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When it comes to puppies, particularly short-haired breeds, you should look for a soft collar made of a non-abrasive material. Fabric collars are a good option, and collars made from a breathable fabric that is also machine washable are even better. When should a puppy wear a collar? Even if your puppy is still too young to go outside for walks, getting them used to wearing a collar is a good idea and will prevent any tiny tantrums further down the road! Collars should be worn most of the time, even around the house, but taking it off every so often to let the skin breathe is recommended. Try leaving the collar off for a couple of hours every time you brush or bathe them. Can an 8-week-old puppy wear a collar? Responsible breeders recommend puppies should not be brought home until 8 weeks old, and you can start getting them used to their collar shortly after this. It may be a good idea to let them settle into their new environment before introducing something new, but getting them used to their collar in their second week at home is a good idea. Should puppies wear collars at night? Most dog collars are designed to be non-abrasive, and perfectly safe for pups and older dogs to sleep in. This can also help puppies get adjusted to wearing a collar for the majority of the time. However, many vets also recommend including a contact telephone number, in the event your dog goes missing. Although microchipping has been mandatory for pet dogs since , tags are still a legal requirement and provide a quicker way to get in contact with you if your dog is found, without their microchip needing to be scanned first. We hope our puppy collar size guide has been helpful, as well as our dog collar FAQs! If you enjoyed our puppy collar size guide, you might like our other article, What do I need for a New Puppy? Dog collar width is of different kinds. The most common are 0. Which collar width to get for your Bulldog? Let's find out. Dog collar width choosing depends on Bulldog's activity, character, age and size. The larger your dog is, the wider collar is chosen. Big and strong Bulldogs need wide collars. Narrow collars are for puppies and medium Bulldogs. Remember that extra wide collars wider 1. Thin collars won't suit active Bulldogs, which pull on the leash because they can hurt them and tear under the influence of their power. If you have a Bulldog puppy, the collar of narrow width will be suitable. Puppy's neck is tender and the collar won't traumatize it and will cause no discomfort. The collar width is changed while Bulldog's growth. Narrow collar is of light weight. It doesn't cut into the dog's skin or rub it. Thus the collar is safe for your little Bulldog. The puppy will feel comfy during daily outings with this collar on. Thin collars are suitable also for French Bulldogs, young and adult English and American Bulldogs walking. It should be mentioned that these collars are allowed for calm and well trained dogs, which are fully obedient and their owners are absolutely sure that they won't show aggression in unforeseen situation. Wide collars serve for middle and large-sized Bulldogs. They are intended for everyday use. The main function of these collars is Bulldog control. Wide collars are durable, hard-wearing and tearproof. The wideness of the collar is optimal to control strong Bulldog reliably and not to do any harm to the dog. Your Bulldog will feel comfort and you will handle it confidently with such a collar on. Both collars are usable and suited for Bulldogs. It depends on your dog's age and size which one to choose. Do you have any questions? Please, write us and we will reply to them! Add another two inches to the total length and this will give you the ideal length of the collar. Depending on the type of bulldog you own, neck measurements can vary greatly. Both French and English bulldogs are generally friendly, intelligent, and loyal, but they do have certain differences. While French bulldogs are more outgoing, full of energy, and enjoy cuddling, they are often independent and stubborn. English bulldogs, on the other hand, tend to be more reserved and calmer. If your dog is calm and more obedient, you can get a standard nylon or leather Bulldog collar. Martingales may be more ideal if your dog is aggressive or likes to pull, and is in the training process. Martingale collars are more comfortable and less harmful than choke collars, while still giving the owner more control. Best Collar for English Bulldog The best British bulldog collars to get for your English bulldog will be a bit larger, with neck sizes somewhere between 15 to 22 inches. The type of collar you decide to get will be the same you would get for a French bulldog, depending on temperament. Standard or martingale collars could be the best choices based on aggression level or general energy levels. Take a look at our full selection here and shop with us today. Sign up for Doggie Deals By signing up, you will receive an email every week with new deals only for Mimi's Doggie Deals subscribers. We believe that your dog is a reflection of yourself. We believe that you have really great taste. Learn About. Pin1 1 Shares When we first got Claude the puppy, we were in the local pet store searching for the right sized collar. That gave me the inspiration to put this guide to French Bulldog neck sizes together which explains how you can measure your dog up, and some rough guidance to what the best French Bulldog collar size will be for your dog. French Bulldog neck size for collars What size neck does a French Bulldog have? French Bulldogs typically very short and stocky necks with a thick circumference. How to measure a French Bulldog neck for a collar by using a measuring tape. Handy Hint: Most pet suppliers offer extra small and small collars. For adult Frenchies I would recommend small collar sizes and for French Bulldog puppies from 8 weeks and up I would recommend the extra small collar sizes. What size collar for a French Bulldog puppy? Frenchies come in different shapes and sizes, with their sometimes being big differences between male and female puppies. French Bulldog puppy collar sizes Here is some very rough guidance on what size collar is best for a French Bulldog puppy from 8 weeks of age and up. So, one of the best ways to select the right collar is to measure their neck. This can be done using the steps below: Firstly, you will need to get your dog to stand on a flat surface. Having treats to hand might be a good idea! The withers are the point where the neck and the back join which is just above the shoulder blade. Be sure not to pull the tape measure too tight or let it hang too loose. Now that you know the precise measurements of your Frenchie you are now able to compare these with the ranges that collar sizes are available in to ensure that you are buying the right size. What to consider when buying French Bulldog collars Buying a collar for a French Bulldog is totally different from buying a collar for any other dog. Think of breeds such as Pugs, Chihuahuas and of course our beloved Frenchies. Due to this, collars need to ensure that they are anti-choke collars and are neck friendly. Another thing to consider is the material that the collar is made from. Collars are a great alternative for Frenchies that are not comfortable in a harness. If your dog is able to walk on the lead without pulling, this may be a better solution. Some experts are of the opinion that to train your French Bulldog effectively you must have both a collar and a harness and we completely agree. The question that should be asked is when collars and harnesses should be used independently. Collars can place added pressure onto the neck and potentially lead to choking. I know of one owner who used a cat harness on their 8-week-old Frenchie puppy instead of a collar for this very reason. Why choose a collar? Puppies: puppies tend to dislike harnesses as they make them feel uncomfortable. As with everything there are certain pros and cons to using collars and they are listed below: Pros to collars They tend to be the most comfortable for the dog and so can be worn for longer during the day. This makes them ideal for identification purposes. There tends to be a wider variety of collars in different materials, styles and comforts. Easy to put on and take off. Cons to collars Depending on how well the collar is fitted it is possible for the dog to slip out of it. Using collars on brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs, they are prone to thyroid and trachea damage if they excessively pull when they are on the lead. There is a possibility that collars can get caught and suffocate dogs. It is advised that dogs do not wear their collars when unattended in the home. Which collar I recommend for a Frenchie The collar we use with Claude for every day use is this one on Amazon view prices. This one here is adjustable, so should work with your puppy and then you can upgrade into the later years. You can buy it in size ranges from extra small through to small. Why choose a harness? Longer walks: when you plan on taking your dog for a longer walk it may be better to fit them with a harness as this will evenly spread the pressure should they pull on their lead. Training purposes: puppies are highly distracted when they are young. Anything will make them excited and they may pull on their lead regardless of the pressure they are feeling round their neck with a collar. Using a harness will provide more control over your puppy. Although seemingly preferred by many French Bulldog owners, there are still pros and cons to the harness and they are listed below: Pros to harnesses Less pull stress with a harness as the pressure is evenly distributed around the body. Better control over your dog whilst walking. Reduces risk of neck injuries that collars may cause. A harness will not choke the dog if it were to get caught. Front clip harnesses can cause tracheal issues. Front hook harnesses can cause discomfort if not fitted properly. No matter what your preference of collar or harness, it is important to understand the differences between them and when both may be useful to you. For the best results it is always best to get both a collar and a harness so you are covered for all circumstances. Which harness I recommend for a Frenchie The one we use with Claude on longer walks out into the forest is this one on Amazon view prices. The previous harness we had was really tricky to get on and off Claude, but not with this one. Why Frenchies have stocky neck sizes Originally bred in England as a smaller version of the English Bulldog, French Bulldogs were introduced into France when they made their travels with their people across the English Channel. There, the breed was crossed with terriers and pugs to become what we know and love today! You can read more about the history here. This mix of breeds resulted in very strong and thick necks. If you own a Frenchie, you will know exactly what I mean! As you can see with our Claude photos, his is actually bigger than the average and so he tends to wear a larger collar. The best advice I can give you is to do what we did in the end and actually take your Frenchie puppy or dog into the pet store and let them test out a few collar and harness variations in store. However, if you already know the neck size and have measured your puppy up, you can scroll up to find a few recommendations on the best collars and harnesses currently available on the market. Conclusion Understanding the Importance of Neck Size The neck size of a French Bulldog is not just a superficial consideration; it directly impacts their comfort, health, and well-being. Choosing a suitable collar or harness that fits correctly is crucial for their overall happiness and safety. An ill-fitting or tight collar can cause discomfort and chafing around the neck area, leading to skin irritation or even sores. Moreover, it can restrict their movements and make it difficult for them to breathe correctly. French Bulldogs, like many brachycephalic breeds , already have a compromised respiratory system due to their unique facial structure. Wearing a too tight collar can further impede their breathing, exacerbating any existing respiratory challenges. In addition to discomfort and breathing difficulties, an incorrectly fitted collar can pose a risk of potential injuries. If the collar is too loose, your Frenchie may easily slip out, increasing the chances of them getting lost or injured while roaming free. Conversely, if the collar is too tight, it can put excessive pressure on the neck, potentially causing strain, injury, or even damage to the trachea. Look for options that provide a snug yet comfortable fit, allowing enough room for your Frenchie to breathe and move freely. Consider opting for collars or harnesses made from soft, padded materials to minimize discomfort or rubbing against their delicate skin. Quick-release buckles are another beneficial feature, enabling you to remove the collar or harness swiftly in case of emergencies. Remember, the right fit is key. If your Frenchie experiences weight fluctuations, ensure that their neckwear remains appropriately adjusted to prevent discomfort or potential hazards. Factors Affecting French Bulldog Neck Sizes French Bulldog The neck size of a French Bulldog can vary significantly due to various factors such as age, genetics, gender, and overall body structure. Owners must recognize that there is no universal, one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to the average neck size of Frenchies. However, understanding these variables can provide valuable insights and help you estimate the average neck size for your furry companion. Age: As French Bulldogs grow from puppies to adults, their neck size will naturally increase. It is essential to regularly measure their neck size during their growth stages to ensure proper fitting collars or harnesses at each phase. Genetics: Like any other physical attribute, the neck size of a French Bulldog can be influenced by genetics. Different bloodlines and breeding variations may contribute to variations in neck size among individual Frenchies. Gender: In some cases, there may be subtle differences in neck size between male and female French Bulldogs. However, this difference is typically minimal and should be a minor factor when determining the average neck size. Here are approximate average neck sizes for French Bulldogs at different stages of life: French Bulldog Puppies weeks : The average neck size for puppies in this age range typically ranges from 8 to 12 inches 20 to 30 cm. However, measuring your specific Frenchie puppy is crucial to ensure an accurate fit. Adult French Bulldogs 1 year and older : On average, adult French Bulldogs typically have neck sizes ranging from 12 to 16 inches 30 to 40 cm. However, keep in mind that there can be variations in neck size among adult Frenchies. Soft measuring tapes, typically used for sewing or tailoring, work best for this purpose. Prepare your Frenchie: Ensure that your French Bulldog is calm and relaxed before proceeding with the measurement. This will help you get a more accurate reading. This is the area you want to measure. Wrap the measuring tape: Gently wrap the measuring tape around the base of the neck, ensuring it is snug but not too tight. The tape should be positioned just above the shoulders and comfortably around the neck. Take the measurement: Once the tape is in place, note the measurement in inches or centimeters. Ensure that the measurement is taken with the tape level and parallel to the ground to avoid any inaccuracies. This measurement will be a reliable reference point for selecting the suitable collar or harness size, ensuring a comfortable fit for your furry friend. French Bulldog puppies undergo rapid development during their early months, including an increase in neck size. As their bodies grow, their necks will also proportionally grow in size. To ensure the comfort and safety of your Frenchie puppy, it is crucial to regularly measure their neck size and adjust their collars and harnesses accordingly. If their neckwear becomes too tight or restrictive, it can cause discomfort, difficulty breathing, or even pose a risk of injury. Comfort and movement: Puppies are full of energy and love to explore their surroundings. Wearing a properly fitted collar or harness ensures that they can move freely, play, and explore comfortably without any restrictions. Regularly measuring their neck size and adjusting their accessories can mitigate these risks and provide a secure fit. As your French Bulldog puppy grows, please continue to monitor their neck size and adjust their collars or harnesses accordingly. Frenchie Neck Size Tips for Breathing and Health French Bulldog French Bulldogs, along with other brachycephalic breeds, have a unique facial structure that can result in respiratory challenges. Their shortened snouts and compact airways make it more difficult for them to breathe compared to breeds with longer muzzles. As such, it is crucial to consider their respiratory health when selecting collars or harnesses. Special considerations for exercise: French Bulldogs may have limitations during physical activity due to their respiratory challenges. Managing respiratory issues: Some French Bulldogs may already have pre-existing respiratory conditions. A veterinarian can offer specific advice on managing these conditions and recommend collar or harness options that provide optimal support without compromising their respiratory health. This expert guidance will help you select accessories that minimize the risk of breathing restrictions and provide your Frenchie with the comfort they need. Here are some key considerations and recommendations: Choose products designed for brachycephalic breeds: Look for collars or harnesses specifically designed to accommodate the needs of brachycephalic dogs like French Bulldogs. These products are typically crafted with their unique anatomy in mind and aim to minimize discomfort or breathing restrictions. Wide bands distribute pressure more evenly and reduce the risk of choking or causing discomfort. Seek padded materials: Collars or harnesses with padding offer additional comfort and help prevent irritation or chafing. Look for quick-release buckles: Quick-release buckles are an essential safety feature. They allow you to easily and quickly remove the collar or harness in an emergency or if your Frenchie becomes entangled in something. This ensures that you can promptly free your pup without causing any harm. Consider using harnesses: Harnesses can be an excellent choice for French Bulldogs due to their ability to distribute pressure more evenly across the chest and shoulders, reducing strain on the neck. This can be particularly beneficial for Frenchies with respiratory challenges or neck sensitivity. Remember to choose flexible options with wide bands, padded materials, and quick-release buckles. If appropriate, consider using a harness to provide additional support and reduce strain on their neck. Ill-fitting neckwear can lead to discomfort, potential injury, or even escape. Place the tape snugly around the base of their neck, where the collar typically rests. Ensure it is neither too tight nor loose, allowing your Frenchie to breathe comfortably. Avoid overly tight collars: Collars that are too tight can cause discomfort, restrict breathing, and potentially lead to injury. Select a collar size that provides a secure fit without causing discomfort or constriction. Prevent loose collars: Loose collars risk slipping off or getting caught on objects, potentially leading to accidents or escapes. Over time, collars may stretch or become worn, so inspecting and adjusting as needed is necessary. Adjustments for growth and weight fluctuations: French Bulldogs, especially puppies, experience growth spurts and potential weight fluctuations. Periodically reassess their neck size and adjust the collar or harness to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. These precautions will help ensure their safety, prevent escape, and promote a positive and enjoyable experience during walks and other activities. Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: Popular Posts.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Australian Labradoodle Grooming Guide Choosing a Groomer Before you bring your Australian Labradoodle to the groomer, ask if they have had previous experience clipping Australian Labradoodles. Show your groomer some photos from our website so that they know exactly how you expect the clip to look. Labradoodle coats require a regular brushing and grooming routine. How often you have your Australian Labradoodle trimmed will depend on how fast their coat grows, your personal preferences in how long you leave them, how much maintenance you want to do at home, and how often you have them groomed professionally. You can expect to bathe and completely blow out their coat every weeks, and plan to have them trimmed approximately every weeks. For an adult Australian Labradoodle, you should allow on average, 60 minutes every two weeks for brushing time. If your Labradoodle is active in the water or hiking in nature areas, you may have to run a brush through them more often to remove debris or loosen hair clumping during the drying process post-swimming. Wait until your dog is dry, then run a slicker through their coat. Purchasing a small grooming table and arm, and training them to stand still during brushing and drying will save your back. But be warned that you need to always have a hand on your dog when they are on the grooming table or attached to a grooming arm. Never leave them or turn away or they can try to jump off the table and injure themselves. When your Labradoodle has short hair, an inch or two, regular brushing with a slicker can work just fine. Once the hair gets longer, it is important to make sure you are reaching all the way to the base of the hair by adding a metal greyhound comb. If loose hair is not removed near the skin, mats can begin to form. In separating your dogs coat with your hand, you can brush and comb all the way to the skin. Work backwards from the feet up to the body, and the tail to the head. Brush in the direction of the hair, but add small amounts of coat to each stroke. At approximately eight months old a puppy coat needs more frequent brushing during its changeover to the adult coat. Bathing: Australian Labradoodles need bathed and brushed out approximately once a month. Puppies can be bathed as needed. If you are going to bath your Australian Labradoodle at home, be sure to brush through the coat completely first. If you do it the other way around, any mats will get tighter when you get them wet. Also, watch that you do not pull on the mat while you are cutting it, and be aware of how closely the skin may be to your scissors. We also use a dematting tool to help break a mat into a smaller piece for easier removal. Then brush, comb, or gently work any mats out. Purchasing a commercial hair dryer is worth the investment and will speed up the drying process. Head: The lovable teddy bear look of your Australian Labradoodle is enjoyed every time you look at them, and every time you take them out and others look at them. No matter what length the body is trimmed, that adorable teddy bear face can make up the difference in winning hearts everywhere they go. A picture is worth a thousand words, so the photos and grooming card below coming soon will help to clarify the following worded instructions you will need to convey to your groomer to get exactly the look you want to see. It is best to print out the grooming card and take it with you at each visit to your groomer. This creates a more natural look and keeps the hair from poking at or covering their eyes. It also makes it easier to clean any matter out from the corner in the morning. Feet: Keeping your Labradoodles paws shaped nicely will help less water and debris attach to their feet as they are coming and going. We start trimming around their paws by around weeks of age to get them used to the action of having their feet picked up and worked with. You want to go around the bottom edge of their paw in a nice, rounded shape, snipping off longer hair so that it does not hit the ground. Your groomer can trim hair from the bottom of their feet with a clipper and a 30 blade. Nails should be trimmed regularly every weeks depending on wear. The hair under their tail should also be trimmed to keep the area clean. Labradoodle Grooming Cost Considerations A low shedding coat does NOT mean low maintenance In fact, maintaining the coat of a non-shedding dog like a Labradoodle requires some hands on grooming. The frequency is higher than dogs that have a short coat or straight coat. We are fortunate that the majority of Labradoodle grooming can easily be completed at home. This is one of the most common questions posed by Labradoodle owners. It depends on the type of coat and also the age of your dog. Wavy coat and Curly coat Labradoodles require frequent care Straight coat or improper coat Labradoodles have lower maintenance As a general rule most Labradoodle owners say three to four weeks between light trims and a detailed groom at a Groomer or DIY at home every three months. Labradoodles can have either curly and wavy coats, or straight coat. The former tends to require more grooming. The curlier the coat, the more likely your labradoodle will need more frequent trips to the groomer, trimming by your own hand, or both. Labradoodles cannot live outside , they are a highly social breed. Labradoodle Puppy Coat Change One thing to watch for with this Poodle mix breed is their characteristic Labradoodle coat change. Introduce your dog to grooming processes like shampooing use the best Labradoodle puppy shampoo early. This early introduction to brushing and grooming is especially important around areas which can be sensitive such as their paws and hind quarters butt. You will need to groom quite a few different parts of the dog. Our Labradoodle grooming guide below has the details you need. Adult Labradoodle coats are usually more thick and curly. You will have to brush out curls and potential tangles a few times a week. In addition, a trip to a professional groomer every four to six weeks is recommended. On the flip side from a dog owning convenience standpoint, Labradoodles tend to shed far less than other breeds. White Labradoodles can be cream or pure white. Bathing Your Labradoodle Labradoodles love to swim. They get muddy and messy, which means they can collect a lot of mud in their already-matted curls. This means Labradoodles need to be bathed in between haircut and grooming appointments. How much they need to be bathed will naturally depend on how messy you allow them to get, though a bath every couple of weeks is reasonable. We should try not to overwash our Labradoodles as this can damage the oils in their coat. As long as you can protect the ears and have enough space, some owners find it much easier to bathe your dog in the shower. We do this sometimes with our miniature Labradoodle Max. Be incredibly mindful of slippery surfaces in the bath OR shower. If your dog damages a vital ligament by slipping on tiles it is a painful and expensive injury. Best Brushes for Labradoodle Grooming When grooming labradoodles, half the battle is grooming out tangles. That said, some of best Labradoodle brushes are quite different from one another, and can handle different tasks. For example, some brushes are built to provide great overall coverage. Others are more specialized, designed for purposes such as getting out tangles and mats. Another difference comes in where the brushes are best employed. One takeaway from this is that there is no one best brush for labradoodles. You can talk to your groomer about which brushes are best for the different brushing situations you are bound to face. To make it even trickier, different Labradoodles respond differently to different brushes. Some dogs more skittish or anxious come brushing time. Other Labradoodles have sensitive skin. A black Labradoodle with no furnishings. Less grooming than a wavy or curly coat. It is therefore essential to have some quality Labradoodle clippers on hand to keep their masses of thick curly fur in check. Corded clippers tend to be used by professionals. They are often more powerful and longer-lasting than their cordless counterparts, though they can also be a bit more expensive as a result. Cordless clippers, by contrast, are a more casual option for those who do not feel like spending for a top-tier corded clipper. Because of their cordless nature, they run on batteries, which you will either have to replace or recharge with regularity. One advantage cordless clippers have over their corded counterparts is the fact that their cord-free nature makes them far more portable. It also means you can opportunistically trim your Labradoodle away from a power outlet if you get the opportunity. The more relaxed a Labradoodle is when you trim their paws, the happier they will be. Get them while they are snoozing on the couch! Another thing to pay attention to when choosing different labradoodle clippers is the speed at which they operate. Clippers tend to come in everything from one to five-speed models, with models offering greater speed and power typically costing more. Labradoodle Brushing and Trimming Recommendations by Area One of the most important things to keep in mind when grooming your labradoodle is that different parts of their body require different amounts and types of brushing. Some short-haired dog breeds just require a quick once over with a brush. Do not leave any curls dangling over the eye area, and be sure to keep this region especially clean, lest your dog develop an eye infection. Do not allow them to grow any longer than that. One reason shorter ear hair for labradoodles is so important is that it can help prevent ear infections that might otherwise ensue. Hair which grows here can collect into matted clumps and cause discomfort. You will want to use labradoodle clippers for around the ear, and good old fashioned tweezer or fingers to pluck the Labradoodle ears. It is really easy to clean Labradoodle ears at home. See our explanation and guide on Labradoodle ear cleaning. Otherwise you take your dog to a professional groomer to have this done. They should simply be clipped clean and free of curls near the underside of the paws so as to prevent dogs stepping on and tracking mud into them. Longer than that, and food and water can have a tendency to collect and get stuck there. Two to three inches should be a good length. Feathering the curls out can give a nice effect without allowing it to grow too long. By contrast, hair must be kept quite short around the hind quarters — no more than half an inch — so as to prevent waste from collecting there when your dog goes to the bathroom. Another consideration must be the environment you live in. Our Labradoodle Max looks like Chewbacca when his hair gets long. It is super cute! We live in Australia however, and the extra long coat is very warm in summer or when we take Max to the beach. We chose a shorter trim during these warmer months. Labradoodle Grooming Cost Considerations The time and cost of Labradoodle grooming must be a consideration for all future owners. The Labradoodle coat is low to no shedding, soft, and as close to hypoallergenic as you can get in many cases. The trade off is increased time spent grooming. Luckily there are many at-home Labradoodle grooming tips and tricks to make your life easier. Given this is required every few months, the costs can add up. DIY at-home Labradoodle grooming can save a bunch of cash and give great results. Let us know in the comments how you groom your Labradoodle at home! My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. These pups are known for their friendly, outgoing personalities and their love of family. Labs were originally bred in Newfoundland to help fishermen with tasks like hauling in nets and fetching fish that had fallen overboard. Today, Labs are used as service dogs, therapy dogs, and of course, beloved family pets. Size and Appearance of the Black Labradoodle Black Labradoodles can range in size from miniature to giant, depending on the size of their parents. They typically weigh between 50 and 65 pounds and stand 18 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder. As for their black coat, it can be either straight or curly, and may be medium or long in length. Some Black Labradoodles even have a few white markings on their chest or paws. Note: This is just a rough estimate and the actual weight of a dog can vary based on various factors such as breed, genetics, and overall health. Enter the Age of the Dog in months : Estimated Weight in pounds : Black Labradoodle Size and Types When it comes to size, Black Labradoodles can range from miniature to giant, depending on the size of their parents. These pups usually weigh between 15 and 35 pounds and stand 10 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder. Size of Black Labradoodle puppies When Black Labradoodle puppies are born, they typically weigh between 8 and 10 ounces. They will gain about 5 pounds per week for the first few weeks of life. At 6 weeks old, Black Labradoodle puppies will be ready to leave their mother and go to their forever homes. When is a Black Labradoodle Full Grown? Black Labradoodles are usually full-grown by the time they are 18 to 24 months old. However, some may continue to fill out and mature until they are 3 years old. Black Labradoodle Color Variations As the name suggests, black is the most common color for this breed. However, you may also find Black Labradoodles with white markings on their chest or paws, which would be considered a black and white Labradoodle. Black Labradoodle Coat Type Black Labradoodles can have either a straight or curly coat, and it may be medium or long in length. The type of coat your Black Labradoodle has will depend on the type of coat their parents had. Labradoodle coats can be classified into three categories: wool, fleece, or hair. No matter what type of coat your Black Labradoodle has, it will require regular grooming to prevent mats and tangles. You should also take your Labradoodle Black to a professional groomer every few months for a bath, trim, and nail clip. What is a F1b Black Labradoodle? The main difference between F1 and F1b Black Labradoodles is the percentage of Poodle in their pedigree. Black Labradoodles and Fading Some Black Labradoodles may experience coat fading, which is when the black color of their coat starts to lighten. This usually happens as the Doodle gets older and is exposed to more sunlight. While coat fading is not harmful to your dog, some people prefer to avoid it by keeping their Doodle indoors or using sunscreen when they are outdoors. Kemp hair Some Black Labradoodles may have a condition called kemp hair, which is when straight hairs grow among the curly hairs of their coat. This can happen in any Doodle breed, but it is more common in Black Labradoodles. Kemp hair is not harmful to your Black Labradoodle, but it can be difficult to manage. If you Black Labradoodle has kemp hair, you may need to brush their coat more often to prevent mats and tangles. Dilute gene The dilute gene is responsible for coat color in Black Labradoodles. This gene can cause the black color of their coat to fade or lighten over time. The dilute gene is also responsible for the blue and silver colors that some Black Labradoodles may have. Health issues and fading coats Many Black Labradoodles experience coat fading as they get older. This is usually due to a number of health problems, including hypothyroidism, liver problems, and kidney problems. Temperament and Personality of the Black Labradoodle Black Labradoodles are known for being intelligent, friendly, and easy to train. They make great family pets and love spending time with people. Black Labradoodles need moderate exercise and benefit from plenty of mental stimulation. Do Black Labradoodles bark a lot? Black Labradoodles are not known for being yappy dogs. However, all dogs bark from time to time, and Black Labradoodles are no exception. Be sure to provide them with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to help reduce their barking. Do Black Labradoodles bite? All dogs have the potential to bite, but Black Labradoodles are not known for being aggressive. If your dog does bite, it is likely due to fear or anxiety. Be sure to socialize and train your Black Labradoodle from a young age to help prevent this behavior. Do Black Labradoodles do well with other dogs? Yes, Black Labradoodles do well with other dogs. They are social creatures by nature and love being around people and other animals. Be sure to introduce your Black Labradoodle to other dogs gradually to ensure that everyone gets along. Do Black Labradoodles like to swim? Many Black Labradoodles enjoy swimming, but not all of them do. It really depends on the individual dog. Some Black Labradoodles take to water immediately, while others never seem to enjoy it. Do Black Labradoodles like to cuddle? Yes, Black Labradoodles love to cuddle! They are known for being affectionate and loving dogs. Black Labradoodles reach sexual maturity between 6 and 18 months of age. Should I spay or neuter my Black Labradoodle? There are pros and cons to spaying or neutering your Black Labradoodle. Ultimately, the decision is up to you and your veterinarian. Some people choose to spay or neuter their Black Labradoodles because it can help reduce aggression and roaming behaviors. Additionally, spaying or neutering can help your Black Labradoodle live a longer and healthier life. On the other hand, some people choose not to spay or neuter their Black Labradoodles because they want their dog to retain its natural instincts. Additionally, unspayed or unneutered Black Labradoodles may have a higher tendency to mark their territory. When should I spay or neuter my Black Labradoodle? If you do decide to spay or neuter your Black Labradoodle, the best time to do it is between 6 and 18 months of age. Training a Black Labradoodle Black Labradoodles are intelligent dogs that love to please their owners. That makes them relatively easy to train. However, all dogs need patience and consistency during training. Be sure to use positive reinforcement techniques such as treats and praise to help your Black Labradoodle learn quickly. Here are a few tips to help you train your Black Labradoodle: Start training early. The sooner you start, the better. Be consistent. Dogs thrive on consistency, so be sure to use the same commands, tone of voice, and body language each time you train. Use positive reinforcement. Rewards such as treats and praise are more effective than punishment when training a Black Labradoodle. Be patient. Training takes time and patience. Exercise Needs of the Black Labradoodle Black Labradoodles need moderate exercise and benefit from plenty of mental stimulation. Some ideas for how to exercise your dog include: Take your dog for a walk. Play fetch with your dog. Take your dog to the park and let them run around. Go for a hike with your dog. Train your dog basic commands such as sit, stay, come, and down. Play tug of war with your dog. Teach your dog how to catch a ball. Have your dog do tricks like rolling over or playing dead. Buy some interactive toys like a Kong toy or a treat dispenser ball. Give your dog plenty of chew toys to keep them occupied. Dogs are susceptible to a variety of health issues, some more common than others. Below is a list of the five most common health issues that Black Labradoodles face: Hip dysplasia : A condition in which the hip joint is not properly formed, leading to pain and lameness. Elbow dysplasia : A condition in which the elbow joint is not properly formed, leading to pain and lameness. Bloat: A life-threatening condition in which the stomach expands due to gas or fluid accumulation. Cancer: The number one killer of dogs over age .There are many different types of cancer that can affect dogs. While these health conditions are serious, they are also relatively rare. The Black Labradoodle is a generally healthy breed with a lifespan of years. To help ensure your Black Labradoodle stays healthy, be sure to take them to the vet for regular checkups and vaccinations. You should also feed them a high-quality diet and make sure they get plenty of exercise. Black Labradoodles as Family Pets Black Labradoodles make great family pets thanks to their friendly, easygoing nature. If you think a Black Labradoodle is the right fit for your family, be sure to contact a reputable breeder today! Brush them several times a week to prevent mats and tangles, and take them to a professional groomer every few months for a bath, trim, and nail clip. Black Labradoodles are moderate shedders, so you may find some hair around the house. Common Black Labradoodle haircuts The short haircut is the most common Black labradoodle haircut. This style is easy to maintain and just requires a brush once a week. The long haircut is also popular among Black Labradoodles. This style requires more frequent brushing but also results in less shedding. This style is also easy to maintain and only requires a brush once a week. Labradoodle haircuts Although Labradoodle grooming is no small task, with our help it can be an easier one! The Labradoodle is one of the most beloved and recognizable pet pups in the world today. These happy-go-lucky and loving pups have endeared themselves to star-studded celebrities and ordinary families from all walks of life all around the globe. But their hair is something that every owner has to get to grips with. Do Labradoodles Need Grooming? Despite what many people believe and expect, not all Labradoodle dogs are non-shedding. Some Labradoodles can shed quite a lot. And all Labradoodles, whether they shed or not, need weekly or twice-weekly brushing and more detailed grooming every few months. In fact, the less your Labradoodle sheds, the more brushing and grooming your dog is likely to need as we will explain in later sections here. Labradoodles tend to be high-energy, athletic dogs who love to run and play and swim and sometimes roll in very stinky things. For these reasons, you may find yourself needing to bathe, brush and groom your dog with greater frequency after play sessions or outings. Labradoodles are a hybrid dog with one Labrador Retriever parent and one Poodle parent. These two dogs have very different coat types. Poodle Coat The Poodle coat is very dense and curly, but it is single layer i. For some people who are very sensitive to pet dander, Poodles can be a potentially good pet dog choice. The coast is also water repellent on the top layer, and soft and insulating on the under layer. Labs shed year-round. Labradoodle Coats If your Labradoodle inherits more genetic influence from the Poodle parent, the coat is likely to be closer to single layer, dense, thick, curly and mostly non-shedding. This is when you will find out for sure what type of coat your Labradoodle has inherited and how much grooming you will need to do. For high-shedding Labradoodles, you may want to increase this frequency during seasonal sheds. Labradoodles with fleece or wool coats more of the Poodle influence may not require any grooming adjustments at all. How to Groom a Labradoodle These are the recommended steps to do a basic at-home Labradoodle grooming session. It can take a few tries to get the hang of using the undercoat rake, especially because this grooming tool can look kind of scary at first glance. Spritz your dog with detangling spray. If you find tangles as you brush, you can stop and spritz on a bit more detangler to help work them out easily. Brush your dog with the slicker brush. Different groomers have different approaches for grooming dogs with thick coats like the Labradoodle. Continue brushing section by section in this way, stopping to work out tangles as you find them and then continuing on. The comb is the tool that will help you detect smaller tangles that you may have missed with the slicker brush. If you find additional tangles, stop and spritz a bit more detangler and work them out with the slicker brush. Then run the comb over the area one final time to be sure the tangle is gone. This is definitely a personal choice. Most groomers are happy to help in this area. Do any additional maintenance tasks as needed. Labradoodle Grooming Tools When you are just starting out and building your Labradoodle grooming toolkit, you will want to be sure you have these basics—recommended by Labradoodle breeders and professional groomers. This highly rated and popular undercoat rake represents an investment, but it is durable and solid and really gets the job done. Slicker Brushes for Labradoodles A good slicker brush will help you locate tangles and mats, and work them out without causing any discomfort to your pup. For Labradoodles, finding a long-pin brush with angled pins like one of these is key to grooming success. This popular long-pin, angled-pin, large slicker brush is great for grooming all the way down to the undercoat. Once your dog grows up, you may want to use the large brush on the main body coat and a medium brush on the legs and facial areas. This popular slicker brush has a feature many grooming-intensive dog owners just love: a self-cleaning button. One push of the button ejects all the hair trapped in the tines. Labradoodle Comb Labradoodles tend to have such thick coats that it can be easy to miss smaller tangles and mats. All pins have rounded tips for skin safety. This lovely, soft, human-grade detangling spray is made from all natural ingredients and is specifically pH balanced for canine skin. Both for its conditioning effect and its ability to repel debris. You can also use them to trim ear hair, paw hair and hair around the hind quarters. This scissor set has rounded ends for safety and surgical-quality stainless steel construction. Establish a routine that you will follow through with or you will end up with a puppy with nails that may rip or cause problems walking properly, ears that have infections, and coats that are severely matted to the skin and cause severe discomfort for your dog. These are the areas that are most prone to matting. Part the hair and brush from the base of the coat in small sections. Many people only brush the surface of the coat and do not realize the dog is matting very badly next to the skin. Remember, if you cannot maintain basic brushing and grooming on your own, then you will need to budget for using a professional groomer. You should still try to clip nails and clean ears weekly at home, and give your dog a brushing at least once a week. BATHING When you groom your puppy or dog, you will want them to have a clean coat so your scissors and clipper blades work efficiently and do not wear down more quickly. Here are some general, simple tips for basic labradoodle grooming when doing your doodle at home. Eyes: Your Labradoodle should always be able to see well and not have hair hanging and restricting vision or growing up and into the eyes from the bridge of the nose! Using blunt tipped scissors, trim the hair over the bridge of nose and in between eyes so vision is not obstructed. Hair that hangs over the eyes should be trimmed neatly across the brow blending down into the sides of the face. If your dog gets eye gunk, use eye wipes every few days to keep them clean. A Labradoodle with long ear hair does NOT look like the standard for the Labradoodle, it looks more like a Cocker spaniel. Shape the ears and blend hair neatly into the top of the head. This will help prevent infections. You can use a clipper with 10 blade for a good length in this area. If the canal has a lot of hair inside, you will need to pluck it out in very small amounts to prevent irritation. Clean ear canal with solution and then use ear powder to eliminate moisture. Paws: Trim paws in a nicely rounded shape so that hair does not hang over the paw and cannot be walked on. Completely clip hair from in between pads on bottom of feet. This is most easily done with an electric clipper and a 30 blade. Keeping the paws shaped nicely will aid in less debris attaching to feet when outside and being drug into your home. Long muzzle hair results in beards that drip with water every time your dog gets a drink. The hair on the sides of the muzzle should be even with the bottom of the lower jaw. This is an area of the body we frequently see with matting. Hair is left to grow and grow and GROW and you not realize it is severely matting close to the tail. This helps prevent matting and urine or feces from building up on the coat when your dog uses the bathroom. Body: If you like a longer coat, more brushing and maintenance will be required. Here are a couple examples of shorter cuts that most find easy to maintain. Share this: Click to share on Pinterest Opens in new window Newsletter Subscribe to Spring Creek's monthly newsletter for training tips, recipes, dog health care, seasonal tips, grooming advice, behavioral help, and more! Just enter your email address and sit back and enjoy our monthly news! Email address: Leave this field empty if you're human: Spring Creek Labradoodles is an Oregon Labradoodle breeder, and one of the first in the U. Top 5 Labradoodle Haircuts Be sure to check out our 2-part series on types of Doodle haircuts, with tons more pictures that cover overall body styles and variations of styles. Different groomers may have different ideas of what the following types of cuts are. If any of these pictures represent what you want your Labradoodle to look like, be sure to bookmark this page for easy access when dropping them off at the groomer! With the hair slightly rounder and longer around the face and legs, the Labradoodle teddy bear cut gives your pup the most adorable puppy-like look. As the name hints, the goal is to give your Labradoodle a puppy-like look with shorter hair on the body, and longer on the head. This look is not for the faint-hearted, but a dog as cute as a Labradoodle will surely pull this off. Labradoodle Long Clip Almost the same as the Labradoodle short clip, but not quite. The Labradoodle long clip is great for emphasizing those beautiful waves and an effortless, shaggy look. However, longer hair can also trap in more dirt, so make sure to set aside enough time for daily brushing. Here you can check out the best brushes for Labradoodles. A comb is also great for brushing hard-to-reach areas like the paws, face, and ears. Dog Clippers — When it comes to grooming, you are going to need a set of clippers to get the job done. Which ones should you choose? These are our favorite grooming scissors for Doodles. Dog Shears — Are you ready to take your grooming to the next level? Detangler Sprays — One of the best hacks for hassle-free brushing is having a detangler spray at hand. Use it before each brushing or just before bathtime, a good detangler spray cuts the time spent on tangles in half. Shampoo — A proper grooming routine includes an occasional bathtime. Whether your Labradoodle struggles with skin sensitivities or tends to shed a lot, there are tons of different options available on the market. Here are the top 6 dog shampoos that Labradoodle owners swear by. Ear Cleaning Products — With those cute floppy ears, Labradoodles are prone to ear infections due to the restricted airflow. Take a look at some of the highest rated dog ear cleaner products that help prevent and treat minor ear infections. Grooming Tables — Every Labradoodle owner knows how difficult it can be to groom a Doodle with one hand, while trying to keep them still with the other. A grooming table will take care of all that you still need to do the grooming though… and save you from back pain. Check out the best dog grooming tables or create a DIY grooming table. Be sure to check out our guide on dealing with matted hair , and another about the line brushing method. Bathing: Before a haircut or after a muddy playtime, your Labradoodle will need a thorough wash. Typically, once a week should be perfectly enough. However, some pups might need a couple of times a week. Once in a while, you might want to use a special dog ear cleaner to prevent any infections. Here you can check our guide on Doodle ear infection symptoms, treatments, and prevention. Eye gunk: Gently remove any eye gunk you notice, as this will prevent discoloration around the eyes and bad smell. If you can do it daily, great! Here is our step-by-step video tutorial guide that includes the entire Doodle grooming process from head to paw. For example, the best Labradoodle haircuts for summer would be short so your pup has an easier time cooling down. The Labradoodle puppy cut is the most popular Labradoodle haircut. However, we recommend you choose high-quality tools, as they will last you a longer time. As a Labradoodle puppy starts to develop an adult coat, you should start with regular grooming. The sooner you introduce your puppy to the whole process of grooming, the easier it will be for them to get used to it. See Also: Click the image To conclude, we hope that you learned some useful Labradoodle grooming tips, and that we managed to inspire you with the Labradoodle haircuts that you can try on your Doodle for your next grooming session. Let us know in the comments! The information on this page is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional groomer advice. Always seek the advice of your groomer, veterinarian, or other qualified animal health provider with any questions you may have. You Might Also Like. To start, you should find a comfortable position for you and your Doodle. Keep in mind that your dog might pull their paw away at any given moment. If possible, first remove as much hair as possible with a clipper. Then get in with a pair of blunt-ended scissors and carefully trim the hair on the paws. You should lay scissors as flat as possible against the paw to not injure the surrounding skin. This is usually easiest done when your dog is sitting or standing. Additionally, as the hair is usually super thick on the back, you might want to use a faster speed setting to get through the dense coat. This way you can easily reach the underbelly area. You can start from the chest area, and move towards the tail. On the other hand, you can keep the upper portion of the tail longer. For a smaller trim, you use thinning shears to feather out the hairs. But remember, even tail hair can get matted so make sure you brush and groom it regularly. Here the tools you absolutely need in your at home Labradoodle grooming kit: Brush: A good quality brush is the backbone of an at home Labradoodle grooming kit. Here you can check out our ultimate Labradoodle brush guide. These are our favorite grooming scissors for Doodles. Dog Shears: Also known as thinning shears, this scissor-like tool will totally transform the way you groom your Labradoodle, blending in all the different lengths of hair. Detangler Sprays: Detangler sprays are amazing for getting rid of stubborn knots that you just cannot get rid of with a brush or comb alone. Here are the 5 best dog detangler sprays that pro groomers recommend. Make sure to check out our guide on the best shampoos for Labradoodles that Doodle owners trust and recommend. To learn more about dog ear infections, prevention, and treatment, check out this article. A grooming table keeps your pup safe and in place. You can opt for either commercial dog grooming tables or build a DIY dog grooming table. Their coats are prone to matting and their hair can grow out quickly. Not to mention, all the nail clipping and bathing that you need to keep up with. Grooming your Labradoodle at home is not only great for saving time and money, but also to have that bonding experience with your little pal. For example, in the summer months, your Labradoodle might prefer a shorter cut to stay cool. If you prefer a longer cut on the face, you can do perfectly well with just scissors alone.

Close Prices How much to pay for a puppy is always tricky. Variance in the prices between breeders is confusing to families - we understand this. What's Included in the price - vaccines, kennel cough, microchip transfer spay etc? Parental health screening - the more tests, the more expense incurred Reputation and bloodlines We have checklists and questions which we suggest you ask your chosen breeder. These can help you know firstly, what you are buying ,and secondly, what's included. Why Us and our Cobberdogs? Finding a healthy dog from a reputable breeder can be a challenge. If you've never had an Australian Cobberdog or any dog for that matter , it can be difficult to work out whether a breeder's prices are reasonable or not. Our prices are due to the amount of health screening and training we provide. As a registered Australian Cobberdog breeder, we have pure Cobberdog lines, and are known for our outstanding service. Our dogs are happy and healthy, with a gentle, playful temperament. We are confident our prices are a reflection of all of this. In comparison to similar breeders, we're about average. There are definitely options more and less expensive out there. If you'd like to find out more about our history, experience and the team, please check out our about us page. You can also follow us on Facebook: doodleDogs and Instagram: auscobberdogs. We love receiving updates we call them pupdates from families who've adopted from us. These are often posted on our social media, but we've also gathered some on our testimonials page for you! Useful Links. However, some pups exchange hands for even more, if they have something which makes them especially desirable examples of what that might be coming up! You may also see Labradoodle puppies advertised for far less. This should be a red flag. A good breeder spends a great deal of money to produce a healthy litter. The costs of breeding a healthy litter include: Health screening for the parents. Travel and accommodation to meet a suitable stud dog. Veterinary costs for mom and her litter. Extra food. Whelping supplies, such as a whelping box, heat mats, and bedding. Time off work to look after mom, and start socializing her puppies. Backyard breeders, puppy mills, and online sellers may offer puppies at bargain prices, but only by cutting their own costs first. So their puppies are more likely to leave home with inherited health problems that require expensive treatment later. Or with behavioral problems like separation anxiety or stranger-directed aggression, which are difficult or impossible to overcome. Lots of people are overwhelmed by the upfront cost of a well bred puppy. Adopting a dog from a shelter is one way to find a dog for less, but without supporting unethical breeding practices. And some regions even have dedicated rescue organizations which specialize in rehoming Labradoodles and other Poodle crosses. This is a much less expensive route and adoption fees often cover things like initial vaccinations and microchipping. Such as whether they carry any late-onset inherited diseases, or are reactive to certain triggers. What Factors Determine Labradoodle Cost? There are a number of factors which may make people willing to pay more for a Labradoodle. Breeder Good breeders are rarely in it for the money. Even if they sell their puppies for a more money than they spent on them, the profit divided by the number of hours they spent caring the dam and her litter works out in cents! All breeders have their own personal philosophy on pricing pups. They might have a reputation and a waiting list which means they can charge more than the competition. They might also charge highly to deter people from buying their puppies on impulse. Provided you ask politely, a reputable breeder will be happy to explain how they arrived at the cost of their puppies. But a breeder who refuses to discuss how they set their price at all may be attempting to cover up the fact that their puppies have been very poorly raised and are not worth the asking price. Breeding Stock Breeders who invest in meticulous health screening of their sire and dam may pass the cost of that onto their buyers, and they have every right to do so. Puppies from thoroughly health tested parents cost more upfront, but they are likely to cost less in lifetime veterinary fees. Labradoodle puppies from parents with show or field titles may also be advertised at higher prices. The puppies of Labradoodles that have been backcrossed with a purebred Poodle will have a greater chance of inheriting the Poodle coat. Other factors There are other things which might affect Labradoodle costs too. For example, in cities and urban areas, miniature Labradoodles might command higher prices than standard Labradoodles. Some factors have nothing to do with the dog at all. For example, many reputable breeders avoid producing litters around Christmas time to avoid buyers passing them on as gifts to other people, or buying them on impulse without really thinking it through. Low quality breeders on the other hand, tend to push their prices up at this time of year. The Cost of Owning a Labradoodle in the First Year Whether you go a shelter or a breeder, adoption fees and purchase price are only the beginning of what it costs to own a Labradoodle. The first year will typically be the most expensive because this is when most major expenses occur. Such as Having the dog spay or neutered. Training classes. Accessories like a crate, bedding, toys, collar and leash. Labradoodles have a high frequency of joint disorders such as hip and elbow dysplasia, which may require expensive monthly prescriptions to manage. Bringing a puppy into your life comes with the responsibility to keep him healthy and happy. From food to medical costs, from toys to grooming, there a number of regular expenses that come with owning a dog. Food is such an essential part of ensuring your dog is healthy and there is a wide range of commercial dog foods available. You can spend tens, or hundred of dollars per month! Always choose a good quality food that lists animal protein as the first ingredient and avoid brands that include meat by-products, fillers, and artificial ingredients that can cause gastrointestinal problems and allergic reactions. This article on feeding a Labradoodle puppy can guide you. Feeding your dog a healthy diet and ensuring an active dog like the Labradoodle gets enough exercise will go a long way to reducing medical costs. However, any dog can develop health issues that require treatment that can run into thousands of dollars. Health problems that the Labradoodle can be susceptible to include: Hip and elbow dysplasia. It was developed in the late s in Australia with the objective of producing a hypoallergenic guide dog for people who suffer from allergies. The Labradoodle has become one of the most beloved Poodle mixed breeds in the world because of his gentle disposition, intelligence, and cute appearance. Like most hybrid dogs , LabraDoodle comes in varying sizes, colours, and overall looks. This Labrador Poodle mixed breed has an extensive list of nicknames. History Doodle is believed to have been first bred in Australia in .It was done in the hopes of creating a highly trainable and hypoallergenic guide dog for people allergic to dogs. The first successful cross between a Labrador Retriever and a standard Poodle was done by a man named Wally Conron. It produced a dog named Sultan, which became a guide dog for his new owner who was in need of a guide dog in Hawaii for ten years. The Labradoodle's trainability and gentle nature made him a sought-after breed, both as a guide dog and a family companion. In the present-day, he has also thrived as an assistance and therapy dog. Labradoodle dogs are usually bred by crossing a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle. However, multigenerational breeding has been done to create a workable and recognisable breed hopefully. Since the Labradoodle is still considered a hybrid, he is not recognised by the Kennel Club. Appearance and Grooming How big do Labradoodles get? Like most hybrid dogs with parents that differ in size and looks, predicting the overall appearance and adult size of the Labradoodle is quite difficult. They usually exude a graceful appearance with a soft coat, which can either be any of the following textures: The fleece coat, which tends to be long and straight or wavy. This type of coat is low-shedding and has somewhat an angora coat texture because of its silkiness. The wool coat, which is made up of tight curls, takes after the Poodle. This curly-coated type is virtually non-shedding and hypoallergenic. The hair coat, which is the least popular coat type and often seen in first-generation Labradoodles. It takes after the Labrador Retriever, and it sheds profusely all-year-round. Do Labradoodles shed? Labradoodle is a low to average shedder. How much grooming your dog will require depends on the length and texture of the coat. Labradoodles usually only requires brushing once or twice a week. However, some of them might need to be professionally trimmed especially those with fleece coats. Bathing can be done as needed. Aside from brushing, grooming also entails clipping the nails every six to eight weeks and brushing his teeth a minimum of three times a week to prevent halitosis or bad breath. Cleaning your Doodle's ears weekly should also be a part of his regular grooming routine to prevent ear infections. Temperament and Intelligence Do Labradoodles make good pets? The Labradoodle dog breed is a popular choice not only because of his endearing appearance but also his friendly and loving nature. Like his parent breeds, he makes a delightful companion and family pet for children of all ages. He is an excellent match for first-time dog owners too. Whether being first or multigeneration Doodle, he generally will be a good-natured and gentle family dog. The LabraDoodle gets along well with other pets. However, supervision is a must during child—dog or other pet—dog interactions. This will prevent accidents from happening due to rough playing. The Doodle dog is highly trainable because of his intelligent and people-pleasing characteristics. However, as a high-energy dog, his training should include plenty of physically and mentally stimulating activities to match his brainpower. Nutrition and Feeding For an adult Labradoodle, a typical serving is 1 to 2. However, you can always prepare your pet's food, but make sure that you pair it with supplements to avoid nutrient deficiencies. Omega fatty acids could be added to keep your Labradoodle's coat healthy. It is advised to always check with your vet first before putting your Doodle on a new diet or starting with a new supplement. Health and Exercise How long do Labradoodles live? Cross-breeds are often said to be healthier and tend to live longer than purebreds. The Labradoodle is a great proof for this claim as his average lifespan is 12 to 15 years. However, like most breeds, Doodle can be predisposed to certain health problems, which include: Progressive retinal atrophy PRA.

We proudly offer champion English bulldog puppies for sale in St. Hands-on and selective, we ensure that all of our bloodlines are documented champion bulldogs with detailed family histories and a health guarantee. About English Bulldogs Known for being stout, demure, and dignified, English bulldogs are one of the best and most desirable breeds in the world. Despite their sour-mug expression, they are an amiable and sensitive breed. They are also tenacious and sweet-tempered, which allows them to respond well to patient and persistent training. This makes them excellent show champions, and of course, companions. About Our English Bulldog Puppies We live and breathe English bulldogs and are committed to the preservation of the true purebred dog, striving to breed to the standard that was established in .We give our hearts and souls to our dogs, giving each puppy the love and care they need to become happy and healthy dogs. Our thorough process is why we have been producing champions for the past 20 years. While our main focus in breeding English bulldogs is to find the next competitive show prospect, our bulldogs also make wonderful family pets that are sure to be well-loved members of your family. To learn more about our available champion English bulldog puppies , call Show Me Bulldogs at today. Connect With Us. Call Morgan at for specific pup identification if you are leaning towards placing an early deposit. Please check back, we update our website daily! Please see our Deposit Page and our Transportation Page for information on getting your puppy. We love the English bulldog temperament, physique and expression, I just personally like it to be about lbs. We find the smaller sizes are more buoyant and playful and, though still very heat sensitive, are better able to cope with life in general. Downsizing an AKC breed takes time. Our girls all come from long lines of lb. We not trying for 20 pounders…our goal is to have healthy, beautiful babies that consistently mature at lbs. If you see a puppy that tugs on your heartstrings please call, or go to our deposit page for more information. In the last few years it has become clear that most people would prefer their puppy to be transported using our White Glove transport or Nanny Flight transport. Today, we have requests for our Puppies from all over the country. Because of this, the majority those requesting a Sugarplum Bulldog Puppy have also requested transport to their area of the country; those in Florida, for example, cannot easily make the drive to RI. As such, the majority of our Puppies have shifted to a transport model; this gets them closer to their new forever home. Because of this, we have come to the decision, that for the well being of our Puppies and for the benefit of our new Sugarplum Bulldog owners, we have developed a transport model for our pups using our Puppy-Mobile with direct transport to the pups new Forever Home! Our Mid-Western breeding home is co-owned by Sugarplum Bulldogs, and our partner. I realize that not having a chance to play with the Pups is disappointing to some, but please understand that our team are dedicated to the highest level of care for our little Pups. We truly feel that this new model is in the best interested of our Puppies and their new homes. Please feel free to ask me any questions…. View Our Available Puppies! They are also known as F1b pups-meaning a 2nd generation Beabull puppy. We usually have a few Unique Colored Beabull Puppies! In each litter of beabull pups, we are usually blessed with a few unique Lilac or Lilac Merle colored puppies in each litter. These puppies are unique and highly sought after. Our adult beabulls typically weigh between pounds once they are adults. They usually reach an average height of inches at the shoulders. The life expectancy of a beabull is normally years of age. Our second-generation beabulls are usually smaller in size than a purebred English Bulldog and have a lot of added benefits and genetic advantages over registered English bulldogs. They usually have a longer muzzle that allows them to breathe better than the snub nose of the bulldog. Giving your beabull regular baths will help keep their coats clean and shiny. So if you live near Hollister Missouri and are looking for a healthy and beautiful beabull puppy then check out are available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some beabull pups that have been adopted. You will be able to find all their current contact information, as well as a link to their website, so you can see what puppies they currently have available for sale. We provide you with all this information so that you can research each breeder individually and find the one that has your perfect puppy available! If you are considering getting an English Bulldog, you'll want to check out the incredible book "The Complete Guide to English Bulldogs". It's written in an easy-to-understand way but still has the expert knowledge to help any new owner successfully raise their Bulldog from puppy to old-age. It's widely available, so pick up a copy if you see one, here is the link to grab one on Amazon, or you can download the audiobook version here. If you can't find the perfect Bulldog puppy in your state, try checking at your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Many English Bulldogs young and old need a loving home and adopting one can be a great way to save a life. We are so happy that you have chosen Local Puppy Breeders to help you find the puppy of your dreams. In addition to visiting us often here, you can check us out on Facebook , Twitter , and Pinterest for more information, pictures, and videos!

Puppy Supplies Welcome to Buck Family Farm, a place where our love for Golden Retrievers has evolved into a passion for providing families with affectionate, intelligent, and healthy Golden Retriever Puppies. Our goal is to make sure your next family pet is everything you expected and more. Our Dogs Our family specializes in raising Golden Retrievers of all coat shades who enjoy our spacious 20 acre farm. It is important to us that each dog gets special attention and care each day. Our family-style setup allows our dogs to have the luxury of running free and romping around to their hearts' content while playing together and with our family. Also, since this is our at-home classroom, someone is always available to play ball or give a much needed scratch on the belly and pat on the head. Genetic testing is also performed on each dog to help us make wise choices for the best pairings and to produce puppies with the best probability of excellent health. Of high importance however, is taking into consideration the temperament of each of our Golden Retrievers to produce a well balanced and friendly companion, who exhibits all of the classic traits of the breed. Puppies Buck Family Farm puppies are AKC registered, vet certified, have first shots, are wormed and will come to your home with a 1 year health guarantee and a first bag of puppy food. We also send a blanket with mommy's scent and all appropriate NYS paperwork as well as copies of parents' health clearances. Our desire is to make your experience with us and our puppies everything you expected and more. Puppy Applications If you are interested in purchasing a puppy from our farm please fill out an adoption application to help us get to know you a little better. When your application is accepted you will have the opportunity to place your name on our waiting list for an additional fee. This ensures a courtesy call when a particular color, gender or litter of choice has arrived. You will then have the opportunity to place a deposit on one of our puppies. You will receive a courtesy notification of the litters' arrival and have opportunity to place a deposit. However, deposits that are not submitted promptly will affect your pick-order. Deposits are usually non-refundable. Placing a Deposit Once a new litter is born and determined to be healthy and thriving, we open them for deposit. First, to those on our waiting list, and then to families who have pre-approved applications. We choose puppies at 5 weeks of age in the order that deposits were placed. Please contact us for Paypal, zelle and Venmo handles. Visiting We frequently update pictures of all puppies on a regular basis. You will not be allowed to visit the puppies or parents until mommy is settled in and feeling comfortable with visitors. At 5 weeks of age we have adopting families visit our farm and choose their puppy. Puppies are chosen in the order that deposits were placed. Homecoming At 8 weeks of age and after veterinary examination, puppies will be united with their forever families! Contact: nitrogoldens yahoo. A good dog breeder is registered in a breeders association and breeds according to the rules and guidelines of the respective breed association. In addition to participating in beauty and performance shows at dog shows, this also includes health checks on their breeding dogs. These papers show which ancestors were involved in the development of the puppy and whether inbreeding was carried out. What makes a serious dog breed? A reputable breeder is dedicated to their breed and usually only breeds this one breed. The prices that dog breeders charge for their puppies mostly flow back into dog breeding. A profit is hardly achieved with good and species-appropriate husbandry. How do I recognize a reputable breeder? First, make sure that the dog breed leaves a clean and well-groomed impression. The following points can also help you buy puppies from a reputable dog breeder: Do all animals look lively and healthy? Do the puppies grow up in the family instead of having to live in a kennel outside? Are the parent animals on-site? Are you allowed to visit the puppies several times? Is the breeder interested in your living conditions? Would they like to know as precisely as possible where their puppies will live? Does the dog breeder take special measures to give their puppies a good start in life? For example, do the puppies get to know car journeys and train journeys? Are they used to other pets and children? Does the breeder grant themself a right of repurchase in the event that the buyer wants to give their dog back? These points are indicators of a reputable breeder. In addition, you should make sure that the puppies are not over-vaccinated and dewormed before buying. Worming treatments in particular can cause permanent damage in puppies that cannot be justified by a potential benefit. If the dog breeder is critical of your questions, that is also a good sign. Golden Retriever Breed Overview Golden Retrievers are attractive dogs with an energetic temperament and soulful gaze with expressive dark eyes. Due to their balanced psyche and benevolent disposition, they have gained a reputation as ideal family companions, and their ineradicable passion for water and craving for retrieval make them indispensable for hunting. Golden Retrievers are medium-sized, well-proportioned dogs. Although their exterior is regulated by a single standard, there is a division into 3 types in the breed: English. Dogs of this type are easily recognizable by their wide skull, powerful legs, and very light, almost white coat. Dogs of this type are distinguished by an elegant constitution and graceful posture. Tall, thin dogs of rich dark color. To choose the right pet, you should study the breed standard. Then it will become clear what the perfect Golden Labrador looks like. Of course, the puppies are still too small, so it is rather difficult to assess their conformation. When choosing, first of all, pay attention to the following signs: The Coat. Labradors have dense and coarse guard hair without waves and feathers, a thick and soft undercoat. The AKC standard allows only 3 colors: cream, golden, dark golden, and light golden. A small white spot on the chest is not considered a fault. Expression of the muzzle. It depends to a certain extent on the eyes. In golden Labradors, they are brown or hazel, expressing intelligence and good nature. The eyes should not be cloudy or heavy. In puppies under 12 weeks of age, the iris is blue. The lighter the shade, the lighter the eyes of an adult animal will be. Body type. The back is short and straight, without dips or bulges. Puppies that are overly light, weak, gaunt, or overweight should not be chosen. A characteristic feature of the breed is a thick tail at the base and tapering to the tip, reminiscent of the tail of an otter. During swimming, the tail plays the role of a rudder. During a game, the puppies cheerfully lift it, but never bend or throws it on its back. Labradors are prone to hip dysplasia. For instance, you may want to get the essential things for your puppies like grooming tools, food, and shelter. Caring For a Golden Retriever Puppy Golden Retriever puppies from good breeders do not leave for new homes until they are 2 months old. Therefore, in the early days, pets really need the attention and care of their owners. To avoid digestive problems, puppies should first be fed what they ate at the breeder. And it is better to introduce all new products gradually and in small quantities. At 2 months, golden retrievers should receive food times a day, and when they reach 1 year they are transferred to double feeding. Until the golden puppy has received all the vaccinations, it cannot be taken out for walks. Therefore, before the end of the post-vaccination quarantine in the house, it is better to remove the carpets and cover the floor with disposable floor pads. These platforms will help you connect with people who have Golden Retriever puppies for sale or adoption near you. It can be a great alternative in looking for your future pup within the comfort of your home. AKC Marketplace is your trusted resource to help make a lifetime of responsible dog ownership safe, happy, and healthy. They help over 21, animal shelters, humane societies, SPCAs, pet rescue groups, and pet adoption agencies advertise their homeless pets to millions of adopters a month, for free. They pride themselves on connecting loving families with new furry friends and have happy customers all over the nation.

Whelping means the process where a female dog gives birth to puppies. And a whelping box is a container or box designed to keep the puppies safe and warm. Having a whelping box makes it convenient for the mother to give birth comfortably. Female dogs are very protective of their puppies. Hence the nesting box offers a sense of security. Female dogs need assistance and a safe place to give birth. Hence, a whelping pen would be of great help. If your dog is about to give birth, it would be better to get a box or make it yourself. For a small dog like Pomeranian, you can convert a large card box into a whelping pen. You can put your creativity into the process and make a nesting box for your dog. If your dog is big, she might probably give birth to a large number of puppies. Hence, the size of the box should be large enough to fit the puppies and the mother. Furthermore, you can get the box from a pet store if creativity and DIY are not your forte. Here are some of the factors that you need to consider: The sides of the pen should be high enough that can keep the puppies safe for three weeks. Also, make sure that the mother can move to and fro freely. The size of the pen should be spacious enough for your dog and puppies. It should have enough space where the mother can feed her pups comfortably. In addition, it should allow them to move freely. It will help to keep the pups warm when the mom is not around. These are the factors that you need to consider while getting a nesting box. It helps the mother and the pups in the long run. You would notice the growth within the first few weeks. They can move and stand up over the sides of the whelping pen. By three weeks, they become mobile and able to move towards the edge of the nesting box. However, before it reaches that stage, you should take care of it diligently. Some pups would go astray and get lost. Hence, getting a box with proper height is essential. Sometimes the mother has to go out of the box for a nature call or food. The box offers a sense of security both to the dog owner and the mother. When the puppies are born, they have no control over their body temperature. So, while the mom is out, the box will keep them warm. However, you have to make sure that the bottom of the box is covered with a soft blanket. By three weeks, they will start moving, and some puppies might even get out of the box. So, the real chaos begins when they reach three weeks. It would be best if you were more careful than ever. How to Keep the Nesting Box Clean? Taking care of puppies can be quite tiring. Once the puppies are born safely in the box, it would be better to change the sheet or the beddings. The mother will take care of it. However, from the second to the third week, the real work starts. It will help if you make sure that the box is clean. While cleaning the box, you can keep the pups temporarily in a warm blanket. You need to replace the sheet or newspaper at least twice or thrice per day. However, keeping the box clean prevents the puppies from possible bacterial infections. It also helps to keep the puppies clean. You should see that the nesting box is clean and dry. So, like a responsible dog owner , make sure that the box is clean and warm. Changing the Whelping Box to Other Areas Once the puppies have passed the first week, you place the box in other areas. It will help them to get used to the new smell and sounds. However, make sure that the place is quiet and warm. Some kids would like to hold the pups, which would be too early and maybe dangerous. During the first two weeks, puppies are pretty delicate. So, it would be best to keep far away from children. The first three weeks are a crucial moment for you and the pups. The puppies are in their developing stage, and they need a quiet and calm environment to grow. So, you should make sure that puppies are kept safe and warm. They would be too young to take the regular food and would cause indigestion. But you can keep water for the mother. They get very thirsty while taking care of the puppies. She requires good protein and energy to keep the pups fed through her milk. You can place the food in the water once they can move or walk. However, make sure that the food is easily digestible. Also, puppies tend to eat food without a limit. So, you should give the food moderately. Overeating can cause indigestion and vomiting. Hence, it would help if you were careful not to overfeed them. It offers a sense of security to the mother and the dog owners as well. Having a nesting box helps to keep the puppies from going astray. The first three weeks are crucial for the puppies to grow and develop healthily. Having the right size of the whelping box can help both the puppies and the mother move freely. It allows the mother to breastfeed the puppies comfortably. If your dog is about to give birth, it would be better to arrange a whelping box. It offers safety and assurance to both the mother and puppies. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. Get Free Downloads! A whelping box should be in a room that is fairly quiet, climate controlled and has a door that can be closed. Animals should be kept away unless mom shows no signs of stress by their presence and they are past their two week quarantine and are are healthy. To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, you will need to be able to sanitize the floors and, possibly, the walls with either high heat or chemicals. A room with carpeting may not be a good option. How to Interact with Mom and Puppies in the Whelping Box For the first few days after the puppies are born, keep things pretty calm and only familiar people should visit. Shoes should be removed before entering the room. I use a pair of Crocs as my puppy-safe shoes because they slip on easily and can be disinfected with bleach. Once the puppies are days old and showing no signs of illness, strangers from all walks of life should be invited to handle the puppies Read about Neonatal Handling. Dura-Whelp is made of corrugated plastic which makes it light, fairly inexpensive and easy to fold up and store. Plus, if you need to contain a medium to large breed mom, you would still have to add a wire pen around the box. Although Dura-Whelp is less expensive than some of the others, it is still a bit of an investment for something that is only useful for a few weeks. View fullsize Dura-Whelp whelping box with weaning pen extension View fullsize Prototype of fence rail frame and EPDM waterproof pond liner flooring Next we tried to build our own. I wanted something modular that could easily grow with the puppies and also contain mom. I also needed a way to keep the puppies from pushing the pen all over the place. I used horse fence rails attached by metal brackets around the pen and also as the bumper rail and I tried EPDM pond liner for the durable, waterproof flooring. Overall, this design worked pretty well except that the frame was a bit heavy and the pond liner flooring did not work because poop stuck to it like cement. Plus, the 6 inch tall bumper rail was not high enough to contain the puppies for more than 13 days not sure their eyes were even open when they started escaping! I made a bumper rail with PVC pipe which I zip tied to the wire pen. Then I used linoleum for the floor which I clipped to the pen with A-clamps. View fullsize This was one of our ideas for a whelping box and weaning pen. It worked ok but there were a few challenges But I discovered a few problems with this design. First, my most obvious mistake was that, under the bumper rail, there was just the wire pen no barrier and newborn puppies are small enough to easily fit through the spaces in the bars. This worked really well. Another problem is that when Mom leaned against the PVC bumper rail, the pieces would come apart. Unless you are careful to keep it clean during the whelping process, you will probably need a second, clean box for the weeks the puppies will live there. Baby pools are handy, relatively cheap options. It is important to add the bumper rails to prevent mom from accidentally suffocating or injuring her puppies. This is another style of bumper rail for a baby pool whelping box. NOTE: If pieces of the foam noodle come loose, they could be a choking hazard. For this size dog, this pool might be a little small but it seems to work. One problem with baby pools is trying to keep blankets in place so this is a clever homemade solution. This is a very simple, down and dirty design. This box appears to be painted wood. What is clever about this one is that it looks like the corner brackets are removable making this easy to assemble and disassemble. Stages of Puppy Development Birth to 3 weeks The first 20 days of a pups life it is not capable of much learning. The mental capacity is about nil. The pup will react when it is in need of food, sleep, warmth and its mother. During the first 3 weeks it is VERY important to look after the dam as well. She will in turn, look after the puppies. Once or twice a day the puppies should be handled by a human and they should be weighed daily. During the first 3 weeks most dams like to be in a warm secluded area, not in the family living area. Pups remain contently in their whelping box for the first 20 days of their life. Newborn puppies sleep most of the day away. No matter what the breed, this is the time when the dormant senses wake up. From day 21 to 28 puppies are in need of their mom more than any other time as their brains and nervous systems begin to develop and they become aware of their surroundings. As mom jumps out of the box, they suddenly watch her wondering where she went. Pups may start climbing out of the whelping box at this age, so it is time to expand their home. At this stage we add a small potty area beside the whelp box. If a puppy were to loose his mom at this stage it would greatly affect his emotional wellbeing. Emotional growth is just blossoming as the puppy realizes it is alive. It is also at this age that characteristics can develop like shyness and fear. Any negative characteristics that develop at this stage in life are often permanent personality traits. The puppies sleep 20 or more hours a day. They will not go far, but they will begin to explore. At this time we expand their area to add a play and eating area in the daytime. This is the time to move them out to the kitchen and family room area, where life is happening in the home. This is not the age to be in the back bedroom, garage or barn. During this time, a puppy will learn to respond to voices, sounds and recognize different people. The puppies in their group will establish a 'pecking order', some will want to lead and some will want to follow. The dominant ones will eat first and the omega ones will wait. The dominant ones can become bullies and hog all the toys. This is an important stage to watch to learn the temperaments of each puppy and should be used for placing puppies into the proper homes. Some scientific studies prove that if there is a bully in a litter that is making others cower and be shy it can set in traits that are very hard to turn around, but it is also important to leave puppies in a social group long enough to be adventurous and for the puppy to acquire some social competitive skills. On the same note, a puppy should never be allowed to get too pushy. While shyer puppies have to learn to handle themselves in social groups, a dominant puppy needs to learn it is not acceptable to be a bully. Different breeds need to be separated at different ages. Often if the bully is adopted out first the remaining puppies will loose some of their shyness. Puppies at this age sleep 18 to 20 hours a day. By 7 weeks, a pup is considered emotionally developed and ready to learn, but the pup does not possess an adult brain yet. At 7 weeks old the breeder of the pups can start crate training for an hour or two a day with 2 pups in a crate. This helps with separation anxiety. By 8 weeks of age a puppy should be able to go in a crate alone for a nap, and it is almost ready for its new home. A puppy should never be taken away from it's mother before weeks of age. The mother dog teaches the puppies in the litter manners, respect, social skills, and proper etiquette, along with many other valuable lessons. When a puppy misses this stage it can cause the pup to have future behavior issues as most humans do not understand natural dog behavior enough to teach the pup these things. What a puppy learns now will be retained and become part of who the dog becomes and his personality. Most dams stop caring for their pups by 7 weeks, as they have teeth and she pushes them away. If a pup is left with the dam during this period it's emotional development can be altered, as it remains dependent on her. The same can happen if littermates are placed together. They rely on each other instead of the new owner and they often do not find adequate security in their mom or littermate. They need their new owner to take over the role and it is important that the humans understand natural dog behavior in order to fulfill the puppies instincts and needs. First shots should be done at 7. When a puppy stays with his litter after 8 to 9 weeks of age without adequate human contact it doesn't adjust as well to a human social life. The optimum time to take a new puppy is from 8 to 9 weeks of age. It is always best to have a pup do his learning from his new owner and in his new home. Puppies are often adopted out at 8, 9, 10 or 11 weeks. Older puppies can do just fine if the breeder has spent a lot of time socializing them away from their littermates. Ideally 9 weeks seems to be the perfect age for most breeds to go to new homes. What the dog learns from 8 to 12 weeks will be with him forever. At this time the puppy must be introduced to other people and go for walks on the pavement street avoiding dirt or grass until it has had its 2nd shots. If the first shots are done at 8 weeks and second are done at 12 weeks it is a good idea to enroll in puppy kindergarten that starts right at 12 weeks. At this age on up to several months old, puppies will sleep 16 to 20 hours a day, give or take depending on the puppies energy level and the activity around them. Sleeping more during rapid growth sprurts. The sleep is broken up between night time sleep and naps during the day. It is common for a puppy to play hard, running around with bounds of energy, then suddenly crashing into a deep sleep. It is important to keep in mind that all puppies by this time have formed a general personality. Some are natural born leaders, some are middle of the road and could go either way and some are very submissive and really prefer not to lead anything. All puppies have an instinct to have a leader who can provide structure, because in their minds without it the pack cannot survive. Therefore even the most naturally born submissive dog may feel the need to take over as an alpha should they feel everyone else around them is too weak to care for the pack. These dogs are often very stressed out about their role because they really do not want it, but feel the need to lead just the same. After all, to them it's a matter of life or death. One of the biggest questions new owners call about is that the pup is an angel for the first couple weeks and then it starts to nip in an attempt to control things around it. This happens when a puppy does not see the humans as natural born leaders to which it can respect and it attempts to get the pack in order. If this happens it does not necessarily mean you got a bad puppy, but often means you are not being a good canine owner. Owners must be calm but firm and follow through. Set the rules of the home and stick to them. Teach basic obedience and how to heel on a leash. Do not let the puppy bolt out the door. Stay calm and confident and remember that dogs can feel your emotions. If you have emotional problems your dog knows and will see you as a weak being. Always remember to a dog anger is a weakness, so take a deep breath and control yourself. Should the puppy feel it is stronger minded than the humans it will not want to be at the bottom. Puppy owners should be prepared that the pup may attempt to establish itself as the dominant one in the family. This is where you need to understand a dog's natural instincts and learn their language so you can read them. It may see whether it can physically strike out at his owner like some teens and could nip or growl. Should this happen be prepared to stop the behavior immediately. It is kind of like kids wanting dessert before dinner or to stay up later. You just have to say NO. Each dog is different, just as kids are, therefore you need to figure out what works for you and your situation. If it is being aggressive one method is to pin it on its back and hold him there with a firm NO. If a pup is allowed to get away with bad behavior it will lose respect for the owner and learn that rebelling gets him his own way. The key is for the humans to be calm, confident and firm all at the same time. If you find yourself yelling or angry you as the human are out of control and need to learn how to portray yourself as someone your dog can look up to and respect. Dogs do not listen to unstable humans and anything but calm, confident and firm, to them is unstable. There should be zero tolerance for aggressiveness. Heaps of love and understanding will not stop bad behavior. A pup must be shown fast and firmly that you are the one in charge. If you have a good breeder who understands the dog even returning him for a few days can help as the breeder gets the dog back under control and you assess your own behavior and understanding of this animal you are trying to live with. Sending a dog away to be trained without training yourself never works, as the way your dog is acting often has more to do with the humans it is living with. This goes for any dog of any age. Learn how to groom your dog. Teach it to lie still for grooming and nail trimming. If you are having trouble call the breeder or a behaviorist for help. It is best to have earned a dog's respect and trust in regards to grooming by 16 weeks of age. A pups natural instinct will be to periodically try to test the order in the pack. Especially if there are children. If the owner is submissive, quiet and week, thus making the dog feel the need to lead the home, its respect for its owner will weaken and the owner will become inferior in the dogs eyes. In these cases the owner is destined to be owned by the dog and you will surely see behavior problems emerge. A puppy should have a good start on crate training when it leaves a breeder's home. Help your puppy feel secure by giving it its own bed and crate in a place where it can be alone when it needs some quiet time. It should be crated for one or two naps per day, especially when making and eating dinner and crated at night. It should not ever have the run of the house till after 6 months of age or housebreaking and training can become very difficult. A puppy should start formal obedience by 6 months of age, preferably sooner. Remember when you choose to adopt a dog you are choosing to take an animal into your home. The animal is not a human baby and humans are not born with canine instincts. Take some time to learn about the canine and be prepared to change your way of life to accommodate the new member of the family. Are you sure? It can be difficult for an owner to be certain, so it can be wise to take the dam and pups to the vet within about six hours. The vet can also check for cleft palates and inform you of options available see article on cleft palates —these pups are worth saving , but if you are pretty sure and experienced enough to know the pups are all out, it is best to leave the dam at home, as every time you take her out, and to the vet, you risk bringing home a virus. Normally after whelping she will stop shivering and panting, clean her pups and herself and settle down to feed her pups…. If all seems normal, I just call my vet and let him know what has happened. Take the dam out to relieve herself, and give her some fluids. Chicken broth or Mamalac are good. I give chicken broth, chicken and rice for first meal. Freshen her up with a sponge bath and put nice clean bedding down for her and her new family. If you are using a heating pad it is extremely important that it is enclosed securely in padding so a pup cannot get caught down there under the bedding…. Some new moms try to bury their pups. My whelping box has a wooden bottom, and the heating pad goes UNDER the box, under the plywood floor; this makes a nice radiant heated whelping box floor. If it is black call your vet. Discharge lasts for about a week, slowly turning clearer. If it continues, or develops a foul odor, call the vet. Some dams spot blood for a week or two. If the dam is a new mother, and unsure, make her nurse as the nursing will trigger the release of hormones into her bloodstream, which will help encourage her mothering instincts meaning the more the dam nurses, the more loving she becomes Full supervision is recommended until she has accepted the fact that she is a loving mom. For some breeds, like the giant and clumsy breeds, pups cannot go with the dams for a week or two, but must go in an incubator and be put with the dam every two to four hours. Check your breed. I personally sleep next to my dam and puppies for a few nights, to ensure she does not roll on a puppy, or a puppy does not get out of the bunch and get chilled, etc…. They are VERY susceptible to cold. Make sure there are NO drafts. I leave a baby monitor on, and if a puppy is crying more than usual, I go to see why. Sometimes a puppy will latch on so tightly to the dam that he gets dragged out of the box, sometimes he is lost in the blankets. I make large pillow-like cases from sheets to contain the blankets, so that the puppies cannot get lost in the folds. Your whelping box should have guardrails to help protect the puppies that crawl behind the dam from suffocation and squishing. They need and get constant care from the dam; they cannot even relieve themselves without her stimulation…. She will keep the whelping box very clean for the first couple weeks up to three weeks. Then it is your job.It is wise to weigh the pups twice daily for the first week, and once a day after that. My goal is for pups to start gaining right away, and not have that drop. Feed the dam three times daily three times normal amount of food or more. Check her milk glands twice daily for mastitis swollen, hard teats. If you notice an excess of milk, she will become uncomfortable and restless. This can be relieved by squeezing the teat; draining some milk will reduce the pressure. If you fail to relieve pressure, call your vet. Milk fever is serious, and talked about on the whelping page, as it can come before puppies, but is normally more common when milk is being produced. Some dams need extra calcium. Eyes should open on day 8 to 13 never attempt to open the eyes. Ears should open on day 13 to .Change the bedding in the box several times per day, but do not change the paper often keep it smelling like a toilet and keep the bed smelling like a fresh bed… The puppies will be paper trained by 3 weeks…. By 4 weeks, you will need to expand their home again to include a play area. At three weeks, their teeth are developing. Some large breeds are ready to try soft food and toys. They can lap water and Mamalac. Slowly add soaked puppy kibble. For smaller breeds of dogs, they do not need food till 4 or 5 weeks old. Also, all litters are different. A litter of eight puppies will need food sooner than a litter of three puppies, even if just to give the dam a break. If the Dam is feeding the pups, there is no crying and they are content, then do not rush weaning. Now the Fun Begins.Email One of the most challenging and time-consuming tasks for Breeders is maintaining the cleanliness of the whelping area. Maintaining hygiene in a whelping box is crucial for the health and well-being of newborn puppies and their mother. Some reasons why hygiene is important in a whelping box include: Preventing the spread of disease: Bacteria and parasites—such as Parvo— can thrive in a dirty whelping box and put the puppies and their mother at risk of infection or, worse, compromising your entire breeding business. Preserving a sanitary environment: A clean whelping box helps to prevent the accumulation of waste, urine, and feces, which can cause odors and attract pests such as insects and rodents. Supporting healthy growth: A clean and hygienic whelping box helps to ensure that the puppies are comfortable and have a healthy environment in which to grow and develop. Reducing stress: A clean whelping box can help to reduce stress levels for the mother and puppies, which is important for their overall health and well-being. Providing a safe environment: A hygienic whelping box can help to prevent the puppies from ingesting waste or coming into contact with harmful substances that could cause health problems. Why is this task so challenging? These include; disposable or washable puppy pads, newspapers, litter, or pellets. Traditionally, these items work well but also have inherent problems; for example, pellets or litter can leave the puppy coats dirty, creating extra work in getting the puppies ready for socialization visits. In addition, all of these items require Breeders to regularly toss out these materials and then properly sanitize the area. In addition, for smaller dogs under 25 lbs. As a Breeder, what solutions are you using in your whelping box to maintain proper hygiene? This article is an advertisement feature.

The miniature bernedoodle may also vary in color and coat with the mini or toy poodle daddy being credited with the majority of these specific conformations. Miniature Bernedoodle Size Depending on the breeder, there is a great size range in the mini-bernedoodles. Some breeders use miniature poodles, other toy poodles, to obtain the smaller body size. Mini bernedoodles can range anywhere from 15 pounds to 40 pounds depending on the dogs used for breeding. HC Bernedoodles specializes in these special mini-bernedoodle puppies. Though it's important to note, size of the puppy is often not known until after birth. We've had a 7 pound toy produce a 50 pound as an adult offspring. First, and possibly the most popular is the traditional black tri color which consists of black, white and tan or rust colors and will strongly resemble the Bernese mountain dog's colors. Then there,s the sable tri color which will consist of any sable color, tan and white markings and is considered to be more of a speciality color. Sable is a color that will generally carry a fading gene and will lighten in color as they age. We also have the bi colors which are most generally black with the white Bernese markings. You may encounter a solid color mini bernedoodle as well and they will generally consist of a solid black with a few small white markings that will generally disappear as they mature in size. At HC Bernedoodles we avoid breeding solid colors due to being the least appealing look in the Bernedoodle. We may see a more wavey coat in some vs. While the wavey coat may be more appealing in appearance, the curly coat is more suitable for allergy sufferers due to generally being less shedding than the wavey coat. It is difficult to predict these coats as young puppies due to observing a puppy coat vs. Miniature Bernedoodle Temperament The miniature bernedoodle may be more active than the larger Bernedoodle breeds due to the toy or miniature poodle being more of an active breed. They are a highly recommended family dog breed and are tremendous with children due to carrying the genes of the affectionate, loving Bernese mountain dog. While intelligence simplifies training in the mini bernedoodle it can work in a negative sense as well. If training is neglected you may see bad habits develop earlier than in breeds that may not be known to be as intelligent. Therefore it is highly recommended to start training at an early age and be consistent in training exercises. Health Health is possibly the greatest attribute in the F1 mini bernedoodle. Being a smaller size hybrid cross they are the least likely to inherit congenital health problems, with the likelihood of hip or elbow dysplasia being greatly reduced due to the much smaller size. Exercise The miniature bernedoodle requires a moderate amount of exercise. Daily exercise is generally sufficient. If you would like to be notified, please contact us and we will notify you when our Mini Bernedoodles become available. Mini Bernedoodles Past Litters. Life Span Did You Know? They tend to be affectionate and loving dogs that make great family pets. They are even known to make great therapy dogs! Although they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other canine registries. One of the facts about Bernedoodles is that they are true companion dogs. They are cuddly companions that love nothing more than being with their favorite humans. As long as they are well-socialized and trained, Mini Bernedoodles tend to get along well with children, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. Miniature Bernedoodles are highly adaptable dogs. They do well in larger homes as well as apartments. They are sensitive to heat and extreme cold, but do well in most climates. Because they bond so closely with their families and thrive on attention, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time and can develop separation anxiety if you do not work with them early on. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. You can ask about the health and genetic history of the parents and about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Mini Bernedoodles are intelligent dogs that pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. This makes them a highly trainable dog that is a good fit for owners of all experience levels. They can become stubborn if training is not consistent or clear. Although their coat tends to be low-shedding and will range from straight to wavy or curly, the Mini Bernedoodle coat requires some maintenance. Daily brushing is recommended to remove tangles and prevent mats. Professional grooming is recommended every weeks. Nail trims once or twice monthly keep them from growing too long and causing issues. Ear checks on a weekly basis with careful cleanings as needed help to prevent ear infections. As a small dog breed, Mini Bernedoodles are more prone to developing gum disease. Good dental care for dogs early and consistently throughout their life can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. Daily tooth brushing, plus cleanings at the vet as needed, is ideal. Although Mini Bernedoodles will be playful and have bursts of energy while playing, they are not high-energy dogs. They tend to sit in a more moderate range. Daily walks plus some playtime throughout the day are usually enough for them. But, they love spending time with you and will likely be up for more activity if you are. They may be smaller dogs, but they also tend to be relatively athletic. When puppies finish growing , you can try higher-impact activities like running, hiking, training for dog sports, and more. Fully-grown Mini Bernedoodles usually stand inches tall. They can range from pounds. F1B and F2 Mini Bernedoodles usually weigh pounds and are on the shorter side of the range. Mini Bernedoodles generally live for years on average. Featured Mini Bernedoodle Article. Also called the Bernese Mountain Poo, Bernesepoo, Bernesedoodle, and Bernepoo, the Bernedoodle hybid mixes the happy-go-lucky temperament of the Bernese Mountain Dog with the intelligence of its Poodle parents. Mini Bernedoodles are happiest when they're spending time with their families, children included. They are willing participants in playtime and cuddle fests alike. Fans of the breed adore their friendliness, playfulness, intelligence, and affection. They are fairly adaptable and go with the flow. If you need a dog for the whole family, or if you're a single owner looking for a lovable, smart mixed-breed with good health that will put a smile on your face with their antics, you won't be able to find a much better choice than the Miniature Bernedoodle. They do well with children and other animals, and are happiest as part of a family. They love spending time with their human family and should not be left alone for long periods. They can be wary of strangers, but early training can help their socialization. Toy and mini Bernedoodles can be more energetic and stubborn than the standard version, but you will find them relatively easy to train because of that Poodle intelligence. Their skull is moderately round with flat cheekbones and a long, straight muzzle with a scissor bite. Their eyes are dark, oval, and set far enough apart to make their facial expressions appear alert and intelligent. Ears have wide and thick ear leather and hang close to the head, at or just below eye level. Coats can be curly, dense, and highly textured, or corded, hanging in tight even cords of varying lengths. The coat is tricolor with black as the base and markings in rich rust and clear white. The tail will vary in length, but it is bushy and carried high. Exercise Medium Activity Bernedoodles are moderately active and will love daily walks. They enjoy playing fetch and spending time with you. This breed tends to wander and hunt, so a fenced-in yard is important. They can adapt to urban or rural settings provided there is time and space for daily exercise. This breed requires a lot of human interaction, so leaving him alone outside for long periods will not work for the Bernedoodle. We recommend at least an hour of exercise every day. They will do well with time to fetch, run, and learn new tricks.

These are dogs that are strong, intelligent, alert, courageous, energetic, and loyal. The breed excels as a guardian and these dogs can be trained to perform a range of important tasks. But most of all, this is a dog that protects the ones he or she loves and holds dear. Naming Advice When it comes to naming your German Shepherd, there are a variety of factors to keep in mind. Check out these super cute Pet ID Tags! Personality Finding the right name may not be immediately apparent, and sometimes it takes a while to decide which moniker fits your pup best. Wait for his or her personality to fully emerge before choosing the ideal name. Spend a little time with your new friend and the perfect name will come. Name Length A good rule of thumb is to keep the number of syllables in the dog's name to one or two at most. Three is acceptable but the shorter the name, the easier it is for your dog to hear and respond to commands. Clear communication is imperative for German Shepherds, particularly during training. Avoid Confusion Some names may sound like commands and this will only serve to confuse your pup. If you name your German Shepherd something that sounds identical to those and other commands, obedience is going to be an uphill battle for both you and your pet. Perhaps one of these names will fit your pet best, or maybe these names will help you think of the best possible name for your particular pup. German Shepherds have distinct personality traits and all of these names can reflect those attributes every time you call his or her name. Choosing the perfect name for your dog can be as delightful as it is daunting, especially when it comes to naming your German Shepherd. To begin with, German Shepherds are known for their intelligence, strength, and loyalty, characteristics that could influence your choice. Therefore, you might want to consider names for German Shepherds that reflect these traits. On the flip side, unique names that break away from the norm could also be appealing, adding a hint of fun to your daily calls for your canine companion. Our list of names offers an abundance of GSD name ideas, featuring both conventional and one-of-a-kind options. Remember, the best names are typically easy to pronounce and distinguishable from common commands to avoid confusion. As German Shepherd owners, the privilege of choosing the perfect name is in your hands. The name will come to define your furry friend, giving them a unique identity. So, take your time when choosing a name. Remember, naming is a special process, giving your loyal companion a word that will represent them for a lifetime. So, pick wisely, and most importantly, pick with love. Selecting the right name for your German Shepherd dog can be a rewarding journey when you consider the unique aspects of their character and heritage. The German Shepherd, known as a dog breed of intelligence and courage, often sparks a desire for strong names. These could reflect their role as working dogs in fields such as law enforcement and search and rescue, leading to tough names that denote strength and bravery. Alternatively, their playful and loyal demeanor might inspire more affectionate or whimsical names for your furry friend. Exploring popular German Shepherd dog names can provide a good starting point. There are countless cool names out there that could be the perfect fit for your German Shepherd. You may wish to draw inspiration from your favorite books, movies, or even personal experiences. Remember, the name you choose will be a significant part of the bond you share with your German Shepherd, helping to shape their identity. Whether you opt for something time-honored or entirely unique, the main goal is to give your dog a name you love, and that helps them feel like an essential part of your family. Do consider the heritage and personality of the German Shepherd. The name you select will be a crucial part of your bond with your dog, so take your time. Do ensure the name you select is easy to pronounce and distinct. This is paramount in facilitating effective communication with your dog, especially during training sessions. Do experiment with unique and fun names. Quirky names can add an extra sprinkle of personality to your German Shepherd. What suits a cute German Shepherd puppy may not befit their mature and dignified adult self. Do remember that this decision ultimately lies in your hands. Trust your instincts and select a name that you love and believe suits your dog perfectly. Tips on Choosing the Best German Shepherd Name Choosing the perfect name for your German Shepherd puppy is a unique opportunity to reflect their admirable traits. A straightforward, distinctive name benefits both you and your dog, making interactions smoother and training sessions more effective. Mind the Translation: When considering foreign names, be cautious about the underlying meaning. Strive for originality instead, making your German Shepherd stand out in the pack. These can provide a rich tapestry of unique, engaging names that match the prestige of your German Shepherd. The next crucial part is teaching your furry friend to respond to their new title. This minimizes potential diversions, allowing your German Shepherd to focus solely on you. Grab Their Attention: Keep some tasty treats on hand. These will serve as an enticing reward, motivating your dog to respond favorably. Reward the Response: As soon as your dog looks at you after hearing their name, immediately reward them with a treat and positive praise. This reinforces the connection between their name and a pleasant outcome. Repeat: Consistency is the key to successful training. Practice this exercise multiple times a day, but keep individual sessions short to prevent fatigue or boredom. Expand the Environment: Once your German Shepherd consistently responds to their name indoors, practice outdoors or in locations with more distractions. Patience and Persistence: Remember, each dog learns at their own pace. Be patient and persistent in your training, and soon enough, your German Shepherd will reliably respond to their name. This process enhances the bond between you and your German Shepherd, transforming the name from a simple label into a symbol of your special connection. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. You want to choose a name that not only fits your dog's personality and characteristics but also is easy to pronounce and remember. Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect name for your German Shepherd. Consider Your Dog's Personality: The name you choose should match your dog's personality. If your dog is a lively and active pup, you might want to choose a name that reflects their energy, like "Ziggy" or "Bolt. Keep it Short and Simple: Choose a name that is easy to pronounce and remember. A shorter name is usually easier to remember and pronounce than a longer one. It's also easier for your dog to recognize and respond to a short name. Choose a Name That You Like: Remember that you will be using this name for your dog for years to come, so choose a name that you genuinely like. It's essential to choose a name that you feel comfortable saying and that you are proud of. Consider Your Dog's Appearance: If your dog has unique coloring or markings, you may want to choose a name that reflects their appearance. For example, if your dog has black fur, you could choose a name like "Midnight" or "Onyx. Get Inspiration From Different Sources: You can get inspiration for your German Shepherd's name from various sources, such as popular culture, mythology, or even different languages. Just make sure the name you choose is appropriate and easy to pronounce. Test the Name: Once you have a few potential names, try them out and see which one your dog responds to the best. You can use the name during playtime or training to see if your dog reacts positively to it. Remember, the name you choose for your German Shepherd is an essential part of their identity, so take your time and choose carefully. Do choose a name that reflects your dog's personality and breed. Do choose a name that you and your family like. Do use positive reinforcement when calling your dog's name. Do choose a name that is easy to spell and pronounce. Don'ts: Don't choose a name that is offensive or vulgar. Don't choose a name that may cause embarrassment in public. Don't choose a name that sounds too similar to commands e. Don't choose a name that is too long or complicated. Don't change your dog's name too often, as it may confuse them. Common Mistakes to Avoid When Naming When naming your German Shepherd, avoid these common mistakes: Choosing a name that is too similar to another pet or family member's name. Choosing a name that is difficult to pronounce or spell. Choosing a name that is too common or overused. Choosing a name based solely on appearance or size. Choosing a name that doesn't reflect your dog's personality or breed. The intelligence, trainability, and strength of the dog meant that it was soon adapted for other purposes, such as being police dogs, military dogs, and, of course, household pets. German shepherds have a rich history, and this can offer some interesting naming options. Beowulf — one of the first puppies of the breed, ideal for strong dogs with sweet personalities Heinz von Starkenburg — one of the first puppies of the breed, perfect if they are sweet like baked beans Hektor Linksrhein — after the father of the breed, a great name if you are adopting an older German shepherd Horand von Grafrath — Horand or Grafrath after the very first German shepherd recognized at shows, the ideal name for sleeker examples of the breed Max von Stephanitz — Max or Stephan or Stephanie after the founder of the breed Phylax — after the Phylax society founded in the late 19th century to standardize the breed Pilot — one of the first puppies of the breed, and a name for a dog that likes to take the lead on walks Names Of German Gods And Goddesses Pre-Christian Germanic religion is a rich and interesting culture linked closely to the Norse religion. Why not name your German shepherd after one of their fierce gods or goddesses? Why not name your dog after some of the famous Germans that have made their mark on history. Keep It Short Choose something short, ideally only one or two syllables, or at least something that can be shortened. This is because it is easier for dogs to learn shorter names, which means they will start responding when you call sooner than if you chose a longer and more complicated name for them. Considering that it is the nickname that you will be using most often and that they will recognize best, make sure you consider their nickname just as carefully as their full name. Consider The First Letter It is a good idea to choose something that starts with a sibilant consonant or blend consonants, such as an S or an SH, or a hard commanding consonant like a K or C. These subtle choices will make it easier for your dog to distinguish their name from all the other ambient noise around them, which means it will also be easier for you to get their attention. Avoid Names That Sound Like Other Important Words Avoid names that sound too much like commands that you will use regularly, as this can just confuse your pup. If their name sounds too much like a command that you use regularly, such as sit or stay, they may confuse the two words. This is why it is rarely a good idea to choose something rude or potentially offensive. All too often, people give their dogs names that they think are funny at the time and then find they are embarrassed to use it later. Remember, everyone in your family who is responsible for your dog will also need to be able to use their name with ease. You can read our guide to teaching your dog their name here. The Verdict Finding the perfect name for your dog really is about exposing yourself to lots of inspiration and ideas until you come across something that feels right. After that, you should sense-check your name to make sure it works. Hopefully, the lists in this article have provided you with some inspiration and our guidelines for checking a name can help you find the perfect name for your German shepherd pup. Do you have any recommendations for the perfect name for a German shepherd? Share them with the community in the comments section below. Related Article:.

The long adolescent period that ends the puppy years is highly individual, but most dogs mature somewhere before 3 years of age. The Neonatal Stage This is the very earliest stage your German shepherd will pass through. Simply put, this is the helpless baby stage when your puppy's eyes will still be closed and he is completely dependent upon his mother. She will feed him, wash him and clean up after his accidents for the first two or three weeks. His eyes will open at around 10 days. At this time, your puppy is little more than an eating machine -- filling his belly to help his tiny body grow and develop. The Transitional Stage Though it is short and indistinct, the transitional stage from the neonatal to the socialization stage is important to your pup's development nevertheless. This brief phase -- lasting only about a week after his eyes open -- marks the period when your German shepherd begins to notice his environment. He will start to look at things curiously and be aware of sounds around him. Prior to this he has been in his own little world with no sights or sounds beyond his own body and that of his mother. When his eyes open, the immediate environment -- with other living beings -- is suddenly a part of life that he must face. The Socialization Stage At around 3 weeks, your puppy begins to learn how to interact with others -- both animals and the humans around him. He has already had some practice with dogs through the daily contact with his mother and litter mates, but now he begins to expand his circle of acquaintance to other dogs or cats in the household and to the family of humans around him. This is the most critically important phase in your German shepherd's development and helps decide his later suitability for work in rescue, service or as a family dog. At this time, he should have opportunities to meet as many new animals and faces under differing circumstances as possible, so he becomes comfortable with meeting people and other animals in a variety of situations when he grows up. This stage lasts to about 3 months of age and is the period when puppies are at their most impressionable and playful. The Juvenile Stage From 3 to 6 months old, your puppy will begin to look beyond the biological world of dogs, cats and people to the larger world around him. He will want to explore new places more than new faces at this point -- which may often get him into trouble. This is an active and trying age for puppy parents. Your puppy looks like a mostly grown-up dog but behaves entirely like a pup. His attention span is about as long as that of the average teenager, so this is not a particularly easy time for obedience classes. Your shepherd will have other things on his mind, but pet parents should continue to persevere because this is the best stage to resolve any obvious aggression or anxiety issues your pup may display. If those issues are not addressed early, they could become larger problems later on. To make things a tad more difficult, at around 5 months of age, your German shepherd starts to mature sexually. The Adolescent Stage The teenage angst that human children go through is roughly equivalent to what pet parents can expect from their adolescent German shepherd. Beginning with the onset of sexual maturity and lasting through the first two years of his life, your puppy's hormones will rage uncontrollably unless he is neutered early. This stage is usually marked by mounting -- anything and everything -- marking his territory and even fighting with other male dogs. Females will enter their first estrus period at this time and may try to escape the yard or otherwise pose problems. The pup's body has become adult, and his brain is fully alert and capable, but his emotions are still in the turbulent transitional phase from teenager to full adult. If he were human, this would be the stage at which you would hide the car keys. As an adult, your German shepherd is finally the calm, dignified, courageous and respectful dog you always knew he would grow up to be. If you were patient and dedicated through those early, sometimes difficult, years, you now have a well-trained and disciplined companion for life. More Articles. A German Shepherd is no longer a puppy at two years old. Therefore, your German Shepherd will no longer gain significant weight, height, or size at that age. Additionally, two years old is when your German Shepherd has changed all his puppy teeth and reached full sexual maturity. Some minor growth variations happen between both genders throughout those two years. Additionally, male and female German Shepherds reach adulthood milestones at different times. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog. When Does a German Shepherd Mature? The process is a lot more gradual than that. Puppy Stage At birth, German Shepherds have a lot of energy. During this stage, your German Shepherd puppy would want to play all day and every day. Yet, as your puppy gets closer to six months of age, things gradually calm down. Adolescence Stage After six months, your German Shepherd puppy is now an adolescent dog. The extra energy stays, but the clumsiness reduces to a noticeable extent. Around that age or a little earlier is when you should start training your German Shepherd. Your dog's instincts at this age allow him to begin adapting to your training. In this stage, your German Shepherd will start to understand basic commands like sit, eat, and stay. The dog is now mature enough to stop all the children's hassle he used to do. Physical Maturity: Physical maturity is the only aspect of the German Shepherd's development that may stay for up to three years. Your German Shepherd might still get bigger after the second year, but it will be barely noticeable. Because German Shepherds keep growing for almost two years after birth, new owners might be a little puzzled about that dog that seems never to stop growing. Both genders will keep growing until they are two years old. However, remember that males and females will have slight weight and height differences as they grow up. Males: Around six months old, a male German Shepherd reaches around half his maximum weight. The average weight range is between 49 and 57 pounds at this stage. As for the height, your dog should be around 17 inches tall. This should be the fastest growth stage your German Shepherd will experience. Once your male German Shepherd ventures into adolescence, the growth rate begins to slow down gradually. At 1 year old, your German Shepherd will weigh 71—79 pounds and be 23 inches tall. Once he reaches adulthood at 2 years, he may add 3 or 4 extra pounds to his weight. A year later, your German Shepherd may add an additional 4 pounds and may or may not gain an extra inch of height. However, you will hardly notice any change between the second and third years. Females: Females of most species have slightly smaller physiques than males, and German Shepherds are no exception. At 6 months, your female German Shepherd should weigh between 44—49 pounds. She should also have an average height of 16 inches. At 2 years, she may add a couple of pounds, but the height will mostly remain the same. However, she may gain an extra inch after the third year, which she often pairs with an additional 4 pounds of weight. It should be no different for your dog. But you need to help him. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is the answer. This handy guide will help you recognize the symptoms of the health problems above. Get the knowledge to stay ahead of these terrible issues that can rob your lovely dog from vigor and life. Sexual Maturity: The average age of dog sexual maturity is between 7—10 months. German Shepherd males lie well within this category as they reach sexual maturity between 6—9 months. Female German Shepherds take a little longer, though. A female can reach her sexual maturity as soon as 12 months. The heat of female German Shepherds starts between 6—12 months. If you want to avoid accidental pregnancy, your ideal neutering window is between 6—8 months. Much like any other puppy, German Shepherds begin their lives with nothing but those soft baby gums. Soon after, at the three-week mark, to be specific, they start to get their first baby teeth. After that, they will keep teething until 30 weeks around 7 months. Remember that your puppies could be easily aggravated and uncomfortable during this period. That will scare them. Scared puppies will be harder to approach, train, and socialize. Instead, invest in some dog toys that they can chew on to alleviate the pain and even help them change their teeth. Paul S. Paul has been creating content for the dog niche for many years. The information he shares comes his first hand experience growing up in dog lovers household and then owning multiple dog breeds of his own as an adult. Paul enjoys doing the hard research to collect, analyze and present our dogtemperament. What are these milestones, and when can you expect them to meet them? We break it all down here, so you know exactly what to expect each step of the way. When you adopt a German Shepherd puppy, it can seem like they just keep growing. A fully grown German Shepherd will stand between 22 and 24 inches tall and weigh anywhere between 50 and 90 pounds. This manifests itself in many ways, but the most notable factor is their energy level. Puppies tend to have far more energy and be a little clumsier than fully mature dogs. German Shepherds leave their first puppy stage at around the 6-month mark, when they reach adolescence. When a dog reaches sexual maturity varies drastically depending on their sex. Male dogs tend to reach sexual maturity anywhere from 6 to 9 months, while female dogs tend to wait until adulthood. If you want to neuter a dog, you have a much smaller window to prevent puppies than with females. Their adult teeth are much larger and less sharp than their puppy teeth. Image Credit: aleksandra85foto, Pixabay Final Thoughts With so many age ranges that your German Shepherd can mature in various ways, it can be hard to keep track of everything. Related German Shepherd Reads:. Breeds Puppies The link has been copied! German Shepherds are medium to large working dogs that were bred in Germany to be used as a herding dog for sheep. Today, they are common household dogs that are loved around the world. These dogs tend to be loyal, stubborn, confident, intelligent, curious, brave, obedient, and protective. They have many positive attributes that make them very popular as pets. Size and Appearance of a 4 Month Old German Shepherd Once a German Shepherd reaches four months of age, it can be one foot tall and will weigh about half of the total adult weight. Male German Shepherds will weigh between 35 and 40 pounds, while females will weigh between 31 and 35 pounds. Between months three and four of life, a German Shepherd will gain around 10 pounds of body weight, and this will cause a difference in the dog's size and appearance. At this age, German Shepherds will be growing quickly, and you will be able to notice differences in the dog's size month-by-month. A four-month-old German Shepherd will no longer look like a puppy, and it will more closely resemble an adult by this age. Once the dog reaches four months old, the coat will be different from that of a puppy, and the dog will shed much more. The coat will become thicker and glossier, and the exact texture might depend on what foods the dog is eating. German Shepherds come in a variety of colors that include black, white, gray, black and tan, black and red, black and silver, and sable. The coloring of your dog will depend on the breeding and parents. Additionally, the dog is teething at this age. The German Shepherd will be teething until about seven to eight months, and during this time, the milk teeth will be replaced with larger adult teeth. German Shepherd puppies tend to have ears that lay flatter, while the adult's ears will be perky and stand straight up. At four months, the process of ear perking will begin, although the cartilage will not strengthen for another month or two. This means that the ears can perk up, then flatten, then perk up again until they become permanently lifted in adulthood. The dog's ears can remain flat if they live somewhere with consistently loud sounds, as they will try to avoid damage to their hearing by listening to these noises. To allow the dog's ears to perk properly, it is important to keep your dog away from loud, abrupt noises that can negatively affect their hearing. Activity and Behavior Four month old German Shepherds are very active puppies that must be stimulated physically as well as mentally. Some great activities to do with a dog include playing outside, playing with toys, going on walks or jogs, dog sports, and attending obedience training. A four-month German Shepherd will enjoy going on walks for about a mile at a time, and it is preferable to go on several shorter walks throughout the day rather than going on one very long walk. About two hours of active playtime per day is important for your puppy. Playtime is when they are both physically and intellectually enriched, and it is vital for development going into adulthood. For the first four months of life, there are many new experiences and adventures that your dog will learn from, so it is important. Sleeping Needs Sleep is extremely important for a young German Shepherd, and if the dog is not getting enough sleep , it might start to misbehave. If you notice this, it is important to discuss working out a proper daily schedule with your veterinarian, as it will often be a fix that you can make yourself by changing your routine, walk schedule, eating times, or play times. At the age of four months, a German Shepherd will sleep for around 18 hours a day. They need the energy to grow, which is why they sleep for most of the day, but in the hours when they are awake, German Shepherds tend to be very active. Dogs that exercise a lot will also sleep more to recuperate the energy lost during the day. If there are many new things to explore, the dog will sleep for fewer hours during the day. Some four months later, German Shepherds will also take 15 to minute naps during the day, and then they will wake up to play, eat, or use the bathroom. Health and Care Each time you take your dog to the vet, you should weigh and measure your German Shepherd to make sure that they are growing at the proper rate. If your dog is healthy, it should be growing quickly, and the veterinarian can confirm that everything looks good. At the age of four months, you should get a third set of vaccines, including DHPP and rabies, to protect your dog against these diseases. This can be done through a veterinarian. Vaccines are important to complete on time to boost your dog's immune system and keep them as healthy and up-to-date as possible. It is important to take your dog to the vet if you notice extreme changes in behavior, sleeping patterns, coughing or sneezing , runny noses or overly watery eyes, any form of weight loss, lack of appetite, heavy breathing, excessive urination, irritated gums, vomiting, or diarrhea. These can be signs that your dog is sick and needs medical care. Bathing your German Shepherd too often can cause the natural oils that a dog needs to keep its skin protected to dry up, so it is important not to over-bathe your puppy. However, it is important to keep your dog's bed, bowls, and toys clean to avoid fleas or other insects that might negatively affect your pet. As your four-month-old German Shepherd's coat is transitioning into an adult coat, it is important to brush the fur every day. This is to prevent excessive shedding, which can irritate your dog and create a mess inside the house. It is important to always be gentle with your dog and not brush him too roughly. Feeding Your 4 Month Old German Shepherd A German Shepherd is a big dog, and at the age of four months, it is still a puppy that is actively growing and will therefore require a large amount of food. Four-month German Shepherds should be fed three times a day, and they should eat one to two cups of kibble at each feeding time. This kibble should be specifically meant for puppies of this age, as it will have the proper nutrients and ingredients for your puppy to grow into a healthy adult. At the end of the fourth month, you can begin to feed your dog twice a day, but they should still be eating kibble meant for puppies until they reach six months of age and they are no longer growing as rapidly. Treats are also a good addition to kibble, but you should not exceed three to five small treats per day. These treats should be exclusively for dogs , as feeding your German Shepherd adult food can cause many health issues. It is important to monitor how much you are feeding your dog, as overeating can cause obesity and lead to severe health issues. Additionally, if you decide to use a raw diet rather than kibble, it is important to be mindful of the quality and nutrition of the food to keep your German Shepherd healthy and energized. Training A four-month German Shepherd will be easy to train because the puppy's main goal will be to please their owner, and they are very intelligent and loyal dogs that will be eager to learn from their owner. One of the reasons why German Shepherds are such a popular breed is because of their trainability. A German Shepherd's instinct is to protect, as the breed was originally bred to herd and protect sheep. This can lead to a puppy barking often as a means to protect its family, and this can be a misbehavior that the owner hopes to correct. Training can help reduce unnecessary barking in your German Shepherd puppy. Another potential behavioral issue is using the bathroom inside the home, which is common at four months old. The owner must train their dog to go outside to use the bathroom, and patience is required for this process. The most efficient strategy for potty training is to be encouraging when the puppy correctly uses the bathroom outside and to avoid any anger when they have an accident, as this will only make training go slower. German Shepherd puppies might also bite and nip people to try to get attention or play. They will understand that they should not repeat this behavior and will learn quickly. While your German Shepherd is teething, it might bite furniture, which can cause damage. The best way to avoid this is to buy many chew toys to help your dog with the process of teething, as well as move any valuables out of the dog's reach. This behavior will reduce once the dog's adult teeth have all come in. Socialization with people and other animals can help your German Shepherd behave better, and it is important to expose them to new situations to help them learn. They are very curious animals who will enjoy having new experiences and trying new things. A German Shepherd is a medium to large-sized dog, and by the age of four months, the puppy will already be much larger than it was at birth. At four months, a male German Shepherd will have a shoulder height between 11 and 14 inches. A female German Shepherd will have a shoulder height between 10 and 12 inches. A male German Shepherd at four months old should weigh 35 to 40 pounds. A female should weigh 31 to 35 pounds. The dog should be rapidly growing, but it is important not to let them overeat because obesity can be a real health issue for your dog. Measuring the weight of your dog regularly can help you keep track of its growth, and if there are any concerning patterns, you should discuss it with your veterinarian. At the age of four months, it is not unusual for your dog to grow up to two pounds in a single week, and it is a time of great change and growth. At the age of four months, your German Shepherd should eat three meals a day. These meals should consist of one to two cups of kibble. This means that the total amount of kibble eaten per day should be three to six. You should base how much you feed your German Shepherd on their size, activity level, and how hungry they are. If you are unsure about how much to feed the puppy, you should consult your veterinarian for help. Treats can be used in moderation to train your young puppy and motivate them to partake in good behavior , or they can just be used as a snack throughout the day. A 4-month-old German Shepherd can walk for about one mile at a time before they become tired. Going for a thirty-minute walk twice a day will be sufficient exercise for your puppy to keep them nice and strong without overworking them. Fi smart dog collars make it easier than ever. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are great dogs to keep as pets. They have many positive traits that make them brilliant, loyal, and protective companions that will stay by your side no matter what. They are great work dogs as well as great pets, including for families. German Shepherds are easy to train, and they are very obedient animals that can learn all kinds of tricks. When your German Shepherd is still a puppy, it is the best time to teach them obedience, potty train them, and teach them to play. German Shepherds will be growing rapidly at four months, and it is important to take proper care of them so that they can grow into strong, healthy adults. Making sure that they have enough intellectual stimulation through walks, exploring new people and places, and toys can ensure that your dog is getting the attention that they need. Additionally, they should be fed enough to fuel their growing bodies. They should be taken to the veterinarian regularly to make sure that they are growing at a proper rate and that there are no health problems that need the attention of a professional. German Shepherds grow up fast , and when they are four months old, you will notice many changes in their size, mannerisms, and behavior. By four months, they will have developed a unique personality, and they will be your best friend! Taking care of your best friend will bring joy to both you and your pet, and it is an exciting journey to take together. For additional pet-parenting tips, head over to TryFi. And don't forget to check out TryFi's innovative Fi Dog Collar , which offers GPS tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts to keep your furry friend safe. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. May 10, Dogs , Pets John When you adopt a German Shepherd as a puppy, you bring home this tiny, cute, cuddly, bundle of fur that fits in your hands. Fast-forward by a year and you probably wonder if your dog decided to grow at the 98th percentile. The five-pound puppy you brought home will become a full-grown dog of about 90 pounds. Essentially, she or he will grow to the size of a teenager in weight, but about 26 inches in length. You chose one of the largest dog breeds in the world. While these dogs reach physical maturity at three years of age, they typically have a median life expectancy of about ten years. Many German Shepherds live longer than that. Your puppy might grow up to live until the age of 12 or 13 , which equates to 77 to 82 years old. You will get many years of love from this breed of dog. While every dog differs, in general, female German Shepherds reach the age of full maturity before the males do. A female German Shepherd typically grows to two inches shorter than the male and a weight of about 70 pounds. All in all, German Shepherd growth is divided into seven stages. The Stages of Growth: Newborn to Adulthood Perhaps you got to visit with the puppies when they were firstborn. Enjoy it while you can. They gain weight quickly in their early days. Each day, your puppy will gain between 2. As a newborn, your German Shepherd probably weighs around four pounds. That means that in its first year of life, the dog goes through childhood, pre-teen or tween years, and half of its teen years. They gain weight and height accordingly. At the end of one year, the dog typically weighs about 49 to 50 pounds. The German Shepherd will nearly reach its full height by this time, too. Transitional Stage Veterinarians refer to every few weeks, then months as a different growth phase of early development. They call the two weeks to four weeks period transitional stage. T four weeks the typical female weighs between 4. The males may weigh between 5. When it comes to maturity stage for training, you can start even at the transitional stage, especially when you use positive reinforcement. Socialization Stage The socialization stage lasts through their third month. In the middle of this phase, the German Shepherd puppy usually experiences a growth spurt. By the end of the three months, your GSD puppy will measure about 10 to 11 inches in height. Females will weigh between 11 and 17 pounds, males will weigh between 22 and 30 pounds. Juvenile Stage Try not to think of your German Shepherd pup as a juvenile delinquent as they pass through this period from three to six months. At four months, your furry friend reaches the halfway point of height and weight. At the end of their fourth month, your puppy becomes a man or woman-dog. At this point of German Shepherd development, it reaches sexual maturity. At six months, the German Shepherd exits the juvenile stage. Your male German Shepherd exits this phase weighing between 49 and 57 pounds and at a height of 16 to 18 inches, but your female puppy will weigh between 44 and 49 pounds and attain a height of 15 to 17 inches. Adolescent Stage The adolescent stage ranges from six months to two years. At the end of one year though, your puppy becomes a dog. At one year of age, he or she enters adulthood. At this point, the female German Shepherd weighs between 60 to 64 pounds and has a height of 20 to 22 inches. The male German Shepherds weighs between 71 and 71 pounds and has a height of 22 to 24 inches. Some German Shepherds reach physical maturity at the age of two years, but most continue to grow until they reach the end of their third year. Female German Shepherds typically reach a height of 22 to 24 inches and weigh between 66 to 70 pounds. As long as their diet is stable, the adult German Shepherd dog should relatively stay the same weight for the rest of their lives. Genetics Plays a Large Part Like a human, your dog will grow to a smaller or larger size based on its genetics. To get an idea of how large your dog will grow, meet the parents. Tracing the genealogy can also help determine what are the potential German Shepherd health issues even German Shepherd skin issues to know your pup might have down the road. Regardless on the stage of growth, always make sure your German Shepherd pup is healthy. At Vetericyn , we have wellness products that can help keep your pup healthy and happy. Reviewed by Dan Richardson, Veterinarian Dan Richardson has been a practicing veterinarian for over 10 years. He specializes in surgery and orthopedics. Dan is originally from rural western Nevada and attended the University of Idaho for undergraduate study and Oregon State University for Veterinary School. The Richardson Family enjoys camping and spending time on the water fishing, paddle boarding, or digging their feet in the sand somewhere warm. Sources: All Shepherds. When do German Shepherds stop growing. Large dog breeds. GSD Growth Chart.