how much do you feed a puppy labrador

how much do you feed a puppy labrador

The protein will come from readily available sources such as chicken or beef, and not exotic or boutique sources like kangaroo or venison as you saw in second study mentioned above. According to the AKC , quality, regulated animal byproducts can be good for your dog. These byproducts can include organ meats or entrails, which often contain more nutrients than, say, plain chicken breast. Another misconception is that dogs should eat grain-free diets. As you saw in the second study mentioned above, that can actually be very harmful for your dog and cause DCM. But food labels can be a little vague and confusing, so below is an explanation of what some of these terms mean, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual and the AKC. There is one caveat though. For instance, flaked corn, ground corn, and kibbled corn could be sprinkled in an ingredient list and not be listed as the first few ingredients, but in reality, if you were to add them all up they are all corn, after all , you might find that this food is made mostly of corn. The same goes for chicken, chicken meal, and chicken byproduct. Meat vs. Meat Meal vs. The quality of these ingredients can vary widely, so be sure to talk to your vet about this and choose a reputable brand of food. Below are a few examples: Obesity. Golden Retrievers love food and they do have a tendency to become overweight if you let them. This problem can often affect these next two problems… Joint issues. Golden Retrievers are prone to joint issues and growing too fast because they eat too much can often make this problem worse more on this in the next section. Heart issues. Skin issues. Golden Retrievers are prone to hot spots and excess protein in their diets can be a factor that causes them. Many goldens suffer from food allergies. One cup of Brand X food may have calories per cup, while Brand Y has calories per cup. During a vet visit our veterinarian said he looked too small and lethargic for a puppy his age about 8 weeks at the time , and he recommended we feed him a little more. As far as how often to feed your puppy, this same rule applies. For us, we fed Oliver three times per day until he was a little over a year old. Getting a Golden Retriever Puppy? Get the gameplan for raising them right with the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook. Those two statements may sound random, but they are related. According to the Banfield Pet Hospital , overfeeding your Golden Retriever can cause them to grow too fast and increase their risk of hip dysplasia. You probably noticed that a raw diet was the fourth-most popular diet Golden Retriever owners feed their dog. Since puppies are growing and adults are just maintaining their weight, they have different dietary needs. And for fats, puppy food should have at least 8. As far as when to switch from puppy food to adult food, talk to your veterinarian. To see a list of other milestones your puppy will hit like when they lose their first teeth, or when their coat is fully grown check out this timeline of Golden Retriever puppy milestones. Like most of the other questions in this post, this is something to talk to your veterinarian about. Many foods will have the same vitamins that pills have already in them, but on the other hand, some breeders require that you give your puppy vitamins for their health guarantee to be valid. First, we unknowingly started him off on one of the brands listed in the graph above that is correlated with DCM. Then we switched to another brand that he just sort of liked. If we were to have another puppy, we would definitely start with the Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy food. How To Switch Food Brands The other day I was talking to someone who was complaining that her puppy was having lots of stomach issues. Dogs have sensitive stomachs so if you want to switch foods, you need to do it slowly. You should take about a week to transition from the old food to the new brand. Also consider how long the brand of food has been around, whether or not there have been any recalls of that brand, and if there is any research behind it. What do you feed your Golden Retriever puppy? Have any questions about what to feed them? Let me know in the comments below! Related articles:. Royal Canin makes dry food tailored explicitly to particular breeds. Its Golden food variation uses chicken and brown rice ingredients to support digestive health, strong bones, and a healthy coat. Gorgeous coats, healthy body conditions, great activity levels- perfect puppies! With a combination of healthy proteins, fruits, vegetables, and more, this dry dog food will encourage healthy muscle development in your Golden Retriever as well as strong teeth, a healthy heart, and improved skin and coat texture. Looking at the ingredients makes me feel that I have purchased a quality product for my guy. With ingredients like real protein, fruits, and vegetables, this dry food increases energy, strengthens bones, improves immune strength, and neutralizes free radicals. Her coat is healthier and shiny. She even trimmed down a little as her old dog food was making her fat. They produce high-quality dog food for your Golden Retriever at an affordable price. Veterinarians recommend IAMS Proactive Health because it uses ingredients like animal protein and antioxidant-rich veggies to nourish your dog and meet their complete health needs. Highly recommend it. Good for maintaining a decent weight too. Gobbles it down! With fish as the main protein, this kibble promotes a gorgeous coat and healthy skin and improves digestive issues. He eats it enthusiastically, and it has really helped him thrive! He is energetic, has a gorgeous coat, and devours his meals! She is a much happier dog. The Save Shredded Puppy Blend includes probiotics to help ease the digestion in growing Golden Retriever puppies with sensitive stomachs. I mix it with wet food, and he loves it. He loves the chunks of shredded chicken! I highly recommend it. This large-breed dry food can help your Golden Retriever maintain a healthy coat and great skin as well as smooth digestion. All of them love this food! Their coats are shiny and soft, and their poops are small! The exclusive formula also increases energy levels! We tried another brand, and it caused all kinds of allergic reactions. We went back to Eagle Pack, and all is right again. Great product! That may be because they have a senior Golden Retriever who is struggling with dental issues or feel that dehydrated food options are healthier. This particular food contains real protein and essential nutrients that can benefit dogs of all ages. Once we got this, she became a food-crazed puppy! This food includes a combination of freeze-dried raw-coated kibble with real pieces of freeze-dried raw meat! This variety has lots of meat sources plus several strains of probiotics. In general, your dog will benefit from puppy food from about 8 weeks of age until they are six months to a year old. Check with your vet to determine the right time to switch from a puppy food to one for adult dogs, as recommendations vary based on the size of your dog. A few days later, you can begin making it a half-and-half blend. Make sure to watch for loose stool from your pup as you transition — if you notice that your Golden is struggling with the new diet, wait for a few days before increasing the blend. When in doubt, check with your vet! Most dog foods come with specific volumes listed on the side. Overfeeding your pet can lead to a variety of health concerns. To determine what food will suit your dog the best, check out 17 of the top dog foods on the market for Golden Retrievers, no matter their age. Check with your vet to determine whether your Golden will need any special dietary considerations. Foods considered toxic to Golden Retrievers are macadamia nuts, chocolate, onions, garlic cloves, grapes, raisins, walnuts, alcohol, and any foods sweetened with xylitol. Try to avoid feeding your Golden food containing any of these ingredients. Grain is an essential component to the diet of Golden Retrievers. The absence of grain has been known to lead to a deficiency in taurine, which can potentially cause heart problems for your golden. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. The range of amounts is based on the activity of your Golden for the day, either low, moderate, or high level of activity. Golden Retrievers should have scheduled times to eat daily. The scheduled times will help them with their energy levels and keep them healthy. You can schedule their eating times as to what works best for your schedule. For example, feeding them before you leave for work and then when you get home. As a puppy, they will eat three times a day, so you will need to find times in those first few months to feed them more often. When they are an adult or senior, the scheduling of feeding times will be easier because they will only eat twice daily. For a Golden Retriever puppy, the best feeding schedule is once in the morning, noontime, and in the evening. For example, you could feed their first meal at am, lunch at noon, then dinner at pm. Planning their mealtimes around your mealtimes will often make it easier for you and the puppy. Make sure to give them plenty of time after eating to got to the bathroom a couple of times before heading to bed. Hopefully, this will help them sleep for a longer period. After about six months, your Golden Retriever can go down to two daily feedings. This usually occurs once in the morning and once in the evening. They can usually last about 12 hours between meals. If it goes past 12 hours, they could become nauseated. Golden Retrievers can experience food allergies often caused from proteins in dairy or meat products. If your dog experiences symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or itching they may have a food allergy. They warn that feeding dogs any raw animal-source protein could cause illness because it has not gone through a process to remove harmful pathogens. However, a raw diet can be healthy if you are willing to go through the extra cleaning processes of the meat. This is a lot of work and difficult to do correctly and safely. We do not recommend it without expert veterinary help. Before starting a raw diet with your Golden, be sure to consult a veterinarian. Find one that is familiar with raw foods and can help with the proper handling of the foods. If you work hard to make sure your homemade foods are rich in the vitamins and minerals that a dog needs, then it might work for your Golden Retriever. It takes a lot more time to find recipes and make sure it has all the nutritional value of a store-bought dog food. If you are willing to research expertly formulated recipes internet is making it easier to do this , and take the time to cook for your golden then go for it! Consulting your veterinarian is a must before starting any homemade diet. A veterinary nutritionist should also review your plan before starting. Feeding your Golden Retriever table food is not the best practice but a small amount of dog healthy table food is fine. Some example table foods that are healthy for them are carrots, blueberries and plain yogurt. Just be aware that feeding them too much table food can throw their entire diet out of whack. They may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals like they do from their dog food. Conclusion Making sure your Golden Retriever is getting the right foods at the right amounts will help them live their best life. There are many choices of foods with all the right ingredients. Be sure to choose one that works best for you and your Golden. Consult with your veterinarian on which food will bring the most nutritional value to the health of your Golden Retriever. If your Golden is experiencing any health issues related to changing foods, visit your veterinarian. If this article was helpful, please consider sharing this post on Facebook with the button below! She is board certified a specialist in canine reproduction. In her day job, she is a leader in a small biotech where she and a team of veterinarians and scientists work to develop new medications for pets. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of this wonderful breed of dogs. She and her husband have 2 children, 3 dogs and one cat. They love camping and hiking and she can often be found with her head in a good book. Recent Posts. Feeding Your Golden Feeding Your Golden With the wide array of foods available today, it can be hard to make a good choice of what to feed your golden. Goldens are particularly sensitive to dietary concerns, and feeding them a high quality diet can help boost their health and immune system. Feeding a high quality food is not necessarily more expensive. Price is misleading: cheaper foods require more volume to be fed, up to several cups at each meal. With the wide array of better foods available today, you can make a smart choice of what to feed your golden. A golden will normally eat about two cups of premium food per day. It can be adjusted a little more or less based on activity level and metabolism. Goldens are prone to skin problems, and a poor quality diet will cause skin problems which translates into costly veterinarian bills. You will need to go to the pet store to purchase your food. Grocery store brands do not offer the nutrition goldens need for good health. Do not be persuaded by fancy advertising. Many commonly hyped foods are not high quality and maybe lacking the necessary nutritional value for your dog. For example, Grain Free foods may play a major part in taurine deficiency in Golden Retrievers and other large breed dogs. This deficiency can cause serious heart problems for your dog see Taurine and Grain Free information on this web page. Here are some guidelines: Look for food free of chemical preservatives. Some of these additives are suspected of causing cancer. Look for food preserved with Tocopherols Vitamins C and E as well as rosemary and other herbs. Make sure you have several months before this date. Frequent stores where there is a good turnover of food so you get a fresh bag. Always store dog food in a tight airtight container in a cool, dry place. If you only have one dog, consider buying pound bags instead of pounds bags so the food is fresher. Look for a food that has some form of meat as the first ingredient — such as lamb, chicken, or turkey. Avoid foods that have grain as the first ingredient. Also look for multiple meat proteins in the first seven ingredients. Protein from multiple sources is generally viewed as being beneficial such as lamb, chicken and fish , unless your dog is allergic to certain proteins. Dog food companies sometimes list several types of grains in the first seven ingredients. Beware of this — your dog needs animal protein in his diet! These are the intestines of the animal including what is in the intestines!! Most by-products are not desirable. By-products normally contain beaks, feet, feathers, heads and other slaughterhouse wastes — not the most nutritious part of the animal. Avoid foods that have sugars or artificial colors or flavors or a lot of added salt. Semi-moist dog foods are the worst — they usually are loaded with artificial colors and sugars. Added vitamins and minerals are beneficial only when applied after the baking process, because heat destroys vitamins. The best foods are made up of ingredients that would be suitable for human consumption. Most dog foods contain meat products that are not fit for human consumption. They can include meat from diseased livestock, condemned material from slaughterhouses such as tumors cut away from meat , and as horrible as it sounds, some pet foods include euthanized pets sold to rendering plants and even road kill. Is it any wonder why so many dogs die from cancer when they are being fed meat from these sources? Grains — many dog foods will contain some grains, for example, brown rice, barley, corn, wheat, etc. We have found that some goldens in our rescue program generally do poorly on a food that contains corn or soy. Many goldens are allergic to corn or wheat. So if your golden starts getting a lot of hot spots or skin problems — check his food. There is a big difference in quality of grain products. Look for whole rice or brown rice in the ingredients; white rice and ground brewers rice are much lower in nutrients than whole or brown rice. Often pet food companies take the sweepings off the mill floor and put it in pet food. Look for whole grains instead such as oatmeal, brown rice, barley, or whole oats. Grain Free foods. Grain Free foods have become increasingly available as food companies try to offer foods that are easier to digest with lower levels of complex carbohydrates and grains. One misconception is that grain free dog food is also low-carb, however, vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, green peas and tapioca often replace the grains in grain-free dog foods, especially in kibble foods, making them as high or higher in carbohydrates than grain-based dog foods. Studies have shown peas, beans, pea starch, legumes, potatoes and sweet potatoes that have replaced the grains in dog foods block the function of taurine. Taurine, a sulfuric acid, is essential for healthy cardiovascular function in Golden Retrievers. If left untreated, taurine deficiency in Golden Retrievers can cause dilated cardiomyopathy DCM , congestive heart failure and possibly death. Read all the ingredients in the food which should include taurine and check with your veterinarian before selecting or feeding any grain free food to your dog. Detailed information on dog food ingredients and taurine can be found on this web page under Taurine and Grain Free information and at: Diet Associated Heart Disease Treats — beware of many dog treats out there. They are filled with sugars, preservatives and artificial colors. Try buying biscuits at your local dog bakery or making some yourself. The dog food companies listed below have high quality treats available for your dog. Is your dog overweight? Beware of some diet dog foods, they can be loaded with fillers that provide no added nutrition. At least green beans are healthy. You can also use canned pumpkin. Typically goldens love it! DO NOT free feed your golden; instead feed a measured amount of food twice a day. Most adult goldens will eat 1 cup of premium dog food twice a day. Is your dog too fat? You should be able to feel its ribs and your dog should have a waist. We have found that we have a different view of what constitutes a fat dog than many veterinarians. They will typically allow dogs to carry more weight than is optimal. This perhaps is because they do not want to insult their clients and risk losing business. Letting your golden get too fat is like chopping years off of its life. We also see lots of hip problems with goldens, and keeping weight in check will give your dog better mobility. Fat goldens are an epidemic from our experience. We routinely get goldens into our rescue program that have to lose 30 — 40 pounds!!! Therefore we have a lot of experience at taking the weight off! It is very discouraging and upsetting when an adoptive home will let some weight creep back on. You may think you are loving your dog by giving it too much to eat, but if you really love it you will keep it at a normal weight. Remember — Ribs and Waists! Can you feel and see them on your dog? If not, break open the cans of green beans! The bottom line is read the ingredients, consult your veterinarian and research reliable resources. Making sure your dog has the best nutritional food will help to insure he has a long and healthy life. Here, from Whole Dog Journal, are some additional links for selecting best dry dog food and the best canned dog reviews. Goldens Rescued Since .Read the full disclosure here. Being a large and energetic dog, your golden retriever has a ravenous appetite and can eat a lot. However, overfeeding is never good and could be avoided with the help of a golden retriever feeding chart. Knowing how much to feed your golden retriever is always tricky but essential for their well-being and health. Goldens are prone to obesity and joint problems, which can only be exacerbated with an inadequate feeding plan. So, stay with me to find the right feeding plan and meal schedule for your goldie. Most first-time owners think their puppies should be chubby. In truth, golden retriever puppies are supposed to look lanky and act like they are always hungry when fed the correct amount of food. To encourage proper growth and development without making your pup obese, you will have to know how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. For example, cheaper foods use fillers and have a smaller amount of calories, thus you will have to feed more than you would when using premium large breed puppy foods. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. We all want our golden retriever puppies to be healthy and happy. We envision them running through a verdant field chasing a ball. Full of energy with the beautiful, lustrous golden coat. But, just like us, eating the proper food in the proper amounts will help your golden properly grow and thrive. After all, what we eat impacts how healthy we are. How much you should feed your golden retriever puppy will vary depending on the quality of food you feed, his age, his weight, his general health, and his activity level. Your golden will be growing for up to two years. And the amount of food during that time will have to be adjusted depending on his needs. Because most people feed kibble to their pup, this article will focus on that. Kibble is convenient and cost effective. Instead, they should be lanky and full of energy. They should love to eat their food with gusto. Instead, you should be able to feel his ribs when you pet him there. There should just be a thin coating of fat under his skin. And he should have a defined waistline. Of course you should check with your veterinarian to make such adjustments. And remember a young puppy should get only so much exercise a day. Their joints and bones are developing and can be damaged if the exercise is too extreme. Assuming you have an eight-week-old puppy, he should receive three to four meals a day. From eight weeks old until about five or six months old, three meals per day are advisable. Of course, feed at the same intervals every day and split the total amount per day in half to be given at each feeding. After about six months of age through adulthood, two feedings per day are the norm. Always check with your vet regarding how much and how often to feed. These are just guidelines. Feed him at the same distraction-free location so that he focuses on eating. As much as goldens love to eat, a young golden puppy is also very easily distracted. This can lead to possible health problems, including joint and bone problems. Goldens can easily become overweight. Free feeding can also lead to a picky eater. Some puppies figure out that if their buffets are always there, and they can just go graze at will. Most foods you purchase will have guidelines on their bag or box. When you first get your puppy, feed him the same food that the breeder or rescue fed him for a few weeks. Then, if you want to change his food, do so over at least 10 days. Add more of the new food and subtract more of the old food each day. After about five days, you should be giving him approximately 50 percent of the new food and 50 percent of the old food. Switching food over such a period of time will help prevent stomach upsets and diarrhea. Overfeeding will result not only in him becoming overweight but it will also make him grow too fast. Periodically—even weekly— test whether you can still feel his ribs without them protruding. You can then increase the amount he eats. You should also feed his last meal of the day at least 90 minutes before his bed time so that he can digest his food and potty before bed. A well-balanced, high-quality food should provide all the nutrients he requires. Golden puppies require a formula made for large-breed dogs. Puppy formulas for large-breed dogs regulate their growth. Eating too quickly can lead to digestive upsets and even bloat, which can be deadly. I rescued my golden retriever Riley when he was about six months old. To say that he ate as if it were his last meal would be an understatement. He had a voracious appetite. I bought one of the maze bowls to slow him down. The kibble is placed between each section of the bowl, and he had to forage for his food. It worked! He ate at a more normal pace. Of course, dogs should be given free access to fresh water. Other Feeding Options Although I concentrated in this article on feeding kibble to your new puppy, there are other options. There are some drawbacks to them because they may not be nutritionally complete, may be cost prohibitive, or may be too time-consuming to make. Wet Food Canned food alone or mixed with kibble is an option. But wet food alone is very expensive. He may become a picky eater. Feeding raw is controversial. Dehydrated raw foods reduce some of the risks. The ratio of calcium to phosphorous is crucial to puppy development. Homemade Diet Cooking for your best friend can be very appealing. And many people do. You know what ingredients and their quality are. But it has its drawbacks. Of course, the amount you feed is important for his growth rate and general health and well-being. But there is no one-size-fits-all in determining how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. Any amounts you see are just guidelines. Adjust them as necessary regarding your own special puppy. Do you have a golden retriever puppy? How did you determine what and how much to feed him? Please leave your comments in the section below. 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. Debbie has been training dogs for over 24 years and has nationally ranked obedience and rally dogs, agility dogs, trick dogs, and therapy dogs. Post navigation. They are famously loving and playful family pets, always eager to jump in the pool or snuggle up with you on the lounge. They are patient and energetic dogs who are easy to train, making them excellent service animals as well as loyal companions. If you are bringing a Goldie into your family, you might also be aware of their reputation as food lovers. Your Goldie might want to eat anything and everything you put in their bowl — and maybe even anything left on an unattended plate. In this Golden Retriever feeding guide, Hypro Premium will take you through everything you need to know when it comes to food options for your pup. The best food for most young puppies is milk. If you are weaning a puppy, you can start to mix in a little dry kibble with their puppy milk to create a paste. You can feed this mix to your puppy up to four times a day, slowly reducing the amount of milk you mix in. Over time, your Goldie puppy will get more comfortable with solid foods, until you no longer need to include any milk in their diet. While chubby little puppies are cute, your Goldie should not build up too much excess fat once you start feeding them solids. Goldies go from a small 4kg puppy at 7 weeks old to an almost 30 kg adult dog in the space of only 10 months. At six months old your puppy will still be growing, but more slowly as they reach most of their body development milestones. This is why appropriate feeding in the first year of their life is vital to the overall health of your Goldie for years to come. Over time this can increase to up to 4 cups a day at 10 months old, though females should usually only need 3 cups a day. The amount you feed your puppy is often dependent on their size and sex. While they may have some growing left to do, it depends on your dog. Some Goldies will continue to experience growth spurts before their second birthday, while others will stay the same size. Large breeds can be at risk of growing too fast, which can make them more vulnerable to skeletal and weight problems when they get older. Golden retrievers are especially prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which can be avoided through diet control. You should feed your Goldie between 3 — 4 cups of food per day over two meals. Adult dogs and puppies have different nutritional needs. This is important to take into consideration as you are establishing a feeding schedule for a Golden Retriever puppy. Puppies require more calories to support their rapid growth than adult dogs, but they also have much smaller stomachs, which means they get fuller faster. Because of this, puppies can easily overeat, especially Golden Retrievers. You can help your puppy avoid overeating by allowing them a short amount of time to eat, and then removing their bowl. All puppies grow a lot during their first year, but large breed puppies are more likely to suffer from negative health consequences as a result. In order to provide your Golden Retriever puppy with the most appropriate food to support their rapid growth, consider choosing a large breed puppy food. Goldie puppies need lots of protein, fibre, and fatty acids to support the development of their bodies and provide them with energy. These foods also take into account the difference in nutrient digestion between small and large breeds. Too much of these nutrients can cause your large breed puppy to develop skeletal abnormalities. So how much do you feed a Golden Retriever? Your adult Goldie could need anywhere between and 1, calories per day. The amount of food you feed your dog will be determined by a few important factors. The first thing to consider is the sex of your dog. On average, your male Golden Retriever will need slightly more food than a female dog. Senior dogs will usually be less active and so will need less food. Goldies in particular can have a lot of variation in the amount of food they need on a daily basis. No matter how much you feed your dog, it is ideal that you feed your adult Golden Retriever two meals a day at evenly spaced time intervals. Feeding your dog twice, once in the morning and again in the evening, can be useful for establishing a routine and avoiding overfeeding. This routine can also include exercise, and is useful for encouraging healthy behaviour around food and toilet training. Special Considerations Your Golden Retriever could be predisposed to several health conditions that are important to consider when you make decisions about their diet. Firstly, Golden Retrievers are known for their beautiful coats, but their skin can often become infected. Goldies love swimming, but this can cause problems if water irritates their skin. They can also be susceptible to atopic dermatitis, which causes extreme itchiness, resulting in licking and biting behaviours in dogs that can cause even more damage. For dogs prone to skin and coat issues, a fish-based diet can help alleviate symptoms. Fish contains plenty of fatty acids, which support coat and skin health, and rarely triggers any allergic reaction in dogs. Goldies often benefit from healthy grains in their diet, especially as avoiding them can actually leave your dog more vulnerable to nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy, or nutritional DCM. This heart disease is common in Golden Retrievers, and can be triggered by consuming too much grain-free pet food that contains legumes like lentils and peas. You should consider feeding your Golden Retriever foods that are full of grains and proteins like chicken or fish. These are the benefits and drawbacks of the three most popular options — wet food, a raw food diet, and dry food. Wet food can be a great option for dogs that need plenty of protein and fat, like working dogs or dogs with certain health conditions. It also hydrates your dog while they eat, which can be useful for dogs suffering from any illness. For dogs with highly restrictive diets, raw food prepared by you can be a great way to avoid allergens. You can have complete control over a raw diet, which does require a lot more work on your part, but can have great results. For instance, a Golden Retriever with heart issues should eat a low salt diet, which can be easier to achieve if you are preparing their meals from scratch. However, low quality kibbles tend to be made up of a lot of low quality fillers, which can be hard for your pup to digest. Whatever option you choose for your Goldie, make sure it is suitable for large breeds and contains high quality ingredients. This will help prevent degenerative health disorders in the long run. Your Golden Retriever will probably love food, and will probably try to eat anything you put in front of them, which means you need to help them avoid the negative consequences of overeating. Golden retrievers, like other large and active breeds, need plenty of exercise. Not only is this vital to their physical health, but it also ensures they grow up well socialised and mentally stimulated. As your Goldie grows from a puppy to an adult dog, the amount of meals they need a day will reduce as their digestive systems become more developed. Your dog will need two meals a day, once in the evening and once in the morning, from the age of 6 months.

The protein will come from readily available sources such as chicken or beef, and not exotic or boutique sources like kangaroo or venison as you saw in second study mentioned above. According to the AKC , quality, regulated animal byproducts can be good for your dog. These byproducts can include organ meats or entrails, which often contain more nutrients than, say, plain chicken breast. Another misconception is that dogs should eat grain-free diets. As you saw in the second study mentioned above, that can actually be very harmful for your dog and cause DCM. But food labels can be a little vague and confusing, so below is an explanation of what some of these terms mean, according to the Merck Veterinary Manual and the AKC. There is one caveat though. For instance, flaked corn, ground corn, and kibbled corn could be sprinkled in an ingredient list and not be listed as the first few ingredients, but in reality, if you were to add them all up they are all corn, after all , you might find that this food is made mostly of corn. The same goes for chicken, chicken meal, and chicken byproduct. Meat vs. Meat Meal vs. The quality of these ingredients can vary widely, so be sure to talk to your vet about this and choose a reputable brand of food. Below are a few examples: Obesity. Golden Retrievers love food and they do have a tendency to become overweight if you let them. This problem can often affect these next two problems… Joint issues. Golden Retrievers are prone to joint issues and growing too fast because they eat too much can often make this problem worse more on this in the next section. Heart issues. Skin issues. Golden Retrievers are prone to hot spots and excess protein in their diets can be a factor that causes them. Many goldens suffer from food allergies. One cup of Brand X food may have calories per cup, while Brand Y has calories per cup. During a vet visit our veterinarian said he looked too small and lethargic for a puppy his age about 8 weeks at the time , and he recommended we feed him a little more. As far as how often to feed your puppy, this same rule applies. For us, we fed Oliver three times per day until he was a little over a year old. Getting a Golden Retriever Puppy? Get the gameplan for raising them right with the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook. Those two statements may sound random, but they are related. According to the Banfield Pet Hospital , overfeeding your Golden Retriever can cause them to grow too fast and increase their risk of hip dysplasia. You probably noticed that a raw diet was the fourth-most popular diet Golden Retriever owners feed their dog. Since puppies are growing and adults are just maintaining their weight, they have different dietary needs. And for fats, puppy food should have at least 8. As far as when to switch from puppy food to adult food, talk to your veterinarian. To see a list of other milestones your puppy will hit like when they lose their first teeth, or when their coat is fully grown check out this timeline of Golden Retriever puppy milestones. Like most of the other questions in this post, this is something to talk to your veterinarian about. Many foods will have the same vitamins that pills have already in them, but on the other hand, some breeders require that you give your puppy vitamins for their health guarantee to be valid. First, we unknowingly started him off on one of the brands listed in the graph above that is correlated with DCM. Then we switched to another brand that he just sort of liked. If we were to have another puppy, we would definitely start with the Royal Canin Golden Retriever Puppy food. How To Switch Food Brands The other day I was talking to someone who was complaining that her puppy was having lots of stomach issues. Dogs have sensitive stomachs so if you want to switch foods, you need to do it slowly. You should take about a week to transition from the old food to the new brand. Also consider how long the brand of food has been around, whether or not there have been any recalls of that brand, and if there is any research behind it. What do you feed your Golden Retriever puppy? Have any questions about what to feed them? Let me know in the comments below! Related articles:. Within the following year, Ellie went from 87 to 67 pounds. Her body condition score went from a 7 overweight to a 5 ideal. Ellie didn't lag behind us during walks. Ellie has had allergies since she was a puppy, but after switching to UnKibble, her itching has significantly decreased, and she hasn't had any hot spots. Ellie has always been a foodie, but now her mealtime excitement is next level. If you don't believe me, check out some of our videos. She loves her food so much that we use it for most of our training sessions. Ellie meets many people, and one of the most common remarks we hear is how soft her fur is! This wasn't something we often heard before switching food. Meet Emma In , we added Emma, another golden retriever puppy, to our family. We wanted to prioritize her health and planned on transitioning her off kibble shortly after coming home. Research Puppies have different needs than adult dogs, so we consulted our veterinarian and a certified pet nutritionist for advice on caloric needs and essential nutrients. We discovered that the ideal growth pattern for large breed puppies any dog over 50 pounds at their adult stage is to grow UP and then fill OUT around eight months of age. Emma is obsessed with her food, which is excellent for training as she works toward becoming a therapy dog like Ellie. Pro Tip: Until Emma turns six months old, we will split her food into three portions breakfast, lunch, and dinner and hand-feed her during training sessions. It doesn't contain artificial additives, preservatives, or fillers and has the correct nutritional inclusion for Emma. We're an adventurous and active family. UnKibble gives us the benefits of fresh food with the convenience of a kibble. No refrigeration is needed. Royal Canin makes dry food tailored explicitly to particular breeds. Its Golden food variation uses chicken and brown rice ingredients to support digestive health, strong bones, and a healthy coat. Gorgeous coats, healthy body conditions, great activity levels- perfect puppies! With a combination of healthy proteins, fruits, vegetables, and more, this dry dog food will encourage healthy muscle development in your Golden Retriever as well as strong teeth, a healthy heart, and improved skin and coat texture. Looking at the ingredients makes me feel that I have purchased a quality product for my guy. With ingredients like real protein, fruits, and vegetables, this dry food increases energy, strengthens bones, improves immune strength, and neutralizes free radicals. Her coat is healthier and shiny. She even trimmed down a little as her old dog food was making her fat. They produce high-quality dog food for your Golden Retriever at an affordable price. Veterinarians recommend IAMS Proactive Health because it uses ingredients like animal protein and antioxidant-rich veggies to nourish your dog and meet their complete health needs. Highly recommend it. Good for maintaining a decent weight too. Gobbles it down! With fish as the main protein, this kibble promotes a gorgeous coat and healthy skin and improves digestive issues. He eats it enthusiastically, and it has really helped him thrive! He is energetic, has a gorgeous coat, and devours his meals! She is a much happier dog. The Save Shredded Puppy Blend includes probiotics to help ease the digestion in growing Golden Retriever puppies with sensitive stomachs. I mix it with wet food, and he loves it. He loves the chunks of shredded chicken! I highly recommend it. This large-breed dry food can help your Golden Retriever maintain a healthy coat and great skin as well as smooth digestion. All of them love this food! Their coats are shiny and soft, and their poops are small! The exclusive formula also increases energy levels! We tried another brand, and it caused all kinds of allergic reactions. We went back to Eagle Pack, and all is right again. Great product! That may be because they have a senior Golden Retriever who is struggling with dental issues or feel that dehydrated food options are healthier. This particular food contains real protein and essential nutrients that can benefit dogs of all ages. Once we got this, she became a food-crazed puppy! This food includes a combination of freeze-dried raw-coated kibble with real pieces of freeze-dried raw meat! This variety has lots of meat sources plus several strains of probiotics. In general, your dog will benefit from puppy food from about 8 weeks of age until they are six months to a year old. Check with your vet to determine the right time to switch from a puppy food to one for adult dogs, as recommendations vary based on the size of your dog. A few days later, you can begin making it a half-and-half blend. Make sure to watch for loose stool from your pup as you transition — if you notice that your Golden is struggling with the new diet, wait for a few days before increasing the blend. When in doubt, check with your vet! Most dog foods come with specific volumes listed on the side. Overfeeding your pet can lead to a variety of health concerns. To determine what food will suit your dog the best, check out 17 of the top dog foods on the market for Golden Retrievers, no matter their age. Check with your vet to determine whether your Golden will need any special dietary considerations. Foods considered toxic to Golden Retrievers are macadamia nuts, chocolate, onions, garlic cloves, grapes, raisins, walnuts, alcohol, and any foods sweetened with xylitol. Try to avoid feeding your Golden food containing any of these ingredients. Grain is an essential component to the diet of Golden Retrievers. The absence of grain has been known to lead to a deficiency in taurine, which can potentially cause heart problems for your golden. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. They are growing quickly, so while they eat smaller quantities of food than adult dogs, they need to extract far more nutrients like protein, minerals, and vitamins, to sustain their growth and development. Different Dogs, Different Diets Nutritional needs vary from breed to breed. One only needs to look at golden retrievers to know they require a different diet than a Chihuahua! For example, joint and bone problems are much more common in big dogs than in little ones, but choosing the right puppy food can reduce the risk. Large-breed puppy food has reduced amounts of calcium and phosphorus, which helps control the rate of skeletal growth. Also, you may find puppy foods that contain glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and mobility. By consuming too much food, your puppy will have elevated levels of the very nutrients that should be limited. Additionally, overweight puppies may develop other health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Good eating habits developed during puppyhood will lead to a healthy mature dog in the years to come. Nutrition For The Outside One of the most visible components of your dog is its fur. Nutrition plays a vital role in this area. A large percentage of the protein your puppy takes in goes towards maintaining its coat. Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids are also essential for healthy skin and fur. Which Food Do I Choose? There will always be those who buy the cheapest brand on the market. Some will opt for the most expensive, while others will simply go with a brand name they recognize. The key is to find the right food for your particular puppy. One thing you cannot afford to ignore is the nutritional content. Because they are still growing, puppies need more protein than adults. Proteins foster muscle growth and development in puppies and lean muscle maintenance in adults, so the more of it there is in a diet, the better it is for your growing retriever. Fats, too, are important for golden puppies because they provide the energy required for everyday activities. You should be careful, however, not to feed your golden excess calories because this will result in excess weight or obesity. Eventually, your dog will end up battling joint problems. For instance, less expensive dog foods typically have lower-quality ingredients. The contents are often inexpensive, low-grade animal protein sources, like by-products and fillers. Fillers are frequently things like cornmeal, rice flour, or seed hulls. In general, thoroughly review the nutritional content of your chosen diet. Are the ingredients wholesome and natural? Does the diet have controlled calcium and phosphorous levels? Is the calorie and fat content limited to manage growth? Does the label state that the diet is complete and balanced? This can lead to obesity and will certainly cause increased defecation. The latter of these two issues will make house training more difficult than it already is. By contrast, costlier dog foods usually have higher-quality ingredients. The scales will be tipped heavily in favor of high-grade animal protein sources and fillers will be few and far between. Price is not, however, a guarantee of quality. The best dog foods for a golden retriever puppy are made with high-quality natural ingredients and have high levels of protein. Make sure the food is complete and balanced for daily feeding and formulated to meet the nutritional needs of large breed puppies. At this point, golden retriever puppies have likely already been switched to dry puppy food and you should continue feeding your pup the same type of food the breeder used. From the day you bring them home until they are six months old, you should feed your golden retriever puppy three times a day. Ideally, your pup should have breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. A grain-free diet is the default meal for golden retrievers that are sensitive to grains, but if your dog is healthy, feeding her such a meal boils down to choice. A lot has been said about grain-free diets. Reports and studies have been carried out in recent years trying to establish any connection between it and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy DCM. That all starts with choosing the best puppy food for golden retrievers. Avoid low-cost foods that are more filler than substance, and look for better foods that are packed with nutrients to help your puppy grow. In particular, consider trying a large breed formula to meet the specific needs of your golden retriever puppy. Good nutrition is an essential part of any health regimen, and providing high-quality puppy food will lay the foundation for a long, and enjoyable life. You May Also Like.

This dog has been the best companion, we live near Peoria Illinois now and my lab is probably the most popular dog of our family. Everyone loves her! This is a very professionally operated AKC lab breeder. Very transparent and straightforward. Got my dog tina 6 months ago and has great health and temperament. I decided to post my gratitude. We bought Marvin over a year ago and have enjoyed this healthy lovable guy. He is a white lab and brings joy to my family. Thank you seven oaks for all you do! Chris did a phenomenal job training her. The grounds are clean, they are AKC registered, and the dogs are well taken care of. I highly recommend. We have 3 puppies - 3 generations- from Seven Oaks and will come back for a 4th! Maggie was a beautiful dark chocolate , quiet lab who enjoyed brushings, playing in water, car rides, going on walks, and looking out windows at baby ducks. She was perfect for my apartment. She is missed dearly. Madi is my beautiful yellow lab who is very happy and energetic. She is a big girl who loves car rides, playing with her toys, and eating. She enjoys sitting on the patio and watching people. Both labs fit into the family. Chris and Linda are very friendly, knowledgeable and professional. They take care of their animals. The environment is always clean. I highly recommend them and plan to return in the future when the need arises. Our family has added two pups from Seven Oaks: one male yellow lab and one female black lab. The male, we lovingly call Moose is sweet and playful and loves a good rubbing! He is a true lab who will play fetch until he wears himself out and then finds the nearest water to cool off in. Our female, Molly is a mischievous girl who gets her snout into everything but is always a friendly greeter and full of joy. They have both become my best companions and our kids love them to pieces. They both get along great with all of our other farm animals and all the humans they come in contact with. Quality animals with wonderful personalities and dispositions! Highly recommend Seven Oaks! Looking forward to a chocolate one!!! Our pup also just completed a 2 week obedience training with them. Our lab is beautiful and healthy, and we are very pleased with the obedience training as well. We have had our Mabel for almost a year, and she is healthy with a delightful temperament. If we decide to add another lab to our family, we will certainly go back to Seven Oaks Kennel. Their ranch is beautiful, and you can tell they take very good care of their animals. We purchased a chocolate lab puppy last October and have been so happy and in love with our boy. Everything about the experience from beginning to end was fantastic. Great communication, very helpful in terms of preparing us on our new addition, and available after the fact to answer any questions we had in those first few days. Eye color in a chocolate lab can be dark drown, bright green, hazel, or light yellow. Always look at the parents, it will give you a good idea as to what your puppy will look like grown. Chocolate Labs were not recognized by the AKC till but they were around long before then. Chocolate Labradors were once considered the ugly duckling of the Labrador breed. Today they are considered one of the most beautiful and extremely popular Labrador color, but it took a long time again for this rare and unique color to be accepted. With their great personalities and willingness to please, the chocolate Labrador, along with all the other colors, has earned a top spot in the heart of millions. Like all Labrador colors, chocolates have a sweet and soft temperament. Eyes are the window to the soul of a lab, the eyes tell the story of this extremely outgoing playful breed. Chocolate Labs are bred to point, flush, and retrieve. They are also amazing search and rescue dogs, guide dogs, and assistance dogs. They are smart and gentle which makes them the perfect family dogs, and this is true of all colors of the Labrador Retriever. They are ranked 1st in AKC as one of the top most owned dog breed. Picking a color is a personal preference, no matter the color you choose, all labs are bred to excel in every environment or task put in front of them. Thank you for taking the time to learn about the intelligent and loyal Chocolate Labrador Retriever. Teaching Puppie to Sit Excellent Companion Perfect Hunting Dog The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built, medium-sized, short-couple dog that possesses a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables it to function as a retrieving gun dog. It has both the substance and soundness to hunt waterfowl or upland game for long hours under difficult conditions. We believe the 10 lab puppies inherited these traits also. Obviously, Labrador Retrievers are the most popular breed in America. Because of their even temperament and trainability, millions of Americans own Labrador Retrievers as pets. In addition, Labradors are well-suited as disability-assistants in many countries; for example, Labradors are frequently trained to aid the blind and those who have autism. They also work as therapy dogs, as well as perform screening and detection work for law enforcement and other official agencies. Additionally, they are prized as sporting and hunting dogs. The Lab is such a versatile and family-friendly breed. From hunters to sportsmen, pet owners, and event competitors, Labradors are the dog of choice for the best of reasons. Labradors are a loving breed that make excellent furry family members, are wonderful with children, adults, and animals alike, and offer years of unconditional love and support to the right owner and caretaker. I purchased my lab puppy from them in .Grover is a wonderful pet. We are very pleased, and would purchase another lab pup from them again. Larry called me to ask for a recommendation, and I said I would gladly give him one. Zeva my yellow female lab is 12 years old now, and she is getting up there in age. If the time came, and I wanted another dog, I would call Larry for certain. We have been very pleased with Zeva through the years. She is a wonderful companion!! Laura Bein Larry, and Tracey are my next door neighbors. We purchased Lacy combo of Larry, and Tracey in .We know what kind of dogs they had, and how they cared for their dogs. It was an easy decision to purchase Lacy from them. She passed away this year, and we dearly miss her. My sister is getting a black female from Larry when the puppies are available. I will also purchase my next lab from Peoples Choice Labs when I am ready for another lab. I am just not quite ready to pull the trigger yet. Contact info. They answer any and all questions you might have in a timely manner, before and after you leave with your puppy. The right breeder is everything and Angie will exceed your expectations when it comes to Labradors. We are absolutely in love with our yellow lab and will never go anywhere else!! We love Pilot!!! Jackie Klinski Longo We adore our pup Ruby! She has an amazing temperament and with three kiddos that was so important to us. She is a true companion. My parents have their puppy Finley from Alder Creek as well and we adore him so much too! Amy Forks I am beyond excited to meet my new yellow lab puppy this weekend! I already have a beautiful chocolate lab from AlderCreek, and I know that I will be getting the best in quality, beauty, and disposition with my 2nd lab from AlderCreek. Angie does a wonderful job of matching puppies to their new human families. I have no… Sallie Broaddus Angie is the best at what she does. Her preparation and organization for that change was a game changer for me as a new pup parent as well as for the young lab…. Matthew Dueser Where to begin?! Our family now has two incredible labs from Angie Brown. We began with Angie in December of .I have recommended her to people every chance I get! Angie is extraordinarily thorough. She has a vast array of experience in the world of Labradors. Angie loves hearing from us and seeing all of our many lab… Elizabeth Kuper Make A Puppy Inquiry We know finding a genetically sound puppy with the right temperament takes a lot of time and research.

They double both as your best friend and excellent therapy and service dogs. All of the dogs you can get from this breeder are tested for various diseases and have passed their tests. On their website, you can go over the adoption process and become a proud owner of one of their beautiful Labradoodles today. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink. 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 Cross Plains Wisconsin 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. Looking for the perfect Hanukkah or Christmas present? A Spring puppy.Our waitlist is open and we are accepting deposits. My Labradoodle changed and enriched my life. I promised myself that if I was ever able to find the perfect dogs with outstanding pedigrees I would do it once. After our first breeding and puppy training experience our family fell in love. Our children experienced a world that one cannot teach a child without seeing and experiencing in their everyday life. They were opened to a world of emotional and physical sacrifice, and tender loving joy. Our goal going forward is to create Low- No shedding dogs in a variety of sizes, with a Teddy Bear look. What makes us different from other breeders? We pride ourselves in our authentic approach to breeding and training. Our loving integrity is shown in the quality of puppies we breed, raise, and train. We are truly fortunate and blessed to be able to breed dogs that are desirable for the busy family. Since we know how important the puppy prep-school training is for the success for the adoptive family, we keep the puppies on a tight training schedule. We care for our puppies around the clock with puppy-sitters. Exercise and Nutrition is of utmost importance to us. We feed our dogs Fromm dog food. When a mother dog is pregnant and nursing our mother dog receives platinum care. She is fed a high-protein Organic diet, along with vitamin supplements to ensure proper nutrition to herself as well as her puppies. Our mother dog enjoys the special attention she receives. IF a mother dog is treated like a Queen she will take even better care of her little princes, and princesses. Our breeding dogs live the life of luxury in their own private family environment. Since we do not believe a dog should exist to breed or live their life in a kennel we use Guardian families. Our parent dogs stay with their family until delivery. We add value to adoptive families by providing a fully crate trained, potty-bell trained, and sleep through the night puppy service. We work hard and do not sleep much so that you can.

Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question. How will my puppy be cared for before adoption? The puppies will have their first set of shots, deworming, and a Healthy Puppy Check by our local veterinarian. They will come with a blanket that has mamas scent on it to help with the transition, as well as a small bag of puppy food. Where will my puppy spend time before adoption? The puppies will be living in our home with our family. This will give them a head start on social activities, potty training, and being a good puppy. What can I do if my puppy is not working out at home? We understand that sometimes things happen in life that change your ability to care for a puppy. If in the event that you can no longer keep your puppy, we ask that you contact us first. We will be happy to rehome the puppy for you. I would love to adopt a puppy. What is the next step? There are a couple of options. You can complete our puppy application or head over to our contact page and give us a call. Powered by GoDaddy This website uses cookies. We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data. Lifespan Sociability So, the most obvious thing that you need to make sure you have before buying a Golden Newfie is space and lots of it. This pooch weighs between 75 and pounds and can measure up to 29 inches tall. Not only do you need space in the home, but you also need access to outdoor space so that he can play and snooze in the fresh air. You might want to invest in a bigger sofa too because the Golden Newfie sees himself as a lapdog. Get ready for the numb leg life! This guy is needy, and so he needs to be homed with a family that can spend most of their time with him. Do you spend long hours in the office? Sadly this hybrid hound is not for you. He craves human company and becomes very anxious and sad without it. This will lead to separation anxiety, and an anxious dog with the power and jaws that he has means that your homely possessions will not be around for long. So, someone will need to be around for most of the day. This guy sheds moderately all year round, and he experiences a full-on shed during shedding season. There is also the issue of doggy drool. If he takes after his Newfie parent, he will definitely be a drooler. Although the Golden Newfie is calm in the home, he needs a lot of exercise. His exercise will not need to be intense or vigorous like other breeds need, but he will need a steady 1-hour walk every day. Taking him to the local lake will boost your mom or dad points for sure! The cost of welcoming a Golden Newfie into your life is higher than most other breeds. This is a significant factor to consider before you buy one of these guys. Being a large to giant breed, he will need a large bed, large toys, large harnesses, etc. He also eats a lot of food, and it is also likely that his medical costs will be higher too. The Golden Newfie is rarely golden. Despite his name and the color of his Golden Retriever parent, this guy is rarely gold. This is unusual for mixed pups who tend to be a mixture of their parents, rather than inheriting the typical color of one parent. If you do find a rarer color, he is likely to be much more expensive than a classic black Golden Newfie. The Golden Newfie might have webbed feet. His Newfoundland parent has webbed feet, so this guy will likely have them, too. This will not cause any complications. Instead, it makes him a stronger swimmer and an excellent water rescue dog. Not only is his Newfie parent able to pull in fishing nets and boat lines, but he can save a fully grown man from drowning. So the Golden Newfie is a useful chap to have around. Okay, so he can bark, but he almost always chooses not too. Instead, he will growl at those who he suspects are up to no good or putting his family in danger. His low growl and humungous size are enough to put any intruder off. This sweet guy is super affectionate with his family. He loves nothing more than to chill with his family, receiving all the belly rubs for being the best boy. He will paw at you for more attention, and this seriously needy dog will never leave you alone. This is great if you are seeking a doggy partner in crime, but not so much if you prefer more independent dogs. His neediness quickly develops into separation anxiety, more so than most other dogs. This is why he must be placed with a family where someone can be home for most of the day. Do not underestimate his need for human company, or try to stretch a few hours absence into 5 or 6, this will not do for the Golden Newfie. In return for your company and love, he will provide you with hours of fun and plenty of personality. Although he is calm in the home, he will happily frolic in the backyard and play games with his family. Fancy an afternoon of silly activities? He has a protective nature inherited from his Newfie parent and will stand his ground and growl if he feels the need to. Thankfully his sheer size and deep growl are enough to keep intruders away. Instead, he prefers a more tranquil atmosphere. He loves children and will probably choose to sit with them over his parents any day of the week. Both breeds are known to have a sweet spot for younger members of the family, so he will be doubly caring. His Newfie parent is famous for helping out with family children , the most notable being Brumus, who helped Senator Robert Kennedy with his 11 children. Are These Dogs Good for Families? He is versatile and adaptable to most family environments and dynamics, just as long as you meet his needs. The only thing that might be a cause for concern is his ginormous size. Although he adores children, he could smother a child without even realizing it. For this reason, you always need to supervise a Golden Newfie when there are young children around. As long as he is socialized, he should do well with dogs of all shapes and sizes. So he makes a prime canine candidate for a multi-dog or multi-pet household. He should be fed a high-quality kibble that is specially designed for large or giant breeds. Giant breeds have unique nutritional needs, and all-life stage kibbles will not do here. These kibbles will support his heavily laden joints and his slower metabolism. This is particularly important during his puppy stage because the right nutrition can decrease his chances of developing muscular-skeletal diseases. He will demand a constant supply of snacks and fatty human foods, but you need to resist. The Golden Newfie can easily pile on the pounds, so you need to monitor his food intake and treats carefully. An overweight Golden Newfie is an unhappy and unhealthy one. You need to be mindful that being a large dog, the Golden Newfie is susceptible to suffering from Gastric Dilation Volvulus. Never feed him immediately before or after exercise, because this can bring on this life-threatening condition. Make yourself aware of the symptoms, and always keep these in the back of your mind. Instead, he would much prefer long country walks and a few playtime sessions in the yard with his family. Not only will he become stubbornly lazy if you allow him to be, but he needs to get his heart pumping and his large body moving to stay healthy. As you already know, he will love the water, so be sure to include this in your list of activities for the week. An unruly and arrogant Golden Newfie will be a struggle to deal with, even for the strongest and experienced owners. Taking him down to the local doggy park is a great way to exercise his body, stimulate his mind, and remind him how to be polite. You will want to think about leash training this boy from the start because a Golden Newfie who pulls on the leash will be difficult to handle and unenjoyable to walk. It is also a great way to teach him who is in charge. Crate training is also advised for this anxious pup. It also gives you peace of mind knowing that your dog is happy in his safe-spot when you are out. He has a thick and wavy double coat that will need brushing every single day. Otherwise, his jacket will quickly become matted, which is not only painful for him, but it can lead to skin conditions. Brushing also strengthens the bond with your canine, and he will love it for sure. Bathtime will not be an issue for this pooch. Always rinse and dry thoroughly too. You will need to trim his claws regularly, as well as cleaning his eyes and ears. The Golden Newfie suffers from regular ear infections if not cleaned thoroughly. This is an excellent lifespan for a dog of his size. Minor Conditions. These large, fluffy, and lovable companions make great family pets. They are sweet, affectionate, and eager to please. This dog breed may not be established enough for the AKC yet, but they are recognized by other canine registries. The parents of a Golden Newfie are some of the friendliest and most affectionate dog breeds. They do well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Although they are protective of their families, they even tend to be open and friendly with strangers! Because of their size, the Golden Newfie is a moderately adaptable dog. As long as they get enough daily exercise and attention, they can adapt to apartment living, but it needs to be big enough for their size to allow them to move around. They thrive in larger homes, especially those with fenced yards where they can run and play freely. Golden Newfies do well in most climates. As with any dog, they are sensitive to heat. Their fluffy coats also make them prone to overheating easily. Because they bond closely with their families and are affectionate companions, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time and can develop separation anxiety if you do not work with them on it. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Golden Newfie can include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, patellar luxation , subaortic stenosis, and cancer. Reputable breeding practices make a big difference. Good breeders will screen their dogs to make sure they are not passing preventable issues to puppies, so make sure you ask about the parents and any tests that have been done. As a large dog breed, the Golden Newfie is at risk for bloat. Golden Newfies are highly intelligent dogs that pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. But, they also get bored easily, especially with repetition, and can become stubborn if training is not kept interesting. They respond best to patient, consistent training focused on positive rewards and praise. They do not respond well to harsh tones and will often become obstinate and uncooperative if they are used during training. Despite this potential stubbornness, Golden Newfies tend to be a good fit for owners of all experience levels. You just want to be prepared to enroll in puppy training classes if you are a first-time dog owner. Golden Newfies will have a long, fluffy coat that can range from cream to gold to black. They will shed moderately year-round and heavier during seasonal changes. Brushing a few times a week is usually enough, but daily brushing is recommended, especially during seasonal shedding sessions. Bathing is on an as-needed basis and grooming is recommended a couple of times a year. Cutting nails once or twice monthly keeps them from growing too long and causing issues. Weekly ear checks along with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. Brushing daily with a dog-friendly toothpaste or using an enzyme toothpaste every day, in addition to cleanings at the vet as needed, is ideal dental care for dogs. Although a Golden Newfie has moderate exercise requirements, they can sometimes be a couch potato. Daily walks plus some playtime and other activity are what this dog needs to stay happy and healthy. A fully-grown Golden Newfie usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. Golden Newfies generally live for years. Featured Golden Newfie Article.

By: DigitalDog Crates, kennels, cages and probably a host of other references both admiring and disdaining have labelled the modern age's answer to the doghouse. With the exception of some types of collars notably choke and electric shock no other piece of training equipment has been the source of more controversy. This is perhaps more the fault of how the crate is used than due to any inherent aspect of the crate itself. Ultimately, a crate is to serve to replicate the sense of a den. Whether wild or not, dogs seem to have a preference for some rather interesting cozy places. Dogs will find their favorite place under a wide variety of items typically with very low clearances like porches, beds and tables. Crates serve as a great tool for preventing the creation of bad habits and life threatening possibilities. A dog that is crated will not slip out the door, they will not consume garbage or chew on electrical cords during those few moments that you can't supervise them. Clearly, this type of influence with your new dog, be they young or old, can go great lengths in maintaining domestic harmony while they learn the new routine and manners needed. Additionally, a crated dog is one who's energy level is being influenced. It is far easier to communicate to a dog that it's nap time. This again offers the benefit of helping you introduce and reinforce the preferred routine. To argue that you wouldn't want to be in a crate so you wouldn't put your dog in one, or that it seems like a prison, can have merit depending on how the crate is used. First, let's consider that when you were a child and without the sense of routines, manners and good judgment, you were closely monitored, probably very closely monitored. You were diapered and a good parent would alert the moment you weren't in eyeshot. You would have spent some amount of time in cribs, walkers, playpens, etc. Ultimately, many of us were crated during our formative years, for many of the same reasons mentioned here. Much as when we were children, the issue was less that these tools were employed and more how they were employed. Using a crate begins with its introduction. Many pups are introduced to a crate for the first time when they leave their litter and are sent home, alone. This is a bit unfortunate. It's a lot for a puppy to cope with and for that puppy who has already grown familiar to a crate, perhaps by climbing on and sleeping in while with his littermates, it serves to be something comforting during this period of stress. For a puppy that has never been around a crate before, it is just another trauma. Regardless, either pup can quickly learn to appreciate their crate as a haven of peace, security and safety. Crates can also be used in such a way as to create problems or at least make them worse. Excessive crating for long periods of time is difficult for dogs to tolerate. Their very instinct compels them to choose a place other than their "bedroom" for eliminating. Leaving a dog in a crate for a long period of time will only increase their restlessness as their discomfort finds outlet. Dogs that will ultimately eliminate in the crate can be remarkably challenging to housetrain. It's also been said that crates should not be used for punishment. This is accurate but requires some understanding of a consequence versus a punishment. By simply crating a dog to end an undesirable behavior for example, a dog fight you are able to communicate safety, security and the fact that its time to chill, in one fairly easy motion. To scream at the dog while you are doing this would only add to the tension and potential aggression and resentment. So, how does a loving dog owner consider introducing a crate. Ideally, you have a week or so where you can allow the dog in the room around the crate to consider it with the door open. You feed the dog in the crate again with the door open and have inviting things in the crate, like a bed. Should the dog go into the crate unbidden, you can provide them with a chew toy and close the door. They may show initial restlessness like a bit of whining but this should pass minutes depending on the character of your individual and they will begin to entertain themselves or nap. At this point, you can let them out. Early on, the most challenging and perhaps necessary aspect of the crate training is to let them out when they are quiet. A barking dog will quickly learn that his noise results in the crate door opening. This is not an ideal precedent for a long and happy life with your dog! Crating with the door closed should be kept to a minimum at this point of minutes at a time. When the dog is let out of the crate, they should be escorted to a proper potty place and essentially ignored until they get that job out of the way. Praise then follows. Should our canine friend forget why they are out there, they will go back into the crate after the exercise session. House privileges need to be reserved for dogs that aren't getting ready to "go". Within the previous paragraph is the philosophy behind crate training and its contributions to housetraining. As the dog becomes more familiar with the crate, times can be increased. Ideally, at least as a routine, dogs should not be left crated for much more than 4 hours and this would be an adult. While the need may not be desperate, after 4 hours, virtually all dogs feel the need to potty and stretch. The exception to this is overnight as many dogs and people can sleep the night through comfortably but with a fairly immediate need in the morning. Certainly many dogs are in schedules that are more demanding, even to the point of 10 hours crated while their owners are at work five days a week. This level of crating is very challenging over the long term and some if not many, will end up with anxiety as a result and become difficult to crate, destructive when they are out, hyperactive and generally neurotic as they have few options in dealing with this level of stress. To suggest that these dogs would be better left loose in the house is equally irresponsible as they are so stressed as to now lack assuming they ever had them the skills to deal with good behavior while loose. For a dog that is either inexperienced or now expressing the result of a poor crating schedule, the best choice in most cases is to introduce the dog to a more ideal schedule and regular breaks ideally starting at more often than every 4 hours. Crate training a dog can be a great way to help them feel comfortable and safe in your home. But there are a few things you should keep in mind if you want to be successful using a consistent routine. Ensuring you follow the tips listed below will make for an easier time training your pup. Choose the right size crate. Your pup should be able to stand up and turn around inside comfortably. Put the crate in a quiet, out-of-the-way place. Placing a blanket over the crate will help make it more comfortable as they will be in a den like environment. Make the crate inviting. Put a soft blanket or pillow inside and give your pup some of his favorite toys to play with. Get your pup used to the crate gradually. Start by putting him in there for short periods of time and gradually increase the time he spends in there. Great ways to do this are to leave for a few minutes at a time at first, and then extend your trips out of the house by half-hour increments. Never use the crate as punishment. Your pup should always associate the crate with positive experiences. Be patient. It takes time for pups to learn that the crate is a safe, comfortable place. With patience and consistency, your pup will be crate-trained in no time! Boxer Puppy Potty Training Tips Accidents happen, but with a little patience and perseverance, you can potty train your boxer puppy in no time. The key is to be consistent with your commands and rewards, and to have a little patience. Here are some tips to get you started: Start with short training sessions and potty breaks. Trying to potty train your puppy all at once is likely to overwhelm them. Start with short minute sessions a few times a day. Use the same command each time. Consistency is key to training in any command you might try to teach them. Reward good behavior. If your puppy does their business outside, be sure to give them plenty of praise and a treat. This will help them associate going potty with something positive. Watch for warning signs. Take them outside right away so they can relieve themselves in the right spot. You can avoid this by attaching them to your hip with a leash so you can keep a better eye on them. Establish a routine. Accidents happen. Instead, clean it up with an enzymatic cleaner to remove the scent, and then take him outside immediately so he can finish his business in the right place. Do not rub their nose in the accident. This will do nothing but make them more anxious about the entire process. Be consistent. With these potty training tips, you can have your pup house-trained in no time. Be consistent with commands and rewards, and stay patient—accidents happen! Starting with using positive reinforcement, such as treats or praise, whenever your pup enters their crate will help to create a good association. You can then leave them in the crate for short periods of time with each training session, gradually increasing the time they are in there. This will help them get used to being in there for longer periods of time during the day, or even at night. Doing so will unnecessarily stress them out and cause more issues than you started with. If you need to leave them there for longer periods of time, provide them with plenty of toys and chewies to keep them occupied or this may cause destructive behavior. Leave the crate open for your pup to go in and out of as they please. This will teach them the crate is a safe space where they can retreat should they feel overwhelmed. As mentioned, placing a blanket over the crate will create a den and cause denning, one of the natural instincts where your pup will only sleep in their crate and come out to relieve themselves. This will cause your pup to associate being in there with negative things and make the training process that much harder. If they have an accident in the crate , simply clean it up and move on. Remember, accidents happen. No matter how well you think you have things under control, there will always be times when your pup has an accident. The key is to not get frustrated and to keep working with them, take them out for bathroom breaks often, and always stay positive. Related: Why is my pup digging in his crate? Potty Training Without a Crate While crate training is more effective, some people do not want to use a crate or cannot use a crate. For those people, here are the basic rules for potty training without using a crate. Remember to be patient and consistent with your dog, as it may take them longer to learn where they should go potty without crate training. When potty training a dog without a crate, you need to take them out for frequent bathroom breaks. Using a baby gate to confine them to a small room works just as well as a crate. You need to take your dog out frequently, especially after they eat or drink. Puppies usually have to go potty every few hours, so prepare to take them out often. Always praise your dog when they go potty in the right spot to give the act a positive association. This will only make your puppy afraid. Just clean it up and try again next time. It is possible to start potty training an 8 week old puppy, but it will take longer since they are still learning. However, some pups may take longer if they are resistant to training or if their owners are not consistent with the potty training regimen. Meal time with a regular feeding schedule is especially important to use for training purposes. This will improve the older they get and with basic commands in place. How long does it take to potty train a Boxer puppy? It can take several weeks to a few months to toilet train a Boxer puppy. It depends on how quickly they learn and how often they have accidents. If your pup is having trouble learning, or seems to have trouble holding it, it may be something your vet should check as there could be an underlying health issue. How do I stop my Boxer from soiling in the house? If your Boxer is peeing in the house, the best thing to do is to give them plenty of times during the day to relieve themselves. You may also need to confine them to a smaller area. They should be able to stand up and turn around in the crate. If they potty in the house, ensure you clean it properly and do not punish them for having an accident. This will only cause undesirable behaviors and it will take longer to train them. Having an intelligent and high-energy breed such as the boxer can make training challenging if not done right. What are the signs that my boxer needs to go potty? Some signs that your boxer needs to go potty are sniffing around, circling, or barking. Sniffing around is the biggest sign you should look out for. If you see any of these signs, take them outside right away to avoid an accident. Conclusion Anyone who has potty trained a puppy knows it can be a bit of a challenge. Housebreaking takes time, patience, and a lot of trips outside. Well, never fear! It is possible to potty train a boxer puppy without locking them up in a small space. Have any questions or any tips to add? Let us know in the comments below! Just remember to be patient and consistent with your dog, and take them out often. She currently owns three dogs a greyhound, saluki, and golden mix and has gone through several types of programs to further her education in the pet world. Leave a Comment. Twitter LinkedIn Before we talk about the 4 easy ways to crate train your boxer. The following are a list of behaviors and issues that should be addressed prior to crate training: Dogs who suffer from fears or anxiety should not be confined in a crate. This teaches the dog to associate the crate negatively. Step 1: Buy a crate! Crates come in different sizes and styles, consider the style and size of the crate before you buy it. Your boxer should be able to stand in the crate without crouching. Crates can be expensive depending on the size and style of the crate you choose. The picture of the crate to the left is the one we have for our 65 lb. Of course, all kidding aside -boxers are known to get in trouble so consider carefully what you leave in the crate. Make sure the crate has water. We used a water bottle instead of leaving a bowl. We did try a bowl, but quite frankly it ended up being a mess. It lasted about 3 days. The water bottle pictured to the left is the one we have for our boxers and has been tested by us and deemed for the most part boxer proof. It actually mounts to the cage and is chew proof because it is glass. Choose a high traffic area: Dogs especially boxers like to be around people. They are also denning animals. Once your boxer is trained, the crate will serve as the den. Find an area in your home that will accommodate both. Move the crate to bedroom at night: Again boxers want to be around their people. While you are training, keep the crate near you and move it into your bedroom at night. This is a little bit of an inconvenience right now, but your boxer will take to the crate much faster if you do this now. When your dog or puppy is in the crate positively reinforce with: Primary Reinforcers: food and treats Secondary Reinforcers: verbal praise and games In other words, make it a rewarding and fun experience. Also, do not punish your dog in the crate- this will make it a negative experience for the dog. Step 4: Leaving The House Start leaving the house when your dog feels comfortable being alone in the crate for about 30 minutes or so. Start leaving the house for short periods of time. As time goes on, you can increase the time and leave for longer. You do not want the dog to associate your coming home with getting out of the crate although generally this will be the case. Get settled and then take the dog right outside to relieve itself. Frequently Asked Question! Answer: Leave the crate open, feed them in the crate start in close proximity to the door and move the bowl further into the crate at each feeding , leave treats in the crate the same way. It might take a little time to get them accustom to the crate. Email: [email protected] Did you like this article? If so, please go back to www.

As with any other mammal, there can be many different reasons why a dog may breath faster than normal. The main purpose of breathing is simply to get oxygen into the bloodstream. So this means that faster breathing can be a sign that your dog is in need of more oxygen, and that is something we will look a bit more closely at just a bit later. The normal breathing rate for an adult dog is less than breaths a minute. And that number is a bit higher for puppies. And the reason for that is a result of dogs having evolved an interesting and handy way to keep themselves cool. Why Do Labradoodles Pant Asking why is my Labradoodle always panting, is a very fair question, and it is a good thing that you are truly concerned for your canine friend! We, humans, cool ourselves efficiently through glands in the skin. These glands are able to produce a liquid that cools our bodies through evaporation. But the only place where dogs have a few sweat glands is in their feet. And they are unable to control their body temperature using this method. So that is why they have developed a different cooling system that uses their mouths as very efficient radiators instead. The water evaporating from your Labradoodles open mouth as air is rapidly passed back and forward which is able to cool him very efficiently. Just as we lose water from our bodies when we sweat during our cooling process, so do our dogs. And if you have a dog that pants for a very long period of time, expect it to get quite thirsty. Normal Panting in Labradoodles When you have a well-built dog like a Labradoodle , it is completely normal for it to pant during exercise and extended periods of playtime. And that will usually continue for a short period afterward, as it is how your dog is able to stay nice and cool inside. You will also notice that panting is a very typical response to excitement or stress in a dog. What is normal in one dog might be different in another, which also includes their different temperaments and how they respond to stress. So, it is a good thing to make a note of what is normal for your doodle. Because panting can also accompany health problems, if you notice excessive panting in your dog, it can be a warning sign that something is wrong. It can be a sign for many different things, including that your dog is too hot, too stressed, in some kind of pain, or short of oxygen. Panting due to over-heating Heatstroke is not only something that can happen to humans, but it is also possible for dogs to be affected, and it is important to be aware that excessive panting in a very warm climate can be a serious sign of danger. Be especially mindful of this when playing with your dog or exercising him, in the hottest time of the day in the warmest periods of the year. Early in the morning or perhaps later in the evening is a better time for exercise during the warm summer months, or if you live in a generally warmer climate. If your dog gets an infection and the fever that usually follows, it can also be the cause of panting. And this is something that is a more and more common issue with dogs, so if you think your dog could spare to shed a few pounds check out this article. Putting your furry friend on a diet will not only make him a lot more comfortable, but also a lot healthier too. Signs of pain in dogs Dogs are very good at hiding any signs of the pain they might be feeling. This is a strategy that is very natural and something that all wild animals use too, because showing signs of pain in nature is an indication of vulnerability and weakness, and will almost certainly make the animal a target for assault or predatory behavior from other animals. But unlike animals in the wild, a dog that is unwell or in pain may have some tell-tale signs that those who know him the best might find to be out of the ordinary. Those signs can be things such as your dog being strangely still, or in the opposite, very restless. You may perhaps also notice your dog pant excessively or even start panting in situations where you have never heard him pant before. If you find that your dog is unusually restless, panting and seems to be in a generally uncomfortable situation, and is panting at a time and in a place where it would usually be relaxed, you have every reason to be a bit concerned. If you have the least bit of worry about the situation, it is best to phone your vet immediately and describe the situation and ask him whether or not you should bring in your dog for a check-up. As you can see, the reasons for panting can be very varied and it is not always easy for us to determine the exact cause. But generally, if you think your dog is panting more than he should be, you should talk to your vet as soon as possible. Remember that excessive panting can be a sign that something is very wrong. If you feel that he is acting out of the ordinary, he probably is. Give the vet a ring to make sure your furry friend can be fully checked up on. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. Joined: Thu Nov 18, am Location: Nottinghamshire Post by whirlwindmum » Sun Jun 03, am Rhonk wrote: - but I've noticed it staying at the faster rate more, in fact nearly always.Ifs its not slowing down, you need to see a vet. Sorry don't want to scare you, but this was the only sign we saw with Alfie and we nearly lost him. Bid is right the other signs are lethargic - Alfie is a lazy dood Lack of interest in food - Alfie was always a fussy eater. He was still happily playing with other dogs then coming home and sleeping. He was walking better on lead, i thought he was just growing up, he is 2 and half. These things didn't happen over night,it was a slow progress. My vet said due to his age its hard to spot. I copied this of another website. My vet said up-to 40 is normal. If you think its high ring your vet for advise. Respiratory Rate " breaths per minute, unless panting Respiratory rate is the number of breaths per minute. Normal respiratory rates are assessed when the dog is resting. A dog that is in pain, having heart or respiratory problems, suffering from heatstroke, or simply excited will usually have increased respiratory rates. It is important to gauge the overall situation and condition of the animal to assess the respiratory rate. High body temperature Disorientation Take necessary measures yourself or visit a veterinarian if you see these signs of heatstroke in your Labradoodle. Labradoodle Heavy Breathing at Night Did you know your Labradoodle breathes or pants heavily at night too? Apart from daytime activities that cause heavy breathing, Labradoodles also breathe heavily at night for the reasons below. A cute puppy enjoying a Vet visit Heat Labradoodles breathe heavily at night when they feel hot. Check the area where your Labradoodle sleeps if this happens. The material your dog sleeps upon may also cause it to feel the heat. Dreams As unusual as it sounds, dogs pant at night when they dream. Your Labradoodle may pant heavily when dreaming of themselves chasing something or engaging in strenuous activities. However, this should not present a problem if the dog does not whimper or display anxiety. Anxiety and Stress Labradoodles may also breathe heavily because of anxiety and stress. Labradoodles represent a social dog species that rely on humans for support. The reasons below highlight why Labradoodles experience anxiety and stress. Separation As highly social dogs, Labradoodles tend to harbor the fear of separation from you at night. Dogs that sleep alone at night tend to display this fear more than others. Age Anxiety tends to arise in older dogs because of mental and physical changes. It can lead to heavy panting or breathing. Noise Dogs generally feel scared of loud noises coming from speakers and other sources. Your Labradoodle may pant heavily if you like throwing loud parties or love listening to loud music on your speakers. Strangers Some dogs fear strangers and may suffer from stress and anxiety when you receive new guests at your home. Dogs do remember their previous owners. Quality Labradoodle rescues will try to identify potential issues and give you coping strategies. Surroundings Your Labradoodle may also suffer stress and anxiety when in a new environment. Poisonous Food Sometimes, your Labradoodle may eat something it should not. Simple things like chocolate to harmful substances like xylitol e. They may puke and display increased heart rates when they eat these food items. If your Labradoodle breathes heavily because of something it ate, we recommend seeing a vet as soon as possible. It may breathe heavily because of diseases like cancer, pneumonia, tumors, or other respiratory diseases. Visit a vet if you suspect your dog suffers from a disease. Two Labradoodles sniff eachother out at a dog park. So how do you stop heavy breathing in Labradoodles? The points below show different ways you can stop or lessen this. Temperature Checks Check the temperature indoors and outdoors. Do not take your Labradoodle outdoors in hot weather. It may result in heatstroke. Ensure your dog remains hydrated throughout the day. Check the temperature of the areas where your dog sleeps. Change its sleeping area if you notice too much heat in that particular area of the room. Proper meals and regular exercises Avoid feeding your Labradoodle with sugar or fatty food. Also, take it for regular walks to keep it healthy and fit. Stress-free Environment Make sure your dog receives an anxiety-free environment to live in. If your Labradoodle pants heavily, it may point to stress and anxiety. Avoid touching your dog. Instead, use gentle commands or take it to its favorite spots to calm it down. Visit a Vet If your Labradoodle continues to pant or breathe heavily, make a visit to the vet to help diagnose and understand the problem. We also recommend consulting a vet in cases like food poisoning or heatstroke. Conclusion Most dogs pant or breathe heavily to maintain body temperature. Do not worry if you see heavy breathing in your Labradoodle after strenuous activities or exercises. If, however, it breathes heavily with symptoms of stress, coughing, or breathlessness, you should take it to the vet for a thorough check-up. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. Should I Be Worried? We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. This could be a natural response to a stressful situation, or it could be a sign of something more concerning. How do you know the difference? Read on as we take an in-depth look at dog breathing, starting with what exactly is normal and why dogs breathe so much faster than humans. How Fast Do Dogs Breathe? Dogs do breathe faster than humans. While most humans have a respiration rate of between 12 and 20 breaths per minute when at rest, for dogs it can be almost double that. Dogs can breathe anywhere from 15 to 35 times per minute while at rest and still be considered in the normal range. Smaller dogs tend to breathe faster than larger dogs. You can expect big dogs to be at the lower end of the spectrum and your toy and miniature breeds to be at the higher end. They might have a respiratory rate of between and breaths per minute after a game of chase, but this should last no longer than about 10 minutes once they have returned to a restful state. The reason that dogs breathe so fast in comparison to humans is that this is how they manage their body heat. Quick breathing allows air to circulate around their body and for heat to escape via their upper respiratory tract, tongue, and mouth. A little bit of quick breathing can get their body back to a comfortable temperature quickly. What if your dog has bad breath? Read our guide here. It should take them a maximum of about ten minutes of rest to return to normal breathing post-exercise. If it takes longer than this, it can be a sign that they are being overexercised and you might want to tone things down on your next outing. In High Temperatures When it is hot, your dog might start breathing quickly to lower its temperature. You will probably notice them doing other things to keep cool, such as finding a cool piece of ground to lay their belly on. It might be completely normal for them to have elevated breathing for several hours on a really hot day. While your dog is doing their best to manage their temperature, they are at risk of heat exhaustion if they are kept in the heat for too long. Think about things that you can do to help them lower their temperature. Make sure they have access to shade, a cool spot, or make a fan available for them to sit in front of, and make sure they have plenty of cool water to sip. Active Dreams It can be strange to see your dog breathing faster than normal when they are sleeping, but this is often nothing to worry about. Dogs often have active dreams of chasing their favorite prey or playing with other pups. If they are getting a good workout in their sleep, their respiratory rate might rise as if they are actually doing those things. There will usually be other signs that accompany this type of dreaming such as whining and the occasional leg twitch. Also, when they wake up, their breathing should return to normal pretty quickly. Try not to wake them up while they are having one of those dreams. Just as it is disconcerting for you to be woken when you are in deep REM sleep, the same is true for your dog. Stress And Anxiety You might find that when you first bring a puppy home, they are breathing pretty fast. This can be the result of stress and anxiety associated with adapting to their new home. It is pretty normal and will pass over time. Think about it; they have been taken away from their mother and littermates and have been plunged into an unfamiliar environment with lots of people who want to cuddle them. They are going to be stressed out! This should pass within about a week. Other signs that your dog or puppy might be stressed out include frequent yawning, drooling, licking, pacing, shaking, a general inability to stay still, excessive shedding, and hiding away from people in the household. While adapting to a new home is the most common cause of stress in puppies, for adult dogs being left at home alone for extended periods of time is the most common cause of stress. Having someone drop in and pass time with your dog during the day if you are out of the house for extended periods can make a big difference to their mental health. Read our advice on how to help your new puppy adapt to their new home here. If your dog seems to have extended periods of accelerated breathing for no apparent reason, you might start to be concerned. The first thing to do is to count their breathing to get a feel for just how fast their breathing is, and compare it to what is normal for them. Pay particular attention to breathing issues when it comes to brachycephalic dog breeds —dogs with flat, squished faces— as breathing issues may be one of the first symptoms that they develop. Below are the most common medical conditions associated with accelerated breathing, and the other accompanying symptoms you can expect to notice if they are affecting your dog. Asthma As well as rapid breathing, other common symptoms of asthma in dogs include sudden difficulty breathing, persistent coughing, heavy panting with mouth open, a bluish color to the gums, loss of appetite, and loss of energy. Lung Cancer Lung cancer only tends to be common in older dogs. As well as rapid breathing, other common symptoms include coughing, lethargy, vomiting, weight loss, hair loss, loss of appetite, lameness, fever, and gastrointestinal ulcers. Kennel Cough This is a highly contagious respiratory disease among dogs that usually gets passed around when a large number of dogs come into contact like they do in kennels. As well as rapid breathing, expect to see a strong cough, runny nose, sneezing, lethargy, loss of appetite, and low fever. Laryngeal Paralysis This is a disease that can make it difficult for your dog to close off their windpipe when they are eating and drinking, which can result in a variety of issues. As well as rapid breathing you will probably notice a strange noise when they are inhaling, a change in the sound of their bark, a blue discoloration around the tongue and gums, and coughing or gagging while eating or drinking. Windpipe Issues Dogs can be affected by a variety of windpipe issues, including pressure on the windpipe and tracheal collapse. As well as rapid breathing, you will notice coughing, vomiting, and gagging, as well as blueness around the mouth. Bacterial Or Fungal Respiratory Infection As well as breathing difficulties, if your pup has picked up a respiratory infection you can expect to see snorting and sneezing, discharge around the nose and eyes, foam around the mouth, high fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, and lethargy. Smoke Inhalation If your dog has been exposed to smoke which they have inhaled, in addition to rapid breathing you can expect to see coughing and wheezing, red or irritated eyes, lethargy, weakness, and foaming around the mouth. Pain Increased breathing can be one of the various symptoms that your dog displays when they are in some kind of pain, as a kind of stress response. You can also expert shaking, flattening of the ears, whining, low posture, whimpering, excessive licking or scratching of a specific area, reluctance to play or move, or a loss of appetite. Parasites If your dog has picked up a parasite, such as heartworms, rapid breathing can be one of the symptoms. You may also see diarrhea, vomiting, scooting, a distended abdomen, weight loss, decreased activity, and a dull coat. Compressed Lungs A compressed lung, or pneumothorax, is an accumulation of air outside the lungs but inside the chest walls. This prevents the lungs from inflating properly. Pressure on the lungs due to compression can cause accelerated and abnormal breathing. You may also notice a dull sound associated with their breathing, coughing, and hypoventilation. It can be congenital, or the result of an accident. When your dog is suffering from a hernia, as well as a bulge at the site of the hernia and rapid breathing you may notice vomiting, loss of appetite, drooling, and other general signs of pain. Anemia Anemia occurs when a dog cannot produce enough red blood cells or hemoglobin. This can affect several vital body functions. Dogs suffering from anemia often breathe quickly. They will also likely have pale gums, seem weak and lethargic, and have very dark-colored stools. Medication Certain medications can cause your dog to start breathing quickly. This side effect should be listed on the medication along with other symptoms to look out for. Symptoms Of Concern In addition to the speed, the main symptoms to be concerned about in connection with breathing are: Breathing with the mouth open Noticeably labored breathing Any blueness around the tongue and gums An unusually low or high body temperature Any other respiratory signs such as coughing or sneezing Inactivity or lethargy Weight loss or loss of appetite Any changes in their regular stool Any general signs of pain FAQs How fast should my dog be breathing? A resting respiratory rate of between breaths per minute is considered normal for dogs. Smaller dogs tend to breathe faster and larger dogs slower, Your dog may breathe faster after exercise, when it is very hot, or when they are stressed, but breathing faster than this for extended periods or no apparent reason is a reason for concern. Do puppies breathe fast when they are sleeping? It is more usual to see puppies breathing fast when they are sleeping than adult dogs. This is because they sleep more, and also because they are processing so many more new experiences. This means that they are more likely to have the kind of intense, active dreams that cause their bodies to respond to their dream as if they are active in real life. You will probably notice other signs of this type of dreaming, such as whining, growling, and twitching limbs. The accelerated breathing should only last a few minutes and should stop when they wake up. Do puppies have a fast heart rate? Newborn pups can have a heart rate of around beats per minute. It will slow down as they grow, but stay high at around beats per minute for the first six months or so of their lives. The Verdict When you notice that your dog is breathing a lot faster than you, this is nothing to worry about. The resting respiratory rate of your dog should be about twice as fast as yours. When they are recovering from exercise or dealing with extreme heat, you can expect their breathing to increase significantly, by as much as ten times. They may also breathe faster if they are dealing with stress or anxiety, or having a very active dream. If your dog is consistently breathing at more than 35 breaths per minute for no discernable reason, though, this can be a symptom of a variety of problems from pneumonia, to parasites, to pain. It is time to consult your vet and watch out for other symptoms of what could be going on with your dog. Have you dealt with a dog suffering from accelerated breathing? Share your experience with the community in the comments section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Learn how your comment data is processed. Keep in touch. Do you wonder why my puppy breathes fast than your adult dogs? As mentioned above, puppies require more oxygen for healthy development. Set the timer for 30 seconds. Multiply the resulting number by 2 and the number you get is the number of breaths per minute of your puppy. The normal breathing rate for puppies is 15 to 40 breaths per minute. In some cases though, the breathing rate can be as high as breaths per minute. Is this still normal? Save Big On Dog Essentials! Why do Puppies Breathe Fast? My Puppy Breathes Fast while Sleeping! Should I be worried? If the fast breathing is accompanied by other symptoms such as lethargy, disinterest in playing, vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, swollen stomach, and breathing difficulty, then those are the signs that puppies require immediate veterinary attention. Otherwise, it can be a cause for concern. The gums should be moist and pink, not pale or any other color. Yes, a puppy breathing fast is normal. But, the story is different if it comes with other symptoms such as loss of appetite and coughing. As a fur parent, you must observe your pup if there are obvious signs that warrant a trip to the vet clinic. The best gauge is to determine if your puppy is actively interacting with you and other pets. If it is within the normal range, then, you have nothing to worry about because a puppy breathing fast is normal. Yes, puppies do breathe faster than dogs. Having said that, do not panic right away if you notice that my puppy is breathing fast compared with your adult dogs. As you have learned earlier, having a dream or being in the REM stage is one of many reasons why is my puppy breathing fast while sleeping. There is no need to run to the veterinary clinic right away because this is pretty normal. Remember when we said that it is also through fast breathing that their bodies get the right amount of oxygen for proper growth? This is because smaller dog breeds and those belonging to the brachycephalic dog breeds tend to breathe faster even in adulthood. On the one hand, if there are other concerning signs like lack of appetite as to why does my puppy breath so fast when sleeping, then that is the time to have your puppy examined by a vet doctor. Are Puppies supposed to Breathe Fast? To answer the question, should puppies breathe fast while sleeping? Yes, puppies need a higher level of oxygen intake for proper muscle, bone, organs, and brain development. However, if the puppies are breathing fast in situations that do not involve sleeping, playing, or cooling down after physical exertions, it is best to schedule an appointment with a vet doctor immediately. How fast should a Puppy Breath while Sleeping? The respiratory rate of puppies during sleep does not remain constant. It could increase or decrease during their sleeping cycle. At its slowest, it ranges from 15 to 40 breaths per minute, and around breaths per minute at its fastest. Rapid respiratory rate should only last for a few minutes and anything lasting more than 10 minutes should be checked by a vet. Make sure they are breathing through their nose and not through their mouth, as if they are panting. With a stopwatch at hand, count the number of times their chest inhales and exhales air for 30 seconds with one in-and-out movement counted as one. Next is to multiply the result by two. That would give you the result of their breaths per minute. If you suspect that their breathing is not normal, you can check their temperature by gently touching their body to feel if they are warmer than usual. The color of their gums is also a good indicator if there is something of concern. If they are pink and moist, then it should be fine. If it is very pale or rosy, have your pup checked by a vet. A swollen or hard stomach can also be a sign that there is pressure on the lungs to exert more effort. Other concerning signs include coughing, tiredness, and noisy breathing. Puppy Breathing breaths per minute While Sleeping A puppy breathing breaths per minute sleeping may not necessarily mean that you need to immediately drive him or her to the vet clinic. If a puppy breathes this fast, it can be classified as panting. But, should you worry right away? Panting helps puppies regulate their body temperatures, especially after playing. A puppy who just had some playtime may suddenly decide to rest and sleep and its breathing may not return to normal immediately. It should only be of concern when their rapid breathing is prolonged and accompanied by other unusual manifestations, like lack of appetite, vomiting, and lethargy. Why is my 4 week old Puppy Breathing Fast? Puppies naturally breathe faster than older dogs. At four weeks of age, they are starting to walk, run, and play with their littermates and this increased activity makes their heart rates increase, thus, increasing oxygen intake. Fast breathing during their sleep is normal and nothing to worry about. Only when it is labored and showing signs of distress that they need to be checked. New stimulation can bring about stress which can also contribute to faster breathing during sleep. This is because heavy panting while sleeping is normal for puppies at 8 weeks of age, for as long as there are no signs like appetite loss or fever. Puppies usually breathe more heavily from 8 weeks to 24 weeks of age. A 2 month old puppy breathing fast while sleeping could be that his or her body is going through a growth spurt. This is all part of the growing process of a healthy puppy. It is possible for them to dream about their new escapades making them breathe fast while sleeping. Crate training is also introduced to most puppies around this age and this could cause stress. When exposed to uncomfortable situations, puppies could exhibit signs of rapid breathing while sleeping. They are usually lively during the morning and evening and would suddenly take a nap to rest. Heavy breathing could be exhibited while they are taking a snooze right after strenuous activity and would usually return to normal in a few minutes. Residual excitement can bring about rapid breathing while sleeping. Obsession over chewing and gnawing at random things is commonplace. They are also reaching half their adult full weight during this month. It is normal for them to toss and turn a lot during sleep with brisk breathing through the nose. It is also possible at this age for some diseases they inherit from their parents to start to appear. It is still normal for them intermittently to breathe fast while asleep, but any prolonged panting behavior during rest should be checked by a vet. Yes, stress can also be one reason your puppy is breathing rapidly during sleep. Stress or fear can take many forms. Separation anxiety, new environments, and even exposure to other pets can bring about anxiety. Signs you should look for are excessive drooling and barking, changes in posture, shaking, constant pacing, tucked ears, showing the white of their eyes, and panting. When you see a sign of stress in your puppy, gradually remove her from that situation and place her in a quiet place where she can re-group. Exercise, like walking or a game of frisbee , is another good way to release tension not only physically but also mentally. Yes, for some puppies, the fast breathing while sleeping is due to an underlying health condition such as the following: 1. If for some reason, the trachea collapses, one of the first symptoms that will manifest is rapid breathing. In most cases, tracheal collapse is hereditary. Another respiratory issue that can causes rapid breathing while sleeping is asthma. This occurs when the windpipe gets swollen or inflamed due to irritants. Lung disease There are a number of lung diseases or conditions due to certain bacteria or viruses that can affect a puppy, like pneumonia, kennel cough, and influenza. Kennel Cough Kennel Cough, or canine infectious respiratory disease CIRD , is infectious bronchitis that can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or mycoplasma. It brings about inflammation in the trachea resulting in a dry, hacking cough, especially during the night. As we can see, this is a respiratory infection that constricts the upper airways resulting in fast breathing. If it is accompanied by fever, it is most likely the highly contagious kennel cough. Pneumonia Pneumonia is a disease that causes the microscopic air sacs in the lungs to be inflamed. The common culprit is a viral infection of the lower respiratory tract, but bacteria such as Streptococcus and Bordetella bronchiseptica can also cause the disease. Influenza Canine influenza virus CIV or dog flu is caused by either the H3N8 or H3N2 strain that brings about symptoms of cough, runny nose, and fever. It is typically spread through contaminated objects and respiratory secretions from infected dogs. Diaphragmatic hernia A form of diaphragmatic hernia found in puppies is called a peritoneal-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia PPDH. Puppies with this condition present with labored breathing and an irregular heartbeat, and the only solution to ease the difficulty is through surgery. Pain Dogs are good at concealing pain. It was a survival tactic that their ancestors employed against their enemies in the wild so as not to be seen as the weaker species. One of the typical signs of puppy pain is breathing fast while sleeping and during waking hours. Exposure to pain activates the stress hormone known as cortisol which plays a role in numbing pain. Increased cortisol also results in increased heart rate and faster breathing in puppies. If you suspect that your puppy is in pain, do not attempt to give pain medicines. Instead, head out to the veterinary clinic right away. The veterinarian will conduct a series of physical examinations to pinpoint the exact location of the pain. Blood tests, ultrasounds, and radiography may also be necessary especially if the vet suspects that it is a case of juvenile hip dysplasia. Though hip dysplasia is more common among older dogs, there are cases of puppies that are seen to be suffering from this problem as early as 5 months. Genes play a major role but obesity and poor diet can also be the cause. Depending on the diagnosis, the common pain medicines prescribed for puppies in pain are non-steroidal medicines. Supplements may also be given such as glucosamine to bring down swelling. Food Poisoning Puppies are notorious for eating just about anything. If fur parents failed to remove toxic food and substances around the house, puppies will naturally devour these. Fast breathing is one of the symptoms of food poisoning. Three of the human foods that can result in food poisoning in dogs are chocolate, garlic, and onions. Chocolates also have minimal traces of caffeine. While theobromine and caffeine can be processed by humans, our dogs take a longer time to break down and excrete these two which results in chocolate toxicity. The signs of chocolate poisoning can be seen 22 to 24 hours after intake and some of the symptoms are rapid breathing and increased heart rate. Garlic and Onions toxicity Garlic and onions can cause food poisoning in our dogs because of the compound N-propyl disulfide. This is a compound that damages the red blood cells of dogs and causes hemolysis and anemia. Aside from increased heart rate and faster breathing, the signs include pale gums and lack of coordination. The Dangerous Truth!

Articles With their thick and curly hair, there are so many styles and cuts you can do with a Poodle. This is part of the reason why owning this breed is so much fun. A Continental cut, for instance, is the classic show dog style for Poodles. No matter what the Poodle hairstyle, it always looks picture-perfect. Continental Image from Instagram: flywithnimbus This list of Poodle hairstyles will never be complete without the Continental Cut. It is commonly seen in dog shows and the standard groom for Poodles. The Continental Cut features pompoms on the ankles and a shaved back. The face is kept short while the tip of the tail has a good amount of fur to protect the dog from the cold temps. Lastly, the head is thick and fluffy with a longer length. It is exactly as the name suggests — short, polished, and fresh. The tail and ears remain long while the body is only half an inch in length. This is a low-maintenance cut that is perfect for the warmer months. To create this look, you give your dog a Puppy Clean Face cut to start. Then, you start working on the mustache. Then, shape the hair around its muzzle into a heart, and voila! Clean Face Image from Instagram: anything. It can be applied to any cut but with a clean face instead of thick and fluffy. Shave the face nice and short. We recommend a 10 or 40 blade to create this look. Donut Mustache Image from Instagram: olushkaks Think of it as a donut-shaped hair around the muzzle. This is pretty much what the Donut Mustache is, in simpler terms. The corners of the mouth have shaved hair. But the muzzle has a circle of hair wrapped around it. Ideally, you would pair off this look with a Clean Face to really emphasize the Donut-like mustache. But the secret is in achieving the desirable length for the rest of the body to let the bell-bottom style stand out. Aside from shaving the neck and the face, you would also want to shave the belly area. This creates a belly band, which highlights the fluffy and long hair on the legs… Like bell-bottoms! Forget the shaving and stick to letting it grow nice and thick. Keep the hair abundantly fluffy all around — including the face. Shave the neck, base of the tail, and the face. The same goes for the body. However, you keep all four legs fluffy. German Image from Instagram: draco. It is also most suitable for Poodles that suffer from constant ear matting or infections. With the German cut, you keep the ears shaved, the body and tail short, but with longer legs. This may seem like a simple cut but very functional for pups with sensitive skin around the ears. You can easily achieve this look by keeping the feet, tail, and face shaved. But maintain longer legs, at least longer than its body hair, and absolutely zero pom. Lion Image from Instagram: velvetpoodlediary This elaborate cut is one of the most popular Poodle hairstyles. Basically, it gives your pup a lion-like appearance, just like what the name of this cut suggests! With the Lion cut, the limbs are shaved while the back and front paws have a pompom. But the head and stomach have a profuse amount of hair, somewhat similar to the Continental cut. Miami Image from Instagram: thegroomingloft. It does offer a sense of flair to your pooch, even if it can be challenging to maintain. To achieve this cut, the legs have thick pompoms while the body remains short. There is also the signature topknot, which can either be long or medium. Lastly, the face is shaved to maintain a clean and sleek look. This is also typical among show dogs because of the complex, yet appealing look it offers. The only difference between the English Saddle and the Lion is that hind legs. There is an extra pompom on this part. The body retains the tight curls and the ears remain long. The coat does not need to be a particular length but definitely not completely shaved. But one thing is for certain — the fringe on the ear must not be excessively long. Balance in the trims is the standard feature of this cut, which can be tricky to achieve. But the Kennel Cut is simpler. Although a shaved tail, neck, and face are hallmarks of the Poodle, these are optional for the Kennel cut. Town And Country Image from Instagram: draco. It has a certain flair to it, while at the same easier to maintain. The trademark features of this cut are the cylinder-shaped body and hairy legs. As for the body hair length, it is short, which makes the leg appear denser and fluffier. The ears and head have a rounded, clean finish for a polished appearance. With this cut, the top of the head has a scissored cap. But the body hair is short and should not be any longer than an inch. This is a low-maintenance cut that is quite easy and simple to achieve. Poodles of all sizes should be able to look good with this type of cut. This is another easy-to-maintain cut that is perfect for the warmer climate. Groomers can easily achieve the Palm Beach look by keeping the body and legs short. The short length all around is then accentuated by pompoms right on the ankles. Thus, it adds some dimension to the legs for a certain flair. Bolero Image from Instagram: pood. It gives a certain look as though your pooch is wearing… A bolero! What this cut entails are the belly band and the shaved face. The legs are kept thick and fluffy while the band is cleanly shaved right between the poms and the full leg. It does make the Poodle appear like a Sailor because of the combination of shaved and fluffy areas. This cut has some resemblance to the Bolero. However, the legs are unshaved, although the face is clean and there is a belly band included. The idea is to keep your pooch looking youthful, which is what this cut is all about! However, it is definitely most common among Miniature Poodles. There is no need to keep the look sharp or defined. It lends an air of freshness to it, while finishing it off with a pompom on the tail. Royal Dutch Image from Instagram: groomingbysarah Commonly seen in dog competitions, the Royal Dutch is one sophisticated cut. It aims to achieve a uniform length all throughout. But one important feature of this cut is that the tail has a tiny pompom at the end. Other than that, there is no specific hallmark of this cut. Chicago Dutch Image from Instagram: rizzocurlyboi This is one of the most unique-looking Poodle hairstyles you can give to your dog. The Chicago Dutch Cut features a belly band. Do take note that the Chicago Dutch can be tricky to maintain. So, it is best to have it trimmed by a professional for a clean and polished appearance. While there is no particular length, groomers often use a 4 size of blade for the legs and 7 for the body. The tail, as well as the neck and face, are shaved. There is also a long or short length for the top knot to complete the look. But what makes it stand out is that the feet are shaved, so there is almost no hair seen. But as for the rest of the body, it is a bit like the lamb cut — short but not shaved. The same goes for the legs and the tail. There may or may not be any pompoms, either. There is no pompom on the tail and the hair length on the legs is longer than the body. The only difference this cut has with the previous style is the feet. This area is not shaved at all but kept at the same length as the legs and ankles. The upper body and limbs are of the same length. But do take note that this cut includes a pompom on the tail. This gives it a fluffy look that adds a flair and style to your pooch. European Image from Instagram: theeverydaygroomer If you are a type of Poodle owner that loves to give your pup a trendy look, then European Cut is one thing to consider. It is also known as the Scandinavian cut, especially in the US. The primary objective of this cut is to give your dog a professional finish. It is not at all exaggerated or complex. This cut is also leaning more towards the natural look, while having an obvious aesthetic flair to it. The highlight is also on the head and ears. With this cut, there is a belly band and longer legs. One main difference between this cut and the Sailor Boy, however, is the spine area. This section is often shaved and thin for a clean look. Both the bottom jaw and the corners of the mouth have very little hair. Then, the top jaw keeps a longer length. The hair is also shaped in such a way that it lays flat while keeping it short enough to accentuate the jawline. Puppy Clean Face Image from Instagram: goodboy. So, you can just lose all the fluff and ruff around the muzzle, cheeks, and elsewhere and snip the hair to half an inch. To create a sense of balance, we also keep the legs at the same length as on the face. The body can maintain a longer or shorter length, whichever you prefer. Because of the naturally fluffy hair quality of a Poodle, it is important to give this pooch a haircut at least every 4 to 6 weeks. However, if the clip is very short or shaved, it will suffice to brush or comb the hair daily without giving a haircut too often. Newborn Poodles often have straighter hair or slightly wavy. It is always fluffy and soft but not at all like the thick curls that adult Poodles have. Thus, when left ungroomed, the hair can become a big mess of fluff. Matting can also occur, which can be an issue over time. Hence, grooming every 3 weeks or so is a necessity for this breed. Jul 18, Share Poodles are renowned for their hair. While the continental haircut may be the most popular, there are tons of other options out there. Some haircuts are more practical, while others are high-maintenance and adorable. Which haircut you choose for your dog depends on your goals and lifestyle. Show poodles need the continental cut, for instance. However, if you have a companion dog, you can choose whatever cut you want! Below, we listed some of the most popular poodle haircuts for this year. This list should give you plenty of Poodle cut styles to choose from! The Top 11 Poodle Haircuts 1. It is so popular and time-honed that it is still prevalent this year. It is one of the two acceptable haircuts for show dogs, according to the American Kennel Club. This cut involves shaving everywhere except their face, ears, shoulders, paws, and tail. This was the traditional cut Poodles were given when retrieving waterfowl, as it left enough hair for them to stay warm without getting in the way of their mobility. The one downside of this cut is that it needs to be done by a professional. It takes a lot of work. It is more difficult to see the body of the dog with all the extra care. However, you may not care much if you have a companion dog. This cut leaves plenty of hair behind to keep the dog warm but shaves it down enough to give the dog plenty of mobility as well. This is an increasingly common cut for dog owners, as it is a happy middle-ground. Generally, the coat is clipped to the same length across the whole body. Most companion poodles have this cut. Instead, this cut is supposed to make full-grown poodles look like puppies. Thus, it is one of the more popular toy poodle haircuts, as they are already small enough to be puppies. With that said, this is also a style that is acceptable for actual puppies. According to the AKC, this is a good style for dogs under a year old. You will need a pompom on the tail for showing purposes, though. However, for companion dogs, this is not necessary. Some brave owners may be able to keep this cut maintained at home. This is an easy cut to maintain at home and is a standard cut used for show dogs. However, this is an extremely suitable cut for companion dogs as well. We recommend this cut for colder climates, as the fur is a bit longer overall than in other cuts. It is almost the winter version of the kennel cut. There are no harsh lines. However, for owners who care more about practicality than the show, it is a good option. This cut is seen on a variety of other dogs as well as it is simple and low maintenance. Bikini Cut A post shared by Bo the Rescue Poodle standardpoodlebo The bikini cut is a middle ground between fancy and straightforward. It has a little bit of style but is still very low maintenance. Most of the body is kept very short, while certain areas are allowed to grow out like the ears, paws, and tail. This is one of the shortest cuts out there, so it is suitable for warmer climates. Scandinavian Clip A post shared by Kimberly Snoddy kimberlysnoddy This cut is incredibly grand and overdone. It is an extreme continental cut. For this reason, it is scarce. It is most suitable for icy areas, like Scandinavia, hence the name. This cut is most identifiable by the fluffiness everywhere! Town and Country Cut A post shared by Finnegan And Riker Schiller finnstaoninsta As far as modern cuts go, this is one of the most popular options out there. The one distinguishing feature is that the legs are cut to resemble cylinders. The ears and head are also very rounded with minimal poofs. This cut involves letting that process happen. This cut used to be very popular. However, it had fallen out of style for decades. Nowadays, the cut is beginning to come back in style. This should be done with care and precision, as natural mats can be quite uncomfortable. This is a style you can achieve at home, though. It is also effortless to care for once you get things going. It is not quite as impressive as some of the other cuts on this list. However, it is very low-maintenance , which is precisely why many owners choose it. It is notable and low-maintenance, making it the best of both worlds for most companion dogs. Conclusion If you are the lucky owner of a poodle—no matter what size—you have plenty of adorable haircuts to choose from. Also See:. By Yvonne Villasenor Yvonne Villasenor is a freelance writer and animal lover who just so happens to be allergic to cats and dogs. That doesn't stop her from cuddling with them! When Yvonne's not working, you can find her lounging with her charming Chihuahuas, weightlifting, or wandering around Halloween stores. Having such unique and versatile fur means there are countless poodle haircuts for you to choose from, and a professional groomer can give your poodle a makeover with a hairstyle that best matches her personality and lifestyle. With so many options available, learn how your poodle can look like anything from a plush toy to elegant royalty! Teddy Bear Cut The teddy bear cut is a popular trim for poodles and other long-haired breeds. With this look, your poodle has longer hair on her face for a soft, rounded "teddy bear" appearance, and the rest of the fur on her body is cut at a shorter, uniform length throughout. Talk about cuddly cuteness! Summer Cut Because poodles have a single coat, they can enjoy the luxury that comes with it: the summer cut. Known as one of the most low-maintenance poodle haircuts, the summer cut is a practical haircut option that keeps your poodle's fur short so she stays comfortable in hot weather. So if you're looking to cut your hair to beat the heat in the summer, you and your poodle can rock shorter hairdos together! Puppy Cut No matter your poodle's age, you can seemingly turn back time with the puppy cut. Also a popular choice among poodle parents, the puppy cut is a simple, natural-looking trim that leaves your dog with an evenly cut length, typically 1 to 2 inches, all over. This is a highly modifiable look, so consult your groomer for a length that best fits your and your dog's preference and lifestyle. Continental Cut The continental cut is a glamorous and traditional hairstyle often worn by poodle show dogs. With this look, your poodle's face, throat, feet, and part of the tail are shaved. This look is characterized by full hair on the rib cage and chest, pom poms of fur on the tail, ankles, and hips, as well as a banded topknot on the head. German Trim Looking for a haircut that looks fancy but not too fancy? The German trim uses the power of angles to give your poodle a sharp profile. The hair on your furry friend's legs is left long, while the hair on the body and ears is cut short. This is a great option not only if your poodle is more active but also if your pup is prone to ear infections or ear matting. Modern Cut The modern cut is an elegant hairstyle that combines aesthetics with your poodle's natural features. This cut keeps the hair on the body short, accentuating your poodle's shape. The fur on the head, ears, and tail is left longer to create a fluffy appearance. When your dog has such curly, coarse locks, you may wonder how many trips to the groomer you and your poodle may be making. Poodles and poodle-crosses also go through a coat change in the first year of life, so they need to be groomed more often," says Danna Alexander, owner of Prestige Dog Grooming School. To keep mats and tangles at bay, it's best to brush your poodle at least two to three times a week. Toy poodle haircuts aren't off limits for miniature and standard poodles, just as standard poodle haircuts aren't off limits for miniature and toy poodles. While any poodle can sport any style, there may be common options you'd like to choose from. Because there are various names for different types of poodle haircuts, make sure to bring your groomer a photo of the haircut you'd love your pooch to have. Was this page helpful?

Our passion for what we do is evident in the quality puppies we raise - we love what we do and the dogs we work with. You may have noticed that many guide dogs are Labradoodles, which speaks volumes about their ability to remember commands and learn obedience. Since Poodles and Labradors are both considered extremely intelligent breeds, Labradoodles are also likely to be clever. If you are looking for a family pet, our Labradoodle puppies for sale in QLD are ideal. They are playful and enjoy spending time with family members of all ages. Labradoodles are incredibly sociable dogs and are not likely to exhibit aggressive behaviour. While they are great pets to have as playmates and running buddies, they will not make the most alert guard dogs. These dogs are outgoing and friendly, as well as exceedingly friendly. It would be best if you took time to ensure that you socialise your Labradoodle as soon as possible so that they become familiar with other animals and people. In your search for a Labradoodle for sale in NSW , you may already have learned that Labradoodles first made an appearance in the mid-twentieth century. The main objective of this match was to breed a dog that did not shed, that was also suited to be a service dog. A Labrador retriever and Poodle were bred, and the result was the Labradoodle. We breed Labradoodle puppies that are highly intelligent and easy to train. These dogs often have various types of coats, ranging from the springier poodle coat to the longer Labrador coat, which is more prone to shedding. As time passed, both American and English Cocker Spaniel breeds were included in this mix, which has become the Labradoodle breed that you will know and recognise today. It is worth buying slightly cheaper bowls at first and then upgrading once your puppy has outgrown their chewing phase. In addition, your puppy will need good-quality dog food, chews, dog toys, as well as a collar and leash. You could even invest in some puppy shampoo when you first get your Labradoodle for sale in Victoria. As a responsible pet owner, you must ensure that your new puppy receives all their vaccinations as required. If you live in an urban area, it is also wise to microchip them so that it will be easier for a vet to identify you as their owner if they do get lost. Toilet training is essential. Try to take your puppy outside as often as possible so that they learn the habit of going out when they need to use the toilet. You should be prepared for accidents, though — they are still learning to control their bladders and may take a little while to become accustomed to this toilet routine. Our puppies are carefully bred to produce strong, healthy, and brilliant dogs who will make an excellent addition to any home. You can also purchase purebred French Bulldog puppies from us. About Toy Puppies Are Us We have been breeding puppies for three decades, and our passion for animals and what we do has not diminished. Our breeding is ethical, and we adhere to rules and regulations regarding breeding so that our puppies are healthy and happy. The puppies spend the first few weeks of their lives on our large property, cared for by our dedicated team. We are fortunate to have highly experienced veterinarian nurses on call who regularly check up on our dogs. Labradoodle: Services. Micro Mini labradoodle Information How small do labradoodles get? The breed standard defines Miniature as 14 to 17" to the shoulder, and usually about 25 lbs. Micro Mini labradoodles Toy labradoodles are under 14" to the shoulder and usually about 15 to 20 lbs max. This is because a puppy in the litter can hit the mini size due to the fact that our Australian Labradoodle Moms are micro mini and the Australian Labradoodle Dad is a small mini. We refuse to use toy poodles. Therefore, the parents, grandparents and great grandparents of our puppies are Australian Labradoodles. We do not breed curly coated, so your micro mini puppy will look like a doodle, not a poodle. Please be careful, look at the parent dogs of any breeder and compare them to our parents. All puppies are cute, but looking at the adults will give you an idea of what your dog will look like as an adult. Our main concern with the breeding of Micro Mini labradoodles is to maintain the temperament, coat, health and conformation of their larger counterparts. Therefore, again we do NOT breed directly with toy poodles. Finally, with careful breeding, we do have one line that fits the description of toy labradoodles or micro mini labradoodles, generally considered under 20 lbs, our toy labradoodles average about 18 lbs. It has taken us 14 years to bring down the size and retain the soft fleece coat, wide body and same temperament. Pictured is Thelma you can see the coffee table in the back ground she is just 18 lbs and her shoulder is below the coffee table if she ducks she can walk under the coffee table. Also pictured is Louie chocolate and white who will be Thelma's husband in the photo he is still a puppy. No one thinks labradoodles can come this small, well just meet one of ours and you will realize that big or small labradoodles are laid back, happy, sweet, very smart and comically silly. Please note the wait can be long for this size as we only have 4 litters a year of Micro Mini. Life Span Did You Know? Second-generation crosses could include a Labradoodle and a Mini Poodle or two Mini Labradoodles as parents. This hybrid dog breed was originally developed to create smaller potential service dogs that might be a good fit for people with allergies to dog fur. With a mixed breed, you can end up with any combination of traits from the parent breeds. Often, Mini Labradoodles are smart, friendly, and sociable dogs that are highly trainable. They are often found working as service dogs and therapy dogs and living as beloved family companions. Although they are not recognized by the AKC, the Mini Labradoodle is recognized by other canine registries. A Mini Labradoodle is a combination of two friendly dog breeds that crave human affection and are always happy to have company. These dogs also tend to have playful, energetic personalities and low prey drives. Well-socialized Mini Labradoodles tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Due to their smaller size, these dogs can be injured by accidental rough play or accidental falls, so any interactions between young kids and puppies should be closely supervised. Miniature Labradoodles will usually bark to alert you when someone is at the door, but generally are not prone to nuisance barking unless they have been trained into it. It may not be a bad idea to train your dog to stop barking early on. Well-socialized Mini Labradoodles may be initially wary of strangers, but tend to warm up quickly and will often be happy to make a new friend. Miniature Labradoodles are highly adaptable. Provided they get enough exercise, attention, and mental stimulation, they can adapt well to apartments as well as larger homes. They tend to do best in moderate climates, but can tolerate warmer or colder climates. As with any dog, they are sensitive to heat. Although they tend to have a fluffier coat, they are also smaller and may need to bundle up in some winter dog products to stay warm while out on walks in the cold. Mini Labradoodles are also very much companion breeds. They bond closely with their families and thrive on being near them, so they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. The health of the parents and good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of Mini Labradoodle puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done to help allay any concerns you may have. Miniature Labradoodles tend to be highly intelligent and eager to please. This generally makes them easy to train and a good fit for owners of all experience levels. In fact, their parent breeds are considered some of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. These dogs respond best to consistent training and positive reinforcement. Puppy training classes can ensure that owners of any experience level learn the latest training techniques and start building a strong bond with their puppy. Grooming requirements with a Mini Labradoodle can vary. On the Poodle side, you have a low-shedding, but high-maintenance, coat that needs daily brushing along with trimming and grooming every weeks. On the Lab side, you have a higher shedding coat that is more low-maintenance, requiring some weekly brushing or brushing a few times a week and intermittent bathing. Overall, Mini Labradoodles range from having a non- to low-shedding coat. They can have one coat type or the other, or a combination of both of them. So, you will want to be prepared for brushing a coat a few times a week and the possibility of more grooming needs. Regardless of coat type, there are some other general grooming tasks you can count on. Regular dental care for your dog will help prevent serious dental issues like gum disease and tooth decay later in life. This is especially important for dog breeds with floppy ears as they are more prone to developing ear infections. Miniature Labradoodles can be high-energy dogs. In general, they require daily walks plus some playtime and extra activity to be happy and healthy. Since they love to be around their family and can have an exuberant and outgoing personality, they will likely be up for more playtime if you are. This little dog may get tired more easily at times and could push themselves too far in their excitement. On the other hand, they may just keep going and going with no signs of slowing down. What is most important is making sure your Miniature Labradoodle gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. Fully-grown Mini Labradoodles usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Miniature Labradoodles generally live for years on average. Featured Mini Labradoodle Article. Their incredible versatility of an easily trainable and adoring temperament as well as their social nature make them a perfect family pet. These beautiful, miniature versions are also commonly referred to as Australian Labradoodles, Mini Labradoos, and Mini Labrapoodles. The Mini Labradoodle is the smaller version of the equally amazing Standard Labradoodle that is a cross between a Standard Poodle and a Labrador, both purebred dogs. The standard-sized versions were bred to be guide dogs, and this trait is dominant in Mini Labradoodles as well. This designer breed is a dog of many talents. Mini Labradoodles are highly intelligent, affectionate, and as loving as can be. They can be trained for a myriad of dog jobs, and are quite the athletes when it comes to dog sports. Appearance and Grooming With two very different parent breeds, it can be difficult to know what each puppy will look like. Some litter pups take on more characteristics of the Poodle parent and others take after the Labrador more. Their low-shedding coat may resemble that of a Poodle : long, curly, and thick, or they may have fur that resembles that of a Labrador: short, straight, and dense with color variations of black, brown, chocolate, cream, golden, silver and white. This breed has a double coat which may require daily brushing depending on the thickness. They will also need regularly scheduled professional grooming appointments every 4 to 6 weeks. The size of Mini Labradoodles can vary quite a bit as well since they are a crossbreed of different-sized dogs. They may be smaller or larger depending on who they take after more. The typical size for these cuties is 14 to 16 inches tall with a weight of 16 to 25 pounds for a full-grown Mini Labradoodle. With both parent breeds being family-friendly, happy-go-lucky breeds, it is no surprise that this puppy will have the same fun-loving nature. Family and Companionship Perfect for families with children of all ages, the Mini Labradoodle is certain to fit in anywhere. This sweet dog will need plenty of love and attention, so staying away for long periods of time is not ideal for the overall emotional health of this breed. Because of their smaller size, they can thrive in all environments, be it a city apartment or in a rural setting with lots of lands. Keep in mind that your puppy will need lots of exercise and play so make sure you have plenty of places to let them run and sniff. Exercise Taking on the energetic tendencies of both parents, the mini Labradoodles are extremely active dogs who enjoy going for walks, running, and even swimming much like the Poodle. Like the Retriever, they love to play and retrieve things. Be prepared to keep them busy and spend at least an hour of active playtime with them each day. They can be pretty active chewers and seekers of mischief, so giving them something to play with is imperative. Training and Socialization Inheriting the intelligence of the Poodle parent will not only make this dog super trainable but also a wonderful option for a service or therapy dog. Its natural intuition makes it easily adaptable to people and places. However, it is very important to begin training the moment you bring your mini Labradoodle puppy home. You should start exposing it to new places, people, and other dogs as early as possible. Early socialization is paramount in the overall wellness of this unique breed. They are happy and healthy dogs that have amazing personalities. Our Mini Labradoodle breeders as well as our Puppy Agents interact with these pups daily to ensure they are socialized early and ready for their transition to your home. How big will my Miniature Labradoodle get? They will grow to a height between 21 to 23 inches and weigh between 55 to 80 lbs. What is the life expectancy of a Miniature Labradoodle? The average life expectancy is 10 to 12 years. What is the appearance of a Miniature Labradoodle? What is the temperament of a Miniature Labradoodle? They are spirited animals with a zest for adventure. They are full of love and affection and devoted to their humans. They have a playful and sometimes rambunctious side so creating boundaries and providing proper exercise will be important to keep these little ones in shape and out of mischief. Is the Miniature Labradoodle a good choice for first time dog owners? In fact, they are a perfect match for first time dog owners as they are super intelligent and easily trainable. They start learning at a very young age. Should I socialize my Miniature Labradoodle puppy? Though it is always important to socialize your puppy, please do so in safe places until the puppy has received all of its vaccinations. These little ones love people, but can exhibit a protective nature. Proper socialization will bring out the best of their sociable, easy-going temperament. How much exercise will my Miniature Labradoodle require? These are lively little pups with energy to spare they will need to have 30 to 60 minutes of vigorous activity per day, including walks and active play. Playtime and mental stimulation such as training exercises and interactive toys are recommended as well. How much food will my Miniature Labradoodle require? This breed is prone to obesity and bloating so proper nutrition must be shown from puppy and throughout adulthood. Because the sizes of these dogs vary so widely so will the amount of food they should get. Talk with your veterinary care provider about getting your little one on the right track. What type of coat does the Miniature Labradoodle have? Miniature Labradoodle coats come in many different colors and textures. They could have a shorter, double Labrador coat or a long, curly Poodle coat. Most of the time they fall somewhere in between while still showcasing those distinctive Poodle curls. What colors are the Miniature Labradoodles? They come in several solid colors including yellow, golden, chocolate, black, blue, brown, gray, and white. How often will my Miniature Labradoodle need to be groomed? This is a fairly high maintenance breed that requires frequent, brushing and regular trimming. They are excellent family pets, especially for active families. They are full of love and devotion and are always up for a new adventure. They do great with children. Is the Miniature Labradoodle hypoallergenic? Though not a fully hypoallergenic, they are a great choice for anyone that suffers from allergens. The AKC does not recognize mixed breeds. Mini Labradoodle Reviews.

how much do you feed a puppy labrador - Due to this, they develop a great level of bounciness and mischievous habits. It is quite commonly seen that the smaller breeds mature more quickly than the big dogs. They get pretty sensible at the age of 9 months old or so. Large dogs, like Labs, mature slowly and more effort is needed to calm them mentally and physically. High levels of activity will also keep your puppy fit and healthier. Labradors start to calm down around their first birthday. You can also help your pooch by using some effective dog handling techniques. For example, taking control of the pup, avoiding physical play, and creating a distraction by providing activities are some of the most common methods to deal with hyper or over-excited dogs. Other than that, calming music and medications are also quite popular. Stairs can be dangerous for dogs when you are not supervising them during the learning phase. In this case, it is better to not allow your dog to climb stairs. Invisibility and untidy stairs are other common reasons which make stairs dangerous for your dog. Climbing stairs in the dark can also result in severe injuries to your dog. Similarly, stairs that have water on them can also make your dog fall. Does your Labrador puppy nip? Labradors are always keen to explore and learn new things from a very young age. Going out is the basic need for Labradors because of their higher energy levels. It can also help them in quick learning, socializing, and training. They begin to go out in your backyard for potty training, exercise, playing, and learning at the age of 8 weeks. However, it is better to avoid public places with untidy stairs to protect them from potential injuries and infections. Labrador puppies love to be around stairs and it can be a great sleeping spot for them. What side Harness do you need to buy for your Labrador Puppy? Just as humans, pups also have milk teeth and they will lose them as they transition to adulthood. They start to lose their milk teeth from the age of 12 weeks. At the same time, the permanent teeth start popping up and at the age of months, permanent teeth take over all the milk teeth. Labrador puppies have 28 baby teeth or milk teeth which they will lose when they become mature around weeks old. They have a total of 42 permanent teeth that they will lose when they get old or have any medical emergencies. Falling from the stairs is one of the main reasons why dogs lose their permanent teeth. Labs love to climb stairs even at an early age and owners must take proper precautions to keep them safe. Otherwise, there are vulnerable to hard falls and might lose their permanent teeth. Some safety precautions make stairs safe for puppies. Proper Supervision It is recommended that the dog owners should give proper time to their Labrador puppies and keep an eye on them when they are learning to climb stairs. In this way, your dog will remain safe and learn to climb stairs more efficiently and effectively. Improve Visibility Installing lights around the stairs and turning them on especially when there is dark around them. This will improve visibility and help your pup to climb up the stairs quite easily. Keep the Stairs Clean Just like a human baby, a pup also requires a similar kind of care. This means keeping your house and its stairs clean will offer them no falling especially when they are learning to climb stairs. You can use pieces of rubber carpet and place them on the stairs as it will increase the resistance level. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please note: We are not veterinarians and you use our advice at your own discretion. We always recommend that you consult your veterinarian whenever you have health-related conditions your furbaby is facing. With that in mind, as pet parents ourselves, we wish nothing but the best for your pet and their healthy and happy lives. If you are letting your Labrador puppy climb up and down the stairs, pause it immediately. Yes, luckily, Labrador puppies can climb stairs at some specific age of their life. Even at the age of 4 to 5 months old, your Labrador puppy will be strong enough to climb stairs. They will navigate up and down without falling and asking for your help. However, allowing your young Labrador puppy to climb stairs is not recommended. As mentioned above, before the age of 12 months old, your puppy may harm itself by frequently climbing stairs. Can a Labrador puppy go up and downstairs? Puppies are curious about their environment. As a dog parent, you will always find your puppy exploring everywhere. This activity is actually not safe for your puppy, and the experts do not recommend it. If you are not willing to stop your puppy from climbing up and down stairs, you must provide the proper training. The chances of falling from stairs or dislocating a hip bone are less in a well-trained puppy than in others. Is going up and down stairs bad for dogs? Yes, it is bad for a puppy to go up and down stairs. It is highly recommended to stop your puppy from climbing up and down stairs if they do it frequently. When you are not supervising If you do not have enough time to supervise your puppy when learning to climb upstairs, you should not allow them to do this. In your absence, your puppy may fall and break its hip bone along with some other injuries. Safety precautions to make stairs safe for puppies Work on these tasks to make stairs safe for your puppy. Supervise your puppy Experts recommend that dog parents keep an eye on puppies when they are learning to climb up or downstairs. You can prevent your dog from falling and getting some serious injury. Also, you can notice if your puppy is climbing up properly or not. Improve the visibility Improving visibility is always a good approach when your puppy is climbing up the stairs. You can turn on the lights and open up the curtains so that all of the stairs will be clear for your puppy. Keep the stairs clean Keep your house and stairs clean so that your puppy will not fall when learning new skills. The surface should have a grip If you believe that the surface of stairs is too slippery and there are chances of your puppy falling, you should build up some grip. You can place pieces of rubber carpet to increase the level of resistance. Installation of dog ramp For outdoor stairs, you can consider installing a ramp. It may require some training to make your puppy confident enough to use the ramp. If you have just got a new family Labrador pup, you obviously want what is best for it in terms of health, happiness, and lifespan. You are probably aware that Labradors, and various other larger breed dogs, can experience hip problems usually hip dysplasia as they get older. What age can Labradors climb stairs? Labradors should only start climbing stairs after 12 months of age, or when they become too heavy for you to carry them up and down yourself. You might wonder if there is anything that you can do to minimize the risk of this health affliction. If you live in a house with stairs, there is, in fact, something you can do to limit the risk of potential problems faced by your pup, now and in the future. Most people believe that 12 weeks is old enough, but due to the fact that a Labrador is still developing until after 12 months of age and the developing hips can be damaged by wear and tear from stair climbing, it is best to avoid it until after the first year of life. If you have been letting your Labrador pup climb up and down the stairs already, it is important to stop doing so immediately. Even if you have a fully grown Labrador, you can teach them now to stop using the stairs — for their health. The simple answer is that no, you should not. Studies have shown that puppies allowed to climb up and down stairs at an early age are more prone to developing hip dysplasia. For this reason, it makes sense to carry your pup up and down the stairs or limit their access to upstairs levels. You should also not encourage your Labrador to jump until it is fully grown and even then, some caution must be taken. It may seem like your Labrador puppy handles the stairs well, but that does not mean that there will not be resulting damage. Even though you might want your beloved pet with you all of the time — many of us do — it is just not worth the risk. Their hip joint, in particular, is quite susceptible to damage if too much pressure and weight are put on it during the development stages. Labradors tend to be quite heavy little puppies and the action of climbing stairs can cause extra strain on the hip joint itself. This can cause the ball and socket of the hip joint to fit incorrectly or develop in such a way that rubbing and grinding occur, instead of the smooth and sliding movement that the hip is initially designed for. This incorrect development and functionality is called hip dysplasia which will only get worse and more intense with time. By allowing a Labrador to continue to use the stairs, it can result in discomfort, followed by deterioration of the joint and finally even eventual loss of function of the actual joint. This could render your Labrador immobile or result in painful movement. In some Labradors, this has been seen at a fairly early age. Please read our article 14 Common Labrador Health Problems to learn more about hip dysplasia and other issues. The best policy to have when it comes to your Labrador using the stairs is to discourage it completely. Even though it has been mentioned that Labradors should not use the stairs until they are older than 12 months, even after that, stair use should be very limited. You should only allow your Lab very occasional stair use. The best training you can do is teaching your puppy not to use the stairs. You can train your puppy to not use the stairs by following these training tips: Get your own mindset right first, before you begin training. When you establish the stairs are a no-go zone, it is important to never let that rule slide and to ensure that every family member reinforces the rule and never slips up. Once you and everyone else is on board, training can begin. Create an effective deterrent on the stairs that will serve as a reminder to the pup that stairs are not allowed. You can use sticky shelf liner or tin foil placed on the first few stairs and the lead-up to the stairs. This will need to be repeated often. If your dog decides to push the boundaries and try the stairs even though you have indicated it is not to be done, you need to recall the pup and physically block the stairs with your body until he turns back and heads away or stops trying. If your dog listens and moves away from the stairs, you can provide a small treat or shower your dog with praise, so that he makes a positive connection with staying away from the stairs. How to Make Stairs Safe for Your Labrador Even with ongoing training, there may be times when your Labrador attempts to climb the stairs without you knowing. Making the stairs safe is important. You can affix non-slip strips to each stair to ensure that your dog does not slip down the stairs. This can result in serious injury. Of course, if you encounter your dog climbing the stairs, resist raising your voice, chasing her off, or scaring her. Startling your dog can result in a fall or tumble which can cause further injury and damage. It can also result in the dog causing other people to fall if on the stairs. The best way to make your stairs safe for your Labrador is to incorporate a stair gate to provide a physical barrier. A baby gate is popularly used, but there are also various pet gates available on the market. If you do not want your puppy to grow into a dog that behaves incorrectly on the stairs, you will need to teach the correct behavior from day 1. Sometimes family members fail in this area. Teach your Labrador to never climb the stairs but rather to sit at the bottom of the stairs and wait for you. Teach the Labrador that if they are to use the stairs, it is done slowly and carefully patience and impulse training is good for this. If you need to play a game of fetch, do it on the ground floor or outside. It is only natural for the dog to want to come to you when spoken to. Finally While most Labrador pups will want to run up and down the stairs with their human family members, it is important to take a mature and responsible approach to the situation. Allowing your Labrador pup to go up and down the stairs can result in painful and expensive hip dysplasia in the near future. There are plenty of other areas in the home and outside where you can interact and engage with your pets — rather leave the upper levels strictly for human occupation. Related articles:. I live in an apartment that means I have to go up or down at least one half-flight of 9 stairs to get in or out, if I use the lift. If I don't use the lift, there are 18 stairs to go down or 27 to go up to get out. When we just had Willow and she was little, she got carried. When Shadow came along, DH and I carried one each. As they started getting heavier, though, they really disliked being carried by me. They were OK with J doing it, but I think I was too small and it just wasn't comfortable for them, and didn't feel safe, so they would wriggle. Obviously not safe when walking up or down stairs. So it was at that point that they started learning to negotiate the stairs themselves. Always slowly and, since there aren't any stairs in my apartment itself, it was only when going out on walks. I used the lift wherever possible to minimise the stairs - until Willow started to freak out about going in, and we had to go with the stairs again. Until she started freaking out about the slippery stairs when she had wet feet.We now 14 months always use the stairs except if I come in the front door and they have wet feet. In that case, we'd have to go down stairs to our apartment, but it's not safe for Willow because she turns into Bambi on ice, so we walk up 9 stairs and go down in the lift, which she, incidentally, now thinks is the best thing ever. If we come in through the garage, we're below our apartment and so the stairs are up, and she's fine with that, even with wet feet. In an ideal world, there would be no stairs until the growth plates have closed. Real life sometimes gets in the way, though, and you just have to do what is best, and safest, in the circumstances. One of the parts of your home that has confounded your dog the most is the staircase. At what age can a Labrador puppy go up and down the stairs? The risk of allowing even a healthy dog on the stairs too early is that they could later develop hip dysplasia. White and tan labrador dog going down the stairs. What age is a Labrador puppy considered ready to ascend or descend a flight of household stairs? You should wait until your puppy is at least a year old. The Labrador breed reaches its full height somewhere between the nine and month mark. The dog will achieve its full weight at 18 months. Your Labrador by 12 months will be 22 to 25 inches tall and weigh between 64 and 77 pounds. Many dog owners will simply gate the stairs from both sides and carry their Labrador puppy up and down the stairs as needed. This proves to your dog that the stairs are no big deal. Many dogs develop anxiety around stairs, so the sooner you can introduce your Labrador puppy to stairs, the better. You might be able to prevent that anxiety. Even 20 pounds lighter than that, you might have qualms about carrying your once-small pup up and down the stairs. And rightfully so. If you take a tumble, both you and your dog can get hurt. Feel free to allow your Labrador to begin climbing up or down the stairs sooner than 12 months if carrying them is becoming too risky. That includes their bones, joints, ligaments, and more. At such a young age, could stair-climbing negatively affect your dog? If your Labrador puppy is under 12 weeks old, then yes. When a puppy is born, its hips are primarily cartilage. The cartilage later becomes bone, but it takes time for this to happen. For example, if your dog grows up smoothly without health complications, then their hips will develop as normal. However, if your Labrador begins climbing stairs too early, the ligaments that surround the cartilage hip balls could become damaged or torn. This prevents the hip ball from fitting in the socket as it should. Now, whenever your Labrador takes a step, the bones in the hips make contact, rubbing painfully. The socket rim degrades, and hip dysplasia develops. The condition is also hereditary, and with Labradors prone to hip dysplasia, developing the painful condition might, unfortunately, be inevitable. No matter what kind of stair anxiety your Labrador has, you can train them out of it, but it might take a while. All it takes is one slip on hard stairs or the family cat darting up the staircase and spooking them and your Labrador is taking a huge tumble down the stairs. Depending on the distance your dog fell and the severity of the fall, your Labrador puppy could suffer minor injuries or severe, even life-threatening ones. At the very least, your dog could sprain or break a bone. More serious issues include head injuries and spinal injuries. Death could even occur. Tips for Safe Stair Climbing for Labrador Puppies To wrap up, we want to share a slew of tips so that as soon as your Labrador puppy begins using stairs, they can be safe. Ideally, you should always supervise your puppy each time they ascend or descend the stairs. You might not even be home during the day. Keep in mind that these gates will only work when your Labrador is young. This should reduce the incentive to want to go up the stairs in the first place. Add Grippy Surfaces Do you have hardwood stairs? If your Labrador puppy is feeling rambunctious and takes one of the stairs wrong, they can easily slip and seriously hurt themselves. Otherwise, a set of non-slip rubber treads will majorly improve the safety of using the staircase. Always Keep the Stairs Clear The stairs are not a decorative part of your home once you have a dog. This is a tripping hazard for all members of the family, including your Labrador puppy! Light the Stairs Puppies lack more than stability, but good depth perception as well. By plugging in a nightlight in the hall that illuminates the stairs or leaving an overhead light on overnight, your Labrador puppy will find it easier to get up and down. Even at that point, you still want to promote supervised use of the stairs and use rubber grips if your staircase is uncarpeted. This way, you can prevent slips and falls and possible joint and hip damage that could lead to hip dysplasia! Related Reading:. Good puppy care to limit your chances. And for these joints to work properly, the ball part, which is the bulbous end at the top of the long thigh bone, must fit neatly into the socket, which is a part of the pelvis. If the hip joint is not perfectly formed, movement is impaired, and use of the joint causes damage to the surface of the bones arthritis making a bad situation even worse. In some cases this can progress rapidly and seriously. Hip dysplasia in dogs causes arthritis, pain, and lameness. It varies in severity depending on the degree of damage in the joint, and to some extent on the individual dog. Some cases can be adequately managed with pain relief and care. But many medium to large dogs will need expensive major surgery to restore normal movement and relieve pain. Causes of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs There are two main factors at work. The other factor is the environment that the dog grows up in, particularly in early life. How fast he grows, and the way his joints are used when he is still developing, can influence the way his joints will turn out. These environmental factors include diet , exercise , and hormones. But for all the dogs in-between, we do know that there may be much that you as a pet owner, can do, to ensure your dog has healthy hips Your opportunities to help There are two main opportunities for you to ensure your puppy is free from hip dysplasia The first opportunity begins before he is born. The second begins when you bring him home. If you have already bought your pup, there is nothing you can do about the first, so just skip down the page and read up on what you can do when you bring your puppy home. There are no exceptions. Breeders can then remove dogs with bad hips from their breeding programmes. It is of course utterly irresponsible to breed from untested dogs, but the tests are expensive, so bad breeders will try and avoid them. And because puppy registrations generate money, the Kennel Club will still register puppies without scores, or with really bad scores! Check those certificates It is vital that you check the health test certificates from both parents of any puppy you consider purchasing. Remember, Kennel Club registration will not protect your puppy from having parents with bad hips. This is completely untrue. And it is thought that there are three main ways that you can help. The first is by avoiding inappropriate exercise, the second is by feeding for an appropriate rate of growth, and the third is a little more controversial as it involves delaying neutering until your dog is mature. Playing in the garden is sufficient for pups under five months old. If you take your puppy out on a leash , a rule of thumb often mentioned is no more than five minutes walking per day, for each month of his age. So that means a maximum of 25 minutes for a 5 month old puppy. This is just a guideline, to help those who are not sure how to exercise a puppy. Avoiding steps and stairs One study has shown that puppies climbing stairs at an early age were more likely to develop hip dysplasia. So it is a sensible precaution to carry your small puppy up and down steps. Diet and growth Everyone wants their puppy to grow big and strong. But optimal growth does not mean rapid growth. It is now thought that slower growth probably allows for healthier hip development. Make sure you keep your puppy slim, with a waist, and you should be fine. You can check out our feeding your puppy article for more information. In fact recent evidence has shown that neutering is implicated in a number of health problems, and hip dysplasia is one of them. A recent study of golden retrievers for example, found that the incidence of hip dysplasia in male dogs neutered early, was double that of male dogs left intact. If you want to neuter your dog, waiting until he is physically mature may reduce the impact of hormone loss on his joint development. You can read more about the pros and cons of neutering in this article: should I have my Labrador castrated? Preferably before you have a gorgeous puppy sitting in your lap and gazing into your eyes! Once you bring your puppy home, give him time to grow and mature naturally. There will be time enough for that later. Spread the word Tell everyone you know about the importance of hip scores. We need to ensure that there is no market for puppies for untested parents. Your decisions now in this respect have the power to help many puppies now and in the future. There has to be a specific age when you want to allow it. Allowing it too soon can create problems of various types like accidents. This is the same as we handle our babies when they are starting to learn to walk. Just follow the same analogy and you should be ok. A point to note here is that every lab puppy is going to grow differently with age and it depends on so many other factors like diet and puppy training sessions. Can he pull up his legs to the height of each staircase? Is the width of the staircase enough for him to place all his four paws? On a lighter note, you have to become a puppy. The stairs you and everyone in your home can climb easily can look an uphill task for the Labrador puppy. Another important point worth considering here when answering this question about allowing him or not is how active the puppy is? If he too active and energetic then he will hurry and hurt himself. Initially, the Lab puppy needs to go slow about it If the puppy is showing too much energy and excitement about everything, then it is better to let him grow up and when he has started following what you say then you can allow him his quest slowly. Its caused due to generic reasons. Moving too much and playing for long hours will increase it by the day. I have read so many posts on Facebook groups related to Labrador and Golden retriever dogs which make this false statement of attracting the disease because of climbing stairs. So, in order to further validate this, I asked the question on online forums dedicated to retrievers both Labrador and Golden. The response is the same as I described above. All kinds of people with different experience levels replied to my questionnaire. So, I can say with confidence that you can trust what has been told in this article. I will share various responses that I heard: The Lab puppy can climb stairs depending upon his energy level. If you think he will be fine, you can give it a try under your supervision and then think about whether to continue or not. The age should be a minimum of 4 months old and there is no such danger of getting hip dysplasia disease by just climbing up. You should be more worried about him slipping down or falling down than anything else. For any kind of activity, the very first need is proper puppy training. This also is no exception. We cannot conclude anything for sure from the above sentence. What I would say in this case is that it is more of a natural phenomenon regarding hip structure than using stairs. The use of stairs by a puppy is not going to harm him as such unless he is unable to balance himself. If the puppy already has it, then only hip dysplasia is going to get worse. So, we can keep the concern about hip dysplasia aside and focus on any other issue that can occur when a puppy is using stairs. As with babies, the puppies also learn by falling and getting up so getting hurt again and again is the cause of concern. You can see a ton of videos on YouTube where the puppy is running at full speed because he is so excited. The above also applies to stairs. But the amount of risk is greater here due to the height of the stairs. For this reason, you want to let the puppy grow up, walk properly on its own, control his feet and still have him climb up under supervision. How to Introduce Labrador to Climbing Stairs While he is learning, you will want to have full control over him. You want him to listen to you for the next command and proceed accordingly. For this reason, I always recommend using a leash for this type of training. Let my heel on the first stair before taking the first stair-case. First, he needs to learn how to sit on the staircase and not fall off. Climbing is easy as he can do so in excitement to reach to the top. The initial motive should be to introduce him to the stairs so much that he knows everything about the stairs. If your commands go well with the puppy then he will wait for you and will listen to you. He has to learn to be patient. With patience, he will learn to control himself and go slow with the stairs during his initial climbs. The more control he has over his speed, the better it is. Treats are a good way to have him use stairs in the way you want him to. You can make him wait as much time as you want by using the treats and leash. Just place some treats on the stair-cases and he will automatically start to follow your command just like any other training session. I also recommend to use a clicker in this training so that the commands are fully understood to him. Just keep repeating the training sessions and soon he will good to go on his own. The height is the most crucial for him to not get scared of it so you can spend more time with him at the top of stairs to get him accustomed to the height of stairs in your home. Do go through these points and you would not be disappointed. You may be tempted to allow him to roam freely at a younger age of months because he is able to walk but stairs are a different story altogether. So, let him get mature and learn more about the world around himself. Joint pain is more of an issue than hip dysplasia. For healthy life in the future, he should not too much pressure on those joints when they are delicate in his early life. It is not just about the stairs, but jumping from other heights like Truck, Bed or Kitchen Shelf also poses similar issues. While most people will give a go-ahead at months of age, it would be great if you can hold jumping and climbing activities until a year. There are so many other things that can be taught to your puppy and these include crate training, manners, not biting you, not barking. I think those need more attention in his early life. But keep in mind that getting hip dysplasia from climbing and increasing the problem further are two different things. I have discussed it so many times above in the article. I watched this terrible disease slow down an amazing Black Lab named Tucker. He was a great dog, but at only 6 years old, he had to be put down because he was in such tremendous pain. Why do I bring up hip dysplasia in an article about Labrador puppies and stairs? Well, people often threaten that if you let your puppy climb stairs too early, she will get hip dysplasia. So, when can Labrador puppies climb stairs? Labrador puppies can climb stairs around 4 or 5 months old. At this age, the puppies are old enough to safely navigate them without falling. Going up and down stairs at this age will not cause hip dysplasia. Climbing stairs too soon, however, can exacerbate the condition if it is already there. It is a popular misconception that climbing stairs too soon can give Labrador Retriever puppies hip dysplasia. I know that I am going against the grain here, and if you disagree with me then please let me know in the comments below. Especially if you have some scientific study by qualified veterinary researchers. Until then, I think am going to be the one voice of reason in the Labrador blogosphere. Letting your puppies go up and down the stairs will not give your puppy hip dysplasia. Like my vet said, it is a genetic disease. If your puppy can develop hip dysplasia from climbing stairs too soon, then why waste the money on hip checks for the parents? When should Labrador puppies be introduced to the stairs? That can be problematic. There is clearly a time and a place for a puppy to start climbing and descending. Is he big enough to climb the stairs? Notice how much bigger the riser looks from that point of view. Will he be patient enough to take the stairs slowly? You can let your Lab puppy go up and down the stairs when they are big enough and mature enough to follow your lead and go slow! Exercise will exacerbate an already existing condition. If you own a Labrador or Golden Retriever, you should know enough about the disease to avoid the wives tales that swirl around the Retriever circles. You can check out my article on things that will cause and exacerbate hip dysplasia so that you can take care of your canine buddies. These are people with all kinds of experience in the waterfowl and AKC world. The majority of the responses all fell in line with Dr. I specifically asked about a 4 month old Labrador puppy. He can do steps as long as its not a large amount of steps. Also try to keep the pup from jumping up or down from anything. That is the age we got our gal acclimated with stairs! Spend time with him. Mine was crawling up and down on his belly at three months. Then running up and down them. Needs you there with him to coach him. There was one interesting comment that mentioned hips. However, climbing stairs at a young age can make hip dysplasia worse if the puppy already has it. How are stairs dangerous for Lab puppies? Okay, so hip dysplasia is not going to be an issue unless your dog already has it. That is not, however, the only concern when it comes to stairs. It is not uncommon for puppies to take serious falls down the stairs. The problem is that I have never met a Labrador puppy that did not want to run at everything mph and only when he is already in the air wonder if it was a good idea. My dog, Odin, is like that. He will come in the house full speed, only to realize that he cannot stop on the tile and go crashing into the wall or the island in the kitchen. That is why I think that a certain maturity level will determine the right time for Labrador puppies to start climbing stairs. How to teach a Lab puppy to climb the stairs I think the best approach in this situation is to teach your puppy to behave on the leash. Then, when you approach the stairs make him sit down at the bottom of the stairs. You can actually get your puppy accustomed to sitting at the top and bottom of any stairs. If you condition him, you pup will wait for your to either command him to proceed or wait for you to start to up or down them before proceeding. Insist that your puppy sit at the top and bottom of stairs and then wait for your command. The porch steps are a great place to practice because there is less chance your pup will hurt himself. The idea is to get your puppy to climb or descend the stairs at a controlled pace. Ideally, he will stay at heel while going up or down the stairs. To get your puppy to sit at the top or bottom of any stairs, put him on a leash and get a handful of treats. Walk your puppy to the edge of the stairs and command SIT. As soon as his bottom hits the floor, give him a treat or fire off the clicker. Repeat this several times. If your retriever looks at you inquisitively, just wait. He will likely stare at you for a moment and then, eventually sit down. As soon as he sits down, you give him the treat. Now, repeat this silent approach several times. Keep in mind, you might have to repeat this process at the top of the stairs just to make sure your pup understands that the expectation is the same at the top and the bottom. This goes for Golden Retrievers, Labradors and other big breed pups. While slowly going up and down stairs is not a problem for most Labs at 4 months old remember they need to be big enough and mature enough , you should not let them jump down from large heights. Jumping out the truck, for example, will not cause hip dysplasia but can still cause joint problems for your puppy. This can lead to joint pain later on in life and possible surgeries to fix the damage. The same can be said for jumping off a tall porch or launching himself from the last three stairs. Most dog sports like agility courses or dock jumping actually require dogs to be one-year-old before they let them participate. Stronger joints will endure the stress of constant jumping better than developing, immature ones. What about the scientific research that supports the misconception? There are some studies that are used to support the idea that climbing stairs too soon leads to hip dysplasia. However, there is an important difference between causes HP and just being correlated with it. These studies all show a correlation, but not causation. It should not surprise you that science is confused.


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how much do you feed a puppy labrador - Pinterest Email Dogs have more coat color variations than you can count on both hands and both feet. Brown alone goes by numerous names, depending on the breed of dog. First formally developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a distinct subset of the Lab family, today chocolate Lab puppies and their ilk are consistently named among the most popular dogs in America. These chocolate Lab puppy pictures will not trick your eyes, but treat them to the wonders and the joys of infancy! Just as coat colors have any number of names, many tied to specific dog breeds, chocolate Labs have countless ways to learn, have fun, and engage with the world. Of course, interactive play is beneficial to both our next chocolate Lab puppy and to his owner. They are highly trainable, patient, and obedient dogs. Enough play! Time for lounging! Time for a nice, leisurely sit in the grass; maybe you could get her something to eat? Chocolate Lab puppies are at home wherever they are cared for. You get the coolest trinkets and baubles to entertain them, and, after a wary sniff, they pick up something else entirely? Chocolate Lab puppies were once bred solely for the hunt, but the times keep changing, and these are adaptable dogs. We already know that the vigor of youth is difficult to contain; chocolate Lab puppies thrive by moving with the times. The puppy above perused the newspaper, but not all chocolate Lab puppies are such old-media traditionalists. This baby puppy is checking Twitter on a tablet. Chocolate Lab puppies in their element Let there be no doubt; while chocolate Lab puppies are content to stay inside for a while, they yearn to be outside. The more room a chocolate Lab puppy has to run and frolic, the better! What would a survey of such photogenic dogs be without landscapes of proper scale in which to appreciate their majesty? To beautiful and pastoral vistas we go! My business is cute puppy pictures, a business which is always good. I would be hard pressed to point to one that is more visually and emotionally evocative as this next chocolate Lab puppy. Perched on a bale of hay in the late afternoon, there is a bucolic poetry to this photo that cannot be denied. I saved it for last because I wanted to linger on it. Share your chocolate Lab photos and memories! Do you love chocolate Labs? Share your love and photos in the comments! Learn more about dogs with Dogster:. Life Span Did You Know? Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds. The Chocolate Labrador Retriever is not a distinct dog breed from other Labs, but it is a separate coat color variation that is specifically bred for. Similar to the other standard coat colors of Labrador Retrievers, Chocolate Labs are energetic dogs that get along well in a family setting. As a Retriever, they also make great hunting dogs and have also been known to fill other working dog roles including service dogs, guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and more. They are even one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units. A point of interest is that all modern Chocolate Labrador Retrievers can be traced to three specific Black Labradors that lived during the s. Chocolate Labs are industrious little pups. They were bred for retrieval and will often sniff about for something to get into. They are also one of the most affectionate dog breeds and absolutely love being with their favorite humans. Properly socialized and well-trained, Labs are one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. They get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They are famously even-tempered and playful. This makes them fantastic dogs for a growing family, as they tend to be gentle and patient with little ones. They can have a high prey drive. They usually do well with small pets within the family that they have been raised with or socialized around, but likely will still have the urge to chase other animals while out and about. They also tend to be open and friendly with strangers. After all, strangers are just more people to give them attention and play with them. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers may be high-energy dogs, but they are also highly adaptable. They will thrive in homes with fenced yards where they can run freely. They can adapt well to apartment living as well as long as they get plenty of daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. Their natural urge to dig and bark when they are bored or agitated can be quelled with a little training and exercise. Although they can handle some alone time, Labs love to be with their families and thrive on attention from them, so they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Chocolate Labs also have a water-resistant double coat that makes them well-suited for most habitable climates. As with most dogs, they are sensitive to heat. Although they can handle some cold and will likely love to play in the snow, they are not a snow dog breed and may need to bundle up while out on walks in areas with harsher winters. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Chocolate Labrador Retriever can include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hereditary myopathy, and heart disease. There is also a condition with a genetic link called exercise-induced collapse EIC , which can occur in young adult Labradors. Carriers of this can be identified by DNA tests and it is advised that breeders test for this and avoid practices that would produce the disease. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents and about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are at a higher risk for bloat. Bloat in dogs can be dangerous and can quickly become fatal if the stomach flips gastric torsion. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers are incredible companions and are also one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Their energy can make them a handful at times, but their intelligence, adaptability, patience with people, and eagerness to please make them easy to train. Labs are one of the smartest dog breeds , so they pick up on things easily. As long as training is consistent and focused on positive reward and praise, a Chocolate Lab will do their best to respond as expected and will often exceed expectations. Chocolate Labs have a short, water-resistant coat that will shed year-round. Brushing a few times a week, daily brushing during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath are all that are needed to keep a Lab coat healthy and looking great. They may need baths more often if they are avid swimmers, go on a lot of outdoor adventures, and get dirty a lot. Floppy ears tend to trap dirt, moisture, and debris. Proper dental care for dogs is imperative to help prevent painful dental diseases like gum disease or tooth decay later in life. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with vet-approved dental hygiene chews. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds and need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough, but your Chocolate Labrador will likely be up for more activity if you are. One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they have an extended puppyhood and tend to maintain that puppy-like energy and maturity until they are years old. Swimming can be a great lower-impact activity and Labrador Retrievers are one of the dog breeds that tend to love water. Between that, their water-resistant coat, and webbed toes, you may have trouble getting your Chocolate Lab out of the water. Fully-grown Chocolate Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Chocolate Labs generally live for years on average. Fourteen years later, the American Kennel Club did the same in .Featured Chocolate Labrador Retriever Article. Whether you're a professional marketer, pet lover, or blogger, we've got everything you need to make your project truly shine. These are perfect for use in a variety of contexts, from web design and email marketing to print materials and social media posts. And when it comes to style and subject matter, we've got you covered. Whether you're looking for playful images of puppies, heartwarming shots of labrador retrievers with their owners, or stunning nature photography featuring chocolate labs in their natural habitats, we've got it all. The Perfect Choice for Your Project When it comes to choosing the right visual elements for your project, quality is crucial. The images you choose will not only help to convey your message but will also play a significant role in defining your brand and building trust with your audience. That's why our chocolate lab images are such an excellent choice. With their high quality and versatile style, these photos can help to elevate any project and make it more engaging and impactful. Here are a few tips to get you started: Use high-quality images: Make sure to choose high-resolution photos that are sharp, clear, and well-lit. Select images that are relevant to your content: Choose chocolate lab images that complement your message and help to reinforce your brand. Be strategic with placement: Use photos strategically to draw the eye and break up long blocks of text. Think beyond the obvious: Consider using chocolate lab images in unexpected ways to add interest and personality to your project. Browse our selection today to discover the perfect images for your project. And if you have any questions or need help choosing the right photos, don't hesitate to get in touch — our team of experts is always here to assist you. Updated June 15, 3. A list of the Cutest Chocolate Lab Pictures. Are you in the mood to see some adorable photos of Chocolate Labrador dogs? This is a list of some of the cutest Chocolate Lab photos. You can add your own special Chocolate Labrador Retriever photos to the list, and you can vote for your favorite pictures of Chocolate Labrador Retrievers to get them ranked higher on the list. The English Labs are heavier, thicker and blockier. The American Labs are from American bred stock and are tall and lanky. Their double coat is smooth and comes in solid black, yellow or chocolate. One of the more popular breeds in America, the Labrador Retriever is considered to be a loyal, affectionate and patient dog, and is a favorite among families. Labs love to play in water, and are very good-natured and eager to please. They are large dogs, some reaching to over pounds in size. They are also very energetic and need regular mental and physical exercise to keep them stimulated or they can become high-strung. Because of their willingness to please and their high intelligence, these Labrador Retrievers make excellent service dogs and are a top choice for service dog work. The nose and eye rims are brown on Chocolate Labrador Retrievers, and their coloring is brown. There is also a rare silver or gray shade of coat that is included in the Chocolate Labrador breed. Enjoy these cute pictures of adult and baby Chocolate Labrador Retrievers, and see what great dogs they can be! Post-Bath Cuteness. We currently have puppies available now as our mothers have hade much larger litters than expected and we had more puppies than people on our waiting list. When searching for a Retriever Breeder in Ontario it never pays to gear your search toward finding a Labrador puppy quickly, rather, focus your efforts on finding a Chocolate Lab puppy of quality, bred by a breeder with a reputation who will stand behind the Labrador Retriever puppies they breed. Please visit our Facebook site by entering luckylabspuppies in the search box on Facebook, see the pictures of our Labrador puppies and hear what our owners have to say about our commitment to quality. Look for quality puppies for sale not quick puppies. A second thing to consider is that you will want your breeder of Labrador retrievers to provide you with support after your Labrador puppy goes home with you. Lucky Labs guarantees this lifelong commitment to support for you and your Lab and we are happy to do so. We have deep discounts to Labrador puppy training websites , many articles on our blog dealing with health, behavior and other aspects of owning a Labrador puppy. We are available for you after your puppy goes home either by email or a phone call. Our availability changes at times in regards to the color of Labrador puppy we have available. As well, there are times when we get so busy and focused on our pups that we may have beautiful ckc yellow black or purebred chocolate lab puppies for sale that are not listed here. So if we are the small scale family based registered breeder for you please send us an application for a puppy in order to get the most accurate and up to date information about what our availability is. Puppies for sale Our silver lab puppies for sale are actually a faded coat chocolate lab. When both parents carry the chocolate gene, and they both carry the dilute gene then the color is diluted to a silver. If you look close you will notice that the silver lab still had brown pigment around its eyes and mouth because officially it is a chocolate lab. Silver Labradors make excellent family dogs. The Labrador Retriever breed regardless of color has been the most popular breed for over 25 years and the Silver Lab is no different. We have some Silver Labs who will be mating in the future resulting in puppies for sale. If you are interested to get on the waiting please read toward the bottom of this page to see what colors we are accepting applications for. For more information about silver Labradors click here. There is 1 male and 1 female yellow Lab puppy available to reserve who go home Oct 7th. One of these yellows will go to an Ontario Police force and the sibling will be available. Please apply below for more information. There are 2 black males available to reserve from this litter. Please apply below. Haddie and Archie Haddie had her puppies. There is 1 chocolate female available to go home Sept .Reservations are available please apply below. Ginger and Hank Ginger had her puppies Aug 5th and they will go home Sept 30th. Available for reservation are 2 black females, and 1 chocolate female. Reservations are available please apply below Chanel and Archie Chanel had her puppies. This litter will go home Oct 7th, 1 yellow male, 2 yellow females, 1 chocolate male and 4 chocolate female puppies are available for reservation. Daisy Flowers and Gus One chocolate female puppy is available for reservation to go home Oct 8. Ruby Emma and Archie Ruby has 5 chocolate males available and 1 chocolate female available to go home Oct 18th. Interested in one of our chocolate lab puppies for sale? Click here and visit the Lab Puppy Quality page for further information and price. If you are ready to apply click the button below and send us an application for one of our puppies for sale. You may want to consider being a guardian of one of our dogs, if so, click here. We are accepting applications for chocolate, silver, and black lab puppies. For chocolates we have some mothers mated who will have puppies ready for homes Sept through December. Our availability changes daily as people reserve puppies and sometimes change their minds for a puppy later on, or a different sex or color. We are expecting one litter with a few yellow puppies who will be ready to go home in Oct. We will have black lab puppies that will be born in August and Sept, reservations are available. For silver litters our next silver puppies will be ready in winter of .We are accepting applications now for our silver waiting list and first born silver puppies will be offered to those on the waiting list in the order that their deposits are received. To reserve one of our silver puppies or to get onto our waiting list for winter silvers please apply below. The earlier you place your deposit the higher up on the list you are. To check the quality of our purebred dogs click here. If you have had a family talk, everyone is on board getting a puppy, and you are ready to take that step please apply here. If you want a puppy later this fall or winter we are accepting applications for those timings as well. If an adult lab is better suited for you view availability on this page. View our Labradors There are many pictures of our Labs on the pages of our website, please click through some of the pages to view them. There is a photo gallery of our dogs here. As well, once a litter is born and we reach your position on the waiting list we will email you a picture of the puppies and the parents for you to decide if you want to move into that litter and take one of the puppies, or, you can wait for the next litter. To see many many more pictures and videos of our dogs please scroll back through our Facebook page as it goes back to .Trained Chocolate Lab Puppies.