goldendoodle puppies for sale in panama city fl

Mini Labradoodle vs Mini Sheepadoodle Comparison Two dog breeds, one purpose: to make your life a joy-filled journey powered by strong bonds, friendship, and unconditional love. Meet the Mini Labradoodle and the Mini Sheepadoodle. Two very adorable and friendly dogs with upbeat personalities, the Mini Labradoodle and Mini Sheepadoodle make the perfect addition to any lucky family. Your way of life, hobbies, and work schedule are all important factors that can help determine which of the two dog breeds is a good fit for your lifestyle.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? They are fun, easygoing, and gentle. Mini Labradoodles enjoy canine games like chase, fetch, and Frisbee, and thrive on cuddles and love. Energetic, friendly, and full of life, the Mini Labradoodles make wonderful jogging and hiking companions. They are known to enjoy a good swim, a long stroll, and are very fond of adventures. The Mini Labradoodle puppies are happy, energetic, and bright bundles of joy. They are loving and eager to please, love to play and cuddle, and are excellent training students. A cross between Labrador Retrievers and Mini or Toy Poodles, the Mini Labradoodle may take after one parent breed or the other in appearance or they may have their own unique look with an added bonus of a hypoallergenic coat. What is a Labradoodle? If you haven't already, you will fall in love with this breed! The Multi-Generational American or Australian Labradoodle embodies the courage, Loyalty and Intelligence of a working dog with a magnificent fleece, non-shedding coat that is hypo-allergenic. They were originally bred as service dogs and have evolved to become our most desired family companion. They are athletic, smart, easy to train, and have a life span of over 15 years. Whether you want a sporting dog or a loving and loyal companion, the fun-loving, adventure-seeking, yet mellow Labradoodle will make your family complete. American and Australian Labradoodles can be very different depending on their breeding, and it is important to understand the differences. Just breeding a poodle to a lab or a labradoodle to a labradoodle does not make a quality pet. They are non-shedding with the wonderful Labradoodle temperament, intelligence and laid-back nature. They have been bred to standard over the last couple decades and contain not only Lab and Poodle DNA, but also a controlled mix of American and English Spaniel, which contributed toward the incredible silky fleece coat. F1 1st generation. This usually produces a dog with mild to light shedding. Hair can be long or short, wavy or straighter, and wirey or harsher fleece in texture. First generation Labradoodles are typically high-energy dogs with the great Labradoodle intelligence and are a good choice for a family that does not mind some shedding and high energy. F1B 2nd generation. F1 Labradoodle bred to a Poodle. The F1B Labradoodle is more standard in physical appearance, and more consistently non-shedding. The coat ranges from fleece to wool in texture and can be wavy or straighter. These dogs have the great Labradoodle laid-back temperament and intelligence, and can be a good choice for families that prefer a non-shedding dog. Multi Generational 3rd generation or higher. F1B or higher bred to F1B or higher. Most true to the Labradoodle standard in physical appearance and consistently non-shedding. The texture ranges from fleece to wool and the wave ranges from wavy to curly. It is important to maintain the wider body type and shorter muzzle length. The fleece coat can be very nice, but not as silky as the coat of an Australian Labradoodle. Guardian Homes allow us Diversity in our Breeding Program, and offer our breeder-quality puppies the opportunity to live a pampered life as a family pet and companion. If you are interested in providing a Guardian Home for one of our puppies, please check out our Guardian Program page. Some of our qualifications include: Must reside within a one-hour driving distance from Humble, Texas. Must reside in a home with a fully secure fenced yard. Must be open to communication, visits to our home and yours, and provide medical records. To learn more about our Guardian Program and to see our full list of requirements, please visit our Guardian Program Page. Everyone loves him. He continues to fill our lives with so much love and joy. Thank you for Bear. She brings so much joy to our family! Kimberly White Owner of Harley Loving Personality Brandy continues to amaze us and those who come in contact with her. In our lifetime we have had many pets and Brandy surpasses them all in intelligence, obedience and a loving personality. Her color is absolutely beautiful and we love her to pieces. Our thanks to you for the opportunity to own and enjoy such a wonderful puppy. I will be taking her to nursing homes and hospitals to visit people. She has the most loving and calm personality and I can't wait to share that with others. Kristen Loves to Kiss and Snuggle Tucker is doing so well! We just love him to pieces.He is SUCH a great dog! Here he is tonight getting ready for bed. He's almost 20lbs and will be getting neutered next month. Tucker loves to kiss and snuggle. He also loves to play tug of war and fetch.Has learned to sit, lay down, stay, and is starting to learn so much more!!! When we arrive home Rosie brings us a stuffed toy as if she is providing dinner. She wants to take care of us. Thank you for spreading the joy. She's very smart and learns so quick! She's also very loving, loves to cuddle, and play with everyone. My sister is in love with Luna too. Every day, she comes to me and says, "I still can't believe I got a puppy for Christmas! Thank you for everything. He's settling in around pounds but perfect. We just had a baby and he's great with him too! The kids have named her Nikki. She is a really wonderful dog, we couldn't be happier with her! Thank you so much! She's been the best already potty trained bell , never barks and is just a snuggle, love bug. Miss Daisy her name is a huge and loving part of our family. Thank You! Many Blessings! I thought you would like to see how cute she is. She is so well behaved and I really enjoy her. She loves her walks and chasing balls in the backyard. She is maturing into an amazing young lady!!! We love her more and more everyday!!! We will be getting back to you shortly! Can't wait for a message to hug one of these adorable puppies? That's Okay, give us a Call at .We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Houston Texas and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted. Questions about Labradoodle puppies for sale in Houston TX? We have answers. Give me an overview of Labradoodle puppies for sale in Houston TX. Australian Labradoodles are mainly a mix of Poodles and Labradors, but with a couple of bloodlines thrown in to ensure the resulting pups have the traits families love. How much are Labradoodles for sale Houston? Do a quick search and you might find a whole range of prices for Labradoodles. Gender, size, coat type, and breeder experience all factor in how much it will cost. We know budget is an important consideration, so we made sure it will be easy for you to filter those that match your range. Will you only connect me with local Labradoodle breeders Houston? We are proud to say we work with breeders and businesses from all over the continental US. How do you screen Labradoodle breeders in Houston? Because we only want to work with businesses who share our love dogs. Our criteria include adherence to animal welfare laws and ethical breeding practices, completion of legal documents, and more. Head over to our Breeder Pledge page for more details. Why is Uptown Puppies different from other places with Labradoodles Houston? With Uptown Puppies, you have your work cut out for you. What is a puppy mill for Labradoodle puppies Houston? Puppy mills are businesses run by those who care more about profit than the dogs in their care. Poor conditions, irresponsible breeding, and maltreatment result in puppies that present with medical and behavioral problems later on. Buyin a pup from pet shops or suspicious online ads might mean patronizing a puppy mill and helping perpetuate this cruel business. Are there any Labradoodle puppies in Houston available now? You bet! What is the MatchMaker process like for Labradoodle Houston? At that point, all you have to do is choose which one you will bring home to your family! My dog Pepper is a wonderful addition to my family! Beautiful dogs! They are beautiful and healthy. Our first one is almost 5 years old and we have a 2 month old. Lindy breeds them in a very clean home. She is extremely loving to these newborns and is open to all of our questions. She even follows up to see how they are doing. I would not buy from anyone else. Our 2 labradoodles get plenty of compliments. We have added 2 beautiful members to our family. I waited almost a year for mine and he has been life changing. They are truly amazing, healthy, loyal, and smart dogs! I have trained him and he is now a service dog and has been the greatest companion to me as well. Lindy always responded and kept me in the loop during the entire process. Before I met her I had a nightmare situation with a breeder that was a scam so was very skeptical but she made me feel at ease about everything. Thank you for everything Lindy! Nathan Kirton I ended up finding a puppy from someone else that fit my timeline better. The communication I had with her Lindy was amazing. She was super helpful, and gave me so much information about what I could expect. Thanks for being super helpful Lindy! We waited over a year and it was so worth it! Lindy was instrumental in our family getting the dog of our dreams. She was extremely helpful in asking and answering questions to ensure we got a right match for our family. She took into consideration all of my preferential factors such as the gender, coat color, personality, etc. The cherry on top was upon pick up at 8 weeks Teddy was healthy, socialized, potty trained, and vaccinated. Lindy pours love onto these dogs and puppies and treats her clients with tremendous respect. The puppies are happy and safely kept in an immaculate environment until sent home and I love that each family is celebrated with a photo to commemorate the occasion. Definitely worth the WAIT! Chuck Hahn Best dog ever!!! Worth the wait. He came home perfect! Testimonials Happy Faces Your happiness is our happiness, your success, our success. We take great pride in each and every home we complete with our dogs. We did tons of research. We wanted a dog that did not shed, was hypoallergenic, and had a good temperament. Those dogs are hard to find! We finally came across a very special Australian Labradoodle. We found our Rosie through my best friend who knew the owner of Australian Labradoodles of Texas. Her temperment is what we were really drawn to. She is so calm, obedient, and really wants to please you. She rings a bell when she needs to go outside and walks right next to you on her leash! We feel so lucky that we get to call her ours! To say that Miles has changed our lives for the better would be an extreme understatement! From the moment we set our eyes on him in your videos, we knew he was special, and he has shown us that a million times over. He is a sweet and affectionate dog who loves his family fiercely, acting protective when he needs to, yet demonstrates such a docile and gentle temperament to other people, especially small children who love to pet and squeeze his fluffiness. I had no intention of adding another dog to the mix! After several weeks, I finally pulled the trigger and we brought him home! Charley Brown was the perfect addition to our family and I would recommend these pups to anyone looking for a good family dog. All of our puppies come with Socialization.

Your new furry friend has a lot of growing to do, and you probably have a lot of questions. Your Golden Retriever puppy will go through a number of developmental stages throughout their first twelve weeks. Male Golden Retrievers generally weigh between 65 and 75 pounds and stand from 23 to 24 inches tall. Females are generally smaller weighing between 55 to 65 pounds, and will grow to stand .At 4 months, your Golden Retriever puppy will reach about half their adult height. When it comes to mental development, it can take even longer than that before the Golden Retriever is fully mature. However, every puppy is a unique individual, and these are merely milestone guidelines. Disparities exist between the working and show Goldens, as well as between males and females. Golden Retriever puppy growth can also be quite sporadic. As an overall average, many Golden Retriever puppies will weigh just approximately 1. Golden Retrievers are classified as a gundog breed, and these dogs are often divided into those bred for show and those meant for work. However, the body of the show Golden is typically larger, taller, heavy-boned, and fuller in the chest. Small Parents Like people, puppies inherit physical traits from their parents. And even puppies from the same litter can vary in size. Neither of these scenarios is healthy for a puppy. Larger breeds like the Golden Retriever are more at risk for growth disorders than small breed dogs. This article will give you a lot more information on how much to feed, what to feed, and how often to feed a Golden Retriever puppy. Illness and Puppy Growth If a puppy has been seriously ill for a prolonged period, it may affect their ability to grow normally. However, once the puppy is free of worms, they should continue to grow at a normal rate. The best way to determine if your puppy is too thin or too fat is by how he looks and feels. When looking at your puppy from above, he should have a noticeable waistline. Another way to tell is by putting your hands on either side of his ribcage. You should be able to feel his ribs using a gentle pressure. But if his ribs are visible, he could be underweight. Obesity is a huge problem for many dog breeds. Although there are ways to make your puppy grow bigger, this is not something you should attempt. It could also mean you end up with a fat puppy. One of the best ways to ensure your puppy has a long, healthy life is to ensure he stays at an optimal weight. Hip and elbow dysplasia and other musculoskeletal disorders are associated with excess weight in larger breeds. Having your dog neutered at a young age can also cause them to grow taller. The problem is, this can also cause abnormalities in joint formation. Neutering also makes Golden Retrievers more at risk for certain types of cancers. Typically it will take approximately 18 months for your Golden Retriever to become an adult dog. Even though they can reach their full height at anywhere from 9 to 12 months, it will usually take them longer to fill out to their full weight. Remember that there are wide variations in size within the Golden Retriever breed. If this is the case, you should contact your veterinarian to seek advice. Beginning the puppy development stages before birth Puppy development stages week by week Amazingly, in a way the puppy development stages begin before your dog is even born. Your puppy spends approximately 9 weeks developing inside his Mom. The mother dog has a womb or uterus, that has two long tubes, and the puppies grow in a row along each tube rather like peas in a pod. The puppies are joined to their mother by a placenta which provides all the nourishment they need for those few weeks. To begin with, the puppies have plenty of room to move but they grow fast and as the time for birth draws near they are packed in quite tightly. The one week old puppy Your puppy is born fully furred but with his eyes and ears closed so he cannot hear or see. His front feet are strong and he can pull himself towards his mother with them. He can cry if he is uncomfortable and his mother will respond to his cries by moving him towards her and licking him. Your puppy spends most of his time sleeping or suckling. He cannot regulate his own body temperature and needs his mother for heat, or an artificial heat source. In the first week to ten days of his life your puppy grows rapidly and will double his birth weight. His forelegs are getting much stronger. She licks the puppies bottoms to stimulate a bowel or bladder movement and eats the result. There is no cleaning up for the breeder to do yet. The breeder will begin to handle the puppies more though, and get them used to human contact. She will worm the puppies for the first time at the end of this week. Puppies begin to get their personalities. Your puppy can stand and sit up by the end of the week. Tails can be wagged, ears will be completely open and puppies start play growling and interacting with their littermates. Your puppy can regulate his body temperature more effectively and will start to cut his first teeth in preparation for weaning. The front teeth, canines and incisors are cut first. Toward the end of the week he may have his first tiny taste of puppy food. They also start to move away from the sleeping area to empty their bowels and bladder. They may try to climb out of the whelping box. If she lives indoors, she may rejoin the family for more of each day. Your puppy will cut his back teeth and the breeder will get weaning underway this week and by the end of it, your puppy will be getting quite a bit of his nourishment from puppy food. She will also worm the puppies a second time. If the mother is allowed near the puppies after she has been fed, she may regurgitate her dinner for them. This is completely natural and normal. He is a proper little dog. Rolling around with his brothers and sisters and playing with toys. Teething toys, puppy Kongs, balls and rope toys are big favorites with puppies. He can bark too and some puppies can be quite noisy at this age! He chases after his mother whenever she appears and suckles hungrily, but she is starting to get fed up with it, and may be reluctant to feed her brood for very long. His mother is teaching him not to bite too hard. If he lives in outdoor kennels he should spend part of each day indoors with the family. By the end of the sixth week, most are fully weaned, and eating five or six little meals of puppy food each day. Socialization must begin in earnest. He is now two months old and ready for his new life. It is the time during which they become fearful of anything unfamiliar and need to be thoroughly socialized. This is also the time during which most puppies get to grips with house-training, learning to wait before eliminating and start sleeping through the night without a potty break. It is a busy time for new puppy owners. Your puppy will have his vaccinations during this month. Biting can be a big problem during this stage and you need to be patient and consistent in order to teach the puppy not to hurt people when he plays. Provided you use force free methods, this is a great time to get puppy training under way, and especially to teach a puppy recall, and to get your puppy used to working with food. So, for a 2. You can do the same calculation for medium pups at sixteen weeks and large breed pups at 20 weeks — just divide his weight by his age in weeks before you multiply by .Medium to large pups will reach about half their adult height by the end of the month. If the weather is warm you can get your puppy swimming now. He should be able to come when he is called, in and around your home, provided there are not too many distractions. It all depends on what you have taught him. He may still be chewing a lot and biting too. Use frozen Kongs to help him and give your furniture and fingers a break. Puppies can go for short walks now. By the end of this month your puppy could have a twenty minute walk each day. He may also enjoy fetching a ball and playing with other dogs, but take care to stop before he gets very tired. Less dependence This is the month during which some puppies start to become less dependent on their humans for security. Keep your puppy close to you outdoors by changing direction frequently so that you puppy has to keep coming to find you. And engaging him in games. The foundations of a great recall are often build or spoilt during this month. If your puppy knows how to sit or lie down at home, start some simple proofing exercises with him in public places. A healthy puppy can usually manage on two meals a day from around six months. During this month a Retriever, Spaniel or GSD puppy will reach around two thirds of his adult weight. A Great Dane and other large breeds will have reached about half their final weight and little dogs will have almost completed their growth. Some female dogs will come on heat for the first time during this month, or the next, so keep an eye open now for swelling of her vulva and any discharge. Your dog will become increasingly confident over the next few months so practice, practice and practice that recall! Make it a habit he cannot break. And be generous with your rewards. Small breed pups may now be more or less mature. Your puppy will enjoy half hour off lead walks now, and should be able to walk on a loose lead for short periods with plenty of encouragement and rewards. Keep practicing that recall! These help to slow his growth further and to build his confidence. Make sure you practice good outdoor management on walks to maintain the good recall you have built and work hard on thoroughly proofing all his obedience skills. Read up on neutering before you take this important step, for dogs of either sex. Once your dog is a year old he can participate in more strenuous activities and sports. Now is the time to think about the kinds of activities you would like to do with him — go jogging together for example — and if necessary, to start to get him fit. Puppy development stages — Summary There is huge variation in the way in which dogs develop and mature. The puppy development stages and ages outlined above are a rough guide. We hope you enjoyed them and found the information interesting. When it comes to training, you get out what you put in. Your progress depends as much if not more on you rather than your puppy. If you train your puppy five times a day, six days a week he will learn many, many times faster than a puppy that is trained once a day at the weekend. Enjoy watching your puppy grow and develop. And have fun! We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. This was the first time we had a chance to chart puppies from birth until 8 weeks old. We tried to take as many pictures as possible so we could have a journal of our Golden Retriever puppy growth week by week. When raising guide and service dog puppies we usually bring home our puppies at around weeks old. On occasion we are allowed to see puppies before 8 weeks of age, but they need to stay with their mother and siblings during those important early weeks to get milk and antibodies from mama and learn how to interact properly with siblings, learning important behaviors like bite inhibition. During our days as a foster we raised two litters of puppies , but both were already weeks old by the time we got them home. We actually own the Puppy Culture DVD and Workbook which includes charts, lists, worksheets and other great information for raising your litter. Keep your eyes and ears open and absorb it all like a sponge! Birth To 1 Week Old Guess what? This was the first litter we ever whelped!? We got a lot of advise, but we were largely on our own. Large Puppy Dish — great for feeding the puppies when they moved to solid food. Whelping Mats — we ordered 2 of these mats and washed them several times a day. Whelping Box — We have a homemade whelping box built by my father-in-law, but if we continue raising litters I plan on purchasing an EZWhelp Whelping Box. Our homemade box lasted three litters. We ended up purchasing the Magnabox which was hellu expensive but if you plan on raising multiple litters we highly recommend it. We recently put together a whelping checklist with all the supplies we gathered together to help out with our second litter of Golden Retriever puppies. Check out our whelping supplies checklist here. However, none were overly huge and none were extra small. No runts and no beasts. It was my understanding that when the cord was chewed down to the base of the belly it was sometimes difficult to get it to stop bleeding. I took the hemostat and pinched the umbilical cord about 2 inches from the base of the pups belly then cut the cord rather than let Raven chew it off. I kept the hemostat on the cord for about 2 minutes to let it clout. The umbilical cord dries up quickly and then within a day or 2 it falls off. Raven was a good mama and took care of her poops. Puppy eyes and ears are closed at this stage and puppies army crawl around the whelping box looking for a teat to suckle. We did everything we could to make sure our pups stayed warm by adding a watt heat lamp to the whelping box and portable heating unit in the puppy room. As I mentioned Raven stayed in the whelping box most of week 1 and of course… the puppy piles! One thing I learned is if I had a puppy on my lap then do not let Raven lick those areas or be prepared for a little accident on your lap. While caring for Raven and her litter Raven was really blowing out her coat that first week, but as time went on it slowed down. I heard from other friends this is common and that Raven blew out her coat much less than other mama dogs. We got Probiotics for Raven before her first litter, but forgot to order them for her second litter. After an upset stomach for the first week or so we realized our mistake, got Probiotics, and no more upset tummy. Week 2 — Pups eyes are opening starting to waddle. Week 3 — First bark! Week 7 — The great puppy escape artists! Week 8 — Our golden puppies head to their new homes. Have you ever had a litter of Golden Retriever puppies? Tell us about your experiences with puppies in the comment section below. Are you about to raise a litter of puppies? Not raising a litter, but getting ready to bring home your first Golden Retriever puppy? Puppies for Dummies will give you the basics on how to raise and train your new puppy. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining. Brown 3 lb 13 oz Our chunky Tank got passed up by Patriot and Spirit! Meanwhile, Trooper dropped to the back of the pack. All pups were gaining weight every day which was a good sign. I forgot to mention that before Raven had her puppies we looked for a small scale to weigh the puppies. Most of the scales we came across had a 10 lb limit. We purchased this baby scale and it worked great with all our puppies. I started clipping nails once a week with regular human nail clippers. When cutting nails I only cut to the part where the nail starts to curve. The puppies all did well during nail trimming sessions and it also gave me a chance to handle all four paws getting the pups used to relaxing with humans. Day 26 — Walking On New Surfaces Now that the puppies were stable and walking more normal I started introducing them to new surfaces. We were able to get them out on the dirt, grass, and concrete in the backyard. Golden Pups Week 4 — Puppies exploring new surfaces. We also start introducing our pups to the crate and start working on teaching them calm behavior while in the crate. I took their regular puppy kibble, soaked it in hot water for 10 minutes, and smashed it up into a mush. One of the early problems is making sure everyone gets an equal or close to amount of food. We allowed the puppies to eat their solid food and still nurse throughout the day. We feed the older dogs Wellness Core Grain Free Original Formula so we figured the transition from the puppy formula to the original formula would be easier on the pups when the time came to move away from puppy food. Golden Retriever pups week 4 is in the books! Check out our other Golden Retriever puppy growth week by week blog posts: Week 1 — Six Golden Retriever puppies are born! Week 2 — Pups eyes are opening starting to waddle. Week 3 — First bark! Week 7 — The great puppy escape artists! Week 8 — Our golden puppies head to their new homes. So tell us a little about your experiences. Have you ever had the chance to raise a litter or meet a 4 week old puppy? Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below. Are you expecting a litter of Golden Retriever puppies? Did you just bring home an adorable 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppy? If so, Puppies for Dummies is a great book that will give you the basics on how to raise and train your new puppy. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining. Personalities are starting to emerge. Four week old puppies are ready to venture out of their pen and explore our home. They are old enough for a brief introduction to outside. By four weeks, puppies are beginning to stay awake for longer periods of time and are actively engaging in play. We keep the area outside the pans almost perfectly clean. We gradually decrease the amount of area that is covered by pads as puppies show increasing dependability with doing all their business in the pans. By the time puppies are 4 weeks 5 days, almost all of them are close to doing all their business in the right place. At 3 weeks, puppies have teeth which makes the nursing experience less pleasant for the moms. By four weeks, it can be rather painful for large litters to be biting and pulling as they nurse. Almost all moms will begin pulling away somewhat from the litter between four and five weeks. We offer soaked dog food three times a day. The puppies are fed in one large bowl all together at this age. They eat as much as they want and the mama will finish off the bowl. Introduced to the World Outside Their Pen Starting shortly after 4 weeks, puppies are introduced to the world outside of their pen. We take them initially in groups to various rooms in our home. As confidence builds, we take them out individually. Puppy socialization becomes increasingly important. Puppies are staying awake for longer periods of time. This is the week that our socialization program becomes very intentional and scheduled. Four-week old pictures are usually taken in our front yard. This is their first trip outside. By the time puppies are 4 weeks 5 days, they are ready to be trained to navigate the two steps from our puppy play yard to our side porch. Puppies are ready to begin doggy door training. This is the optimum time to introduce puppies to new things. They are anxious to try new things and to explore their world. For more information on how we raise our puppies, see our Raising Puppies page. Primary Sidebar Breeders and Trainers of English Golden Retrievers We focus on breeding and training beautiful English Golden Retriever puppies with health tested champion parents, great pedigrees, and fantastic temperaments.

Top German Shepherds off championship bloodlines Limerick German Shepherd Age: 3 months 1 Male, 1 Female We are delighted to offer for sale our beautiful, intelligent, well-bred German Shepherd puppies. Born just a few months ago, these alert pups are already showing signs of their brilliant lineage. We have two female and one male puppy, all boasting a striking black and tan coat. Their father, a jet-black German Shepherd with a unique white Mallon streak, is a brilliant guard dog. His lineage includes top protectors from Ireland, England, and Germany, with a sire sheet available for viewing. He also boasts a lineage of show dogs. The mother, a beautiful black and tan German Shepherd, is not only intelligent but also a wonderful guard dog. She too comes from a champion show dog lineage. Both parents are our family pets and can be seen upon your visit. These puppies have been vet checked, wormed, and vaccinated. We are looking for good homes only, preferably with people who have experience with German Shepherds. Located in Limerick. Mother in last picture. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". It does not store any personal data. Functional Functional Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Performance Performance Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Analytics Analytics Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Others Others Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

Should a French Bulldog Mix take after their Frenchie parent, they will be a small companion breed that bonds closely with their families. They tend to have an energetic, playful personality and love nothing more than being with their favorite humans. French Bulldogs tend to be friendly, playful, and affectionate dogs that get along with just about everyone. They tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets. They will even warm up quickly to strangers as long as they have been properly socialized. If the other parent breed has a similar temperament, then you should be able to expect the same from a French Bulldog Mix. You can also meet the mother in person to see what her temperament is like and the behavior she is modeling for the puppies. The breeder should have started some training and socialization, but it is up to you to continue to train and socialize a puppy once you get them home. Frenchies are highly adaptable dogs. They do well in apartments as well as larger homes. However, as a brachycephalic breed, they are extra sensitive to heat and also sensitive to the cold. They also do not like being left alone for long periods of time. If the other parent breed is similar, then you can expect a Frenchie Mix to also be a highly adaptable dog. The other parent will introduce their own traits and some potential quirks, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. They could inherit none of the conditions common to their parent breeds, or they could inherit some or all of them. They can also be prone to allergies, have sensitive skin, and also a sensitive stomach. Good breeding practices will make a huge difference. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. Although French Bulldogs can sometimes be stubborn, they are eager to please and tend to be easy to train. As long as training is consistent and focused on positive praise and reward, they can be a good fit for owners of all experience levels. If the other parent breed is also easy to train, then you can expect a French Bulldog Mix to be highly trainable as well. Regardless of owner experience, there are many benefits of puppy training classes. A mixed-breed dog can inherit a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is a mix of both. You will also need to clean their facial wrinkles. Weekly ear checks with cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. As a small dog breed, a Frenchie Mix is more prone to developing dental diseases later in life. This makes good, consistent dental care for dogs even more important for them. Daily brushing with a dog-friendly toothpaste or using an enzyme toothpaste paired with cleanings at the vet when needed is ideal. Frenchies are known couch potato dogs that are happy to lay back, relax, and cuddle with you. Daily walks plus some playtime are usually enough for this affectionate little dog. Even though they like to relax, they also like to play and will be energetic when they do. They can also be athletic and compete in dog sports. As a brachycephalic breed, you do need to be careful of overexertion and overheating. But, there are plenty of ways to safely exercise flat-faced dogs to make sure your French Bulldog Mix gets enough exercise. If the other parent breed is also a low-energy breed, then you can expect something similar from a Frenchie Mix. If the other parent breed requires more activity, then you will need to be prepared for the potential of a higher energy dog. Fully-grown Frenchies usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother, so make sure you ask the breeder about them. This can give you some idea of what size to expect in a fully-grown French Bulldog Mix. French Bulldogs generally live for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar average life span in a French Bulldog Mix. Featured French Bulldog Mix Article. Height: 12 - 16 inches at the shoulder Weight: lb. They can be an inquisitive little fella so keep on the lookout for that behavior! All dogs need attention and don't want to be left alone. That's why you have a pet, right? Plan on putting forth effort to socialize her as this will reap dividends in the long run. Please use always use positive reinforcement even though they can have a mind of their own. Enjoy being with your new mixed breed and love the relationship you will have with them. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel French Bulldog Mix Health All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. We obviously recommend that you look for a reputable animal rescue in your area to find your new mixed breed. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mixed with the French Bulldog might be prone to joint dysplasia, mitral valve disease, cataracts, among others. Note that these are just common problems in both breeds. Even if you know the breed, sometimes it is hard to tell if it will be a heavy shedder or a light shedder. Either way, Get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin. What are the exercise requirements? Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This mix will more than likely have a high energy level. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him. What are the training requirements? This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background. Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia. I good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. See and learn more about these wonderful individuals here. Good Michelle E. Lange June 8, .Royal Frenchel is an experience you will always renember from start to finish. A soul heart energy and love goes into each puppy. Your life will be touched deeply, not just by your puppy but what Royal Frenchel does on the journey not just the first moment but the life of your special family member Teresa Lewis February 23, .I've had my Sophie girl for 2 months now and she is a doll, ok when she's sleeping! She goes miles an hour or zero, nothing in between. She is crate trained and we are working on the potty training! Royal Frenchel has been extremely helpful throughout the process. I got to visit a couple times before taking her home and they have given me all kinds of information on what to do for and with my new puppy. They are very responsive to any questions I've had and have and I am grateful for my little mixed breed pup! Thank you Krystine Baker July 11, .We adopted our dear little Milo and from start to finish we had an amazing experience! They were very informative, patient with my constant check ins and questions, engaging, professional, and by the end of the process I felt as if we were family!! Peggy Hobart July 1, .We contacted Windy at Royal Frenchel and she was very generous with her time, answering our questions and educating us about this breed. We made an appointment for the very next Saturday and drove down for our meeting. We got to meet many of her sweet older dogs and several of the tiny puppies. We met our boy, Tucker, when he was 3 weeks old. We returned to bring him home 5 weeks later and he had been an absolute pleasure. Our 4 year old Frenchie, Harley, grew to love him, too. Tucker is a great little eater, sleeper and is very playful. He is steadily growing and is now able to run quite fast! He responds to his name often and is a very smart little guy. Windy and Arturo have been very responsive throughout and even set up Zoom sessions during the 5 weeks prior to us bringing him home. This has been a great experience and I know I can contact them with any questions that may arise. We love our sweet boy so much!! Annette Rudge June 29, .Bella has an amazingly sweet temperament. She is very composed around unfriendly dogs. We are thankful for Windy and her team for breeding such well mannered pups with minimal training. Our dog is well liked wherever we go and the groomers always asks to keep her longer while we run errand LOL. Bella also does very well with a rambunctious five year old and likes to wait for him by the door because she knows his schedule. Very happy with the wonderful dog that I have purchased from Royal Frenchel. She is so sweet and loves to cuddle. Tim Harris July 10, .I couldn't be happier with my new puppy. The whole process from start to finish was so easy. Lots of communication about how to prepare for the arrival of my new dog including many videos with background and training, feeding and personality traits. This is definitely the breeders that you want to buy from. Two thumbs up Lisa Gersten April 13, .I was so amazed at how easy these dogs are to train! They are so intelligent and intuitive to your every need. When I need a hug from a hard day I can always count on my Royal Frenchel to give me a snuggle and a smile! These dogs have changed my life forever! David Smith April 3, .The Royal Frenchel is precisely such a dog. This exciting new breed is turning heads and upsetting the standards of what we know and believe to be the principles of being a dog owner. The Royal Frenchel has so much to offer in such a small and adorable package that it is quickly becoming the most popular dog breed among those who demand an exceptional personality and outstanding caliber of their pets.

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. We all want the best for our pets and want to feed our German Shepherd the best diet. The best dog food for German Shepherds is dry food, which is more practical for large breeds. It is also the least expensive, even if you choose a high-quality brand. Of course, you can feed other diets, such as wet, a mix of dry and wet, raw, home-produced, dehydrated, or freeze-dried. Most owners feed commercial dry food or wet canned food. You should check that vitamins and minerals are also included. The best quality commercial dog foods will consist of additional protein sources, like fish, eggs, and plant-based proteins, like vegetables, legumes, and grains. The best diet for your German Shepherd should suit his size and lifestyle. I will explain what I mean when we take a unique look at the different types of food you can feed your dog see below. Many pet food companies have invested millions of dollars into researching what ingredients contain the maximum levels to achieve a healthy, balanced diet that aids in essential puppy growth and mental and physical development. Dry Foods Dry dog foods are one of the most popular choices. The latter is gaining popularity in the United States and other regions and is widespread in the UK and Europe. Cold-pressed food is deemed a higher quality kibble due to its cooking process. So what exactly is kibble? Kibble is dry dog food made either through extrusion or oven baking. The food is produced under high pressure and high temperatures. All kibble is made the same way and using the same machinery. What is cold-pressed dog food? Cold-pressed dog food is dry food made at much lower temperatures and cooked quickly before being pressed into the desired shape. This unique method means the food retains more nutritional value, flavor, aroma, and vitamins. All the goodness is retained in bite-size pieces. Dry dog food provides more nutrients per bite than wet food because they contain less moisture. Dogs with dental problems may also benefit from dry food as it helps to clean their teeth and gums. Dry dog food is the most practical choice for a large dog, especially a German Shepherd. However, dry food comes in all shapes and sizes, so a smaller sized variety can be suitable for smaller breeds. It is also okay to feed your dog a pure dry diet and add cooked meat, fish, or vegetables, and this is what I do. I feed Willow cold-pressed dog food, and although this is a complete, balanced, high-quality food, I like to mix things up for my German Shepherd. Willow eating dry food with a natural yogurt topping Occasionally my dog will have some tinned tuna or mackerel in oil, which is also excellent for her skin and coat. If I add a topping, I always slightly reduce the quantity of the food to ensure that she is not gaining extra calories. There are some things to be wary of; not every canned food brand provides the protein your German Shepherd needs. Also, the higher the water content, the fewer nutrients, so your dog has to consume more food to get the nutritional value their body needs. Additionally, be wary of low-quality canned foods, as manufacturers often add wheat flour as a thickener or extra white rice or other grains. Canned dog food can be more expensive, especially if you have a large dog breed, but it may be ideal if your dog enjoys eating a more considerable portion. Other advantages of wet food are that it may be more suitable if your GSD is a fussy eater or if you have a senior dog who may have lost his appetite and find wet food more palatable. Semi-moist Dog Foods Semi-moist dog foods are not as popular as other types as they offer the least nutritional value and can be pretty expensive. Unfortunately, manufacturers add sugar and salts to preserve moisture and shelf life. Therefore, a semi-moist diet may not be appropriate for your German Shepherd, especially if he is overweight and needs to lose a few pounds. Many semi-moist foods are also loaded with artificial colors, chemical preservatives, and flavor enhancers. However, semi-moist food may be the best choice if your German Shepherd finds it challenging to digest all other types of dog food. Your dog may also enjoy the meaty taste and find this food more palatable if they are incredibly picky. Dry Dog Food vs. You can mix the foods in the same bowl or feed dry for the morning and wet for the afternoon feed or vice-versa. Some German Shepherd owners that feed dry dog food like to add wet food as a topping. If you choose this option, keeping to the same brand is advisable. They believe their pets will not like or refuse commercial dog food. They may need a home-prepared diet to help with a diagnosis e. They may require a home-prepared diet if a dog has a combination of diseases for which no commercial diet exists. They sought comfort as a home-feeder for dogs with chronic or terminal illnesses. There are several drawbacks to the home preparation of dog food. You can do it, but it takes a lot of dedication and hard work, and it may be more expensive than even the best quality dog food on the market. Homemade diets can provide complete nutrition. However, you need to ensure your German Shepherd gets the right mix of protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins, which is not easy. Suppose you wish to prepare a home-cooked diet. It is recommended to cook all animal products to kill bacteria that could make your German Shepherd sick. However, if you are a raw feeder see below , you will likely disagree with this statement. Grains, beans, and starchy vegetables must also be cooked to make them easier for your dog to digest. Never add foods that are toxic to dogs. These include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, avocados, and macadamia nuts, to name but a few. Do you want to know more about homemade diets? My final thoughts on helping you decide on whether to become a home feeder would be: Do you have the time to become a home feeder? There are plenty of high-quality commercial dog foods on the market. Your dog will require regular health checks to check for any nutrient deficiencies. Growth and weight The German Shepherd puppy is a popular addition to many households. Sometimes called the Alsatian puppy, the German Shepherd was initially developed for herding and now commonly used as a working dog or pet. This is your guide to providing all the nutrients your new puppy needs. When Your Puppy Comes Home Although they look pretty sturdy at eight weeks old, German Shepherd puppies are vulnerable to tummy upsets when they arrive at a new home. To help them settle in stick with the food their breeder was giving them for the first two weeks minimum. You can then gradually swap over by increasing proportions over the course of a couple of days. However, if they are doing well on their original food, considering sticking with it for longer. To begin with follow the guidelines provided by the breeder, the feed manufacturer or by your veterinarian. This will vary depending on how calorie dense the food is and how it is formulated. Your puppy should be fed four times a day up to the age of four months. After this age, two larger meals at regular times will be sufficient. However, the more often you feed your pup the stronger your bond will grow. Simple sits and recalls, puppy tricks, they all make a big difference to how your dog behaves towards you and feels about you as they grow. What to Feed A German Shepherd Puppy You will find there are a lot of different opinions about what kind of food is best. Kibble and wet food are the most popular, but you do also have the option of raw or homemade meals. Puppy Kibble Great quality, high meat content kibble is my go-to for feeding larger puppy breeds. At the beginning of the day I measure out their daily food amount, then separate it into little pots. Some as meals, and the remainder to use throughout the day to reward good behavior or get off on the right foot with positive reinforcement. The FDA recently issued a notice alerting dog owners to a potential increased risk of a serious heart condition. This is called canine dilated cardiomyopathy DCM. The risk is in dogs eating foods that include peas, lentils, or potatoes instead of grains. The underlying cause of these cases is not clear, but the FDA note suggests that caution should be used in selecting foods with these ingredients for German Shepherds and other large dogs. Canned Dog Food For picky eaters canned food can be more appealing. It smells stronger, and debatably tastes nicer. These diets do not include cooked or otherwise processed foods. However, it may be more difficult to regulate a BARF diet to ensure a slow and steady growth rate in young puppies. If you find this option intriguing, you can check out our article on feeding your dog a raw diet. Homemade Diets Research has shown that in the past, poorly balanced homemade diets have been harmful to German Shepherd puppies. There is now abundant information available to anyone who is willing and able to produce a safe and balanced diet. However, modern cases studies have shown that well-meaning owners may still over-feed or create an unbalanced diet. So, this is an area where you really can have too much of a good thing. As with commercial foods, homemade diets must be properly formulated for a large breed dog. Do not deviate from recommended recipes as provided by a veterinarian. If possible, preferably a vet with a board certification in veterinary nutrition. Recipes published in popular magazine and websites may not be nutritionally complete or suitable for a large breed puppy. Is My Puppy the Right Weight? You can also refer to German Shepherd puppy growth charts to see if you puppy is gaining weight and within the normal range. However, keep in mind that some dogs will be unusually small or large but still be perfectly healthy. Do not try to maximize growth rates as this can lead to health problems later. Ensure that you are familiar with how to assess the body condition of your puppy. The ribs and spine should be easy to feel but not simple to see. My Puppy Is Still Hungry If your puppy seems excessively hungry provide more frequent but smaller meals. Young puppies cannot tolerate going without food for extended periods. With older puppies you may wish to experiment with foods that help them feel more full, and provide low calories treats. Keeping a health puppy active and occupied will help prevent them from becoming overly focused on anticipating their next meal. Image used with permission by copyright holder How much should a German Shepherd eat per day? When determining how much to feed your German Shepherd you need to consider his age, size, and activity level. Puppies need to be fed a specially formulated puppy diet focused on growth. Adult dog diets should focus on maintaining a healthy weight. An adult male German Shepherd can weigh between 75 and pounds, while a female can weigh between 55 and 70 pounds. Experts at Prudent Pet Insurance offer the following feeding guidelines for large breed dogs. Many fruits and vegetables such as apples, blueberries, carrots, and broccoli can make healthy treats for your German Shepherd. According to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, the following popular people foods are toxic to pets: Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, coma, and even death. Chocolate, coffee, and, caffeine all contain methylxanthines, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures, and even death. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure. Almonds, pecans, and walnuts contain high amounts of oils and fats that can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and they can potentially cause pancreatitis. Onions, garlic, and chives can cause gastrointestinal irritation and can lead to red blood cell damage and anemia. What dog food brands are affordable but healthy? When shopping on a budget, steer clear of cheap, low-quality dog foods. According to an article in The Whole Dog Journal , these foods are made with the cheapest ingredients available in the pet food industry and are not healthy for dogs. Instead, look for an affordable high-quality, nutritionally balanced diet that will keep your dog happy and healthy. Of course, if your dog is on a prescription diet for health reasons, you will have to pay more for that food. Following are three top-rated foods manufactured by experienced pet food companies that have veterinary nutritionists on staff. It is also a vital element for brain and eye development. Fresh chicken meat in the diet provides protein with high biological value. Natural Prebiotics to boost the overall digestive process. The benefits of Orijen Puppy Large: A calorie limited diet to promote a healthy weight and to put less pressure on joints. Rich in protein for making German Shepherd pups healthy and strong. Highly delicious chicken and turkey liver tempt the pickiest of eaters. The crusty and crunchy kibble texture of this food promotes good periodontal health and helps in curbing problems like Tartar and Plaque buildup. An essential fatty acid like Omega 3 has been added in the diet for boosting the overall skin health of the dogs. A natural antioxidant like Vitamin E fortifies the natural immunity of the pups, keeping them strong and healthy. You can feed your adult German Shepherd 2 times a day. You should avoid feeding them synthetic preservatives. High in Fibres: Natural fibres maintain superior digestive health and also an ideal body weight. Vitamin C: Vitamin C keeps the joints healthy, preventing problems like hip dysplasia and arthritis. Natural fibres promote excellent digestion and maximum nutrient absorption. The benefits of Fidele Adult Large Breed: Contains a substantial amount of protein for enhancing strength and endurance in grown up German Shepherds. Omega fatty acids boost skin health and also maintain good eyesight. It consists of Real Chicken meat as the main constituent which is favourite for German Shepherds. It has a good combination of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids that significantly improves the skin health of the dogs. They do not contain any fillers or preservatives which makes this diet completely safe for German Shepherds to savour. Breed Specified Recipe specially made for German Shepherds Real Chicken meat offers good protein content for supporting strong muscle mass Excellent blend of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids endow the dogs with good skin health. This dog food has a rich protein content that fortifies the muscle mass in the dogs. Moreover, the crusty texture of this food helps in removing Tartar and Plaque build-up. Ideal dog food for a large breed like German Shepherd Consists of Calcium and Phosphorus that boosts bone density Glucosamine and Chondroitin provides anti-inflammatory effect to the dogs Beet Pulp and FOS prebiotics boosts overall digestive health of the dogs Crusty kibble texture of the food eliminates Tartar and Plaque build-up 5 Hills Science Diet Adult Large Breed Dog A highly nourishing meal that has Chicken and Barley as its primary constituents, the Hills Science Diet Adult Large Breed is an easy-to-digest meal offering a nutritional profile that suits an adult German Shepherd. Omega 6 and Vitamin E promote beautiful skin and coat in German Shepherds. Ample amounts of protein maintain lean muscle mass and endurance. They need foods that are low in protein and fat content while richer in fibres. However, an overall moderate diet with all the components is also considered healthy, provided your dog trains and exercises regularly. A senior German Shepherd consumes around calories daily. They can be fed 2 times a day. Fish Oil Omega 3 : Fish oil is an excellent source of Omega fatty acids that provides a good anti-inflammatory effect to senior dogs. Fewer Carbs: As elderly German Shepherds are quite vulnerable to obesity and diabetes, a diet that has a low glycemic index is most preferred to them. A combination of Vitamin E and C, builds a stronger immune system. Devoid of artificial flavors and preservatives. Fresh meat and freeze-dried liver make the meal highly delectable. A biologically appropriate diet that nurtures your older German Shepherds according to their biological and evolutionary needs. Thus, when you adopt a German shepherd pup, make sure that you provide it with a fully nutrition loaded diet and maintain a lifestyle with lots of physical activities. A comprehensive diet including all the above parameters will lead to a healthy and long life span of your little beasts. An avid nature and animal lover, Akhil likes to read and watch anything related to wildlife. He also has a great interest in athletics, mainly track and field events and is a big Masala Dosa fan. More like this.

Puppy Supplies Welcome to Buck Family Farm, a place where our love for Golden Retrievers has evolved into a passion for providing families with affectionate, intelligent, and healthy Golden Retriever Puppies. Our goal is to make sure your next family pet is everything you expected and more. Our Dogs Our family specializes in raising Golden Retrievers of all coat shades who enjoy our spacious 20 acre farm. It is important to us that each dog gets special attention and care each day. Our family-style setup allows our dogs to have the luxury of running free and romping around to their hearts' content while playing together and with our family. Also, since this is our at-home classroom, someone is always available to play ball or give a much needed scratch on the belly and pat on the head. Genetic testing is also performed on each dog to help us make wise choices for the best pairings and to produce puppies with the best probability of excellent health. Of high importance however, is taking into consideration the temperament of each of our Golden Retrievers to produce a well balanced and friendly companion, who exhibits all of the classic traits of the breed. Puppies Buck Family Farm puppies are AKC registered, vet certified, have first shots, are wormed and will come to your home with a 1 year health guarantee and a first bag of puppy food. We also send a blanket with mommy's scent and all appropriate NYS paperwork as well as copies of parents' health clearances. Our desire is to make your experience with us and our puppies everything you expected and more. Puppy Applications If you are interested in purchasing a puppy from our farm please fill out an adoption application to help us get to know you a little better. When your application is accepted you will have the opportunity to place your name on our waiting list for an additional fee. This ensures a courtesy call when a particular color, gender or litter of choice has arrived. You will then have the opportunity to place a deposit on one of our puppies. You will receive a courtesy notification of the litters' arrival and have opportunity to place a deposit. However, deposits that are not submitted promptly will affect your pick-order. Deposits are usually non-refundable. Placing a Deposit Once a new litter is born and determined to be healthy and thriving, we open them for deposit. First, to those on our waiting list, and then to families who have pre-approved applications. We choose puppies at 5 weeks of age in the order that deposits were placed. Please contact us for Paypal, zelle and Venmo handles. Visiting We frequently update pictures of all puppies on a regular basis. You will not be allowed to visit the puppies or parents until mommy is settled in and feeling comfortable with visitors. At 5 weeks of age we have adopting families visit our farm and choose their puppy. Puppies are chosen in the order that deposits were placed. Homecoming At 8 weeks of age and after veterinary examination, puppies will be united with their forever families! Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan 2. Golden Acres The Golden Acres is one of the most trusted breeders in the state. They have over 20 years of experience working with Golden Retrievers and raising show-stealing puppies. Golden Retriever puppy eats kibbles. All the puppies are hand raised and socialized with children, adults, and other puppies. They also spend a lot of time outdoors, running and playing in the fresh air. Happy and Healthy Dogs Golden Acres is committed to raising happy and healthy puppies. All of their dogs are tested for genetic diseases like hip and elbow dysplasia. They also vaccinate their puppies. They also have a nutrition and exercise program to ensure the puppies are well taken care of. Unmatched Experience The team at Golden Acres is made up of experienced and knowledgeable breeders who have a passion for Golden Retrievers. They have years of experience in caring for, training, and breeding dogs. They are committed to learn and grow their knowledge of the breed to make improvements to the breeding process. They also have a strict breeding program to make sure they produce healthy and beautiful pups. They also have a temperament test to make sure their dogs are good-natured. Positive Training Golden Acres also puts a big emphasis on socializing their puppies. From the time the puppies are born, they start the socialization process. The puppies are introduced to different environments, sounds , and people. This helps ensure the puppies are well-adjusted and comfortable in new situations. They are dedicated to providing support to their customers and are available to answer questions anytime. The team also provides valuable advice throughout the lifetime of the puppy. They also offer a health guarantee so you can rest assured your puppy is healthy and well taken care of. The couple has two children and runs an at-home business boarding dogs and breeding exceptional Golden Retrievers. Contact Details:. Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. We even have all types of golden retrievers for sale! At My Golden Retriever Puppies, we pride ourselves on our golden retriever price being fair and affordable for high quality puppies. Location Information for Michigan Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Michigan? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Michigan? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Purebred Golden Retriever Puppies Buying a puppy is a big decision. We made that decision easy. Not knowing where your puppy has come from could lead to genetic health and socialization issues, and ultimately disappointment. There are even tons of puppy scams on the internet, some of which even try to imitate us! We believe dogs are not like family — they ARE family! Unlike other puppy adoption agencies in Ohio, we allow and actually encourage you to meet our Golden Retriever puppies for sale before you agree to take one home. Remember, too, that when it comes to getting a puppy, ultimately, you get what you pay for. You get a Golden Retriever you love, vetted for good health, from a breeder you trust. He has a very fun loving spirit and has made our family complete. Marcus and his family are very gracious and great to work with. We would highly recommend them for anyone looking for a Golden! She will be turning 9 months in a few weeks. I had a wonderful experience getting her through your company! So glad I got her. All Rights Reserved. We have been breeding and showing Golden Retrievers for over 20 years. Many of our Goldens have gone on to win numerous awards at competitions throughout the U. Some of our pups even starred in Disney movies! Eagleridge has been recognized multiple times for our outstanding achievements and dedication to breeding outstanding Golden Retrievers. We are proudly registered as a Breeder of Merit by the AKC, as recognition for our dedication and passion of breeding beautiful, healthy Golden Retriever puppies. The AKC has also rewarded us with their Silver Medallion as recognition of our success over the years. Baby Francis 3 arriving January ! Testimonials Gus "Good morning! I wanted to reach out and send some photos of Gus who is now a little over a year old. He has gotten into Dock Diving in the last few months and has earned his Dock Senior title. Thank you for a great dog! When I tell you that he did it with no effort, I'm not exaggerating. He did it all on his own! I think he would have passed the test when I received him in July. I think you and your staff should be very proud of the training you provide your puppies! Please thank everyone who worked with Dwayne. In two weeks, he will become a therapy dog with Easter Seals of Alabama. Jen was so helpful, knowledgeable, and professional throughout the whole adoption process. She communicated regularly with us, providing so many updates and videos along the way. We are so fortunate for her and her staff! Thank you Jen and Eagleridge Golden Retrievers!! Jen was always super responsive, knowledgeable and able to answer our many questions. We have had Kevin for about a month and a half now we got him in September and he is settling in perfectly. The training program was a great addition, he is able to follow commands and is very well tempered and so smart. From the adoption process to the training program, we would absolutely recommend this breeder to anyone looking for a great experience! This FL boy is definitely enjoying the Northeastern Autumn! Furthermore, being a client since , I could honestly compare the experience from four 4 years ago to this present time. It was as stress free working with Jen Francis as it could possibly be! Her knowledge about this variety of a K9 is remarkable. The quality health , temperament and of course breed beauty and more are on full display at EagleRidge!

Do you love puppies? Are you looking for puppies and get reached your doorstep? Here at Petla Pug Puppies, you will choose all the pug while staying at their home. We are the ones who always assist our customers regarding selecting the best and the most affordable pug for them. While you will choose our exclusive pug services, you can get all the things at a sale price. Now, you do not need to go for any other platform to purchase your favourite white teacup pug as we are the only reputed and trustworthy services provider all across the regions of the United States of America. Starting from the order of your pug to the delivery of your pug, we are the one who always available to assist our customers in every purchase of their micro teacup pug. Petla Pug Puppies — The only answer for all your micro teacup pugs for sale near me Queries Petla Pug Puppies is the only answer to all your problems related to the micro Teacup pugs near me searches. We are the only ones who always ranked on the top position among all the searches related to the micro Teacup pugs near me. No matter where ever you are, our services are always all across the major and minor areas of the USA. Shopping or placing an order along with us is very much easy, as you only need to call or email to us to have our amazing services for micro teacup pugs for sale near me. Whether you are going to adopt the puppies or you want to purchase them as a gift purpose, you can easily get all such things only from our Petla Pug Puppies. We offer Secure and Safe Payment While you are choosing us for getting White pugs for sale near me, then you do not need to worry about the payments as all our modes of payments are secure and safe. Moreover, we accept payments in multiple ways, whether it is Google Pay or any credit or debit card. So, try our amazing White pugs for sale near me services and process your payment via any of the modes. Readout our testimonials before having our White pugs for sale near me services As we are the only one who have all the 5-star customers from across the regions. If you are still having any doubt about our services, you can also check out our testimonials section to have a better idea before getting an advantage from our micro teacup pugs for sale. Related products. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Why do I want a show lines pug puppy? I'm only looking for a pet. Experience the ultimate joy of owning a pug puppy from Companion Pups! We go beyond the conventional notion of keeping show-quality pugs exclusively for show homes. We believe that everyone deserves the absolute best when it comes to their furry family members. Pugs were bred to be people's companions, and we are passionate about bringing that exceptional companionship to your home. Purebred doesn't always guarantee superior breeding or adherence to pug standards. That's why our show lines ensure that you not only get a pug with the correct look but also the perfect personality, temperament, and size. Our show line puppies possess a special charm that makes them thrive in a multitude of environments which makes for the best family companions ever —happy, playful, and confident, without being hyper or spastic. They are intelligent, attentive learners, embodying the chunky, wrinkly look and adorable nose roll that pug enthusiasts adore. By choosing a show line puppy from us, you're selecting a well-balanced, fun-loving, and fiercely loyal companion that exceeds all expectations. Experience the beauty and trainability wrapped up in the healthiest pug puppies. Our AKC and International lines are health tested and our pugs are pre-spoiled, ensuring a delightful addition to your family. Welcome to Companion Pups, the home of the Kisses' Line of Pug Puppies, where our pugs literally give you kisses and are eager to shower you with love and affection! We'd also like you to know you can always expect a quick response from us as well so you are never left waiting and wondering when you'll hear back. It's our goal to be here when you need us for the life of your pug. Welcome to the Companion Pups family! Questions about Pug puppies for sale in New York? We have answers. How much are Pug puppies for sale in New York? There are lots of sites out there offering to help you meet Pug breeders New York and find Pug puppies New York, but the quality levels of each site can vary greatly. Some sites sell unhealthy pups from bad breeders and you can even find scammers operating on certain sites too. You won't have to worry about any of those kinds of problems here on Uptown. What are puppy mills and why should I worry about them? Puppy mills are basically dog factories — they're places where pups are kept in cramped and unclean conditions, sold off at cheap prices to make way for the next batch. Pug puppies for sale in New York from mills often have health issues and behavioral problems because of this troubled upbringing, leading to big vet bills and disappointment for the owners. What is a backyard breeder? Backyard breeders should also be avoided when looking for a Pug for sale New York. They're basically people who breed dogs in unethical ways, often using their own backyards as breeding facilities and failing to meet the proper standards of ethics and professionalism. You won't have to worry about a single backyard breeder selling a New York Pug for sale on Uptown. Are Pugs good family dogs? They are indeed and we're seeing lots of families looking for Pugs for sale New York in recent times. These dogs have plenty of family-friendly qualities, beginning with the fact that they love kids and enjoy playing with little ones of all ages. There's also the fact that Pugs are highly portable, perfect for car rides and family adventures, and they're very friendly, loyal, and cuddle-loving too. Hybrid and designer dogs are specially-bred dogs, created by crossing two different breeds together. An example would be the Daug, which is made by mixing a Pug and a Dachshund. On their own, Pugs aren't designer dogs, but you can be interested in buying a hybrid Pug for sale in New York, such as a Daug or Puggle. Are Pugs easy to train? Pugs are more than capable of effectively learning basic commands with ease. They really like to please their owners, so they're happy to learn new things, as long as you have some patience with them and don't try to push them too far. New York Pugs for sale are therefore a good choice for those who don't have much experience with dog training. Can I have a Pug if I live in an apartment? For sure! There are many happy apartment dwellers out there who have chosen Pugs as their pets, and Pugs have a lot of positive qualities making them a good match for apartment life. They're small in stature and have low energy levels too, so New York Pugs for sale really don't need too much space to be happy. Just be sure to take them for regular walks so they don't gain too much weight. Am I limited to local breeders only? No, there are no limits when you use Uptown too search for your Pug pup! You can try to find a local New York Pug puppy for sale to make things a little simpler for picking up your pup, or you can search far and wide with trusted breeders all over the nation. If your Pug is too far away to drive, the breeder can make arrangements to fly your pup to an airport near you. How do you screen breeders selling Pug puppies? There are some amazing Pug breeders in New York. Sadly, there are also some lower quality breeders too, along with puppy mills and scammers to watch out for. How much do Pug pups cost? The average price of Pug puppies for sale New York can vary quite a lot. Well, the price tag for each pup can be affected by a range of different factors like coat color, eye color, size, and more. Here at Uptown, we aim to help you find a Pug New York that meets all of your requirements and matches your budget too.

Why Is My Dog Shaking? Dogs are known for their loyalty and companionship, but when they start shaking, it can be a cause for concern for pet owners. Shaking in dogs can be a sign of various issues, from dog anxiety and dog fear to dog medical conditions. In this blog post, we will explore the common causes of a dog shaking and what pet owners can do to identify and treat the problem. We will also offer tips for preventing dog shaking and ensuring.By doing regular grooming at home, you can help your dog look its best between visits to the groomer. You also get to bond more closely and build stronger trust with your dog. Routine grooming sessions will keep your dog clean and feeling fresh, but it will also.Their personality is lively, their nature fun-loving, and their disposition affectionate. As even-tempered, sweet, and playful dogs, Pugs make wonderful playmates for kids of all ages and lovely companion pets for couples, singles, and seniors. These little joy bringers love to cuddle and are generous with their Pug love. When it comes to their family, Pugs attach like magnets. They are known to happily shadow their humans in every activity and are just as happy lazing on the couch all day as they are going for a long evening stroll around the neighborhood. Up to date on vaccinations and worming. My puppies are raised in a loving home with lots of socialization! I grew up with pugs and there is no other dog that compares! We seek the best folks for our puppies to find their forever home. Puppies available most times. UTD on shots and dewormings. Raised in my home! September has available puppies. Give us a call today to discuss our puppies. Puppies will have required vaccinations and come with health guarantee. All of our dogs live in our home with us and are part of our family. We have standard as well as rare colors including fawn, brindle, white, apricot, merle. I have fawns and blacks, all are AKC registered. Boys available at stud. We breed sweet, healthy companions and occasional show pups. Shots, and Vet checked. They are health guaranteed and raised with children, dogs and cats. We do NOT ship. It is too high of a risk. We have only a few litters a year. All of our dogs and puppies live in our home. We have 3 beautiful fawn girls born May 22nd. Puppies come with CKC registration, first shots, micro-chipped and 1 yr health guarantee. Visit our site for more info. Very sociable,loving and fun. Old black female who is housebroken and very calm and laid back. Looking for one of these fantastic little dogs give us a call! We have traditional colors and unrecognized colors all pups are vet checked and come with a guarantee. All our dogs and pups are raised in our home not a kennel. Our fur kids are Loved and spoiled beyond measure.Feel free to check out our Panini Pug facebook page for the newest info!

Prosecutors dropped the charges against Smith on Sept. In May , the year-old former owner of Hideaway Kennels in Lake Wales and three of her workers were charged with 38 felony counts of animal cruelty. Each carries a maximum of five years in prison. The case dragged on without any resolution. Then, earlier this year, the three workers accepted plea deals in exchange for two years' probation. Scott Wilder, a Sheriff's Office spokesman, said the Polk County Sheriff's Office stands behind its investigation and is happy to have three people convicted for animal cruelty. Wilder said there would be no apology for Smith. Wilder said the dogs were living in "vile" conditions, with some having open wounds and missing jaws. In a Thursday telephone interview, Smith, a breeder since the early s, insisted that she isn't guilty of animal cruelty to her dogs. Petersburg-based rescue group, to take 38 dogs. The dogs were old or had some genetic problems, she said. Florida Poodle Rescue alerted authorities about the condition of the dogs. After an investigation, Polk County sheriff's deputies arrested Smith and her three workers. She estimated that she sold about 20 puppies a year. Even with the case lasting for more than three years, Smith refused to take lenient plea deal offers, Levine said. But Chip Thullbery, a spokesman with the State Attorney's Office in Bartow, noted that by accepting plea deals, Smith's three workers had accepted some responsibility for the abuse. The Clearwater resident, who is not related to Paula Smith, denied allegations that the nonprofit organization rescued the ailing dogs to get more donations. Some of the dogs were euthanized and others were eventually adopted, she said. Corinn Smith said she was upset that the charges against Paula Smith were dropped and her workers only got probation for misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals. Jason Geary can be reached at .Press Release May 9, New report reveals licensed dog breeders still in business despite filthy conditions, dying dogs and cruel practices The Humane Society of the United States releases 10th annual Horrible Hundred report, providing a sampling of problem puppy mills and sellers in the U. SHARE The Humane Society of the United States released its 10th annual Horrible Hundred report today, revealing thousands of dogs suffering across the country at commercial dog breeding operations known as puppy mills —many of which are still in business despite years of documented animal welfare violations. The report describes violations such as failing to provide proper care to injured and emaciated dogs, dogs and puppies exposed to extreme weather and dogs living in cramped, filthy and unsafe conditions. The report provides a sampling of problem puppy mills and puppy sellers operating in the United States, based on state and federal inspection reports. For the 10th year in a row, Missouri has the largest number of problem puppy sellers on the list 26 , followed by Iowa 17 , New York 12 and Kansas and Wisconsin seven each. Some states, like Ohio and Oklahoma, have few entries in the report this year, because they failed to respond to our public records requests in a timely manner. Department of Agriculture inspector that he killed some of his unwanted dogs by injecting them in the stomach and then leaving them to die in their cages. His veterinarian denied providing the drug or giving approval for this method, but the USDA did not fine Sommers or suspend or revoke his license. The HSUS has reached out to the agency to urge them to work with local authorities on potential animal cruelty charges. Iowa breeder Menno Gingerich Skyline Puppies admitted to performing a do-it-yourself procedure on a badly injured puppy with a neck wound. A self-described American Kennel Club dog breeder in Missouri, Cory Mincey Puppy Love Kennel , was found to be operating and accumulating severe violations even though the Missouri Attorney General sued the operation in for failing to provide proper care for numerous filthy, emaciated and dying dogs. Missouri breeder Mary Ann Smith, who once unsuccessfully sued the HSUS for referring to her as a puppy mill owner, was once again found keeping dogs in poor conditions during at least three recent state inspections between May and December .In the decade of publishing the Horrible Hundred report , many breeders have appeared five, six or seven times due to recurring appalling violations yet they remain in business. However, some progress has been made during the last 10 years: More than dealers who have appeared in our past reports appear to have shut down , and a few dozen have been criminally charged, fined or jailed. More than 1, dogs have been rescued over the past 10 years from breeders listed in the Horrible Hundred report who were later shut down by law enforcement agencies. At least 11 states and hundreds of localities have upgraded their dog breeder or pet store laws since we published the first Horrible Hundred report in .Petland has fought laws across the country that would end the sale of puppy mill puppies in pet stores, claiming they only purchase from high quality breeders. The public can do their part by choosing shelter adoption when getting a dog, and by asking their lawmakers to support the federal Puppy Protection Act , which will increase standards of care at federally licensed puppy breeding operations. January 11, at a. But she presses ahead — the dogs need her. She pulls into the driveway of Scarlet-Maple Farm Kennel. A necessary one, Anderson thinks, but a lie nonetheless. Will the boy swallow her story? Will he discover her ruse and chase her away? She hopes not. If all goes well, Anderson will leave with at least one dog, maybe more — and perhaps with evidence that could help put this kennel out of business for good. Smith and other animal welfare activists pushed for a new state law — regarded as the toughest in the nation — designed to end the inhumane treatment of breeding dogs in the large commercial kennels popularly known as puppy mills. Kennel owners say the law is unnecessary and too expensive to comply with, and that it is eliminating many good breeders along with the few bad apples. She knows the drill. Large operations like Scarlet-Maple rarely allow prospective buyers inside. State regulators say the smell of a high-volume puppy mill is unforgettable, an overwhelming stench of urine and feces. Ammonia fumes burn the nose and eyes. The simultaneous barking of hundreds of dogs creates a wall of sound that makes it hard to think, let alone converse. Puppy mill dogs spend most of their working lives inside cramped wire cages, stacked one atop the other. They get little grooming, veterinary care or attention of any kind. Lacking a bone or toy to occupy their time, some dogs go into a frenzy every time they see a human. Other dogs circle endlessly. The lack of medical training can have disastrous results. Main Line recently took in a critically ill boxer with a mummified puppy in her belly, the apparent result of a botched Caesarean. She was rushed to the hospital with bleeding and a severe infection. The physical wounds, horrific as they may be, are treatable. Tougher to heal are the psychological ones. Bill Smith says the volunteers at Main Line spend weeks or even months working with rescued dogs so they can be adopted. Ed Rendell, the owner of two rescued golden retrievers — including one from Main Line — are working to shed. Three years ago, Rendell hired Jessie Smith — then a deputy state attorney general — to revamp the state Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, an agency within the agriculture department that had come under fire for lax enforcement of kennel regulations. He also appointed a special dog law prosecutor and hired new kennel inspectors. Most significantly, Rendell signed off on strict health and safety standards for large breeding operations. Key provisions that went into effect in October required large-scale breeders to double cage sizes, eliminate wire flooring and provide unfettered access to exercise. The new law also banned cage stacking, instituted twice-a-year vet checks, and mandated new ventilation and cleanliness standards. James Casorio. No longer would kennel owners be able to operate on their own dogs. Rendell called the mass shooting an atrocity. Between the new legislation, the bad economy, and heightened public awareness — the state has established a tip line, and Bill Smith persuaded Oprah Winfrey to do a show on puppy mills — pressure is building on multiple fronts against people like Daniel Esh, the owner of Scarlet-Maple. The boy returns with three dogs. The boy goes back to the kennel. He tells Anderson they would make a good breeding pair. Deal, she says. Main Line almost never buys animals from puppy mills. But it will purchase a dog as part of a cruelty investigation. So, if these dogs show signs they have been mistreated, Main Line will take them to the PSPCA to determine whether charges can be filed. As Anderson and the boy talk, a middle-aged man guides his horse-drawn buggy into the driveway. Esh climbs off his rig and strides toward them. His business is already on the verge of collapse. Esh pleaded guilty in January to three summary violations of the dog law and subsequently lost his state kennel license. That means he can no longer breed dogs — though he can continue selling the ones in his kennel — and must reduce his kennel population to 25 dogs or less, down from more than as recently as two years ago. Inspectors planned to visit Esh in January to make sure he has complied. Esh denies ever mistreating his dogs, telling The Associated Press in a later interview that he has fallen victim to a radical political agenda that seeks the end of commercial dog breeding in Pennsylvania and across the nation. They were helping me keep my farm. With milk prices in freefall, dairy farmers have increasingly relied on dog breeding to help pay the bills, selling to pet stores or directly to the public via the Internet. Like Esh and many other breeders, Edwin Zeiset, 34, blames the new regulations for ruining his livelihood. Zeiset says he operated a clean kennel and had many repeat customers. But he recently shut down his EZ Puppies kennel rather than spend tens of thousands of dollars on a big new building. Zeiset was particularly irked by costly new ventilation requirements and by the banning of wire floors. Vets say dogs forced to stand on wire commonly suffer from interdigital cysts — painful sores between the toes. But Zeiset says the wire is there to allow waste to pass through the floor and into a collection system. He says none of his dogs suffered from sore feet. If there are breeders who mistreat dogs, he says, target them. Bill Smith has heard such talk before. He just wants to improve the lives of their dogs. Anderson holds back tears as she plants a kiss on the head of a black-and-white, poodle-bichon mix. Daniel Esh believed her story. They are filthy and fetid. She squeezes some Purell into her hands. At a breeding kennel near the tiny village of Georgetown, the rescuers trade two bags of Rachael Ray dog food for two poodles, a cockapoo and a cocker spaniel. At a third farm — a small, unlicensed kennel in Strasburg — they talk the Amish proprietors into giving up five puppies. By nightfall, Main Line has visited five kennels and retrieved 12 dogs. Back at the shelter, Anderson tests the pooches for parvo, a highly contagious and often fatal viral disease. Exams reveal the puppies from Scarlet-Maple have ear infections and intestinal parasites; the Georgetown poodles likewise need deworming. Their fur is dirty and matted, their nails long, their ears filled with muck. But these, in fact, are lucky dogs. The new state regulations have teeth, but only if they are enforced. In that vein, the Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement has been forced to turn a critical eye on itself, says Sue West, who became its director in January .There was a widespread perception among animal welfare groups that dog wardens had become too cozy with the breeders, too willing to overlook infractions. Prior administrations focused on compliance, not enforcement, she says. In , the bureau revoked only three kennel licenses. And now, it has started enforcing the revamped dog law. By the end of December, all large commercial kennels those selling more than 60 dogs per year or selling to pet stores seeking a license were examined for compliance. Yet few breeders improved their kennels in the run-up to Oct. State veterinarian Danielle Ward and kennel compliance specialist Kristen Donmoyer, teaming up to inspect two kennels that first day, were dismayed by what they saw. The dogs remained in cramped quarters and on wire flooring, with no access to the outdoors. Both of the kennel owners expressed frustration with the new law, and one said that it might be easier to close than to comply. Pennsylvania began with .In early October, Pennsylvania kennels shipped hundreds of dogs to an auction house in Baltic, Ohio, to be sold to out-of-state breeders. Smith, who has long complained about state inaction on puppy mills, still doubts that government regulators will do right by kennel dogs. Hundreds of smaller kennels are exempt from the toughest provisions of the new law. And breeders who do have to comply with them were permitted to ask for more time to improve their facilities — up to three years. The state granted 81 of those requests — denying — giving some of the waivers to kennels that Smith considers puppy mills. But West says the dog law bureau has made great strides. Compared to dogs previously taken from Scarlet-Maple, these pooches — both designer mixes — are in good shape. No evidence of animal cruelty. The poodles from Georgetown, rescued the same day, will require a lot more work to prepare them for life outside the mill. Nearly two weeks after their rescue, the poodles — dubbed Mr. White and Mrs. But volunteer Deb Hankins has built up enough trust to coax them out of their crates. Main Line volunteers gently massage the poodles, trying to calm their frayed nerves. At first, Mr. White is frozen and unblinking; Mrs. White shakes violently. Neither poodle will take the treats being offered to them — small pieces of poached organic chicken that any family dog would drool over. Volunteer Faye Donovan tries to put Mrs. White on the wooden floor and the dog flips out, hopping around like a rabbit. None of this odd behavior fazes class leader Mary Remer, a renowned trainer and behaviorist with 28 years of experience and more than 15 Westminster dog show titles to her credit. It just takes time and patience, she says. And plenty of love. The other dogs in class — all further along in their socialization than the poodles — are busy performing small tasks for treats. The same will hold true for Mr. White, the trainer says. Indeed, by the end of the minute session, Mrs. White is walking, not hopping. But he is blinking normally and taking stock of his surroundings; his nose twitches, a sign his olfactory senses are awakening. Link copied to clipboard At 76, she has a nose for troubled kennels She doesn't look like a dedicated undercover operative, this year-old animal lover with arthritic knees. But she is. Now Helen Smith is expected to provide key testimony against a veterinarian who serves some of Pennsylvania's big dog-breeding kennels and who has been charged with animal cruelty on allegations that he mutilated a puppy's tail. ET She doesn't look like a dedicated undercover operative, this year-old animal lover with arthritic knees. In fact, "I'm not harmless at all. There, accompanied by an undercover officer from the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, she unexpectedly witnessed the act that led to the first-degree misdemeanor charge against Thomas F. Advertisement A Lancaster County police criminal complaint states that Stevenson treated a 9-week-old mixed poodle's already injured and bleeding tail by "soaking it in scalding water" and then cutting it off with shears "without sedation or prior numbing of the tail. If he is convicted of animal cruelty, his license could be suspended or revoked. You could see the exposed bone. As Bill Smith began to be more recognized, making it hard for him to get into kennels, his mother started taking his place. Helen Smith has been infiltrating kennels for close to a decade, scoping out conditions, rescuing animals, and informing authorities of what she finds. Many places she visits are feces-laden warehouses where dogs are confined in small pens. But long experience did not prepare her for what she said she saw March .King, to check on a dog she had often noticed tied up outside. The dog was a brown-and-white mixed bulldog, dirty, with an injury that had claimed an eye. Smith and the undercover SPCA officer were walking through the kennel, she said, when "I heard this screaming. I can't tell you - I almost passed out. She wrapped the dog in a towel and took the bleeding animal to another vet's office, where surgery was performed on its tail, she said. The affidavit states that King said he had cut the puppy's tail while grooming it the previous day. However, the officer wrote that she had seen no evidence that the puppy had been groomed. Its hair was long and matted with feces, and the bleeding wound was covered with feces and hair, the officer wrote. King, like Stevenson, was charged with cruelty to animals. He also could not be reached for comment yesterday. His home phone number is unlisted, and a message left at Country Lane Kennels was not returned. Volunteers from Main Line Animal Rescue returned days later and bought the one-eyed dog. Stevenson is the vet of record for most of the largest kennels in Pennsylvania, responsible for thousands of dogs, according to state records. He is also the vet of record for some of New Jersey's largest pet stores. Libby Williams, founder of New Jersey Consumers Against Pet Shop Abuse, said she had received dozens of complaints in recent years from people who bought sick dogs allegedly examined by Stevenson. The veterinarian also was named in a New Jersey consumer-fraud lawsuit against Joyce and Raymond Stoltzfus of CC Pets, one of the largest puppy brokers in Pennsylvania. Lancaster veterinarian Tom Gemmill filed a complaint against Stevenson with Pennsylvania's veterinary medical board after serving as an expert witness for the Ostranders. He said Stevenson failed to keep records on the dogs he examined, a violation of the veterinary practice act. That complaint is pending. Helen Smith said yesterday that, given the publicity surrounding this case, her undercover career was probably over. Smith complimented the work of the SPCA, but said other regulatory agencies should be doing more to end deplorable conditions at puppy mills. That's why volunteers have to get involved. If the inspectors won't do their jobs, then somebody has to help these dogs. Our breeding goals include health, intelligence, temperament, conformation, uniformity, and beauty. Our breeding facility is located in a nice secluded, wooded area about 15 minutes from Little Rock, Arkansas airport where Smith Standard Poodles have plenty of room for exercise, and ample time for socializing with each other. We socialize them also with adults and children. Standard Poodle Breeder Every single one of our pups for sale come with a two-year guarantee. All our pups are birthed from quality, health certified Standard mothers and fathers. We strategically breed our dogs to enhance genetic strengths and subvert undesirable traits including common health problems within the breed. Our puppies come to you well socialize and absolutely doggie door trained. Our Standard Poodles have now found homes in every state in the US, and in fifteen other countries. These colors and patterns include Parti, Brindle, and Phantom Standard Poodles along with most of the solid colors available. Let us know if we can help you with your Poodle pondering, or with any questions, you may have about our beautiful dogs. We have years of experience, and the willingness to share. God Bless, All of the pet store connections below were done by our research team and must be cited or quoted as such. If you would like to support our efforts, you can find ways to do that here. Every year in May, the Humane Society of the United States publishes a list of examples of problematic breeders and brokers in the country. You can view the full details of their list here. Many of the facilities appeared on our Quarter 1 USDA violation report, which can be viewed here , along with the copies of the inspection reports. We highly suggest reading their report! We have listed all of the Horrible Hundred offenders in a short list, whether or not they sell to stores. Fayetteville, Arkansas. Bill Nored, Dry Fork Kennel. Dry Fork Kennels has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , , , , , , and .Kathryn Barber, K-Bar Kennels. Patterson, Georgia. K-Bar Kennels has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , , , and .Wray, Georgia. East Dublin, Georgia. This brokering facility owns their own pet store in Indiana , which relocated from Illinois. Mervin Ramer. Argos, Indiana. Patty Talcott. Hardinsburg, Indiana. Anita Wikstrom, Unforgettable Schnauzers. Ames, Iowa. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , , and .Brian Felton. Centerville, Iowa. We have record of this facility selling to puppy broker Levi Graber of Blue Ribbon Puppies since .Sioux Center, Iowa. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , , , and .Mason City, Iowa. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred List during the following years: and .Atlantic, Iowa. New Sharon, Iowa. Helene Hamrick, Wolf Point Kennel. Ackworth, Iowa. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , , , , and .Henry Sommers, Happy Puppys. Cincinnati, Iowa. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , , , , , and .Salem, Iowa. Hull, Iowa. Larry Albrecht, Coldwater Kennel. Greene, Iowa. Lavern Nolt, Twin Birch. Charles City, Iowa. Lloyd Yoder, Valleyview Premium Puppies. Riverside, Iowa. This facility is located on the same property as Loren Yoder, another Horrible Hundred Offender. Loren Yoder. Riverside Iowa. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: and .This facility is located on the same property as Lloyd Yoder, another Horrible Hundred Offender. Loren Yoder likely sells to the same pet stores that Lloyd Yoder does. Menno Gingerich. Albia, Iowa. Steve Kruse, Stonehenge Kennel. West Point, Iowa. Kruse used to sell to many stores directly, but has likely transitioned to selling through brokering companies to keep the facility names off of CVIs. Woody Wiley. Cantril, Iowa. Beth Johnson. Baxter Springs, Kansas. Chapman, Kansas. Bluff City, Kansas. Joyce Cairns, Unicorn Kennels. Glasco, Kansas. Uniontown, Kansas. Douglass, Kansas. Samuel Roman and Summer Roman. Conway Springs, Kansas. Fremont, Michigan. We have record of this brokering facility receiving many shipments of puppies from Indiana breeders. Annette Eccles Down Home Dachshunds. McNeille or Carriere, Mississippi. Hallsville, Missouri- This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , and .Brian Letsinger, Arrowhead Springs Kennel. Ava, Missouri. Urbana, Missouri. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , and .We have record of this facility selling to the following pet stores since Puppies of Westport Connecticut 4. Elkland, Missouri. Dawn Boyles, Atbay Kennels. Chula, Missouri. We have record of this facility selling puppies in to Iowa puppy broker Select Puppies. Madison, Missouri. Donna Taber, Jet Kennels. Wasola, Missouri. Rocky Comfort, Missouri. Clark, Missouri. Ellen Roberts, Rocky Top K9s. West Plains, Missouri- This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: , , , , , and .Mooresville, Missouri. West Plains, Missouri. John Bontrager and Lizzie Bontrager. Jonas A. Miller, Country Lane Kennel. Milan, Missouri. Lebanon, Missouri. We have record of this facility selling to Petland Wichita Kansas since .Marceline, Missouri. Jamesport, Missouri. Magdalena McGowan, Orchard Kennel. Cabool, Missouri. Salem, Missouri. Mervin W. Yoder and Lizzie Yoder. Noah Miller. Keytesville, Missouri. Seymour, Missouri. Sandra Kozlowski, Sho-Me Labradors. James, Missouri. Rogersville, Missouri. Spencer, Nebraska. Pender, Nebraska. We have record of this store selling to CT Breeder Connecticut in .Megan Mahlin, Flying High Aussies. Madison, Nebraska. Wilcox, Nebraska. Silver City, New Mexico. Classy Creations. Lyons, New York. Crestwood Acres. Seneca Falls, New York. Livonia, New York. Rochester, New York. Manorville, New York. Martville, New York. John David Shirk. Penn Yan, New York. Rainbow Creek South. Butler, New York. Samuel Brubacker, Hilltop Country Kennels. Dundee, New York. Twilight Valley Toys. Lois Baker. Anders, North Carolina. Andy Nisley, Nunda Valley Kennels. Howard, Ohio. Reuben M. Millersburg, Ohio. Stringtown, Oklahoma. Blanche S Plute. McDonald, Pennsylvania. Bobbie Yoder, Little Mountain Doodles. Myerstown, Pennsylvania. Narvon, Pennsylvania. Newville, Pennsylvania. Jonestown, Pennsylvania. Vickie Hines, Lar-Kie Kennel. Woonsocket, South Dakota. Danya Bueno, Buenos Little Bulldogs. Andrews, Texas. Killeen, Texas. Daingerfield, Texas. Quinlan, Texas. Tiffany Harvey, Ace Deuce Ranch. Avery, Texas. Amos Allgyer, Pawfect Paws. Platteville, Wisconsin. Tomah, Wisconsin. Daniel A. Hillsboro, Wisconsin. This facility has appeared on the Horrible Hundred list during the following years: and although the report was heavily redacted due to the USDA Blackout. We have record of this facility selling to the following pet stores since Puppy Paws New York. Joseph Hochstetler, Sideline Kennel. Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin. We have record of this facility selling to the following pet stores since Pups Unlimited New York and they also sell puppies through Southpaw Pets, a Missouri puppy broker. Moses Lee. Wilton, Wisconsin. Vernon Bontrager, Grand Valley Kennels. Markesan, Wisconsin. All of the pet store connections listed in this report were done by our research team and must be cited or quoted as such. In fact, she's been one of the greatest reasons for me to be a kinder, gentler person. Just before Sophie passed away, Oprah—and thousands of drivers—saw a billboard just off the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago that read, "Oprah: Do a show on puppy mills. The dogs need you. Every year, Bill and several volunteers rescue hundreds of abused, unwanted or abandoned animals, rehabilitate them and adopt them out to families. Many of the animals Bill rescues come from puppy mills, which he describes as places where bad breeders care more about the profit they make from puppies than the health or welfare of the animals. He says the dogs in puppy mills face deplorable conditions including inbreeding, minimal or no vet care, limited shelter and overcrowded cages. I just thought that you would be able to spread the word and educate a lot of people. Lisa and Bill also visit two pet stores. Many of the dogs born in puppy mills end up in pet stores or sold on the Internet. Lisa and Bill want to trace puppies' paperwork back to specific puppy mills. At the first store, they find a cockapoo puppy, and at the second, Labrador retriever puppies. While the owner of a store they visit denies his dogs come from puppy mills, Bill says most at pet stores do. People go into the pet stores, and they see these cute little puppies not knowing where they come from and what they go through. Bill has fostered relationships with hundreds of breeders across Pennsylvania. He asks them to give him the dogs they no longer want or, worse, the ones they're planning to kill. Bill says these breeders most often want to get rid of older females and younger males. Breeders only need one or two male dogs to breed with every 20 fertile females, so young female dogs are valuable in puppy mills. Lisa and Bill head to the breeder where the black cockapoo was born. The breeder tells them its mother is one of the dogs in cages outside. Lisa and Bill then followed the breeder into a building full of cramped wooden crates stuffed with dogs. Bill says he thinks many of these dogs have never walked in the grass though they live on a acre property. Visiting the home of the Labrador retriever puppies, Lisa and Bill find the lab puppies' mother in a small, mud-filled pen. Her teats are swollen—Bill says this is evidence she's had many litters of puppies. Lisa and Bill continue on to see other nearby puppy mills. In one, they find 30 to 40 dogs in wire-floored rabbit cages stacked to the ceiling in a room that reeks of urine and feces. Before they go to one breeder's property, Bill warns Lisa about what she may see. He has dogs running on wheels in fan casings," Bill says. The contraptions look like big gerbil wheels. That breeder wouldn't let them see his dogs, but Lisa and Bill saw two dead animals on the property. At a third breeder's facility, Lisa and Bill see outdoor cages that house scores of Pomeranians. Bill tells Lisa that not only have those dogs probably never been out of those small cages, it's likely that they remain outside even in bad weather and could die from exposure. All in all, Bill rescues dozens of dogs as he and Lisa visit puppy mill after puppy mill. Lisa says seeing the way the animals live was haunting. Bill says many breeders call him to see if he wants to pick up unwanted dogs. It's always amazing to me when I go out to pick up a dog, they've had the dog eight or nine years and it doesn't have a name. It's never been out of the hutch. It doesn't know how to walk. I have to carry it to the car. It's heartbreaking. They believe man is to dominate animals," she says. And the fact is, there is a market for puppies in America. And I said, 'Well, she's fine. She's walking around the house and everything. It's a different mentality. They're like an ear of corn. We encourage your viewers to find a responsible breeder. Each rescued dog has an appointment with a veterinarian, which is often the first medical care they've gotten in their lives. They also experience two more firsts—their first bath and first grooming. For some dogs, the medical care is urgent. Some have mammary tumors caused by years of nursing and overbreeding. Bill estimates that one cocker spaniel could have given birth to as many as puppies. Before they were rescued, many of these dogs spent their entire lives in wire cages and had trouble walking on the ground once they were out. Some had their vocal chords damaged by a pipe in order to keep them from barking. Others were completely filthy, with their coats overgrown and soaked in urine. Despite the inhumane conditions the dogs lived in before their rescue, Bill says they usually start to show signs of rehabilitation in about two weeks. The first indication they're coming around is when their tails start wagging, he says. Bill says Main Line Animal Rescue has rescued approximately 7, to 8, animals—about 5, of those from puppy mills. Their mission is to ultimately place each rescued animal in a loving family, and they are remarkably successful. We actually have something called a 'shy dog' class where we do massage therapy on them and everything else. It's great. Weeks later, the rescued dogs are steadily making progress. Even if they've been living in one place for years, most of the dogs that come from puppy mills have never been named. Bill says several of the dogs he and Lisa rescued were named in honor of their appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Over the years, Bill says he's definitely taken some of his work home with him—he has 10 dogs! At one point, Bill says he had 12, a bunch he affectionately called the "dirty dozen. In January , Bill rescued a Maltese-poodle mix from a breeder. The emaciated puppy had little hair and was close to death. Bill couldn't leave him behind and adopted the little guy, naming him Shrimp. Today, Shrimp is a happy and healthy member of Bill's pack—and even wears a red bow in his full mane of hair. If you are thinking about adopting a new pet, make your first stop the local shelter or animal rescue office. Consider these facts when adopting a dog. Sometimes, what you see isn't always what you get when it comes to that doggie in the window of a pet shop. If you are looking for a specific breed of dog, Bill says you're likely to find one at a rescue. What you need to know about animal shelters and finding responsible breeders. For people who would still like to use a breeder, Bill urges you to find one that is responsible. Quality breeders care about the quality of life their dogs will have when they go to their new homes and will often interview you about your home. One of Oprah's favorite Christmas gifts last year came from a neighbor who made a donation in Oprah's name to a no-kill shelter called The Lange Foundation. Oprah says she wasn't aware of the gift until she opened a very special Christmas card—"written" by the dog saved by that specific donation. That dog was Salina, a blind cocker spaniel who was close to being put down at an overcrowded animal shelter in Los Angeles. Here is an excerpt of Salina's letter: "One morning last week there was great excitement. One of the dogs had heard an officer say that someone from Lange Foundation was coming to choose a dog in your honor. I shared in the excitement, even though I knew the dog chosen would not be me. I was old and I was blind. I'd lived for many years in the yard of my owner's home. They never paid much attention to me. I did have my own doghouse, and that is where I spent most of my life, especially when I could no longer see. The lady slowly walked up and down the aisles. I could sense that she was sad, and I heard her say to the kennel man, 'I wish I could take all of them. I'll take the blind one. At least twice a week, Jillian visits Los Angeles's animal shelters to rescue dogs and cats that are unlikely to be adopted. Her mission is to save as many animals as possible before their time runs out. During a typical day Jillian drives out to shelters and picks animals as she can—including dogs who have been disfigured or have expensive medical needs. After rescuing the animals, Jillian brings them to her no-kill shelter, which has placed 17,, animals in loving homes over the years. When Jillian received a donation in Oprah's name, she says the decision to rescue Salina was easy. I went down to South Los Angeles Shelter the following day. I saw Salina sitting in the back of a cage, and on her cage card it said 'blind. They're not looking for old and blind. I went online, and one of them that popped up was Salina. She just seemed so helpless. Sadly, five weeks after Jack adopted Salina, she died of a stroke. Jack still wanted to help another animal and has recently adopted another cocker spaniel named Juno. Animal shelters across the country are at or above capacity, leaving little room for new arrivals. Unfortunately, dogs who are not adopted are often euthanized. Tough decisions such as these are made in every city in the country everyday, and the Fort Worth Animal Shelter goes through this difficult procedure nearly 17, times a year. Fort Worth Animal Shelter manager Keane Menefee says they took in 23, dogs and cats in —that's about 50 dogs each day. Sadly, only four of those 50 dogs found each day were adopted. When an animal is chosen, a red E is marked on their cage, and they only have one more day to be adopted. Keane says putting an animal to sleep never gets easier for him. I feel when I'm putting a dog down that I try to use the same compassion that I have as if I was putting my own animal down," he says. When it comes time, dogs are individually taken into the euthanasia lab. After the dog is muzzled for safety reasons, Keane injects them with a dosage of Fatal Plus or sodium Phenobarbital, based on their weight. In all, the process takes three to five minutes. The dog's body is put in a body bag and placed inside a freezer until the next morning, when a service will take it to a landfill. On the day Oprah Show cameras shadowed Keane, 18 dogs were on the list to be euthanized. But three dogs were saved—they were adopted by Harpo staff members working on the show. Fort Worth is also working on reducing the number of animals being euthanized. Starting in the summer of , Fort Worth shelter will offer free spaying and neutering to all animals adopted from their facility. It's better for the animals, and it prevents the needless killing of millions of animals," he says. It doesn't make sense. Shelly Rubin—who treats Oprah's dogs—says spaying or neutering is one of the best things you can do for your pet's health. For males, Dr. Rubin says neutering can change the dog's behavior for the better. One, you'll reduce prostate cancer and testicular cancer," he says. It listens to you when you speak to it, and it won't be marking urine all over the neighborhood—and your house—in many cases. Rubin says it's best to spay them before first heat. Rubin says spaying and neutering are very simple procedures. After a quick exam to make sure the animal is healthy enough for surgery, it's given a sedative and anesthesia. The procedure take about 10 to 15 minutes, and the animal can go home that day. They are helpless before us, and they rely on our good conscience," Wayne says. It's awful. It's contributing to the larger pet overpopulation crisis, which is resulting in over 4 million dogs and cats being killed every year. Go to a shelter. That's got to be your first stop," Wayne says. And if you insist on going to a breeder, go visit the breeder, talk to them. See the condition of the animals, especially the breeding females.