labrador retriever puppies virginia beach

Download an adoption application here Please email the completed application to adoptionteam1. She is one of the cutest dogs, who makes the cutest noises, that we have ever met. She reminds her foster mom of a baby hippo. She is the kind of dog you can take anywhere and who will be happy to meet anyone. After a 10 minute play, she will return to the activity that occupies most of her days.In addition to lounging on the sofa and showering her foster mom with affection, this girl really appreciates a good sunbathing session in the backyard. Her absolute favorite thing in life though are belly rubs. She is amazing with everything. She regards every car ride as a total adventure. She is thrilled when company comes over for a visit and is kind of like the Walmart greeter of her foster home. We will reach out to you as soon as your application is processed. Thank you in advance for your patience. All of our dogs start their journey in Memphis, Tennessee where they remain in loving foster families until they are adopted. Once adopted, some pups stay local in Memphis. Many others travel via one of our transport partners to their new forever homes. For our Midwest adopters, we have our own private transport. Breed selection is done in conjunction with two local vets and is not to be considered a guarantee but rather a well-educated decision from well qualified staff. Due to the extremely high volume of inquiries we receive, we ask that you request, complete, and submit an application before asking additional questions. We try very hard to include all pertinent information in our bios. We are excited to help you find your new family member. We want to spend our time saving dogs and assisting those adopters who have taken the time to complete an application. Thank you for understanding. Thank you for choosing rescue!! Although spaying or neutering is not compulsory, it is highly advisable to spay your French Bulldog. This will help to decrease its chances of getting certain kinds of cancer. It also prevents the risk of unwanted breeding between your French Bulldog and any nearby dog. Are French Bulldogs Aggressive? French Bulldogs have the potential to be aggressive. However, they are not usually aggressive unless they are trained that way. It is important to note that they may show aggression towards other dogs or smaller animals. Owners should watch out for signs of aggression and nip them in the bud. What is the life expectancy of a French Bulldog? With a proper diet and nutrition, French Bulldogs can live for up to eleven or thirteen years. Can French Bulldogs eat raw meat? French Bulldogs can eat raw meat such as chicken, liver or kidney. They could also eat canned, dry food. What is the difference between a French Bulldog and an English Bulldog? French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs are quite similar but different at the same time. English bulldogs are bigger while the French Bulldog is considerably smaller. French Bulldogs also have upright pointy ears whereas the English breed has folded ears. Do I have to worry about fleas with French Bulldogs? Just like all other breeds, French Bulldogs can get fleas. If they do get fleas, this can be solved by getting flea medicine or using a flea comb to get rid of the fleas. How do you deal with separation anxiety in French Bulldogs? French Bulldogs are very prone to separation anxiety. To curb this, owners can crate train their dogs or provide them with chew toys. What is the best way to train your French Bulldog? Crate training is one of the best ways to train your French Bulldog. It helps to create good and positive behavior in your Frenchie and could be a fun place for it to rest. Are French Bulldogs children-friendly? French Bulldogs are not the best option for kids. However, if they grow up surrounded by children, the risk could be lessened. They should not be left unsupervised around kids. How big are French Bulldogs? The French Bulldog is about 11 or 12 inches tall and weighs an average of pounds. Are you interested in purchasing a French Bulldog? Fill out the below form and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

It gives them a much-needed boost early on — with regard to healthy growth, weight and general health. It contains lots of protein and the ingredients make it easy to digest for your pup. Perfect for breeds that love to chow down and move around a lot, this wet food will support your loyal Labrador pup. Plus, there's a variation with a multipack. FAQs How much food does a Labrador puppy need? Thankfully, many of our picks above keep things easy for us by having a feeding guide, which can be found at the back of the packet or online. Which health problems are common in Labradors? For prevention, acquire your pups from a reputable breeder that cares about the welfare of your pups. With this, ask about necessary screenings and tests. Hip dysplasia Hip dysplasia is a condition resulting from abnormal formation of the hip socket which causes the hip to deteriorate, says Purina. So, how do we spot this? Unfortunately, this condition can lead to arthritis in the future — so, we suggest screening your Labrador for this. Elbow dysplasia Elbow dysplasia is similar to the former - but with the elbow. Surgery may be necessary if the condition worsens to restore range of motion. Again, we recommend screening this on potential Labrador pups with an elbow scoring scheme. Arthritis Arthritis is a common health problem in Labradors. This is a result of their size, and it puts a strain on their joints. It can be caused by trauma to the neck or throat — or even hypothyroidism. Unfortunately, your Lab puppy is more at risk of this disease, and they may gain weight as a result. As well as this, your Labrador may lose their fur, experience lethargy and stay away from the cold. We recommend a slow feeder dog bowl to help them eat calmly. After all, obesity is a serious health issue with this breed and can lead to other issues. Common in larger breed dogs, this condition can cause sight loss over time. Specifically, Purina claims that Labradors are prone to an inherited variation, known as rod-cone degeneration, which can be fatal. Though an endearing element of their appearance, Purina claims that this breed is more susceptible to ear infections. For example, Tricuspid valve dysplasia TVD is a common issue in Labradors, which mainly affects male dogs from birth. In severe cases, this can lead to heart failure. But, most dogs with mild TVD can live happily. Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us. And which one you should feed your new puppy? It can be confusing to try to figure out the best diet for your new dog , especially with so many food options out there. And when it comes to giving your puppy wet food, there are some positives and negatives that you should consider before feeding it to him. The Dodo spoke to Dr. Keston Smith, medical director at Bond Vet , and Dr. Sara Ochoa, a veterinarian consultant at Senior Tail Waggers , to find out what the benefits of feeding your pup canned food are and their recommendations for the best wet puppy foods you can buy. What's the difference between dry and wet dog food? The major differences between dry and wet dog food are how the foods are processed and the water content of the foods. Wet dog food is what it sounds like — wet. According to Dr. Smith, wet foods contain approximately 75 to 78 percent moisture levels, while dry foods only have around 10 to 12 percent. Smith told The Dodo. The kind of food you feed your puppy depends on your preference, but there are some upsides to wet food and some downsides, too. Smith said. But while wet food can get your puppy interested in his food, it can also make some dogs even pickier. And if your puppy eats too much too fast , you can try a slow feeder or an automatic feeder. To find the nutrient levels in wet food, divide the percentage of the nutrient usually found on the label , such as crude fat, by the percentage of dry matter the percent moisture content subtracted from , and multiply that number by .Make sure the food is made with real ingredients, such as lamb, beef and corn. The first ingredient in wet food will usually be water since it needs moisture, but the next ingredient after water should ideally be a source of protein. Smith and Dr. Smith recommends Royal Canin, and Dr. Royal Canin Wet Dog Food, .We spoke to a professional dog trainer to find out what to look for in the best training treats for puppies. We independently pick all the products we recommend because we love them and think you will too. If you buy a product from a link on our site, we may earn a commission. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy. More from DodoWell. Diamond Naturals Dog Food Review An additional reason for there being specific food for puppies is the pieces are smaller which not only prevents them from choking, it also makes the food easier to digest. The pieces are richer, denser and the ideal size for smaller mouths. These ingredients are where your pup gets the nutrients they need to grow and live, nutrients that are sadly lacking in the cheaper dog foods. With foods that are a bit more expensive, your pooch can eat a more well-balanced meal and enjoy it. They eat more, they poop more, and this means house training becomes much harder for you. What you feed your puppy is a major factor in the success of your house training process. Firstly, dry food tends to be more complete and balanced with the correct amount of vital nutrients in it. The ingredients tend to be of better quality as long as you pick the right brand. Plus, dry food helps to keep teeth strong due to being a solid food, and the slightly abrasive nature of the solid food has a natural teeth cleaning effect. It also lasts far longer than cans as you need to feed less of it. Recommended Best Puppy Food For Labs And Large Breeds In this next section we give you 4 of the best foods on the market made from high quality ingredients but still available at a reasonable price. These foods will provide your puppy with all the nutrients they need in just the right mix and quantities, not just so they survive, but so they can truly thrive. Deboned chicken is high quality chicken protein, whereas the chicken and turkey meal is a concentrate. It is nutrient rich with vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin E, vitamin C and vitamin A as well as containing minerals like zinc, iron and calcium. It even has some fruit content like apples and blueberries. The Lactobacillus acidophilus, green tea extract and rosemary extract are all known to help prevent infections. This is a very high-quality food your puppy will truly thrive on and is our top recommendation as the best puppy food for labs. However, if price is no object, K9 is certainly one of the best foods available! K9 Natural Grain-Free Puppy Freeze-Dried Dog Food gives your puppy all the benefits of raw food, aiming for optimum levels of growth and development — not too fast nor stunted — and for lean muscle mass and peak conditioning. Its main ingredient is grass-fed New Zealand beef. And this is rounded out by whole food ingredients like flaxseed, kelp, New Zealand mussel, fruits and veggies, and hoki oil which provides DHA for EPA for healthy brain and eye development. It gets a big thumbs up from us. The first ingredient is bison and is a high quality meat product. The next ingredient is lamb meal, which has a large amount of protein in it being a meat concentrate, percent more than fresh lamb meat. The third highest ingredient is sweet potatoes, which are an excellent source of complex carbs. They contain fiber and beta carotene. In fact, this food consists of approx. This provides your puppy with a source of energy ideal for his busy puppy lifestyle. Overall, this food is highly recommended and your puppy should thrive on it. They also allow regular independent inspections of their manufacturing process and source ingredients the US, EU and NZ. So quality control is well taken care of. The large breed puppy formula contains a scientifically formulated balance of proteins, fats, phosphorous and calcium in just the right amounts and proportions to promote a healthy rate of bone and muscle development, highly important for large breed puppies where excessive nutrients can be just as harmful as malnutrition. The food also contains glucosamine and chondroitin for the health of connective soft tissues which is reassuring for large breeds, and especially Labradors, who can suffer from many joint problems in life. It also contains omega oils for healthy brain development, as well as other fatty acids known to promote healthy skin and coat. So Eukanuba large breed puppy food comes recommended. The fiber in it will help with digestion while it has antioxidants that are known to help keep your dog healthy for many years to come. Royal Canin Breed Specific Labrador Puppy Royal Canin is a very well-known brand with lots of positive reviews from past and present dog owners on Amazon. It has an above average protein content than the minimum recommended for your dog, coming in at 31 percent protein at dry weight. The protein it has comes mostly from chicken by-product meal which is considered somewhat low quality and consists of whatever is left after chickens are slaughtered. However, it does NOT — as you might read elsewhere — consist of anything from feet to beaks. According to dogfoodadvisor. After chicken by-product meal, the second ingredient in this food is brewers rice. The fourth ingredient is corn gluten meal which is a residue left over once most of the useful, starchy carbohydrates have been washed out of it. With such popularity, high ratings and reviews with so many people saying their dogs thrive on this, there must be some truth to it. The third to 5th ingredients are wholesome whole grains that provide high energy from complex carbohydrates that are easy to digest. These are far better than corn and most other sources of carbs found in cheaper foods that are hard for a puppy to get any nutrition from. Out of everything in this product, 40 percent of it is protein, which is higher than average. About 14 percent of it is fat, and of the remainder, 38 percent is carbs. And the omega oils may help reduce risk of developing arthritis. Not only this, but Labradors are a large breed and are more sensitive to nutritional imbalances than smaller breeds. You really do need to get their diet right to do the best for them. Luckily, many brands of food specifically aimed at large breeds and Labradors have been created that provide everything they need in just the right amounts, that are easy for an owner to feed by simply following instructions on the packet. I know there is a lot of conflicting advice out there when it comes to dog food and it can be a nightmare to wade through if trying to find the best puppy food for Labs. So hopefully this article has been of some use to you. A very good resource that does good work for dog food quality awareness. Check them out! Please be aware this page contains affiliate links and Labrador Training HQ receives a small commission if you make a purchase through any such links. This has no effect on the eventual price you pay and we are very grateful for your support. Disclaimer All content on this site is provided for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative for seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. This thoughtfully crafted dog food is formulated to meet the unique nutritional requirements of Labrador Retriever puppies up to 15 months old. It contains premium proteins and prebiotics for optimal digestion and energy. With vitamin E and minerals, it supports the immune system and overall health. The kibble size and texture promote dental health. This puppy food provides a tasty and balanced diet to support healthy growth and development, making it an excellent choice for Labrador Retriever puppy owners. This nutritious dog food is made with real chicken and eggs and provides essential vitamins and minerals for healthy digestion, immune function, and overall well-being. It also supports strong bones and healthy skin and coat. Its balanced nutrition and delicious taste make it a satisfying choice for adult Labrador dogs. This high-quality dog food offers a complete nutritional profile at a reasonable price, making it an excellent value-for-money option for pet parents seeking to provide their dogs with a nutritious diet. How to find the best Labrador dog food? Selecting the optimal dog food for your Labrador necessitates the meticulous evaluation of various factors. Look for high-quality ingredients: Choose dog foods that contain high-quality proteins, carbohydrates, and fats and are free from artificial preservatives and fillers. Choose a formula for Labrador Retrievers: Some dog food brands offer recipes designed explicitly for Labrador Retrievers, considering their unique nutritional needs. Suitability with age: Age factors matter a lot when choosing Labrador dog food. Puppies, adult dogs, and seniors have different dietary requirements, so select a formula appropriate for your dog's age. Read the online reviews to get an idea of how other dog owners feel about a particular dog food brand. You may be interested in Product. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. Once they reach eight weeks, changing to dry kibble food is best. We recommend feeding a Labrador puppy dry kibble for the first months before changing to an adult food type. But to remain healthy, owners should know what to feed them. Dog owners should feed a Labrador puppy dry food kibble , wet food, or fresh human food, depending on their budget and lifestyle. There are many options for food for dogs, and it can become challenging to determine which one is the best option for the dog. We have found the best options and listed them below. They help us with our daily tasks, are always there when we need them, and bring great joy to our lives. But, it is essential to ensure that our dog gets the best nutrition possible. They have a lot of energy and need to be fed accordingly. This includes the number of calories, food type, and the number of meals per day. We will explain all of these factors to help understand what to feed these precious animals. A Labrador puppy needs high-quality protein in their diet, so they should not be fed just any type of food. This is why we recommend three food options: dry food or kibble, fresh food or human food, or wet food. We prefer using dry food or kibble in most cases, but it is beneficial to start with wet food for young puppies and transition to dry food after a few weeks. Feeding a puppy human food is possible, but it can be more expensive and requires extra work to stick to a cleaner diet at this age. We have found it to be a healthier and more convenient option for our pets. It is also a good alternative to wet food which can be difficult to store and prepare. The benefits of dry dog food are that it offers the pup a balanced diet that doesn't need refrigeration. It also offers convenience because we can buy it in bulk and store it in the pantry or freezer until needed. Dry dog food is also less expensive than wet food, which is another benefit for pet owners. Fresh Food Human Food Feeding a Labrador puppy a diet of fresh, real human food is one of the best things to do for their health and well-being. It will not only make them happy and content, but it will also keep them healthy. This eliminates the guessing game; they are only fed real, natural foods with no unknown ingredients. However, it will become expensive and require regular cooking and preparation. Wet Food Wet food is recommended for Labrador puppies when they are first born and for the first weeks while they grow. It can be either raw or cooked. Wet food is a good source of water and minerals, which are important in the early days of their life to help them grow strong bones and teeth. It should be given to a puppy as soon as it comes out of its mother's womb, but it must not be given before it starts eating solid foods because it will cause diarrhea. Once they get more mature, moving to kibbles is best. It is known for its low level of grain and carbohydrate content and high protein content. Once they reach the week mark, there are better options to help the puppy continue to develop and grow. This food also helps with digestion and weight management. It also promotes proper bone growth with antioxidants and necessary nutrients like vitamin E. The kibble is also shaped strategically to help puppies who chew fast while helping with jaw growth. Overall, this is the best food option for a Labrador puppy. It is designed for all life stages, from puppies to seniors, and we love the benefits it provides to younger labs. The product features a blend of highly digestible proteins, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, taurine, and glucosamine. This ensures the dog gets the nutrition they need while also reducing the risk of digestive tract problems such as bloat or pancreatitis. It also has a low glycemic index and no corn, wheat, or soy in the recipe. Dog owners can also expect an excellent protein ratio when using this food. Both veterinarians and nutritionists have recognized it for its high-quality ingredients for young puppies. The Acana High Protein formula is made with a blend of chicken, turkey, and fish meals, whole eggs, and natural beef or lamb meal. The product has a limited ingredient list with no corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. It also has no added sugar and a low glycemic index. This food also contains probiotics and prebiotics to help the pet maintain a healthy immune system. This is the perfect dry dog food for puppies after eight weeks old. This brand is also very affordable for those who want to feed their dog a healthy diet without breaking the bank. It features a patented recipe that helps to promote healthy digestion, strong teeth and gums, healthy skin and shiny coat, a strong immune system, healthy joints and muscles, and a healthy heart. This is a high-protein food option for Labradors too. It promotes lean muscle growth and improved body health with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics 5. It is made with high-quality ingredients and has a great taste and texture for labs to enjoy. This food is to help with puppy development and is suitable for all Labradors under one-year-old. This wet food provides the perfect balance of healthy proteins to support a dog's growth while providing the energy they need to maintain its fitness levels. This can be fed as a meal or as an occasional snack between meals. It has no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or added sugar. It also contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which are important for healthy skin and the dog's coat. They are large, strong, intelligent dogs that need a lot of attention, exercise, and food. These dogs can be picky eaters and usually need a lot of calories because of their size. This is especially true for puppies so they can grow properly and remain healthy due to their increased risk of health issues. Food Type Labrador puppies' most popular dog foods are kibbles and canned wet food. Kibbles are the best option for a puppy because they are easy to chew and digest. Canned food is a good option for pups who have difficulty chewing or digesting dry food and would benefit from a little moisture in their diet. The food type also depends on the owner. Dry food or kibbles are faster to prepare, while serving human food to a lab puppy requires extensive prep time. Nutritional Value When it comes to nutritional value, we want dog food that has high-quality protein and carbohydrates. This will help the puppy grow strong and healthy. This is why we need to take into account the nutritional value, quality of ingredients, and taste. It should be made with all-natural ingredients that are sourced from human-grade materials such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. A brand should have all the essential nutrients for a pup but still, be low in toxic elements and preservatives too. Dietary Restrictions Lastly, consider the dietary restrictions of the Labrador puppy before choosing a dog food option. This includes any allergies or health concerns for the dog and shopping for something that suits them best. For example, lab puppies must reach a certain carbohydrate and protein number daily. Labradors are also known to have allergies, especially young ones, so planning around this is crucial. A puppy should be fed at least three times a day, with a meal size that is appropriate for its body weight. They should also be given small daily snacks to keep them satisfied and happy, including treats to help with training. We feed our puppies the best that we can. We want to give them all the nutrients and vitamins they need. We also want to make sure that they are getting a balanced diet. The most important thing when feeding a Labrador puppy is that they get enough calories from their food every day. In the first weeks, the puppy should eat four smaller daily meals. Once the lab reaches three months, this can be changed to three meals per day. And after months, we recommend two meals per day. The key is not to change the calories much when the meals change but to simply modify the size of each meal to fit the total daily food amount. Feeding a Labrador puppy is not rocket science, but there are some things everybody should know about what to feed them and when to feed them. We have covered this basis, but changes need to be made as they age. This leads to a common question about changing food to fit the needs of a grown adult Labrador. The dog's age will determine how quickly they grow and how much energy they need. Lab puppies can stick with kibbles for up to 12 months. Increase portions as your puppy grows. Be sure to follow the rule of dog treats. This is about changes over time. Nutritional deficiency or excess can lead to disease and ultimately death. You may have noticed that your dog has dandruff after changing food, but the food is really good — try adding levels of zinc and vitamin A. Your main task as a pet owner is to monitor the health of a small family member and be responsible for this life. Image credit: canva. The first one is a protein that can be found in meat, poultry, fish, yogurt, and cooked eggs. Protein is responsible for the structure of muscles and tissues, as well as the formation and growth of new cells. In the diet for a Labrador puppy, it is imperative to include carbohydrates that are found in brown rice, potatoes, and wheat. Carbohydrates supply the body with glucose, which is responsible for the functioning of the brain and nervous system. An obligatory component of dog food is fats. It is a source of energy, development, and functioning of the cells and muscles of the body. Fats are included in oil and even fish oil. Puppy food for Labs or any other dog includes a certain amount of minerals such as calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and others. Minerals in dog food form bones and cartilage and balance the nerves. It promotes the production of hormones in the Lab puppies, regulates the balance of fluids in the body, and transports oxygen into the blood. Like people, dog and puppy foods should include plenty of water. Water is life! Once in the body, they strengthen bones, and teeth and fill the Labrador puppy with energy. Cost point Every time you buy pet food, you think about the issue of price. Of course, cost is important when making a purchasing decision. You should be aware that higher-quality puppy food can cost more than the average price. Your dog is an irreplaceable member of your family, which must be protected and loved with all your heart. Risks and diseases Lab owners should know well about all risks and diseases that their dogs may face. Numerous studies confirm that the Labrador Retriever breed is prone to digestive sensitivities and skin allergies due to irritating foods. This leads to pruritic diseases. Skin allergies and problems with the gastrointestinal tract are severe. Labs are prone to obesity. Maintaining a healthy weight and body is considered an important point of caring for a dog. In general, Labrador Retrievers should have a taut, hourglass-shaped figure. Obesity puts additional stress on bones and joints and makes it difficult to stay healthy. To combat weight gain, you need to exercise your dog with certain physical exercises, follow a proper diet, control portion sizes, and receive treats. Another disease caused by malnutrition is Gastric dilatation-volvulus. In short, this is boating. Indigestion is a severe problem that should not be ignored. The worst risk is death from the musculoskeletal disorder of muscles, nerves, joints, arthritis, and spinal discs. Also, you should be aware that feed processing of dog foods affects the occurrence and development of cancer. Dry food is cooked at a very high temperature, which leads to the formation of harmful chemical elements in the body of the dog. Such food also contains carbohydrates, which break down into cancer-causing glucose. You can combine dog food with homemade recipe food for your pet yourself. Moreover, it is a good way of feeding your dog if the dog food at home is over or there is very little left, but you need to extend the time until the next purchase. Dogs fed solely on home-cooked or combined diets lived for about 13 years, while those fed only processed food lived for about 10 years. Like human food, it can be chewed easily. Food is broken down in the body so that key nutrients are absorbed more quickly. Such food facilitates digestion and relaxes the stomach. Reducing stress on the digestive system reduces the likelihood of bloating. If you still decide to cook homemade food, follow the rules. Study each ingredient. Cook all animal products for the exact finish to kill harmful bacteria. Risks of homemade dog food Most of the problems are caused by a misunderstanding of the nutritional needs of the Labrador. If you do not understand the effect of food on the body of your pet, which reaction is correct and which can lead to negative consequences and different stages of life, contact a professional veterinarian who can tell you in detail about the effect of food on the body of a dog and how to properly form a pet diet. What food is best for a Labrador puppy? We made for you the list of the best puppy food for Labrador puppies. We can highlight the most noteworthy products from this list. Should I feed my Lab puppy dry or wet food? Mix dry and wet food. What is better to choose — opinions are different. But if you are in doubt about which puppy food to choose, consult your veterinarian. What is the recommended amount of water for a puppy? Older pups that have been nursed require one-half ounce to one ounce of water per pound of body weight. What do you feed an 8-week-old Lab puppy? An 8-week-old puppy should be fed several small meals a day. After 14 weeks, the Lab puppy can switch to two meals a day. Food for a Labrador puppy should be full of proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals for healthy development. Giving treats is fine, but remember that Labradors are prone to overeating and gaining weight quickly. Also, try to give treats for obedience. You can choose canned food and dry food for your dog as you wish but you should always think about the effect of this dog food on your dog. Hope this article was helpful for you and that your pet will grow healthy and strong.

Choosing a reputable breeder, however, can be rather difficult. The answers you receive will help determine the quality of your breeder and puppy and provide you with information you need to help raise your puppy. Important Questions to Ask a Breeder 1. Study up on your specific breed to see if there are common genetic problems worth discussing. Is that the size dog you want? Can I meet the entire litter? View and interact with the entire litter. This will allow you to evaluate the cleanliness of the environment and the size, personality, energy level, and health of the puppies. The puppies should interact and be playful with other dogs and comfortable around people. They should not cower when you approach or touch them and not resist when you roll them on their backs and hold them in that position. Make sure that they appear to be in good health and evaluate their overall temperament. Are they shy, aggressive, or well-adjusted? What preventative care do you provide to the parent dogs? A measure of the quality of care provided for the puppies can be evidence by the care delivered to the parent dogs. Optional vaccines include Lyme and the canine flu, which depend on disease risk. Have the parent dogs had health problems? What health problems have the parents had to date? When did they develop and how were they treated? This will help guide you as to what to look for and take preventative measures for your dog. How old are the puppies? What age can I take my puppy home? Puppies ready for adoption should be between 8 and 12 weeks old. It is important that the puppies socialize with their litter mates and other dogs early in life. Taking them away too soon can be a problem. Puppies not taken by other buyers over 12 weeks old or puppies that have been returned can indicate problems as well. Have the puppies been socialized? Have the pups been around other dogs and people? Socialization is critical in puppies ages 6 to 16 weeks. Proper socialization consists of positive experiences with other dogs and humans of varying ages, race, and sizes. Have vaccines been administered to the puppies? How many shots have the puppies received and when are they due for their next round of shots? Puppies generally start their vaccine series between 6 and 8 weeks of age. Ideally, vaccines are administered by a licensed veterinarian rather than a feed-store vaccine. Have the puppies been dewormed? All puppies are born with worms and routine deworming is recommended. This often begins as early as 2 weeks of age and most puppies have at least one dose of dewormer by 6 weeks of age. How many veterinarian visits have the puppies had? Have any puppies in the litter been sick? Have the puppies seen the vet, been examined, and declared healthy? If not, what problems have they had? If any of the puppies were sick, what were the signs, the diagnosis, and treatment measures? Have they been on any medications? Have any puppies had parvovirus? Ask for medical records that includes examinations, weights, deworming treatments, and vaccines. What is your guarantee? What guarantee does the breeder give with their puppies? If the puppy is found to have a severe illness, what will they do to compensate? How long does the guarantee last? This is a difficult topic, but one that is a lot easier to cover up front rather than after the fact. When do I need to go for the first vet visit? How soon is the first vet visit? Consider it a probationary period to see your vet and get the puppy evaluated before finalizing the contract. Do you have any references? Ask the breeder for references from puppy owners that they have sold to within the past year. Call their clients and find out if the breeder was fair, if they were happy with their pets, and how any problems were handled. If so, what is in it? Is the breeder willing to take the puppy back at any time if you are unable to keep it? Do you require puppies to be spayed or neutered by a certain age? If that is the case, it may not be an issue, but it is best to know before you get your puppy. Ask if the breeder has information about the breed line. For example, ask how long most dogs in the breed line have lived and what they typically die from. What are you currently feeding the puppies? Regardless of what they are feeding, it is ideal to continue feeding the same food for the first few days at home to minimize the risk of gastrointestinal distress. Learn how much and when they are feeding to keep your puppy on the same schedule for the first few days. Will you supply a health certificate and certificate of sale? Ask the breeder if they will supply a veterinarian-issued health certificate for your puppy. Also, be sure to ask for a certificate of sale, which may be required depending on your location. Are there any required certificates if you are shipping out of state? Do you belong to a breed club? Do they have any training tips that have worked well for their puppies? One of the most challenging things a new puppy owner has to deal with is housetraining their puppies. Breeders have a lot of experience training and may have useful tips that have worked well for other puppies. Do you offer support? Top breeders are passionate about their puppies and adamant about finding them the best homes. In fact, they usually want to interview you more than you want to interview them. Many want to track the lives of their puppies and are willing to answer questions and help you navigate small issues as you raise the dog. What do you provide with the sale of the puppy? When you are finally ready to pick up your puppy, what will the breeder provide? We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. What Does a Good Breeder Do? A good breeder is without doubt the best place to get your Labrador puppies. They will usually have a demonstrable love of the breed and are usually active in a competitive discipline such as field trials or showing. Breeding responsibly takes a lot of dedication, time and considered, reasoned processes. Good Labrador Retriever breeders: Carefully select and match a sire and dam to breed Labrador puppies with particular traits and temperament. Take the utmost care of the welfare and living conditions of their dogs and puppies. Perform many health checks on their breeding stock to cut the risk of inherited diseases. Can provide certificates of pedigree for both parents. Will provide information and help to you throughout the life of your Lab. Matching The Sire and Dam For Breeding Good Labrador breeders will usually be involved in a competitive discipline and will selectively breed their Labradors to improve the breed for a particular purpose. Some will breed for field trials, some for conformance to show in the ring and some for obedience. In each discipline, different qualities and temperament are bred for. Although most will also breed for their dogs to become good family pets. A good breeder will carefully consider the strengths and weaknesses of the parents, hoping to achieve a higher level of perfection in their next generation of dogs for the purpose of which they are bred. Contrast this with a less responsible breeder. They will often throw together any two dogs of the same breed purely to produce a litter of puppies for sale. No consideration given to the pedigrees of the parents and how compatible they may or may not be. Welfare and Living Conditions A good breeder will want to meet you and will give you the chance to see the parents of the puppies and the conditions in which his breeding stock lives. This is a very good opportunity for you to screen out some less reputable ones. A good breeder will either raise their Labrador puppies in the home, or in clean and well maintained kennels. Of utmost importance is the puppies early socialization to different experiences, surroundings and human contact. A responsible Labrador breeders stock, from puppies through to adults, should look healthy and be friendly and sociable. If you find they have health or temperament problems, you should walk away. Health Checks Good Labrador breeders will have put their dogs and bitches through an array of health checks before deciding to use them in their breeding programs. A bad breeder may say his stock has had a vets clearance for health. This is not at all sufficient and a breeder should be able to produce certificates that you can verify online or by phone. The two main health clearances you should ask to see: Are the parents free of hip dysplasia? These checks should be performed once a year. But a responsible one will be aware of these common ailments and will be honest about his stock being prone. In contrast to a good breeder, a bad breeder will not have put his puppies through any such health checks. But if you get your puppy without such checks, you would be supporting bad practices, gambling with your dogs future health…and gambling with potentially high future vets bills! If a breeder cannot offer certifiable proof of the health of his stock and is unwilling to discuss genetic diseases, then you should definitely walk away. Ongoing Help to Care for Your Puppy Good Labrador breeders will provide you with lots of information on how to raise and care for your dog, both before you take your puppy home and throughout the lifetime of your dog. They will be extremely knowledgeable and because they truly care about their puppies, no question will be too simple or too small for them to answer. They will often help with dietary advice, training advice, health and care advice and be able to offer contact details of important organizations. Some will even go so far as to give a promise they will take your puppy back if it displays unmanageable health problems or your circumstances change and you can longer care for your Lab. A bad breeder will not provide anything like this level of service. The 12 Questions You Should Ask of a Labrador Breeder In order to help you filter out the good Labrador breeders from the bad, I have prepared a list of 12 questions that you should ask a breeder. They are questions they will expect and should be happy to answer: How are you involved with the Labrador breed? If they are seriously into their breeding, they have some involvement in field trails or showing their dogs. How many different breeds of dog do you breed? They are more likely in it for the money and not just for the love of the breed. Are the sire and dam registered? Will the puppies be registered? Of course, when buying a pedigree dog, you will wan this to be proven and traceable. Most good breeders will also register their puppies and will hand them over when you collect your puppy. Where are your Labrador puppies raised? The perfect answer is in the home. Some kennel bred puppies are still well socialized and given lots of human attention. Can you provide check-able certificates of the parents health screening tests concerning hips and eyes? Good Labrador breeders will health screen their stock and will not breed dogs that have poor scores for health. They will care more for the quality of life of their potential puppies and for the overall health of the population. Is there any history of other diseases common to Labrador Retrievers in the ancestry of the puppies? Unfortunately, many pedigree dogs have an array of inherited, genetically linked diseases. A good breeder will be happy to discuss this with you. Should my circumstances change in such a way that I can no longer care for the dog, would you be willing to take it back? The majority of good breeders will be happy to do so and will provide a written guarantee. However, a deal is a deal and if the breeder seems good in many other ways, do not place too high an emphasis on this one. May I contact you with any questions that I have about the dog once I have him in my care? Every single breeder should say yes and will be happy to help. At what age am I able to take the dog home? No breeder will let a puppy go before it is 8 weeks old. These first 8 weeks, the puppy is learning a huge amount from its mother and litter mates. Taking a puppy from its mother too soon is tantamount to cruelty. Is it possible for me to meet the parents of the puppies? You can learn a lot about both the potential looks and temperament of your chosen puppy by meeting the parents. If the sire cannot be seen, you should at least be able to get its name and the name of the owner so you contact them and try to arrange a viewing and check its certificates for health etc. Can you provide references of previous adopters of your puppies? The experiences had by people who have previously dealt with the breeder are invaluable. They can tell you how their dog is doing, whether any health problems surfaced and the way the dealer dealt with them both during the sale and throughout the lifetime of the dog. From the answers they give, you should be able to instantly spot the bad breeders and cut them from your short list. You should try to make a personal visit to the remaining ones to further check that they are reputable. For more information, please see:. Tips for Buying A Labrador Puppy Choosing and buying a Labrador puppy is obviously a wonderful time for all the family but naturally you need to make sure that you, your family, your home and your puppy are all compatible. Making sure the pup is healthy is very important and there are a number of tell-tale sorry for the pun signs to look out for when choosing your pup. Either way, regrettable as it may be you must walk away. Scars or bald patches are signs of skin problems. His bottom should be clean; signs of diarrhoea indicates poor health. Also check to see if there dandruff like white matter around the dogs backside. If there are this could well be an indication of tapeworm and, if he has tapeworm, then he will more than likely have fleas as well. Red eyes will indicate problems but bright, clear and inquisitive eyes are a sign of good health. If he is healthy he will dash around with no signs of a limp or lameness. The ears should be nice and clean without any inflammation or discharge. Choosing the right puppy is a lot easier if you find the right breeder. A good breeder will attract most of his customers through word of mouth; there will certainly be no need for him to advertise. Check the Reputation of the Lab Puppy Breeder Satisfied former customers will have no hesitation in recommending him and a reputable breeder will have no objections to providing you with the phone numbers of customers with whom you can check the breeders reputation. Guidelines for Selecting a Labrador Retriever Breeder Select a breeder that participates in conformation classes. These are classes conducted by AKC dog shows that evaluate a dog breed. Ask about any titles the breeder won in dog shows. A breeder should know a dog's genetic history including the health of the parents The breeder should wait until age 2 before breeding any Labs Each dog should be submitted to a health registry Pups should be handled frequently Ask the breeders history with Labradors. The longer the better. Ask about any health guarantees Ask the breeder for their return policy Avoid breeders that do not use the correct language. Avoid those that use puffery such as "thoroughbred" instead of the correct language which is purebred Ask about memberships in any local Labrador Retriever Clubs Before completing any purchase ensure that the breeder will agree to your having the Lab puppy examined by an independent vet. Again, a reputable breeder will have no problem with this and an independent examination will give you complete piece of mind. A final factor to consider when buying a Labrador puppy is the price. If the price is to low the chances are you are not getting a bargain but more likely buying a pup that is either ill or is misrepresented in his breeding. Be very weary if the breeder is asking for less. Share this page:. What an exciting time! After a short phone call, arrange a visit by yourself. No matter how tempting it is to bring the kids along to visit a room full of puppies, you have to make the first visit on your own. To make sure you're prepared, here's our handy check list of the 15 questions you'll need to ask your puppy breeder. How old are the puppies? It may seem like a silly question but you want to make sure they are between weeks old. Are you able to see the puppy with its mum and dad? You want to assess the temperament of the mum and the puppy and how they interact with each other. Is she aggressive or caring? Is the puppy hyperactive or docile? These answers will help you decide whether this is the right puppy for your family. Are you able to see and handle the full litter? The average litter will be between five and six puppies. By handling a few fluff-balls, you will be able to see whether they are all of similar size, character and health. You can also see how they interact with other dogs and you. Are they weaned? What social experiences have the puppies had so far? Most modern breeders ensure that every puppy has had ample interaction with people and their puppy siblings before they are ready to be sold. What should I feed my puppy? Do you have a diet sheet to take away? A lot of breeders even keep a diet sheet that you can take home with you, letting you know when to feed them and how much. Pretty handy! When am I allowed to take the puppy home? Puppies should not be allowed to leave their mothers before 8 weeks because it can affect their development. The majority of breeders will let you take the puppy home after 8 weeks but some choose to keep them until 12 weeks. Which vaccinations has the puppy had and when is the next dose due? Puppies should receive vaccinations between weeks old and another dose at weeks old. If you are keen to take the puppy home at 8 weeks old, you need to know what vaccinations they still need to have before they can go and explore the big wide world or the local park. Has the puppy received any other treatments such as worming? Similar to vaccinations, around the same time, puppies should be treated for worms and fleas. Did you know all puppies are born with worms? Poor things! Do you have any copies of health certificates for the parents? Depending on the breed, some pedigree dogs have hereditary conditions that can be passed down to their puppies. Can I return the puppy if there are any health problems? Is the puppy registered with the Kennel Club? If you are looking to buy a pedigree dog, the breeder should have registered the puppies with the Kennel Club and be able to provide a certificate to state that they are, indeed, pedigree. If the application is still pending, it might be worth asking to see the certificate of the mum and dad. Are you able to get references from any previous puppy buyers? If they are a professional breeder, you might be able to contact previous buyers and visit their dogs. This way you can get a second opinion about the breeder and discuss openly whether their dog is everything they hoped for. Will there be a contract of sale? All reputable breeders should provide you with a contract of sale. This will state the responsibilities of both you and the owner and as well as an official document for your records. Does the breeder place any caveats or guarantees on the sale of the puppies? Occasionally, a breeder may require you to have the puppy spayed or neutered or you might not be able to show the dog. It is essential you know this before deciding to buy to avoid any disappointment. And of course, if you're about to purchase a brand new puppy of your own, they're going to need somewhere to sleep! Don't forget to check out our excellent range of luxury dog beds available here in the UK and here in the USA! Related Blog Posts. Tweet on Twitter Getting a healthy, pedigree Labrador puppy requires planning. In this article we are going to share with you 8 steps that you can follow to ensure that you are buying a healthy Labrador puppy. There are potential problems that many new puppy buyers are not aware of. The litter of puppies next door, or in your local newspaper, might not be the right one for you. So you need to be cautious as you set out on this exciting journey! Plan in advance Good breeders do not usually struggle to get puppy buyers. On the contrary, they often have waiting lists. So, if a litter of eight week old puppies is still unsold, be wary. It pays to plan in advance. Six to twelve months ahead of when you want your puppy is not too soon. The structured approach below is designed to help those with no contacts in the dog breeding world, find the right puppy. Step 1. Those bred for the show ring or as pets, and those bred for work as gundogs. You can read about these two types of Labrador, and their characteristics in this article: which Labrador is right for you? In the UK we call these two strains working type or field type and show type. They look and are, very different dogs. In the USA, working bred Labradors are often referred to as field type or American and show bred gun dogs as bench type or English. The split is the same in both countries, whatever they are called. And you need to know which is which and which you prefer. Step 2. This article looks at all the different places and ways in which you can buy puppies and explains the pros and cons of each. Finding a reputable breeder if you have no contacts in the doggy world, is not as easy as walking into a pet shop, but it is worth every bit of the effort that goes into it. One way to start your search, is by looking at your local Labrador breed club. This will lead you to some experienced breeders. You will then need to do some further checks to find out whether or not the breeders meets the standards you are looking for. Many people that are involved in the committee of their breed club are themselves breeders. If they no longer breed, they will be able to put you in touch with someone that does. One will be labelled FT secretary. The FT stands for Field Trial and suggests that this person is involved with working type labradors. If someone is showing their dogs, the dogs themselves are more likely to be show type rather than true working type. Step 3. Contact some Labrador breeders Make a list of contacts to approach, you can then phone them or email them. Let them know that you found them on the Kennel Club website, and are looking for a pedigree Labrador puppy. Tell them which type work or show you are interested in. Have a separate list ready, to enter details of any litters. So the second question is often the best way of getting a puppy from one of her dogs. If you have a colour preference, let the breeder know. He or she will ask you plenty of questions later if you want one of their puppies. Step 4. For several reasons. They may not have any puppies at the moment, or they may not meet the criteria you have set for the breeder of your puppy. They will however, be able to give you more contacts to add to your list. What you are aiming to do, is to make a list of half a dozen or so litters of puppies that you can then check out and narrow down. One of the best ways to find a litter of puppies, either before or after they are born, is to find a nice stud dog, and track down all the female dogs he has been mated to over the last month or two. A reputable breeder will be happy to email you photos and may even let you visit her stud dog, so that you can decide if you like him. This trail will also lead you to some smaller, less experienced breeders so you will need to do your homework carefully to make sure that the mother of your puppies has the right credentials. Checking those out is our next step Step 5. Checking credentials It is up to you to check the credentials of the litter. This is something that people are often unaware of. A pedigree does not guarantee very much at all. The Kennel Club pedigree is simply a statement of ancestry and contrary to popular belief, does not imply that the puppy it belongs to or his parents have met any standards. The three credentials you need to personally check and verify are Temperament Abililty Temperament The most crucial of all credentials has to be temperament. An adult Labrador may weight in excess of 70lbs. These are large powerful dogs that everyone expects to be friendly. You cannot take any chances with poor temperament. He will inherit tendencies to friendliness or unfriendliness, nervousness or confidence etc, from both of his parents. Never buy a puppy without meeting his mother. And if you can meet the stud dog, so much the better. If you cannot meet the stud dog, make sure that someone who has met him, can vouch for his good nature. This may not be quite as crucial with a show champion as any successful show dog will have proven itself happy to be handled in the most personal manner by total strangers. Working dogs are a different matter, and occasionally dogs with poor temperaments do succeed in competition and are used at stud. Health Health credentials are essential. Follow this link to read all about inherited diseases in Labradors and read our article on health checks. I cannot stress this too much. You must physically check certificates or copies of certificates way in advance of collecting your puppy. It is very hard to turn down a puppy once he is in your arms. Ability Ability is important if you have an activity in mind for your dog. If your aim is to compete in working trials, you might want to choose a puppy whose ancestors have been successful in that sport. Choosing a litter Narrowing down your choice to a single litter can be tough. Unless you have your heart set on a puppy from a particular dog, you may find it difficult to decide. In many cases though, there are not that many litters that meet the right criteria. You can narrow down your choice further by looking again at the breeder. How friendly and helpful is she? Do you think she will be supportive if you get into difficulties with your puppy? Has she offered to take the puppy back at any point in his life if you cannot cope? If you can answer yes to all three, then that is a real bonus point for that litter. This person is important and you need to feel that you can trust her. A breeder with a lot of dogs may have her pups in an outdoor kennel, but they should still spend lots of time with the family. Check out this article: How to spot a good breeder , and this one How to spot a bad breeder for more information. It pays to be picky. Step 7. Choosing gender Should you buy a dog or a female dog? Some people simply prefer one gender over another. And it is very hard to generalise about the sexes. Male Labradors are no more difficult to train or control than female dogs. And though entire males may be more likely to roam if not supervised in an unfenced property, female dogs can do this too. Females come into season twice a year at which time they may need to be confined to washable floors. They will also need to be kept separate from entire males with vigilance for a period of around three weeks. Neutering a female is more expensive than neutering a male. And older, un-neutered female dogs are prone to a serious and potentially deadly condition called pyometra. These are all things to consider. But overall, it often just boils down to personal preference. Step 8. Choosing your puppy And now for the final and most exciting step Choosing your puppy. Which one of these gorgeous bundles of Labrador loveliness should you take home? One of the very best things you can do when choosing a puppy from a litter, is to take someone experienced with you. Another good reason to choose an experienced and dependable person well in advance. If there is a choice, a good breeder will be able to guide you in this. All they can tell you is what you can hope for from the pedigree, and that the puppy seems OK physically. Check out this article: Choosing the right dog for more information. To make sure all is well, you will need to have your new puppy checked over by your own vet, within a day or two of bringing him home. Health and temperament problems in a large dog can be devastating. Now available in most countries, the handbook is already a bestseller in the UK. I had a lot of questions about choosing a dog breeder. Getting a new dog is a huge decision and I wanted to make sure I was doing everything right. Several of the photos in this post are from my recent visit to the Westminster Dog Show where I got to see some of the best labradors in the world! How do I find a good Labrador breeder? One of the best places to start your search for a wonderful lab breeder is at the park or on a local trail. Keep your eyes peeled for labs and their people and ask where they got their puppy. In my experience, people who have worked with responsible breeders are more than happy to pass along a recommendation. When you get recommendations this way you can also see the size and temperament of their lab and get an idea of what their breeder specializes in. Another perk of getting recommendations in person is that they probably worked with a labrador breeder near where you live. When I started my search for a second dog who ended up being Lucy! I was hiking with my other lab Lola. We came across another beautiful English Lab on the trail. I complimented the dog and asked the owner where she got him from. Turns out, he was from Morgan Kennels, just a few hours south of where I live. Are you labrador obsessed? What kind of genetic testing is done on Pure-Bred Labradors? The OFA has a list of recommended tests for Labradors. Based on their list, other genetic tests you might see referenced by a labrador breeder include: EIC Excercise Induced Collapse : This is a genetic syndrome most commonly seen in retriever breeds. If a dog has this syndrome they will struggle with strenuous activity, but can still make great pets. HNPK Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis : This is a genetic defect that affects cells of the nose and can result in the formation of a crust with cracks over the nose area of young dogs. This is a recommended test for Labrador Retrievers. ACVO American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists : This references a test done by a certified veterinary ophthalmologist to determine if dogs have any genetic eye diseases that could be passed on to puppies. PRA Progressive retinal atrophy : This references a group of genetic diseases that cause deterioration of the retina and can lead to vision loss or blindness. If you have any questions about the tests done on your puppy and their parents, just ask your breeder. They should be more than happy to explain each one to you and what the results mean. If your breeder is worried about germs they might offer to send you photos instead. Because of that, they may not have both parents available to meet in person. Ask if you can see photos or video of the dad. Their size, coloring and temperament are all important things to look for. Does the breeder have a contract? Your breeder should have a contract for you both to sign. A responsible breeder will always take back a puppy if anything happens that prevents you from taking care of the dog. Their priority is always the health and wellbeing of their pups. Will my labrador breeder help with questions I have a few years down the road? Any responsible breeder will also answer any questions as they come up. When Lucy was about 2 or 3 years old she started to have a bladder leaking issue. Do Labrador Breeders have requirements for new Puppy families? Just as you have a ton of questions for your potential labrador breeder, they should have a ton of questions for you, too! A good sign of a responsible breeder is someone who treats all of their puppies like their own. Your breeder will probably ask you about where you live, your yard, your lifestyle, working hours, etc. My breeder also wanted to know about past dogs I had and any issues we had over their lives. How much does a pure-bred Labrador Puppy Cost? Getting a puppy whether from a breeder or a rescue is a big investment for the next years. They also have a great deal of expertise in raising healthy puppies that uphold the breed standard. Did you love this post? Check out these links:.

How long should puppies stay with their mother? The ideal window is between 8 and weeks-old. They are healthy and adorable, and you want to bring them home as soon as you possibly can. However, the time your puppy spends with their mother and siblings is critical for development, and so it's important to make sure they spend this growth period with their litter. The first month For the first four weeks or so, puppies depend on their mothers for everything. This milk provides all the nutrition the puppies need for the first few weeks after birth. Weaning to solid foods Puppies start to experiment with solid food as early as 3-weeks-old. They still nurse, and mothers continue to produce milk for up to 10 weeks. Some nursing is for nutrition, but it is also a comforting, bonding activity for the puppies. Most puppies are fully weaned to solid food between 7 and 10 weeks of age, although the transition can occur earlier. Learning to speak dog Just as important for puppy development is learning proper canine etiquette and communication as part of a litter. For example, as early as 3 weeks of age, puppies start learning from their mother and siblings to eliminate away from where they sleep, which helps with housebreaking later. The pups are practicing hunting and communication behaviors that they need to perfect. One of the most important skills that puppies learn through play is bite inhibition and not chomping down too hard. If a puppy bites too hard, the other will cry out, signaling that the bite was too rough. Moms will do the same thing or may gently correct the puppies for getting too rough. This is a critical lesson to learn before heading out into the world, as other dogs will be far less tolerant of inappropriate puppy play than Mom! Biting is also a common problem behavior that can land a dog in a shelter or worse later in life. Puppies will also practice a variety of vocalizations and body language, learning to communicate with their siblings and mother. Socialization Puppies have an early critical socialization period from approximately 5 to 14 weeks of age. During this time, puppies are open to learning and experiencing new things, and the things they learn will affect how they go through the rest of their lives. Breeders and other caretakers should be exposing the puppies to novel sights and sounds on a regular basis. Puppies destined to be working or sporting dogs should be exposed to things they will encounter in their future roles, such as sheep wool for herding dogs, a variety of materials and obstacles to climb over for agility dogs, and training scents for future drug and bomb detection dogs. These safe exposures should continue after you bring your puppy home, but early socialization with litter-mates and the mother are also important for building confidence. The puppies will observe how their mother responds to new people and things and then mimic her behavior. If Mom is relaxed and friendly around new people, the puppies will likely be comfortable with strangers. Research has found that puppies who are separated from the litter too early are more likely to show fear, aggression, anxiety, resource guarding, reactivity and inappropriate play biting than puppies who stay with the litter for at least eight weeks. The ideal time The exact time that is best for a puppy to go to its new home can vary by situation, but most breeders and veterinarians agree that 8 weeks of age is a good minimum. Some states have laws in place preventing puppies from being sold any earlier. Eight weeks after birth, the puppy is eating solid food on their own, they have benefited from socializing with litter-mates and observing mom, and they are well within the ideal timeframe to bond with new owners. Breeders may also opt to keep the puppies until 10 or 12 weeks of age. Toy breeds in particular are often kept with the litter until they are 12 weeks old because they are so small and fragile. This gives the pups extra time with the litter, and still has them going to their forever homes in plenty of time to form a strong bond with their new people. And anyone who has welcomed an adult dog into their home knows that dogs of any age will still bond with their new owners as long as they have had socialization with people! Keeping the puppies longer does mean more work for the breeder, since they are responsible for all the puppies during those extra weeks. But if the breeder is putting in that time and effort to give the puppies a great foundation, then the extra time with their litter can be very beneficial to both you and your new puppy. Jean-Francois: How much is a purebred German Shepherd puppy without papers worth? I'm guessing it's a rip-off. Our nonpaper German shepherd just had 12, her 1st litter of no papers German shepherd pups. You can visually see the traits. I do suggest making sure vaccinations are given before buying the puppy. Answer by JTP Actually, that is a great price! I would even say that's pretty cheap, especially since it's a German Shepherd. Answer by SuperGirl It doesn't matter if the parents have papers. Parents with papers should have puppies that have papers as well. I'm also guessing mom and dad don't really have papers either, because papers come to puppies with papered parents. Answer by Kayleigh Let me explain what happened to us. I was young at the time and didn't realize what "limited" rights were. This means the woman who sold me my puppy would not give me the right to register my purebred GSD as a purebred GSD unless I got her spayed. We bought her with the intention of eventually breeding and keeping some puppies for ourselves but also selling a few. I would be breeding my dog with a purebred GSD who is registered, but since I cannot register my dog due to this lady's way of giving me limited rights I would not be able to register the pups either. She is our rescue dog. I got a blood test done that shows she is a purebred German Shepherd, but there is no way of knowing whether she was registered or not. We are going to breed her with one of my friend's purebred German Shepherd males. I was thinking of selling the puppies for around , which is about 1, dollars cheaper than what they are selling registered puppies for in this area. They cannot see or hear yet, or regulate their body temperature, and they require a lot of tender care from their mom. The new mom is usually very excited and concerned about each newborn, and sometimes overly enthusiastic about chewing off the umbilical cord, which may later result in an umbilical hernia that will take a little longer to close, but is no danger to the puppy. We record the ribbon color and weight of each puppy so that, when we weigh the pups throughout the next days and weeks, we can make sure that each one is gaining weight. Normal weight for a newborn German Shepherd puppy ranges from g to g 0. We take great care to ensure that our newborn German Shepherd puppies have the best chance for a healthy start. A German Shepherd female can be in active labor for 6 to 18 hours, sometimes even longer if she takes a break while having a large litter, and we of course do not leave her side during this time. I stay up making sure that the whelping box which is always in my office or bedroom is clean and dry after each puppy is born, and that the temperature stays constant 86 - 88 F in the room. We keep the temperature at this level for about 2 weeks, gradually reducing it down to normal F by the end of the third week. Someone is always present with the puppies during the first 5 days. I handle the puppies several times a day, as well as weigh them every other day during this period, to make sure that everyone looks and acts healthy, nurses well, and is gaining weight. I usually buy a dozen fluffy cotton towels, and use two at a time as bedding for the whelping box. I change these towels twice daily at this stage to make sure the puppies are always clean and dry. Starting from day 3, and until day 16, I follow The "Super Dog" Program for our puppies - an early neurological stimulation program described by Dr. Carmen Battaglia. It has numerous benefits later in life for puppies. Often, puppies that were born the smallest overtake the bigger ones. Even at this tender age strong individual differences can be noted among German Shepherd puppies. Also, there is difference in their color and markings, and long-hair German Shepherd puppies can often be identified at this age. The new mom is very attached to her puppies at this age and is very reluctant to leave them even for the shortest time. She spends a lot of time sleeping with the puppies nursing peacefully, and is also very happy to be busy cleaning each puppy several times a day and flipping them around gently with her nose. At about 2 weeks of age German Shepherd puppies actually start looking more like puppies, and not just fat black sausages with feet attached. We use undiluted evaporated goats milk from a can, warmed up to be pleasant to the touch. Most puppies readily accept the bottle, and we consider this to be very important bonding and social time as well. Three weeks of age is my favorite age of all. The puppies now can be recognized as German Shepherd puppies. They are alert, playful, and there is a lot of wrestling, tail-wagging, and even barking going on as they explore their surroundings and interact with each other and their mom, all of which is extremely cute. I will often just sit in the whelping box with them, letting them play with my clothes, climb up on my lap, and generally just enjoying their carefree company. We also provide them with various toys starting at this age, and make sure that they listen to loud music, banging on the door, vacuum cleaner, etc. They weigh around 1. At first, they may not have a lot of success with it, as some of them try to suckle on the meat, but in a few days they master this new type of eating very well. We also continue giving them goats milk, but in a shallow saucer pan now, and with some rice baby cereal added, so that they can practice lapping. At this age, the mom is no longer so keen on constantly staying with her puppies, and only visits them to feed them and for a clean up. We continue changing the bedding twice a day now, knowing very well that in about a week it will become times a day, as the mom will not be able to keep up with her cleaning duties any more. We wash soiled towels with a little bit of bleach and a little bit of perfume-free detergent. Four weeks of age is even more fun as the puppies keep developing, but the amount of cleaning starts to increase in geometrical progression, and it becomes a full time job to keep the puppies well fed and clean. The mom is only visiting now and then at this point, and enjoys spending her time in the office, so that she can hear and see the puppies, but not necessarily be with them. With mom visiting for a few brief feedings each day, we feed them three times a day with the following diet: 1. Cottage cheese 2 tbsp per puppy , mixed with plain yogurt 1 tsp per puppy , evaporated goats milk, rice baby cereal 1 tsp. Raw tripe, or beef liver cooked with all kinds of vegetables At about 5 weeks of age the duty of keeping the whelping box clean becomes nightmarish, and this is a good time to introduce German Shepherd puppies to the outdoors. This is a room that is a part of the house, but has free access to the outside world. This room is equipped with a wooden resting platform so that puppies do not lay on concrete, with a heating lamp above it, and the floor is completely covered with a layer of pine woodchips. The outside area is about 6 x 6 ft and the floor is made of paving stones. There is another wooden laying platform here. This is a very important period when we introduce our German Shepherd puppies to more noises, show them the way in and out of the house, introduce them to the other dogs, play tug-of-war, etc. Also, we introduce raw frozen sardines and "The Honest Kitchen" products to their diet, and will occasionally feed kibble, soaked well in warm water and mixed with green tripe from a can At 3, 5, and 7 weeks of age our German Shepherd puppies get dewormed with a high quality wormer, to be certain that they are free of intestinal parasites. At about 6 weeks of age the puppies get their first combination 5-way vaccine including Parvo and Distemper , and at 7 weeks of age we start welcoming visitors who are interested to come and look at the puppies. Often during weekends we have several groups of visitors of all ages coming to interact with the puppies, which is such a great socialization opportunity for them. Copyright .All rights reserved. She will do everything and anything to care, love, and protect her baby. Would you be surprised to see how a German Shepherd mom is in awe of her puppies, just like a human mom is of her baby? Humans are not the only members of the animal kingdom who are totally in love with their newborns. Dogs are completely in love with their babies too. She looks at her new puppies with absolute love. In this video, you will see just how much love this mama German Shepherd has for her babies. The video clip shows Pona staring with eyes of love at her newborn puppies. Pona recently gave birth to her litter, and now, the puppies are crawling all around the hay covered floor. Pona is the epitome of many new mommas. She is quite in awe of her puppies, and they are so cute. The newborn pups are making tiny sounds, and you can watch Pona turn her head with each sound. It seems as if she is making every effort to understand what her babies are trying to say. The mama dog also continues to watch her puppies and keeps her eye on everything that they do. Pona has three puppies. The video, later on, shows all three of them cuddling with each other. Pona then moves over to where the puppies are huddled and starts poking them with her nose. Mom then lies down near her puppies and gives them happy kisses. She also makes every effort to make sure that her puppies are all warm. Baby German Shepherds growing up! German Shepherd Dogs are one of the most popular dog breeds out there at the moment, with many devoted fans. They can be large and imposing as adults. But, like every breed, they have a cute puppy phase that many fall in love with. However, since most puppies are bought at weeks old, most of us miss out on this magical period of their lives. So what happens during those first important weeks? A typical German Shepherd litter consists of around puppies. The mean average, according to a study performed in , is 6. When they are first born, they will still have an umbilical cord attached and may be covered in amniotic fluid. Their mother should chew off the umbilical cord and spend the first few hours cleaning their pups. Then mom will focus on keeping her newborn pups warm while allowing them to nurse. At this stage, German Shepherd puppies will just sleep and avoid expending energy. They will frequently nurse from their mother. Newborn German Shepherds When baby German Shepherd puppies are first born, they are completely dependent on their mother. Their ears and eyes will be closed and they will be unable to regulate their own body temperature efficiently. A coat should be present, and the color will depend on the genes they have inherited from their parents. Black with tan markings is the most common for this breed. Additionally, they will be relatively immobile. They will be unable to properly support their own weight. Therefore, they will commonly crawl on their stomach to move about. They will also be unable to urinate or defecate on their own. Stimulation from their mother will be required to help them go to the toilet. One Week Old Baby German Shepherd In the first week, the puppies should bulk up significantly and double their birth weight. However, there will not be much change in their behavior. They will still primarily be focused on nursing and sleeping. To help themselves stay warm, the puppies will normally cuddle close to each other, except for when they are in a hot environment. At this stage, they will still be blind and deaf. While they are still unable to see very well, this is a big step. Eyes should open for the first time at around days of age. They will appear blue in color, but this will change into brown as they develop. They may become a little more inquisitive about their surroundings with their new-found eyesight, and may begin to crawl around a little more. We can expect to see them make some big steps at this stage. Firstly, at around days old, their ears should begin to open for the first time. They should now be able to both see and hear, though not too clearly. Their senses will continue to develop over the coming weeks. They will begin to be able to stand and support their own weight. Walking may still be tough, though! They will likely be pretty wobbly. You can also expect to see their baby teeth come in at around this time. While they still get the majority of their nutrition from their mother, they will begin to show interest in solid food. They will begin to become more independent at this age, being able to urinate and defecate on their own. Beginning Of Socialization With their sight and hearing, they are likely to show a little bit of adventure and courage for the first time, exploring their surroundings as much as their unsteady gait will allow them. This milestone also marks the beginning of the socialization period, a critical phase of their development. Things learned now can shape their personality and behavior for the rest of their lives. They may engage the other puppies in clumsy play and show body language such as tail wagging for the first time. They will form relationships with their den mates, their mother, and humans. This stage is critical in getting the puppies used to humans. This can be achieved by gently exposing the puppies to human presence and contact so that they can see that they are no threat. While their brains are still very much in development, they are still able to learn some simple concepts at this stage. Crate and potty training can begin at this age. They should now be able to walk pretty well. This mobility will allow them to further play with their family and be even more curious about their surroundings. On top of this, their baby teeth should now be fully formed and the weaning process should be fully underway. They should be offered soft but solid food. They may begin to show signs of more complex social behaviors towards their other den mates, and they should learn important skills like bite inhibition. The socialization process should continue, with the puppies gently being exposed to new people, sights, and sounds. The German Shepherd babies will also be further weaned off the mother at this time, slowly moving onto a fully solid diet. Six Week Old Baby German Shepherd At this age, you will begin to see the puppies become even more independent of their mother. Six week old puppies are gaining social skills rapidly, and love to play with people and each other. Seven Week Old Baby German Shepherd When we move into the seventh week of their life, a new significant phase of development starts to begin: the fear period. While this sounds disconcerting, it merely means that this is the time that many puppies begin to show fear towards new things, rather than curiosity. Things that the puppy may find scary or uncertain during this time can make for big changes in their personality throughout life. For example, if a puppy has a bad experience with a human at this stage, it may lead them to becoming fearful and distrustful towards people for the rest of their life. This is why gently exposing the puppies to humans and common sights and sounds beforehand is important. By preemptively socializing the puppies with humans, we can help this period run smoother. The puppies will have reached weights of around pounds and should be around inches tall. Their ears will lie flat but should begin to become erect and upright over the coming weeks. They will be fully independent of their mother at this age. They should be completely weaned, with some basic training and socialization. From here, new owners are expected to continue to train and socialize them, as they are still within a critical period of development. New owners will also need to continue to ensure the German Shepherd puppy is fed a good, nutritionally balanced diet. For more information, you can check out our full puppy development guide here. And make sure you also take a look at this guide to bathing a puppy! It is a feeling that can only be experienced deep inside. It makes a woman rejoice, looking at her child, experiencing a mixed emotional wonderment for the being she had been carrying under her heart. She felt every movement and stirring within herself and felt one more life inside her, and with it - joy and happiness. The unbearable pain at birth did not dull her feelings, but, on the contrary, strengthened them. She was aided by the desire to meet the long-awaited baby as soon as possible. The first mother's kiss, the first smile, the first teardrop - all this is and will remain just hers until the end of her life. Well, not necessarily so. As you can see in the video above, animal mothers show a range of emotions resembling humans to an amazing extent. Pona, the German Shepherd , is a new mother. She seems to be extremely intrigued with her new litter of puppies. She looks at them with pride as only mothers can. She is gathering them in a bunch, making sure every single one of her precious pups is safe and close to her bosom. What a loving and caring mother! Puppies are born absolutely helpless. For twelve days they are completely dependent on the mother. During this period, the mother does not leave the puppies permanently without an emergency. She feeds them with milk, constantly licking her babies, giving them a sort of a massage, and warming them with her body. These puppies will develop fast and soon begin to open their eyes and crawl not only forward, but also back. The mother continues to look after the babies but is not afraid to leave them for a long time. Three weeks after birth, the pups have teeth, they learn to chew, and are able to bite. Their eyesight and hearing will be sufficiently developed by that time. During this period, they are actively engaged with the social environment in which they are located: like little children, the puppies will try to touch, smell, bite and slobber over if not chew everything they come across. Their development is facilitated by the desire to play in the canine natural habitat. The mother takes an active part in these games. With the help of the game, she teaches the cubs all the necessary skills for survival. As the pups grow older, the mother makes the game more complicated, teaching the pups not only to fight with each other but also to catch up with potential prey, chase one another or run away from potential danger. Even after the puppy turns into an adult dog, the game will occupy a significant place in their life. So Pona, you have a lot more work to do with these furballs! If you love dogs as much as we do, share this video on social media or tell us a story of your beloved four-legged pal in the comment section below. And remember: dogs rule! Show less. Posted in Uncategorized. We are very excited to present them to the world and look forward to seeing them grow, develop, and move on to their loving forever homes. Puppies need to stay with the dog breeder for a little while after birth. During this time, they learn skills and socialize so they will be well-adjusted when they move away from the litter. Socialization Puppies should stay with the litter for about 8 to 12 weeks. Probably the main reason for this is socialization. When a puppy is with its litter and especially its mother, it learns valuable behaviors. A reputable dog breeder will never let a puppy leave before 7 weeks at the minimum. During this time, the pup will learn how to deal and live with other living things. In a sense, the dogs learn how to dog. Mostly they spend their time playing with their littermates. These are all skills that if developed well, they can use throughout their lives. They also learn how to communicate and receive commands from both their parents and humans. A dog that is not properly socialized will not be confident and may have difficulties fitting into new environments. They could be easily confused and fearful. Neither of these traits is good for both house dogs and dogs that are meant to work or show animals. Unsocialized dogs also tend to have more behavioral problems. They act out in situations in which they are not comfortable. This can mean chewing, barking, or even viciousness. Other dogs are the best trainers for a new pup, so keeping them with their littermates and parents will help them grow and develop into confident, well-behaved dogs. They are bred to be experts at detection, which is great for policing, and agility. While these traits are inbred and instinctual, they also need to be developed. These puppies are spending time with their mother and littermates, with whom their skills are already becoming apparent. The parental dogs provide a good example and play with siblings will mimic and develop these skills. The same goes for agility. There is no better training ground for a pup than an open space with their siblings. German Shepherd Puppies and Humans The fact is, the puppy will most likely be going from a place with many other puppies to a home with either none or comparatively very few. Most of the interactions throughout their lives will be with humans. Dog breeders are dog experts who will calmly and confidently help your puppy get used to human interaction in a safe and respectful way. A newborn puppy sent into a home without that buffer will be extremely stressed and have incredible difficulty adjusting. When it comes to adopting German Shepherd puppies, it is natural to be impatient. However, waiting just a few short weeks to have this beautiful and intelligent pet in your home will pay off down the road.

Lifespan Sociability The price of this pup will vary widely depending on the breeder as well as the cost of the parents. The litter size can also affect the price. If the breeder runs tests on the puppy to check for genetic health concerns, it can also increase the cost while providing you with a healthier dog. These dogs are clever and watchful. They will fit in with your family if you have kids and you will be most happy. The Boxer parent gets its name for the way it fights. Often swinging its paws like a boxer. The Boxer lineage can be traced back to Assyrian Empire war dogs. The parents of Golden Boxer. They love playing with and entertaining children, and they get along well with other pets. This breed is a little shy around strangers, so they are fantastic guard dogs, but they are not aggressive and quickly make friends. Too much isolation can cause depression or destructive behavior, which can include continuous barking. Are These Dogs Good for Families? It only barks a lot when upset and keeps a close eye on the house while you sleep. Regardless, the Golden Boxer makes friends quickly and likes to engage in play with cats as well as other dogs. It will even play with animals that enter the yard on many occasions. Avoid foods that use meat byproduct or other non-meat as its first ingredient. Following the instructions on the package serve the food in two to four smaller meals throughout the day instead of one large meal. You will need to commit to a minimum of two hours of engaging activity per day, which will require you to walk more than 11 miles per week at a minimum. Positive reinforcement training using rewards for good behavior is the best method to achieve results. Positive reinforcement means to give your pet plenty encouraging cheers and pets along with tasty treats when they complete a task. Another thing to remember when training is not to drag the session out or try too many tricks at once. Either way, it will require daily brushing to help remove shedding hair as well as keep the coat looking nice. The longer double coat may also require frequent trimming and detangling. Its floppy ears will need regular cleaning, and you will need to make sure they stay dry to lessen the chance of an ear infection. Minor Conditions. If you ever wondered what you could expect from a golden retriever boxer mix, the answer is dynamite! The golden boxer is a dog who is full of energy, incredibly loyal, eager to please, rather large, and often boisterous. In the same litter, you can have a pale golden puppy with wavy hair and a brindle puppy with short hair. Read on to find out if the golden boxer is the dog for you… Parentage Of The Golden Boxer As mentioned, predicting the physical characteristics of your golden boxer can be difficult as the parents are two very different-looking dogs. However, learning about the parent breeds is still very helpful because it provides you with an idea of how your golden boxer will behave. The Golden Retriever The golden retriever , as we know it today, originated in Scotland in the mid to late s and early s. There were many retrievers in the UK at the time. Their jobs were to chase down the birds, hares, or rabbits their human companion had shot down and retrieve it bring it back. In addition to their soft mouth, the golden retriever was bred to have a double coat to keep them warm and long legs to help them climb over and through dense brush. The area in which they had to do the retrieving was often marshy, so the dogs were bred to be excellent swimmers as well. For a more detailed look at how the golden retriever came to be, check out our dedicated article on their history. Golden retrievers are dedicated dogs who are highly loyal and easily trainable, which makes them excellent service animals. This means they are reliable dogs if trained and socialized appropriately. It is important to remember the golden retriever is a very high energy dog, which requires a lot of mental and physical stimulation. They definitely pass this trait on to their offspring. The Boxer The boxer is descended from an ancient lineage of dogs that traces its heritage back to the Assyrian empire in 2, BCE. The boxer, as we know it today, was bred in the late s in Germany. The breeders took the formidable Bullenbeisser and bred it with smaller mastiff dogs to create the boxer. The Bullenbeisser was a hunting dog used to tackle large animals such as bears, wild boar, and bison. Breeding with the smaller mastiffs gave the boxer a slimmer build and more temperate nature. This temperament and build has allowed the boxer to do many jobs over its lifetime such as war dog, police dog, guide dog, protection dog, and athlete. The boxer gets its name from the way the dog plays or defends itself. The Golden Boxer The golden boxer is not a mix you would expect, however they are the best of both of their parents. The golden boxer is a large dog measuring at 22 to 25 inches in height and weighing 60 to 75 pounds on average. There is no guarantee of how your golden boxer will look, especially if it is a first or second generation puppy, because the two parent breeds are so different. Your golden boxer can be a variety of colors, from black or brown to fawn or gold and have a short or long coat. Whereas their appearance may differ significantly, their temperament is pretty predictable. The golden boxer loves being part of the family, they are intelligent and protective, and they are always full of energy. The golden retriever and boxer have fairly similar personalities even though they come in vastly different packages; this means the golden boxer will have a similar personality. Love The golden boxer is a sensitive dog who thrives on affection and attention. They need to be loved on and cuddled every day to avoid feelings of abandonment. Even though they are large dogs, they cannot be locked out of the house and left in a yard their entire lives. Fun The golden boxer has a boisterous nature and loves to bounce around playing games. It is essential their energy is directed into fun and games where you actively play with them. If their energy is not positively directed, they can become very destructive and neurotic. Family The golden boxer loves being around family furry or non-furry , especially if the golden retriever side of their heritage is particularly strong. Golden boxers are an excellent choice if you have children, particularly children who can run around and play with them. Golden boxers will happily engage with other pets too! Make sure they are properly socialized and trained from the time they are a puppy in order to restrain their strength around smaller pets such as cats. Protection Owing to the nature of the golden retriever and the boxer, the golden boxer is very protective of who they feel is its family. Both parent dogs are used as working dogs and guide dogs, which means they have a fierce sense of loyalty. The golden boxer shares this loyalty for family and will guard your home and family fiercely against perceived intruders. Trainability The level of trainability of golden boxers is good to moderate depending on a number of variables. The golden retriever is a dog who is easily trained, while the boxer can be a bit more stubborn and resist training. However, if you are committed and consistent with their training and socialization, then training your golden boxer, no matter how stubborn they are, is possible. An untrained pug is much easier to pick up and put in a separate room than an untrained golden boxer. Large, untrained dogs with protective natures like the golden boxer can also pose a risk to strangers in the home as your dog will become overwhelmed. And if they are undisciplined, then they do not have the safety net of training to prevent snapping at an unwanted hand. Health Concerns Mixed breeds enjoy better health than either of their parent breeds because they have more genetic diversity and any breed-specific issues are diluted by having been bred with another type of dog. This means the golden boxer should enjoy better overall health than either the golden retriever or the boxer. The golden boxer seems like the ideal companion: loyal, loving, healthy, and the perfect cuddler. Golden boxers are full of energy. They need a minimum of two hours of exercise a day. This is a lot to expect from any owner so you need to make sure you are ready to commit a large amount of your energy to your dog. The two hours of exercise is best split up into smaller sessions throughout the day. They are large dogs and need to be physically exercised regularly to maintain their muscles and healthy joints. Daily walks, hikes, or runs that are at least half an hour long are ideal. They can be physically exercised by playing games like fetch, chase, or working through an obstacle course. Going to a dog park is also an excellent idea, provided your golden boxer is trained and has a strong recall command. Mental exercise is essential. Golden boxers are intelligent dogs and become bored fairly easily. Using puzzles and games to tire them out mentally is an excellent way to enhance their exercise needs. Slow feeders , lick mats , snuffle blankets , puzzle toys , and daily training are all excellent ideas to give them adequate mental exercise. As said previously, golden boxers can be stubborn if their boxer heritage is particularly strong. This means it will take you longer than average to train your golden boxer properly. You will need to devote time every day to training. Using a puppy training service is advisable with golden boxers; however, the hard work is done at home as you will need to carry through their training and be consistent to see positive results. However, with proper training, exercise, and discipline, you can reduce the amount of destruction your golden boxer is able to do. Houses with yards and families with children Temperament: Happy, clever, intelligent, protective, alert, watchful, and eager to please. It has increasingly become popular in the last years, with breeders developing more diverse species. The parent breed, the Golden Retriever, was developed in Scotland in the mids by Lord Tweedmouth. This dog was created as a solution for hunters who needed a dog adept at retrieving downed waterfowl. On the other hand, the Boxer originated in Germany back in the s. Bred as a guard dog, this dog was put in an exhibition in in Munich and later arrived in the U. S and Europe in the s. They were used as messenger dogs, attack dogs, and pack carriers during World War 1. 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. Golden Boxer Puppies A post shared by Russell russellthegb Golden Boxer puppies are cute, cuddly, and full of energy, and this tends to stay the same even as they grow. They are very happy and love to spend time with their families. These dogs are unlikely to be found in rescue shelters and often come from breeders so we recommend you do your homework and ask all of the right questions before you begin to work with any breeder. Apart from paying for your new dog, you need to ensure you factor in other initial costs associated with bringing a puppy home, such as a leash, crate, dog collar, microchip, and medical costs if your dog is not neutered. These expenses are a necessity, especially if you are a first-time dog owner. Your dog will thank you for them all. They are intelligent and clever; therefore, they can learn quickly and love to please their owners. They are affectionate, loyal, and outgoing breeds that also love playing with and entertaining children. Golden Boxers tend to be very shy and reserved around strangers, but this is advantageous because it makes them fantastic watchdogs. However, they are not aggressive to strangers but will alert you about the presence of a new face. Golden Boxers are ideal for an active, fun-loving family. These dog breeds are also very patient and willing. Despite been very polite, this dog can be high-spirited sometimes like the parent breed, the Boxer. As a family dog, too much isolation can lead to depression or destructive behavior such as continuous barking and chewing items in the house. Are These Dogs Good for Families? However, they still need early socialization and training to bring out these qualities further. These breeds tend to bond very closely with the family. If you are always at work without a sitter or family member around, this may not be the best dog species for your family. They are great pets to have around children because they like playing with them a lot. They should avoid habits such as tail pulling, rough play, and teasing. They also bark a lot when they are upset but make good guard dogs for the house when the family is sleeping. The Golden Boxer adapts well to sharing space with cats and other dogs. However, when small cats run away due to intimidation, the prey drive might kick in, and your Golden Boxer might chase the cat. When socialized at an early age, this dog breed will co-exist with other dogs peacefully. It makes friends very quickly; therefore, it will engage with other animals or pets that walk stray into your compound. This breed needs lots of attention from the family; therefore, you need to provide all the necessities. Like any other dog breed, you need to know the diet requirements, training and exercise needs, grooming, and any health and medical conditions. You can include quality lean meats such as lamb, beef, and chicken. When planning the feeding schedule, the diet should be according to the size, age, and activity level. These breeds are highly prone to bloating; therefore, they should not be fed all the food at once. The meals should be spread out to 2—3 meals throughout the day together with water. In addition, you should feed the dog an hour or two before an exercise session. When feeding your Golden Boxer, avoid foods that use meat by-products or other non-meat as their first ingredient. Once you buy food from the stores, follow the instructions on the package to ensure that the meals are served correctly. This dog tends to become obese and develop joint issues. Apart from food, the treats should also be kept to a minimum. To avoid this, you should schedule one long daily walk or two hours of engaging activity. Because of their high energy needs, the ideal owner for this dog breed is an active person who can bring the dogs along for a jog, hike, or walks. This dog can adapt well to living in an apartment, but with enough exercise outside. This dog species is perfect if you have a yard. You can plan for activities such as walks in the dog park. These walks in the park are also suitable for his socialization process. It helps bring out the best qualities in your pet and makes things easier for you. Exposure to new people, places, and situations and puppy training classes will encourage your dog and make it comfortable. It will also discourage some aggressive behaviors because the dog is more comfortable. Because of this, it will also listen to commands much faster without requiring a lot of repetition. During the training, you should be firm and confident. Also, use positive reinforcement such as praises to encourage your dog to pick up commands much easier. Incorporate some treats to keep your puppy happy during the training session. You should also avoid shouting or yelling at your dog during training. The sessions should also not be very long. Shorten them to an hour or less each day to help with concentration. Because Golden Boxers are devout people-pleasers, they use these moments to show you how well they respond. In addition, this may also be a perfect time to strengthen the bond between you and the dog. These dogs are moderate shedders; hence will need regular brushing, ideally once a day. Brushing daily is good because it helps to keep the coat tangle-free and keeps loose hair away from your home or car. The breeds with a long double coat require frequent trimming. You can either do this at home or hire a professional groomer. You should bathe your dog only when necessary and ensure that you use dog shampoo to protect the fur coat. This dog breed also has floppy ears; hence, they should always be kept clean to avoid infection. It would be best if you also kept them dry at all times. You can also do this by wiping with a damp cloth or cotton ball. In addition, you should trim the nails and brush the teeth at least three times a week. Breeders always try to improve their health conditions by carrying out selective breeding. However, even with this precaution, some conditions might be passed down to the offspring. Therefore, you should always research the potential medical conditions your pup may be prone to, as well as ask the breeder for medical records before taking your dog home. Minor Conditions. The puppies are called — adorably — Golden Boxer puppies! But before you are overcome with cuteness and rush out to find a litter of Golden Retriever Boxer puppies, it is wise to learn more about what your puppy might be like as an adult dog. In this article, we take a close look at the Golden Retriever Boxer mix dog so you can decide if this is the right companion for you! On one side, purebred dog breeders feel the breed lines should be kept pure. Any cross between two purebred dog breeds basically results in a mixed breed dog , or mutt. Conversely, canine biologists feel cross-breeding two purebred dog breeds together can have benefits to overall canine health. Since it is not possible to predict in advance which traits a puppy may inherit from either parent dog, the best way to try to imagine what your new pup might be like is to learn more about both the Golden Retriever and the Boxer. Origins of the Golden Retriever The Golden Retriever is currently the third most popular companion canine in the country. This gorgeous dog is of Scottish descent, with a long and honorable lineage as a working dog. This dog is just so friendly and sociable! Goldens make terrible guard dogs but wonderful best friends. The Golden Retriever, not surprisingly, takes its name from its long, lush golden coat. Origins of the Boxer The Boxer is currently the tenth most popular companion canine in the country. This dog, with its short coat and upturned ears, can easily turn heads. The Boxer is a truly ancient dog breed that can trace its lineage back to the time of the ancient Assyrians 2, BC. However, the modern Boxer arose in the s in Germany and soon migrated to the UK, where it became a favored working and pet dog. The Boxer gets its name from how it fights or boxes with its front paws — just like a prize fighter. What is the Golden Retriever Boxer mix dog like? The ability to predict what a Golden Retriever Boxer mix dog will be like has everything to do with the generation of puppies. The earliest litter, or F1 generation, will vary the most in size, weight, height, temperament, coat and other factors. These puppies are born from a pure cross of a Golden Retriever with a Boxer dog. The next litter, or F1b generation, will be more predictable in all attributes. These puppies are born from a cross between one purebred parent either a Golden Retriever or a Boxer with a Golden Retriever Box mix parent. Subsequent litters, or F2, F3, F4, and so on, will become more uniform over time. With longevity of breeding programs, what was once a hybrid dog breed may even become standardized as a new purebred dog breed! Males tend to be taller and heavier than females. Females tend to be about 15 pounds lighter and 1. From this, you can guesstimate your Golden Retriever Boxer Mix puppy will likely fall within the weight range of 60 to 75 pounds and stand .The Boxer, on the other hand, sheds very little and normally needs only a weekly brushing to keep coat and skin in tip-top condition. From this you can imagine how diverse the possible coat types in a litter of Golden Boxer dog puppies might be! You may find two pups with completely different coat types even within the same litter, especially if the litter is an F1 or F1b generation. Personality and Temperament of a Golden Retriever Boxer mix Even most non-dog-lovers know that Golden Retrievers are incredibly friendly. If they were people, they would be the ones planning the happy hours and pool parties. Boxers are bright, loyal, affectionate and loving. They are very patient and have natural protective tendencies that can necessitate extra efforts to socialize them in puppyhood. Both breeds tend to be exuberant and playful while young and can be stubborn at times because they are very smart. But both are natural people-pleasers and will take well to positive training methods. With two such positive, outgoing and people-pleasing parent dogs, you are quite likely to find that your Golden Retriever Boxer mix puppy has a lovely personality and temperament overall! Health Issues of Golden Retriever Boxer Mix dogs Both Golden Retrievers and Boxers, like so many purebred dogs today, can have certain genetic heritable health issues you will want to be aware of. Golden Boxer dog breeders who are serious about breeding healthy puppies will have their breeding stock parent dogs pre-screened and tested for all known breed-specific health conditions to avoid passing any preventable conditions on to the puppies. Commonalities in Health Concerns It is important to know that both Golden Retrievers and Boxers are prone to developing certain types of cancers. The ongoing Golden Retriever Lifetime Study was set up to better understand one of the most pervasive types of cancer in Goldens, hemangiosarcoma, as well as risk factors for other types of cancer and serious health conditions. The average life expectancy for Golden Retrievers is 10 to 12 years. The average life expectancy for Boxers is also 10 to 12 years. Socialization and training needs for Golden Retriever Boxer mix dogs Both Golden Retrievers and Boxers are bright, energetic, sociable and come from a long lineage of working dogs. This makes training both a necessity and, usually, a joy, since you will be working with a dog that really wants to learn, interact and please you! However, it is worth saying that smart dogs like Golden Retrievers and Boxers will only do well when trained using positive reinforcement methods. Is a Golden Retriever Boxer Mix a good family dog? Based on a study of the overall temperament and personality traits of the Golden retriever and the Boxer, respectively, the Golden Retriever Boxer mix dog is quite likely to make a great family dog. This is true even for families with young children. How to Pick Golden Retriever Boxer mix puppies Choosing a Golden Boxer breeder that is reputable, responsible and serious about breeding healthy Boxer Retriever mix puppies will be critical. This is a question that is very personal, of course, but for the right family or individual, a Golden Retriever Boxer mix dog can make a great canine companion! If you already have some experience with a mix dog like this, let us know in the comments!

Reviewed by Petal Smart Petal Smart is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and has been an editor in the veterinary and medical sciences since .She has edited more than assignments, including research studies published in various academic journals, continuing medical education materials, and articles on pet health. Canine hip dysplasia is most often seen in large breeds like German Shepherd dogs , Saint Bernards , and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs , but a dog of any size and both male and female dogs may be affected. The cause of canine hip dysplasia isn't known. The condition is thought to have a genetic link, and dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Puppies from parents that have hip dysplasia will be more likely to develop the condition than puppies born to parents with normal hips. However, even dogs with normal parents can develop hip dysplasia. What Is Canine Hip Dysplasia? The pelvis cradles the head of the femur thigh bone in a cup-like socket of bone that forms the hip. Puppies typically are born normal, but as the puppy matures, the hip joint alignment becomes progressively worse. This places abnormal stress and wear on the bones when they rub together, and causes further joint degeneration and pain. Bones respond to stress by growing thicker, which makes the fit even worse. As the dog matures, this damage predisposes to arthritic changes and painful joints. Signs and Symptoms Severe hip dysplasia may become noticeable as early as four months of age, but is more typically seen in pups aged 9 months to 1 year. The painful condition causes limping , favoring of limbs, and difficulty rising, running, or jumping. Dysplastic pups may exhibit an odd wobbly gait when walking and "bunny hop" when running or climbing stairs, which may help to ease joint stress. Stairs can prove a particular challenge for these dogs, and sore hips and pain may prompt aggression , causing the pup to snap or flinch when touched. However, there are degrees of severity. Some pups may show few to no signs at all, and mild cases may go undiagnosed until the dog reaches middle age or older. How quickly, or to what extent degeneration occurs is in part determined by the pup's activity level. While healthy, normal hips probably won't be adversely affected by hard work or exuberant play, the dog with mild to moderate hip dysplasia develops more noticeable signs more quickly when excessive stress is placed on these joints. Fortunately, only a relatively small percentage of pets suffer the severest, most crippling form of the condition. The condition may also be influenced by lifestyle, nutrition, body weight, and activity level. The puppy is placed on its back and the veterinarian looks for the typical arthritic changes and subluxation laxity of the joint. Some changes may not become evident until the pup reaches 2 years old, and experts say there may be considerable changes from 6 to 9 months up to 1 year. The OFA provides a consulting service for purebred dog owners and breeders, through which it reviews hip X-rays provided by an owner to evaluate the dog's conformation and, when normal, certifies that fact. The PennHip testing method, developed by Dr. Reputable breeders have dog parents tested prior to breeding to make sure they do not have hip dysplasia and reduce the chance of the condition in puppies. Dogs can be certified free of hip dysplasia by sending appropriate X-rays to either the OFA registry or the PennHip registry. This is evaluated by three radiologists who score the hips fair, good, or excellent. PennHip evaluation uses computer analysis to compare the X-rays to all the other dogs of that breed in the registry. Management of Hip Dysplasia There is no cure for hip dysplasia. Treatment is aimed at relieving pain and improving joint function. How well treatment works depends on the severity of the problem. Often, mild to moderate cases of hip dysplasia can be managed with gentle exercise, a healthy diet, and oral pain relievers like buffered aspirin or Rimadyl as prescribed by the veterinarian. Moderate exercise helps maintain and improve the puppy's muscle tone, which alleviates painful wear and tear on the joint. Encourage your dysplastic puppy to take short walks with you. Swimming is an ideal exercise, but jumping and prolonged running should be discouraged. Keep your puppy lean; obesity increases joint strain and can make the condition worse. Massage can also help the dog feel better. Severe cases of hip dysplasia may benefit from surgery that rebuilds or removes bone or alters the muscles and tendons to reduce pain. More from The Spruce Pets. March 24, Bulldogs are dependable, loyal and obedient. They have remarkable patience and tolerance and get along very well with other dogs and young children. One would assume that a breed of dog with such short legs would never be susceptible to hip dysplasia or arthritis. The truth is that hip dysplasia in Bulldogs is one of the most common health issues this breed is prone to. Hip dysplasia is a degenerative condition, which can affect any dog. Although the causes may vary, the effects are always the same: loss of mobility, increasing pain, impaired gait, and even behavioral and mood changes in your dog including snappishness and depression. Dysplasia is simply the dislocation of a bone from its proper place. Hip dysplasia or displacement is one of the best-known types of dysplasia in dogs. The degenerative process of hip dysplasia is gradual. The onset of symptoms, specifically pain, is also somewhat gradual taking place over the course of years. In simple terms, the two bones of the hip joint shift out of alignment. Perhaps because they are such hand-working structures, the ball and socket joints are prone to disease, and simple mechanical wear and damage over time. The muscles and joints become lax, and the joint capsule, a strong band of connective tissue which circled the bones for added stability, loses its elastic strength. As this happens, the articular working surfaces of the two bones lose contact with each other. The bones slowly separate as the soft tissues around the joint degenerate. The disease may affect one or both right and left hips. With the loss of protective scaffolding between the bone surfaces, the nerves in the bone endings themselves become exposed. When bone touches bone, there is acute pain. In addition, the loss of tensile strength of the supporting tendons, muscle, and cartilage means that other structures in the hip and leg must compensate in terms of weight-bearing and movement. This unnatural compensation may cause fatigue and pain. It may even cause the dog to injure itself—running to catch a Frisbee, or climbing stairs, for instance. What Causes Hip Dysplasia? Experts disagree as to the source of hip dysplasia in dogs. Too much food One theory is that feeding a young, growing dog too many calories early in its development contributes to the disorder. Too much exercise Another theory is that too much exercise, or the wrong kind of exercise, or simply too much high-impact exercise, such as fetching, jumping, and catching a ball or Frisbee on concrete, contributes to hip dysplasia. A factual observation about this condition is that hip dysplasia tends to affect large breeds more so than smaller dogs. This, too, is relative—it is possible for small dogs to become affected by hip dysplasia, too. However, we correctly associate the condition most frequently with big breeds. These breeds do carry a genetic predisposition toward the condition. It is also true that purebreds, especially large dogs, are most likely to become vulnerable to hip dysplasia, therefore calling upon informed and responsible breeding practices. Sometimes our decision-making process is clouded by emotion—guilt, fear, even panic when we see our beloved canine companion suffering. These are also common in dogs, attacking the cartilage, muscles, and membrane linings of cartilage and joints. These may offer your dog safe alternatives: calming inflammation as an immediate solution and helping to rebuild joint integrity as a long-range treatment. These trusted products can slow or even stop the degeneration of the hip joint. In many cases, hip replacement surgery which is the last resort may be prevented altogether. An X-ray examination will be recommended as a first step. If your dog becomes less active, weight gain may become a challenge. Eliminate treats, and if possible, offer your dog low-impact exercises like stretching and swimming. We Can Help. Does your dog have trouble walking, standing, or getting up? There is an excellent chance we can help your dog. Diagnosis Your veterinarian will likely start by gathering a detailed medical history, including when you first noticed symptoms and if your pup has suffered any accidents or injuries. To diagnose hip dysplasia, your veterinarian will give your dog a fluid workup consisting of a blood chemical profile, blood count, electrolyte panel test, and urinalysis. Your furry friend will probably also require light sedation so your veterinarian can take X-rays and perform special hip palpation tests. The earlier your buddy is diagnosed, the better. This is because certain surgical options are only viable for puppies. In many cases, veterinarians can diagnose puppies as young as 10 weeks with abnormal joint laxity. Treatment As a degenerative disease, hip dysplasia has no cure. However, your veterinarian can work with you to help give your furry friend the best quality of life possible. Hip dysplasia surgery options include: Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis JPS — Only appropriate for puppies less than six months, JPS fuses the pelvis to improve stability. Triple pelvic osteotomy TPO — For dogs less than 1-year-old, this procedure rotates the sockets. Total hip replacement THR — Reserved for senior dogs with advanced osteoarthritis, THR replaces the ball and socket with artificial implants. Femoral head osteotomy FHO — Best for pooches weighing less than 60 pounds and with good musculature, FHO removes the ball and enables the surrounding muscles to form a false joint. If surgery is not an option, drug therapies like steroids, anti-inflammatory medications, and joint supplements can help your pal manage pain. Physical therapy can work wonders, too, especially swimming since it gets the joints and muscles moving without any undue strain. If your pal is genetically predisposed to hip dysplasia, you cannot stop the condition from developing. However, you can tackle the lifestyle and environmental factors at play. In general, a high-quality, low-protein dry food diet is a good starting point. Though it may be tempting to let your sore pal rest on the couch all day, regular exercise can actually help strengthen the muscles surrounding the hip joints, which will ultimately help relieve pain. Let your dog take the lead on this, so you can get a sense for when they tire and what they struggle with. Start with two short walks a day, and avoid rough terrain or anything that requires jumping or running. In terms of environment, try to keep your doggie out of cold, damp weather, and make sure they have a dry place to sleep that is free from drafts. Slippery floors can be tricky for pups with hip pain, so opt for area rugs and mats when possible. If your dog goes up and down stairs frequently, you may want to consider a carpeted ramp. Scheduling regular follow-up visits with your veterinarian is also a key component of prevention. Is your canine companion covered? Get a free quote today! From to , it detected hip dysplasia in .Genetics and joint malformations are known to contribute to the prevalence of hip dysplasia in Bulldogs. To better understand Bulldog hip dysplasia, you must understand the function of the hip joint first. The hip joint is just like a ball fixed into a socket. In normal hip joints, the femoral head can rotate smoothly and freely within the socket. A strong ligament holds the joint together. In most cases, Bulldogs who develop hip dysplasia are born with normal hips. But because of genetic factors, the soft tissues around their hip joints do not develop normally and remains loose. When the hip joints and the tissues surrounding are too loose, the femoral head can get displaced on the edge of the socket instead of moving smoothly inside. This results in changes in size and shape of the articular surfaces — causing pain and possible formation of calcium deposits in the hip joints. This can affect either the left or right hip, or both. Bulldog hip dysplasia can be debilitating and painful. If you are able to detect the early signs of hip dysplasia in your Bulldog, appropriate measures can be taken before the disease progresses and results in partial or complete dislocation of the hip joint, arthritis, or bone degeneration. Here are some early signs of Bulldog hip dysplasia. You may notice your Bulldog taking longer to stand up from a laid-down position, especially if the surface he rests on is slippery. He may do this to avoid feeling too much pain in the hip joint area. This behavior is a very common sign of hip dysplasia in Bulldogs. Signs of Bulldog Hip Dysplasia 2: Pain and Sensitivity in the Hip Area Hip dysplasia often causes damage or the breakdown of the cartilage in the hip joint. When this happens, the contact between the pelvic bone and the femur causes friction, which later results in joint inflammation and pain. Dogs who suffer from hip dysplasia may whine or bark when the hip area is touched. Some dogs may even show aggressive behaviors. Hip dysplasia can make your pet refuse to move, jump, climb, or descend the stairs in an attempt to avoid feeling pain. Affected dogs often lose enthusiasm in doing things they used to enjoy. Is your Bulldog hopping like a bunny when he walks? Bunny-hopping is one of the early signs of Bulldog hip dysplasia. To avoid pain, your Bulldog may try to lift either of his hind legs when he has to walk or move to another location. Dogs with hip dysplasia do bunny-hop to avoid putting on weight on their painful limb. Because your Bulldog will most likely avoid using his hips and thighs, as the muscles in these areas generally shrink atrophy. As your Bulldog relies on his front body to move him from one place to another, the muscles on his shoulders and front limbs may grow large hypertrophy. If your Bulldog suffers from this problem, he may experience problems when he goes potty. Squatting and even lifting legs can be difficult for dogs with hip dysplasia. If you see your Bulldog straining, whining, or having a hard time when he pees or poops, consider having him checked for hip dysplasia. Some of them can manage to move or walk despite the pain. But they often find themselves falling over because they try to balance their weight to prevent their hip area from getting hurt. Sometimes, they slip or fall on the floor due to weakness in the hip joint. If your Bulldog has this problem, consider placing rugs or carpets on the floor. Toe grips may also help prevent him from slipping. Signs of Bulldog Hip Dysplasia 8: Frog Sit Bulldog hip dysplasia can make it hard for your pet to sit in a normal position. Dogs with hip dysplasia often slouch or sit like a frog when they rest. The position allows them to rest without straining or putting much weight on their hips. Leave a Reply: Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. It can also help to know what types of health conditions your dog may be most vulnerable to. These are some of the health issues that English Bulldogs are more prone to and could experience in their lifetime: Cherry eye You may not know it, but your dog has a third eyelid tucked inside its lower eyelid which provides further protection for the eye. Cherry eye is a condition in which the third eyelid protrudes, making it very noticeable. Elbow and hip dysplasia Large breed dogs such as English bulldogs can be prone to hip dysplasia, a condition in which the ball and socket of the joint do not fit together the way that they are supposed to. As a result, the joint degenerates, causing the dog pain and making it difficult to walk. Elbow dysplasia is a similar condition in which the elbow joint does not develop normally, leading to chronic pain and lameness. Bone cancer While bone cancer can potentially develop in any breed of dog, larger breeds are most vulnerable to it. In some cases, it can develop after a traumatic bone injury. The most common type of bone cancer in dogs is a tumor known as osteosarcoma. Common symptoms are apparent lameness, reluctance to eat, and joint inflammation. If you notice that your English bulldog is having difficulty walking or have other sudden changes in behavior, schedule an appointment at your vet clinic right away. It is a good idea to discuss health conditions that a particular breed is more prone to with your vet so they can help you become more aware in better recognizing symptoms that could be concerning for your pet. What is hip dysplasia? To understand hip dysplasia we must have a basic understanding of the joint that is being affected. The hip joint forms the attachment of the hind leg to the body and is a ball and socket joint. The ball portion is the head of the femur while the socket acetabulum is located on the pelvis. In a normal joint the ball rotates freely within the socket. To facilitate movement the bones are shaped to perfectly match each other; with the socket surrounding the ball. To strengthen the joint, the two bones are held together by a strong ligament. The ligament attaches the femoral head directly to the acetabulum. Also, the joint capsule, which is a very strong band of connective tissue, encircles the two bones adding further stability. The area where the bones actually touch each other is called the articular surface. It is perfectly smooth and cushioned with a layer of spongy cartilage. In addition, the joint contains a highly viscous fluid that lubricates the articular surfaces. In a dog with normal hips, all of these factors work together to cause the joint to function smoothly and with stability. Hip dysplasia is associated with abnormal joint structure and a laxity of the muscles, connective tissue, and ligaments that would normally support the joint. As joint laxity develops, the articular surfaces of the two bones lose contact with each other. This separation of the two bones within the joint is called a subluxation, and this causes a drastic change in the size and shape of the articular surfaces. Most dysplastic dogs are born with normal hips but due to their genetic make-up and possibly other factors the soft tissues that surround the joint develop abnormally causing the subluxation. It is this subluxation and the remodeling of the hip that leads to the symptoms we associate with this disease. What are the symptoms of hip dysplasia? Dogs of all ages are subject to hip dysplasia and the resultant osteoarthritis. In severe cases, puppies as young as five months will begin to show pain and discomfort during and after exercise. The condition will worsen until even normal daily activities are painful. Without intervention, these dogs may eventually be unable to walk. The symptoms are similar to those seen with other causes of arthritis in the hip. Dogs often walk or run with an altered gait. They may resist movements that require full extension or flexion of the rear legs. They will show stiffness and pain in the rear legs after exercise or first thing in the morning. They may also have difficulty climbing stairs. In milder cases dogs will warm-up out of the stiffness with movement and exercise. Some dogs will limp and many will become less willing to participate in normal daily activities. Many owners attribute the changes to normal aging but after treatment is initiated, they are surprised to see a more normal and pain-free gait return. As the condition progresses, most dogs will lose muscle tone and may even need assistance in getting up. Who gets hip dysplasia? Hip dysplasia can be found in dogs, cats, and humans, but for this article we are concentrating only on dogs. In dogs, it is primarily a disease of large and giant breeds. German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, and Saint Bernards appear to have a higher incidence, however, these are all very popular breeds and may be over represented because of their popularity. On the other hand, sighthounds such as the Greyhound or the Borzoi have a very low incidence of the disease. This disease can occur in medium-sized breeds and rarely in small breeds. It is primarily a disease of purebreds although it can happen in mixed breeds, particularly if it is a cross of two dogs that are prone to developing the disease. What are the risk factors for the development of hip dysplasia? Hip dysplasia is caused by a subluxation in the hip joint. This creates abnormal wear and erosion of the joint and as a result arthritis and pain develop. The disease process is fairly straightforward; the controversy starts when we try to determine what predisposes animals to contracting the disease. Genetics: Researchers agree that hip dysplasia is a genetic disease. If there are genetic carriers, then he may contract the disease. We can greatly reduce the incidence of hip dysplasia through selective breeding. We can also increase the incidence through selectively breeding. We cannot, however, completely reproduce the disease through selective breeding. In other words, if you breed two dysplastic dogs, the offspring are much more likely to develop the disease but the offspring will not all have the same level of symptoms or even necessarily show any symptoms. The offspring from these dogs will, however, be carriers and the disease will most likely show up in their offspring in later generations. This is why it can be challenging to eradicate the disease from a breed or specific breeding line. Experimentally, it has been shown that obesity can increase the severity of the disease in genetically susceptible animals. It stands to reason that carrying around extra weight will exacerbate the degeneration of the joints in a dog; including the hip. Dogs that may have been born genetically prone to hip dysplasia and are overweight are therefore at a much higher risk of developing hip dysplasia and eventually osteoarthritis. Another factor that may increase the incidence of hip dysplasia is rapid growth in puppies during the ages from three to ten months. Experimentally, the incidence has been increased in genetically susceptible dogs when they are given free choice food. Feeding a diet that has too much or too little calcium or other minerals can also have a detrimental effect on the development of the hip joint. The practice of feeding home-made dog foods is popular with some dog owners. These diets must be carefully monitored for proper nutritional balance; not only for calcium and the other essential minerals but for all nutrients. Exercise: Exercise may be another risk factor. It appears that dogs that are genetically susceptible to the disease may have an increased incidence of disease if they over-exercised at a young age. But at the same time, we know that dogs with large and prominent leg muscle mass are less likely to contract the disease than dogs with small muscle mass. So, exercising and maintaining good muscle mass may actually decrease the incidence of the disease. Moderate exercise that strengthens the gluteal muscles, such as running and swimming, is probably a good idea. Whereas, activities that apply a lot of force to the joint are contraindicated. An example would be jumping activities such as playing Frisbee. How is hip dysplasia diagnosed? The diagnosis of canine hip dysplasia is typically made by combining: clinical signs of arthritis and pain, a complete physical exam, and radiographs x-rays. If a dog is showing outward signs of arthritis, there are usually easily recognized changes in the joint that can be seen on radiographs. In addition, the veterinarian may even be able to feel looseness in the joint or may be able to elicit pain through extension and flexion of the rear leg. Regardless, the results are straightforward and usually not difficult to interpret. However, about half of the animals that come in for a determination on the health of their hip joints are not showing physical signs, but are intended to be used for breeding. The breeder wants to ensure that the animal is not at great risk for transmitting the disease to his or her offspring. At Grand Future Kennel, based on personal observations as well as documentation provided by the veterinarian Reid Shufer D. We are yet to meet a veterinarian that believes OFA hip testing results are reliable. This is why at our kennel we only use the PennHip method in the United States. The OFA maintains a database of hip evaluations for hundreds of thousands of dogs. Since the accuracy of radiological diagnosis of hip dysplasia using the OFA technique increases after 24 months of age, the OFA requires that the dog be at least two years of age at the time the radiographs are taken. Because some female dogs experience additional hip subluxation when they are in heat, pregnant or nursing the OFA recommends that the evaluation should not be performed during these times. To get the correct presentation and ensure that the muscles are relaxed, the OFA recommends that the dog be anesthetized for the radiographs. OFA radiologists evaluate the hip joints for congruity, subluxation, the condition of the acetabulum, and the size, shape, and architecture of the femoral head and femoral neck. The OFA then places the evaluated dogs into one of seven categories. Normal hips are graded as: excellent, good or fair. If the consensus is unclear the dog is graded as borderline dysplastic. And dogs with obvious radiographic signs of hip dysplasia are graded as: mild, moderate, severely dysplastic. Dogs with hips scored as borderline or dysplastic mild, moderate, severe are not eligible to receive OFA breeding numbers. The OFA will also provide preliminary evaluations performed by one OFA radiologist of dogs younger than 24 months of age to help breeders choose breeding stock. This program was conceived in and became a usable system by .To assure quality and repeatability among diagnostic centers using the PennHIP technique, veterinarians must take a special training course to become certified. Radiographs of the hips are taken with the dog under heavy sedation. These radiographs can be taken on a dog as young as 16 weeks. Two views are obtained with the hind limbs in neutral position to maximize joint laxity. These are known as the distraction and compression radiographic views. Weights and an external device are used to help push the head of the femur further into or away from the acetabulum. The amount of femoral head displacement joint laxity is quantified using a distraction index or DI. The DI ranges from 0 to over 1 and is calculated by measuring the distance the center of the femoral head moves laterally from the center of the acetabulum and dividing it by the radius of the femoral head. A DI of 0 indicates a very tight joint. A DI of 1 indicates complete luxation with little or no coverage of the femoral head. A hip with a distraction index of 0. A third radiographic view is taken using the same positioning as the OFA. Hip laxity as measured by the DI is strongly correlated with the future development of osteoarthritis. Hips with a DI below 0. Although hips with a DI above 0. It is known that some hips with radiographically apparent laxity do not develop osteoarthritis. A means of differentiating lax hips that develop osteoarthritis from those that will not is important in developing a prognosis and making treatment or breeding recommendations. In one study, the DI obtained from dogs at four months of age was a good predictor of later osteoarthritis, though the 6 and month indices were more accurate. The PennHIP method has gained popularity and more and more veterinarians are becoming certified. Article produced for educational purposes. The average PennHip score for the American Bulldog breed is 0. Please note that this average score is derived only from dogs that have been tested via the PennHip method, which is naturally only a small fraction of all American Bulldog breeders, and higher quality breeders would be significantly over-represented in the sample. Therefore, we can assume that the actual average score within the breed is significantly higher worse. Given the relatively small cost and vital importance of this test, it is naive to assume that a given dog is not predisposed for Hip Dysplasia if the breeder went through the trouble of doing other tests except for this one. The more likely possibility is that the non-ideal test result is being withheld or the breeder has a hunch that the test would produce undesirable results. Search this website.

They are almost square in appearance, with a strong body and sturdy legs. The maximum height for a male is 24 inches, which puts them in the medium-size dog category, but their sturdy build can make them seem much larger. Weights range from 85 pounds for a large male to 55 pounds for a smaller female. Field line bred dogs are often taller and somewhat thinner in build. Labrador retrievers are easily recognized by their broad head, drop ears and large, expressive eyes. Two trademarks of the Lab are the thick but fairly short double coat, which is very water repellent, and the well known "otter tail. The feet are described as "webbed," with longer skin between the toes to aid in swimming. The Labrador retriever is a moderately fast maturing breed, reaching adult height from six to 12 months, but possibly still filling out up to 2 years of age. Many Labs reach 12 to 14 years of age. Personality: In general, Labrador retrievers are excellent family dogs, as long as you keep in mind their need for exercise and training. These are dogs bred to work and work hard and they love to have jobs to do, particularly retrieving. Labs are usually good with other dogs, other pets, and children as long as training has toned down their natural exuberance. They are strong dogs and need some obedience training at an early age or they can be seen dragging their owners down the street at will. Owing to their energetic nature, Labradors who are left alone or not well exercised can become destructive — chewing, digging and barking to excess. The field line dogs are especially high-energy dogs, while some of the show line dogs become perfect couch potatoes at an early age. Chewing can be a problem because the strong retrieve urge gives them an oral fixation. Sturdy chew toys, exercise and training all help with this. Living With: Obviously, Labradors have a number of endearing traits or they would not be so popular. They are intelligent and fairly easy to train, partly from their desire to work with people. They are "easy keepers" and can become overweight if they are not exercised and food portions adjusted as needed. Labs are excellent family dogs because they do want to be with people and many do not do well as kennel dogs. Labradors do tend to be protective of their families and homes but are usually happy to greet company, too. With the strong retrieving instinct, they can develop into destructive chewers if not given appropriate toys and guidance. Labs may tend to "mouth" people and the solution is often simply to give them a toy to carry around, so their mouths are already full! These are very strong dogs and early training is necessary to have a dog that walks nicely on lead. The wonderful double coat that keeps the Labrador warm while retrieving in icy water also gives this breed top billing as shedders. Normally, their coats do fine with a quick weekly grooming, but at shedding time daily grooming is needed. The amount of exercise they need varies with the different lines: field line dogs can run all day, whereas show line dogs only need moderate exercise. History: Early in the s, some of the multipurpose dogs used in North America mostly Canada by hunters were shipped back to England. Many of these "water dogs" were of the Newfoundland type, but the smaller ones were often designated "St John's" dogs. In England, the breed was developed and refined probably with some flat-coated retriever input into the breed we recognize today. As is evidenced by their name, Labrador retrievers were bred and selected for their outstanding retrieving abilities, particularly in water. They have worked as partners with duck hunters in all kinds of weather and conditions. Their intelligence and desire to work as a partner with man has led to many other jobs, and to their current status as popular pets. Today, Labradors excel as service and guide dogs, family pets, scenting dogs for the military, customs and arson task force dogs, search and rescue dogs as well as hunting companions and performance dogs. The breed's good nature has propelled it to the number one ranking in popularity in America, a position it intends to keep. Despite their fame as indoor pets, they are even more at home outdoors. It should always be remembered that Labradors are water retrievers at heart and from early on, puppies show a strong desire to carry things around with them and a strong attraction to water, even puddles! Related Pet Care Articles. Back to Top Labrador Retriever Temperament Cheerful and animated, this large dog breed has stamina and energy to spare, able to keep up with your family and all your activities. And thanks to their high intelligence, learning commands and tricks come relativity easy for them. Labrador dogs love having a job to do and excel at things like agility courses and, just like their name implies, retrieving items. In fact, their superior intelligence is why they often make great assistance dogs, working as therapy or service animals. A people-pleaser, Labrador Retrievers have a pleasant personality and love interacting with humans. Get ready to be showered with lots of affection! Slow and controlled introductions to other family pets will help make the transition go smoothly. Addressing any biting issues early on, providing proper socialization when they are puppies aka safely exposing them to lots of new people, places and things and working with a professional dog trainer can help avoid behavioral issues when they get older. Back to Top How to Care for a Labrador Retriever As you might expect with such a popular dog breed, Labs are relatively easy to care for and make great dogs for first-time pet parents. The toughest part about taking care of a Lab will likely be your ability to keep up with them! For more routine maintenance, brush them at least once a week. Consider using a tool like the Furminator to help brush out the undercoat and remove the excess fur. Labs who spend most of their time indoors should be bathed every four to six weeks. You can do this at home or have it done by a professional groomer. For those who get a lot of outdoor time, you should bathe them weekly. Training Labs are eager to please, making them highly trainable. You can begin obedience school with your Labrador puppy between the ages of 7 weeks and 4 months. They can learn the basics such as housebreaking, commands—sit, stay, speak, shake and roll over—and leash skills, such as heel. Labs can be leash-pullers and jumpers. To help train dogs more effectively, choose a headcollar to help prevent pulling and provide more control. A certified professional dog trainer can provide more guidance on correcting the issue. In general, Labs are extremely friendly and do well in most social interactions. As a working dog, they can compete in agility courses, retrieve fish, be excellent guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired, sniff out bombs and drugs, and help law enforcement in search-and-rescue missions. Your veterinarian can help you nail down a feeding chart to guide you on how much and how often to feed your dog based on their specific diet. Because Labs are so active and always on the go, they may benefit from a high-protein dog food. If your pup has digestion issues, you may need to seek out a different dog food formula. While treats are often used in training, be sure to limit the amount you dish out on the daily. An overabundance of treats, even if your pup is super active, is an easy way for them to pack on the pounds. Take them for runs around the neighborhood or at the dog park, in addition to regular walks and hikes at least once a day for an hour is ideal. A great way to burn off their energy is to enroll them in agility course training or let them swim in a pool, lake or ocean if you have those options nearby. Speaking of swimming, Labs absolutely love the water—they were, after all, bred to be waterdogs, retrieving fish and fowl. Lab parents should prioritize water-based outings as often as possible to ensure that their pup gets the precious water time they love. Since Labs are natural swimmers, dock diving makes for a fun exercise that will keep them entertained for hours on end. Ideal Environment Labs want love, affection and attention—and lots of it. Their ideal environment is, unsurprisingly, one where they can be smothered with cuddles, hugs and kisses. These family dogs generally do well with kids and other pets because of their amicable attitude and spirited energy. Having friends over for dinner? Your Lab is likely to steal the show with their cheerfulness. Labs are extremely versatile and tend to flourish in many different environments, from urban to rural. A game of fetch is always a fun option for Retrievers! Reputable breeders often look at lineage to eliminate health problems that can run in bloodlines and be passed from generation to generation. Elbow Dysplasia: When an elbow joint grows abnormally, your pup might experience stiffness in their forelimbs. Their mobility may be affected, and they might deal with some discomfort or pain over time. Treatment will depend on the primary cause of the elbow dysplasia, but in most cases surgery is recommended. Arthritis is common in older Labs because of their large size, which places more strain on their joints with age. There are hip surgeries that can mitigate the effects of hip dysplasia if identified early enough. Allergies: Labs are prone to environmental and food allergies, which can be, at times, rather relentless. Common signs of really bad allergies? Recurring ear and skin infections and chewing at their paws. If your Lab regularly shows these signs, check with your vet for the best way to help keep these reactions at bay. Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Otherwise known as PRA, this describes a number of diseases that can cause degeneration of the lining in the retina, which is in the back of the eye. In some cases, this condition can lead to blindness. But as a deep-chested dog, Labs are more likely to be susceptible to it. In severe cases, the stomach can twist upon itself and result in a condition called gastric dilation volvulus GDV. This is very serious and can be deadly if not treated immediately. Johns Dog or the lesser Newfoundland, Labrador Retrievers originated in Newfoundland not Labrador , Canada, and are longtime descendants of the now-extinct St. With their strong hunting heritage, Labradors first became popularized in the early s as a waterdog who could help fishermen retrieve fish and ducks and bring them back to their boats. Their soft mouths and gentle jaws made them perfect for delicately handling birds and fish. Eventually, they were brought across the Atlantic Ocean to England after English nobles visited Canada. There, the English continued to refine the breed in the second half of the 19th century. The popularity of the Labrador breed has only continued to grow since then. Today, modern Labs are the most popular dog in America, according to the American Kennel Club, which formally recognized the breed in .Labs are mostly sought after for their unmatched diving aptitude and ability to work in the water, largely thanks to their water-repellent coats, webbed feet and otter-like tail. You can also reach out to Labrador Retriever rescue organizations to adopt a Lab or keep an eye out for the breed at your local animal shelter. No, Labs are not hypoallergenic. In fact, Labs shed frequently. Overall, some dog breeds may have less reactive dander, which may make them be seen as hypoallergenic. But it mainly depends on how your body responds and how sensitive your allergies are to any particular animal. Can Labrador Retrievers swim? Yes, Labrador Retrievers can swim; they have webbed feet, which help propel them through the water. They readily jump into the water to retrieve fish or ducks when directed. Can Labrador Retrievers be guard dogs? They perform better at jobs that require constant stimulation, like sporting activities or being a therapy or service animal. What are the most common Labrador mixes? Labs are always up for anything. For those who love to stay active and want a loyal canine companion, Labs are undoubtedly the way to go. 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. They've won the dog personality popularity contest for so many years, as Labs are devoted to their owners—always willing to show you their affection and receive your adoration in return—are highly intelligent, and are happiest doing any and all family activities. Their enthusiasm not only makes them fun to be around, but also makes them a hard-working breed. Labs are companionable, bonding with all family members, and famously friendly to every person and pup they meet. While they have high energy and require lots of activity , they are eager to please and highly trainable. Appearance Thanks to their role as a hunter's companion, the Labrador retriever is a sturdy dog, weighing in at anywhere from 55—80 pounds. Labs come in three colors: chocolate, black, and yellow. While black Labs were an early favorite with breeders, all three types of Labs are common today. Some breeders do offer "rare" Labs, including polar white, fox red, and even silver, but these are simply variations of the three original Lab coloring combinations. Their top coat is short and thick. Their undercoat is softer and helps provide protection from the weather, especially cold temperatures and water, a nod to their original role as retrievers. A Lab's tail serves a purpose in their heritage as well. They are thick and tapered, an "otter tail" that acts as a rudder when Labs swim. But watch out on land—this happy breed gets to wagging their tail often and eagerly, and won't stop if you happen to be in the way. Yellow Labs might be easy to confuse with golden retrievers. Though both are friendly pups and popular with families, they distinctly different breeds. Temperament "The ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable nature; eager to please and non aggressive towards man or animal," the breed standard says. They are friendly with new people and animals they meet. Tops in the personality department, Labs are also highly intelligent, making them very trainable. They do have lots of energy, so you'll need to stay active with them, but they are also happy to relax at home for family movie night. What many veterinarians do find, however, is that each Lab is an individual with his own personality. Some Labs are more mellow, while others can be higher energy. Some tend to be more anxious dogs. And you can even have a Lab that is a bit of a goofball. But no matter what personality your Lab puppy grows to develop, one thing is always the same. Living Needs Labs adore their owners. They will want to live indoors and sleep as close as possible to you—or even on you. They like to get outside to play, but don't leave them unattended for too long as they may prove they have a naughty side. Labs have been known to dig and chew, so invest in plenty of sturdy chew toys to keep yours entertained. If properly introduced and trained, Labs can also get along well with other pets in the home including cats , other dogs, and small animals. They are competitors, doing well in agility, field tests, and at dog shows. And they absolutely love to swim. Care When you welcome a Lab to your home, be prepared for lots of shedding. Grooming isn't substantial, but brushing your dog daily will help reduce the tumbleweeds of fur scattered about your house from their thick double coat. They should be bathed every other month to keep them smelling fresh. Brushing their teeth a couple of times a week, keeping their nails trimmed —likely once or twice a month—and checking their ears for redness or odor should also be on your Lab care checklist. A daily minute walk or a lively game of fetch will help your pup burn off some of his energy. Lack of activity could lead to undesirable behavior, but don't overdo it—this "workaholic" breed is apt to exhaust itself. Don't let Lab puppies run and play on hard surfaces for their first two years so they don't damage their joints. Of course their reputation for good behavior precedes them, but that doesn't mean you can skip training sessions with your Lab. Training is important to ensure they don't grow to become too rowdy. Introduce Labrador puppies to other humans and animals early to help socialize them properly. This, coupled with ample positive reinforcement , will allow your pup to grow into the friendly Lab many know and love. Health Labs are a pretty hearty and healthy breed , living 10—12 years. But, as with all breeds, there are some common conditions to be aware of. Elbow and hip dysplasia , heart disorders such as tricuspid valve dysplasia TVD , epilepsy , and hereditary myopathy or muscle weakness can all affect Labs. They can also face eye conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. Owners should also be aware of a condition called exercise induced collapse EIC. Labs may also develop hot spots —or acute moist dermatitis—cold tail, and ear infections. History A bit misnamed, Labs actually come from Newfoundland—off the northeastern coast of Canada—not Labrador, according to the Labrador Retriever Club. Descended from St. John's water dogs, Labradors are a traditional waterdog used to retrieve ducks and keep fishermen company. At the end of the work day, Labs were then happy to head home to spend the night with the fishermen's families. They became increasingly popular starting in the early s, when they were brought to England by nobles who appreciated their work ethic and disposition. Public Domain It may be hard to believe, but by the s, Labs were almost extinct because of government restrictions and tax laws—the same laws that led to the St. John's water dogs' extinction, according to the Canadian Broadcast Corporation. Thankfully saved by English breeders, they were introduced to the U. After World War II, the Lab's popularity took over and grew for decades until they ultimately achieved the status of America's—and England and Canada's—most popular pooch. Fun Facts In , for the 29th year in a row, the Lab was voted the number one most popular breed. King Buck was the model Labrador retriever featured on a U. Another famous Lab is Ben of Hyde , born in .Considered the first documented yellow Lab, today most lines of yellow Labs can be traced to his bloodline. The star of the show, Marley, is actually several different Labs who played the role to reflect the various age stages of Marley during the film. His family adopted another chocolate Lab, Seamus , after Clinton's presidency ended. Was this page helpful? Post by: Mara B. These dogs had black coats, sometimes white crests on their chests, and white feet. Portraits of them look like a cross between a modern Lab and a Border Collie. Like Labradors, the Newfoundland breed had webbed toes, a two-layered, water-repellent coat, and a strong, broad tail that works like a rudder in the water, making it a superb swimmer. The Labrador Retriever has grown to be the most popular dog breed in America. The fishermen found that these dogs had great endurance and strength, so some used them to tow barges. For a while, these trusty fishing dogs waned in popularity in Canada due to a tax imposed on dog owners. Fortunately, British travelers coming to port decided to bring the dogs to England. The breed was refined by English hunters to be better suited for retrieving game and named the Labrador Retriever. Since the 20th century, the Labrador Retriever has grown to be the most popular dog breed in America. Physical Traits of a Labrador Retriever Labs have thick, sturdy bodies, broad heads, and long, otter-like tails that help them to steer themselves in the water. Their webbed toes make for better paddling and keep snow from clumping up between them. They grow to be between 21 and 24 inches at the highest part of their back and may weigh pounds. Labs have an inner coat that is thick and soft to protect their skin from wetness and cold temperatures. Their special double coat makes them waterproof! Labrador Retrievers may be black, chocolate, or yellow, and all colors can appear in a single litter. The nose of the dog will match its coat. Labs usually have brown eyes. The exception to this is that some Chocolate Labs have hazel eyes. The Labrador Retriever Personality Labradors are known for their gentleness, tolerance, and intelligence. Their easy-going nature is what makes them the top choice as American family dogs. They are generally very good with kids and other canines. Of course, being completely adorable probably contributes to their popularity too! As natural hunters, Labs are also known to be active and love exploring. Regular exercise is a great way to let out some of their energy and help them maintain a healthy weight. With lots of playtime and proper training, even high-energy Labs can be calm and obedient. A coat cleaning every once in a while will help it look shinier and healthier. Labs tend to pack on extra pounds quickly if they are sedentary or overfed. Obesity is one of the most common health issues for Labradors, and hypothyroidism and diabetes are also not uncommon for the breed. When a dog becomes overweight, exercise can be tough on their joints and cause them pain. Moderating their treats and making sure to measure the proper amounts of food at mealtime are other ways to keep their weight in check. You can also opt for dog-safe fruits and veggies as an alternative to higher-calorie, processed treats. Labs are also known to develop cataracts and have troubles with their hips, knees, elbows, and shoulders. Annual and wellness exams for these doggies should include check-ups on their eyes and joints. Important wellness procedures can be covered by a dog insurance plan. Start a quote for your best friend. Great Games for Labs Try doing these activities with your Labrador Retriever for fun and exercise rolled into one! Go Fetch! These natural retrievers love to chase after toys and bring them back — in the yard or the water! Balls, rope toys, ring toys, Frisbees, and dummies will all work well for a game of fetch. Take them to the beach, a lake, a pond, or a backyard pool and let them paddle around. Playing a game of fetch or chase in the shallow waters near shore can also be lots of fun. Just to be safe, you may want to investigate purchasing a dog life jacket. Nose work, or scent work, involves hiding objects marked with various scents for your dog to track. The activity can be especially stimulating for Labrador Retrievers because of their natural drive to hunt, but any breed of dog may enjoy it. How to teach your Lab to do nose work: Get scents. Essential oils like anise, birch, and clover are great choices for nose work. You can douse the object with the oil or inject the scent using a special syringe called a scent injector, which you should be able to find at your local sporting goods store, or online. Choose the mark. Dummies work great for essential oils. Get a few and douse each one with a different smell! You can use plush dog toys, pieces of cloth, or strips of leather for scent marking too. It can also be fun to leave a scent trail to the objects. To do this, drag the scent-marked objects along the ground leading up to their hiding place, or squeeze some drops of essential oil on the way to the chosen hiding spot. And while their faces often express a sense of worry, their hearts are full of affection and fun — and a little bit of mischief. History and Origins The Labrador Retriever breed originated not in Labrador, but on the coast of Newfoundland, in the 17th century. They were trained to bring in the fishing-nets through the icy waters for the fishermen and, in the early 19th century, were brought to Poole Harbour in Great Britain. They were so attractive and with such appealing personalities that the fishermen had umpteen offers from Englishmen to buy them. The breed with their working abilities was instantly successful as a gundog. The Earl of Malmesbury became fascinated by these dogs, known at that time as Saint John's Dogs, and he started breeding them, calling them Labrador Dogs. Today, Labradors are still used as working gundogs as well as being beloved family pets. Ideal Owner Ideal Lab owners enjoy long walks, are mud-proof and water-proof, and have the time, patience and skill to teach this breed to be a polite member of society. Although universally thought of as the ultimate, easy-going family dog and they do generally love everyone! Great for active families with children who can take part in training and exercise — and who can walk this active gundog a couple of hours every day in all weathers. Exercise Needs Labradors will adapt to the amount of time you can allocate for their exercise, as long as they are kept active. Ideally, a couple of hours a day being a good amount for a healthy adult. They love long walks with a chance to run and play off the lead. Many Labradors, unfortunately, become overweight because they are bought by families who want them for their reputation as the perfect dog with children, without realising that this is a working dog, who needs a lot of exercise and training to stay happy and healthy. As well as walks, a Labrador will revel in games and play with their owner, as they are highly social, and need to be involved in all family activities. Space Requirements The Labrador is a large, active breed who is at heart a country dog, and so needs a good-sized living space. As the Labrador size is large and their energy is high, they will appreciate a large garden and need access to the great outdoors for long walks. Nutrition and Feeding Large breed dogs, as well as having large appetites, benefit from a different balance of nutrients including minerals and vitamins compared to smaller-breed dogs. The Labrador is prone to bloating and stomach problems; smaller, more frequent meals can help minimise this risk. Your dog's diet needs to have the right balance of all the main nutrient groups including a constant supply of fresh water. It's important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape and remember to feed them at least twice daily and in accordance with the feeding guidelines of their particular food. Proper nutrition along with care can contribute to a Labrador lifespan reaching 14 years. Grooming Labradors The Labrador grooming process is fairly easy as their coats are simple to maintain. Even though the Labrador size is large, their coat is thick and dense with a weather-resistant undercoat that can easily be kept clean with a simple brush through once a week, and more regular attention when moulting. However, they do love water and mud, and so they may need more regular grooming to keep them clean. Watch out for grass seeds in the summer as they tend to charge around the countryside! Training Labradors Labradors are generally a joy to train as they are both clever and biddable, and love working with their owner. Despite being generally unproblematic, they do still need training as they have a need to work and to keep their busy brains occupied. Plus, they can easily get overly-boisterous, and even destructive, if not given plenty of exercise, and an outlet for their hard-wired breed behaviours. Are Labradors Good Family Dogs? There is a good reason why the Labrador has a reputation as being, almost, the perfect family dog. This is a breed who loves everyone and everything. Their only drawback is that they need a lot of exercise, and so they need an active family who enjoy walking and games. All dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.

How to go about finding a good Golden Retriever breeder in BC? There are a few things you should look for when selecting a Golden Retriever breeder. The first step is to ask your friends and family members who have previously purchased dogs from breeders. They will be able to recommend breeders that they know personally and can vouch for. You can also check online forums and message boards for any recommendations from other people in your area who have purchased dogs from breeders in the past. Choosing a good breeder is not easy especially when there are so many out there in the market. It is important that you do your research well before committing yourself to buy a puppy from any particular breeder, no matter how tempting their pedigree may look like how popular they are with other dog owners in your area. The pedigree should be clean, with no history of genetic diseases or other health problems. The parents should have been screened for hip dysplasia, eye problem,s and heart defects. These are common genetic problems in dogs and are easily identified by a good breeder before the puppy is even born. Ask for proof of these tests before making a purchase. The puppy you buy should come from good bloodlines, which means that it has a long line of champions in its pedigree. Look for the names of the parents and grandparents on the pedigree to ensure that they are all champions with long wins in dog shows under their belts. A good breeder will not hesitate to show you the names of both parents if you ask them to do so. This will give you a chance to evaluate their temperament and make sure that they are well socialized. A good breeder will not hesitate to show you the parents if you ask them to do so. A good breeder will be proud of their dogs and have no problem answering your questions about their puppies or giving you advice on how best to care for your new Golden Retriever. This is not a definite trait however — instead, it occurs very rarely in breeds such as these. In reality, red Golden Retrievers are shades of mahogany, amber, red-gold and dark brown — like a darker shade of an Irish Setter without as much white fur on its neck. Is it better to get a female or male golden retriever? When it comes to training, female Golden Retrievers are easier to train and they easily understand commands better than the males do. Golden Retrievers are known for their intelligence, which is shown more prominently in females. Which is why females tend to excel more than the males do with regards to obedience training. Despite being intelligent at an early age, male dogs are much easier to potty train than both female and male dogs since they tend to be very independent. If you know any great Golden Retriever breeder who lives in British Columbia, please let us know in the comments below. So we can add it to our list. What is the Breeder Name? Where are they located in British Columbia? It really helps others who are looking for a Golden Retriever puppies in BC. If your friend and relative looking for a Golden Retriever Puppies in British Columbia, you can share this post with them. If you are looking for the best Golden Retriever Breeders in BC, you can consider one of these breeders. When I contacted Bliss, she told me to come out right away to meet the pups and see what she was all about. As soon as I met her I had a good feeling come over me and it all just felt right and worked out so well and easy. We picked our first pup girl named Charlie. Bliss told us to come out anytime so our pup will get to know us and be comfortable. Then a year later we decided we wanted another Golden, So I contacted Bliss immediately. From there we got Mali. Our baby. Bliss is amazing. They blow my mind how smart they are and how quick they learn. She is so calm and caring for these dogs at all times. If I have a question or a concern anything dog related I message her first! And her information has been more helpful then some vets. I feel very comfortable leaving my dogs with her. And getting my babies from her has been a dream. She made getting a puppy such a calm wonderful experience and I am forever grateful for her. To have others to bounce questions off of, to share all of the fun stories, adventures and loving moments with. Broken-hearted, we knew we needed to fill the house with more Golden love. When we connected with Bliss and told her we were wanting to adopt two females, she introduced us to the one-week old twins! We were smitten! She raised the litter with love and care and even encouraged us to visit for an hour a week to bond with our girls! It worked - when we took Madi and Lexa home, there was no adjustment period or puppy cries - they knew they were safe and loved! The girls will need a younger brother! He is in training to be a service dog. He has learned quickly and has an even temperament. He has remained focused and provides continuous support while in this intensive training environment. He has not had any health issues to date and is a very active dog. In conclusion, I would highly recommend Bliss as a breeder. She does not overbreed her dogs and the puppies are all raised in her home with her and her family where they get exposure to kids as a result. She keeps in touch with all her owners and is very involved with providing tips and help whenever someone needs it. I will use her as a breeder in future when I need to replace my service dog. Bliss is a very loving and caring person. Bliss would send us pictures, videos and updates of Callie once we chose her. We got to have a few visits with Callie before we got to bring her home so Callie could get to know her and she can know us. Bliss created a Facebook group for our Golden Family so we can all keep in touch and share pictures of our Goldens. First Name. Contact Multi-purpose golden retrievers bred for temperament, health and trainability. Welcome - thank you for visiting my website. In , the most wonderful thing happened. He was my first dog, my heart dog and I still miss him every day. I am lucky enough to have frozen semen on this once in a life-time dog and when the time is right, I will have his son at my side, as his father lived his life. Keeza introduced me to the dog world and what a world it has been - titles to be earned, friends to be made and all with my goldens by my side - what a wonderful life. I am so blessed. Please click on "about us" to learn more about bringing a golden retriever puppy into your home and best of all, into your life. I recently got this paragraph on a puppy enquiry where I ask "what are your expectations of me as a breeder" This particular home's reply was perfect - it is me to a "T". That you are transparent with us about challenges you might foresee with our pup. That you remain available if we feel we need to contact you about possible genetic conditions that might arise. That you continue to take an active interest in knowing that your pups are in good homes. Showing 1 - 9 of 9 resultsPage 1 - 9 results Sort by Your listing deserves to be on top. One male and one female Non registered. These will be a dark red to mahogany colour. Golden Retrievers are a great family.Ready for their new home September 25th. These 2 little guys need a forever home. These are field Golden Retrievers. We have a long history with the local.Location in Maple Ridge. They were born on June 24th and ready to go now. They are.What a beautiful litter! Visit us on our website.See all 14 Sep delivery- Red golden retriever puppies Vancouver I'm glad to introduce the high quality litter of purebred red golden retrievers. Each parent has a registration paperwork that confirms they are purebred golden retrievers. Both parent DNA tested and.Two females still available. Our beautiful golden retriever Sugar, has blessed us with her second litter. She has twelve beautiful puppies. They will be.Delivery to Vancouver. And Pg. Prince George Don't miss out on these amazing companions. They will be ready to go the first week of.Have 1st,2nd and 3rd vacancies, crate trained and family raised. Both parents have been retired this will.Some search tips we've found useful: Try a different or more general keyword Expand search location. Hidden zipper easy to remove easy to clean Shipping by seller Golden Retriever Puppies coming soon! Abbotsford Golden Retriever Puppies coming soon!! Our family pets Mocha and Loki are expecting puppies sometime after September 18th. Both parents Embark DNA tested clear. Mom is a medium golden American.Our puppies are raised on our family farm, where they have plenty of space to run.Each parent has a registration paperwork that confirms they are purebred golden retrievers. Both parent DNA tested and.The perfect family pet they are great with.Golden Irish dogs are a cross between a golden retriever and irish setter. These puppies are gentle, cuddly, loving and calm. Pictures of puppies from last litter. Puppies are registered with Canadian Kennel Club. The parents have their health clearances for hips, elbows, The hook hangs down from the metal plate in the back and is about 2. The hook opens about 1 Shipping by seller 1 year old lab x golden retriever Surrey 11 month old black lab x golden retriver. This is finn. Finns mom was a golden retriever and his dad was a black lab. He is neutered Micro chipped Up to date on shots Plays well with dogs, especially.Two females still available. Our beautiful golden retriever Sugar, has blessed us with her second litter. She has twelve beautiful puppies. They will be.Are you looking for a gorgeous dog that will turn heads, while also being affectionate and eager to please? The Golden Irish has it all with Mama--a beautiful, agile, affectionate.One of their other names, the Shichon Teddy Bear refers to their.We are rehoming because we live on a farm, and unfortunately, farm life.These multi-generation golden doodles F2B were born on September 7th and will be ready to go to their forever on November 2nd. These puppies are raised with.There are 4 girls and 5 boys available. Puppies are farm raised and will be used to a lot of other animals and children. They will come vet.Parents are family dogs with prefect demeanors and are great with children and chickens : even cats Pick up is an option in.With over 15 years of experience, Mom has the most incredible temperament and Dad comes from and exceptional pedigree of Field Goldens. A lot.Easy to hang hardware included. Handcrafted in the USA. Indiana the dad is 87lbs of pure joy with a long dark coat, loves children and all animals. Indiana has a very submissive.What a beautiful litter! Visit us on our website.Looking to go to their forever homes by the end of September, will come with all first shots. Girls and Boys Available please contact me for more.Pug, Golden retrievers, chihuahua. Terrace We are moving overseas and need to rehome our dogs. Well handled by children as we homeschool, and used to other dogs. I have been waiting for many many years for this litter. I imagined up for myself the perfect retriever dog. My perfect companion dog, family.The Golden Retriever is renowned for being a loving, sociable.Stunning, affectionate, easy to train, intelligent - some of the reasons we love Golden Irishes! The Golden Irish has it all with Mama--a beautiful, agile, affectionate Irish.Delivery to Vancouver. And Pg. Prince George Don't miss out on these amazing companions. They will be ready to go the first week of.They have all the vaccines and rabies shot. They have a puppy passport and document for.Puppies come with 2 year health guarantee, microchipped, vet.Please Contact Golden Retriever Chilliwack Our beautiful male golden retriever is available to be used as a stud. We are based near Chilliwack, British Columbia. He is 2.

Our dogs have mellow, affectionate, and playful temperaments, love water, and especially children. They are living as trustworthy family members, as emotional support dogs, service dogs, and medical alert dogs around the world! Content Link Block Polarbear is our Name. Or perhaps just looking for the total package in a dog? Health and longevity remains the foundation of all we do. Take for example, the standard German Shepherd dog as seen in this photo: View fullsize …Dogs bred with these traits often end up with crippling disabilities and premature death. This is so inhumane. The focus of our kennel, on the other hand, is to produce dogs with straight backs, broad heads, and short coats, as in the photo of Polarbear's foundation sire, Shack Von Hammer below. Aside from their magnificent appearance, Polarbear White Shepherds are calm, sociable, and affectionate. They are gifted empaths and comedians at heart. Their goofy personalities and love of children make them perfect nannies for even the youngest child. They love water, retrieving frisbees, and diving into the occasional swimming pool. What kind of dogs do all that? And they are living fulfilled lives, as medical detection dogs, service dogs, and family and companion dogs in nearly every state in the United States! World Map of our Clients Before leaving, you might like to click on some of our pages. Our "Words of Warning" for those purchasing a purebred dog for the first time on the internet is a favorite. Just remember this quote…. No amount of training or special food will fix a problem dog. If you want to view videos of our dogs, check out our Youtube Channel page. If you appreciate our breeding philosophy and love what we do, do let us know by becoming a fan! We want to be your connection to reputable White German Shepherd breeders in Minnesota. While you may prefer to get your puppy from a breeder locally, please don't get discouraged if you cannot find any near you. You can also explore other White German Shepherd breeders in neighboring states. Before you begin to search for a puppy, the most important task is to make sure that the White German Shepherd matches your lifestyle and living conditions. Every breed has different requirements, whether the space they must have or the amount of exercise they need. If you are not certain yet, check out our essential White German Shepherd info to find out everything about the breed. Call to reserve your puppy! AKC registered puppies. From Working line. Our dogs, Sunny our male , Majestic, Bella and Princess are part of our farm, trained to work with us, never in a kennel, extremely friendly, good natured, playful, and good with other animals. If you like to make a deposit to reserve a puppy from our next litter, please give us a call. We also arrange shipping. References available. Our puppies have become super companions! See more information and pictures at: braseswhitegermanshepherds. When buying a puppy, it is important to consider not only the pet but also the breeder. Because a responsible breeder will ensure their dogs come from the strongest bloodlines and have the best start to life. Ask about the health and temperament of their White German Shepherd pups as well as their living environment. But also find out about the breeder's practices and commitments. A good breeder will be happy to answer everything before you decide. After all, they will want to ensure that their dog goes to a good home. When you have done your research and got all the info you need, you can then choose the right breeder with confidence. To help ensure you choose a responsible breeder, all the White German Shepherd kennels you see listed here are verified by Pets4You. You will also find that the best breeders will provide a guarantee with their dog. This information, and more, is available on the breeder's website within Pets4You. Browse through our dog breeder directory with complete breeder profiles and current puppies for sale to find your dream dog. You can still get your White German Shepherd out of state if you cannot find one in Minnesota. After all, choosing a cat from a good breeder, even if they live further away from you, is worth the short-term inconvenience as your pet will be with you for many years to come. Please avoid Puppy Mills and Pet Stores! Disclaimer It is the duty of every person that is considering buying a puppy or dog to confirm all the information provided to them by the breeder is accurate. Pets4You makes no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the condition of any dogs offered for sale, the standards or practices of any breeder, the quality of their canines, or the accuracy of any information contained within our site. Pets4You does not endorse, recommend, or guarantee a particular kennel, breeder or dogs listed on the Pets4You website. For Buyers. Please leave this field empty. Got our girl home to Minnesota. Little freaked out by the snow and the zero temps. She is doing great. She is a lovable sweetheart. Also fairly adventuresome. In and out of tight spaces outside and crawling over a pretty sizable and messy rock pile. Anyway, thank you. Tom Ziggy is awesome! My 3 yr old hugs and lays with him and he sleeps at the door of her room at night. Sara Thanks so much Doug. Proud to be the guardian of such joy. Thank you so very much, trust me when I say he will be loved and cherished. Take care. Sharon The puppy I received, 8 week old female Legacy was beyond my expectations, she was everything I was promised and more! Everyone who meets her loves her, she is the sweetest smartest thing. She is excelling in her obedience and her service dog training, I am very blessed for that. Thank you Doug! John B. Wells — former Coast to Coast talk show host, now at Caravan to Midnight. Our dog Luna is all you said she would be and more,beautiful,intelligent,we love her so much! Thank you, Heidi P. She is fantastic! We got him from you back in July .Ghost is the most amazing dog. He is the most loyal, the most loving, protective, and smartest dog I have ever known. Have a great day! The puppy has been started on its vaccination series, dewormed, vet checked, and given lots of T.