husky german shepherd mix puppy white

The reasons for chewing can vary , says dog trainer and author Victoria Schade, but the solution is often the same. And for Schade, a seasoned expert with over a decade of experience training dogs for clients like Animal Planet, KONG toys are a favorite, whether for large dogs, small dogs or anything in between. For Schade, it comes down to two advantages. The second perk? But for pet parents, that selection can be overwhelming. So, how do you know which toy is right for your dog? Finding the right toy for your pet often involves some trial-and-error to determine what your dog prefers. It also depends on the situation. For example, plush toys are ideal for team-play, and more durable rubber treat-dispensing toys are better for alone-time enrichment, Schade says. When in doubt, KONG recommends sizing up. They come in sizes small for dogs up to 20 pounds through XX-large for dogs 85 pounds and up. Its rubber is uniquely designed to withstand sharp puppy teeth, soothing the discomfort of and rewarding your pup for chewing an appropriate object rather than your new shoes. Mugford says, pet parents can stuff and freeze the toy, offering an edible treat as well as cooling relief. It comes in sizes small, medium and large. The KONG Stuff-a-Ball , a treat dispensing toy with plenty of space for goodies inside and average chew strength, is appropriate for a wide range of dogs—and it could be just the enticement to play that seniors need, she says. Their unique natural rubber formula also provides an outlet for natural chewing instincts while rewarding appropriate behavior. Dogs, on the other hand, might need some guidance to understand how to use their KONG toy, Schade says. Pet parents might have to help their pup figure out how to use their stuffed KONG by starting with an easy win. Stuff the toy and place it in the freezer for hours, then give it to your dog for an extended mentally rewarding challenge. Get the full recipe here. The only question is, which one will your dog love best? By: Ciara LaVelle Ciara LaVelle is a writer, editor and mama to two tiny humans, rescue pup Zeno, cat brothers Manny and Papi, too many fish to name, and a garden full of succulents. She lives and writes in South Florida. This is a sponsored placement, in which an advertiser pays a fee to be featured in this article. Start by letting your pooch sniff and investigate the toy at his own pace. But, if your pooch seems uninterested, try shaking or tossing it to help your furry friend better understand the situation. Using a high-pitched voice while introducing the Kong can also help add interest. One of the easiest ways to get your pooch quickly engaged is to fill the Kong with a couple of high-value treats and present it to your pooch. This will work in most cases, although you may still need to be a bit patient — especially with skittish doggos. Once your furry friend starts to get the hang of it, you can try out any of several different games and activities. Some of the most popular ways to use Kongs include: Play a game of fetch. Just be sure to clear your play area since the thicker rubber may be able to knock over household items. Use it as a chew toy. Kong toys are perfect for pups who love to chew. If your furry friend is a power chewer, be sure to pick up an Extreme Kong. Dogs adore the way Kongs work as treat-dispensing toys. It also challenges our canine companions by doubling as a puzzle toy. Freeze the Kong to cool off your canine. Kong toys can be filled and frozen to give your canine a cool treat. Use the Kong as a slow feeder. You can use your Kong as a slow feeder for your furry friend. Fill with Easy Treat. Make a veggie Kong. You can use dog-safe peanut butter, chopped carrots, and celery to give your dog a nutritious and delicious treat. Check out the video for the full recipe and 4 others to choose from! Use Kong Marathon treats. Kong marathon treats give your pooch a tasty treat both on the outside and inside of the Kong toy. These peanut butter toys will keep your pooch occupied and can also be frozen for a longer-lasting treat. Use a bully stick. Kongs can also be stuffed with bully sticks or other long chews so long as there is something soft in the Kong to keep the chew in place. For example, you could put dog-safe peanut butter or pumpkin puree into a Kong first, and then place a bully stick into the center of the Kong. Utilize dog-friendly peanut butter. Dog-safe peanut butter acts as a great sealant for filling Kongs with just about anything. Hopefully, this guide makes it easier for you to find the perfect fit for your furry family member. Does your dog love Kong toys? Like it? Share it! Chewing soft rubber helps alleviate teething pain. Chewing Without an acceptable outlet for natural chewing instincts, many dogs turn to destructive chewing. Prevention is key. Teach your dog acceptable chewing behavior with a treat stuffed KONG for a mentally stimulating, long-lasting challenge. Freeze to extend the chew session. Separation Anxiety Separation anxiety peaks during the first 20 minutes after a dog is alone. A treat stuffed KONG helps your dog associate being left alone with good things, alleviating those anxiety peaks. Boredom A dog will always find something to do to beat boredom— this often leads to problem behavior. Stuffed and frozen KONGs keep dogs engaged, extending playtime with a healthy, long-lasting, mentally stimulating challenge. Creating good behaviors starts with productive play that allows dogs to expend excess energy. A frozen, treat-stuffed KONG, offers a mentally occupying challenge that burns excess energy. Crate Training Crates provide a sense of security for dogs and can aid in housetraining. To help dogs build a positive association with their crates from the start, give them a KONG as a mind occupying challenge. Repeating this routine helps your dog feel safe turning their crate into their den. KONG helps dogs and puppies! Feeding Feeding meals from a KONG helps manage weight by slowing eating while providing a satisfying mental and physical challenge. Always size up for safety! You can stuff anything that is safe for your dog to eat in healthy amounts into their KONG. Soak in warm water with dish soap to loosen leftovers. Use bottle brush, an old toothbrush, or a KONG brush to remove stubborn bits inside and rinse. Or, wash in top rack of dishwasher. Make sure to skip the drying cycle as excess heat can damage the toy.

Breed Title Goldador Puppies Temperament Goldadors are an amazing combination of the intelligence and trainability of the Labrador and the friendly, gentle personality of the Golden Retriever. With their outgoing, friendly character and sweet disposition, Goldadors make excellent family pets around children and other animals as they have a great aptitude for understanding people. In terms of temperament, these beloved pups are highly sociable but not overly boisterous or hyper; they enjoy playing fetch but rest just as happily on your lap or at your feet while you work. Golden Labrador Retriever Puppy Health Considerations Though generally very happy and long-lived — with an average lifespan of around years — our Goldadors for sale are not without their unique health concerns. Like every breed of dog, there are a few conditions you should be aware of before you consider purchasing one of our Golden Labrador Retriever puppies for sale. Understanding the risks allows you to know the signs and prevent small health concerns from turning into big ones. Finding a Golden Labrador puppy for sale from a reputable breeder can also dramatically — although, not eliminate — the risk of your dog developing some of these conditions. Depending on the climate they live in, Goldadors may need regular baths — however omitting shampoo once or twice a year will ensure their coat retains its natural oils. Finally it is recommended to check the ears regularly and trim nails as needed. Adopted Golden Labrador Retriever Puppies. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Labrador is a designer dog breed that originated in the United States. They are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Labrador Retriever. The goal was to combine these two highly popular breeds to create a dog that exhibits the best traits from both of them. A mixed dog breed can take after one parent breed more than the other or any combination of traits from the parent breeds. This can result in some variation among individual puppies. But, overall, a Golden Labrador is friendly, intelligent, energetic, and affectionate. Although this mixed breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable organizations like the American Canine Hybrid Club and more. This large designer breed is characterized by their energetic personality and friendly disposition. Both of the parent breeds in this cross are open, friendly, and affectionate, so you can expect the same in your Golden Labrador puppy. They are very playful and get along fabulously with children, other dogs, and other pets. They may be alert enough to be a good watchdog, but they do not make good guard dogs. They are instinctually more interested in making new friends and getting attention than they are with anything else. They can have a slight prey drive, but most of the time, they are just curious and interested in playing and making friends. The Golden Labrador is a moderately adaptable dog breed. Their large size and energy tend to make them a better fit for larger homes with room to run. They can adapt well to apartment living as long as they are given enough exercise and mental stimulation. But, small spaces can be a challenge because they are large dogs that are so playful and energetic. Golden Labradors do well in just about any climate. As with most dog breeds, they are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Because they love their families, thrive on attention, and get bored easily, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. As a mixed breed, a Golden Labrador can inherit the potential health conditions of one or both of the parent breeds. Although the Golden Labrador is a relatively healthy dog breed, there are some potential health conditions to be aware of. These include eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy and joint issues common to large dogs like patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. Like their parent breeds, the Golden Labrador can be prone to weight gain, which does put them at risk of diabetes later in life. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to ensure genetic conditions are not being passed on to puppies. Regular vet visits, proper nutrition, and sufficient exercise can help keep your dog healthy and reduce preventable diseases. Both of the parent breeds in this cross are highly intelligent and highly trainable, so the Golden Labrador should be no different. Eager to please their owners, these dogs pick up on things quickly and respond best to positive training methods focused on praise and reward. This dog breed, like both of the parent breeds, is a great fit for owners of all experience levels, including first-time dog owners. Their high energy can sometimes be a challenge, so you may want to consider puppy training and obedience classes. This designer dog breed may be called a Golden Labrador, but they can show up in many colors. A cream, yellow, or golden coat may be the most common, but a Golden Labrador can also have a black, red, or brown coat. It tends to be a dense double coat that is short or medium in length. This dog breed will shed moderately year-round with heavier shedding sessions twice a year as the seasons change. During seasonal changes, you may want to increase to daily brushing. Not only will this make your dog more comfortable, but it will also decrease the amount of loose fur that ends up around your house. In addition to coat care, you will also need to handle nail, ear, and dental care for your Golden Labrador. Floppy ears tend to trap more dirt, moisture, and debris, which makes them more prone to developing ear infections than ears that stick straight up. Unfortunately, this is often overlooked, which is why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. Beyond that, you can use vet-approved dental hygiene chews and treats and even a specially-formulated dental care diet to supplement your efforts. Getting them used to it early and keeping it a positive experience can make grooming a lot easier as your puppy grows into a big dog! Plus, it can become a bonding experience that your dog looks forward to. Golden Labradors are high-energy dogs. Daily walks, playtime, and some extra activity are generally enough for this dog to stay happy and healthy. But, they will probably tire out before you do! Their friendly nature makes the Golden Labrador a great fit for trips to the dog park. Try teaching your dog how to play frisbee. With their retriever background, it could become one of their favorite activities. You can also train your Golden Labrador for several dog sports like agility, dock diving, obedience, and more. A fully-grown Golden Labrador usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between pounds. A Golden Labrador generally lives years. Although Golden Labrador is the most popular name for this designer dog breed, they are also sometimes referred to as a Goldador or a Goldador Retriever. Featured Golden Labrador Article. As with any mixed breed, they can take on the traits of one of the parent breeds or any combination of both of them. With a Golden Retriever Mix, the goal is to get the highly-trainable, super-friendly, and sweet nature of the Golden Retriever and the best traits of the other dog in the cross. Because there can be variation in the puppies, you will want to ask the breeder about the other dog in the cross. This will give you an idea of what other traits you could be dealing with in a Golden Retriever Mix puppy. A Golden Retriever is known as the quintessential friendly dog with a happy-go-lucky personality. They get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They also tend to be good with strangers as they are more interested in making friends. The other dog breed in the cross could provide some other traits and variations to this, but your Golden Retriever Mix puppy should have a similar disposition to the Golden Retriever. Golden Retriever Mixes tend to be highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in larger homes with room to run and can adapt well to apartment living. As long as they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and affection, they tend to be quite happy wherever they live. Golden Retrievers do well in most climates and are sensitive to heat, as with most dog breeds. Your Golden Retriever Mix should be about the same. A mixed breed can take on potential health concerns related to one, both, or neither of the parent breeds. Overall, a Golden Retriever Mix should be a relatively healthy dog breed. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to avoid passing on genetic conditions to puppies. You can also ask to see any relevant health clearances or test results. Golden Retrievers are famously easy to train, which makes them a great fit for owners of all experience levels. Depending on the other parent breed, there may be a chance that your Golden Retriever Mix could have an independent or stubborn streak. In this case, you will want to be prepared for puppy training and obedience classes in case you want a little help in dealing with stubbornness. Classes are a great idea either way because they help strengthen the bond you have with your puppy and are also a great opportunity to socialize your puppy. Golden Retrievers tend to have a medium-length coat that sheds moderately year-round and requires brushing a few times a week. Bathing is usually on an as-needed basis. This may be the same for your Golden Retriever Mix or their coat could require more or less grooming depending on the other parent breed. Monthly nail trimming is usually sufficient to keep them from growing too long. Weekly ear checks and careful cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Golden Retrievers are high-energy dogs. Your Golden Retriever Mix will likely be the same. Even if the other parent breed is a low or moderate-energy dog, you will need to be prepared to deal with a high-energy dog. Daily walks, playtime, plus extra activity are a must for dogs with a lot of energy. Be prepared to try a lot of different activities to find your favorites. Teach your dog to play frisbee , go for a swim, go running together, try taking a few hikes, go on trips to the dog park, and more. A Golden Retriever is a medium-sized dog breed that stands inches tall and weighs pounds. Your Golden Retriever Mix could be the same or they could take after the other parent breed. Make sure you talk to the breeder about the other breed in the mix and meet the mother dog. This can give you a good idea of what size to expect as your Golden Retriever Mix puppy grows. Golden Retrievers generally live years. Unless the life span of the other parent breed varies largely from this range, you should be able to expect something similar from your Golden Retriever Mix. Featured Golden Retriever Mix Article. For example, if you are looking for a dog as a pet or a Golden Retriever Black Lab Mix puppies for sale, there are many breeds that make wonderful pets that also need daily care. A Black Lab puppy may be able to fill the role you need at first, but it will likely require more time and attention than a puppy that is specifically bred for working. Did the breeder handle the puppies properly? A poorly-raised puppy may develop behavioral problems and may not live as long as he or she should. Be sure that your breeder maintains high standards for the pups, as well as for their existing litters. Since many Black Lab Golden Retriever mix puppies come from well-bred lines, they should also be rather well-socialized. However, be sure that the pup will be comfortable in an environment that will have a lot of other pups. This is especially important if the breeder of the puppy has produced large litters. Black Lab Golden Retriever mix puppies can vary in age. Puppies should be examined thoroughly for a healthy weight. Also, check the puppy for any signs of genetic disease or health concerns. If you happen to find a health problem with the pup, be sure to take it to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Pups should also be in good health. However, keep in mind that the breeder may have only produced half of the pups to sell. As such, there is always a chance that some of the pups have some genetic defects. A well-trained dog will be a better pet overall. Not all dogs learn to do everything just like clockwork. Most puppies must work hard at being trained from day one. The Black Lab Golden Retriever mix puppies are also susceptible to hip dysplasia. In either case, it is best to take your new puppy to the vet right away and get it checked out. A breeder should be honest about their breeding practices and how the puppies were raised. Golden Retriever Black Lab mix puppies for sale come in different colors and sizes. They are bred to be docile, loving companions. The Lab is a very athletic breed of dog with long and sleek limbs, but they have the same quick temper problems that other large breeds have. Golden Retrievers are known for their loyalty and are valued members of the family. When it comes to Golden Retrievers for sale, there are different degrees of pedigree, and the look is only one part of the equation. This breed has been known to live up to 20 years, and the older breeders do not need any documentation to be considered a reputable breeder. Usually, the Golden Retriever Black Lab mix cost price is bred from generations, and the quality of the bloodlines go back a long way in the puppy mill breeding history. The Labrador Retriever is a small, gentle breed that makes an excellent companion. This breed is highly intelligent and has fine qualities of a sturdy dog. They are fun-loving and full of energy. They are strong-willed and stubborn and do not like to be handled very often. Their endurance and stamina should be good at most any age, and there is no reason to doubt this type of physical strength. It is considered one of the most hearty and hardy dogs around. It is a member of the golden retriever group of breeds and makes an ideal all-around family pet. It is not recommended for agility or hunting events because of its stamina. The Labrador Retriever is much smaller than the Golden Retriever, but this breed is not recommended for young children under ten years old, as the smaller size will make them prey for the retriever. They are not recommended for children younger than seven years old, as they will become frightened and nervous, and may hurt themselves. They are known to be one of the more trainable breeds of dogs. This means that the dog can be trained to do tricks. The Labrador Retriever has strong reflexes and can easily catch a dog toy, or a ball thrown by another dog, especially if it is not held. They are also very athletic and play the sport of show jumping. They are also known for being good watchdogs. They have a loyal nature and will protect their owner at all costs. It is also safe to say that the Lab is loyal to his family, but his responsibility will always be to the family and his master. He will never hurt a human being or his master, or a stranger. The Labrador Retriever is also a dog of peace. They will never bark constantly and will be comfortable when left alone for a period of time. It is suggested that the Labrador be kept in a fenced yard. This is because of the sturdy build and endurance needed for hunting. Share this:.

You will need A collar with the name tag and a leash. You will also need dog treats to reward a dog while training. Also, necessary things like a bed, dog food, and bowls should be bought. Schedule It is vital to take care of sleep, food, and walking early. Make a schedule to get all your work done and take care of the dog. A fixed schedule will teach your dog to maintain decorum and Stick to its routine. Working along with the schedule will help both you and your dog. It helps you maximize your productivity and teaches the dog to behave independently. Safety While welcoming a dog into your family, your primary responsibility is taking care of its safety. Brief all of your family members about how to care for a dog, foods you should not feed the dog, etc. When you bring your dog home, it is necessary to constantly keep an eye on him as their surroundings are new, and the dog can be curious to explore it, harming himself in the process. It is of utmost importance to Keep any poisonous substance out of reach. Online Boxer Breeders in Maryland MD : In case your pet store does not have a boxer breed puppy, there are very reliable online websites available from which you can buy. There is a high chance of finding a better dog online than your local pet store. You will find many options online. They have accommodated over two hundred thousand puppies in caring homes. They aim to give every puppy a happy home and improve their lives. Jor boxer puppies Jor boxer puppies specialize in breeding high-quality and healthy boxer breeds. They give assurance on the health and performance of their dogs. They offer dogs with excellent bloodlines from around the globe. Their dogs are very social and friendly. You can find a highly skilled breeder for boxer dogs. As this is an online marketplace, it has a vast network and can search for the best dog in the country. Puppies for sale today Puppies for sale today is a website that connects you with breeders Worldwide and helps you find the perfect fit. You will find anyone with a boxer puppy for sale on this website. It is a very genuine and proficient website. Adopt a pet For anyone looking for a boxer puppy on sale, adopt a pet is a reputable online website that you should check out. They offer puppies of all breeds, so you have a variety to look at before choosing a dog fit for you. Boxer breeders and boxer sellers: A highly skilled boxer breeder will keep the puppies with their parents for a minimum of seven to eight weeks. So if your breeder does not have any vaccine or health checkup documentation, do not buy a dog from him. A breeder specializing in breeding boxers alone should be preferred over the breeders who breed more than one type of dog breed. Upkeep of a dog: 1. Boxers like to look tidy. Hence you should bathe them once every 2 to 3 weeks. Boxes tend to have short hair, so brushing them once in a while will do just fine. Training Early training helps significantly in developing discipline. Socializing and exercising helps channel all the strength and energy in the right direction. Boxers need something new every time for entertainment. They are also very obedient and intelligent. Boxer breeds are also considered police dogs and assist in detecting drugs and finding missing people. Health Boxers need a moderate temperature and do not do well with acute cold or heat. They need to be considered part of the family and kept inside the house. Breeders should check for health conditions like Cardiac disorder, hip dislocation, thyroid deficiency, And the particular type of cancers. Nourishment Whether commercially produced dog food or home-cooked dog food, it should be high-quality and appropriate nutrition. It is vital to keep track of calorie consumption as some dogs are prone to weight gain. Also, treats should be given in moderation, or else they will throw tantrums at you if you give them their dog food. Giving a lot of treats can also cause obesity. Keep your veterinarian in the loop with what you are giving your dog and also ask for consultation from time to time. FAQs Which other dog breeds can be crossed with a boxer breed? Boxer and the Rottweiler cross will give you a protective and loyal pet. It will also keep the trespassers at bay. A boxer and an American pit bull are often compared, but a cross of these two breeds will give you an intelligent and faithful dog. A boxer and an American bulldog cross is muscular and looks more like a boxer. Are boxer breed dogs hostile? Boxers are aggressive and want to dominate other dogs, mainly of the same sex. However, exercises like playing fetch and taking the dog on walks helps tone down the aggression and increases energy and agility. It is also capable of causing harm to other animals if it detects any threat. Do boxers bark a lot? A boxer breed dog has high energy and playful nature. Conclusion: The Business of breeding dogs is practiced on a large scale. Large-scale breeding also raises The chances of scams; hence, getting your dog from reliable means is necessary. Vaccinations and health certificates are also necessary to look for when buying a dog. We also looked at some of the exciting crossbreeds between the boxer and other dog species. What is this article helpful? Let us know in the comment section below. Find Boxer Breeders in Other States:. My name's Aaron. I've been trying to find a family for a while now and I have dreams of going for a walk with a new mom or dad, and maybe playing in a yard. I love my belly rubbed and hanging out watching West Wing; I'm a man of classic tastes. I love food and I don't like sharing much but I'm willing to trade recipes. I'm an Aries, I love Gordon Ramsey, and my dream is to make beer battered cod and chips someday. I can jump fences, and everyone thinks that it is not safe to wander off so I will need a secure, 6' privacy fence. Since we are unable to do a meet and greet, we recommend Aaron be the only dog. We had a DNA test done on Aaron and found out he is .Because we care about our rescues and their future, some animals have certain new family requirements before they can be released to their new home. We will ask for a video that shows the entire fence so that we can verify that there are no holes or gaps where the dog could escape. We do not accept invisible fences. Please note, the health certificate fee is nonrefundable after the exam has been done and the transport fee is nonrefundable within 2 days of departure. Considering Aaron for adoption? Welcome to the Maryland state page on TrustedPuppies. Known for its rich history, diverse landscapes, and charming coastal towns, Maryland is a fantastic place to find and raise your new Boxer companion. Our goal is to connect you with the most exceptional Boxer breeders and puppies for sale in the region, ensuring you find the perfect furry friend for your family. Our site features a wide variety of reputable breeders who specialize in raising healthy and happy puppies. Our MD breeders are committed to raising the highest quality puppies. They provide their puppies with all the necessary vaccinations and veterinary checkups to ensure they are in the best of health before they go to their forever homes. They also provide ongoing support and advice to ensure a smooth transition for both you and your new furry friend. Discover the vibrant dog-friendly scene in Maryland, featuring inviting restaurants, spacious dog parks, and engaging dog shows. For those passionate about dog shows, events like the Maryland Kennel Club Dog Show provide an opportunity to appreciate the elegance and charm of Boxer canines while connecting with fellow enthusiasts. In terms of dog ownership, Maryland ranks 24th among U. At TrustedPuppies. Most of our reputable Boxer breeders provide safe and affordable flight delivery, complete with a dedicated flight nanny who accompanies your new pup throughout their journey, ensuring their safety and comfort as they travel to their new home in Maryland. Many breeders also offer affordable vehicle delivery, utilizing specialized pet delivery services. This option allows your Boxer puppy to be transported directly to your door by a professional who understands the unique requirements of pet transportation. Begin your search for the perfect Boxer puppy on TrustedPuppies.

French Bulldogs How to Treat Swimmer Puppy Syndrome You can do several things to support your swimmer puppy, including the treatment options below 11 , .Taping or Hobbling Generally, the first go-to for treatment of Swimmers Puppy Syndrome is the taping method. It's inadvisable to first try this yourself. A veterinarian who is experienced with hobbling in dogs should always show you how to tape your puppy's legs so that you don't cause any pain or damage to the limbs. To begin with, taping should only be worn for 15 minutes at a time, times a day. While taped, you should use a sling or harness to support your puppy. Although supported by the sling, your puppy's feet should be only just touching the ground. Using a harness or sling to support a swimmer puppy strengthens the dog's leg muscles but also helps relieve pressure on the sternum. Repositioning You must reposition your Swimmers puppy on their side any time you see them laying on their sternum. Encouraging your puppy to sleep on their side as much as possible will relieve pressure on the chest. Even if they are not sleeping, repositioning is a good way to reduce complications from constant pressure on the chest. Maintaining a Healthy Weight It may sound simple, but helping your Swimmers dog to maintain a healthy weight is more beneficial than you might realize. The more extra weight your pup has to hold up, the slower their progress with therapy will be. It's also worth considering that extra weight means more pressure on the sternum of Swimmers puppies. Bedding Be sure to give your Swimmers puppy a supportive, orthopedic and lofty bed not any regular dog bed that will help to keep as much pressure as possible off the dog's chest and abdomen. You can also pad your puppy's bed with blankets so that you can customize the height and supportiveness of their bedding. Massage Massage has many benefits , but it's also a great tool to help promote well-being in Swimmers puppies while also stimulating the dog's nerves and muscles 13 , Massaging your puppy after a feed can also help the digestive process along and help to resolve problems like constipation and gas. Hygiene Hygiene should never be neglected in swimmer puppy syndrome. Since these puppies aren't able to support their body weight, they are also unable to stand to use the potty or to move away from waste when they do go while lying down. Failing to clean up after your Swimmer pup immediately after their accident can cause infection, urine burns, and painful sores. Environment Scientists that studied this condition strongly suggest that appropriate flooring is extremely important, particularly non-slippery floors that prevent slippage and further injuries in puppies. Furthermore, due to pups relieving themselves where they rest, it's recommended to use pee pads in your dog's favorite spots. Applying baby powder and wiping the dog can also help to prevent fecal scalding. Kicking helps to stretch out the legs and build muscle, both extremely important things for Swimmer's puppies. Water Therapy Water therapy is recommended for Swimmer dogs that have developed a swimming reflex this happens around 6 weeks old. Keeping the pup secured, submerge them in water up to their chin. When submerged, the puppy's swimming instinct will kick in and they will begin paddling. Be sure to keep hold of the puppy but let them paddle. This helps to build up muscle in the legs and can be done for short periods, two to three times a day. Managing Life With a Swimmers Pup Rehabilitation and therapy are both great tools for giving dogs with Swimmer Puppy Syndrome a fighting chance for a normal life, but this will require a lot of commitment from you. For therapies to work, they must be done every day, multiple times a day and, for the average dog owner, this can be difficult. However, difficult or not, consistency and repetition of therapy activities and treatments are the best and only way to give your Swimmer puppy the future that they deserve. Full size table Discussions The incidence rate of swimmer puppies in this study was 3. The rate reported so far was 2. Although it was not possible to simply compare them, the incidence rates were considered to be almost similar. In the comparison of body weight at each period, swimmer puppies were showed significantly heavier than non-symptomatic puppies on the 10th and 28th days. On the other hand, the litter size, which had been suggested to be associated with the onset [ 1 ], was also shown to be significantly reduced in the swimmer puppy group. It was also reported that in dams with a small number of offspring, the properties of the milk were altered, and the calories also became high [ 10 ], which might lead to weight gain in puppies. In our results, negative correlations were found between the number of littermates and body weight in all individuals, indicating that the early weight gain due to the smaller litter size might have caused overweight and be involved in the onset. However, the causal relationship between the two had not been clarified, further investigation was needed for the elucidation. Most of the affected individuals in this study had a good course except for one that died, and many of them stood up or walked in about one month. The Hokkaido Guide Dog Association had taken the following management protocol based on the knowledge so far. With these simple nursing care measures, many affected individuals gradually began to raise their upper body, chests became rounded, and they were able to stand up. This might be effective as a treatment for the early stage of swimmer puppies in retriever breeds. It was possible to create a family tree based on a huge amount of kinship data and conduct a detailed examination of genetic factors. The posterior hereditability of the swimmer puppy onset trait showed a high value of 0. It indicated that the onset of swimmer puppy was mostly influenced by heredity. Subsequently, the posterior heritability of the 10th-day body-weight trait also showed a high value of 0. It is generally said that the heritability of growth-related factors tends to be high, and the heritability of mature body weight was already reported as 0. In addition, under the guidelines of the Hokkaido Guide Dog Association, the breeding environment of the mother dog was almost the same in all breeding volunteer households. Therefore, the environmental factor was relatively small compared to the genetic factor, and it might contribute to the high heritability of two traits. On the other hand, the genetic correlation between these two traits was poor at 0. Although the details were unknown, it was possible that new other genetic factors were involved in the onset of swimmer puppy syndrome in retriever breeds. In this study, it was not clarified what is the cause of swimmer puppy syndrome. Besides, histopathological information could not be obtained for many of the healed individuals. As a result, it was difficult to identify the affected area and comprehensively analyze it. In swimmer puppies, the changes in neuromuscular synaptic function, inappropriate myelination, poor development of peripheral motor neurons, and delayed muscle development were highlighted in previous reports [ 3 , 8 ]. It has also been suggested that the other genetic factors are involved in locomotive abnormalities. To elucidate the detailed pathogenesis of this syndrome, further studies are needed in the future. Conclusions This study revealed that the litter size and weight gain might be involved in the onset of swimmer puppy syndrome found in one breed dogs, Labrador retrievers. Most swimmer puppies could walk by simple nursing care at early stage. In addition, it was considered that the genetic influence on the onset was extremely high. Although the cause of swimmer puppy syndrome in Labrador retrievers still remains unclear, it is expected that this syndrome will be elucidated by further detailed analysis in the future. Methods Dogs Detailed postnatal records among the puppies born between and were used in the Labrador retriever breeding colony at the Hokkaido Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in Japan. It was excluded from this study for the dogs which could not be tracked with accurate postnatal records. Inclusion criteria for swimmer puppy Based on the inspection data by the veterinarian in charge of the Guide Dog Association, a swimmer puppy was defined as followed. Dogs that were seen to have all the following three symptoms at the same time between the 14th and 28th days after birth: 1 the forelimbs, hind limbs, or all four limbs are laterally deployed, 2 flat chest, 3 unable to stand. All individuals were inspected by the same veterinarian. Data Analysis Data were collected for incidence rate, prognosis, breed, sex, weight, and the litter size. The incidence rate of swimmer puppy was expressed as a percentage by dividing the number of affected individuals by all births. The prognosis survey was traced back with all postnatal data. The litter size, and body weight records at birth, 10 days, and 28 days after birth were used and compared between litters where swimmer puppy appeared swimmer puppy group and the litters without swimmer puppy non-symptomatic group. The correlation between the litter size and the body weight at each period was statistically analyzed. Inbreeding coefficient The inbreeding coefficient was calculated based on the assumption that the onset of swimmer puppy is a qualitative trait and a hereditary disease due to a single recessive gene. An ancestor that frequently appears among the blood relatives of the affected individual was identified, and when that individual was designated as the common ancestor A , the inbreeding coefficient derived from A was calculated for all individuals with records using the following formula. The program was modified for estimating the inbreeding coefficient originated by common ancestor A. In order to search for the causative common ancestor, individuals with golden parents were excluded from consideration, and only Labradors and hybrids were included. Heritability and genetic correlation Assuming that the onset of swimmer puppy is a quantitative trait, the heritability was calculated. Heritability is a measure of how much an individual's phenotypic value is determined by additive genetic effects. A total of records with 10, individuals in pedigree records were used to estimate genetic parameters of Labradors. The onset trait of swimmer puppy in retriever species was estimated using the best linear unbiased prediction BLUP animal model below [ 13 , 14 ]. The body weight on the 10th day was also regarded as a phenotype, and the heritability was calculated in the same manner Formula 2. The genetic correlation between the above two traits was estimated according to the bivariate BLUP animal model analysis. To calculate the posterior means and standard deviations of co variances, heritabilities and genetic correlation, samples after a burn-in of iterations were used. Convergence was determined by using visual inspection of the plots of Gibbs samples. Availability of data and materials The data containing information on common ancestry that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request and with permission of Hokkaido Guide Dogs for the Blind Association in Japan. Swimmers syndrome is an uncommon development in dogs or cats, also known as flat-pup syndrome or swimming-puppy syndrome. This syndrome leads to a deformation in their limbs, beginning with the hind limbs. This type of deformational development makes the legs twisted and results in the inability to stand or walk. Although smaller and dwarf breeds are more prone to the syndrome, larger breeds may also suffer from it. Breeds that are more likely to produce puppies with swimmer puppy syndrome include English and French Bulldogs, Yorkshire Terriers, Basset Hounds, and Dachshunds. In newborn pups with swimmer puppy syndrome , milk is often regurgitated. Swimmer puppies often experience difficulty with the entire digestion process; many have difficulty eliminating and develop constipation as a result. Without treatment, a swimmer puppy is also at risk of developing painful joint deformities caused by holding their legs at abnormal angles for long periods of time. It will only lie on its stomach, not on its side. Its legs, both front and back, will be splayed out. By three weeks of age, the puppy will not be able to stand or walk, and may struggle to move. When it does move, it may look like it is trying to paddle or swim. The puppy will be putting a lot of pressure on its sternum, which will contribute to the flattening of the chest and ribs. This causes swimmer syndrome puppies to have difficulty breathing and low energy levels. They will also be weak and may have problems with circulation. The puppy may also have difficulty eating. Because of the pressure on its chest, it may also struggle with keeping food down. Additionally, swimmer puppies may have sores or lesions on their bodies from lying in urine or feces. Swimmer puppies are often lethargic. By three weeks of age, the puppy will not be developing the ability to stand and walk like its littermates. Small and dwarf dog breeds are more prone to swimmer puppy syndrome that large breeds. Some veterinary experts believe that the issue is hereditary, while others point toward environments that prevent puppies from moving enough to develop their muscles properly. Others believe that swimmer puppies are born with congenital defects that occur prior to birth. Many veterinarians are willing to intervene and give the puppy a chance at having a happy, healthy life as there are quite a few treatments for swimmer puppy syndrome. Use a harness or sling to suspend the puppy for up to 20 minutes at a time, up to four times per day. This treatment is intended to strengthen muscles while taking pressure off the chest and abdomen. Every case is different; however, this is normally done gradually, for just 15 to 20 minutes per day, and only 3 to 4 times per day at first. Avoid slippery surfaces that prevent the pup from gaining traction. You can also create a soft vest for the pup to wear by cutting leg holes in an old sock and stuffing the sock with fluffy material to keep the chest elevated. Encourage the puppy to sleep on its side rather than resting on its abdomen. When you are with the puppy, help it change positions while nursing and sleeping. This gentle stimulation can help with nerve development and encourage the puppy to move its legs more, as well as to exert more force with each movement. Massage the puppy frequently, particularly after feeding. All-over massage can help stimulate muscles and nerves while aiding the digestion process. You can also encourage these movements while the puppy is suspended in a sling. Ensure that the puppy is being fed adequately, but not over-fed. Excess weight makes recovery more difficult. Keep the puppy clean. This can lead to painful lesions and cause complications with treatment. Apply a moisture barrier cream or unscented baby powder to help prevent irritation, if your vet approves. To begin with, taping should only be worn for 15 minutes at a time, times a day. While taped, you should use a sling or harness to support your puppy. Encouraging your puppy to sleep on their side as much as possible will relieve pressure on the chest. Even if they are not sleeping, repositioning is a good way to reduce complications from constant pressure on the chest. Maintaining a Healthy Weight It may sound simple, but helping your Swimmers dog to maintain a healthy weight is more beneficial than you might realize. The more extra weight your pup has to hold up, the slower their progress with therapy will be. Massaging your puppy after a feed can also help the digestive process along and help to resolve problems like constipation and gas. Failing to clean up after your Swimmers pup immediately after their accident can cause infection as well as urine burns and painful sores. Environment Scientists that studied this condition strongly suggest that appropriate flooring is extremely important, particularly non-slippery floors that prevent slippage and further injuries in puppies. Applying baby powder and wiping the dog can also help to prevent fecal scalding. Water Therapy Water therapy is recommended for Swimmer dogs that have developed a swimming reflex this happens around 6 weeks old. Keeping the pup secured, submerge them in water up to their chin. Be sure to keep hold of the puppy but let them paddle. This helps to build up muscle in the legs and can be done for short periods, two to three times a day. What is the management? Slippery floors may worsen, or in some cases, may even cause swimmer puppies. Egg crate bed liners work well. Bunch up towels and blankets and keep pup confined to a small area. Puppies should not become overweight, as this may further the weakness in the rear limbs. Most swimmers have a flattened chest from laying flat. Taping the legs in the correct position should be done asap. You will see almost immediate progress. If the pup is a chewer you will have to put a cone on while legs are taped. Swim sessions three times a day will help with building muscle. Note — the swim reflex may not develop until pups are 6 weeks or older. Submerge pup to his chin this kicks in the survival instinct to kick. Since there may be a hereditary component to this condition, dogs who were swimmer puppies would not be optimal breeding animals. Please follow and like us: Tags.

We are a nonprofit c 3 rescue comprised solely of unpaid volunteers that share the common goal of saving neglected, abused, and abandoned German Shepherds and German Shepherd mixes from shelters, owners who can no longer keep them and partner rescues. Currently, we can only adopt to residents of North Carolina and South Carolina at this time. Our new store is now open Help our dogs and get your gifts. Featured Dog - Sweetheart Hello! My name is Sweetheart! I was pregnant mama of the Sweets Litter when found, but my babies have all gotten older and found homes of their own. When I first came to my foster mom I was nervous, but warmed up quickly. I will sit for my dinner and on occasion lay down, but I still pull on the leash and jump. I have previously lived with a four year old child and did really well with him. I do not like cats, though. The stray cats in my foster moms neighborhood tease me and I get upset. I can be a bit of a hoarder of the items I consider mine. A fenced in yard is probably best for me considering my energy level and how much I love to play! If you would like to be my human pillow and furever cuddle buddy, please reach out to your adoption coordinator. If you do not yet have an adoption coordinator, please complete an adoption application at www. For this reason, the specific dog you apply for may not be available by the time your application is processed. If that happens we will do our best to find another perfect match for your family. For the complete list please see our main page page. Why Use Dog Breeders? There are many reasons why people decide not to adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue and instead go to a breeder. Other people may be looking for something more specific, such as a puppy that is bred with the intention of being trained to become a service animal for someone in need. Yet others may want to buy a dog from a breeder as a way of supporting the humane treatment of animals. When it comes to purebred dogs you should always expect to pay more than what you would pay for a mixed breed or rescue dog. A purebred dog will have a better chance of growing up to be healthy and may have fewer behavior problems than a dog who is mixed with unknown breeds. Some questions you might want to ask include: How long have you been breeding German Shepherds? Do you have any health guarantees for your puppies? What genetic tests have you had done on your dogs? What is the average price of your puppies, and what factors affect the price? When meeting with a breeder, be sure to ask lots of questions and inspect the facilities where the puppies are being raised. The puppies should be clean and well-socialized, and the parents should be friendly and healthy. Finding a reputable breeder is an important part of finding a healthy, well-adjusted German Shepherd puppy for your family. Visit Your North Carolina German Shepherd Breeder in Person Before you bring home a German Shepherd puppy, we highly recommend that you visit the breeder in person to see where and how the puppy was raised. This will give you a much better idea of what type of temperament to expect from your dog and whether or not it will be a good fit for your family. Also ask plenty of questions about the breeding process, genetic health tests performed on parents, and overall care provided to dogs involved in the breeding. Visiting your breeder in person will also give you a better idea of their personality which can help you determine if they are the right kind of breeder for your family. This will give you a better idea of the quality of puppies they produce and how well they take care of their dogs. References can be a valuable tool when determining whether or not a breeder is right for you and your family. References are a must when looking for a German Shepherd breeder in North Carolina. This will give you a clear indication of the quality of puppies that breeder provides and how satisfied their past customers have been. Meeting past customers is a valuable way to determine whether or not a breeder is right for you and your family. Make sure to ask your North Carolina German Shepherd Breeder plenty of questions about their policies, breeding practices, and overall care of dogs before purchasing a puppy from them. This is important because the breeder will need to get regular health checks on the parents and puppies. A good relationship with a veterinarian is an important part of being a responsible breeder. You should also ask your North Carolina German Shepherd Breeder for copies of all health certificates and genetic tests that have been performed on the parents. This will give you peace of mind that your puppy is healthy and has a clean bill of health. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Sadly, not all breeders care for their dogs and puppies the way they should be cared for. They will also be able to provide documentation that proves the puppies have been health checked by a veterinarian. Responsible breeders will always take the time to answer any questions you have about their puppies. The American Kennel Club AKC is a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to upholding high standards in the breeding and showing of purebred dogs. If your breeder is registered with the AKC, it means they are committed to following these high standards. A good way to determine whether or not a breeder is responsible is by checking to see if they are registered with the AKC. Here are a few things you should do: Set up a crate and put a bed inside of it. Buy a few toys and treats to keep your puppy entertained. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They will need to get checked out and begin their vaccinations. Start training your puppy as soon as possible. It will make life much easier for both of you in the long run. Potty Training your New German Shepherd Puppy One of the most important things to do when you bring home a new puppy is to start potty training them. Here are a few tips: Take your puppy out every hour, on the hour. Reward them with treats and praise when they go potty in the right spot. Simply clean it up and continue to take them out regularly. By potty training your puppy, you will be saving yourself a lot of headaches down the road. Most of the time, a wire dog crate with a foldable metal frame will do just fine. However, keep in mind that every dog is different and some might require a plastic or wood kennel instead. I love animals and love helping people adopt a pet. It all started when attending Missouri State University and I began volunteering at an animal shelter. Freedom German Shepherd Rescue Freedom German Shepherd Rescue strives to treat their dogs, volunteers, other rescues, and the communities in which they work with integrity and operate with full transparency. They take in German Shepherds from shelters and from the public. All dogs are placed into a foster home, where they receive medical care and basic training before they are placed up for adoption. While in foster homes, every aspect of their behavior and personality can be evaluated so that they can be carefully matched to the perfect adoptive home for them. Freedom German Shepherd Rescue strives to educate the community about overpopulation, bad breeding, abandonment, and neglect as well as rescuing dogs. If you are not sure whether you are ready to adopt a German Shepherd , fostering is a great idea. Freedom German Shepherd Rescue relies on foster homes to house the dogs that they pull from shelters or accept from the public. They do everything they can to support foster families. While fostering, you will take your foster dog to veterinary appointments, training classes, and meet adopters or go to adoption events. Freedom German Shepherd Rescue aims to match each dog with the perfect foster family for them so if you have certain restrictions regarding other pets in the household, children, etc, they will do their best to meet your needs. Fosters can only be in North and South Carolina. To adopt a dog from Freedom German Shepherd Rescue, you must be at least 18 years old. All current animals in the household must be up-to-date on veterinary care and vaccines and must be spayed or neutered. Freedom German Shepherd Rescue will contact your veterinarian to verify this information. Once veterinary screening is passed, you will do a phone interview and then a home visit will be scheduled. The application process is very thorough and may take as many as four weeks from start to finish. They have been rescuing German Shepherds since .They mostly take purebred German Shepherds, although they occasionally take mixed breed shepherds and other breeds. The vast majority of the dogs that they rescue come from local shelters, but they will also take owner surrenders on certain occasions. Every dog that comes into the rescue gets a full veterinary visit, vaccinations, and heartworm tests. All dogs are spayed or neutered before they are put up for adoption. Dogs get whatever veterinary care they need, including heartworm treatment if necessary. All dogs are also microchipped. Dogs of all ages, including young puppies and seniors, are usually available. However, puppies are adopted much more quickly. The website has a very thorough list of available dogs including their status and information. You can also sort dogs by age and gender to help you find exactly the right dog for your household. If you would like to adopt, you can also find many more dogs under the courtesy listings. Instead, dogs stay with their current families until an adopter is found. If you are adopting, you also need to pay an adoption application fee. Adoption applications are kept on file until an appropriate dog can be matched to the application, they are not filled out for particular dogs. Puppies are not adopted out to families with children under eight years of age. If you are not sure whether you are ready to adopt, becoming a foster home or volunteer is a great idea. Usually, foster homes are required to keep a dog for a couple of weeks to several months, but there are also weekend fosters to help you decide whether you are ready to foster.

For example, most of us know what it looks like when our dog is frustrated or wants something. Your dog may bark, hop up and down, stare intently at whatever they want, whine, tremble, or show some other sign. Dogs can also show love, affection, playfulness, and happiness through their body language and behaviors. You may be familiar with the signs that your dog is happy in the moment—soft, relaxed ears and eyes, a wagging tail, puppy kisses, and a broad smile. However, dogs are individuals, and their activity levels and desire to be social vary as they grow and age. So how can you tell if your dog is happy in general? What are some other signs of dog happiness? When these clues are missing, it could mean your dog is ill or feeling out-of-sorts. Some dogs will have one ear cocked up, or both may be loose and floppy. Ears pricked forward often indicate that a dog is interested in something. If their ears are pulled back or stiff with hyper-alertness, this is usually a sign of a stressed or fearful pooch. Soft Gaze When a dog is happy, their eyes and eyelids will be open and relaxed, their gaze will be soft, and they will blink often. Narrowed eyes and a hard gaze can indicate aggression, while wide eyes, particularly if they whites are showing, could mean your dog is frightened. Relaxed or Wiggly Body and Tail When a dog is happy, their whole body and tail will look relaxed, and they quite often wiggle! A wriggling dog showing you their belly is likely to be a very happy and comfortable dog. Each dog breed has a different relaxed tail position, but a happy dog will generally raise it slightly. If the tail seems to be raised pretty high, this could indicate agitation or over-stimulation. On the other hand, if a dog seems tense or their body is stiff, these are signs of discomfort. A tail pinned under the body is a strong sign of fear. If your dog is standing stiffly with a tightly waving tail, they may be alert or nervous. Happy Facial Expression Happy dogs often appear to smile. A lolling tongue can also mean your dog is relaxed. Be sure not to confuse open-mouth panting with smiling, as this could mean your pet is stressed or overheated. Like people, a furrowed brow can express worry in dogs except for Shar-Peis with their permanently furrowing brows! If a dog is baring their teeth or curling their lips back, this can indicate aggression. Happy Dance When dogs bounce from side to side or hop and dance, they may be happy to see their canine friends or their favorite people. The quick movements usually indicate the dog is happy and ready to play. They are excited when you come home and want to show it! In a play bow, a dog lowers their chest to the ground but keeps their rear in the air. They are inviting play and want to interact. Happy Barks Happy dogs generally have higher pitched barks and bark for a shorter period of time than dogs that are agitated. Enjoyment of Playtime and Walks Happy dogs enjoy playtime and walks, and most even love rides in cars. Good Appetite Dogs that are content and feeling well have good appetites. Getting Lots of Sleep Healthy, happy adult dogs usually sleep for up to 16 hours a day. But excessive chewing or destructive behavior, particularly in an adult dog, could also be a sign of stress or boredom. Separation anxiety is another common cause of destructive behavior in dogs. Friendliness Like people, every dog's preference for company is different. Enjoying Petting Happy dogs make a lot of body contact. Staying just out of reach or walking away could be a sign they need more space. How to Make Your Dog Happier Making your dog happy means providing for their physical and emotional needs and understanding what those needs are in the canine world. Here are some tips to make sure you keep your dog happy and content: Make sure they eat a healthy, balanced diet appropriate for their life stage and specific needs. Provide adequate mental stimulation with food puzzle toys, chew toys, and playtime. Engage them in an appropriate amount of physical exercise for their abilities and life stage. Give your pet loads of love and affection. Featured Image: iStock. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Pin1 10 Shares I recently visited a friend of mine who owns a Golden Labrador. This boisterous pup greeted us with a happy wag of his tail and barks of delight. He actually looked he was smiling. This made me realise I needed to create a short guide on how to tell if a French Bulldog is happy. You can read that below, plus advice on how to raise a happy and well-behaved French Bulldog. How do I know if my French Bulldog is happy? Whilst Frenchies can look very glum, you will know they are happy if they wiggle their bottom, gives you puppy dog eyes, have relaxed ears and mouth and is playful. French Bulldogs will also smile where their lips curl up. If you are worried that your French Bulldog is depressed and unhappy, scroll nearer to the second half of this blog post as I will give some warning signs to look out for. How can I tell if my French Bulldog is happy? Here are all the things to look out for. This is one sure fire way to tell that your beloved Frenchie is happy. If you come home and your greeted by snuffles and a happy wag of your pooches backside, you can be sure that your Frenchie is pleased to see you. Has puppy dog eyes Yes, puppy dog eyes are a real thing. When your Frenchie looks at you with their big sweet eyes, with a soft gaze, it is a sign of happiness. When a dog is happy, they have relaxed eyes and eyelids. Have you ever seen an aggressive dog? Their eyes are narrow, and they have a hard stare. When your French Bulldog is in a good mood you will be able to tell by his gaze. You find out more about the science behind this in an article on The Guardian website. They are able to raise their eyebrows, as they have learned this triggers a nurturing response in humans. This makes their eyes bigger, and seem infant like, which we as humans react to and find adorable. Interestingly, their wolf cousins are unable to raise their eyebrows. Has a relaxed mouth like a smile You can tell that your Frenchie is happy if their mouth is relaxed. Happy dogs almost seem to be smiling like I mentioned earlier. If your dog is aggressive, they will show their teeth in an aggressive manner. Snarling, barking and ears being pinned back or lowered, means that your dog is unhappy. Has relaxed ears Yes, Frenchies do have ears that stand up, but an unhappy Frenchie will have ears that do not look relaxed. Their ears will seem rigid and they might even be a bit lowered to show that they are unhappy. To see if your Frenchie is happy, look for relaxed ears, even loose. If their ears seem to be pricked forward this could indicate that they are interested in what is going on around them. Has a relaxed body If your French Bulldog is happy, you will see it in his body. If your Frenchie seems tense and rigid this could mean that they are stressed out. Has plenty of reasons to play If your French Bulldog loves playing, then this is a good sign that he is happy. A playful dog means that they are healthy and happy. If your French Bulldog seems to not want to do anything or seems lethargic, perhaps it would be a good time to take him to the vet. Here are the best ways in which Frenchies love to play. You can tell your French Bulldog is happy if he wants to play all the time. Usually when a dog seems unusually quiet, this could be a sign that they are ill. Handy Hint: French Bulldogs love to play with other dogs and their toys. Has no destructive behavior This is an interesting one. We once had a family friend who had a sausage dog that chewed everything. From their couch pillows to their dining room table to their expensive name brand jeans. The problem was that this adorable sausage dog, had huge separation anxiety if they left him alone. Handy Hint: Read this guide to French Bulldog separation anxiety. Destructive behavior in any dog can signal that your pooch is unhappy. All dogs chew, but if the chewing gets to a point that it is complete destruction, you could have an unhappy French Bulldog on your hands. If your Frenchie is left for hours on end and is neglected, he could easily develop destructive behavior. This could include constant barking, digging up your yard , and chewing everything in sight. Make sure you provide your French Bulldog with exercise. This will definitely lead to an unhappy doggy. Frenchies loves attention and affection and if neglected for long periods of time can be very stressed. Handy Hint: I recently published a guide which explains how you can stop your French Bulldog from chewing on your furniture. Has no problem eating A happy Frenchie loves eating. A puppy should eat three meals a day, whereas an adult French Bulldog should eat two meals a day. Signs of a happy and healthy Frenchie can often be how they stick out their tongue. If you see your best friend sticking his tongue out, while he chases cats in his sleep, you can put your mind at ease that your dog is content. Has a healthy coat If your Frenchie has a shiny, healthy looking coat, this is a sign that your dog is in great health, which is a massive factor in happiness. When dogs are stressed, they can shed their coats like crazy see our video which shows you just how much. They can also develop flakey skin. You should feed your dog a well-balanced diet. If your walks away or avoids you or certain people, this could be a sign that he needs space, or feels uncomfortable with a particular person. The reasons for depression can sometimes be outside of your control. For example, when we first started to use a shower to bath Claude, he was quite unhappy the first time. Your dog is aggressive and growling. Your dog yawns and pants a lot. Your dog is whining and howling. Your dog is cowering, fearful and hiding. Your dog is urinating indoors. Your dog is being destructive. Your dog is being disobedient. Your dog loses interest in toys and play. Your dog is not sleeping. Your dog is sleeping too much. Your dog is licking themselves more than usual. Your dog is not responding to affection. Handy Hint: For more information on what to look for and signs of sadness in a Frenchie, read this guide. How to raise a healthy and happy French Bulldog I think people often get dogs without really considering how much work is involved. How to keep a French Bulldog happy Give them regular exercise, walks, and play see further down for our schedule. Keep their ears and skin folds clean. Give them plenty of toys and distractions to play with. Keep them well-groomed with a weekly brush. The U-EL license is applied only for the staff of the organization that holds the account. Maximum number of electronic items is unlimited applies as a total of each type of usage. This is an additional license to the rights included within the regular Royalty-Free license. Note that the other restrictions still apply. Time Limited Exclusivity This license represents an exclusive right to use the downloaded media, but such exclusivity will only last for a limited period of time. Dreamstime will disable the image immediately after the buyer acquired this license. The Contributor will be required to disable the file permanently from all other places where he or she may sell it, as soon as possible after the sale occured, but no longer than 72 hours. The Contributor acknowledges and agrees to provide the buyer with the exclusive right to use the file retrieved using the SR-EL1 or SR-EL3 licenses, for the duration of the selected exclusivity period. The length of time for the exclusivity period depends on which license is selected. SR-EL1 will grant an exclusive right to use the media for one year. Similarly, SR-EL3 will grant an exclusive right to use the image for three years. The print run for both licenses is unlimited and continues after the exclusivity expired. After the end of the exclusivity period, the Contributor will also be free to offer the media for download from other places where the Contributor sells his or her media. Sell the rights This license represents a full ownership of the downloaded media. The buyer can use it exclusively exclusivity applies from the moment that the file was downloaded using this license; buyer must take into account potential past downloads made for media and choose it accordingly or investigate further via support , and include it in any type of design with just a few restrictions: sensitive subjects may still apply and the buyer may not claim that the file was created by him nor resell it as his work. The agency will disable the media immediately after the buyer acquired this license. The Contributor is required to disable the file permanently from all other places where he may sell it, as soon as possible after the sale occurred, but no longer than 72 hours. This license grants the buyer exclusivity so the Contributor needs to keep in mind that exclusive media is represented by concepts, models, wardrobe, and subject matter which provide a unique creative message and small variations in the image variations in camera angle, model posture or gesture, for example do not enable other files as being different. All such variations rendering the media very similar in concept and message to the one sold under SR-EL should be removed from sale as well. The photographer acknowledge and agrees to provide the buyer with full ownership for the file retrieved using the SR-EL license. ID .My oldest fur-child is Wally. Wally is a Chihuahua mix who has been with me for almost eleven years. In , my husband decided that he wanted a dog as his wedding present, specifically a bulldog. One day we just happened to be walking around our local Mall when we spotted a man with a beautiful bulldog. We asked him where his dog came from. He gave us the name of the breeder and the breeders website so we went on line to check out the website to see if there were any bulldog puppies available. There were lots of pictures and feed back from previous customers. We saw pictures of a cute litter with three white puppies and instantly fell in love. Unfortunately, the breeder was four hours away so we put down a deposit without ever visiting this was our mistake 1. We were told that two of the pups would go to California and one would come to us. We were under the impression when we arrived to pick up our new puppy, we would get the chance to choose the puppy we wanted. When the day finally rolled around to pick up our new puppy, we were so excited so we called the breeder to tell them we were on our way. The bulldog breeders then instructed us over the phone to meet them at a gas station instead of their home his was our mistake 2. They showed up with one white bulldog puppy and three brindle bulldog puppies. They tried to get us to take one of the brindle puppies, but my husband was already smitten with the white puppy so we ended up with our little Duke. We rushed him to the Emergency Vet where they told us Duke had not been properly de-wormed by the breeder. After Duke was feeling better, and had been with us for a few months, we finally figured out he was deaf. After a few visits to a dog dermatologist, we also learned that Duke had allergies and he was allergic to corn and pollen. Duke and his family-photo courtesy of the Meghan Coates Despite all of these challenges, we gotten his allergies under control and we are now training him using hand signals. He is a total love bug! Every morning he sits on the couch and hands out cuddles and kisses. Duke has become such a blessing to us and to everyone he meets. We enjoy teaching our friends who are unfamiliar with deaf animals how to communicate with Duke so they can understand his mannerisms and behaviors. Duke The Amazing Deaf Bulldog has overcome all odds and is becoming quite the handsome fellow. Mr and Mrs.

Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Built for sport, the Lab is muscular and athletic. They have a short, easy-care coat, friendly demeanor, keen intelligence, and plenty of energy. Devotion to this breed runs deep; Labs are loving, people-oriented dogs who live to serve their families, and owners and fans sometimes liken their Labs to angels. The breed originated on the island of Newfoundland, off the northeastern Atlantic coast of Canada. Originally called the St. Today, most Labs skip the hard labor and spend their days being pampered and loved by their people. However, some Labs still serve as indispensable working dogs. They also excel as a search and rescue dog or as a retriever for hunters, thanks to their athletic build, strong nose, and courageous nature. And Labs have also become the breed to beat at dog sports such as agility and obedience competitions, especially obedience. In fact, owners say their sweet, helpful Lab is likely to greet an intruder and happily show them where the goods are stashed. One role has remained constant: wonderful companion and friend. Labrador Retriever Highlights Friendly and outgoing. Labrador Retrievers are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are good with people of all ages and other animals. Intelligent and trainable. Labrador Retrievers are intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are often used as working dogs, such as guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs. Active and playful. Labrador Retrievers are active dogs that need plenty of exercise. They enjoy playing fetch, swimming, and other activities. Loyal and devoted. Labrador Retrievers are loyal and devoted dogs that make great family pets. They are known for their gentle nature and love of children. Grooming needs are minimal. Labrador Retrievers have a short, thick coat that is easy to groom. They only need to be brushed a few times a week and bathed as needed. Overall, the Labrador Retriever is a versatile and popular dog breed that makes a great family pet. They are friendly, intelligent, and trainable, and they have a low grooming requirement. If you are considering getting a Labrador Retriever, be sure to do your research to find a reputable breeder. Labrador Retrievers are wonderful dogs, but they require a lot of time and attention. They are not a good choice for people who are not active or who do not have a lot of time to spend with their pets. Originally called St. Although their heritage is unknown, many believe the St. The second Earl of Malmesbury was one of the first, and had St. The third Earl of Malmesbury was the first person to refer to the dogs as Labradors. In Newfoundland, the breed disappeared because of government restrictions and tax laws. Families were allowed to keep no more than one dog, and owning a female was highly taxed, so girl puppies were culled from litters. In England, however, the breed survived, and the Kennel Club recognized the Labrador Retriever as a distinct breed in .They also top the list in Canada and England. Today, Labs work in drug and explosive detection, search and rescue, therapy, assistance to those with disabilities, and as retrievers for hunters. They also excel in all forms of dog competitions: show, field, agility, and obedience. Labrador Retriever Size Males stand .Females stand .Aside from a winning personality, they have the intelligence and eagerness to please that make them easy to train. Training is definitely necessary because this breed has a lot of energy and exuberance. The working heritage of the Lab means they are active. This breed needs activity, both physical and mental, to keep them happy. There is some variation in the activity level of Labs: some are rowdy, others are more laid back. All thrive on activity. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Elbow Dysplasia : This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to control the pain. Osteochondrosis Dissecans OCD : This orthopedic condition, caused by improper growth of cartilage in the joints, usually occurs in the elbows, but it has been seen in the shoulders, as well. It causes a painful stiffening of the joint, to the point that the dog is unable to bend his elbow. It can be detected in dogs as early as four to nine months of age. Cataracts : As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow over time. Cataracts can usually be surgically removed with good results. Early in the disease, dogs become night-blind. As the disease progresses, they lose their daytime vision, as well. Many dogs adapt to limited or complete vision loss very well, as long as their surroundings remain the same. Epilepsy : Labs can suffer from epilepsy, which causes mild or severe seizures. Seizures may be exhibited by unusual behavior, such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. Puppies are born with TVD, which is a malformation of the tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart. It can be mild or severe; some dogs live with no symptoms, others die. TVD is detected by ultrasound. Research is ongoing to learn how widespread it is in the breed, as well as treatment. Myopathy : Myopathy affects the muscles and nervous system. The first signs are seen early, as young as six weeks and often by seven months of age. A puppy with myopathy is tired, stiff when he walks and trots. He may collapse after exercise. In time, the muscles atrophy and the dog can barely stand or walk. There is no treatment, but rest and keeping the dog warm seems to reduce symptoms. Dogs with myopathy should not be bred because it is considered a heritable disease. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid themselves of the excess air in their stomach, and blood flow to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is drooling excessively, and retching without throwing up. Theyalso may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. If you notice these symptoms, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Acute Moist Dermatitis: Acute moist dermatitis is a skin condition in which the skin red and inflamed. It is caused by a bacterial infection. The more common name of this health concern is hot spots. Treatment includes clipping the hair, bathing in medicated shampoo, and antibiotics. Cold Tail : Cold tail is a benign, though painful condition common to Labs and other retrievers. The dog may bite at the tail. It is thought to be a problem with the muscles between the vertebrae in the tail. Weekly checking and cleaning if necessary helps prevent infection. Labrador Retriever Care The lovable Lab needs to be around their family, and is definitely not a backyard dog. Labs show some variation in their activity levels, but all of them need activity, both physical and mental. Daily minute walks, a romp at the dog park, or a game of fetch, are a few ways to help your Lab burn off energy. However, a puppy should not be taken for too long walks and should play for a few minutes at a time. It is up to you to end play and training sessions. Without training, a rambunctious Lab puppy will soon grow to be a very large, rowdy dog. Luckily, Labs take to training well; in fact, they often excel in obedience competitions. Start with puppy kindergarten , which not only teaches your pup good canine manners, but helps them learn how to be comfortable around other dogs and people. Look for a class that uses positive training methods that reward the dog for getting it right, rather than punishing them for getting it wrong. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility, with its one-inch jumps. Labrador Retriever Feeding Recommended daily amount: 2. From puppyhood to old age care The black Lab is up to 24 inches tall and weighs up to 80lbs. Depending on on their ancestors, your black Labrador puppy may be a little smaller than this when they are fully grown. And the hunting or American Lab may have a lighter frame and a strong drive for retrieving. The lifespan of a black Labrador is 12 years, and some purebred black lab puppies can live even longer given the right diet, exercise and a healthy dose of luck. He was my constant companion almost into adulthood. He came on countless runs through the woods, spent hours playing ball in the backyard, but also sat with his head gently rested in my lap whenever I was sad. It has always amazed me that despite the black Labrador being the most common color, it is in some ways the least appreciated. With an amazing history of working alongside human companions, and a fabulous temperament, this pup really is one to watch. This black retriever has been favored by the hunting community for generations. But they were bred from a fishing companion that has been extinct now for nearly fifty years. This breed was also most likely the route of the rather different, and bigger, Newfoundland. Albeit often with white markings. Do you ever feel like you see more black Labs around than any other color? The first chocolate Labradors that we know of were born in the s, but colors other than black were not at all popular until the mid 90s. Horribly, for many generations most puppies born with chocolate or yellow coats were routinely euthanized at birth! If a puppy has inherited the gene for black coat color from either of her parents, this is the color that her coat will be. These both come from a pigment called eumelanin. More eumelanin leads to a black Lab, less leads to a chocolate. Genes come in pairs. Here we are dealing with B genes at the B locus. B is dominant over b. So a pairing of BB or Bb will give a black coat. Only bb will give a brown coat. A puppy gets one gene from each parent. With me so far? This is because these genes are also effected by another set of genes, at the E locus. E is dominant, and does not get in the way of the B genes. But e is recessive, and this does. It has the potential to stop the B genes giving a black or brown dog, and gives us yellow Labrador pups. And these all interact with each other differently to give different coat colors. This diagram explains them nicely: You can see from these combinations alone that the most common result is a black Lab puppy. But also how chocolate and yellow Labs were hidden for a time through careful matings and selective culling. But there is another twist to the black coat color tale. Occasionally a Lab is born with the dilute gene. This genetic twist essentially tones down the shade of the dark coat color. In the same way that the chocolate Lab looks silver when this gene is activated, the black Lab looks charcoal. In genetic terms, this dilute gene lives at the D locus. Popularity of Black Labs Black Labs have always been the most prevalent color, but their popularity has changed over the years. In the sporting dog community owners of hunting dogs still often prefer the black coat, but pet and show owners often show a preference these days for the paler colors. Chocolate and yellow Labs can even fetch higher prices from some breeders, not to mention the less common fox red and silver tones. Black Dogs Are Harder To Rehome There is a sad phenomenon in pet shelters, which impacts the rehoming rate of black dogs. Prospective owners often pass them by, regardless of temperament, in favor of the brighter colored pups on offer. But these adopters are missing a trick, because black dogs have so much to offer beyond their coat. And what they do offer differs slightly between the Labrador types. English Black Labs — bred for show There are two strains of Labrador. One was bred for the show ring, and the other was bred for the field. Although they are both Labs in the true sense, these separate strains can be quite different and are easy to pick apart if you know what you are looking for. English black Labradors are often preferred by pet homes as well as owners interested in the ring. The English black Lab has a reputation for being a little slower to mature, and a lot more playful. American Black Labs — bred to work American black Labs are slimmer, less excitable but more driven. They stand around the same height, but their heads are less broad and their tails often have less of the otter quality that their show companions sport. Although still friendly, they are perhaps less inclined to play than their show bred cousins. And in contrast to this have a stronger drive to retrieve and hunt. The English black Lab was bred for looks over purpose. Their broad head and barrel chest is matched with a straight, thick furred tail and a heavier weight on the scales. Black Labradors bred for show or as pets tend to be slower to mature, with a more playful personality, and are arguably less likely to run off after wildlife! Which Type Suits You? American black Labs may need more exercise and mental stimulation than English black Labs. They will benefit from gun dog style training involving retrieving exercises. Black Lab Characteristics Although there is no denying that the different Labrador strains have separated to a fair dramatic degree, these are still all fundamentally black Labs. And they do have some features in common that makes them who they are. The Lab has a double coat, excellent for keeping them warm in and out of the water. Their thick straight tail is described as having an otter-like appearance. And they are almost all one single color with no other markings. Mismarked Labs rear their heads from time to time, but this is generally just a case of white toes or a splash of white on their chests. Grooming and Coat Care Your black Lab needs no special grooming due to his coat color. In fact, the grooming requirements of your Labrador Retriever are some of the simplest among dog breeds. Their coats are designed to take care of themselves. Though your furniture and floors may benefit if your dog has a twice daily brush when shedding heavily. Other than that Labs have a wonderful coat that requires only occasional washing. The eventual size of your black Lab puppy will depend a little upon their upbringing, and a lot upon whether they are from American or English lines. An adult black Lab will weigh anywhere from 55 to 80 lbs, and be from 21 to .The English black Lab will tend to be closer to the heavier end of the spectrum, and the American nearer to the lower. Black Lab Temperament Labradors are well known for being friendly. Perhaps sometimes a little too friendly! This bouncy breed is more likely to leap up and lick a burglar than to stop him in the act. The downside of this is that they can be easily distracted at the dog park by wanting to greet everyone they come across. Their jolly, lively nature can also lead them into trouble with people who are unsteady on their feet. Although lovably clumsy, this dog also has a brilliant brain. Intelligence Black Labradors have been bred for generations as hunting companions. Deliberately bred from dogs that were attentive to their handlers and relatively easy to teach commands to, they are absolutely an intelligent breed. Because to get that black coat expressed is just a matter of mating two dogs, whereas to get the recessive genes you need to at least partially make your breeding choices based upon the colors of the parents as well as factors to do with temperament and trainability. But the most important factor when bringing together two Lab lines should always be one of health. Training and Exercising Your Black Lab Black Labs are intelligent dogs and training is an absolute essential for them and their owners. RUnning, swimming, cycling, hiking and even dock diving are popular pass times. Although American Labs tend to be more driven to fetch, English Labradors are often still keen too. Both types need a good workout every day to keep them fit and healthy. And to help them relax at home. You can exercise your dog with a traditional walk, by going for a run together or through play. Retrieving games are a great way to give your Lab a lot of exercise without you having to travel quite such a long distance yourself. You can find some great ideas for games you and your Labrador can play together in this article. Black Lab Health The best way to avoid health problems is by purchasing a puppy from health tested parents. The main areas to be aware of are joint problems and eye problems. Hip and elbow dysplasia are common Lab complaints. This condition ranges in severity and an adult dog can have x rays to assess their joint health, and be given a score to let you know how well their joints have developed. To avoid your puppy suffering from this either both parents need to be Clear or one Clear one Carrier. If one is a carrier, your puppy might carry the gene too. A general eye exam once a year will make sure that there are no other vision problems manifesting over time. Most breeders advertise online now, so you will need to be careful to have a good chat with them before committing to buying a puppy. Do not put down a deposit before meeting the mother and the litter at their home. The mum should be relaxed and happy to meet you, and for you to handle her pups. If you are looking for a pet you will need to decide whether you think a show or working temperament is better suited to your lifestyle and family needs. Make sure the breeder willingly shows you copies of health certificates from both parents. As a minimum they should be PRA clear, have a recent clear eye check from a vet, have good hip scores and an elbow score of 0. If one parent has been shown as a carrier for dwarfism or PRA, be sure to check that the other has been tested clear. Good breeders ask lots of questions because they care about what happens to their pups, and will be open and willing to answer all of your questions too. You might find it helpful to check out our article on Labrador breeders before you start searching for a pup. You might also want to read this article: Choosing the Right Dog. The information in these articles will help you avoid some of the common mistakes people make when looking for their new best friend. Rescuing a Black Lab Rescuing a dog is a great thing to do if your circumstances are right. And rescuing a black Lab is even better, as this color can be hard to home. Reputable rescues will work hard to match you to the right dog, and help you to make a choice that fits in well with your family. Rescuing such a dog can be very rewarding. We hope you will find our article Should you adopt a Labrador helpful. You can view a list of rehoming societies on our rescue page. They will also offer plenty of support and help once you bring your dog home. Especially when it comes to behavioral and training problems. White or grey hairs may start forming around their muzzle, giving them a bearded or grizzled look. This pale hair is nothing to worry about and happens to most black Labs sooner or later. As your black Lab reaches old age, you might find that he slows down a bit. His typical energetic black Lab personality may mellow. He will be less boisterous, and more inclined to spend the day in bed than bouncing up and down by your side. The average lifespan of a black Lab is around 12, but if you are lucky your pup might be with you for 14 or more years. A more comfortable bed, ideally with memory foam, can help support those ageing joints. Ramps for accessing the car can really help them out too. Depending upon advice from your vet you might also want to switch them to a senior dog food , which is easier to digest and has additives that some believe can help slow the pace of arthritis.

They started in as pug breeders and are passionate about their health and happiness. They have acre farmland where they placed their home. Each pug puppy is potty trained and tamed to prepare them for their new families. The owners socialize with their dogs to make them friendly to people. This private pug pup breeder is passionate about promoting pug research and proper breeding practices. They invite all pug lovers to share and interact with them since that fosters learning and development. All their dog breeds comply with the American Kennel Club standards. You can expect to buy quality pug pups from them. They have been doing this for around twenty years, making them one of the credible dog breed groups in the state. She is a veterinarian for 14 years and has been in the field to breed dogs for 15 years in New York. If you want to find pug puppies that are AKC quality, then you can go for this one. They are one of the best pug breeders in the state. As one of the reputable breeders, they want all their york pugs to be healthy. They let all their pups undergo CHIC exam to detect any health problems. If there are health issues, their vet or Kelly will treat them immediately. All these things are strong puppy proof of their good standing as a breeder in North Central NY. All their New York pugs have a 2-year health guarantee. This gives you confidence that all their foo dogs will be healthy for two years and onwards. In terms of buying a pup for sale, Kelly meets all buyers in person. She is meticulous about this and wants to ensure her pups get the best pug forever home. They also provide stud and whelping services. Fairytale Frenchies are licensed to breed litter annually. They have two main dog breeds: Frenchies and pugs. For the latter, they breed different pugs, which include fawn, brindle, black, and more. All of their franchise and pug puppies for sale are AKC registered. How do they ensure the health of their puppies? All their pugs and frenchies receive Nu-Vet vitamins every day. They are also given age-proper vaccinations annually. All pups undergo house training and crate training to prepare them for their forever homes. Each pup also comes with a 3-year health guarantee. There are many pug breeders in New York, and Fairytale Frenchies is one of them. If you need more information about them, you can call them. Otherwise, email them with any questions. Casull Pugs New York. Phone: Email: patpuglady57 aol. Patti bought her first black Pug in and named her Ebony. Today she breeds pug puppies full-time from her home in Tottenville. In fact, Patti loves Pugs so much that in , she decided to legally change her name to Patti Puglady Pugz. Patti takes care of all her newborn pugs for eight weeks to make sure that they are well-fed, healthy, and ready for their new homes. Patti is proud to say that she remains friends with almost everyone that buys Pugs from her. They love their dogs and show commitment to the betterment of the breed in everything they do. But how can you spot reputable breeders when you start searching for a Pug puppy? Here are some tips to help you out. A good breeder will… 1. Issue a health guarantee Make sure that your breeder of choice offers a health guarantee. A reputable Pug breeder will write up a binding health guarantee for all of their puppies. The guarantee protects you against any genetic defects or diseases. It shows that the breeder is confident that their puppies are bred according to best practices. This means if you can no longer look after your pup for some reason, you will be expected to return the puppy to the breeder rather than taking them to a shelter. Provide standard health clearances Your breeder should have full health clearances for both parent Pugs. Good breeders often provide some early health-check clearances for their pups too, although some health clearances simply cannot be carried on such young pups. Issue a written bill of sale Reputable breeders offer written bills of sale to all of their new Pug parents. This bill of sale should be signed and will outline all the roles and responsibilities to be taken on by the buyer and seller as part of the transaction. Vaccinate their puppies All puppies should be up to date on their vaccinations before being homed with new families. Your breeder of choice should be able to provide evidence of these vaccinations. Reputable breeders welcome prospective parents into their homes to see the puppies. Follow age guidelines Puppies should never leave the litter before 8 weeks of age. Any breeder offering pups for adoption before this time is not following best practices. In fact, this could be quite damaging for the puppy developmentally. A reputable breeder will keep their pups at home until eight to twelve weeks so that they can be properly socialized and spend that crucial time with their mother and litter-mates. Answer your questions Last, but not least, a reputable breeder will be knowledgeable. In most cases, they will also want to ask you plenty of questions to ensure that their precious pups are going to good homes. We have a strict selection process that takes a variety of factors into account. That way we can ensure that only the best breeders end up on our lists. This way we know that our chosen breeders offer genetically sound and healthy puppies. Health testing shows a commitment to the health and wellbeing of each Pug. Contact information Any breeder that does not offer up their contact information is a big red flag. A reputable breeder will make it easy for you to get in contact with them by providing telephone numbers, email addresses, and they will usually have a well-established website as well. It shows a commitment to breeding best practices. Event participation Breeders who also compete in doggie events are often some of the best. Because these people tend to be dog lovers par excellence. They live and breathe for their Pugs and are proud to show them off in public. They are also more likely to have a high level of breed knowledge — an excellent sign for a breeder. Breed club membership There are lots of breed clubs out there that breeders can register with. These clubs have rules, regulations, and membership fees. If your breeder is registered with the Pug Dog Club of America, this is a great sign showing commitment to the Pug breed. Recognition awards Lastly, we look out for awards! Institutions like the AKC recognize the efforts and achievements of top breeders. The very best will be awarded the AKC recognition of merit award. During this time we recommend getting everything ready before your new arrival rattles through the front door. Your puppy will need: a crate for sleeping and training during the early days quality puppy-grade food a leash and harness plenty of toys You may also wish to purchase a puppy gate if there are areas of your home that you want to keep your Pug away from. This is all about making your home as safe as possible for your new arrival. Make sure anything that could potentially cause harm to your pup is removed. Clear your schedule Having a Pug puppy is a bit like having a human baby. So make sure to clear your schedule and get all of those errands done ahead of time! Once they arrive… 4. Avoid crowds Hold your excitement. That means no crowds. Try to keep the home environment as stress-free as possible so that your puppy can settle in and start to feel part of the family. Crate training is the first step. Lay down a regular routine from the get to and your Pug will be good as gold in no time.

To help you out with your search for this hybrid pooch, we have gathered the best resources to find breeders and rescues in the United States. Here are some of the places where you can find a Saint Shepherd puppy available for sale: Greenfield Puppies — This is a website that can help you look for a Saint Shepherd puppy within your area. Lancaster Puppies — This is another pet advertising website that offers mixes such as the Saint Bernard German Shepherd mix for sale. All puppies sold within Pennsylvania are entitled to a day health guarantee covered by the Dog Purchaser Protection Act. Keystone Puppies — Another trusted source of mixed puppies is Keystone Puppies. They work with reputable breeders who prioritize the health and temperament of their pups. When you buy a Saint Shepherd from this platform, you can enjoy the benefits of a health and socialization guarantee. Some breeders also offer this mix for sale along with their purebred puppies. Check out our list of Saint Bernard breeders and best German Shepherd breeders for more options. Rescued dogs go through vet examinations before being available for adoption, so you can be sure that you can find a healthy pup. After their careful screening process is done, dogs are matched with the families that best suit them. They have a list of available dogs that you can check out to see if they have any Saint Shepherd mixes. Sunny Saints St. Bernard Rescue — This is a rescue based in Southern California that provides the needed medical care and affection to abandoned and neglected Saint Bernards and its mixes. All of their adoptable dogs are placed in foster homes. Adopt-a-Pet — There are thousands of dogs waiting for a forever home in this online pet database. With this, you can easily find a Saint Shepherd to take home. To help you out in choosing a puppy safely, feel free to check out our ultimate dog adoption guide. This will help you learn the common guidelines and requirements of rescue shelters. There are also some tips to pass the adoption application. They are especially gentle with children and are also known to be tolerant of other pets. Great guard dogs: Thanks to its German Shepherd genes, the St. Bernard German Shepherd mix possesses the protective instincts that make it suitable as a guard dog. As a giant breed, this designer dog can easily intimidate intruders. They work especially well with training that uses positive reinforcement. This is a trait that they can inherit from their St. Bernard parent. Therefore, early training and socialization should be prioritized. Shedding is especially a difficult problem for people with dog allergies. Unmanageable size: Due to its large size, owning a Saint Shepherd will cost you more compared to owning a small or medium-sized dog. Not everyone has the budget to cover the annual costs of a St. Bernard German Shepherd mix. This might lead to behavioral issues and can also make the dog physically difficult to handle. With this list, you can weigh the pros and cons of owning a St. Bernard German Shepherd mix and decide if it is the right dog for you. The idea behind the breed was to take the mass that St. The result is a physically imposing dog who may hide behind you in times of trouble. Bernard German Shepherd Mixes are big, though, and that extends to their personalities. If you have the room for them, Saint Shepherds will quickly steal your heart. The St. Bernard German Shepherd Mix relies mostly on their size to intimidate evildoers, as they generally prefer cuddling family members to disemboweling strangers. Still, it would take a brave thief indeed to continue breaking into your house after they saw one of these lumber out of the bedroom. Bernard is… not. However, those big pups make up for lack of intelligence by doubling down on stubbornness. Luckily, Saint Shepherds are smarter than they are bull-headed, but you still need to be firm and consistent while training. This can become a problem if they do bark for no reason , though, which is another reason why being diligent about their training is a must. Their brains allow them to pick up new commands quickly, and they love to please, so frequent training sessions are highly recommended. Bernard German Shepherd Mix listens to your instructions, because this is not a breed that you can simply overpower. Are These Dogs Good for Families? Bernards are known to be loving toward most animals, though. Luckily, early reports indicate that Saint Shepherds tend to take after St. Bernards rather than German Shepherds. They seem to be accepting of other animals and see them as potential playmates rather than rivals. A post shared by Waylon the Saint Shepherd wagging. Expect to spend a small fortune feeding these animals, as they have equally big appetites. These pooches are prone to obesity, so you need to be careful to offer them a healthy diet and not to overfeed them. We recommend a high-protein diet with minimal treats or scraps. You should vary how much you feed them depending on how active they are, as there tends to be a wide disparity between individual energy levels in this breed. These dogs are happy lounging around on the couch watching TV, but they also love to get out and run around at the park. We urge you not to be complacent with your dog, though, because these animals need a great deal of exercise to stave off obesity. Plus, their super-sharp minds long for mental stimulation, so a long walk, vigorous training regimen, agility training, or all of the above would be welcomed. Bernard German Shepherd Mix enough stimulation, they can become destructive, and you can only imagine the kind of damage they can do. German Shepherd St. Bernard German Shepherd Mix is a combination of two large breeds of dogs, the loving giant St. Bernard and German Shepherds. This means they are strong but not too aggressive to intimidate any stranger while being cuddly companions with you and your family. They also need plenty of time for grooming so prepare accordingly because these guys have lots of fur in their home country from where we got them. They are naturally fur-ocious so expect them everywhere in your home including on furniture or clothing. Make sure to give these big personalities all day attention while setting aside plenty of time each week to dedicate just as much care to grooming. This dog needs lots of love and cuddles to make them feel safe and secure. This huge breed will intimidate any unknown person while being cuddly with you and your family. But be prepared for some fur rolls around though: between all those energetic play sessions outside where he gets plenty of space. This large, white canine can weigh up to pounds more than the standard breed and come equipped with unmatched energy that translates into years of companionship for its human counterpart. The St. Bernard German Shepherd Mix is a large-sized, friendly dog with thick fur and big paws that can be found in all sorts of climates. The Saint Shepherd is a great choice for parents with children. Bernard German Shepherd Mix are sweet and trustworthy around kids, so you can feel confident knowing them near your little ones. When humans are home and one of their pets is outside, it can be hard for them to come back in without worrying that something might happen. The adorable pups might not leave your heart once they get a hold of it. Dress information: Large Sized. Color: Brown, Sable and Black. Names: St. Suitable for Family: Yes, but also an eye should be kept on them as they are large sized so that there could be no problem in any aspect. Best Use: An experienced owner is recommended to pet this breed, who is well trained to keep massive size dogs. Bernard German Shepherd Mix are a rare find breed and offer you the best of both worlds with their mixed characteristics. With this pet, no one can match its uniqueness. They are great for those who want something uncommon in life. Bernard GSD mix dog is not just a bigger version of your average house pet. A lot goes into making up their personality and size can play an important part in how they behave. For example while smaller breeds may be more laid back due to living spaces being less overwhelming — one downside could also come from having such a limited room where you need everything close at hand so when it comes down. Bernard German Shepherd Mix is an unusual looking dog with a long coat and straight ears, which makes them stand out from other dogs. Their head has large wrinkles on it that make the eye seem to be smiling or laughing; this also gives their face some white in between brown fur for contrast. The Saint Shepherd is a unique dog with an unusual combination of colors. They have long, thick fur that covers most areas on their body except for the face and tail which are usually white or mostly brown in coloration patterns while black hairs can also be found throughout these parts too. Bernard German Shepherd Mix is a medium to large, muscular dog with an acute sense of smell. It may get up to pounds and has oval shaped eyes that are typically brown in coloration but can also be any other shade from blue-eyed white blondes all the way down through darker shades like chocolate or green-hazelnut buttercream frosting. They have thick muscles in their body as well as strong legs for standing on two feet or four paws all day long—and toes that are arched when running due to their sharp heel spur marks on each foot. Coat: The St. Be prepared to pick up lots of hair when walking through an area filled with these dogs—the more proactive you are about maintenance, then better your chances will be at keeping things under control? It would help too if people were cautious around warm temperatures during summertime because not only does it seem like those shorter months make them grumpier than usual but heat radiates off their bodies easily Strength: St. Bernard German Shepherd Mix are one of the most loving and loyal dogs you can find. Speed: St. Bernard German Shepherd Mix are the perfect family dog. History Of St. Bernard German Shepherd Mix has a long and interesting history. The first known example of this breed was in the early s when it originated from Germany, Switzerland with roots that date back to World War I. These gentle dogs have been paired together by nature — their intelligent minds plus protective instincts makes them a perfect pet to take on any adventure life may dish out at you. Legend has it that their name comes from founder, St. Bernard de Menthon and they were used as messenger dogs for travelers through dangerous mountain regions near Italy or Switzerland during medieval times because these pups could travel great distances with little food or water while being treated like royalty by those who saw them pass by on the road. The most amazing thing about these dogs was their ability to smell a person buried underneath the snow. The team of these dogs worked in tandem, with one dog staying by their side while another went off for help if needed — or just rested up during these tough times. Bernard German Shepherd Mix mountain dog is a gentle giant who was bred as both an agricultural and herding breed. They were developed in Switzerland, where they still keep watch over travelers from cold withstanding temperatures. Characteristics Of Saint Bernard German Shepherd Mix: The German shepherd St bernard mix is a breed that has been known for its brilliance, fast learning capabilities and great caretaker dog instincts. Adaption Qualities. Bernard German Shepherd mix can be anywhere from 22 to 30 inches tall and can weigh anywhere from 65 to pounds. Very likely, these mutts will be at the larger end of the average GSD or the smaller end of the typical Saint Bernard. The color and markings of their cross could go both ways. Often, they will be black, brown, pied, or sable. No matter the appearance, the pups will surely have medium-to-long straight and dense hair. They are also expected to have thick undercoats. Grooming The St. Bernard German Shepherd mix will require frequent brushing —at least once a week—if you want to keep the fur around your home at a minimum. Additionally, these dogs will blow off their coats twice a year, which will require even more frequent brushing with tools especially made for heavy shedders. Ideally, that would involve daily brushing using a de-shedding tool and a slicker brush. As with any other dog, this mixed breed should have their teeth brushed and nails trimmed regularly. Although they are not typically prone to ear infections, it helps to keep their ears clean and dry, especially if they have floppy ears like their St. Bernard parent. Strength The German Shepherd is known as a strong breed with a remarkable bite force and impressive pulling strength. As for the Saint Bernard, their large size and thickset bodies are a clue to their power. The St. Bernard German Shepherd mix is expected to be a tough dog with the strength required to fulfill a wide variety of roles as a working breed. Speed GSDs can run pretty fast at speeds of approximately 30 miles per hour. In contrast, the large and heavy bodies of St. Bernards keep them from being fast and agile dogs. Nevertheless, the German Shepherd-St. Bernard mix is expected to have the energy levels, stamina, and athletic ability of both their parents. Since they are working breeds, they need both physical and mental stimulation to avoid destructive behaviors. Bernard German Shepherd mix will likely need a one-hour walk or 30 minutes of intensive play per day, at the minimum. They will also need to be mentally stimulated with activities like training and brain and puzzle toys games. Trainability The German Shepherd is known as the third most intelligent working dog breeds in the world. It belongs to the top tier in the canine intelligence ranking. At this level, it takes only 5 exposures for them to learn something new. At this level, it takes up to 80 repetitions for them to learn a new command. The GSD-St. Nevertheless, they are expected to have an excellent work ethic when properly trained for a specific function and will be very easy to train. These dogs are also more sociable than German Shepherd, who tend to prefer the sole company of their own family. However, GSDs are much more trainable and have superior protective instincts. Given the temperaments of both parents, the Saint Shepherd will ideally have a good balance of intelligence, drive, and playfulness. They are also expected to be loyal, protective of their home and family, and incredibly affectionate. These dogs can be incredibly good family dogs as long as their humans invest time and effort in their training. They need to be trained in obedience and also socialized in different settings at a young age. With proper socialization, they coexist peacefully with other animals and even young kids. Health As large, deep-chested dogs, both the German Shepherd and the St. Bernard are prone to bloat. This painful condition occurs when the stomach expands dangerously due to excessive gas, fluids, or food. Since both parents are predisposed to this condition, it is something that owners of Saint Shepherds should watch out for. Bernard-German Shepherd cross might also be prone to bone and joint conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, as are most large dogs. Both parents should also be screened for degenerative myelopathy , which is a condition that causes the progressive deterioration of the spinal cord. Bernard cross, however. All breeds have genetic predispositions. Being aware of them enables you to avoid them and also know when to seek medical help. Lifespan The average Saint Bernard lives between 8 and 10 years while German Shepherds commonly live from 12 to 14 years old. Knowing this, it is reasonable to believe that the GSD-Saint Bernard cross could live for approximately 10 to 12 years. Recorded average lifespans per breed give you a good idea of how long your own pup might live. A lot depends on their environment, nutrition, and health maintenance. Bernard Mix. Through the AKC Canine Partners program, hybrids and crosses are able to participate in various dog sports. This program includes some of the most popular canine sports like Rally, Agility , and Scent Work. How Popular is the St. Bernard German Shepherd Mix? Saint Bernard-German Shepherd crosses are not very popular. They are difficult to find because their parents have more value as purebreds, so breeders are not motivated to mix them together or even with other breeds. Nevertheless, you might still find breeders that cross GSDs and Saints on purpose. Such puppies will definitely be more expensive than those from unplanned litters, especially because the parents would have been selected for specific traits. Bernard cross can be a delight to own. Although their size and grooming requirements might be challenging, its likely affectionate nature and eagerness to please should be incredibly rewarding. Along with being good with children, many people are charmed by their calm and confident personalities. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. So, it can be difficult to find and connect with a breeder. You can expect Saint Shepherd puppies to be very playful, and it can seem like they have an endless supply of energy. They also tend to take a little longer to mature and reach adulthood. So, they can retain their puppy-like tendencies for a couple of years. They grow quickly, and it may be cute to see a small puppy jump and be excited to see you, but it can quickly escalate to a safety issue as they grow. Growing Saint Shepherd puppies can also easily access hard-to-reach places and become experts at swiping food off kitchen counters and dining tables. Starting training as soon as possible will help immensely with keeping everyone in your home safe. These dogs are highly intelligent and require daily physical and mental exercise. Bored Saint Shepherds often resort to expressing their pent-up energy through destructive means, and they can cause a significant amount of damage because of their large size. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They can be good playmates with children, but both Saint Shepherds and children must learn to interact with each other appropriately. Saint Shepherds may not be aware of their large size and must learn not to play too roughly with children and risk knocking them over. Saint Shepherds usually become protective of younger children in the family. They can interpret children running around as a sign of danger and may try to intervene. With early socialization, Saint Shepherds can live harmoniously with other pets. They usually get along great with other dogs, but other kinds of smaller pets may feel intimidated by their large size. So, while Saint Shepherds may be perfectly fine living with other pets, small pets just may not feel safe or comfortable around them. Can weigh up to pounds with a large head, floppy ears, dark brown eyes, and a short to medium muzzle with a black nose. They have thick muscular bodies, straighter backs than GSDs, big feet, and arched toes. Thick double coat that insulates well for cold weather, but can cause overheating in warmer climates. Prone to shedding so regular brushing will be needed. Lifespan: years on average. Saint Shepherds can be great family dogs, guard dogs, and can get along well with children. Friendly, outgoing, laid back personality. Very obedient so they should be easily trainable. Relatively high exercise requirements. One hour of daily exercise at minimum is ideal to limit destructive behaviors. Should ideally be socialized from a young age, although ongoing training is recommended. German Shepherds began as bands of herding dogs across the plains of Germany in the s. Max von Stephanitz , once a captain of the cavalry, was interested in developing an ideal working dog who could do more than herd sheep. St Bernard German Shepherd Mix Stephanitz invested years of work into generations of inbreeding, linebreeding, and culling. This produced a dog that still has a specific and recognizable form, versatility, and beauty. Saint Bernard, named for the Augustine monk St. Bernard of Menthon, according to Smithsonian Magazine , originated in the Alps around .Forbearers of St. Bernard included Asiatic mastiff types that the early Romans brought with them. Since the areas where the dogs lived were at elevations of 8, feet, the St. Bernards found use in helping trekkers navigate the passes. The dogs accompanied marronniers, or special servants, assigned the task of guiding foot travelers across the mountains. Saint Bernards would later realize their true calling, rescuing victims buried under snow. Saint Bernards are as recognizable as German Shepherds although not as popular. Saint Shepherds joined the designer dog ranks in the s among dog lovers who wanted to create an ideal companion who would also have moderate guard potential. Size German Shepherd females are 22 to 24 inches tall, while males are 24 to 26 inches in height. Saint Bernards are giant dogs. Females stand 26 to 31 inches tall at the shoulders, and males can be up to 35 inches. Saint Bernards weigh anywhere from pounds to a staggering pounds. German Shepherd Saint Bernard mix females are 25 to 28 inches tall and weigh 90 to pounds. Males can range from 28 to 31 inches tall and can weigh over pounds. What is the general body type? German Shepherds are medium-large dogs with lean frames. They have a long snout with some squaring of the muzzle, a dome-shaped forehead, brown medium eyes with a slight slant, muscular lengthy limbs, and a rectangular back that slopes downward towards the bushy tail. The Saint Bernard is a mastiff-type with a massive head and large-boned body. The muzzle tends to be deeper than it is long, and their eyes are brown, set forward, and deep. They give an impression of power. Shepherd has the large head of a Saint Bernard, with a moderation of the jowls, and lengthening of the muzzle. Their legs and body are strong and their backs are straight or slightly sloping. Occasionally, the German Shepherd St Bernard mix will have relatively large ears that stand up. Will your Saint Shepherd have unusual colors? Not all Shepherds are black and tan, and not every Saint Bernard is the stereotypical tricolor brown and white with black. The German Shepherd can be red and tan or blue and tan. They can also be solid red, black, tan, blue, or white. The AKC specifies that all Saint Bernards must have white on the chest, feet, the tip of the tail, and neck. Colored patches can be brindle or any shade of red. Show judges and the public alike prefer dogs with dark masks on their faces. A black facial mask is a very common trait among German Shepherd Saint Bernard offspring. Most of the hybrids are white and brown, red, fawn, or sable. Saint Shepherds can also be tricolor, like a Saint Bernard, or black and white pied. German Shepherds have three possible coat types and Saint Bernards two. The Shepherd can have long or medium-short straight hair with a thick undercoat. The third coat type is long outer fur without an undercoat. Saint Bernards come in a long or short-haired variety. Both coat types have a thick undercoat, and the outer guard hairs are usually straight to wavy. Your Saint Shepherd will have a dense undercoat with medium-long straight outer hairs. You should also plan on monthly bathing. Clip nails as with any dog every four to six weeks. However, as with the Saint Bernard, the Shepherd hybrid is susceptible to overheating in the summer when temperatures head north of 85 or 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Measures you can take to help with the heat are setting up a mini pool or running a misting system or sprinklers. Fresh water should always be available, regardless of the weather. Although the coat is water-resistant, additional precautions are needed to avoid sudden drops in their core temperature. However, the combination of their independent working style and a brief history of dogfighting, makes it prudent to exercise caution when introducing German Shepherds to new dogs. According to Dogtemperament. The Shepherd-Saint Bernard often inherits their social make-up from the Saint Bernard side, and as such they love to play. Three components used to gauge canine intelligence are obedience, the job for which they were bred, and finding solutions to problems or solving puzzles. An example of a job ranked high for intelligence is herding, which requires dogs to think. Your Saint Shepherd will be a very intelligent and obedient dog. Their size alone is enough to deter trespassing, let alone break-ins or home invasions. Saint Shepherds have a loud bellowing bark as well. Shepherd Saint Bernard hybrids tend to live longer than their parents, but they can inherit several serious health problems. In parentheses is which breed can pass the problem to the mixed puppies. Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus — GDV, not necessarily heritable, is a life-threatening problem that threatens any large dog with a deep chest as well as Dachshunds. The stomach becomes bloated with gas and can rotate degrees or more. Sometimes the spleen also twists. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia St. German Shepherds have a higher-than-average occurrence of elbow dysplasia as well. Bernards are vulnerable to heart failure. Dilatative cardiomyopathy is usually left-sided and leads to enlargement of the heart and thinning of the cardiac walls. Cystadenocarcinoma and Nodular Dermatofibrosis GSD — A hereditary condition that causes skin tumors, uterine cancer, and changes in the kidneys. Pannus GSD — Pannus is a disease that affects the cornea of the eye. Rarely, your dog may become diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy a progressive neurological and muscular disorder , perianal fistulas draining tracts around the anus , hemophilia blood clotting disorder , and decreased pancreatic enzymes — all diseases affecting the German Shepherd. Saint Bernards only live for about 7 to 10 years, while German Shepherds can live 10 to 12 years. Perhaps exhibiting slight hybrid vigor, Saint Shepherd can live 10 to 14 years, according to dogbreeds.How much exercise does the German Shepherd Saint Bernard need? German Shepherds are highly active dogs with abundant energy and exceptional stamina levels. With the mental stimulation they also require to remain emotionally balanced, Shepherds require 90 to minutes of exercise and training per day. On the contrary, sources like Dogtime recommend only moderate exercise for Saint Bernards. The Saint Bernard puppy is prone to bone developmental disorders from rapid growth. Over exercise can exacerbate abnormal growth, pain, and discomfort. Saint Bernard puppies still need to exercise to prevent problems associated with becoming overweight. An exercise regimen should accommodate St. Ultimately, a Saint Bernard needs 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily. Saint Shepherds are between their two parents in exercise requirements and activity levels. You must always take into account the weather because your Saint Shepherd will be more heat-sensitive than a GSD. This video illustrates the vast difference in size and appearance between Saint Bernards and German Shepherds, as well as a few of the color variations you can see in black and tan GSDs. Note the reddish-brown color with a black mask. Notice how friendly and comfortable he is. This is most likely due to proper socialization and having loving owners. He is a large Saint Shepherd with medium hair. His feet and the tip of his tail are white like a Saint Bernard. Many hybrids of this particular mix are taller and leaner than you might expect. In general, no, St. Bernards are not typically aggressive dogs. They are a well natured dog that is great in a family setting. They are known for their tolerance and patience, which is especially important if you have younger children. However, while they are not typically aggressive in their nature, a non-aggressive dog is never a guarantee when purchasing. This is why training a dog is so important because it will help to ensure that your dog has the correct manners and temperament. While a lot of people may be put off by the size of a St. Bernard, their size does not reflect their personality. They are often known as gentle giants because they are well natured. When it comes to other animals in the household, again, St. They may potentially have some issues with dogs if they have experienced any negative interactions, but for the most part, they are not aggressive dogs. Yes, for the most part, St. Bernard loves to cuddle. While many people can be put off by their size, which can be understandable, they are very loving. They love to be around family members and enjoy receiving a fuss and cuddles. While they are not a big attention seeking breed, they do enjoy being stroked. However, as with all dogs, St. Given this, while many do enjoy being cuddled, not all will. If your dog prefers a belly rub or a head scratch, then you should do this instead of forcing your dog to cuddle. All dogs will show affection in their own individual way, which you should be aware of. The more you get to know your dog, the more you will understand what affection they prefer. Are St Bernards easy to train? This is because they are a dog that wants to please its owner. As a result of this, they do respond well to commands and instructions. Training is such an important aspect to owning a dog, especially if you are a new dog owner. However, while they are an easy breed to train, you will need to ensure that you are putting in the time and effort required to train the dog correctly. The more effort you put into training your dog, the better behaved, and obedient they will be on the whole. Given that they are calm dogs, they do have a lot of patience when they are being trained, which is positive. They are not as easily distracted in comparison to other breeds of dog. As a result, they may not do what is asked of them straight away. Stubbornness can make training slightly more difficult, and this will require patience and persistence from you, the owner. Do shepherd mixes bark a lot? While this will depend on the individual dog, typically shepherd mixes will bark a lot. This is because German shepherds are a breed that can be quite vocal. While this is not necessarily a negative thing, it can be off-putting for some people. While they are more likely to bark in comparison to other mixes of dogs, it is possible to stop this from occurring. Though it will require more patience and persistence, you can train a German shepherd mix not to bark. With mixed breeds, it is difficult to determine how a dog will act. This is because they have traits of two separate dog breeds. While German shepherds are a more vocal breed, if they are mixed with a breed that is not overly vocal, this can mean that their litter will be less vocal on the whole. How big do German shepherd Saint Bernard mix get? The size of a German Shepherd and Saint Bernard mix will vary depending on the size of both parents. While you can guesstimate, ultimately their size is down to the characteristics of both parents. However, typically this mix will reach around 28 inches tall, though they can be smaller than this. This is fairly large, but not as large as a Saint Bernard. When looking at their weight, they will typically weigh anywhere from 85 to pounds. While this is an estimate, you may find that your mix will be slightly taller or smaller than this, due to its genetics.