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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. Frequency Of Feeding Bernedoodle puppies have different nutritional requirements compared to adult dogs. Puppies need more frequent meals as their stomachs are smaller, and they require regular energy to fuel their growth. Generally, Bernedoodle puppies that are two to six months of age typically eat three times a day. It is essential to maintain a consistent feeding schedule when raising a Bernedoodle puppy. Choosing The Right Type Of Food When it comes to choosing the right type of food for your Bernedoodle puppy, there are several factors to consider. First and foremost, you will want to make sure that the food you select is appropriate for their size and nutritional needs. Soaking Kibble For Easier Digestion One of the recommended feeding guidelines for Bernedoodle puppies is soaking their kibble in raw milk. Soaking kibble can make it easier for them to digest and absorb nutrients from their food. When puppies eat dry kibble, they tend to swallow large pieces whole, which can lead to digestive issues such as bloating and constipation. For example, by the time Bernedoodles are weeks old, they will be eating one raw meal per day and two kibble meals per day soaked in raw milk. Raw milk contains probiotics that can help promote healthy gut flora and improve overall digestion. It is also high in protein, calcium, vitamin D and other essential vitamins and minerals that support growth development at this stage of life. Factors To Consider When Feeding A Bernedoodle Puppy When feeding a Bernedoodle puppy, age, weight, activity level, and nutritional requirements should all be taken into account to ensure that they are getting the proper amount of food for their growth and development. Age As your Bernedoodle puppy grows and develops, their age plays a crucial role in determining the appropriate feeding regimen. Each stage of growth has specific nutritional requirements to ensure healthy development and weight maintenance. For example, at eight weeks to 12 weeks old, these fluffy pups need about one cup of food three times a day to fuel their rapid growth. Around four months of age, it is important for owners to establish a regular feeding schedule with meals served at consistent times each day. This helps develop good eating habits and prevents potential gastrointestinal issues caused by erratic meal timings. Weight One of the most important factors to consider when determining how much to feed your Bernedoodle puppy is their weight. Activity Level The activity level of a Bernedoodle puppy plays a significant role in determining the appropriate amount and type of food they require. Puppies with higher energy levels will burn more calories throughout the day, thus needing increased caloric intake to support their growth and development. A common rule for puppies is providing 5 minutes of exercise per month of age, times per day; this can help you estimate how much food your pooch needs. Additionally, consulting with your veterinarian about tailoring meal portions can further aid in promoting healthy weight gain and avoiding overfeeding issues. These adorable pups require high-quality, animal-based protein in their diets for optimal growth and development. Additionally, Bernedoodle puppies need higher amounts of calories than adult dogs due to their growth stage. As they grow older, the caloric requirement will decrease gradually before reaching adulthood at around two or three years old. It is recommended to weigh your Bernedoodle at least once a month, preferably more frequently during their growth stage. Moreover, regular weigh-ins can also prevent obesity, which is a common problem among dogs. Overfeeding or underfeeding can lead to various health issues such as joint problems, heart disease, and diabetes. Here are some signs of overfeeding or underfeeding your Bernedoodle puppy: Weight gain or loss: Sudden and drastic weight changes can indicate an imbalance in their diet. Ensure that you keep track of their weight regularly. Low energy levels: Overfeeding can lead to lethargy and low energy levels, while underfeeding can make them restless. Digestive issues: Overfeeding may cause digestive problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation. Behavioural changes: Overfed puppies may show lack of interest in activities, become irritable or overly aggressive, while underfed puppies tend to become anxious and overly active. Dull coat: Both overfed and underfed puppies may have a dull-looking coat due to poor nutrition. Increased thirst and urination: Overfeeding can lead to excessive water intake resulting in frequent peeing while underfeeding can cause the opposite effect where they drink less water than required. Reduced appetite: Underfed puppies often lose interest in food altogether leading them with a reduced appetite. As a general rule of thumb, the amount of exercise should be limited to 5 minutes per month of age until they reach maturity. Overfeeding can lead to obesity, which can adversely affect their health and cause other problems down the line. Also, be sure to measure out the exact portion sizes recommended for each meal as free-feeding or guessing can lead to overconsumption. Importance Of High-Quality Ingredients Choosing the right type of food for your Bernedoodle puppy is crucial, and one of the most important factors in ensuring their health and wellbeing is selecting high-quality ingredients. High-quality dog food should provide your pup with a balanced diet that includes all the necessary nutritional requirements, such as protein, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and carbohydrates. When choosing a dog food brand for Bernedoodles puppies or dogs, look out for products that use real meat such as chicken or lamb rather than by-products. Additionally, avoid foods that contain artificial preservatives and fillers like corn gluten meal or wheat flour. This dog food brand also has wholesome grains like brown rice and barley which are easy to digest sources of complex carbohydrates; it maintains energy levels throughout long playtime sessions spent outdoor exercising while supporting digestive health thanks to fiber content from fruits and vegetables plus probiotic strains supplements found within each kibble bite-sized piece they consume. Consider the benefits and drawbacks of dry, wet, and raw food options to make an informed decision. Type of Food. 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:. 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! 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. 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.

Sponge Feeding Bottle Feeding Puppies When you're bottle feeding puppies, it's important to use a puppy milk substitute that meets their special dietary needs. Commercial puppy formulas that are carefully prepared to do just that can usually be bought at your veterinarians office or from large pet stores. If your dog is pregnant, I would recommend getting some puppy milk in advance, so it's handy if you should need it. Feeding new born puppies is very similar to feeding new born human babies in that they need to nurse frequently! Every two hours during the day and probably once or twice during the night in the very beginning. This adorable video shows a tiny French Bulldog being bottle fed.If you're trying to feed a tiny, toy or miniature breed pup, they MAY be too small to feed well from a bottle, in that case there are other options including using a dropper, a sponge or the Miracle Nipple best option. Scroll down to learn more about these! Okay, so let's take a look at how to bottle feed puppies yourself, and the equipment that you need: Momma's milk is the best food for a new born puppy. Try to encourage the mom to allow the pups to nurse for at least the first 24 hours if possible, as this is when they can receive the benefits of the colostrum powerful anti-bodies and infection fighting pre-milk. Obviously this isn't always possible, but makes a big difference to the puppies. Depending on the size of the breed your pups belong to, you can feed newborn puppies using: A small syringe 3ml check out the Miracle Nipple syringe Special bottles designed for puppies or kittens Baby bottles nipples that are specially designed for premature babies often work well A sponge A tube If there are no holes in the nipple, use a needle held over a flame to heat and sterilize to pierce two holes. If it runs out the pup could choke or aspirate breath in the milk. Puppy milk replacement formula comes in powder form, or ready-made in cartons. The ready-made is easier to use, but quite a bit more expensive. If you're using the powdered version, be sure to mix it well as you don't want any lumps in it. Cool formula to room temperature before feeding it to a puppy. You can test it on the inside of your wrist to make sure it's not too hot or too cold, it should feel barely warm. Always feed a puppy face down on your lap or a table top, never hold it on it's back or upright, as this could cause it to choke or breath in the milk. This can lead to pneumonia and possible death. Newborn puppies who are being bottle fed usually do well on 6 feedings per day. They should be able to go from 11pm until 6am as long as they are receiving 6 feeds in 24 hours. Smaller puppies may still need to be fed in the night for the first few weeks. By three weeks old, 4 feeds a day is enough, and weaning can begin at around 4 weeks of age. Puppies who are under a month old need approx. Example: A 6 oz puppy would need approx .Most puppy milk replacers have about 1 calorie per ml, so that .This means a 6 oz pup needs approx. Of course, this is a rough estimate, some puppies need more, some less. As a general 'rule of thumb', it's better to feed smaller feeds more often, than larger amounts less frequently. It's recommended that you 'burp' new born puppies half-way through each feeding. Do this the way you would with a human baby, by holding the pup up against your shoulder and gently rubbing or patting its' back. If a puppy is getting enough to eat and is warm and comfortable, he will look plump, feel warm and sleep most of the time between feeds. In these instances, you should consult your veterinarian right away. To help puppies who are having difficulty feeding, or aren't getting enough nutrition, you can use a vitamin and nutrient-rich paste called Nutrical. I've used it myself for puppies who aren't thriving the way they should, and it is definitely something to keep on hand when you are hand-raising new born puppies. Don't try to feed a puppy who feels chilled or cold, or seems to be sick. If a new born pup gets too cold, his organs start to close down and feeding him will only make things worse. A cold puppy who isn't eating will get dehydrated quickly which is very serious. If you can't get the pup warmed up enough to suckle fairly quickly, get him to your vet as he may need IV fluids and extra help. CLICK HERE to read more about all the other things you need to do in order to take care of new born puppies properly including temperature control, tube feeding, weight gain monitoring and more. If you have teeny tiny puppies they might struggle with a bottle, and this is one of the situations where the Miracle Nipple Syringe can literally be a lifesaver. The syringe kit comes with two flexible rubber nipples can order small or large which have a unique design that reduces the chances of a puppy aspirating the milk, and also provides a surface for the natural 'kneading' action that happens during nursing. The Miracle Nipple also works great for kittens, rabbits and wildlife such as squirrels. Even the teeniest puppies are usually able to suck from these. If they're too weak to suckle to begin with you can gently squeeze the milk into the side of their mouths at first into the 'pocket' of the cheek, this helps to prevent the pup from choking, gagging or inhaling the milk. Check out this great video which shows a very small Dachshund puppy 'Baby Girl' being dropper-fed You could also use a syringe to gently 'inject' milk into the side of a tiny puppy's mouth in the same way, but once the pup is strong enough to suckle change over to an eye-dropper as that works better in the long run. There's also the option of sponge feeding. But in my experience, the Miracle Nipple outperforms any of these and would be my 1 suggestion. As your pup grows and puts on weight you should be able to 'graduate' to a bottle of some type, even if it's one designed for wild animals, or other pets such as baby rabbits and so on. Tube Feeding a puppy Sometimes a puppy is too small or weak to suckle, or simply refuses to try. In this situation you need to find another way to get the milk into him. There are risks involved because an incorrectly placed tube could flood the puppy's lungs. It's important, and very helpful, to be shown how to tube feed your puppy by an expert, usually an established breeder or your veterinarian is the best person to help you with this. Watching an experienced person tube feed a puppy and then practicing doing it yourself under supervision is the best way to learn. I definitely DON'T recommend even attempting tube feeding without proper instruction and practice. It's quite possible that things will go wrong. You will also need to get the right equipment. This puppy tube feeding kit has what you'll need to get started. Choose the 3. For this method you use can a small cosmetic sponge cut to approximate the size of the momma dog's teat, and also cut a small hole in the opposite end of the sponge. It's a good idea to have several sponges ready cut for use so that you can wash and dry them in between feedings. Fill a small syringe with the right amount of milk for the feeding and insert it into the hole you cut in the sponge. Dip the other end teat shaped of the sponge in the milk and encourage your pup to suck on it. You may need to gently insert the sponge into his mouth and squeeze a few drops of milk out to encourage him. Once he's sucking, slowly press the plunger on the syringe to pour milk into the sponge and keep it flowing slowly so the pup doesn't swallow air. .This video shows you how to sponge feed a puppy: Bottle fed puppies are at risk of Fading Puppy Syndrome, which can be fatal. It's important to know how to recognize this and what to do about it. Check out my page on taking care of newborn puppies to learn more about this link will open in new window so you don't lose your place here. Some you may be able to find at your local pet store, others you will probably need to order online. If your dog is expecting a litter of puppies it's a good idea to make sure you have some of these handy ahead of time.Reference books that can help.The early care and environment of the French Bulldog newborn puppy are very important. Reasons a French Bulldog puppy might die early on are usually due to difficult whelping, congenital or genetic defects, environmental factors i. However, the following formula is cheaper and provides all the nutrition. Many use it instead of evaporated milk — both can be found in the bakery section of your grocery store. If this seems to be, change to bottled water to make the formula. Keeping the litter box tempature between degrees with no drafts for the first few days is usually adequate. Other sources of warmth can be heating pads or heat lamps. If using a heating pad, monitor the intensity of heat, as pups have been known to cook on pads set on high settings! There are many excellent heat lamps on the market, but remember that caution is needed. Heat lamps have been known to start fires! The temperature on the French Bulldog puppies 1 inch above the bottom of the box should be about degrees with a corner that is slightly cooler and allow them to scoot to wherever they like best. There should also be plenty of clean blankets, as this will allow for regulation of temperature. Hydration is one of the most important things to monitor in new Frenchie pups, as it can be one of the first signs of problems. Check hydration by by pinching the skin on the back of the neck or on the top of the back. If the pinched skin stays creased, the French Bulldog puppy is dehydrated and needs fluid replacement. Dehydration can either be a result of inadequate nourishment, too much heat, or sickness. It is strongly suggested that you use regular newborn or infant bottles and nipples. The ones available for purchase for cats, dogs, ferrets, etc. Bottle feeding is far more preferable. The sucking on a nipple, the handling and holding of the French Bulldog puppy is so very important to their overall development. The French Bulldog puppy should be held with his head upwards and his body and tail down in a 45 to 90 degreee angle when bottle feeding. If French Bulldog puppies and their blankets are not kept clean, it is very easy to come down with a staph infection and diarrhea — which is serious, as Frenchie puppies can go downhill quickly. As mentioned before, it is equally serious if the French Bulldog puppies get chilled so avoid drafts. Even if you have them in a basket with a heating pad, you need to cover the basket with a towel to keep out drafts. A chilled French Bulldog puppy must be warmed up. There are lots of little ways to accomplish it. Priority should be to get the Frenchie puppy warmed up slowly. Newborn French Bulldog puppies cannot regulate their body temperature or body functions like urinating and stools. It is important that they are pottied at each feeding. They might not have a stool each time, but they will urinate. This is what the mother does when she licks them. After that, she will become a good mommy. Some might start off being good, then after a few days, or even a couple of weeks, not want to be bothered and might even be nasty to the puppies such as snapping and biting them. Always be careful and watch. If the mother will not clean the babies, you must be sure to do it. Using a kleenex, gently rub the area to stimulate their potty. Then be sure to clean them well. Make sure to check them even if the mother cleans them. Often the stool will get stuck to the tail and be dry. If that happens, or if the French Bulldog puppy seems to be straining and constipated, try the following: Run warm water in the sink slowly. Put a drop of soap on their behinds, and wash and massage their behinds; it will get the tail and poop unstuck, clean them up, and cause them to potty very well. If the little bottoms are red and sore, use some Desitin ointment. You may see green puppy stools and stools that have an appearance of bunches of tiny seeds. If all else seems normal, this seems to be harmless and short-lived. However, watery diarrhea can be very serious if left unchecked. Diarrhea together with vomiting usually means infection. It should be broken into feedings every 2 hours 5cc per feeding. If it is a good sized Frenchie puppy 1 lb. Towards the end of a week, you should increase the food needed to about cc or more. For the first week they should eat every two hours. If they are good size Frenchie babies, you can sometimes go longer. An average weight for newborn French Bulldog puppies is around ounces. Good size puppies are oz. You bred your Frenchie bitch. You got her through two months of pregnancy. Now you have puppies. The panic sets in. What have you done? What do you do next? Once you get the mother and puppies home, the work is just beginning. Enjoy the brief flush of satisfaction from the accomplishment. There is lots left to do. Is it covered to protect the pups from drafts? Once it is warm, put the newborn puppies inside. Consider this the First Commandment: Keep the puppies warm! For the first few hours, the mother will be weak and disoriented from surgery. If she has lost a lot of blood, she may even be in shock. She needs to be kept comfortable and warm, too. But one warning: Do not leave her alone with the puppies until you are certain she has recovered. Because of the surgery, some mothers have difficulty recognizing that the puppies are theirs. She should be introduced to them gently, and allowed to smell them and lick them. As soon as possible, lay her down in the whelping box which should be warm and protected and put the new puppies on her to feed. Initially, they may have to be coaxed to attach to a nipple. It is extremely important that they get some of the colostrum, the yellowish pre-milk that the mother will secrete at first. It is loaded with antibodies the puppies need to establish their immune systems. The Second Commandment is: Keep the puppies fed. The puppies should be encouraged to feed as often as possible. They should definitely feed once every two hours during the initial days. They will quickly gain strength and seek out the mother on their own once everyone has settled into a routine. Once the mother has recognized her puppies, she should begin to lick them and clean them. This is the Third Commandment: Keep their digestive tracts functioning. If she is not licking them, you will have to substitute. Rather than doing it exactly as she would, the best way is to use cotton balls moistened with warm water. Rub gently underneath to make them urinate, and behind to make them defecate. This should be done following each feeding. Keeping the digestive tract functioning involves the simple rule: put something in, something comes out. If the elimination of waste stops, the puppy will cease feeding, and will quickly start to waste away. If the puppy becomes chilled, the digestive tract almost always shuts down. In every litter, there will be stronger, larger more dominant puppies. They will feed more vigorously, and will tend to push the other puppies away. This becomes a serious problem with a larger litter. If necessary, move any dominant pups to one side to allow the others ample opportunity to feed. During the first twenty-four hours, the mother should not be left unattended with her puppies. She will still be weak and disoriented. She may accidentally lay on a pup or step on it. If she becomes frightened, she might bite or injure one. If you are right there, you can reassure her. You can also intervene if something goes wrong. You will have to be there anyway, as the pups will need to feed the moment your eyelids get heavy. One can get some rest while the other holds vigil. Otherwise, you will learn why it is said that sleep deprivation is the most successful form of torture. The yellowish colostrum will be replaced by pure white. And quantity should increase. You should notice a gradual change in the puppies. From a somewhat wrinkled appearance, they should start to plump up. Their tummies will start to become engorged after each feeding. If the mother is licking and cleaning the puppies, and is allowing them to feed, all is well. You can relax, somewhat. Some mothers take several days to settle into motherhood. If that is the case, clean the puppies regularly to stimulate elimination. As the puppies grow, they will learn to eliminate without stimulus. But if they are not cleaned, their little tails can end up stuck to their behinds. If you are remiss and allow that to happen, you will have to dissolve and dislodge the mess so they can eliminate. And it can set up like epoxy. Use warm water and cotton, and work at it as gently as you can. It may take some time. If the mother is reluctant to clean the pups, hold them up to her to show her what she needs to do. Once shown a messy pup, most mothers will relent and start to lick. Occasionally, the opposite syndrome will occur. A mother will clean too eagerly, resulting in raw, chafed little butts. If the pups are crying inordinately, this is a possible cause. Petroleum jelly for the chafing, or neomycin ointment will help ease the discomfort. Call your vet immediately and have her checked. In the meantime, you will have to bottle feed. Do not allow the pups to go hungry for long. Once they become weak, it will be difficult to get them to feed. There are many recipes around for substitute milk to feed them. Nowadays, a simple expedient is to buy prepared milk substitute for puppies. All you have to do is heat it to the right temperature and use it. The containers have complete directions. Bottles and nipples designed specifically for feeding puppies are available. Using newborn infant bottles and nipples should substitute nicely. If the puppies are older, you may have to widen the opening in the nipple to afford greater flow. As with breast feeding, bottle feeding needs to be done every two to four hours. Make sure each puppy gets enough. If they are not feeding well, give them smaller meals more often. If you have to bottle feed, be very careful. Because of their flat faces, it is easy for the puppies to aspirate milk. That can go one of two ways. When puppies feed too vigorously, milk will come out their nose. Be sure to clear it out completely, as it can cause infection. It can also be aspirated later into the lungs. The greatest risk with bottle feeding is that the puppy will aspirate milk directly into the lungs. If you take your time, and hold the puppy flat enough, this should not occur. If it does, you can tell by the rattling sound as the puppy breathes. Go directly to the vet. This is where a flexible plastic tube is inserted carefully down the throat so that the milk can be placed directly in the stomach. If done improperly, tube feeding puts the milk directly into the lung. Most important in this technique is to have a tube cut to exactly the right length. You need to measure how far the tube needs to go to reach the stomach. Tube feeding is best left to experts. Learning how to tube feed is best done with somebody experienced in the technique. Once the technique is learned, though, it is much faster and more efficient than bottle feeding. It is also the technique of last resort if a puppy is too weak to feed voluntarily. As the puppies grow and feed, they will become stronger and more active. They will more readily seek out the mother themselves. Although their eyes are not open, they can find her by smell and touch sometimes they seem totally lost , and by her body heat. The whole foreface is a complex of sensoria designed to find the mother, determine where a nipple is, and even to detect which is their regular nipple. You can start to relax a little more. If all goes well, the puppies should open their eyes around the tenth day. At first, their eyes will look scary and vacant when they open. Their ability to focus comes later. Frenchies take more time than other breeds to come up onto their rear legs. I have seen greyhound puppies on their feet before their eyes even open! But they should begin to get up on their front legs somewhere around the second week. They need a surface with good traction to get up on. Remnant carpet pieces work well. Slippery surfaces will make it hard for them to strengthen the pelvic muscles that hold the rear legs in position. Infections, viruses, congenital defects can all cause puppies to sicken and die. The mother can step or lay on a puppy and unintentionally cause injury or death. Amazingly, most puppies make it through. Somewhere between four and six weeks of age, the puppies will need to be weaned. If you are slow in starting them on solid food, the mother will let you know. Once the puppies start to develop teeth, her desire to let them feed declines precipitously. There are commercial products available, and most serious breeders have their own recipes for mush to give to puppies. The most important thing to remember is that it needs to be soft enough that they can lap it up at first. One simple alternative is to purchase good quality dry puppy food with a complete array of vitamins and minerals and pulverize it in a blender. Keep thinning it until it is just capable of being poured. Then warm it a microwave oven works well to about body temperature. Thin it a little more once it is warm, as heating will tend to thicken it. For the first attempt, the final product should be thin enough that the puppies can lap it up. Take the mother out while you are giving them the solid food. It may take some effort to coax them to try it. It can also end up looking like a food fight in a Three Stooges comedy. If they try it, good. They will do better the next day. Once you are done, let the mother back in to clean up the remaining food. She should help you with the puppies, but you may have to clean off the messiest of the puppies yourself. Start supplying them water to drink. The solid food will make them thirsty. You should be able to get the puppies to eat the semisolid food in a period of about a week. Once they will accept it readily, you can remove the mother. The puppies will need to be fed around three times a day once they are on their own. Gradually reduce the liquid portion of the food. If they will not accept it, it is too dry. The move to solid food will cause a quantum leap in growth. The puppies should grow less soft and beanbaggy, and should start strengthening up. Their immune systems will need to be built up by the time they are six months old. Talk to your vet to set up an immunization schedule. Suddenly they will look like Frenchies. By this time, you should have strong indications of their personalities, as well. A noisy five-week-old will likely be a vocal adult as well. A loving one or a shy one should correspond similarly. Training can begin somewhere around this stage. It is surprising how much a willing young puppy can learn. Familiarize them with a collar and lead. Teach them proper bathroom etiquette. Make sure that any new owners understand the special care required with bull breeds. They need to know they are indoor-outdoor dogs, and should not be left out at night. New owners should be encouraged to develop a relationship with their vet before any problems occur. Most importantly, let new owners know they can come to you for help if there is any problem with the puppy. You should be able to help them with the simple stuff, and warn them to get to the vet with anything more major. You want the puppies to do well in their new environments. If there was something you were breeding for, did you get it? If there was something you were breeding away from, did you succeed? What other surprise faults and problems came in with the breeding? Once you have done this for half a dozen generations, you should be able to see some trends. Some characteristics will pop up again after a few generations of dormancy. Others will dominate and stay with you no matter what you do. How you handle these characteristics and where you go is all part of what makes you a good breeder. John Niedhamer.

Both are also made from TPE material which is a safe, eco-friendly alternative to a rubber ball. Plus, they come in the perfect size for a small dog. Interactive toys like this are also great if your little Frenchie suffers from separation anxiety. The treat dispenser on each is designed to challenge your Frenchie with his own little dog puzzle toy. This interactive dog puzzle toy is great for bored pups who need a rewarding brain teaser or to encourage slower eating habits in fast eaters. Cleaning is simple and fast. The treat spot located in the center of these dog chew toys is great for stuffing with treats to max out the fun of interactive or solo play. These toys are durable and long-lasting. The Squawkers durable rubber dog toys offer different, funny chicken characters with the irresistible squeakers your Frenchie loves. These are particularly fun for a Frenchie puppy. The high-quality materials are all safe and natural, and the paint used to decorate them is lead-free so you can have a safe, fun experience. The Invincible Snakes are another great toy for your Frenchie. Made from natural latex rubber and lead-free paint these hilarious dog toys are perfect for playing fetch and other games with your dog! The irresistible squawking squeaker will keep them engaged and mentally stimulated as they chomp and play. These two options fit the bill perfectly. It will undoubtedly become one of his favorite toys. The blend of natural wood fiber and safe synthetic materials is a safe alternative to real wood. Real wood can splinter which can lead to oral and intestinal damage, particularly in aggressive chewers. These multi-sensory durable dog toys provide various textures and sounds including 3 internal squeakers. Its K9 Tuff Guard technology includes reinforced non-rip seams, durable fused backing, and double-stitched seams that all add up to longevity and durability in this tug toy. This is a fetch toy, tug of war toy, and chew toy all in one. It has handles for you to grab easily, and you can play toss and catch with it too. It can also work well as a teething toy for your Frenchie puppy. Made with naturally shed antler material, Deerhorn has a natural taste and smell your dog will love. Made in the U. With a variety of scents like the smell of real wood or a Mesquite BBQ, Dogwood combines real wood with synthetic strength, making it a tough and durable chew toy. Constructed with soft plush, corduroy, and twisted rope material for a cozy yet tough dog toy that can last through multiple play sessions. Stuffed with crinkle paper and three squeakers that will keep your pup engaged for hours! That anatomy puts them at a higher risk for certain health problems that can affect their ability to play. Here are some of the common problems this particular dog breed has: Upper Respiratory Infections — URT Because of that squashed face, French bulldogs are at higher risk for upper respiratory infections. In fact, most Frenchies will have at least one upper respiratory infection in their lifetime, particularly if they spend time around other dogs. The symptoms of this are similar to a cold and include coughing, nasal congestion, and lethargy. If you think your Frenchie has a URT, you want to see your vet right away. That short snout and squashed face can cause trouble breathing, problems sleeping, and heat intolerance. For Frenchies, this problem typically occurs when they are exercising, particularly in warmer temperatures. You might consider limiting his playtime to prevent this from happening. Mobility Problems for French Bulldogs There are a number of health problems French bulldogs can develop. These include conditions like hip dysplasia, luxating patellas, and spinal disc problems. Intervertebral disc disease IVDD is one example that can actually result in paralysis. These conditions are something to be aware of as you play with your Frenchie best friend. French Bulldog Toys: Final Thoughts French bulldogs are one of the cutest and smartest small dogs around. They love to play and have plenty of energy so get ready to move. Interactive toys that challenge their mind, chew toys, tug toys, kong toys, and squeaky toys are all great choices for your Frenchie. Also, watch out for upper respiratory infections that can slow them down. So, why do Frenchies need toys in the first place? So, what are some of the biggest reasons that toys are important for French Bulldogs? Toys Provide Mental Stimulation Frenchies are smart and curious, and they need to exercise their brains regularly. Entertaining dog toys, especially puzzles, are a great way to prevent boredom, depression, and destructive habits, as well as encourage them to learn problem-solving skills. Toys allow them to exercise their natural chewing instincts, saving them from pent-up energy and anxiety. Mentally and physically engaging toys are the best way to prevent this, allowing them to relieve any pent-up stress and energy. Aside from your standard dog toys, it also helps to have a few toys that allow you and your pup to play together. These play sessions will help you and your dog to grow closer while also getting in some physical activity. You should try to get in at least minutes of exercise or active play every day, but go for a bit more if you have the time. This time can include anything from walks to playing tug-of-war as long as your pup is getting up and getting moving. We think your pup will love each of these toys, so feel free to try them out! BarkBox delivers new toys and treats every month, so with a customized bundle, your pup will never be bored again! All you have to do is hide the extra toys in their cubbies and let your Frenchie start searching! Squeakers in each toy will keep your pup engaged, encouraging them to solve the puzzle. Share Tweet French bulldogs like all other dogs, get their baby teeth when they are two weeks old. Unlike human babies, they get it much earlier and start dealing with a painful process of growing. As our pooches grow, they investigate the world with their mouth and muzzle, so chewing is a normal part of their nature. How to help your French bulldog to deal with the teeth growing process? Besides using teeth cooling gels, your pooch also needs items that will induce teeth growth. Chew toys for French bulldog puppies leave a beneficial effect on gums and relieve the pain. Those conditions are not only ugly to spot, but they also may lead to paradentosis and inflammation of the gums. Every canine requires mental stimulation for improving intelligence. There are many interactive chew toys that will work double for your pet. Since Frenchies belong to companion breeds, they are taught to follow their owners and work for them. So, leaving a Frenchie home alone can lead to many behavioral problems and anxiety is one of them. What are the best chew toys for French bulldog puppies? They are made of safe and non-toxic materials and are extremely durable. Tooth cleaning chew toy Available in 4 colors, this dog toy will intrigue your Frenchie to keep playing. The rubber material is non-toxic and safe and will sustain even the bites of older pooches. Your puppy will enjoy playing with this toy because it comes with rope extensions that will attract attention. Luckily, the quality and elastic rubber will handle the strongest bites. You can hide dozens of dry kibble treats inside of it, so your little pup will get not only a tasty snack but will also ease the pain in gums. Importance of toys for French Bulldogs: French Bulldogs are adorable and playful companions that bring joy to our lives. As responsible pet owners, it is crucial to understand the importance of providing them with suitable toys. They not only entertain our furry friends but also play a vital role in their overall well-being. Preventing boredom and destructive behavior French Bulldogs are intelligent creatures with a mischievous streak. Without adequate stimulation, they can become bored easily, leading to destructive behavior such as chewing on furniture or excessive barking. Toys serve as a great outlet for their energy and help prevent these undesirable habits. Interactive options, such as puzzle feeders or treat-dispensing balls, challenge their problem-solving skills while keeping them engaged. These stimulate their minds and provide a healthy outlet for their natural curiosity. Promoting physical exercise and mental stimulation Just like humans, French Bulldogs need regular exercise to stay fit and healthy. Engaging them in active playtime sessions with appropriate toys helps burn off excess energy, preventing obesity and related health issues. Tug ropes, plush squeaky toys, or balls encourage physical activity while promoting bonding between you and your Frenchie. Incorporating interactive games like hide-and-seek or fetch will not only keep them physically active but also mentally stimulated. Aiding in teething, dental care, and overall oral health French Bulldog puppies go through the teething phase just like any other breed. During this time, they experience discomfort due to emerging teeth. Providing them with suitable chew toys can alleviate this discomfort by redirecting their urge to chew onto something safe. Chewing on appropriate objects helps promote dental hygiene by reducing plaque buildup and massaging the gums. Look for specially designed dental chews that aid in cleaning teeth while providing entertainment. These typically involve hiding treats or small plush toys within compartments that your furry friend must figure out how to access. The process of finding the hidden treasure requires critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Hide-and-Seek: These puzzle toys have multiple compartments where you can hide treats or small toys. Your French Bulldog will have a blast sniffing out the hidden goodies and using their paws or nose to open each compartment. Treat Dispenser Balls: These balls have openings where you can place treats inside. As your Frenchie rolls the ball around, it dispenses treats intermittently, encouraging them to keep playing and figuring out how to get more. Slow Feeders: Slow feeder bowls or lick mats require your French Bulldog to work a bit harder for their food by making them eat more slowly. This not only aids digestion but also provides stimulation as they figure out how to access each kibble piece from the various compartments. As they move the pieces around, they are rewarded with tasty morsels, making mealtime more exciting and engaging. Elsa Enjoying Her Puzzle. Pin35 35 Shares Frenchies never grow up. They want to play all of the time. But keeping a Frenchie entertained all day can be hard work. Before I go on though, let me be clear. All the favorite toy suggestions here are based on toys we have found Claude the Frenchie likes to play with — on this page you can see photos of him and his friends actually using some of them. In this list of the best French Bulldog toys on the market you will see favorites to suit puppies that are chewing and teething, plus some stuffed toys. I am going to start off with the ones that Claude has loved the most, that have kept him entertained the longest. What are the best toys for French bulldogs? You will need toys that last, period. Almost all the toys I recommend below pass that destruction test. With some of these, Frenchies will play with by themselves, others with us when we want to get involved. I believe these are the best toys for French Bulldogs, puppies and adults alike. It comes with a handle on it so you can throw it, squeaks, and is tough enough to withstand all the punishment a teething or adult Frenchie can dish out. Our cat even joins in with this game. These laser pen toys see Amazon prices will also need some batteries too. Claude loves chasing the laser across the floor, and even does it with our cat at the same time. Frenchie Chew Toy A Nylabone will become one of the best investments you make and is the perfect French Bulldog teething toy. French bulldog chew toys are essential no matter what age your Frenchie is. They start to teeth around 12 weeks of age, with the teething phase typically lasting up to 24 weeks. During this phase they will want to chew everything; furniture, shoes, you name it. Frenchie chew toys can offer a distraction and suitable alternative to having your prized possessions chewed up and destroyed. You can find a similar one to the photo on Amazon. Kong Chew Toy Dogs the world over love to play with Kong toys. You can put treats in them to set a mental challenge for your hungry Frenchie. The Kong helps to keep your Frenchie busy. It will not only take cunning and flexibility to get the nice tasting secrets out but will also take them a while too. These are one of the most popular dog toys in the world as you can see from the thousands of Amazon reviews. Frenchies love to play tug of war. It lets them get rid of any excess energy and possible aggression — and it keeps the owner fit too! This one is brilliant though and despite the pulling, tugging, and tearing at it, has never degraded, frayed, or ripped apart. They are designed for aggressive chewers. You can find a similar tug of war toy on Amazon. There are loads of different styles to choose from. Stuffed Toy Plush toys can prove to be a comfort to a puppy and give them something else to chew on. French Bulldogs love stuffed toys too. The best ones for Frenchies will come with a squeaky noise when bitten. It comes a pack of 12 so your dog should never get bored again. Rope Ball Toy Claude likes the rope toy, his friend was perfectly happy with a flowerpot! A great toy for keeping your Frenchie entertained outdoors would be a rope ball. You can throw it, dangle it, or kick it. Have a look at the Amazon prices. Squeaky Bone Toy This is Claude and his puppy friend having a chew toy battle. Frenchie love toys that squeak. As you can see from my photo, Claude and his buddies will often playfight to see who can win the bone battle. You can buy this toy in red, yellow, or green depending on your style. As with the other Frenchie toys, this is also available on Amazon. Frenchie puppies need to be constantly entertained and will want to play for every single second they are awake. Below you can see some of the toys best suited to a French Bulldog puppy. This puppy toy also comes with a squeaky button inside of it so expect your puppy to be cuddling into it one minute and trying to destroy it the next. See the Orangutan on Amazon. Chuckit Throwing Balls Frenchie puppies love to chase balls but need something a little bit smaller than the Bomber Ball I recommended earlier. You can buy a pack of 2 on Amazon. Best French Bulldog chew toys Frenchies of all ages like and need to chew, but even more so during the teething phase. You can even get French Bulldog chew toys that go in the freezer first, to help soothe sore gums. You can either fill it with snacks or pop it in the freezer before play time. See the latest prices on Amazon. Dog Toothbrush Stick Dental hygiene is a must so why not combine a favorite toy with functionality? Go take a look at the Amazon prices. Best French Bulldog stuffed toys .Hide-a-Squirrel Toy Claude loves chasing squirrels. I was surprised at how highly rated it was, but it certainly seems to work as you can see from the Amazon reviews. But sometimes the simplest toys are the best for a French Bulldog. Hours of fun could be had with this, and once your dog is tired, he can cuddle up to it. The people who already own this say it stands up to a lot of rough play. These mind-stimulating toys are how you keep a French bulldog entertained and mentally active. It has a small maze inside within which you can place small kibble biscuits. As your dog pushes the ball around, the treat will hopefully find its way through the maze. This sounds like absolute torture to me, but by all accounts, it can keep your dog entertained for hours — and importantly, keep their mind active. Go check it out on Amazon. Interactive Dog Puzzle Toy Another great idea here with this interactive puzzle that can help to teach your Frenchie how to learn sequential steps to get a reward. It has 6 different compartments that pull out to reveal a tasty treat. See what people are saying on the Amazon reviews for this awesome toy. Here are a few household items that Frenchies love to play with too. Claude loved playing with footballs when he was a puppy. He would go mad in our garden pushing it around at high speed with his nose and it kept him entertained for hours at a time. Part of the game was him trying to get the ball into his mouth. Once Claude got to about 10 months his jaw was a lot bigger and he was able to chew the football up — we were getting through a couple of football toys each week. Balloons The simple things in life are sometimes the best as this balloon game shows. Sometimes the simplest things can provide the best entertainment for a Frenchie. He will try to get the balloon, and actually end up heading it back. The top section are all ones that we know for sure are the kind of toys French Bulldogs like to play with. But sometimes, anything will work as a toy. How do you keep a French bulldog entertained? We walk Claude twice a day for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, but also play with him and his favorite toys as much as we can in the house. How to keep Frenchies safe when playing? Frenchies will be very boisterous, and puppies will never know when to stop. Because of this, in hot weather particularly, they can overheat easily. I wrote a guide on how to keep Frenchies cool when playing. How do French Bulldogs like to play? French Bulldogs have lots of different ways they like to play aside from with their favorite toys. They like to playfight, the like to play rough, and they love to play fetch. You can see a video below which shows some great examples of Claude playing. For more information on how Frenchie play, read this guide. We release videos every week so please subscribe. How to stop chewing and destructive behavior Toys are one of the best ways you can help to prevent chewing. Without toys, mental stimulation, and exercise you might have a lot of destructive behavior to deal with. If you do want to stop that, read this guide to stopping chewing. How to stop a Frenchie biting when playing Once you have a collection of toys for your Frenchie you should also play with them. They can play by themselves happily but love it most when they have a playmate to share the fun with. However, puppies in particular find it hard not to bite, and this can become problematic if not trained out of them at a young age. To find out how to stop biting, read these notes. Take the Quiz 1. Chew Toys Got a furry little chew-monster at home? Chew toys are the paw-fect solution for teething Frenchies. They come in various durable materials to withstand even the toughest nibblers. These toys will also help maintain dental health and provide hours of entertainment for your Frenchie. Say goodbye to furniture gnawing and hello to a satisfied pup! They fight over them. Plush toys are the ultimate snuggle buddies for your French Bulldog. Hiding Toys Hiding toys are the sneakiest fun your Frenchie will ever have. We have soooo many of these!! Hours of fun await your pup as they conquer these brain-busters! She was afraid of that at first but as soon as she got the idea she solves to open the puzzles quickly. In a day or two she was an expert. Tug-of-War Toys Tug-of-war toys offer a fantastic way to bond with your Frenchie while helping them release their energy and giving their muscles a good workout. Warning: Be prepared to lose sometimes, because their cuteness is just too persuasive! Treat-Dispensing Toys Treat-dispensing toys are like a surprise party for your Frenchie. They keep those curious noses and clever paws busy, rewarding them with yummy treats for their hard work. The dogs then go crazy trying to get it out of the hole. Kong Toys The legendary toy that stands the test of time! Hours of entertainment guaranteed! He brings it to bed most nights, he just loves playing with it. Squeaky Toys Squeaky toys are a favorite among Frenchies, adding an extra dose of excitement to playtime. Rubber Toys Rubber toys are the ultimate all-rounders. This rubber chicken dog toy will surely be a hit with your Frenchie! Crinkle Toys Pups just wanna have fun…and make noise! Crinkle toys provide sensory stimulation for your curious Frenchie, keeping them entertained with exciting textures and sounds. Balls The timeless joy of chasing and catching! Prepare for boundless energy and endless giggles! She plays soccer and carries it. Flirt Poles Flirt poles let you engage your pup in a playful chase, providing exercise and entertainment for both of you. Guaranteed full-body workout for your Frenchie and great entertainment for you! She loves chasing this thing. Laser Pointer Unleash the feline frenzy in your pup! Laser pointers are the magical wands of playtime. The elusive red dot is an endless source of fascination, giving your Frenchie a chance to engage their hunting skills. Doggie Pool A paddling pool is one of the best ways to keep your Frenchie cool in hot temperatures. Not only does it keep them refreshed, but it also provides a stimulating environment and hours of playtime for your baby. Perfect for those water-loving Frenchies who enjoy splashing around! Plastic Bottles Who knew recycling could be so much fun? Plastic bottles are the unsung heroes of DIY dog toys. Frenchies absolutely love it: their crinkly texture and exciting sounds are enough to make any pup go bananas! Just be sure to remove the cap and any small parts to keep playtime safe and enjoyable. We also got her a toy off Amazon that you insert a 20oz plastic bottle into that she loves. The article is based on the expert knowledge of the TomKings Puppies team who have been breeding French Bulldogs for 10 years on their farm. All the pictures in the post belong to them and their customers, and show puppies from their breed. Check their available French Bulldog puppies , or if you have any questions or comments let us know below the article.

Should a Keeshond Mix take after their Kees parent, they will be a small dog that makes a great companion for single owners and for families. They also often make great watchdogs. Keeshonden are playful and energetic. They are also affectionate, friendly, and love to be around their families. They tend to get along well with children and other dogs, but may need some extra socialization with other small pets. They also tend to be open and friendly with strangers once introduced, but will bark to alert you. If you do not train your dog to stop barking early on, their alert barking can become a nuisance behavior. If the other parent breed has similar temperament traits, then you can likely expect the same from a Keeshond Mix. You will still want to ask the breeder about them as they will introduce their own quirks that you will want to be aware of. You can also meet the mother in person to see what her temperament is like and the behavior she is modeling for puppies. The breeder should have started some training and socialization. However, it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home. The Keeshond is a highly adaptable dog that does well in homes with larger yards as well as apartments. They do not like to be left alone for long periods of time and tend to handle most climates well. If the other parent breed is also highly adaptable, then you can expect the same from a Keeshond Mix. Mixed-breed dogs can sometimes be healthier than purebred dogs. But, it all depends on the parents, and good breed practices make a huge difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Keeshond Mix that come from the Keeshond can include patellar luxation , eye issues, elbow dysplasia, and hip dysplasia. You will want to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed. Since reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies, you should be able to ask them about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. You can also ask about any health clearances or tests that have been done. The Keeshond is a highly trainable dog. They are eager to please and intelligent, which means they pick up on things quickly. If the other parent breed is also easy to train, then you can expect something similar from a Keeshond Mix. A Keeshond Mix can inherit a coat that is just like one of their parents or a coat that is some combination of both. If they end up with a Kees coat, they will shed moderately year-round, shed heavier as the seasons change, need weekly brushing, and require professional grooming every weeks. The dog groomer will be able to help with some of this during appointments, but you will still need to take care of things at home between visits. Nail trims once or twice a month keep nails from growing too long. Ear checks on a weekly basis with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. Daily brushing with a toothpaste for dogs or using an enzyme toothpaste every day, in addition to cleanings at the vet as needed, can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. A Kees sits in a moderate activity range. Daily walks and some playtime or time to run are usually enough for this dog, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. If the other parent breed is similar, then you can expect the same from a Keeshond Mix. If the other parent breed requires more or less daily activity, then you will need to be prepared for that potential range. Fully-grown Keeshonden usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother. So, you need to ask the breeder about them. A Keeshond generally lives for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar average life span from Keeshond Mixes. Featured Keeshond Mix Article. 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? Is it more like the German Shepherd Dog or the Keeshond? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful German Shepherd Dog Keeshond Mix. 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 Keeshond 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. This is an older breed of dog. It has quite the history. Throughout some political unrest in Holland it was a symbol of the Rebel Party and it quickly became popular among ordinary people. When this party was overthrown many dogs were destroyed but it did manage to hold on. Around the year interest in the breed picked back up and it migrated away from just being on barges and such. It became a recognized breed with the American Kennel Club in

Degenerative Myelopathy Von Willebrand Disease Perhaps the most well-known is hip dysplasia, a condition that causes the hip joint to develop abnormally. This can lead to pain and lameness, and eventually requiring surgery. German Shepherds are also at risk for elbow dysplasia, a similar condition that affects the elbow joint. Other common health problems include allergies, intestinal issues, and eye problems. With proper care and diet, however, German Shepherds can live long and healthy lives. Finding a German Shepherd puppy for sale from a reputable breeder can dramatically — although, not eliminate — the risk of your dog developing some of these conditions. While German Shepherds are often considered to be low-maintenance when it comes to grooming, their coats do require some care and attention. The most important thing to know about German Shepherd coat care is that the breed does not shed uniformly throughout the year. After the shedding period has ended, you can reduce the frequency of brushing to once or twice a week. In addition to regular brushing, German Shepherds also need to be bathed on occasion. How often you need to bathe your German Shepherd will depend on factors such as how often they play outside and whether they have any allergies or skin sensitivities. Generally speaking, however, a once-monthly bath is sufficient for most dogs. German Shepherd Puppies For Sale. Purebred parents are both akc certified. Dam is long haired. Sire is short haired. If interested call xxx-xxx-xxxx. German import lines. All have great bones structure. Buy Now German Shepherd Puppies1 These puppies have great markings, no breathing problems or health issues fantastic bone structure many champions in bloodlines. Please if you are interested in offering these puppies a good, lovely caring home, contact us with the name of the breed directly via xxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx. Imported champion bloodlines, quality sound babies at an affordable price. Born and raised in our living room. Vacuum and cat friendly. Mom is on prenatal vitamins high-quality food and has nursed the entire time. The puppies are eating and drinking well and beginning to potty train. They would do well with an active family on a farm homestead or as a service dog. Buy Now German Shepard puppies I have 7 beautiful German Shepard puppies looking for homes they are 7 weeks old ,I have 4 females and 3 males, dewormed, and has had first round of shots Buy Now year and half old puppy FREE to a good loving home MUST GO year and half male shepherd , been fixed,up to date on shots,house broken, watch dog. Come with health certificate from our vet, health guarantee, first month of health insurance, flea and tick and heartworm prevention. He need to a good loving home and room to run. Dad is a German shepherd. Are currently being dewormed. We have 1 male and 5 females. Training not to jump is important while young as to avoid knocking you over. I'm not trying to discourage anyone. I just want anyone interested to be sure they can handle this particular big dog. They are awesome dogs, just big, loveable lugs. They would be best in a fenced back yard. All puppies are bred for strong nerves even temperaments and excellent Health. The very best German Show and Working lines. Our litters have top VA and Schutzhund 3 Working bloodlines together. All of the pups are family raised in the house. No Kennels. All of our puppies come with a Written Hip and Health Guarantee. Our puppies are sold with Full AKC registration. Born February 28th 4 male 2 Females I will come to you happy and healthy. Will be up to date on my puppy vaccinations. Ready for my fur-ever family. Please call or text message for more info. Salvatore xxxx View Detail Puppies for sale availability june 1st Parents on sight are AKC Registered Long haired purebreed German Shepherds 6 male and 2 female puppies arrived the morning of April 5th and will be ready for new homes June 15th please text only if interested or need more information. Photos are Fidget with her litter and Fidget with Buddy They are smart very loyal you,you will be provided with all their records they are all ready Registered with AKC and ready to transfer into new owners name and set online to get the purebred papers and their family tree we now have 4 boys and a female left they will be dewormed and first set of shots very healthy you wont be disappointed please we prefer cash at time you pick up,please text me at xxx-xxx-xxxx parents are our pet we got each the parents are from separated states friendly awesome with kids do great with other pets if you can't reach us by phone e mail us at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx. If you are interested please feel free to call or message me at xxxxxxxxxx View Detail Alaskan Shepherds litter These are hybrid alaskan shepherds. Located near Whitewater Wisconsin I am accepting deposits to hold your puppy. I encourage people to come and visit prior to paying to ensure you choose your puppy and the puppy chooses you. Blacks and Sables. Puppies are being raised in Home around Kids catss and other dogs. All puppies go home with 2 sets of shots dewormed and a puppy pack.

However one of the kids was too small. Instead, we shopped for something nice to take home, and to have a fab meatball lunch. The older child chose Gosig, and he is just the right size for a 5 year old. Perfect travel buddy. Except Grandma wants one, too! So soft and cuddly. I really love this Dogs I bought the big one and the small one to give them to my daughter and she will always remember that I love her since the day she was born from my heart5 Cute dogDamaris A. I had one of these for our golden that passed away a couple years ago. I needed a new one for me to keep to remember all the good times she had with her baby golden plushy. I bought this puppy for my grandson. It is so cute and very soft. I'm sure he will love it when he comes to visit! Soft and good quality. Nieces love it!!! Lexi B. My daughter has had this thing forever, her big sister passed it on to her and it still holding up! But his name is chicito! She loves them both! This one is no exception. It is very soft and my son loves it. CathySo soft and very cuddly! The 5th we've purchased! ROBOh we have this toy for our dog and we've also given it to several friends for their dogs. Interestingly our dog never tears apart IKEA toys and they are very easy to machine wash. We luckily found it a few weeks later… but even a back up wont suffice at this point. This was a major setback for Children's IKEA, but it was a setback that would lead to important safety improvements. All soft toys were removed from the store as Carina tried to call her colleagues in Sweden. The fact that the eye came off despite all risk analyses and safety checks was very serious. Still, in hindsight, he still sees that it led to something really good. More personal expression The incident also led to the decision to not use plastic eyes at all. Embroidered eyes were not only safer, they also proved to give more character and personality to the toys. It's a loved friend to play with and find comfort with - and which parents can always feel secure about. We put our toys to the test — up against the toughest in the world much tougher than any two-year-old. All so you can worry less and they can play more. Function solution Soft toys to hug, again and again We know our soft toys should handle many years of love. Simple to keep clean and fresh since they can be machined washed. It's all free. Dimensions Overall : .Target does not represent or warrant that this information is accurate or complete. On occasion, manufacturers may modify their items and update their labels. We recommend that you do not rely solely on the information presented. If you have a specific question about this item, you may consult the item's label, contact the manufacturer directly or call Target Guest Services at .Description This Golden Retriever Puppy is the best toy for your kids indoor play. High-quality plush materials, sparkling eyes, expressive face, and soft furry body are features certain to make our stuffed. Dog lovers of all ages will appreciate this luxuriously soft stuffed animal. The perfect way to show you care. Report incorrect product info. Estimated ship dimensions: 22 inches length x 21 inches width x 16 inches height Estimated ship weight: 0. This item must be returned within 90 days of the date it was purchased in store, shipped, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or made ready for pickup. See the return policy for complete information. Ask a question. About products and suppliers: What are the benefits of a golden retriever? A Golden retriever plush toy is one of the most popular stuffed animals, the retriever also is a plush toy that can be used as a toys or adults to express affection. Golden retriever plushies, also known as a retriever stuffed animal, is a cute type of toy that can be used as companions, fauxional retriever plushies, and other retriever plushies, for example. Can also be a good addition to your customers' needs because they will provide the adults with different needs of preferting to feed on their furry friends. As retriever plushies or fauxional retriever plushies, can also be used as a toys or other stuffed animal. A large retriever, also known as a brown retriever is a plush and retriever that can be used as toys for children. Golden retriever for sale, Alibaba. Materials As for the stuffed, retriever dog is also one of the most popular materials, as the retriever dog stuffed animal. Some plush these. The outer fabrics of personalized stuffed dogs currently on the market are commonly plain cloth or pile textiles like plush and terrycloth. As for the stuffing dogs, personalized stuffed dogs are generally made of plain cloth or pile textiles like plush and terrycloth. Related Searches:.

Should a Lab Mix take after their Labrador Retriever parent, they will be a playful, energetic, and affectionate dog that loves their families. Labrador Retrievers are energetic dogs that tend to have an extended puppyhood. They are also social, friendly, and tend to be patient and gentle with children. This makes them fantastic pets as they also tend to get along well with other dogs and even other pets, despite their retriever tendencies. If the other parent breed has a similar temperament, then you can expect the same from a Labrador Retriever Mix. You still want to ask questions about the other parent breed as they are bound to introduce some potential quirks of their own. Although Labs are happiest with room to run, they adapt well to apartments as long as they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and affection. They also do well in most climates, but do not like to spend long stretches of time alone. If the other parent breed is also highly adaptable, then you can expect the same from a Labrador Retriever Mix. Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? As with purebred dogs, health often depends on reputable breeding practices. Just as a mix can inherit none of the conditions common to their parent breeds, they could also inherit all of them or some combination of them. From the Labrador side, potential health concerns to be aware of in a Labrador Mix include patellar luxation , hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cataracts. The other parent breed will likely introduce some other potential conditions to this list. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Labrador Retrievers are highly trainable dogs that can be a good fit for owners of any experience level. First-time owners may have a challenge at first with their high energy and exuberance, but tend to be successful. If the other parent breed is also highly trainable, then you can expect the same from a Labrador Retriever Mix. If the other parent breed tends to be more challenging to train, then you will want to be prepared for that potential and be ready to enroll in puppy training classes if you need them. A Lab Mix can end up with a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is truly a mix of both. Should they inherit the Labrador Retriever coat, it will be short and will shed throughout the year with heavier shedding as the seasons change. Weekly brushing and the occasional bath keep a Lab coat healthy. Trimming nails once or twice monthly keeps them from growing too long. Because dental care is often overlooked, gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. Brushing teeth every day or using an enzyme toothpaste daily in addition to cleanings at the vet as needed helps prevent painful dental diseases later in life. Labrador Retrievers are high-energy working dogs that need plenty of exercise and a job to do to be happy. If the other parent breed is also a high-energy dog breed, then you should expect a Labrador Mix to be a high-energy dog as well. Even if the other parent breed sits in a lower activity range, you will still want to be prepared for the potential of a high-energy dog should they take after their Lab parent. Fully-grown Labrador Retrievers tend to stand inches tall and weigh pounds. The other parent can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother. Labs generally live for years. Although the other parent breed could affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar average life span from a Labrador Retriever Mix. Featured Labrador Mix Article. Both parents come from a 5-generation pedigree. Mother is IKC registered. Grandparents and great grandparents are field trial champions. Father is a strong, chunky Labrador with an excellent breeding background, he was never registered but both grandparents were IKC reg. Both mother and father are cherished family pets, live together and can be seen. Parents are gentle natured, excellent with kids and have great personalities. Owners are vets themselves. This is our first and last litter as we are not breeders. We wanted to keep a line from both parents which was the motivation to have a litter. Our beautiful puppies are happy, healthy, and very confident. They have a fantastic temperament. Pups have been raised in our family home ensuring they have been well socialised with kids and other animals such as cats. These confident puppies are extremely intelligent and will be easy to train! They are already semi-toilet trained and have great re-call. Puppies are very affectionate and loved by all the family hence we are only looking for suitable home as a family pet or loyal companion. All pups are - Vet health checked - Vaccinated - Microchipped - Wormed at 2,4,6 and 8 weeks - Treated for fleas and mites. Pups will be ready to go to their forever homes from September 17th. For more information or to arrange to view the puppies please call or email me on or megandoherty00 gmail. If I do not answer please leave a message and I will get back to you. Thank you!

All rights reserved. The material presented on this website, may not be reproduced or distributed, in whole or in part, without the prior written permission of CTC Productions. The League has succeeded in developing a breed with a stable temperament and sound body by using a scoring system to eliminate critical problem areas. German Shepherd Dogs produced by the League and only those dogs are safe with the family, cheap to run and lead long and healthy lives. Appearance The true colour of a German Shepherd is not known until the puppy coat is shed and the full adult coat has grown. Pure black german shepherds are also available, but white is considered undesirable in show ring dogs. Male dogs weigh kg lbs and are cm in tall, while bitches weigh 28 — 34kg lbs and are 56 — 61 cm 22 — 24 in tall. History of the German Shepherd As the name suggests, the German Shepherd Dog originated in Germany where it evolved from herding dogs that were used to tend and protect sheep. Rittmeister Max von Stephanitz, the proclaimed father of the breed, founded the German Shepherd Dog Association in .The dogs were recognised as being excellent guard and attack dogs and were used by the police and the military. After the First World War English owners changed the name to Alsatian because nobody wanted to be associated with anything German. German Shepherds first arrived in Australia between and but then the government imposed import bans which were not lifted until because the dogs were believed to be dangerous. Temperament German Shepherd Dogs have suffered an image problem which was in part deserved. Many years ago there were significant problems in the breed with temperament. Today however, as a result of the work done by the German Shepherd Dog League, the temperament of these dogs is excellent. The League acknowledged that a gene for fear biting had crept into the breed. Affected dogs are timid, can become frightened and will attack people out of fear. Over the last twenty seven years, the German Shepherd Dog League has used a Breed Survey Scheme to virtually eliminate fear biters from the breed. German Shepherds bred by the German Shepherd Dog League are loyal, loving, intelligent dogs and are willing to do anything for the people they love to the point of giving their own lives. The breed adores and protects its family. Although the dogs are good with children, they should not be left alone with small children because both dogs and puppies can be boisterous. Health and lifespan German Shepherd Dogs not bred by the German Shepherd Dog League can be prone to health problems including haemophilia and hip and elbow dysplasia. The German Shepherd Dog League operates a number of Breed Improvement Schemes that are designed to reduce the incidence of diseases with a possible genetic link, by selecting for breeding only those animals which pass stringent selection tests. In Australia, the German Shepherd Dog League has established an A-stamp Certificate system which is designed to reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia, a crippling disease of the hind legs. The A clearance means that the puppy is of a quality acceptable for breeding. A similar certificate system exists for elbow and haemophilia problems. People buying pups should ensure they view the certificates and should expect the parents to have been breed surveyed and x-rayed for hip problems. In order for the Breed Improvement Scheme to be successful, all dogs are tattooed for identification at seven or eight weeks of age. The tattoos are a permanent link to the individual dog, to the breeder and to the details held by the Canine Council. German Shepherds can also experience some skin problems. Proper care of a German Shepherd includes regular worming, about 3 times a year, and clean, flea free sleeping quarters. German Shepherds have an average lifespan of 12 years. Feeding German Shepherds are not particularly big eaters and breeders suggest one meal each day with a dog biscuit in the morning. A balanced diet could include a mix of dry food, mince or mutton flaps and heart worm tablets. Breeding It is uncommon for German Shepherds to experience whelping problems, although some bitches do require caesareans. An average litter size is between 6 and 7 pups. German Shepherd Running Housepet Potential German Shepherds are good inside the house, but when shedding their coat they need to be brushed regularly to minimise accumulation of shed hairs on people or in the house. The dogs require house training; a relatively easy task because of their intelligence. Grooming The German Shepherd needs little grooming, however, during the seasonal change from winter to summer it is often necessary to strip out the dead, woolly coat. This should be done as quickly as possible with a rubber brush specifically designed for the job. Uses German Shepherds are used in police work, including tracking and searching for guns and drugs. They are excellent at obedience work, make good companions, guide dogs and guard dogs. The dogs can also be involved in schutzhund, a sport where dogs attack on command. German Shepherd in Training Trainability German Shepherds are reliable, intelligent and responsive to training. They need obedience training early in life, particularly those that are boisterous, strong minded and dominating. Well socialised German Shepherd Dogs are easier to introduce to new people and situations and make a more stable companion. If you wish to buy a German Shepherd, ask if the breeder is part of the League. We would strongly advise that you avoid buying any German Shepherds which have not been produced by German Shepherd Dog League members. To find up-to-date contacts for breeders, contact the following organisations. White Black Interestingly, white German Shepherds are the least desirable variant within the breed. Whereas Black German Shepherds are considered to be the rarest and most sought after. When looking for German Shepherd Breeders in Australia, make sure to keep an eye out for: Breeders with trusted reviews and a long history. Breeders who encourage you to meet the parent dogs of your soon-to-be German Shepherd puppy. Breeders who take health testing seriously. Trustworthy German Shepherd breeders monitor the health of all of their dogs very closely. This helps ensure that the chances of dogs being born with physical and mental health problems are minimised. Sometimes, you may choose to go to a shelter when looking to adopt a German Shepherd. Although shelters are usually made up of older dogs, and purebreds tend to be few and far between, there are always exceptions. You should consider adopting through a shelter or rescue when: Looking for an older dog. Adult German Shepherds or even older dogs have already grown into their temperaments and have been trained, so they can adapt to their new homes much more easily than a puppy would. Looking to give a dog a second chance. There are plenty of sweet, loving dogs waiting for a new home all over the country. You can have a look at a well-known German Shepherd shelter here , and other dog rescue programs here. Due to their association as guard dogs or security dogs, German Shepherds are often stereotyped as being unfriendly or aggressive. Is a German Shepherd a good family dog? German Shepherds are a great addition to the family if they have been properly socialised and trained. The nature of this dog is to be incredibly loving and caring to its owners. You can read more about how they fair with kids below. Do German Shepherds get along with kids? German Shepherds are extremely child-friendly, so long as they are trained and socialised properly from a young age. Due to being bred for the purpose of guarding and herding, these dogs will most likely take care to watch over and protect the younger members of their family. Do German Shepherds shed? German Shepherds are known for shedding continuously and relentlessly! They lose one of these layers, their undercoats, twice a year which means they shed even more during the spring and fall months. How long do German Shepherds live for? Most sources state that the average life expectancy for a German Shepherd is around years. Unfortunately, these dogs are also known for their genetic health conditions, which may shorten their lifespans. However, as long as they are purchased from reliable breeders and their health is monitored closely, German Shepherds can lead long and happy lives. Which German Shepherd is best? Only you, as the owner, could determine which type is best suited to you. You can read up more on the different types of German Shepherds here. Why are German Shepherds the smartest dog? Experts agree that German Shepherds rank amongst the most intelligent dog breeds. This is because of their comprehensive and retentive memory, which allows them to easily memorise commands and instructions picked up during training. Additional Resources on German Shepherds Read about K9 dog breeds to learn more about the best police dogs. Source Due to the remarkable abilities of German Shepherds, it is easier for them to adjust in any situation and environment. As a pet owner, you need to make sure that your dog feels safe and cared for in your house. All in all, German Shepherds are pretty good at adapting changes and new environments. Hence, for adaptability, they have scored 3 out of 5 stars. Some important factors behind such ratings are: They can be your good roommate in your apartment. They don't dislike the apartment lifestyle and will do great if trained properly. Make sure to provide them with a healthy lifestyle and a lot of love. They'll learn to live in your apartment quickly. If you want German Shepherd to be the first dog that you would own, you need to think it over. Since German shepherds are working dogs, they might be quite difficult for you, a newbie, to handle. German Shepard Dog require more attention, care, exercise, activities, and training than other dogs, which seem tiring and exhausting to the novice owners. So, German Shepherd Dog scored only 2 out of 5 for novice owners. The reality of the breed that is often considered to be the most courageous and brave among all is that the same breed is highly sensitive as well. They might look and act fearless and muscular, but deep down, German Shepherds are very emotional. They tend to get tensed by the slightest of inconveniences. That is why they have scored 5 out of 5 stars of sensitivity. German Shepherds like to be around their family. They would do anything to create a strong bond with their owner. If left alone for a long time, they might end up getting anxious and tense. This will increase their aggression, which results in destructive behavior such as chewing, barking, and whining. If you have a tough routine and are afraid you won't be able to give your pet much time, then you should not adopt German Shepherd. Their tolerance being alone scored 2 out of 5 stars. They are strong enough to tolerate cold weather. They can easily live in cold weather though you must make sure they're not out there 24 hours. But staying out for a while won't be an issue. Their tolerance to cold weather got 4 out of 5 stars. They can live in hot weather too. Make certain that they have access to cold water and shade, though. Their tolerance to hot weather scored 3 out of 5 stars. Even if the parents are completely healthy, they can pass down the genes for any of these diseases to their pups. So if you see a German Shepherd pup selling for a fairly low price, you can definitely expect there was no screening for hereditary diseases. On the other hand, you may also notice some rather overpriced German Shepherd puppies. In fact, there are as many as 13 different German Shepherd colour combinations. With that being said, certain fur colours are still rather popular due to being rare, such as white or grey. However, not every puppy is the same. And sometimes, not even the price is an indicator of how well-bred a puppy might be. Unfortunately, puppy scammers are a real problem. Given that online ads are unregulated, many fake ads aimed at frauding Australians searching for a new pet go unnoticed 2. And given that they look rather realistic, telling fake stories from real ones can be really tough. For now, at least one can implement their advice on how to distinguish scam ads. And you'll see five different pages come up with the exact same testimonials. That's how I find even more scam pages because you can see the real one and all the other pages that have copied it. Ultimately, your pick will depend on the breeder. When choosing one, there are a few things to keep an eye on. Trustworthy breeders take the health of every litter very seriously. As you know, how much is a German Shepherd puppy depends on how much was spent on the kennel. The breeders should have all the vaccination and documentation ready, which also costs money. And in this case, you should aim for more expensive pups. It also shows you how and where the puppies are raised. You can find amazing German Shepherds in shelters all around Australia, waiting to be adopted. True, most dogs in shelters are adults, although there are always exceptions. But getting an older pooch can also be very rewarding. Older dogs are already trained, have grown into their personalities and usually have shorter adjustment periods compared to puppies. These groups have huge directories with dogs from all over the country. If you prefer a face-to-face meeting, you can also visit a local shelter and search for a German Shepherd there. German Shepherds are prone to several hereditary issues, and the key to finding a healthy, happy puppy is to find a reliable breeder. Alternatively, you can consider adopting a German Shepherd from the shelter. Although older, these dogs are just as ready to give their love and devotion to a new pet parent. References Wahl, J. November .Retrieved April 02, .Currently pursuing a Masters degree in Semiotics studying the communication between animals and humans. Vedrana is able to use her expertise to analyse and review dog products and write informative posts on canine behaviour and training. Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. What Price are Pedigree Papers? What questions should I ask the Breeder? Are you listed with the German Shepherd Dog Club? Are the parents x-rayed for Hip Dysplasia and Elbow Dysplasia? What are their scores and could you view their documents? Are the parents Breed Surveyed? Can I view their Breed Survey? What is Main Register? Australian National Kennel Council Main Register is a pedigree Blue in Colour for pedigree animals which can be exhibited in the conformation ring, trialling ring and bred with. What is Limited Register? Australian National Kennel Council Limited Register is a pedigree Orange in Colour for pedigree animals which can be exhibited in the Trial ring, they cannot be shown or bred with. They can be transferred to the Main Register with the Breeders authorisation. What is a Contract? Contracts are an agreement between two 2 parties, the Breeder and the purchaser of the animal. Prior to signing any contract you should read it carefully and fully understand ALL of the conditions involved in the contract. If you are unsure of any condition in the contract ask for an explanation. Note: Not all breeders tie up animals on contracts What information and assistance will I receive with my pup? Is there feeding information? Is there information on training or suitable Club to receive training? Are there any guarantees with the pup? Kennel Name:. Can we meet in person? Have they been socialised? Selling my 1 year old German Shepherd Lexi is an 8 months old german shepherd up-to- date with all her vaccines,juvenile check, dewormin and everything. Fed on Royal canine from the starting, she has got a very nice and smooth coat and excellent muscleand brain power. As she has also completed her puppy schooling, she understands commands like sit,drop,between,roll ,good girl, bad girl, pee, poop,etc and is very socialized. Recently my job requirements changed and i couldn't give Lexi as much time as possible so i'm looking forward to transfer my ownership to some other person who can give her some time. I purchased Georgie on the 20th January .Georgie was desexed by Dr. Ton Tancharoen on 26th of March .Full veterinary treatment history included from The Lost Dogs Home. Georgie is now 5 years old, Georgie has been known to show aggression towards smaller dogs than herself and female dogs in particular. Georgie is very loving, loyal and protective over her family. Over the past year Georgie has shown a huge improvement in her behaviour as we introduced a Saint Bernard puppy into the family. Georgie must go to a home without birds or cats. I'm moving back in with my Dad and there isn't enough room for her there. Please consider Georgie to be a part of your family. Olympia Arnold Purebred German Shepherd puppies looking for a loving family and forever home. It is considered a low-maintenance dog due to its grooming needs. They are pretty faithful and have fearless personalities. Pros and Cons: Pros: Intelligent, protective, ideal companion Low maintenance Excellent herding and working skills Ideal for homes with lawns Fewer Health issues Cons: High Activity requirements Not recommended for allergy sufferers. I have 5 males and 1 female from a purebred Red Cattle dog and purebred German Shepherd. The pups will be ready at 8 weeks on the 22nd September. Pups have had their first vax and been wormed. Please message me your interest. Legitimate buyers only. Well fed and well looked after. Dogs are mostly from Europe and USA. I can help with boarding and all training needs. I will happily take back ANY dog I have supplied for whatever reason. Dogs are fed raw. Bob Border Collie x German Sheppard Shollie The Shollie is a excellent family dog who forms close bonds with the humans in their life and will act as a protective guardian. The mixed breed is also known for being smart. It cannot be stressed enough that the Shollie is a smart and energetic dog—so they need a family who can commit to an equally active and involved lifestyle. Available for their furever home .I will not be selling to anyone. Furever homes only. They have been socialized with children and adults from birth and are very friendly, cuddly and healthy. They have been fed perfectly and are big robust pups. The puppies have been vet checked, wormed, vaccinated and microchipped. They are ready for their new homes and will make wonderful family pets and property protection dogs. Bella and Jacko their parents are friendly but alert. We live in the country so the pups have plenty of room to run, roam and explore. Please text or phone me so we can chat or I can give you more info. We have been breeding German Shepherds for 12 years and take great pride in the health and well being of our dogs. We strive to make the best pups possible for their new family. Vaccinated, microchipped and vet checked. Up to date on worming and flea treatments. Comes with a puppy pack and 4 weeks pet insurance. Great temperament, very loyal. Would also make a great guard dog. She has grown up with kids and other dogs. Ali's Kennels Shepskt These dogs have an abundance of energy and require a firm pack leader to get the best from them. Shepsky is loyal, alert, affectionate and intelligent. They are good with children and have protective instints and generally, they are calm, gentle dog with a slight hint of michievousness. Aries is 7 months old, intelligent, and incredibly loyal. He loves long walks, playtime in the park, and cuddles on the couch. Aries has been raised in a family environment and is well-socialized with children and other pets. He is up-to-date with vaccinations, regularly vet-checked, and in excellent health. Due to a change in my living situation, I am sadly unable to keep Aries. I am looking for a responsible and caring owner who can provide him with the love and attention he deserves. If you think you can offer Aries a safe and happy home, please contact reach out. Aries really is a wonderful dog and I would like to see him go to a home where he will be loved and cared for with someone who has time to nurture a strong relationship with him. Rehoming fee negotiable based on circumstances. Thank you for considering Aries and giving him the love he deserves. They are all happy with cuddles and lots of play. Scheduled for forever homes by Sept 3rd. Blue dob. Lola is their Mum. Lola loves her cuddles and her rope for fun. Frankie is their Dad. Frankie can play fetch with his ball for hours! Three predominantly black with a little tan and the rest black and tan mixed. All wormed vaccinated and microchipped. Mum is a beautiful black and tan lean family dog raised around children and pets and can be veiwed. Dad is a long hair dark tan and black and can be shown a photo. Both parents and puppy have beautiful temperaments, very well socialised and children friendly. She is very affectionate and gentle, sleeping through the night and is house trained. Pure black puppies from working line parents. The parents are protective of their home and family. She has had her health check and is microchipped and vaccinated. She is pure breed with paper. She is de sexed and up to date with Vet appointment. She is very docile and playful. Loves people, kids and other dogs. Walked daily. Glamour coat, medium coat and sables available. Puppies are German shepherd, health checked, no heap problems, vaccinated and microchipped. They all great with family, and children. They are gentle, active and happy puppies. Mum and dad are in the photo for your review Majd German shepherd puppy's, 2 boys and a girl, 7 weeks old, microchiped and vaccinated, toilet trained and responde to basics commends, ready for their forever new home, with their new loving family.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As we all know too well, what we put in our belly has a huge impact on our health, vitality, length and quality of life. They have to strike a fine balance between getting enough nutrients to grow and avoiding an over-abundance that can lead to abnormal growth and disabling conditions. In this article you will learn precisely how to feed your puppy. What they can eat, what they should not, how many times you should feed them each day, basic information on home-made diets and the pros and cons of various commercial dog foods. The majority of Labrador owners feed their puppy kibble. Kibble is ground meal, shaped into dried biscuit-like pellets that are extremely convenient to buy, store and feed, providing everything a puppy needs in one easy to handle product. All the major brands carry a range of kibble and many are specifically formulated to suit the precise needs of puppies. For our recommendations of the best puppy food for labs, please read our article on: The Best Food for Labrador Puppies. Good breeders will supply you with all the information you need to feed your new puppy and you should follow this advice. Puppies almost always get upset tummies during a change of diet. The stress of moving to a new home is enough to deal with without them potentially having tummy upset on top. So try to avoid this. But expect your puppy to get diarrhea after such a sudden change. What Can Puppies Eat? With a bewildering choice of different puppy foods available, what to feed your puppy may not be the easiest decision to make. You Can Feed Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is ground up food, formed into pellets and dried for easy storage and convenience. It is a specially formulated, complete and balanced diet, containing everything a puppy needs to grow and be healthy. Many people believe kibble is the best way to feed a puppy, with it being so easy to buy, store and feed while containing every nutrient a puppy needs in the right proportions. Wet, Complete Puppy Foods Are An Option As the name suggests, complete wet dog food is complete and balanced, meaning nothing should be fed in combination. Everything needed is included in this one food. Complete wet foods come in individual pouches or tins with one pouch or tin containing one single serving. In the main these foods are low in nutrition, contain a high amount of cheap fillers, by-products and water and need mixing with a biscuit to give them some substance and to make them more complete. Because the food is such low quality, you have to feed a lot of it. And what goes in, must come out. This type of feeding was popular decades ago and I do remember my parents feeding our first dogs this way, but most people have moved on from this and are feeding their dogs in better ways now. Raw Food, BARF And Home-Made Diets Raw feeding is a diet that consists of mostly raw meat, edible bones and animal organs, though most practitioners also mix in small portions of fruit, veg and selected other foodstuffs. There are many people feel strongly that this is the best possible way to feed a dog. But I would caution most people that to feed this diet successfully, you need to do A LOT of research, gain a lot of knowledge and truly understand a dogs nutritional needs to make sure they get exactly what they need in the right amounts. Many people wonder if they can feed their puppy human foods, anything found in the fridge or larder. Furthermore, there are many human foods that are toxic to dogs that you should avoid at all costs. Too much of some nutrients can be bad in itself, but also prevent the absorption and use of other nutrients too. So supplementing a balanced diet is a bad thing to do. Can You Give Puppies Milk? Assuming you get your puppy at the recommended 8 weeks, they will have been fully weaned before you bring them home. Many puppies are intolerant of cows milk and drinking it leads to an upset tummy and diarrhea so you would do best to avoid giving your puppy any milk at all. One exception is for very young puppies under 6 weeks of age. When we have newborn puppies at our house we sometimes need to supplement and use Esbilac Milk Supplemen t. However, if you have a very young puppy that you think may need supplementing please first consult with your veterinarian. Are They Necessary? You will likely be feeding your puppy a commercially available complete and balanced dog food, in which case you certainly should not supplement their food. Supplementing this will mean too much of one or more things, making it unbalanced which can actually lead to harm. But an excess amount of calcium in the diet of a Lab puppy can lead to skeletal development problems. So adding a calcium supplement to an already complete diet can actually do more harm than good. There may also be times your vet advises you to do so. But if feeding raw, you should know more about nutrition than I do. This is a hard question to answer and sadly I cannot give you a definite quantity or weight to feed them each day. Puppies grow at different rates, some are more active than others and there can be large differences between metabolisms too. However… The biggest determining factor is how concentrated the nutrients and calories are in the brand of food you feed them. High quality foods are nutrient rich and give a puppy all they need from quite small amounts of food. But cheaper brands are full of low quality and nutritionally empty fillers that mean a puppy needs considerably more to get what they need. Start by feeding your puppy according to the guidelines on the label of the puppy food you buy for them. Then see how their body develops. Puppies should not be fat! But at the other end of the scale if they start to look and feel a little slim, up their portion sizes a little. The guidelines on the food you buy are just that…guidelines. You might also be interested in:. Remember, Labs do not have a natural food intake regulator so you will need to monitor them with portion control. Using a cheaper brand is a poor option at half the price. You will use twice as much and you will have to clean up larger amounts of waste in your yard. To allow for an accurate control of body weight and growth rate, this amount of food can be dispensed over 3 meals per day. After 5 months of age, the feeding regularity can be reduced to two meals per day with the commensurate increase in food quantity. The amount of food a Labrador puppy requires will increase then level out during first 14 months of their life. At months, their bone density is increasing and their growth plates are set. We do not recommend desexing you pup until at least 3 years of age. This allows for an appropriate development and supply of hormone which in turn produces proper bone, muscle and vital organ development. Table foods dispensed randomly to dogs are not nutritionally balanced. We do not offer our dogs table food at all. There will be no problems if you are feeding a puppy with a homemade diet but it should be prepared from prescribed recipes that are nutritionally complete and balanced. Diets consisting of an unplanned and indiscriminate mixture of human foods particularly including carbohydrates will likely result in obesity and even dietary-induced disease. When you Lab reaches 14months of age, it should be given an adult food that contains less energy and calcium. This will decrease the risk of obesity and orthopaedic conditions. And do not feed them coffee or tea as they can contain caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. These toxic substances can dangerously affect the heart and nervous system. Onions, garlic, raisins and grapes can be severely toxic in labradors. Raw meat is potential source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria for your puppy. Eggs yokes are an excellent source of protein. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin a B vitamin. This can, in extreme cease, lead to skin and coat problems. Liver contains higher levels of protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Raw liver can be a source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria. Excessive amounts of liver can cause Vitamin A toxicity. Raw bone chewing will control tartar buildup on a pups teeth. However, bone chewing can cause intestinal blockages and perforations. Never use cooked bones. Commercial Puppy Foods Most commercial puppy foods are designated for small, medium, large and giant breeds. This designation can be found on the label. Puppies of medium sized breeds are less than '25 kg fully grown adult body weight'. A full grown and lean Labrador will usually weigh between 25kg and 45kg. We feed our dogs at the 'lower' level of the recommended range. The 'Hills Body Fat Index' is a very helpful body shape indicator. The same food as the bitch You should feed your new puppy with the same brand of food as the bitch received during lactation. From 2 weeks into pregnancy, our expectant mothers are fed 'Royal Canin Labrador Puppy' food. Introducing a new brand of food If you are wanting to introduce a new brand of food to your puppy, then blend it gradually with the existing brand in increasing amounts over 3 days. This should prevent food rejection and any kind of gastric upset. It is best to choose a diet designed for large breed puppies. Selected commercial feeds should contain a limited percentage of filler compounds. Pawlinglabs uses Royal Canin Labrador as our preferred option. Growing labradors Labrador pups have a very steep growth curve, and their total daily energy needs do increase as they grow. Calculate the amount of puppy food that will satisfy that need. The feeding guidelines on the commercial pet food label provides an estimated quantity of feed for several different ranges in body size. These instructions will give you an estimated starting point for the particular brand. Medium or large? Medium breeds should be transitioned to an adult diet by 12 months of age, while large breeds between 14 — 18 months of age. Mature female labradors are medium and weight approx kg. Mature males are large and weight approx kg. Their calcium and energy content should not exceed that level recommended by a registered nutritionalist. Sound skeletal development Sound skeletal development in labradors is produced by the interaction of genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors. The phase prior to weaning and the growth phase, up to 14 months are integral to sound skeletal structure. Don't take your young pup on extended distance walks and certainly not 'running' until at least 18mths of age. You must avoid stairs and slippery floors for the same reasons. Their growth plates are set at about mths of age. Feeding and Overfeeding Large breeds like Labradors are the most susceptible to skeletal disease. Feed consumption, nutrients balance and feeding methods influence our ability to produce sound skeletal development and eliminate skeletal disease. Appropriate food consumption and nutrition plays a critical role in bone development. Overfeeding will not increase or benefit the growth rate of young and growing labrador puppies. And it does not correlate with optimal adult size. However, it does increase the risk of skeletal abnormalities. The vast majority of skeletal disorders occur in large breeds including labradors and they are associated with consumption of table food and an excessive intake of a commercial food and supplementation. The large breeds like labradors are limited in their ability to cope with an excess of minerals such as calcium. The result of this over consumption is abnormal bone development and skeletal disorders. Nutritional management will be critical in the to prevention of bone and joint diseases. In most cases, skeletal disease can prevented by appropriate quantities of feed in a regulated diet with optimal nutrient levels. A complete and balanced commercial diet is essential. Dietary deficiencies will be of little concern if your labrador pup is fed with a complete and balanced commercial diet. Brands like Eukanuba and Royal Canin are specifically formulated for young, growing labradors. There is real potential for harm by over feeding and giving additional supplementation. Housing safety and activity levels Housing safety and activity levels are under the your influence. Nutrition is also under your control and it is the single most important factor affecting the development of the musculoskeletal system. Energy, protein, and calcium are the critical nutritional components affecting skeletal development. However, if they are given in excess, they will be detrimental to normal bone and joint growth. Most pet owners feed commercial dog food. These prepared diets are balanced and complete. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. The source of protein matters when considering a high-quality diet. FATS The rest of the diet should be made up of fats, carbs, and vitamins. Labs need to have a correct protein -to-fat ratio, where protein takes the lead. Dogs tend to convert fat into glucose, so this is an important source of energy. Dogs rely mostly on protein and fats, but carbs are necessary. That said, a low carb diet is best for puppies. However, you still need the right percentage of carbs, since this gives your dog the sensation of being full. These include starches, fibers, and sugars. Try to opt for more complex carbs like starchy grain and veggies because these are easier to digest. Your Lab puppy will thrive when his or her diet includes: Vitamin B12 especially during puppy development , Vitamins A and E, C, Vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium, Potassium Each of these required vitamins and minerals contributes to a healthy, happy, and energetic puppy. They also help offset issues like obesity. Vitamins A and E are important because they help your dog burn calories and promote eye and skin health. Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus, on the other hand, are part of a trifecta that works to strengthen teeth and bones. Potassium is a heart health-preserver. Labs with poor genetics are especially prone to orthopedic issues. Osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are common health problems for this breed. Glucosamine, an amino-sugar, together with chondroitin sulfate, helps replace and support naturally degrading cartilage during old age. Recently,"grain-free" foods are being championed as a preferred and even high-quality form of dog food. That's, not the whole story. An investigation launched by the FDA revealed that there are potential links between a form of canine heart disease and grain-free foods. So far, researchers have provided an update to this researchers have provided an update to this research staring that the issue may not just be grain-free diets. Grain-free may be part of other trends knows as "BEG"- boutique companies. Puppy diets don't' need to be complicated. They also don't need to include ingredients that humans might enjoy. Enjoyment doesn't necessarily bring any nutritional value to your puppy's development. Keep it simple, using the guidelines for fats, proteins, and carbs above and don't shy away from food with grains in them. It's not their presence that's a problem it's often the ratio. There shouldn't be more carbs or grains than protein. Nor does including only legumes, seeds, lentils, or chickpeas as the primary ingredients make the food more superior. It's perfectly healthy to include complex carb sources like starchy rice and other grains. Grain-free isn't and shouldn't be a qualifying factor for your choice in puppy food. Feeding Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is dried, pelleted food that stores well is easy to eat, and is pre-formulated with everything your puppy needs to thrive and grow in his early developmental months. There are plenty of popular brands that don't measure up to the Snowy Pines standard. That's why it's so vital for you to learn how to read puppy food labels. Puppies should stick with "puppy stage" food, while adults should stick to bags marked "adults. Instead, your dog should have regular bowel movements, allowing them to absorb all the nutrients available. You should also keep in mind that caloric intake is calculated a little differently for puppies. Kibble diets are measured by how many calories the proteins, fats, and carbs represent for each gram. For puppies, this should be 3. Sticking to these ratios will help ensure your kibble choice is a healthy one. It's also important to note that kibble calories are often higher when compared to wet food. If it's high-quality wet food, it won't have as much fat to preserve it, which means fewer calories. You may have to supplement with dry food, especially if you're trying to keep the calories of carbs, proteins, and fats in the right per-gram ratio. Fourth meal 5 pm You should follow this type of feeding schedule until your Lab puppy is 14 weeks old, after which you can adopt a two meal per day plan. However, keep in mind that Labs are especially prone to overeating and obesity, so if you use treats, ensure you give them sparingly. In fact, a study in the UK listed Labrador Retrievers among the eight breeds most prone to being overweight. So your food-loving Lab puppy requires a bit of control. One way to keep them from overeating treats is to portion out their food for the day and use that as their reward. In most cases, the puppy will respond just as enthusiastically to kibble. Place a bowl of water in a location accessible to your puppy and supervise him to ensure he drinks enough but not too much. Puppies at this age should drink between half and one ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. So if your eight-week-old Lab is 12 lbs 5. This is an essential part of puppy care. As mentioned, if you get your puppy from a reliable breeder which should always be the case , the pup should have already started with his vaccinations, and the breeder should provide the vaccination records. Then, make an appointment with the vet for any vaccination follow-up. Also, ensure your pup stays on worm preventative medication as puppies are more prone than adult dogs to worm infection. Sometimes puppies are also born with certain types of worms from an infected mother, especially roundworms and hookworms, where mother-to-puppy transmission is a significant mode of spreading. Be especially sure that your Lab puppy gets the heartworm vaccination. Heartworm is a dangerous and potentially fatal disease, and once your dog is infected, the cure is expensive and extremely harsh on your dog. A trained dog will learn how to behave in and outside the home and around other humans and pets. I have a full beginner guide on how to train an 8 week old Labrador puppy , but in a nutshell, there are three training areas you should focus on in terms of pet training: housebreaking, obedience, and socialization. Housebreak Your 8-Week-Old Labrador Puppy Housebreaking means training your puppy to eliminate outdoors or at a designated location inside the home instead of doing it anywhere and at any time. Puppies need frequent bathroom breaks because their system is not yet mature enough to hold it for long. Luckily you can take advantage of that to teach your dog to always use the same spot. Pay attention to the signs your puppy gives when they need to ease themselves, like circling, whining, or sniffing their groin. Puppies naturally need to eliminate at these times: First thing after waking up in the morning. Last thing before retiring at night. After every meal. After drinking plenty of water. Upon waking up from a nap. During or after play or exercise. When they wake up during the night. Their brain, at this point, is like a sponge that will easily absorb new info. Also, teaching these commands early will make living with you easier for your dog as he will know what is expected of him. Teach your Lab puppy to sit, lay down, stay, leave, and other basic commands that are foundational for more advanced training later. Remember to use only positive reinforcement training approaches and reward your puppy with verbal praise, positive gesture cues, and treats. Exposure to these realities will help your Lab puppy adjust fast and nurture proper social behavior. In addition, exposure will preempt signs of poor puppy socialization, like aggression and fear around people and other animals. In general, your eight-week-old Labrador puppy should have two minute sessions of exercise daily. In addition, keep the following in mind: Keep exercise sessions short in the beginning and allow your puppy to adapt gradually. Playtime counts as exercise, so be careful not to over-exercise your Lab puppy. This is the harness I use. Allow your pup spontaneous rest moments between play. When exercising your puppy , avoid taking him for walks during the coldest or hottest times of the day. There are several ways to ensure your eight-week-old Labrador puppy is always safe, including ample supervision and choosing the right kind of toy. They might also try to get away on an exploratory walk if the door is left open. To avoid these dangers, puppy-proofing your home before getting your eight-week-old Lab puppy is vital. Read more here, What Foods are Poisonous to Labradors? Unplug power cords and put them away when not in use, as your puppy could try chewing on them. Remember that your puppy is young and still learning. It is also a legal requirement in some countries, such as the UK, and it may be required when traveling. While name tags are an excellent way to identify a dog, they can be easily removed or get lost, which means you are better off microchipping your Lab puppy, or even better, do both. Choose Safe Play Toys for Your 8-Week-Old Labrador Puppy Like us, eight-week-old puppies still have their baby teeth which they gradually lose to make room for their adult teeth. So, expect a lot of chewing and nipping during this time. Like humans, teething can be uncomfortable, and chewing is their only way to relieve some of that pain. To that end, ensure your Lab puppy has the right chewing toys to avoid damaging teeth or accidentally swallowing toy pieces. This toy is great for teething pups, doubles as a fetch toy, and is also a treat-dispensing toy where you can stuff it with peanut butter or other goodies. If proper toys are not provided, your Lab puppy will chew any available object in the house, such as table legs, shoes, remotes, or your hands. As such, they need proper resources for resting and sleeping. That includes the time to do so and a place where they will feel safe in. This synthetic dog bed has an ultra-soft feel and provides maximum comfort for your Lab. You can use it in the crate or as a stand-alone bed, and it comes in a few different styles and sizes. I like this bed due to its 3. Ensure the bed is in a location with no draft and where your puppy does not get any disturbance when resting. If you put your puppy straight into the crate without helping them adjust, it may react poorly. When buying a kennel, the best approach is to buy one that your pup can use as an adult dog, which for a Lab would be around 42 inches .Just be sure to get a crate with dividers so you can make the space smaller for your puppy. An 8-week-old Lab puppy can only walk for approximately minutes at a time. In most cases, young puppies will not walk but rather jump around and play. Still, keep in mind that they do not need long exercise sessions. Instead, keep playtimes short and allow for lots of rest. Remember that puppies should only walk about five minutes for every month of age, twice a day. At three months, you can stretch it to 15 minutes. Overwalking your Lab puppy can cause joint and bone issues and should be avoided. As such, a dog from a larger breed will need more food as a puppy than a smaller breed. An 8-week-old Lab puppy should be fed three to four meals of no more than cups a day. The amount you feed your puppy will depend on his size and weight. For example, if your puppy is between lbs 4. These measurements can vary with each dog food product, as different manufacturers have varying ingredients, so ensure you check the packaging first. Eight week old Lab puppies sleep for approximately 18 to 20 hours a day. An 8 week old Lab should pee as soon as they wake up, after eating and drinking, after waking up from a nap, during or after a session of play or exercise, just before going to bed at night, and when they awake during the night. How often and what time to feed I will show you the best puppy foods, whether dry, wet, or raw, and look at food safety, together with schedules, quantities and even a handy puppy diet chart. Best Puppy Food for Labs The best Labrador puppy food provides a diet that is nutritious, healthy, and tasty. So, what is the best puppy food for your Lab? Puppy kibble or dried food is the most popular option. Kibble is complete and can give a perfectly balanced diet. Puppy kibble and tinned dog meat combined is another common choice among puppy parents. Feeding your Labrador puppy on home cooked food or on a totally raw diet is also possible. Raw puppy food is growing in popularity, and there are pros and cons to raw feeding your puppy. People often feel very strongly that one way of feeding is better than another, and you can always find evidence to support your view. Dog breeders, veterinarians and even nutritionists have their own strong views. The dire consequences they list for not listening to them can have puppy owners very worried. The truth is that there is no good quality evidence showing that kibble is better for the long term health of your dog, or that raw feeding is better. There are risks and benefits to both, and the main thing is to ensure that your dog has good quality food to eat. Puppy kibble suits some better, and raw puppy food is better for others. Puppy Kibble for your Labrador Puppy food made into pellets is called kibble. An airtight plastic container or tin will do the job, although you should make sure it is food grade quality. Puppy kibble is the best way of feeding your Labrador according to most breeders and your veterinarian is most likely to support this method of feeding. Good puppy kibble will contain every nutrient your Labrador puppy needs in order to grow and remain healthy. The kibble pieces will be tasty, good for keeping teeth healthy, and free from additives that can provoke allergies or stomach problems. Labrador puppy kibble only needs to be fed next to water. Puppy kibble from a reputable manufacturer is intended to be a complete and balanced food. But some owners like to mix in canned dog food or even scraps of raw food with kibble. Your puppy is likely to get an upset stomach or to not have the right balance of nutrition when fed this way. Whether you decide to feed only with kibble or you want to mix it up, pick a good dried food manufacturer and stick with them. Feeding your Labrador puppy raw food has its benefits and drawbacks. One of the downsides is that there is a lot to learn. Here is a link to the articles you need to help you decide whether or not raw feeding is for you: Although I like the raw diet for my dogs, most puppies fed kibble go on to have long and healthy lives. Whatever puppy food you choose, the most important thing is portion control. How Much to Feed your Labrador Puppy? People often tell me how much their puppy weighs, and ask how much puppy food they should give him. Your Labrador is particularly at risk if they grow too quickly. The following diet chart is for kibble fed puppies and does not apply to raw fed pups. It gives you an idea of how much to feed your Labrador puppy Lab Puppy Feeding Chart The Lab puppy feeding chart below is only a very rough guide. The quantity of food you need for your puppy will vary depending on your puppy and on the brand of food you are feeding him. Labrador puppy food must be aimed at medium to large breed dogs. Check the pack carefully and look at the dietary charts. Ideally, you want the optimal protein content and the lowest amount of additives. Part of this always comes down to the cost. The healthiest puppy food is usually the most expensive and may not be affordable for some families. The Cost Of Puppy Food Some puppy food brands are more concentrated than and contain a higher proportion of proteins, essential oils, and other nutrients. The absence of these fillers means that you can often feed lower quantities of more costly food, making them less expensive than they first seem. You might also find that cheaper brands make your puppy poop more due to those extra fillers going straight through him. While some brands are beyond the budget of many families, it is usually good to buy a premium brand. High Quality Brands of Puppy Food Some brands of puppy food have developed a reputation for producing a high quality product and have many devoted supporters, including breeders that have fed them to generations of puppies. Made with real meat and no artificial colors or flavors how much should a lab eat? Allergies Labs can also have allergies. Some dogs may be allergic to wheat, macadamia nuts, etc. It can manifest as a runny nose, high volumes of shedding, rashes on the skin, and so on. Different dietary needs are crucial, especially if they display allergy symptoms. Avoid all types of human foods. You can give your lab puppy supplements You can get great quality adult dog food and puppy kibble from companies like Royal Canin Labrador Retriever, Blue Buffalo, Canidae Grain-Free, etc. Only adult food must be given to labrador retrievers who have crossed 1. Your puppy needs 4 small meals consisting of half a cup of food per meal till he is 2 months old. From 2 to 6 months, he needs 3 meals daily consisting of 1 cup of food per meal. From 6 months onwards , you can give your puppy 2 meals daily of 2 cups of dog food per meal. Is This A Problem? Yes, this is a major problem! Fat dogs are adorable but also extremely unhealthy. An adult labrador retriever should weigh at most pounds. Labs that are fatter than this stand at the risk of obesity, arthritis , and other lifelong diseases. Refrain from feeding your labrador too many dog treats. Onions and garlic: surprisingly, anything in the onion and garlic family is incredibly toxic to dogs. Meat with bones: if not chewed properly, sharp edges can rupture the throat, stomach lining, intestines, and other parts of the digestive tract. Other human foods and beverages to avoid giving your dog are alcohol, sugar, citric fruits, and anything with caffeine. Your labrador retriever should weigh between 55 to 70 pounds at full adulthood. Male labs are heavier than female labs, so they can fall on either side of the optimal weight spectrum. Some healthy treats for your labrador retriever are cut fruits and vegetables. Carrots, celery, cucumber, beetroot, apples, bananas, and berries strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, etc. Dogs also love peanut butter! Veggies dipped in peanut butter also make a great snack for your dog. This is entirely up to you as dog owners. If you have the time and patience to cook meals for your dog, go for it. Store-bought food is easier and is filled with the right nutritional requirements for your lab puppy. On the other hand, with the right recipe, home-cooked food works, too. What Should I Do? A dog growling at you when you go near his food bowl is most commonly a trauma response or a way to protect his food. We often see this with rescues. House training your lab puppy is equally important to avoid food aggression. Labrador Retrievers get piddly after their meals. Dog owners must take out their lab puppy as frequently as they eat sometimes even more often to let their energy out and adult labradors less frequently. A lab puppy needs a ton of exercise. The amount of kibble you should feed your Labrador puppy will vary depending on their age, weight, and activity level. A good rule of thumb is to start with cups of kibble daily and adjust as needed. Best Dog Food For Lab Puppies: The best dog foods for lab puppies include those that are high in protein and low in fillers. The food you should feed a black lab puppy is the same as for any other Labrador puppy. A chocolate lab puppy should be fed the same food as for any other Labrador puppy. A 2-year-old chocolate lab should eat about cups of kibble daily. You should stop feeding puppy food to your Labrador at around months of age. At this point, their growth plates will have closed, and they will no longer need the extra nutrients found in puppy food. Labradors live for years. They start to slow down around 7 and may develop some health problems in their senior years. You should also increase their exercise level. Lab breeders feed their dogs high-quality dog food specifically formulated for large-breed puppies. A lab puppy should drink about 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. This amount may increase as they get older and more active. A labrador needs at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. This can be a combination of walking, running, and playing. Golden labs live for years. Chocolate labs live for years same like labs of any color. Labradors lose their baby teeth between 3 and 6 months of age. You can start to transition your puppy to eating twice a day at around 6 months of age. By the time they are 1 year old, they should eat only once daily. You should stop feeding your large breed puppy food at around 18 months of age. Why Are Labs So Hungry? Labradors are a very active breed of dog, and they need a lot of calories to fuel their energy levels. They are also prone to gaining weight, so keep a close eye on their food intake About The Author Shradha Kabra Shradha is a seasoned writer at Labradorandyou. Her experience as a pet owner and dog enthusiast drives her to create meticulously researched and fact-checked content, offering valuable insights on Labrador training, grooming, and health. Each article reflects Shradha's passion and dedication, enriched by personal experiences with her beloved Labradors, Tom, and Kurt. Whether exploring breed-specific training techniques or providing product reviews, Shradha ensures Labrador owners receive the most accurate, up-to-date, and trustworthy information, aimed at enhancing their companions' health and happiness. The best food for Labrador puppies to consume in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to trained breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a Labrador puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. You can do this by mixing some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day. Over time, you can reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture, until they are at the point where they are happily eating dry foods. Read on to learn how much you should feed a Labrador puppy as they get older. In their four months living with you, and once they are weaned off milk, Labradors are likely to reach almost half their adult weight. They will reach their full adult weight by the time they are 6 to 7 months old. With this rapid growth can come some risks. Labradors can be susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia and joint abnormalities that can start in puppyhood. Once your Lab puppy hits 6 months, their growth begins to slow down. Once puppyhood is over, you can move to feeding your lab twice a day instead of 3 or 4 times. Labs are still very active in their adolescent years, and so should be fed with this in mind. The transition from puppy food to adult food should happen at around 15 months. This is because, being a breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your Labrador puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. It is also dangerous for a puppy to overeat. Labradors are large breeds, which means they need plenty of nutrients and calories as they grow to ensure they go from being active puppies to healthy adult dogs. Labrador puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are also essential for supporting your active pup. Aside from nutritionally complete dry puppy food, Labrador puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. The amount of food you give your Labrador is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult Labradors, around 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female Labradors, who tend to be around 5 to 10 kilos lighter than males, may need less food, as will less active dogs. Dogs who need less food, whether they are less active or simply older, will usually still need around 1, to 1, calories per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your Labrador based on how calorically dense their food is. Adult Labradors should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split evenly between these two meals. For most dogs, it is recommended that you exercise your dog before meal times to assist with potty training. However, some dogs may benefit from exercise after eating: especially high energy Labs with a lot of energy to burn off. You should also try to give your Labrador a high quality food that is specially designed for large breeds, especially if they are very active. For example, less active senior dogs will need to eat less food as they will not be burning calories as quickly as a lively little puppy will. Senior dogs may benefit from a higher fibre and lower calorie diet. Your dog may also develop chronic or short term medical conditions that require specially formulated food. For example, Labradors can be particularly susceptible to obesity. As a breed, they tend to be one of the most commonly obese dogs in Australia. This is due to several factors, including a genetic predisposition to unhealthy weight gain and a famously large appetite. However, plenty of Labs suffering from obesity are simply overfed and not getting enough exercise. Choosing a low carb diet is crucial to preventing obesity in your Labrador. If you are unsure about what you should feed your Labrador, you should always consult your vet. They will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any chronic health issues, and they will be able to create a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for many years to come. Wet food for Labradors is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. Chewing on dry food can be especially good for teething Labrador puppies. A raw diet can be a good option for your Labrador as you have more control over the kinds of food and amount of nutrients your pup is consuming. For this reason, raw diets require a lot more work on your part as an owner. Whatever you decide to feed your Labrador, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. Different dog breeds will need different kinds of nutrient support as they go through the various stages of their life. It can also be easy to overestimate the amount of food your Labrador needs to stay fit and healthy — especially if they are skilled at begging! You need to make sure that your dog is eating the right amount of food for their breed, their size, and activity level. You should also avoid foods that, while delicious for humans, can be harmful or toxic for dogs. Foods like onions, nuts, alcohol, cooked bones, and artificial sweeteners are commonly included in dinners meant for humans, but can cause serious health issues for your Labrador. No matter how old your Lab is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress. You are planning to adopt a Labrador puppy, or already are a proud pet parent of one, you must be anxious about how best to assure optimum growth and health to your pup. This piece of writing is an attempt to give you some useful information about the kind of food which you can feed and also about how best you can feed it. In earlier times, the breed was mostly utilized and appreciated for being a versatile hunter. It can hunt on land as well as water; besides, this intelligent dog is a possessor of a gentle temperament, which makes it easily fit into the role of a friendly family dog. Types of Dog food Broadly speaking, the food for your pet is available in three forms — Wet, Dry and Raw. Wet food is the commercially manufactured food which offers chunks of meat, with or without gravy, with added vitamins, minerals and other important elements to make it nutritionally complete and balanced. Dry food consists of pellets called kibbles of food, which are easy to store and convenient to serve. The ready-made food bits meant for puppies consist of nutrients in the right proportions to support a healthy growth. Raw diet consists of raw meat, bones, fruits and vegetables. There are benefits and risks involved in administering a raw diet, which one should be aware of before adopting a fully raw diet. You may go for dry, wet or raw diet, or a combination of them. You may also consult your vet to guide in case you are confused about your choices. Labradors are always hungry and that is because of their huge appetites. As a pet owner you need to monitor the amount of food they eat, as their greed for food can easily drive them towards obesity, and consequently towards various diseases. Commercially made food Many companies categorize their foods on the basis of life stage puppy, adult, senior , breed large, medium or small , or may offer pet food specifically targeting a particular breed like Royal Canin Labrador Junior , which seeks to take care of a Labrador dog up to 15 months of age. The formulation of diets like this are based on the assumption that all pure breed dogs have their unique needs, which if addressed would bring the dog to an optimum level of health. Information from the breeders If you have brought the puppy from a breeder, then he would supply you a diet routine which needs to be followed, some food or may be some information regarding feeding. Follow it religiously for some days to give some sort of familiar touch to the puppy that is undergoing the stress of being separated from its mother and siblings. In absence of any information from the breeder, best thing would be to consult a vet. Milk for the puppy? Beware of confusing food labels Learn how to read a food label. The food label is given in decreasing order, making the first ingredient the biggest element in the food. That is why it is very important to know what the first two or three ingredients of the food are. Ideally, the first element of any dog food should be a specific kind of meat like chicken, duck, beef ; meat-by-product, meat or animal should not be mentioned on the package as they present an ambiguous picture. Leftover of slaughter houses can find its way to your dog food, something which cannot be classed in the category of healthy and complete food. So if you care for your dog, be aware and make the right selection. Water Make sure that water is available to the puppies at all times of the day, except for one hour before sleeping time. Divide the daily diet The daily dietary requirement of your Labrador pup should be properly divided into portions of meal to be fed at regular intervals. This would help in managing digestion and for keeping its overall health at a good level. You can begin by feeding four meals a day to your 8 to 12 weeks old puppy, and have a time marked for each. Have a gap of at least 3 hours in between each meal so that the little doggie is able to digest it well. Two meals a day is also something which most dog owners continue to feed even after the dog grows up. Feeding your dog once a day after 12 months of age can work as long as you feed it raw meat. The dry kibbles tend to swell once the dog drinks water, and this may cause bloating and also damage its stomach, hence is strictly not recommended. Teach the dog to eat at meal times Your dog would learn to eat the food when it is offered to it if you take back the bowl after a specific interval of time, say 15 to 20 minutes. Household scraps Avoid giving leftovers from your own meals to your puppy, unless you have enough knowledge and experience in dealing with the nutritional requirements of a growing canine. The nutritional needs of your puppy are different than that of humans; also it may differ from one breed of dog to another. The growing pup needs complete and balanced diet to achieve its potential growth, otherwise lifelong disabilities or problems can find easy entry into its life. As, your heartfelt, but nutritionally lacking edible additions might unbalance the diet of your dog. How much to feed? How much food to feed your dog each day is something no one can precisely tell. But the guidelines on the package of the food you are feeding, along with your observation of how the dog is doing with the quantity fed, would help you decide an adequate quantity. The important thing to remember is that the dog should neither be too fat or too slim. Following some instructions related to diet, regular appointments with vet, observing the puppy and showering it with lots and lots of love would give such environment to the little canine in which it would thrive. About Petsworld Team The blog editor of Pets World is a pet aficionado and fervently follows her pet-obsession. A pet parent to animals big and small for the past two decades. The sum of all experiences gathered is an amalgamation of useful knowledge and research. More like this.