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All breeds of Labrador Retrievers are known for being kind and gentle — and this trait runs especially strong with the chocolate-colored sweeties. While these dogs are very friendly to strangers, they have even more affection to give to their beloved families. Your Chocolate Lab puppy or adult will be happiest spending time with their favorite people. If you have young children, a lab is a great fit, as this breed is usually quite tolerant of the horseplay of small children who are still learning how to interact with pets. Just like many people, Chocolate Labs enjoy both downtime — especially if it involves being pampered by their family — and active high-energy fun. We recommend daily exercise, which can include anything from fetch, to tag, or even frisbee games. The average Chocolate Lab lifespan is between 9 and 11 years. The most common Chocolate Lab health problem is hip dysplasia, which occurs more commonly in older and overweight dogs. This is just one of the reasons to make exercise a common part of your time with a Chocolate Lab puppy or fully grown adult. Another problem that occurs in overweight labs is joint and movement issues. The other most common Chocolate Lab health problems are: Progressive Retinal Atrophy Cataracts Elbow Dysplasia As is the case with any dog, when you bring home a Chocolate Labrador, make sure that you have a good vet to handle routing vaccinations and check-ups as well as emergency health problems. Learn more about the Keystone Puppies Health Guarantee! Chocolate Lab Coat Care In general, Chocolate Lab coat care is easy compared to many other dog breeds which require weekly or daily work. Labrador Retrievers all have double coats, which includes an under layer of short hairs and a slightly longer top layer. This coat is useful for repelling water and keeping them cool in warmer temperatures — and warm in cooler ones. Their coat is also noted to be slightly dry and oily. Chocolate Lab coat care is fairly minimal and considered low maintenance. The coat should be brushed with a firm bristle brush 2 — 3 times per month to minimize shedding. In addition to that, baths are needed fairly infrequently. What is more crucial is ensuring that their toenails are well cared for throughout the year. Meet Chocolate Lab Puppies for Sale. Life Span Did You Know? Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds. The Chocolate Labrador Retriever is not a distinct dog breed from other Labs, but it is a separate coat color variation that is specifically bred for. Similar to the other standard coat colors of Labrador Retrievers, Chocolate Labs are energetic dogs that get along well in a family setting. As a Retriever, they also make great hunting dogs and have also been known to fill other working dog roles including service dogs, guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and more. They are even one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units. A point of interest is that all modern Chocolate Labrador Retrievers can be traced to three specific Black Labradors that lived during the s. Chocolate Labs are industrious little pups. They were bred for retrieval and will often sniff about for something to get into. They are also one of the most affectionate dog breeds and absolutely love being with their favorite humans. Properly socialized and well-trained, Labs are one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. They get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They are famously even-tempered and playful. This makes them fantastic dogs for a growing family, as they tend to be gentle and patient with little ones. They can have a high prey drive. They usually do well with small pets within the family that they have been raised with or socialized around, but likely will still have the urge to chase other animals while out and about. They also tend to be open and friendly with strangers. After all, strangers are just more people to give them attention and play with them. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers may be high-energy dogs, but they are also highly adaptable. They will thrive in homes with fenced yards where they can run freely. They can adapt well to apartment living as well as long as they get plenty of daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. Their natural urge to dig and bark when they are bored or agitated can be quelled with a little training and exercise. Although they can handle some alone time, Labs love to be with their families and thrive on attention from them, so they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Chocolate Labs also have a water-resistant double coat that makes them well-suited for most habitable climates. As with most dogs, they are sensitive to heat. Although they can handle some cold and will likely love to play in the snow, they are not a snow dog breed and may need to bundle up while out on walks in areas with harsher winters. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Chocolate Labrador Retriever can include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hereditary myopathy, and heart disease. There is also a condition with a genetic link called exercise-induced collapse EIC , which can occur in young adult Labradors. Carriers of this can be identified by DNA tests and it is advised that breeders test for this and avoid practices that would produce the disease. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents and about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are at a higher risk for bloat. Bloat in dogs can be dangerous and can quickly become fatal if the stomach flips gastric torsion. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers are incredible companions and are also one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Their energy can make them a handful at times, but their intelligence, adaptability, patience with people, and eagerness to please make them easy to train. Labs are one of the smartest dog breeds , so they pick up on things easily. As long as training is consistent and focused on positive reward and praise, a Chocolate Lab will do their best to respond as expected and will often exceed expectations. Chocolate Labs have a short, water-resistant coat that will shed year-round. Brushing a few times a week, daily brushing during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath are all that are needed to keep a Lab coat healthy and looking great. They may need baths more often if they are avid swimmers, go on a lot of outdoor adventures, and get dirty a lot. Floppy ears tend to trap dirt, moisture, and debris. Proper dental care for dogs is imperative to help prevent painful dental diseases like gum disease or tooth decay later in life. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with vet-approved dental hygiene chews. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds and need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough, but your Chocolate Labrador will likely be up for more activity if you are. One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they have an extended puppyhood and tend to maintain that puppy-like energy and maturity until they are years old. Swimming can be a great lower-impact activity and Labrador Retrievers are one of the dog breeds that tend to love water. Between that, their water-resistant coat, and webbed toes, you may have trouble getting your Chocolate Lab out of the water. Fully-grown Chocolate Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Chocolate Labs generally live for years on average. Fourteen years later, the American Kennel Club did the same in .Featured Chocolate Labrador Retriever Article. We currently have puppies available now as our mothers have hade much larger litters than expected and we had more puppies than people on our waiting list. When searching for a Retriever Breeder in Ontario it never pays to gear your search toward finding a Labrador puppy quickly, rather, focus your efforts on finding a Chocolate Lab puppy of quality, bred by a breeder with a reputation who will stand behind the Labrador Retriever puppies they breed. Please visit our Facebook site by entering luckylabspuppies in the search box on Facebook, see the pictures of our Labrador puppies and hear what our owners have to say about our commitment to quality. Look for quality puppies for sale not quick puppies. A second thing to consider is that you will want your breeder of Labrador retrievers to provide you with support after your Labrador puppy goes home with you. Lucky Labs guarantees this lifelong commitment to support for you and your Lab and we are happy to do so. We have deep discounts to Labrador puppy training websites , many articles on our blog dealing with health, behavior and other aspects of owning a Labrador puppy. We are available for you after your puppy goes home either by email or a phone call. Our availability changes at times in regards to the color of Labrador puppy we have available. As well, there are times when we get so busy and focused on our pups that we may have beautiful ckc yellow black or purebred chocolate lab puppies for sale that are not listed here. So if we are the small scale family based registered breeder for you please send us an application for a puppy in order to get the most accurate and up to date information about what our availability is. Puppies for sale Our silver lab puppies for sale are actually a faded coat chocolate lab. When both parents carry the chocolate gene, and they both carry the dilute gene then the color is diluted to a silver. If you look close you will notice that the silver lab still had brown pigment around its eyes and mouth because officially it is a chocolate lab. Silver Labradors make excellent family dogs. The Labrador Retriever breed regardless of color has been the most popular breed for over 25 years and the Silver Lab is no different. We have some Silver Labs who will be mating in the future resulting in puppies for sale. If you are interested to get on the waiting please read toward the bottom of this page to see what colors we are accepting applications for. For more information about silver Labradors click here. There is 1 male and 1 female yellow Lab puppy available to reserve who go home Oct 7th. One of these yellows will go to an Ontario Police force and the sibling will be available. Please apply below for more information. There are 2 black males available to reserve from this litter. Please apply below. Haddie and Archie Haddie had her puppies. There is 1 chocolate female available to go home Sept .Reservations are available please apply below. Ginger and Hank Ginger had her puppies Aug 5th and they will go home Sept 30th. Available for reservation are 2 black females, and 1 chocolate female. Reservations are available please apply below Chanel and Archie Chanel had her puppies. This litter will go home Oct 7th, 1 yellow male, 2 yellow females, 1 chocolate male and 4 chocolate female puppies are available for reservation. Daisy Flowers and Gus One chocolate female puppy is available for reservation to go home Oct 8. Ruby Emma and Archie Ruby has 5 chocolate males available and 1 chocolate female available to go home Oct 18th. Interested in one of our chocolate lab puppies for sale? Click here and visit the Lab Puppy Quality page for further information and price. If you are ready to apply click the button below and send us an application for one of our puppies for sale. You may want to consider being a guardian of one of our dogs, if so, click here. We are accepting applications for chocolate, silver, and black lab puppies. For chocolates we have some mothers mated who will have puppies ready for homes Sept through December. Our availability changes daily as people reserve puppies and sometimes change their minds for a puppy later on, or a different sex or color. We are expecting one litter with a few yellow puppies who will be ready to go home in Oct. We will have black lab puppies that will be born in August and Sept, reservations are available. For silver litters our next silver puppies will be ready in winter of .We are accepting applications now for our silver waiting list and first born silver puppies will be offered to those on the waiting list in the order that their deposits are received. To reserve one of our silver puppies or to get onto our waiting list for winter silvers please apply below. The earlier you place your deposit the higher up on the list you are. To check the quality of our purebred dogs click here. If you have had a family talk, everyone is on board getting a puppy, and you are ready to take that step please apply here. If you want a puppy later this fall or winter we are accepting applications for those timings as well. If an adult lab is better suited for you view availability on this page. View our Labradors There are many pictures of our Labs on the pages of our website, please click through some of the pages to view them. There is a photo gallery of our dogs here. As well, once a litter is born and we reach your position on the waiting list we will email you a picture of the puppies and the parents for you to decide if you want to move into that litter and take one of the puppies, or, you can wait for the next litter. To see many many more pictures and videos of our dogs please scroll back through our Facebook page as it goes back to .Trained Chocolate Lab Puppies.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. The Australian labradoodle is a cute-looking, friendly, and extremely smart mixed breed dog. Developed by crossing the Labrador retriever, poodle, and Cocker Spaniel dog breeds, this designer hybrid was originally created as an allergy-friendly guide dog. Not to be confused with a lively labradoodle, the Australian labradoodle can make an ideal service dog or a low-shedding family companion. Keep on reading to find out! Aussie Labradoodle Overview Size — 14 to 24 inches tall, and weighs between 15 and 65 pounds Coat — Any length, wavy, straight, or curly, single coat, color varies Shedding — Minimal shedding Lifespan — 12 to 15 years Temperament — Highly intelligent, friendly, energetic, and joyful Trainable — Highly trainable, but can become bored if not mentally stimulated Activity — Very active needs around one hour of activity every day Best For — Families and people with active lifestyles and time to interact with them What Is An Australian Doodle? In fact, there are more differences between an Australian labradoodle and a labradoodle than it meets the eye. The Australian labradoodle, also known as Australian doodle, or Aussie labradoodle was developed by crossing Labrador retriever, Poodle, and Cocker Spaniel dog breeds. This means that breeders now develop Australian labradoodle puppies by breeding two Aussie labradoodle dogs. Australian Labradoodle Appearance Unlike other mixed-breeds, the Aussie labradoodle has been carefully developed since the s with a special focus on temperament, coat quality, and soundness of the breed. This means that there are no surprises when it comes to the looks and temperament of this breed. In terms of general appearance, expect your doodle to look like an adorable plush teddy bear with big and round expressive eyes. Most Aussie labradoodles are between 14 and 24 inches tall and weigh between 15 and 65 pounds. Medium: Between 17 and 20 inches tall and weighing from 30 to 45 pounds. Ideally, females should be 17 to 19 inches tall, and male dogs should be between 18 and 20 inches high. Standard: Between 21 and 24 inches tall at the shoulders and should weigh between 50 and 65 pounds. Color These gorgeous dogs can come in a variety of different coat colors and patterns. Depending on their genetic makeup, Australian labradoodles can come in several shades of brown, ranging from an almost-white caramel ice to deep chocolate brown. The most commonly seen patterns in this breed are parti-colored, tuxedo, sable, and phantom, but solid-colored pups are also common. Coat Aussie labradoodles can have two coat types — either a fleece textured or wool textured coat. The fleece-textured coat is very soft and can either be straight, wavy, or have spiraling curls. As you can imagine, a wool-textured coat feels like wool and is usually curly. Aussie Labradoodle Character Aussie labradoodles are very intelligent, people-oriented, loving, and joyful canines. They can also be very comical to have around and are known to entertain their owners with silly antics. Lively and friendly, this breed gets along well with children and can be a great family pet and companion. In fact, when carefully bred for temperament, Australian labradoodles are one of the best service dog breeds thanks to their intuitive, clever, and outgoing nature. This breed inherited the high intelligence of a poodle, meaning they are quick to learn new commands and tricks and are highly trainable. Otherwise, your Aussie labradoodle will soon become bored and might try to have some fun by chewing your shoes or furniture. People-loving and energetic, this breed loves to spend time with its family and will happily play or cuddle with you for hours on end. They crave companionship and are the happiest when surrounded by their human families. Activity Level This energetic, fun, and agile dog is best suited for active people or families that spend most of their time outdoors. While not as energetic as Shepradors or some other Lab mixes, this breed likes to stay active and needs regular exercise. Ideally, you should walk your dog at least twice a day, and if possible, take them hiking or swimming every now and then. Besides taking them for daily walks, you will also need to play with your dog and find ways to keep them entertained and mentally stimulated. Caring For An Australian Labradoodle Although a fairly low-maintenance breed, the Australian doodle still needs proper care and attention to stay happy and thrive. Like with any other dog, caring for an Aussie labradoodle will require a bit of time and effort on your part. Here are a few things you should pay attention to! Exercise Being related to both the poodle and Labrador retriever dog breeds, Australian labradoodles are naturally active dogs. Ideally, your Aussie labradoodle will need around one hour of exercise every day. Two longer walks or several shorter walks will give your dog a chance to relieve themselves and burn some excess energy. However, your dog will be extremely pleased if you also add at least 30 minutes of play to your daily routine. And thanks to both poodle and Lab roots, Australian labradoodles are excellent swimmers and will take to playing in the water in no time. Intellectual Stimulation Aussie labradoodles are highly intelligent but they also can get bored quite easily. Without mental stimulation, even the best-behaved Australian doodle will become destructive and find ways to get into trouble. Durable chew toys , puzzles, and tug toys will challenge your pup intellectually and keep their mind occupied in a fun and engaging way. While many dogs might decide to act out or become destructive, most Australian labradoodles develop depression or separation anxiety when left alone at home a lot. The great thing about this breed is that its single coat is non-shedding or low shedding, and as such, they are fairly easy to groom and maintain. Also, using doggy eye wipes can help clean the area around the eyes and remove bacteria-laden eye discharge. The best dog food for Aussie labradoodles is high in protein and has moderate levels of fat and carbs. Known Health Problems While considered generally healthy, the Aussie labradoodle has the potential to develop certain health conditions. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia — These conditions are commonly seen in large and medium-sized dogs and are caused by malformation of the hip and elbow joints. Life Expectancy Australian labradoodles have an average life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. Australian labradoodles were bred to serve as guide dogs, and they are highly intelligent and eager to please. These traits make them easy to train and they are quick to learn new commands and tricks. Start obedience training and socialization when your puppy is eight weeks old to help them grow into a well-behaved and friendly dog. Use positive, reward-based training to teach your dog basic commands and obedience. So, keep the training positive and avoid using harsh corrections and punishment. They also need to be mentally stimulated throughout the day and will need someone to play with. Buying Australian Labradoodle Puppies If you are looking to purchase an Australian labradoodle puppy, find a reputable breeder and schedule an appointment to meet the puppies and both parents. Check your local shelter or rescue organizations to see if they have any Australian labradoodles available for adoption and be prepared to spend some time getting to know your dog. The popularity of the Doodle breeds has possibly led to overbreeding and therefore less than desirable dogs being bred. Be vigilant when choosing a Doodle breeder. History Of The Breeds Labrador Retriever The Labrador retriever is a medium- to large-size working dog that was originally used to retrieve fish and later as a gun dog. Extremely friendly, easy to train, and kind, the Lab is one of the most popular dog breeds and makes a great family companion and service dog. Poodle Best known for its curly coat and elaborate haircuts, the poodle is a water dog breed that comes in three sizes — standard, miniature, and toy. Highly intelligent, easy to train, and loving, the poodle is considered hypoallergenic and makes a great family companion. The Cocker is eager-to-please and a gentle family dog with a sweet temperament and affectionate nature. The main difference between an Australian labradoodle and a labradoodle is in their parents. The labradoodle was developed by crossing a Labrador retriever and a poodle. On the other hand, the Australian labradoodle is a mix of poodle, Labrador retriever, and Cocker Spaniel dog breeds. Are Australian Labradoodles worth the money? There are several reasons why Australian labradoodles are such expensive dogs, but the extra cost is well worth it. Are Australian Labradoodles good family dogs? Australian labradoodles make amazing companions to active families and they get along well with kids and other pets. Extremely friendly, jolly, affectionate, and active, Aussie labradoodles love to spend time with their owners and will enjoy cuddling and playing with you. The Final Verdict Australian labradoodles are highly intelligent, intuitive, and friendly dogs that make great service dogs and family companions. Eager to please, outgoing, and playful, this breed has a lot of energy and is best suited for people with active lifestyles. Before you welcome an Aussie labradoodle into your home, make sure that you can: Play with your dog for at least 30 minutes every day. Keep them mentally stimulated with toys and interactive play. Train and socialize your pooch from a young age. Our friends have an Australian Labradoodle and absolutely love her. Do you own an Australian Labradoodle? Tell us about your experiences in the comment section below. Related Article. Temperament: Friendly, gentle, and intelligent. Australian Labradoodle Appearance Since it is a hybrid the Australian Labradoodle does not have any breed standards. Regardless of size, this stocky but graceful pooch is often covered in a curly coat just like their Poodle parents. Due to its fur having the more hair-like qualities of a Poodle the Australian Labradoodle is a low-shedding dog. With soulful eyes and a dark button nose, many may mistake it as a large teddy bear if it was not for its constantly wagging tail! Height and Weight These pups come in a variety of sizes: Miniatures often stand around 14 to 16 inches tall, weighing 15 to 25 pounds. Mediums often stand 17 to 20 inches tall, weighing 30 to 45 pounds. Standards often stand 21 to 24 inches tall and weigh 50 to 65 pounds. For those living in apartments or smaller homes, a Miniature or Medium would be ideal. Colors and Coat Australian Labradoodles often come in several shades of brown, from the milkiest cream to the silkiest dark chocolate. However, you can also find them in colors such as apricot and lavender. Their coats often come in three types: Hair, Fleece, and Wool. Hair is the loosest among the coat types, with a texture resembling a shaggy Labrador. Fleece lies somewhere in the middle, being softer and silkier than Wool but wavier than the Hair variety. This texture will shed less than the Hair type and is easy to manage. Wool is the curliest of the coat types most resembling a Poodle. This texture sheds little to none and is considered the most allergy-friendly. This texture will require regular weekly brushing and professional grooming to avoid matting. Expect smooth sailing when it comes to training as all its parent breeds are famous for being eager to please. Almost all the breeds that make up the Australian Labradoodle are in the sporting group so expect your pup to be as active as its parent breeds. The Cocker Spaniel and the Labrador Retriever are both known for their friendliness, making this social pup the life of the party. Wally Conron bred the first Labradoodle after a visually impaired woman named Pat Blum contacted him. Australian Labradoodle Personality and Temperament This hybrid is known for having the friendliness of a Labrador, the gentleness of an American Cocker Spaniel, the merriness of an English Cocker Spaniel, and the intelligence of a Poodle. Because of these qualities, they are the perfect family pet — energetic enough for the kids to play with and entertaining to watch in action. Due to their high intelligence, you will have fun finding creative ways to stimulate their minds. A fun family activity can be training them a variety of tricks or creating puzzle games for your furry little Einstein to solve. With proper training and socialization, they should be able to get along with all animals and humans. They are moderately active thanks to their parent breeds. Whether you are an on-the-go family or a sporty pet parent, this pooch should be able to keep up with you on all your hikes and runs. However, it will happily cuddle on the couch with you after a long day. Noise-wise, this dog is not known for being yappy. This dog can be a lot to handle for first-time owners and can get bored without enough mental and physical stimulation. However smaller Australian Labradoodles can thrive in an apartment or condo if given the right amount of exercise and entertainment. If you can put in the time to train and exercise you will be rewarded with a friend for a lifetime. Caring for an Australian Labradoodle Caring for an Australian Labradoodle requires a fair amount of time and effort due to their high intelligence and reasonable activity level. An active family or pet parent with time to dedicate to their physical and mental stimulation is best suited for this mix. As well as basic hygiene their unique coat requires professional grooming. Depending on their coat texture this may vary, but they will need regular appointments to a groomer to trim their coat and regular brushing to avoid mats. Grooming and adequate mental stimulation are very important and lead to a happy and healthy pup. Exercise Requirements With a lineage of active breeds, the Australian Labradoodle requires a reasonable amount of exercise. A minimum minute long walk would be enough for an adult, but several shorter walks throughout the day can also work. However, your pooch would not complain if you also added 30 minutes of off-leash play. They will enjoy the basic doggie games of fetch and tug-of-war, but feel free to be creative with this lively breed. With its Labrador roots, try taking fetch to the next level by teaching them to fetch in the water. The added activity of swimming back and forth will require more energy than your average park playdate. Taking your pup hiking can help with mental stimulation as your pup is introduced to new sights and smells. Agility training can also be a great option for those with backyards. All in all, a happy dog is a tired dog, and making sure to properly exercise your furry friend can prevent boredom and destructive behavior. Number of Walks Per Day: .Total Exercise Needed Per Day: minutes. Grooming and Shedding For an Australian Labradoodle, grooming can look different depending on the coat type they have. Hair-type coats will need weekly brushing to prevent odor and tangles. As this coat type sheds on its own it is likely that your dog will need fewer visits to the groomer. Fleece-type coats will need longer and more thorough weekly brushing sessions. Your furry friend will need a weekly bath and an appointment with a professional groomer every weeks. Wool-type coats are most manageable when kept short, with weekly brushing and grooming appointments every month to keep your pooch looking smart. In addition to the above, cleaning their ears once a month will help prevent infection. Using eye wipes can keep bacteria-filled gunk away but be sure to look for a brand that does not contain irritants. However, a good rule of thumb when choosing kibble is to avoid a brand that overuses byproducts and fillers. A good kibble brand will be complete and balanced with the necessary nutrients your dog needs to be healthy. You should consider grain-free as research has found this could be better for your pup. When calculating the number of calories your dog will need, consider energy level and weight. A general rule is to add calories for every pound your dog weighs. Of course, getting the advice of your vet is always key if you are ever unsure. Hip Dysplasia: Usual with most medium to large dogs where the hip joint becomes unstable and causes bone spurs and limping. The good news is that buying from a reputable breeder can decrease the likelihood of your dog inheriting these diseases. Having pet insurance could save you the headache of going to the vets. Well developed sense of smell. Nuzzling against warmth. Development of sucking response and motor skills. Sleeping, eating, Pooping.During this period, mild stress to the puppy is helpful in creating a stable personality. Mild Stress: handling by a human, thermal stress Transitional Period days. Eyes begin to open. Increase in sensory capacity and motor skills. Beginning of sociability. Puppies prefer to remain in their group and with their mother, rather than alone even if external conditions are favorable. Toward the end of this period, the puppies will show increased in inquisitiveness and the emergence of their upper canine teeth. Also at this stage the puppies will experience the very beginnings of play. Much more play and exploration of the outside world. Development of fear and avoidance of strange situations. Sensitivity to the outside world. Subjection to humans is paramount during this phase. If social contact with humans is kept to a minimum, your puppy never really becomes comfortable with people and never develops a sense of trust. Socialization with other dogs is also extremely important during this period, as well. Understanding of the canine social system, behavioral posturing and responses. Eating of solid foods and weaning by their mother. The puppy's sensitivity increases; the puppies can run, wrestle and play. At 12 weeks of age, your puppy is like an 18 month old child. Inquisitive, responsive to verbal language, but still is not sure of what is being requested of them. Your puppy's attention span increases, energy level increases. Social responses increase. Your puppy desires longer contact with a social system, human and dog, and longer periods of play. At 6 months of age, your puppy is comparable to a 13 year old child. Your puppy's energy level increases dramatically. Independence is a land mark change in your puppy's behavior. Refusal to comply with simple requests to go outside or to come inside. Your puppy may begin to resist physical dominance. Early on this positioning takes the form of play. Growling over the food dish and favorite toys may take place. At 1 year to 18 months of age, your young adult dog is similar to a 16 to 17 year old, ready to take on the world. If the foundation is lacking or nonexistent, you will have a juvenile delinquent on your hands. If training begins at this point in your dog's life, you may be up for a knock -down-drag -out battle. Depending on the dog's basic temperament, you could end up with a well mannered member of society or a dog that will consistently challenge authority, walking around with a chip on his or her shoulders. At 2 years of age, your dog is finally an adult. The training program that you have established throughout has paid off. Tasks that were normally performed in a heartbeat may be thought about a little longer. This is the perfect time for a refresher course in the basics, if you allowed them to slack. The owner will say they kept up the training program for a period and then began to let it slack. The owner will tell me that their dogs seem to have forgotten everything. Dogs don't forget.Remember, you have an adult now , not a puppy.Arthritis, sight failings, hearing loss to name a few. Tolerance is the key here since correction is not warranted. Just like us.Light obedience, if nothing else, is a good program for your older dog. Most dogs enjoy the special one on one time that obedience training provides and older dogs are no exceptions to this. Contact Puppy Training The pages within the Homecoming Prep segment of our website are private and can only be accessed through the link provided through email and through the link on the Prepare For Puppy page. The button on this page is titled Homecoming Prep. Once you are in the Homecoming Prep section of the website you will need to use your back button to navigate the pages and return to this Homecoming Prep home page. Group Classes verses Private Trainer We recommend that you plan to have a professional dog trainer work with you in group classes and-or private lessons. Sometimes both are necessary, depending on your situation. Families with young children need to plan on having a private trainer working with individual dynamics in your home. To find a great trainer near you, go to our Facebook Owners Group for Legendary Labradoodles Families to find great options. Attached is a listing of good trainers in and around Texas. Loads of videos and one on one sessions through a Facetime platform are included in the fee. This will help you prepare for your puppy's arrival and get you started on the right foot. Please be sure you, your children and all family members understand the signals your puppy is giving you. The puppy is not a toy and not meant to be held at will. Set limits on how many times a day no more than 4 that your child can hold the puppy. Children should only be allowed to hold the puppy if they are seated. Too much handling can physically hurt the puppy as well as begin the process of the puppy not tolerating your child. No walking around carrying the puppy. This is true for all children under 8. Puppies will chew on and sometimes ingest toys. If ingested, the pieces can lodge and cause your puppy to have to undergo surgery that is not always successful. Puppies generally do NOT like to be hugged. Puppies will jump up on people. There are two primary responses that most dogs will respond to. The first is to cross your arms, hiding your hands, and turn around showing the dog your backside and being very still. If your dog continues to jump on you they are not responding to this method and you should not continue trying it. Instead, step right into the space where there front paws are on the ground, being careful not to step on their feet. Repeat this behavior each time your dog jumps and instruct all people who your dog interacts with to do this same thing. Puppies and dogs in general will feed off of the people around them. Those who are very exciteable and talk in high pitched tones will create a dog who responds to seeing people by becoming super amped up and difficult to follow simple commands. Try to limit this. It's not in the puppies best interest to repeatedly be encouraged to escalate the excitement level to this high level. This is when the dog will become less focused and less able to follow your guidance. Keep in mind that your dog will feed off of you, your tone and your energy level. Once you get to this site, click on Puppies, then development stages. Use your back button to return to this page. This is usually the first place pictures and video show up. We also have a private Facebook page for owners of our puppies. At this time, you can join this group by answering a few short questions. It is titled Legendary Labradoodles Owners Group. There is info about grooming, vet care, training and all sorts of topics. There are links in the footer of this page to our main Facebook page, not the owners group and our instagram account. If you click on the icon it will take you to our pages. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Limiting water in the evening will help limit your pups need to toilet in the night. However, if a crate is not used correctly, a dog can feel trapped and frustrated. Never use the crate as a punishment. Puppies under six months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time except at night. They can't control their bladders and bowels for that long. Normal Puppy Behaviours Your puppy is a baby. Jumping, nipping or biting, chewing, toileting accidents, limited attention span, grabbing objects and running off, not listening, etc. It is our job to teach our puppies how to live in our world, according to our rules, in a gentle and positive way. If you and your pup are struggling with some of these behaviours, please check out some of the resources noted below for tips on how to address them. Behavioural Issues Obedience issues and behavioural issues are not the same thing. Sometimes our pups need more one-on-one focused effort to address behavioural issues. Often the best way to deal with behavioural issues is to hire a trainer or behaviourist to come to your home for a one-on-one consult. We recommend trainers that use positive training methods. As an intelligent, trainable breed, Labradoodles do not respond well to strong aversive training. Positive reinforcement and clicker training are far more successful and fun for Labradoodles. Formal Training To best teach your pup how to live in our world, through socialization and training, it is important to understand the developmental phases of puppies. Their reaction to similar stimuli will be different depending on their stage of development. Socialization is the first step in creating a well-behaved dog. Once the pup has had a negative experience, you need to work harder to turn it into a positive experience. Present them in a way that your pup can draw confidence from you, without coddling them. Once your pup has had its second set of vaccines DAP , it can attend puppy socialization classes. It lists the situations to expose your dog to for optimal socialization. They also provide an opportunity for your dog to interact with other dogs in a controlled and supervised environment. You can find information at this link below:. Labradoodle Training And Kids Our labradoodle puppy arrives and we are all so excited to see fluffy for the first time. Here are some helpful labradoodle training hints for kids. There are children who were born on a farm and who rise at 5 am to milk the cows and feed the horses without a word of complaint. See puppy care as a bonding time with your kids as well as the dog. Feed the puppy, train the puppy, clean up the occasional accident and walk the puppy together. A puppy does take time and attention. When you add a puppy to the family what you want is more wags and fewer barks. To make sure your new puppy and the kids get off on the right paw together we have a few helpful thoughts. Children And Your Labradoodle Puppy A young child makes a great playmate but not always the best baby sitter. Driven by their natural curiosity even the sweetest of children can poke or prod a puppy into an eventual episode of fear and growly behavior. Young children and puppies should be supervised. When puppy jumps up we usually react in a big way by yelling and flapping our arms about. Puppy is thrilled. She has humans who really know how to have a good time. When puppies jump all over the kids have them be very still like trees. Kids are very good at this. They ignore the puppy, put their hands at their sides and stare at the ceiling. How boring for the poor pup who was having such a good time only a moment ago. As soon as the puppy settles we like to give puppy a kibble first as she sits quietly and then the game can begin The game should be one the children enjoy as much as the puppy like chasing a ball or running as fast as they can. When your child wants to begin interacting with the puppy have him call puppy and then give him a kibble. We taught puppies to sit for their kibble and if children continue the game puppy will sit nicely rather than jumping all over the child and scaring him. Ouch That really hurt!! The Nipping Puppy Puppies nip. A good thing about staying with mum for a long period of time is that mum teaches puppy that no means no. At that stage she is a better teacher than we are. Nipping is initially a good thing because it teaches bite inhibition. The puppy who has never nipped and had a response has no idea how hard he is biting. Puppy will learn nipping is painful to those wimpy humans and the game stops. Children like to play with puppies. Have them use a tug toy instead of their clothes or fingers. Your Labradoodle Puppy at Meal Time All of us have heard people warn to stay away from Fluffy when she is eating or heard a dog growl a warning when you get close to his dish. This is a rather anti-social behaviour and can be dangerous if a two year old stumbles by when Rex is eating his kibble and liver. Ian Dunbar, dog behaviourist, had an excellent suggestion for we puppy families. Try your best to find a child. Give the child tiny bits of steak or chicken or some other delicious food. Give Rex his dinner and let the child sit beside him. Have the child pop a bit of the delicious morsel into his dish every once and a while. Rex will soon begin to view dinner interruptions as a wonderful thing. When the puppy is young interrupt meal time often with something really good and puppy will be very relaxed around humans when he eats. Many dog training schools have classes designed for kids and puppies, others have classes for everybody but welcome kids. Register puppy as soon as you can. The family should love the classes. It is what you do from the minute puppy comes home that will largely determine the temperament of the puppy. A good dog class teacher is a great resource for you and your family. Supervised puppy play is lovely for Erika and for the puppies A private trainer is lovely but no substitute for a class where puppy must fit in with a group of other puppies and people. Ian Dunbar. We believe that his approach to dog training is the right approach for the Australian Labradoodle. You can have access to a world of wonderful puppy information at Dr. Irish Water Spaniel. Australian Labradoodle Breeds These breeds are selectively mixed together to create a dog with a winning temperament. But also with a low-shedding coat. Australian Labradoodles have been bred this way since the s. Even now, breeders are striving to make a consistent set of breed-specific traits. They hope these can be reliably passed down from one generation to the next. The breed standard was introduced in .And many enthusiasts hope they will eventually be recognized as a breed in their own right. Fun Fact! And of those 31, 29 became guide dogs. Pretty impressive for the first-ever batch of this brand-new mix. Australian Labradoodle Size Australian Labradoodles full grown can reach around 24 inches tall and weigh about 77 lbs. This will be slightly more for males on average than for females. Doodle Coats and Colors They can have one of two coat types. Either fleece-textured or wool-textured. They are often described as teddy bear-like. And this certainly adds to their appeal! Fleece-textured coats are soft and either straight or wavy. They can also have spiral-shaped curls. Wool-textured coats feel—you guessed it! There are loads of different Australian Labradoodle colors! Some of the most popular include black, red, white, apricot, caramel and even parti patterns. Grooming Whether your Australian Labradoodle has a fleece- or wool-textured coat, they will need regular brushing. Usually around once a week. You might find it useful to enlist a professional groomer. When grooming, be sure to check your pup;s eyes and ears. Australian Labradoodle Temperament Australian Labradoodles are gentle, loyal, and sociable. They are not aggressive and are very good with children. Plus, they are intelligent and quick to learn. In fact, they are widely used as therapy and service dogs. Naturally playful, they enjoy time with their human families. But they should not be left alone or in crates for too long. Also, Australian Labradoodles are active dogs. They need a large amount of daily activity. At least minutes is ideal. And as a result, relatively easy to train. And puppies that are socialized early are less likely to display behavioral problems later on. Research shows that positive, rewards-based training is more effective than punishment-based training. In fact, punishments negatively affect behavior. This will help prevent weight problems. Some evidence suggests mixed-breed dogs experience fewer inherited disorders than their purebred counterparts. The limited gene pools of purebreds can cause a number of health-related issues. This is due to years of inbreeding. They may still inherit certain health conditions from either parent. An Australian Labradoodle is a great fit if you have children or other pets. They tend to be calmer than the standard Labradoodle. Early socialization and consistent rewards-based training will help your Australian Labradoodle become a great people-pleaser. But, if you work away from home for long hours, this pup may not be the best choice. The Basics First, although it will seem obvious, reward good behaviour, especially when training. Reward can be praise given in a loving tone, reward can be a food treat, but your puppy will learn quicker if it is promptly made obvious what puppy is doing that is getting it all these good things! Dogs understand glowers, growls, nips, shaking the scruff of the neck. Striking is what bears, cats and humans do and is not appropriate discipline for a dog! It will make them hand-shy as they will not be certain if you are lifting a hand to their head to pet them or to hit them. You want them to perk their ears when they hear their name and associate it with good things like belly rubs and treats! Most of us buy the best dog food we can, hypo-allergenic, no GMO, no grains known to cause allergies… and then we give them treats loaded with all this junk. Please choose treats that your dog is not allergic to! Establishing Pack Order The most effective training methods use the instincts that your dog is born with to train with. How to discipline, when to discipline and how much to discipline are all important. But I guarantee you that your family will be happier if the dog is not at the top of the order! Puppy should always be fed last and you and your family eat first. In the wild, the pack leader eats first, followed by the others in order of dominance in the pack. Your puppy needs to know that ALL members of your family outrank it or the puppy will feel that it is right for it to establish dominance over family members kids by nipping, growling and other doggy dominance behaviors. If you have young children, teach your puppy that it must be invited to eat when you put the food down. After it has learned that with you, your children can take turns feeding it so it learns to mind your children also. Your children with your supervision should not only practice giving the puppy treats where it takes them gently, but they should also take treats or toys away and the puppy must not be allowed to growl or nip. Your puppy should not be allowed to nip or bite. It is not teething, it is establishing dominance. Pinch the upper or lower jaw of the puppy with your fingers and thumb. The object is to make it uncomfortable but not painful. In order of increasing seriousness, the mother will discipline as follows: 1. Glower and walk away 2. Growl 3. Growl and nip pinching can imitate this 4. Grab bite the scruff of the neck and shake the scruff. Grab bite the scruff of the neck and hold the offending puppy to the ground until it stops struggling, often growling while doing so. If you do use 5, it is important that it not be done for minor naughtiness, as it is a serious action. If you use an overly severe discipline, you are being a bully. Also, once you choose to use 5, do not release the scruff and let the puppy up UNTIL it stops struggling, even if it scratches, cries, struggles,etc. Using 5 or any of these disciplines does not hurt the puppy, but it does teach it that it is not the pack leader. After all, you do not want your puppy soon to be an adult disciplining growling at, biting your children! Australian labradoodles are a much less dominant breed than some others they are not dobermans or pit bulls after all! When puppy wakes up after an hour or two, it goes immediately outside for a potty. Puppy is awake for a while, goes out every half hour for a potty. I eat lunch and feed the puppy. Puppy goes outside for a potty after a meal, gets rewarded and then goes for a nap in the crate. After it wakes up, it goes outside for a potty, gets rewarded, and comes back inside to play for a while… you get the idea! Puppies will circle and squat just before peeing, so if you are watching, you can catch it just before it starts to pee or just as it begins, and quickly take it outside with your treat too! Girl puppies are more succeptible to bladder infections than boys, but boys can get them too! In later stages of a bladder infection, you will see blood in the pee, sometimes LOTS of it. If you can catch it in the early stages, it is much better for the puppy… If you are familiar with homeopathics, they can often be used successfully to treat bladder infections. If you are having training issues with your puppy, regardless of what breed it is or who you got it from, we recommend that you have a dog trainer come to your home and offer suggestions or coaching. Copper Canyon Australian Labradoodles is a premium rated labradoodle breeder. All our labradoodles are fully health tested and our labradoodle puppies come with a 2 year genetic guarantee against genetic health issues. Come fall in love with a labradoodle! Australian Labradoodle Temperament Sweet demeanor, gentle spirit, loving companion There are many important factors to consider when choosing a dog to add to your family. Some, like the size of your home and your schedule, are dependent on you. Others depend on the breed of your potential pet. One of the most important aspects of a breed to look at is their temperament: how they interact with people, how they interact with other dogs, and their general demeanor. The breed temperament is one of the two main reasons our family chose the Australian Labradoodle as our canine companions! It was also one of the reasons we decided to bring the joy of these wonderful dogs to others with the Good Day Doodles breeding program. Over and over again, we had heard other owners rave about their extra-friendly, loving, and smart Doodles and we did some research. When we went looking for more information, we found source after source confirming the affectionate nature, comical sense of humor, and superior level of intelligence found in the Australian Labradoodle. Still, we wanted to see for ourselves how amazing these pups really were. Reserve A Puppy Today! These dogs never cease to exceed our expectations in terms of sociability, friendliness, and general affability. They are incredibly quick to learn and easy to teach. There really are no words to do the breed justice! Their unconditional love, endless optimism, and impressive intelligence is something you must experience for yourself to truly understand. The Australian Labradoodle breed was established to meet the need for hypoallergenic service dogs, and they live up to the high standards we have grown accustomed to for dogs who assist others. They are easy to train due to their amazing intelligence, and are as funny as they are fun. They are both obedient and loyal, anticipating the needs of their owners with ease. Australian Labradoodles are energetic, playful, and full of love for everyone. They are great around kids as well as other dogs, and are remarkable problem-solvers. They do need a lot of exercise, as they are very active dogs, and they love to play. They should approach people in a happy friendly manner, keen and easy to train. If you have been searching for a friendly, intelligent, and energetic canine companion, look no further than the amazing Australian Labradoodle. Call us today to find out how the Good Day Doodles can bring the joyous energy of this wonderful breed into your home and start the path to completing your family!

Lifespan Sociability Brugs act very similarly to other small, companion dogs. They love people and want to be around their family. Of course, early socialization is still required, but, for the most part, they are pretty easygoing. They are relatively high-energy, however. They need quite a bit of exercise. However, their small size makes it easy to exercise them in tight spaces and on short walks. With that said, because these dogs were bred to be companions, they are a bit lacking in the brains department. They take lots of patience to train, simply because it takes them a bit to figure out what you want them to do. Brug dogs vary widely. Not all Brugs are the same in the least. Because this is a mixed breed, you never exactly know which traits a particular puppy is going to inherit. Some Brugs look and act just like a Pug, while others may act like a mix between both their parents. They are healthier than their parents. Brugs are generally healthier than their parents. This is because they inherit a broader array of genes from their parents. Purebred dogs tend to have more health problems because they come from a smaller range of genes, which makes them more likely to inherit genes that are associated with health problems. For a long time, this breed was likely characterized as just a mixed breed. They love their family and are very affectionate. However, because they are smaller, they are not necessarily good choices for families with children. They can get hurt by rambunctious children quite quickly, which can cause them to snap. They require lots of socialization, or they may become intolerant of new situations or people. However, when appropriately socialized, they are very friendly and consider every stranger to be a friend. They are not particularly useful alert or guard dogs because of this, though. Sometimes, these dogs can be a bit possessive, similarly to other small dogs. However, socialization can help in this instance as well. Burg dogs are not incredibly intelligent. They are loyal enough to take easily to training, but may need a little bit of time to figure out what exactly you want. Patience is required to train them thoroughly. They respond well to praise; you have to give them a bit of time to figure it out! Overall, these dogs are happy and playful. They do good in apartments and in the city. Are These Dogs Good for Families? Those with small children may want to look elsewhere for a companion dog. Burgs can get injured easily when playing with small children, which may cause them to snap. However, for other families, these dogs do make good companions. They are not one-people dogs and will readily bond with everyone in the family. They love sitting in laps and soaking up attention, which is perfect for families with older children. With socialization, these dogs can be good companions in most homes. The Burg is usually OK with all other animals. They do not have a high prey drive, so they typically do fine with small animals as well, such as cats and rabbits. Of course, socialization around other animals is essential as well. They will likely be just fine with small animals if they have been around them as a puppy. They get along with other dogs as well and are not incredibly territorial. They may be a bit possessive of their people. However, socialization can help with this tremendously. Welcome to the wonderful world of the Brussels Griffon! This brochure answers some frequently asked questions to assist you with deciding if this breed is right for you. What kind of dog is that? The Griffon is extremely alert and takes note of all activities in the household. This intelligence, coupled with their loving personalities, make the Brussels Griffon an excellent house pet. There are four coat colors: red, black, black and tan, and belge which is red and black mixed, giving the coat a shaded look. In addition, there are two coat types, rough and smooth. The wiry haired rough coat is dense and somewhat harsh to the touch. The rough coat is hand stripped short on the body and left somewhat longer on the leg furnishings and the face to form a beard. The smooth coat is short, tight and glossy, similar to that of a Boston Terrier. The smooth-coated Griffon will not have a beard and furnishings. The two coat types give the Griffon a different look, but the dog underneath is the same. In fact, the two coats appear interchangeably, as both coat types are often born in the same litter of puppies. Griffons can range in size from as little as 6 lbs. How was the breed developed? Each of the breeds used in the development of the Brussels Griffon provided unique traits that make the breed the delightful little companion he is today. The King Charles black and tan and Ruby Toy Spaniels legacy can be seen in the occasional kink tailed, web footed or tailless Griffon that sometime appears — these dogs often have the most extreme, desirable head type. The crossbreeding of the Pug, Toy Spaniels, and Affenpinscher all contributed to the domed head, large expressive eyes, up-swept jaw and flat face of our current day Griffon. The Brussels Griffon has evolved from the scruffy stable ratter into the delightful little companion we know today. This site will also link to several other educational sites about the breed, including the American Kennel Club site www. You will need to be very proactive in your search because breeders do not always have puppies available. Since Brussels Griffons are toy dogs, they often have small litters and are difficult to breed. As a result, the number of Griffons available is exceeded by the demand, and many breeders will maintain a waiting list. By being patient and establishing a sincere dialogue with the breeder, the resourceful seeker can be successful in obtaining a Brussels Griffon. As the dialogue between a potential pet owner and breeder proceeds, be prepared to answer questions that pry into your personal life and motivation for obtaining a dog. You may have to travel a long distance to find a breeder, who will be evaluating you as a candidate for one of their beloved pets. The responsibility for the puppy bought from such a person ends when the puppy is sold. Conversely, a dedicated hobby breeder carefully selects dogs for their breeding program that exhibit the correct characteristics and temperament to produce quality offspring. Such a breeder will take responsibility for all dogs they have produced for their lifetimes. These animals will undergo careful medical screening. When such a breeder plans a litter of puppies, they are working to improve upon the parents and produce puppies that are as close to the breed standard as possible. The time, expense, dedication, and love that dedicated hobby breeders put into their breeding programs will bring you a happy, healthy, well adjusted pet that will be your companion for many years to come. Ethical breeders will sell you the dog already spayed or neutered; some breeders may also use the limited registration option, where the AKC registration form states the puppy or dog can be shown in AKC performance events obedience, agility, lure coursing, etc only. What is not commonly known is how pet stores obtain their puppies. They are most often or most likely purchased from dog brokers or puppy mills where they have not had the proper care and attention that will give you a happy, healthy, well socialized puppy. These dogs are often bred under conditions that are heartbreaking, with no screening done for existing or potential health problems. You may even be told that they buy their dogs from wonderful breeders with championship backgrounds. While some of these dogs may have a champion or two in their pedigree, it does not mean the offspring are of breeding quality, and ethical breeders do not sell puppies to pet stores or puppymills. These profit motivated individuals do not have the best interests of the dogs or you at heart — they are in business to make money. The dedicated Griffon breeder works very hard to raise healthy, well adjusted puppies and is lucky to break even with their expenses. They seek the best homes for their puppies and work hard to find an appropriate match between owner and dog. When a Griffon breeder has determined you would be a good match for one of their dogs, they may ask if you would consider an older dog. Older dogs will require less training and housebreaking and will bond to you as quickly as a puppy will. Many breeders are also very active in rescue, and may be aware of a wonderful rescue dog in need of assistance. There is nothing more satisfying than the grateful look of adoration from a dog whose life you have changed by adopting him. Attending dog shows and meeting the breeders in person will give you an opportunity to see some dogs and ask questions about the breed. Get a catalog so you can see which exhibitors are showing dogs that day. Always ask if it is a good time to talk, as the breeder may be busy preparing to take their dogs into the ring to be judged. Reputable breeders will be more than happy to talk to you after judging is done — approaching them at this time allows them to devote the time to your questions, and they should be open to queries from interested newcomers. As with puppymill breeders and pet stores, many of these individuals sell puppies with profit as their primary motive, even though they will never disclose this to you, the buyer. These colors are dilutes of the accepted colors listed above and frequently carry with them health problems that should not be passed on to the next generation. These puppies, when they occur, should be spayed or neutered and placed in homes as cherished pets. He will jump on your lap when you sit down, follow you into the bathroom, and even sit on your foot as you stand at the sink doing dishes! Because of their attachment to their family, Brussels Griffons are strictly house dogs. If relegated to a garage or kennel, the Griffon will pine away without love and personal attention, no matter how well their other needs are met. They should always have the opportunity to socialize with their people, otherwise they will become unhappy and withdraw into their shell. Griffons are happiest when they can sleep in your bed, follow you throughout your daily activities, and be an integral part of the family. Griffons get along well with other pets, and enjoy the companionship of their human and animal family members. A word of caution — due to their innate sense of self importance, they are not aware of their small stature. As a result, they will often try to dominate dogs many times their size and could be hurt by a larger pet. Griffons love to romp and play, and will often amuse you by tearing through the house and running in circles for the sheer joy of it. When playtime is through, they will curl up next to you for a nap, again showing that they are true velcro dogs. As a result, force does not work well with them in training; when forced they will decide they want no part of the training session. They will, however, respond well to guidance given with kindness, consistency and love. Enticing the Griffon into his crate with a treat elicits the desired behavior for you and a reward for the dog — a training win-win strategy that should be utilized consistently. Griffons will bond easily to their trainer when gentle training methods are used. Their intelligence and desire to please makes them wonderful participants in obedience, agility, conformation and tracking events. Leash training should begin by weeks of age — Griffons can sometimes exhibit a stubborn streak when they first encounter a leash. They do make excellent pets for families with older children, singles, empty nesters or grandparents, in fact anyone with the commitment to the health and well being of their Griffon. The innate wish for the Griffon to please you should be employed when housetraining your pet. Toy breeds can be difficult to housetrain — and the Brussels Griffon is no exception. If you would be heartbroken by a puddle on your oriental carpets, you may wish to consider another breed. Housetraining can be accomplished — however, it will not be as easy as with other breeds. By keeping your Griffon on a regular schedule, and taking him outside immediately after waking up and after eating, your chances for successful housetraining will be improved. Although difficult to breed, once they are past young puppy hood, Griffons are not subject to many serious diseases that plague some breeds. There are, however, some genetically based diseases that do occur in the breed, and the ABGA is currently conducting a comprehensive health survey to identify these conditions. This survey is being done so that we may identify and not breed dogs with serious health conditions that should not be passed on to future generations. Griffons are not overly prone to eye or skin ailments, but being a flat faced bracycephalic breed, must be protected from overheating in hot weather. Some Griffons will snore — this is usually more amusing than it is annoying. Dedicated reputable breeders, in conjunction with your veterinarian, are the best sources of information on health care and feeding your Griffon. Another important point to consider when purchasing your Griffon is the health screening performed by your breeder to ensure healthy, long lived dogs. Puppymills, who sell puppies to pet stores, will probably not do the proper health screenings to remove dogs with health issues from their breeding stock. Dedicated breeders will provide a health guarantee on the dogs they sell, and then live up to that guarantee. Griffons are born with ears that stand up and then fold over — the ears may also be cropped to form a small prick ear. They will also have their tails docked — this is done when the puppies are just a few days old. Your puppy may come with either natural or cropped ears — if they are natural you may choose to have them cropped. Beginning with the smooth coat, regular brushing and occasional bathing should suffice. Nails must be trimmed short, and ears should be cleaned occasionally with a cotton ball and ear cleaner. Even on a smooth dog, the hair can sometimes grow long around the neck, rump and tail. Ears should also be trimmed to maintain a neat appearance. The rough coat can be maintained in two ways. Most pet owners will opt to have their Griffon taken to a groomer, where the coat on the head, ears, back and sides will be clipped very short. The furnishings on the legs are left slightly longer, and the beard is trimmed to maintain a neat appearance. An alternate method is to hand-strip the coat — this is the grooming method used by breeders to maintain a show coat. This is done by pulling out the long dead hairs with a stripping knife or with fingers a few hairs at a time. Your breeder can give you instruction on grooming using either method. By shaving your Griffon with clippers, some of the depth of color and wiry texture is lost, but the grooming process is much easier to learn. If you are truly ambitious and want to maintain the stripped coat, your breeder will be able to give you lessons in hand stripping the coat. The process is not difficult to learn, but does require dedication and attention to detail. Whether the dog is clippered or hand stripped, the important thing to remember is to keep your Griffon well groomed and neat. The grooming process, when done gently and frequently can be an important bonding ritual between owner and dog. These are good for understanding the basic attributes of the breed and caring for your dog. Additional breed information, including an online store, can be located at the ABGA website listed above. The web addresses of breeders and club members offering breed information are available. Please be willing to wait a few days for a response, in case a member is out of town or away for the weekend at a show. There is also a website for our sister club, the National Brussels Griffon Club www. Some of the available information is printed material and can be ordered, including the Brussels Griffon Primer, and a Grooming Guide which shows how to put your rough Griffon in a show coat. Membership in the clubs entitles members to the quarterly magazine full of information on the breed. You may also have fun searching for Brussels Griffon items online. The items available are varied and change constantly. You may also wish to expand your search beyond the U.

I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. They like to nap frequently and enjoy play time. They are more than ready to meet their new families! They are just over 2 months. There are Two females and two males. Only serious buyers text me at xxx-xxx-xxxx. All my puppies are home raised, vet checked and have their shots. They are 12 weeks old and from their last vet checked, it was confirmed that they are now fit to move to new families. They have magnificent temperament towards kids and other pets and they are also well socialized. They love to be cuddle and leak hands and face if you get closer to them. They will make a wonderful addition to any family. My puppies are very smart, well socialized with kids and other animal and big dogs and pleasant to be around. Each puppy comes vet checked, health certificate from our vet with one year health guarantee for any genetic defects, vaccination records, micro-chipped, crate and crate training tips. My puppies are ready to join your home now. Serious buyers should only Text ME at xxx xxx-xxx7. Free Shipping is Included. They are Outstanding puppies with the "Perfect Bulldog Look"; short, stocky, large nose ropes and tons of wrinkles! Puppies have champion bloodlines and come micro chipped, up to date on shots, vet checked and with a health guarantee. EMAIL xxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxx. The mum is our family dog an she is a triple carrier and can been seen and has a fantastic temperament,she is extremely loyal and affectionate, The sire is the famous USA import lilac Tri Guru he is outstanding quality. All puppies will come wormed an flea treated up to date an have there first vacancies an also be microchipped, pups will be fully health checked before going to there new homes. View Detail English bull dog puppy ready for a new home English bull puppy with a playful nature. This sharp pup can be registered with the AKC and comes with a health guarantee provided by the breeder. He is vet checked and up to date on shots and wormer. Sidney is well socialized and is ready for his forever home. His mother is the family pet and is available to meet. To find out more about this friendly pup, please contact Jonas todayphone calls and SMS any time -- xxx xxx-xxx7 thank you and have a great day. We have 4 show quality puppies for sale 3 females and 1 male all are deep red with a little bit of white. Pups are bred to the new breed standard which consists of straight bone, straight tails. Straight teeth, open nostrils, split nose roll, clear eyes, rose ears. Puppies will come with AKC paperwork, insurance, first vaccination, health check certificate, microchiped, food, puppy pack and a life time full of help and advice. We have 4 girls and 1 boy. Mum to pups is our lovely red and white bitch Lola. Dad is a beautiful blue tri stud, Tank. Dad is double AT so all pups will carry AT. Mum and Dad can be viewed upon request. All pups come with their KC papers, microchip, both injections, 4 weeks free insurance, bowls, collar, lead, toys, blanket, puppy food pack and will be wormed, flead and fully vet checked up to date. There were 2 males and 1 females. We have 1 males available still. They are raised around my two children as well as other animals so will do great with kids and other pets. Good with kids and other pets been wormed and deflected vet checked 1 female 1 male. He is the grandson of champions with many, many more in his pedigree. He is a rolly polly at its finest. He will arrive healthy with a full nose-to-tail vet check, deworming and vaccination schedule. Don't miss out. Many of our dogs end up around the world, including the great state of Wyoming. In Wyoming Olde English Bulldogges are a popular breed. We have also assisted in Old English Bulldog rescues in Wyoming. With affordable shipping, we can get you happy, healthy, and socialized Olde English Bulldog puppies in Wyoming. A premier breeder with unbeatable guarantees, customer service 2nd to none and of course our amazing quality bulldogges makes us the best spot for your Wyoming Olde English Bulldogge puppies. Below is a few pictures of some of our Wyoming Olde English Bulldogges residing with their loving families in Cheyenne, Wyoming. If you are looking for a perfect bulldogge, give us a call .For avid facebookers you will also be able to interact with siblings of your pup and watch how they grow! Look no further! Happy, Healthy and Socialized Bulldogge puppies come from One of a Kind Bulldogs Truth is, we have an epidemic of puppy mills and backyard breeders. Our customers have done the hard work and inspected our facility for you out of state clients. I love to follow all of our friends and the adventures they have with their dawgs. Anyone else interested please do the same. Hes mellow, smart a huge :. We couldnt be happier with him and with Ary. Ary is always available to help answer questions of give advise and loves to keep up with his pups as they grow and beyond. In researching, we found Ary and the Olde English breed and could not be happier with the decision to get Bruce. Ary was incredible throughout the process, explaining everything we needed to know about the breed and the process of importing him into Hong Kong. He checked in with us several times before the flight and was in constant contact via text when we went to the airport to pick up Bruce, who arrived a little skeptical of his new surroundings but perfectly healthy and happy. The extent to which Ary cares about every one of the amazing dogs he sells is clear through his attention to detail and willingness to put in any extra effort to make sure his puppies get to, and stay in, good homes. He took to his kennel training and potty training so fast! In searching for our puppy, we did our due diligence researching online and then visiting your property in person. I was impressed with how happy and healthy all of your dogs are. I also enjoyed getting the opportunity to meet the parents of our puppy; they both seemed to have great termperments. Thanks for a wonderful puppy! Lauren W. I recently adopted her from Ary, and it was great! Ary is so devoted to all of his dogs, he even knows them by their bark! His property is a dog haven, dog runs, kiddie pools, and toys for days! He truly loves what he does. When I heard that Ary had rescued a litter of puppies i had to take a look! I fell in love with them all, as i do with all of his litters! He knows the background of each and every one of his dogs, he is so knowledgeable about the breed and is always there to answer any questions i have about Pepper. I will definitely be getting another bulldogge from Ary in the years to come. Thanks Ary! Jenna S. Iowa Hey Ary We just want to say thank for are boy Kane. He one of the best we gotten. He is are first bulldogge and wont be the last. Im just glad you made my day by letting take Kane home to live with use. S im looking forward to the day we get are girl from you. He is pounds and a real joy to have around! Ary is so helpful and we are grateful for him introducing us to this wonderful breed. There really is no better breed of dog! If you are looking for a bulldog and you should be! Shane S. Cares deeply about the health and well being of his dogs. A quality breeder with amazing dogs!! Cinda G. Brea, CA Just want to start off by saying: Ari, isnt just a Breeder hes a good guy and now a friend of mine!!!! I bought a puppy from him last feb !!! Since that time he taught me a lot about the breed to the point where i want to start breeding oldies!!!! So if you looking for a quality olde you have came to the right spot…. One of a Kind is now actively helping save shelter Bulldogges in high risk of euthanization, this is our way of giving back! Check our rescue site www. We are helping the olde English Bulldogges that were relinquished to shelters and ironically clening up a lot of the mess irresponsible backyard breeders are making. We always have olde English Bulldogges needing a home, if you dont wanna buy a puppy, help save a shelter dog. Follow Us on Social Media! Paypal Secured Payments.

Rescued in the Middle East from a cruel attack. It was in fact very painful, but I am so glad to have escaped that mean village. I finally found a place to hide and stay away from people for quite some time until some kind individuals found me. By the time I was rescued though, it was too late to recover my injured leg and as a result it had to be amputated. So now I live as a tripaw. Surprisingly, I still trust humans and let them pet me. I seem to be good with other dogs no idea about cats. I am not protective about my food at all and in fact enjoy eating while being around kids as they are petting me. I like to be decorated with flowers by kids! I know I look cute and photogenic! I would love to have a relaxing home with a loving family who have kids. Please be patient assisting me in my transition. Training: SomeLeash skills: No. Please be prepared to train me. House trained: Yes. Please be prepared to help me learn where to go in my new home. Health notes: Tripaw. Might need some physiotherapy to improve mobility issues, but at this point it is not a main concern. I have been neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. This includes my transportation to Canada, if I am able to be accompanied by a flight volunteer directly to Vancouver. Information included in the profile is provided to us from the international rescuer or local fosters. LALDR does not have access to overseas dogs and cannot always verify the accuracy of their descriptions. Every dog is an individual and can act differently in different situations based on the person adopting them and the environment in which they live. Although a 1-on-1 trainer is often not needed, it is good to have someone in mind in case any problematic behaviours arise. Most bad behaviours can be modified if caught early enough, so make sure to nip undesirable behaviours in the bud before they become serious problems. Basic training should be taken seriously, but should not begin until your dog is well settled in - at least a couple of weeks. After you feel your new dog is relaxed and comfortable in their new home, check out training courses in your local area. Even basic beginner courses like those taught at a local pet store can have a huge benefit in helping your dog learn to socialize and get used to being in public situations, all with the added benefit of strengthening their bond with you. In that case, additional fees will apply to fly your dog to Vancouver by cargo. LALDR will be as transparent as possible with you regarding these costs. The age and breed of a dog is usually an educated guess, so we are not able to guarantee the accuracy of age or breed of our dogs. Normally, we will not approve adoptions to homes with children under 12 years of age. However if a dog has been determined to be good with children we will approve applicants with children 8 years or older. More information can be found on our website. Bordetella is not given, as that has not been a problem in the Middle East. At this time there are no puppy reservations available for this litter until pregnancy is confirmed. For information on this litter contact Kelsie Warawa kelsi. For more pictures, please browse through the slide show below. Copper is a 14 year old male with a wonderful Golden temperament that gets along with everyone, both canine and human. He is an excellent marker and team player which makes him a wonderful companion on many hunting trips for ducks, geese and pheasants. Copper has proven himself time and time again, in the field and has passed on his trainability, water attitude and biddability to his offspring. He became a GRCA Outstanding Sire with many of his pups having outstanding careers in hunt tests, obedience, agility and other performance venues. We are very excited about this pairing and thank Mary Graff for the opportunity to breed Soleil to Copper. The pedigree combination combines some outstanding field, performance and obedience competitors with wonderful longevity. Our goal for this breeding is to produce intelligent hunting companions that are very athletic, biddable, can be easily trained in any venue, and become a wonderful family member. Both Copper and Soleil have dynamic personalities and they love to work, need a job to do, but they also easily settle in the house. The puppy pedigree has a pretty low inbreeding coefficient and there are some strong field competitors in the 5 generations so we do expect these puppies will need experienced active homes. Soleil is from our Bebop Litter Edge x Kikki and she has some endearing qualities from both sire and dam. She is on an amazing journey with her owner Kelsi and they are a great team. More information on Soleil can be found on her page on this website. Soleil really is a super fun athletic retriever that is up for any game, any time or whatever life throws their way. Contact Kelsi Warawa kelsi. Contact Multi-purpose golden retrievers bred for temperament, health and trainability. Welcome - thank you for visiting my website. In , the most wonderful thing happened. He was my first dog, my heart dog and I still miss him every day. I am lucky enough to have frozen semen on this once in a life-time dog and when the time is right, I will have his son at my side, as his father lived his life. Keeza introduced me to the dog world and what a world it has been - titles to be earned, friends to be made and all with my goldens by my side - what a wonderful life. I am so blessed. Please click on "about us" to learn more about bringing a golden retriever puppy into your home and best of all, into your life. I recently got this paragraph on a puppy enquiry where I ask "what are your expectations of me as a breeder" This particular home's reply was perfect - it is me to a "T". That you are transparent with us about challenges you might foresee with our pup. That you remain available if we feel we need to contact you about possible genetic conditions that might arise. That you continue to take an active interest in knowing that your pups are in good homes.

A low-calorie diet is enough for an older dog, but it should still be full of nutrients. Moderate protein and fat content are still needed. Typically, Golden Retriever puppies need to be fed at least three times daily. Meanwhile, adult and senior Golden Retrievers are satisfied with two meals per day. A Golden Retriever puppy should be fed three times a day at scheduled intervals until it reaches six months. You may divide the three meals into breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When your Golden Retriever puppy turns six months, you can begin feeding it twice a day until it reaches adulthood. For adult Golden Retrievers, the most ideal feeding schedule will be twice a day with equally spaced meals. You can give it high-quality food in the morning and evening. The same goes for senior dogs but with fewer calories. For an easier routine, you can create a customized feeding plan based on your daily schedule or commitments. A proper routine also prevents under and overfeeding. As Golden Retrievers have a ravenous appetite, you might be tempted to feed your dog often. But you should be firm and watchful to avoid any weight-related problems. Here, we provided the optimal feeding times you can follow for your Golden Retriever: 2 to 6 months: am — am, pm, pm 7 months to 8 years and above: am — am, pm — pm Ideally, you should not feed your Golden Retriever puppy after pm. Instead, give your pup an ice cube to chew on when it gets thirsty. Your Golden Retriever puppy should also be fed in the same area daily without distractions. This way, your young puppy can focus on eating its puppy food. Allot around 20 to 30 minutes for your Golden puppy to finish its meal. Remember that some Golden Retrievers like to gorge on more food while some are finicky. Keep your pooch lean with the right feeding schedule, feeding amounts, and proper physical activity. You can also consult your vet for more insights. You may give your pooch kibbles or cold-pressed dog food. Both are packed with necessary ingredients that are filled with nutrients! It can be a bit costly, but wet dog food is still a better choice for Golden Retrievers that are picky eaters and for senior Golden Retrievers, too. You may either mix them or alternate the two at every meal. Just make sure that when you take this approach, your pooch is getting the right food with proper calorie and nutrition requirements. Complete Raw Diet: Feeding your Golden Retriever raw food should be fine after it turns three to four weeks. However, feeding dogs with this option is linked to many food safety concerns. Meanwhile, freeze-dried dog food is also a raw food that has been repacked. Both have no preservatives added and are easy to store with long shelf lives. When choosing the best dog food for your Golden Retriever, you should take into account the ingredients, nutrient details, and feeding instructions as well. Based on the general guidelines, the nutrients you should be looking for besides meat products or animal protein and fats are high-quality grains such as brown rice. Fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals are also vital. This can be ideal for dogs that are sensitive to different types of grain. But grain-free food has been controversial due to its link with heart disease. Your vet can also help you personalize a diet plan for your dog. Curious to see what a homemade meal looks like for Golden Retrievers? Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers are known for their strong appetite, and on top of this, they are also curious. Several foods are toxic to Golden Retrievers, such as chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, walnuts, and macadamia nuts. Alcoholic drinks and foods that contain xylitol are also dangerous for your dog. Even a tiny amount of alcohol can cause severe issues to your dog, such as vomiting, and diarrhea, among others. Meanwhile, xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is also unsafe for your pooch. If your Golden Retriever consumes too much xylitol, it can result in a dangerously low blood sugar level and even acute liver failure. This substance is usually found in sweet candies, gums, cookies, and the like, so make sure that you check what treats you give your dog. Read food labels or buy organic brands instead. Other vegetables that are harmful to your Golden Retriever are Brussel sprouts, kale, and wild mushrooms. The pits, skins, and leaves of avocados contain a toxin called persin. Meanwhile, cherries contain cyanide which can be extremely harmful to your dog. You may also consult your vet to check the safety of specific foods, especially if your pooch has allergies or sensitivities. These gradual transitions typically occur over 5 to 7 days. The range of amounts is based on the activity of your Golden for the day, either low, moderate, or high level of activity. Golden Retrievers should have scheduled times to eat daily. The scheduled times will help them with their energy levels and keep them healthy. You can schedule their eating times as to what works best for your schedule. For example, feeding them before you leave for work and then when you get home. As a puppy, they will eat three times a day, so you will need to find times in those first few months to feed them more often. When they are an adult or senior, the scheduling of feeding times will be easier because they will only eat twice daily. For a Golden Retriever puppy, the best feeding schedule is once in the morning, noontime, and in the evening. For example, you could feed their first meal at am, lunch at noon, then dinner at pm. Planning their mealtimes around your mealtimes will often make it easier for you and the puppy. Make sure to give them plenty of time after eating to got to the bathroom a couple of times before heading to bed. Hopefully, this will help them sleep for a longer period. After about six months, your Golden Retriever can go down to two daily feedings. This usually occurs once in the morning and once in the evening. They can usually last about 12 hours between meals. If it goes past 12 hours, they could become nauseated. Golden Retrievers can experience food allergies often caused from proteins in dairy or meat products. If your dog experiences symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or itching they may have a food allergy. They warn that feeding dogs any raw animal-source protein could cause illness because it has not gone through a process to remove harmful pathogens. However, a raw diet can be healthy if you are willing to go through the extra cleaning processes of the meat. This is a lot of work and difficult to do correctly and safely. We do not recommend it without expert veterinary help. Before starting a raw diet with your Golden, be sure to consult a veterinarian. Find one that is familiar with raw foods and can help with the proper handling of the foods. If you work hard to make sure your homemade foods are rich in the vitamins and minerals that a dog needs, then it might work for your Golden Retriever. It takes a lot more time to find recipes and make sure it has all the nutritional value of a store-bought dog food. If you are willing to research expertly formulated recipes internet is making it easier to do this , and take the time to cook for your golden then go for it! Consulting your veterinarian is a must before starting any homemade diet. A veterinary nutritionist should also review your plan before starting. Feeding your Golden Retriever table food is not the best practice but a small amount of dog healthy table food is fine. Some example table foods that are healthy for them are carrots, blueberries and plain yogurt. Just be aware that feeding them too much table food can throw their entire diet out of whack. They may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals like they do from their dog food. Conclusion Making sure your Golden Retriever is getting the right foods at the right amounts will help them live their best life. There are many choices of foods with all the right ingredients. Be sure to choose one that works best for you and your Golden. Consult with your veterinarian on which food will bring the most nutritional value to the health of your Golden Retriever. If your Golden is experiencing any health issues related to changing foods, visit your veterinarian. If this article was helpful, please consider sharing this post on Facebook with the button below! She is board certified a specialist in canine reproduction. In her day job, she is a leader in a small biotech where she and a team of veterinarians and scientists work to develop new medications for pets. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of this wonderful breed of dogs. She and her husband have 2 children, 3 dogs and one cat. They love camping and hiking and she can often be found with her head in a good book. Recent Posts. Learn more » Congratulations on your new golden retriever puppy! You now have a beautiful, smart, and loyal dog who will love you for life. To make sure they grow into a healthy and happy companion, you need to feed them the right amount of food. At months old, which is usually when they are ready to leave their mother, a golden retriever puppy should be eating 3 cups of dog food divided into three meals per day. This is based on a typical large-breed puppy food. Different brands will give a feeding guide on their packaging. However, how much and how often to feed your golden retriever will keep changing during this time of rapid growth. Golden Retriever Puppy Feeding Timeline Image Credit: PxHere All puppies are different as are the foods, but some general guidelines for feeding your golden retriever during their first year are: 0—6 weeks: A golden retriever puppy can start eating solid food when they are 3—4 weeks old. Give them a total of 3 cups of dog food per day by their third month, 3 to 4 cups by the time they are 6 months old. The AKC recommends waiting until large breed puppies are at least 12 months old before switching them over to adult dog food and more likely 18 months. The amount will depend on their weight and activity level, but a rough guide is 1—2 cups per meal. Image Credit: Kinek00, Shutterstock Large breed puppies like golden retrievers should eat three to four small meals a day for the first 3—6 months of their lives. Smaller portions spread throughout the day are easier on their tummies and help prevent bloat, a serious condition that can be deadly for dogs. It also helps them maintain their energy level throughout the day. Puppy food has more calories and fat to support their growth, as well as extra vitamins and minerals for their developing immune and nervous systems and bones. The protein source matters, too. Puppies need animal-based proteins like chicken, beef, or lamb for their growing muscles. Choose a Large Breed Formula: Large breed puppies grow quickly, which means they need extra support for their bones and joints. Formulations for large breeds contain the correct calcium and phosphorus ratio for strong bones and glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints. They can help you choose the right food for your puppy based on their age, weight, and activity level. But puppies need to be fed on a schedule to prevent them from overeating and becoming overweight. How do you know if your puppy is getting enough to eat? After that, their growth will start to slow down. He Has a Healthy Appetite: A healthy puppy is interested in food and eager to eat. He Has Plenty of Energy: A well-fed puppy is full of energy and ready to play. Make the most of mealtime with these tips: 1. It also helps other aspects of puppy training, such as potty training and crate training. Image Credit: Alena Marchuk, Shutterstock This means leaving food out all day for them to graze on whenever they want. Leave food down for 10 minutes and then pick up what is not eaten. If they have not eaten anything, offer it again in an hour. Slow them down by scattering their kibble around the bowl, using a puzzle feeder or snuffle mat. This will help them learn to eat slowly and enjoy their food more. If your puppy is not drinking enough water for your liking, try adding a bit of broth to their bowl to make it more appealing and help them stay hydrated. Resist the Urge to Sneak Them Table Scraps Puppies are experts at giving those big, soulful eyes that make it hard to say no. But resist the temptation to give them table scraps or human food. Aside from teaching them bad manners, it can also lead to health problems, like obesity. A lot of human foods are not safe or healthy for dogs. For instance, garlic and onions are toxic to dogs. Oily food can upset their stomach, and carbs add a lot of calories. This helps them learn that mealtime is a specific time and place and not something that happens all over the house. Let Your Puppy Eat in Peace. This includes other pets in the house and small children who might want to bother them or try to steal their food. Otherwise, meals can become a stressful experience for your puppy instead of a happy one. Conclusion Feeding your golden retriever puppy the right amount of quality dog food will establish a strong foundation for their health and happiness. In addition, make mealtimes more meaningful by turning them into lessons and bonding moments between you and your dog. The puppy phase is over before you know it, so enjoy it while it lasts! Read the full disclosure here. Being a large and energetic dog, your golden retriever has a ravenous appetite and can eat a lot. However, overfeeding is never good and could be avoided with the help of a golden retriever feeding chart. Knowing how much to feed your golden retriever is always tricky but essential for their well-being and health. Goldens are prone to obesity and joint problems, which can only be exacerbated with an inadequate feeding plan. So, stay with me to find the right feeding plan and meal schedule for your goldie. Most first-time owners think their puppies should be chubby. In truth, golden retriever puppies are supposed to look lanky and act like they are always hungry when fed the correct amount of food. To encourage proper growth and development without making your pup obese, you will have to know how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. For example, cheaper foods use fillers and have a smaller amount of calories, thus you will have to feed more than you would when using premium large breed puppy foods. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. We all want our golden retriever puppies to be healthy and happy. We envision them running through a verdant field chasing a ball. Full of energy with the beautiful, lustrous golden coat. But, just like us, eating the proper food in the proper amounts will help your golden properly grow and thrive. After all, what we eat impacts how healthy we are. How much you should feed your golden retriever puppy will vary depending on the quality of food you feed, his age, his weight, his general health, and his activity level. Your golden will be growing for up to two years. And the amount of food during that time will have to be adjusted depending on his needs. Because most people feed kibble to their pup, this article will focus on that. Kibble is convenient and cost effective. Instead, they should be lanky and full of energy. They should love to eat their food with gusto. Instead, you should be able to feel his ribs when you pet him there. There should just be a thin coating of fat under his skin. And he should have a defined waistline. Of course you should check with your veterinarian to make such adjustments. And remember a young puppy should get only so much exercise a day. Their joints and bones are developing and can be damaged if the exercise is too extreme. Assuming you have an eight-week-old puppy, he should receive three to four meals a day. From eight weeks old until about five or six months old, three meals per day are advisable. Of course, feed at the same intervals every day and split the total amount per day in half to be given at each feeding. After about six months of age through adulthood, two feedings per day are the norm. Always check with your vet regarding how much and how often to feed. These are just guidelines. Feed him at the same distraction-free location so that he focuses on eating. As much as goldens love to eat, a young golden puppy is also very easily distracted. This can lead to possible health problems, including joint and bone problems. Goldens can easily become overweight. Free feeding can also lead to a picky eater. Some puppies figure out that if their buffets are always there, and they can just go graze at will. Most foods you purchase will have guidelines on their bag or box. When you first get your puppy, feed him the same food that the breeder or rescue fed him for a few weeks. Then, if you want to change his food, do so over at least 10 days. Add more of the new food and subtract more of the old food each day. After about five days, you should be giving him approximately 50 percent of the new food and 50 percent of the old food. Switching food over such a period of time will help prevent stomach upsets and diarrhea. Overfeeding will result not only in him becoming overweight but it will also make him grow too fast. Periodically—even weekly— test whether you can still feel his ribs without them protruding. You can then increase the amount he eats. You should also feed his last meal of the day at least 90 minutes before his bed time so that he can digest his food and potty before bed. A well-balanced, high-quality food should provide all the nutrients he requires. Golden puppies require a formula made for large-breed dogs. Puppy formulas for large-breed dogs regulate their growth. Eating too quickly can lead to digestive upsets and even bloat, which can be deadly. I rescued my golden retriever Riley when he was about six months old. To say that he ate as if it were his last meal would be an understatement. He had a voracious appetite. I bought one of the maze bowls to slow him down. The kibble is placed between each section of the bowl, and he had to forage for his food. It worked! He ate at a more normal pace. Of course, dogs should be given free access to fresh water. Other Feeding Options Although I concentrated in this article on feeding kibble to your new puppy, there are other options. There are some drawbacks to them because they may not be nutritionally complete, may be cost prohibitive, or may be too time-consuming to make. Wet Food Canned food alone or mixed with kibble is an option. But wet food alone is very expensive. He may become a picky eater. Feeding raw is controversial. Dehydrated raw foods reduce some of the risks. The ratio of calcium to phosphorous is crucial to puppy development. Homemade Diet Cooking for your best friend can be very appealing. And many people do. You know what ingredients and their quality are. But it has its drawbacks. Of course, the amount you feed is important for his growth rate and general health and well-being. But there is no one-size-fits-all in determining how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. Any amounts you see are just guidelines. Adjust them as necessary regarding your own special puppy. Do you have a golden retriever puppy? How did you determine what and how much to feed him? Please leave your comments in the section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Debbie has been training dogs for over 24 years and has nationally ranked obedience and rally dogs, agility dogs, trick dogs, and therapy dogs. Post navigation. They are famously loving and playful family pets, always eager to jump in the pool or snuggle up with you on the lounge. They are patient and energetic dogs who are easy to train, making them excellent service animals as well as loyal companions. If you are bringing a Goldie into your family, you might also be aware of their reputation as food lovers. Your Goldie might want to eat anything and everything you put in their bowl — and maybe even anything left on an unattended plate. In this Golden Retriever feeding guide, Hypro Premium will take you through everything you need to know when it comes to food options for your pup. The best food for most young puppies is milk. If you are weaning a puppy, you can start to mix in a little dry kibble with their puppy milk to create a paste. You can feed this mix to your puppy up to four times a day, slowly reducing the amount of milk you mix in. Over time, your Goldie puppy will get more comfortable with solid foods, until you no longer need to include any milk in their diet. While chubby little puppies are cute, your Goldie should not build up too much excess fat once you start feeding them solids. Goldies go from a small 4kg puppy at 7 weeks old to an almost 30 kg adult dog in the space of only 10 months. At six months old your puppy will still be growing, but more slowly as they reach most of their body development milestones. This is why appropriate feeding in the first year of their life is vital to the overall health of your Goldie for years to come. Over time this can increase to up to 4 cups a day at 10 months old, though females should usually only need 3 cups a day. The amount you feed your puppy is often dependent on their size and sex. While they may have some growing left to do, it depends on your dog. Some Goldies will continue to experience growth spurts before their second birthday, while others will stay the same size. Large breeds can be at risk of growing too fast, which can make them more vulnerable to skeletal and weight problems when they get older. Golden retrievers are especially prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which can be avoided through diet control. You should feed your Goldie between 3 — 4 cups of food per day over two meals. Adult dogs and puppies have different nutritional needs. This is important to take into consideration as you are establishing a feeding schedule for a Golden Retriever puppy. Puppies require more calories to support their rapid growth than adult dogs, but they also have much smaller stomachs, which means they get fuller faster. Because of this, puppies can easily overeat, especially Golden Retrievers. You can help your puppy avoid overeating by allowing them a short amount of time to eat, and then removing their bowl. All puppies grow a lot during their first year, but large breed puppies are more likely to suffer from negative health consequences as a result. In order to provide your Golden Retriever puppy with the most appropriate food to support their rapid growth, consider choosing a large breed puppy food. Goldie puppies need lots of protein, fibre, and fatty acids to support the development of their bodies and provide them with energy. These foods also take into account the difference in nutrient digestion between small and large breeds. Too much of these nutrients can cause your large breed puppy to develop skeletal abnormalities. So how much do you feed a Golden Retriever? Your adult Goldie could need anywhere between and 1, calories per day. The amount of food you feed your dog will be determined by a few important factors. The first thing to consider is the sex of your dog. On average, your male Golden Retriever will need slightly more food than a female dog. Senior dogs will usually be less active and so will need less food. Goldies in particular can have a lot of variation in the amount of food they need on a daily basis. No matter how much you feed your dog, it is ideal that you feed your adult Golden Retriever two meals a day at evenly spaced time intervals. Feeding your dog twice, once in the morning and again in the evening, can be useful for establishing a routine and avoiding overfeeding. This routine can also include exercise, and is useful for encouraging healthy behaviour around food and toilet training. Special Considerations Your Golden Retriever could be predisposed to several health conditions that are important to consider when you make decisions about their diet. Firstly, Golden Retrievers are known for their beautiful coats, but their skin can often become infected. Goldies love swimming, but this can cause problems if water irritates their skin. They can also be susceptible to atopic dermatitis, which causes extreme itchiness, resulting in licking and biting behaviours in dogs that can cause even more damage. For dogs prone to skin and coat issues, a fish-based diet can help alleviate symptoms. Fish contains plenty of fatty acids, which support coat and skin health, and rarely triggers any allergic reaction in dogs. Goldies often benefit from healthy grains in their diet, especially as avoiding them can actually leave your dog more vulnerable to nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy, or nutritional DCM. This heart disease is common in Golden Retrievers, and can be triggered by consuming too much grain-free pet food that contains legumes like lentils and peas. You should consider feeding your Golden Retriever foods that are full of grains and proteins like chicken or fish. These are the benefits and drawbacks of the three most popular options — wet food, a raw food diet, and dry food. Wet food can be a great option for dogs that need plenty of protein and fat, like working dogs or dogs with certain health conditions. It also hydrates your dog while they eat, which can be useful for dogs suffering from any illness. For dogs with highly restrictive diets, raw food prepared by you can be a great way to avoid allergens. You can have complete control over a raw diet, which does require a lot more work on your part, but can have great results. For instance, a Golden Retriever with heart issues should eat a low salt diet, which can be easier to achieve if you are preparing their meals from scratch. However, low quality kibbles tend to be made up of a lot of low quality fillers, which can be hard for your pup to digest. Whatever option you choose for your Goldie, make sure it is suitable for large breeds and contains high quality ingredients. This will help prevent degenerative health disorders in the long run. Your Golden Retriever will probably love food, and will probably try to eat anything you put in front of them, which means you need to help them avoid the negative consequences of overeating. Golden retrievers, like other large and active breeds, need plenty of exercise. Not only is this vital to their physical health, but it also ensures they grow up well socialised and mentally stimulated. As your Goldie grows from a puppy to an adult dog, the amount of meals they need a day will reduce as their digestive systems become more developed. Your dog will need two meals a day, once in the evening and once in the morning, from the age of 6 months. There is also info on how to keep your puppy and your adult at his or her optimum weight. Scroll down to find growth charts to make sure your puppy is growing at the proper rate and is within the right weight range for his age. If you are looking for information on what to feed, go to How to Choose a Dog Food. Unlike with human children, a puppy that is overfed will grow too fast before they grow too fat. A good example is where a smaller puppy at 10 weeks was overfed and his growth was compared to a puppy that was correctly fed. The growth of your puppy needs to be controlled. General Guidelines for Puppies Below are some general guidelines on how much to feed puppies. Most dog food bags suggest feeding too much. Increase to about 3 cups a day by 5 months for boys and by 6 months for girls. Golden Retrievers at this age are supposed to look lanky and all Golden Retrievers act like they are starving when fed the correct amount. If left to eat as much as they want, they will all grow too fast. In the wild, dogs do not have unlimited access to eat as much as they want. They work for their food. Caloric Needs Greatly Decrease at About a Year When puppies reach about months, their caloric needs begin to decrease. Some males might need 4 cups if active and are fed a less expensive food. Make sure you take into consideration the number of extra calories being fed as treats. You should be able to feel their ribs, but not see them even when the dog is wet. If you can see the ribs, increase their food. Decrease the food if you cannot feel them. I always tell people that it is better to underfeed than to overfeed, especially when feeding puppies. Weight Range Charts Following are charts of how puppies should generally grow in weight. Keep in mind that very few puppies need to be at the top of these ranges and if you cannot feel ribs, your dog is overweight even if she is in this weight range. If your dog is still a puppy and she is over these weight ranges, you are feeding her too much. Female Golden Retriever Weight Chart Here is a chart of how girls should generally grow in weight: 2 Months — pounds.

The costs will be a bit higher at first while you get your dog the shots it requires and pay for the frequent visits to the vet. We also recommend getting your dog spayed or neutered unless you are a professional breeder, and it might even be required as part of your contract if you purchase from a breeder. Once your dog is an adult, it will not require as many vet visits and will only need booster shots every few years, so the average monthly costs will be much lower. Experts recommend getting all of the shots, but your dog is only legally required to get the rabies shot. We recommend purchasing a high-quality brand with real meat like chicken, turkey, or salmon listed as the first ingredient. The protein in meat will help build muscle and provide the energy your dog needs to stay healthy. High protein diets will also help your dog stay full longer, and it will be less likely to come looking for food. Foods with corn as the top ingredient are mostly empty calories that will leave your pet feeling hungry and looking for more food, potentially causing it to become obese. During the shedding seasons of spring and fall, you will likely need to increase the brushing to several times a week to help keep the fur off your furniture and floor. Professional grooming can also help with teeth brushing and nail clipping. This medication can also help prevent heartworm. Spot Pet Insurance offers customizable plans that you can adapt to your breed's specific needs. Many people forgo pet insurance, but it can be a great way to protect yourself from a huge expense while making sure your Labrador Retriever has the best healthcare possible. Accidents and serious illnesses can occur at any time, and many procedures can cost thousands of dollars which makes the price of insurance more than worth it, especially if you get it while your dog is still a puppy. It can chew up stuffed animals quickly, so they can get expensive, but there are plenty of options for a chewing dog, like the Lab. Another option is to purchase a subscription to a monthly service like the Bark Box that sends your dog new toys and activities for as long as you keep up your subscription. A full-grown dog only requires food and flea and tick medication to stay healthy, a few toys to play with, and treats here and there. Additional Costs to Factor In If you like to go on long vacations, you might need to factor in the additional costs of traveling with a dog. Many rental cars do not allow pets or will charge you extra, and the same is true for hotels. Owning a Labrador Retriever on a Budget Your Labrador Retriever will be relatively inexpensive once you get the medical things out of the way. A high-quality food may seem more expensive, but it will help keep your dog full so that it will eat less. Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock Saving Money on Labrador Retriever Care The best way to save money on healthcare when raising your Labrador Retriever is to keep it a healthy weight by following portion recommendations on the food you serve and by helping them get enough exercise. Obesity can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and other health issues that can shorten the lifespan of your pet. After the initial cost of the puppy , you will need to pay a few hundred dollars to get it spayed or neutered and get the shots it needs. After that, you will only need to provide food and shelter with the occasional booster shot. We hope you have enjoyed reading over this guide, and that it has helped answer your questions. If we have helped you create a budget that allows you to get one of these amazing pets, please share this guide on how much it costs to own a Labrador Retriever on social media. Featured Image Credit: scott, Pixabay Contents. How Much Does a Labrador Cost? And, this is just the upfront cost of the puppy. This includes the cost of food, veterinary bills, grooming, bedding, and so on. Labrador puppy costs depend on a few factors. Quality of the breeder Quality of the parent dogs Type of Labrador eg. For instance, puppy prices tend to be higher before Christmas, so buy a puppy in the spring, instead. Originally, black Labs were favored above other colors. Brown and yellow Labs were extremely uncommon, and were not at all desirable. Over time, this opinion changed and brown and yellow Labs became more accepted. Shooting communities still tend to prefer the black Lab, but yellow Labs are very common in other working roles, like as therapy dogs and guide dogs. On the whole, each official Labrador color will cost a similar amount. But, yellow and brown Labs may cost slightly more than black Labs, since the genes that cause their coloring are recessive and therefore are less common. Non-Standard Colors Labrador costs can be hugely increased or reduced by non standard colors or patterns. For instance, dilute shades or mismarks. Dilute coloring is recessive and highly controversial in the Labrador community. The genes that cause these shades will dilute pigmentation, turning black Labs into charcoal Labs, chocolate Labs into silver Labs, and yellow Labs into champagne Labs. Some believe this color results from cross-breeding. But, others believe the recessive genes simply remained hidden over generations, like original yellow and chocolate coloring. Dilute colors are not accepted in the official breed standard. So, many breeders will not adjust their price, and may even lower it for unexpected dilute puppies. The same is the case with mismarks. Mismarks can include white patches and spots, brindling, and even tan markings. Extensive mismarks will disqualify a Lab from show. Show type Labs are bred to fit the Labrador breed standard. They are usually slightly stockier and less active than field types. Field types are more often bred for their working ability than for any specific appearance. Labradors cost more when they are bred to show standards. Field Labs tend to be cheaper than Labradors bred for show. But, you should consider which type is best for you, rather than just going for the cheapest Labrador you can find. Field type Labs can be much more energetic and active than show types. First time owners may find the English Lab slightly easier to raise and train! Conversely, Labrador costs can be highest with field trial champion bred dogs that are likely to win awards. Labrador Costs From Breeders vs Shelters Labrador puppies from reputable breeders will cost more than dogs from a rescue center. Whilst Labs from breeders can cost thousands of dollars, Labradors from rescue centers can only be a few hundred dollars. A major difference between Labs from a breeder and Labs from a rescue center is the history of the dogs. Puppies from a breeder will stay with their mom and siblings until 8 weeks old. At 8 weeks, puppies can go to their new home. Rescue center dogs can have unknown histories, or even histories that involve abuse. Labs from rescue centers are usually older, and have often lived with other families. However, many Labs are given up for non-behavioral reasons. They can be just as wonderful pets as puppies from a breeder. And, many dogs from rescue centers will have basic training, including house training, obedience, and potentially recall. Why Are Breeders So Expensive? Reputable breeders tend to cost more than any other puppy source. Breeders have to spend a lot when breeding a litter, and all of this will lower their profit margins. Labrador breeding costs include: Health testing and certificates. Your Labrador puppy will need a bed, collar, leash, poop bags, food bowls, food, treats, toys, grooming supplies, and a dog crate. It is important to get any dog licensed to avoid legal issues. Training Labrador Retrievers are easy to train and do not require professional training. But, some keepers choose to take their Lab to puppy school. Because they are highly motivated, Labradors also do great in agility training. This is also a great way for them to use up their energy. Owners can either build their own agility course or pay to put their dog in agility classes. Vet Fees and Insurance One of the most expensive parts of owning a dog is all the vet visits. This includes all of their shots and monthly checkups. A way to help reduce the cost of veterinary bills is through buying pet insurance. It is best to start paying for a pet insurance policy when your Labrador is a puppy. Senior dogs are more expensive to cover since they are more likely to develop health problems. Food When it comes to feeding a Labrador, they are not cheap. Labradors eat a lot of food. They are medium to large-sized dogs and weigh around 70 pounds. These prices are based on feeding a high quality kibble. Wet food can easily cost several hundred dollars more. Backyard Breeders One important thing every potential owner should remember is to avoid backyard breeders and pet shops. It is true that these places sell dogs for a much lower price. But, that does not mean they will be cheaper over their lifespan. Backyard breeders do not screen their dogs to determine if they have inheritable health problems. This results in Lab puppies being born that are more likely to develop health issues such as hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy. These breeders also do not provide proper veterinary care for their puppies. Many are sold while having worms or fleas and having received no socialization. Ethical Labrador breeders ensure their breeding stock is screened and their puppies are healthy and socialized before placing them into their new homes. Labrador Retrievers can develop diseases of the eye. The form of this disease that is very common is Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration. Caused by an inheritable genetic mutation, it ultimately leads to blindness. Screening will help to prevent you from buying a puppy that may become blind later on in life. Dogs with this disease will lose their sight between one and eight years of age. Hip and Elbow Scores Another health problem that Labradors are prone to is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a genetic skeletal disease that causes the hip joint to not form properly. This results in the femur grinding against the hip causing deterioration and loss of function. Many Labradors with this condition end up having to undergo surgery to reduce pain and regain function in their hips. The average hip score for a Labrador retriever is 12, so any score below that is considered good. Ideally, good breeders will only breed dogs with hip scores under .This will prevent you from purchasing a Labrador puppy that will require expensive surgery later on in its life. Purpose American Labradors are best suited for active families. Families that enjoy activities such as swimming, running, and hiking. They are great for families with older children who can engage and play with them more. American Labs would also do best with owners who can dedicate more time to them because they require a lot of exercise every day. People who work from home or part time would be ideal. English Labradors would make great pets for quieter families because they have a calmer personality. They are also gentler and would do well with a family that has young children. Since they are less active, they are suitable for a busier family who has less time to exercise them. Their docile, patient attitude also makes them excellent candidates to be service dogs so they would be a great dog for people who need one in their life. Summary The price of a Labrador can vary depending on if you get one from a breeder or rescue. Its color, pedigree and health will also influence the price. All Labradors are prone to health conditions such as progressive retinal atrophy and hip or elbow dysplasia. Make sure the breeder screens for these health conditions before breeding. This will help to ensure your puppy is healthy. The cost to keep a Labrador healthy, exercised and happy can get pricey. But, if an owner has done their research and prepared themselves, then Labradors make an excellent addition. What Lab do you prefer? American, English, or mixed? Let us know! He has spent decades training working dogs and spends most of his spare time studying, reading and learning about their behavior and welfare. Outside of Marvelous Dogs, he enjoys trail running and agility work with his working Labrador Retriever. You May Also Like. And for good reason! Labradors make fantastic family pets, and they are notoriously great with kids. Labradors are also highly affectionate, energetic dogs. However, you may be wondering how much a Labrador Retriever actually costs. The cost of your Labrador Retriever will depend upon several factors. While you may be thinking about that original price tag when you purchase your puppy, there are so many more factors to consider when it comes to working out the true cost of what your Labrador puppy will cost you. This is down to several different factors. One of the most important factors will be down to the breeder that you choose to buy your labrador puppy from. This is a decision that will require a lot of thought and research. Especially if you want to use them with any American Kennel Club events. You can look for an older dog that has been trained for certain things such as dock jumping or hunting. Puppy Mills And Backyard Breeders Choosing the right breeder will be essential when it comes to finding your Labrador retriever puppy. Puppy mills and backyard breeders only care about making a profit from their dogs, so will cut corners when it comes to caring for them. In order to save money, these breeders will do things like miss essential vaccinations. Chances are these dogs could have a bunch of health and behavior issues. Cost Of Feeding A Labrador As with any dog, you will also need to factor in how much it will cost to feed your Labrador. When your labrador starts to grow up, they will need to eat more and more food. Remember that Labradors are large, very active animals. The right amount of food for your dog will differ depending on their age, gender, how active they are, and their daily schedule. Dry dog food The general rule of thumb for an adult Labrador is around 3 cups of dry dog food per day. Typically, this sized dry dog food bag will give you around cups, which should be enough to last your Labrador for around 40 days. This cost will also depend on the brand of dog food that you opt for. Again, the cost will vary from brand to brand. This is presuming you will be giving your labrador a single can a day. You may need to adjust this amount depending on the number of calories they need to consume in the day. One of the best things about Labradors is how easy they are to train. Treats will be a necessary part of this if you want to train your dog. Try these homemade treat options and you may save some money. There are things that you will need to have in place beforehand, such as food bowls, a crate, collar, leash, puppy pads, as well as some basic chew toys. This is also where your puppy will sleep on his first night away from his litter. There are two ways that you can tackle this necessary purchase. Here are our 5 top picks for the best crates for puppies and our best puppy toys to keep your Labrador busy in the crate. Buy a quality crate Of course, you can splash the cash on a high-quality crate that will last your dog for its whole lifetime. If you choose this option, the crate will be much too big for your puppy, and it could also make crate training virtually impossible. You can get around this issue by making a temporary divider that can keep your puppy in a smaller portion of the crate. Some crates are sold with dividers like this MidWest Homes dog crate. This will also allow you to adjust the divider over time to give your Labrador puppy more room as they grow up, and until your dog gets the hang of crate training. Buy a cheaper crate The second approach is that you can buy a crate that fits the exact size of your puppy now. A wire crate design is a good choice to opt for as it makes it even easier to clean up any accidents. Plus when it comes time to put your puppy to bed, all you need to do is throw a blanket over the crate to encourage them to sleep. Once your dog has outgrown this kennel, you will need to buy a larger model. Tips for using a crate for your puppy How to stop your puppy from pooping in the crate Inside Fence One of the best ways to house train your labrador puppy is to invest in an inside fence. This will help to keep your puppy contained in the early stages of potty training. This Amazon Basics foldable pen will be perfect for your needs. Ordering your new inside fence online will make the process much easier for you, and can even help you to save money. This is one of the biggest mistakes that owners can make with new puppies, as they could then start to do their business in places other than the training pads. Stock up on puppy pads! Your puppy will go through a lot whilst you are potty training them. Vet Costs It can be tricky trying to calculate the exact cost of your vet bills when it comes to a new Labrador puppy. The fantastic thing about Labradors is that they are typically a much healthier breed than other pedigrees. There are some diseases to which Labradors can fall victim to. Just like any other dog, they can be prone to suffer from some things more than others. Some of these diseases can even be very expensive to get diagnosed and to treat. The above figures are rough ballpark estimates, but you can see how conditions like these would add up over time. Depending on the severity of the issue, it can get incredibly expensive. It will be different for everyone. Dog Bed You may not think your Labrador puppy requires a soft bed at the start of your journey together. However, as your dog starts to grow older and they gain weight, they will need a good quality orthopedic bed so that they can sleep comfortably. Here are a few suggestions for miscellaneous household items that you might not have considered. Toys for training Your energetic little pup will need an outlet for all that playfulness. Training can be a fantastic way to get them to focus their energy. So you will need to buy training toys to help them learn a trick or two. This will be especially useful if you want to teach your pup how to retrieve things. Another great way to get your pup to use their energy is to invest in a couple of chew toys. These can help your Labrador to burn off some of that energy until you can take them for a walk. Labradors have a bad but valid reputation for destroying chew toys. Dog staples There are of course other staples you will need to buy when it comes to owning a Labrador puppy. Treats will be a must-have, especially if you want to train your new dog. These treats should be soft and have a high nutritional value for your puppy. These should be used to motivate your pup during your training sessions. A collar and leash will of course be important if you want to take your new Labrador puppy out for a walk. You should always have some of these to hand every time you take your Labrador puppy for a walk. The average lifespan of a Labrador is around 10 to 12 years, so this should be a fairly accurate estimate for your new dog. Reasons You Should Still Get A Labrador Retriever While we can easily predict how much a Labrador will cost your bank account, there is no way to measure how beneficial owning one will be to your mental health and physical wellbeing. In fact, there are several studies that show that owning animals, in general, is incredibly beneficial for you. Some of these include improving your health, as they can help you exercise with daily walks. Owning a Labrador can also help to reduce feelings of anxiety, and give you a positive place to focus your attention. Pets such as Labradors have also been proven to reduce feelings of loneliness and depression. They can be a great source of comfort for the whole family, giving you loyal, loving companionship. Labradors, just like all dogs, will come with a healing role in your family life. This makes it hard to measure their true worth as pets, as your new pup will be invaluable to you and your family. Frequently Asked Questions What do I need to know before buying a lab? Labradors are naturally very energetic dogs, so they will need a fair amount of exercise. The benchmark is one hour of exercise each day for a Labrador in good health. Labs are pretty much bottomless pits and will eat whatever you give them. However, because Labradors are highly motivated by food, this also makes them incredibly easy to train. How much does it cost to buy a lab? The cost of a Labrador will vary depending on where you get them from, and how old they are. But so will any dog that you choose to invest in.

A good breeder should have the best interests of their puppies at heart while also being able to provide you with all the information that you need. A dog breeder and a prospect owner talks about dog adoption. Here are some tips for finding a reliable Goldendoodle breeder. These health clearances will tell you if the parents of your pup have been tested for potential genetic diseases. Be wary of any breeders who cannot produce these documents, as this may be an indication that they are not taking proper care of their animals. Experience When looking for a Goldendoodle breeder, it is important to consider their experience. Ask questions about how long they have been breeding dogs, what type of training they provide, and what their overall goals are in breeding Goldendoodles. You want to make sure that the breeder is knowledgeable and passionate about the breed and has a genuine interest in ensuring that each puppy is placed in a loving home. Reputation Reputation is key when it comes to finding a Goldendoodle breeder. If possible, visit the kennel in person so that you can get an idea of the general atmosphere and how well the puppies are taken care of before making your final decision on which one to choose. With their F1B puppies bred from an F1 Goldendoodle and a pure standard Poodle, you will not be disappointed! A Goldendoodle puppy looks up By selecting a Goldendoodle, you gain the benefits of both breeds while avoiding pesky shedding. In addition, these puppies are raised in an environment full of love, playtime, and companionship to ensure proper socialization with their peers as well as your family! Plus, they live in a spacious house with indoor and outdoor areas for unlimited hours of fun. While in-person visits are highly recommended, we also offer Skype and FaceTime sessions so you can get a closer look at our Goldendoodle puppies here in New Jersey. They even provide pickup or delivery options to those within the region and beyond, with an accompanying puppy nanny for safe transport! These puppies have already begun to develop into lovable family members in their current home and are ready for you to bring them into yours! Contact Details:. Yes, email me when puppies become available. Message sent. Because of flight shortages, we are offering these puppies only to families that can either come and meet them in person for pickup or meet at the Pittsburgh PA airport. Please contact Rita Power directly about this litter at: and schedule a facetime call or call. Please ask Rita about pricing. I'm April Power and we have a location near you in Maryland. We are a family partnership. Sisters and brothers, Mom and Dad, we all are breeders together with the same high standards. We have Goldendoodle puppies in a couple of different states because we are family breeders. We raise puppies in our home, highly socialize our Goldendoodle puppies, use high-quality food, and health test our parent dogs! We are so excited to be a high-quality puppy breeder and work with you on your journey. We have a few dogs and run a Guardian Program just like a few of our family members do. That keeps all of our urban doggies in less than 2 dog homes and also keeps them from ever being rehomed! We really enjoy our little business, and we hope you will enjoy the process with us too! About our English Goldendoodles English Goldendoodles have better health testing and more mellow personalities. This makes them extremely suitable for urban areas. They have such amazing temperaments! We chose this breed starting out with the English Cream Golden Retrievers and absolutely adore our mellow English Golden Retriever mothers. Add the poodle for non-shedding and intelligence and, wallah! The most perfect blend of all time! Goldendoodle Puppies Please feel free to contact us! We are horse lovers and dog lovers. We still enjoy both in the DC Maryland area. Our experience growing up on the farm in Pennsylvania gives us a love for farm life. We are so happy to be able to develop puppies and breed amazing lifetime companions. Please reach out to us and get to know us better, see our available Goldendoodle puppies below and enjoy watching them grow. Please reload Did you Find Answers Frequently asked questions such as "Do you have any puppies available right now? Do you take a waitlist? Do you know when the next litters are going to be? Will you have litters later in the year? Most of the puppies are being raised in Idaho right now, but we have a couple litters a year in PA right now. We are all blood family members The Power Family. Getting a dog from a reputable breeder will come at a premium cost. If you want a particular coat pattern, color, or generation, it will cost a lot more, particularly if you want something rare. Not to mention you have to care for your puppy with toys, grooming, and vet visits. The maintenance of a Goldendoodle puppy should be considered when buying a dog. Sadly, many Goldendoodles end up in humane societies and dog rescues because of bad owners. With that in mind, consider adopting an older dog from a rescue. The only drawback is that you may need to take some time to socialize and help your dog get over past bad experiences. Some breeders also offer older retired breeding dogs to adopt, so ask around to see if an older dog is right for you. How Long It Takes To Get a Puppy Depending on where you go to get your puppy, it can take anywhere from three months to over a year to get your dog. That said, it all depends on where you get your dog. PuppySpot usually has puppies available from breeders around the nation, including older adoptees. Some dogs are bred too early and too often in deplorable conditions to produce as many puppies as possible, regardless of their health. Mini Goldendoodles should weigh 25 to 35 pounds, making them the perfect companions for those who want a smaller, more manageable dog. There are several types of Mini Goldendoodles , so pick carefully. So buy only from reputable breeders. Puppy mills often undercut the prices of reputable breeders to try and tempt buyers. Reputable breeders will have certifications from organizations and do health testing on both the parents and the puppies to ensure no genetic or health problems in the dogs. Breeders will also breed their dogs responsibly, litters about a year apart, and retire the dams after two or three litters. Bringing Your Pup Home Transitioning to their forever home is challenging for every puppy. It often consists of crying and whining where the puppy misses their parents, and it can be heartbreaking for owners to see their pups so sad. Puppy packs often have a pack of food the puppy is used to, so you can slowly transition to the food you want to give the puppy. It provides the puppy with comfort during this challenging period. Otherwise, ensure your home and the people living in it are correctly outfitted for the new puppy, from potty training aids to doggy beds, crates, and more. An Unforgettable Companion Goldendoodles combine the energy and intelligence of the standard poodle with the friendliness and lovability of the golden retriever. I hope this list helps you find your precious puppy from an ethical breeder, guaranteeing a long healthy lifespan for your dog. By choosing a breeder when looking for a mini Goldendoodle for sale in New Jersey, you ensure only the best future for your new companion. If you know one of these breeders, comment below and share the article with friends and family looking for their ideal puppy. Meet our writer Jen Clifford is an animal behaviorist and veterinary technician with more than a decade of hands-on experience working in small animal and specialty veterinary clinics. Leave a Comment. Mini Goldendoodles Silver Nickel Puppies T Mini Goldendoodle Breed Information Mini Goldendoodles are a hybrid breed that is created by mixing the lovable family staple that is the Golden Retriever with the elegance and smarts of a Poodle. This breed has gained a lot of popularity in the last 20 years for their friendliness, vitality, and variety of sizes they come in. It is for this reason that Silver Nickel Puppies always tries to keep beautiful, healthy mini Goldendoodle puppies for sale. This is largely due to the fact that it is a crossbreed and thus can have mini or toy parentage which will confer varying sizes to the offspring. In other words, breeders have a lot of control over the size of the puppy and some people prefer the mini versions. Mini Goldendoodles comes in at lbs. Their hypoallergenic qualities depend on how much they have inherited their coat from their Poodle parentage. Mini Goldendoodle Breed Info: Temperament Those seeking mini Goldendoodle breed info would be happy to know this dog is every bit as lovable as people say. As a result, Mini Goldendoodles are very social and outgoing dogs that are perfect companions for many homes. They are very non-aggressive and harbor great intelligence due to their Poodle half. Browse our available puppies to see if we have mini Goldendoodle puppies for sale available in our shop in Englewood. Have a Question? We specialize in breeding Mini Goldendoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other high quality breeders that raise mini goldendoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! Not all mini Goldendoodles are equal, there are a few different versions to choose from each having a little different genetic background based on the pups parents. We will explain all the differences in Mini Goldendoodle puppies and how they are bred below. We raise all versions of the mini goldendoodle breed. F1 Mini Goldendoodle Pups. A F1 puppy is also known as a First Generation puppy. The puppies mother is a Golden Retriever and the pups dad is a Mini Poodle. This version of mini goldendoodle usually has soft wavy or curly puppy fur. They will shed until they lose their puppy fur, after shedding they will shed a lot less, but will shed. This version is partially hypoallergenic and usually requires low maintenance. F1 mini goldendoodles usually need to be groomed every 6 months along with daily brushing to keep their curly hair from matting and getting tangled. The dogs usually grow up having great temperaments similar to golden retrievers. They usually get about inches high at the shoulder and range in weight from pounds. F1b Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1b is known as a second-generation mini goldendoodle with the pups mother being already an F1 Goldendoodle and the pups dad being a mini poodle also. So the difference between F1 and F1b is that the mom is not a golden retriever but an actual F1 Goldendoodle. They also have very soft curly hair but with almost no shedding. This F1b version is semi-hypoallergenic and a better choice for anyone who has pet allergies. The F1b also should be brushed on a daily basis but will need to be groomed more frequently then a F1. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is recommended to keep their coat in perfect condition. F1b Mini goldendoodles get around 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders and range between pounds in weight. F1bb Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1bb goldendoodle is also known as a third-generation mini goldendoodle. This mini goldendoodle version has a coat more similar to a poodle than of a golden retriever. This is because the pup is more of a poodle than a retriever. Making it the very best version for anyone with pet allergies. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is required to help prevent knots or matting. This version is super intelligent and loving, and usually seems to have more energy than the other versions of Mini goldendoodles. This version is usually smaller in size, weighing around pounds and only getting inches tall at the shoulders. The smaller size makes them a great size for smaller homes and apartments. So if you live near Florence New Jersey and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Goldendoodle puppy then checkout our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Goldendoodle Pups that have been adopted! You want to choose one carefully as their breeding practices will have an impact on the temperament and health of your Mini Goldendoodle puppy. Start by looking at online sources such as Google reviews, online forums, discussion groups and social media platforms to see what other people are saying about the breeder. Did they have a good experience buying from them? Many Goldendoodle clubs also have their own lists of responsible breeders so they can give you additional recommendations for good Mini Goldendoodle breeders. You may also consider visiting some dog shows and events as they are a good opportunity to meet breeders in person and see their Mini Goldendoodles. You can also ask other dog owners that are showing their Mini Goldendoodles for breeder recommendations. Finally, ask potential breeders for references and consider contacting these people to ask about their experience with the breeder. Reputable breeders always prioritize the well-being of their dogs and strive for positive reviews. You should inquire about temperament and health of the Mini Goldendoodles these people purchased. Use this information to make an informed decision. All reputable Mini Goldendoodle breeders conduct them on their breeding dogs — whether they are breeding from purebred Golden Retrievers for F1 Goldendoodles and Poodles or from Goldendoodles for later generations like F2 Goldendoodles. A stipulates the health testing requirements for Goldendoodles and if the breeder is registered with G. A, you know that the breeding dogs have undergone full health testing. A heart clearance O. Ask to see documentation of these clearances before purchasing from a Mini Goldendoodle breeder. All responsible breeders should be willing to provide any health documentation. They should also be happy to answer any questions you have about their breeding program. However, if you have the opportunity to check out the facilities you should do it. Check that the kennels are clean, that they dogs and puppies have access to fresh water and also that there is not a build up of feces or urine. Comfortable living conditions: The breeder should keep their Mini Goldendoodles, Golden Retrievers and Poodles in comfortable living conditions. They should have large, comfortable kennels or dog beds and also have a decent amount of space to exercise and socialize with other dogs. Healthy breeding dogs and puppies: If you get the opportunity to meet the parents of the Mini Goldendoodle litter you are interested in, make sure they are well-tempered and also healthy. Sometimes the mother will be quite protective of her puppies so she may show signs of aggression. If you are purchasing a puppy online and getting it delivered, ask if the breeder would be happy to video call you or send videos of their Mini Goldendoodle puppies and breeding dogs to you. Ask About Socialization Mini Goldendoodle breeders should begin the socialization process before their puppies are sold. The puppies should be exposed to a wide variety of sounds, experiences, people and places so they can adjust to their new homes and adult life. Nevertheless, they should start exposing them to sounds like household appliances, provide mental stimulation with toys and games and also encourage playtime and interactions with their littermates and family. The most common ones are: Lack of registration: If a Mini Goldendoodle breeder cannot provide registration papers or other relevant documentation, it may be a sign that they are not operating a reputable breeding program. Overbreeding: Think twice about purchasing from a Mini Goldendoodle breeder who always has puppies available or offers an excessive amount of dog breeds. This may suggest that the breeder is overly focused on profit instead of the health and wellbeing of their puppies. Lack of health checks: A reputable Mini Goldendoodle breeder will conduct health clearances on their breeding dogs to ensure they are free of genetic health issues that could be passed on. If a breeder cannot provide documentation of these health checks, it may be a sign that they are not prioritizing health.

They are outgoing, active and affectionate companions who have a lot of energy and love making their owner happy. They have strong retrieving instincts as they were bred to be gun dogs, so they love both soft toys and diving into bodies of water. It is highly unusual for the puppy's owner to care for them during this time and is best left to a responsible, reputable breeder. Your puppy's body will double in weight as their muscles, organs and bones develop. Nutrition During the neonatal stage, your Labrador puppy will get most of their nutrition from their mother's milk. At around 4 weeks you may wish to introduce a mush of minced protein such as beef, but always consult your vet first before changing your puppy's diet at this stage. Health During this time it is important to monitor your Lab for any infections, diseases or birth defects. Puppies are unable to urinate or defecate by themselves initially, so their mother helps them but may additionally require your assistance. Keep your vet's contact details close by and educate yourself thoroughly on this stage of puppy development. By the end of this period, your puppy will be mobile and will explore the world mouth first — be sure to keep choking hazards and toxic foods out of their reach. Behaviour During most of this time your Labrador puppy will be asleep or inactive, but they will soon be playing with their brothers and sisters. After weeks they will go through as much sensory development as a human baby does in a few months. It is important to avoid disturbing the puppies' mother as she will be likely be protective, but some interaction with the young pups is normal so they become used to human touch. This is a formative time for your puppy and will be when they learn to walk, play, bite, hold their bladder, and interact with others. You will soon notice their attentiveness to you and their intense love of play — many Labs keep this caring and fun attitude for their whole lives if you foster it. Nutrition During the weaning stage, you should slowly introduce into their diet a nutritionally complete dog food which is appropriate to your Labrador's large size and young age. Labs are notoriously greedy and will quickly gobble down food and snatch treats from hands. You should familiarise yourself with lists of toxic foods and plants to avoid and hide as your puppy will soon find ways to get into forbidden snacks found only in bins. Labradors puppies instinctively like to 'dig' inside their water bowls so much of their water will end up on the ground. Make sure to get your puppy used to touching inside their small ears as they are prone to ear infections and will need regular checkups. Behaviour Due to the changes in their environment, your Labrador puppy will likely be under a significant amount of stress. It's important that you provide lots of attention and positive reinforcement for good behaviour at this time to establish boundaries early. Labradors are eager to love anyone but can be overbearing, so you should introduce them to a number of different people and environments so that they are not overwhelmed with excitement later in life. PUPPY By the time your Labrador Retriever reaches puppyhood their personality will be well developed and you will have established a loving, social friend who wants to maximise time with you and others. Your Labrador puppy will do well socially and behaviourally from puppy training classes as long as treats are involved. Nutrition Your Labrador puppy's diet should be based around a high quality, nutritionally complete puppy food. You may also wish to introduce them to fresh, lean raw meat — however, don't feed your puppy any meat you would not feed to a fellow human being. Bloat is potentially fatal but can be combatted by feeding your dog two smaller meals per day, a habit you should start while they are a puppy. A rough guide is that they should exercise for minutes per day and less after 5 years when many lose their appetite for long marathons of activity. Your pup will need brushing every few days, with more frequent grooming during seasonal changes to combat shedding. Bathing should be infrequent as this can damage the waterproofing of their coats, however, you should wash them after swimming or rolling in muck. After around 8 weeks your puppy will be due for some vaccinations, so they will need a checkup at the vet and to arrange for boosters after that. Studies showed that dogs supplemented with a diet of bovine colostrum had a quicker and stronger immune system response to CDV vaccine as compared to dogs fed a control diet. Colostrum supplemented dogs maintained a higher antibody level even after 40 weeks A diet supplemented with Colostrum helps bridge the immunity gap in puppies that occurs between 3 weeks and 5 months of age. Behaviour Do not be complacent with training your Labrador puppy — almost all are very gentle and well behaved, but this does not mean that training is unnecessary. Labs are very loving and patient with all that they meet, but they often do not know their own size. To combat this, they should be trained in how to act around small dogs and children to avoid intimidation or accidental injury. They will also benefit from obedience training to drop things from their mouths, avoid rushing across busy streets and make sure they come when called. Recommended Articles. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As we all know too well, what we put in our belly has a huge impact on our health, vitality, length and quality of life. They have to strike a fine balance between getting enough nutrients to grow and avoiding an over-abundance that can lead to abnormal growth and disabling conditions. In this article you will learn precisely how to feed your puppy. What they can eat, what they should not, how many times you should feed them each day, basic information on home-made diets and the pros and cons of various commercial dog foods. The majority of Labrador owners feed their puppy kibble. Kibble is ground meal, shaped into dried biscuit-like pellets that are extremely convenient to buy, store and feed, providing everything a puppy needs in one easy to handle product. All the major brands carry a range of kibble and many are specifically formulated to suit the precise needs of puppies. For our recommendations of the best puppy food for labs, please read our article on: The Best Food for Labrador Puppies. Good breeders will supply you with all the information you need to feed your new puppy and you should follow this advice. Puppies almost always get upset tummies during a change of diet. The stress of moving to a new home is enough to deal with without them potentially having tummy upset on top. So try to avoid this. But expect your puppy to get diarrhea after such a sudden change. What Can Puppies Eat? With a bewildering choice of different puppy foods available, what to feed your puppy may not be the easiest decision to make. You Can Feed Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is ground up food, formed into pellets and dried for easy storage and convenience. It is a specially formulated, complete and balanced diet, containing everything a puppy needs to grow and be healthy. Many people believe kibble is the best way to feed a puppy, with it being so easy to buy, store and feed while containing every nutrient a puppy needs in the right proportions. Wet, Complete Puppy Foods Are An Option As the name suggests, complete wet dog food is complete and balanced, meaning nothing should be fed in combination. Everything needed is included in this one food. Complete wet foods come in individual pouches or tins with one pouch or tin containing one single serving. In the main these foods are low in nutrition, contain a high amount of cheap fillers, by-products and water and need mixing with a biscuit to give them some substance and to make them more complete. Because the food is such low quality, you have to feed a lot of it. And what goes in, must come out. This type of feeding was popular decades ago and I do remember my parents feeding our first dogs this way, but most people have moved on from this and are feeding their dogs in better ways now. Raw Food, BARF And Home-Made Diets Raw feeding is a diet that consists of mostly raw meat, edible bones and animal organs, though most practitioners also mix in small portions of fruit, veg and selected other foodstuffs. There are many people feel strongly that this is the best possible way to feed a dog. But I would caution most people that to feed this diet successfully, you need to do A LOT of research, gain a lot of knowledge and truly understand a dogs nutritional needs to make sure they get exactly what they need in the right amounts. Many people wonder if they can feed their puppy human foods, anything found in the fridge or larder. Furthermore, there are many human foods that are toxic to dogs that you should avoid at all costs. Too much of some nutrients can be bad in itself, but also prevent the absorption and use of other nutrients too. So supplementing a balanced diet is a bad thing to do. Can You Give Puppies Milk? Assuming you get your puppy at the recommended 8 weeks, they will have been fully weaned before you bring them home. Many puppies are intolerant of cows milk and drinking it leads to an upset tummy and diarrhea so you would do best to avoid giving your puppy any milk at all. One exception is for very young puppies under 6 weeks of age. When we have newborn puppies at our house we sometimes need to supplement and use Esbilac Milk Supplemen t. However, if you have a very young puppy that you think may need supplementing please first consult with your veterinarian. Are They Necessary? You will likely be feeding your puppy a commercially available complete and balanced dog food, in which case you certainly should not supplement their food. Supplementing this will mean too much of one or more things, making it unbalanced which can actually lead to harm. But an excess amount of calcium in the diet of a Lab puppy can lead to skeletal development problems. So adding a calcium supplement to an already complete diet can actually do more harm than good. There may also be times your vet advises you to do so. But if feeding raw, you should know more about nutrition than I do. This is a hard question to answer and sadly I cannot give you a definite quantity or weight to feed them each day. Puppies grow at different rates, some are more active than others and there can be large differences between metabolisms too. However… The biggest determining factor is how concentrated the nutrients and calories are in the brand of food you feed them. High quality foods are nutrient rich and give a puppy all they need from quite small amounts of food. But cheaper brands are full of low quality and nutritionally empty fillers that mean a puppy needs considerably more to get what they need. Start by feeding your puppy according to the guidelines on the label of the puppy food you buy for them. Then see how their body develops. Puppies should not be fat! But at the other end of the scale if they start to look and feel a little slim, up their portion sizes a little. The guidelines on the food you buy are just that…guidelines. You might also be interested in:. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. Once they reach eight weeks, changing to dry kibble food is best. We recommend feeding a Labrador puppy dry kibble for the first months before changing to an adult food type. But to remain healthy, owners should know what to feed them. Dog owners should feed a Labrador puppy dry food kibble , wet food, or fresh human food, depending on their budget and lifestyle. There are many options for food for dogs, and it can become challenging to determine which one is the best option for the dog. We have found the best options and listed them below. They help us with our daily tasks, are always there when we need them, and bring great joy to our lives. But, it is essential to ensure that our dog gets the best nutrition possible. They have a lot of energy and need to be fed accordingly. This includes the number of calories, food type, and the number of meals per day. We will explain all of these factors to help understand what to feed these precious animals. A Labrador puppy needs high-quality protein in their diet, so they should not be fed just any type of food. This is why we recommend three food options: dry food or kibble, fresh food or human food, or wet food. We prefer using dry food or kibble in most cases, but it is beneficial to start with wet food for young puppies and transition to dry food after a few weeks. Feeding a puppy human food is possible, but it can be more expensive and requires extra work to stick to a cleaner diet at this age. We have found it to be a healthier and more convenient option for our pets. It is also a good alternative to wet food which can be difficult to store and prepare. The benefits of dry dog food are that it offers the pup a balanced diet that doesn't need refrigeration. It also offers convenience because we can buy it in bulk and store it in the pantry or freezer until needed. Dry dog food is also less expensive than wet food, which is another benefit for pet owners. Fresh Food Human Food Feeding a Labrador puppy a diet of fresh, real human food is one of the best things to do for their health and well-being. It will not only make them happy and content, but it will also keep them healthy. This eliminates the guessing game; they are only fed real, natural foods with no unknown ingredients. However, it will become expensive and require regular cooking and preparation. Wet Food Wet food is recommended for Labrador puppies when they are first born and for the first weeks while they grow. It can be either raw or cooked. Wet food is a good source of water and minerals, which are important in the early days of their life to help them grow strong bones and teeth. It should be given to a puppy as soon as it comes out of its mother's womb, but it must not be given before it starts eating solid foods because it will cause diarrhea. Once they get more mature, moving to kibbles is best. It is known for its low level of grain and carbohydrate content and high protein content. Once they reach the week mark, there are better options to help the puppy continue to develop and grow. This food also helps with digestion and weight management. It also promotes proper bone growth with antioxidants and necessary nutrients like vitamin E. The kibble is also shaped strategically to help puppies who chew fast while helping with jaw growth. Overall, this is the best food option for a Labrador puppy. It is designed for all life stages, from puppies to seniors, and we love the benefits it provides to younger labs. The product features a blend of highly digestible proteins, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, taurine, and glucosamine. This ensures the dog gets the nutrition they need while also reducing the risk of digestive tract problems such as bloat or pancreatitis. It also has a low glycemic index and no corn, wheat, or soy in the recipe. Dog owners can also expect an excellent protein ratio when using this food. Both veterinarians and nutritionists have recognized it for its high-quality ingredients for young puppies. The Acana High Protein formula is made with a blend of chicken, turkey, and fish meals, whole eggs, and natural beef or lamb meal. The product has a limited ingredient list with no corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. It also has no added sugar and a low glycemic index. This food also contains probiotics and prebiotics to help the pet maintain a healthy immune system. This is the perfect dry dog food for puppies after eight weeks old. This brand is also very affordable for those who want to feed their dog a healthy diet without breaking the bank. It features a patented recipe that helps to promote healthy digestion, strong teeth and gums, healthy skin and shiny coat, a strong immune system, healthy joints and muscles, and a healthy heart. This is a high-protein food option for Labradors too. It promotes lean muscle growth and improved body health with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics 5. It is made with high-quality ingredients and has a great taste and texture for labs to enjoy. This food is to help with puppy development and is suitable for all Labradors under one-year-old. This wet food provides the perfect balance of healthy proteins to support a dog's growth while providing the energy they need to maintain its fitness levels. This can be fed as a meal or as an occasional snack between meals. It has no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or added sugar. It also contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which are important for healthy skin and the dog's coat. They are large, strong, intelligent dogs that need a lot of attention, exercise, and food. These dogs can be picky eaters and usually need a lot of calories because of their size. This is especially true for puppies so they can grow properly and remain healthy due to their increased risk of health issues. Food Type Labrador puppies' most popular dog foods are kibbles and canned wet food. Kibbles are the best option for a puppy because they are easy to chew and digest. Canned food is a good option for pups who have difficulty chewing or digesting dry food and would benefit from a little moisture in their diet. The food type also depends on the owner. Dry food or kibbles are faster to prepare, while serving human food to a lab puppy requires extensive prep time. Nutritional Value When it comes to nutritional value, we want dog food that has high-quality protein and carbohydrates. This will help the puppy grow strong and healthy. This is why we need to take into account the nutritional value, quality of ingredients, and taste. It should be made with all-natural ingredients that are sourced from human-grade materials such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. A brand should have all the essential nutrients for a pup but still, be low in toxic elements and preservatives too. Dietary Restrictions Lastly, consider the dietary restrictions of the Labrador puppy before choosing a dog food option. This includes any allergies or health concerns for the dog and shopping for something that suits them best. For example, lab puppies must reach a certain carbohydrate and protein number daily. Labradors are also known to have allergies, especially young ones, so planning around this is crucial. A puppy should be fed at least three times a day, with a meal size that is appropriate for its body weight. They should also be given small daily snacks to keep them satisfied and happy, including treats to help with training. We feed our puppies the best that we can. We want to give them all the nutrients and vitamins they need. We also want to make sure that they are getting a balanced diet. The most important thing when feeding a Labrador puppy is that they get enough calories from their food every day. In the first weeks, the puppy should eat four smaller daily meals. Once the lab reaches three months, this can be changed to three meals per day. And after months, we recommend two meals per day. The key is not to change the calories much when the meals change but to simply modify the size of each meal to fit the total daily food amount. Feeding a Labrador puppy is not rocket science, but there are some things everybody should know about what to feed them and when to feed them. We have covered this basis, but changes need to be made as they age. This leads to a common question about changing food to fit the needs of a grown adult Labrador. The dog's age will determine how quickly they grow and how much energy they need. Lab puppies can stick with kibbles for up to 12 months. Remember, Labs do not have a natural food intake regulator so you will need to monitor them with portion control. Using a cheaper brand is a poor option at half the price. You will use twice as much and you will have to clean up larger amounts of waste in your yard. To allow for an accurate control of body weight and growth rate, this amount of food can be dispensed over 3 meals per day. After 5 months of age, the feeding regularity can be reduced to two meals per day with the commensurate increase in food quantity. The amount of food a Labrador puppy requires will increase then level out during first 14 months of their life. At months, their bone density is increasing and their growth plates are set. We do not recommend desexing you pup until at least 3 years of age. This allows for an appropriate development and supply of hormone which in turn produces proper bone, muscle and vital organ development. Table foods dispensed randomly to dogs are not nutritionally balanced. We do not offer our dogs table food at all. There will be no problems if you are feeding a puppy with a homemade diet but it should be prepared from prescribed recipes that are nutritionally complete and balanced. Diets consisting of an unplanned and indiscriminate mixture of human foods particularly including carbohydrates will likely result in obesity and even dietary-induced disease. When you Lab reaches 14months of age, it should be given an adult food that contains less energy and calcium. This will decrease the risk of obesity and orthopaedic conditions. And do not feed them coffee or tea as they can contain caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. These toxic substances can dangerously affect the heart and nervous system. Onions, garlic, raisins and grapes can be severely toxic in labradors. Raw meat is potential source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria for your puppy. Eggs yokes are an excellent source of protein. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin a B vitamin. This can, in extreme cease, lead to skin and coat problems. Liver contains higher levels of protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Raw liver can be a source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria. Excessive amounts of liver can cause Vitamin A toxicity. Raw bone chewing will control tartar buildup on a pups teeth. However, bone chewing can cause intestinal blockages and perforations. Never use cooked bones. Commercial Puppy Foods Most commercial puppy foods are designated for small, medium, large and giant breeds. This designation can be found on the label. Puppies of medium sized breeds are less than '25 kg fully grown adult body weight'. A full grown and lean Labrador will usually weigh between 25kg and 45kg. We feed our dogs at the 'lower' level of the recommended range. The 'Hills Body Fat Index' is a very helpful body shape indicator. The same food as the bitch You should feed your new puppy with the same brand of food as the bitch received during lactation. From 2 weeks into pregnancy, our expectant mothers are fed 'Royal Canin Labrador Puppy' food. Introducing a new brand of food If you are wanting to introduce a new brand of food to your puppy, then blend it gradually with the existing brand in increasing amounts over 3 days. This should prevent food rejection and any kind of gastric upset. It is best to choose a diet designed for large breed puppies. Selected commercial feeds should contain a limited percentage of filler compounds. Pawlinglabs uses Royal Canin Labrador as our preferred option. Growing labradors Labrador pups have a very steep growth curve, and their total daily energy needs do increase as they grow. Calculate the amount of puppy food that will satisfy that need. The feeding guidelines on the commercial pet food label provides an estimated quantity of feed for several different ranges in body size. These instructions will give you an estimated starting point for the particular brand. Medium or large? Medium breeds should be transitioned to an adult diet by 12 months of age, while large breeds between 14 — 18 months of age. Mature female labradors are medium and weight approx kg. Mature males are large and weight approx kg. Their calcium and energy content should not exceed that level recommended by a registered nutritionalist. Sound skeletal development Sound skeletal development in labradors is produced by the interaction of genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors. The phase prior to weaning and the growth phase, up to 14 months are integral to sound skeletal structure. Don't take your young pup on extended distance walks and certainly not 'running' until at least 18mths of age. You must avoid stairs and slippery floors for the same reasons. Their growth plates are set at about mths of age. Feeding and Overfeeding Large breeds like Labradors are the most susceptible to skeletal disease. Feed consumption, nutrients balance and feeding methods influence our ability to produce sound skeletal development and eliminate skeletal disease. Appropriate food consumption and nutrition plays a critical role in bone development. Overfeeding will not increase or benefit the growth rate of young and growing labrador puppies. And it does not correlate with optimal adult size. However, it does increase the risk of skeletal abnormalities. The vast majority of skeletal disorders occur in large breeds including labradors and they are associated with consumption of table food and an excessive intake of a commercial food and supplementation. The large breeds like labradors are limited in their ability to cope with an excess of minerals such as calcium. The result of this over consumption is abnormal bone development and skeletal disorders. Nutritional management will be critical in the to prevention of bone and joint diseases. In most cases, skeletal disease can prevented by appropriate quantities of feed in a regulated diet with optimal nutrient levels. A complete and balanced commercial diet is essential. Dietary deficiencies will be of little concern if your labrador pup is fed with a complete and balanced commercial diet. Brands like Eukanuba and Royal Canin are specifically formulated for young, growing labradors. There is real potential for harm by over feeding and giving additional supplementation. Housing safety and activity levels Housing safety and activity levels are under the your influence. Nutrition is also under your control and it is the single most important factor affecting the development of the musculoskeletal system. Energy, protein, and calcium are the critical nutritional components affecting skeletal development. However, if they are given in excess, they will be detrimental to normal bone and joint growth. Most pet owners feed commercial dog food. These prepared diets are balanced and complete. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. The source of protein matters when considering a high-quality diet. FATS The rest of the diet should be made up of fats, carbs, and vitamins. Labs need to have a correct protein -to-fat ratio, where protein takes the lead. Dogs tend to convert fat into glucose, so this is an important source of energy. Dogs rely mostly on protein and fats, but carbs are necessary. That said, a low carb diet is best for puppies. However, you still need the right percentage of carbs, since this gives your dog the sensation of being full. These include starches, fibers, and sugars. Try to opt for more complex carbs like starchy grain and veggies because these are easier to digest. Your Lab puppy will thrive when his or her diet includes: Vitamin B12 especially during puppy development , Vitamins A and E, C, Vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium, Potassium Each of these required vitamins and minerals contributes to a healthy, happy, and energetic puppy. They also help offset issues like obesity. Vitamins A and E are important because they help your dog burn calories and promote eye and skin health. Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus, on the other hand, are part of a trifecta that works to strengthen teeth and bones. Potassium is a heart health-preserver. Labs with poor genetics are especially prone to orthopedic issues. Osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are common health problems for this breed. Glucosamine, an amino-sugar, together with chondroitin sulfate, helps replace and support naturally degrading cartilage during old age. Recently,"grain-free" foods are being championed as a preferred and even high-quality form of dog food. That's, not the whole story. An investigation launched by the FDA revealed that there are potential links between a form of canine heart disease and grain-free foods. So far, researchers have provided an update to this researchers have provided an update to this research staring that the issue may not just be grain-free diets. Grain-free may be part of other trends knows as "BEG"- boutique companies. Puppy diets don't' need to be complicated. They also don't need to include ingredients that humans might enjoy. Enjoyment doesn't necessarily bring any nutritional value to your puppy's development. Keep it simple, using the guidelines for fats, proteins, and carbs above and don't shy away from food with grains in them. It's not their presence that's a problem it's often the ratio. There shouldn't be more carbs or grains than protein. Nor does including only legumes, seeds, lentils, or chickpeas as the primary ingredients make the food more superior. It's perfectly healthy to include complex carb sources like starchy rice and other grains. Grain-free isn't and shouldn't be a qualifying factor for your choice in puppy food. Feeding Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is dried, pelleted food that stores well is easy to eat, and is pre-formulated with everything your puppy needs to thrive and grow in his early developmental months. There are plenty of popular brands that don't measure up to the Snowy Pines standard. That's why it's so vital for you to learn how to read puppy food labels. Puppies should stick with "puppy stage" food, while adults should stick to bags marked "adults. Instead, your dog should have regular bowel movements, allowing them to absorb all the nutrients available. You should also keep in mind that caloric intake is calculated a little differently for puppies. Kibble diets are measured by how many calories the proteins, fats, and carbs represent for each gram. For puppies, this should be 3. Sticking to these ratios will help ensure your kibble choice is a healthy one. It's also important to note that kibble calories are often higher when compared to wet food. If it's high-quality wet food, it won't have as much fat to preserve it, which means fewer calories. You may have to supplement with dry food, especially if you're trying to keep the calories of carbs, proteins, and fats in the right per-gram ratio. How often and what time to feed I will show you the best puppy foods, whether dry, wet, or raw, and look at food safety, together with schedules, quantities and even a handy puppy diet chart. Best Puppy Food for Labs The best Labrador puppy food provides a diet that is nutritious, healthy, and tasty. So, what is the best puppy food for your Lab? Puppy kibble or dried food is the most popular option. Kibble is complete and can give a perfectly balanced diet. Puppy kibble and tinned dog meat combined is another common choice among puppy parents. Feeding your Labrador puppy on home cooked food or on a totally raw diet is also possible. Raw puppy food is growing in popularity, and there are pros and cons to raw feeding your puppy. People often feel very strongly that one way of feeding is better than another, and you can always find evidence to support your view. Dog breeders, veterinarians and even nutritionists have their own strong views. The dire consequences they list for not listening to them can have puppy owners very worried. The truth is that there is no good quality evidence showing that kibble is better for the long term health of your dog, or that raw feeding is better. There are risks and benefits to both, and the main thing is to ensure that your dog has good quality food to eat. Puppy kibble suits some better, and raw puppy food is better for others. Puppy Kibble for your Labrador Puppy food made into pellets is called kibble. An airtight plastic container or tin will do the job, although you should make sure it is food grade quality. Puppy kibble is the best way of feeding your Labrador according to most breeders and your veterinarian is most likely to support this method of feeding. Good puppy kibble will contain every nutrient your Labrador puppy needs in order to grow and remain healthy. The kibble pieces will be tasty, good for keeping teeth healthy, and free from additives that can provoke allergies or stomach problems. Labrador puppy kibble only needs to be fed next to water. Puppy kibble from a reputable manufacturer is intended to be a complete and balanced food. But some owners like to mix in canned dog food or even scraps of raw food with kibble. Your puppy is likely to get an upset stomach or to not have the right balance of nutrition when fed this way. Whether you decide to feed only with kibble or you want to mix it up, pick a good dried food manufacturer and stick with them. Feeding your Labrador puppy raw food has its benefits and drawbacks. One of the downsides is that there is a lot to learn. Here is a link to the articles you need to help you decide whether or not raw feeding is for you: Although I like the raw diet for my dogs, most puppies fed kibble go on to have long and healthy lives. Whatever puppy food you choose, the most important thing is portion control. How Much to Feed your Labrador Puppy? People often tell me how much their puppy weighs, and ask how much puppy food they should give him. Your Labrador is particularly at risk if they grow too quickly. The following diet chart is for kibble fed puppies and does not apply to raw fed pups. It gives you an idea of how much to feed your Labrador puppy Lab Puppy Feeding Chart The Lab puppy feeding chart below is only a very rough guide. The quantity of food you need for your puppy will vary depending on your puppy and on the brand of food you are feeding him. Labrador puppy food must be aimed at medium to large breed dogs. Check the pack carefully and look at the dietary charts. Ideally, you want the optimal protein content and the lowest amount of additives. Part of this always comes down to the cost. The healthiest puppy food is usually the most expensive and may not be affordable for some families. The Cost Of Puppy Food Some puppy food brands are more concentrated than and contain a higher proportion of proteins, essential oils, and other nutrients. The absence of these fillers means that you can often feed lower quantities of more costly food, making them less expensive than they first seem. You might also find that cheaper brands make your puppy poop more due to those extra fillers going straight through him. While some brands are beyond the budget of many families, it is usually good to buy a premium brand. High Quality Brands of Puppy Food Some brands of puppy food have developed a reputation for producing a high quality product and have many devoted supporters, including breeders that have fed them to generations of puppies. The best food for Labrador puppies to consume in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to trained breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a Labrador puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. You can do this by mixing some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day. Over time, you can reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture, until they are at the point where they are happily eating dry foods. Read on to learn how much you should feed a Labrador puppy as they get older. In their four months living with you, and once they are weaned off milk, Labradors are likely to reach almost half their adult weight. They will reach their full adult weight by the time they are 6 to 7 months old. With this rapid growth can come some risks. Labradors can be susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia and joint abnormalities that can start in puppyhood. Once your Lab puppy hits 6 months, their growth begins to slow down. Once puppyhood is over, you can move to feeding your lab twice a day instead of 3 or 4 times. Labs are still very active in their adolescent years, and so should be fed with this in mind. The transition from puppy food to adult food should happen at around 15 months. This is because, being a breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your Labrador puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. It is also dangerous for a puppy to overeat. Labradors are large breeds, which means they need plenty of nutrients and calories as they grow to ensure they go from being active puppies to healthy adult dogs. Labrador puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are also essential for supporting your active pup. Aside from nutritionally complete dry puppy food, Labrador puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. The amount of food you give your Labrador is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult Labradors, around 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female Labradors, who tend to be around 5 to 10 kilos lighter than males, may need less food, as will less active dogs. Dogs who need less food, whether they are less active or simply older, will usually still need around 1, to 1, calories per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your Labrador based on how calorically dense their food is. Adult Labradors should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split evenly between these two meals. For most dogs, it is recommended that you exercise your dog before meal times to assist with potty training. However, some dogs may benefit from exercise after eating: especially high energy Labs with a lot of energy to burn off. You should also try to give your Labrador a high quality food that is specially designed for large breeds, especially if they are very active. For example, less active senior dogs will need to eat less food as they will not be burning calories as quickly as a lively little puppy will. Senior dogs may benefit from a higher fibre and lower calorie diet. Your dog may also develop chronic or short term medical conditions that require specially formulated food. For example, Labradors can be particularly susceptible to obesity. As a breed, they tend to be one of the most commonly obese dogs in Australia. This is due to several factors, including a genetic predisposition to unhealthy weight gain and a famously large appetite. However, plenty of Labs suffering from obesity are simply overfed and not getting enough exercise. Choosing a low carb diet is crucial to preventing obesity in your Labrador. If you are unsure about what you should feed your Labrador, you should always consult your vet. They will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any chronic health issues, and they will be able to create a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for many years to come. Wet food for Labradors is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. Chewing on dry food can be especially good for teething Labrador puppies. A raw diet can be a good option for your Labrador as you have more control over the kinds of food and amount of nutrients your pup is consuming. For this reason, raw diets require a lot more work on your part as an owner. Whatever you decide to feed your Labrador, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. Different dog breeds will need different kinds of nutrient support as they go through the various stages of their life. It can also be easy to overestimate the amount of food your Labrador needs to stay fit and healthy — especially if they are skilled at begging! You need to make sure that your dog is eating the right amount of food for their breed, their size, and activity level. You should also avoid foods that, while delicious for humans, can be harmful or toxic for dogs. Foods like onions, nuts, alcohol, cooked bones, and artificial sweeteners are commonly included in dinners meant for humans, but can cause serious health issues for your Labrador. No matter how old your Lab is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress.