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. And that includes undesirable health issues. Hip Dysplasia Hip dysplasia is one of the most common orthopedic diseases in dogs, French Bulldogs are no exception. There are a few things you should know about this condition before getting your rescue checked out by a vet. Symptoms include difficulty standing up from a sitting position, difficulty walking or running, inability to climb stairs without assistance, an arched back posture indicating that weight is being shifted onto the front legs , and reluctance or refusal to go on walks or play fetch. Entropion French Bulldogs are a breed of dogs that require careful attention to their eyes. Photo by Ivonne Wierink on Shutterstock Entropion is a condition in which the eyelid rolls inward, causing discomfort and irritation. The dog may rub his eye with one or both paws because of the constant irritation. If not treated, this condition can lead to ulceration or corneal abrasion. If you notice your french bulldog is exhibiting any of these symptoms, it may be entropion and should be treated as soon as possible by a veterinarian. A vet can prescribe topical ointment or eye drops that will help ease discomfort. IVDD When it comes to dog health, there are many common conditions that can affect your pup. One of the most serious is IVDD. This condition often affects dogs who are over 50 lbs and have a long back. What does IVDD stand for? The spine can be injured or damaged in many ways, including from cancer, trauma, infections, congenital defects and IVDD. These discs act as cushions between the bones to absorb shocks during movement. Rupturing of these discs can cause severe pain. When these discs break down they may begin to leak fluid which compresses nearby nerves causing pain and loss of control over muscles in the legs with varying degrees of paralysis depending on how badly these structures are damaged. Brachycephalic Frenchies A major issue for Frenchies are brachycephalic respiratory problems. Do not buy poorly bred puppies with this issue, no matter how cute they may look. This is a condition that affects dogs with short noses and makes it difficult for them to breathe. The problem stems from their anatomy, which includes a shortened nasal passage and an elongated soft palate. These anatomical differences make it difficult for these animals to cool themselves when they pant because the air has trouble passing through the nose, causing them to overheat quickly. It also causes difficulty in regulating breathing as well as changes in the shape of their faces. Also, would you like not being able to cool off or not having sufficient airflow? Dogs regulate a lot through their breathing and one of the symptoms of poorly bred French Bulldogs is the fact that they never close their mouth and lie down to cool down instead of just pant. Heart Failure Dog owners often face the difficult decision of whether or not to euthanize their pet when they are diagnosed with heart failure, so do your best to not let it get so far. What are some signs my dog may have heart failure? If left untreated, it can lead to congestive heart failure, which will cause them to develop symptoms such as coughing, difficulty breathing, and increased thirst. Dogs that have been diagnosed with heart failure should not be allowed to exercise strenuously, or at all in some cases. Some medications may help slow the progression of heart damage from high blood pressure or diabetes as well. Having a healthy Frenchie can actually save you money. Remember what I told you above about the health conditions? A major pet health insurance has collected data on what their claims have cost in the past. Health condition. Epidemiology Abstract A life table is a tabulated expression of life expectancy and mortality-related information at specified ages in a given population. This study utilised VetCompass data to develop life tables for the UK companion dog population and broken down by sex, Kennel Club breed group, and common breeds. Among 30, dogs that died between 1st January and 31st July , life expectancy at age 0 was .Female dogs .Life tables varied widely between breeds. Jack Russell Terrier .Life tables generated by the current study allow a deeper understanding of the varied life trajectory across many types of dogs and offer novel insights and applications to improve canine health and welfare. The current study helps promote further understanding of life expectancy, which will benefit pet owners and the veterinary profession, along with many other sectors. Introduction A deeper understanding of life expectancies at different ages within the United Kingdom UK companion dog population, further categorised by sex and breed, is critical to the improvement of canine welfare and health management 1 , 2. For example, existing and potential dog owners can develop realistic expectations for the typical remaining life period of their dogs through the knowledge of life expectancy. To date, much of the research on dog life expectancy has focused on reporting average overall ages at death in dogs that have been selected using referral or first opinion veterinary caseloads 1 , 3 , insurance databases 4 or owner questionnaires 5 , 6. Among companion dogs died between and in the UK, the median age at death was estimated to be .Instead of offering a single value for the average age of at death, a life table is a tabulated expression of life expectancy and probability of death at different age groups of a given population. A life table provides much more detailed information and inference than a single summary average age at death across all ages 7. There are two main types of life tables: a a cohort life table, which summarises the actual mortality experience of a group of individuals the cohort from the birth of the first to the death of the last member of the cohort, and b a current life table, which provides cross-sectional mortality and survival experience of a population during a single or few current years 8. Cohort life tables have also been constructed using a hypothetical i. Both types of life tables have their importance. Cohort life tables can inform the mortality situation of cohorts, but the data for current life tables are generally easier to be collected 8. Human life tables are routinely constructed for countries, or sub-populations within a country, as a proxy indicator of the general health of the population. A decrease in life expectancy implies that events leading to mortality occur, on average, earlier and is, therefore, suggestive of a generally less healthy population .Thus, life tables can be used to monitor changes in the general health of a population over time, as well as to identify vulnerable sub- populations, promoting targeted investigation into the reasons for the observed reduction in life expectancy 11 , .Human life tables are considered an essential tool for effective public planning and policy-making 13 , e. In the UK, a national current life table for humans is generated every three years whereas there is an update every year in the United States 12 , .National life tables are usually constructed for the population overall, per sex, and may include ethnic groups in some countries .Despite their usefulness for the management of human populations, life tables are rarely built for companion animals. Two life table studies for dogs were recently conducted in Japan 10 , 17 ; the first created current life tables for dogs in general, along with estimates for differing sizes, using pet insurance data, whilst the other created a hypothetical cohort life table using pet cemetery data. These life tables have advanced the knowledge of dog life trajectory 18 and have been applied in studies that required information on the life expectancy of dogs of different ages, such as a quantitative risk assessment of the introduction of rabies 19 and the quantification of welfare impact caused by diseases 2. However, given that the breed structure of dog populations can vary widely between countries, the international generalisability of lifetables needs to be considered carefully. In addition, the average lifespan and mortality profiles of individual breeds may differ among national dog populations for a wide range of genetic and healthcare reasons. For instance, on average, Labrador Retrievers lived .The construction of a life table for companion dogs in the UK could facilitate the understanding of the life expectancy and health of the UK companion dog population in a similar way to the application of such life tables in human populations 12 , .A reliable canine life table can enhance our understanding of the life expectancy at different ages, as it demonstrates that life expectancy at each age is not the same as the average lifespan minus that age. There are practical implications when life expectancy is not understood correctly. For example, canine adoption centres may underestimate the typical remaining lifespan of adult dogs being rehomed if predictions about their age at death are based on their current age and the average lifespan. This could lead to a longer length of ownership than the adopting family had originally expected. Moreover, more complex forms of life table modelling can be used to support studies that quantify the burden of diseases on dog health and welfare 2 , .When a disease leads to the death of a dog, this dog foregoes the potential remaining lifespan that it would have lived without that disease. Thus, the burden of the disease increases when a longer period of remaining life lost is caused by a disease, and this information about the life lost can be supplied by a dog life table. The current study aimed to develop the first life tables for the UK companion dog population and dogs of different traits, including sex and some breeds. The resulting life tables could improve our understanding of longevity-related demographics of the dog population in the UK, whilst ultimately contributing to the improved health and welfare of dogs worldwide. The candidate cases were randomly ordered and the clinical notes of a subset of candidates were manually reviewed in detail to evaluate for case inclusion. Case inclusion criteria as a confirmed death required evidence in the EPR that the dog had died at any date from January 1st to July 31st .Animals without information about sex were excluded from the final sample. After descriptive statistics for summarising the demographics of the sample were conducted, a hypothetical cohort life table for the UK companion dog population was constructed with all dogs in the dataset 8. Life tables for subpopulations mentioned below were also built: all life tables needed to have a minimum of 3 dogs in each given year interval and 11 dogs at the last year interval. A minimum of 3 dogs in each given year interval was decided to ensure a sample variance that takes the advantage of averaging i. Thus, we only set the number limit of dogs for the last year interval. Based on the criteria, life tables were also constructed for a male and female dogs, b neutered and entire dogs for both sexes c dogs of different KC breed groups Gundog, Hound, Pastoral, Terrier, Toy, Utility, Working, and non-KC recognised , and d crossbred and 18 breeds of dogs. All the life tables were complete life tables i. Table 1 presents the parameters in the life table and their definition and equations. The life expectancy at age 0 equates to the mean age at death of dogs across all ages. Table 1 Parameters used in a life table. Full size table Data cleaning including removal of dogs a died before January 1st or after July 31st , b with negative lifespan, c without birth or mortality information, d without sex information and management were performed in Microsoft Excel Microsoft Corp. No human data were included in the current study. The geographic spread of the clinics with available postcode data included England .Initial screening identified 97, candidate death cases at any date from 1st January to 31st July .Following a manual review of 32, .The success rate of the combined search terms to correctly identify deceased dogs was .Among the 30, dogs, 14, .There were 17, .There were 23, .Among 23, dogs of KC-recognised breeds, there were .The number and percentage of each breed is in Supplementary File 1. There were 18 breeds included in the life table analyses, accounted for .There were .Life table Table 2 shows the overall life table for the UK companion dog population. The life expectancy at age 0 for UK companion dogs was .The probability of death at each year interval increased with age with an exception of year interval 1—2 0. The probability of death within each year interval remained at or below 0. Table 2 Cohort life table of dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. Full size table Female dogs .This trend towards greater annual female life expectancy persisted until individuals were 12 years of age, after which the life expectancy of both sexes became similar. When adding neuter status into consideration, a substantially higher probability of death in entire female year 10 and before and male year 4 and before than their neutered counterparts was observed Tables S3 to S6 in Supplementary File 2. Entire females .Full size image Among the KC breed groups and dogs of breeds not recognised by the KC, Terrier had the longest life expectancy at age 0 at .However, comparative patterns of life expectancy between the breed groups at age 0 were not necessarily maintained later into life. For instance, Hound and Toy groups had a similar life expectancy at age 0 but diverged soon after this to reach a difference of 0. The life table of Hound ended at year 17 with a life expectancy of 0. Supplementary File 2 Tables S7 to S14 contains the life tables for the breed groups. Full size image Life tables for the 18 breeds and crossbred varied widely Table 3 and can be found in Supplementary File 2 Tables S15 to S.Jack Russell Terrier had the greatest life expectancy at age 0 at .Compared to other breeds, many brachycephalic breeds i. To explore the longevity of the dogs of different breeds, we examined the earliest age at which the life expectancy dropped below 1. The life expectancy dropping below 1. English Bulldog was the earliest to reach the life expectancy of 1. Table 3 Key statistics extracted from the life tables of 18 individual dog breeds and of crossbred, including the life expectancy at age 0 and at the last age, using the data of dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK. Full size table Figure 3 Relation between the life expectancy at year 0 and year interval in which the life expectancy became 1. Full size image The probability of death was lower in year 0—1 than year 1—2 in most breeds [American Bulldog 0. Some breeds, including American Bulldog, Chihuahua, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Husky and Pug had a probability of death before reaching adulthood before year 2 30 much higher than the overall dogs 0. Discussion This study presents the first cohort life tables for the UK dog population and dogs of different characteristics, including sex, neuter status, KC grouping and 18 breeds and crossbred dogs. These tables offer information about annual life expectancy and annual probability of death, which has been unavailable from conventional longevity studies in UK companion dogs to date. With the ongoing accumulation and accessibility of death information from Big Data resources such as VetCompass in the future, the construction of life tables for increasing numbers of breeds of dogs and also for other companion animal species should expand. Based on the mathematical and biological plausibility, a valid life table should exhibit the highest life expectancy at age 0 which decreases with age 8 , 15 , .The probability of death may be higher in infancy as the immune system continues to mature in the postnatal period, for both humans and dogs .In dogs, the immune system takes approximately one year for full maturity .In the most recent life tables of humans in the UK, Australia and the US, the probability of death appeared the lowest in ages of 7—11 years i. Some life tables constructed in the current study did not follow this trend in the probability of death, for example, the life tables for neutered males and females. These life tables will be discussed below. The life expectancy at age 0 reported in the current study for dogs under primary veterinary care in the UK in was .Differing data sources for the study populations might partially contribute to this substantial variation. Insured dogs may represent a subset of dogs that live longer than those without insurance, as they may receive more or additional veterinary care, due to alleviated economic constraints on the owners 35 , .Moreover, dog breeds of high disease risk such as brachycephalic breeds might be under-represented in some insurance data than the general population due to the elevated cost to insure and special rules of reimbursement applied to these breeds in some insurance companies 37 , .Breed demographics are likely to differ between these two counties. Breeds of toy or small size have a longer life expectancy than larger-sized dogs and are more common in Japan than in the UK 1 , 5 , 10 , .In contrast, breeds of large and medium sizes, as well as brachycephalic dogs, are more popular in the UK 39 , which present shorter life expectancies. These demographic differences will influence country-level life expectancy estimates at age 0. Variation in estimates may be partly due to sampling effort, as the life expectancy tables from Japan were created using a smaller sample size. While female dogs .Entire animals of both sexes showed similar trajectories of life expectancy from age 0 onwards. However, neutering was associated with an elevated life expectancy at age 0 for both sexes compared to their entire counterparts, and this longevity advantage from neutering was higher in female dogs than in male dogs. A similar survival advantage for neutered animals has been reported in several studies 1 , 40 , 41 , but most data, including the current study, generated these results by dichotomising dogs into neutered or entire without taking into account the duration of gonadal hormone exposure before the neutering. Neutered animals in these cited studies would have already lived to the age of neutering, biasing their life expectancy towards greater length, highlighted by the lowered probability of death at year 0—1 in neutered dogs. As veterinarians may often recommend early neutering for female dogs, sometimes before the start of the oestrus cycle 42 or soon after the first cycle 43 , neutering of females may occur earlier in life than neutering for males .Therefore, the gap of true life expectancy between the sexes due to neutering might be even wider than reported here. Neutering may also act as a proxy for stronger owner responsibility and better care, as it is often considered responsible dog ownership. Thus, neutered animals may benefit from additional survival advantages related to enhanced owner care .Neutering may directly affect the risks of various health conditions and therefore shift life expectancy as a result .Neutering is linked to a reduced risk of tumours within reproductive organs and various cardiovascular diseases, but an increased risk of joint disorders and several types of tumours such as lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma, especially in females .Due to the complexity stated above, our life tables for neutered dogs should be interpreted with great caution. For the 18 breeds and the crossbred category, the number of years contained in the tables, life expectancy and the probability of death at different ages varied widely. Relatively shorter life expectancy at specific year points can be taken as evidence that events and processes eventually leading to mortality are occurring earlier in life in these populations than some other populations, so these populations may have generally poorer health than some other populations 30 , .If the distribution of external factors that may lead to differences in the life expectancy and the probability of death e. Breed predisposition to particular disorders is a well-identified phenomenon .Breeds that show high levels of potentially life-threatening predispositions that start early in life are likely to have a higher probability of death at younger ages and therefore a decreased life expectancy. Indeed, four brachycephalic breeds French Bulldog, English Bulldog, Pug and American Bulldog that showed the shortest life expectancy at year 0 of all 18 breeds in our results are also reported with several predispositions to life-limiting disorders that occur early in life, such as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, spinal disease and dystocia 48 , 49 , 50 , .Lifespan variations between breeds were explored by examining the association between the breed life expectancy at age 0 and the year interval at which the life expectancy reached 1. Generally, life expectancy at age 0 and the year interval in which the life expectancy became 1. However, although Chihuahuas showed a life expectancy at age 0 of only 7. A lowered life expectancy at age 0 suggests an increase in mortality of younger-aged dogs whose mortality is usually low , and the life expectancy becoming 1. In our results, the probability of death before year 13—14 was higher and much higher before year 4 in Chihuahua than for dogs overall, which became lower after that. It was also observed in French Bulldogs that a low life expectancy at age 0 4. The number of KC registered French Bulldogs in the UK rose steeply from in to 39, in 39 , suggesting that the population of French Bulldogs and other breeds sharing a similar rising trend in popularity in our dataset are biased towards younger dogs that contribute proportionately more deaths in younger ages in the life table. In contrast, breeds with a decreasing trend in popularity may have an underestimated probability of death at younger ages, resulting in overestimated life expectancy. Previous studies have also shown the rising popularity of certain breeds and the association of rising popularity with lower median age 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , .Hypothetical cohort life tables are more susceptible to the influence of population instability, which is common in dogs due to sudden and dramatic fad-like changes in breed popularity .This can be avoided by implementing current or real cohort life tables instead if such data were available. Thirteen of the 18 breeds had a lower probability of death in year 0—1 than year 1—2 in the life tables, some slightly and others substantially. This finding goes against the evidence that mortality is higher in puppy 0—26 weeks and juvenile 27—52 weeks periods than young adult period 1—2 years and empirical results in human life tables 15 , 33 , .This may, in part, be due to substantial puppy mortality occurring before individuals can be registered to a primary veterinary clinic resulting in these deaths not appearing in the current dataset. A more accurate estimation of life expectancy from birth would be possible if all the currently unavailable puppy mortality information could be recovered. Life tables in companion animals offer extensive applications. Similar to a common application for human life table studies, comparison between life tables can support deeper insight into the health of dogs of differing demographics such as sex and breed over time and space 62 , .When life tables are generated periodically for a specific population, changes in the life expectancy and the probability of death at specific ages can indicate changes in the general health and welfare of the population. Comparison of life tables among the populations of different traits such as breed or conformation can also identify less healthy or more vulnerable populations 62 , as demonstrated in our study especially for breeds. Advanced life table modelling can offer useful information allowing the quantification of disease burden on health and welfare in human and companion animals 2 , 64 , .Quantification of disease burden is important because it can assist with the prioritisation of health conditions for targeted reform 66 , 67 , .Coupling these findings with cost-effective analysis on disease prevention and control can assist to allocate resources to priority health conditions and achieve efficient improvements in the health and welfare of the overall population .The value of disease burden quantification has been demonstrated by the Global Burden of Disease project of the World Health Organization to improve human health .The Global Burden of Disease uses the Disability-Adjusted Life Year framework that incorporates life tables as part of the methodology to quantify the burden of many diseases diseases and injuries in 64 , .The WALY constitutes two elements, a years lived with impaired welfare, which is the years having a certain disease weighted by its severity and b years of life lost due to the premature death caused by the disease or resulting assisted death. Future life table modelling that accounts for comorbidity and demographics of dogs can offer information about years of life lost based upon the life expectancy at the age of death for the individual animal affected. Life tables highlight the value of interpreting life expectancy annually, especially at older ages, where differences in life expectancy between ages become narrower. Thus, the current authors propose that life table literacy is important for veterinary professionals, shelter staff, and dog owners because it can optimise decision-making and subsequently can positively impact dog welfare. Life table literacy will promote realistic expectations for the life expectancy of dogs at different ages, helping to make treatment plans for illness and end of life decisions. Shelters and charities can also incorporate this information in the adoption process ensuring that potential dog owners understand the expected length of ownership commitment required for dogs of different breeds, ages, and neuter status. With the foundations for canine life table science built by the current work, we hope to generate further examples of life tables for both dogs and cats using the VetCompass data in the future. The current study provides a proof of concept that can support future research looking to construct life tables for dogs and cats as a periodic recurring endeavour. Consequently, changes in the life expectancy, mortality, and health of companion dogs and cats can be tracked similarly to how it is in human demography 15 , .For future life table construction, we hope to incorporate other sources of information such as KC annual registry data and dog insurance data with further modelling, which will help to produce even more accurate life tables .This study had some additional limitations to those discussed above. Firstly, the high frequency of euthanasia in companion dogs highlights the potentially underestimated life expectancy compared to unassisted death .This is especially biased by euthanasia undertaken for non-life-threatening reasons such as undesirable behaviours, economic reasons or convenience 35 , .Consequently, differing cultures between countries for euthanasia in dogs might substantially influence national life tables. Another limitation is the sole inclusion of primary veterinary practice-attending dogs. Thus, our results might be less representative of unowned dogs or dogs not attending veterinary clinics. Also, some dogs that died at home or in emergency out-of-hours clinics might be excluded from the current data, although the data did capture all deaths away from the clinics that were reported by owners to the veterinary clinics at any time. Lastly, the sample sizes for some of the 18 breeds e. Conclusion The current study has produced the first life tables for dogs in the UK, reporting annual life expectancy and probability of death for the UK companion dog population, dogs of different sex and neuter status, breed groups and also for 18 breeds and crossbred dogs. We report an elevated life expectancy in neutered dogs compared to entire dogs and wide variation in life expectancy between breeds, with Jack Russell Terrier and Yorkshire Terrier having the highest and some brachycephalic breeds showing the lowest life expectancy at age 0. The construction and application of life tables offers great potential for companion animal health and welfare sciences but is still in its infancy. Life tables generated in the current study promote not only a better understanding of the life trajectory of dogs but also offer several applications for the veterinary profession and research to improve the health and welfare of dogs. These deformities are associated with a host of health problems. Respiratory problems Every French Bulldog suffers from some degree of brachycephalic syndrome, which causes all kinds of respiratory problems. Many French Bulldogs snort and snuffle as they struggle to pull in air through a windpipe and nostrils that are malformed. In hot weather, Frenchies should be kept in an air conditioned home and supervised during outside activity so they don't suffer heatstroke. Bone and joint diseases The French Bulldog Club conducted a health survey in which 1 out of every 4 French Bulldogs had one or more bone or joint problems — especially intervertebral disk disease and hemivertebrae. Let's talk about intervertebral disk disease and hemivertebrae in French Bulldogs. Hemivertebrae is an orthopedic disease in which at least one of the bones in your French Bulldog's backbone is deformed into an abnormal shape called hemi. Fortunately, hemivertebrae don't harm the tail, but if they also occur in the backbone.A single deformed vertebra in the backbone can still be okay. But multiple hemivertebrae in the backbone or a single one in the wrong place can compress the spinal cord. At months old, an affected puppy will start experiencing discomfort when you press on his back, or even loss of sensation weak hind legs. Mild symptoms can be relieved by acupuncture, but most puppies with severe symptoms are put to sleep before a year of age, because major surgery would typically put the puppy through a lot of pain for nothing. Hemivertebrae occur in French Bulldogs more than any other breed. In my opinion, any anatomical structure that compromises a dog's health in this way should be changed by breeders — most certainly not "preserved. That's appalling. A more serious hip disease that occurs in Frenchies is Legg-Calve-Pethes. If the knee pops out frequently, or if it pops out and won't go back into its socket.Per leg. Eye diseases Eye diseases in Frenchies include corneal ulcers, retinal dysplasia, cherry eye, entropion, and eyelash abnormalities. At months old, cataracts can appear and can progress to blindness. Frenchies are prone to a number of serious eye diseases. The scariest one is inherited cataracts, which can appear at 6 to 24 months old and often progresses to blindness. A French Bulldog with large, prominent eyes is vulnerable to corneal scratches and ulcers. Heart disease Heart disease is a current concern in French Bulldogs, especially dilated cardiomyopathy and pulmonic stenosis. Skin diseases Skin diseases occur regularly in the loose folds of skin that provide a hiding place for bacteria and fungi. Frenchies are very susceptible to chronic allergies and itchy skin. Young French Bulldogs are prone to demodectic mange, which may be mild or severe. Neurological diseases The French Bulldog is vulnerable to epilepsy, and a devastating disease of the central nervous system called degenerative myelopathy, which can progress to total rear-end paralysis. Blood-clotting diseases Blood-clotting diseases include von Willebrand's, factor II deficiency, hemophilia A, and the more serious hemophilia B. Miscellaneous Colitis inflamed digestive tract and inherited deafness also occur with some regularity in French Bulldogs. Virtually all French Bulldog puppies are born by C-section, birth defects are common, and the puppy mortality rate is high. Clearly Mother Nature is trying to tell us something here. Preventing health problems Some health problems are inherited. For example, if your dog inherits from his parents the genes for an eye disease called PRA, he will go blind and there's nothing anyone can do about it. But most health problems can be prevented by the ways you raise your dog. Become your dog's health care champion! An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs. To help you train and care for your dog Dog training videos. Sometimes it's easier to train your puppy or adult dog when you can see the correct training techniques in action. The problem is that most dog training videos on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training method. I recommend these dog training videos that are based on respect and leadership. Respect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy. For puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. If your dog is over 18 months, you'll want Respect Training For Adult Dogs: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved dog. Again your dog will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Teach Your Dog English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be copied, displayed on another website, or distributed in any way without permission from the author. Create your pet's best life. Inspiring people to have happier pets since .Answers to your dog behaviour and cat behaviour questions. Photos: left, Irina Kozorog; right, Dmussman. Because pedigree dogs are bred from a closed genetic pool, they can develop health issues related to the breed. As well, of course, any dog can be affected by various canine conditions. The studies are based on health records for .Having a better understanding of how common different disorders are in particular breeds means that breeders and Kennel Clubs can make plans to improve the health of those breeds. As well, it means that dog owners have a better idea of the questions to ask a breeder, and veterinarians can keep an eye out for the conditions that are most common in those breeds. When the overall numbers of a breed in the database are small, when the numbers of that breed are growing rapidly, or when the average age of the dogs in the database is young, the data may not reflect all the issues affecting the breed, some of which tend to appear as dogs age. This applies to French Bulldogs in the sample. So which health issues tend to affect French Bulldogs and Labrador Retrievers? French Bulldogs Number of dogs in the database: Median age at time of study: 1. However, given the young age of dogs in the sample, this may change as the dogs age as they are not old enough for many diseases associated with old age. Most common conditions: .Other common conditions were the nails being too long and skin-fold dermatitis. In this sample, 2. These rates are much lower than other studies, likely due to the young age of the dogs and one-year time-scale of the study. Behaviour: Surprisingly, 2. Colours: The most common colours were brindle and fawn. Population growth: The rise in popularity of French Bulldogs is astounding. The paper reports that in , French Bulldogs made up only 0. It may be that some issues typical of the breed would be more likely to appear as the dogs get older, and that breeding practices change as a result of the increased demand e. URT [upper respiratory tract] disease and ophthalmological conditions , the increasing popularity of this breed is not necessarily a benign phenomenon. Median age at time of study: 4. Most common causes of death: Musculoskeletal disorders and tumours were the most common causes of death. Lameness and periodontal disease were the next most common disorders. Chocolate labs were more likely to have ear and skin diseases than black and yellow Labs. Behaviour: In contrast to French Bulldogs, aggression did not feature in the list of the 20 most common conditions. Undesirable behaviour was listed for 1. Colours: Labrador Retrievers come in black, chocolate, and yellow. The most common colour was black, followed by yellow. Other info: The number of Labrador Retrievers in the UK dropped significantly from until when the data for this study was collected. Male dogs weighed more than female ones, and while for females, spaying was not associated with overweight, for male dogs neutering was associated with the dog being overweight or obese. It is possible that a more restricted population gene pool has a higher carriage rate of the disease risk genes involved in ear and skin conditions. The finding that chocolate Labs tend to live less long and are more likely to be affected by certain conditions are interesting. Other research has suggested personality differences between chocolate Labs vs yellow and black Labs , at least according to owner reports. Because the sample of French Bulldogs was so young, they may not yet have been diagnosed with congenital conditions associated with the breed. Research shows that French Bulldog owners typically choose the breed because of it's appearance and personality , but many people are concerned about the health of this and other brachycephalic breeds. Here are some suggestions if you love French Bulldogs but want to consider alternatives too. Modern Dog magazine calls it "The must-have guide to improving your dog's life. She is the creator of the popular blog, Companion Animal Psychology, writes The Pawsitive Post premium newsletter, and also has a column at Psychology Today. Todd lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband, one dog, and two cats. Useful links:. Read Articles Written by Patricia Wuest Due to its adorable personality and good looks, the French bulldog has soared in popularity in both the U. New research examines the cost to the mothers and puppies. Photo Credit: Shutterstock. The results of the research, presented in two papers, were published in the official journal of the British Veterinary Association, Veterinary Record. The studies also found that among the female dogs that had problems giving birth, French bulldogs were 2. This compared to brachycephalic dogs in general, which the RVC researchers found are 1. The researchers examined the records of 20, female dogs that required emergency treatment at 50 Vets Now veterinary clinics between and .French bulldogs are among the most popular breeds of dogs in the UK. An earlier study by RVC researchers found that the most common health issues in French bulldogs were ear infections, diarrhea and conjunctivitis. The original PhD aimed to use these data to understand the epidemiology of health and disease in cats and dogs in the UK with a specific focus on breed-associated issues. I set up VetCompass as a legacy program that would live on indefinitely after the original PhD period and this is now leading to a vast array of other studies. In addition to French bulldogs, other pure breeds, such as Boston terriers, chihuahuas and pugs, are also at risk of suffering birthing problems. Compared to crossbred female dogs, Boston terriers are .The results of our study that led to two peer-reviewed publications in the Vet Record now show that there are well-defined factors that predisposed bitches to dystocia. Understanding the risk factors offers a route to an evidence-based set of actions by breeders, breed clubs, kennel clubs, veterinarians and even prospective owners to reduce this welfare cost. Of the dystocic cases, .Of these surgical cases. Of the bitches that were already dystocic, .Bulldogs are 7. In , they were listed as the fourth-most popular breed; in , they were ranked 11th. So, despite the high risks shown in our studies, we may still have substantially underreported the true risks to the overall breeds. We are working closely with the Brachycephalic Working Group in the UK [a collaborative of academia, breeders and breed clubs, the veterinary profession, The Kennel Club, animal charities and owners] to translate our findings into meaningful and positive change for predisposed breeds. Much of the health issues relating to dog breeds stems less from the dogs themselves and more from the humans associated with these breeds: it is only by joined-up thinking and efforts from all these humans that we can really make the lives of our dogs better. Demography and disorders of the French Bulldog population under primary veterinary care in the UK in .Editor's Picks. This is how you can ensure a happy and long life to your Frenchie 1. Only they can guarantee that you receive a healthy and strong puppy from a quality bloodline. We at TomKings are extremely selective about the breeding parents, we know the bloodlines for generations and exclude any Frenchie that shows any possibility of carrying a health issue. Check out the average French Bulldog Price at a reputable breeder. Focus on the right diet Keeping your Frenchie on a healthy and balanced diet also has a large impact on their lifespan. You should always aim for a high-quality dog food which has all the necessary nutrients. Choosing a grain-free food is a great option as it has more protein, meat and animal fats with a lower level of carbohydrates. Read our guide on how to choose the perfect dog food for your Frenchie. A raw meat diet like B. Wynter, French Bulldog puppy at TomKings Puppies Another thing to keep in mind is that Frenchies are prone to obesity, which can unfortunately lead to some unwanted health issues like back problems, high blood pressure, problems with insulin and so on. Check out our French Bulldog Puppies 3. Good veterinarian, regular checkup Finding a really good vet and taking your Frenchie to regular checkups is absolutely necessary to ensure a long and healthy life. They will not only make sure that your puppy stays up to date with the yearly vaccinations, but will also do blood panels to see if there are any abnormalities or maybe some vitamins or supplements are needed. Minor skin problems can be treated at home but for example lethargy and lack of appetite are two common symptoms that mean your puppy requires immediate medical attention. Accidents can always happen so having pet insurance is an absolutely must for Frenchie parents! The importance of training and exercise Frenchies are companion dogs so they hugely depend on human interaction. Similarly to humans, stress has a large impact on health and their lifespan as well. French Bulldog mommy — TomKings Puppies Owning a Frenchie means that you need to carve out a considerable amount of time of your day to train them and make sure they are getting enough exercise. A short walk in the morning and the afternoon with a couple of training or playing sessions throughout the day are ideal and will tire your Frenchie enough both physically and mentally. If you ask us, playtime is by far the best form of exercise that you can do with your dog whether indoors or outdoors! Ultimate Guide. September 29, Are you thinking about breeding your French Bulldog? If so, the first question on your mind is probably, how many puppies can a french bulldog have? And how many times can a french bulldog have puppies? If you do, you could put her health at risk. French Bulldogs are small dogs and have around 3 puppies in each litter. French Bulldog puppies must be delivered through a Caesarean section aka C-Section. Since French Bulldogs are very small and small-boned, the mothers have an average of just three puppies per litter. Anything beyond five is very unusual for frenchies and seven is the dead maximum. Most Frenchie litters are born by c-section. Because of their high health risks, Frenchie pregnancies must be closely monitored by a skilled veterinarian. Even so, determining the exact number is very difficult. Many use x-rays to try to determine the number of puppies approximately 43 days into the pregnancy. The good news is that many veterinarian facilities do have sonograms. They are the best at telling the number of fetuses and, as a bonus, whether their hearts are still beating. It sounds gross but a lot of things in nature are. Aside from being small-boned, female Frenchies also have narrow hips. As a result, more than three puppies in a litter can result in them being underweight at birth as well as other health complications. On average, most can have about four litters without risking their health. Many breeders impregnate their Frenchies by artificial insemination. Her French Bulldog litter size should be the second question on your mind. Frenchie moms-to-be go through a variety of stages during the pregnancy. The First Month of French Bulldog Pregnancy Up to the seventh day after mating or insemination, the embryos are traveling up the uteran horn. After that, they start to embed themselves on the uterine lining. On the 22nd day, they will start to form their actual shapes. Their heartbeats can be detected on the sonogram on about the 29th or 30th day. She may start to become more affectionate than usual and eat more than usual. Her nipples will start to enlarge. She may even show signs of morning sickness and vaginal discharge during the fourth week. However, not all Frenchie moms-to-be show those signs. The claws usually show up on the 40th day followed by their skeletons and coats on the 45th. Day 50 is usually when the fetuses can be distinguished. Day 58 is when your Frenchie mom-to-be will likely start looking for a nesting place. You can help her by designating a very safe and comfortable area for her and the puppies to come home to. Most Frenchie moms-to-be start eating less around the 45th day. Her belly will start to firm up at that same time. On the 50th day, you may even be able to see the fetuses moving. Her weight increases up to 50 percent more. She will have a lot of vaginal discharge and need to urinate much more than usual. The Third Month of French Bulldog Pregnancy Day 58 is when the fetuses start moving toward the birth canal so the labor can start anywhere between day 58 and .At this time, you will need to keep a very close eye on her to watch for early signs of labor. Be prepared to rush her to an emergency veterinarian if she starts showing signs of labor a little earlier than expected. She will probably not have much of an appetite during the last few days. She may be restless and agitated. She will probably start to show some nesting behaviors such as digging and pacing. During the last two weeks, she may be more affectionate and calm with you but shut out contact with other dogs. She will probably eat a lot. Female Frenchies usually first go into heat at five months. The females are typically in heat also called estrus or oestrus for nine days at a time. Some go into heat every two years. Beware that five months is the equivalent of a young teenager for Frenchies. As a result, if you start breeding them that young, you put both her and the potential puppies at risk. Most Frenchies reach full maturity at the age of two. That sperm also tends not to be as lively at a young age. Frenchies are one of the breeds that are more likely to have a complication called dystocia. Dystocia is when the labor progresses slowly or not at all due to the fetus being abnormally positioned. In French Bulldogs, the mortality rate of the moms is about one percent and 20 percent for the puppies. Frenchies are at a 15 percent higher risk than other breeds. Also, many Frenchie moms are known to have trouble getting the proper amount of oxygen during the pregnancy. This often worsens during labor. After a Frenchie mom has had a litter, she will need at least 18 months to recover before having another. Any less than that and she could have all kinds of mental and physical struggles. Their uteruses and surrounding muscles need time to regrow. They are also known to lose patches of fur during the pregnancy. As a result, those need time to grow back as well. Putting a Frenchie mom through too many cesarean sections is also very dangerous. As a result, she could interpret it as an act of aggression and become aggressive afterward. There is also a high risk of medical issues. These could include hemorrhaging, blood clotting, wound infections and allergies to the anesthesia. On top of that, not all c-sections are successful and not all puppies survive. Many wonder why are French Bulldogs so expensive? The medical attention required in responsible breeding has a lot to do with the price of a French Bulldog. If you are serious about being a French Bulldog breeder please speak to experienced breeders, talk to a qualified veterinarian, and please do your homework. It is not something you should take lightly. Otherwise, you could end up contributing to the overpopulation in shelters. Many are euthanized as a result. Others end up having genetic issues due in large part to improper breeding practices. Yes, animal abuse is rampant but most that end up in shelters are actually neglect cases. You will also need to spare time and money for the care. If any of the above is currently not an option for you, spaying is your best option. Breeding French Bulldogs is very high maintenance work and care. It should be done with the best of intentions and your whole heart. Since over 80 percent of the puppies are born by c-section, it requires close medical supervision. PS — Want to see some adorable photos of super cute French Bulldog puppies? Share on facebook. French bulldogs more prone to birthing problems than other breeds Published: 04 Feb Last Updated: 06 Feb French bulldog bitches are .And, among female dogs that had problems giving birth, French bulldog bitches are then 2. Once they have birthing problems, flat-faced brachycephalic female dogs overall are 1. The academics studied 20, bitches that required emergency treatment at 50 Vet Now veterinary clinics between and .Their findings, published in two papers in The Veterinary Record, highlight the substantial risks that bitches and their puppies face during the birthing process. According to the first paper, 3. Alongside French bulldogs, other pure breeds such as Boston terriers, chihuahuas and pugs, are also particularly at risk of birthing problems. Compared to crossbred bitches, Boston terriers are .Apart from the risk of death, problem births also mean that many bitches have to undergo painful and invasive surgery, with .Bulldogs also known as British Bulldogs , border terriers and golden retrievers were the top three breeds at risk of caesarean section once they have difficulty giving birth. Bulldogs are 7. We all need to fall back in love with dog-shaped dogs and move away from the current fascination with extreme-shaped dogs. The Kennel Club recognises the rewarding experience of breeding a litter of puppies successfully, nevertheless breeding dogs comes with a fundamental responsibility for supporting the bitch and her puppies throughout the breeding process and this responsibility should not be taken lightly. The links to the papers can be found here: O'Neill, D. O'Neill, D.

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german shepherd puppy breathing fast while sleeping - These dogs have been on the rise in the past twenty years. They come out as healthy breeds, but in other instances, accidental breeding leads to overpopulation in shelters and rescue centers. In World War I, the German Shepherd assisted in many things like rescue, messenger, and as a red cross dog. After the war, they gained a lot of popularity, and many American soldiers carried them back home. The AKC recognized them in .Nowadays, they are used in military work, and are excellent family dogs. They have long hairy coats that can have a combination of colors like black, white, brown, grey, and dark tan. Their ears can be erect or droopy depending on the parent they inherit much from. The eyes can have black, red, blue, grey, and brown colors. They have strong and energetic bodies owing to their parents. Old English Sheepdog German Shepherd Mix Temperament This breed can be quite unpredictable because of the difference in personalities of the two parents. If this hybrid inherits much from its German shepherd parent, he will be a good guard dog and will protect and fight in case of danger. But if he inherits much from the Old English Sheepdog, he will make a good watchdog, not a guard dog. This breed will be loyal, affectionate, and playful. This breed is eager to please the owner. You can utilize it for rescue operations too. This makes this breed good with kids. They both were bred to look after cattle, this makes them see the kids as their flock. The long hairs can develop mats that are hard to detangle and can lead to infections. The hairs shed regularly requires the use of a vacuum to keep the house clean. You also need to invest in hair brushes, shampoo, and combs. The OES suffers from excessive drooling, leading to mouth discoloration. If your hybrid inherits this trait, you must use a damp cloth daily to wipe that area. Cleaning of the ears, mouth , teeth, and trimming of nails is necessary. What are typical diseases of an Old German Shepherd dog? These typical diseases can occur in Old German Shepherds: Hip joint dysplasia HD degenerative lumbosacral stenosis DLSS or cauda equina syndrome degenerative myelopathy muscle atrophy congenital vestibular syndrome malformation of the inner ear pancreatic insufficiency eye diseases allergies Since Old German Shepherds are one of the large dog breeds, they can typically have diseases that affect the bone structure. One troublesome issue is hip dysplasia HD. Responsible breeders strive to eliminate this hereditary disease from their breedings. Elbow dysplasia ED is also more common. Other diseases that can occur are degenerative lumbosacral stenosis DLSS , also called cauda equina syndrome, degenerative myelopathy muscle atrophy , congenital vestibular syndrome, pancreatic insufficiency, polyneuropathy, eye disease, and allergies. Old German Shepherd Dog breeding - where, how, what? Some lovers of Old German Shepherds or long haired ones did not like to accept when their dogs were excluded from further breeding in .After the re-admission of longhaired dogs in , many breeders continue to hold on to the name Old German Shepherd Dog. In breeding Old German Shepherds, as with the German Shepherd, two lines have formed: performance breeding and high breeding beauty breeding. Buying an Old German Shepherd Dog If you are looking for a family dog, a dog from the high breeding is the best choice. Dogs from the performance breeding belong only in the hands of experienced dog handlers. They are intended for missions such as police, military or customs and must be trained with expertise. If you want to get an Old German Shepherd as a companion and family dog, you have to be aware: From its origin it is a working dog with a great urge to work and to learn. Short walks are much too little for Altdeutsche. If you acquire an Old German Shepherd, you must also be able to offer him the right keeping conditions. An Old German Shepherd costs about Euro. What are the breed characteristics of the Old German Shepherd Dog? Nevertheless, there are lovers of this breed who breed Old German Shepherds under this name. Apart from the hair length, these dogs are visually very similar to the well-known German Shepherd. Appearance and coat Like the German Shepherd, the Old German Shepherd has erect standing ears, a narrow muzzle, and a bushy tail that it carries hanging. He has the same alert, watchful look. It comes in the same colors: black-brown. My name is Mitzi Michelle Brooks. I have had dogs all my life and German Shepherds most of that time. I have tried different breeds, but always come back to what I know and love. The German Shepherd Dog is the right fit for me. I breed large, old-fashioned, straight-backed, German Shepherds with a special focus on health and temperament. I am a very small breeder, all my dogs live with me, in the house. They are first, and foremost, my beloved pets. In my litters, I concentrate on the things that matter most to me: Health and Temperament. My dogs are all larger than the breed standard but with no compromise to their health. All my dogs are medium to low energy, making them easy to train and ideally suited for families. I do not breed: dogs that are hyper, dogs that show any signs of aggression, working dogs, high drive dogs, or dogs with excessive angulation. Puppies are born and raised in my home! That means your puppy goes home with you already socialized with other dogs, with cats, and familiar with all the sights and sounds of a normal home. All puppies are also current on vaccinations and on a set deworming schedule. The puppies bred here are sold as companions and pets. Just as working dogs are bred to work, my puppies are bred to live in and be a part of a family. With their low to low-medium drive, my pups are very easy for their new parents to train and still possess that famous German Shepherd instinct to protect their home and their family. These soft temperaments mean that my dogs are happy to go out and play, but just as happy to come in, lay at your feet, and interact with their family. Typically, when you see those ads or people who post a photo of their "Old Fashioned" German Shepherd, you see a very large dog with a plush or long coat. They're also advertised to have "Straight Backs" and not the sloping back that is "the cause of hip dysplasia. The short answer is…No. German Shepherd Dogs are not large dogs but a medium-large breed. A lb "Old Fashioned" dog will collapse after an hour of working sheep. If anything, a 90lb German Shepherd is about the biggest true herding dog you'll find. Fat and muscle make heat and lactic acid during exercise. Lactic acid is what causes the burning sensation in your muscles when you exercise or walk to the opposite side of the mall. They're also almost always plush or long-coated. Long coated dogs with an undercoat were recently accepted into the FCI as not being a fault. I think long-coated dogs are handsome, but I'm very sad that it's no longer a fault. Why may you ask? Great savings and a cool hairdo are unbeatable. But jokes aside, how can something that was a fault until recently be old-fashioned? And don't forget, these are big, bulky-built dogs.Imagine that dog herding sheep all day in the summer like old-fashioned working people needed their old-fashioned working dog to do. They simply wouldn't be able to. A lot of people confuse slope with straight. A ruler is straight. If you tilt a ruler, it's still straight, it's just slightly sloped now. That's what a German Shepherd Dog's back is supposed to be. Straight and slightly sloping. Do some breeders, breed clubs and lines overdo the "slight" in slightly sloping? But does slope affect hips? No, it doesn't. Do you know what does affect hips? Buying puppies from breeders who don't have passing hip scores on both parents of your puppy, which a lot of "Old Fashioned" German Shepherd breeders do not because they think the straight back is keeping them safe.These are Old Fashioned German Shepherd dogs; they aren't hyper like these new dogs they're breeding to compete in Schutzhund. That isn't how they're supposed to be, all amped up and needing a lot of training. They're supposed to be family dogs. German Shepherds were created with one goal in mind; to be the best, most versatile working dogs the planet had ever seen. They were smart, loyal, motivated, and loving, and that made them great family dogs.That's the job of dogs in the Toy and Non-Sporting group. German Shepherd Dogs are classified in the working or herding group in every registry. Their job is to work, and working dogs must have drive, and dogs with drive require training or they'll drive you absolutely nuts. You want a dog who looks like a German Shepherd Dog but behaves like a stuffed animal or lawn ornament. The erect ears aren't what make German Shepherds who they are, it's the drive that does. If you step up to the challenge and harness that drive, you will have a dog that will do anything for you. How many dogs besides a well-bred German Shepherd will do that for you? Forget dogs, how many people would do that for you? Real Old Fashioned German Shepherds had drive and a lot of it. Lastly, size, were Old Fashioned German Shepherds big, lb dogs? Well, we talked about that a bit earlier, so you know the answer is no. But how big were they? Much to everyone's disappointment, they were pretty small. Much smaller than today's dogs. Slighter build and shorter, much thinner. Why did I say, "much to everyone's disappointment," you ask? Well, because even the founder of the breed, Max von Stephanitz wanted them to be just a little bigger! The average male back then was anywhere from lbs, and the average female was in the high 40lblb range. So, while real old-fashioned GSDs were pretty small, the founder of the breed did want bigger dogs. No, but he did want females in the lb range and males in the lb range. Why did he want bigger dogs that would make them a little less suitable for running all day and herding sheep? I think the answer lies in the fact that herding in the early s was the way of the past. Horses became cars, German Shepherds were being swapped out for fences, and Newspapers for radios. He could probably sense that a shift from German Shepherds being mostly herding dogs, to them being police and military dogs was coming. He had great foresight because not many of us have 40 acres of pasture and a flock of sheep. But if you do, post pictures in the comments because that's pretty awesome! If you have a large, long-haired, laid-back dog, that's great! Especially if you're happy and they're happy. But are they old-fashioned? Not at all. They're the newest member of the family, in fact. She has been shown as a puppy in a national show and was placed in 4th place out of 25 dogs. She has a beautiful female head with dark eyes and nice thick structure. Her movement is exceptional in the ring. Dannon is fully trained to sit, stay, down, heal on and off lead. She is also house broken. You will have a session with his trainer to learn her commands and the trainer will be available for any help or assistance in the transition from our home to yours. Dannon is very well socialized and is excellent with dogs, cats and children. She has been given all her shots, microchipped, AKC registered, 4 generation pedigree and comes with a two year written guarantee. He is a large beautiful deep black and red male with a very large massive head. His hips and elbows are both excellent. Very good expression, very good pigmentation, good character, strong head, dark eye. High, long withers, straight, firm back, good length and situation of the croup. Front well, the back very well bent, balanced chest proportions, straight front. Front straight-, rear slightly hackeneng kicking it indicates very powerful, expansive courses at excellent majesty. Safe nature, TSB pronounced. Type full overall appearance. Perform Medium bitches. She is a medium build female beautiful black and red, nice croup, beautiful fast moving pace. Good agulation of the rear, excellent temperament, very well socialized, great attitude and excellent bitework. In Germany she was placed 2nd in a regional show with high compliments from the judge of movement and structure. She produces ultimate gorgeous puppies. V Fibi puppies out of VA Karlo and V Canon have produced extremely nice puppies who have placed in the top 5 in both litters. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The German Shepherd is known for being intelligent, curious, and alert. All dogs need proper socialization and that will be a big factor in how they interact with others. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their German Shepherd Dog Old English Sheepdog Mix puppy. If you are interested in helping animal rescues raise money, please play our quiz. Each correct answer donates to help feed shelter animals. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. If you have a few minutes, please sign our petition to stop puppy mills. Von Stephanitz had in his mind what a good working dog should be and a few generations of breeding fulfilled what Hektor envisioned. Horand von Grafrath is known to be the first German Shepherd Dog. Horand von Grafrath was bred to other similar styled dogs that were believed to have the same traits as what Von Stephanitz was looking for. His most successful offspring was Hektor von Schwaben. Von Stephanitz is widely credited for being the founder of this incredible breed. Von Stephanitz had intended for his breed to work as herding dogs, however, as Germany became more and more industrialized he saw the need to make it working dog. He convinced the German government to use the breed. The breed initially became popular in World War 1. Many American and allied servicemen grew attached to the breed during the war and brought them back to the states after the war was over. The Allied troops fell in love with the breed but not with the fact that it had German roots. It became common for police departments and those looking for true working dogs to import their dogs from Germany because the American dogs had such bad health problems. The Old English Sheepdog was historically a drover which means it helped farmers drive cattle and sheep to the market. Today, they are more of companion dog than anything. They make great family pets are adaptable, intelligent, and very easy-going. All around, the Old English Sheepdog is friendly; and although they are larger dogs, they would be as happy in an apartment as in a home. As long as they are with family, they would do well in most environments. Being not only kid and stranger-friendly, they are also dog-friendly. The exact origin of an Old English Sheepdog is not known. There were dogs there were similar to the Old English Sheepdog, but there were no records that were kept. There is a small dog that looks similar to an Old English Sheepdog in a painting by Gainsborough in that many believe could be an earlier type of Old English Sheepdog. Then in the early 19th Century there was a dog called a Smithfield or Cotswold Cor that could have been an ancestor as well. The Bearded Collie is agreed to be among the original stock that was used in creating todays breed. Some think the Russian Owtchar was part of the ancestor list as well. The breed was exposed to the United States in the s, and by the 20th Century, the breed has been bred by five of the ten wealthiest American families. Life Span Did You Know? The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile, well-recognized, and popular dog breeds in the world. The modern German Shepherd is descended from a family of various German herding dogs. Breed standards were not developed until the late 19th century when Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, worked with Arthur Meyer and other breeders to develop the ideal German herding dog. Stephanitz and Meyer wrote the breed standard in and the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in .Although they were originally bred as herding dogs, they were also bred for versatility, which made the German Shepherd an all-around working dog that could excel in a variety of applications. German Shepherds are one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units in both police and military applications. They also make great service dogs and, of course, are still awesome herding dogs and farm dogs! The German Shepherd is a strong-willed and highly intelligent dog. They have a playful, energetic spirit and tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great family companion. A born protector, the German Shepherd will provide a great sense of security for their family while their loving and lively personality will make them fit right in as a companion. German Shepherds are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers at first. A well-socialized German Shepherd will bark to alert you and tends to warm up to strangers once introduced. German Shepherds are dogs that were bred to herd and work. This, plus their high energy, makes them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt well to larger apartments as long as plenty of time is dedicated to ensuring they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention every day. A bored, ignored, or under-exercised German Shepherd can often become a destructive one. They also can be sensitive to their surroundings and large gatherings can be off-putting. With a longer coat, they tend to prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to heat. The German Shepherd is a generally healthy breed, but there are some potential health concerns and good breeding practices make a big difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a German Shepherd include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a barrel-chested breed, the German Shepherd is also at risk for bloat. While the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and highly trainable, they are generally not recommended for novice owners. If you are a novice dog owner, enroll in puppy training classes or enlist the help of a professional dog trainer; not just for your dog, but for yourself as well. Training assistance will help you grow in experience and build a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd puppy, which is essential. Also, the GSD has a thirst for training and fulfillment. They get bored easily and especially with repetition, so continued training with your German Shepherd throughout their life will be necessary. German Shepherds have a medium-to-long double coat. They will shed year-round and heavier as seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient; brushing daily is even better and your GSD will likely love you for it. Bathing is occasional on an as-needed basis. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs. Not only do they require a lot of daily activity, but they also are a herding breed that was made to run, guard, and observe, so they need a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for a GSD, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. With their versatility and athleticism, you can try a lot of different activities when puppies finish growing and they are cleared for higher-impact things. A fully-grown German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. German Shepherds generally live for years on average. Corporal Duncan brought him back to the United States and Rin-Tin-Tin became one of the most famous dog actors in history. Featured German Shepherd Article.