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This is true for all dog behaviors, including when dogs refuse to eat food but not their treats. They can help determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment. These nine reasons for canines sticking the tips of their tongues out will help you know the steps to take. This condition can occur due to various reasons, including nerve damage, and trauma. Genetics in small and brachycephalic short-nosed breeds also increases susceptibility. This is because these dogs are more likely to have tongues too large for the oral cavity, or have severe underbites or overbites that can cause the tongue to hang out. This means you often see hanging tongue syndrome in small dogs like Chihuahuas or Pugs just because their tongue is a bit too big for their mouth. Dental disease causing partial or complete tooth loss is one of the biggest causes of this syndrome. Dogs with this condition may have difficulty eating and drinking, and they may drool excessively. Blepping Blepping is a behavior where a dog sticks out the tip of their tongue for no reason for a brief moment and then retracts it back into their mouth. This behavior is usually harmless and can occur when a dog is relaxed or content. Some dogs may also blep when they smell something interesting or when they are concentrating. Check out this cute pup sticking out her tongue for no reason: Flehmen Response The Flehmen Response is a behavior where a dog curls their upper lip and sticks out their tongue to get a better sense of a particular scent. This behavior allows them to transfer the scent to the vomeronasal organ located in the roof of their mouth. This organ helps dogs to detect pheromones and other chemical signals that can provide valuable information about other animals in their environment. Brachycephalic Dogs Brachycephalic breeds, such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boxers, have short snouts and flat faces that can make it difficult for them to breathe, causing lots of wheezing. As a result, they may pant more frequently and stick their tongues out to help regulate their body temperature. A study also showed that macroglossia enlarged tongue is one of the soft tissue conditions affecting short-snouted breeds. This is why almost every Frenchie or Bulldog you picture has a tongue sticking out. This is because when dogs lose their teeth, the jaw shrinks to fill in the space left, causing less room for the tongue. If a dog is sticking their tongue out excessively or for extended periods, it is essential to consult a veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical conditions. Neurological Issues Rarely, certain neurological conditions can lead to tongue protrusion, but this is generally associated with more severe symptoms. For example, several dogs experiencing a seizure are seen sticking their tongue out, or flicking their tongue like a snake. This is called an epileptic focal seizure. Sleeping Dogs are known to stick their tongues out while sleeping, and this behavior is quite common in dogs of all breeds and sizes. The reason for this behavior is not fully understood, but there are a few theories that can help explain it. This happens because the mouth relaxes when a dog is asleep, and their long tongues inevitably stick out. The tongue-tip protruding during rest is almost always harmless. Other things dogs do include whimpering in their sleep. Breed-Specific Traits Certain dog breeds have unique physical characteristics that may cause them to stick their tongues out more often than others. For example, brachycephalic breeds with their abnormal jaw structures and longer tongues. Other breeds, such as Greyhounds, Whippets, and Afghan Hounds, have longer snouts and narrower mouths that may make it more challenging to keep their tongues inside their mouths. Additionally, some breeds, such as Chihuahuas and Pekingese, have smaller mouths and shorter tongues, which may cause their tongues to protrude slightly. Using the Tongue to Communicate During playtime, some dogs might stick out their tongues as part of their playful expression. This occurs with other body language cues like a relaxed posture, a wagging tail, and a relaxed mouth. This dog is sticking out his tongue in playful anticipation of the ball: Note that dogs can also stick out their tongue when stressed and anxious. Now when a dog sticks their tongue all the way out to lick their nose, it is what we call an ambivalent signal. It means a dog is unsure about something and experiencing conflicting feelings. Why does my dog stick the tip of his tongue out while sleeping? One theory is that when dogs sleep, their mouth is relaxed, allowing the tongue to poke out, especially in small dogs or dogs with short noses. This is because the tongue is a large muscle that takes up a lot of space in the mouth, and when the mouth is relaxed, it can easily slip out. Another theory is that sticking the tongue out while sleeping allows dogs to cool down. Dogs do not sweat like humans do, so they rely on panting to regulate their body temperature. By sticking their tongue out, dogs can increase the surface area of their mouth, allowing them to release more heat and cool down more efficiently. It is also possible that sticking the tongue out while sleeping is simply a comfortable position for some dogs. Just like humans, dogs have their own unique sleeping positions and preferences, and sticking the tongue out may be a way for some dogs to feel more comfortable and relaxed while sleeping. What is it called when a dog sticks his tongue out There are different terms used to describe this behavior. These include, Blepping Blepping is a term used to describe when a dog sticks his tongue out slightly and leaves it there. Flehmen Response The Flehmen response is a behavior in which a dog curls his upper lip and inhales through his nose. This behavior helps them detect pheromones, which are chemical signals that animals use to communicate with each other. Various factors, including dental problems, neurological issues, or breed-specific traits, can cause it. Panting Panting is a normal behavior that dogs use to regulate their body temperature. It involves rapid, shallow breathing with their tongue hanging out. If your dog is panting excessively, it could be a sign of heat stroke, anxiety, or other health issues. Licking Motions to Communicate Dogs also use licking motions to communicate with their owners or other dogs. Dogs use their tongue to communicate in various ways. One of the most common ways is through licking. Licking can be a sign of affection, a way to show submission, and a method for temperature regulation. Lip licking is a common sign of stress and discomfort in dogs. It is often accompanied by yawning and can be an early sign that a dog may escalate to aggressive behavior. Nose licking is another form of communication that dogs use when they are showing ambivalence or inner conflict. The Chihuahua below is sticking their tongue out in a clear signal of discomfort and stress. We can tell this by the fact that the ears are pinned back and the gaze is slipping down. A clear indication of stress or anxiety is when a dog sticks their tongue out to lick, and also averts their gaze. Dogs do not sweat like humans do, so they use their tongues to pant and release heat. This is why dogs often stick their tongue out when they are hot or after exercise. Licking can also be a sign of affection. Face licking or licking your nose is typically an affectionate gesture that dogs use to make friends. It is a way for dogs to show that they are not a threat and want to be friends. When to Consult a Veterinarian About Your Dog Sticking Their Tongue Out While sticking their tongue out is normal behavior for dogs, there are certain situations where it may be a cause for concern. If your dog is sticking their tongue out excessively or in an unusual manner, it may indicate an underlying health issue. Here are some signs that you should consult a veterinarian: Breathing difficulties: If your dog is panting excessively and has difficulty breathing, it may be a sign of a respiratory problem. This can cause your dog to stick their tongue out in an effort to catch their breath. Excessive drooling: If your dog is drooling excessively and sticking their tongue out, it may be a sign of dental problems or gastrointestinal issues. Changes in behavior: If your dog is sticking their tongue out and showing other signs of discomfort, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or vomiting, it may indicate a more serious health issue. Foreign object ingestion: If your dog is sticking their tongue out and pawing at their mouth, it may indicate that they have ingested a foreign object that is causing discomfort. If you notice any of these signs, it is important to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. They can perform a thorough examination and diagnose any underlying health issues that may be causing your dog to stick their tongue out. Frequently Asked Questions Why does my senior dog stick his tongue out? Senior dogs may stick their tongues out due to dental, neurological, or respiratory problems. It is best to consult with a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment. Why does my dog stick his tongue in and out like a snake? Dogs may stick their tongues in and out like a snake as a way to cool down. This behavior is known as panting and is a normal physiological response to regulate body temperature. Why does my dog repeatedly stick his tongue out? Repetitive tongue sticking may indicate anxiety, stress, or discomfort. Why does my sick dog have his tongue hanging out? A sick dog may have his tongue hanging out due to dehydration, respiratory distress, or fever. It is crucial to seek veterinary attention to diagnose and treat the underlying illness. Why does my newborn puppy have his tongue sticking out? Newborn puppies may have their tongues sticking out due to underdeveloped muscles and nerves in the mouth. This is a normal developmental stage, and the tongue should retract as the puppy grows. Why does my dog keep sticking his tongue out and swallowing? Frequent tongue sticking and swallowing may indicate nausea, acid reflux, or respiratory issues. It is necessary to consult with a veterinarian to diagnose and treat the underlying cause. Final Thoughts Dogs stick their tongue tips out for various reasons, including playfulness, hanging tongue syndrome, resting, and medical issues. Tamsin De La Harpe Author Tamsin de la Harpe has nearly two decades of experience with dogs in rescue, training, and behavior modification with fearful and aggressive dogs. She has worked closely with veterinarians and various kennels, building up extensive medical knowledge and an understanding of canine health and physiology. She also spent two years in the animal sciences as a canine nutrition researcher, focusing on longevity and holistic healthcare for our four-legged companions. Tamsin currently keeps a busy homestead with an assortment of rescue dogs and three Bullmastiffs. Got Questions? Your pooch uses their tongue to eat and drink , to help cool down their body , and, of course, to give you tons of slobbery kisses. Some dogs — maybe even your own — have a bizarre but adorable trait of sticking their tongues out all of the time. While this can be a harmless, endearing trait, it can also be a signal of underlying health issues. Sometimes a tongue hanging out for long periods of time — but not indefinitely — is a sign of pure relaxation. When dogs get warm, they pant. Both of these responses cool down the body, and the way they work is actually the same — they both lead to evaporation. The short, shallow breaths that happen when your dog pants help water evaporate from their tongue and upper respiratory tract. That evaporation helps your dog cool down. If your dog is panting a lot, try to keep them in a cool place and reduce physical activity for a little while. Make sure they have plenty of water. If panting continues for a long time even after your dog appears to have cooled down, it may be time for a trip to the vet, just to be on the safe side. If your dog is on new medication and is exhibiting this symptom or any other new symptoms or habits, consult with your vet to make sure this is the right medication for your dog or if you should change tactics. If your dog has an overbite or underbite, they may develop this condition, especially as they age. Severe dental disease can lead to the rotting of the lower teeth. When these diseased teeth fall out or are extracted, there is no support for the tongue, so it simply pops out and hangs out to either the side or out the front. Fortunately, most dogs with this syndrome can enjoy a full, happy, healthy life without many severe issues. Are there any problems with Hanging Tongue Syndrome? The main issue from Hanging Tongue Syndrome is an incredibly dried-out tongue. Now imagine that feeling but on the tip of your tongue. All of the time. This is what dogs with this condition may have to deal with. If your dog has this condition, keep an eye out for any swelling, bleeding, or cracking of the tongue, and seek vet help if you notice them. If your dog has Hanging Tongue Syndrome, make sure they have access to plenty of water and that the color of their tongue and gums stays the same, as dogs with this syndrome are also prone to infections and even frostbite on their tongues in colder climates. Discoloration of the tongue and gums is a sign of infection, so contact your vet immediately. A sudden appearance of this syndrome combined with odd behavior could be a sign of neurological problems. If this is happening with your dog, consult your vet ASAP to make sure nothing too serious is happening. Occasionally, hanging tongue is attributed to factors unrelated to genetics. One prevalent factor is advanced dental disease, which can result in the absence of lower canine teeth. When there is no support for the tongue, it may protrude to the side. Moreover, injuries to the jaw, tongue, or head can cause nerve damage or tongue scarring, further contributing to this condition. DogTime Editors. Why do Bulldogs keep their Tongues Out? English Bulldogs belong to the brachycephalic breed of dog. The short facial anatomical features make them have difficult breathing patterns. Moreover, they have a long tongue compared to their mouth, which may be the reason for their habit of sticking out their tongue. Here you will find the satisfactory answer—Keep calm. Dogs usually show panting behavior just like other mammals. This mechanism is exhibited by having a typical mouth posture in which the tongue hangs. Dogs are well known for panting. Panting makes the dogs cool down their body temperature and brings it to be normal. You will better know the other conditions later. French Bulldog Tongue Out? For this purpose, you should call a veterinarian to get updates immediately after observing the abnormal tongue protruding. Some of them need immediate veterinary check-ups, while in other cases, you need not worry. In general, the following are the conditions that will let English Bulldog hangs its tongue out. Brachycephalic breeds of dogs, particularly Bulldog and Pug mostly prone to such conditions. Their small oral cavity cannot fit the large tongue; thus, the tongue keeps on hanging. In other cases, the overbite and underbite may lead to hanging tongue syndrome. Besides, teeth rotting may happen in severe dental diseases that lead to the extraction of diseased teeth the tongue pops out. Administration of New Medication Dogs are in the habit of hanging their tongue out whenever they get new medication orally. This condition is the clear symptom of having the administration of some wrong medicines or dose rate etc. Such cases must need proper veterinary check-ups to avoid serious health issues. The vet will better understand the condition that causes such complications. Panting Pant is the same mechanism used by dogs as sweat to humans. Especially in hot summers, when excessive heat production in bulldog happens, it moves towards eliminating the excessive heat by opening the mouth and increasing the breathing pattern to cool down the body. There might be mouth cancer or some severe inflammation that causes the tongue to hangs. You need to seek advice from a vet to diagnose the condition properly whenever you observe abnormal symptoms. Relaxed state The good news for dog owners is that tongue hanging is not always show some problematic condition. Sometimes, when dogs are in a different relaxed state, they tend to hang their tongue to relax their glossal muscles. Have you ever observed your bulldog sleeping with tongue hanging out? Do you ever get worried about why he is behaving like this? Either it is normal or not? Some dogs stick their tongues out and pull them back in immediately. There may be certain reasons for it. These variations depend upon the type of breeds as well as environmental conditions imposing on them. Unless there is no injury or infection of the or mouth present, worry not and enjoy the company of your English Bulldog. Bulldogs sleep on their back for a purpose related to cool down body temperature, especially in hot. As it is obvious, the downside of the belly bears the least amount of fur. It provides an easy way to exchange heat when they feel hot during sleep. This may happen to expose the maximum fragile area along with paws that could help them heat exchange. The main drawback of this sleeping posture is the complete exposure of vital organs at the risk of getting harmed. French Bulldogs, just like other dogs, tends to stick their tongue out while sleeping. There could be different reasons for exhibiting such symptoms , like having spicy food, treatment with a new medication, hanging tongue syndrome, and mouth-related inflammation. The inflammation might result from the trauma of the buccal cavity. In such a case, the dog feels pain due to swollen mucosal linings. The swelling may result from secondary bacterial infection after trauma or imperfect oral surgery. Moreover, your cute and lovely short dog may search for one way or another to get rid of this pain. Some pet dog owners complain about having their dog sticking his tongue like a lizard. This may result from several dental diseases like; Stomatitis in dogs results from the inflammation of the oral cavity Glossitis in English Bulldog is the inflammation of the tongue Gingivitis in bulldogs results from the inflammation of the gum Cheilitis in dogs is the inflammation of the lips. There are chances of other types of inflammation in bulldogs that cause the sticking of the tongues. These may result from; Viral and bacterial infections Diseases result from metabolic disorders Immune diseases Exposure to toxins and poisons Nutritional disorders Why Does my English Bulldog keep Sticking his Tongue out and Swallowing? English Bulldog keeps on licking and swallowing, which may indicate a serious health problem. Along with sticking out the tongue and swallowing can be some medical abnormality symptoms like neurological abnormality or abnormal behavior. Moreover, tongue sticking and swallowing can be exhibited by a dog as a communication tool and breathing. Whereas it may be due to certain reasons related to different breeds, according to some posts. The medical disorders include; Nausea. Why do dogs stick out their tongues? This is everything you need to know about bleps and what they mean. How about a mlem? Besides being one of the most popular terms used in pet-related social media, a blep refers to when an animal sticks their tongue out of its mouth only slightly. Recommended Videos Of course, not every incident of tongue-sicking-out is considered a blep. Most reasons for a dog blepping are totally harmless! Still, Dr. Holly Ahlgrim of DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital told The Dodo that a veterinary examination may be a good idea if this is a new behavior for your pup. Needless to say, you should also seek support if your buddy seems at all uncomfortable. Hydration is key for blepping pups! Having the tongue resting outside of the mouth can lead to immense dryness at times, so investing in a water fountain for your pet might be a smart idea. As Dr. Luckily, these tend to be the times when it also causes no discomfort — like with hanging tongue syndrome. It just might! While stress panting is a thing, if you spot your dog doing a blep, mlem, or acting overall derpy, it could indicate their inner joy. This could happen during sleep or a cuddle session. You also might spot your pup holding their tongue out after just getting a treat, perhaps savoring the taste of their favorite snack. As you can probably guess, these different situations have different causes! Neuropathy and other neurological issues can also contribute. Dental issues can also be a cause of tongue protrusion Of all the non-genetic causes of hanging tongue syndrome, or even regular blepping, dental problems are the most common. Wilson explained that, when a dog is missing teeth or even just support in the lower jaw, the tongue can roll or hang out of the mouth. Then you can snap as many photos as possible! Editors' Recommendations.

Rome, GA labradoodlepuppy We are the first authentic Australian Labradoodle breeders in South Carolina and are passionate about what we do and are in love with our dogs. Green Gables Labradoodle puppies are born in our home on our five plus acre mini-ranch. We have carefully chosen sires and dams with consistent personality traits, coats that are non-shedding, allergy friendly and consistent looks that conform to the breed standard. Their safety and well-being are our top priority. Our breeding process creates some of the most beautiful and cuddly Australian Labradoodle puppies. These dogs have been bred to be therapy, service companions and great family companions. These beautiful animals are very intelligent, non-aggressive and easy to train. For more information look at the page "Our Breeding Practices" We breed small mediums, mediums and standard size Australian Labradoodles. All sizes adjust beautifully to small or large spaces. We have several of our standards living on yachts two to three months at a time, several times a year. Thank you for visiting the website of Green Gables Labradoodles. We look forward to hearing from you! Doodles gmail. We only breed authentic Australian Labradoodles to authentic Australian Labradoodles. Some of the breeders out there are breeding F1b's and this is not an Australian Labradoodle. Some breeder's are selling only F1's. A breeder of the F1's and F1b's will be hard put to say their puppies won't shed as many of them do shed. They should say their puppies may shed. Let me say it again: Our authentic Australian Labradoodles are bred multi-generational Australian Labradoodle to multi-generational Australian Labradoodle. Our puppies have consistent personalities, non shedding fleece coats. The personalities of our puppies are consistent across the litters; fun, smart, intuitive, mellow puppies. When we test our Australian Labradoodle puppies' personalities, the tester is amazed at the conformity of their personalities. The investment in a puppy is a long time investment. Please do the homework so you understand what you are getting. These puppies are very dark chocolate. They have been raised with small children and other dogs. These puppies will be medium in size, lbs. They will be UTD on Vaccines, de wormings, bordatella, and will be microchipped. Our puppies are socialized daily with small children and other dogs in our home. They will also be crate trained. Contact me for more information. Their puppies will be small mediums lbs. The lowest generation we are now breeding are F3 Labradoodles. We breed American and Australian Multigenerational Labradoodle puppies. In order to keep our lines clean no back breeding or line breeding when breeding the higher generation Labradoodle puppies, ie; 4th, 5th and higher, it is our choice to go back to the original infusion of the 2nd generation or higher Cock-a-Poo as well as The poodle. Our minature Labradoodles are bred down naturally starting with the Standard Poodle and English Stature Labrador Retriever within our own program…. Our Labradoodle puppies are raised in our home with lots of daily TLC. T-Touch stimulation socialization. Many of our puppies placed go on to train as therapy dogs. We also have quite a few Certified Service Dogs. We travel back and forth between Sunny South Florida and South Carolina with all our Labradoodle puppy litters once vaccinated. As well as any other states necessary. No destination is too far to insure the safety of our Labradoodle puppies. Hopefully you will find our website informative and if you have further questions do not hesitate in contacting us any time. My cell phone is the easiest way to reach me. Marlene Sapp.

This breed performs well at dog shows after receiving proper training. ADN Beautiful boxer puppies! Boxer puppies for sale Fort Wayne, Indiana Introduction of the Boxer The Boxer dog breed originated in Germany and has been around since the late 19th century. English-bred Bulldogs and the Bullenbesiier were crossed to. We are a responsible boxer breeder that cares about our. In Kokomo, inspectors found an underweight boxer with a litter of puppies. Search for boxer rescue dogs for adoption near New Palestine, Indiana. Pierson Family Boxers - Welcome My mission is to help families find affordable Boxer puppies who are healthy and loving while meeting breed standard. Our boxers are breed and raised in a loving environment around family and other animals. Breeder of Show and Pet Boxer puppies Contact me at rambosboxers gmail. Boxer puppies for sale in Tennessee from trusted breeders. Welcome to Gentry Boxers! We occasionally offer puppies, We have been breeding Boxers for 31 years. Please contact us! We have 1 puppy still available for adoption. Browse these Boxer rescues and shelters below. Boxer Breeders in Indiana! She is up to date on all of her vaccinations, has been dewormed, and is socialized well. Providing healthy, top quality boxer puppies for families who demand the very best, Chicago illinois and north suburbs. The Boxer breed is so easy to fall in love withthey are the biggest clowns, extremely devoted to family, have the warmest hearts, and by far the most stunning breed i have ever laid eyes on. All our boxer puppies are also up to date on shots, dewormed, and come with a written 1-year health guarantee against common genetic defects such as heart and hip diseases. Boxer Breeders in Indiana. This page provides a listing of Indiana Boxer Breeders. And we look forward to sharing the joy of adding a boxer to your family. Boxer Puppies For Sale in Indiana. There are animal shelters and rescues that focus specifically on finding great homes for Boxer puppies in Indiana. We have been raising boxers with unrivaled passion since .Certified breeders puppies who can be transported to you These puppies come from breeders who offer safe, convenient puppy drop-off options — so you can get your new best friend delivered from anywhere. We are not a puppy mill nor are there kennels in the back yard. Although the Boxer dog breed originated in Germany, their ancient ancestry can be traced back to the Assyrian empire war dogs of BC. We take pride in providing our buyers with the best Boxer puppies to add to their family. We do have stud dogs available. Boxer puppy for sale in Indiana. These beautiful puppies will make a great addition to. We take pride in the quality bloodlines of our pups and have spent fifteen years perfecting our breeding stock. Look here to find a Boxer. We are commited in raising top quality boxers. You'll be asked to provide information about yourself and what you are looking for so the breeder can help you find the right match. Boxer Breeders. Despite their light and fun-loving nature, the Boxer is a hardworking, versatile, and vigilant breed that is incredibly loyal to their family. My name is bourbon! I am a lab terrier mix and I am as sweet as I sound! I have a wonderful disposition! My husband got his first Boxer puppy at the age of 9, and fell in love with the breed. They follow a very hands-on Boxer breeding approach to empower their customers with healthy and happy Boxer puppies for sale in Indiana. I'm a happy-go-lucky girl who is full of energy and always ready to play. Please call fro more information xxx-xxx-xxxx. Boxer Puppies for Sale in Indiana. Boxer puppies and dogs in Indiana. My love for the breed started roughly 24 years ago when I saw the most beautiful boxer, a flashy fawn. Hoosier Boxer Mitchell, Indiana We are a local family owend Boxer breeder we breed health happy pups. I am a stay at home mom of 3 sons. The Petland Carmel breeders strive to empower. Please contact the breeders below to find Boxer puppies for sale in Indiana: Filter. This site is dedicated to all those who share our love for the breed. See full list on animalfate. All of our dogs are show dogs and come from established breeding programs. Find your Boxer puppy for sale in Indiana. Boxer Training: Effective Tips and Techniques. Find Boxer puppies for sale Near Indiana Despite their light and fun-loving nature, the Boxer is a hardworking, versatile, and vigilant breed that is incredibly loyal to their family. We are breeders who do not breed just to breed. They are very playful, friendly, eating well and have a great loving temperament. If you're interested in a puppy from Premier Boxers, please apply. We love the boxer breed and put a lot of time and care into our dogs and puppies. Look here to find a Boxer breeder close to youIndiana who may have puppies for sale or a male dog available for stud service. The Best Boxer Breeders in Ontario: 1. We occasionally offer puppies, though not very often. Before continuing on your journey for Boxer puppies for sale in Indiana, you can check out PuppySpot's website below. Our Boxers are. Feel free to ask questions about future litters puppy questions or anything else you would like to chat about related to. Boxer Puppies CKC registered .Once you apply, Brittany will get back to you about availability, pricing and next steps. Our love of boxers was born from an incident with my middle son. Feel free to ask questions about future litters puppy questions or anything else you would like to chat about related to boxers AKC proudly supports dedicated and responsible breeders. All our puppies are raised in a family environment around children and tend to be very friendly and sociable. It was registered using the following details: These details are correct as of today July 24, but the name and address could possibly belong to an innocent third party if the domain was registered using a stolen credit card. They are basically a local pet store that is located in Carmel. Our name reflects our dogs' heritage, accomplishments, and the quality our families have come to expect from our boxers. The amount of personality this goofy looking pup has is extraordinary and out of this world. Once you apply, Marion will get back to you about availability, pricing and next steps. Boxers make excellent family dogs that enjoy being active with human companions. Performance Boxers of Indiana. Performance Boxers Of Indiana. Our Boxers are raised in our home under our feet not in a kennel or basement away from the family, we breed for a purpose to improve our lines and not just because! Indiana Boxer Classifieds Hoobly. They follow a very hands-on Boxer. Boxer, Indiana » Indianapolis Premium. Our boxers are a part of our family, our goal is to make sure our puppies go to families that that will love them as much as we do. We strive to raise happy healthy AKC registered Boxers with great structure, conformation, wonderful temperments, nice heads, tight coats and early socialization. It has been recognized by the AKC since .Alexanders Loving Pups Member since:. These breeders are far and few, so do your research and ask questions. In Indiana, the four puppy mills that made the list are in the following cities: Kokomo Loogootee Odon The breeders were not named in the report, but it did include details of what made them problematic. We are a proud boxer breeder located in Central Indiana. We encourage all prospective puppy owners to do their research and be prepared with questions to ask the. We prefer to find them loving homes in our regional area so you can pick up your puppy in person and even meet the parents. We breed for the love of the boxer breed. Hoosier Boxers in Indiana. Boxer Breeders in Indiana IN. His main purpose is for hunting large game. If you're interested in a puppy from Hoosier Boxers, please apply. Boxer Blvd. If you are looking for puppies for sale or a particular stud dog in. Adopt a rescue dog through PetCurious. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help you find the puppy your whole family will love. Both parents… Fawn and White .Puppies will be sold as pets only and are on sale for two hundred dollors. But this dog breed was also useful in guarding and driving livestock. Boxer, Indiana » Indianapolis. Nickname: Lilly on PuppyFinder. We are a family of 5 living in Lawrence KS. Available Puppies — Big Mac Boxers. Asmara and Oslo had puppies on 4. Eashes Boxers is one reputed breeder located in Bremen, Should be about lbs when full-grown. Boxer Puppies For Sale in Illinois. The modern Boxer breed we know and love today was originally developed in Germany in the late s. Boxers for Sale in Indianapolis. Boxer puppies for sale in Indiana from trusted breeders. We have Performance Boxers of Indiana. You can visit the… more 23 hours ago on PuppyFinder. We breed for health, temperament, intelligence, agility, conformation, color and well socialized pups. How to get a puppy. We breed for the love of the boxer Performance Boxers of Indiana. Kokomo man defends pet store against allegations of sick puppies Prev Next A man is defending his family's pet store after viewers reached out to RTV6 saying they were sold sick puppies. The store, Pet's Choice, has been on the Kokomo Humane Society's radar after numerous complaints about unhealthy conditions. The vet hold them he had so many things wrong with him, the only thing they could do was put him down. The door was locked and customers were being turned away, until Miles Handy, who said his wife owns the store, eventually came out. He said he does not know of the store selling dogs that have genetic deficiencies and could not tell if the Brenners' puppy looked all right when we tried to show him a video. Handy said he refunded the Brenners' money and paid their vet bill. We talked to a former employee who asked to not be identified who said she once went to buy dogs on Handy's direction. Hardy insisted the dogs he sells are healthy and receive vaccines for parvo. We talked to a veterinarian this week who dogs younger than four months old must have four shots to have full immunity. Handy leaves it up to his customers to make sure that's done. A local vet clinic said they've treated many puppies bought at the store for parvo. Copyright Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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Like many large breeds, a German Shepherd dog is not considered fully grown until they are about 18 months old. Female German Shepherds continue to fill out until they are around two years old, while the male German Shepherd growth rate continues until they reach two and a half years of age. Males are larger and require more time to fill out their chest and abdomen. As you can see by the German Shepherd weight chart, these dogs can continue to grow until they are three years old, but the majority of growth occurs within 24 months. If your GSD is older than 36 months and continues to put on weight, contact your veterinarian to ensure weight gain does not lead to obesity. How big should a 6-month-old German Shepherd be? A six-month-old German Shepherd puppy will be quite large, as many German Shepherds undergo massive growth spurts between two and five months old. By six months, a male German Shepherd will weigh 53 pounds on average, whereas a female will weigh about 46 pounds. How much bigger will my German Shepherd get? There are a few ways to gauge how much bigger a German Shepherd will get. First, check your puppy's age. If your GSD is younger than two years old, they definitely have room to keep growing! Another way to tell if your pup still has a lot of growing to do is their paw size. Do their paws look large compared to their legs and body? This is a classic adolescent feature of a dog and means your pup is likely still growing! Most of the time, a dog will not grow bigger than its larger parents. What is the size of a full-grown German shepherd? An adult male German Shepherd is typically 24 to 26 inches tall, while adult female German Shepherds are 22 to 24 inches tall, according to the American Kennel Club German Shepherd Standard. The estimated full-size varies significantly between sexes. In terms of weight, an adult male German Shepherd weighs anywhere from 75 to 90 pounds. A female German Shepherd weighs notably less at 55 to 70 pounds. Please keep in mind that these numbers are only estimates to give you an idea of how much bigger a German Shepherd puppy may get. Some dogs will be both smaller and larger than these weight ranges when fully grown due to a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Learn all about your puppy's physical characteristics, breed history, personality traits, and more in our comprehensive guide. Preventive care is key in helping your German Shepherd live a healthy and long life. Helping your dog maintain an optimal weight is one of the best things you can do for their health. Taking your German Shepherd to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do to ensure that they are healthy and feeling their best. Compare German Shepherd health insurance plans before they get sick or injured. They are also more susceptible to gastrointestinal tract and hip issues. A veterinarian should regularly assess your pet for these health problems and run tests for anything they may be more prone to due to their breed. Treatment for many conditions, including bloat and GI issues, can cost thousands of dollars. Dog insurance is a wise investment that can give you peace of mind by covering pet emergency expenses. Wellness plans are also available to help cover the cost of vaccinations, vet exams, microchips, and more. Some people can predict the future. For everyone else, there's pet insurance. Use Pawlicy Advisor to easily compare plans from top providers so you can find a great deal with great coverage. Get Peace of Mind Today Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Discover the online program that more than 57, dog owners have used to rapidly transform their dog into a well-behaved, obedient furry friend. Here are a few suggestions to check out for that new female dog in your life. Consider choosing from any of the many GSD puppy names below. If raised incorrectly German Shepherds can become aggressive, anti social, out of control or unmanageable. I highly recommend reading The German Shepherd Handbook which will teach you everything you need to know about raising the happiest healthiest GSD possible. A Happy Healthy German Shepherd For some people, picking out the perfect name for their new Alsatian dog is very easy process. Other people, however, need a lot more assistance in choosing the perfect female puppy name. Do they name their dog after a family member, a cartoon character, a favorite movie star, a historical figure of some kind? How about a favorite place to vacation, a city you'd like to visit, the street you live on, a best friend or teacher? Have fun researching the female dog and female puppy names below as potential candidates for your new GSD girl puppy! Now that you have a few ideas in mind for choosing those great female puppy names, and know how to choose a great name for your female GSD, just what name should you choose? If you are in the market for ideas for German Shepherd female puppy names, then start by looking at the female puppy names listed below. If you need a male German Shepherds name or you are looking for a unisex dog name you can find some suggestions on those pages. You'll be using it often - during dog training, when calling them to you, when at home or at play, etc. Choose your name thoughtfully. Hopefully your female puppy will have it the rest of her life. Female Puppy Names. I will examine the unique temperament, personality, and characteristics of these gorgeous girls, and to help you decide which gender is the right fit for you. Male vs Female German Shepherds For some people, aside from simple size, weight, and height considerations, there really is no important or measurable difference between a male and a female German shepherd. But for other people, even the subtle differences between a male and a female German shepherd can be sufficiently important to make one gender a preferable choice to the other in certain specific situations. Female German Shepherd size, height, and weight One of the most obvious general distinctions about the female GSD is that she is generally leaner, smaller, and shorter than her male counterpart. The female GSD stands 22 to 24 inches high paw to shoulder , a full two inches shorter than the male. And the female GSD will weigh between 50 and 70 pounds, which makes her about 15 pounds lighter than the adult male. Coat Color and Pattern The bi-color coat pattern is the most common and recognized color for the German shepherd dog of either gender. In most cases, you will find a black female German shepherd that displays one other secondary coat color, either cream, red, tan, or silver. In certain cases, you may see a single-color GSD in blue, gray, liver, sable, or white, although these are not breed standard colors and may render your dog at fault or deemed ineligible certainly in the case of the white coat color for the show ring. There is no gender-related differentiation in overall coat color or pattern that is seen in the male versus female German shepherd. Female German Shepherd Personality The German shepherd female temperament can also show marked differences in behavior and personality that can be related back to her gender. Whether these differences are present and how apparent they may be will vary depending on the traits of the specific parent dogs, which is why it is important to be able to meet and get to know each parent dog as you are selecting between male and female German shepherd puppies. More likely to bond equally with more than one family member aside from the principle person responsible for training and meals. May be easier to train and more sensitive to commands and cues. Possibly a better pick for service dog or therapy dog work. Good for rally, agility, and obedience training due to lighter weight, smaller size, and more graceful body structure. Less apt to become territorial in the presence of strangers. Female German Shepherd Training The GSD is currently the second most popular family pet dog in America, and this is for good reason, but ongoing regular socialization and puppy training is a huge reason why! This is one of the most intelligent of all dog breeds! Your German shepherd has an incredibly strong work ethic with tremendous drive and focus while on the job. They will also bond strongly with the entire family. Positive training methods focus on delivering praise, playtime, pets, and treats in response to well-learned tasks and commands. German shepherds of either gender are hands-down one of the most popular police and K-9 dogs in the world. Some of these are German shepherd mix dogs while others are purebred GSDs. Socialization Everyone in the family should play a part in feeding and training your new pup. This will go a long way towards developing her tendency to bond closely with each family member. Make sure that she meets lots of strangers outdoors and at home. The window for socialization closes around 16 weeks old, so your first few weeks together are going to be busy. While a female German shepherd is lighter and shorter, she will still be strong from the get-go! Choosing the right collar and lead system will help you. Female German shepherds will need plenty of early socialization with young children in the family and with other family pets. Young children in particular will need to be supervised at all times in interactions with your female GSD puppy! Children may be unintentionally rougher with a puppy that can be easily tolerated and this can lead to preventable incidents. These issues include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, cardiac issues, eye issues, autoimmune thyroiditis, and degenerative myelopathy. Only hip and elbow dysplasia are currently required tests for reputable breeders, with the remainder being optional recommended health tests. German shepherds can sometimes contract a blood disease called hemophilia A. Female German shepherd dogs are usually carriers and, unlike males with the genes for the condition, will not show symptoms. There is a health test to detect this disease, which is present from birth. Idiopathic Epilepsy Interestingly, this condition is less likely to impact female German shepherd dogs than males. The reason is not yet known, although researchers suspect there may be several genes polygenetic involved. German Shepherd Spaying Having an un neutered female dog is inconvenient, but only for a few weeks of the year. Spaying is a commonly carried out procedure, but it does come with some risks. Certain health conditions are more common in girls that are spayed before 12 months old. This is because spaying gets rid of some important hormones. Urinary incontinence, mammary cancer and joint disorders are all more likely is your girl is neutered before a year old. Life Span Did You Know? The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile, well-recognized, and popular dog breeds in the world. The modern German Shepherd is descended from a family of various German herding dogs. Breed standards were not developed until the late 19th century when Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, worked with Arthur Meyer and other breeders to develop the ideal German herding dog. Stephanitz and Meyer wrote the breed standard in and the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in .Although they were originally bred as herding dogs, they were also bred for versatility, which made the German Shepherd an all-around working dog that could excel in a variety of applications. German Shepherds are one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units in both police and military applications. They also make great service dogs and, of course, are still awesome herding dogs and farm dogs! The German Shepherd is a strong-willed and highly intelligent dog. They have a playful, energetic spirit and tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great family companion. A born protector, the German Shepherd will provide a great sense of security for their family while their loving and lively personality will make them fit right in as a companion. German Shepherds are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers at first. A well-socialized German Shepherd will bark to alert you and tends to warm up to strangers once introduced. German Shepherds are dogs that were bred to herd and work. This, plus their high energy, makes them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt well to larger apartments as long as plenty of time is dedicated to ensuring they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention every day. A bored, ignored, or under-exercised German Shepherd can often become a destructive one. They also can be sensitive to their surroundings and large gatherings can be off-putting. With a longer coat, they tend to prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to heat. The German Shepherd is a generally healthy breed, but there are some potential health concerns and good breeding practices make a big difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a German Shepherd include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a barrel-chested breed, the German Shepherd is also at risk for bloat. While the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and highly trainable, they are generally not recommended for novice owners. If you are a novice dog owner, enroll in puppy training classes or enlist the help of a professional dog trainer; not just for your dog, but for yourself as well. Training assistance will help you grow in experience and build a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd puppy, which is essential. Also, the GSD has a thirst for training and fulfillment. They get bored easily and especially with repetition, so continued training with your German Shepherd throughout their life will be necessary. German Shepherds have a medium-to-long double coat. They will shed year-round and heavier as seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient; brushing daily is even better and your GSD will likely love you for it. Bathing is occasional on an as-needed basis. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs. Not only do they require a lot of daily activity, but they also are a herding breed that was made to run, guard, and observe, so they need a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for a GSD, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. With their versatility and athleticism, you can try a lot of different activities when puppies finish growing and they are cleared for higher-impact things. A fully-grown German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. German Shepherds generally live for years on average. Corporal Duncan brought him back to the United States and Rin-Tin-Tin became one of the most famous dog actors in history. Featured German Shepherd Article.

She looks just like her momma, too! Major right is an import English Retriever from Romania with an exceptional pedigree and over the top championship bloodline! Major will be available for stud services soon. We are a small family breeder located in Longview, Texas. Longview is in East Texas in the middle of the Piney Woods. What a perfect backdrop for Goldens! With extensive genetic testing and certifications on English Golden Retrievers, we feel confident our puppies are off to a great start! All of this is done before we get to see precious puppy faces! We take our role very seriously and consider it a privilege to imprint upon the lives of our Goldens and their future families! He can sit, lay, shake, look at me, no bite, nice, and walks amazing on a leash! He almost loves baths, trimming his nails, loves bones and meeting people. He has a play date with his golden friend Murphy, which was adorable. He is literally the most amazing boy and we are just so grateful for you and your family. Just wanted to share some info and show our appreciation! My husband and I noticed a huge difference early on too from the Puppy Culture training that the Richardsons do with them. Amity, Heath, and Eden poured So much love and care into our fur babies before passing them on to us. They were incredible to work with and we cannot recommend them enough. Sierra Theo, Wildheart Litter Your hard work has definitely paid off. The best part of for me was seeing my baby boy!! We heard fireworks a couple miles away — Walt perked up when he heard them but was totally fine!! Thanks for all the hard work on desensitizing him to sounds!! We will contact you within 24 hours of submission. As they say on their website , this breeder has been working with Goldens for over three decades and see their dogs as family members and beloved pets first and show dogs second. As stated on their website, this Breeder is a member of the Golden Retriever Club of America and follows their breed standard in her breeding. All of the parents are thoroughly screened and hip, elbow, heart and eye certified. All the puppies have lots of socialization opportunities as well as a free run of a large property where they can properly develop before they go to their new homes. You can read more about this breeder and their gorgeous dogs and puppies, as well as Golden Retriever breed standard and health markers on their website. All of their dogs are bred to the Standard and are eye, heart, hip and elbow certified. You can learn more about this Breeder and their gorgeous dogs on their website. They work hard to produce top-quality Goldens with excellent temperaments and solid health. They hope to produce dogs that excel at various types of work such as Hunting, conformation, obedience, therapy work and others. They are a small hobby breeder and only have a limited number of litters. According to the information on their website , they adhere strictly to the standard of breeding accepted by the Golden Retriever Club of America, and only breed dogs with superior temperament, behavior and conformation. They thoroughly research each of their breedings to select the best parent lines for each. This breeder is also a director and member of the Austin Golden Retriever Club. According to their website, this breeder has been involved with Goldens for over twenty years, when they wished to add a Golden to their own family. They strive to produce Goldens with superior temperaments, correct structure and solid health from good lines. As stated on their website, they offer American lines that are darker and European lines that are a lighter golden color. This breeder cares deeply about the health of their dogs and puppies. All of their breeding dogs are OFA hip and elbow certified as well as eye and heart tested. All of their dogs live with the family as family members, getting plenty of socialization as well as acreage to run on and enjoy nature and other animals. Especially when they are still puppies. But, as with any dog and any breed, there are things you need to know before deciding to adopt a Golden into your family. Some people are really not fit to have a dog — any dog. Some people would not do well with a Golden Retriever but maybe would do better wityh a different breed. If you have never had a dog before, this is especially important for you to read. But dogs are like babies! Especially with Goldens, who tend to be quite hyperactive and very curious. You will have to watch this puppy-child at all times, clean their mess, keep them from danger like chewing on electrical wires, or running in front of cars. You will have to feed them and try to figure out what they are allergic to if they happen to be allergic. You will have to take your Golden for a walk every day, regardless of the whether or how tired you are after work. This is a lot of responcibility! Anotehr thing, especially with young Goldens, is that they may have separation anxiety and hate being left alone. They can be very loud hello neighbours! You will probably need years before you will be able to safely leave your dog at home alone. Or crate your pup while you are at work. Are you ready to deal with these problems? Also, are you financially stable enough to afford a dog? Thik of all the expences your Golden will require, such as food, medications, toys, treats, doggy hotels, leashes, collars, etc? Vet bills! When it comes to Golden Retriever personalities, in general they are very friendly and outgoing. They are practically aggression-free, although of course all dogs are different and some Goldens may become untrusting or even aggressive. Our Stormy is extremely friendly and somewhat timid. She is always watching us carefully and tries to do everything to please us. She is extremely loyal to us, her family. If you enjoy hiking, biking, being outside — this would be a great dog to accompany you. Hygiene is important! And your Golden will quickly teach you to maintain hygiene, otherwise your house will be full of paw prints and dog hair and slobber! Also, did I mention Golden Retrievers shed all year around? One of the hardest things for me in owning a dog and particularly a Golden Retriever is having to deal with health issues. Stormy has had dermititis since she was a puppy. It especially flared up if she ate anything with chicken in it, and, strangely, after a bath! I guess she is just a very sensitive dog. All in all, Goldens are a fantastic breed. They are lovely, loving, devoted, loyal, smart, funny, outgoing, always up for an adventure. But they are also living creatures and a big responsibility. Make sure you are OK with that if you are thinking of adopting a Golden Retriever into y our family. It was well worth the wait to finally add our Golden puppy, Murphy, to our family and forever changing our lives. Although we have been showing Golden Retrievers in conformation since , Bravo Golden Retrievers was born with our first litter in … Judy Word and Mark Word listed as breeders! We have been very blessed to have produced some wonderful Goldens with temperaments the breed is known for … temperaments of GOLD, who have gone on to win various AKC titles and make their mark on the breed. Through limited breeding we have been able to accomplish so much in the Golden Retriever world. Our Golden Retrievers are raised in our home, being well socialized and loved. Since to , Judy has been responsible for acquiring artwork for the Golden Retriever Foundation auctions. The profits from the GRF auctions benefit our beloved Golden Retrievers through education, health and funds for rescue. The auctions have brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years … for more information visit our links page and look for the Golden Retriever Foundation link. We both believe in giving back to our Golden Retrievers. Worth Metro Golden Retriever Club — www. Have a Golden day! Contact Us Welcome to the Katian Kennel! This site was developed to share our love of Goldens. I hope you enjoy your visit, and come back often. For those of you who don't know: "Katian" pronounced "Kay-shun" is a play on Katie and Cajun my late husband's background - he used to say I'm leader of the Katian Nation - Yes, I know.We purchased almost 30 acres and are transforming our new golden retriever paradise. More about us.I recently lost my husband and am very thankful to have so many goldens who love me and occupy my time. When I do work on non-dog tasks, I work mostly from home so I can maximize my time with my canine crew. As the old adage goes, a tired dog is a happy dog.We purchased 30 beautiful acres…. Our new place is just outside of Lexington, Texas less than an hour east of Austin and just a few miles from Giddings, TX. I am truly blessed in that many of my puppies come back to me for training.I love seeing them grow and learn and am so grateful that my extended puppy family trusts us with the next stage in their puppy's life! Our dogs socialize with each other, mind their manners in the house most of the time , have free play in the fenced backyard and supervised free play throughout the rest of our property. They spend their time checking on the ducks in our aviary, the goats in our pasture and trailing all of the deer, rabbits, squirrels and other wildlife who call our property home. The golden crew confidently ride in our vehicles cars, trucks, 4wheelers, boats, kayaks, and our RV. In addition to being well-adjusted family companions, our dogs are duck hunters and competitive athletes. They compete in hunt tests, field trials, obedience and agility - needless to say, we are an active and busy family! My daughter, Katelyn, with one of the pups wooded front yard Angleton We are located on about 30 acres - golden paradise with rolling hills, woods and a beautiful pond! We do not raise our dogs in kennel runs. We have cameras set up so that we can keep a constant eye on our crew when we are tied up with non-dog duties. Security and safety of our furry family is of the utmost importance to us. Katelyn is my life-saver and helps out with the dogs whenever I need her. Between judging assignments and handling my own dogs at competitions most weekends, it is good to know that I have reliable help at home to take care of everything so I can enjoy the dogs off-property. In our pre-Harvey Angleton home, we had a perfect set-up. We are working on developing the perfect set-up at our new place in Lexington.The puppy nursery is almost done and in my home so that I can keep a constant eye on the pups.In Angleton, we had a small swim-by pond as well as a wooded green-tree reservoir for plenty of water training opportunities.Django, Grip, Nacho and Willow are our "launchers" and Gaga, Pebbles and Cica like to swiftly glide into the water - but all of them can't get enough of that wet stuff! Grip, Willow and Django will do laps together for hours if I let them! Whoever says golden retrievers don't like water, needs to stop by and visit! Availability of puppies and conditions of sale are at the sole discretion of the individual breeder. You are not obligated to purchase a puppy from the breeders whose names you obtain from GRCA puppy referral. He's our third Golden and is the king of our home. He has a larger than life personality and keeps us on our toes. Active, smart, playful, loving and funny all rolled into one handsome boy. He is everything a Golden should be. We couldn't imagine life without him and love him more every day. He's the most gentle, friendly and affectionate guy! The perfect addition for a family with young children.Sue was great to work with. She brings knowledge and expertise about the breed and has earned her positive reputation. You can easily tell that she genuinely loves each and every puppy. They are treated with loving care in her home. From the first week with our family, Memphis has been going to work with his momma. What started as a way for Memphis to be socialized and cared for during the day soon progressed to his becoming a member of the team. Nowadays, when he goes to work, he welcomes all of the employees and clients to the company. He makes the rounds throughout the day to make sure everyone pays sufficient attention to him. When not hard at work, he is looking after his person. He helps wake her up and get her ready for school in the morning. He also makes sure she is never alone at bedtime. And of course, he always makes sure she has a playmate. But every busy dog also needs downtime. In all seriousness, Yellow Rose and Susan are amazing. When we first reached out to Susan, she welcomed us into her home so that we could meet her dogs and see where she raises and works with them. It was clear from the start that she is not simply a breeder. She clearly loves each of her babies as they are part of her family. The level of attention she gives to them is beyond compare and it shows in the process she uses for finding families for her puppies. With her application process and the puppy selection process, we felt confident that she would select the right puppy for us. And we were right. Memphis has been a wonderful addition to our family. He loves playing with our daughter, whether she is laying on him while reading a book or running around the yard playing ball. He loves to go on 5-mile walks with his momma or sleep on the couch and watch a movie with his daddy. He is a perfect match for our family. We would like to thank Susan for being such a thoughtful and caring breeder. The time and attention she gives to her dogs and her puppies is evident in everything she does. We recommend her and her dogs to everyone wanting a wonderful golden as part of their family. Jay and Santana Susan exhibits the finest qualities all responsible canine parents should seek out. She leaves nothing to chance with regard to her puppies health, wellbeing and placement. The amount of dedication Susan displays before, during and after a puppies placement is admirable.

Christina Donnelly is a small animal expert focusing on dogs and writer with over 12 years of experience in animal welfare. In fact, golden retrievers have snagged the third spot for most popular dogs in the United States for the last several years! These pooches are on the larger side females range between 55 and 70 pounds, while males weigh in between 65 and 75 pounds and require lots of exercise, which may make some families shy away. But don't let their size—or high energy—deter you. Golden retrievers are highly intelligent, easy to train compared to other breeds of dogs , and incredibly friendly. Whether you're already a golden puppy parent or considering adding one to the family, read on to learn some fun facts and see some seriously cute photos! One even surmises that goldens are descendants of Russian circus dogs! These alternate theories were debunked, however, when the personal records of Lord Tweedmouth of Inverness, Scotland were made public. Lord Tweedmouth was an avid waterfowl hunter who wanted to breed a dog with some serious bird retrieving skills. So, in , he bred a yellow retriever named Nous with a liver-colored Tweed Water Spaniel named Belle. The result? A pack of puppies with the exact hunting skills he was looking for, which he dubbed golden retrievers. Golden retrievers were later brought to North America—sometime during the s—where they became hugely popular for their beautiful looks and sweet personalities. Then, in , they were officially recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club. Continue to 2 of 9 below. They can range from a very light, snowy white, to a yellow-gold, to a dark, coppery red. No matter the color of their coat, however, it's important to never cut your golden retriever's hair—doing so can put her at risk of skin cancer, among other health issues. Their coats are made up of two layers—the long, silky, waterproof outercoat and soft, warming undercoat—and act as insulators against all types of weather. So, if you think to trim your golden's coat in the summer to keep it cool, think again! It'll be much cooler and its skin will be protected from the sun with its coat intact. Continue to 3 of 9 below. Bred to fetch waterfowl, golden retrievers love a good swim session but would be just as happy with long walks, games of fetch, or even agility games. Aim for about one hour of exercise each day, but keep your dog's age and activity levels in mind—you may have to adjust accordingly. Continue to 4 of 9 below. If taken to a rescue site, for example, they can quickly learn how to perform search and rescues to help those in need. In addition to their smarts, golden retrievers' downright sweet demeanors make them the perfect pick for therapy dogs. They can bring a lot of comforts—and joy—to people who have experienced traumatic events, are living in hospitals, or are stressed out during college exams. Continue to 5 of 9 below. Their love of food can cause health problems like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease , so it's important to feed your golden the right amount of food for her weight, age, and activity level. Not sure how much is right for your dog? Talk to your vet about a healthy diet. And take it easy on the treats! It's true that goldens love to eat, but they like to carry non-food items in their mouths, too. Their mouthy nature makes everyday stuff such as sticks, shoes, or even the remote control a highly prized possession. Because golden retrievers have very gentle mouths, challenges such as the golden retriever egg challenge—in which a golden is tasked with holding an uncooked egg in its mouth without breaking it—have popped up all over the web. Continue to 6 of 9 below. Tons of major movies, such as the "Air Bud" series, "Homeward Bound," "A Dog's Purpose," and even thrillers such as "Poltergeist" and "Friday the 13th" have goldens in the credit roll. What's more? There are a few golden retrievers in presidential history, too. Presidents Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford had goldens during their presidencies. Golden retrievers are often considered the all-American dogs, so it makes sense, right? Continue to 7 of 9 below. Todd, the sweet golden pictured here, is one of those puppy heroes. During their hike, Paula nearly stepped on a rattlesnake—and when the snake lunged at her, Todd jumped in front of her to protect her. Although Todd was bitten on the nose and had severe swelling in his face, he's expected to make a full recovery. Because of his heroic deed, the internet has hailed Todd as a very, very good boy. And believe it or not, Todd has found a way to be an even better boy: He has a GoFundMe page to help other heroic doggies who have suffered from the same injuries. Continue to 8 of 9 below. Even in their senior years, it's not uncommon for older goldens to keep up with their puppy counterparts. Continue to 9 of 9 below. And for good reason! Not only are they adorable, but they prove goldens are some of the sweetest puppers around, too. Purebred Golden Retriever Puppies Buying a puppy is a big decision. We made that decision easy. Not knowing where your puppy has come from could lead to genetic health and socialization issues, and ultimately disappointment. There are even tons of puppy scams on the internet, some of which even try to imitate us! We believe dogs are not like family — they ARE family! Unlike other puppy adoption agencies in Ohio, we allow and actually encourage you to meet our Golden Retriever puppies for sale before you agree to take one home. Remember, too, that when it comes to getting a puppy, ultimately, you get what you pay for. You get a Golden Retriever you love, vetted for good health, from a breeder you trust. He has a very fun loving spirit and has made our family complete. Marcus and his family are very gracious and great to work with. We would highly recommend them for anyone looking for a Golden! She will be turning 9 months in a few weeks. I had a wonderful experience getting her through your company! So glad I got her. All Rights Reserved. I've photographed many families along with their beloved dog, often a Golden. I've had numerous Golden Retrievers in my training classes over the years, whether they be reds, English Cremes or the beautiful blonde that we so typically think of when we think of a Golden Retriever. Goldens hail from Scotland originally and are known as a hard-working breed, often employed as service animals and therapy dogs. They're also known for their voracious appetites, young-at-heart personalities and their penchant for carrying things in their mouths particularly when excited. Goldens are intelligent, athletic dogs, and are exceptional competitors in dog sports like obedience, agility, dock diving and more. Golden Retrievers gorgeous coats and perennially smiling face make them a dream to photograph, especially during their little butterball puppy stage. When Moana's that's "mow-ah-nah" dog mom contacted me for cute little puppy pics, of course I said "Yes" right after I squealed with delight and we quickly secured a session on the calendar before she got any bigger! The sun was shining, the flowers were in bloom and Moana romped and played and we caught it all. At the viewing and ordering appointment, Brenda had a hard time narrowing down her favorites because Moana's just that cute, but we eventually got there. She decided on ordering two plush blankets one for her and one for Moana's bed along with a digital negative package which is presented in a handmade reclaimed barn wood box with a metal print on the cover and a 5x7 print of each image inside along with a USB drive with all the high resolution digital image files. Doggy Daddy: Tucker I was recently contacted by the Creed family to take their family portraits and they requested that I take a few pet portraits of their very special family member, Tucker. It was only later when Moana's mom shared her Christmas mini session photo of Moana with them see below , that the Creeds asked if those were taken by Penny Whistle Photography. Brenda contacted me afterward to say "You just photographed Moana's daddy". Small world indeed and now I know where Moana gets her good looks! Tracy Allard of Penny Whistle Photography is a Certified Professional Photographer with the organization Professional Photographers of America; a designation held by fewer than 2, photographers nationwide and a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry and professionalism. Tracy offers special services to local Dallas - Fort Worth dog and cat breeders, creating unique images for their websites, social media and marketing purposes. Contact her to find out more about this offering.

Articles When we think of Labrador Retrievers, the classic triad of black, yellow, and chocolate coat options. However, this popular dog breed actually comes in more colors and patterns than that. Besides the common Black Labrador you normally see, there are actually 13 different aesthetic options Labrador Retrievers can come in, in terms of coat type, colors, and patterns. These include rarer variations like the Dudley Labrador and Merle Labrador variations. In the sections below, we shall take a closer look at all these variations in terms of how to spot them and anything else that makes each unique. Dudley Image from Best Bully Sticks Dudley Labradors are a variation of the Labrador breed born without any pigment on their nose, eyes, or paw pads. These surfaces appear pink, red, or a very light shade of pinkish-brown. Dudley Labradors are usually light-colored and may either be a very light shade of yellow or all-white. Their eyes are also a characteristically light shade of brown. The genes responsible for the Dudley trait on Labradors are generally unproblematic. However, the lack of pigmentation leaves the nose of the Labrador exposed to sunburns. Merle Image from Instagram: smillasdogdiary Merle Labradors are some of the most unique-looking dogs in general and not just in the Labrador breed. They can be recognized by the presence of dark, mottled patches on a white or other light-colored coat. The patches on a Merle Labrador are of different sizes and distributed randomly. The merle gene responsible for this trait also affects pigmentation and can give the Labrador blue eyes, especially if they are bred from two Merle Labs. Unfortunately, the gene is also associated with eye and ear diseases which are also more commonly found in double-merle settings. What makes them common is the fact that there are several genetic combinations that give this trait. They are also unique in that Black Labrador puppies can result from breeding yellow or even chocolate-colored Labs. Due to their wide availability, Black Labradors are arguably the most popular variation. They are also believed to be smarter and more hardworking than the other variations, even though there is no scientific basis for this. They have a predominantly black coat with tan markings. The markings are usually distributed in a predictable manner over the body. This includes markings over the eyes, on the snout, neck, chest, and limbs. However, these will have mixed features and may not fully look like typical Labs. It appears as a dark shade of brown, very similar to chocolate or liver. Among the 3 most acceptable Labrador colors, Chocolate Labs are the rarest. This is because the genetic combination responsible for the trait only appears rarely. Even with breeding between 2 Chocolate Labradors, there is always the risk the puppies may not all be chocolate. What makes them different is that their shade of chocolate brown is a bit lighter and has a rusty red quality to it. In some cases, the shade is so light that they look almost earthy brown, like that of a fox. No matter how light or dark the shade of red is, it is important for it to be a solid color so that the Lab can be considered a true red variation. Like Chocolate Labradors, the red variety also has a reddish-brown-colored nose. Yellow Image from Paw. The shade of yellow varies from a rich, almost golden yellow to a light tinge of yellow that can easily be mistaken for white from a distance. The shade of yellow on Yellow Labradors is also nowhere near as intense as that on Goldies. This is different from really pale Yellow Labradors, which may sometimes have more pigmented fur on the ears, paws, and snout. Contrary to popular belief, White Labradors are actually not all suffering from albinism. They get their white coat from a rare and recessive leucistic gene. They get their grayish-blue shade from a dilution gene that waters down the intensity of what would have been a black coat. This dilution gene on Blue Labradors affects not only the fur but also other black-pigmented surfaces like the nose. At first glance, it may appear black, but on closer inspection, you will notice even its nose has the same slightly watered-down shade. They are not as common as the single solid-tone coat types. However, they are way more common than the other patterns that Labradors could possibly come in. The markings occur mainly with Black Labradors and Yellow Labradors. The white fur, in these cases, is distributed mainly to the neck, chest, belly area, and paws. They are best appreciated on Yellow Labradors or brown Chocolate Labradors due to the contrast. The stripes are most pronounced over the back, torso, and limbs. It is also common to find Brindle Labradors with a combination of patterns, in which case white markings are the most common pairing. Short Haired Image from YuMove According to the American Kennel Club breed standards for the Labrador Retriever , the short-haired variety is the only recognized and accepted coat type. Thus the fur is straight and coarse to the touch. The short-haired Labrador has a double coat with a softer undercoat that offers protection from simple injuries. Interestingly, short-haired Labradors tend to shed a bit more than their longer-haired companions and thus need more attentive coat care. However, their faces typically have shorter fur. Despite long-haired Labradors being so gorgeous, the trait is considered undesirable and is a result of recessive genes in the dog breed. The fact that it is recessive means that two long-haired Labs have to breed to produce puppies with the same trait. When comparing the three classic variations, the Chocolate Labrador is the rarest among the rest, Black Labrador and Yellow Labrador. This is because the chances for the required chocolate gene combination to manifest are much lower. In general, blue and white are two of the rare Labrador colors, whereas the merle pattern is considered to be very rare in purebred Labs. What Color Lab Sheds Least? There is no single Labrador color that sheds any more or less than the other varieties. The myth that Yellow Labradors shed more than black or chocolate ones is commonly busted from the fact that yellow fur strands are a lot more visible and easier to spot on clothes and furniture than the darker strands. The intelligence of a Labrador has nothing to do with its coat type, color, or pattern. However, there is this belief that Black Labs are the smartest. This is simply due to the fact that they are the most commonly found around the world. A fox red and traditional yellow Lab, flanked by a pair of black Labs. Black, yellow, and chocolate are the three traditional coat colors recognized by the AKC. If you ask the American Kennel Club , those are the only acceptable colors for a Labrador. And even then, those dogs must have other specific color features like dark noses and lips to count as true Labradors. But lately, non-traditional Labrador retriever colors have increased in popularity. The coats on these dogs look like faded versions of the traditional colors. Charcoal, silver, champagne, and white Labs have all emerged on the scene. So where did these new colors come from? Are they associated with health problems? A yellow Lab rests with her black pups. The dogs that Labs originate from, St. Once multiple generations of Labrador retrievers reproduced, recessive-gene colors like chocolate and yellow emerged from other bloodlines. The sire and dam that produce the litter of puppies pass down those genes to the offspring. Natalie Krebs The black coat color gene is dominant, Wilson explains. The chocolate coat gene, on the other hand, is recessive. Say two black Labs breed and produce a litter of pups. If just one of the parents—in this example, the sire—has all-black genes, none of their puppies will be chocolate. All the pups will be black Labs. Chocolate Labrador retrievers carry the recessive gene for coat color. If two chocolate Labs produce a litter, all the pups will be chocolate, too. The same is true for a black Lab that breeds a chocolate Lab. If the black Lab only has black genes to pass down, all their puppies will be black. But if that black Lab has a recessive chocolate gene to pass down, the litter could include both black and chocolate pups. Two chocolate Labs can only produce a chocolate litter, Wilson explains. All these dogs—the parents and the offspring—only have recessive chocolate genes. This yellow Lab was bred from a black female and a fox red male. Natalie Krebs Yellow coats come from an entirely different pair of genes than black or brown coats. Yellow Labs have the widest range in coat color while remaining within the AKC breed standard, Wilson says. Yellow Labs must have dark, heavily-pigmented noses, eyes, and lips, but their fur can range from a lighter vanilla to fox red. But in reality, the earliest yellow Labs were fox red, Wilson says. The color was first documented toward the end of the 19th century, and today, this coat variation is well within the AKC breed standard for yellow Labs. One of the more common falters is the light brown or pink nose, lips, and eyes. But from a health perspective, says Wilson, yellow Labs with light features are more prone to complications. Yellow Labs fall outside the AKC breed standard when their lips, nose, and skin around the eyes is pink, rather than black. These types of Labs are often referred to as Dudley Labs. This can make the skin more prone to sunburn or melanoma. Lighter, more sensitive eyes also make it harder for the dog to work properly in the field. Black Labrador retrievers are one of the most popular bird dogs in the country. Alex Robinson The best traditional Labrador retriever color is, of course, a matter of personal preference. Each color has their pros and cons. Yellow Labs Are harder to disguise in marsh and timber Are tougher to keep track of during an upland bird hunt since they tend to blend into grassy cover Identifying ticks, cuts, and abrasions is easier on their light coats Black Labs Are easier to disguise in many waterfowl environments, including marsh and timber Are easier to spot while working thick upland cover Their dark coat makes it harder to notice ticks, blood, and thorns Chocolate Labs Are the least traditional of the traditional Labrador retriever colors Have amassed a loyal following over the years Blend well into most habitat types and environments Non-Traditional Labrador Retriever Colors If a puppy inherits the recessive dilute gene from both parents, its coat will be diluted, or lighter in color. Chocolate Labs will turn silver in appearance. Black Labs will become charcoal, chocolate Labs will turn silver, and yellow Labs will turn either champagne or what is known as polar white. Dilute breeding to produce non-traditional Labrador retriever coat colors has its controversies. The practice is particularly frustrating to the traditional Labrador retriever community that strictly adheres to AKC purebred standards. Wilson rehashes a story of the first documented silver Lab, which she says was supposedly born in Wisconsin in to a chocolate Lab female and a chocolate Lab male. But the breeder, who Wilson says she knew about through a friend, was having trouble with a Weimaraner on his property at the time. When the litter arrived, some of the pups were chocolate Labs and some were silver. Silver Labrador retrievers have become wildly popular across the country. They forwarded the information to the AKC, who dispatched a field inspector to determine the genetics of the pups. This was a tricky assignment in the era before modern DNA testing and microchips. The breeder presented a chocolate female as the dam and said the sire, which had been on loan as a stud, was back in the northern part of the state. Silver Labs can have the exact same personalities and capabilities as traditional-colored Labs. Courtesy of Peggy Stalnaker Stalnaker, who breeds dilute Labs at DuckCreek, doubts this version of the silver Lab origin story, given what she knows about dilute genetics. Her hunch is that a few true recessive dilute puppies were born by accident. Stalnaker points out that this book was published well before the first documented cases of dilute Labs in the United States. The charcoal Labrador retriever is darker than silver and comes from a black Lab with the dilute gene. When dilute Labs became popular, she explains, attempts to meet consumer demand resulted in some problematic inbreeding. This resulted in dilute Labs that were less genetically diverse and had higher chances of genetic health issues. But Stalnaker puts all her dogs through extensive genetic testing to determine any predispositions for these issues, which range from dwarfism to exercise-induced collapse syndrome to excessively dry noses. Their fur would be really thin. She has avoided this by breeding in non-diluted Labs that possess the dilute gene. This means some of her puppies are traditional colors and some are diluted. But the diluted Labs have less disorder-prone genetic codes thanks to the genetic diversity from the non-diluted sire and dam. Her customers have been happy with their DuckCreek Labs. She recalls one man who flew to Kansas from south Georgia to pick up a silver puppy and fly it home. She cites the time commitment as a barrier. Despite criticism from traditional Labrador loyalists like Wilson, some owners still register dilute Labs under traditional AKC colors. Choosing a certain color Lab is really a matter of personal preference. If anybody is nasty, I just block them. The new variety of Labrador retriever colors is probably here to stay, since the consumer demand is high. But the dilute Labs will probably remain on the outskirts of the Lab community for the foreseeable future, while the traditional Labrador retriever colors of black, chocolate, and yellow continue to win hearts and field trials alike. Katie Hill Katie Hill is a staff writer for Outdoor Life where she covers outdoor news, hunting, and conservation in the West. She still lives in Missoula. However, you can encounter several other Labrador colors thanks to genetic variation and different breeding practices. Below are six of the most common color varieties. Black Labrador Since four out of nine potential Labrador color gene variations result in a black coat, black Labs are the most common coat color in Labradors. So, the takeaway here is that black Labs are always the dominant coat color. People love black Labs for their soft, shiny coats. The black Labrador pose for a photoshoot! Yellow Labrador Yellow Labs come in as the second most common color after black Labradors. Unlike black Labs, which have an unmistakable, predictable color, yellow Labs can come in many different shades. The genetic makeup of yellow Labradors includes one-third of the possible Lab color combinations. The genetic codes include eeBB, eeBb, and eebb. A Labrador sniffs a smoked dog bone 3. Chocolate Labrador Chocolate Labs are the rarest of the three primary Labrador colors. There are only two genes that will produce these dogs—EEbb and Eebb. As with yellow Labs, chocolate labs vary significantly in their coat color. Some chocolate labs have a light brown coat, others a medium brown, and some are even so dark that they appear mixed with black and brown. Aside from their genetic predisposition to an earlier death, these dogs can also suffer from the same issues as other Labs, including patellar luxation, osteochondritis dissecans, and canine hip dysplasia. So, if you have your heart set on buying a chocolate Lab, keep in mind that you may lose your best four-legged friend about 1. A chocolate Labrador Retriever having its coat brushed 4. They get their dark, reddish coat from the same gene as yellow Labs. But since yellow Lab genes can present a wide variation in yellow colors, it causes some puppies to enter the world with an almost red coat. Red Fox Labrador Retriever looks up. Silver Labrador You might have trouble recognizing a silver Lab as a Labrador when they walk by, given that this is such a distinct color deviating from the three primary colors. And, unfortunately for silver Labs, these dogs are a color variation from chocolate Labs. Another issue that silver Labs frequently face is color dilution alopecia. Alopecia is a condition when the immune system harms hair follicles, which leads to skin issues and hair loss. So, should you be interested in breeding your Labrador, please be responsible and never breed a silver Lab. Silver Labrador Retriever sitting in the forest. Like red fox Labradors, white Labs have the same genetic makeup as yellow Labs. Nevertheless, no one will mistake these dogs for pure white; they almost always retain a light cream-colored look, thanks to some yellow fur. Albinism is a life-threatening and rare genetic condition resulting from a lack of pigmentation. Albino Labs often die young and suffer from conditions like blindness and deafness. A white Labrador Retriever sits quietly. If you think mating two black Labradors is a guarantee for producing black Lab puppies, think again. Black is a dominant gene in Labs, but the color yellow always overrides black and chocolate. Instead, check out the chart below to see the puppy colors from mating different colored Lab parents. Parent Colors. Visit the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory website Labrador retrievers have coats of three basic colors: yellow, black, and chocolate. These colors are determined genetically, just like almost all of the traits that offspring get from their parents. The modes of inheritance of these coat colors are autosomal not related to the sex of the dog. The information for black or chocolate comes from two versions of the same gene different versions of a gene are known as alleles. This gene is different from the one that causes yellow hair. There are four known alleles at this gene in the Labrador Retriever: one is the allele for black designated as B and three different alleles that result in chocolate collectively designated as b. In determining if your puppies will be black or chocolate, the black coat color B is dominant to the chocolate b. Therefore, a puppy will only be chocolate if each parent contributes a chocolate allele bb. If one or both parents Bb or BB contribute the black dominant allele, the puppy will be black BB or Bb , although a Bb puppy would carry chocolate and could therefore produce chocolate puppies. Black Labrador Retriever. Photo by Katy Robertson. Chocolate colored Labrador Retriever. There are several known alleles of this gene in dogs, but for Labradors the most common are E produce black and brown pigment and e only produce yellow pigment. An e allele at the MC1R gene prevents expression of the black or chocolate color in the hair follicle and the puppy's hair ends up yellow. Interestingly, the black or chocolate pigment is still expressed in the skin, just not in the hair. In order to be yellow, a Labrador must have two recessive alleles of the MC1R gene ee. This means both parents contributed a yellow allele e. However, if only one Ee or no EE yellow-causing alleles are contributed, this puppy will be either black or chocolate depending on which alleles are present at the TYRP1 gene see above. Yellow Labrador Retriever. Two yellow labs can only have yellow puppies ee , since they both only have the yellow allele e to contribute to their offspring. If they are bred to each other, there is a chance that some puppies will get a copy of e from each parent and have yellow hair Bbee, BBee, or bbee. If you are interested in breeding your Labrador and would like to know the genetic make up of your dog to predict the color of your puppies, genetic tests are available. The tests are easy, non-invasive, and simply require that you take a swab of the inside of your dog's cheek and send it to the laboratory. Primary Category. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Updated: Nov 15, When it comes to coat color of Labrador puppies, there are three colors recognized by the American Kennel Club. Black Labs, yellow Labs, and brown Labs often called chocolate Labs are the three main varieties of Labrador retriever, however these puppies often exhibit different shades of black, yellow, and brown fur. So with so much variation, what causes a difference in color? Where it begins to get tricky is when we discuss the genetics of black labs and chocolate labs when compared to yellow lab. Allele: One of two or more versions of a gene. When it comes to the coats of Labrador puppies, fur color is determined by one of two different genes, as well as a variety of alleles. When it comes to black lab puppies and chocolate lab puppies, both varieties inherit their fur color from a single gene, known as "Tyrosinase-related protein 1. Here we have two dominant genes for black fur, obviously resulting in a black lab puppy. In a situation in which either parent passes on the dominant allele and the other passes on the recessive, the lab puppy will still have a black coat. When both parents pass on the recessive allele, only then do we see a chocolate lab puppy. So, Where Does Yellow Come from? Yellow Labrador puppies get their hair color from a gene entirely different from the gene that determines black or brown fur. Melanocortin 1 receptor MC1R is the gene responsible for yellow lab puppies, but can still result in fur coats of black and brown. As you may have deduced, the allele for yellow lab puppies is recessive. Both parents pass on dominant alleles for black or chocolate fur, resulting in a black or chocolate puppy. Only in a situation in which both parents pass on alleles coding for yellow fur is the TYRP1 gene overridden and yellow lab puppies are produced. What is also interesting about the creation of yellow lab puppies is the fact that while their fur coat is without black or brown pigment, their skin will still exhibit the same color pigment as that of black or chocolate lab puppies. Their fun-loving and positive personalities combined with their gentleness and willingness to please their owners makes them the perfect family pet. Statistically speaking, Black Labs are the most common of all Labrador color variations. This is due to how coat color is inherited in this breed. Without getting too far into a scientific explanation for this, there are nine different possible gene combinations for coat color. Four of these lead to a black coat, three to yellow, and only two to chocolate. Due to random chance, Black Labs make up nearly half of all Labradors. Yellow Labs often have a very light brown or tan colored coat that can appear yellowish. Chocolate Labrador Image Credit: skeeze, Pixabay The rarest of the three major Labrador colors, the Chocolate Lab is beautiful and adorable with a deep brown, chocolate-colored coat. Chocolate Labs are regarded as the most energetic and hardest to train, and while there is no research-based evidence to support this, Chocolate Labs are the only Labs not used as service dogs by the leading dog training organizations. This is possibly due to a higher energy level. Their absence from service dog institutions may also be due to the fact that Chocolate Labs experience more health problems and tend to have shorter lifespans than their Black and Yellow counterparts. On average, Chocolate Labs live about a year and a half shorter than other colored Labs. Simply put, they have the genetics of a Yellow Lab but present a darker coat that appears reddish. White Labs usually have very pale brown fur that can appear purely white, especially in the sun. Their fur normally has light brown or yellowish tinges around the ears and paws. Albino Labs do carry additional health problems such as deafness, blindness, and other eye issues. Austin, Shutterstock Silver Labs are stunning, regal, and sleek. Their light grey coat shines beautifully in the sun, and their appearance is as striking as it is adorable. These pups are similar to Red Labs in that they have the same genetics as one of the major three Lab colors. Silver Labs are really Chocolate Labs, even though they may look more like Blue Labs, but their coat is light or diluted, and the result is a silvery appearance. Like their chocolate siblings, Silver Labs, unfortunately, inherit some additional health issues and tend to live shorter lives than Black and Yellow Labradors. Defining Physical Characteristics What is it that makes this breed so recognizable? Labs are often stocky and athletic with a broad chest and a thick, wide skull. Labs have short, dense fur that is water-resistant. In fact, they were named after the Labrador Sea off of Newfoundland where they were originally bred to retrieve waterfowl. No matter where they go, Labs seem to bring joy and happiness with them. They are loyal, loving, and affectionate. What more could you ask for in a dog? Labs have short, dense fur that is prone to heavy shedding and matting, so you should plan to brush your Labrador at least two or three times a week to cut down on shedding and keep their fur looking sleek. Labradors of all coat colors should be bathed about once every other month with a dog-friendly shampoo. Bathing more often can eliminate those healthy skin oils we mentioned, so avoid giving your pup a bath more often unless they find their way into some mud. Final Thoughts Labs come in three main colors but can have lots of different coat shading that makes them appear unique and especially striking. See also:. Find out how we get chocolate, black or yellow puppies and what color pups we might get when we mix Labradors of different colors. Strictly speaking, there are only three different types of Labrador color: black Labs, brown Labs usually referred to as chocolate and yellow Labs. These are the three colors recognized and accepted by the Kennel Club In practice, there is a wide range of shades of yellow Labrador color, from palest cream to richest fox red. But what makes a Labrador brown, or black, or yellow. And what about Silver Labradors? Where does this new and controversial coat color come in to play? Where do Black and Chocolate Labradors come from? The information that determines whether or not your Labrador is basically black or basically chocolate is passed on through a pair of genes. Why black is a dominant color: It is normal for dominant genes to switch off, or over-ride, recessive genes. And that is exactly what happens here. A dog with BB genes will be black, because he has no little b gene, the one that gives us a brown coat. But a Bb dog will be black too, because if the dominant black gene is present, it switches off the brown gene. How chocolate Labradors are made: Even though a dog inherits a little b gene, the dog will only appear brown if no black gene B is present at all. Two black genes BB gives you a black Labrador One of each Bb also give you a black Labrador Two brown genes bb gives you a chocolate Labrador Remember that the black dominant gene always switches of the brown gene, so only the dog at the bottom will actually look brown. Generation after generation of black dogs can continue to have only black puppies if dogs with the Bb gene are only ever mated to dogs with BB genes. Remember, the dog in the middle of our list above will look black, but pass the brown gene on to about half of all its offspring. But things are never that simple are they? Because of course some Labradors are neither black nor brown. The genetic information that creates a yellow coat comes from another pair of genes altogether. And these genes have a different kind of power. The result is a yellow dog But little ee is recessive, and if the dominant E gene is present, it switches off the masking gene. It only takes one big E gene to do this. So the dog will only appear yellow if no big E gene is present at all. There are three possible combinations of eee gene that a dog could inherit. There are nine different possible combinations. Nine different possible Labrador genotypes! The chart below lists them genotype is the genetic makeup, phenotype is the appearance of the dog. Original Labrador Retriever Color Black is the original, archetypal Labrador color, and genetically the most dominant. Chocolate and yellow puppies were frequently euthanized at birth. To understand that we have to look at the genetic difference between black and chocolate Labs. Labrador Retriever Color Genetics Both types get their color from a pigment called eumelanin. Labs with lots of eumelanin pigment in their coat are black. If they have a little less, they appear brown instead. We use letters to tell each place apart — a bit like giving each locus its own zip code! The B locus is home to a pair of genes called B genes. There are two types of B gene your Lab can get in their pair: One we call big B — it contains an instruction to make lots of eumelanin, and causes a black Labrador coat. And one we call little b — it contains an instruction for less eumelanin, and causes a brown or chocolate coat. Big B is a dominant gene, and little b is a recessive gene. Dominant genes to switch off, or override, recessive genes. So dog with BB genes will be black, because he has two genes for a black coat. And a Bb dog will be black too, because the dominant B genethe recessive b gene. Only a dog with a matching pair of bb genes will express the instruction for less eumelanin in their coat, and be brown. Remember that the black dominant gene always switches of the brown gene, so only the dog with two copies of the b gene will actually look brown. But the dominance of the black color enabled our chocolate friends to remain hidden and rare with the breed, for many decades. Generation after generation of black dogs can continue to have only black puppies if dogs with the Bb gene are only ever mated to dogs with BB genes. In fact, it would take two black Labs both carrying the little b gene to produce chocolate puppies. Like this: Statistically, one quarter of their litter would be chocolate colored. And of course, some Labradors are neither black nor brown. The genetic information that creates a yellow coat comes from another pair of genes altogether. These genes are located at the E locus. And — you guessed it — we call them E genes. Just like B genes there are two versions of the E gene, big E and little e. Big E is the dominant gene. It does not interfere with the B genes. Little e is the recessive gene. It has the potential to mask the B genes that would otherwise give us black or brown coats. And the result is a yellow dog. How Yellow Overrides Black and Chocolate Only the little e gene can mask the instructions for black or chocolate fur. There are three possible combinations of E gene that a dog can inherit. It could have two dominant genes EE two masking genes ee or one of each Ee. Only the middle of these three dogs will be yellow. Nine Different Possible Labrador Genotypes! Every Labrador has a combination of B and E genes — called their genotype. There are nine different possible genotypes. Here they are in full: Can you see why each combination of genes turns out the way it does? Because as you can see, the second dog down the list may look black but he could throw brown puppies, and the fourth dog down the list may look black, but he could throw yellow puppies. The fifth dog down the list is also black but he could throw yellow and brown puppies. Puppy colors are easier to predict when both parents owe their appearance to the recessive genes b or e. Mating Two Yellow Labradors Two yellow Labradors mated together will never throw brown or black puppies. All their offspring will be yellow. This is because yellow dogs do not possess the big E gene which is needed to switch off the masking effect. Mating Two Chocolate Labradors Two brown Labs mated together will never throw black puppies because brown dogs do not have the big B gene. But two chocolate Labs can produce yellow puppies, if each of the parents carries the little e gene — like this: In the mixed litter, statistically one of half of the puppies will be chocolate and one half yellow. Depending on their genotype, two black Labradors can indeed have yellow or chocolate puppies. Remember from our grid above that there are four different possible genotypes for a black Labrador. The genotype refers to the genetic code that the dog carries. And the four different possible black genotypes down the side to represent the father. Inside the grid are the puppies that could be born from each combination. If and only if, both parents carry a little e gene, then some of the puppies may be yellow. Remember that your puppy needs two little e genes one from each parent in order to be yellow. If only one of two black dogs carries the little e gene, all their puppies will be black. Yes it is, check out the bottom right hand square in the diagram above! Notice that it can only happen if both parents dogs have this genotype: EeBb. In other words, they both carry a little e and a little b. This is good example of how complicated, and unexpected, Labrador colors can be. There are six different possibilities for litter color combinations depending on the genotype of the parents. You can even get a litter of all black puppies from a chocolate mother and a yellow father or vice versa! Here are the color possibilities: yellow, black, and chocolate puppies yellow and black puppies. Labrador Colors 1. Black Labrador Most black Labs are entirely black. But, some have one or two white spots on their fur. This interruption in their solid black coat is due to genetic traces left from their late ancestor, the St. The black Labrador Retriever was historically the most common coat color. Even today, nearly half of all Labs are black! When Retrievers were first bred, black coated dogs were the only pups deemed acceptable. Their popularity was driven by two reasons: Black is the favorite coat color for hunting. Four out of nine gene combinations result in a black coat. Sadly, until the 20th century, all other Lab colors would be euthanized shortly after birth. They were not valued the same way black Labradors were. Black Labradors were perfect for their original purpose, hunting. Their dark coat color helped them blend in and move stealthily while hunting or participating in field trials. These Labs tend to have the strongest hunting instincts as their black coats were historically bred for hunting. Even to this day, they are focused, diligent workers. These shiny, sleek dogs are not only beloved in the field, but they also make wonderful pets. Many owners regard black Labs as the calmest and most affectionate of all Lab colors. However, there is no scientific evidence to back up this claim. Chocolate Labrador Chocolate Labs are the rarest of the three major Lab colors. These dogs are rarely used for hunting or working, but are champions in the show ring! Their color stuns judges and earns high marks in conformation shows. The shade of brown that chocolate Labradors can come in varies. Some are a rich chocolate while others are a dark brown color known as liver. Some even have a beautiful red hue within their brown fur! The chocolate color exists on a spectrum and can vary greatly due to genetics. Some of these assumptions have become widely accepted in the Labrador community. Chocolate Labs are regarded as the most rambunctious with a bit too much energy for their bodies! These pups are spunky and often hard to train, which may explain why they are not used as service dogs. Even if these Labs are a bit energetic and naughty at times, they are just as beloved due to their affectionate nature and goofy personality. The unfortunate truth about chocolate Labradors is that they often suffer from more health problems than other types of Labs. Some of these health concerns are minor and include hot spots skin irritation and ear inflammation. However, some are more serious and can shorten their lifespan. They often live a year and a half less than the other Labradors. Yellow Labrador Yellow Labradors may not be the most popular Labrador Retriever color, but they are the most beloved. Many owners claim that yellow Labs are the friendliest and most outgoing. Their outstanding reputation is reinforced by their heavy presence in daily life! Yellow Labs are often seen in movies such as the adorable Lab who played Marley in Marley and Me or the sweetheart who acted as Old Yeller. The media have also boosted their popularity as has their recognition as common service, search and rescue, and therapy dogs. Similar to chocolate, the yellow coat color exists on a spectrum. Some yellow Labs are a light brown or tan, others are yellow like a lemon, and then there are cream-colored Labs. There are also fawn Labradors. Fawn Labs are darker, but are not quite red. The yellow Lab may be the Labrador Retriever with the most variation in its coat color! Yellow Labs are just as hard-working as black Labs, although they are not as commonly used for hunting. They are very similar to black Labs and are just as highly trainable, affectionate, and hard-working. Silver Labrador Silver Labradors are by far the rarest of all colors. These dogs are a light gray to blue color that looks silver in the sunlight. These Labradors are often mistaken for Weimaraner mixes because of their silver coat. Silver Labs actually have the same genetics as any type of Lab, despite looking very different. They are just as smart, fun, and loving as any other Retriever. They have a dilute gene that overrides the designated chocolate coat color. Rather than being chocolate, these dogs have a silver or blue coat color. This same coat color dilution can occur in yellow Labs and in black Labs. Diluted yellow Labs are known as champagne and diluted black Labs are known as charcoal. However, Silver is the most unique. Not many silver Labs exist due to the recessive nature of the dilute gene. Silver Labs are undoubtedly stunning, but they have a higher potential of developing health issues. They often develop color dilution alopecia which presents as itchy skin or patchy fur. Fox Red Labradors have the same genetics as a yellow Lab, but just have a deep yellow or brown hue to their coat. This deep brown looks rusty red and makes them look just like a fox. Labrador Retriever fans adore fox red Labs because of their friendly personalities. They have lovingly nicknamed these dogs Ruby Labradors. Clifford, the beloved big red dog, is even based off a fox red Labrador. The red color gives them a rugged look that many owners love! However, this love does not extend to the American Kennel Club. The American Kennel Club does not recognize fox reds as a unique color and registers these Labrador Retrievers as yellow labs. Judges often view this dark pigmentation as a serious fault, so it is unlikely that a fox red Lab would ever win a conformation show. Some people are highly suspicious of the fox red color. They often argue that fox reds are not purebred and that they are mixed with Golden Retrievers. This is not true. It is all the beauty of a Golden Retriever without the high maintenance and long coat that Goldens are known for. White Labrador White Labradors are just a variation of the yellow Lab. They have the same genetics as a yellow Lab, they just happen to be much paler. White Labs are the lightest shade of yellow possible. This color exists on the opposite end of the spectrum than fox red Labs do. The shade of their fur is typically a pale yellow that looks white in the sunlight. They may also have brown or yellow ears and paws that are darker than the rest of their coat. Their white fur gives them an aura of royalty. Just like any yellow Labrador, white Labs are regarded as kind dogs who love everyone they meet. They make horrible guard dogs as they make friends with everyone and are quick to trust every stranger they meet! They are often pampered and spoiled beyond belief. There are no known health issues associated with this color. Most white labs are healthy because they are just a pale yellow, not true white. Albino Labradors are rarer and also sensitive to bright sunlight. Merle labs may suffer from deafness, blindness, and shortened lifespans. Discussing Labrador Retriever colors can be controversial. Are silver and red Labs purebred? Do personality traits differ between different colored Labs? Should silver, red, and white have their own color category? The answers to these questions are not simple. They say that behavior is determined by genetics, socialization, training, and health. In their opinion coat color is just cosmetic. On the other hand, there are owners and breeders who argue that coat color affects the personality of a Lab. These owners and breeders have lived and interacted with Labs of all colors. In their opinion coat color is linked to characteristic personality traits. These Lab lovers have agreed that: Black Labs are the calmest and most skilled at hunting. Yellow Labs are the friendliest and best with people and children. Chocolate Labs are the rowdiest, most energetic, and difficult to train. On the side of science, color does not affect the behavior of a Labrador Retriever. However, breeders and owners have recorded the behavior traits associated with each coat color. It is up to you whether to decide if color matters for Labrador Retrievers or not! Which Is The Rarest Color? Silver is the rarest Lab color. Silver is rare because it can only come from a unique genetic makeup. The dilution gene needed to produce this silver hue is a recessive gene and is often masked by the genes for a chocolate coat. If you ever happen to see one of these silver beauties, take the time to really admire them as you may never see another one again! Which Color Is The Best? This is definitely an opinion question that has no right answer! Each color of Labrador suits a specific type of owner: Athletic, hunting owners will want a black Lab. Yellow Lab owners claim that their dogs are the best due to their friendly personalities. Chocolate Labs win the most prizes in conformation shows. Silver Labs are the rarest, to complicate the argument even more. It is up to each owner to decide which color they love the best. An argument can be made for each Labrador color as to why that color is the best. Among Labrador owners it is widely accepted that black Labs are the calmest. This could be a result of their hard-working, hunting instincts which cause them to be much more focused and level-headed. Chocolate Labs who parade around show rings are often the most rambunctious. If you ask the experts, you will get the answer that coat color has no effect on Labrador behavior. However, if you read various Labrador Retriever websites and forums, or talk to Lab owners, you may hear a different story. Whether you decide to believe this claim is up to you! There is no scientific evidence to back the claim up that black Labs are the calmest Labradors. Summary Each color of Labrador Retriever is beautiful and unique in its own way. Silver Labs are rare, black Labs are sleek and elegant, yellow Labs have an aura of kindness, white Labs are elegant, red Labs are devoted to their work, and chocolate Labs are gorgeous and show ready! Labrador coat colors are the perfect example that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. Want to learn more about Labs? Read: English vs. American Labrador: Top 10 Differences. Which coat color is your favorite and why? Let us know in the comments below! She is a passionate dog lover and was raised with an affectionate, calm Yellow Lab Golden Retriever mix that fostered her love for her canine companions. Kelsie is actively involved with multiple humane societies and has cared for the dogs of over 45 different families. You May Also Like.

With a deep understanding of behavioral learning theories and a passion for the physical and psychological well-being of animals, Amanda specializes in using non-coercive, reinforcement-based approaches to generate desired behaviors. There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 44, times. Is your new puppy chewing on and eating stones? Fortunately, it's possible to train your puppy to stop eating stones and start focusing all of their adorable puppy energy elsewhere. Keep reading to learn why puppies eat stones and how to stop it from happening. Steps Section 1 of 3: Why do puppies eat stones? All rights reserved. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. Puppies are naturally curious and have a small attention span, which can be a tricky combination. They need to be entertained, or their curiosity can get them into trouble. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Small rocks and pebbles can look a lot like kibble to a puppy. If a puppy lacks any nutrients, they may resort to eating rocks. Pica is a disorder where dogs eat non-food items. Pica can be caused by a variety of things, like poor diet, anxiety, and more serious health conditions like gastrointestinal disease and liver disease. If your puppy starts vomiting or having trouble going to the bathroom, bring them to a vet as soon as possible. This command is especially important when training a puppy because it could be the difference between praise and a trip to the emergency clinic. Follow these steps to teach your pup this simple command: [5] X Research source Place a high-value treat in one hand and a basic treat in the other. Make a fist with the hand holding the basic treat and let your pup sniff your fist. Training your puppy to drop stones can save them from potential health risks. Go to source Offer your pup a high-value toy. Let them play for a few seconds. Place a high-value treat in front of them. Pick up the toy and hide it behind your back as they eat the treat. Keep repeating and then give the cue without showing treats. A game of fetch or tug-of-war or even taking them on a walk or hike will keep them occupied. Go to source Play fetch to tire your puppy out before they go outside. Fill a puzzle toy with treats or kibble to keep your puppy mentally stimulated. Find these toys online or try your hand at making your own. Kong and Nylabone toys are great distraction and active toys that give your pup something to chew and play with. Most packaging will suggest what age range the toy is best for. Their bodies are looking for more food, so they turn to what looks most like it—rocks! Go to source Chat with your vet to see what diet is best for your pup. Every dog and breed is different, and their diet depends on their genetics and day-to-day lives. Bitter tastes will keep a puppy away from just about anything. If your furry friend finds ways to sneak stones into their mouth, spritz the rocks or pebbles with anti-chewing spray. The bad taste will make them less likely to chew on and eat the stones. Buy an anti-chew spray or try making your own. To make your own spray, combine a ratio of water and distilled white vinegar. Add 20 drops of an organic citrus essential oil like lemon or bergamot. Puppies need a safe place they can roam without getting into trouble. Set up a playpen in an area of your yard, making sure to remove any stones inside the pen. Go to source Advertisement Section 3 of 3: Do puppies grow out of eating stones? Go to source Help your pup grow out of their stone-eating habit with basic training. Teaching basic commands and tricks can help them mature into the best and brightest non-stone-eating dog. Photo by Shane Guymon on Unsplash Why do puppies eat stones? Puppies eat stones to investigate their taste and texture, to chew on while teething, to strengthen their jaw muscles, due to a lack of calcium, nutritional or dietary deficiencies, boredom, or because they are a breed that likes to have something in their mouth, such as Spaniels and Retrievers. Puppies will often put everything in their mouths , including rolling stones no not Mick Jagger or holding pebbles in their mouth. Most will spit them out, but some will try to swallow them too, which is dangerous! How do I get my puppy to stop eating stones? To stop your puppy from eating stones, ensure that their nutritional needs are met, that they are not bored, that they have ways of expressing breed-specific behaviour, teach them to leave it and drop, and stop any punishment-based techniques that you may have been tempted to use. Check out our puppy nutrition , raw feeding for puppies and home cooking for your dog guides. Prevent boredom by using enrichment toys Brain games and puzzle toys w ill all help to prevent boredom in your dog, and give them something better to do than entertain themselves with stones. Provide Breed Specific Outlets If you have a Gundog or retrieving mixed-breed, such as a Labrador , Cockapoo , Cocker or Springer Spaniel, then they are genetically engineered to find carrying things around in their mouth rewarding. The Zigzag app is specifically written to work with breed differences because retrievers gonna retrieve, German Shepherds want to work and Terriers gonna rag and tear! Teach them to leave it Teaching your dog to leave it if they start to go towards stones can be a really useful way to stop your dog from eating stones. They need to learn this one before you start using it on high-value things like pebbles and stones, so teach them to leave food and toys with the help of our article on leave it or the more detailed leave it lessons in the Zigzag app. Teach your dog to drop Teaching a dog to drop things on cue, is a good idea for lots of reasons, and not only to teach your dog not to eat stones. It will help prevent your dog from swallowing the stone and prevent you from having to go in and fish the stones out, which can lead to resource guarding if not handled correctly. Teach your pup with Zigzag today! Avoiding getting cross! Muzzle if necessary Muzzles can be a good management tool to prevent your dog from picking up and eating stones. Photo by Emy Nguyen on Unsplash What happens if my puppy swallows a stone? Stones can cause intestinal blockages; symptoms of this can include diarrhoea , constipation and lack of appetite. When you take your puppy to the vet , they may suggest an X-ray in order to make an informed decision as to what to do next. In some cases, if the stone is large, your puppy may require surgery to have the stone removed. If you have a puppy who is a gravel grazer or a stone scoffer, there are things you can do to stop your puppy from eating stones. This can range from an increase in enrichment to dietary changes, and positive reinforcement training to teach them to leave the stones alone. Head on over to our leave it guide to stop the stone eating, or how about learning why does my puppy eat everything? It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. Search for: Search Button We're an affiliate We may earn an affiliate commission when you purchase through the links on our site. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Interesting Facts Perhaps you have noticed that your German Shepherd chews on rocks constantly and even may swallow them. You may be wondering if this is normal dog behavior or is it a result of something else and if you should worry about it. Why does my German Shepherd chew on rocks? A common cause why a German Shepherd chews on rocks is a medical condition known as pica which is the compulsive urge and desire to eat non-food objects such as trash, plastic, metals, rocks, among other inanimate items. Other than pica, other reasons for this behavior include nutritional deficiency, stress, and anxiety, boredom, relief of teething pain, intestinal parasitic infestation, medical disorder, a call for attention, and simple curiosity. As a German Shepherd owner, you need to know the root cause of why they chew on rocks with the help of your vet so that an appropriate method can be implemented to stop this potentially harmful habit. This article explores the common reasons why your German Shepherd chews on rocks, the risks associated with this, and how you can stop them from chewing rocks. This will help in knowing the core reason your German Shepherd is engaging in this behavior and how you can help them stop to prevent the associated risks. Reasons Why Your German Shepherd Chews On Rocks Similar to coprophagia which is a canine behavior of eating feces or stool, Pica is the desire to eat non-food items and is the common reason why a dog chews on rocks. Other reasons apart from pica also result in this behavior. Recommended Reading: Why does my German Shepherd eat cat poop? This will help you know the appropriate action to take to help stop the habit. Your vet will help in determining the underlying cause of this behavior, either being from medical or behavioral related causes. To entertain themselves, they direct their attention to what they can chew on. Being an energetic dog, a German Shepherd requires outlets of energy but in situations where they do not have these outlets, they find something to do, and chewing of rocks also becomes an option where they direct their attention. Stress And Anxiety When a German Shepherd experiences stress or anxiety they might direct this to chew on rocks to cope with the feelings. Chewing on anything or rocks tends to ease their feelings. This behavior is normally seen in traumatized dogs especially the ones from shelters that have not had an easy life. Call For Attention Chewing of rocks is also another way your German Shepherd could be seeking your attention. They would be knowing that behaving in a particular way, will lead to a reaction from you therefore they may also engage in chewing rocks just to get your attention. Your dog adores you, they love spending time with you and when they feel they need more of it, they may result in strange behavior to have you focused on them. It is strange but this is common whereby your dog is drawn to chewing and eating rocks for supplementation of these nutrients. Infestation With Intestinal Parasites Infestation with intestinal parasites can also lead to this behavior. Intestinal parasites deprive a dog of the essential nutrients they require leading them to start having cravings in this case chewing and eating rocks. Your vet can easily check for parasites by testing the fecal material of your dog to find out if this is the cause of the behavior. Malnourishment When your German Shepherd is not getting enough food to be full and satisfied, they may opt to eat anything that they find to fill them up to ease the hunger. They could also choose to chew and eat rocks for this purpose. Relief Of Teething Pain Puppies may chew on rocks to ease the discomfort and pain of teething. Teething is a period where adult teeth start emerging from the gums. It is a painful and uneasy stage where puppies tend to chew on anything in the home to ease the discomfort. Simple Curiosity Dogs explore the world around them using their sense of smell and taste. It is common to find them chewing or eating odd things such as trash, their own poop, cat litter, or even rocks. Therefore when this behavior is observed, it is important as a dog owner to discourage and stop it because it can be fatal to your dog. There are risks associated with this which include: Punctured Colon Or Stomach Ingested rocks or stones can cause holes or perforations in the intestines and stomach of your dog which damages their lining. Your dog will be in pain due to this and this requires immediate medical attention. Take your German Shepherd to the vet immediately if you know or suspect they have swallowed rocks to avoid the risk of damage to their intestines and stomach. Provide Toys Providing toys such as chew toys to German shepherd puppies or an adult dog will minimize the destruction of items in your home. Puppies will be able to ease their teething discomfort with toys while the adult German Shepherd will be able to enjoy his chew sessions and jaw stretching moments with an item they are allowed to use. You can also use these toys in the training sessions to show your dog what items are ok to chew on and what are off-limits. This will help your German Shepherd distinguish what is not allowed and toys that they can chew on. Abdominal Blockage Swallowed rocks can cause an abdominal blockage. Intestinal blockages are dangerous because they prevent adequate digestion in the gut which denies your dog nutrition and can cause your dog to become lethargic and also vomit. This is a serious situation that requires surgery for the removal of the blockage. Immediately see your vet if you think your German Shepherd has swallowed rocks. Broken Teeth When your German Shepherd constantly chews on rocks, this chips away at their teeth which damages them. In the long run, they will require dental work and sometimes removal of the damaged teeth. Therefore it is important to curb this behavior to prevent stomach upsets as a result of it. From this, they will be able to recommend treatment, special diet, or advice on behavior modification. When any medical-related problem has been ruled out or addressed by the vet, you can implement a plan to help stop your dog from chewing on rocks. The following is what you can do: Train Them Against The Behaviour The chewing of rocks as a behavioral problem needs to be addressed to stop it. This requires behavior modification of training to teach your German Shepherd to avoid and stop this habit. This teaches them to leave the rocks and they will understand not to pick rocks. Remember to use positive reinforcement every time your German Shepherd understands and obeys and does what is expected of them. Reward them by giving treats, hugs, or praise. This will encourage them to continue with good behavior. You may also need to engage an animal behaviorist to help with this to provide specialized training to stop the rock chewing habit. This will limit access to rocks and also minimize rock chewing. You can do this by clearing all the rocks in your yard, fencing off a gravel area, or applying spray repellent on the rock area that will discourage your dog from chewing the rocks. For areas outside your home, take walks with your dog in areas or parks where there are few rocks or gravel. Coupled with obedience training, your German Shepherd will also listen to you when you instruct them not to pick rocks in case you encounter some. Provide Adequate Exercise Your German Shepherd chews on rocks because they have nothing else to do because of lack of mentally and physically stimulating activities. Due to boredom, they indulge in chewing rocks. By providing adequate exercise, your dog will be occupied and kept active which will minimize and stop them from engaging in this behavior for lack of something better to do. Address Nutritional Deficiencies In consultation with your vet about rock chewing, your vet will examine your dog and provide advice to address any nutrient deficiency that may be the cause of this behavior. They will recommend the best nutrition to also prevent malnourishment as well as treat parasitic infections if present. Give Attention To Your German Shepherd If your German Shepherd chews on rocks as a call of attention from you out of feeling lonely, address this by creating bonding time with them. You can do this by having fun activities such as walking, playing frisbee, or catch. Time with you is very much valued by a German Shepherd therefore try to make time to direct your attention to them. Provide Chew Toys Provide chew toys to your dog which will keep them busy by having something to chew on when they have the natural urge and compulsion of chewing on something. Your dog may also get bored quickly with their toys and could direct their attention to chewing rocks. To prevent this from happening, have different chew toys on rotation to keep them occupied and entertained so that their attention does not shift to rocks. Also, provide chew toys for puppies during teething which they can chew on to relieve teething pain. Supervise play When your German Shepherd is out playing in the yard, supervise them so that you can prevent rock chewing by directing them not to pick them up. This will prevent the risks that are associated with rock chewing and swallowing. Frequently Asked Questions Can a dog pass a rock? A dog can pass a rock if the rock swallowed was small. However, if the rock was large enough it will be hard for it to pass through the digestive system and it will cause an intestinal blockage that requires surgery to remove. How long does it take for a dog to pass a rock? If a dog ingested small rocks, this will take the same time as ingested food to get through the digestive system and be excreted. However, if the ingested rock is too large, it will not pass and will cause blockage in the intestines. Conclusion: Why does my German Shepherd chew on rocks? Chewing of rocks is a strange habit that your German Shepherd can engage in and is as a result of different reasons. The most common cause of this behavior is medically referred to as pica which is the desire of eating non-food items. Other common causes include stress and anxiety, boredom, nutritional deficiency, relief of teething pain, infestation with intestinal parasites, medical disorder, and curiosity. I hope this article helped you know and the reasons why a German shepherd chews on rocks, the potential risks associated with this habit, and how you can stop your dog from chewing on rocks. By following the different methods that are provided, you should be able to help your German Shepherd stop this habit. If you liked this article you may also like to learn more from the below resources on German Shepherds. The information is not meant to substitute formal and individualized advice from a veterinarian. If you're concerned about the health of your dog, seek medical advice from a vet. Related Posts. Your German Shepherd eats rocks due to one or more of the following reasons: boredom, anxiety, stress, they like the smell and taste on rocks, or they may be suffering from a medical issue. Why does my German Shepherd puppy eat rocks? German Shepherd puppies may be eating rocks simply because they are curious. They are natural explorers and may be drawn to many things, including rocks. Some puppies may also be teething and they chew rocks to alleviate the pain, while others just have nothing else to do. Perhaps you have not been paying them too much attention. While other dogs are okay with lounging around the house all day, German Shepherds were bred to work as livestock herders. This means that they require a lot of simulation. Has your dog been spending most of its time indoors? Do you take them out for a walk, exercise or just to play? Bear in mind that your German Shepherd is an intelligent animal and they will need to be stimulated. If left on their own and without enough stimulation, they would definitely look for some form of entertainment. This may include eating rocks or other objects, or even destroying things. Reading tip: Why does my German Shepherd eat poop? The first is fear. There are several things that dogs can be afraid of. It can be their environment or a person. Some are afraid of storms or other loud sounds. The next reason for anxiety is related to their age. Older dogs may have a condition called cognitive dysfunction syndrome which can be the reason for feeling anxious. The University of Lincoln has published research that identified 4 root causes of separation anxiety in dogs. Aside from eating rocks, your German Shepherd may also be doing any of the following: too much barking, aggression, and urinating or defecating all over the house. Perhaps the rocks are under your grill and your dog can smell the grease. They proceed to eat the rocks because the smell reminds them of tasty food. Or they could just be curious. Puppies in particular, love to explore. Smelling and tasting the things around them actually allows them to understand their environment better. Warning: The problem is that rocks pose a choking hazard. They can also cause gastrointestinal obstruction. But dogs are not wired the same. There are even dogs who like to chew and eat grass. It not only tastes good for them, but it can even provide them some nourishment. Also, if your German Shepherds are not getting enough nutrition, they may feel hungry all the time. This may be the reason that they will just start eating whatever is near them including rocks! According to PetMD , it is a condition where dogs crave for something that is not edible. Those who are afflicted with pica may eat anything from rocks, socks , and the like. Pica affects all kinds of breeds, regardless of their age or gender. There is no specific test that can determine whether your German Shepherd has pica. After the diagnosis however, it is still important to find out what exactly caused the pica to manifest. The underlying cause could again be a medical issue. Your German Shepherd might have parasites in his body, or suffering from hormonal imbalance or even diabetes. Other times it can be due to stress and fear. Dogs are social animals and when left for long periods of time, it may make them do things they have never done before. Perhaps the rock-eating is just their way of acting out and getting your attention. Make sure to shower your German Shepherd with lots of love and attention. Go for a walk with them daily. Play with them and talk to them, and make them a part of your family. This could lead to health issues that will not only cost you money but could also put their lives in danger. Some of the possible complications include: Chipped teeth. A perforated stomach. A blockage in their intestines. For more information, follow these tips: 1: Go to your veterinarian Once you see your German Shepherd eating rocks, take them to the veterinarian right away. Your dog may have already swallowed some rocks. In this case your vet can run an X-ray to determine if there is any blockage. Even if there is no blockage, your vet may also help you find the reason why your dog is eating rocks. Aside from getting a medical history, some blood tests and even fecal analysis may also be required. Once a diagnosis has been made, your veterinarian can easily address the issue. That could be the reason why they have started eating rocks in the first place. Make sure that they are getting enough vitamins and minerals in their food. There are nutritional guidelines that you can check out to see if you are feeding your German Shepherd the proper food. Some of the important ingredients that must be present in their food are: Fats. Below, I will mention a number of reasons why your German Shepherd might be doing it and the signs to look for. You can also read about what you should and should not feed a dog here. Boredom German Shepherds are a breed that was bred to be extremely active where they would work with their owners doing intensive tasks for hours on a daily basis. This means that they need a lot of exercise to be properly stimulated. If they do not get a lot of exercise then they will look to make their own entertainment which could include trying rocks or gravel. Generally, it is recommended that a German Shepherd get at least an hour of exercise daily. It could be that this is a trait that dogs still have today which is why they occasionally choose to eat gravel. This could be why wild dogs are often seen eating small rocks. Illness One proposed reason why German Shepherds eat small rocks is that they do it to ease an upset stomach. One way this happens is where the small rocks can cause it to be sick causing its stomach to feel better. If you think that sickness could be the reason, the rock eating will likely have come on suddenly and it should stop after a few days. It likes the taste It could simply be because it likes the taste of the small rocks or gravel. To reduce this from happening you can make sure that your German Shepherd is getting a lot of exercise and you can give it things to divert its attention away from the rocks such as toys to chew on. It smells food Another cause that your German Shepherd might be eating small rocks could that it smells food there. This could be the case when the gravel is where there has been food such as below a barbeque or where some leftovers might have been thrown. If your German Shepherd recently had something happen that could be causing it to be stressed such as a change of environment, a change of owner or if one of your other dogs died then this could be the reason. Related post: Why is my German Shepherd afraid? Things to consider Before trying to get your German Shepherd to stop eating rocks it would help to have a better understanding of why it is doing it. Below, I will mention a couple of things that you can consider. When it started eating rocks It would help to consider when it first started eating rocks. It would help to consider what happened at around the same time that it started eating rocks. When it eats rocks, stones or pebbles It would also help to consider the timing of when it does it. Whereas, if it does it when it has not eaten for a while then it could be the case that it is hungry. How to get your German Shepherd to stop eating rocks There are a number of things that you can do to reduce how much your German Shepherd eats rocks that I will mention below. Make sure its diet is right Giving your German Shepherd a good diet could help to reduce its rock eating. You can read on nutritional guidelines at petswebmd here. If you are unsure of what food to get for your German Shepherd, consider getting dog food designed specifically for German Shepherds. Give it exercise Since boredom could be what is causing it to eat rocks it would help to make sure that it is getting enough exercise provided that it is definitely not ill. Generally, it is recommended to give a German Shepherd an hour of exercise daily. You can do so by teaching it to play fetch, letting it swim, walking it for an hour or having a dog walker do it for you. Give it other things to chew on Another option you have is to distract your German Shepherd from eating gravel. You can do this by giving it other things that will keep it occupied such as by giving it lots of toys to play with and by giving it lots of toys that it can chew on instead. Train it to come to you You can also train your German Shepherd to come to you when you call it. That way when you see your German Shepherd eating rocks or when it is about to eat them you can call it to come to you which will help you to reduce the number of rocks that will be able to eat. To do this do as follows: Get some treats that it likes and a long lead if you have one Tell it to sit then reward it with a treat. You then repeat the process each time getting it to keep its attention a little longer. Then you tell it to stay then walk a few steps back then if it stays you walk back and reward it. Continue to do that each time walking back a bit further and, when it gets good, wait for a few seconds before walking back to it. This would be especially important if it has been acting unusually in other ways as well. Reduce its access to rocks It would also help to reduce its access to rocks whenever possible. You can do this by preventing it from being able to access certain areas of the yard or by monitoring it when it is in the yard. If you want a happy and obedient German Shepherd, this is one of the best online dog training programs available right now. You can get the first month free using This link. What is that all about? Why do some dogs like rocks so much? We explore some common reasons why dogs eat rocks, risks associated with eating rocks and finally how to stop your dog from eating rocks. This will help you get to the root of why your dog is engaging in this strange behavior and how to help them stop. Why Do Dogs Eat Rocks? The most common reason your dog might be eating rocks is a medical condition called Pica. The classic signs of pica are eating non-food items. In addition to rocks, dogs with Pica might also eat dirt, trash, plastic, metal or articles of clothing like socks. There is no known cause as to why dogs get Pica, but it is often linked to nutritional deficiencies. Another reason your dog may start eating rocks is that he or she has a behavioral issue. Stress or anxiety in your dog may manifest into your dog eating rocks. Your dog might be seeking your attention when he puts rocks in his mouth or he could be anxious or bored. He or she can do an exam and run diagnostic tests to check for nutritional deficiencies or parasites. They may also ask some lifestyle questions about your pet to determine if the issue is behavioral. Risks associated with dogs eating rocks Eating rocks is not a safe behavior for your dog for many reasons. It can lead to illnesses or injuries that result in the need for costly surgery or medical care. Intestinal blockages If your pet ingests a large enough rock, it can cause a blockage that will require surgery to remove. Intestinal blockages prevent dogs from getting adequate nutrition and can cause your pet to vomit or become lethargic. If you think your dog has swallowed something and it is causing a blockage, see your vet immediately to confirm with an X-ray and have it removed. If your dog is in pain or showing any signs of perforation you will want to take them to the vet for treatment. Chipped or broken teeth If your pet is chewing on hard stones or rocks they can chip or damage their teeth, resulting in the need for dental work or even having an impacted tooth removed. Dog dental work is done under anesthesia and therefore poses some additional risks. Try changing where you walk your dog. You can also look for dog training facilities that allow you to rent space to exercise your dog indoors in extreme instances. Use behavior modification Offer your dog an alternative like a favorite treat or a tug toy for dropping the rock. For some breeds of working dogs, leash walks are not enough mental stimulation. You can add training exercises or even give them puzzle toys to help stimulate their minds. Some dogs even enjoy learning tricks or tasks around your house. You may wish to consult a trainer, especially if your dog is a working or herding breed like a Border Collie or Husky. Give your dog ample amounts of attention Similar to ensuring your dog has enough physical and mental exercise, if eating rocks is a behavioral issue, you will also want to ensure that your dog is getting enough attention. If they are eating rocks to get attention from you, being proactive with your attention may lessen their desire to eat rocks in the first place. It might take some time and patience on your end, as change does not happen overnight, especially with dogs. By ensuring your dog is getting adequate nutrition, providing physical and mental exercise, attention and opportunities for behavior modification you will be helping them live their happiest and healthiest lives. The Ollie blog is devoted to helping pet parents lead healthier lives with their pups. If you want to learn more about our fresh, human-grade food, check out MyOllie.

So Many Options! Where To Get a Labrador? We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Except, you remember hearing you should only buy from professional breeders?! But that puppy in the pet store was so achingly cute! This article discusses the things you should consider before making that life changing decision. From dedicated experts who breed pedigree dogs to work or for show, to those who breed too many puppies, litter after litter purely for sale without love nor care for the health of the mother or quality of the litter. For how to recognize who the good breeders are, read our article: Labrador breeders — How to find the good ones! Buying from a good, responsible breeder is without doubt the best source for a quality, healthy Labrador puppy. They care about the overall welfare of the breed, as well as the health of the mother, quality of the litter and giving the puppies the best start in life. Responsible breeders: Guarantee a purebred and pedigree Labrador. Screen the parents for health problems before breeding , so puppies will be as free as possible from inherited diseases. Selectively breed aiming for conformance to the breed standard, so your lab has the most chance of looking like the perfect lab. Carefully socialize puppies from birth so they are well-adjusted and confident before sending them to a new home. Help buyers to select the right puppy from the litter to suit their personality, hopes and expectations. Helping you to get the puppy of your dreams. Provide expert help and advice on caring for the dog from puppyhood right through to adulthood. When you go to a good breeder you should expect lots of questions. They will also help to match you to the perfect puppy that suits your personality, preventing you from getting the wrong dog on impulse. You know the cute but feisty one that got your attention by barging through his litter mates to run up to you and be the first to say hello? Well, he may very likely become a dominant and strong-willed dog! You May Need Patience You should note that many breeders will have a long waiting list for their Labrador puppies. Then this may not be the right way for you. But this is a good thing! And nobody should buy a puppy on impulse, it must be a well thought out and reasoned decision. Maybe you would like to give a lucky Labrador a second chance at life and happiness? Adopting an Older Labrador From a Rescue Kennel Can Have Many Benefits: They will have been house trained already — No getting up in the middle of the night to relieve your puppy…or cleaning your floor after the inevitable mishaps. An adult Labrador will already show signs of any underlying problems so you can avoid this. Many will have received a decent amount of training already — Saving you lots of time and work. Having said all that… There are Some Obvious Risks! Or perhaps due to health problems that developed. Some may have faced abuse and neglect leaving them with psychological scars. Behavioral problems are sometimes well hidden, and aggression may only surface in very particular situations only. But if you are patient, understanding and can inject some routine and love into one of these dogs lives, they can become absolutely wonderful pets. There are also different types of rescue center and animal shelters. You will be able to get a feel for the level of the center when you visit and how professional they are and the staff to dog ratios. The Process When rescuing a lab, a good, well staffed shelter will ask you to visit and spend time with your potential pet. They will have assessed the dog and will tell you all they know about the dogs history and temperament. They will ask you lots of questions to find out whether you and your lifestyle are a good fit for a Labrador. They will want to meet you and your whole family. They will want to see how the people the Labrador is to live with interact with it and how the lab interacts with them. And that your choice of dog is well suited to you and interacts well with you on visits will they eventually allow you to adopt. Rescuing a Labrador can be a very good choice as long as due care is taken to pick the right one. And you will earn many karma points for doing a very good deed. It is a massive risk to take a puppy from a litter like this. These dogs have more than the average number of inherited diseases and behavioral problems. So although you will be saving a bit of money compared to paying out to a professional Labrador breeder. Or you might even be saving a dog from being given to a rescue center and possibly eventually being put down. You just might be letting yourself in for some expensive surprises in the way of vets bills or behavioral specialists later. But having said that, of course many of these puppies do become very good pets indeed. In fact a few places in the world have now banned the sale of puppies from pet stores. In these places, dogs are often bred in poor conditions, sometimes kept in small wire cages and given very little chance to socialize and little if any personal contact with humans. Have you had any good or bad experiences of getting a Labrador from any of the places listed above? Is there anything you would like to add about the pros and cons of the various places you can get yourself a Lab? Please let us know in the comments section below and you just might help people reading this article to make the right decision! Related Article:. Selecting Your Labrador Retriever Puppy Selecting your puppy Try to restrain your emotions when you are selecting our pup. Remember that the breeder has been with the pup from day 1 to selection day at 5 weeks. At Pawlinglabs, we will ask you to forward a list of the characteristics that your are hoping for, prior to selection. When you come to select, we will ask you to observe the litter before entering and handling the pups. Labrador pups are very cute and cuddly, but when it comes time to select the right one for you there is plenty to consider. Carefully observe Labrador Retriever puppies before buying them, ensuring that the pup you select looks healthy and is to breed standard. There are some basic points to note about Labrador Retriever standards. The coat of a Labrador is their most distinctive feature. Labs have two coats, the water resistant undercoat which is unseen, and the top coat which is dense, straight and short. There is might be a slight wave in their coat, however the coat should feel rough to the touch. Labrador puppies come in three different coat colors: yellow light cream to red fox , chocolate liver and black. There must not be any other colours in the coat. Labs have a broad skull and a well defined stop. Their head is quite large but the features on the head, such as the ears, look proportioned. The ears of a Labrador should be set far back from the face. The inside skin of the ears should be a pale pink and soft without any scabs or discoloration. There shouldn't be any odour coming from them. The eyes of a Lab pup are round, either deep brown or hazel with black rims. The eyes should be friendly and express intelligence. The Labrador Retriever has a wide black and well developed nose with distinguished nostrils. The nose should be clean and without discharge. Be aware that a wet nose is not an indication that the Lab is healthy, nor does a dry nose indicate he is unwell. The teeth should be set square to the jaws with the top teeth slightly overlapping the bottom. Labrador puppies have fewer teeth than adults and they will lose their baby teeth as their adult teeth grow in. Labs have a well developed and strong chest. It has good depth and width. Their barreled ribs are well sprung and their back is level. Their loins are wide and strong. The skin of a Lab should be without scabs or bumps. It is normal for Labrador puppies to have extra skin at the back of their neck; this is how their mother picks them up. The skin color of a lab is usually pale pink but it can also be brown or even spotted. The tail of a Labrador is thick at the base and tapers towards the tip. The tail is a moderate length and has no feathering. It is as smooth like the rest of the coat with a rounded appearance. The tails is even with the back or slightly upwards. It should never be carried over the back or hang down. Labrador have long and sloping shoulders that connect to the strong front legs. The hind legs are developed well and have a turned stifle. Both the front and hind legs should be straight. The feet of Labrador pups are compact and perfectly round. Their toes are arched and pads well developed. Feet should be straight, not turned inwards or outwards. The gait of a Labrador should be carefree. Labs take long strides and walk straight. Observe your puppies as he walk. Make sure it is not favoring any leg or paw. This can be a sign of a current or future health issue. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. They are also very high energy. Labs are intelligent and well-tempered for becoming service dogs. You may have seen a Lab working as a guide dog or alongside a police officer. Labradors come in three distinct colors: black, yellow, and chocolate. There is no real difference between these sub-breeds aside from color. However, chocolate Labs and yellow Labs do tend to be favored as show dogs, while a black Lab is more likely to be raised as a hunting dog than a chocolate or yellow one. Labrador Retrievers are famous for being friendly and companionable to both humans and other dogs. This makes the Labrador an ideal breed to keep as a family dog. There are factors, however, which need to be considered before choosing a Labrador puppy. Bringing home a beautiful black Lab puppy? Check out hundreds of great black dog names here! The amount of maternal care a pup receives prior to adoption influences the adult temperament of your Labrador. A responsible breeder will not remove your puppy from its mother before it is ready. In the study, Labs belonging to extroverted owners had better social skills than those belonging to introverted owners. You may also look through your local classifieds for unregistered litters, although we do not recommend it. Even though Labradors are a generally healthy breed, it is important that both parents get screened for any health issues prior to breeding. Adopting from unregistered litters will also significantly increase your chances of encountering a puppy mill. No matter where you adopt from, it is essential that you meet both parents and access a history of good health for each parent before adopting a puppy from the facility. In other parts of the world, use the puppy search tool on the website of your regional kennel club or equivalent authority. You may also ask a local veterinarian for a reference to a quality breeder. Another option is to keep an eye out for someone with a purebred Labrador and request information on where they adopted from. Registered breeders use only top-of-the-line animals as parents. Puppies from responsible and registered breeders are given the appropriate amount of maternal care and not released to a new home until they are physically and mentally mature enough to do so. This lays the foundation for an affectionate and even temperament in adulthood. The cons of adopting from a breeder are higher costs and often longer wait times. Responsible breeders require a pre-adoption home check to ensure that their puppies are appropriately homed. You may also need to travel some distance to find the right breeder. Registered breeders usually breed a maximum of only twice per year. This maintains parental health and allows sufficient time for the puppies to progress. These breeders often have waitlists for upcoming litters before they are born, sometimes before the parents are even bred. While these practices maintain value, they also mean the puppies will cost a little more and take longer to bring home. Private Ads Private ads for puppies can be found in online classifieds or in your local newspaper. You may also spot them on the bulletin boards of various local businesses. The benefits of sourcing a puppy from a private ad is that the breeder is likely be located nearby, and the puppies will be available relatively quickly, if not immediately. The cons of taking this route is that you do not have pedigree parents to your puppy, and the risk of health complications down the road is much higher. Puppy farms will often advertise through private ads. For these reasons, we do not recommend sourcing a puppy through a private ad. Pet Shops We do not endorse purchasing puppies from pet shops, because the credentials of both parents and breeder cannot be provided. Parents of pet shop puppies may have been overbred, mistreated, or in less than optimal health. It is impossible to know without verified records. The puppies themselves could have experienced conditions and trauma that will negatively impact their behavior in adulthood, such as being separated from their mothers too soon or physical abuse. Avoiding Puppy Farms Puppy farms are unregistered breeding establishments that mass produce puppies in order to generate the highest amount of revenue. These farms, or mills, severely mistreat their animals and often produce puppies with little socialization skills and significantly increased health risks. To steer clear of these facilities, avoid pet stores, which often source stock from puppy farms because of the low cost. Also avoid any online advertisements for puppies at a low cost. If you do source a puppy from an online ad, call the breeder in advance and ask questions about the puppies, parents, and establishment to screen for any inconsistencies with industry standards. When you visit the breeder, if it comes to that, ask to have a look around and meet both parents in person. Is the space open? Do the parents look healthy? How many other dogs and puppies are there on the premises? Health Tests While Labs are generally healthy overall, it is important to confirm the parental health prior to breeding. If the breeder cannot show you certificates of health for both parents, adopting a puppy from those parents poses a risk for complications later on. The American Kennel Club recommends Labrador Retrievers get screened for: any hip and elbow defects that could indicate dysplasia heart disorders out of ordinary muscle weakness degenerative eye conditions. Make sure that the breeder can demonstrate certified health in each of these areas for each parent. The initial cost of requiring this level of screening for your puppy may be higher, but it will save you on veterinary bills down the road. Choosing Your Puppy Labrador Retrievers are friendly by nature and tend to get along well with other dogs. This breed very rarely shows aggression and must be provoked to do so. When it comes to children and other pets, a Labrador puppy would be a valuable family addition. Labs are companionable and socialize well. The Labrador Retriever is a high-energy breed and will need enough time and space each day to receive sufficient exercise. These exercise needs will continue to grow as your puppy matures. A Labrador is not designed to be an inside-only dog. This breed needs lots of activity to stay mentally and physically fit. Consider that your fully grown Lab will be between .We recommend that you take your Lab out for daily outdoor activities such as swimming and fetch. A Labrador that does not receive enough exercise time may rebel by engaging in destructive behaviors within the household. However, remember that the best-quality Labradors come from responsible breeders that produce only one or two litters per year. These breeders often have waiting lists due to high quality puppies and infrequent production. If you want the best which you should! Labradors are wonderful family dogs with lots of love for humans and other dogs. They are one of the lowest risk for health complications when properly screened, making them ideal as a long-term energy-filled companion. Considerations before jumping into the adoption of a Labrador puppy are how big your puppy will be when it reaches adulthood and the daily rigorous outdoor exercise it will require to keep it in peak physical and mental condition. Read more about Labradors here in our guide to Labrador lifespan! References and Resources Bray, E. University of Pennsylvania .Graham, L. Temperament and Personality in Working Dogs. CRC Press .Kuroshima, H. Kyoto University .Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Labrador Retrievers are consistently among the most popular dog breeds worldwide, due in large part to their cheerful personalities and obedient natures. If you live in California and want to expand your pack with a new Labrador Retriever puppy, the breeders on this list should be the first places that you check. The 8 Labrador Retriever Breeders in California 1. However, they emphasize preparing their pups to be working dogs, ready to help you with your next hunt. For an additional fee, you can have your new dog taught basic obedience and advanced gun dog training. Summerland Labradors Visit Their Website Phelan, CA Summerland Labradors is a small operation, producing only two to three litters per year, so you need to be on the ball if you want to adopt from them. Kenya Labradors Visit Their Website Santa Margarita, CA The biggest downside in buying a dog from Kenya Labradors is that the animals are raised on a gorgeous, acre plot overlooking the California coast, so the dog might be a bit disappointed when they get to your house. Still, all that room enables these dogs to get plenty of exercise and socialization before they join your pack. This kennel breeds well-pedigreed dogs, and your pup will come with more paperwork than the average new car. Your dog will be accustomed to living like you do long before you pick them up, which should cut down their adjustment time significantly. All their dogs are AKC-registered, and each one has many generations of champions in their heritage. They go to great lengths to try to match each pooch up with the perfect home for them, so your dog will be chosen based on how their temperament fits in with your existing lifestyle. They also guarantee that their dogs will be free of genetic defects up to 1 year of age or your money back. Your new pup will be thoroughly vetted, registered with the AKC, and microchipped before being handed over to you. They also have an extensive blog that answers just about any question that you might have about raising your new family member. You may also be interested in:. Vocality level 4 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. Temperament Few breeds so richly deserve their popularity as does the Labrador Retriever. When trained, the breed is obedient and amiable and tolerates the antics of children, other dogs, and other pets. The Lab is a calm house dog, playful yard dog, and intense field dog, all on the same day. Labs are eager to please, enjoys learning, and excel in obedience. It is a powerful breed that loves to swim and retrieve. Labradors need daily physical and mental challenges to keep occupied. A bored Lab can get into trouble! Upkeep Labradors are active and sociable dogs. They need daily exercise, preferably in the form of retrieving and swimming. Owners with swimming pools either must fence them out or be prepared to share the pool with dogs. The Lab coat sheds water easily. Weekly brushing is needed to remove dead hair. Health Major concerns: CHD, elbow dysplasia, OCD, obesity, patellar luxation Minor concerns: cataract, CPRA, hot spots, retinal dysplasia, hypothyroidism Occasionally seen: diabetes, entropion, distichiasis, tricuspid valve dysplasia, centronuclear myopathy, exercise-induced collapse Suggested tests: hip, elbow, eye, exercise-induced collapse DNA , centronuclear myopathy , knee Life span: 10—12 years History The original Labradors were all-purpose water dogs originating in Newfoundland, not Labrador. Not only did the breed not originate in Labrador, but it also was not originally called the Labrador Retriever. These dogs—medium-sized black dogs with close hair—not only retrieved game but also retrieved fish, pulled small fishing boats through icy water and helped the fisherman in any task involving swimming. Eventually, the breed died out in Newfoundland in large part because of a heavy dog tax. However, a core of Labradors had been taken to England in the early s, and it is from these dogs, along with crosses to other retrievers, that the breed continued. It was also in England that the breed earned its reputation as an extraordinary retriever of upland game. Initially, black labs were favored over yellow or chocolate colors. By the early s, the other colors had become more accepted. The popularity of this breed has grown steadily until the Labrador Retriever became the most popular breed in America in and remains so today. Related Content. His pedigree is here Pedigree. Contessa's pedigree is here. We put a lot of energy into raising puppies. We are involved with them from birth. They are loved all day long. They are exposed to children, adults, older dogs, loud noises, household items, scented to wings, duck calls, a early start with obedience and potty training. Our lab puppies are well on their way to being potty trained before they're placed in their forever homes, as we've incorporated the misty method. Labrador retriever puppies will have a complete puppy packet including information on shots, worming schedule and medication that has been given, that you will need to share with your vet. A written guarantee, and the basic schedule of sleeping and feeding that the puppy has been raised on will also be some of the information in your puppy packet. AKC Northern California labrador puppy Breeder All of our labrador puppies are registered with the American Kennel Club with limited registration , micro-chipped and ready to be enrolled in the AKC ReUnite program before they go into a new family home. This service is included in the purchase price of your puppy. Our labrador puppies are also sent home with a supply of their current food and feeding schedule. We feed large breed puppy food to insure they grow up healthy and avoid any problems with dysplasia as recommended by the AKC. We also send them home with a receiving blanket that has been with them for some time. It has the scent of their litter-mates and their mother to ease the transition to their new home. Contessa Rose Da Serra.