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For the complete list please see our German Shepherd Breeders nationwide listings page. There are several factors that affect the price of a pup including age, breed popularity, bloodlines, champion titles, and show potential. Your German shepherd puppy will give you unconditional love and may also provide protection, companionship, and a lifelong friendship. The price can vary due to several factors including: Heritage — Pure breed dogs have been known to cost more than mixed breed dogs. Bloodline — Dogs with significant titles can be much pricier than newcomers in the show ring. Breed Popularity — The German shepherd is one of the most popular breeds in the U. Location — Most breeders in rural areas will charge less for a puppy than breeders in an area with a large number of people and dogs. Breeders throughout the state can be found online by searching for websites that sell dogs directly from their kennels. It is also possible to find breeders at local dog shows or through newspapers, magazines, and other forms of advertising. The following are some of the most important factors to consider when finding a breeder. Breeders should have at least one member in good standing within the appropriate breed club. Reputable breeders will also have a website and as much information as possible about their dogs, including bloodlines and even x-rays for those dogs with problems such as hip dysplasia. A breeder who specializes in producing show dogs should have some degree of specialization. Papers — Anyone can buy a dog, so reputable breeders will require proof that you are who you say you are before allowing you to purchase their pups. Payment — Reputable breeders generally have a set price for their pups, so you should not have to haggle them down. They may charge more if the puppy is being shipped by air because of the additional costs. Warranty — Reputable breeders will offer a warranty that guarantees the pup against certain health problems for at least two years. This does not cover illnesses or accidents, but major diseases of concern to German Shepherd owners such as hip dysplasia and other major hereditary defects. Visit Your German Shepherd Breeder in Alabama in Person Once you have located a breeder, it is not a bad idea for you to visit their home in person. To be sure that the pups are kept in a clean environment with plenty of fresh air and exercise areas where they can run around and play. You should also be able to reach into their cages and pick them up without being bitten. Another good reason to visit your breeder is to check out their kennels. A good breeder will also provide you with a tour of the facility which should be clean, but not spotless. The dogs should appear to be well-fed and healthy. You should ask about the type of food that has been fed to your pup during his first few months. When making a final decision about buying a German shepherd puppy, look for signs of shyness or aggressiveness toward people. Aggressive dogs are more likely to be prone to biting, whereas shy dogs can grow up to be timid and afraid of strangers. Any signs of aggression should automatically eliminate the pup from your consideration because aggressive pups often become aggressive adult dogs. At this point, it is usually too late for them to change their behavior patterns. Questions to Ask Ask for References from Your German Shepherd Breeder in Alabama Reputable breeders will have references available to you, so it is a good idea to ask for them. This provides added protection should there be any problems with your new pup in the future. References should include the names of buyers who have bought German shepherds from this breeder in the past. Their information should include their name, address, telephone number, and the years they were the customer of that breeder. If possible, call or visit these references to personally inquire about their satisfaction with the German shepherd puppies they received from your prospective breeder. While you are there, look at how well-behaved and friendly these grown dogs appear to be. Greet them yourself and ask for a short interview regarding their experiences with this breeder. You should also get to know these customers and their dogs, if possible. If you have children, take them along with you to meet these dog owners so they can see how friendly these adult dogs are around people, especially children. If any of the adults seem shy or hesitant in your presence, ask them why. This is perhaps the most important question for any buyer to ask a breeder. Reputable breeders usually have good relationships with at least one veterinarian in the area where they live. A reputable breeder will know which vets are knowledgeable about their particular type of dog and which ones offer low-cost spaying services, vaccinations, and neutering services. Look Out for The Signs of An Unethical German Shepherd Dog Breeder in Alabama Some unethical breeders will lie to their customers and potential buyers, so you always need to be extra careful when dealing with such a breeder. The following list of warning signs can help you avoid an unethical German shepherd dog breeder: The seller does not offer the AKC registration papers for the pup. The seller cannot provide vet references for the pup. The seller claims to be a champion breeder but cannot provide you with any proof of this claim. If your Alabama German Shepherd Breeder is Unable to Answer Your Questions, Be Skeptical A reputable breeder should be happy and willing to answer all of your questions about the pups and the breed in general. If you feel like your questions are not being answered to your satisfaction, then move on to another breeder. A good breeder will also want you to be aware of any health issues and what steps they take to ensure that this issue does not become a problem for their puppies in the future. A good breeder will tell you anything you need to know about the health issues or injuries of either parent dog. Some of these steps include: The most important decisions that you will make for your dog revolve around the type of crate you choose and where in your house it will be kept. While most puppies can be trained not to eliminate indoors if they are properly potty-trained, you still need to buy a crate for your new dog. Puppies can be very destructive if they are not given something to keep them occupied when unsupervised. While most pups can hold their bladders for up to four hours at a time by the time they are four months old, this is still a good idea if you want to leave your puppy. Potty Training Your New German Shepherd Puppy The most important thing to remember about potty training your puppy is that this process will not happen overnight. It takes a lot of patience and dedication, but if you can stick to it, then your pup will be potty-trained in no time. The best way to potty-train your new puppy is to take him outside every two hours. If you choose to crate your pup when you work all day or even when out of the house for a few hours , make sure that you take him out of his crate at the same time every day, and immediately take him outside to go to the bathroom. You can also leave a kitchen timer next to his crate so that he can learn when it is time for you to be let out. This is especially important when your dog is a puppy. We hope it helps you find the perfect puppy. There are many people who have asked us to write more articles on several different topics. If there is anything that you would like us to cover, then let us know in the comments section of this article or email us at. We will do our best. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. Will separate them but they would be better together. Buy and Sell in Dothan, Alabama. Small adoption fee. Dothan, AL. I have a female chiweenie puppy needing a new home, she is 10 weeks old and ready to go. Stop in today and see why Dothan's oldest pet shop is still going strong. Dream Puppys, Dothan, Alabama. We are moving and can't take them with us. Dothan, AL .Wide selection of pets. Wet Pets Dothan, AL We carry a wide range of pets for the pet enthusiast including fish, puppies, birds, and exotics. Instagram page opens in new window Facebook page opens in new window. Female dorkie 7 monthes no papers came from two registered parents was promised papers lost contact with them she is housebroken and kennel broken good with kids loves to ride has had shots and worming not fixed yet we just moved and have to rehome her there will be a fee to good home only. Buy, Sell or Adopt Pets in Dothan. Dogs for Sale in Dothan, AL. Find it via the AmericanTowns Dothan classifieds search or use one of the other free services we have collected to make your search easier, such as Craigslist Dothan, eBay for Dothan, Petfinder. I have a female miniature poodle I need to rehome three three four three four three two six nine zero. We also have all the habitats and supplies for your new pet. Female dorkie 7 monthes no papers came from two registered parents was promised papers lost contact with them she is housebroken and kennel broken good with kids loves to ride has had shots and worming not fixed yet we just moved and have to rehome her there will be a fee to good home only do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers. If you don't see the pet. Contact ads friendship, love, etc. Pets in Dothan - Local Dothan Pets for sale or adoption and wanted ads for pets in your area. We have collected the best sources for Dothan deals, Dothan classifieds, garage sales, pet adoptions and more. Pet Shop with Puppies for sale, Grooming and Boarding. Our puppies are raised as part of our family following puppy culture to ensure the best care, love, and socialization possible. Do you know of any female muscovy duck that is looking for a lifetime mate - please contact me. Will need vet reference before adopting. And remember Craigslistt is a portal where you can find totally free or find the ads you want, from jobs, cars, homes, etc. Also you can search our Alabama Classifieds page for all state deals. Both parents are here to view and our personal pets. Longhaired miniature dachshund puppies. Will separate them but they would be better together do NOT contact me with unsolicited services or offers. Adoption Center for Rescued Kittens Finding forever. Dothan, Alabama Puppies For Sale. Puppies, kittens, chicken coops, livestock for Adoption in Dothan, AL. If you are unable to find your puppy in our Puppy for Sale or Dog. Training and employment ads job offers, online, book, online seminars, etc. Craigslist of adoption of animals Dog, Hamster, Rabbit, Parrot, etc. They will have their first set of shots, wormed, and vet checked. Craigslist - Animals, adopt Pets. They will have shots and have been wormed. See us in yoyr city, Dothan! Whirlpool Washer And Dryer Set. Dachshunds for Sale in Dothan, AL. Adoptable Dogs and Cats When choosing to adopt or foster, you save two lives: the life of your new family member and another animal who can now enter the rescue to start their second chance. Puppies available for adoption in Dothan Stacker compiled a list of puppies available for adoption near Dothan, Alabama on Petfinder. It accepts all animals, regardless of their breed, age, or medical condition. Champion Line from Mothers Side. Listing of no-kill shelters in Alabama. Our small dog rehoming service helps small dogs find amazing new families — and small dog lovers find the perfect tiny pooch. Petfinder recommends that you should always take reasonable security steps before making online payments. She has been around cats and dogs, however she would be best suited in an environment where she is the only pet. Alabama No Kill Animal Shelters. Puppies available for adoption in Dothan Stackercompiled a list of puppies available for adoption near Dothan, Alabama on Petfinder. Find and adopt a pet on Petfinder today. Pet Adoptions Network can help you find the right set of tiny paws. Southern Chihuahua Rescue and Adoption. You'll receive unconditional love every day. Enterprise, AL view our pets wiregrassanimalgroup gmail. What are people saying about pet sitting services in Dothan, AL? This is a review for a pet sitting business in Dothan, AL: "So completely reliable, caring, experienced and excellent. To fill this urgent need, Wiregrass Pet Rescue and Adoption Center is partnering with the City of Dothan and Houston County to develop a premier, state-of-the-art shelter. Today's hours: By Appointment Only By appointment only. Our adopted pets have found their furever homes. Sharing the love! One dog the whole family will love! Family-raised - just can't beat 'em! Pet Adoption - Search dogs or cats near you. The society also offers advice and guidance to pet. The Montgomery Humane Society was founded in and its mission has been providing shelter and care for animals ever since. When he looks at you with those big eyes you ll melt. Search by breed, age, size and color. Join millions of people using Oodle to find puppies for adoption, dog and puppy listings, and other pets adoption. Adoptable Cats and Dogs adoptable pets are "imported" from a third party site and may not format correctly on mobile devices. Animal shelter for stray dogs and cats. Box Ozark, AL Get directions view our pets odchs troycable. Search for pets for adoption at shelters. Don't miss what's happening in your neighborhood. Auburn Valley Humane Society enriches the lives of companion animals and people through animal sheltering, programs and community engagement AVHS is a local, independent c 3 non-profit, which relies on pet licensing fees and don. She is easy and kind. Adoption Application Share Follow Us. Linton is a 2 year old 8lb male Chihuahua. Dogs Available for Adoption in Dothan. Pets for Sale in Dothan, AL. Available pets See all dogs See all cats See other pets Interested in adopting? Click here! She is great with other dogs her size. Meet 11 adorable puppies available for adoption in Dothan. It's important to note that pet adoption is a. Areas German. My name is:. Stacker compiled a list of dogs available for adoption in Dothan, Alabama on Petfinder, ranging in age, breed composition, temperament, and needs. Dothan, AL Contact — Email adopt. Dogs available for adoption in Dothan When looking at the makeup of American families today, it's rare to see a home where a pet isn't part of the family. This is a review for a pet stores business in Dothan, AL: "We love this store! It has great premium products and knowledgeable, friendly, animal loving staff who genuinely care about. It's important to note that pet adoption is a huge responsibility and requires available savings for emergency and routine veterinary care, a day-to-day routine and game plan for coverage if the pup. Search for dogs for adoption at shelters near Alabama, AL. He is fearful and will need a patient and understanding adopter to help. Boxer Rescue Jacksonville, AL angiepersch me. Open daily - , closed Sunday. Sh… more 21 hours ago on Adopt-a-Pet. Join millions of people using Oodle to find unique used cars for sale, apartments for rent, jobs listings, merchandise, and other classifieds in your neighborhood. Auburn Valley Humane Society. Located in Enterprise, AL. Pet supplies, pet stores, pet meds, and more pet service ads that help to support the no-kill network:. List of Dale County Animal Shelters Find Dale County, Alabama animal shelters, puppy dog and cat shelters, pet adoption centers, dog pounds, and humane societies. The Montgomery Humane Society is an open admission animal shelter that accepts all animals. All donations are tax deductable. Alabama German Shepherd Rescue. If you are having trouble scrolling through the animals, try reloading the page. To be a model of excellence in the advancement of animal welfare. Kissable Doodles, Ariton, Alabama. All dogs in our care are vetted and are part of a big family of fur-babies We have been saving shelter dogs and Owner Surrenders since .Cats for Sale in Dothan, AL. Jackson County, Scottsboro, AL. Dogs for Sale in Dothan, Alabama. Animal care, adoptions, fostering, volunteering, humane education programs, and community support programs will be offered at the Wiregrass Pet Rescue and Adoption Center. German Shepherd Rescue of Central Alabama. Our FOUR cats have stayed with June two times in the last 9 months one 3 week stay and other 2 week stay. Find it via the AmericanTowns Dothan classifieds search or use one of the other free services we have collected to make your search easier, such as Craigslist Dothan, eBay for Dothan, Petfinder. Pictures of dogs and cats who need a home. Dogs for Sale in Dothan, AL. Meet 5 adorable dogs available for adoption in Dothan right now. Search and see photos of adoptable pets in the Dothan, AL area. Veterinarians, Pet Groomers, Pet Boarding. Dixie German Shepherd Dixie spent 5. She is house trained, and crate trained. Siameses for Sale in Dothan, AL. Checklist for New Adopters Help make the transition, as smooth as possible. Join millions of people using Oodle to find puppies for adoption, dog and puppy listings, and other pets. Petfinder Get the latest on pet adoption, pet care and pet welfare. We have collected the best sources for Dothan deals, Dothan classifieds, garage sales, pet adoptions and more. Wiregrass Pet Rescue and Adoption Center is a registered c 3 nonprofit organization. The Wiregrass Pet Rescue and Adoption Center is a nonprofit organization established to provide humane. We rehome small dogs of all breeds and mixes — from Bichon Frise dogs to Pugs, and every small dog breed in between. Puppies available for adoption in Tuscaloosa Stacker compiled a list of puppies available for adoption near Tuscaloosa, Alabama on Petfinder. I took her to my veterinarian » Read more ». I agree to receiving email and other marketing communications from Petfinder. Dothan Animal Shelter Adoptable Pets. Adoptable Pets in Alabama Listing of no-kill shelters in Alabama - please help by providing your feedback! If you know of any others that aren't listed, please let us know. The state of the art facility, boasts more than 7, square feet and sits on 5 acres at McMeans Avenue in Bay Minette. He loves to cuddle and have his belly rubbed. Adopt Pet Birds in Alabama Filter Pet Bird Sinatra, in the cage in the middle, is a parakeet who loves other birds but not a big fan of people. We're an all foster home rescue devoted to finding suitable permanent homes for our animals and to help eliminate animal overpopulation through spay and neuter programs. Gentle hearted and loves his butt rubbed. Will mature lbs, inches. Puppies for Sale near Dothan, Alabama. Prices may vary based on the breeder and individual puppy for sale in Dothan, AL. Chihuahua puppies for sale in Dothan, AL from trusted breeders. If you are looking for a dog for adoption in Dothan, Alabama, there are a few places you can check out. There are animal shelters and rescues that focus specifically on finding great homes for German Shepherd Dog puppies in Dothan, Alabama. Find your puppy for sale in Dothan, AL Puppies. Dachshund puppies for sale in Dothan, AL from trusted. Dothan Find Chihuahua puppies for sale Near Dothan, AL The iconic national dog of Mexico is a tiny, lively pup with big expressive eyes and an even more expressive bark. Dream Puppys, Dothan, Alabama. We carry a wide range of pets for the pet enthusiast including fish, puppies. Dogs for Sale in Dothan, AL. He should be around lbs All puppies come with up to date shots and deworming… more Over 4 weeks ago on Advertigo. Dogs for Adoption in Dothan, Alabama. Home raised adorable AKC Sheltie puppies. Buy, Sell or Adopt Pets in Dothan. They are compact, agile, and become extremely attached to their human companions. Learn more puppies available certified breeders Transportation Location. How much do Pekingese puppies cost in Dothan, AL? They still enjoy outdoor time, but are perfect partners for hanging at home. The typical price for Boston Terrier puppies for sale in Dothan, AL may vary based on the breeder and individual puppy. American Bulldog puppies for sale in Dothan, AL from trusted. It's easy and free! Premier Pups is committed to providing four-legged dog lovers with happy, healthy Yorkshire Terrier puppies for sale near Dothan, Alabama. We carry a wide range of pets for the pet enthusiast including fish, puppies, birds, and exotics. The professionalism and expertise that have distinguished Beaver Creek Kennel among other breeders is seen in each puppy. All of our dogs for adoption can be your new best friend. We recommend speaking directly with your breeder to get a better idea of their price range. German Shepherd Puppies for Sale. If you are unable to find your puppy in our Puppy for Sale or Dog for Sale sections, please consider looking thru thousands of Dogs for Adoption. Cane Corso puppies for sale Atraus Styles. Pekingese puppies for sale in Dothan, AL from trusted. Puppies for Sale from Dothan, Alabama Breeders. Puppies For Sale in Dothan .Miniature Schnauzer puppies for sale in Dothan, AL from trusted. Dachshund puppies for sale in Dothan, AL from trusted breeders. They're fiercely intelligent and love a bit of playtime, but they really thrive as lap dogs. Descendents of German farm dogs, they love attention — and with that beard and those eyebrows, they often get it! Learn more puppies available certified breeders Transportation. Cane Corso, South Carolina » Spartanburg. Miniature Schnauzer puppies for sale in Dothan, AL from. Available Puppies Upcoming. Transportation to Dothan, AL available. Call or text for fastest reply or Email Us. Tinker's Shelties, Dothan, Alabama. Bulldog puppies for sale in Dothan, AL from trusted breeders. We also have all the habitats and. If you are unable to find your puppy in our. How much do Bulldog puppies cost in Dothan, AL? Browse these German Shepherd Dog rescues and shelters below. Pekingese puppies for sale in Dothan, AL from trusted breeders. Our directory lists all new born puppies and dogs via our Pet Finder as well as pets from the Humane. Save this search and we'll notify you when they are. When he looks at you with those big eyes you ll melt. Learn more puppies available certified breeders Transportation Location Color. The typical price for Miniature Schnauzer puppies for sale in Dothan, AL may vary based on the breeder and individual puppy. A year health guarantee is in place to back up. She is a Chihuahua-poodle mix and very obedient and gentle. Shes a big thick girl but she is a big ol lap baby and absolutely loves other dogs! Zero food aggression, zero aggression at all with anything. Learn more about how Purina and Petfinder are making a difference together. Find a Bulldog puppy from reputable breeders near you in Dothan, AL. American Bulldog puppies for sale in Dothan, AL from trusted …. German Shepherd Dog puppies and dogs in Dothan, Alabama. The Alpha Paw dog rescue center provides both nearby animal shelters near Dothan, Alabama. Join millions of people using Oodle to find puppies for adoption, dog and puppy listings, and other pets adoption. Originally raised in Germany to help with. Find your puppy for sale in Dothan, AL. This week is the best opportunity ever to search for dog adoption near you in Dothan, Alabama. Here are a few organizations closest to you: Shelter 2. She is a love muffin! Blaze will have a current health certificate and will go to her new ho… more. Originally raised in Germany to help with hunting, the iconic Dachshund has short little legs and a long body, along with a strong personality. Tinker's Shelties Dothan AL. Want a quote from this business? Get a Quote. Receive an email alert when additional puppies are added. He loves to cuddle and have his belly rubbed. Email this Business .Teacup Puppies for Sale in Dothan, Alabama. At Wet Pets, your satisfaction is our goal. Dothan, AL .Our Puppies — Beaver Creek Kennel. Here are a few organizations closest to you:. Do you love the dog breed? A German Shepherd is a loyal, intelligent, and beautiful dog. These puppies were born on October 25th and have already undergone a veterinary examination, their first set of shots, and two rounds of deworming. Their parents have been hand-selected from various breeders, and the dam weighs pounds and the sire weighs pounds. Their dogs are raised under the highest standards and produce healthy and high-quality German Shepherds. This site also has shelter dogs available for adoption. German Shepherds are fiercely loyal and possess the best qualities of other breeds. They are highly intelligent and loyal, making them excellent companions. Their high sense of awareness makes them excellent watchdogs and make excellent family pets. They make wonderful pets for a family, but they can be suspicious of strangers, so early socialization is essential to curb this trait. If you can afford a German Shepherd puppy, the investment will be well worth it. If you love the breed, you should consider buying a puppy from a reputable breeder in Dothan, Alabama. This breed is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. These dogs are highly adaptable and capable of adapting to different environments. In addition to being loyal and loving companions, they are also extremely easy to train. They do best in a calm, stress-free environment, where they can be supervised. Before purchasing a German Shepherd puppy, make sure to ask the breeder to see your home and check for health issues. A good breeder will show their pups in recognized confirmation shows and will participate in many other breed-related performance events. It is the largest, non-profit pet adoption website in North America. You can filter the results by age and sex. Share this:.

It was so obvious that this puppy was blue and it was the only one in the litter. It was already sold and so was I. I then met Dawn Malcolm as I was looking for a traditional colored show type stud male. Dawn shared with me that she has a solid blue male and had a strong love for the livers and blues too. That was 12 years ago and our friendship is still very strong. I am glad we joined the Yahoo email group as I met some great people who were as interested in sharing in the goals I have set forth expanding the blue gene pool. With the help of many friends I incorporated various GSD with the blue gene to start my own lines. Over the years all have proven to be a valuable asset not only because of their color but because of their various personalities, health and structure. Some needed physical traits improved, others needed tweaking in the personality department to be what I feel is an ideal companion bred GSD which is what most average families need. She is a blue brindle born here. Many of my others carry the blue gene. Tanzietu - is Tanzies blue fawn daughter, her father is Miner so she carries long coat and can carry liver from her father. She is a puppy and will be included in the program as she matures. How did blue get into the GSD gene pool? The color has been apart of the original gene pool from the start. The puppies born of a blue GSD that are expressing the color blue themselves are born a very striking shade of blue. Shades of blue Blue is a dilution of black. It is lighter than black, and in some cases, it is very apparent that they are still blue as adults. The puppies are born a very pretty shade of blue and many of them turn to almost like a steel gray black as adults. Others are a lighter shade of blue. None the less the gene responsible for blue in the GSD is the D gene. Again, blue is a dilution of black. Therefore blue GSD are unable to produce any black on the dog. Every where traditionally seen black is, is blue with the dog has the D gene. Including the nose leather, eye rims, lips, and paw pads will all be a dark shade of blue and not black. When puppies are young their eyes appear to be very brilliant blue as all puppies are born with blue eyes but they do change over to a light yellow wolf eye or even to an amber orange eye as they mature. Is your GSD blue or carry blue? Feel free to send me a picture of your puppy or dog you feel may be blue. Keep in mind blue is the color, the patterns can be solid, sable, saddle, with and without other patterns panda, brindle, white spotting ect.Do you want to know for sure if your GSD is blue or carries blue? There are several color testing companies out there and we have used a few different companies our selves. The most recent company we have used is Embark. Not only does it test for all colors, it screens for several genetic diseases all in one test. We will be using this on many of our dogs in the next year. Thank you Embark for creating such a valuable tool for breeding. Scroll through the albums and if you do not find what you are looking for please send me a message. Keep in mind you do not have to have a facebook page to see this page. Breeds The link has been copied! Get ready to be blown away by the blue hue beauty of the Blue German Shepherd, a rare and captivating canine breed that's bound to steal your heart! Imagine the iconic strength and intelligence of a traditional German Shepherd, but with a mesmerizing twist: a shimmering, silvery-blue coat that makes them stand out like a sapphire gem in a sea of pebbles. But wait, there's more to this extraordinary pup than meets the eye! These blue bombshells are fiercely loyal, intelligent, and hardworking, just like their classic counterparts. So, if you're eager to learn more about this wondrous woofer, buckle up and join us on a fun and enthralling journey as we explore the magical world of Blue German Shepherds. Trust us, you'll be howling with excitement before you know it! This unique variation of the beloved German Shepherd breed boasts a distinctive silvery-blue coat, which is the result of a recessive gene. Their striking appearance still maintains the classic features of a standard German Shepherd, including their athletic build, almond-shaped eyes, and perky ears. Though they share the same breed lineage, the Blue German Shepherd's fur color sets them apart from their traditional counterparts. However, it's important to note that their temperament, intelligence, and working abilities remain on par with those of their more commonly recognized relatives. In fact, these blue beauties are just as capable of excelling in various roles such as police work, search and rescue, and service dog positions. Decoding the Genetics of the Blue German Shepherd's Coat To truly appreciate the Blue German Shepherd, one must delve into the fascinating world of canine coat color genetics. The blue hue in these dogs results from a recessive gene that dilutes the black pigment, causing it to appear silvery-blue. Both parents must carry this recessive gene for their offspring to inherit the blue coat. In German Shepherds, two pigments determine the coat color: eumelanin black and phaeomelanin red. Various genes control the distribution and intensity of these pigments, which ultimately defines the final coat color. In the case of Blue German Shepherds, a dilution gene d impacts the eumelanin, creating their signature blue sheen. It's essential to note that although blue is a non-standard color for the breed, it doesn't negatively affect the dog's health, temperament, or abilities. Since the blue coat is a result of a recessive gene, it is much less common than the standard coat colors typically seen, such as the black and tan, sable, or solid black German Shepherd. The infrequency of blue coat inheritance means that breeders who specialize in this color variation often have fewer puppies available, making them highly sought after by enthusiasts. Despite their scarcity, it's important to remember that these striking dogs still require the same training, socialization, and care as any other German Shepherd. Their rarity should never be a reason to overlook their fundamental needs as intelligent, active, and loyal companions. Exploring Blue Color Variations While the Blue German Shepherd is already a rare and captivating variation, it's important to note that their blue hue can manifest in different shades and patterns. Some Blue German Shepherds may have a lighter, almost silver-blue coat, while others may exhibit a darker, steel-blue shade. This breathtaking array of blue tones is part of what makes this breed so enchanting. Additionally, the blue color may appear in various patterns, including blue and tan, solid blue, or even blue sable. Each of these patterns further highlights the uniqueness and diversity of the Blue German Shepherd, making them truly remarkable in the world of canine coat colors. The Blue German Shepherd Temperament A Blue German Shepherd's captivating coat color doesn't change the breed's inherent temperament, which is characterized by loyalty, intelligence, and a strong work ethic. These dogs are known for their versatility in performing tasks, be it as police dogs, search and rescue workers, or service animals. However, it is essential to note that this coat color does not change the breed's inherent temperament, which is what makes them such a remarkable and sought-after dog. One of the most prominent characteristics of a Blue German Shepherd is their loyalty. These dogs are incredibly devoted to their owners and will do anything to protect them. This trait makes them an ideal choice for families looking for a loyal and affectionate pet that will provide a sense of security. In addition to their loyalty, Blue German Shepherds are also highly intelligent. They are quick learners and respond well to training. This trait makes them a popular choice for police and military work, where their ability to learn and follow commands is essential. Another defining trait of this breed is their strong work ethic. Blue German Shepherds are known for their versatility in performing various tasks, such as search and rescue, service animals, and police work. They are incredibly diligent and take their work seriously, making them a dependable and valuable asset in any working environment. When it comes to raising a Blue German Shepherd, socialization and training from a young age are crucial. Proper socialization helps to ensure that your dog is comfortable in various situations and environments. This, combined with consistent training, will help your Blue German Shepherd develop into a well-rounded, confident, and friendly dog that is eager to please and protect its loved ones. Exercise and Training for Blue German Shepherds As with any German Shepherd, the blue variation requires regular exercise and mental stimulation to maintain their health and happiness. These dogs are highly active and need daily walks, playtime, and training sessions to keep them physically fit and mentally sharp. Activities such as hiking, fetch, and agility training, or a flirt pole can be excellent ways to engage your Blue German Shepherd and channel their energy. Training should begin early and be consistent, as these intelligent dogs thrive on structure and guidance. Positive reinforcement methods, such as praise, treats, and toys, are most effective for training a Blue German Shepherd. Keep in mind that this breed is known for its high intelligence, so challenging them with new commands or advanced training is an excellent way to keep them engaged and eager to learn. Remember, a well-exercised and well-trained Blue German Shepherd is a happy and content companion that will bond closely with their family, showcasing their loyalty and affection. High-quality dog food, formulated for their size, age, and activity level, is essential to support their overall well-being. Always consult with your veterinarian for personalized recommendations and monitor your dog's weight to prevent obesity, which can lead to various health issues. Blue German Shepherds are susceptible to the same health concerns as their standard counterparts, including hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and bloat. Regular veterinary check-ups, a healthy diet, and proper exercise can all help minimize the risk of these conditions and ensure your dog enjoys a long, happy life. Balanced Diet A balanced diet is essential to ensure your Blue German Shepherd gets all the necessary nutrients for optimal health. High-quality dog food, formulated for their size, age, and activity level, is recommended to support their specific needs. Avoid giving them table scraps or human food, which can be harmful to their health. Always consult with your veterinarian for personalized recommendations, as some dogs may require a special diet due to health conditions or allergies. Weight Management Obesity is a common issue among dogs and can lead to various health problems, including joint issues, diabetes, and heart disease. Monitor your Blue German Shepherd's weight and adjust their diet and exercise routine accordingly to prevent obesity. Follow the recommended portion sizes on the dog food label, and avoid overfeeding or giving too many treats. Regular Veterinary Check-ups Blue German Shepherds are prone to certain health conditions, such as hip and elbow dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, and bloat. Schedule regular veterinary check-ups to detect any health issues early and get prompt treatment. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations on preventive care, such as vaccinations, parasite control, and dental cleanings. These dogs have a double coat, which consists of a dense, insulating undercoat and a protective outer coat. Regular brushing, at least two to three times per week, is necessary to remove loose hair and minimize shedding. During shedding seasons , daily brushing may be needed to keep your home hair-free and your dog comfortable. In addition to brushing, routine grooming should include regular teeth cleaning, nail trimming, and ear cleaning to prevent infections and maintain overall hygiene. By establishing a consistent grooming routine, you can keep your Blue German Shepherd looking and feeling their best. To groom a Blue German Shepherd, follow these simple steps: Brush their coat two to three times per week with a slicker brush or pin brush to remove loose hair and prevent matting. Clean their teeth two to three times per week with a soft-bristled toothbrush and dog toothpaste to maintain good oral hygiene. Trim their nails regularly to prevent discomfort and joint problems. Clean their ears with a cotton ball or soft cloth and a dog ear cleaning solution to prevent infections. The Impact of Blue Color on Health The blue coat color in German Shepherds is a result of a recessive gene, and it does not inherently affect the dog's overall health. Blue German Shepherds are just as healthy and capable as their traditionally colored counterparts when it comes to their physical abilities and temperament. However, it's essential to choose a reputable breeder who prioritizes the health of their dogs over coat color. Reputable breeders will ensure that their breeding dogs undergo necessary health tests and screenings to minimize the risk of genetic health issues in their puppies. As long as you choose a responsible breeder, the blue color should not impact the health or well-being of your Blue German Shepherd. Interpreting the Significance of Blue in Various Dog Breeds The blue coat color is not exclusive to German Shepherds; several other dog breeds also exhibit this captivating hue. In most cases, the blue color results from the same genetic factors: a dilution of the black pigment eumelanin. Some dog breeds where blue coats can be seen include: Australian Cattle Dogs. This recessive gene dilutes any black pigment on the dog including coat color, nose leather, foot pads, toe nails, lips, etc. It also affects their eye color. Blue pups have a beautiful light gray coat as babies, as they age however is usually darkens up quite a bit, the ones that darken up are called "steel" blues. To the untrained eye, they can be mistaken for regular blacks. There is also "Powder" blues, they tend to lighten up in color and always stay a very noticeable gray color. Powder blues are not seen very often. A blue pup with sable markings We have a couple blues and a few dogs who carry the blue gene. We choose these dogs first and foremost because their temperament, structure and health aligns with the goals of our breeding program. A beautiful unique color is just icing on the cake of an already exceptional dog. Our non-traditional color lines have some of the highest hip ratings in the US! We have produced non-traditional colored GSDs that compete in obedience, agility, nose work, etc. I personally love the non-traditional colored German Shepherds. These colors are been in the breed since the beginning and our foundation girl Rose just happened to be a blue! Final Thoughts German Shepherds can be of different colors — tan, red, sable, liver, black, white, gray, or a mix of them. This article is devoted to one more very interesting and rare variety of this breed — a blue German Shepherd dog. You will learn about the origins of this color in dogs caused by genetics, their appearance and behavior, popular myth and misconceptions related to them, and the possible differences of these animals from other Shepherd dogs. If you are interested in getting a loyal friend of magnificently unusual color and look, this information will be very helpful for you. The dogs are not really blue. It is a diluted black color that looks quite specific. Despite many myths and wrong beliefs, there are not any sufficient differences in the overall look and behavior of such doggies. Moreover, it is not a separate breed as some people may believe. That is why the history of a blue GSD started simultaneously with the history of a German Shepherd as a breed. Sometime in the middle of the 19th century, a retired German Cavalry officer, Max von Stephanitz by name, decided to breed the most perfect canines for his sheep farms. It took him about forty years to complete the process and obtain a working dog that could deal with herding and guarding. Of course, a blue coat German Shepherd is not navy-blue or sky-blue. It looks like its immediate predecessor — a wolf — but only a bit darker. Such a color is also called diluted black. Though, the latter combination can sometimes result in this if both parents do have it. Geneticists argue that it stands for blue or diluted black. This gene can completely block black, resulting in an ultimate blue. They are medium-to-large canines with a lifespan of years. These animals look beautiful and quite aesthetic. They are not allowed for shows, though, in the USA because the American Kennel Club considers the diluted color a big fault. Apart from such an unusual color, they have a different pigmentation of noses, eye rims, and paw-pads. There are some minor variations of this shading, such as bicolor, sable , saddle, or solid blue. You can also come across dark-steel blue or light-powder blue, and other variants. These colors look magnificent, indeed. So, if you are a German Shepherd enthusiast, this dog is right for you. Not all blue Shepherds have blue eyes. Even if a puppy was born with this eye color, it may change to light brown or amber over time. The coat can be either long or medium. It is doubled with a dense protective upper layer and a soft undercoat that helps withstand weather conditions. The blue GSD can shed a lot , so it needs frequent brushing and grooming all the time. Males grow to inches or cm tall, and their weight varies between pounds or kg. Females are smaller and more gracious. They are inches or cm tall and pounds or kg heavy. The color cannot determine the size of the dog, either. A blue coat German Shepherd does not make a good apartment dog because it is too big and needs a lot of activity and exercise. However, if you can provide your pet with enough room and regular movement, you can enjoy it as your house dog. A lot of energy requires good amounts of exercise. These dogs are intelligent, brave, faithful, and protective. They are quite independent and aloof to strangers if trained properly. That said, private homes and landed properties are the best space if you consider acquiring this animal. These dogs need a lot of socializing and dedicated training. If they do not receive that, they may express aggressiveness and separation anxiety. You cannot even think about chaining them up. Their temperament does not differ much, either. They are incredibly loving and owner-pleasing. That is why you should not leave them alone for a long time. They say that the diluted genes can cause color dilution alopecia. However, this characteristic is true for Dobermans but not Shepherds. They include elbow and hip dysplasia. Dysplasia is a condition when the joints are formed in the wrong way, so they become painful over time. It may even result in lameness. This condition is a characteristic of all big dogs, not only German Shepherds, and it does not relate to their color. Like all other dogs bred from a single bloodline, Shepherds can suffer from specific genetic mutations. They include degradation of the spinal cord which is called degenerative myelopathy. It is a slowly developing and non-painful condition that becomes more obvious when the animal gets older. They are also prone to congenital heart defects, for example, patent ductus arteriosus, pulmonic stenosis, and aortic stenosis. Receiving health certificates from the breeder , including X-ray test certificates, will spare you from the need to spend a lot of money on veterinary care. It is highly appreciated by dog lovers for its stunning color, though breeders are not interested in raising these dogs because such animals cannot participate in shows and competitions. All these factors cause higher prices of such animals. The champion pedigree dogs will cost much more. Those Shepherds who have the show line or protection traits may even cost more. Such dogs do not look intimidating or scary. It goes without saying that their unusual color does not add much to their overall look as an aggressive and dangerous beast. True enthusiasts of this color know well that such animals look very attractive, and their magnificent wolf-like look adds a lot to the overall appreciation and love. Blue Shepherds are not useless just because they are not allowed for shows in America. They can still participate in IPO, nose work, and agility events. Moreover, they can be effective family protectors and companions because they are very loyal and intelligent. This is not a separate breed but just a color variation of a German Shepherd caused by a specific gene combination. The gene affects eumelanin the dark pigment , so no signs of black can be preserved. The diluting gene does not influence the temperament of such dogs. They are not more aggressive or disobedient than any other color of German Shepherds if raised and trained properly. The color of the coat caused by this specific gene combination does not influence health. A blue German Shepherd dog can suffer from the same health issues as other Shepherds of different colors, but there are no additional gene-related health issues. No, it is not. This is just a variation of a GSD caused by a specific combination of genes. The black color is diluted, resulting in a blue-and-gray tint. All the other characteristic features of the breed are the same as for all the rest colors of German Shepherds. Is a blue GSD a rare dog? Yes, it is. Moreover, most breeders are not interested in raising blue-coated dogs because they are not allowed for shows. What color variations can a blue German Shepherd dog have? However, they can have such pattern variations as solid blue, blue and tan, blue bicolor with minor tan spots , and blue sable. Are blue Shepherds purebred? Yes, they are pedigree dogs, but not a mixed breed. They appear in purebred litters among other puppies due to the gene combination but they are as genetically pure as all others. A recessive gene that causes this unusual color has been already recognized by the American Kennel Club as pure, though they are still forbidden or disqualified from shows and appearance competitions. Are there any specific health issues in blue Shepherds? The blue color of the coat does not result in any specific health issues. These dogs are as healthy, strong, and energetic as their counterparts of another color. They may be prone to the same hip and elbow dysplasia and heart and joint problems as other dogs if bred or cared for improperly. Final Thoughts When you want to acquire a blue GSD, you should understand the overall needs and requirements of German Shepherds but not only of those whose coat is blue. You should know how to manage, take care of , and control it. Consider whether you have enough time and patience for everyday reinforcement, training, and exercise. These dogs need a lot of living space because they are full of energy. Keeping them in a small apartment is not the best idea. You should also keep in mind that a blue coat German Shepherd is a heavy shedder, so it has quite specific grooming requirements. Remember that adopting such an animal is not just a fashion statement but a serious responsibility. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Discover the online program that more than 57, dog owners have used to rapidly transform their dog into a well-behaved, obedient furry friend. It's true - there are German Shepherds that are blue. In fact, German Shepherd Dogs come in various colors and also in a lot of different color patterns too. Others say that the blue colour is simply a gene mutation, and as such the blue German Shepherds should never be bred from, and overtime the gene should be bread out of the species completely. The blue German Shepherd, technically, a diluted Black Shepherd with 2 recessive genes. The Dd dilution gene affects coat colour in the main, but can also change the colour of eyes and noses. All coat colours and patterns are controlled by a set or group of genes that work together. In standard German Shepherds you will see descriptions and breakdowns that speak of the A genes, which control the black and red colouring in the dog through the release of melanin, and this affects the generic base colour and variations. However, the colouring of the blue German Shepherd is controlled by a different gene, the D gene spoken of earlier. All genes come in pairs, and it takes the presence of the big D and little d pair to produce the blue German Shepherd. The big D produces full strength coat colour and is the dominant gene, and the little d produces a dilute colour, which is the recessive gene. For the Blue Shepherd to be created he needs two copies of the diluted recessive gene, one from each parent, in order to have the diluted blue fur. If both parents have blue fur color their offspring will have it also however it is also possible for the color to appear in regular black and tan German Shepherd Dogs if both parents have the recessive genes. In addition to the above, the Blue German Shepherd takes three variations in blue colour, they come in blue and black, blue and sable and blue and tan, and again it is all dependent on the mix of different genes. Additionally, the blue German Shepherd can also be a variety of lighter and darker blues. Steel blue is the darker shade, and powder blue is the lighter of the two. It can be difficult to identify a steel blue on his own, but when you stand him next to a black German Shepherd, you can easily tell the difference in colour. How do they look? If you've never seen one of these dogs just imagine that everywhere there is black on the GSD normally, that you now see kind of a dusty grey colour. In some cases the blue might look kind of dusty, like someone spilled flour on the dog's coat but then in other cases it might be more of a darker gunmetal colour. Although it is rare and frowned upon by the AKC don't let the blue colour scare you away. A healthy blue German Shepherd is a very handsome animal and has all the same loyal and intelligent traits as regular colored German Shepherds. Many owners who have an unfavourably coloured German Shepherd have suggested that their pups face colour discrimination in events even in competitions where color should not be judged. The males will weigh between 65 and 90 pounds, and they will measure 24 to 26 inches in height from paw to shoulder, also known as the withers. The females will weigh between 50 and 70 pounds and will measure 22 to 24 inches at the withers. Additionally, it is common for the blue German Shepherd to have lighter coloured eyes, such as light blue, golden brown or yellow compared to the darker eyes of normal colored German Shepherds. Again, this is controlled by the recessive genes explained above. Because of their appearance, the blue German Shepherd is often mistaken for a blue Malinois, or with yellow eyes can often look similar to a dark grey wolf. They are super affectionate with their immediate family and enjoy a cuddle on the sofa and lounging around home. The blue German Shepherd is known for their confident and courageous personality. If properly trained and socialized their natural guarding tendencies work great in a home environment. Blue German Shepherds can also be aloof with strangers, or outsiders of the pack if improperly socialized but if raised correctly they are lovely, loyal dogs. The blue German Shepherd, like any other German Shepherd, is a medium energy dog and requires up to 60 minutes of exercise a day. High intensity exercise that tests their mental abilities as well as their physical are their favorite. Your dog would also require mental stimulation throughout the day, such as playing interactive games with his you, patrolling the yard, or taking part in training sessions. Because of their guarding tendencies early socialization is key to a happy hound and household! They are working dogs, and they like to pull if they are not trained properly. We also recommend crate training from a young age. Unlike other breeds, such as the French Bulldog, the colour blue is not indicative of health issues or problematic personality traits. The diluted gene is often linked to health issues in other breeds, such as Colour Dilution Alopecia in Weimaraner, but the blue German Shepherd is not known to suffer any diluted colour related health issues. Simply put, the blue German Shepherd is simply a colour variation, and their health is exactly the same as a traditional coloured German Shepherd. Elbow and Hip Dysplasia is an abnormal formation in the elbow and hip joints which is prevalent in larger breeds of dogs. Over time this formation can cause pain in their joints and can often lead to crippling arthritis in older dogs. Because German Shepherds are susceptible to bloat, it is advised to spread food across several sittings during the day. The exact amount of food will vary on the size of your dog and their activity levels throughout the day. Grooming The blue GSD often has a medium length outercoat with a dense undercoat. Due to the thick undercoat, they are heavy shedders. To keep their coat nice throughout the year you will need to brush them 2 or 3 times a week. During shedding season you will need to brush them every day. You should wash your GSD every 6 to 8 weeks to keep the coat clean and help with shedding. Specialist dog shampoos and shedding products help make managing the coat easier. It is possible for blue German Shepherds to have a long coat but it is very rare. Because their colour is more on the rare side, you may end up paying a slightly higher premium for this colour of the breed. These dogs are rarer than their tan and black saddle siblings i. This can make it difficult to find one to buy. German Shepherds are larger dogs, and can have large litter sizes. With an average of eight puppies in a litter; a blue German Shepherd puppy may show up unexpectantly. If you would prefer to adopt, the German Shepherd Club of America has a list of available rescues and rescue centres all over the country. Adopting A Blue German Shepherd On the other hand, if you are considering rescuing a German Shepherd, then the American German Shepherd Rescue Association has listed rescue centres dedicated to this breed and you may find some blues that need a home. Finishing Up Blue German Shepherds make great family pets. They are fun, intelligent, trainable, affectionate, loyal and protective. If they are socialized from a young age, they are great with children and other pets and will be a lovely member of the family for years. Naturally, all dogs have their own quirks that make them unique, just like all humans, and a blue GSD will be no different. Generally, however, German Shepherds are intelligent and fun to be around and love to spend hours playing in the garden with their family. If you do adopt one of these beautiful pups then it might be wise to let your neighbours know so that they think you have a stray wolf in your yard! For more information about the blue German shepherds, you can consult different social networks of groups responsible for the upbringing and care of the GSD, like the American Blue Bay Shepherd Association. 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Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? Table of Contents Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.All French Bulldog Insights French Bulldog Breed Info If you're seeking an adorable companion with a charmingly squashed face, an easygoing personality, and a distinct penchant for lounging on the couch, the French Bulldog could just be your perfect match. With their signature bat ears and expressive eyes, French Bulldogs, or "Frenchies" as they are lovingly known, have captured the hearts of many dog lovers around the globe, consistently ranking among the most popular breeds. Renowned for their easy maintenance and the ability to thrive in apartment living, French Bulldogs are a city dweller's delight. Their small size, typically weighing under 28 pounds, makes them perfectly suited to compact urban spaces. However, their charming personalities and heartwarming companionship are universally loved, irrespective of city or countryside living. This breed's laid-back nature does not mean they're devoid of fun and play. On the contrary, French Bulldogs can be quite playful and are known for their often comical and entertaining antics, which only further endears them to their owners. Their affectionate demeanor, combined with a remarkably low barking tendency, makes them a joy to have around the house. French Bulldogs are sturdy, compact, and stocky, with a powerful muscular build that contradicts their small size. They have a smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, from fawn and brindle to white and grey. Their facial expressions are human-like, and they're known to "talk" using a complex system of yawns, yips, and gargles. However, owning a French Bulldog does come with responsibilities. Their brachycephalic short-nosed nature makes them prone to certain health issues and less tolerant of extreme temperatures. Despite their muscular appearance, they are not the best swimmers, and care should be taken around bodies of water. Website: Stargate French Bulldogs 2. It is a family-oriented breeding program that produces some of the healthiest, happiest, and most beautiful French bulldog puppies possible. The family has over 25 years of experience breeding Frenchies. You will significantly benefit from their wealth of experience and knowledge when you buy a puppy from them, If this is your first time owning a French Bulldog puppy, Blue Grit Kennel is one of the best breeders from whom to buy this breed. They care about their puppies and always follow up to ensure they are healthy and happy. The family provides all their clients a lifetime of support and guidance, so rest assured you will not embark on this journey alone. Another amazing thing about Blue Grit Kennel is its pricing model. Their puppies are affordable despite investing a lot of time, effort, and money in raising them. All their puppies are bred from AKC-registered parents with exceptional bloodlines. The puppies also have AKC registration. After birth, the puppies are thoroughly examined by a licensed vet. Their puppies go home with a health certificate and are fully vaccinated. The family also deworms at the appropriate time. They can deliver your puppy to you regardless of where you are in Alabama. Shipping is also available via trusted puppy nannies to major cities in the US. Besides health, this family focuses on other things like socialization and temperament. The French Bulldog requires early training and socialization, which this family understands. The puppies are socialized with kids and other animals daily. Potty and crate training are also part of their program, ensuring your new family member comes home well-socialized and semi-trained. Although our respective practices have taken us to two different states, we remain close and look forward to our yearly trips together. After our very first trip to New York City we were hooked!! We try to make an annual trip to the Big Apple every year for a weekend of shopping, great food and Broadway. We have both shared a love for French Bulldogs for many years. They are friendly, funny, devoted companions. We both feel that they make a wonderful addition to any family. If you would like to learn more, please contact us. We would love to provide your family with a new bundle of love As veterinarians, we want to make sure our puppies get the healthiest start they can, from the moment of conception to the day they are born and then continuing throughout their lives. Additionally, we aim to educate our new puppy owners on preventative care so that we can provide families with happy, healthy, well-adjusted puppies. We are committed to responsibly breeding sound, healthy puppies that not only conform to the standards set forth by AKC, but also have great temperaments and are well-socialized. Playbill French Bulldogs is a collaboration between both of our families. We have family members from the west coast in Temecula California to the east coast in Brooklyn New York. We are both very conveniently located in Kentucky and Alabama with easy access to Atlanta Georgia, the panhandle of Florida, and Tennessee. Wherever you are located, we can make arrangements to get your new family member to you in a safe, stress-free manner! AKC proudly supports dedicated and responsible breeders. We encourage all prospective puppy owners to do their research and be prepared with questions to ask the breeder. Reaves Frenchies.

Meet Uncle Jesse! This stunningly handsome German Shepherd found himself in an overcrowded shelter in TX, through no fault of his own. Uncle Jesse is a senior boy, who should never have been dumped at all, let alone for being older. And he only has one eye, why do you need two anyway?!! Who wants an old guy with one eye, right?!! So of course, he was put on the euthanasia list.We could not let that happen to him. Our rescue saved this senior boy minutes from being euthanised in order to free up kennel space. With a shortage of fosters, due to the immense overcrowding in southern shelters, we had to put him in temporary boarding to save his life. He is in a loving foster home just now but it's a busy house, with too many people, kids, dogs etc, he isn't getting the peace, quiet, and attention he really needs. This precious guy just needs to live in a warm, loving home, with grass to romp around in from time to time, to feel the sun on his face and watch all nature around him. And of course, in true GSD style, to be with his people. Uncle Jesse is fine with other dogs but we feel at this time in his life, he deserves to have all the attention in a home. Unless there's another older quiet pup whom he could snuggle with if he so desires. If you are interested in loving this precious boy or the rest of his days, please contact Shannon immediately on .Urgent Dogs Max - Coventry This lovely young man is looking for an experienced home where they can continue his training and give him more confidence. Max was bought as a 5 month pup from a flat where it would appear not much socialisation or exercise was given. The current owners have worked through some of Max's issues such as constant chewing and his jumping up, still work in progress regards lead training and further obedience work, however Max is an angel off lead and as long as he has his ball is totally focussed and happy to play for hours. Max is good with other dogs family friend has a young bitch he plays with. Max hasn't lived with children and isn't known around cats. Max is now at the stage where he is becoming wary of strangers and more protective of the home, during our assessment it took Max about 10 minutes to settle and ignore the stranger in the room. Max is a lovely energetic boy who is doing nothing more than being a shep - he just needs an owner who can show him the ropes and maintain calm. Max is vaccinated and microchipped. More information. December 11, at a. But what would you expect when Vice President-elect Joseph Biden goes shopping for a puppy? It seems the Obama children were not the only ones promised a dog after the presidential election. Barack Obama, won the election. Jill Biden had taped pictures of different dogs on the back of the seat in front of Biden on his campaign plane to inspire the candidate as he crisscrossed the country in the final sprint to election day, according to published reports during the campaign. The vice president-elect wanted a family dog that was social and obedient, said Tobin, who will pick up the puppy next week and start on six weeks of initial training including housebreaking. Tobin will deliver the puppy to the Bidens after the inauguration in January. That way, he said, the stress of the move to Washington, D. Tobin said he met Biden after Obama named the Delaware senator as his running mate. At that time, security stepped up for Biden and the Secret Service brought in Tobin and his canine team to do explosive sweeps of the Biden residence. After that, Tobin said Biden asked for his help selecting a puppy and with its training. Originally, Brown said she was to bring two puppies to Biden, but Biden called and said he wanted to see all the dogs. I told them to follow me. One is still missing. Courtesy photo Vermont State Police responded to a call Monday afternoon reporting that three puppies had been stolen in Coventry, and a Newport Center resident has been charged with larceny in the case. According to a police press release, Daniel Rich, 48, and Jennifer Rhodes, 52, both of Coventry, notified authorities that three six-week-old puppies were stolen on July 25 from an outside enclosure at a residence on Nebelski Road. As a result of the investigation, police charged Tamieka Demo, 20, of Newport Center with larceny in connection with the case. Demo is due to appear in Orleans County court on Sept. Over 1 million people came to VTDigger for flood updates in July. Not all of them are in the position to help sustain our newsroom with a contribution. If you are, please consider a one-time gift or monthly contribution during our fall member drive. Donate now One puppy remains missing, and police are encouraging anyone with information to call the Vermont State Police barracks in Derby. Rich and Rhodes could not be reached for comment. Vermont State Police spokesperson Adam Silverman said he did not have additional details on the case.

For the complete list please see our German Shepherd Breeders page. When looking for a German Shepherd pup, there are a few things you should take into account before making your purchase. When purchasing a German Shepherd puppy, be prepared to make a long-term commitment to taking care of your new family member. They will require regular exercise, plenty of socialization, and training. With proper care, your GSD will be by your side for many years to come. Reputable breeders are more than happy to show you where the dog was born, raised, and even introduce you to its parents. As part of your purchase agreement with a breeder, make sure there is some sort of guarantees included on the health of the pup for up to 1 year after making your purchase. This warranty will ensure you can take your pup to the vet if any health problems do arise in the future. Visit Your New Jersey German Shepherd Breeder in Person Before handing over your money, you should be allowed to visit with the puppies and their parents. If everything looks good and the breeder is reputable, take the time to ask them as many questions as you can about the pup, its parents, and how it has been raised. This will help you get a sense of what to expect in the years ahead. A responsible German Shepherd breeder will be more than happy to answer any and all of your questions and provide additional information beyond what is covered in this article. They should make you feel confident that you are making the right decision in purchasing one of their puppies. Reputable breeders typically want to ensure their pups go home and stay home with the right family so may be hesitant about giving out too much information over the phone or the internet. References will also give you an idea of what you should expect if you decide to purchase a dog from your new breeder. By talking to them and seeing how they interact with their dog, it will give you an idea of what life is really like living with one of these loyal companions. Meeting with past customers will also help you get a sense of whether the breeder is reputable or not. If everything looks good, take the time to ask your breeder for specific contact information from these families so you can reach out to them on your own. This will give you an idea of what questions to ask and what to look for when meeting with potential dog owners. This means they should be taking them for yearly check-ups and vaccines, grooming them regularly, and feeding them high-quality dog food that meets all their nutritional needs. The best place to get your dog is from a breeder who has an established relationship with a veterinarian they use on a regular basis. A good professional will be able to answer any questions you have about taking care of your dog and what it takes to keep them healthy throughout its life. Look Out for The Signs of An Unethical German Shepherd Dog Breeder in New Jersey Unfortunately, not all breeders are ethical and some may try to take advantage of your lack of knowledge or willingness to ask the right questions. There are plenty of them out there, you just need to be patient and do your research. This can include anything from congenital defects to health issues that may arise as the dog gets older. This will prevent them from getting out and exploring on their own. A Word on Crate Training You may want to consider crate training as your German Shepherd pup gets older as it can be a very effective tool for potty training and teaching them their boundaries. However, if not used properly, this method could actually cause more harm than good. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. Now that you know some of the best German Shepherd breeders in New Jersey, you must be wondering how much you will need to pay for a good puppy from a reputable breeder. The price of the German Shepherd Puppy can vary depending on several factors, including the breeder, the location, lineage, and their purpose in life. If you are getting a dog from a high-end breeder with a prestigious line of German Shepherds, you will of course need to pay a much higher price. As this dog breed is extremely intelligent and useful in many disciplines of working life, they are not usually purchased as pets, so you will have to expect to pay a little bit more, as their price increases because of this. Also, the price of a puppy will significantly rise if the breeder has done all the health tests and has each certificate to prove this. These dogs are less likely to suffer from any health conditions later in life, and are therefore, much more expensive. On the other hand, if you are looking to buy a service or police dog, then you can expect to pay a lot. Even though they can be really pricey, these dogs are worth it, believe me — their intelligence, capabilities, great temperament, and companionship make up for the money invested. We have done this research and compiled all this important information in order to help you choose a perfect breeder that will provide you with the best possible puppy. We hate to see our readers regret their decision of getting a puppy, just because they ran into a breeder that does not care about his dogs and clients. A true lover of dogs will never let their pups end up with just anyone, but will make sure that the potential buyer actually loves owning dogs and has the appropriate conditions for raising such a dog. On the other hand, a reputable breeder will also make sure that all his puppy parents are in perfect health, so the future puppies will also be healthy and happy. These are just some of the things you need to be careful of when looking for a German Shepherd breeder. Once you have that little fur pup with you at home, I am sure that you will forget all the stress and time spent in the process of searching for the right one, and he or she will bring light and happiness into your life. Related Content:. German Shepherds for sale in New Jersey Regis Regal Specializes in providing world class German Shepherd puppies and trained adult dogs Serving New Jersey with german shepherds since With over 30 years experience in the breeding and training of world-class German Shepherds from some of the top bloodlines out of Germany, here at Regis Regal German Shepherds we've been very proud to have sold our puppies and adult dogs to the residents of New Jersey. We're a small family run operation with our main training and breeding facilities based in Spring Grove, Illinois. Because of the quality and pedigree of our German Shepherds there's been a demand for our dogs all over the world. The owner, Cynthia Kelly, has a lifetime of experience in creating the perfect family companion, service dog or therapy dog. Because of the lack of top quality German Shepherd breeders in some parts of the United States, we've carefully set ourselves up so that we can send our dogs direct to your home by use of a private courier service. At Regis Regal German Shepherds we produce a select number of puppies at any one time, and take the utmost care when raising and training them ready for ownership. You should not forget that when it comes to buying a puppy you also need to be mindful of other costs outside of the purchase or adoption fee. Included within the cost of our puppies are: Lifetime health guarantee contingent on meeting criteria stated in the contract. Send us a message or give us a ring on .Emotional support dogs are suited for both children and adults and have the ability to work with their owners in all types of locations. We have placed many dogs with children and teenagers of New Jersey that suffer from anxiety, depression, PTSD, and manic disorders. Service dogs provide a physical service to their owners. We have been incredibly successful in providing service dogs to children afflicted with Autism and Asbergers, as our dogs can help to enhance the verbal skills of non-verbal Autistic children and support their overall way of communicating. Some of our previous placements our dog courier service - we ship to your door in NJ! You might find this a bit hard to believe but we actually ship right to your door, wherever you are based in the US! Such is the demand for one of our dogs we decided it would make things a lot easier for our customers if we could hand-deliver them right to you. For those people in need of a top class GSD, and who can't get to our premises, this is a bit of a lifesaver. We make use of a private courier service whereby they come to us and pickup the dog in their vehicle before making the journey to your home. Our driver is well trained in the handling and care of your dog on the trip, and due to their temperament our dogs always enjoy the journey! On rare occasions our dogs have flown out to their destination, again accommpanied by one of the Regis Regal team to ensure for a very smooth and calm trip. We also go through a very thorough process to make sure our dogs are going to the right kind of owner - at the end of the day it's really important that we can rest easy at night knowing they'll be going to someone that's going to love them as much as we do. Because of COVID we've held plenty of online meetings where you can ask us any questions about our dogs, and you can even get to meet-and-greet them virtually! Reviews from Customers based in N. We like to think we've made a lot of people in New Jersey happy over the years that we've been in business. Take a look below at some of the feedback we've received to date. You can find more reviews of ours here too. He is beautiful, well tempered, intelligent, and already making all of our hearts melt. We would highly recommend the Regis Regal for anyone looking for a German Shepherd pup. As you can imagine this can change quite regularly - so please send us a message below, or give us a call on .We look forward to hearing from you! Your name. Known for its picturesque beaches, bustling cities, and variety of dog-friendly activities, New Jersey is a fantastic place to find and raise your new German Shepherd companion. Our goal is to connect you with the most exceptional German Shepherd breeders and puppies for sale in the region, ensuring you find the perfect furry friend for your family. Our site features a wide variety of reputable New Jersey breeders who specialize in raising healthy and happy puppies. Our NJ breeders are committed to raising the highest quality puppies. They provide their puppies with all the necessary vaccinations and veterinary checkups to ensure they are in the best of health before they go to their forever homes. They also provide ongoing support and advice to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your new furry friend. Discover the lively dog-friendly scene in New Jersey, featuring inviting restaurants, spacious dog parks, and engaging dog shows. For those passionate about dog shows, events like the New Jersey Classic Dog Show provide an opportunity to appreciate the elegance and charm of German Shepherd canines while connecting with fellow enthusiasts. With approximately 1. At TrustedPuppies. Most of our reputable German Shepherd breeders provide safe and affordable flight delivery, complete with a dedicated flight nanny who accompanies your new pup throughout their journey, ensuring their safety and comfort as they travel to their new home in New Jersey. Many breeders also offer affordable vehicle delivery, utilizing specialized pet delivery services. This option allows your German Shepherd puppy to be transported directly to your door by a professional who understands the unique requirements of pet transportation. Begin your search for the perfect German Shepherd puppy on TrustedPuppies.

Breeds Puppies The link has been copied! German Shepherds are medium to large working dogs that were bred in Germany to be used as a herding dog for sheep. Today, they are common household dogs that are loved around the world. These dogs tend to be loyal, stubborn, confident, intelligent, curious, brave, obedient, and protective. They have many positive attributes that make them very popular as pets. Size and Appearance of a 4 Month Old German Shepherd Once a German Shepherd reaches four months of age, it can be one foot tall and will weigh about half of the total adult weight. Male German Shepherds will weigh between 35 and 40 pounds, while females will weigh between 31 and 35 pounds. Between months three and four of life, a German Shepherd will gain around 10 pounds of body weight, and this will cause a difference in the dog's size and appearance. At this age, German Shepherds will be growing quickly, and you will be able to notice differences in the dog's size month-by-month. A four-month-old German Shepherd will no longer look like a puppy, and it will more closely resemble an adult by this age. Once the dog reaches four months old, the coat will be different from that of a puppy, and the dog will shed much more. The coat will become thicker and glossier, and the exact texture might depend on what foods the dog is eating. German Shepherds come in a variety of colors that include black, white, gray, black and tan, black and red, black and silver, and sable. The coloring of your dog will depend on the breeding and parents. Additionally, the dog is teething at this age. The German Shepherd will be teething until about seven to eight months, and during this time, the milk teeth will be replaced with larger adult teeth. German Shepherd puppies tend to have ears that lay flatter, while the adult's ears will be perky and stand straight up. At four months, the process of ear perking will begin, although the cartilage will not strengthen for another month or two. This means that the ears can perk up, then flatten, then perk up again until they become permanently lifted in adulthood. The dog's ears can remain flat if they live somewhere with consistently loud sounds, as they will try to avoid damage to their hearing by listening to these noises. To allow the dog's ears to perk properly, it is important to keep your dog away from loud, abrupt noises that can negatively affect their hearing. Activity and Behavior Four month old German Shepherds are very active puppies that must be stimulated physically as well as mentally. Some great activities to do with a dog include playing outside, playing with toys, going on walks or jogs, dog sports, and attending obedience training. A four-month German Shepherd will enjoy going on walks for about a mile at a time, and it is preferable to go on several shorter walks throughout the day rather than going on one very long walk. About two hours of active playtime per day is important for your puppy. Playtime is when they are both physically and intellectually enriched, and it is vital for development going into adulthood. For the first four months of life, there are many new experiences and adventures that your dog will learn from, so it is important. Sleeping Needs Sleep is extremely important for a young German Shepherd, and if the dog is not getting enough sleep , it might start to misbehave. If you notice this, it is important to discuss working out a proper daily schedule with your veterinarian, as it will often be a fix that you can make yourself by changing your routine, walk schedule, eating times, or play times. At the age of four months, a German Shepherd will sleep for around 18 hours a day. They need the energy to grow, which is why they sleep for most of the day, but in the hours when they are awake, German Shepherds tend to be very active. Dogs that exercise a lot will also sleep more to recuperate the energy lost during the day. If there are many new things to explore, the dog will sleep for fewer hours during the day. Some four months later, German Shepherds will also take 15 to minute naps during the day, and then they will wake up to play, eat, or use the bathroom. Health and Care Each time you take your dog to the vet, you should weigh and measure your German Shepherd to make sure that they are growing at the proper rate. If your dog is healthy, it should be growing quickly, and the veterinarian can confirm that everything looks good. At the age of four months, you should get a third set of vaccines, including DHPP and rabies, to protect your dog against these diseases. This can be done through a veterinarian. Vaccines are important to complete on time to boost your dog's immune system and keep them as healthy and up-to-date as possible. It is important to take your dog to the vet if you notice extreme changes in behavior, sleeping patterns, coughing or sneezing , runny noses or overly watery eyes, any form of weight loss, lack of appetite, heavy breathing, excessive urination, irritated gums, vomiting, or diarrhea. These can be signs that your dog is sick and needs medical care. Bathing your German Shepherd too often can cause the natural oils that a dog needs to keep its skin protected to dry up, so it is important not to over-bathe your puppy. However, it is important to keep your dog's bed, bowls, and toys clean to avoid fleas or other insects that might negatively affect your pet. As your four-month-old German Shepherd's coat is transitioning into an adult coat, it is important to brush the fur every day. This is to prevent excessive shedding, which can irritate your dog and create a mess inside the house. It is important to always be gentle with your dog and not brush him too roughly. Feeding Your 4 Month Old German Shepherd A German Shepherd is a big dog, and at the age of four months, it is still a puppy that is actively growing and will therefore require a large amount of food. Four-month German Shepherds should be fed three times a day, and they should eat one to two cups of kibble at each feeding time. This kibble should be specifically meant for puppies of this age, as it will have the proper nutrients and ingredients for your puppy to grow into a healthy adult. At the end of the fourth month, you can begin to feed your dog twice a day, but they should still be eating kibble meant for puppies until they reach six months of age and they are no longer growing as rapidly. Treats are also a good addition to kibble, but you should not exceed three to five small treats per day. These treats should be exclusively for dogs , as feeding your German Shepherd adult food can cause many health issues. It is important to monitor how much you are feeding your dog, as overeating can cause obesity and lead to severe health issues. Additionally, if you decide to use a raw diet rather than kibble, it is important to be mindful of the quality and nutrition of the food to keep your German Shepherd healthy and energized. Training A four-month German Shepherd will be easy to train because the puppy's main goal will be to please their owner, and they are very intelligent and loyal dogs that will be eager to learn from their owner. One of the reasons why German Shepherds are such a popular breed is because of their trainability. A German Shepherd's instinct is to protect, as the breed was originally bred to herd and protect sheep. This can lead to a puppy barking often as a means to protect its family, and this can be a misbehavior that the owner hopes to correct. Training can help reduce unnecessary barking in your German Shepherd puppy. Another potential behavioral issue is using the bathroom inside the home, which is common at four months old. The owner must train their dog to go outside to use the bathroom, and patience is required for this process. The most efficient strategy for potty training is to be encouraging when the puppy correctly uses the bathroom outside and to avoid any anger when they have an accident, as this will only make training go slower. German Shepherd puppies might also bite and nip people to try to get attention or play. They will understand that they should not repeat this behavior and will learn quickly. While your German Shepherd is teething, it might bite furniture, which can cause damage. The best way to avoid this is to buy many chew toys to help your dog with the process of teething, as well as move any valuables out of the dog's reach. This behavior will reduce once the dog's adult teeth have all come in. Socialization with people and other animals can help your German Shepherd behave better, and it is important to expose them to new situations to help them learn. They are very curious animals who will enjoy having new experiences and trying new things. A German Shepherd is a medium to large-sized dog, and by the age of four months, the puppy will already be much larger than it was at birth. At four months, a male German Shepherd will have a shoulder height between 11 and 14 inches. A female German Shepherd will have a shoulder height between 10 and 12 inches. A male German Shepherd at four months old should weigh 35 to 40 pounds. A female should weigh 31 to 35 pounds. The dog should be rapidly growing, but it is important not to let them overeat because obesity can be a real health issue for your dog. Measuring the weight of your dog regularly can help you keep track of its growth, and if there are any concerning patterns, you should discuss it with your veterinarian. At the age of four months, it is not unusual for your dog to grow up to two pounds in a single week, and it is a time of great change and growth. At the age of four months, your German Shepherd should eat three meals a day. These meals should consist of one to two cups of kibble. This means that the total amount of kibble eaten per day should be three to six. You should base how much you feed your German Shepherd on their size, activity level, and how hungry they are. If you are unsure about how much to feed the puppy, you should consult your veterinarian for help. Treats can be used in moderation to train your young puppy and motivate them to partake in good behavior , or they can just be used as a snack throughout the day. A 4-month-old German Shepherd can walk for about one mile at a time before they become tired. Going for a thirty-minute walk twice a day will be sufficient exercise for your puppy to keep them nice and strong without overworking them. Fi smart dog collars make it easier than ever. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are great dogs to keep as pets. They have many positive traits that make them brilliant, loyal, and protective companions that will stay by your side no matter what. They are great work dogs as well as great pets, including for families. German Shepherds are easy to train, and they are very obedient animals that can learn all kinds of tricks. When your German Shepherd is still a puppy, it is the best time to teach them obedience, potty train them, and teach them to play. German Shepherds will be growing rapidly at four months, and it is important to take proper care of them so that they can grow into strong, healthy adults. Making sure that they have enough intellectual stimulation through walks, exploring new people and places, and toys can ensure that your dog is getting the attention that they need. Additionally, they should be fed enough to fuel their growing bodies. They should be taken to the veterinarian regularly to make sure that they are growing at a proper rate and that there are no health problems that need the attention of a professional. German Shepherds grow up fast , and when they are four months old, you will notice many changes in their size, mannerisms, and behavior. By four months, they will have developed a unique personality, and they will be your best friend! Taking care of your best friend will bring joy to both you and your pet, and it is an exciting journey to take together. For additional pet-parenting tips, head over to TryFi. And don't forget to check out TryFi's innovative Fi Dog Collar , which offers GPS tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts to keep your furry friend safe. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. German Shepherd Nutritional Requirements Other than simply minding the amount of food to feed a German Shepherd, you should also consider the quality of the food and the nutrients that it provides. Feeding your German Shepherd with low-quality dog food will cause malnutrition and lead to overeating and health issues like poor skin, gastrointestinal issues, and osteoarthritis. That said, not all protein and fats are created equal. And so, do also consider the sources of such nutrients. Choosing The Right Dog Food For Your German Shepherd Since puppies have different nutritional needs as compared to adult German Shepherds, it can be quite confusing to determine which food you should get for your dog. After all, commercial dog food companies have made it easy by producing specially formulated dog food that provides specific nutrients a dog needs based on breed and age. That said, there are a lot of choices in the market out there. For evening meals, it would be best if you feed your German Shepherd a few hours before bedtime. Mealtime Length Finally, as much as possible, set about a maximum mealtime length of 15 minutes. That amount of time would be sufficient enough for your German Shepherd to eat its fill and will help prevent your dog from becoming a picky eater. However, to get your puppy used to eating dry food, you would want to introduce dry food starting at around 4 to 6 weeks of age. To do so, soften up dry food by mixing it with milk replacer, and offer it to your puppy 3 to 4 times a day. As your puppy gets used to eating the food, gradually decrease the amount of milk replacer until the puppy eventually adapts to eating solid food. Your puppy should get used to eating dry and solid food by around 8 weeks of age. For a large breed like the German Shepherd, you should start transitioning into adult food starting at around 12 to 24 months old. Make sure to do this switch slowly over a one to two week period by mixing and gradually increasing the adult food with the puppy food to avoid or minimize gastric upset. This is as senior dogs typically require fewer calories due to lower energy needs brought about by lesser activity and slower digestion. Therefore, to keep your senior German Shepherd in shape, you must consider a low-calorie, high-fiber, and moderate protein and fat diet. Usually, you can keep on feeding your senior dog with a decreased amount of its adult food or with specially formulated food for older dogs. But, considering older dogs may already have medical conditions that need to be addressed, your best bet would be to consult with a veterinarian to come up with the ideal diet for your senior German Shepherd. As a general guideline, do not provide your dog with supplements unless directed by a veterinarian. Water Aside from providing your German Shepherd with food, also always remember to give it enough water to hydrate. If possible, provide your German Shepherd free access to clean and fresh drinking water to prevent dehydration. And as always, if you find yourself needing help, you can always consult with a veterinarian. Post navigation. Shares German Shepherds are graceful, obedient, and loyal dogs with specific nutritional needs. Following a German Shepherd puppy feeding chart will enable you to track the amount of food your puppy is eating as they grow. There are varieties of foods available in the market and most of them come with guidelines at the back of the packaging showing you how much to feed a German Shepherd puppy. This article will cover different types of diets available and the specific nutritional needs of your German shepherd. It will also help you know what to do to ensure that your GSD gets nutritious and balanced food for every stage of their life. German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart There are three aspects of this German Shepherd puppy feeding chart, namely the German shepherd feeding amount, feeding frequency, and mealtime lengths. It is important to find out the appropriate feeding amount, frequency, and length for your German shepherd without leaving out one of them. That way, you can accurately find out the best way to feed your dog. Overall, there are four ranges that you need to keep in mind. An active dog may require a bit more than the numbers in this list, and an inactive dog will need a slightly less amount. But this guide can act as a solid benchmark. A puppy will need to eat more because they are growing very quickly. Talk to your vet about how much exactly so you keep them healthy and happy. Make sure your German Shepherd has access to fresh, clean water all day. When you take your dog for a walk make sure to bring along some extra water in a collapsible bowl. If they get tired on the way or it gets very hot, this can save their life. So for example, if your dog is 60lbs they should eat between lbs of food in one day. If you notice your dog is losing weight, add more calories to its meal size. However, there are other considerations on how much to feed a German shepherd puppy per day. You might want to consider avoiding meals right before bedtime. Let them digest their food first before they go to sleep. Understanding German Shepherd Puppy Nutritional Needs All dogs require nutritious, satisfying, and healthy food and every breed have their special diet. For maximum energy and health, there are factors to consider when deciding what to feed your German Shepherd: Size considerations- the AKC breed standard says that a German Shepherd can go to 26 inches tall at the shoulder. Females can be around 49 to 71 pounds while Males can be around 66 to 88 pounds. This means that they have a big appetite hence it is good to find quality food for them. They grow pretty fast hence they need specific nutrients for specific stages. Activity level- German shepherds are muscular, active, and agile which contributes to higher caloric needs to be complemented by feeding them a high-quality diet. Health consideration- GSDs are prone to many diseases hence a healthy diet will prevent problems. For example, arthritis that is caused by hip and elbow dysplasia can be mitigated through an excellent diet. Ensure that your GSD diet contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. How long does it take for your dog to be full? Is your dog still hungry after eating his portion? German shepherds normally take anywhere from 10 minutes to 15 minutes to finish the meal, given that you followed the proper feeding guidelines properly. If your dog shows signs of slow eating, we recommend sending them to your vet. If you think your dog is already full before finishing his portion, there is no problem. However, if your dog is still hungry after finishing the meal, consider sending him to your vet. This is because this can be a sign of a serious health issue involving their digestive system. They encourage the puppy to chew hence preventing periodontal diseases or tartar. Kibble is less expensive to buy and can stay fresh for longer. See also German Shepherd Gestation Period And Pregnancy Wet food is also essential for puppies because they allow puppies to feel fuller with less food. If your GSD need to shed a few pounds, wet food is a good way to reduce their caloric intake. Wet food is easier to digest, hence they are good for German shepherds with sensitive stomachs. Wet food is appetizing and keeps the puppy hydrated. You need to understand why your puppy cannot eat because it will help you determine the way to deal with the issue. There is no need to worry if the puppy lost appetite shortly and goes back to normal eating without any sign of illness. If the puppy loses appetite and takes a few days without improvement, take your puppy to the vet to find the problem because your dog might be sick. If the vet finds that the puppy is sick, they may suggest a special diet that will boost their immunity and give them extra nutrients to better their recovery. The puppy may have stopped eating because of behavioral issues; therefore, you may need to feed them same time to get a routine. Treats and human food that is given to the puppy may need to be reduced and also you can try different kinds of food. The German shepherd is a medium dog breed according to the AKC. Therefore, free-feeding is not a good idea. For the German shepherds, feeding schedules work better. If the puppies are free-fed the puppy may eat the leftover at any time even when they are not hungry. Sticking to a feeding routine help the puppy to stay healthy and prevent obesity. When you have a schedule, managing their weight and house training will improve. The puppy usually relieves themselves around 15 minutes after eating or drinking, therefore, when they feed at the same time every day and are taken outside after a while, accidents will be minimized. A raw diet is good for German shepherds. A raw diet help improves vitality and energy. The puppy gets healthy white teeth with an increased lifespan and reduced shedding as well as a stronger immune system. Raw meat is a great source of protein and an optimal diet. It is like keto to humans because it allows the puppy to reach their total capacity and good health. Dogs are naturally carnivorous, hence raw diet aligns with their natural needs. However, you should speak to your vet before putting your puppy on a raw food diet. The majority of commercially available kibble food is balanced and complete, and of high quality for your German shepherd puppy. Human supplements often contain harmful substances to animals and are unregulated or minimally effective. Therefore, never give human supplements to your German shepherd puppy. But they can eat small amounts of cooked chicken or turkey, plain cooked sweet potatoes or carrots, plain yogurt, and small amounts of fruits like apples or bananas without getting sick. Talk to a vet for advice on how to feed your German Shepherd puppy a healthy and balanced diet. These include chocolate, fatty foods, coffee, alcohol, chives, avocado, onions, nuts, grapes and raisins, garlic, raw or undercooked meat, and bones. These foods can cause a wide range of health problems, from stomachaches to more serious problems like pancreatitis or kidney failure. Some foods that people eat may have a lot of sodium or sugar, which can also be bad for dogs. How much food to give an older German Shepherd will depend on their needs and how much they move around. But as dogs get older, they tend to slow down and may need less food to stay at a healthy weight. As a general rule, an older German Shepherd needs about 2 to 3 cups of food per day, which should be divided between two meals. A German Shepherd that is getting older should eat high-quality senior dog food that is made for their age and size. Senior dogs might also benefit from getting smaller meals more often. If your German Shepherd puppy seems to always be hungry, you should look at what they eat and how often they eat. Make sure they eat enough for their age, weight, and level of activity. Puppies grow quickly and need more calories than adult dogs, so it is possible that they are not getting enough food. Also, make sure you feed them high-quality puppy food that is right for their age and size. If you are worried about how hungry they are or how much they weigh, you should talk to a vet to rule out any health problems and make a plan for feeding them. The amount of dry food you should feed your German Shepherd will depend on several factors, including their age, weight, and activity level. Puppies: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Adult dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Active dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Senior dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. If the dog is obviously overweight or underweight, adjust accordingly. If you can feel most of the ribs without squeezing your fingers in between them — try 1 cup per day. This is a decent starting point for a growing large breed puppy that needs the extra calories to grow big and strong. If you can feel most of the ribs AND see its waist — try 3 cups per day. This is perfect for an adult German Shepherd which needs extra calories due to being very active. With this amount, it will be able to maintain its weight, but not gain any extra fat. If you can feel all the ribs and see their waist — try 3. This is a good amount for a very active German Shepherd which needs extra calories to maintain a healthy weight. This should be sufficient for an adult German Shepherd which is quite active. If you can feel all the ribs and see their waist — try 5 cups per day. This is a good amount for an extremely active German Shepherd which needs extra calories to maintain lean muscle mass. For example, when my dog was a puppy, he would feel all ribs and see his waist when eating 2 cups of food per day. However, as he got older and larger, I had to increase the amount — even though I could still feel most of the ribs! He maintained around .Although there are lots of opinions on how much food your shepherds needs, these guidelines work for me and my German Shepherds. Everyone is different though, so you will have to adjust accordingly if necessary — this guide should help you until you find the ideal amount. If your dog is a very active one it may need more food depending on its activity level. Always be sure to give plenty of water since dry kibble can dehydrate the animal over time. However, this amount will vary depending on the size, age, and activity level of your dog. Puppies and young dogs, for example, generally need more water than adult German Shepherds. And working dogs or those who exercise frequently may require even more. This is because they can easily hydrate themselves if given free access to water. However, you still need to remember some things. For example, take note that your dog will need to drink 6 ounces of water per day for every 3. Depending on the temperature and activeness, this amount can increase. Lastly, make sure you take extra care in providing water access to your German shepherd. The most preferable way is to fill a bowl with a moderate amount of water, not too much. The feeding amount, frequency, length, and water requirements can always be changed. If you have no time to visit your vet, the following topic may help you. How Much Should A 1-year-old German Shepherd Eat A 1-year-old German Shepherd should eat about two and a half to three cups of food each day, broken up into two or three meals. Pointers for Feeding German Shepherds Improper feeding practices can lead to serious health problems for German shepherds. An owner is responsible for taking into consideration the age and weight of a German shepherd before feeding them. When feeding a german shepherd puppy that is four to six months old, you must give them two meals a day that comprises around eight ounces and five ounces. When feeding a German shepherd puppy that is between seven and twelve months old, the meal amounts should be increased to ten ounces for each meal. This amount should be split into three smaller meals. This is regardless of whether they are active or not. Yep, German shepherds can gain weight regardless of whether they exercise or not. If you think your dog is gaining too much weight, you can split their daily calories into four or five smaller meals. Some people prefer using dry dog food, while others would choose canned dog food. Whatever you choose for your German shepherd is usually okay, but canned food tends to contain more moisture than dry food which may lead to bladder stones in certain dogs. However, when it comes to the amount of dog food you feed your German shepherd, canned food leads to more obesity than dry food. If your German shepherds are over five years old, you must give them an extra meal. This additional meal should comprise around four ounces of food so they can easily digest it during their older age. When feeding a German shepherd puppy, you must know how to correctly measure their food amount. Be accurate when following the proper measurements; otherwise, it could lead to your dog gaining too much weight. Use measuring cups that are specifically made for dry food. If you use any other type of measuring device, it might lead to your dog eating too much or too little food. You must not feed your German shepherd until they are full, but allow them to eat until they are slightly satiated. Do not serve unlimited food; give them about two to three cups of food per day. If you are unsure whether or not your German shepherd is obese, check its waistline. If they have a thick waist and their stomach looks like a sphere, then that is a clear sign that your German shepherd is obese. Never let them finish their meal if they are still hungry; otherwise, you will encourage them to gorge on their food. Your German shepherd must always have access to fresh clean water, so you should ensure they can drink it whenever necessary. Feeding Guidelines by Age Before proceeding with the following points, remember that age is not the only determining factor in a German shepherd feeding chart. Make sure to consider all the content in this blog post as well. It is recommended that you slowly let them adapt first. This can be their regular food from now on. This includes fruits, bones, and more. You should also avoid giving them your leftovers. However, they will need time to adapt. You should also consider feeding your German shepherd foods that can be gnawed and chewed. This is so they can develop their jaws, teeth, and gums. This will result in less feeding amount and frequency. Feeding Guidelines by Weight German shepherds can be of different weight ranges. An average weighted German shepherd 35 kilograms will then need calories per day. This only applies to German shepherds that do not exercise or are inactive. Active German Shepherds: In the case of active German shepherds that exercise regularly, every 1 kilogram equals 55 calories per day. So an average weighted German shepherd will require calories per day to be able to function properly. Take note, however, that this calculation may be affected if the German shepherd has a health disorder concerned with metabolism or digestion. German Shepherd Puppies vs. Adults Guidelines Our last topic involves the difference between a puppy and an adult. The following are some of the facts that recent studies have proven: Puppies have higher energy levels than adults. This means they need to eat more than adult German shepherds. German shepherds will need higher protein and fat content at an early age. The amount of fat and protein will decrease as they grow older. Puppies cannot tolerate too many nutrients. Ingesting extra minerals and vitamins may lead to serious health disorders. Meanwhile, adults are only risking being overweight when taking in more than intended. German Shepherds usually have a good appetite and can eat a lot, especially when they are young and growing. But their food intake should be balanced and right for their age, weight, and level of activity to keep them from getting too much food and getting fat. As they age, they should usually eat less quickly. Most of the time, bones that have been cooked and ground up completely may be safe to eat. Instead, give them dog-made chew toys or treats. Can German Shepherds Be Vegetarians? Since German Shepherds consume meat, it follows that they must consume a significant amount of animal protein in order to get all of the necessary nutrients. Although while it is feasible to offer a dog a vegetarian or vegan diet, owners of German Shepherds should avoid doing so since it increases the likelihood that their dogs will not get all of the nutrients that they need. After talking about the feeding amount, frequency, and lengths of a German shepherd, you can now easily plan how much, how many times, and how long you feed your dog. You even learned how to hydrate your German shepherd the proper way. Lastly, we talked about the difference between a puppy and an adult in terms of feeding. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. Since puppies have a lot of growing to do, they require plenty of calories. You can reduce the amount of food per pound of body weight until they reach standard adult measurements. The specific amount of food to feed a German Shepherd can vary because different dogs are sized differently and have various needs and levels of athleticism. To learn more about specific foods and ingredients, check out this article on the best diet for German Shepherds. Three to four meals of puppy food a day is ideal for a month-old German Shepherd, as the food will be easily digestible and keep the energy high throughout the day. Feeding a puppy 1—2 large meals might make them feel sick, or they may be unable to finish it all at once. When it comes to how much food to give a 1—4 month-old German Shepherd, the recommended amount is approximately one cup g or a little more, depending on activity levels per meal. Be sure to spread meals evenly throughout the day, and avoid feeding your puppy before bedtime. The West Greenwich Animal Hospital recommends not feeding a dog three hours before bedtime because they may need to go out for a toilet break at night. Since their stomachs and bodies are getting bigger, they can generally handle fewer large meals than more small ones. So, you can reduce the number of puppy food meals to 2 or 3. Since the number of meals is reduced, increase the amount of food per serving to approximately 1. The meals should be spread evenly throughout the day to ensure your German Shepherd has consistent energy levels. My German Shepherd Willow at 4 months old 10 to 12 Months At 10—12 months, a German Shepherd begins to mature as its body continues growing. Split approximately 4—5 cups —1, g of food between two meals. However, this is just a recommendation — as mentioned previously, your dog may require more or less than this depending on their activity levels. Keeping the amount of food at cups , g per day may be sufficient, or it may be best to start feeding your dog more or less than this. For example, many active or working German Shepherds may benefit from 6 cups 1. Again, the specific amount is circumstantial. However, some dog owners make the switch earlier. Honestly, this is the issue with every new pet parent. Below is a German Shepherd feeding chart to help you learn more about giving your pooch the right amount of food at the right time. Remember, the below are simply recommendations, so specific amounts can vary by dog and activity level. Age Amount of food per day Amount of servings per day months 3—4 cups — g spread across multiple servings 3—4 3—4. Always check the packaging of the food you buy for a more detailed analysis. There are endless dog food options, so making the right choice can be challenging and stressful. The main protein source is chicken, and it promotes immune system health and digestive performance. Suitable for puppies up to 15 months, this dog food is the perfect solution for young German Shepherds with lots of growing to do! One of the main benefits of this food is that it comes in different sizes, including a pound 6. This dog food contains all the nutrients a German Shepherd puppy needs to grow and thrive. Blue Buffalo dog food has real chicken, fruits, and vegetables, so your pooch will surely enjoy the delicious taste! It comes in two flavors — a chicken meal with oats and a lamb meal with brown rice. Either contains enough high-quality protein to ensure your pup can grow as healthily as possible. Medium-sized dog breeds can continue eating puppy food until 18 months. Like with puppy food, there are many adult German Shepherd dog food options, so choosing the right one can be challenging. Check out some of my below recommendations to make your search a little easier. Best Breed Dr. Best Breed Dog Food aids digestion as it contains a blend of soluble and insoluble fiber. According to a study, musculoskeletal disorders and the inability to stand are the two most common causes of death in German Shepherds. Since puppies need specific nutrients to grow, their food differs greatly from adult dog food. Puppies especially need protein because it aids with the growth and development of cells. Without adequate protein in the diet , puppies are more susceptible to serious health issues, including: Weight and muscle loss General weakness Chest and abdomen issues German Shepherds can continue eating puppy food for the first year of life and beyond. Usually, 16—18 months is a good time for a dog to start eating adult food. The most important thing to remember is that adult food is never the right choice for a German Shepherd puppy that still has much growing to do. However, there are many other factors to consider when it comes to feeding a German Shepherd, like their general weight and activity levels. Weight and Size The weight of your German Shepherd will determine how much to feed it. The general rule of thumb is that the heavier your dog is, the more food it needs to stay fueled. The average adult German Shepherd is around .Pay attention to the general height and size of your German Shepherd to determine exactly how much food to feed them. For example, an underweight German Shepherd will need extra food to get back to a healthy weight, whereas an overweight one will need less food. As you can imagine, a highly energetic dog will need more food than a German Shepherd that lies around all day. If your German Shepherd is still relatively young, i. Health Health issues can affect the way a dog eats. For example, a dog with stomach issues might avoid food altogether. Other health conditions that affect how much a dog can eat include: Pancreatitis Infections Cancer Consider whether your dog is experiencing health issues when feeding them. For instance, if your dog is shedding too much, you need to change a diet that minimizes shedding. Age The age of a German Shepherd helps determine how much food should be eaten and how often. For example as mentioned earlier , younger dogs must eat smaller meals spread evenly throughout the day, while older dogs can have 2 larger meals. A vet can weigh your German Shepherd, ask questions, and listen to the heartbeat to determine a healthy diet plan. As Willow is now a senior dog, I like to take her for vet checkups every 6 months. In many cases, giving puppies homemade food over long periods can cause health issues down the line. A study by the National Library of Medicine concluded that a homemade diet given by the owner caused a puppy to experience various health issues, including vitamin D deficiency and NSH nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism. You can give a small treat here and there, but human food should never make up the entire diet of a puppy. Below are some tasty examples! Eggs Not only are eggs beneficial for humans, but they can also be good for dogs if given in moderation. German Shepherds puppies and adults will receive plenty of nutrients from eggs, including protein and fats. The best and easiest way to give a German Shepherd an egg is to hard boil it. Avoid feeding a German Shepherd or any dog fried eggs too often due to the excessive oil. Hard-boiled eggs are usually the easiest for dogs to eat, but you can also try poached or scrambled eggs. Examples of dog-friendly fruits include: Bananas. The two most obvious goals of feeding your German Shepherd are for health and growth. How fast do German Shepherds grow? German Shepherds are medium-large dogs and therefore grow at a fast rate over the first six to seven months leading up to adolescence. Adult German Shepherds are 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh 50 to 95 pounds. Reputable weight charts suggest your German Shepherd puppy will have attained three-quarters of their final weight over these first six to seven months. This is A LOT of growing to do in a short amount of time — when you brought your puppy home, it was probably only eight inches tall and weighed around 15 pounds. By 12 to 15 months old, a German Shepherd is within an inch or less of their adult height. Therefore, your male German Shepherd will be 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh 59 to 93 pounds by his first birthday. How does diet affect the health of growing Shepherds? Recently it has come to light that a proper diet for puppies does more than prevent malnutrition. As part of this proper diet, there are many things that should never be fed to German Shepherds. Orthopedic Problems Many orthopedic problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia have a strong hereditary component. However, people often discount the role of diet in bone developmental issues. Merely creating an oversized puppy, as is often the case for show animals and people fixated on large dogs, can lead to several painful disorders: Hip dysplasia Elbow dysplasia Panosteitis — Generalized inflammation of the long bones in puppies; common in German Shepherds. Overnutrition and over-supplementation of certain vitamins and minerals lead to paradoxical malnutrition of the bone, and subsequently improper development. Nutritional experts have modified their recommendations regarding the diets of large-breed dogs. Many nutritionists and veterinarians advocate feeding German Shepherds and other large-breed puppies an adult or professionally-formulated homemade diet to limit the occurrence and severity of developmental problems. Pet food manufacturers have caught onto the concept of overnutrition in puppies, and most carry special diets for large-breed puppies. Also, do not supplement your puppy with vitamins, minerals, or proteins without veterinarian direction — their excessive use will disrupt bone and cartilage growth and harm the growth plates. Many people use the food bag as a starting point to decide how much to feed their dogs. However, a label on commercial food is one of the easiest ways to overfeed your growing puppy. Feeding your puppy involves regularly evaluating and tracking their weight. You should be able to assess how close your pup is to their ideal weight just by looking at them. Silhouette from the side — a slight tuck. Pat the ribcage where the abdomen slightly lifts towards the hips. From above — Clear waist; should see an hourglass shape from rib cage to hips When you palpate — You should feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat without having to prod very hard. Puppies will vary in their body scores and may change rapidly within a few days. Pups often lose their abdominal tuck right after a meal. Puppies under 16 weeks old commonly have a pot-bellied appearance without much abdominal tuck. Thin dogs will show more visibility of ribs, waist, and pelvis without appearing emaciated or unhealthy. If your puppy eats well but fails to grow or gain sufficient weight, consult a medical professional. German Shepherds can be susceptible to rare cases of pituitary gland dwarfism or a deficiency of enzyme production from the pancreas. Volume The easiest way to determine how much food to give your Shepherd pup is to figure out how many cups they need in a day and divide it by the number of feedings. German Shepherds eat about four cups of food daily from 16 weeks of age to nine months or a year regardless of weight. The volume accounts for the relatively high caloric requirements of the young growing animal. German Shepherds over a year old may need as much as five to eight cups of dog food. Other references, however, use weight rather than age. Pups eat one cup of food daily per 15 to 20 pounds. Dogs over pounds receive five cups of kibble plus an additional half a cup for every extra 20 pounds. Like all models, more active dogs need to eat more food — make adjustments up or down based on body scoring. You can estimate the volume to feed your German Shepherd pup once you find the conversion rate. Dry dog food bags and wet food cans usually have the kilocalorie equivalence of each cup of the product. The number of calories you feed your Shepherd depends on how close to the adult weight they are. Once your puppy reaches six weeks old, you may still have to feed it a mash but can decrease meals to four per day. German Shepherd puppies between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks can eat three to four times daily, while most dogs over four months of age decrease to a frequency of two to three times daily. Centering a few potty breaks around meals that stimulate their intestinal tracts helps develop consistent habits. GDV Your German Shepherd puppy will begin to develop a deeper chest combined with significant size by four to six months of age. Both physical characteristics put your puppy at additional risk of gastric dilatation and volvulus compared to smaller breeds. Four months is the age at which most pups will see a significant increase in their meal sizes. Studies have linked large meals with GDV , or bloat, life-threatening distension, and rotation of the stomach. Increasing the number of feedings greatly reduces the incidence of GDV. We recommend at least two meals a day for your dog, even as your Shepherd approaches adulthood. How much to feed a German Shepherd puppy is part of a broader equation that includes avoiding overfeeding, calculating portion sizes, and scheduling appropriate mealtimes. However, a fat or pudgy puppy is not a look anyone should encourage. The puppy may appear to be in good shape, but you need to feel the ribs to be certain. Four Months You can really start to see the amount the pup has grown compared to the eight-week-old puppy! To get a better idea of what to expect with a young GSD, feel free to watch this video! It illustrates the rapid growth rate of the German Shepherd and touches on diets as well. Recommended reading. The best food for German Shepherd puppies in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to German Shepherd breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a German Shepherd puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. Before the four month mark, it is advised to include some dry food in their diet. You can do this in a few simple steps: Mix 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, 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 your German Shepherd puppy as they get older. With this rapid growth can come some risks. German Shepherds are susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia, that can start in puppyhood. They will be 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 between 12 and 24 months of age. This is because, being a larger breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. Remember that the more active the pup, the more food they require. While following feeding guidelines is important to avoid over and underfeeding, you can adjust the amounts of food you provide to your dog based on level of activity. If you are unsure, it is always best to ask your vet for guidance. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your German Shepherd puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. For puppies, this amount will often be two of three times higher, as they are more active and growing quickly. German Shepherd 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, German Shepherd puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. However, they can also be at risk of gastric dilatation or volvulus, or GDV. Certain dog breeds can be more susceptible to GDV; particularly deep chested breeds including German Shepherds. GDV can occur when a dog bloats a few hours after eating a meal. Though the exact causes of GDV are not known, grains and cereals are suspected to be contributors. The amount of food you give your German Shepherd is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult German Shepherds, between 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female German Shepherds, which tend to be about 8 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, and 1, per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your German Shepherd based on how calorically dense their food is. German Shepherds 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 who are at risk of GDV may benefit from exercise after eating, to aid with digestion. You should also try to give your German Shepherd a high quality food that is specially designed for larger or working 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. German Shepherds can be particularly susceptible to skin disease or allergies, including canine atopic dermatitis, bacterial skin infections, flea allergy dermatitis, forms of contact dermatitis, or scabies. If your dog develops a skin issue, it is often a sign that they may be suffering from a form of food sensitivity. If you are unsure about what you should feed your German Shepherd, you should always consult your vet as they will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any allergies or chronic health issues: creating a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for years to come. Part of figuring out what you should feed your German Shepherd includes deciding between wet, dry, or a raw food diet. Wet food for German Shepherds is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. A raw diet can be a good option for your German Shepherd 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 German Shepherd, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. The amount of food you feed your dog should be determined by their activity levels, age, weight, breed, and size. Any meals prepared for your dog need to contain the right balance of nutrients. You should also be extra careful not to introduce your dog to foods that are harmful to their health. While we might enjoy the taste of nuts, artificial sweeteners, alcohol and onions, these can be toxic for dogs and can cause serious illness and even death. German Shepherds in particular need plenty of exercise as they are a large working breed with a lot of energy. No matter how old your German Shepherd 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. Soft treats Hard treats like bones. At four months old, your GSD puppy has a full set of teeth and may have built a chewing obsession. He may be chewing anything and everything. When serving him chew bones , trim any fats or meat to avoid choking hazards. The chew bones help clean their teeth as they chew on the bone! Avoid feeding 4-month-old German Shepherds chocolate since it contains methylxanthines , which can be toxic to dogs if consumed in large amounts How to groom a 4-month-old German shepherd Grooming at 4 months is an important part of parenting. A German shepherd should be groomed on average every two to four weeks, more if they get muddy or swim often. The best way to start grooming your puppy with no hair yet is by rubbing them down with a towel. You should be gentle because they are a little sensitive at this age. In the next few months, your German shepherd puppy will be all grown, and the level of grooming required will change. If anything, they are awake for much longer A healthy 4-month-old German shepherd will sleep about 13 hours a day. This is less than many other breeds because they are usually awake and play for an hour or two before going to bed again. As he sleeps, you can cuddle, groom, or do light exercises to help them sleep comfortably. How tall do 4-month-old German shepherds get? They may be taller or shorter depending on their genes! They are generally very energetic and playful with their family. They can be a little shy at first, but as they get used to you they will become more loving. A 4-month-old German shepherd will need exercise every day. A good idea is to start your pup out with short walks and playtime, gradually adding more intense activity as he gets older. Also, every 4-month-old German Shepherd puppy needs a safe, enclosed space in which to play. If your backyard is well-enclosed, you can play with your puppy or let him run and explore without hurting himself or getting himself into mischief. Supplies to Buy for a 4-Month-Old German Shepherd Some of the supplies you should buy for your 4-month-old puppy include food, bowls for food and water, a bed, a crate, toys to chew on and play with, and grooming supplies such as a brush and comb. You will also need to buy puppy equipment such as strollers, leash and harness, collar, and harness. Check out these supplies that you can buy for your puppy:.

British Labs have a larger chest, thicker necks strongly marked forehead stops, and shorter legs than the American Labs. With a smaller head, longer nose, longer legs, and an athletically nimble physique, the American Labs are leaner. Labradors have a standard appearance with basic features that everyone is just aware of, but you may notice a slight difference in labradors and wonder why. That goes back to the slight differences between a British Labrador and an American Labrador. One of the three distinguishing characteristics of the breed is the head, which completes the picture of a classic Labrador. The head should be in proportion to the rest of the dog, never too large and overdone, nor too fine and snippy. The skull of a labrador would be small and thinner than a puppy. Because the muzzle has not fully formed, it is short and unnoticeable; by the time a puppy is months old, it will have evened out and seemed more normal. The head of a labrador puppy will continue to develop until it reaches skeletal maturity at 12 months of age, at which point it will cease growing along with the rest of its bones. The head is normally more oval than squared but develops into a more squared shape with age. So that the skull does not meet the nose exactly in the center, the brow should be prominent. The ears are typically short and extend horizontally to align with the nose. As an adult The skull should be broad and well-developed without becoming exaggerated. The head and face should be roughly identical in length and on parallel planes. There should be a modest stop—the brow should be somewhat prominent so that the skull does not meet the nose exactly in the middle. The skeletal structure of the skull should be chiseled behind the eye with no protrusion in the cheek; the head should be clean-cut and free of plump cheeks. The frontal bone is not visible in grown dogs, however, the skull may have a middle line. Lips should slope down in a curve toward the throat, not be squared off or slender. The jaws are strong and devoid of snippiness, and the muzzle is neither long nor short nor stubby. As a senior dog Senior Labradors have large, well-developed skulls, with the head and front of the face measuring the same length and lying on parallel planes. Their muzzles are neither long nor short, and they have prominent brows and a slightly squared, boxed facial shape. The head should be clean-cut and free of plump cheeks, with the skeletal structure of the skull chiseled behind the eye and no protrusion in the cheek. The frontal bone is not visible, however, there may be a midline in the skull. Lips should not be squared off or thin, but should instead slope down in a curve toward the mouth. The jaws are powerful and lack snippiness. The British Labs have a larger chest, thicker necks strongly marked forehead stops and shorter legs than the American Labs. With skulls likewise narrow, and their muzzles are longer legs, and an athletically nimble physique, the American Labs are leaner. The distinctions between the two Labs, however, go beyond physical traits. Breeders and breed groups agree that British Labs are calmer, quieter, gentler, and less energetic than American Labs, who are typically more active with stronger energy and drive. If you want to learn more about Labrador Types, check out my complete guide to Labrador colors here to decide which Labrador color you should get. How to tell if your labrador is purebred? You can tell if your dog is a purebred Lab by using one of three ways. A visual examination, a DNA test, and pedigree documents are the three options. A visual examination A visual examination is examining a dog and comparing his looks to the breed standard. A purebred Labrador Retriever should weigh 55 to 80 pounds, grow to .Labrador retrievers feature a short, thick coat, otter tail, wide head, and kind gaze. DNA test This service is provided by a number of laboratories. The sample you send in will be examined by the laboratory. The Embark Dog DNA test is easily the best one around right now, and you can check it on Amazon here or by clicking on the image below: Pedigree documents Your dog is most likely a pure Labrador if you have the proper pedigree documents. I say probably because this method allows for some dishonesty. A dishonest stud dog owner may mate his female dog to one stud dog and register the offspring with a different stud dog. Related Questions How thin should labradors be? How thin a labrador should be is determined based on the average weight of both the American and British lab; An adult female English Labrador may weigh between 55 and 70 pounds, while a male English Labrador may weigh between 70 and 80 pounds. A healthy mature male Lab will weigh 65 to 75 pounds. If you have a Golden, you can also check how skinny your golden retriever should be here. What are the types of labrador heads? The types of labrador heads are the blockhead of an English Labrador which is bigger, thicker, and blockier. And the narrower, with longer muzzle head, belongs to the American bred Labrador. The English Labrador Retrievers are bigger and heavier. Do labs have big heads? Some labradors have big heads if they belong to the English-bred labrador line; they would have a wider skull and a more squared, blocked head making their muzzles appear shorter than American labs. Do labs have pointed heads? Why do labradors have a bump on their head? Do English Labs have big heads? The head of the English Lab is bigger and heavier than that of the American-bred Lab. Helpful Resources. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. American labs have a lean, narrow face with a longer muzzle, while English labs have a blockhead shape, broader face, and stockier build. Labrador Retrievers have a more distinct head shape because of the occiput, which gives them a pointy tip on their heads. The occiput bone is more distinct, refined, and noticeable in male Labrador Retrievers than in females. But they are known for a unique head shape too. The Labrador Retriever has a standard narrow or blocky head shape. They also have a distinct occiput at the back of the head for protection because of their hunting nature. American labs are the hunting breed with a narrow head, and English labs are the show breed with a blockhead. This breed has a long history of success in competitions and becoming one of the most popular household dogs. The head shape is often overlooked, but we have gathered all the information in this guide to help owners better understand this breed. The Labrador retriever has a very distinct head shape compared to other dogs. Most dogs have a broad forehead, with the back of the head being much narrower and sloping downwards towards the neck. On the other hand, the Lab has a much flatter forehead that slopes upwards towards the back of their skull. All dogs have a bump on the back of the head, Labrador retrievers included. This bump is known as an occiput. However, this doesn't explain why the head shape of a lab is so unique. This also varies based on the lab breed, and it's nothing to be concerned about. The build of a lab simply makes the occiput more noticeable, and it's a feature to provide added head, skull, and brain protection. When reading the breed standard, there is a section that discusses the head shape and skull of labs. First, it mentions the skull of a lab should be wide, broad, and powerful but without being extreme. The skull and foreface are parallel, with a moderate length stop aligned with the brow ridges. The head shape is also clean-cut with a chiseled area beneath the eyes. Overly bulky facial features are unnatural in labs. This allows the Labrador retriever to have stronger jaws and bite force. The problem with these standards set by AKC is a lack of clarity for breeders. They often use words like broad and powerful, causing breeders to aim for blocky head shapes with their puppy litter. This has caused the lab head shape to evolve with more variety. There are now multiple head shapes worth mentioning, each of which follows these general guidelines by AKC. This includes a narrow head shape and a blockhead shape. The head shape depends on the type of Labrador Retriever. There are English labs and American labs, both serving a much different purpose. You can tell if a Labrador has this head shape if their ears rest high on their head, with the tops of their ears being level with the tops of their eyes. American labs typically have this standard head shape, including a slightly narrow face. These labs are leaner in the facial area with a longer muzzle. This head shape will have a broad forehead and a narrowing towards the back of the head. The Labrador retriever with this head shape will have a darker color on the top of the head and around the ears. The darker coloring helps to create a shadowed and rounded look. A Labrador with this head shape may also have a longer and flatter skull. This is because the English lab is the most common lab used in competitions and shows, and the blocky head shape has seen the most success. It gives the lab a more refined look with bigger physical standards. The Labrador with this head shape may have a shorter and wider skull. The Labrador retriever with this head shape will have a lighter color on its forehead, cheeks, and around the ears. The Labrador with this head shape will have a shorter build with a thicker and longer coat too. One other feature many block head labs have is an otter tail. All lab colors can be bred with this head shape, including black, chocolate, and yellow labs. Labrador retrievers definitely have a unique and interesting head shape. While it is true that all Labrador retrievers have the same general head shape, each dog does have a unique variation. As mentioned, there are American Labs and English Labs with different head shapes. Of course, each dog's shape will not be the same. But the general features will all remain the same. The Labrador Retriever has a longer and narrower head shape, while the Labrador retriever Labrador has a shorter and wider head shape. Many people believe that the color of a Labrador Retriever has an impact on the head shape. However, this is not true. The color is based on specific genotypes of the parents used to breed the litter of puppies. Instead, the type of lab it is matters when analyzing facial features like head shape. English labs and American labs will look slightly different because of the varied head shape. But both of these labs are available in all colors, including yellow, black, and chocolate brown. All dogs have had something called an occiput for protection. It helps the brain and skull and provides a strong layer in the head area. But many people notice the occiput is much more distinct and noticeable in labs. This is especially true for American Labs because they have a narrower head, and the bone creates a pointy look at the top of the head. This area is also one of the most sensitive areas to pet a lab. It feels like a massage, and they love consistent attention around the crest of the occiput. This feature is more defined in male dogs too. Anybody noticing a pointy head in their Labrador Retriever should have no concerns. Although all dogs have one of these bumps, it is particularly noticeable on Labradors. Why do Labradors have a bump on their head? Quick Navigation Why does the occiput exist? Scientists and veterinarians have argued about the purpose of the occiput for quite some time. The main protective measure provided by the occiput is that it makes it harder for the jaws of a predator or rival dog to damage or crush the skull. Nature can be cruel and vicious, and animals trying to survive in the wild need every single protective measure they can get. This apparently includes the crush resistance provided by the occiput, as the process of evolution has given each and every dog on the planet one of these protruding skull bones. Can the occiput be too big? While an exceptionally prominent occiput might indicate your Labrador is better equipped for life in the wild than other dogs with smaller head bumps, it could also be indicative of a serious health problem. Your pup could be suffering from a medical condition called masticatory myositis , which occurs when the immune system attacks the muscle fibers in the jaw. A more prominent occiput is indicative of this disease because dogs with masticatory myositis experience a loss of muscle mass all around the head area. Most dogs diagnosed with this will need to take prednisone for 4 to 6 months, and the feeding of liquid food is usually necessary during this time. Your dog will also be extremely uncomfortable, as opening the jaw to do anything eating, barking, licking, etc. The history of the occiput Before science figured out the occiput developed to protect the skull, many people thought a large occiput meant their dog was exceptionally smart or wise. Its prominence in the hound also led some people to believe a larger occiput meant a dog would have a better sense of sell. Although stories like this are cute, I want to make something clear: there is absolutely no evidence that a larger occiput has anything to do with being smarter or having a better sense of smell. The fact that these particular breeds have larger bumps on their heads appears to be purely coincidental. How massaging the occiput can calm your dog Although the occiput exists for protection, it also has several key nerve endings, some of which deal with the fight or flight response that is all too present in Labradors and other dogs. Thanks to the ingenuity of humans, the existence of these nerve endings have given the occiput a new purpose: therapeutic massages If you have a Labrador that is particularly anxious, rambunctious, or aggressive, a focused massage around the base of the occiput might help them calm down when they get too worked up. It should be easily visible near the back of their head. Using your forefingers and thumbs, place some gentle pressure at the base of the bump. Slowly work your way around the occiput to the other side. When your fingers meet, work your way back down. Repeat for as long as you feel like massaging your dog. You can also add in some ear scratches and neck massages if you really want to relax them. The occiput is also a common spot for dog acupuncturists to target. Here are a few more body parts and processes that might make you scratch your head and think deeply about why evolution left your dog with these features. Reverse sneezing If you dog has ever started snorting uncontrollably, they were doing something called reverse sneezing. This is usually mild and not at all a cause for concern, but frequent episodes might warrant a vet visit. Lenticular sclerosis That bluish, hazy look typically seen in the eyes of older dogs is a phenomenon called lenticular sclerosis. It occurs when the fibers in the eye lens become thick and stiff over time. Elbow calluses Some dogs have an odd patch of rough skin on their elbow. These typically form when your dog consistently lays on hard floors. Sleep running One of the funniest things your Labrador can do is run in its sleep. Sleep running occurs because of something called R. Especially when a couple of UK breeders seemed to think that bringing in US dogs was the way to get longer legs. Isn't it crazy this whole breeding thing anyway? Honestly, you talk to 10 different breeders, you get 10 very different idea of what the 'correct' dog is! Actually, I don't mind drool at all unless it's on a dog with a beard. I looked at Spinoni Spinonis? But my first Rottie had enormous flews and when he shook his head, the drool would literally hit all four walls and the ceiling. When I repainted my whole house five years after he passed, I was still finding places where he'd left his mark and I was sad to be covering it over. View attachment Click to expand.A majority of the big winning CH show dogs have short, stubby legs. There are some dogs with moderate conformation in the show pool as well. I have to think they are importing these dogs? At any rate it's good if a breeder is trying to lengthen the legs a bit. I know labs are supposed to have a built, stocky look but I can't see those two Westminster dogs moving very well through a field or getting hauled up into a small duck boat. Teller weighs 80 lbs the upper-end of the weight spectrum for males and he has much less substance than these dogs; it would be a pain to drag him into a duck boat but those dogs look like they weigh much more, someone would have a sore shoulder after an afternoon hunting. Don't get me started on beards! Oh my.I have a year-old Shih Tzu in addition to Teller and her beard is foul. She's constantly getting it matted and caked with food and is at an age where she doesn't like to be groomed or fussed over. I couldn't even imagine a beard on a dog Teller's size or larger. What if they have a fascination with eating poo? It goes in the beard. They find something lovely and dead on a walk to munch on? In the beard! I'd have nightmares about where that thing had been every time one put his wet beard on my knee. Teller sometimes drools when he's on a particularly intriguing trail then he shakes his head and flicks a rope of it across his muzzle. Other than that he does not drool. Well, except that time he licked a toad. Thankfully one lick was enough to prevent him from picking it up in his mouth; I just washed his mouth out thoroughly and monitored him for the rest of the night. But toads are always scary because they're almost all poisonous. English Labs are also known as conformation Labs, show Labs, and bench Labs. They are bred to meet the physical ideal described in the Labrador breed standard. The best examples even compete in conformation competitions like the Westminster Dog Show or Crufts. Blockhead Or Box Head Lab? Both terms describe a distinctive physical feature of Labradors from English breeding lines. Anyone who knows their Labs will grasp your meaning from either. But, block head is the more commonly used term. The Labrador breed is broadly divided into two different types. But several different names are used interchangeably to describe each type. Which can make matters confusing to the uninitiated. They tend to be slim and relatively lightly built. Their heads are also a relatively streamlined interpretation of the description given in the Labrador breed standard. On the other hand, English Labradors are bred to match the physical description in the breed standard as closely as possible. This has resulted in several notable physical differences with the American variety, including broader heads. So conformation-type English Labs have block heads, and working type American Labs usually do not. Besides having broad skulls, they also tend to have slightly shorter muzzles than working dogs, and a more pronounced stop the angle where the muzzle meets the forehead. Their coat is often a little longer and thicker. They are more likely to still have an otter tail, which starts off thick at the root and tapers towards the tip. But besides a blockhead English black Lab you can also get a blockhead chocolate Lab, and a blockhead yellow Lab. How heavy can a blockhead lab be? A typical female Labrador weighs between 55 and 70lbs, whilst most male Labradors weigh between 65 and 80lbs. English Labradors tend to be an inch or two shorter than American Labradors as well, so that the way they carry their weight makes them look more heavily built. As in any population, some individuals may be natural outliers. Or in other words be heavier than 80lbs. Puppies from big parents are more likely to grow up to be big themselves. The differences between the two types of Lab exist due to generations of breeders making breeding choices based on slightly different priorities. English Lab breeders look for sires and dams with perfect looks and conformation show titles to continue their breeding lines. American Lab breeders look for dogs with lots of field trial champions in their pedigree. Because they prioritise working success over perfect resemblance to the breed standard, American Lab appearance has gradually diverged from English Lab appearance over time. One such change is a shift towards more slimline faces with longer, more slender muzzles and a less prominent brow. But both types are still instantly recognizable and equally acceptable as pedigree Labs! English Blockhead Lab Temperament Obviously there is more to a box head Labrador than just their head shape! English Labs are often said to be more calm and placid than American Labs. Successful show quality English Labs also need to be rather good at sitting around and waiting patiently for the next thing to happen. And they need to be unfazed by lights, noise, handling and large crowds of people and dogs. However, the differences between English and American Labs are also, to an extent, just generalizations. Both types belong to the same active, energetic breed, and English Labs should still be capable, competent working dogs. So a blockhead Labrador Retriever can still be bouncy, high-spirited, tireless, and need several hours of exercise a day to wear out! Labradors of both types should be friendly, devoted, and people-focused. Some people are drawn to a blockhead Lab vs regular American Lab because they think they are more impressive to look at. Whilst other people have heard that an English blockhead chocolate Lab will be calmer and more chilled out than a chocolate Lab from working lines, and like the idea of the dog who requires less effort to look after. English Labradors still need at least two hours of exercise a day, and lots of interaction and mental stimulation. They are best suited to households which have plenty of time for walking, training, and playing games. Adult blockhead Labs are usually described as being patient and affectionate with children, but they can be boisterous and bitey as puppies. All types of Labrador are playful, especially as puppies, so if you have enthusiastic teenagers it can really help with sharing the task of occupying them. The pedigree for each parent may also show several conformation champions. Show champions are identified by the prefix CH before their registered name. The prefix GCH means grand champion! Beware of breeders who specifically advertise block head Labs for sale rather than English or conformation Labs. This reveals a lack of understanding and knowledge about the breed. It also suggests a preoccupation with breeding exaggerated big head Labrador dogs. In fact, the Labrador breed standard specifically penalizes dogs with overly large heads. A wedge-shape head… is incorrect, as are massive, cheeky heads. For example, a naive or unscrupulous breeder who wants to produce puppies with very boxy heads may choose sires and dams based purely on the shape of their head. They might even forego health testing, or ignore poor health test results. They might also choose dogs with poor temperaments. Their puppies might end up looking the way they want, but they could end up with heart breaking or expensive health problems. Or behavioral problems which are difficult to overcome. Block Head Lab Block head Lab is a description applied to Labradors from conformation or show type breeding lines. Block head Labs have broader heads than dogs from working lines, with a shorter muzzle and more pronounced brow bone. Overall, their entire body is broader and stockier too. Walk away from breeders who compromise these things to achieve a particular look instead. Find Out More. Broader, blockier, and more substantial, with a wider skull and more pronounced jaw muscles Female Narrower, more refined, and slightly more delicate, with a less pronounced stop and slimmer muzzle While these differences are not always immediately apparent, they are often more noticeable when comparing dogs of the same age and size. With its broad and wide structure, smooth and slightly domed top, moderate occiput, wide zygomatic arches, and strong, square muzzle, the ideal Labrador Retriever skull supports efficient retrieving and proper bite alignment, promoting overall health and well-being. Smooth and slightly domed: The top of the head should have a gentle curve, without any pronounced ridges or bumps. Moderate occiput: The bony protrusion at the back of the skull, called the occiput, should be noticeable but not overly pronounced. Strong, square muzzle: The muzzle should be wide, deep, and squared-off, with a well-defined stop where it meets the forehead. Proper alignment is crucial for the following reasons: Effective retrieving: A strong, well-aligned bite ensures that Labradors can efficiently carry the game without causing damage. Environmental factors: The conditions in which a puppy grows up can impact its physical development, including its head shape. Diet and nutrition: A balanced diet is essential for proper growth, including the development of the head and skull. As a retriever breed, Labradors were initially bred for hunting and retrieving games. Wide, broad skull: Provides ample room for the brain, enhancing intelligence and good temperament. Powerful jaw: Allows for a strong bite, crucial for carrying the game and performing tasks that require strength. Health Implications of Head Shape in Labrador Retrievers A well-proportioned head shape in Labrador Retrievers is vital for maintaining their overall health. Some health implications related to head shape include: Dental health: A proper head shape ensures correct bite alignment, reducing the risk of dental issues such as overcrowding, misaligned teeth, and periodontal disease. Breathing: A well-shaped head and muzzle facilitate proper airflow, preventing breathing difficulties that can result from an overly narrow or deformed muzzle. Eye health: A correctly shaped skull supports proper eye positioning, reducing the risk of eye-related issues such as entropion or ectropion. Conformation for Breeding and Showing In addition to its impact on functionality and health, head shape plays a significant role in the conformation of Labrador Retrievers for breeding and showing. The American Kennel Club AKC and other breed organizations have established breed standards, which include specific guidelines for head shape. Some of these guidelines include: A clean-cut and powerful head without fleshy cheeks or exaggerated features. A wide skull with a smooth, slightly domed top. A strong, square muzzle with a well-defined stop where it meets the forehead. Proper head shape is a crucial aspect of the breed standard, and responsible breeders and dog show enthusiasts should prioritize it when selecting and breeding dogs. Maintaining a Proper Head Shape To ensure your Labrador Retriever maintains a proper head shape: Provide a balanced diet and nutrition to support healthy growth. Ensure regular exercise to promote overall well-being. Monitor your dog for health conditions that may affect the head shape.

Lifelong Customer Support Expert advice will be a phone call away. Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. As English Bulldog Breeders, how do you breed for a healthier Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other bulldog breeders from improving the health of their Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes them unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities and produce high quality English Bulldogs for sale. I have been looking for English Bulldog Puppies for sale near me. Where are you located? We are located in the Northeast corner of Indiana. We just happen to be about 2. We are also about a 30 minute drive from the Michigan and Ohio state lines. Other major cities within 2. If you are looking for an English Bulldog puppy near you and happen to be in one of these areas we are certainly within close proximity. What if I am not located locally? Do you offer delivery services? A large portion of our adopters are located on the East Coast and Southern states. While many do make the drive to pickup, we also offer a delivery service to those with extremely busy schedules or limited ability to travel. We also utilize our own flight nanny for our West Coast adopters looking to have their puppy hand delivered. Whether through pickup or through delivery service, we try to be the type of bulldog breeder that is ethical and responsible to both our bulldogs and adopters. Things to do with your English Bulldog Oklahoma is a great place to live with an English bulldog. The state has a diverse landscape, plenty of outdoor activities, and dog-friendly businesses. Hike the Trails Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. There are many hiking trails in Oklahoma that are perfect for English bulldogs. Be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for your dog, and take breaks often. Visit a Campground Camping is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many campgrounds in Oklahoma that allow dogs. Be sure to bring a tent, sleeping bags, food, water, and other supplies. There are many places to fish in Oklahoma, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to get a fishing license and follow all the rules and regulations. Go Boating Boating is another great way to enjoy the outdoors with your English bulldog. There are many places to boat in Oklahoma, both on rivers and lakes. Be sure to bring a life jacket for your dog and follow all the safety rules. There are many places to swim in Oklahoma, both in fresh water and salt water. Be sure to supervise your dog at all times and follow all the safety rules. Visit a Dog Park Dog parks are a great place for English bulldogs to run and play off-leash. There are many dog parks in Oklahoma, both in urban and rural areas. Visit Pet-Friendly Businesses Oklahoma has a number of pet-friendly businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and stores. These are just a few of the many things you can do with your English bulldog in Oklahoma. With its stunning scenery, endless activities, and friendly people, Oklahoma is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your furry friend. How do you breed for a healthier English Bulldog? Like all things in life, breeding for health is simply a matter of priority. We are blind to many of the breed priorities that distract other breeders from improving the health of the English Bulldog. We focus on health and personality and very little else. We are not interested in winning a blue ribbon in the show ring. Rather, we test for things like elongated soft palates, narrow tracheas, stenotic nares, luxation in the patellar tendons, heart defects, cherry eye, optic cilia, entropion, ect. We focus and prioritize creating healthy bloodlines, therefore our bulldogs are typically much healthier than the breed as a whole. After breeding for health, what other priorities are you focused on? Our true desire is to create the perfect family bulldog. We also believe a bulldog bred for the correct personality is essential to the family unit as well. A Bruiser Bulldog is bred for intelligence and playfulness. We want our bulldogs to be full of personality and some quirk. We believe a full personality along with a little stubbornness is the true North star of the bulldog breed and is what makes the unique among other breeds. We look for these personality traits in our adult bulldogs and continue to create bloodlines that reflect these qualities. What are the steps of your adoption process if I am located in Oklahoma? Check out our available English Bulldog Puppies page. At times, we have available puppies but almost always have a waiting list as well. A quick look at our available puppies is the starting point to begin the process. Send us an email or give us call .If approved to adopt one of our puppies you are welcome to place a deposit to hold until your puppy is ready to go home. Greetings from the Wysongs! Northern Indiana based, Bruiser Bulldogs offers purebred English Bulldog Puppies for sale to loving adopters seeking to find a higher quality English Bulldog. As English Bulldog breeders , Mitch and Erica Wysong have dedicated themselves to a lifelong journey of changing the culture and societal pressures of poor breeding practices within the English Bulldog Community. Mitch and Erica believe in producing a healthy English Bulldog puppy first and foremost. Through years of research and development, Bruiser Bulldogs is leading a new movement away from the overdone, wrinkled bulldog that has been long plagued by health problems. By embracing a healthier, more athletic look they are able to ensure that each and every English Bulldog Puppy for sale by Bruiser Bulldogs is supported by a platform of health tested, clean genetics. Upon adoption, each family that takes on the responsibility of a Bruiser Bulldog enters into an active and vibrant communal family of bulldog owners. Mitch and Erica believe it is their responsibility to provide emotional and mental support for the lifetime of each and every English Bulldog puppy they produce. To ensure the success of every adoption, Bruiser Bulldogs will always be committed to helping Bruiser Bulldog adopters care for their English Bulldogs to the best of their ability. I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. We are here to help! How much do Bulldog puppies cost? The beauty of looking for a Florida Bulldog on our network is having a lot of options! Not only will you have a better chance of finding the exact puppy you want but also at the price is within your budget. What if there are no Bulldog breeders near me? Our network of English Bulldog breeders in Florida is growing by the day so we are confident that you will meet someone with your dream puppy. We can help you search across the Lower 48 states then your chosen breeder can arrange to have you pick up your new puppy at a major airport in Florida. What is the vetting process for Bulldog breeders? All the breeders and businesses on our network went through a strict screening process where we took a close look at their experiences, knowledge in breeding, practices, and facilities. Why is Florida Puppies different from other networks with Bulldog puppies? Many websites are not careful about who they work with making it easy for puppy mills to take advantage of people who are looking for an English Bulldog puppy Florida. Florida Puppies was designed to prevent this from happening. All the Bulldog breeders Florida that you meet here are ethical businesses who take good care of their puppies until the day you take them home. What is a puppy mill like? In puppy mills, dogs are forced to breed their entire lives. Puppies from these places often run a higher risk of developing genetic health issues because their parents are poorly matched. When looking for an English Bulldog puppy for sale Florida, avoid puppy mills with cheap offers at all costs! Are there any Bulldog puppies for sale in Florida right now? What kind of dog is a Bulldog? English Bulldogs were first bred in the s to fight in a horrendous sport called bull-baiting. When the violent sport was banned, these fearless dogs switched careers to driving cattle and their aggressive tendencies were eventually bred out. Today, Bulldogs are pampered pooches who love to lounge all day. There are two knowns lines of this breed -- English and American -- and there is some difference between the two in terms of build. Our network can help you find English or American bulldog puppies Florida. How big does a Bulldog get? What is Bulldog temperament like? Bulldogs are classified as medium-sized and can reach a weight of pounds. They have a stocky build, low bodies, heavy chests, and hefty limbs. Bulldogs are typically low energy but they need daily exercise to stay healthy. They are sweet in nature and are quite friendly. And though these dogs are very brave, they no longer carry the aggression that their ancestors used to possess. Are Bulldogs good for apartments? How does Florida Puppies work? When you search our network for a Bulldog for sale in Florida, we will introduce you to a list of breeders in your city or state who are likely to have puppies ready for rehoming. When you find the Bulldog puppy that you like, contact the breeder, work out the details or pay them a visit! Bulldog's Available! Why adopt WB English Bulldogs? Travel Nanny Services Optional As experienced and reputable breeders; at WB English Bulldogs, we understand that the transportation of your English Bulldog puppy is one of the most important things. British Bulldogs Breeder in Dallas since We at WB English bulldogs take into consideration that all puppies we place in new homes must have excellent conformation, good health and amazing temperament. Microchip ID Optional We offer a more secure form of identification for your pet that is safer and extremely more effective than common pet tags. Our happy customers who chose our in cabin nanny services! English Bulldogs stand out for their unique appearance combined with a heart of gold. Their wrinkled face, stout stature, and gentle eyes are not just adorable but also exude their loving nature. How big do English Bulldogs get when they grow up? English Bulldogs, though compact, have a sturdy and muscular build. Males typically weigh between lbs, while females usually range from lbs when fully mature. Their size makes them suitable for both apartment living and homes with yards. Are English Bulldogs good with children and other pets? English Bulldogs are renowned for their gentle, patient nature, especially with children. They often become protective of younger family members and coexist harmoniously with other pets. How often do English Bulldogs need exercise? A daily walk of about minutes helps maintain their health, manage their weight, and keeps them mentally stimulated. Play sessions in a fenced yard or indoors are also appreciated! Are English Bulldogs easy to train? English Bulldogs have an inherent eagerness to please their owners, making training a rewarding experience for both parties. With consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement techniques, they can learn commands, tricks, and good behaviors, enhancing your bond with them. English Bulldogs and British Bulldogs are the same? The breed is commonly known as the Bulldog. How to buy an English Bulldog puppie? Browse Our Selection: Explore our website to view available puppies. Need More Information? Our team is here to provide all the information you need to make an informed decision. Prepare for Your Puppy: Once your purchase is complete, ensure you have all the essentials ready at home for your new furry friend, from food to a cozy sleeping area. Feel free to reach out if you have questions about care, feeding, or health concerns. Thank you for choosing WB English Bulldogs. Do you ship to other cities in the USA or to other parts of the world? Yes, WB English bulldogs offers shipping services for their English bulldog puppies to any major city within the United States. They ensure that transportation considerations, including breed conformation and temperatures, are taken into account before arranging the transportation of the puppy. So, distance is not a barrier for those looking to get their dream puppy from WB English bulldogs. If there are any further questions or concerns about shipping methods or in-person pickups, the breeder encourages prospective customers to reach out to them directly via their provided phone number. English Bulldogs are medium-sized, robust, and muscular dogs. Adult male English Bulldogs typically weigh between pounds kg , while adult females usually weigh around pounds kg. In terms of height, English Bulldogs generally stand about inches cm tall at the shoulder. Regular check-ups and a balanced diet can help ensure that an English Bulldog grows to its optimal size and maintains a healthy weight. English Bulldogs are sturdy and muscular canines. Typically, adult male English Bulldogs weigh between pounds kg , while adult females tend to weigh around pounds kg. However, individual weights can vary based on factors like genetics, diet, and health. Our Blog.

The thing that makes Goldendoodles so incredibly popular as pets — especially with families that have children — is their outgoing personalities and the fact that they have a real zest for life. Vibrant, social dogs, Goldies do tend to be high-energy and boisterous pups right through their lives, which many owners love about them. You need to be prepared for this before deciding to take one of these darling dogs on. Sure, when Goldendoodles are puppies, they may run you ragged with their cheeky, mischievous behavior. After all, all dogs struggle to control their excitement when they are young. Yet, also like other dogs, Goldendoodles, too, do mellow as they age into adults. As they move from the neonatal period to the transition period to the socialization period, they will not only learn vital motor skills and start to play, but they will also begin to develop relationships with the other dogs and people around them. See Also: Click the image This stage is crucial to how your pup continues to relate to other animals and people as they grow. A top-quality breeding facility will ensure their puppies get plenty of handling and exposure to new stimulation. They will also make sure that all time spent around people is very positive for your pup. These early experiences shape how your dog will continue interacting with people throughout their lives. When you finally bring your Goldie home, they will be slap bang in the middle of the first fear stage. This often lasts from 8 weeks up until 10 weeks. Although dogs are very sensitive to new experiences, especially negative ones, during this brief period, a lot of love, delicious treats, and avoiding activities that seem to spook your pet can help them successfully navigate it. The remaining 2 weeks of these vital first 3 months are the best time to get going with their early training. This is when you are going to lock in toilet training and teach your puppy how to behave around the house. Still, they will be well on their way with the basic and most important aspects of training — the actions that will set them up for life. Depending on their Doodle type Standard, Mini, Medium… , they could be anywhere from half to most of the way to their adult size. Yet you will need to remember that they are still very much a puppy in their thinking and how they respond to things. At this time, it will still be all too common for them to become so frantic and over-excited that their good manners and their training go right out the window. See Also: Click the image You may also start to see an increase in undesirable behaviors such as chewing as their teething really ramps up. Keep this in check by providing appropriate chew toys for them to chow down on. This can help save both your belongings and your poor fingers — ouch! Make sure also that during play, you are very consistent in what you are letting your hound get away with. Mouthing behaviors are only natural, but let your dog know when they go too far with loud pain noises. Withdraw from the play altogether when they push things too far. Remember that it is far easy to train proper behavior from the beginning than correct it later in life. Your dog may try to assert their dominance over you at this time. Like teens, adolescent dogs are all about finding their place in the world. This is when that early training is really going to come into play, as you will be able to redirect their negative behavior and reconfirm the boundaries that they are already more than well aware of. Remain vigilant, though, as part of the testing of what they can get away with involves beginning to think about escape. Make thorough use of toys and games throughout this period. See Also: Click the image Adulthood Just when it feels like you have hit the end of your tether for one bouncy pup all about the place, your Goldendoodle will enter adulthood somewhere around months and start to calm down. While some days it may still feel like your cute canine has ingested an entire pot of coffee or turned into a Mexican jumping bean, especially in the first few years of their adult lives, in actuality, they will have much more control of their own behavior now. They should hit their golden years somewhere between 8 and 12 years of age, depending on their size. With that infamous Goldendoodle vivacity, this is especially vital for these pups. A garden is great for bigger dogs as they can happily chase a Kong Toy or something similar about the place, effectively keeping themselves out of trouble. Alternately you could send the kids out with them, and they could all wear each other out, resulting in a lovely peaceful evening for you. If this is not an option, games of fetch in a well-secured dog park can do the trick just as well. A dog-walker can also help take some of the strain of exercising a particularly lively Dood. Mental Stimulation Boredom can be the absolute enemy of calm, especially when something noteworthy does happen, such as the arrival of a visitor or a trip around the block. If your pup is frequently left alone for long hours, you will find that they are extra-especially lively when they finally get their family back home with them and have something to do again and someone to do it with. Again, this is where canine toys can save you a lot of hassle. These days there is an excellent variety of them with some seriously cool features. The thing about Doodles is those Poodle smarts of theirs make them particularly susceptible to boredom. Puzzle toys offer intellectual challenges whereby your pup has to figure out how to get to a tasty treat, for example. This can easily keep them entertained for hours at a time. The result is a much calmer, happier dog who may not even notice when someone does ring the doorbell. See Also: Click the image Training Training and socialization are also both so, SO necessary for helping your Dood manage their own behavior. Socialization gets your pooch accustomed to meeting new people, being in unfamiliar places, and dealing with different dogs and other animals. Training puts specific commands at your fingertips which can be employed when your pup is getting a little too over the top. Positive reinforcement is a good strategy, but be sure you are only reinforcing the behaviors you want to see continued. If you make a fuss of your fur baby when they are running around or jumping up, if you act as delighted to see them as they are to see you, then you are telling them with your actions that this is the right thing to do. Make a real effort to only pay attention to your pooch only once they have calmed themselves down. New Activities If you have the time, then helping your dog learn new tricks and skills can go a long way to keeping them both physically and mentally happy. Canine sports were practically invented for these offspring of working dogs. They excel at so many of them and will thoroughly enjoy participating. These kinds of activities also serve to reinforce and extend their basic training giving you even more commands you can use for behavior control. Goldendoodles are also big fans of the great outdoors in all its forms. Goldies, being the descendants of two water-loving breeds, will also likely love the chance to swim and hang about in streams, lakes, rivers, and the ocean. Too much of certain kinds of foods could heighten energy to unmanageable levels. Also, take care with the amount that you are feeding your dog each day. Likewise, snacks can cause issues here. A surprising number of calories can be found in even the tiniest treats. If you are using these for training, you may consider switching them out for a clicker or praise-based methods. If your food-focused friend is clearly never going to go for that, a surprising alternative is frozen vegetable treats. These seem to go down very well with most Doodles, according to their owners. A commonly held belief with canines is that getting them fixed can help them to be calmer, and there is some truth in this. Your puppy will likely be every bit as rowdy, but your older dog will be less of a puppet to their hormones. Goldendoodle puppies, like all other puppies, are feisty, fast, playful little things. This lasts a lot longer than you might think, given how quickly they grow to their adult size. Somewhere between 12 and 18 months of age, your dog will mature, and this will be when you will see them having a little more control. Although, they will likely be every bit as energetic as they ever were. This can be tempered somewhat through exercise and play. Is it normal for a Goldendoodle to be energetic? High-energy levels are a feature of the Goldendoodle breed and a trait that they inherit from their intelligent, working-dog parents. In this respect, it is perfectly normal for your Goldie to enjoy plenty of walks and fun. How often should I walk my Goldendoodle puppy? Daily walks are a necessity for every dog, although some breeds require a longer time outdoors than others. Goldendoodles have quite high exercise needs compared to some of the smaller, more sedate Doods. Although this will need to be tailored to their age, a good rule of thumb is to exercise them for five minutes per month of their age — twice a day. So, with a 4-month puppy, two minute walks a day would be sufficient to keep them happy and healthy. Although energy levels of these fine canines vary depending on age, life stage, and individual differences, they do tend to be at the higher end of the spectrum. For this reason, they do best in high-energy family homes or with people willing to take them on plenty of long hikes and with both a garden and the time to play with them. If you think that you can offer a Goldie that kind of life, then you will, no doubt, end up adoring your newest family member almost but not quite as much as they will adore you. When Do Goldendoodles Calm Down? These cute pups are known for their energy and excitable nature, this is a perfect addition to your family, but you need to know how to manage the excitable moods. Like most breeds of puppies, as they age, they will become calmer. Most Goldendoodles will start to calm around months of age. People can sometimes feel confused as puppy teeth are lost at months, but you can still expect excitable behavior for months after this. When doodles are less than a year old, they generally have surplus energy, leading to intense periods of play and longer naps. So, if your doodle is larger, their puppy behavior can be harder to deal with as they have more strength; this can be difficult for an owner. Three Stages Of Aging There is a general three-stage experience that most Goldendoodles progress through. This will occur in most Goldendoodles but can vary. Do note that if your Goldendoodle is quiet and tired, this could signal something is wrong; always consult a professional opinion if this is the case. Puppy stage expect constantly high energy Adult stage still high energy, but gradually lessening Senior stage more restful These dogs tend to spend most of their lives in the second adult phase, but the most energetic stage is the first one. If you are looking for what size crate to get for your goldendoodle, click HERE Tips And Tricks Even though crazy energy is expected from your pup, you may want to find some resources or games that can help manage this behavior. Over excitement is expected from Goldendoodles, so these tips will not get rid of it. These are great ways to stop the energy from becoming undesirable behavior, though. In the early stage puppyhood , diversion and prevention are the best ways to minimize overexcitement. Most dog breeds need a healthy walk or play daily to tire themselves out; in this case, Goldendoodles have so much energy that this is one of the most important aspects of caring for one. If your doodle is overactive, it can help to take an hour of walk time daily to burn some of that energy. However, you may see an energy spike from just one missed session. A bonus tip for a good walk is to go somewhere where they can run around off-leash; this is great for an energy-filled doodle. Getting your dog active is the first step to take if you want to manage their behavior. Toys Can Be Helpful Playing fetch with sticks is a classic game and can help with overactive doodles, but consider investing in some specialized toys. If doodles are bored, they can become excited when something unusual happens, resulting in a crazy episode. Mental stimulation through toys can result in fewer overreactions and seemingly calmer behavior. Even a simple chew toy can help relieve stress, helping to reduce barking and overstressed out behaviors. Indoor dog games and toys are great, allowing doodles to play without the hassle of scheduling outside time. Good toys are rubber chew toys, tennis balls, stuffed animals, flavored toys, ropes, treat dispensers, puzzles, and squeaky toys. Note that squeaky toys are a favorite — so if you buy one, you will be putting up with additional noise! Scent Training Scent training or nose work is a simple pastime for Goldendoodles and can wear them out mentally and physically. This is also a great indoor activity. Inability to focus and lack of concentration are standard crazy doodle behavior. Scent training can be done at home to engage their attention and promote calmness. Good hides for Goldendoodles are boiled chicken, dried liver snacks, or even grated cheese; see what your dog reacts best with. Once your dog has found the hide, reward them with an extra set of treats. As you play, progressively make each hide more challenging to engage them. This could be done by placing hides in a plastic container that makes an interesting noise, getting your dog to reach into boxes with their nose, or reducing the number of hides but putting out extra boxes to search through. The increase in difficulty will help boost self-assuredness; while doodles often have self-confidence, this is still an excellent exercise for them. Sniffing is mentally and physically tiring for a Goldendoodle, which can help use up their crazy energy. However, it can help assess how you and your family react to their bouts of energy. This can reinforce the behavior, and the cycle repeats. Some even suggest practicing bringing the energy level down during playtimes. Try playing for a couple of minutes and then being calm for one. This shows your doodle the difference between play and calm and can help them get used to both. We can all be so busy with work and our lives, so scheduling in walkies can be difficult. Dog walkers are easy to find these days; thanks to the internet, try some helpful dog-walking apps, such as Rover, to connect with trusted walkers. This can take some of the pressure off of you and can keep your doodle active. A bonus to getting some help with walking is that if your doodle is extra active, you also have extra energy to play with them if someone has helped you walk them! Remember To Be Calm Sometimes if we are stressed, dogs can sense this and become anxious too. This can then lead to over-excitement, and undesirable behavior, which in turn stresses us again, and the cycle keeps escalating. Calm yourself and then calm your dog; practice just relaxing sitting around your dog. This is a great way to teach them patience and to help you not react to their energy. When your doodle sits calmly, remember to praise them for being good. Practicing a sit command is always a good way to train your dog; it helps create patience and be easy going about things that excite them. Overactive Behavior When A Goldendoodle Is Older Once the puppy stage is over, a reduction in energy levels and manic behavior is expected. Goldendoodles are fun and excitable for life! Excessive Barking Sometimes learned behaviors from puppyhood will continue later on in their lives, for example, problem chewing or excessive barking. This needs to be dealt with earlier to nip them in the bud. There are strategies and training to curb this problem, and it can be linked to learned puppy behaviors. Strategies include playing tricks and babying the doodle; you may also have to block out windows to stop excessive barking. If this action becomes painful, biting, or continues after 12 months of age, it can be time to seek advice from a professional or start at-home training. Play biting should stop significantly when the puppy teeth have been replaced; this should be at approx 8 months of age. However, the general rule of thumb is that by 3 years of age, they should not be hyper or crazy anymore. The key to addressing crazy doodles is to redirect the problem behaviors and to use positive reinforcement. Tackle each problem e. Key activities to help Goldendoodles are: Exercise daily; make sure to tire them out. Conclusions for when Goldendoodles calm down At what age do Goldendoodles calm down? There is light at the end of the tunnel for a worried Goldendoodle owner. There are three stages of Goldendoodle energy level to pass through. Although you should always expect an energetic and upbeat dog — the overall excitement level will lessen as they age and progress. Expect a Goldendoodle to calm down around months of age. They will be past the puppy stage and into adulthood. Expect energetic and sometimes crazy behavior until they transition into the adult phase. This can be delayed an entire year or more for some dogs also. The craziest level of energy and frantic personality will occur in the first puppy stage of development. A Hyperactive Goldendoodle puppy Most Goldendoodles are going to be more than a little energetic. Expect exciting behavior, zoomies, plenty of licking , and boundless curiosity. It is this curiosity that can lead even the gentlest and kindest Goldendoodle into becoming a bit naughty. Even if your Goldendoodle is a standard or larger size — they will still mentally be a puppy for a long time. Even if they are so tall that they can stretch upright and be taller than you! Larger sized Goldendoodles sometimes give their owners slightly more hassle with the frenetic energy. This is not because larger sized Goldendoodle is more likely to be crazy — it is because their antics and power are more destructive because of their size. We just need to expect Goldendoodle puppies to be frantic, overexcited, and sometimes to get so wound up they forget their manners. Positive reinforcement and food as a motivating treat ned to be used form early on to start the glacially slow training process for a crazy Goldendoodle. So when should you expect change? The transition from Puppy into Adult Goldendoodle in terms of behavior will occur anywhere from months. It should be noted that transitioning into the adult phase is not a magic bean solution to a hyperactive Goldendoodle expect some of the behavior to continue! But now you are through the woods if you are consistent and the training is positive — you can expect less NEW destructive or hyper behaviors to occur. Can Goldendoodles swim? Do they like pools and beaches? Tips for dealing with a hyper Goldendoodle puppy Usually, during the puppy phase, most CRAZY Goldendoodle behavior can be attributed to a single cause. The primary issue is one of over excitement. Goldendoodles have a zeal for life and an outgoing personality to match. This is one of the reasons they are so popular as a dog for families with children. Reprimanding will often not achieve the desired result. At this early stage up to the 18 months , diversion AND prevention are typically a better approach to minimize over excitement. Use Nose work to Calm Down a Crazy Goldendoodle The inability to focus and lack of concentration are primary aspects of crazy Goldendoodle behavior. There are easy things you can do with your dog at home to engage their attention and promote calmness. Got an over excited puppy? Try out nose work! It is simple and fun to get started. You can DIY it at home! For more dog videos check out our Oodle Life YouTube channel Nose work scent training is a simple and easy pastime for Goldendoodles that wears them out mentally and physically — and can easily be performed indoors. A great way to distract your crazy Goldendoodle AND get them to concentrate is to start with some nose work or sniff training. As you can see in this video of a Labradoodle puppy beginning scent training, it can initially be a straightforward scenario. Primarily you play hide and seek with the desired food treat. Dried liver snacks, boiled chicken, even capsicum or grated cheese can be used as hides Reward each find with an extra set of treats Progressively make the hides more difficult as the days and weeks progress Examples include getting the dog to reach its nose into a box Place the hides in a plastic container or something that has noise Reduce the total number of hides but put our more places to search Although Goldendoodle rarely lack confidence, the gradual increase in difficulty will help boost self-assuredness The act of sniffing is both mentally and physically tiring for a Goldendoodle. So cute! When an older Goldendoodle Acts Crazy or Hyper Once a Goldendoodle transitions into the adult phase of its life, it often sees a reduction in the total intensity of the crazy or manic behavior. Do not expect it to completely disappear, though! Goldendoodles are brimming with energy and have a zeal for life that lasts for… life. If there are learned behaviors not redirected as a puppy — you can expect these to continue later. This is why problem chewing needs to be deal with early. Another common issue is that of excessive barking. Goldendoodles can have a booming bark. Loud even for the dog of their size! All size Goldendoodles from teacup right through the bigger standard Goldendoodles or sturdily built English Goldendoodles can have a loud and alarming bark. Barking is a natural behavior, and it is not reasonable to expect a Goldendoodle to never bark. Problem barking, however, is a behavioral issue that can be addressed. If left unchecked, it will annoy neighbors and just be a general nuisance! Our Goldendoodles may be smart — but sometimes we have to baby them and play tricks like warning the postman OR blocking out windows to stop excessive barking. These are soft non harming nips that do not hurt the owner or pierce the skin. If this transitions into biting OR continues after 12 months of age — you need to quickly implement at-home training or seek advice from a professional. Play biting should drop off significantly once the puppy teeth have been replaced. This occurs by around 8 months of age. Do not tolerate biting that causes harm at any age. If the biting habit persists and it not addressed — you will have a lifetime of troubles with the dog. The ramifications to yourself, your family, — and the issues taking the dog in public will further compound into making your crazy Goldendoodle act our even more. A beautiful black Goldendoodle puppy! The conventional wisdom for a Goldendoodle is that any hyper or crazy behavior should have plateaued by three years of age. Consider 2. If you are still experiencing crazy or boisterous behavior by 2. If it is upsetting the family dynamic, you may need to consider more intense obedience training or the help of an in-home dog trainer to overcome the issues. I asked two Goldendoodle owners with older dogs. They have commented in the past their thoughts on when Goldendoodles become entirely calm. She also barked at everything and would pine whenever we left her alone. We were so worried she was a bit of a handful in those times. Thank goodness the biting and chewing stopped after she lost her baby teeth at 6 months. The rest of the crazy only really reduced at around age 2. Marlie is still very active and cheerful, but we love her, and it is very manageable. We keep him extremely active and tire him out daily to reduce the craziness. He never has been hyper too much — but was naughty till around age 3. He tested us! We had to wait so long for him to mature. Luckily there are ingenious dog toys that will distract our Goldendoodles and reduce the amount of hyper crazy moments we have. Our Oodle Life recipe for a delicious Kong treat Kong-tail You can tire your dog out with a bunch of different toys, but nothing really beats the good old fashioned Kong. A puzzle toy that then gives treats later turns into a sweet-smelling for your Goldendoodle chew toy once the frozen goodies are gone. Learn how to best stuff a Kong and make a Kong-tail in our detailed guide. The smaller ones often live for over fifteen years. Find out how long you should expect your particular type of Goldendoodle to live here. In their old age — expect a degree of calmness from your dog that might be a touch of surprise. After all — this calm comes only once the Goldendoodle turns ten years of age. After a decade of exuberant excitement — it would be nice to have a serene and calm final run with your beloved dog. Pamper them! Conclusions for when Goldendoodles calm down A hyper or crazy acting Goldendoodle can be a severe problem to address. The solution is going to be a combination of time, training, and patience. Redirecting problem behaviors and positive reinforcement are key. Working through each problem e. Solve each issue, and one by one, you will improve the calmness of your Goldendoodle. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. Why Are Goldendoodles so Active? We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime. Goldendoodles are cross breed between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. As we know that offsprings acquire few attributes from the parents, the same goes for Goldendoodles. Golden Retriever comes under the sporting group, and both Golden Retrievers and Poodles were hunting dogs due to their dynamic nature. Hence, Goldendoodles are very hyperactive. Moreover, Poodles are known to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds , which means they quickly learn and get bored soon. When a dog gets bored, it becomes over-hyper and looks for ways to entertain itself. Therefore, there are high chances that Goldendoodles favor the Poodle side. From an average point of view, Goldendoodles usually reach adolescence within months, which means they will start maturing by then. Sometimes the age range for growth depends on which side of the parent the puppy favors more. Standard Poodles and Golden Golden Retrievers take a similar time in maturing, i. Miniature and Toy Poodles, on the other hand, mature faster due to less mass in their body. Hence, your Goldendoodle will calm down depending on the type of Poodle bred with a Golden Retriever. Stages of Personality Maturing Goldendoodles have three critical stages of personality maturing. They are as follows: Puppy Stage The puppy stage or puppyhood is one of the most crucial stages, especially for the dog owners, as in this stage, your puppy is persistently high on energy. Your Goldendoodle puppy will have an unlimited energy supply that you can help channel by making your puppy practice healthy habits. Take your puppy for regular walks, play regularly, teach new tricks for better behavior, let your puppy socialize, and make new friends. All these activities will surely tire and calm your puppy. Adult Stage The adult stage is the phase that every dog owner eagerly waits for. In this stage, your Goldendoodle will be high on energy, but it will eventually decrease. The age range for Goldendoodles to be an adult is between years. This senior stage comes when your dog is reaching its life expectancy. Although, lifespans depend on the size and breed of the dog. Amongst all these three stages, the puppy stage is undoubtedly the most active and energetic period. So if you have a Goldendoodle puppy and need some ideas on how to handle this lively fluffy animal, we indeed have some excellent tips in store for you. Keep reading! Ways on How to Calm Your Goldendoodle The easiest way to let your Goldendoodle calm down is to wait for your dog to grow. But sometimes, a little bit of intervention is necessary to make sure everything goes smoothly. Certainly, everybody will have few tricks up their sleeves on how to manage a very energetic dog. Very well, but our lists comprise of ideas that have been not only tested but approved by many dog owners. Many dog owners in such a situation would shower the puppy with attention and treats, but that will only encourage the puppy to continue this behavior. Your puppy will constantly try to seek your attention, and amidst that, a lot of energy will wash away, tiring your puppy. Another reason to not entertain your dog when they get over-excited is that it may lead to pining. Also, your puppy may face problems barking. Goldendoodle being naturally energetic, regular exercise becomes a must for them and should religiously follow it. Try at least 50 minutes of outdoor exercise daily. The activity can include various kinds of games like fetch, which is mentally very stimulating. Comprise games that will require muscle exercise for jumping, climbing, rolling, and crawling. All these exercises demand a huge amount of energy, and you will notice your Goldendoodle all tired and ready for a long nap. The best time to take your dog out for exercise is after their meal so that the energy gathered from eating can also wear out. Since all dogs have their personalities, some may perform better in outdoor activities and some indoor. Therefore, it is vital to figure out what your dog loves so that you can arrange the activities accordingly and drain the hell of energy out of him. Mental Stimulation Just as humans, dogs become bored when they do not experience any kind of mental stimulation required. Especially young children start throwing tantrums when they are bored with no activities to engage themselves. Dogs also go through a similar situation. We often catch our dogs chewing our shoes or other products, scratching or destroying furniture, evident signs of them being bored and reacting about it. Goldendoodles are no exception. They will also react similarly, and to avoid such incidents, here are few ways to mentally stimulate them. Our first resort is to use puzzle toys to exercise your dog and keep their mind occupied mentally. Sometimes putting treats beneath the toys will keep the dogs physically engaging as they will have to use their mouth, nose, paws to procure the treats. Train Your Goldendoodle When Goldendoodles fail to focus and concentrate, it becomes a significant factor, and they start getting very hyper and anxious. Providing your Goldendoodle with proper training will help their mind stay in focus and remain calm. Your Goldendoodle will invest all his energy to find out the hides. As you see improvements in the method, you can make the course of the game more challenging so that your dog can release more energy. Overall, you get a happy-tired dog who gets to eat his treats, and you get time to relax. Being a friendly dog, Goldendoodle will get great exposure if you could organize playdates or take your dog to dog parks. Your doodle will surely get to release a lot of energy. Also, try being more adventurous by taking your dog to beaches, hiking, camping, or even exploring open fields. Your dog will not only have fun till he is down, but it will stimulate his mind and bring in good change. Remember that he will be pretty active despite your dog being in the calming process like there is no tomorrow. Be patient and support your dog by trying all these mentioned ideas to calm your dog and stay healthy. In the process of calming your dog, do not forget to have immense fun. Nobody stays young, not even your doodle. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. It is well known that bringing a puppy into your family comes with a lot of patience as they can be little balls of energy when they are young, but Goldendoodles puppies are particularly energetic. This may make you feel tired and concerned about whether and when it will ever calm down. Well, you will be relieved to know that just like all puppies, your Goldendoodle will calm down as it ages and matures. It is helpful to be prepared for a Goldendoodle puppy. For the most part, you should expect excitable behavior such as licking, jumping, running wildly, and endless curiosity. Remember, your puppy is exploring the world for the first time, and just like kids, they will be testing their boundaries. There is calm at the end of the storm! Your Goldendoodle should start calming down anytime between 12 and 18 months. This is where the puppy phase transitions into adulthood. However, you can still expect some occasional energetic behavior. Some dogs can take up to a year to be noticeably calmer. As your Goldendoodle goes through its life stages, it will change, and so will its energy levels. They will usually explore using their mouths, and you can expect jumping, running, and play fighting. This is also when they start to develop relationships with other dogs and their human family, and these early experiences will shape how your Goldendoodle interacts in the future. However, it will still think and respond like a puppy. You will be able to redirect their negative behavior more easily, given that you have started training, and they will be more aware of their boundaries. However, their playfulness may increase, and this is where exercise and mental stimulation will be very important. They will begin to transition from puppyhood. However, you need to remember that this is a process and be patient anytime your dog exhibits puppy-like behavior. Most of your Goldendoodles life will be spent in the adult phase, where it will gradually calm down. How to Know if Your Goldendoodle Has Pent-up Energy If your Goldendoodle is beyond its puppy stage and is still unusually energetic, it likely has energy pent up from insufficient physical activity throughout the day. Here are some signs that your Goldendoodle may have pent-up energy: Excessive barking: If your Goldendoodle barks excessively , it could indicate that it is not stimulated enough. It is a way to get attention and is the best way it knows how to communicate. If your Goldendoodle has been fed, been to the toilet, has water, and there is no physical trigger for its barking, it could be due to pent-up energy and under-stimulation. Destructive behavior: This is a classic sign of boredom in dogs. Destructive behavior can include digging, chewing, and zooming around, and they usually exhibit these kinds of behavior when they have pent-up energy. There is a common belief among dog owners that getting their dog neutered will help calm it down, which holds some truth. It can have an impact on their mood and behavior and reduce aggression. Having your dog neutered has been proven to make it calmer over time. Socialization will familiarize your Goldendoodle with new surroundings, dogs, and strangers. Obedience training will help your Goldendoodle take direction and obey basic commands. Positive reinforcement is the best strategy as you reinforce the wanting behavior with something positive such as treats or praise. Only pay attention once your dog has calmed down. Adequate exercise and mental stimulation: Make sure your Goldendoodle gets enough exercise and playtime daily. This can include walking, running, playing fetch, and interactive feeding bowls. Be calm: If you want a calm dog, you must be a calm owner. Dogs are sensitive animals and will naturally match your energy levels. If you are overly excited, your dog will feed off that energy and display the same behavior. However, if you are consistently calm, you will set a good example. Image Credit: W. Photography, Shutterstock Conclusion If your Goldendoodle is in its early puppy stage, your life is anything but dull. The good news is that your pup will begin to calm down as it transitions into adulthood at 12 to 18 months. Each dog is different, however, and some factors come into play with a high-energy dog. Early socialization and training are critical to a well-behaved and well-mannered dog. You need to expose it to new environments, people, and other dogs as early as possible and teach it basic commands so that it learns to obey. As your Goldendoodle gets older, it is essential to provide adequate exercise and mental stimulation to avoid boredom and unwanted behaviors. Although your new canine companion will always be energetic and full of fun, he will gradually calm down as he matures and gets older. As a general rule of thumb, you can expect your dog to begin settling down between 12 and 18 months of age. At that age, your furry fireball will be moving out of puppyhood and becoming more mature. Three Stages Of Goldendoodle Energy Levels There are three accepted stages of Goldendoodle energy levels: Puppy stage: Goldendoodle puppies are absolutely chock full of boundless energy and often show manic behavior! Adult stage: Your adult Doodle will still have a high level of energy, but that will gradually diminish. Senior stage: Just like people, senior Goldendoodles are generally less crazy than younger dogs and have a lower activity level. Every dog is different, and some are more lively than others. As a puppy, your Goldendoodle will be bouncing with energy! Your pup will want to play, run, jump in short bursts. Between those frantic bouts of energy and playtime sessions, your Doodle puppy will take a nap, eat, and have another nap. As your puppy gets older, the need for napping decreases, but their levels of energy increase! So, a Goldendoodle puppy is very much like a child in that respect. Once your Goldendoodle gets to the adolescent stage of his life, he will have endless energy to burn. During those years, typically from the age of six months to 18 months of age, your dog will need plenty of physical exercise every day. Both the Poodle and Golden retriever parent breeds are working dogs that are bred to have plenty of stamina so that they can work all day as bird dogs in the hunting field. So, it follows that the Goldendoodle will inherit all that energy. When you take on a Goldendoodle puppy, you can expect a bit of naughtiness, the zoomies , and plenty of overexcited barking! The best way to control your puppy is to make sure that he is well-socialized and properly trained from a very young age. Many vet clinics run puppy training and socialization classes. Goldendoodles love life and are generally happy-go-lucky characters. Goldendoodle puppies are extremely excitable by nature. Never hit your puppy, even if he chews your favorite shoes or trashes something in your home! Using physical punishment to chastise your puppy is never acceptable. Use Positive Reinforcement, Diversion, And Prevention The best approach to take when training your puppy is to use positive reinforcement. For example, if your puppy leaps up at you in his excitement at your return home from work, ignore him. Suppose you acknowledge the excitement by making a huge deal out of it. Your dog will need at least 60 minutes of exercise in the form of a walk or a trip to the dog park every day, as well as a play session or some training. In comparison, puppies tire easily, and a short walk and playtime with some toys will do the job. Mental Stimulation Goldendoodles are one of the most intelligent dog breeds you can find and they need plenty of mental stimulation to keep them happy and calm. A bored Goldendoodle can easily become destructive and might begin to exhibit bad behaviors, especially if left alone for long periods. Also, a bored Goldendoodle will become super-excited when anything interesting does finally happen. As well as plenty of exercise, you need to keep your dog entertained by giving him a selection of interactive toys and spending time training your pet. Useful Exercises To Help Calm Your Goldendoodle As well as taking your Goldendoodle for a walk or to the dog park at least once every day, there are a few helpful activities that you can enjoy at home with your dog. All these fun games can help to strengthen the bond between you and keep your lively pup calm. A lack of concentration and loss of focus are triggers for overexcitement in Goldendoodles of all ages. Scent Training Scent training or nose work is a very easy indoor activity that you can do with your Goldendoodle, which will tire him out both physically and mentally. Take a couple of empty cardboard boxes and put a treat inside one of them. Give your dog a treat and praise him. Now, allow your dog to sniff the boxes. Your Doodle should very quickly sniff out the treat! Reward your pet with lots of praise and extra treats. Make the game more difficult. Begin by hiding treats in different locations around your house, starting in just one room and gradually making the game more challenging by using multiple locations. Once the treats are safely hidden, you can send your dog on a snack hunt. The act of searching for the treats is both mentally and physically exhausting for your dog. So, a session of scent training every day or two is an excellent way of keeping your hyperactive pet calm. That generally happens when a dog is not sufficiently exercised or is stressed by a lack of company or mental stimulation. Sometimes, your dog might bark to let you know that he wants to go outside for a bathroom break, or you might have missed his dinner time! For example: Separation anxiety: If your dog is left home alone, he might become distressed and begin barking, simply to see if you will come back to him. Fear: Sometimes, a loud noise or a stranger approaching their owner can trigger a Goldendoodle to begin barking. Attention seeking: Doodles are very sociable animals that love to be the center of attention. Health Issues: If your dog is in pain, he might start barking or yapping in response to sharp pain, for example, if your pet has arthritic joints that hurt him when he gets up, he might bark. For example, it could be that your dog hates being left alone. Biting And Mouthing All puppies use their mouths to explore new things and express themselves. That can be a real pain, literally! Puppy teeth are needle-sharp and can inflict a very painful bite, especially on a small child. So, you need to nip the habit in the bud see what we did there! Also, biting and chewing can result in damage to your furnishings, clothing, and even to the very fabric of your home. As well as taking your Goldendoodle for a walk and doing some basic obedience training can help to calm your furry friend, you might also want to invest in a few dog toys to keep your pet entertained. One of the most popular toys that work extremely effectively with hyperactive Goldendoodles is the traditional Kong rubber dog toy. Basically, the Kong is a hollow, rubber chew toy that you can fill with treats and then freeze. Once the contents are frozen, you can give the Kong to your puppy or adult Doodle. Other plus points of a Kong toy include: Chewing on a Kong toy can prevent teething puppies from chewing and damaging items around your home. When a puppy is teething, its gums are often sore and inflamed. A frozen Kong can be very soothing for your puppy, cooling his mouth. Freezing treats inside the toy can save you quite a lot of cash, as the treats last much longer than they would if you simply gave them to your pet right out of the packet. Other fun toys for Goldendoodles can be made at home. For example, try upcycling some of your old T-shirts and turning them into tug-of-war toys. Keep Calm And Carry On! Try keeping calm. Praise your dog for remaining calm and chilled out and reward him with a treat or two. Image Source : kentfamilyfarms. In a situation that could become difficult, simply ask your dog to sit down and take a breath. Similarly, when visitors come to your home, make sure that your dog sits calmly to greet them rather than jumping up or charging around the room. Remember to use positive reinforcement when teaching your dog anything. Reward your pet with praise and treats when he does what you ask. Goldendoodles are relatively long-lived when compared with other dog breeds. Although it will most likely never be the case that your Goldendoodle will be completely calm, senior dogs are generally less likely to charge around uncontrollably than their younger counterparts. However, as a general rule, most Goldendoodle owners find that their dogs are quieter and less boisterous once they get to around two to three years old. That said, some owners report that their Doodles were simply completely crazy and never slowed down until their very senior years. In Conclusion Did you enjoy our guide to Goldendoodle energy levels? If you did, please remember to share. Is your Doodle a crazy Dude? Meet our writer Alison Page Alison Page was brought up with dogs and various other pets! For a few years, Alison worked as a Practice Manager in a small animal veterinary clinic. Alison is now a full-time writer, specializing in creating articles on the care and training of dogs, cats, and fish. My mini who is now 40 lbs. I was so worried that I made a mistake when I purchased him because he has so much energy. His name is Rascal and he is truly a Rascal. On my 3rd harness per recommendation from trainers. Hopefully, the gentle leader will work. But I really appreciate your article. Greatest companion ever. Love him so much. With all his craziness he has brought me so much joy. Goldendoodles are one of the dog breeds with the most excess energy. As smart, active dogs, goldendoodles require lots of exercise, mental stimulation and positive reinforcement. Continue reading to learn more about how to identify and calm down a hyper goldendoodle. They love nothing more than snuggling up with you after a long day and will always be over the moon to see you. However, doodles are naturally energetic dogs with boundless enthusiasm and zest for life. Your pet might whine and bark as a way of letting you know it needs attention and exercise. Add more exercise and playtime to its routine to prevent this from happening. As you can tell, the main reason for a hyper doodle is a mixture of natural temperament and lack of exercise. That said, all goldendoodle owners should expect the first three years to be jam-packed with playtime and high-energy behavior. Even after your doodle loses its puppy teeth at around six to eight months old, puppy-like behavior is likely to continue. Generally speaking, doodles are most hyper during the early stage of life, then become a little more docile at three years old and calm down a lot by the time they reach .Want a Calm Dog? Dogs are very sensitive animals and naturally match your energy levels to please you and fit into your environment. Stress, anxiety and anger are very distressing for dogs and might cause them to act out. Regularly getting into a frenzy of love and fuss can also be detrimental. If you get super-excited every time you come home and see your pet, you teach it that overexcitement is acceptable. Likewise, if you speak loudly and get very animated, you teach it that this behavior is normal. The answer is a resounding yes! However, proper training and a health-promoting daily routine are essential for bringing out the best in your pet. Below are the key components for evening out the energy levels of a hyper doodle. Early Training Methods Prevent Too Much Energy in a Goldendoodle Puppy Issues such as play biting, excessive licking, chewing, mouthing, tugging and wrestling are common among goldendoodle puppies. Regular Exercise For a goldendoodle, exercise is paramount. What constitutes enough exercise? For most doodles, daily exercise split into two walks around your local area or a dog park is ideal. Dog parks are great because they provide opportunities for socialization and training, which can help your dog learn how to maintain a calm demeanor. Keep in mind that the above timeframes are for outdoor walks — time in the backyard or indoors playing should be separate. Scent Training Scent training is one of the most effective ways to occupy a goldendoodle and keep it happy. Playing fetch offers physical stimulation, and providing toys offers mental stimulation, but nose work combines both. Reward your dog every time it finds a hidden treat. Increase the difficulty of the hiding places gradually over time. They help your dog relax, unwind and de-stress. Some ideas for toys include: Squeaky toys. How has your cute little guy turned into a general nuisance? Golden Retrievers and Poodles are Hyper Part of the reason Goldendoodles are hyper is because of their parents. A Goldendoodle is a crossing between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. These are important distinctions because it demonstrates what the dogs were originally bred for. Poodles were primarily used for waterfowl hunting before they became more popular with sedentary pet owners. They would run after ducks, geese, and other fowl that fell in the water. Golden Retrievers have a similar history. They were also used in hunting. They would retrieve whatever quarry their owner was hunting that day. Both breeds required speed that could be unleashed in a moment. They needed to be able to spring after the quarry as soon as it fell out of the sky before other animals could get to it. Breeders, thus, required energetic dogs to handle the task. The Goldendoodle has two active parents. Manic Behavior can be Controlled with Mental Stimulation The real distinction is how much mental stimulation the breeds require. Golden Retrievers are clever. Poodles, on the other hand, do require a lot of mental stimulation in order to stay happy. This is because Poodles are among the most intelligent dog breeds. They learn quickly and can pick up on human traits well. When a dog is bored, it can lead to destructive behavior. Some pet owners may consider this behavior to be hyperactivity. The dog is simply trying to find a way to stave off boredom. Nose work and scent training with something desirable like chicken, cheese, or liver snacks is a great way to engage your pup and keep them occupied. Just hide the food around the house or in empty cardboard boxes and let your pup find them. This is important to know because your Goldendoodle may favor its Poodle side. To not do so is to invite a hyper, and potentially destructive, dog into your household. Why Puppyhood Affects Hyperactivity Puppies are similar to toddlers. They seem to have endless bouts of energy until they suddenly burn out and collapse into a nap right in their food. All puppies, regardless of breed, will have more energy than their adult counterparts. Puppies have better metabolisms. Their metabolisms are able to quickly process food into energy. With the enhanced metabolisms, puppies can quickly dart around the house. A sudden burst of energy from them might mean an overturned table or papers being scattered everywhere. The good news is that puppies eventually become adults. As they age, their metabolism starts to become less efficient. They require it for more meaningful tasks like required exercise. When do Goldendoodles Calm Down? The average age range when they hit adolescence is months. The reason behind the range has to do with which side the puppy favors the most. Poodles mature faster. Although this depends on which type of Poodle was used in the breeding process. Toy and Miniature Poodles will become adults faster because they have less mass that needs to be grown. Standard Poodles are more similar to Golden Retrievers in the time it takes to be fully grown. For Toy and Miniature Poodles, the average age of adulthood is months. For Standard Poodles and Golden Retrievers, the average age of adulthood is 18 months-2 years. Puppies with a smaller Poodle parent will likely reach adulthood faster. Those with a Standard Poodle parent will take longer to reach maturity. If the dog favors the Golden Retriever, for example, then its size will be similar to that of the Retriever. That means it will also take longer to reach adulthood. Goldendoodle owners still have an energetic dog on their hand who needs to get out excess energy. While a doodle puppy get can get out pent up energy playing with other dogs, play biting and running around, older dogs may need more engagement. Get plenty of dog toys, including a puzzle toy for food. Provide lots of exercise and training to reduce negative behavior. If your bored Goldendoodle still has too much energy, you may want to seek advice from a professional dog trainer. Issues like separation anxiety can look like excess energy but be very difficult to train away. More exercise could help, but it may not. Some dogs relieve stress with problem chewing, ao offering a good chew toy is a great way to help them remain calm. If a young child becomes bored, then they may throw a tantrum. They want attention and they want something to do. They may also seek ways to entertain themselves. That might involve drawing on the walls, getting into makeup, or finding trouble in some other way. Goldendoodles will act similarly. They may investigate something that they need to stay out of. They might chew and destroy your furniture. Or they might zip through the house, leaving destruction in their wake. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can help keep them mentally stimulated. One of those ways is with puzzle toys. There are several different toys for dogs to enjoy that strive to get their mind working. Some of them use levers where you can put treats beneath them. Dogs have to use their paws, mouths, and noses to push the levers in order to access the treats beneath them. This can keep your dog entertained for some time since there are usually different levels of difficulty. As soon as your dog figures out one level of difficulty, you can increase it to the next. This type of puzzle toy is also ideal because it allows the dog to play on its own. Another great puzzle toy is the Kong or toys similar to the Kong. This is a rubber container with a hollow center. It enables you to place treats inside of the toy. The dog has to work hard in order to get the treats to fall to their mouth. It can be difficult for larger treats to be accessed. This toy is ideal for pet owners that want to make sure their Goldendoodles are occupied for a long time. It may even be impossible for a dog to access the treat if it becomes stuck. The Kong can keep your dog occupied for several hours without your supervision. Besides puzzle toys, your dog can also benefit from learning tricks and commands. Goldendoodles that favor their Poodle heritage are quite intelligent. Even Goldendoodles that favor their Golden Retriever side will love learning new things with you. You can teach the dog commands like sit, stay, speak, shake, and other similar commands. You may find that your Goldendoodle needs something more advanced. In this instance, you can give them a job. Their job may be to bring the mail to you. When you give your dog a task, they feel accomplished. Your praise of their work makes them happy and feel as though they have a purpose. There are tons of dog obstacles that you can buy and place in your yard. Teaching your dog how to pass through each obstacle can work both their minds and bodies. You can always change the obstacles up or invent new problems for the dog to solve, too. This ensures your Goldendoodle constantly has a new way to keep themselves mentally stimulated. Both the Poodle and the Golden Retriever are considered active dogs. At the very least, you should let your dog have 50 minutes of exercise outside each day. Goldendoodles that favor their Golden Retriever side will love playing fetch with you. Teaching the game of fetch can also keep them mentally stimulated. Goldendoodles that favorite their Poodle side may also enjoy playing fetch. You may find that they enjoy playing tug-of-war as well. All dogs have unique personalities. Some may take to certain outdoor activities over others. The important thing is to find an activity that helps your dog burn out their energy. Even puppies will grow tired eventually. All of their excess stores of energy have been depleted. This is when the energy in their system is at its highest. It can also encourage a healthy digestive system. Until then, try the steps above to keep your Goldendoodle worn out and happy. Related Content You May Find Interesting Here are some more articles that may be of interest to you if you have a hyper doodle. Are Mini Goldendoodles Calm? The real truth!