wilmington nc golden retriever puppies

In this delightful print captured by Lynn M. Stone, we are treated to an enchanting scene straight out of a fairytale. A fluffy and irresistible Golden Retriever puppy is nestled snugly in a rustic wooden basket adorned with vibrant sunflowers. It's as if Mother Nature herself handpicked this picturesque setting! With its innocent eyes twinkling and velvety fur glistening under the warm rays of the sun, this little pup steals our hearts effortlessly. The contrast between the golden hues of its coat and the radiant yellow petals creates a visual symphony that celebrates life's simple pleasures. This charming snapshot transports us to the eastern United States, specifically Massachusetts, where nature flourishes abundantly. As we admire this adorable baby mammal surrounded by blooming flowers, it reminds us that beauty can be found even in unexpected places. The playful curiosity radiating from those soulful puppy eyes invites us into a world where joy knows no bounds. Whether you're a dog lover or simply appreciate nature's wonders, this heartwarming image will leave you smiling from ear to ear. So take a moment to immerse yourself in pure bliss as you gaze upon this photograph - because nothing quite compares to witnessing the innocence and charm of man's best friend frolicking amidst nature's splendor! In Stock - Available Now! Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart. These guys are projecting to be bigger than expected. Here are a few highlights from week 5: Golden Puppies Week 5 Highlights We kept working on socializing these little guys having friends and family stop by regularly to handle and play with these little guys. Day 29 — Car rides in the laundry basket 5 Week Old Golden Puppies Play in laundry basket We continue to take our Golden pups out for car rides in the laundry basket. Note to self: this laundry basket will soon be too small for this litter of puppies. Day 30 — Pee pads? Good or bad idea for our litter of pups? Day 33 — Introducing the litter to new sounds We started bringing more unusual sounds in and around the whelping box. One, in particular, was spoons, pots, and pans. Everyone hesitated but recovered well after hearing these new sounds. Our puppies are more mobile than ever and the poopies are piling up! That being said these little fur balls are fun, fun, fun…did I mention they are fun? In case you missed our other posts about our litter of Golden Retriever pups take a look back at past weeks: Week 1 — Six Golden Retriever puppies are born! Week 3 — First bark! Week 5 — This is Week 5! Week 7 — The great puppy escape artists! Week 8 — Our golden puppies head to their new homes. So what do you guys think? Have you ever raised a litter of puppies? What was your experience like? Tell us your story in the comment section below. Great information on raising a litter of puppies from beginning to end. A great book that will give you a solid foundation for raising and training your puppy. Are you getting ready for your first litter of puppies? Our litter of Golden Retriever puppies week five. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Colby Colby Morita has been raising and training guide and service dog puppies for over 13 years. Colby has been writing to the PuppyInTraining.

Photo used with permission. Credit: Allison Hagen. The reasoning behind pairing multiple Doodles is to add a little something, something into the mix that makes these dogs even more desirable pets. With so much Poodle in there, chances of the offspring of these dogs inheriting the much-coveted low-shed hypoallergenic Poodle coat is relatively high but not wholly guaranteed. However, such pairings can also be used to offset temperament or behavioral issues. They received the name Golden Mountain Doodle through a competition run on social media. While breeding two of the most popular family-friendly Doodles — the Goldendoodle and the Bernedoodle — seems inevitable, the main reason it was done at this time was to try and counteract a couple of lesser desirable qualities. After all, Goldendoodles and Bernedoodles have very distinct temperaments. Bernies are loving and loyal, but they have a hint of stubbornness in their nature that makes them trickier for newbie owners to handle. Goldies, on the other hand, are known people pleasers. They are also sometimes a little too energetic and downright boisterous compared to the more chill, laid-back Bernie. By combining the two, the hope was to create a more relaxed pup that is super easy to train. For more on how these two dogs weigh up against one another, check out our article Bernedoodle vs. With so many colors in the mix, they could be anything but. GMDs are just the latest in a whole range of Double Doodles. The first was a combination of the Labradoodle and the Goldendoodle — the Golden Labradoodle. Despite the names, both are on the larger end of the doggy-size spectrum. The effect is magnified if the pups are entirely distinct. With three quite different dogs, you can only begin to predict what you might end up with. Any which way, you know that any Doodle offspring are bound to be as cute as can be. So, the output is…well, it could be anything really — Golden Mountain Doodles can have black, brown, cream, beige, solid, parti, tri, phantom, merle, and many other coat colors and patterns. Seeing what colors the parent breeds are might help some. Golden Mountain Doodles are usually quite stocky and well-built dogs from the Bernese. However, Standards are typically closer in size to the Golden Retriever, with Minis being just a bit smaller. The Poodle genes often come through strong in their faces and features, though, making them very clearly Doodles. The Bernese Mountain Dog is considered a large breed, Golden Retrievers are medium to large, and Poodles come in a variety of sizes. Most breeders specializing in Golden Mountain Doodles are currently offering two sizes: Standard and Mini. Confusingly the Mini Golden Mountain Doodle is much more of a Medium than a Miniature at 16 to 22 inches to the shoulder and 25 to 50 pounds. The Standard Golden Mountain Doodle would probably also be considered a medium-to-large dog at 23 to 29 inches to the shoulder and 50 to 90 pounds. Chances are, though, these dogs may be bred to be a little smaller in the future — that seems to be the general trend among Doodles. Many people enjoy all the perks of a larger, more laid-back dog in a handy apartment-sized package. For further details on growth rates for GMDs and for help with predicting the potential adult size of your pup, take a look at our size chart and interactive growth calculator here. As GMDs are such new pups, it can be difficult to predict their temperament and personality. In fact, standards for appearance, size, and especially for temperament take many generations to develop. What we can do, though, is look to the parent dogs for a hint of what we might expect from these adorable pups. Firstly, we have the athletic, hyper-intelligent Poodle. Despite their super glamorous, slightly snobbish reputation, Poodles are actually born entertainers. They adore learning and displaying new tricks to please their owners, and with their smarts, they do this with ease. Poodles are loving, goofy, and have tons of energy. In the past, they often worked as clowns in traveling circuses. Next is the Golden Retriever, perhaps the most famous family dog of all time. Aside from being gorgeous, these dogs are sweet, sociable, and get along with just about everybody — people and animals. Goldies are naturally happy pups and love to romp about with children of all ages. They are also pretty smart and are frequently used as service and therapy animals. Finally, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, loyal breed best known for their stunning tri-colored coats. Friendly and affectionate, Bernies are also calm, tolerant but sometimes a little shy of strangers. Bernies just love to be with their people. They thrive in a close and loving environment. With three dogs in the mix, there is no possibility of a first-generation GMB — the parents are already hybrid dogs. So, starting at the second generation, we have the following possible GMD combinations: 1st Parent. We will have two litters of goldendoodles this fall one f1b and one f2. Waiting lists are filling up! We have bicolors, tricolors and phantoms that are available! We also have one sweet girl from our Summer litter that is available now! Our passion for golden retrievers began 20 years ago when we brought our first beautiful golden puppy home. She taught our family so much about love, loyalty and patience, and left a lasting impression on our hearts. We wanted to share our experience with other families looking for their perfect canine match, by breeding golden retrievers with outstanding temperaments, and unparalleled health! We expanded our program to include goldendoodle puppies and bernedoodle puppies to give families with allergy issues a nonshedding option. We have since fallen completely in love with our joyful, easy going doodles! We raise all of our puppies with the care and attention that they deserve, and begin training and socialization from the moment they are born. Our puppies are loving, intelligent, gentle, obedient, and healthy. We encourage visits, and would love to help you find your perfect match! Why Our Puppies Are Happier and Healthier All of our puppies are raised in our home where they interact with our family all day, every day, and are vaccinated and given four rounds of preventative dewormer before leaving at 8 weeks old. Our dogs and puppies are under the care of our veterinarian and are fed a high quality diet. We have an excellent relationship with our vet and are happy to share her information. We are very proud of the loving care that we give each of our puppies. They each experience imprinting at birth, and go through Early Neurological Stimulation for the first two weeks of life, three weeks of positive house, crate and beginning obedience training from weeks .We do not ship our puppies, but can deliver puppies to their new owners within a certain distance under some circumstances. All of our puppies come with a health guarantee and health record, as well as a puppy pack including information and samples. We have done extensive genetic health testing and OFA clearances on all of our lines and are proud to share our health certificates. Why Our Breeding Program Is Better We are a small-scale boutique breeder, and we only breed a limited number of puppies each year. This allows us to focus on each individual puppy. Our puppies are all loved and raised the way we would want our own babies to be. We have over 13 years of experience raising puppies, and know what they need to be as healthy and happy as possible! It has been so rewarding to have spent the past decade researching and implementing the most effective and positive practices, while fine-tuning our breeding program so that we have the best possible temperaments and genetics in our lines. We are so proud of our level-minded, focused, adoring, gentle, healthy companions! It has been an honor and absolute joy to see what a positive impact our puppies have had on their families and as therapy and service dogs! We've had many families tell us that their Golden Ridge puppy has been the best dog that they've ever had, and we've been so lucky to see how our therapy dogs have been life-changing for so many families! We have many references and are happy to share them with you! By placing this deposit, Buyer acknowledges that reservation fee is non-refundable. All puppies come with a health guarantee and are given a full physical by our veterinarian before going to their new homes. Photo Gallery. The golden mountain doodle is made up of a golden retriever, Bernese mountain dog and poodle. This cross blends the clever, yet amusing side of the poodle with the placid, loyal, loving nature of the golden retriever and Bernese mountain dog. Most golden mountain doodles are low- to non-shedding and are a safe bet for most people with allergies. I wanted to breed the golden retriever back into the bernedoodle because, while there are so many amazing traits within the bernedoodle, I have found that they can be stubborn. By mixing some golden retriever back into the bernedoodle, my hope was that it would reduce this stubborn streak. Golden mountain doodles are very affectionate and easy to train with a playful nature. They are people pleasers, wanting to be by your side and to learn new things. They are social and spirited dogs and have a gentle and patient disposition that makes them great with children. Because they are so easygoing, they are great for first-time dog owners and experienced ones alike. They are the perfect all-around companion. A golden mountain doodle is not a purebred and thus is not a registered breed. The Golden Retriever Golden retrievers are intelligent, large-breed dogs, oftentimes used as gun dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and detection dogs. They are also trained as disability assistance dogs because of their gentle and loving nature and their desire to be with people. Golden retrievers love the water! Golden retrievers have a beautiful dense coat and are known to shed quite heavily. The Bernese Mountain Dog Bernese mountain dogs Berners are completely devoted to their families, with a special fondness for children. In fact, they are so loyal that it can be difficult to re-home an adult Berner. They are exceptionally beautiful dogs and have a distinctive tri-coloured coat. Bred in the Swiss Alps as farm dogs that pulled carts or drove cattle to market, the Bernese thrive in cold weather and have a double coat that sheds quite heavily. They are intelligent, strong dogs who have a moderate need for exercise. A significant number of Bernese are afflicted with hip and elbow dysplasia, or succumb to inherited cancer, heart disease, or epilepsy in middle age. While cancer is the leading cause of death for dogs in general, Bernese have a much higher rate of fatal cancer than other breeds. Overall, the Berner is one of the shorter-lived dog breeds, with a life expectancy of only seven years. This is particularly sad when the Berner is known to be slow in maturing and somewhat challenging to train. Without proper socialization, these naturally cautious and reserved dogs can become skittish and suspicious, and may develop separation anxiety. They can also be decidedly stubborn. Yet, the Bernese also has a deep need to please their humans and are surprisingly sensitive. As a result, training a Berner requires a great deal of patience and a gentle hand. Berners are affectionately known for leaning on people to soak up all the possible attention they can! The Poodle Poodles rank high on the canine intelligence scale and excel in obedience. Most people are aware that this lovely breed has a low- to non-shedding coat, making them a great choice for people with allergies. But the poodle is more than a clever show dog. They originated in Germany as hunting dogs, especially good at water retrieving. A typical poodle thrives in a busy household where there is plenty of attention to go around. If bored, poodles may find their way into mischief. They are also quick to sound an alert, and have earned a reputation for barking. Poodles can be nervous and sensitive to stress and are typically affected by eye, skin, and digestive diseases, as well as immune system diseases. Poodles come in three sizes and a wide variety of colouers. Where most dogs have double coats, poodles have a single-layer coat of dense, curly fur that sheds minimally, but will mat without proper care. If a breeder does their due diligence in selecting the right parents, crossing purebred dogs of different breeds results in puppies that are healthier than either of their parents. This is because breeds are generally prone to different genetic problems. Hybrids such as golden mountain doodles are only likely to inherit a health problem that is common to the poodle, Bernese mountain dog, and golden retriever — three breeds that share few common diseases. A hybrid dog combines the traits and characteristics of its purebred parents; with careful, conscientious breeding, the resulting pups may end up with the best attributes of each. In the case of the golden mountain doodle, the blend of the golden retriever, Bernese, and poodle produces a smart, friendly, loving, social, and playful dog. They tend to have the gentle, loving, and desire-to-please nature of the golden retriever, the laid-back, loving, and loyal nature of the Bernese, and the goofy liveliness and intelligence of the poodle. Most golden mountain doodles have a moderate activity level. Appearance and Coat Golden mountain doodles can often be confused with goldendoodles. Breeders tend to develop their own style and look of dogs. The appearance of a SwissRidge golden mountain doodle is usually stocky with a well-built frame, beautiful head, and silky and wavy coat, although the coats can vary. This breed can have a unique combination of two or three different colours within their coat, but can also be a solid colour. Every golden mountain doodle is different. Within an average litter, we will see that the majority of puppies have wavy coats, and a few have straight or curly coats. Most puppies within the litter shed minimally, if at all. Most people with allergies to dog dander are fine with a wavy or curly-coated dog. Golden mountain doodles with a curly coat are like the poodle and will not shed. While there are no guarantees, even if you have serious allergies to dander, you will do well with a curly-coated golden mountain doodle. Puppies that have a straight coat are very silky and soft, almost like velvet. This is a unique trait that I have only seen in the golden mountain doodle. If you are allergic to dog saliva and your skin breaks out in hives when licked by a dog, you will most likely be allergic to all golden mountain doodles regardless of coat type. If you still want a dog and you are allergic to saliva, I would suggest a tiny dog, as they produce less saliva. Since there are no guarantees with coat type, a responsible breeder will give you time to interact with your puppy and see if you are allergic, allowing you time to return the pup if it is not working out. It is best if you meet some doodles ahead of time, before committing to your own puppy. Since most golden mountain doodles shed little, if at all, they need to be brushed regularly to prevent matting, and must be clipped every few months. Size Golden mountain doodles come in a variety of sizes. At SwissRidge, we breed standard and mini golden mountain doodles. The standard golden mountain doodle results from crossing a goldendoodle with a bernedoodle, or any combination that would create a mixture of golden retriever, poodle, and Bernese. They will generally be 50 lbs or larger and around 23 to 29 inches at the shoulder. Most standards are in the 70 to 90 lb range. A mini golden mountain doodle results from crossing a mini goldendoodle with a mini bernedoodle. They generally range from 25 to 50 lbs and between 18 and 22 inches at the shoulder. Please keep in mind that these sizes are an average, and sometimes a puppy will fall outside the expected height and weight. Mini golden mountain doodles may have a slightly higher energy level than the standards. Since we use calm poodles in our breeding program, we tend to produce docile golden mountain doodles, regardless of size. This breed has the stamina to keep up with an athlete, but is just as happy to lay on the couch all day and chill. They are affectionate, loving family dogs and are good for first-time dog owners. Generations Golden mountain doodles are the F2 generation as two doodles are being crossed to make a golden mountain doodle. F2 is referred to as a second-generation cross, in which an F1 doodle is crossed with another F1 doodle. Health and Lifespan The first SwissRidge golden mountain doodle was bred in , so they are still a young breed. Since I can only estimate on their long-term health, I use their lineage as my guide. They are very healthy and vibrant dogs, and I estimate the average life expectancy to be around 13 years. While golden mountain doodles tend to be healthier than their parent breeds, they can still be prone to conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia and certain eye problems. Skin conditions, such as hot spots and allergies, are also seen in this mix, and like many other breeds, they may get cancer. Genetic testing can reduce the risk of many diseases. A reputable breeder will perform various tests and provide evidence of the successful results. This investment is usually reflected in the higher cost of the puppy for the buyer. A higher upfront cost will most likely reduce vet bills down the road. Is This Dog for Me? Golden mountain doodles make wonderful family dogs and are suitable for most people. If you want an affectionate, loyal, non-shedding dog that is the light of your world and if you have the time and enthusiasm to raise a puppy, I predict you will be very happy with a golden mountain doodle! 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 Golden Mountain Doodle Overview The Golden Mountain Doodle is known for their adventurous spirit, always eager to explore new territories, while remaining fiercely loyal to their family. Although highly intelligent, this breed can exhibit a stubborn streak. However, with a dog parent who remains firm and consistent, the Golden Mountain Doodle will usually yield. Training sessions should be kept short, around minutes daily, to maintain their interest and ensure progress. Basic obedience classes can also be beneficial in giving this breed a solid foundation. Due to their high energy levels and complex needs, the Golden Mountain Doodle may not be the best choice for novice dog owners. Experience with other intelligent breeds, like the Border Collie , can be helpful in managing their stubborn tendencies. Without adequate mental and physical stimulation, this breed can become bored and frustrated, regardless of the love they receive. Separation anxiety can be a concern for the Golden Mountain Doodle, so having dog parents who are frequently present or can bring their pups to work is beneficial, though not mandatory. Daily walks of at least fifty minutes are recommended, with additional exercise whenever possible. Mental stimulation through training, scentwork, and other enrichment activities is also crucial for their overall well-being. If not properly stimulated, they may exhibit frustrating behaviors like excessive barking and chewing, making it clear that they are bored and in need of attention. Golden Mountain Doodle Highlights Friendly and outgoing: Golden Mountain Doodles are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are good with children and other pets, and they love to play. Intelligent and easy to train: Golden Mountain Doodles are intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are eager to please their owners, and they respond well to positive reinforcement. This makes them a good choice for people with allergies. Good with children: Golden Mountain Doodles are good with children. They are patient and gentle, and they make great playmates. Easy to groom: Golden Mountain Doodles have a medium-length coat that is relatively easy to groom. They should be brushed weekly to prevent matting. Active: Golden Mountain Doodles are active dogs that need plenty of exercise. They enjoy long walks, hikes, and playing fetch. The goal of breeding these three breeds was to create a dog that was friendly, intelligent, and hypoallergenic. While there may not be a long, storied history with this delightful mixed breed, their parent breeds are well-known and adored. The Poodle, one of the oldest waterfowl hunting breeds, is believed to have originated in Germany and later developed into its own breed in France. The Poodle is thought to be a result of crossbreeding between various European water dogs, including those from Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Hungary, and Russia. The smaller varieties, such as the Miniature and Toy Poodles, were intentionally bred in the s to please the Parisian bourgeoise. While the Standard Poodle was primarily used for duck hunting, the smaller versions served as both lapdogs and skilled truffle hunters. The first Poodle was registered with the American Kennel Club in , and the Poodle Club of America was established in after an earlier iteration disbanded. On the other hand, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a versatile working dog that originated in Switzerland. It is one of the Swiss Mountain Dog breeds, easily distinguished by its long hair. Although relatively new to many people due to recent popularity, the Bernese Mountain Dog, affectionately known as the Berner, has been working on Swiss farms for over 2, years. During World War I, dog shows and breeding took a backseat to war efforts. However, after the war, Bernese Mountain Dogs were exported to various countries, including Holland and the United States, although they were not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club. Lastly, the Golden Retriever is an incredibly popular breed in the United States, despite its origins in Scotland. Originally bred as skilled retrievers for ducks, as their name suggests, Golden Retrievers have become versatile dogs frequently employed as therapy or service animals. They are also cherished as beloved family pets. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in , and today, it is the second most popular breed in the U. Typically, they will have a dense and either curly or wavy coat, complemented by floppy ears covered in curly hair. Golden Mountain Doodle Personality The Golden Mountain Doodle is known for their generally good-natured and affectionate disposition towards familiar individuals, but they can sometimes exhibit shyness or wariness towards strangers. Regardless of their typical temperament, it is crucial to prioritize socialization from a young age for every dog. Failure to address reactivity towards people or other dogs can limit their experiences in life, such as being unable to accompany you to dog-friendly establishments or enjoy outings to the dog park. Without proper exposure, this devoted breed may become reactive to perceived threats. Consistent training during their formative years is essential for enhancing their overall quality of life, as well as yours, in their adult years. Positive reinforcement training should be consistently applied with firmness, and if you encounter challenging behaviors or observe a lack of progress, it is advisable to seek assistance from a professional trainer as soon as possible. If your dog exhibits sudden aggressive behaviors, such as biting, without any prior warning signs, a visit to the veterinarian is necessary to rule out any underlying physical causes. Crossbreeding, even in designer dog breeds, tends to reduce the risk of ailments commonly found in purebred dogs. Nonetheless, it can be more challenging to find reputable breeders for Doodle crosses, as there are no specific breed standards and few organizations to ensure breeder accountability. Here are some health issues that can be associated with the Golden Mountain Doodle:. The reasoning behind pairing multiple Doodles is to add a little something into the mix that makes these dogs even more desirable pets. With so much Poodle in them chances of the offspring inheriting the much-coveted low-shed Poodle coat is relatively high. However, such pairings can also be used to offset temperament or behavioral issues. They received the name Golden Mountain Doodle through a competition run on social media. The effect is magnified if the pups are entirely distinct. With three quite different dogs, you can only begin to predict what you might end up with. Any which way, you know that any Doodle offspring are bound to be as cute as can be. So, the output is…well, it could be anything really — black, brown, cream, beige, solid, parti, tri, phantom, merle. GMDs are usually quite stocky and well-built dogs from the Bernese. However, Standards are typically closer in size to the Golden Retriever, with Minis being smaller and Micro Minis a lot smaller. The Poodle genes often come through strong in their faces and features, though, making them very clearly Doodles. Firstly, we have the athletic, hyper-intelligent Poodle. Despite their super glamorous, slightly snobbish reputation, Poodles are actually born entertainers. They adore learning and displaying new tricks to please their owners, and with their smarts, they do this with ease. Poodles are loving, goofy, and have tons of energy. In the past, they often worked as clowns in traveling circuses. Next is the Golden Retriever, perhaps the most famous family dog of all time. Aside from being gorgeous, these dogs are sweet, sociable, and get along with just about everybody — people and animals. Goldies are naturally happy pups and love to romp about with children of all ages. They are also smart and are frequently used as service and therapy animals. Finally, the Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, loyal breed best known for their stunning tri-colored coats. Friendly and affectionate, Bernies are also calm, tolerant but sometimes a little shy of strangers. Bernies just love to be with their people. They thrive in a close and loving environment. With three dogs in the mix, there is no possibility of a first-generation GMB — the parents are already hybrid dogs. This is a third-generation or Multigen Golden Mountain Doodle. Ready to place a deposit or have questions? Contact Info. That's why we're here to answer your questions and give you all the information and tips you could ever need, whether it be about the process of adopting your Golden Mountain Doodle , doodle puppy training , or about the breed itself. A Golden Mountain Doodle is a gorgeous hybrid breed of a poodle, Bernese mountain dog, and golden retriever. They're known for their wavy and curly coats of hair. Don't let the name fool you though. These special dogs can have many different hair colors, including gold, black, red, cream, and white. They even have different coat patterns, including solid, parti, phantom, sable, brindle, and tri-colored. At a standard size, they're similarly sized to your typical golden retriever, weighing between 50 and 90 pounds and about as tall as 2 feet to their shoulder. This is especially true if you select us as your SC Doodle Breeder that offers different generations of the breed. They're incredibly affectionate, kind-hearted, and relaxed, making them a perfect fit for any family. They love being social and silly, but they're also among the smartest dog breeds in the world. Their life expectancy averages at about 10 to 15 years, we always ensure they're in the best health from the moment they're born. Before adoption, our puppies are in a socialization program called puppy culture. This program, along with spending the first weeks with their mother, ensures that they'll be well adjusted to the world and with other dogs. We have you fill out an application so we can learn more about you, such as whether or not you live with young kids, your activity level, what you're hoping a new dog will add to your family, etc. Here, you can visit with the puppies, learn more about them, ask questions, and then rank the puppies in order of which you'd like to take home the most. Not all puppies are the same, so why should we treat them like they are? From there, we will use your deposit order and preferences to match the puppies to their new owners and contact you to confirm the adoption. Then you'll sign a puppy contract, which can be found HERE. We'll provide ground transportation to anywhere within a 4-hour drive. Live further away? No problem. We have our staff members fly with puppies all the time, and our clients just have to meet us at the airport. What Now? As puppies, they'll be eager to explore and play with half the objects they find, so it's better to keep things you don't want to be chewed on a higher shelf! We recommend that you begin training your new puppy as early as you can. The sooner you begin teaching them basic commands, manners, and potty-training, the easier it'll be. You should also have toys ready for them when they get home. They're a relaxed breed, but they still love to play, especially as puppies. Toys will help keep them entertained and allow them to blow off steam, so they're not racing around the house all day. Interested in training programs? Our team here at JennaLee Doodles offers both 3-week , 6-week and week training programs that along with intensive training, include healthcare, grooming, and go-home items like a blanket, leash, toy, and more! We know it isn't always easy training puppies of any breed, so we're happy to provide a service that takes the stress away. We'd love to help. You can read through our comprehensive FAQ , or reach out to us by phone at , or email at contact jennaleedoodles. We hope you'll have a Golden Mountain Doodle joining your family soon! Learn more about our other Goldendoodles available here. If you'd like updates on golden mountain doodle litters, please fill out the form below! This will ensure you to get the most up-to-date communication on golden mountain doodle adoption at JLDD! These little dogs tend to be affectionate, loyal, loving, and energetic. They love nothing more than being around their favorite humans. Miniature Golden Mountain Doodles tend to have playful, cheerful, and friendly personalities. As long as they are trained and well-socialized, they tend to have a gentle, patient disposition and get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They even tend to be open and friendly with strangers. This dog breed tends to be highly adaptable. Although they have a lot of energy, they tend to do well in apartments as well as larger homes as long as they get enough exercise and attention. They are sensitive to heat, but do well in most climates. They also have a thick coat that can help them stay warm while out on walks during the winter. Because they bond so closely with their families and thrive on attention, Mini Golden Mountain Doodles do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Miniature Golden Mountain Doodle include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing issues to puppies, so make sure you are asking about the health of both parents and about any tests or clearances that have been done. Mini Golden Mountain Doodles tend to be highly intelligent and eager to please. Although they can get bored easily and have a lot of energy, they pick up on things quickly and tend to be a good fit for owners of all experience levels. So, they tend to be a good idea, if only for the extra bonding and socialization. A Miniature Golden Mountain Doodle often has a wavy or curly low or non-shedding coat. Colors can vary from the various Poodle colors to the classic Bernese ti-color and anything in between. Although they have a low or non-shedding coat, their coat requires a lot of grooming. Daily brushing is recommended to remove tangles and prevent mats. Brushing or clipping are recommended every weeks. The dog groomer may be able to help you handle some of it, but you will still need to do some maintenance at home between visits. Cutting nails twice a month keeps them from growing too long. Weekly ear checks with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. As a small dog breed, the Miniature Golden Mountain Doodle is more prone to developing dental disease. Daily cleanings plus cleanings at the vet when needed are ideal. Mini Golden Mountain Doodles are energetic little dogs. Although they will have bursts of higher energy at times, they tend to sit in a more moderate range. Daily walks plus some playtime and other activities are usually enough for this dog. Fully-grown Mini Golden Mountain Doodles usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Miniature Golden Mountain Doodles generally live for 13 years.

Boxers make great pets for both families and individuals, with their energetic and loyal traits. Adopting a puppy requires a lot of time and research to find a breeder that is best for you. While there are many to choose from, how do you make a decision? To give you some options, here are 5 Boxer Breeders in Florida to help you find your new furry friend and loyal companion. They are based in the Northeast Ocala area of Florida. Our goal at Shoquest is to produce puppies of the highest quality that will bring a lifetime of joy to their families. For more information, you can send them an email at shoquestboxers gmail. Our Boxers are raised inside with us and are part of our family. We do not have a kennel. The puppies are also raised inside, along with my children, and are well socialized. They come pre-spoiled. Their puppies are socialized from the day they are born and until they are at least 8 weeks of age. They will have their tails docked, dew claws removed, have their 1st set of vaccinations, a Florida Health Certificate and their AKC registration form. To learn more and get in touch, you can visit their website here. We could not be happier with our puppy and the process itself from start to finish. We will definitely be using the JCS Boxers again for our next puppy. They follow a meticulous diet for their puppies, with all of it starting with the health of the mom. Additionally, they plan their litters responsibly. Currently, their next litter is for January and you can view their gallery of puppies on their website here. In order to stay in touch about upcoming litters or to answer any questions you may have, you can send them an email at info jcsboxers. They are located in Central Florida and have been in business since .Boxers are our passion and ours are part of our family, living beside us inside our house because that is where they belong. We have owned Boxers as far back as I can remember. They are a very special breed but they are not for everyone. They require little grooming but they do need daily exercise. Boxers are very intelligent and loving.They are also very playful and have plenty of energy. They are great with children but need proper early training. They are all AKC, will have their tails docked, dew claws removed, vaccinations and health certificates before you take them home. And, they require an application before placing their puppies with you as they want to make sure they are going to loving, forever families. To get in touch about their next litter, you can contact them on their website here. They pride themselves on having a business that focuses on American production including all of the food and everything they use to raise their puppies. We believe we have achieved this with our boxers. We have spent time and research on choosing all our boxers. Boxers are born to show off and they do plenty of that. Their puppies are a part of their family, they have areas to exercise and play and have the best quality care. Currently, they have one boxer from their litter that is available. To keep in touch with their future litters, you can visit their puppies page here. And, to learn more or get in touch you can call them at .With the cost of veterinary bills rising each year, you could easily find yourself paying thousands out of pocket if an accident or illness were to occur. Let our team at Fursure help you get started on finding the best pet insurance policy for your furry friend. You pet will thank you! To get your pet protected and covered in just a few minutes , buy a pet insurance policy today! Join the Pack No spam. Just the very best in show products, expert pet parenting advice, and more.Read about our privacy policy. Thank you! Your submission has been received! Something went wrong while submitting the form. Introducing pet insurance that pays your vet directly. We let you keep your cash on hand, so you can focus on giving your pet the best care possible. We have the answers! What is the price range for a Boxer? The price range for Boxer puppies for sale Florida can be pretty wide. Breeders consider a number of factors when putting a price tag on their precious puppies including gender, coat color, and pedigree. Browse our featured Boxer breeders Florida to get started. Will I meet only local Boxer breeders? When looking for a Boxer for sale in Florida, your initial top choices will be breeders in your city or state. Your chosen breeder can then arrange to have your puppy safely transported to an airport near you. Our vetting process is designed to keep inexperienced breeders and puppy mills out of our network. Breeders and businesses who wish to join us undergo a strict screening process where their breeding knowledge, practices, and facilities are examined. How is Florida Puppies different from other puppy websites? They are good at marketing though! What is a puppy mill like? Puppy mills are dishonest breeders who mistreat their animals and forego essential newborn puppy care to make a bigger profit. Are there any Boxer puppies available in Florida right now? We can help you find out! You can also let us know if you have a specific Boxer puppy in mind! Where are Boxer dogs originally from? Boxers have quite an interesting history that dates back to the late s. It is still up for speculation which specific breeds were crossed to create the Boxer but the list includes the German Bullenbeisser and the Bulldog. The Boxer was created to be a guard dog, a role that it took upon with great success. Today, Boxers do police work but are also popular family dogs. What can I expect from the average Boxer? Boxers are energetic, alert, even-tempered, loyal, loving, and goofy. Boxers are smart and can be trained to do almost anything but keep in mind that they mature slowly -- they are basically puppies until the age of three! As a family dog, Boxers will do anything to protect their family and they are also known to be gentle with kids. How big do Boxers get? Boxers are medium-sized working dogs that can reach a weight of 70 pounds. Male Boxers usually stand at inches at the shoulder while female boxers can reach up to .They are muscular, sturdy, and quite quick. How does Florida Puppies work? Florida Puppies is a network of ethical breeders and businesses and your best source for finding Boxer puppies in Florida. Boxers's Available! Rescued, and still Counting! Ready to Help a Boxer in Need? When taking a dog into the program, they sometimes need a temporary home while in search of their perfect "FURever" home. Fostering a Boxer helps give a dog a healthy start and a new leash on life. Old Dogs, New Tricks.Everyone loves puppies but older dogs deserve attention too. Our silver Boxers don't let a little gray hair get in the way of loving life and are fabulous loyal companions. Consider adding a senior to your family! Seeking a New Best Friend? One who is goofy, playful and makes you laugh? One who is loyal and happy just being with you? One who will love you unconditionally and provide comfort when needed? With so many dogs in need of homes, you're bound to find the perfect Boxer. See Our Available Dogs! Florida Boxer Rescue is always in need of volunteers. Are you thinking about fostering a Boxer in need? Fostering is the most rewarding experience you can imagine. The number of dogs we save is limited by the number of foster homes we have - please help us to save all that we can.Basic obedience commands like come, down, sit, stay, place and more Our Balanced Theory We base our training around the "Classical Conditioning" model a. This includes developing conditioned or automatic reflexes to commands. In its simplest form after proper conditioning , when the owner says "sit," the dog automatically sits without thinking about it. Our unique techniques ensure our program is a success no matter what behavior we encounter. Empowering Owners We empower Owners to train so their dog knows who to obey at all times. Personalized We deal with problem behaviors on a personal basis. Environment Specific We train wherever issues tend to arise i. Supportive We support Owners in the off-hours when training is "not in session". Involved We work with all members of the household. Satisfaction Ratings Our high client satisfaction rating sets us apart from competitors. We help your dog become a valued companion and beloved member of the family. Read what our customers have to say and then give us a call! These words are not enough to thank Tonya for what she did with our beloved Sheepadoodle Teddy! She started teaching him the basics sit, off, stay, place, heel, down and being so smart that helped us to teach him a few extra commands like "paw", "watch". Teddy is a lovable puppy but has TONS of energy which gives him frequent "zoomies" or burst of enthusiastic desire to play, run, and jump over us and being big and heavy, by accident tends to push or pulls us really hard. Tonya has been able to teach him and us! She is a natural animal lover so she does her job with that in mind: LOVE.

Is This A Good Idea? Years ago, eBay made live animal sales available through their main auction site. Customer complaints came furiously. Some of the many concerns were that buyers never met breeders, that there were no guarantees for the care of the dogs, and that shipping a live animal cross-country is potentially fatal, especially by plane. Now with the new site eBay Classifieds, live animal sales are back. They now allow live animal sales through eBay Classifieds with the assumption that all sales will only take place locally, therefore encouraging potential buyers to meet with the sellers, verify that they are breeding responsibly and that the animals are healthy. Our quick research shows over 12, people are already searching for pets on eBay every month. The first ad I saw showed two white German Shepherd puppies, just 5 weeks old. But this alone will not solve the problem. My question for eBay is how long does an investigation take, and will the poster have sold the puppies by then? While promoting adoptable dogs from rescue groups is fantastic, I clicked through 6 pages of ads before finding a rescue dog. The same was true in other cities I searched as well. Rescue dogs were buried 5 or 6 pages deep. They may have their reasons for doing this, but the consequences for pets nationwide are grave. To sum up, here are the problems I have with this eBay service. Dogs can be sold to anyone, anywhere through eBay Classifieds, so dogs are still at risk of dangerous shipping and buyers are at risk of supporting irresponsible breeders. By posting ads for their dogs on eBay Classifieds, puppy mills can be exempted from regulation and have a larger, stronger venue to make their money. If this takes off, it will lead to more mills and worse care for the dogs. But do they really have the staff to manage this? And is it only responding to flagged ads or more proactive? Stick to what you know. If you agree with me, then join the Change. If you want to let eBay know that you support responsible dog breeding and adoption practices, I urge you to click here and sign the petition today. Please pass this along to other animal lovers to sign too. Thank you. And if you are looking to adopt a dog, please consider your local shelter. Search for one on Petfinder. Are you interested in getting more dog news like this? Subscribe to the PawPosse newsletter. Just scroll up to the green box on this page and enter your name and email address. Ready for forever homes October 5th. Puppies will mature to weigh around 25 pounds full grown, they will come with shots and deworming up to date, star.Tails docked, dewclaws removed, 3 shots. Parents onsite. Dewclaws removed, tails docked. Call .Come with full AKC papers, first shots, wormed, and a health guarantee. Born July 25, .Available to go home now and in the beginning of August. Trained pups and young Adult Wheaten and Whoodles avai.Call or Text: 7 weeks old they come from a good home Parents on site 3 males 6 females Shots are scheduled next w.Ready to meet their new families! Health and DNA tested. Have begun: potty, crate, recall training. They need a loving home togo to. These puppies are 6 months old. These hypoallergenic and non shedding sweet pups are raised in our home with our 5 children. They will come with vet check record.Well-loved and hand-raised. Pups available from two litters born Decem.They are currently six weeks old and have received their first shots with deworming. The puppies are very.Will be puppy play yard trained and learning puppy pad training when.They will come with first shots, dewormed, a puppy package and health check by a v.Both parents are our family dogs and our beaut.Ready to go to their new homes on October 28th, Colors.We have 1 male and 2 females left in our F1B litter. Here at Home Grown Puppy we understand that bringing a n.Black, chocolate, and yellow. They are 4 weeks old and can go to their forever homes September 8th at 8 weeks old.

June 26, German Shepherd dogs are a very popular dog breed, owing to their many qualities. While German Shepherds were bred specifically for their herding and intelligence, they are also known for their strength, trainability, and obedience. These traits make them excellent disability assistance dogs, police dogs, and watch dogs as well as excellent pets. They are also considered easily identifiable due to their distinct tan and black or red and black markings. Many other colour varieties do exist including black masks, sable, pure black, and pure white varieties to mention a few. This is an obviously handsome, eager to learn, and curious dog breed that is very self-assured despite the curiosity in its nature. They are loving and attentive dogs with their family members but are not inclined to make friends easily with strangers, making them quite intimidating at times. Once getting past the initial introduction, these dogs are very friendly and energetic with children as well adults. Much is known about German Shepherds and some of their common medical ailments by pet owners and dog breeders alike. This includes hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, osteoarthritis, and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency to name a few conditions the dog breed is prone to. Good breeding practices can help limit these problems in the breed. As German Shepherd dogs can also be prone to a large range of skin related problems, these can also be limited with responsible breeding practices, although some of the skin conditions are difficult to completely eradicate as individual variations do exist. As the range of most common breed-specific dog skin problems in German Shepherds is quite vast, we will discuss these conditions over a 3-part blog series. Here are some of the common pet allergy related problems that are seen in German Shepherd dogs: Environmental Allergy Canine atopic dermatitis An environmental allergy can occur in the predisposed individual to natural environmental substances such as grass and tree pollen, house dust, house dust mites, human dander, and environmental fungus in wet grass or close to water bodies. Indoor allergens, outdoors allergens, or a combination of them may cause dog allergy symptoms. A shepherd dog with any lifestyle can be affected by environmental allergies. Environmental allergies can cause seasonal or round the year dog allergy symptoms at a young age including itchiness, skin infection, hair loss, ear infection, skin rashes and redness. Often, the infections are resolved with treatment but recur until allergy is identified and managed. As an environmental allergy is a life long problem, and usually progresses with age, early intra-dermal allergy testing to identify offending allergens is encouraged. This helps to start allergy immunotherapy for better allergy control. Allergy desensitization will generally help German Shepherd avoid long term bacterial skin infections, that they are also quite prone to. Contact Hypersensitivity German Shepherd dogs are also affected by contact allergies, which can be triggered by compounds coming in contact with skin. This is especially true and evident for less haired areas that are more in contact with the environment. Most signs are noted at the paws, underbelly, armpits and tail based, perianal regions for this reason. Over time, skin redness and irritation signs may progress further along additional areas of the skin. Secondary skin infections may also develop, leading to further skin problems. Contact allergens for dogs may be substances found indoors or outdoors. Household cleaning agents, various plants, toys, carpet fibers, and even some skin products when applied for treatment are examples of agents that can cause contact allergy dermatitis. To help minimize this skin problem, identification of the contact irritant or allergen and its avoidance is critical. Thorough patient history review and in some cases, patch testing can be performed at our pet dermatology clinic to help control this problem. Flea Bite Hypersensitivity also called Flea Bite Allergy Flea bite allergies can cause pruritic dermatitis anywhere on the body, but especially on the back of German Shepherds. All it takes is one flea bite to cause a severe reaction! The vast majority of symptoms of this allergy, especially itching, disappear within a few days of adequate flea control. Interestingly, it can be quite difficult to find fleas and their evidence on flea allergic patients, due to their intense itchiness on the back end, where fleas can generally be found. Excellent flea control and flea treatment products are available these days, of which the most suitable and effective for your Shepherd can help control this problem well. Remember, in the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver areas of the lower mainland, our weather is mild round the year and harsh winters are not seen. Thus, flea infestations and flea allergy can be seen in pets round the year. Insect Bite Hypersensitivity As German Shepherds possess an immune system that can be quite reactive, they can also be affected by insect bite allergies including a condition called Eosinophilic furunculosis of face. In regions with biting flies being common in warmer months, fly bite dermatitis of ear tips is also seen in this breed. Being active dogs that like to train and spend time outdoors, they are definitely more exposed to insects in the environment. Food Hypersensitivity also Food Allergy, or Cutaneous Adverse Food Reaction Food allergies also affect German Shepherd dogs, in keeping with the dog breed being prone to developing allergies. While food allergy is less common compared to flea allergy as well as environmental allergy due to pollen, grass and dust mites, it is important to consider any pet with skin problems and signs of intestinal upset, to be a possible for allergic dog. If food allergy does affect a dog, controlling exposure to one or more allergens will help prevent ongoing concerns. Food allergy may also be seen in combination with other allergies, making identification of the problem more challenging. A fair amount of testing options are available for assessing food allergy in dogs. Not all these options are entirely reliable as blood tests and saliva tests have been proven to be of minimal benefit in benefiting the patient. If food allergy is suspected but control over the problem has not been achieved, a vet dermatologist consultation is encouraged to help confirm and eventually control the problem and related symptoms. Combination Allergies and Their Secondary Effects All dogs affected by allergies, irrespective of breed and including the German Shepherd, can be affected by more than one allergen. In fact, having allergies to more than one allergen is more common than being allergic to just one thing. Being allergic to a range of things polysensitization makes allergy in pets a complicated condition. This may mean an allergy to multiple grasses, tree pollen, foods, insects, etc. Some pets may be affected by a large range of food allergens without having additional allergy triggers. In dogs affected by multiple allergies, identification of the most important allergen is always the key. Ideally, most or all of the offending allergens need to be identified to help ensure good patient comfort. This in turn, will help limit secondary skin infections in a breed like German Shepherds, that is quite prone to skin infections as we will find in the next blog discussing skin infection related conditions of German Shepherds. Early and definitive identification of allergy signs is always helpful in stopping progression of allergies and their impact in any dog, but is especially true for German Shepherds. If your German Shepherd shows allergic symptoms of itchiness, redness of skin, hair loss, or changes in skin quality, it may be time to consult with a vet dermatology clinic so that your pet dermatologist can help identify the true problem. He is also the dermatology feature editor for Canadian Veterinary Journal. A fire engine flashes by, sirens blaring, causing your dog to react with whining and howls or at least rapt attention. Even in quieter moments, her ears are constantly swiveling and twitching as she picks up sounds of her environment. Seem familiar? Dogs experience the world mostly through their nose, with the olfactory part of the brain being dozens of times larger than the same part in humans. But second to their sense of scent is that of hearing. Just like a pebble in your shoe, any foreign objects that make their way into the ears can bother them over time. Some breeds are more prone to ear infections due to the size or shape of their ears. For German Shepherds , ear cleaning is especially important due to their proportionally large ears for the size of their head. Anything that gets in under the ear flaps or into the ear canal can cause itching and scratching — no fun! The sooner her ears are clean, the faster you two can get back to playing ball! A video guide on how to clean GS ears A Calm Environment First and foremost, your pooch must be calm to have their ears cleaned. Ensure you create for them a safe, familiar environment, free of distractions, where they can be in a restful state and stay fully attuned to you. If they show any signs of nervousness, tension, or fear — especially around the cleaning tools — you might need extra time to help them get ready. Some dogs might be comfortable enough to lie down for you, but others will prefer to sit upright while you work. If you anticipate a mess, outside on a patio surface or a clean yard area is okay too. Now that the situation is conducive to relaxation, make sure your German Shepherd is calm and focused on your commands. A German Shepherd chowing down. Doing the Job Make sure your dog is restful, quiet, and still. If using a bottled ear-cleaning solution, follow the instructions on the label. Take the cotton ball or moist rag and gently wipe along the inside of the ear flap from the tip down as far as you can go without tickling or hurting them. This could be a sign of infection, so we recommend you call your vet to be extra cautious. Never pour any liquid solution directly into the ear canal! Try a couple of times a month, or as often as they get a bath. More may be necessary for certain breeds like GSDs with open ear shapes. I saw a home remedy for ear cleaning solution online. Can I try it? Generally, some kind of vinegar diluted with water can substitute for an over-the-counter ear cleaning solution. But always check with your vet first! Definitely stay away from drying agents like hydrogen peroxide and alcohol. A German Shepherd at the Vet. If your German Shepherd constantly shakes his head back and forth, this could signify that his ears are bothering him and need to be cleaned. Try gently scratching him behind the ears and see if he pushes his head into your hand for relief. Can I clean them myself and hope for the best? Follow-Up It could be that a routine cleaning at home is all your dog needs to stay happy and irritant-free. If they show signs of their ear bothering them, try wiping out the ears more often. And, of course, make sure your dog is up to date on their vet visits so they can have a professional check for anything you may have missed. Good health begins with a good diet. Just like humans, dogs are what they eat. Feeding your GSD the right blend of nutrients Tufts University will encourage his body to produce the proper digestive enzymes, immune function, and skin texture to protect against illness or infection. Also consider. In the case of yeast infections in dogs, prevention of further symptoms is worth a pound of cure-not to mention costly visits to the vet. Every dog has a normal amount of healthy yeast and bacteria on his body. But when his bodies PH is out of balance and his immune system is compromised yeast overgrowth occurs and will cause a yeast infection. In order to control yeast overgrowth eliminating sugars and grains and feeding a low-glycemic diet is the best way to manage it. This leaves him vulnerable to repeated infections, especially when his immune system is already compromised so treating him with products that will give him the nutritional support he needs is essential to clearing up chronic problems. Since Acidophilus comes in capsule, pill and powder form, follow dosage recommendations on the package. Epsom Salt: If you suspect that your dog is developing a yeast infection, Epson Salt can eliminate it before it starts. Oral dosage of Tumeric is mg per pound of body weight. If your dog avoids his water with vinegar added, put it in his food instead. Low glycemeic, low carb diet. Disinfecting your pet is important and will keep him healthier in the future. Dog ear cleaner with a drying agent, or witch hazel with cotton balls is best. Dip can be done daily and repeated as often as necessary. Body: If your dog has yeast patches on his skin, disinfect his body with anti-fungal shampoo daily, or as often as necessary. Be sure not to use a shampoo with oatmeal as grains feed yeast. Anti-Fungal Body Rinse: Make an anti-fungal rinse using one gallon of water to one cup of white vinegar. German shepherd puppies often have floppy ears through their 20th week of age, at which time the cartilage in their ears starts to become harder which keeps the dog's ears erect. German Shepherd Grooming German shepherds are not a high maintenance breed in the grooming department. Instead, use a washcloth to clean his head and face. Acclimating your dog to canine toothpaste not human toothpastes this can be toxic , early on in the relationship can also set a good precedent for quality dental health. Look for dirt and any signs of redness or a bad smell, which indicates an ear infection is brewing. A light accumulation of dirt can be gently cleaned out with a soft cotton cloth. The good news for shepherd owners is that ear infections are most common in dogs with floppy ears. However, German shepherds still get ear infections for other reasons, including exposure to environmental elements, ear mites, and yeast imbalances. A healthy ear should be pink and reasonably free of wax build up and dirt. Use a good quality ear treatment product like EcoEars for Dogs to both clean his ears and clear up any infection. The term for these ear infections is Otitis Externa. These infections can be very painful. This is not only painful but dangerous due to the possibility of severe, long-term damage and potential future problems with balance, deafness, and even life-threatening issues. Fungus and yeast are common factors. Treating ear infections with EcoEars will clean up both of these infections when caught early. If your dog tends to get ear infections, check his or her ears every day or two for any of the warning signs. You might also find yourself battling a host of skin and ear problems. Shepherds, like other dogs, can end up being allergic to fleas and losing a great deal of hair on areas they can scratch and chew while trying to get relief from the itch, like the base of the tail. Sometimes after clearing up the most obvious problems, ear infections can be the last, lingering complaint. They may come and go. Remember that ear infections can happen as a result of general food allergies, ear mites, bacteria and yeast, or a reaction to medications previously prescribed for your dog. Also, prescriptions for ear infections may include hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone is one of the lowest dosages of steroids available, which is why we often see it sold over-the-counter. However, they can have dramatic side effects —steroids have the potential to affect seemingly unrelated body functions. A Few Helpful Tips Calm and encourage your dog with a reassuring voice as you clean his ears and apply the best remedy for the infection. Early intervention avoids serious issues. Finish an ear cleaning session with a dog biscuit or other reward. You should not use multiple products at the same time in the ears. If your German shepherd tends to shake his head or hold it to one side, you may want to check to see if he has an ear infection. You can take him to the vet to diagnose and treat the conditions, or clear up both of these conditions as well as clean his ears with EcoEars. If there are signs of a serious infection, like bloody discharge or fever, take your dog to the vet immediately. Home Remedy If a pup lives in your home, it's a good idea to get familiar with the signs of a dog ear infection. It's a common condition that affects up to one in five dogs, according to the American Kennel Club , and left untreated can lead to scarring that narrows the ear canal. In severe cases, a dog ear infection can even cause deafness. But the good news is an ear infection in dogs is treatable and, in some cases, preventable. What Causes Dog Ear Infections? The cause of dog ear infections usually boils down to the combination of germs or parasites and an itchy dog. That way you can avoid or treat whatever is triggering the problem. Most of the time, these germs are harmless. But, Pashaian-Grant says, if the normal skin barrier is disrupted in some way and becomes irritated and inflamed, it gives germs the chance to grow unchecked. Ear Mites Ear mites are microscopic bugs that can infest your dog's ears. They spread from animal to animal or your pup can pick them up from simply lying down outdoors. They don't bite, but their presence irritates the skin in your dog's ears and makes them itch like crazy. Because they inflame the skin, ear mites can lead to ear infections. Moist Ears Bacteria and yeast flourish in moist, dark areas, Pashaian-Grant says. So dogs that have floppy ears think: hounds and spaniels are more likely to develop ear infections. Air can easily get into upright ears and keep them dry. But ears that flap down may trap moisture, which encourages germs to overgrow. Also, puppies in a litter can get ear infections from licking and pulling on each other's ears, Pashaian-Grant says. Allergies Allergies are usually the main culprit in recurring ear infections. If your dog has multiple ear infections, it's time to consider allergy testing , Pashaian-Grant says. According to the AKC, 80 percent of dogs with food allergies and 50 percent of dogs with environmental allergies develop ear infections. Dog Ear Infection Signs Ear infections are painful for pups. You'll likely see your dog scratching at his ears or shaking his head. Other symptoms include red, irritated skin inside the ears and brown, yellow, or green discharge. Ear infections can also be super stinky. Dog Ear Infection Treatment It's best to see your veterinarian as soon as you notice signs because ear infections won't go away on their own. You'll usually need prescription dog ear infection medicine, Pashaian-Grant says. Your veterinarian will take a swab of the ear discharge and look at it under a microscope to see if it's mites, yeast, or bacteria, and then prescribe the appropriate medication. Treatments include antibiotics, antifungals, and anti-mite medications that are usually applied to the skin. But if the infection has advanced to the inner ear, your veterinarian may recommend oral medications. That might mean changing up foods or long-term medication to address canine allergies. Prevent it in the first place. Keeping your dog's ears clean and dry is the most important thing you can do to prevent ear infections. Pashaian-Grant recommends cleaning your dog's ears at least once a month. You can purchase a dog ear wash from your veterinarian or a pet store. In a pinch, you can mix half water and half white vinegar to make your own cleaning solution at home. Use a soaked cotton ball or gauze to wipe out the ear, but avoid pouring liquid directly into the ear canal if you suspect your dog has an infection, as this could damage the ear drum. But the ultimate way to prevent ear infections that reoccur, Pashaian-Grant says, is to discover and treat the underlying cause, which is most often allergies to food proteins, dust mites, or seasonal allergens. Treating what triggers your dog's ear infections provides a long-term solution that leads to a happier, healthier life. Was this page helpful? There are three types of ear infections in German Shepherd dogs: 1- Otitis Externa. This is an outer ear infection of the external ear canal and is one of the most common types of ear infections seen in German Shepherd dogs. This condition is characterized by inflammation in the layer of cells lining the external portion of the ear canal. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the middle ear. This can be more serious than an outer ear infection because it can result in damage to the tympanic membrane and bulla of the middle ear, and can cause very painful ears and possible vestibular issues. Middle ear infections can be caused by foreign bodies, or by untreated otitis externa. This is inflammation of the inner ear, and is caused most often by a bacterial or yeast infection, and can also be caused by an outer ear infection. If your German Shepherd has ear mites in the external ear canal, mites can ultimately cause a problem in the inner ear and pose a greater risk for a bacterial infection. Inner ear infections can also develop if a foreign body or a benign polyp is present in the middle ear. Some German Shepherds may not show any symptoms of an ear infection aside from a buildup of ear wax or discharge in the ear canal. Just like a dog may scratch at their ears if there is an infection, they can also display certain body language that expresses they are not feeling well. By lowering their ears, they are telling you that something is not right. This can be a sign that a new person or dog is bothering them. But it can also mean that an illness is causing them discomfort, like an ear infection. Along with their ears down, look for other signs that they are not feeling well like cowering and crying. The ear canal of the dog forms an L-shape that tends to catch fluid and debris, making them prone to ear infections. Conditions that can predispose your dog to ear infections include: German Shepherds tend to be prone to allergies, which in turn can lead to ear infections. Trapped moisture or water, creates an optimum environment for the development of bacteria and yeast. Ear wax buildup can create a moist, warm environment for bacterial and fungal growth. Endocrine disorders, such as thyroid disease, weaken the immune system and can predispose German Shepherds to ear infections. Autoimmune disorders, such as lupus, weaken the immune system predisposing dogs to ear infections The presence of a foreign body, such as a seed or a grass-awn can cause inflammation and set your dog up for an infection. Injury or trauma to the ear canal can also cause inflammation and infection. Ear mites can cause symptoms of ear infections, including scratching at the ear, shaking the head, and ear discharge. Ear mites can create an environment in the ear canal that can lead to a secondary bacterial or yeast infection, but ear mite infections are more common in puppies than in adult dogs. If your German Shepherd is showing any of the signs and symptoms of an ear infection, contact your veterinarian. If your veterinarian recommends an appointment, they will obtain a complete history of your dog, and perform a comprehensive physical examination. In cases where your dog is in pain, the veterinarian may recommend sedating your dog to facilitate a proper examination of the ear canal. In examining the ears, your veterinarian may: Gently palpate, and feel the ear to assess the level of pain if present Complete an assessment of the ears, looking for signs such as redness, swelling, odor, and discharge Examine with an otoscope, which allows a visual evaluation of the ear canal and eardrum If samples of discharge or yeast are taken, microscopic examination of those samples Possible lab culture of ear samples Radiographs, endoscopy, or biopsies in severe or chronic cases Clean and flush the ears How Are Ear Infections Treated In German Shepherds? Your veterinarian may prescribe an ear cleanser and a topical medication for you to use at home, but in severe cases, oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed. Once treatment is started, most basic ear infections resolve within a couple of weeks. Failure to finish the full course of treatment may lead to additional problems such as antibiotic-resistant infections. As with any health issue, prevention is the best medicine. If your best friend is prone to chronic or recurrent ear infections, pinpointing the causes and learning how to manage them can help prevent new infections from occurring. It is important to avoid using cotton swabs directly in the ear canal, as they can inadvertently push debris deeper into the ear canal. If your veterinarian has prescribed ear medication for your dog, these medications target several kinds of bacteria and at least one type of fungus yeast. Depending on the cause of the infection, your veterinarian may recommend a specific antibiotic, ear drops, or ointment. Identification of the cause will determine the type of medication prescribed. You can apply ear medication using the following steps: Gently pull the tip of the ear with one hand. Using your other hand, apply the prescribed amount of medication into the vertical part of the ear canal while still holding onto the tip of the ear. Hold the ear tip-up long enough for the medication to run down the base of the ear Then massage the base of the ear canal between your finger and thumb. Release the treated ear and let your dog shake his head. Most ear medications have a solvent that dissolves debris, which can be dislodged when your dog shakes his head. If your veterinarian has prescribed a second medication, apply it in the same way, but wait five to thirty minutes before applying the second or additional medication. Dogs with ear infections are uncomfortable, and infected ears can be a source of constant pain and irritation causing constant head-shaking. Ear infections that occur in the middle or inner ears can damage or rupture the eardrum, causing possible permanent hearing loss. Certain types of ear infections can damage surrounding tissues, and this includes the ear cartilage. When this happens, the eardrum can actually rupture. This will be very painful, resulting in a permanently damaged ear. As always, if you notice any signs of an ear infection, never hesitate to ask your veterinarian for help and advice. They will be the ones who can best advise you on the quickest solutions to get your GSD feeling like new again. Both are common symptoms of ear infection. You may also notice swelling, redness, or crustiness of the ear, and the ear may smell bad. Symptoms may vary according to the location of the infection. Otitis externa : Otitis externa is an infection of the outer ear, and this is the most frequently seen ear infection in dogs. Otitis externa will often cause visible signs of infection. Otitis media : Otitis media, infection of the middle ear, happens when outer ear infection spreads into the ear. For a visual demonstration of how to identify an ear infection, have a look at this video: Treatment of Ear Infection Not only do ear infections make your dog uncomfortable, but they can actually have serious complications: untreated ear infections can cause deafness and other problems. Make a vet appointment whenever you suspect an ear infection. Your vet will ask you questions about how long your dog has been showing symptoms and will want to know about its medical history and your grooming routine. What is more likely, though, is a mild-to-moderate condition. If necessary, your dog will be given an anesthetic during the procedure. You may be given a cleanser and possibly medications to use at home. Because of this shape, dogs are more prone to ear infections than are animals with straighter ear canals. In adult dogs, bacteria and yeast are the usual causes of ear infection. In puppies, ear mites are a common cause, as well. There are some factors that make ear infection more likely: Moisture: Damp ears are a perfect environment for bacteria and yeast to grow. Excessive cleaning: Cleaning the ear too often or too vigorously can irritate the ear and lead to infection. Foreign bodies or injury to the ear canal: Getting something stuck in the ear can create the conditions for yeast or bacteria overgrowth. Autoimmune disorders: When the lining of the ear canal swells, it can allow yeast and bacteria to grow out of control, causing infection. It might seem like nature designed the dog just to get ear infections. After swimming or bathing, dry your dog right away, paying special attention to the ears. They are alcohol-free and help to reduce odor and prevent infections. If your dog has allergies, take steps to control them—feed a food that your dog tolerates well, and make sure to use any allergy medications your vet recommends. Use your fingers to gently massage the ear from bottom to top. This helps bring wax and debris up and out of the ear. Wipe out the ear with absorbent gauze. Scratching and head shaking are two of the most obvious signs of an ear infection. If the infection is on the outer ear, there may be visible signs of the infection, such as crustiness, redness, and swelling. If you suspect that your dog has an ear infection, see your veterinarian. Grain Dust Symptoms of ear allergies in dogs may include itching, redness and inflammation of the ear, a discharge from the ear, and scratching or rubbing of the ear. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, it is important to consult with a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment Are German Shepherds prone to ear allergies? German Shepherds are not prone to ear allergies, but they are still a possibility. Because GSDs have ears that stand up, they are less likely to get ear allergies. They are usually brought on as a secondary reaction to something. Your GSD may have an allergy to a certain food, this may include protein sources like chicken or beef. Floppy ears have a harder time getting good airflow and can trap in certain allergens. Some floppy-eared dogs that are prone to ear allergies include Basset Hound Golden Retriever Beagle If your GSD seems to only have seasonal ear allergies, it may be due to pollen or a specific type of grass. It can be difficult to narrow down what exactly your GSD is allergic to, but identifying other symptoms may help. This video explains that while GSDs are not prone to ear allergies, they can still get them. How can I tell if my GSD has an ear allergy? A GSD will usually have some symptoms of an ear allergy. Increased scratching and rubbing of their ears may indicate something is wrong. A bad smell coming from the ear may indicate an increased amount of yeast, which can lead to an ear infection. A GSD can have many different symptoms when an ear allergy is present, including Red ears Frequent shaking of their heads Bad smell from their ears Excessive discharge from ears Itching or rubbing ears a lot Ways to prevent ear allergies Preventing ear allergies can be done by understanding what is causing the allergic reaction in the first place. If your GSD is displaying other symptoms in addition to ear problems, that can be helpful in determining the cause. It could be a seasonal pollen allergy if they only seem to have itchy ears during the spring. A German Shepherd Dog that is experiencing stomach issues like diarrhea and vomiting, in addition to ear allergies, probably has a food sensitivity. Keeping GSD ears clean can help prevent ear troubles, as well. The three main causes of ear allergies include food, parasites, and environmental factors. So how do you prevent these? However, if you are still uncertain, try a food with a different protein source or a limited-ingredient diet. Parasites like fleas can be prevented with many different products. There are over-the-counter drops to apply and even prescription medications for prevention. Dust mites can be harder to eliminate. Check areas that might have a lot of dust, high up places, or rarely visited attics or basements, and clean thoroughly. The biggest environmental factor that can cause ear allergies in German Shepherds is probably pollen. While you cannot eliminate all the pollen outside, you can do some things to help. Take walks and make outside during lower pollen counts, like in the morning and evening can sometimes be better. Keeping your GSDs ears clean is an important part of their health. A gentle rinse can be used to clean out their ears. Also, make sure to dry ears after cleaning or getting them wet. It is important not to go too far in the ear, so you do not cause serious damage. A video demonstrating how to clean a GSDs ears How allergies can lead to an ear infection According to FirstVet , ear infections can happen due to ear allergies. While some yeast and bacteria are present in healthy ears, they will start to increase, leading to possible ear infections. Infections can be very painful and lead to long-lasting damage if not properly treated. Allergies to fleas, environmental factors, and certain foods could all be the cause for an ear infection. A veterinarian can run tests to determine if the ear infection was because of allergies or something else. Ear infection information Understanding an ear infection can help to prevent future ones and help if your GSD is currently experiencing one. There can be three different types of infection based on where it is, specifically in the ear. Yeast and bacteria imbalances play a big role in infections. Also, knowing symptoms is important to identify and treat them as quickly as possible. Where is the infection? The American Kennel Club names three different types of infection locations An ear infection can be located in three different places in the ear. The externa, is the outer ear canal. The media, is the middle of the ear. Finally, the interna, or inner ear. The further the infection gets in the ear can mean it is getting worse. If you notice the ear has a bad smell or unusual discharge, that can be a sign of a yeast ear infection. It is important to treat ear infections quickly. A vet may prescribe antibiotics or an ointment depending on severity. Here is a video with one way to remedy yeast ear infections: Symptoms of ear infection in dogs Symptoms of an ear infection can range from discomfort to extremely painful and may include: An excessive amount of discharge from ears Yelps or cries when ears are touched Bad smell Excessive rubbing or itching of ears Shaking head a lot Redness in the ear The symptoms of ear allergies and infection are pretty similar. So how do I know which my dog has? It may start out with very mild symptoms, including some scratching and pawing at the ear. However, if these symptoms worsen or continue for more than a few days, it may be an ear infection. How bad can ear infection gets in dogs? Ear infections in dogs can range in severity from mild to severe. In some cases, a mild ear infection may resolve on its own or with treatment, while more severe infection may require more aggressive treatment. If left untreated, ear infection can become more severe and cause more serious problems. These can include: Damage to the ear canal: The ear canal can become inflamed and swollen, which can make it difficult for the dog to hear or to balance properly. Abscesses: An abscess can form in the ear if the infection is not treated, which can be very painful for the dog. Damage to the eardrum: The infection can cause the eardrum to become inflamed or even perforated, which can lead to hearing loss or balance problems. Systemic infection: In some cases, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, leading to more serious health issues. Diagnosis of ear infection in dogs A veterinarian is the best resource when diagnosing an ear infection in your German Shepherd Dog. There is a possibility they have something foreign in their ear or another problem that is not related to an ear infection. They can also advise the best course of treatment. A severe ear infection may need prescriptions to heal it. A veterinarian can conduct a thorough examination if you are concerned about an ear infection. The vet visit will probably include examining all over your dog to check for any skin allergies as well. Next, they may check the ears and potentially take a sample that can be checked for yeast or bacteria. Generally, ear infections are a secondary problem that an allergy has caused. If your GSD is experiencing chronic ear infection, it may be due to a food allergy. Seasonal allergies, or ear infections, are usually due to pollen or even a certain type of plant that grows in that season. Treatment of ear infections in dogs Once it is determined that your GSD does have an ear infection, treatment can begin. It is important to try to discover the cause. If it is due to allergies that are not addressed, they may begin to have chronic ear infection. An ear cleanse may be done to treat an ear infection. The ear will be cleaned with a gentle but effective rinse. It may need to be repeated based on how bad the ear infection is. Medications may also be prescribed to help treat an ear infection. Based on the cause and any results from samples taken, the vet could recommend some different things. Antibiotics, antifungals, or ointments are examples. Identifying the allergy should be part of the treatment if an allergy caused the ear infection. Testing can be done to help discover the allergy if needed. How to help your GSDs ear allergy? Ear allergies can be a scary time for you and your GSD! You might have no idea what the sudden cause of ear pain or itchiness is, and it can be concerning. The best way to help your GSD during this time is to identify the problem and ensure you follow all treatments completely. Pinpointing what caused the allergy will help prevent further problems. Ear infections caused by allergies can become very bad, so getting help and treatment quickly will help your GSD the most. They attribute their striking appearance. They are also very important to take care of! Keeping their ears healthy can help avoid future problems. Keep an eye on anything out of the ordinary when it comes to their ears. More on German Shepherd Allergies.

Breeds The link has been copied! The German Shepherd breed has always been popular in America. In fact, they have been ranked as number 1 in popularity throughout most of U. If a female German Shepherd dog GSD has joined your family, and you are thinking about breeding from her, you may be curious about how many puppies you should expect in one litter — as well as how many she might have over her years with you. On average, a German Shepherd can have puppies per litter. Some have as many as 15 or as few as one puppy per litter. On record, the biggest German Shepherd litter was 17 puppies by a dog named Mosha. The gestation period is approximately 63 days about two months after conceiving. However, this number may vary by several days. A German Shepherd dog can have two litters per year until around the age of 8. This means that a German Shepherd Dog can have approximately 14 litters in her entire lifetime. Well, the answer to this may help you understand the quantity of puppies they produce in a litter. The German Shepherd is native to Germany and is a cross breed between working sheep dogs and a dog believed to be a quarter wolf. They were originally bred to protect families and to herd livestock. Are there factors that affect the number of puppies a female German Shepherd can have? How many times in a year can they give birth? Knowing how many puppies to expect may help you plan resources to accommodate them if you are planning on becoming a breeder. A female German Shepherd with a small body will have a smaller litter size compared to a GSD with a bigger body. If you want a larger litter size, therefore, you should breed your German Shepherd before they are seven years or older. The best breeding years are between 2- 5 years of age. As the male dog ages, their sperm count decreases, and this affects the number of puppies in the litter. If you are a breeder, it is best to practice breeding when the male dog is in its prime years, between 2- 5 years. This way, you are likely to get a bigger litter size. The female should also have a healthy diet before breeding. Diet and health go hand in hand. A diet that consists of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates will help your GSD to have a larger litter size. Your vet will help you determine the perfect diet before, during, and after your dog's pregnancy. Although it may be nerve-wracking, you need to be there to help your German Shepherd give birth. A whelping box with a heating pad or a heating lamp will help keep the new-born puppies warm. New-born puppies are unable to regulate their body temperature, hence why the heating pad or lamp will come in handy. Heating pads: place them under the blankets or towels where the puppies lie. Make sure the setting is comfortable for them. At birth, they weigh about 0. German Shepherd dog puppies have four developmental life stages after they are born. You will notice the mother licking her puppies to clean them. Milk from their mother is very crucial at this age. They can begin eating some main foods but still nurse and feed on soft foods. By eight weeks, a puppy has all its teeth, and the teething process begins. At this time, you should ensure each puppy starts to wear a properly-fitted dog collar. For added security, choose a collar that allows you to track their location via GPS. Final Thoughts Owning a dog is a joyous experience, and when you own a German Shepherd, you have a loyal, smart, fierce, and protective dog for life. To add to that, German Shepherd dogs make good mothers and they know what to do during and after giving birth. For more helpful articles about pet-parenting tips, check out the Off Leash blog at TryFi. Fi smart dog collars make it easier than ever. Once your dog has had them Factors that determine the number of pups that the dog will have Although the body of most animals operates synchronously and wonderfully, dogs are not machines. Therefore they do not always have the same number of pups. In addition, some factors may interfere with the amount of puppies present in the litter, which may vary according to: The age of the dog - the most numerous births often occur from the fourth heat onwards. If the dog is properly nurtured and fed. The dog's general health. When the dog is bred. Female dogs have only two fertile days and breeding them at this stage will ensure greater litter numbers instead of doing it a few days earlier. Dog sperm can survive inside the female for two days, so if bred two days before the fertile time, the female can still get pregnant - but it is likely that only a few sperm are alive to fertilise those eggs, reducing the amount of the dog's litter. It's the bitch who frees the number of eggs that will be exposed to fertilisation depending on factors such as size and heritage, thus the myth that a dog is a stud and that depends solely on the male for the amount of puppies is false. The number of puppies depends on the number of mature eggs that emerge from the ovaries, the day the sexual intercourse is done and then, of course, the fertility of the male dog. Besides, German Shepherds with pedigree tend to have fewer puppies than those that do not have such a pure lineage or care. How many puppies do German Shepherds usually have? We must bear in mind that the German Shepherd is a large breed, so the ovaries have the capacity to produce more eggs and the uterus has more space to store the puppies, which means that they usually have large litters. A German Shepherd which does not have a pedigree lineage usually has between 7 and 9 puppies, while those with pedigree lineage often pop out between 4 and 6 puppies. It is essential to note that this is not a standard because many factors interfere with the formula. There may be bitches that have more or even fewer puppies than indicated here. Once your dog has had them It is essential to respect the time of birth and the first hours in which both puppies and your dog are together. Remember that dogs are highly olfactory, so you should not bathe your dog after giving birth or you could remove its natural odour and thus confuse the puppies. However it is useful to carefully clean the dog basket and wipe it with a damp cloth that has been dipped in warm water. Then dry it with some towels and return it to those puppies. During the first 12 hours, your bitch will not want to eat, but it is important to give her plenty of fresh water to keep her hydrated. When the animal regains its appetite, it must have at its disposal nutritious food. German Shepherd puppies should not be separated from the mother before 8 weeks. This could affect their learning and development. The recommendation, in fact, is to wait until 10 weeks to give them a new home. A junior is the canine version of a teenager, and this is usually the time period between six and twelve months old. Adult dogs have completely finished growing and range between one and seven years old, while mature dog is at least seven years old. After this age, the dog will then be considered middle-aged. The ages of the last two categories will depend on the breed. A senior dog is an older dog that has reached the final quarter of its life expectancy. Since a German Shepherd has a life expectancy between 12 and 14 years, it will enter its senior years when it is between nine and .A geriatric dog is one that has reached the end of its stated life expectancy — and is still going strong. If Gunther the German Shepherd makes it to 15, he is considered geriatric. Is it true that dogs age seven years for every human year? She says it may have stemmed from an observation that dogs lived to be 10 years old, while humans lived to be 70 on average. It is true that dogs age much faster than humans, but the extent and speed of this process depends on many factors. Larger dogs tend to age faster and have shorter life expectancies than smaller dogs. The AKC divides dogs into four size categories: Small 20 pounds or under Medium 21 to 50 pounds Large 51 to pounds Giant Over pounds An adult male German Shepherd usually weighs between 66 and 88 pounds, and an adult female generally weighs between 49 and 73 pounds. Then, until they reach the age of five, they age four years every year. Large dogs that are over five years old then generally age five or six years every year, and a German Shepherd that lives to be 14 is comparable to a human of .How many puppies can German Shepherds have? It is born completely helpless and depends on its mother for everything; it even needs her help to go to the bathroom. The puppy will typically start to crawl when it is a week old, and its eyes will open a few days later. The first baby teeth emerge when the puppy is two weeks old, and it will start going to the bathroom on its own around the same time. The socialization period lasts from the third to the twelfth week. Then, when the puppy can move, see, and hear, it needs to learn the social skills that will enable it to successfully interact with humans and other dogs. However, it still needs to stay with its mother during this time, so she can teach it proper dog behavior and other vital life skills. German Shepherds this age should also be introduced to humans to begin getting used to their presence. They will generally begin playing with their littermates and their humans when they are about four weeks old. Puppies that are at least seven weeks old can then be housebroken. The following video covers the growth and development of a German Shepherd puppy from when it is seven weeks old to six months old. The owner noted such physical changes as increasingly erect ears and darkening fur. The juvenile period lasts from three to six months and ends when the dog reaches sexual maturity. By this age, the puppy has all of its baby teeth. The puppy will be old enough for obedience school towards the end of the juvenile period. By the time a German Shepherd is six months old , it will look mostly like an adult dog, but it has not yet finished growing. It will have reached about 70 percent of its adult height and weight, and it will also have all of its adult teeth. German Shepherds, at this age should be spayed or neutered unless their owner plans to breed them. Aug 3, Share German Shepherds tend to have between five and nine puppies in a litter. Eight is the average. According to the AKC , the largest litter registered was 17 puppies. This litter size is significantly larger than some other breeds. German Shepherds are larger dogs, so they are going to have more puppies than smaller breeds. For instance, Dachshunds only have one to six puppies on average. The largest litter ever came from a Neapolitan Mastiff, a breed that can reach pounds. When it comes to litter sizes, size does matter. It is impossible to tell how many puppies that a particular dog might have until she gets further into her pregnancy. These factors may help you make a good guess, however. This is most obvious when comparing different dog breeds. In turn, small breeds have small litters. However, the exact size of the dog also matters. Smaller German Shepherds will have smaller litters on average than larger German Shepherds. If your dog is larger, she may end up having a larger litter, or she might not. This will reduce the overall size of the litter. Even if you feed her excellent food and take care of her, underlying health problems can cause puppies to perish before they are fully developed. Diabetes is an excellent example of this. However, improperly fluctuating blood sugar can have a massive impact on growing puppies. Without the proper blood sugar levels, many puppies will not develop properly. Short-term conditions can also cause some puppies to develop improperly and be reabsorbed. For instance, infections can cause one or more puppies to stop developing altogether. Most miscarriages go unnoticed without any clinical signs, especially if only a few puppies are lost. Only late-term miscarriages usually get noticed. This seems to happen most commonly in purebred dogs, according to the vets at High Street Steeping Vet Clinic. Purebred dogs may have more genetic abnormalities than mixed breed dogs because they inherit traits from a smaller genetic pool. The odds of them inheriting something harmful is higher, simply because there are fewer genes for them to inherit. Many purebred dogs are also inbred, including the German Shepherd. Middle-aged German Shepherds tend to have larger litters than younger and older dogs. German Shepherds typically have the largest litters around age 5. After that, they may decline in size. However, this decline is more rapid and apparent in some dogs than others. Many older dogs have health problems, which likely affects their litter size too. Some of these health impacts may go unnoticed and therefore, be wrongly attributed to age. Season There is evidence that the season that the dog gives birth affects the litter size. However, other studies found no correlation between when the litter was born and the overall litter size. There may be a regional component to this, though. In areas with more significant seasonal changes, the season may make more of a difference. In the tropics, it may not. However, more studies are needed to determine this possibility. Heritability Studies have found that dogs may inherit their litter size potential. Dogs that are born to bigger litters tend to have bigger litters themselves. If there is another factor at play, it will likely take precedent. Plus, much of this heritability may be linked to the size of the dog. Many dogs are going to be a similar size as their parents. Nutrition Image Credit: Monika Wisniewska, Shutterstock There are a few nutritional components that can affect litter size and the overall health of the mother and her puppies. When a mother dog becomes pregnant, her nutritional needs change. Protein is essential for pregnant dogs. This is similar to what puppies need, so many pregnant dogs are often fed puppy-intended dog food. Fatty acids may also play a role. Dogs with lower levels of serum glucose in their amniotic fluid tend to have smaller litter sizes. Therefore, feeding them a diet higher in omega fatty acids may be helpful. Image Credit: J. Feeding your canine a better diet may result in a bigger litter, for instance. If your dog is sick, it is paramount that you treat them before attempting to create a litter. However, these factors have to be adjusted before the dog gets pregnant. Once the dog has conceived, it is impossible to increase their litter size, though you can prevent losses. There are also many factors out of your control. While there are a few things that you can do to reduce the risk of these issues, you can never prevent them entirely. Even if your dog lives in a clean environment and is healthy, infections can still occur. You should be feeding her food suitable for puppies as soon as you plan on breeding her or at least as soon as you find out that she is pregnant. Choosing which dogs to breed also impacts litter size and can be controlled to a certain extent. However, some dogs may have small litter sizes but may otherwise be great breeding candidates. In general, to increase your dog's litter size, we recommend doing the following: Regular testing for infections Regular vet checks for reproductive tract disease Final Thoughts The average German Shepherd litter size is about eight puppies. However, there are many factors that can go into this. Keeping your dog healthy is essential to maximizing litter sizes. But many factors are outside of your control. If a puppy inherits specific genes, they are less likely to develop correctly and make it to birth, lowering the overall litter size. Related Reads:. Health A healthy German shepherd will produce many healthy puppies compared to an unhealthy one. Always take your GSD to a vet clinic to confirm that she is in a healthy state. This is because the larger ones have a bigger carrying capacity. Diet Diet plays a crucial role in influencing the size of the litter of a GSD. Feed her a balanced diet rather than only kibble throughout. Age German shepherds are more fertile between the ages of two to three years. If she gets older than that age, she is less likely to deliver a large litter. Individual Genetic Factors If a German shepherd delivers a large first litter the chances are that she will do the same in the second and the third litter. Gestation period for a GSD Their pregnancies take around 64 days which is a little more than other dogs. This is influenced by their bigger size. What to Expect of a Pregnant German Shepherd Change in Appetite The appetite might increase or decrease depending on the stage of pregnancy. She can show signs of morning sickness like vomiting. In case of a reduced appetite, you should try to feed her her favorite meal. Decrease in Activity If your GSD feels exhausted most of the time, she will be taking a nap more than usual. If your dog likes sleeping a lot, this sign might go unnoticed. Unless you have confirmed that she is pregnant, sleeping a lot should be seen as a red flag especially for active dogs. Behavior Change Behavior change will depend on an individual dog. Some German shepherds will seek extra attention and will be around you most of the time, while others will like isolation and will be hostile whenever you get closer to them. Her abdomen will enlarge, though this is among the last signs of pregnancy. This should not worry you as she will be back to her normal size once she delivers. The nipples might get dark red in color. Other times the milk might leak in the late stage of pregnancy. Frequent Urination A female German shepherd can increase the no of times she urinates during pregnancy. Sometimes it can be territory marking. She can pee anywhere, in the living room, the seat, or in the corner of a room. Nesting Behavior During the last stage of pregnancy, she will start preparing a place for the expected puppies. She will shred anything from blankets, newspapers, or clothes and keep them in her nest. Proper Feeding Feed your expectant German shepherd a balanced diet. Buy her the best dog food you can afford. It is advisable to increase the quantity of food you feed her. Instead of giving her a lot of food at once, divide the food into smaller portions and give it to her many times. This is to ensure that that the mother and the unborn puppies are healthy. Give Her space Due to hormonal changes, your dog will have mood swings. If she is not willing to eat or play do not compel her. Just give her space to be herself. Whelping Box A whelping box is set on the last stage of German shepherd pregnancy. It is a safe and comfortable place equipped with all the necessities needed for safe delivery. The place should be noise-free. Bottom Line German shepherds are caring parents. In rare cases, German shepherds eat their newborns. Be watchful to avoid such instances. Related Posts:. Puppies If your German Shepherd is pregnant or you are planning on breeding you may be wondering how many puppies can a German Shepherd have. The amount of puppies each German Shepherd has will vary on many different factors. This article will answer dive into the factors to help you better predict the number of puppies your GSD will have. Generally, you can expect a German Shepherd to have between 5 and 8 puppies per litter. However, German Shepherds have had litters as large as 14 and as small as only 1. There are many factors that contribute to the size of the litter. A German Shepherd can have puppies twice a year. Large dogs like German Shepherds go into heat around every 6 months. During their heat is when they are capable of becoming pregnant. A normal heat cycle lasts between two and four weeks long. Thus, if you breeders or individuals who are looking to breed their GSD track their heat timing and plan to have them mate during their heat. German Shepherds are pregnant for nine weeks on average. Factors That Affect German Shepherd Littler Size Although it is normal for a German Shepherd to have between five and eight puppies a litter, there are many factors that can increase or decrease the litter size. The most common factors are below: The size of the female dog The size of the dog has a big impact of how many puppies they can carry. Although German Shepherds are considered to be a large dog breed some female German Shepherds are larger than others. A female GSD that is larger will be able to carry more pups than a smaller one. Inbreeding Another factor that can contribute to litter size is inbreeding. A pregnancy that is the result of inbreeding will generally produce less puppies than one that is not. Accordingly, if you want to increase your GSD litter size make sure not to bred a female with a male that is related. The age of female The age of the female German Shepherds also plays a role in their potential litter size. Older German Shepherds will generally have smaller litters. The prime age to breed a GSD is between 2 and 5 years of age. You should not breed an elderly GSD. Just like with human males, the sperm count of male German Shepherds will decrease as they age. This decrease can make it harder for them to get a female pregnant and can also impact the litter size if they do get a female GSD pregnant. Health of the female Another factor that is important is the overall health of the female German Shepherd. In order for any dog to produce a healthy plentiful litter of puppies the dog carrying the pups has to be in prime health. Leading up to pregnancy your dog should be fed a high-quality diet, and during pregnancy a GSD will require a diet in that a certain amount of protein, fat and carbohydrates to ensure a health pregnancy. Additionally, pregnant German Shepherds can sometimes need dietary supplements if they are not getting the appropriate nutrients through their diet. Conclusion There are many factors that impact how many puppies German Shepherds can have. Most commonly German Shepherds will have between five and eight puppies, but age, health, and inbreeding can cause a GSD to bear a smaller litter. Breeders who are looking to increase litter size will need to make sure that all those controllable factors are in line and let nature do the rest. How many puppies do German shepherds have in their first litter? April 27, We all know that German shepherd is an intelligent dog and quite active in all his areas. But apart from his intelligence, he is the most fun-loving dog. And I also found that this is the only breed of dog which is so versatile, he can be your family dog, a guard dog, a military dog, a police dog, a search and rescue dog and a herding dog as well. I can say that this is the most versatile dog. Pregnancy and litters of German shepherd dog The bodyweight of a female German shepherd is around 30kgs and height are between 20 to 24 inches and this is a bodyweight for the healthy pregnancy of a German shepherd dog. German shepherd dog becomes a wonderful mother and she has a huge number of litters in her pregnancy. This is no fixed numbers of puppies in the German shepherd litter and it can vary from 1 to 15 puppies. Usually, a female German shepherd dog has 8 puppies in her first litters. A Female German shepherd has two litters in a year and this started from an early age and continues up to the age of 8 which means that she can have 14 litters in her entire lifetime. Factors affecting the size of litters.

Rachael Ray Nutrish is another brand I love for Labrador Retriever puppies as it is packed with DHA for healthy brain and eye development and specially formulated for young, growing dogs. You can also select different sizes and recipes. My favorite is chicken and brown rice. Bedding And Toys Lab puppies need quality bedding and toys for teething. Labrador puppies grow quickly and have sharp claws and teeth. Puppies also go through a teething phase and will need special teething toys to help soothe their sore mouths and help keep your furniture safe. As far as bedding, the best bedding for a Labrador puppy is going to be made of high quality material that is soft and plush while also being sturdy enough to keep them off the floor and support their growing bodies. KONG toys are wonderful tools to use during crate training , but they also help with separation anxiety , boredom, and the teething stage that all puppies go through. Enter the Nylabone Puppy Starter Pack. These flavored chew toys come both textured and regular to help get your pup and your furniture through the teething stage safely. Cuddly toys like the Smart PetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy above can help your new Labrador puppy adjust to sleeping on his own, assist in crate training, and may even help alleviate anxieties including noise phobias and separation anxiety. Puppy blankets are a must and can be used for multiple purposes in your home for your pup. My favorite puppy blankets are blankets that are specially made for dogs, like the Luciphia fleece blankets above. While you can use any blankets on hand, blankets that are specially made for dogs are usually a bit more durable, easier to wash, and have been made with quality and safe material for your pooch. Puppy blankets just make it easy to always a comfy place for your puppy to rest his head no matter where you are. Ultra Squeaker Ball is an absolute favorite in my house and with my clients. I especially love using this toy for puppies who are just getting the hang of playing fetch. For puppies, picking up on how to play fetch can be tough. Balls that squeak or make noise when thrown help to make the game more exciting and help encourage young pups to chase whatever is making that high pitched sound! Leashes, Harnesses, and Collars Collars, leashes, and harnesses are important tools to help socialize your puppy. Getting your puppy used to wearing a leash, harness, and collar is an important step towards socializing them. So even though your Labrador puppy will outgrow his harness and collar quickly, I still suggest investing in these items. Here are five of my favorite leash, harness, and collar products for Labrador Retriever puppies. As I mentioned above, puppies are especially fragile so steer clear of attaching a leash to their collar and try to help them adjust to wearing a harness that is comfortable. What I like about this harness is that it is adjustable so you can use it a bit longer as your puppy grows. Best of all it is the perfect length five feet for puppy training and is a leash your Lab puppy can take with him into adulthood. It is built like a standard leash, but it offers you control over how far away your puppy can get. This is excellent for puppy parents who live in busy neighborhoods or who are working with a puppy who likes to wander. Large breed puppies like Labrador Retrievers require crates that grow with them. This is why I love crates that come with dividers so that they can grow with your Lab puppy. I also recommend playpens, as Labrador puppies are notorious for being very active and energetic. Lab puppies are also incredibly curious and tend to chew a lot in their first few months, which is why indoor dog gates will also be an important part of puppy proofing your home. Take a look at some of my favorite puppy-proofing products below. Nobody likes cleaning up potty accidents. Of course, no one wants a big, bulky pen that takes up half of their home either! I also love that the pen is big enough for puppies to grow into and allows them to learn how to explore a space larger than their crate while keeping them and your home safe from their curiosity. And since crate training is such an important part of puppyhood and actually helps your puppy adjust to being alone and feeling secure, we recommend investing in a good, high quality crate you can use for years. It has two separate doors for entrance and exit and it comes with a divider so it can be adjusted to the size of your dog as he grows. Just remember to leave your pup inside his crate with a KONG and some bedding so he is comfortable, and remember that puppies who are younger than six months old should not stay in their crates for longer than four hours. For those of you who plan to leave your puppy out and about while you are gone and after he is trained, of course , then a crate that folds may be your best bet. The MidWest Foldable Dog Crate posted above is one such crate that is not only made well, but also stores well. Like most crates ideal for Labrador puppies, this crate also comes with a divider so it can grow with your dog. Along with crates and puppy playpens, you also might consider getting a gate to keep your puppy from entering places in your home that may pose a risk to him. Many of my clients keep gates up in their kitchen entryway, or gate their living rooms where puppies are tempted to chew on wood furniture. Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate Sale Buy on Amazon For those of you worried about installing something or accidentally damaging walls or paint, there are always free-standing gate options, like the Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate. I do like the way these gates look and the simplicity of them, however, they are not always the most secure and may not stand up to a strong and curious puppy. These gates are also not ideal for leaving puppies unsupervised as they can sometimes find ways to knock them down. Grooming your Labrador puppy early on not only helps to socialize him and prepare him for a life of vet visits, groomer visits, and physical contact with people, but it also helps to keep him clean and healthy. Like babies, puppies are more sensitive to certain products and require products that are specifically designed to be gentle on their sensitive skin and fur. Be selective of the shampoos, dog brushes , and other grooming products you pick for your Labrador puppy and make sure you always use high-quality products. Some of the products I recommend most for grooming a Labrador puppy are listed below. Pet Care Sciences Puppy Shampoo. Top Picks For Our Dogs Preparing Your Home For A Puppy You should treat the preparation of your home for the arrival of a new puppy in much the same way as you would for the arrival of a baby because the process is almost identical. You must be ready to provide every little thing your puppy needs in life, making sure they have water, are fed, comfortable, happy, catered for and safe. To achieve this there are 4 main things that you need to do: Go shopping for equipment and supplies Puppy proof your home and garden to make sure your puppy stays safe Set up an area for your puppy to sleep and spend time in when you cannot supervise them Decide on the rules and routines required to successfully raise a puppy Without such preparation, things will be difficult. A Nutritious Puppy Food The most important supply needed for a new puppy is a highly nutritious puppy food. Hopefully your puppy came from a responsible breeder who was feeding them a high quality, complete and nutritious food. If so, you should ask what they were feeding, stock up on and continue feeding this if possible. If not, then puppies are incredibly active, growing fast and developing bone, muscle and more every day. Because of this they need almost double the calories, more protein and have different nutritional needs to mature adult dogs. Furthermore, they have far smaller mouths than adult dogs so puppy food comes in smaller chunks more suited to their size. Click here to see our recommendations for the best puppy food for labs Bowls for Food And Water There is a bewildering array of dog bowl choices out there so choosing the best can be difficult. Looks and design aside, I recommend going for stainless steel bowls because they are long-lasting, cannot be chewed and are very easy to clean. I also recommend buying bowls with heavy rubber bottoms so they stay rooted to the spot and are harder to spill or flip over. Unless of course you buy bowls in a stand, then these problems are already solved. A Puppy Crate And Bedding A good crate is one of the most beneficial things you can provide for the good of yourself and your puppy. First of all, supply some bedding to place inside for your puppy to sleep on. My recommendation for this is VetBed. Many puppies can chew and ingest normal bedding which can result in medical emergencies and VetBed is the most durable bedding on the market. During these times you need to provide a larger, but still safe enclosure to confine your puppy. You might also like to buy a plastic sheet and some puppy pads or use lots of old newspaper for them to use as a potty in your absence. Puppy Chew Toys Puppies chew. A lot. And they seem to prefer chewing phones, footwear and TV remotes more than anything else. Just make sure whatever toys you do buy are suitable for a puppy as many will be too large for their little mouths to begin with. Interactive Puppy Toys So you can play games with your puppy, provide exercise and mental stimulation, you will want to buy a few toys that encourage the two of you to interact. Balls for throwing and chasing, soft toys and ropes for playing tug, other toys for fetch, there are many available. You will also need a collar to provide a place to attach an all important ID tag. ID Tag An ID tag is an essential means to be reunited with your puppy should the worst happen and you somehow lose them or they run away. Clicker A clicker is an extremely useful tool used during training as a reward marker that dramatically improves the timing of communication between you and your puppy when you want to reward a behavior. Although not essential, I do highly recommend you use one. Puppy Training Treats Tasty food treats are the go-to reward used during training so you will want to make sure you always have a good stock at hand. They need to feel happy with being bathed, happy having their coat and teeth brushed, their feet touched, nails clipped and having their eyes and ears inspected. To do so, you should fake going the process, getting them used to being handled, the sight and feel of the tools and so on. To achieve this, you will need to buy and get them used to the following items: Dog shampoo Combs and brushes suitable for a Labrador Scissors Cotton balls Toothbrush Use these tools right away and often, and give your puppy praise and tasty treats as you go so they form positive associations with grooming. Puppy Proof Your Home and Garden The process of puppy proofing your home is very much like baby proofing before the arrival of a child. Except a puppy is far more curious, active and destructive and can get themselves into far more trouble. A puppy is a new-born. Everything is a toy and they will run and pounce and jump and chew on anything in their environment. So before you bring your puppy home you simply must make it safe for them. For things you cannot move skirting boards, table legs etc. To keep them safe while still providing an area for them to play in and stretch their legs, you want to restrict their access to a single room, or otherwise create an enclosed space for them. To do so, either buy a pet barrier or baby gate that goes across a doorway to restrict them to an easy to clean and safe room, or buy an exercise pen puppy pen to create an enclosed space in another room. I also strongly recommend buying a crate for many reasons, but initially, mostly just to provide the perfect place for them to sleep. I shall discuss crate training a little later in this article. All of this must be decided BEFORE you get your puppy home because consistency is a key part of raising a puppy successfully. Everyone must enforce and live by the same rules for your puppy to thrive. Initially they have no idea how you want them to behave, or how and when they can expect the things they want and need in life. The more consistent everybody is with the puppy, the quicker they will learn all this stuff and the happier everyone will be. So decide and write down if necessary when your puppy will have all their needs met, make sure everybody knows who is responsible for each task and make sure everybody knows the rules. You might think the collection and journey home with your new puppy is no big deal, but there are many things can go wrong. Therefore, you should never take a puppy before 8 weeks old. During the first 8 weeks, a puppy learns a lot from their mother and litter-mates: Bite inhibition, canine body language, acceptable play and interaction with other dogs and how to accept discipline. Things you will find it very hard to teach them later yourself. The flip side of this is that the 7 to 14 week stage is the most impressionable for a puppy, where they bond strongest with people and must be socialized to all the sights, sounds and smells of the world so they grow up confident and comfortable with their surroundings. So anyway, for the journey home there a few things you need to consider: Safety in the car, the need for water and toilet breaks and the possibility your puppy will be sick. Having a loose puppy in the car presents a very real danger of leading to a crash, they can easily climb out of a box and now is not the time to use a harness and car safety belt. If the crate is small enough you can place it on a front or rear passenger seat and secure it with the seat-belt, or you may have to place it in the trunk of your car. Fully line the crate with absorbent paper in case there are any accidents, this will keep most of the mess off your puppy and make cleaning easier. And finally, place a chew toy or two in the crate to keep your puppy occupied. If you have another person to help you, your puppy can ride home in their lap if the journey is short. They must be under your passengers control. They will also need to potty every half or so. Therefore, you should plan breaks along the way every 30 minutes or so. Stop the car, allow them to drink, then wait for them to wee before setting off again. When you stop, make sure your puppy is on leash and tightly held by someone before letting them out of the car. And as an extra precaution, carry your puppy and only put them down to do their business, then carry them back into the car. Take with you some towels, plastic bags, kitchen roll and deodorizer to take care of any accidents. And when driving, take all corners slowly, and accelerate and brake gently. If your puppy is on a passengers lap, they will be able to see some warning signs that puppy is about to be sick: Their lips will curl, they will excessively salivate and then eventually start to heave. When your passenger spots these signs, they can place a thick towel beneath the puppy to catch everything and avoid a mess in your vehicle. When bringing home a new puppy, make sure you collect them and then drive straight home. Your puppy is having the most stressful day of their short life so far, try not to make it harder than it already is by taking them to strange places and passing them around to strangers to say hello. You want to get them home quickly so they can start the process of settling in as soon as possible. Whether this is inside on paper, or a spot outside, as soon as you arrive home carry them there, set them down and wait for them to do their business before doing anything else. This might take 30 seconds or it might take 10 minutes, but patiently wait and when they go, praise them profusely. Well done! Shut them in another room away from the puppy as things are intense enough as it is. Explain they have to be calm and gentle during the first introductions. Let them sniff and look around, getting used to the area and their new little world. You can now let people come and say hello. Have people sit or kneel to greet them. Once everybody has said hello, you should stay with your puppy, show interest but stay calm. Allow Your Puppy To Sleep After all the excitement, stress, massive change and huge amount of mental stimulation your puppy has just been through, they will likely need to sleep soon after arriving at your home. So as soon as they either start to look tired, or the introductions to their new living space and family have ended whichever comes first put them to bed for a short while. On the other hand they might feel completely overwhelmed, retreat into themselves and show reluctance to explore. They might slink into a corner silently and sit there watching their new world with wonder but apprehension, before falling asleep for hours. And when it comes to the first night they might sleep right through, or they might cry and whine the whole night. As your puppy begins to get used to everything, their character will start to shine through and you will begin to see their true personalities. Exactly what this will be is different for every puppy…it will be fun for you to find out! And by being the provider of everything they need in life, giving them all that is good, it will only take 2 or 3 days for your puppy to learn to love you and get excited and happy to see you when you turn up. So your task is to set up and stick to these schedules, begin training your puppy and help them to learn how you want them to behave and when they can expect the things they need in life. What should you feed your puppy You should feed your puppy the same food they had at the breeders because an abrupt change in diet almost always leads to stomach upset. Complete and balanced means it has everything a puppy needs, and in the right quantities. So seek out this kind of wording and check the internet for other owners reviews. Puppies need to eat a lot because their rate of growth is very high. For puppies up to 12 weeks, you should divide their daily requirement into 4 portions, for puppies 12 to 26 weeks, feed them 3 times per day and from 26 weeks on feed them twice per day. You should also aim to feed them as close as you can to the same times every day and evenly spaced throughout the day. This will help their body clocks fall into a pattern and will help your house training immensely because they then potty the same times every day. For example: 8 to 12 weeks old, 4 times a day at AM, AM, PM and PM 12 to 26 weeks old, 3 times a day at AM, PM and PM 26 weeks old and ongoing, 2 times a day at and Obviously you can adjust these times to take into account when you get out of bed and to fit around your life. Also… The first few nights have the crate or exercise pen your puppy sleeps in placed in your bedroom. One night move the crate next to the bedroom door. The next night move it outside the door, but leave the door open so they can still see you. The next night further into the hallway. Finally to their eventual resting place. They might take to sleeping on their own OK, they might whine and cry. NEVER go to them to comfort them if they cry, you must only get up to take them to potty and then silently and without fuss put them back into the crate. Rewarding silence and ignoring noise is the only way they will eventually learn to be quiet at night themselves. Any time you cannot closely supervise them, you have to confine them, either in their crate, an exercise pen or a puppy proofed room secured with a barrier across the doorway. The point of confining them as a puppy is so they can enjoy all the freedom in the world once they are an adult. By confining them with treat dispensing chew toys they get rewarded for chewing the right things and develop a chew toy obsession. Confine them now, they form a good chew toy obsession and have no chance of developing bad chewing habits. Then once they are over their adolescent chewing stage you slowly open up the house to them and eventually they can have free roam and be completely trusted. A little sacrifice when young for a better life later. And a second hugely important reason for confining your puppy when you cannot supervise them is for speedier house training. In fact if you read my comments from earlier, you will see you start the very first moment you finish the journey home. In essence, house training is about creating good habits while avoiding bad ones and for the speediest success you want to start immediately. Wherever your puppy is able to potty has the chance of becoming their favored toilet spot for many weeks or months to come. So you want to prevent them pottying inside, and encourage them to potty outside. The main ingredients of a successful house training program are preventing mistakes and praising heavily for doing the right thing. Achieving this is all about schedules, supervision and confinement. Now, your puppy will need to potty anywhere from every 15 to 45 minutes. So to start with, take them outside every 30 minutes and adjust this schedule to suit their natural rhythm. You must also take them outside immediately after they wake up from any sleep, after any eating or drinking, after play and after any heightened excitement. These are times that often lead to a puppy needing to potty so take them outside at these times and you will avoid many mistakes while taking advantage of predictable opportunities to praise them for doing the right thing. In the first week or so, you will likely find your puppy almost instantaneously leaks with little warning. Simply do your best to take them out to potty extremely often so they go in the right place as often as possible. And confine them to a single enclosed room or in an exercise pen for the first week or so to protect your carpets. Crate training goes hand in hand with house training, being one of the best tools to help speed up the process. Therefore, you want to start crate training very early on, after just a few days of getting puppy home, and I personally aim for 9 weeks old to start. I prefer to wait a week or so to avoid them pottying in the crate as much as possible, doing the most I can to preserve their instinct not to soil where they sleep, the instinct that helps most when using a crate for house training. But by all means sleep them in their crate at night if you wish and I do. For more information on crate training your puppy and using it for house training purposes, please see the links below:. Non-slip bottom dog dishes Puppies naturally move their dish around as they are eating, especially if the dish has a flat bottom that easily pushes around the floor. We have found that dishes with a non-slip bottom can help so that your puppy is not chasing around his food dish. Make sure that it is large enough. And since dogs grow fast, that means they will likely grow to that size within a year to a year and a half. Almost all dogs we train eat between 4 -6 cups of dog food a day. So, make sure that your dish is large enough to accommodate this many cups. Water dish It is vitally important that your puppy have access to clean water for drinking. With the puppies we raise, we have found that it can be challenging to keep a small water dish full, so we prefer to use these 2-gallon water dishes. They are easy to fill and allow us to only have to fill them a couple times a week instead of several times a day. We suggest that you introduce a lead to your puppy as they start to grow in confidence and walk further from you when outside. There are two great reasons to do this early on. First it teaches your puppy how to handle the pressure of not being able to go wherever they want whenever they want. And it keeps your puppy from developing a habit of running away from you. A Flexi-lead works especially well if you want to give your puppy a little more freedom to go do his potty business but still keep control. Toys Puppies need toys. If you do not give them toys that they CAN chew and play with, they will chew on your sofa leg, or a book or a blanket or anything else they can find. So, purchase some good durable puppy chew toys. But watch your pup carefully. As they get older and stronger, they will be able to rip apart cloth toys and ingest them. Or they will chew rubber toys into small pieces and eat them. When your pup gets strong enough to destroy toys, it is time to take away the puppy toys and give them only dog toys designed for older , larger dogs or quality rawhides that they can chew that will not cause digestive problems. Stay away from rope toys. Many puppies have managed to ingest strings and ropes requiring surgery to remove them. Puppy-sized bumper If your plan is for your Labrador puppy to become a hunting or competition dog, you should have a puppy sized bumper. Learn more about teaching your puppy to fetch in this post. Barriers I recommend that you section off a small portion of your home and not let your puppy have full run of the entire house. Learn more about housebreaking your Lab puppy in this post. To section off a part, it can be helpful to have some child-gates available or an area of your home that you can close doors. This means that you need to show your puppy where the boundaries are and what is and is not allowed. To do this, you will need a few more tools. This is often when we see dogs that are running away from their owners, playing keep-a-way when retrieving and just basically being naughty. A lot of this could be avoided with the use of a check cord. Yes, a check cord can be cumbersome and often a pain to use, but it only takes one or two times of your puppy running away from you to make it worth it. Put a check cord on your puppy and allow them to drag it around with them. This alone is a great lesson for a dog. Dragging the weight is a type of pressure that they will need to learn to deal with. Occasionally, step on the rope and allow your dog to feel the pressure of being stopped and controlled. These sound like such minor things, but you would be surprised how much more well-adjusted your puppy will be just from learning these minor lessons. Chain or prong collar As your puppy gets stronger, it will get more and more difficult to control your puppy with a lead just hooked up to a nylon collar. As you notice that your puppy is getting harder to control, is pulling you around or dragging you down the street, you need to move to a chain or prong collar. Actually, it would be best if you changed to a chain or prong collar long before this becomes an issue. Remember, it is always easier to fix problems when they are small rather than waiting for them to become huge problems. Larger bumpers for retrieving dogs As your dog gets larger, you will want to move away from the puppy bumper and start using regular sized retrieving bumpers. We prefer to use plastic or rubber bumpers since they do not get as dirty or smelly as the canvas ones. They also last a lot longer and can be used for both water and land retrieves. Learn all about the different bumpers used for training hunting dogs here. Orange is a color that is difficult for retrievers to see, so that color should not be used for young dogs that are just learning about retrieving and hunting. Save the orange ones for advanced dogs working on blind retrieves. Final thoughts on What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy? There are many things that you will need for your new puppy both now and in the future. Take some time to prepare before you bring your puppy home so that you will avoid buying things on impulse that you may or may not need. If you are planning on using your puppy as a hunting or competition dog, check out 6 vital tools every gun dog trainer needs. You can email me at ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time happy retrieving. What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy? Vet bedding fleece on a roll is ideal puppy bedding. You can line both his bed and his car crate with this. Buy several pieces so that you can pop one in the washing machine when it gets dirty or if he has an accident. There are lots of lovely beds you can get to go around the house, but in those first days veterinary bedding is an essential alternative to keep his crate cosy and clean. Puppy Toys For Labradors Puppy toys need to be sturdy. Many puppies destroy soft toys quite quickly though they are so adorable, you may not be able to resist buying one or two. Kongs and rope toys are very tough and seem to survive the onslaught of puppy teeth. A Radio If you intend your puppy to sleep alone in the kitchen from the first night, you may find it helpful to leave a radio next to his crate. Just a simple, cheap Portable Radio with the volume turned down low can serve the same role as some human company. It just helps him feel less along during those first few nights when he may be feeling very homesick. Puppy Harness There is no rush for this, but once your puppy is too heavy to carry, and going out and about on the ground, he needs some kind of safety restraint. These days I usually recommend a harness as they avoid pulling on the puppies neck. The kind where the lead attaches at the front and on the back are ideal. You can find an expert review of the big brands of harnesses, from a professional trainer here. When he is older and has learned to walk next to you, you can buy him a collar. To let your puppy know when he has done something you like. It is a really useful tool to help you teach your puppy to be quiet, and to learn simple skills. It will make training your puppy much quicker, easier and a lot more fun. Getting a recall to whistle established at an early age gets your puppy training off to a great start. I recommend the Acme Dog Whistle. There is plenty of information on the use and choice of dog whistles in this article: Should you buy a dog whistle .It will help to get you off to a great start with your new puppy. These sprays are safe for your dog, and the bitter taste discourages chewing. In many cases, chewing can be kept under control with training, positive reinforcement, and mental and physical stimulation. However, some puppies and dogs will try to chew no matter what, making these products quite useful. Conclusion The list of products that could be useful to your life with a Labrador could go on all day, but these products are some of the most important. Keep in mind that any new pet needs a checkup with your veterinarian to verify they are healthy and up to date on things like vaccines, heartworm testing, and dewormers. One pet supply that you may not have thought of is pet insurance. With a balanced, personalized plan like Spot Pet Insurance offers, you may be able to manage your pet's vet costs and avoid surprises. A Canadian expat, Nicole now lives on a lush forest property with her Kiwi husband and new baby daughter in New Zealand. She has a strong love for all animals of all shapes and sizes and particularly loves a good interspecies friendship and wants to share her animal knowledge and other experts' knowledge with pet lovers across the globe.Read more Advertisement. This is the guide I wish I had when choosing the best puppy supplies for our Labrador Retriever, Kona. The dog you grew up with was much different from this one because your parents did most of the raising. It sure would have been nice to have had more honest and relevant guidance when determining what supplies I should get for my new puppy. It seems like everyone I know has recently become a dog parent and is raising a new puppy. I realized I know a thing or two about this topic after going through it all myself with our Labrador Retriever, Kona. I love sharing my experience with other dog parents and decided I may as well start sharing it here. Hopefully, others find my advice useful, regardless of whether you are the new owner of a Labrador Retriever or some other breed! I am all about being cost-effective when it comes to purchasing dog and puppy supplies. So, most of the products I recommend below are within that category, all are great quality and very reasonably priced. There are countless options when it comes to purchasing puppy supplies, so Kona and I rounded up a list of our favorite Labrador Retriever puppy products and explain them each below! Kona is a Labrador Retriever, and as a result, many of these recommendations are based on the experience with that dog breed. Yet much of this advice is relevant to any large breed puppies. So, getting him on the right food for a Labrador was a task I did not anticipate. We did 2-month dog food subscriptions on both of these products in lb bags and it made our lives so much easier compared to going out and purchasing the food at a physical location. The heavy bags of dog food were always delivered right to our door! They are not grazers like some dogs. I kept hearing about these special dog bowls that help Labradors eat slower and digest better, so decided to try one out. THIS feeder bowl is amazing! I bought the teal style and size small. We also never had to upgrade to the bigger size because the small still works for him as an adult. Food Mat While the bowl has some sticky rubber on the bottom that prevents the bowl from moving around while Kona eats, the floor around the bowl still gets dirty. It can get especially messy around the water bowl, so I used to put a kitchen towel underneath both bowls to limit the grime. I wish I had purchased it sooner because it would have saved me a bunch of time cleaning! Dog Crate Getting a dog crate was the smartest decision we made. They are actually a positive safe space for your puppy and it also does wonders for potty training. Kona took to his crate right away, and now almost 2 years old, he still loves it! We find that he tends to get the best rest if he sleeps in his crate at night. I did a lot of research on what crate to buy. Crates come in so many different shapes, sizes, and styles and finding the right one for your dog and your home is key. With a large breed dog, you should be looking at a big crate. But while it may seem oversized and ugly right now, this crate will be their home, so you want it to be comfortable for them. Getting a large crate now, that will grow with your puppy will make your life so much easier in the long run, and much easier for a puppy to adapt to. We got the inch double door with divider. We did this to help make it more private and cozy for him, and he absolutely loved it. It was also a great way to prevent him from waking us up super early or if we wanted to sleep in because the crate stayed dark for him. However, Kona would also goof around with the blanket cover in and out of his crate. He also loved climbing on top of it from the couch… This was all a bit frustrating, yet all a part of the silly puppy age. But let me tell you, this crate cover is a thousand times better than a blanket! I really wish I had purchased one earlier because this thing is totally worth it. The cover fits the crate perfectly and the best part is that it has flap openings for all areas include both door openings, a mesh window, and the top. It has zippers and velcro and is super durable. Dog Crate Pad When Kona was a young puppy we had no idea what we should put on the bottom of his crate to make it comfortable. We also knew that it was possible he could have accidents, so it was necessary to have something easy to wash. Initially, we tried a large soft folded blanket, but it ended up being too big and awkward. We decided to hold out from buying any bed or pad for a while. Instead, we folded a towel or blanket and placed it in the crate for him. Usually, Kona would nest it up on his own to make it comfy. This worked just fine for him, especially with the divider panel in the crate, which would have made fitting a full-size bed in there difficult. Kona voluntarily sleeping in his large dog crate as a young puppy. He loves this plush material and now cozies up with anything similar to it. The pad is totally washable and maintains shape well. It has an anti-slip bottom so it stays in place better than most dog beds. I hardly ever have to get down and adjust the mat myself. Looking back, I wish I had gotten one of these sooner because I think Kona would have loved it as a little guy and been even more comfortable! I will note, however, that Kona used to enjoy taking his bed out of the crate, prancing around with it, and laying on it outside the crate. Dog Bed When Kona was a young puppy, I purchased a separate dog bed that he could lay on in our living room. This was a bad idea because Kona saw the bed as something to play with and he actually relieved himself on it more than once. We go for a value pack so we never worry about running out. But rather than them chewing the wrong things and destroying your home, you can get them to chew the right things! Also, he preferred peanut butter and bacon flavors. We got the Medium size version when he was a puppy so it would last as he grew into it. Often, dog chew toys will have tiny flecks or pieces that come off but then pass through just fine if ingested. We tried our best to avoid those, and never experienced that with these particular bones. Better to play it safe in my opinion. These dog chew toys kept Kona entertained for some time, and he still enjoys them as an adult! Getting a hollow bone gave me the flexibility to fill it on my own or leave it empty. Tip: the pumpkin can spill out, so I recommend giving it to your puppy outside or on a towel or something. I think the bone holds onto some flavors. Initially, I boiled this bone with some chicken broth and let it cool. I think this gave it some extra long-lasting flavor. Believe it or not, they are also very inexpensive. Often, I give him healthy bits and treats that he loves like banana, greek yogurt, kale, and other vegetable pieces. But on occasion, I will give Kona one of these goodies called Bully Sticks. THESE are the best ones by far! I waited until he was about 3 or 4 months old to give him these. I honestly only give them to him maybe a couple of times a month now. However, being new dog parents, we got Kona one before realizing this. As a puppy, there was a plush toy that Kona especially liked, and it held up for a good while. THIS moose toy was his absolute favorite! He loved sneaking up, pouncing on, and shaking it as a little pup. Moose had soft insides and a squeaker. Kona loved Moose while he lasted. We originally got the toy in size Medium. Kona and his Kong Cozie, Marvin the Moose, a plush dog toy. I read early on that one way to help break bad habits with accidents was to use a good cleaner as a training aid. Using a safe and effective cleaner is the key to avoid this issue, as well as any other organic stains and odors. Not to mention, it will help keep your house smelling nice. It smells nice gets rid of that funk smell completely rather than just covering the scent. I think it even works as a good normal house cleaner. The spray bottle is the easiest to use, but when we run out we just order THIS pour version and fill up the original spray bottle. Kona enjoyed ripping apart and trying to eat the puppy pee pads. He liked laying on them, but I was also shocked to learn that he also associated those with a good place to have an accident. I would much rather he had an accident on one of those towels than anywhere else in the house because it made it much easier to clean up and launder. He totally destroyed that thing, all just from normal daily use. Kona loved chewing his leash on walks and it was a really tough habit to break. But always buying a new leash that would soon be chewed seemed like such a waste. We love the honu sea turtle print on it, especially being in Hawaii. They also have many other prints and designs to choose from! Dog Name Tag While Kona was microchipped, we also wanted him to have a name tag on his collar. If he got lost, the tag would have his name and our contact info. I got him THIS simple tag in the bone shape. This tag has had all kinds of action, it gets wet with saltwater and sandy at the beach all the time, yet it still looks great! There you have it, those are our best product recommendations for raising a Labrador Retriever puppy!

She is potty trained and will also use potty training pads. Is 7m ready for her forever home xxxxxxx xxxxx. They will fill your hearts and homes with love and joy. They will arrive to you up to date on vaccinations, along with full nose to tail vet check. Our puppies promise not to disappoint and are patiently waiting just for you! Don't miss out on calling this cutie yours! We have lovely male and female puppies ready for loving homes. View Detail Cut pug pups text, xxx,xxx xxx5 Males and female cut pug pups available for good homes,text us for more details and pics, thanks. View Detail pug puppies These gorgeous puppies have been born and raised within our own home, not in a kennel. Big boned, extended family can be seen. Real family dogs, looking for loving homes. KC registered. View Detail Gorgeous Pug Babies Gorgeous Pug Babies We are pleased to announce this perfect litter from a carefully selected mating based on looks and temperement!! All pups will be microchipped, flea and wormed and will have 1st injection!! Pups will leave with a puppy pack including 5 kc generation paperwork, food bowl, food, toys and a blanket with mums scent on!! View Detail Registered Pug Puppies They are up-to-date on shots and worming and ready for a new home. I have two available. A boy and a girl. They're all very healthy and doing great. We can discuss all the details to prepare your new puppy for their new life with you and your xxxxxx. He comes with first set of shots, flea prevention, Health certificates, paper potty trained, and endless amounts of love! His fee is .Please text or email to meet you new family member. Will come with vet records. Full bred. Indoor potty training being done. Has been around kids and cats. Very active. They are very special and loving puppys. There both parents are our family pets and can be view with them.Mother have fawn colour and dad have black colour. Both parents have short legs and KC reg.Puppy will be having first vacsination, Microchip, Vet checked, Fleed and wormed and with food. Please contact xxx xxx-xxx6 for further details. More pictures are available if requested. They come with full AKC registration, vet checked, are on a worming schedule, and will have their first vaccine complete. Pictures of females and males will be sent to you if you are interested. Their parents are not available. They are all black and white with beautiful blue eyes. If you have any questions or would like to see some more pictures of present please feel free to text or call at xxx xxx xxx0 View Detail Pug Puppies xxx xxx xxx0 puppies ready one male and two female available 10 weeks old with shots and papers Inbox me for details, pictures and pickup View Detail Locations Where Pug Puppies are Available in Hillsborough County. Why Is My Dog Shaking? Dogs are known for their loyalty and companionship, but when they start shaking, it can be a cause for concern for pet owners. Shaking in dogs can be a sign of various issues, from dog anxiety and dog fear to dog medical conditions. In this blog post, we will explore the common causes of a dog shaking and what pet owners can do to identify and treat the problem. We will also offer tips for preventing dog shaking and ensuring.By doing regular grooming at home, you can help your dog look its best between visits to the groomer. You also get to bond more closely and build stronger trust with your dog. Routine grooming sessions will keep your dog clean and feeling fresh, but it will also.Their personality is lively, their nature fun-loving, and their disposition affectionate. As even-tempered, sweet, and playful dogs, Pugs make wonderful playmates for kids of all ages and lovely companion pets for couples, singles, and seniors. These little joy bringers love to cuddle and are generous with their Pug love. When it comes to their family, Pugs attach like magnets. They are known to happily shadow their humans in every activity and are just as happy lazing on the couch all day as they are going for a long evening stroll around the neighborhood. The family are members of the Pug Dog Club of America and consider themselves as guardians of the breed. They aim to better the Pug breed through selective breeding and also enjoy showing their dogs from time to time. This family of Pug lovers also runs a small-scale breeding program and, occasionally, puppies are available to be homed in approved homes. Purely Pugs have spent a lifetime learning about pedigrees. Now they raise each of their litters as if they were their very own children. Here at Purely Pugs, the most important thing is finding pups loving, forever homes. Any family who chooses to get a puppy from Purely Pugs will gain tons of support. Each pup is socialized and loved. Purely Pugs is a reputable, not for profit, breeder. Add: Bradenton, Florida Website: purelypugs. They love their dogs and show commitment to the betterment of the breed in everything they do. But how can you spot reputable breeders when you start searching for a Pug puppy? Here are some tips to help you out. A good breeder will… 1. Issue a health guarantee Make sure that your breeder of choice offers a health guarantee. A reputable Pug breeder will write up a binding health guarantee for all of their puppies. The guarantee protects you against any genetic defects or diseases. It shows that the breeder is confident that their puppies are bred according to best practices. This means if you can no longer look after your pup for some reason, you will be expected to return the puppy to the breeder rather than taking them to a shelter. Provide standard health clearances Your breeder should have full health clearances for both parent Pugs. Good breeders often provide some early health-check clearances for their pups too, although some health clearances simply cannot be carried on such young pups. Issue a written bill of sale Reputable breeders offer written bills of sale to all of their new Pug parents. This bill of sale should be signed and will outline all the roles and responsibilities to be taken on by the buyer and seller as part of the transaction. Vaccinate their puppies All puppies should be up to date on their vaccinations before being homed with new families. Your breeder of choice should be able to provide evidence of these vaccinations. Reputable breeders welcome prospective parents into their homes to see the puppies. Follow age guidelines Puppies should never leave the litter before 8 weeks of age. Any breeder offering pups for adoption before this time is not following best practices. In fact, this could be quite damaging for the puppy developmentally. A reputable breeder will keep their pups at home until eight to twelve weeks so that they can be properly socialized and spend that crucial time with their mother and litter-mates. Answer your questions Last, but not least, a reputable breeder will be knowledgeable. In most cases, they will also want to ask you plenty of questions to ensure that their precious pups are going to good homes. We have a strict selection process that takes a variety of factors into account. That way we can ensure that only the best breeders end up on our lists. This way we know that our chosen breeders offer genetically sound and healthy puppies. Health testing shows a commitment to the health and wellbeing of each Pug. Contact information Any breeder that does not offer up their contact information is a big red flag. A reputable breeder will make it easy for you to get in contact with them by providing telephone numbers, email addresses, and they will usually have a well-established website as well. It shows a commitment to breeding best practices. Event participation Breeders who also compete in doggie events are often some of the best. Because these people tend to be dog lovers par excellence. They live and breathe for their Pugs and are proud to show them off in public. They are also more likely to have a high level of breed knowledge — an excellent sign for a breeder. Breed club membership There are lots of breed clubs out there that breeders can register with. These clubs have rules, regulations, and membership fees. If your breeder is registered with the Pug Dog Club of America, this is a great sign showing commitment to the Pug breed. Recognition awards Lastly, we look out for awards! Institutions like the AKC recognize the efforts and achievements of top breeders. The very best will be awarded the AKC recognition of merit award. During this time we recommend getting everything ready before your new arrival rattles through the front door. Your puppy will need: a crate for sleeping and training during the early days quality puppy-grade food a leash and harness plenty of toys You may also wish to purchase a puppy gate if there are areas of your home that you want to keep your Pug away from. This is all about making your home as safe as possible for your new arrival. Make sure anything that could potentially cause harm to your pup is removed. Clear your schedule Having a Pug puppy is a bit like having a human baby. So make sure to clear your schedule and get all of those errands done ahead of time! Once they arrive… 4. Avoid crowds Hold your excitement. That means no crowds. Try to keep the home environment as stress-free as possible so that your puppy can settle in and start to feel part of the family. Crate training is the first step. Lay down a regular routine from the get to and your Pug will be good as gold in no time.

The PetSafe is an almost hybrid between a collar and a harness. There are also four adjustment points on the harness for a better fit. Possibly another option if you have had no luck with other harness types or you have sought expert advice on handling and controlling your dog. Dog Collar or Harness for a Boxer? Like the Bulldog and Pug , Boxers are a brachycephalic breed — meaning they have short noses which can restrict their airways and cause breathing problems. Although a collar works well on well-behaved dogs and those trained to walk on their lead, Boxers who have a tendency to pull on the lead may not have a great time on a collar. In addition to breathing considerations, dogs which are strong and have a tendency to pull on the lead are at risk of neck and throat injury. For walking and outdoor activity, a harness is often a great way not only to avoid injury to your dog but to help with training to reduce or extinguish pulling behaviour. Types of Dog Harness Not all harnesses for dogs are made equal. There is a range of different types and styles available — and depending on whether they are a puppy, adult or senior — may be helpful to different situations. Vest Harness Often made of breathable lightweight materials like nylon and mesh — these walking harnesses are designed for general wear and comfort. Not designed as a no-pull harness — these are better suited to Boxers who behave on their lead, Puppies who are getting used to harnesses and elderly dogs who may need assistance and where collars are unsuitable. Front and Back Clip Harnesses These are the more common types of harnesses — particularly for dogs who pull and who need training. A back clip harness is a harness that has its leash attachment at the back top. A front-clip dog harness generally has an additional leash point at the front chest. One end is attached to the back — the other attached to the front. This gives heightened control of your dog. Tightening and Control Harnesses These harnesses tighten when your dog pulls. Not only can they hurt your dog by pinching them or causing discomfort — they can result in an increase in pulling behaviour as they attempt to escape the stimulus. These are best used under the guidance of professional dog trainers. Leather Dog Harnesses Leather harnesses can be popular with several breeds, including Boxers. It is important to find a harness that not only works for their behaviour and temperament but for their personality. You may get lucky the first time, but be aware that like collars, harnesses are not natural to a dog. They may resist them at first — or perhaps with some completely. Firstly, be patient — it may just take some time and you may need to coax your Boxer into wearing it. Dogs which pull on a collar can put a lot of pressure on the neck. This can lead not only to discomfort but to gradual damage, throat problems and potentially tracheal collapse Many people choose a harness because of pulling behaviour, however, this is not the only reason. Even if your dog is well behaved on a lead, a harness is still a great choice for walking. How To Measure your Boxer for a Harness It is important to find the right dog harness for your Boxer and one that will fit snugly. If the harness is too loose it could sag or your Boxer could escape from it. Boxers are also prone to hip dysplasia so it is important to offer them the support they need you may also want to check out support and rehabilitation harnesses if your Boxer suffers from this and other mobility problems. For this article, we have based the harnesses around the medium mark on the sizing charts. If you find your Boxer measures between two different harness sizes e. Firstly, measure the widest part of the chest with a tape measure. This is usually a few inches, or roughly four fingers, distance from behind your Boxers front legs. Next, add a few inches to your total. This gives your dog a little bit of flexibility and will also allow for a small amount of weight gain. Secondly, you should measure the circumference of your Boxers neck if required. Finally, again if necessary, weigh your dog. We do this every time we visit the vet and keep a note of it. The are a number of things to consider when buying a harness for your dog, not least size and fit. There are two key measurements when choosing the right size: lower neck and girth just behind the front legs. Here below are more details and a diagram on how to measure your dog for a Hindquarters harness: 1 - measure the circumference of your dog's lower neck, at the top of their shoulders, where a harness would naturally sit 2 - measure the circumference of your dog's girth, a couple of centimetres behind their front legs 3 - please let us know if your dog has a particularly large or long chest, represented by the blue line below, and we'll make your harness to your dog's specific measurements Hindquarters harnesses are designed for maximum comfort and are fully adjustable for a perfect fit. If you are in doubt with regard to which size would be best, please email us with your dog's measurements. Designed to support your dog in all the right places, Hindquarters harnesses allow full shoulder movement. For maximum comfort we use cotton webbing which is soft-to-the-touch with flex and give. Natural materials also avoid chaffing, and are kinder to the environment. A medium size harness made from a sky blue comfy cotton weave: It is straightforward to put a Hindquarters harness on : place over the head and fasten either side at the girth. The dog lead is attached at the nape of the neck and the supportive design gently discourages pulling, any pressure is borne equally and shocks or sharp pulls are absorbed by the webbing weave. As well as comfy, the cotton weave we use is strong, durable and washable. The metalwork is made from marine grade steel so strong, reliable and sea trip proof. Available in a range of sizes and colours, Hindquarters harnesses are easy to use and look after, just machine wash at 40 when mucky. Barry demonstrating the flexibility and comfort of his Hindquarters harness: Hindquarters harnesses fit a wide range of dogs. If you are unsure about how to measure your dog for a harness or have any questions, please get in touch.