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German Shepherd mix dogs for sale come in many different varieties. The most suitable breeder for you will ask you tons of questions regarding your dog knowledge, home, and how you plan to look after the puppy. Adopting a dog is normally a fairly inexpensive course of action. They will likely be fairly high shedding dogs, and that means you will need to put money into a great high-quality animal hair vacuum cleaner. Since purebred dogs are frequently the focus of breeders, it can be more probable you will find Shepherd Collie mix puppies offered for adoption at a nearby animal shelter or humane society. The German Shepherd Dog is sometimes the topic of controversy. My favorite issue is to get the other dogs to chase me, I really like to run! But before you begin to look, you need to determine the right match for your family. By knowing a little bit about German Shepherd puppies for sale, you can make a much more informed decision on what type of dog will work best with your lifestyle and needs. There is an easy way to do this. The American Kennel Club AKC has created a standard set of characteristics that a purebred dog must possess to qualify as a purebred. These include high stamina, muscular structure, muscular development, alertness, beautiful appearance, straight, elegant conformation, intelligence, responsiveness to human contact and affection, and mellow, confident behavior. AKC breeders are required to prove that all of these characteristics are present in the breeding stock that they provide for sale. When German Shepherd mix dogs for sale come along, AKC breeders must be able to prove that they meet the requirements listed above. There are many places to locate German Shepherd puppies for sale. You can locate them in your local pet shop or with a German Shepherd rescue group. German Shepherd breeders may advertise their puppies through classifieds, at dog shows, or through the Internet. Whatever source you use, you should be able to find a healthy happy German Shepherd that is good with children and other pets. German Shepherd mix dogs for sale come in all sizes and ages. The German Shepherd puppy you choose should have hips that are wide and strong; your new best friend will need a lot of room. Be prepared to give up some of the time when you adopt this type of dog. It takes time for a puppy to adjust to its new life. This type of dog requires regular exercise, health care, and socialization. German Shepherd mix dogs for sale come from a variety of locations. In the olden days, these dogs were raised by families as house pets. The modern history of the German Shepherd is quite different. Many modern German Shepherd pups are bred to be show dogs and not pets. A reputable breeder who has had his puppies rated in the top positions by the American Kennel Club, will usually only sell to experienced German Shepherd owners. The best German Shepherd breeders will have certificates of good breeding from the American Kennel Club, and they will also have the latest CERF tests for breeding purposes. A reputable breeder will want to be sure that their puppies will grow up to be healthy, strong, and obedient adults. German Shepherd mix dogs for sale have an increased risk of inheriting several health problems common to its breed. Health problems include hip dysplasia, epilepsy, congenital eye defects, heart defects, and several others. So you should always purchase your German Shepherd puppies from breeders who are willing to take on that added risk. German Shepherd mix dogs come in many colors and a wide variety of patterns. Because of this, sometimes the resulting offspring are just as dissimilar as purebred German Shepherd puppies. This is because the genetic material genetic markers in the dog is poorly distributed in the puppy population. So although the resulting puppies may look like their parents, they may be very different in terms of health and temperament. You can choose from pure-bred females Pembrotus virgins , males Bermann spaniel , litters of one to three mixed-breed pups including German shepherd, Alaunt, Doberman, and Weimeraner , and mix-breed designer males and females. Some German Shepherd breeders may offer only male or female dogs for sale. There are also toy, show, and rescue German Shepherd mixes for sale. These dogs vary widely in terms of their size, coat lengths, activity levels, and intelligence. The most important thing to remember is that German Shepherd mix dogs must be carefully evaluated before deciding on purchasing one of them. German Shepherd breeders that sell a dog to the general public should be fully acquainted with their stock. They should also be willing to provide information about the history of the dog and to answer questions regarding its temperament and breeding. By doing so, you can make an informed decision about the best German Shepherd mix to purchase for your family. Share this:. Applies to all dog food recalls in the U. Adopting an older dog will decrease the price tag. Lancaster Puppies in Columbus, OH. Owners will have a lot on their hands when grooming this hybrid dog. It is a heavy shedder, making it hard for owners to clean up while trying to keep their coat healthy. The German Shepherd Border Collie mix sheds more often as it grows old, so owners must brush its fur daily to remove dander and dead hair. Here are some of the most recommended grooming equipment to maintain the coat of the German Shepherd mixed with Border Collie: Slicker Brush Slicker brushes are great combs to remove tangles and mats on long-haired dogs. The slicker brush can save owners time when brushing the coat of the German Shepherd Border Collie compared to regular combs. Detanglers Before using a slicker brush, owners will notice that the Border Collie German Shepherd mix has a lot of tangled hair. Dematting sprays can relax and soften the hair to make it easier for owners to untangle the knots. Owners must resort to this solution if the tangles are hard to remove despite the use of detanglers as dogs are not fond of sharp objects. Owners must avoid buying shampoo based on the odor or the low price. Owners must be aware of its coat type and skin to help them find oils and specialty ingredients that will be beneficial for the Border Collie mixed with German Shepherd. Grooming Wipes The German Shepherd mixed with Border Collie is an energetic dog that will be dirty when it finishes playing outside the house. Wet wipes are essential for dog owners that want to prevent mud and grass inside their residence. Microfiber Towel Human towels do not absorb all of the water on a dog. Because of its heavy coat, the German Shepherd Border Collie mix will likely be dripping wet despite a heavy rinsing. Microfiber towels can help remove water on a Border Collie German Shepherd cross better than human towels. The legs and hips of Border Collie German Shepherd will deteriorate as it ages. The hybrid dog will experience problems at an earlier rate depending on its activities as well. It may also be born deaf if one of its parent breeds already have hearing problems. Epilepsy The Border Collie breed is widely known for its tendency to suffer from epilepsy more than other dog breeds. The Border Collie German Shepherd mix may inherit this health problem as well. Epilepsy happens when the dog is experiencing episodic seizures. Fortunately, it is a rare disease among dogs. Degenerative Myelopathy When owners notice that the Border Collie German Shepherd mix is starting to walk funny on its back legs, it can be a symptom of Degenerative Myelopathy. This disease currently has no cure. Irresponsible breeders are the most likely reasons for the health issues of a German Shepherd mixed with a Border Collie. Owners must make sure that they are adopting a healthy puppy from a reputable breeder to avoid dealing with a sickly puppy. If the hybrid dog is exhausted from more training than usual, owners can go for 4 cups a day. Bloat and diabetes are two main health problems that can affect a Border Collie crossed with a German Shepherd as both parent breeds may also suffer from them. It is essential for owners to avoid overfeeding this hybrid dog and prevent nutritional imbalances. In such scenarios, products such as Nutra Thrive dog food supplement can be a solution to regain the proper balance of nutrients. Dog owners and lovers must also keep in mind that they need to seek food for the best large breed dry dog food instead of best dry dog food for small dogs. Whatever you do, make sure you steer clear from the worst dry dog food. Try to learn more about the difference between poor-quality and premium-quality chows by checking our best dry dog food guide! The dog food must include joint supplements because large dog breeds are prone to hip dysplasia and other joint ailments. To avoid this, give them kibble that is rich in calcium since puppyhood. Pooches that have entered their golden years will maintain their health properly only if given the right amount of the best senior dry dog food! Dog food must also contain a moderate amount of calories to avoid obesity, which is a common problem among large breeds. The dog food chosen by owners must also have large kibble to avoid letting the dog eat too quickly, which may result in life-threatening conditions like bloat. Here are a few of the most recommended large breed dog food in the US: Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula The Blue Buffalo Life dog food is perfect for the German Shepherd mixed with Border Collie because it is full of ingredients rich in antioxidants like kelp, blueberries, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Deboned chicken is also its main ingredient. This brand does not have wheat, soy, or corn. Wellness Core Dog Food The nutritious proteins included in the Wellness Complete Health dog food for large breeds is beneficial for the German Shepherd crossed with Border Collie because it has all the nutrition it needs. This brand contains deboned chicken, salmon meal, and deboned whitefish, which gives the dog food a delicious flavor. It also includes flaxseed, which is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. It also provides for different probiotics for the German Shepherd Border Collie mix. Dog for Dog contains vitamins and minerals to give your Border Collie mixed with German Shepherd the nutrition it needs. This whole-grain brand also contains glucosamine, which helps keep joints healthy. Owners on a budget will find this product affordable. It also helps prevent nutrient deficiency with its vitamins and minerals. The brand also comes with glucosamine and chondroitin, which is good for joint health. Eagle Pack Natural consists only of natural ingredients with no artificial colors and preservatives. It also includes eight probiotic strains to keep the hybrid dog healthy. Pro Plan Focus Weight Management Large Breed This brand is beneficial for large dogs because it can supply them with many complex carbohydrates to sustain their energy levels. It is also helpful for the joint because of it contains glucosamine. This brand attacks specific health issues like joint problems or bloating that a German Shepherd mixed with Border Collie may cross. This brand contains joint supplements, probiotic supplements, and fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants. It is a natural and grain-free product with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It contains antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits, as well as premium proteins. This brand is a grain-free product that will give your hybrid dog enough nutrition for its daily activities and exercises. There are a plethora of good choices for them out there, but make sure to find some of the best dry dog food , for example, Wellness Core Dog Food , Dog For Dog Food , or Nutra Thrive dog food supplement. Puppies and senior dogs have different food requirements, so go through the best puppy food brands in case you own a little munchkin and best senior dry dog food for grandpa and grandma pups. A checkup with your vet will help you opt for some of these. Both of its parent breeds are also very active. This hybrid dog does not do well indoors and needs to have a lot of time running and playing with its owners. An owner of a German Shepherd crossed with Border Collie must commit their time to engage this dog in activities if they want to avoid it from becoming bored and destructive. This dog will become aggressive and timid if it does not participate in mental and physical activities. Its daily exercise requires about 60 minutes of running and playing outside of the house. If you happen to raise a Border Collie German Shepherd mix as a calm and independent dog, 2 hours of separate walks daily can keep it satisfied. Any puppies that qualify as a German Shepherd Mix are a cross between a German Shepherd and another dog breed. In a mixed breed, you can get any mix of characteristics in the parent breeds. German Shepherds tend to be strong-willed, intelligent, playful, and loyal. To get a full idea of what to expect in your puppy, be sure to ask the breeder about the other dog breed in the cross and check out the mother dog in-person to get a general idea about size and temperament. On the German Shepherd side, you have an independent dog with high intelligence and a playful spirit. German Shepherds make great family pets and are born protectors. Because of their protective instinct, they can be suspicious of strangers. Socialization early and often can help curb this suspicion and make them more open to new people and situations. German Shepherds also tend to be loving and have a lively personality. The German Shepherd Mix can have any or all of these characteristics plus any characteristics from the other parent breed in the mix. Before buying a German Shepherd Mix puppy and bringing them home, be sure to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed. If the puppies are being family-raised around children, you should be able to get an idea of how they will do in a family setting that includes children. The German Shepherd is a moderately adaptable working dog that was bred to guard, work, and herd. They do not tend to do well in apartments and are best-suited for houses with yards. GSDs prefer to be with their families and do not like to be alone. They also tend to prefer cooler climates as they are sensitive to heat. With a German Shepherd Mix, you could get a moderately adaptable dog that is just like a purebred German Shepherd. You could also end up with a dog that is more like the other parent breed. Talking with the breeder about the other parent breed can give you a good idea of what to expect. German Shepherds can be prone to elbow and hip dysplasia. You will need to ask the breeder about the other parent breed in the cross to get an idea of any other health concerns to be aware of in your German Shepherd Mix. Health screenings, clearances, and the genetic history of the parents can help allay concerns about potential health conditions. On the German Shepherd side, training and obedience classes are highly recommended for novice dog owners. Although GSDs are highly intelligent, pick up on things quickly, and train fairly easily, they can be stubborn with an independent streak. Regardless of the other parent breed in the cross, you should be prepared to enroll in obedience and training classes with your German Shepherd Mix. The experience will be beneficial to both you and your puppy and will also offer some opportunities for socialization. You will still want to ask the breeder about the other parent breed in the cross to get an understanding of what to expect during the training process. Professional grooming a few times a year and the occasional bath is also recommended. Regardless of the coat type, your German Shepherd Mix will need to have their nails trimmed monthly and their teeth brushed regularly. Not every dog will allow you to do this, so try to get a tooth brushing session in at least a few times a week to reduce tartar buildup. This will help prevent dental problems like tooth decay and gum disease. Plus, it will help cut down on bad breath! German Shepherds tend to have a high activity level. They were bred to run, herd, guard, and protect, so they are used to working and having a job to do. They are definitely not a lazy dog breed! Be sure to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix. You will still want to go in prepared for a high energy dog with the understanding that your German Shepherd Mix puppy may have an activity level closer to the other breed in the cross. If both are high energy dogs breeds, expect to end up with a high energy dog. A German Shepherd is a large dog breed that generally weighs between 55 and 90 pounds. They also usually stand between 22 and 26 inches tall at the shoulders. The other dog breed in the cross could result in a smaller or larger German Shepherd Mix. A German Shepherd generally lives for years. You should be able to expect a similar range in your German Shepherd Mix, but the other dog breed in the cross could affect this range. Featured German Shepherd Mix Article.

You can use the information o.Show more How much grooming does a Labrador need? Although Labradors have short fur, they do shed so you'll need to groom your Labrador occasionally. To help your dog feel comfortable with handling and grooming, introduce it in a positive way, one step at a.Show more What size crate do you need for a Labrador? When inside their crate, your dog should have plenty of space to: sit and stand up at their full height turn around without touching the sides lie down fully stretched out.To find out more about potential health issues f.Show more Labrador crossbreeds One popular Labrador crossbreed is the Labradoodle. This is a mix between a Labrador and a Poodle and Labradoodle colours include silver, cream, black and chocolate. Labradoodle size is typically large. Are Labradors easy to train? You can teach any breed of dog new tricks! Find out what your dog loves so you can use this to reward them after a success. Just like you, every dog is an individual with their own personality and prior experiences. So, every Labrador temperament is different. As dogs grow from puppies, they learn all about the world. They develo.Show more Are Labradors good with children? Every dog has their own unique personality that has been shaped by their own experiences of the world. However, there are som.Show more. Daisy and Brock are a beautiful mother and son pair who love to snuggle together and cuddle. They are both sweet, happy, and friendly. They adore getting attention from anyone they meet during their walks and easily draw people in with their sunny personalities and soft silky coats. They have settled into an easy routine in their foster home and relish their walks every day and visits to the dog park. During their walks Brock clocks roughly twice the mileage of foster mom and Daisy with his side-to-side walking style. Neither is true! These pups love to live it up at the dog park where they show off their speed as Brock sprints and dives after his Kong frisbee, often grabbing it taco style, while Daisy relishes fetching an orange Chuck-It ball before eventually resting to chew on it. Brock is also a master at tug-of-war who has learned to drop it sometimes after repeated requests so it can be thrown again. Brock is extra special because he was born without a tail, which causes him to be incontinent. Inside the house he wears diapers and a belly band, and his incontinence is easily managed. When coming inside from a walk, Brock waits patiently for his diaper to be put on. Daisy and Brock took time to smell the roses and ponder life. While happy to be in a foster home, they would love to find their forever home. Please open your mind and your heart to considering adopting these two gorgeous pups. You will never regret your decision. Vocality level 4 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. Temperament Few breeds so richly deserve their popularity as does the Labrador Retriever. When trained, the breed is obedient and amiable and tolerates the antics of children, other dogs, and other pets. The Lab is a calm house dog, playful yard dog, and intense field dog, all on the same day. Labs are eager to please, enjoys learning, and excel in obedience. It is a powerful breed that loves to swim and retrieve. Labradors need daily physical and mental challenges to keep occupied. A bored Lab can get into trouble! Upkeep Labradors are active and sociable dogs. They need daily exercise, preferably in the form of retrieving and swimming. Owners with swimming pools either must fence them out or be prepared to share the pool with dogs. The Lab coat sheds water easily. Weekly brushing is needed to remove dead hair. Health Major concerns: CHD, elbow dysplasia, OCD, obesity, patellar luxation Minor concerns: cataract, CPRA, hot spots, retinal dysplasia, hypothyroidism Occasionally seen: diabetes, entropion, distichiasis, tricuspid valve dysplasia, centronuclear myopathy, exercise-induced collapse Suggested tests: hip, elbow, eye, exercise-induced collapse DNA , centronuclear myopathy , knee Life span: 10—12 years History The original Labradors were all-purpose water dogs originating in Newfoundland, not Labrador. Not only did the breed not originate in Labrador, but it also was not originally called the Labrador Retriever. These dogs—medium-sized black dogs with close hair—not only retrieved game but also retrieved fish, pulled small fishing boats through icy water and helped the fisherman in any task involving swimming. Eventually, the breed died out in Newfoundland in large part because of a heavy dog tax. However, a core of Labradors had been taken to England in the early s, and it is from these dogs, along with crosses to other retrievers, that the breed continued. It was also in England that the breed earned its reputation as an extraordinary retriever of upland game. Initially, black labs were favored over yellow or chocolate colors. By the early s, the other colors had become more accepted. The popularity of this breed has grown steadily until the Labrador Retriever became the most popular breed in America in and remains so today. Related Content. Even though we are growing and strong we remind our adopting families that we are a Non Profit - Grassroots - Volunteer run Organization. We adopt to patient, kind and respectful families who understand we are Volunteers. Matching families with appropriate dogs is our priority and we do not operate by first come first adopt. We rescue for need not for breed and search out those who without our help have no chance of getting adopted from shelters. This year alone over dogs in our care will get needed surgery, life-saving treatment, or other major medical care. We take in hundreds of pregnant moms who will be able to deliver their puppies in the safety of a home and loving arms. All our dogs and puppies are spayed or neutered prior to being adopted. We cannot save them all but we will save all we can with the help of the generous support of people like YOU! Let's get started by completing our online adoption application. Step 1 -Click the "Adoption Application" link on the right sidebar and tell us about you and your family. Once we receive your application, you will receive a confirmation email followed by an information email. Within the next days an Adoption Coach will reach out to you via phone, text or email. Be sure to get back to us so we can keep your application rolling! The Adoption Coach will review what you are looking for in your new Dog or Puppy to make sure we are aligned. Our goal is to guide you about what to expect when you adopt. We provide you information about the dog or puppy you are interested in adopting. Our goal is to prepare you for dog ownership. Step 2-You are approved to adopt! Through this next step we will work together guiding you toward meeting the dogs that meet your most import requirements. Please understand that sometimes a dog just might not be right for you. Step 3 - You have many options to meeting the dogs of Labs and More Rescue. We have fun weekly Saturday option events, check out our website for details. At our Adoption Events you can meet many dogs at one time. We also do meets at Foster Homes where you can see the dog in a home setting. You can also meet puppies by appointment in foster homes. If you would like we can also do initial meets by Facetime! So many ways to find your new Dog with Labs and More! I We only adopt to nice, kind, dog loving people.You have met your new best friend and you are ready to adopt. If the foster family and the dog also agree then we will move forward with the adoption! Our goal is to not operate by first-come, first-served but to do what is best for you and the dog. Step 4-Signing the paperwork and making the adoption donation is the beginning of your journey with your new Dog. Your adoption donation is used to pay for the costs of rescuing and providing needed medical care and support for the dog you are adopting. Unfortunately this donation does not come close to covering all these costs. Please understand you are not buying a dog from us you are making a donation to continue this life-saving work. We can guarantee that YOU will incur additional medical costs and care for your newly adopted dog down the road, regardless of being a rescued dog or not. It costs much more than the adoption donation to save one dog so any future care is the responsibility of the adopting family. Once you sign the adoption agreement and make the donation.Have fun getting new stuff for your new dog! You will receive documentation post adoption regarding the care that was provided for your newly adopted dog while with Labs and More Rescue. Promising to care and provide for your dog is the gift you can give to our Volunteers and Fosters who provided a safe place while looking for YOU! Thank you for Rescuing a dog that without YOU would be left behind. For more information go to labsandmore. The puppies are picked up at 8 weeks old and go to their forever family to be trained and live with you for life. Once puppies are weaned the female is then returned to their Guardian family. We feel this will allow for the best care of the girls as they will be one on one with their forever families right from the get go instead of being replaced once they are retired from breeding. A Free puppy adopted through our breeder program is just that, a free lab retriever. In addition, there is compensation for travel to us to return her along with us paying for spaying after she has had her litters. On occasion we run into someone objecting to this program and they recommend that people visit their local shelter to adopt a puppy for free. These puppies need rehoming and we would want to get them into a home as much as the next person. The need for breeding however is still there because not all free shelter dogs have the intelligence to act as a service dog. Something as simple as a shelter dog not being screened for a genetic heart or eye issue may result in a lot of wasted training. If a dog lives for 10 to 12 years, and the shelter dog is 5 years old , training takes a year at least for suitable candidates, then the service can only work until about 8 to 10 years old until they begin to slow down. So, instead of the dog helping their handler for 8 or 9 years, all that training is put in to the dog for just a couple years. Normally this is a cost most people will not incur for such a short time. Read more on this here. You must live within an hour and a half or so or be willing to make the drive to participate in this program. People from Essex county and Windsor, Chatham Kent, Sarnia, London and Elgin county are the best candidates to partner with us and adopt a puppy for free, but living in one of those locations is not mandatory. If you are interested in our free puppy adoption program please specify so when applying as outlined on our contact us page and we will interview you for more information. Space in this program is very limited but also very rewarding as you will be helping us place a Lab puppy into the hands of a veteran or first responder to help them with their daily duties. Ownership is retained by Lucky Labs until the dog is finished breeding even though she will live with her guardian family. Around the age of three-four the mother is retired from breeding and we will pay to have the ownership transferred along with paying an agreed upon amount for the dog to be spayed. We make the first pick of a litter choosing the smartest female to mate in the future. Sometimes there may be two puppies that are equally intelligent, if so you can pick from the two. Either way you get the pick of the litter. You take your puppy home, administer veterinarian care as you would normally getting your Lab vaccinations at the proper times. You keep us informed of vaccinations and if your female comes into heat. Once she is old enough to breed we facilitate that. She is home with you for most of the year only being away to mate with our male for a few days, and to have her puppies. After the first mating we will evaluate the quality of the puppies she made. If they do not meet or are not above our standards to be trained as a service dog we may decide to spay her and sign her over to you. We may also try her with a different male if we feel the characteristics of the different male might make the puppies of a higher quality. In short, if her puppies are exceptional she may have up to 4 litters so we are able to donate the highest quality puppies available to our veterans and first responders. If her puppies are not we may instruct you to spay her and cover the cost. If you feel you can provide an excellent home for one of our best girl puppies, and you would like to contribute to our veterans, police officers, nurses, fire fighters and medics while caring for one of the best breeds of dogs going, then please apply below. People looking for a puppy to adopt can get the highest quality Lab puppy available in Ontario. We appreciate your help and dedication to helping out. Think you would be an Amazing Guardian of one of our dogs?

There has never been an absolute decision made on where, of these two countries, the Standard Poodle originated from. Of course, many people, both past and present, have their personal opinions. The Standard Poodle is the largest of the four different sized Poodles. The teacup, the toy, and the miniature all descend from the Standard. This breed used to hunt waterfowl, and search out truffles in the hills of France and Germany. The typical coat that comes to mind, when a person thinks Poodle was actually created for a purpose. If the Poodle was left ungroomed, while hunting in the water, the dog would be painstakingly hindered by the weight of its heavy, wet coat. The ribbons in their ears were simply to identify who owned them when they all came running over the hill to their masters. So you see, their hairstyle, which you probably thought was gratuitous and decadent, did in fact have a great purpose in history. The Poodle truly has one of the most fascinating histories in all of the K9 world. There are even drawings found in caves by explorers , with images that resemble the Standard Poodle. These are some of the earliest findings of what appeared to be pure bred dogs, used for a purpose. It was also during this period that Standard Poodles were the most used K9 to perform in shows and circuses. Circus trainers found the dogs to almost train themselves for the routine of the show. The popularity of the breed peaked in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is for this reason that potential Standard Poodle puppy buyers must be very wary of breeders, and ask plenty of questions. When dogs become extremely popular, their health is sacrificed by irresponsible breeders who are in the business only for monetary gain, and not for the betterment of the breed! Character Overview: Exhibiting amazing running and jumping abilities, the Standard Poodle almost flies through the air with ease. They are active, athletic, merry, very alert, and the most intelligent on the planet! The friendly Poodle simply delights in life. The Poodle is highly adaptable, outgoing, and very well-natured, making him a wonderful life long companion. The Standard is still a hunter like his ancestors, with his amazing swimming ability, and very keen nose. If you do not spend sufficient time training and loving your Poodle, he will become bored and can become difficult. Because of their extremely high intelligence, they require their mind to be exercised as much as they do their body. They are able to be trained to do virtually anything. They totally enjoy anytime in the water. Poodles are the ultimate family pet. They love everyone! They love children of all ages. LOL They can sense when someone is ill, and have a very compassionate demeanor. Often times, they have been noted as especially gentle around babies and seniors. What more can we say--they are for all people, for all things. Poodles do not molt! If you are one of the people who wants your Poodle to be traditionally groomed for shows, then yes, there is much more to it. A dog should never be constantly licking his feet, and if this is the case, you should visit a veterinary clinic. We feel as though the healthiest grooming choice is short and trim. During regular examinations by yourself, you will find it much easier to discover scratches or irregularities on their skin, and can take preventative measures to avoid such unpleasantries. If the Poodle is left for too long with a full coat, these things can go unnoticed very easily. The Standard is a very clean specimen, but still requires on average about two baths a month. Daily brushing is recommended, again, depending on how you groom your Poodle. The hair must be plucked from the ears to ensure proper airflow, and to decrease the chances of bacterial growth. This practice should be started from day one, and after the first few times your Poodle will adjust to the procedure for his lifetime. Happy in either the country or in the city, the Poodle adjusts well in almost any setting--provided he has plenty of love and attention. He hates being left alone for long periods of time, as any dog should! We brush our dogs teeth much more frequently, but as a minimum, we always say once a month. Physical Specifications: We ensure that all Magisterial Standard Poodle Puppies leave with their dewclaws removed and their tails docked. The dewclaws are removed to ensure no trouble occurs in the future as your Poodle is running through the woods, or other unpredicatable environments. Docking their tails and removing their claws is my least favorite part of breeding dogs; however, it is an important part of my job. Because Poodles are such happy dogs, their tails would be a force to be reckoned with--knocking anything and everything off ledges and tables. These procedures make life much more enjoyable, for human and K9 alike. The Poodle is the worlds most recognizable breed of dog. His body is very solid, with a slightly arched neck, and his chest well let-down. He has a firm muscular loin and his back is short--neither arched nor hollow, croup rounded but not sloping. His head is dignified, straight, and in total proportion to his body pronounced occipital peak! His nose must match his coat colour, and he has fairly tight lips. Again, the colour depending on his coat. He has a straight nose bride. The Poodle has almond-shaped eyes, which are slightly slanted. The eyes are black or very dark brown to dark amber in colour, depending again on his coat colour. His ears are fairly long, and hanging against the cheeks, with the tips reaching to the commissure of the lips when outstretched. They are covered with wavy, very long hair. He has remarkable muscular, well-boned legs-small, short, and oval feet. His tail is set high and docked. The coat is curly, abundant, fine, woolly, very thick, well-furnished, and of uniform length, forming regular curls. If the coat was corded, it would also be abundant, fine, woolly, dense, but would form small well-defined cords of uniform length. The colour of the Standard Poodle comes in the following varieties: black, white, brown, grey, apricot, red, blue, silver, and parti. The Poodle should stand at about 45 to 60 cm .CH Edencourt's Ziggy of Magisterial Earning his Canadian Championship at only ten months old, we knew from the very beginning that Edencourt Ziggy Stardust would be a force to be reckoned.Magisterial's Lucky Amber Amber is full of life and energy! She is rarely lounging around the Magisterial kingdom, instead, she is usually outside running.Magisterial's Red Mercedes Boasting a confident display of unbridled agility, and a vibrant red coat, Mercedes definitely stands apart in the league of Standard Poodles. She has already completed her.Magisterial's Gloria Everdear Truly one of the most loving souls you will ever encounter, Gloria Everdear takes after her Aunt Amber in almost every way. From her gorgeous dark, apricot.Quite a unique personality, Empress runs the gamut from playful.CH Magisterial's Vincent A marvellous spectrum of personality would do no justice to our beloved champion stud, Vincent, as there is so much more to behold in the presence of such greatness.Magisterial's Classic Chloe Spunky, vibrant, and aesthetically delightful are just a few words that come to mind when considering our benevolent, and free-spirited Chloe. Running like the wind and.All Rights Reserved. All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective companies. Privacy Policy. How could anyone not be happy with a Standard? As many of my clients can testify, they also make fabulous hunting companions as bird dogs. They vary in size from medium to large and come in a beautiful array of colours and markings. The Standard Poodle is the "original " Poodle and the multi-coloured coat is also "original " and can be witnessed in many historical works of art going back many centuries. Whether a solid colour or a multi-coloured Standard Poodle.More interesting information about the history of poodles can be found at www. We enjoy educating people about this particular breed as it has a fascinating history. Most know very little about the Standard Poodle and picture an animal in a fancy cut with diamonds around the neck and bows in the hair. It actually is a very hardy dog as it was originally bred for work and hunting. This versatility allows the Standard to do just as well in the middle of Chicago as it does in country living, sport or hunting companion. All our dogs live within our home as every single one is considered a member of the family. Living on over ten acres of land provides them with plenty of exercise and fresh air, ensuring a sound mind and body. We breed for Health, Correct Conformation, Temperament and those wonderful colours and markings. All puppies are born in a specially designed and custom built nursery within our home where we can keep a close eye on them at all times.

I have a 4 month old puppy called Charlie. He is lovely. Seems very healthy and bright and approaches everything in life with great enthusiasm. I have had a black Labrador before, many, many years ago, when I was a kid — and my mum did all the work and worrying. That Labrador was from a big farm in North Yorkshire and I guess he was from "working lines". I feed Charlie on Royal Canin kibble which is what the breeder used and he gets loads and loads of treats — at puppy class clicker training, for walking without pulling, for peeing and pooing outside. Should it be about the same weight chicken for kibble? At 4 months, Charlie is the same weight 17kg now as the girl puppy that the breeder kept for herself. The breeder says that based on his mum and dad, she would guess Charlie will end up weighing, when he is grown, about 35kg. The vet says he is not too fat and is fine, and the vet nurse says the same. Is there anything else I can do to check that he is not overweight? Many thanks for reading what is probably too much information, and thank you in advance for any comments you are kind enough to give. JulieT I have tried to attach a picture… the one on the sofa shows the "puppy fat" along his back and his big tummy. Helping your dog to lose weight. Is My Labrador Fat? The best way to tell is by eye and touch. Have a look at your dog and compare him with the picture below of a healthy Labrador. Look at your dog from the side. Does his belly slope upwards towards his groin, or is it a level line from his front legs to his back, or even worse is it sagging down between his legs? Your Labrador should have an upward sloping line from the base of his chest, towards his back legs. Now look at the dog from above. You should be able to! Your dog should not be the same width all the way down his body. Look at your dog from the side again. Can you see any ribs? Run you hands along his rib cages firmly. Can you feel his ribs? If you can see ribs when he is standing still he is too thin. If you cannot feel his ribs at all with your hands he is too fat! As we have seen above, the best way to tell if you have a fat Labrador is by looking and feeling. The trouble with providing you with a number is that it can give a false impression. Depending upon whether your Lab is field or bench bred, short or tall, chunky or slight, male or female, will all make a big difference to their ideal weight for the individual. The average adult Labrador will weigh anywhere between 55 to 80 lbs! Male Labs usually being around 5 to 10 lbs heavier than their female counterparts. If you are still unsure whether your Lab is the right weight for his or her build having given her a thorough check yourself as described above, then the best thing to do is to pop down to your local veterinarian. They will be happy to let you know how much your individual Labrador should weigh. Why Is My Labrador Fat? So how did your slim little puppy end up as a fat adult Labrador? There are three common assumptions that people make when considering how their dogs came to be overweight. Does the dog need more exercise? Has he got some kind of medical problem? Or am I just feeding him too much at mealtimes or giving too many snacks? In general if your dog is overweight the real reason is simply that he has eaten too much. Or rather, been allowed to eat too much. Does my dog need more exercise? He may well need more exercise, but that is not why he is fat. He is overweight because when you take into account the amount he exercises along with a number of other factors, he has eaten too much. The exercise needs of your dog are an important but separate issue, which we look at in other articles. The important thing to remember is this: The less exercise you give the dog, the less you must feed him. Once put on, weight is hard to shift and it will simply go up and up over time. Medical causes of canine obesity Although most dogs who are overweight have simply had a few too many bites to eat, there are some medical causes for obesity which do crop up from time to time. Canine medical conditions that can affect your Labs weight include hypothyroidism, insulinoma and hyperadrenocorticism. If a medical condition is the reason then the weight gain will normally be sudden and unexpected. If you are concerned by sudden weight gain in your Lab when you have not been giving him more food, then a checkup at the vets is definitely in order. You may also find that your dog puts on weight after having been neutered. If this is the case you will need to adjust your feeding habits accordingly. However, for most dogs weight gain is a simple result of over feeding. My Labrador is always hungry People are often concerned because they worry that their dog is still hungry after eating his dinner. Here is an important truth: Most Labradors are always hungry. You cannot win this battle. These are greedy dogs and your Labrador will always want more food than you give him. No matter how much that may be. If your Labrador is overweight he really needs to eat less and he will get used to his new regime quite quickly. Are Fat Labs Less Healthy? If you have looked at your Labrador and decided he is overweight, you might be wondered whether that actually matters. Is it really worth the effort of ignoring those puppy dog eyes and whines for extra food? Slim dogs are healthier Being overweight predisposes you to an awful lot of unpleasant health problems. This is true regardless of whether you are a human or a dog. Carrying extra pounds can also make existing problems your dog may have worse. For example joint problems like arthritis and hip dysplasia can be exacerbated by having more weight to lug around. As well as joints and bones suffering from obesity related issues, increased body fat can also make your dog more likely to have problems with their organs including those needed for breathing and digestion. Just a bit of extra fat can have a host of unwanted consequences. Being a fat Lab puppy can potentially make your dog more likely to suffer from joint problems later in life. Slim dogs live longer Not only will a slim dog have a better level of fitness and a lower likelihood of becoming unwell, they will in all probability live longer too. Those Labs on the large food ration had a median lifespan of over 11 years old. Those on the smaller food ration lived to be over 13 years old. When you look at the difference which can be made in these terms, by helping your Lab to stay slim you could be giving him an incredible two more years with you! If he gets a lot of household scraps these may have to go too. If you use food as rewards in dog training, this should be deducted from his daily food allowance. It could also help to find healthier alternatives to your usual training treats. Bear in mind that if your dog is unwell, old or very young , it is sensible to consult your vet before tampering with his diet. It is also a good idea to have a chat with them beforehand if your dog is very overweight and has a lot to lose. Take a photo of him from above and from the side before you start. At the end of the three to four days, check the dog over as described above and ask yourself if he is still fat. If you think he has improved a little but needs to slim down a bit further, keep going for another three to four days then review the situation. Compare the photo you took a week ago and you should see some improvement. You may need to increase his food slightly in order to maintain his new slim figure and ensure he does not get thin. If the dog is not losing weight after a couple of weeks on two-thirds of his previous food allowance, you may need to cut his food down even further.

Articles Sit. Heal German Shepherd Hip Dysplasia Signs and Treatments Muscular, intelligent, and loyal, German shepherds are steadfast guardians and all-purpose workers. Highly trainable and obedient, German shepherds provide a range of services—excelling as show dogs and household companions, as well as military and search and rescue animals. Exuding confidence, this breed is royalty of the dog family. They are susceptible, however, to challenging hip and joint issues like hip dysplasia any time from puppyhood all the way through maturation. As with many large breed dogs, German shepherds are prone to canine hip dysplasia CHD , a dog skeletal condition that can be inherited or caused by a traumatic fracture or other environmental factors. CHD occurs from malformation of the ball and joint socket of one or both hips the hip joint is called the coxofemoral joint. If so, it maybe be because of breeding. The exaggerated hind leg angulation is often bred into the dog because of standards that dictate rear legs upper and lower thighs should come as close to a degree angle as possible. Along these same lines, a sloping back causes hindquarters to become more angulate and, thus, prone to lower back pain. These bent legs could point toward one of many health problems, one of which is hip dysplasia. Although irreversible, canine hip dysplasia can be monitored and treated to reduce chronic pain. According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals , .The progression of it and the treatment options available depend on a number of factors, including the degree of misalignment and age of the dog. CHD has a range of signs, depending on the severity of the disease and degree of looseness in the joint. The severity also ranges from mild to extreme pain—some German shepherds even have to use a wheelchair. CHD Treatment Options Dog hip dysplasia surgery for severe cases in medium to large dogs can be expensive. If invasive surgery is not the best choice for your dog, look into non-surgical, conservative management options, such as dog leg braces, physical therapy, weight control, acupuncture, anti-inflammatories, and massage therapy. Ortho Dog specializes in flexible, adjustable, and affordable dog leg braces. Additionally, leg braces for hip dysplasia may slow the progression of this chronic issue. Is a Hip Hound Brace right for your pup? Designed for dogs who suffer from arthritis and mild to moderate hip dysplasia. Below are four common disorders of the hip and joint commonly seen in this breed: Degenerative Myelopathy As a German shepherd owner, you have likely heard of the fatal, chronic, and progressive disease called degenerative myelopathy that is most prevalent in this breed. Typically apparent between the ages of , degenerative myelopathy is a neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord and muscle coordination, ultimately leading to paralysis of the back legs within months. CHD shares several symptoms with early stages of degenerative myelopathy, including difficulty rising and jumping, and progressive weakness of hind limbs. As with any signs that something may be off with your dog, contact your veterinarian for a full exam. Canine Myasthenia Gravis A rare neuromuscular disease, canine myasthenia gravis is a disorder of the signal transmission between nerves and muscles, resulting in progressive muscle weakness, and fatigue with mild exercise. This disease is not typically confused with CHD because the signs tend to show up on the face more than the hindquarters. This incorrect movement can put a strain on their hips, which causes them to walk with an irregular gait. Our Hock Holder brace offers stabilization and support to the hock to help relieve stress. Osteoarthritis Most often seen in senior dogs, osteoarthritis is the inflammation of the hip joints due to cartilage deterioration. You may notice your dog moving a bit more slowly and having trouble with stairs. With less cartilage, bones can grind against each other and cause inflammation. Much like a human wearing a wrist or hand brace for arthritis, the Ortho Dog Hip Hound brace limits the movement of the joint, which helps with the pain. With dysplasia, the end of a bone no longer fits snugly into the socket of a joint, causing the bone to move around more than it should. This leads to pain and inflammation. In elbow dysplasia, uneven growth of the radius and ulna lower front leg bones can damage cartilage in the elbow joint. Dysplasia may cause your German Shepherd to walk or run abnormally. If he has hip dysplasia, he may swivel his hips or have a bunny hop when he walks or runs. With painful and uncomfortable joints, your German Shepherd will probably not want to move around very much. For example, he may no longer want to go up and down the stairs, or be more hesitant to do so. Go to source In general, your German Shepherd may not want to do any running or jumping. If he becomes aggressive e. He may become irritable enough to bite you, or at least try to. When you start noticing signs of dysplasia in your German Shepherd, take him to your veterinarian. Your German Shepherd will need to be sedated for the x-rays and orthopedic exam, particularly for the hip. Her hips came back from OFA with an "excellent" rating. However, I am concerned because when she runs at a "gallop" she bunny hops and looks to me like she lacks power in her back end. She can't keep up with other dogs that I think she sould be able to outrun. Does anyone know why the bunny hop? Maybe she had some sort of injury or strain? I will give it a try. She has always run this way. No injury or strain, no limping, good straight sits most of the time. Boy what a bummer. No one really knows the cause i would hazard a guess partly to do with the feeding or it may be genitic but not proven However if the dog is in no pain you cannot do much about it if it has always been that way, so long as it is in no pain just let it be the happy dog it is, However any thoughts of breeding with it should not be thought about Steve by ForFoxyRoxy on 17 September - Hi Steve, KInda tricky. Hope I did it right. Both front feet just stayed in position and she ended up rolling off to the side. Both rear feet sprung out but after 2 seconds. I did it on the carpet. Is that the best place? I will look up Wobblers. She has only exhibited pain twice when playing with another dogs. Once a young make got on top of her you know in the mating position. She backed him off as if in pain. The other time was with a young American Bulldog that got pretty rough playing with her and she did the same thing Thanks Cara. He runs great. Jumps great and shows no hip problems. However at 13 months he still bunny hops when running at full speed like a rabbit both back legs move at the same time. Also when he goes up steps real fast and he can. Sometimes he will bunny hop-leap up the steps to get up even faster. He bunny hop leaps up 4 or so steps st once. Is this bunny hopping something I should be concerned about?? I have seen on line and told this kind of bunny hopping is an early warning sign of impending hip problems. Thanx Much Bill.Marie replied: Thanks for your question. I can understand your concerns. As German Shepherds are a breed that is known to have a predisposition towards hip problems, I can see how an odd gait could make you a little worried. As far as I know, however, there is no evidence that shows that dogs who have an odd gait as a puppy will be more likely to get hip dysplasia. Dogs with hip dysplasia usually do not end up showing signs of hip dysplasia until they are quite a bit older. Often, by two years of age there can be changes that can be seen on an xray to indicate that hip dysplasia is likely to happen years down the road, but usually there is no outward sign of problems with the hips at this point. In my career I have seen a couple of dogs who had problems with their hips when they were as young as 13 months. But, I wouldn't say that bunny hopping would make me concerned. Now, if Navoc was showing signs of pain such as limping or whining while he was walking or jumping then I would be more concerned. It's never a bad idea to have your vet take a look and even consider xrays, but I don't think that the bunny hopping that you have described is anything to worry about. January 10, For Pups With Short Attention Spans… German Shepherds are prone to a number of health issues that potential owners should be aware of. Some health conditions include, hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, degenerative myelopathy, eyesight issues, and cancer. Intelligent, noble, and naturally protective, German shepherds guard our homes—and our hearts. These gentle beasts are often bred for agility and herding. These two bones grind and grate together—think something like a mortar and pestle—causing inflammation and pain to the hip joints. You may begin to see your GSD bunny hopping or limping due to stiffness in their hind leg. Your active pup may even begin to resist going for walks to their favorite park or roughhousing with their other furry friends. Treatment Unfortunately, there is no way to cure hip dysplasia. In fact, it can cause a rather large amount of pain and discomfort to your pup. The German Shepherd breed and other large breeds have genetic predispositions towards this condition. This inherited condition occurs when the elbow joint develops abnormally during a German shepherd puppy growth spurt, causing the bones and cartilage in the joints to rub together. German shepherd dog with this condition may have difficulty performing physical activity due to their swollen and painful joints, like: Running Jumping Treatment Treatment options for elbow dysplasia are identical to those for hip dysplasia—give your growing pup plenty of exercise and joint supplements and consider veterinarian intervention. When your GSD eats too quickly, they can inhale a large amount of air that may cause their stomach to twist and expand. Your companion may attempt to tell you something is wrong by vomiting or drooling excessively. You may also notice their stomachs start to swell. Treatment and Prevention If your GSD has gastric dilation or volvulus, they will most likely need to visit a vet, and receive fluids, medicine, and regular exercise to dispel the gas. To prevent bloating, you may need to feed your GSD small meals throughout the day and avoid strenuous exercise immediately after eating. You can also buy special bowls that make your working dog slow down as they eat. This disorder is quite severe and will eventually progress to complete paralysis of the: Bladder Bowels Limbs German shepherds with this condition typically start showing signs around 8 to 9 years old with the weakening of one or both hind limbs. Over weeks or months, this progressive degenerative disorder will spread to the front limbs. Treatment There is currently no cure for degenerative myelopathy. Physical therapy has been shown to delay the degeneration of the limbs but will not stop the progression completely. Pannus is a genetic condition that affects the cornea of the eye. GSDs with this condition will develop a cloudy, pink mass that covers and scars the eye. Pannus typically occurs in older German Shepherds, and if left untreated, your GSD may experience blindness. Treatment Similar to other genetic disorders, treatment of pannus will only stall its progression and will not offer a permanent cure. Topical corticosteroids and antibiotics may be used to treat the health condition directly. The most common types of cancer include:1 Osteosarcoma — This is a type of bone cancer that produces aggressive tumors that progressively damage the bones of the limbs, skull, vertebrae, ribs, vertebrae, and pelvis. Hemangiocarcinoma — GSDs are genetically predisposed to hemangiocarcinoma. This cancer develops in the blood vessels of GSDs and can target the heart, liver, spleen, and skin. Lymphoma — This cancer goes after the entire immune system of GSDs. Though aggressive, this cancer is not particularly painful to your pup. These growths will often feel lumpy or hard to the touch. If the tumor is malignant, your dog may also experience abnormal discharge, panting, or loss of appetite. According to a study from the Royal Veterinary College, German Shepherds are the second most common dog breed to experience pet health disorders as a direct result of their breeding traits. It all comes down to their unique disposition—selective breeding favors German shepherds with low hindquarters and sloping backs.

Next Should I get a male or female Pug? You want a Pug dog breed but you're in a predicament as to which gender to go for? Is there any difference between a male and a female Pug? Will you have more fun and less trouble with either? This article will help you learn all you should know about the Pug dog and the material differences between males and females. But first, an overview. The Pug is cute, whether male or female. They are very smart and playful. They absolutely love attention and can adapt to their environment and various situations. Your Pug dog can be calm, introverted, attentive, bold, cautious or very attentive. But the truth is, every dog is an individual and thus can exhibit traits of their own. But beware, anything you sweep under the carpet without addressing can later become an issue and destructive behaviors will only stress you and tire out your dog. The Pug has a pretty even disposition and they are usually almost always well-behaved. They are friendly, affectionate, fun and loving. Pug Puppy — Male vs. There are some notable differences between the male and female Pug. You probably have questions like which one is easier to train? Is one smarter, better looking, more affectionate than the other? The male Pug is about 10 to 14 inches high and weighs around 20 to 30 pounds. While, the female Pug measures about 10 to 12 inches high and weighs around 18 to 28 pounds. So you want to know how to choose if you should go for a boy or girl puppy and want to know what the difference between male and female puppies is? Personality and temperament It is generally assumed that males are more mischievous, energetic, confident and bold while females are shy and a bit more relaxed. As a result, they are considered much easier to train and house break than the male. Females are also regarded to be incredibly affectionate with a high snuggling ability. Males do not nip as much as females do as females are quick to aggression. You should not tease a female Pug. They can be inconsistent with their emotions, especially in their early years, but they usually outgrow it. Males also experience a dash of aggressiveness but it is less than females and easier to correct. Males are the ones who are more likely to display an alpha attitude and try to mark their territory. There are some cases in which the female Pug will walk around with an air of dominance especially if you had them before the male. It has been perceived however not scientifically proven that female dogs are smarter and more loyal than males. This is why you should make adequate research before purchasing or rescuing a Pug puppy. Regardless of all the above it is more important to choose a dog that fits with your personality and life style in a litter rather than being set on one gender for one reason or another. Focus on the individual temperament of the dog and get to know the puppy and their energy levels before making a life long commitment. Life span and cost How long your Pug will live is not dependent on gender. Their longevity depends on genes and how well you take care of them. Keeping your Pug at an ideal weight with adequate hygiene and balanced nutrition will help ensure your Pug dog is healthy. The female Pug is usually more expensive than the male especially with breeding rights and AKC papers. When your Pug is in heat, you might have to deal with a lot of aggression and moodiness as well as unwanted attention if you own a female Pug. Female Pugs will definitely give you some measure of attitude and are more prone to huge mood swings. They will also soil your rugs and couch with discharge unless you use diapers and clothing during their heat. Males will probably embarrass you when they start humping every dog in the park. Your male Pug dog can also get aggressive when they are in this mind frame and if there is a female nearby, he will pull and drag you off course trying to find her. Another unpleasant thought is that during heat, your dogs are at a flight risk. Please note that you cannot train them out of the natural instinct to mate. Using the Health Harness ensures they will never get away from you or able to escape. The Health Harness is escape free and features real metal hardware to prevent buckles from breaking even with strong pullers. If you do decide to spay or neuter your dog, you are going to reduce this aggressiveness by a wide margin. Spayed or neutered Pugs can make the best pets. But you can decide to keep your dog intact. All you need is a safe and controlled space. Which Pug should you get? Choosing between the male and female Pug is tough because they are really quite similar. Two is always better than one and it is a great idea and here's why: Can be left alone longer. They will keep each other company and this will reduce separation anxiety. Are social animals and will thrive better with company. How do you procure two of these loving companions? There are two main ways to get your hands on two Pugs. If you are on a tight budget there are creative ways to get your hands on a quality healthy Pug Will you stick with one cuddly, furry companion or go all out and get two? Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Why do I want a show lines pug puppy? I'm only looking for a pet. Experience the ultimate joy of owning a pug puppy from Companion Pups! We go beyond the conventional notion of keeping show-quality pugs exclusively for show homes. We believe that everyone deserves the absolute best when it comes to their furry family members. Pugs were bred to be people's companions, and we are passionate about bringing that exceptional companionship to your home. Purebred doesn't always guarantee superior breeding or adherence to pug standards. That's why our show lines ensure that you not only get a pug with the correct look but also the perfect personality, temperament, and size. Our show line puppies possess a special charm that makes them thrive in a multitude of environments which makes for the best family companions ever —happy, playful, and confident, without being hyper or spastic. They are intelligent, attentive learners, embodying the chunky, wrinkly look and adorable nose roll that pug enthusiasts adore. By choosing a show line puppy from us, you're selecting a well-balanced, fun-loving, and fiercely loyal companion that exceeds all expectations. Experience the beauty and trainability wrapped up in the healthiest pug puppies. Our AKC and International lines are health tested and our pugs are pre-spoiled, ensuring a delightful addition to your family. Welcome to Companion Pups, the home of the Kisses' Line of Pug Puppies, where our pugs literally give you kisses and are eager to shower you with love and affection! We'd also like you to know you can always expect a quick response from us as well so you are never left waiting and wondering when you'll hear back. It's our goal to be here when you need us for the life of your pug. Welcome to the Companion Pups family! Sometimes calm and dignified. Always sturdy and stable, good-humored and amiable. This is the Pug. Though peaceful with all the world people and other animals , the Pug will sound off with his rather odd-sounding bark when visitors arrive. Then he will welcome them inside with snorts, snuffles, and grunts. As is the case with most short-faced dogs, his large expressive eyes, wrinkled forehead, cocked head, innocent expression, and strange sounds bring out parental feelings in many people. Indeed, a Pug is very childlike and always wants to be with you. If not spoiled too much, he can be depended on to maintain his sweet, comical, charming personality. Though stubborn, Pugs seldom get into real mischief. Adults spend much of the day sleeping. Gassiness can be an embarrassing problem, and housebreaking can be a challenge, especially in the rain, which Pugs detest. The biggest concern with this breed is their many serious health problems. If you want a dog who.Is small, yet sturdy and blocky Has a short face with large expressive eyes Has a short coat Is usually polite with everyone, including other pets Doesn't need much exercise Seldom gets into real mischief A Pug may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with.Snorting, snuffling, wheezing, snoring, some slobbering Gassiness flatulence Slowness to housebreak Constant shedding — every day! Lots of potential health problems due to his deformed build — yes, it might look cute, but it is badly deformed A Pug may not be right for you. Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training. With an adult dog, you can easily see what you're getting, and plenty of adult Pugs have already proven themselves not to have negative characteristics. If you want a puppy, you can avoid some negative traits by choosing the right breeder and the right puppy. Unfortunately, you usually can't tell whether a puppy has inherited temperament or health problems until he grows up. More traits and characteristics of the Pug If I was considering a Pug, I would be most concerned about.Health problems. Unfortunately, breeders deliberately breed these good-natured dogs to be deformed. As such, they suffer more than their share of health problems — not only with their breathing, but also eye diseases, joint diseases, and a devastating fatal neurological disease called Pug Dog Encephalitis. Read more about Pug Health. Gassiness flatulence. All short-faced breeds gulp air when they eat, and that air has to go somewhere, after all. However, commercial diets make flatulence worse by including fibrous or hard-to-digest ingredients. Pugs who are fed a homemade diet of real meat and vegetables have much less trouble with gassiness. Constant shedding. It usually comes as a shock to new Pug owners just how much a Pug sheds. Most dog breeds have two shedding seasons per year where they shed the majority of their dead hairs. But Pugs are constant shedders who drop a moderate amount of hair all year. You need to be sure that you're okay with this! Pug "sounds". Pugs snort, snuffle, wheeze, grunt, and snore loudly. The sounds are endearing to some people; nerve-wracking to others. Pugs can be slow to pick up the concept of housebreaking. Expect several months of consistent crate training. Read more about housebreaking your Pug. Though they seldom get into real trouble, most Pugs are at least mildly stubborn. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. Food is a great motivator with this breed, but too many cookies equals a fat Pug. Also you don't want a dog who only obeys when you're waving a biscuit at him. Instead you should establish the right relationship between the two of you, where you are the leader and he is the follower. In other words, you must teach your Pug to respect you. Read more about Pug Training. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs. To help you train and care for your dog Dog training videos. Sometimes it's easier to train your puppy or adult dog when you can see the correct training techniques in action. The problem is that most dog training videos on the internet are worthless, because they use the wrong training method. I recommend these dog training videos that are based on respect and leadership. Respect Training For Puppies: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved puppy. For puppies 2 to 18 months old. Your puppy will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. If your dog is over 18 months, you'll want Respect Training For Adult Dogs: 30 seconds to a calm, polite, well-behaved dog. Again your dog will learn the 21 skills that all family dogs need to know. Teach Your Dog English Words is a unique Vocabulary and Respect Training Program that will teach your adult dog to listen to you and do what you say. Related posts you might enjoy. He really does. If your children cannot play calmly with him either because he won't stay calm or because they cannot see the signs he is getting too excited and cam things down in time then stop all play between your puppy and children until he is older and better able to self-control. Battendog at the same age was not 'allowed' to play with anyone but very close adults, because it would literally take seconds to push him from bouncy and funny into boisterous and harmful. I played with him and spent lots of practise time teaching him to stay calm - anything too excited stops pay for a few seconds or minutes to calm down - and teaching him an emergency "stop! Biting: if he's doing it then it is working for him in some way. Work out what he gets out of biting you and block it. Most likely, what he gets are squeally, angry, excited people paying attention to him. Everyone in the house must follow the same routine to ensure biting never gets him anything he wants. Food: reward him for doing something else. Get him on a mat and reward him loads just for being there. When eating, have him go to his mat and toss him a treat every few seconds. He wil stay on the mat if that mat is where he gets treats. Over time you get reduce how many treats you throw him, leaving longer and longer between them. You should then get to a point where he sits on his mat all through your meal for a treat at the end. Your call whether you keep that up. He's not refusing the listen. It's just that he has learned is learning that listening to you is nowhere near as rewarding as doing what he's doing. Set your home and behaviour up so that listening to you is much, much more rewarding than being a little bugger and he will do that instead. Think about the things he loves the best and ways you can control his access to those things unless he listens to you. If he loves chasing a ball, then have him sit or lie down before you throw it. Do this often and it will become a learned behaviour that you can use in other scenarios, such as sitting for his lead to be put on. If he loves food then every time you feed him is a chance to teac him something. The act of learning and listening is as important as whatever is being learned. Above all, what he needs is patience and persistence from you. You keep doing the right things, steadily and patiently in the hope he comes good after all him hormones have calmed back down again about another months. Add message. Pugs come primarily in three colors : silver, black, and apricot-fawn. They have a big round head with large sparkling eyes and are considered an ideal house dog. The Pug has always been popular among the aristocrats over the centuries. Pug Behavior Pugs tend to be loving, charming, and mild with an even temper. Because of these attributes, Pugs are perfect contenders for house and family dogs. They are easy-going with children, mildly sensitive, and relatively friendly to strangers. Sometimes they can be stubborn and slightly tricky to train. Are Pugs Aggressive? A Pug is a perfect family dog due to its personality and temperament. Generally, Pugs are not aggressive. But when not socialized effectively when young, they can be stubborn. Coming across an aggressive Pug is an infrequent occurrence since they take to food-based training easily and socialize fast, especially at a young age. What are the Causes of Aggression in Pugs? Several factors can contribute to aggressive behavior in Pugs, including lack of attention, being left alone for long periods, and neglect from its caregivers. Aggressive Pugs exhibit this trait through being bossy, barking, dominance, rushing, and pecking. Such aggression can be heredity, where parents pass these attributes to their litter. Other aggression causes include ill-treatment, and shouting, more so from handlers. Regardless, you can correct this concern through adequate training and socialization of the Pug when young. Having an aggressive Pug can be problematic, and as the owner, you need to curb this behavior to ensure the dog is friendly, gentle, and family-oriented. Training is necessary when your Pug is young since, at this time, pups are relatively easier to train as compared to older dogs. The training window is typically best at 3 to 16 weeks, but ideally before the 20th week. We recommend enrolling in a puppy training course, such as Pupford Academy , so you can be guided by experts. Training mostly involves behavioral training and socialization with the involvement of both humans and other dogs. These activities teach guide your Pug on how to perceive the world around them and how to respond to it. Socialization can be as simple as taking your Pug out for a walk, generally in a place with both dogs and humans such as a park. Behavioral training involves obedience training, where you teach your Pug basic commands. Training is the best way to prevent aggression. Pug puppies, just like most puppies, tend to be hyperactive. So, what contributes to this hyperactive Pug behavior? Among the leading factors include curiosity, separation anxiety, excitement and playfulness. Hyperactive pugs are likely to demolish things, bark for attention, bite and nip, chase things, and get little sleep. Hyperactive Pugs can be stressful for the owner because they demand attention all the time. But as your Pug puppy comes of age, it calms down. This change usually happens at around one and a half to two years. Occasionally, they will have these sudden bursts just like other dog breeds. These zoomies will only manifest when you expose your Pug to specific triggers such as bath time, which may call for restraining. Are Pugs Emotional? Pugs are emotional creatures. They have an affectionate side and a serious side. This trait is due to the secretion of a hormone called oxytocin, also present in humans, that makes them feel caring and loving to others. These basic emotions will include, joy, love, fear, disgust, and anger. Even so, they can also get depressed and anxious, especially when you leave them on their own for relatively long periods. Do Pugs Have Behavioral Problems? Though most Pugs are typically loyal, obedient, and disciplined, some may have behavioral problems depending on their personality. Common behavioral issues include barking, growling, nipping, whining, dominance, separation anxiety, and stubbornness. These issues differ with different Pugs, and not all Pug owners will encounter them. Final verdict Pugs are great family dogs, and with proper training can be emotional supporters. They are loving, loyal, emotional, and playful, great with children and easy to groom. Because of these attributes, Pugs are an ideal choice for many people.

If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our list of the highest rated Labradoodle Breeders in New York features ethical facilities whose main focus is producing healthy Labradoodle pups. More breeders are taking on the huge responsibility of breeding Labradoodle puppies in New York, which is naturally a great thing. However, the high demand has also attracted Doodle scammers and puppy mills. See Also: Click the image Although Doodle scammers will leave you empty-handed with no money or puppy, puppy mills are a different story. Namely, their lower prices are used to attract unknowing buyers while selling them unhealthy puppies from overbred parents. Oftentimes, the kennels are in horrible conditions, the dogs are malnourished, and come with a wide set of health problems. You can always ask the breeder for proof of health testing, as reputable breeders have no problems providing you with the documentation. For more on issues that can plague Labradoodles take a look at our article Doodle Health Issues and Diseases. Another great indicator is that a breeder is recommended by Gooddog. All of these organizations require their certified breeders to follow high standards of health and genetic testing. In addition to that, the breeders have to follow ethical breeding practices and provide a safe, clean, and nurturing environment for the breeding dogs and puppies. See Also:. We ensured that none of the Labradoodle breeders mentioned here has a bad reputation and that no breeders with unethical procedures or puppy mills were listed. Secondly, PuppySpot offers a range of resources and services to make the process of bringing your new Labradoodle home as easy as possible. Lastly, PuppySpot is committed to responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. They have a strict policy against working with puppy mills or substandard breeders and partner with animal welfare organizations to support their mission. They make the process easy, and their commitment to responsible pet ownership and animal welfare is something to be proud of! You can trust this breeder, who has been breeding Australian multigenerational miniature and standard-sized Labradoodles since , to do everything she can to raise healthy and happy puppies. All puppies have been vaccinated, microchipped, and checked their health. You can also request health and genetic tests from this breeder. Hips, eyes, and other joints are among the most common health examinations. Furthermore, genetic testing guarantees that your dog will be free of inherited disorders. You will get a Labradoodle puppy that will share your home for the rest of its life. Each breeding parent has undergone extensive health checks and genetic testing. Before you can be approved as a breeder, both organizations need you to undergo health tests on your dogs. This breeder spends time exposing puppies to various stimuli and lifelong conditions such as nail trimming and bathing. Most Labradoodle breeders in New York will not provide their puppies with this additional training and stimulation. All puppies are vet-checked, given their first set of immunizations, dewormed, and come with a health guarantee. Parent dogs are health-tested and genetically checked, providing you peace of mind when choosing a Labradoodle puppy. This breeder is known for its multigeneration medium-sized Labradoodles. All pups come with a health guarantee of 2-years, up-to-date immunizations, microchipping, and free pet insurance for an initial period of 30 days. All breeding parents are entirely healthy and have had their eyes, hearts, knees, elbows, and hips examined by the OFA. This breeder is known for its multigenerational medium and standard-size Labradoodles. They only have a limited amount of certified therapy and service dogs available each year, so talk to them if you want your Labradoodle to be more than just a family pet or a companion dog. In New York, Guardianship initiatives are an excellent method to receive a low-cost Labradoodle pup. Within one week of the buyer receiving the puppy, a veterinarian will inspect the puppy. They breed F2B standard-sized Labradoodle puppies. At 6 weeks of age, the puppies will get their first checkup and vaccinations with the Country Side doctor. We usually suggest contacting each breeder individually and asking them a range of questions. Choose a breeder willing to address your issues and choose the best dog on the basis of temperament rather than appearance. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Have you always wanted a Labrador retriever, but are you worried about the common health problems of the breed? Someone might have recommended that you go for a Pit Bull-Lab mix. Labrador retrievers and American pit bull terriers began to be deliberately interbred in the s as a way of minimizing the health problems that are common to both pure breeds. The result is usually a gorgeous, medium-sized pup with the strength and loyalty of a pit bull and the intelligence and affection of a Labrador. But wait, you might be wondering if these dogs are highly aggressive, since pit bulls do have a reputation for being a pretty aggressive dog. While exactly what you get with a mix-breed pup is always unpredictable, the aggressive reputation of the pit bull is undeserved. They are, in fact, intelligent and affectionate canines. A word of warning, while pit bull-Lab mixes are highly affectionate and highly trainable, they are not generally recommended for first-time dog owners since there is quite a bit of work involved in looking after these special dogs. But whatever you call them, they are a mix between a Labrador retriever and an American pit bull terrier. Labrador retrievers are medium-large gun dogs that were initially bred to retrieve game. But over the years, they have also become incredibly popular family dogs. They are also highly intelligent, trainable, and friendly, so they are also often used as disability assistance dogs, for example working as guide dogs for the blind. American pit bull terriers are solidly built medium-sized dogs. In the early 19th century, they were often used in blood sports such as bull and bear-baiting, and after these sports were outlawed in , they were also often used in dogfighting. This is why the breed has a reputation for being aggressive, but they are not naturally aggressive when properly cared for. They are, in fact, strong, confident, and lively, and make excellent family pets as they love children and are protective of them. Pit Bull-Labrador Mix Characteristics Unlike with pure-bred dogs, which tend to have a fairly predictable appearance and temperament, you can never be sure exactly how the characteristics of parents will combine in a mix-breed dog. But it is possible to generalize about the most likely characteristics of a pit bull-Lab mix based on the characteristics that appear most often, and characteristics that breeders will often try and control to produce the best possible pups. Labrador-Pit Bull Mix Appearance Most pups that are a mix between a Labrador retriever and a pit bull can be characterized as medium in size. They usually range from between 17 to 25 inches tall and can weigh anywhere from 45 to 90 pounds. Male Lab-pit bull mixes tend to be significantly larger than their female counterparts. They will almost certainly have a strong and muscular physique. Labradors are fairly strong to start with, and this is only enhanced by the extreme muscular nature of the American pit bull terrier. Their facial features generally fall between those of a Lab and a pit bull, and they will have a broader forehead than a Labrador retriever, but it will be narrower than that of a pit bull. They usually have a relatively long muzzle and long pointed ears. Your pitador might also come out with the classic Labrador retriever double coat that sheds a lot. Breeders will often try and control for this characteristic, but there are no guarantees. There is no way of knowing what kind of coat they will have when you adopt a puppy. Coat colors vary from classic Labrador colors including black, chocolate, and golden yellow, but you can also expect to see white, spotted, brindle, and cream. Lab-Pit Bull Mix Temperament When you adopt a Labrabull, you can expect a dog that is affectionate, intelligent, and energetic, as these are characteristics of both Labrador retrievers and American pit bull terriers. Lab-pit bull mixes are very affectionate and bond quickly with new families. They are incredibly friendly with children and will be both careful and protective of them. While you can trust a pit bull-Lab mix with children, small children should never be left alone with any dog unsupervised. While they do get on with other animals, this breed does have a need to be dominant. They may engage in behaviors you consider aggressive or undesirable to assert their dominance over other dogs or household animals. They crave to be included in everything the family does and to be the center of attention. These dogs are very intelligent and also eager to please, which makes them highly trainable. They are just as capable of being trained as working dogs as their Labrador retriever parent. They are motivated by praise and reward, and training should always utilize positive reinforcement. When your dog is frustrated and confused by what you want from them, that is when they can become aggressive. But pit bull-Lab dogs are not naturally aggressive; they actually have a calm and fun-loving temperament. But they are also high energy and need a lot of exercise. They are highly alert and will bark a little to let you know if guests arrive at the door or strangers are lurking near the house. Lab-Pit Bull Mix Health These crossbreed dogs generally live for years and within that time are likely to have fewer health problems than either purebred Labrador retrievers or American pit bull terriers. Nevertheless, they can be inclined to develop some of the joint conditions that are common in Labrador retrievers, such as hip dysplasia. They can benefit from glucosamine supplements to help keep their joints supple and healthy. You can find our recommendations for the best glucosamine supplements here. These dogs are also more inclined to developing epilepsy and hyperthyroidism than some other dog breeds. You should monitor your dog for seizures to identify the onset of epilepsy. You can read more about seizures in dogs here. Finally, dogs that are a mix of Labrador retrievers and pit bulls can be inclined to develop skin conditions and allergies. For this reason, it is important to choose a good pH-balanced shampoo for your dog, and try to keep their food and environment free of toxins that can trigger or exacerbate allergies. These might help you to decide whether they are the right breed of dog for you. Exercise Lab-pit bull retrievers are energetic dogs that need lots of space to play. They need a yard to give them space to run and play throughout the day. They need a lot of exercise each day. They need at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise, such as running or playing catch, each day. On top of this, they will need hours of moderate exercise such as walking and playing. This exercise is best when split into at least two exercise sessions each day. It is advisable to keep your pit bull-Lab mix on the leash when in public parks as they have a high prey drive. Attention These dogs thrive on love and attention, and since they are so intelligent, they also need a lot of mental stimulation. This means that it is not appropriate to leave them alone for long periods of time. If you leave one of these dogs alone for ten hours a day while everyone is at work, you will come home to a lot of destruction and a frustrated dog that may become aggressive in their need for your affection. Grooming Most Lab-pit bull mixes have the short-haired, low-shedding coat of a pit bull, which only needs brushing once a week. But if they turn out to have the high-shedding coat of a retriever, you may find that you need to brush them every day to keep on top of their shedding. You will also want a powerful vacuum cleaner that is designed to pick up dog hair. You also need to pay a lot of attention to dental care, as Lab-pit bull mixes are prone to tartar build-up and gum disease. Diet Since these dogs are highly muscular and full of energy, they thrive on a diet that is high in animal-based proteins and high in healthy fats. You do need to be careful how much food you give them, as they will usually eat even when they feel full, and they are prone to put on weight when they overeat. So, feed them a diet that is low in carbohydrates and put food out at regular times rather than leaving food in their bowl for them to graze throughout the day. Since these dogs are prone to allergies, it is important to invest in high-quality food that does not contain any artificial additives that can be toxic for dogs. It is also a good idea to vary their diet, and ensure they are not eating the same type of meat every day. Dogs are most likely to develop allergies to the foods they eat the most. So, if you feed your dog the same chicken-based dog food every day, it is likely that over time they might develop an allergy to chicken. Varying the protein that makes up their diet can help prevent this. Where To Adopt There are many reputable breeders out there breeding top-quality pit bull-Labrador retriever mixes. Generally speaking, you will find that the Labrador is the mother, as they are a slightly larger breed, and it is safer for the dog when the mother is a bit larger than the father. So, if possible, look to adopt rather than buy. A great place to start looking for adoptable dogs is at Petfinder. We found our Australian Shepherd Labrador Retriever mix through petfinder. FAQs Is a pit bull-Lab mix an aggressive dog? No, pit bull-Lab mix dogs are not aggressive. They can have a reputation for aggression because pit bulls have traditionally been used in blood sports, but the breed is not naturally aggressive. They can be dominant among other animals and may engage in classic alphamale behavior to assert their position in the animal hierarchy. When do Lab-pit bull mixes stop growing? Lab-pit bull mix dogs will usually keep growing until they are about three years old, which is around the same time as they start to lose their puppy energy. You can expect them to grow between 17 and 25 inches tall and to weigh between 45 and 90 pounds. Are pit bull-Lab mixes a good dog breed for families with kids? Yes, Lab-pit bull mixes are excellent kids. They are gentle and playful and will also be highly protective of their young charges. While they will give you a bark to let you know that strangers are around, they are actually very good with strangers as well. Can you have a pit bull-Lab mix with another dog? Pit bull-Lab mixes are highly dominant animals, so they will try and assert their dominance over any other animals you have in the house. For this reason, they need to be well-socialized from a young age to ensure they learn appropriate behavior. So, while you can introduce a Lab-pit bull mix puppy into a home that already has a dog, you might want to be wary about introducing an adult dog into a household that already has another dog. Do pit bull-Lab mix dogs bark a lot? No, these highly intelligent dogs are not the type to bark continuously or for no reason. They might give you a bark to let you know when something has happened or if someone is approaching. When do Labrador-pit bull mix dogs calm down? From about the age of one year, these dogs begin to calm down and have less energy. The Verdict Labrador retriever-American pit bull terrier mixes make excellent pets for anyone with an active lifestyle and lots of space for these dogs to stretch their legs. They combine the intelligent and friendly temperament of both breeds in an adorable dog that is less likely to suffer from some of the serious medical conditions that are common in both pure breeds. They are also highly trainable and have a calm and friendly temperament as long as they are getting the physical stimulation and the attention that they need. You will need to be prepared to make the time commitment to keep these dogs healthy and happy. Do you have any experience raising a Lab-pit bull mix pup? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Labrabull Highlights Labrabulls are mixed breed dogs. The main colors of Labrabulls are black, white, gray, brown, yellow and silver. The vast majority of Labrabulls are black with white accents. Labrabulls love children. Sturdy, energetic, and tolerant, they are ideal playmates. That said, no dog of any size or breed should ever be left unsupervised with children. Labrabull History The Labrabull mixed dog breed may have existed naturally over the years, but designer breeders started intentionally mixing American Pit Bull Terriers and Labrador Retrievers in the late s, likely in North America. Breeders wanted to mix the two parent breeds to minimize health issues that tend to affect pure breeds as they are often inbred. Breeders continued to create Labrabulls as demand for the mixed breed pups climbed. Even though the Labrabull breed got its start as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide this is the pup for you. Check your local shelters, look up Labrabull rescues, or check with breed-specific American Pit Bull Terrier and Labrador Retriever rescues, as they sometimes help to re-home mixed breed dogs. That said, as a mix between American Pit Bull Terrier and Labrador Retriever parents, you can expect Labrabulls to be medium in size—though they are typically on the larger end of medium. Most weigh in 45 to 90 pounds and range in height from 20 to 24 inches at the shoulder. However, many can be smaller or larger. The males typically run up to 30 pounds heavier than the females. Labrabull Personality Labrabull parents usually describe them as being loving and loyal. Their high energy levels mean they would probably prefer a game of fetch to an afternoon nap. They love affection so make sure to give them some cuddle sessions at the end of the day. Labrabulls are easily frightened. If you are looking for a rough, tough dog, keep on searching. Labrabulls are also very loyal and protective of their family. If their family is threatened, they would not hesitate to display aggression. Labrabulls do well with early training, they are eager to please, and they thrive on positive re-enforcement. Make sure to establish yourself as pack leader and be consistent. They are intelligent with a sweet disposition. Labrabulls have a strong, muscular build. They are energetic and excel in agility training and sports. If you want a dog to exercise with, this may be your new best friend and favorite workout partner. Their activity levels mean they may prefer a house with a yard; however, make sure that yard is secure, as some may exhibit wanderlust. For a highly active person with the right lifestyle a Labrabull would be just fine in an apartment. While most are generally healthy, some may be prone to a few health issues, which is why it is important to maintain good care and regular veterinary checkups. Some of the more common health problems Labrabulls suffer from include: OCD. Loyal and easy to train, the Pitbull Lab mix will make an excellent addition to any family and provide great companionship. History Of The Pitbull Lab Mix Both the Pitbull and the Labrador Retriever are historically working dogs , so it comes as no surprise that the Pitbull Lab mix likes to keep themselves busy and entertained. They were originally bred to combine the most desirable characteristics from both parent breeds into one dog — the temperament of the Labrador and the loyalty of the Pitbull. Breed Origin The breed origin of the Pitbull Lab mix is actually unknown and we cannot be sure when these dogs first appeared. However, we can look at the history of both parent breeds so you get an idea of where these pups originated from. The Pitbull parent in the Pitbull Lab mix can actually be any of four types of Pitbull. The Pitbull was created in early 19th-century England for the popular spectator sports of bull and bear baiting. They were thought of as aggressive fighting dogs but it was also known that they were very gentle with humans and made excellent family dogs. Later, these Pitbulls accompanied immigrants to America and they began new careers as all-around farm dogs. Their jobs included hunting wild game, guarding the property from animal intruders and providing companionship. The Labrador, as we mentioned above, is the most popular breed of dog in America. Labradors were originally bred as gun dogs in the s and used to accompany hunters and retrieve animals that had been shot. They were also used in Newfoundland to retrieve fish that came in off the trawl, which is why they love the water. Their loyal and loving nature mean that they quickly became a very popular family dog and are still used today as working dogs, such as guide dogs. Characteristics Of The Pitbull Lab Mix Because the Pitbull Lab Mix is not a purebred breed and it is not recognized by any kennel clubs, this means that there is no definite breed standard for these pups. This means we cannot be sure how each litter of puppies is going to turn out. However, we can guess based on previous litters. These dogs are normally born in litter sizes of 5 to 10 puppies, with the average being 7. It is not normally an issue which parent is the sire or the dam when breeding. Appearance As we have said above, you can never be sure what your Pitbull Lab crossbreed will look like. They may look more like their Pitbull parent or more like their Labrador Retriever parent. The Pitbull Lab Mix is classed as a medium to large breed dog, and they can weigh anywhere up to 80 lbs, with females generally being smaller than males. These dogs will likely have floppy ears and will be muscular yet lean in statue. Coat A Labrador Pitbull Mix will generally have a short, smooth coat and they will not require too much grooming. We will go into more detail about grooming later on. Color The parent breeds of the Pitbull Lab Mix dog can vary greatly in color, which means your designer dog will likely vary greatly too. A Labrador can be yellow, brown or black and a Pitbull can be a huge range of colors — especially because there are four different breeds of this dog! If you want a good indication as to what your Pitbull Lab may look like color wise, you should take a look at the parent breeds. Temperament The Pitbull Lab Mix is a friendly and sociable dog that loves to be around people. This is particularly true for the Pitbull in them, who can become feisty when bored or not stimulated. Therefore, they will do well when they are around a lot of people and are being given lots of attention! This could not be further from the truth. When raised properly and socialized well, these dogs are sweet-natured and loving — traits which are passed down to the Pit Lab Mix. They are not known to bark and will alert you when there is anything wrong, making them a great guard dog or watch dog. The intelligence level of this mixed breed dog means they are easily trainable and will be top of the class at puppy school. They will also happily learn tricks and engage with their owners! Lifespan The Lab Pit Mix has a relatively long life expectancy and can live, on average, anywhere between 10 and 14 years. These are normally the same health issues that their parent breeds are predisposed to. However, there are two health problems that are seen more frequently, both of which are seen in Labradors. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA — this is an eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable. Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any issues to offspring. Daily Life While the different traits and characteristics that your Pitbull Lab Mix may inherit from their parent breeds can be somewhat of a mystery, fortunately taking care of these dogs is pretty straight forward. Below we discuss their food and diet, their exercise needs and their grooming needs. As an adult, this should be anywhere between 1, to 2, calories a day, which equates to four cups of kibble a day. You should always check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount you should be feeding them of a particular food based on their weight. When they reach maturity, this should be reduced to 2. As an adult, you should try to feed them three times a day. Always remember to feed your Pitbull Lab Mix nutritious, high-quality dog food. We have included a food that we recommend below. This food is formulated with protein-rich chicken as the first ingredient, ensuring your doggie gets all the nutrients they need to keep their muscles healthy and strong. Designed specially for large dog breeds, this food contains glucosamine and chondroitin to help support joint health and overall mobility of bigger dogs. There are also antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to support immune system health, life stage requirements and a healthy oxidative balance. Exercise A Pitbull Labrador crossbreed is a medium to large breed of dog and therefore has high exercise needs. A dog of this size should be exercising for around minutes a day, so you must make sure you have the time to dedicate to this breed before buying. When the Pitbull cross is a puppy, you should remember the 5 minute rule. Therefore, if your pup is four months old, you should only be exercising them for around 20 minutes. These pups will love to join you on a hike or a run or, like their Labrador parent, they also love to swim. Because of their intelligence, they can also learn different dog sports such as flyball or agility, so this is something to think about. Check locally to see whether your area has any restrictions. You may need to keep your dog on the leash or have them wear a muzzle. Loving and friendly, these pups thrive when they are around people and like to be right in the middle of everything, getting all the attention! They do not do well when left alone and can exhibit destructive behaviors and signs of separation anxiety. Therefore, you must make sure you are not going to be out for hours at a time if you are thinking about bringing one of these dogs into your home. These dogs need to be kept entertained and stimulated mentally, which is why they can be such a good playmate for children. They also get on well with other family pets, so there is no need to worry about their reaction to other dogs and cats. The Pitbull Lab Mix is a very intelligent dog, which means training them is very easy. Training and Socializing We have mentioned above that the Pitbull Labrador crossbreed is a very intelligent dog. This means that training them is easy and is one of the reasons they are recommended as a good first dog. These pups respond best to positive reinforcement training. This includes verbal praise and reward-based training such as treats. Socializing your Pitbull Lab cross is also not difficult. They get on well with children and other animals, so there should be no issue within the family home. You should start socializing them from a young age and introduce them to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals when you are out and about. Grooming Fortunately, your Lab Pitbull Mix will not require a lot grooming. You will need to brush them roughly two to three times a week to ensure that shedding stays at a minimum. Unfortunately, as they have a Labrador parent, they will shed a lot! You will need to invest in a good vacuum cleaner if you want to keep your home fur-free. Bathing your Pitbull Lab is also important, but this can be done as infrequently as times a year. You should also check their ears regularly to spot any signs of infection, and ensure their nails are clipped as needed. We touched on this above but the answer is no. There is a common misconception that all Pitbulls are dangerous, but when trained properly and brought up in a loving and caring environment, Pitbulls are affectionate, loyal dogs and love to be around people. Are Pitbulls illegal? In some areas of the United States, Australia and the UK, Pitbulls and other related dog breeds are under breed-specific laws. These laws prevent residents in those areas from owning these dogs, except from under special circumstances. Pitbulls in these areas are seen as a danger because of their reputation and dog fighting background, even though there is a huge amount of evidence to show that when trained properly Pitbulls make great pets. How much does a Pitbull Lab Mix cost? If this is out of your price range, you can always check your local shelter to see if there is a pup there that needs a loving home! Summary The Pitbull Labrador Mix breed was created to cherrypick the best traits from each parent breed — the temperament of the Labrador and the loyalty of the Pitbull. These loving, friendly dogs make excellent family pups who just love to be around people, both adults and children, and other animals too. While the Pitbull has a reputation for being aggressive, this could not be further from the truth and, when put in the right home, the Pitbull Labrador Mix is a companion for life. What do you think, is one of these dogs right for you? Other Pitbull Related Guides. .You will never know if your puppy is going to look more like a Lab or a Pit in the future. Pit Lab Mixes are black, brown, tan, white, and yellow. Some Pit Lab Mixes are solid in color, while others have distinctive white marks just like a Pitbull. Originally, all Labradors were black. When a litter is influenced by the predominant features of the Black Lab, it is very likely for you to have a litter of jet black Lab Pitbull pups. A majority of Lab Pitbulls are actually black in color with distinctive white marks on the face, on the chest, at the tips of the paws and tail. Its spectrum of rich brown hues can be passed onto its offsprings. Brown Lab Pitbulls usually have markings, too. Labradors with orange hues to their coats are also classified by the American Kennel Club as a yellow Labrador. Pitbull Lab Mix Looks Generally speaking, Pitbull Lab Mixes have the following features: a broad head a pair of almond-shaped eyes small droopy ears a long tail a smooth, dense coat But as with any crossbreed, there is no way you can accurately guess how your puppy is going to turn out. You will just have to wait until he is fully grown. A Pitbull Lab can grow to a height between 30 cm. As always, this breed sits in the grey area between the Pitbull and the Labrador even in size. Their weight also depends on how much Labrador or Pitbull genes they have in them. Pitbull Labs in general, weigh around 45 lbs. However, a Pitbull Lab with dominant Pitbull genes can weigh up to 95 lbs. Pitbull Lab Mix Character Traits We all know that the Labrador Retriever has a playful, friendly spirit while the Pitbull has a bold, courageous demeanor. So, what could be the personality of a Pitbull Lab mix? Read on to find out! Pitbull Lab Mixes are family oriented and will protect their humans at all costs. These courageous canines will stand up to any threat! Pitbull Lab Mixes are highly protective of their pack, which is often displayed as an aggressive behavior. When given proper training, the Pitbull Lab mix can easily distinguish between threat and unusual stimuli, so he can exercise restraint. The Pitbull Lab mix is usually quiet, which makes them the ideal pet for apartment living or for close-knit subdivisions. Likewise, Pitbull Lab Mixes are great watch dogs as they always keep their eyes peeled. They can sense danger from afar, be it a wanted criminal or a teenager who is up to no good. A big softie Another remarkable trait that Labrabulls have is their ability to connect with their owners. They can sense if you are sad, troubled, or in pain. These dogs will snuggle next to you and give you wet licks — the canine equivalent of hugs and kisses. So, the next time you are about to cry, you can count on your tail-wagger to comfort you during hard times. This is certainly a trait that they have inherited from Labradors. After all, Labradors are notably known as therapy dogs. A goofball Pitbull Lab Mixes are ever-ready to face any danger that represents itself. But these fearless dogs also melt easily into a jiggly pile of face-licking love around their beloved humans. Pitbull Lab Mixes love to run fast, tug hard, jump high, play games and solve doggie problems like the smart and creative creature that he is. Clingy Although the Pitbull Lab mix is a big softie, this breed does have a tendency to develop a neurotic behavior if left alone for long periods. Encourage him to be a little more independent by allowing him to explore the world a little further away from you. Docile Pitbull Lab Mixes are notable for their obedient demeanor towards their owners. Applies to all dog food recalls in the U. Be sure to establish yourself as the Alpha of the pack, especially when your Pitbull Lab Mix is still a pup. Lab Pit Mix Temperament A majority of dog owners are not yet convinced with the Lab Pit Mix temperament, which mainly harks back to the reputation of its parent breed, the Pitbull. So, why are these dogs depicted in a bad light? But truth be told, the tiny Chihuahua is actually more threatening than the hulking Pitbull. James Serpell, a renowned professor from the University of Pennsylvania, conducted a series of tests to determine which canines are the most aggressive. Furthermore, the American Temperament Test Society performed a study in to evaluate the temperament of the controversial breed. According to the results, the American Pitbull Terrier has a temperament passing rate of .In other words, many canines that share Pitbull-like characteristics are quickly categorized as a Pitbull Terrier. Likewise, the CDC stated that there is no scientific proof that shows Pitbulls are more involved in fatal attacks compared to other breeds. But of course, any dog that was cultivated for aggression can terrorize a whole neighborhood. This applies to all dogs, not just for Pitbulls. Therefore, an angry Pitbull is not the closest thing you will encounter next to a Great White Shark. While its parent breed has proven itself a true fighter, a Pitbull can only be aggressive if the dog was bred for the wrong reasons. Undesirable traits are rooted in improper training and lack of socialization, regardless of which breed you have. This means a Labrador, which is easygoing and gentle by nature, can get into a bevy of troubles if he has no concept of right and wrong. Unfortunately, the Pitbull Terrier remains a cult favorite among irresponsible owners. Therefore, it is imperative that you take the time to ensure your canine buddy gets properly trained and socialized. Despite their undeserved reputation, a Pitbull or a Pitbull Lab mix can respond well when training is done the right way, especially when you shower your pets with tender loving care! Are Lab Pitbull Mixes Sociable? Dogs are social creatures and are happiest when in contact with others, so yes, that includes the Pitbull Lab mix. But just like any other dog, your Lab Pit Mix must learn social skills at a tender age to keep fighting at a minimum. Socializing allows your tiny pup to get used to various settings and be comfortable towards meeting new people and animals. Keep in mind that Lab Pit Mix sometimes love to play a little rough. However, this should not be mistaken as a high prey drive. As a fur-parent, you also have to be well-balanced as the dog you seek. If you have a grumpy canine with a killer glint in the eye and a growl to match, step back and consider whether you are teaching your dog the right lessons. If not, get professional help! Establish yourself as the Alpha First of all, you have to firmly establish yourself as the leader of the pack. It means you have to set boundaries, stick with your own rules, and avoid doing things out on a whim! Otherwise, your growing pooch would think you are weak and inconsistent. A successful relationship depends upon you being in control. If your little Pitador does what he wants in small, harmless ways, it is likely for him to do what he wants in big, annoying ways. Nevertheless, be sure to be fair and calm when correcting your furry sidekick. Pitadors are among the most obedient dogs but they can also be very sensitive. Employ positive reinforcement Pitadors care about praise… and yummy treats! So, be sure to hand out some tasty dog biscuits to your pup for his little accomplishments. You can also alternate it with praises and belly rubs. Positive reinforcement is absolutely crucial, especially during the first weeks of potty training. When your Pitador goes potty outside instead of your hardwood floor, make a fuss and reward him. Considering how the Pitbull Lab mix is extremely intelligent, your pup is quick to understand which of his actions are good and desirable to you. Thus, he will repeat the behavior as often as possible. Correct your dog the right way Punishment is often associated with physical harm, such as hitting your dog with a stick. This method is not only harsh but also counterproductive. So, how do you correct your canine lout without making him anxious or wary of you? Since it is no good trying to reason with your dog, the most efficient and humane way to teach him is through constructive punishment. You can confiscate his favorite toys or simply ignore your dog for a certain period of time. Physical punishment only hampers the relationship between you and your beloved pet. Explore new grounds Take your furry sidekick as many places as you can go. You can stuff him in a pet carrier while he is still a puppy and have him walk beside you when he is finally bulky. Having your little Pitador tag along with you provides him with a spectrum of experiences with various people, animals, and objects. This is the best way to shape his behavior towards boisterous children, unusual structures, and fast-moving vehicles among many others. The more exposure he has as a puppy, the calmer he becomes as an adult. Provide mental and physical stimulation Both parent breeds of the Pitbull Lab mix requires tons of mental and physical exercise, so it is quite unsurprising for their offspring to have the same demands. Regular exercise is paramount if you want to keep your furry sidekick fighting fit. Otherwise, your Pitador is bound to carry extra weight that can have a huge impact on his overall wellbeing. Dogs are rarely lazy but if the exercise is boring, dogs are as likely as humans to refuse to do it. However, simply letting your dog chase squirrels out in the backyard is not going to cut it. So, what are your options? Walk your dog Walking your canine buddy is the most commonly performed exercise. Ideally, active dogs such as the Pitbull Lab mix should be taken out for a long walk twice daily. To make this a viable solution for busy fur-parents, choose to walk around the neighborhood a couple of times or go to a park that has a decent distance from your home. Try to change the route of your walks from time to time, so your Pitador has a new battery of smells to get excited over. You can always count on the treadmill if it rains cats and dogs! It gives your dog the workout he requires in a playful manner, while you just sit and relax. It would be wise to come equipped with a nifty device, such as a toughened tennis ball with a long-handled launcher that sends the ball flying into the far distance. Dog Frisbees also fly long distances to be retrieved by your pet. Go out for a swim A lot of dogs are afraid of the water but once they get the hang of it, they will paddle like a wild duck! Swimming is also one of the most enjoyable activities you can do with your dog. There is a plethora of toys from pet stores, such as a Kong floating toy to encourage your furry pal to swim. Your fun-loving Pitador will surely jump right in and retrieve the object for you. Find out what reward motivates your canine buddy and include some of that reward for him in your exercise regime to encourage him to be more active. Even racing up the stairs with your dog can be a fun and effective exercise, as well. The simplest forms of exercise can deliver amazing results. In fact, running up and down the stairs is the quickest way for obese dogs to lose weight! They will chow down anything delicious, whether it is the best dry dog food for small dogs or the best large breed dry dog food! So, it is up to you to provide your canine buddy the balanced diet he needs to stay hale and hearty. Go for the best dry dog food and keep them away from the nutrient-deprived worst dry dog food. His choices are:. Pitbull Lab mix puppies, breeders or adoption? The Pitbull Lab Mix can be a great pet for the right home. In this article we will look at how well suited the Labrabull is to your family, and give you tips for finding the perfect puppy. We will also give you the information you need to properly feed, care for and groom your dog. And explore their behavior traits and training, exercise and socialization requirements. This guide is packed with information and will help you decide whether an adult Lab Pitbull mix will suit your home and lifestyle. Pitbull Lab Mix Origins? Labradors and Pitbulls have been being bred together informally for years, for pet homes and as ranch dogs. But in recent years with the rise of the designer first generation dog mixes, then are gaining more of a following. Labs are one of the most popular breeds in the US. Their ancestors originated in Canada and they were bred there in the 18th century to aid fisherman who needed a trusted and reliable helper dog. On the flip side, this hard-working, rough and tough canine also has a sweet personality. Today Labs are best described as loyal, intelligent, friendly and eager-to-please. Labs can co-exist with various age groups as well as with a cross-section of other animals. They take to training easily and make Labs a popular choice as police dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs. The Pitbull originated from crossing Bulldogs with Terriers back in the s. Breeds used for fighting, bullbaiting a ratting. Despite their lurid beginnings, the Pitbull is actually an affectionate breed with a fierce loyalty to their owners. Once brought over from the UK to America, Pitbulls were commonly used as farm dogs to protect livestock and herd sheep. They were known for their docile temperament with people and children and were not just working dogs but family pets. Pitbulls are strong, athletic, and courageous dogs, but underneath it all, they are often big softies looking for the same love and attention as any pet. They have expressive eyes, pointed ears and a long fairly straight tail. In other words, given his parentage, your pup can be counted on to be one of the most handsome dogs zipping around the dog park! How Big is the Pitbull Lab mix? The Labrador Pitbull mix is a medium to large, powerful, dog that can reach up to two feet in height and weigh anywhere from 50 to 90 pounds when fully grown. The fur is smooth and shiny, and not difficult to maintain. You can expect the common coat colors to be a solid tan, black, white, yellow, or brown. However, the Pitbull Lab Mix can also come with various colors like the Pitbull; so a brindle is entirely possible! Pitbulls tend to shed on the low to average end of the spectrum. However, a Lab Pitbull Mix could well take after their Labrador parent in the molting department and be more of a heavy shedding dog. Either way they are not a hypoallergenic dog and are not recommended for allergy sufferers. They can also need quite a lot of grooming in the shedding season, despite their short coat. Pitbull Lab Mix Grooming A Pitlab has a silky, short, and dense coat that benefits from brushing to keep it shiny. The Labrador undercoat is not common in this particular mix breed. Due to being a high shedding dog Labs need a good grooming tool for the heavier shedding parts of the year. A weekly brush the rest of the time should be fine. Use a doggie toothbrush and toothpaste to keep his pearly whites clean. And at the same time check for any signs of infection. The Pitbull Lab Mix grooming needs range from low to moderate. The latter was bred in the 19th century to be used in physically punishing ways, such as dogfighting. In America, this tenacious and strong dog was bred with larger canines and was used as a farm dog, who was also called upon to aid in hunting large game. Today, the American Pitbull Terrier retains an alert and protective nature. He is known for his courage, determination, and loyalty, but also comes with a reputation for being a naturally aggressive breed. This is not entirely unfounded. And according to one source on dog bites, in there were 22 Pitbull dog bite fatalities in the US. For the same year, Labradors and their mixes were responsible for 3 deaths. The Pitbull is a banned breed in some countries including the United Kingdom. In regard to this particular mix breed, one source reports that between and , 46 Pitbull Lab Mix attacks had been recorded. Are Pitbull Mixes Aggressive? However, a lot of people believe that this loyal dog has been maligned. Counter-arguments regarding the dangerousness of this breed highlight the fact that until the mids, the Pitbull was not a feared dog. And was actually considered a friendly family pet. This argument identifies the change in attitude as a social construct and media bias rather than any actual increase of aggression in this breed. The unreliability of victim and witness memory and accuracy of identifying dog breeds correctly has also become an area of interest in the Pitbull debate. Some believe that attacking breed is often misidentified when victims report dog bites. It is important to note that it is only the American Pitbull Terrier under scrutiny. Temperaments of other Pitbull breeds, like the American Staffordshire Terrier, have never been called into question. However, we would add a note of caution here. There are plenty of sources now that argue that Pitbulls are less likely to bite than previously thought. Bite Type and Frequency The Pitbull Lab mix is not much more likely to bite than many other popular breeds. However when weighing this up it is important to bear in mind the possible consequences of a bite, should one happen. While no dog bite is pleasant, the American Pitbull has been bred with the physical structure needed to bite hard. With big canine teeth and strong jaws. It holds on. The damage done by their bite has the potential therefore to be far greater than that of a typical dog bite. This is especially relevant in families with small children. This trait could be passed to your Pitbull Lab mix. They will likely be an energetic and loyal dog that loves attention from their owner. If there is more Pitbull temperament in them, your dog will be more reserved and docile. Thorough socialisation will be essential for this pup. If they inherit more Labrador personality they will probably be very social and exuberant. With socialization and good breeding practices, you can have a reasonable expectation that they will get along well with children and possibly other dogs. And will make a good family pet. When it comes to other pets, the Labrador side of your Pitbull Lab Mix has a better chance of getting along with them than the Pitbull does. You should take caution with strangers and other dogs until you know how your animal typically reacts in such situations. Although a pup with a very friendly Pitbull parent, that is well socialized, could be a very friendly and cuddly companion indeed. It is advised to start training young, as early as 8 to 12 weeks old. The longer you wait the more strong-minded your dog will become. With consistent and positive reinforcement training methods, they can be a terrific and well-mannered companion. It should be noted that punishment based training is not recommended as a modern training method and it has the potential to mask problems and cause or exacerbate aggression. Therefore access to things like a yard for self-exercise, fetch with the owner, and space and time to run around is important. Owners should be aware of health issues discussed below such as Hip and Elbow Dysplasia and Exercise Induced Collapse EIC and adjust exercise routines for their dog in consult with a vet. Larger dogs generally have greater issues with hip and elbow dysplasia, and both parent breeds are prone to hip dysplasia. In addition, gastric bloat and hypothyroidism may be potential issues for your pup. You should inquire with your breeder about heart, eye, skin, and ear issues. Purchasing your puppy from a reputable breeder decreases the chances of owning a dog with unexpected, surprising health problems. You should test both parents for health conditions that commonly affect their breed. Like any breed, they have some minor health issues to be aware of, like skin problems and allergies. The Pitbull Lab cross has a similar life expectancy to that of the parent breeds. Labradors are one of the most popular family dogs. They have a friendly and affectionate nature. On the other hand, Pitbulls have had mixed reviews in this department. You probably associate Pitbulls with dog fighting and aggression. Historically, though, they are known for being loyal family dogs that are good with children. This mixed-breed would make a good family pet if bred and socialized properly like any other dog. When visiting a litter, be sure to observe the temperament of the Pitbull parent and socialize your pup early to help increase the chances of a friendly, gentle companion. Unlike Labs, Pitbulls do not get on well with other animals so your pup will do best as the only furry child. Another option would be to get a purebred Lab or another kind of mix. Rescuing a PitLab All too often designer dogs end up relinquished by owners who were ultimately unable to care for their needs. Not all mixed breeds have their own specific rescue. However, breed rescues for the purebred parents often take in related mixes as well. Pitbull Lab Mix Puppies With the increasing popularity of mixed-breed puppies, it is important to find a responsible breeder that follows the recommended guidelines for all health testing. Make sure they provide a clean and loving environment for their dogs. Working with a good breeder is the best way to increase your chances of a healthy and happy Pitlab Mix Puppy. Pet stores and puppy mills have a reputation for producing unhealthy puppies, sometimes with more challenging temperaments. Unethical breeding practices and poor treatment of the parent breeds, especially with the Pitbull parent, will not produce the desirable traits you are hoping for in your new Pitbull Lab Mix Puppy. Labrador Pitbull Mix Breeders It goes without saying, but you should only deal with an ethical, reputable breeder that can ensure your Labrabull was crossbred from parents free of medical issues. A good breeder is happy to provide evidence of clean health checks and to answer all of your questions about the Bullador. Plus, your breeder should be asking you questions to make sure you are equipped to handle this large, energetic breed. If you buy from a breeder, ask about the temperaments of your Pitlab parents. You can also ask to see the bloodlines of both of the parents for any clues. And If possible, ask to see the parent so that you can observe their temperament for yourself. Any sign of aggression in the parents is a red flag. Unfortunately, unethical breeding practices go hand in hand with the increase in demand for designer dog breeds. Do your research and ensure you are choosing a responsible breeder that can provide you with a healthy and happy pup.

Make sure you understand the implications of investing in a Lab that was bred via runt breeding or a Lab that is diagnosed with dwarfism. Avoid getting your Lab through breeders who have purposefully bred dwarfism into their Lab puppies or through breeders who have purposefully bred litters to be smaller than average. Try and ensure that your Mini Labrador maintains a quality diet and eats a dog food specified for his age, weight and activity level. Keep up with routine grooming practices, and ensure your dog sees a vet regularly for wellness exams and check ups. In spite of not being the healthiest dogs, Mini Labradors are just as friendly, affectionate and playful as their full-sized counterparts. Mini Labrador dogs are still Labradors, and as such they are some of the most highly sought after dogs in the world. These dogs are renowned for their family-friendly temperament and companionability when it comes to children. They also get along great with other pets including both dogs and cats. Labradors are very high energy , however, which can be exhausting for the more laid back owner. That said, in the right home and with an active family , Labrador dogs can thrive. They are incredibly intelligent as well, meaning training is a breeze. In fact, Labrador Retrievers are some of the top employed service dogs throughout the world, thanks to their keen sense of emotional intelligence and ability to pick up so quickly on what their people need of them. However, Labs can become very bonded with their family and do get bored easily when left alone for too long. This boredom can lead to destructive behaviors like digging, marking, barking and chewing. Mini Labrador Training and Socialization Requirements Like all dogs, the Mini Labrador should be trained and socialized at an early age to prevent behavioral issues. Like all dogs, Labrador Retrievers require plenty of socialization and training at an early age in order to grow up happy, healthy and well-rounded. Even though Labrador Retrievers are highly social and friendly, they can be prone to behavioral issues and even aggressive tendencies if they are not raised and socialized properly. Because they are so intelligent, Labrador Retrievers love to learn. They are also eager to please and highly food motivated. Instead, use positive reinforcement tactics like treats and praise. If you find your Mini Labrador is becoming distracted or bored during training sessions, try and offer several five minute sessions throughout the day and provide him with plenty of breaks and playtime in between. Tips on Socializing Your Mini Labrador Socializing your Mini Labrador is just as vital as training is to his overall health and happiness. A dog who is properly socialized is a confident, well-rounded dog that is less likely to exhibit aggressive tendencies and fear-based behavioral issues. Try and ensure your dog has positive first time experiences and as many new experiences as possible as he develops. Introduce him to different people, children, other dogs, sights, sounds, and so on. Encourage your Mini Labrador gently using treats and praise to help him associate the world around him with something positive. Most importantly, avoid forcing your Mini Labrador into a situation or experience he is clearly frightened of. Doing so could exasperate his fear and lead to future problems down the road. Labrador Retrievers are naturally energetic dogs. Bred water retrieving dogs, these guys love to be with their people and will enjoy being outside and having a job to do. A Mini Labrador will be no different, and will enjoy a variety of exercise routines including both mental and physical exercises designed to keep him healthy and happy. Mental Exercise Labs are considered some of the smartest dogs in the canine kingdom. As such, they are happiest when they have jobs to do or when they are given plenty of appropriate, dog-safe activities to keep them busy. We recommend investing in interactive puzzle toys and slow feeders to keep your Mini Lab engaged and challenged. You can also take time to set up fun little obstacle courses in and outside of your home with furniture or appliances and encourage your dog to complete these courses for treats. Not only will this help keep your dog mentally and physically sound, it will help build the bond between the two of you. Remember, Dwarf Labradors can suffer from a higher rate of bone and joint issues, spinal issues and chronic pain. They may also suffer from brachycephalic airway syndrome due to their abnormal skull development. This can lead to respiratory issues, heat intolerance and exercise induced collapse. When dealing with a Dwarf Labrador or Mini Labrador, be sure not to over-exercise your dog and to monitor him in warmer weather. The appropriate exercise for a Mini Labrador will include about 30 to 45 minutes of exercise a day as well as free playtime in a securely fenced backyard. Mini Labrador dogs are also highly social and get along with other canines, so dog parks are another great way for your Mini Labrador to have his exercise needs met. This is especially beneficial for dogs who might suffer from breathing difficulties. The harness is ideal for medium sized dogs like Mini Labradors and will help you guide your Lab on walks easily and naturally. The material is comfortable for your Lab as well, and even includes reflective materials for safer evening walks. Still, they require routine grooming and upkeep to ensure they stay healthy. The Mini Labrador is a shedding dog, so he may not be the ideal companion for those who suffer from allergies. This is a breed who has a dense, double-coat that is weather resistant and self cleaning. The good news is that he only needs to be bathed once every six weeks or so with a quality dog shampoo and conditioner. Over-bathing your Mini Labrador can lead to skin and coat issues. Your Mini Labrador will not need hair cuts or trims, though he will need routine brushing. While he sheds year-round, the Mini Labrador sheds heaviest twice a year during the shedding season in Spring and Fall. During the shedding season, you may want to brush your lab a few times a week to collect and reduce loose hair from his undercoat and keep it from your clothing and furniture. Outside of shedding season, you can get by brushing your Mini Lab once a week. Along with bathing and brushing, the Mini Labrador should have his ears checked regularly to prevent chances of moisture and build up leading to an ear infection. His teeth should be brushed daily using a safe toothbrush and dog-friendly toothpaste , and his nails should be trimmed or ground down regularly. Gonicc Dog Nail Clippers. March 7, Miniature breeds are the new trend in the dog world. Not only are they super-cute, but their smaller size makes them a choice for prospective owners who may not have room for their full-size counterparts. Miniaturizing any breed comes with health consequences, especially when it involves a large breed dog such as the Labrador. Do miniature labrador dogs exist, and if so, how small are they, and do they have any specific health issues? Do Miniature Labradors Exist? The answer is both Yes and No. However, miniature labradorsresult fromquestionable breeding practices that can create a host of problems for both the pups and their owners. So if these miniature labs do exist, what are they like? Overview of Miniature Labradors Besides being smaller in size, miniature labradors are the same as any normal labrador in all aspects. Mini labs are extremely devoted to their owners and love to please them in all sorts of ways. They love accompanying their owners in any activity they do, especially if it involves physical exercise. Due to their smaller size, miniature labrador dogs are lighter in weight than your average lab. Mini Labrador puppies tend to make excellent pets for families with lots of children and activity. Despite that, there is a bit of controversy surrounding the overall health of these dogs. Dwarfism Like humans, dwarfism is a condition that is known to exist in many breeds, including Labradors. It affects dogs just like it affects humans, causing a slowed growth of bones, which causes the dog to develop a shorter-than-normal stature. Dwarf labs are conceived by breeding two labradors that carry the genes responsible for dwarfism. When both dwarf parents contribute a copy of the dwarf genes, the litter is born with predisposed dwarfism. There are two types of genes responsible for dwarfism in labradors known as the SD1 and SD2 gene. SD2 Gene: Known as skeletal dysplasia. It hinders bone growth and prevents them from reaching full size, giving the lab a smaller appearance. Thus, the Labrador cannot grow as much as a typical lab, causing them to develop a smaller stature. Crossbreeding Another way most breeders create miniature labradors is by crossbreeding them with another small breed of dogs. And to sell them at a premium is unethical and can land the breeder in trouble. Another problem with hybrid miniature labs is that they might not always turn out to be perfectly healthy. Breeding Runts This one is perhaps the most popular technique for creating a miniature breed. With some breeds, this technique can be quite successful and can yield puppies that are significantly smaller in size than the average puppy of that same breed. However, there are some issues with this technique as well. Runt parents can produce standard-sized puppies. Because the small-size of these runts is usually due to some health condition, or worse dwarfism, the same genetic flaws would probably pass on to the litter they conceive. Also, some breeders inbreed these runts, which can lead to difficulties of their own. And even though they are predisposed to specific health issues, breeders have evolved labs so that these defects are slowly decreasing in pedigreed dogs. However, methods used to produce miniature labradors can re-introduce those defects back into the population of miniatures. So what are those health defects? And which mini labs have them? Defects In Miniature Labs The method of producing miniature labs, which leads to the highest amount of defects, is dwarfism. Both SD1 and SD2 genes can cause abnormal growth, which can worsen or create entirely new defects within a miniature lab. Some of the most prevalent defects associated with dwarfism in mini labs are: Bowed Legs and Knees: Labs with dwarfism appear shorter because their legs are malformed. Swollen Joints: Because dwarfism causes a malformation of the bones in labs, it can put uneven pressure on the joints, causing swelling and inflammation. Swollen joints are usually helped through regular medication but could need surgery in some cases. Worsened Joint Dysplasia: Joint dysplasia is a predisposed defect that many labradors suffer from naturally. Not only is joint dysplasia extremely painful, but it can also lead to arthritis, which might even lead to the dog getting euthanized in severe cases. Larger Skull and Breathing Problems: Dwarfism is also associated with abnormal growth of the skull, including the muzzle, which creates breathing problems for the Labrador and deteriorate their quality of life. Should You Get a Miniature Labrador? Now for the most important question, should you buy a miniature labrador? Most breeders and advertisers of miniature labs are untrustworthy. Let us explain a bit more: 1. And considering that a miniature labrador dog suffers from way more than the average dog, caring for them is more involved. For a labrador to officially register with the AKC, they must be between .If a labrador does not meet these requirements, they can still get registered with the organization. However, the owners must provide the pedigree documents to prove that the dog is purebred. A miniature lab is only about 2 to 2. FAQs What is the lifespan of a dwarf labrador? Unlike a standard labrador, a mini lab might only live up to 5 years, even if they receive full medical care and attention. What can you buy instead of miniature labradors? What is the difference in height between a standard and miniature lab? Unlike other miniature breeds, a miniature lab might only be 2 to 3 inches shorter in height than a standard labrador. How much do miniature labradors shed? A miniature lab has the same double-coat as a standard labrador. They shed an adequate amount of fur, particularly during the spring and fall seasons. Do miniature labradors bite a lot? Miniature and standard labs are both more prone to biting during puppyhood. But once they become adults, the habit mostly subsides, provided they get proper training. Featured Posts:. Emily Schroeder Emily Schroeder has been an animal-lover since…well, forever! She spent the early part of her career at Time Inc. And prior to landing her much-loved role as a staff writer for Daily Paws, she spent several years as a communications consultant. When Emily is not writing about our favorite four-legged friends, you can find her spending time with her husband and three adorable kiddos. Just trust me. John Callaway pachelibre posted a TikTok video last week that documents lesson time for this delightful 3-week-old black Labrador retriever puppy. It shows the darling baby Labrador sitting on Callaway's chest facing the camera with his little puppy dog eyes looking right at ya! That's when Callaway lets out a gentle-yet-realistic howl. In response, the little tyke raises his head and tries to generate his best "awooo". Not much sound comes out, but the most charming part occurs at the end of the puppy's tiny howl when he yawns and makes the cutest Chewbacca-like roar—melting our hearts into a giant puppy puddle. Their legs appear to be bent because they are malformed. This bone malformation causes them to have problems with their knee and hip joints, which can be painful and crippling. Any type of dwarfism can cause additional health problems to the animal. Although you associate dwarf Labradors with short legs, they can also have abnormally formed skulls. This can result in breathing problems. They can also have problems whelping, and require c-sections instead of being able to give birth naturally. Disproportionate leg and body lengths, such as seen to an extreme scale in the Dachshund, can also result in spinal problems and painful movements. Although some dwarf Labradors will live full and happy lives, they are at a greater risk than their unaffected cousins. It is therefore very important that Labrador breeders ensure that they do not breed from Labradors who carry the gene for dwarfism. Dwarf Labrador Health Tests Before you buy a Labrador, their breeder should have carried out a variety of health tests on both of the parents. One of the things you should make sure that they have tested for is dwarfism in Labradors. There is a test available for SD2, which will tell the breeder whether the parent carries the gene. No Lab with the gene should be bred to another with it, as they could result in the puppies having dwarfism. Miniature Labrador Breeders A Labrador Retriever small breed is something that has been coined by a few dog breeders to try and cash in on a market of dog lovers who want a small Labrador Retriever to fit into their lives. Every month hundreds of people scour the internet looking for a miniature black Lab or miniature chocolate Lab to join their family. And unscrupulous people will take advantage of these people who are innocently putting their faith in them to provide a happy, healthy new friend. They will provide you with clear, breed specific information. Those claiming to be miniature Labrador breeders may be producing puppies that carry the Labrador dwarfism gene. They may have cross bred their lines with a smaller breed of dog. Or they may be producing regular sized Labs and simply giving their customers the misleading impression that they will remain the same size. Words Of Warning From Lab Breeders If you are researching Labrador breeders, here are some negative buzzwords to keep your eyes peeled for: Micro Labrador Mini Labrador Miniature Labs These words demonstrate that the breeder is either lacking knowledge about Labradors or is trying to mislead puppy buyers. Either way, they are not the breeder that you want to approach. Well, yes, you can. Some Labradors are smaller than others! Within the bounds of usual Labrador size, they are a bit shorter, lighter and just plain littler than other Labs. You will also find that some English Labradors are chunky in build but short in height. Short legs are more fashionable in the show ring at the moment. So this can be removed as the reason for them being shorter legged. Small Labradors who are simply at the lower end of the normal spectrum can be found from reputable breeders, and they are a good option if you want a Labrador temperament in a slightly smaller package. The other option is to buy a Labrador mix, who is crossed with a smaller breed of dog. Just make sure that you check out the health tests that are relevant to this breed as well before you commit to the puppy. But no healthy Labrador will stay small to the miniature extent. Lab puppies that stay really small do so because they are undernourished, ill or have a disease. Even dwarf Labradors are only around 2. If you want a small Labrador Retriever, then think about why. Is it to do with a lack of space, or simply a personal taste issue? Small dog breeds are popular at the moment, but fashions change and the most important part of any pet is their personality and temperament. I hope that you will decide that a full sized Labrador is worth the loss of space on the couch, in exchange for the love and devotion they will give you for the next ten years. Find Out More About Labradors! Lab Terrier mixes 2. Introducing The Gene For Dwarfism Dogs with dwarfism have disproportionately short bones in their legs. Many types of dwarfism are caused by a single gene mutation, which can occur spontaneously, or be introduced by out-crossing with another breed. However dwarfism is linked to an increased risk of skeletal disorders including arthritis and spinal disease. Selectively Breeding From Runts Finally, all Labrador litters have some variation in size between siblings. Puppies much smaller than the rest of their litter are known as runts, and they might remain smaller in adulthood too. Breeding runts from different litters together over several generations can produce a breeding line of unusually small dogs. Recreating these problems over several generations can produce small dogs who are prone to illness and fail to thrive. Not at all. Just like people, Labradors come in a range of healthy sizes. The AKC breed standard allows for male Labs to be 22 to 25 inches tall at the withers, and 65 to 80 pounds. Females can be 21 to 24 inches tall, and 55 to 70 pounds. And of course, these parameters only apply to show dogs. Even greater variation occurs healthily and naturally in the pet population. So if you want a naturally micro Labrador, how can you go about finding one? But one of the most reliable predictors is the size of their parents. When two healthy dogs at the low end of the normal weight range for Labs mate, their puppies are likely to be small for Labs as well. You can ask breeders about their size of their sire and dam when you call to ask about a litter, or research which waiting list to join. But be prepared to discover that your puppy may exceed all expectations anyway! Labradors can come in a surprising range of healthy weights.