akc german shepherd puppies in louisiana

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Puppies are so cute! Just the thought of a little pup romping around the room and playing with his many toys makes people smile. And puppy kisses are the best! But it takes a lot of planning and work to have a successful relationship with the new addition. Remaining with them until then helps him learn how to appropriately play and interact with others. It also teaches him bite inhibition, so that he learns not to bite down too hard on our skin. So what exactly should we expect from our 8 week old puppy? Puppy Proof Your House Puppies are curious about everything. Choose the room your puppy will be in the most and make sure that electrical cords, hazardous chemicals, medications, and small items that can be ingested are out of his reach. When you get him, try to obtain a blanket or toy with the scent of his mother and littermates if possible. That will help him feel more at ease in a new environment. The breeder of my Lhasa apso Ralphie gave us a toy with those scents to help him make the transition, as he had a familiar scent with him which I placed in his pen at home. She was born in rescue but was the last of a litter of nine to be adopted when I saw her. But she made the transition fine. These include the following: Crates and exercise pens. But make sure you buy one with a divider included so that you can adjust the size of the crate as he grows. Collar and leash. Some breeders and rescues provide these. You may also want a harness to walk him. Clean-up tools. Chew deterrent. They make chew deterrents for various surfaces, such as for cloth or for wood such as furniture or baseboards. Toys and chew items. There are so many toys on the market today. Purchase a variety of safe types—some squeak, others rattle. And safe chews like Kong toys and Nylabones are important, because the puppy will explore the world with his mouth. Food and treats. You may want to change the puppy to a food you prefer. Many breeders and rescues will provide you with starter food. Then, if you change it, do so over at least a week or two. Other Preparations In addition to puppy-proofing your home and getting the above-listed items, there are other appointments you should have lined up prior to getting your pup, if possible. Have a veterinarian appointment set for your new puppy to be checked within the first few days after you get him. So, if you can, book the appointment in advance. When you meet with the vet, ask about what vaccinations your puppy will need. Puppies who are eight-weeks old generally have already had their distemper, adenovirus II, parvovirus, and parainfluenza vaccines. Discuss with your vet the appropriate heartworm preventative and flea and tick products for your puppy. Also ask about your puppy being microchipped. A microchip is really important should your puppy get lost. If you have the time, also look into puppy kindergarten and socialization classes. Make sure that the trainer is a positive reinforcement trainer who has experience in training puppies. And the facility should be clean and well-run. All puppies admitted to any classes should also be required to have age-appropriate vaccinations. Post Arrival After your new furry bundle of joy has arrived, the fun starts! And play with him and train him. Some breeders and rescues may have already started to house train him. Scheduling Puppies need consistency. So have a schedule for his feeding, pottying, training, exercise, and socialization. At eight weeks old, he may be getting three to four feedings per day. So feed him each meal at the same time each day. And have a basic schedule for his other needs. You may need other people to help out with some of his needs, such as house training. Socialization Socialization means exposing your new puppy, in a positive manner, to all the things that he will have to face in the real world. So he should be trained to walk over various surfaces, hear everyday noises, and meet friendly people and pets. But you can still have friends and family members over to meet him. And give them tidbits of treats to give the puppy to make any encounter such as petting a positive one. Of course, first give your new puppy a few days to settle in at your home before you expose him to even more new experiences. At home, too, get him used to the sounds of water running, the dishwasher and other appliances running, and the vacuum. You get the idea. Make each a positive experience, giving him a piece of kibble or a small treat. And do this slowly not to overwhelm him. And get him used to car rides. A very young puppy will have to go to the bathroom after he eats, sleeps, and has any excitement including play. He has very little bladder control at eight weeks old. A young puppy can hold his urine about one hour more than his age. So he can hold it about three hours at two months old. You may want to have an exercise pen set up as a safe area. You can place a potty pad at one end and a bed or towel as his bed at the other end. And place a few safe toys, including a puppy Kong. I just make sure to take the puppy out at the right times. Handling Your puppy has to get used to handling and grooming. You can have him chew a safe chew or lick moist food or Kong stuffing out of a Kong to occupy his mouth and make the training exercise positive. Get him used to gently massaging his whole body, including feet and touching his nails. Get him used to gently opening his mouth. Calmly praise any calm behavior. Keep the sessions very short—a few minutes at most. You should do only a part of his body during each session or it will probably be too much for him. If he struggles, calmly wait until he settles before releasing him. Obedience Training Your new puppy is basically a blank slate. He has to learn all the commands to live with us successfully. Training also helps the puppy bond with you. Of course, give him a day or two to settle in for most commands. But you can still help him learn his identity. So, first, teach him his name. You can show him a piece of his kibble or a tiny treat and hold it near your face when you say his name. Do this a few times. Then try to just say his name, not holding the food near your face. When he looks at you, again praise and reward. Remember to never use his name in a negative manner, such as for a correction. Always start any training session without any distractions. Your puppy has to be able to focus on you to learn. One of the first commands we teach our puppies is to sit. You can hold a treat just above his nose and slowly move it back towards his forehead. Calmly praise and reward when he sits. Another command I teach puppies in the first week is to come to me. I make it a lot of fun. Some puppies adapt easily, whereas others buck against the leash. Other Normal Puppy Behaviors Puppies explore the world with their mouths. So the little land sharks will try to chew on you and whatever they can reach. This is where your safe toys and chews come in. Always redirect him to the safe items and praise when he chews them. Puppy zoomies are normal. All of a sudden, your puppy may run around the room bouncing off the furniture. This is normal. Final Thoughts New puppies are so much fun! Do you have a puppy or have you had one? Please tell us about it in the comment section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. Made with real meat and no artificial colors or flavors how much should a lab eat? Allergies Labs can also have allergies. Some dogs may be allergic to wheat, macadamia nuts, etc. It can manifest as a runny nose, high volumes of shedding, rashes on the skin, and so on. Different dietary needs are crucial, especially if they display allergy symptoms. Avoid all types of human foods. You can give your lab puppy supplements You can get great quality adult dog food and puppy kibble from companies like Royal Canin Labrador Retriever, Blue Buffalo, Canidae Grain-Free, etc. Only adult food must be given to labrador retrievers who have crossed 1. Your puppy needs 4 small meals consisting of half a cup of food per meal till he is 2 months old. From 2 to 6 months, he needs 3 meals daily consisting of 1 cup of food per meal. From 6 months onwards , you can give your puppy 2 meals daily of 2 cups of dog food per meal. Is This A Problem? Yes, this is a major problem! Fat dogs are adorable but also extremely unhealthy. An adult labrador retriever should weigh at most pounds. Labs that are fatter than this stand at the risk of obesity, arthritis , and other lifelong diseases. Refrain from feeding your labrador too many dog treats. Onions and garlic: surprisingly, anything in the onion and garlic family is incredibly toxic to dogs. Meat with bones: if not chewed properly, sharp edges can rupture the throat, stomach lining, intestines, and other parts of the digestive tract. Other human foods and beverages to avoid giving your dog are alcohol, sugar, citric fruits, and anything with caffeine. Your labrador retriever should weigh between 55 to 70 pounds at full adulthood. Male labs are heavier than female labs, so they can fall on either side of the optimal weight spectrum. Some healthy treats for your labrador retriever are cut fruits and vegetables. Carrots, celery, cucumber, beetroot, apples, bananas, and berries strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, etc. Dogs also love peanut butter! Veggies dipped in peanut butter also make a great snack for your dog. This is entirely up to you as dog owners. If you have the time and patience to cook meals for your dog, go for it. Store-bought food is easier and is filled with the right nutritional requirements for your lab puppy. On the other hand, with the right recipe, home-cooked food works, too. What Should I Do? A dog growling at you when you go near his food bowl is most commonly a trauma response or a way to protect his food. We often see this with rescues. House training your lab puppy is equally important to avoid food aggression. Labrador Retrievers get piddly after their meals. Dog owners must take out their lab puppy as frequently as they eat sometimes even more often to let their energy out and adult labradors less frequently. A lab puppy needs a ton of exercise. The amount of kibble you should feed your Labrador puppy will vary depending on their age, weight, and activity level. A good rule of thumb is to start with cups of kibble daily and adjust as needed. Best Dog Food For Lab Puppies: The best dog foods for lab puppies include those that are high in protein and low in fillers. The food you should feed a black lab puppy is the same as for any other Labrador puppy. A chocolate lab puppy should be fed the same food as for any other Labrador puppy. A 2-year-old chocolate lab should eat about cups of kibble daily. You should stop feeding puppy food to your Labrador at around months of age. At this point, their growth plates will have closed, and they will no longer need the extra nutrients found in puppy food. Labradors live for years. They start to slow down around 7 and may develop some health problems in their senior years. You should also increase their exercise level. Lab breeders feed their dogs high-quality dog food specifically formulated for large-breed puppies. A lab puppy should drink about 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. This amount may increase as they get older and more active. A labrador needs at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. This can be a combination of walking, running, and playing. Golden labs live for years. Chocolate labs live for years same like labs of any color. Labradors lose their baby teeth between 3 and 6 months of age. You can start to transition your puppy to eating twice a day at around 6 months of age. By the time they are 1 year old, they should eat only once daily. You should stop feeding your large breed puppy food at around 18 months of age. Why Are Labs So Hungry? Labradors are a very active breed of dog, and they need a lot of calories to fuel their energy levels. They are also prone to gaining weight, so keep a close eye on their food intake About The Author Shradha Kabra Shradha is a seasoned writer at Labradorandyou. Her experience as a pet owner and dog enthusiast drives her to create meticulously researched and fact-checked content, offering valuable insights on Labrador training, grooming, and health. Each article reflects Shradha's passion and dedication, enriched by personal experiences with her beloved Labradors, Tom, and Kurt. Whether exploring breed-specific training techniques or providing product reviews, Shradha ensures Labrador owners receive the most accurate, up-to-date, and trustworthy information, aimed at enhancing their companions' health and happiness. Remember, healthy pups that get the right levels of nutrition, are happy pups! Although some people choose to free feed their dogs everyone can make their own decisions, but you knew that right? Consistent meal times help creates consistent potty times! Not only is this a positive routine for your pup, but it will help make potty and crate training SO much easier for you and your pup. Sometimes when a pup gets sick or contracts some type of disease, their appetite will change. If they are free feeding, it can be difficult to monitor and notice these changes. Meal manners are important for multi-dog homes or if you ever wanna have other pups visit. Whether you have a multi-dog home or not, your dog learning not to be protective of their food is a vital skill for them to possess. Helps to keep away ants, mice, or other unwanted pests. When dog food like human food is left out for an extended period of time, it can attract unwanted pests and insects. No one wants that, period. Mealtime can double as training time! When giving your dog a meal it can be a great time to practice a sit, leave it, and a whole host of other behaviors. Although free feeding your pup may not be the end of the world, the benefits above are extremely valuable and will help your dog in so many ways throughout their life. Similar to the sections above, how often you feed your pup will depend on their age. For example, if you won't be around long enough to make sure your pup doesn't have an accident, then you shouldn't feed your puppy at that time. Feeding schedules can and should be adjusted to fit your household's schedules. A consistent feeding frequency will lead to more consistent potty breaks, which is VITAL for puppy potty training! Here are 11 tips and tricks that will make feeding time more enjoyable and successful for you and your pup! Those unwanted consequences can include unwanted pests, difficulty in monitoring change in appetite, and more. Decide on a puppy feeding schedule and stick to it. If your dog doesn't eat their food quickly, consider adding a to your dog's mealtime for improved nutrition and taste. Another issue you run into is that your pup will be much more likely to beg while you eat your meals. Related Reading: 4. So be sure to not overdo it with treats, and find one that's a healthy, low-calorie treat. Even if you weigh once or twice a month, this will help you stay alert to changes in their health and weight. Our play time slows down slightly during Utah winters, so we typically feed a touch less to compensate for the lack of burned calories. Just keep an eye on your pup to know if this is necessary or not. This will help ensure that your little buddy is getting just the right amount of food. A consistent potty schedule is good for everyone, especially your floors! Just like with a puppy feeding schedule, having a consistent feeding spot will help your pup associate that time and location in a positive way. When starting to crate train, many people will feed their pup inside the crate and then continue that habit even once the dog is fully crate and potty trained. No need to dissect it or anything like that, just keep an eye on it. Additional Reading: We break down a comparison of kibble vs dehydrated vs raw dog food here. Snuffle mats are great to redirect problem behaviors and redirect them to foraging. You get to encourage your dog's food drive in a way that works their brain. Simply scatter your dog's food throughout the snuffle mat, then let them go to town. When first introducing one of these mats, make sure to keep a lot of the food visible so they know what the point of the mat is. Remember, Labs do not have a natural food intake regulator so you will need to monitor them with portion control. Using a cheaper brand is a poor option at half the price. You will use twice as much and you will have to clean up larger amounts of waste in your yard. To allow for an accurate control of body weight and growth rate, this amount of food can be dispensed over 3 meals per day. After 5 months of age, the feeding regularity can be reduced to two meals per day with the commensurate increase in food quantity. The amount of food a Labrador puppy requires will increase then level out during first 14 months of their life. At months, their bone density is increasing and their growth plates are set. We do not recommend desexing you pup until at least 3 years of age. This allows for an appropriate development and supply of hormone which in turn produces proper bone, muscle and vital organ development. Table foods dispensed randomly to dogs are not nutritionally balanced. We do not offer our dogs table food at all. There will be no problems if you are feeding a puppy with a homemade diet but it should be prepared from prescribed recipes that are nutritionally complete and balanced. Diets consisting of an unplanned and indiscriminate mixture of human foods particularly including carbohydrates will likely result in obesity and even dietary-induced disease. When you Lab reaches 14months of age, it should be given an adult food that contains less energy and calcium. This will decrease the risk of obesity and orthopaedic conditions. And do not feed them coffee or tea as they can contain caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. These toxic substances can dangerously affect the heart and nervous system. Onions, garlic, raisins and grapes can be severely toxic in labradors. Raw meat is potential source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria for your puppy. Eggs yokes are an excellent source of protein. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin a B vitamin. This can, in extreme cease, lead to skin and coat problems. Liver contains higher levels of protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Raw liver can be a source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria. Excessive amounts of liver can cause Vitamin A toxicity. Raw bone chewing will control tartar buildup on a pups teeth. However, bone chewing can cause intestinal blockages and perforations. Never use cooked bones. Commercial Puppy Foods Most commercial puppy foods are designated for small, medium, large and giant breeds. This designation can be found on the label. Puppies of medium sized breeds are less than '25 kg fully grown adult body weight'. A full grown and lean Labrador will usually weigh between 25kg and 45kg. We feed our dogs at the 'lower' level of the recommended range. The 'Hills Body Fat Index' is a very helpful body shape indicator. The same food as the bitch You should feed your new puppy with the same brand of food as the bitch received during lactation. From 2 weeks into pregnancy, our expectant mothers are fed 'Royal Canin Labrador Puppy' food. Introducing a new brand of food If you are wanting to introduce a new brand of food to your puppy, then blend it gradually with the existing brand in increasing amounts over 3 days. This should prevent food rejection and any kind of gastric upset. It is best to choose a diet designed for large breed puppies. Selected commercial feeds should contain a limited percentage of filler compounds. Pawlinglabs uses Royal Canin Labrador as our preferred option. Growing labradors Labrador pups have a very steep growth curve, and their total daily energy needs do increase as they grow. Calculate the amount of puppy food that will satisfy that need. The feeding guidelines on the commercial pet food label provides an estimated quantity of feed for several different ranges in body size. These instructions will give you an estimated starting point for the particular brand. Medium or large? Medium breeds should be transitioned to an adult diet by 12 months of age, while large breeds between 14 — 18 months of age. Mature female labradors are medium and weight approx kg. Mature males are large and weight approx kg. Their calcium and energy content should not exceed that level recommended by a registered nutritionalist. Sound skeletal development Sound skeletal development in labradors is produced by the interaction of genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors. The phase prior to weaning and the growth phase, up to 14 months are integral to sound skeletal structure. Don't take your young pup on extended distance walks and certainly not 'running' until at least 18mths of age. You must avoid stairs and slippery floors for the same reasons. Their growth plates are set at about mths of age. Feeding and Overfeeding Large breeds like Labradors are the most susceptible to skeletal disease. Feed consumption, nutrients balance and feeding methods influence our ability to produce sound skeletal development and eliminate skeletal disease. Appropriate food consumption and nutrition plays a critical role in bone development. Overfeeding will not increase or benefit the growth rate of young and growing labrador puppies. And it does not correlate with optimal adult size. However, it does increase the risk of skeletal abnormalities. The vast majority of skeletal disorders occur in large breeds including labradors and they are associated with consumption of table food and an excessive intake of a commercial food and supplementation. The large breeds like labradors are limited in their ability to cope with an excess of minerals such as calcium. The result of this over consumption is abnormal bone development and skeletal disorders. Nutritional management will be critical in the to prevention of bone and joint diseases. In most cases, skeletal disease can prevented by appropriate quantities of feed in a regulated diet with optimal nutrient levels. A complete and balanced commercial diet is essential. Dietary deficiencies will be of little concern if your labrador pup is fed with a complete and balanced commercial diet. Brands like Eukanuba and Royal Canin are specifically formulated for young, growing labradors. There is real potential for harm by over feeding and giving additional supplementation. Housing safety and activity levels Housing safety and activity levels are under the your influence. Nutrition is also under your control and it is the single most important factor affecting the development of the musculoskeletal system. Energy, protein, and calcium are the critical nutritional components affecting skeletal development. However, if they are given in excess, they will be detrimental to normal bone and joint growth. Most pet owners feed commercial dog food. These prepared diets are balanced and complete. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. Fourth meal 5 pm You should follow this type of feeding schedule until your Lab puppy is 14 weeks old, after which you can adopt a two meal per day plan. However, keep in mind that Labs are especially prone to overeating and obesity, so if you use treats, ensure you give them sparingly. In fact, a study in the UK listed Labrador Retrievers among the eight breeds most prone to being overweight. So your food-loving Lab puppy requires a bit of control. One way to keep them from overeating treats is to portion out their food for the day and use that as their reward. In most cases, the puppy will respond just as enthusiastically to kibble. Place a bowl of water in a location accessible to your puppy and supervise him to ensure he drinks enough but not too much. Puppies at this age should drink between half and one ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. So if your eight-week-old Lab is 12 lbs 5. This is an essential part of puppy care. As mentioned, if you get your puppy from a reliable breeder which should always be the case , the pup should have already started with his vaccinations, and the breeder should provide the vaccination records. Then, make an appointment with the vet for any vaccination follow-up. Also, ensure your pup stays on worm preventative medication as puppies are more prone than adult dogs to worm infection. Sometimes puppies are also born with certain types of worms from an infected mother, especially roundworms and hookworms, where mother-to-puppy transmission is a significant mode of spreading. Be especially sure that your Lab puppy gets the heartworm vaccination. Heartworm is a dangerous and potentially fatal disease, and once your dog is infected, the cure is expensive and extremely harsh on your dog. A trained dog will learn how to behave in and outside the home and around other humans and pets. I have a full beginner guide on how to train an 8 week old Labrador puppy , but in a nutshell, there are three training areas you should focus on in terms of pet training: housebreaking, obedience, and socialization. Housebreak Your 8-Week-Old Labrador Puppy Housebreaking means training your puppy to eliminate outdoors or at a designated location inside the home instead of doing it anywhere and at any time. Puppies need frequent bathroom breaks because their system is not yet mature enough to hold it for long. Luckily you can take advantage of that to teach your dog to always use the same spot. Pay attention to the signs your puppy gives when they need to ease themselves, like circling, whining, or sniffing their groin. Puppies naturally need to eliminate at these times: First thing after waking up in the morning. Last thing before retiring at night. After every meal. After drinking plenty of water. Upon waking up from a nap. During or after play or exercise. When they wake up during the night. Their brain, at this point, is like a sponge that will easily absorb new info. Also, teaching these commands early will make living with you easier for your dog as he will know what is expected of him. Teach your Lab puppy to sit, lay down, stay, leave, and other basic commands that are foundational for more advanced training later. Remember to use only positive reinforcement training approaches and reward your puppy with verbal praise, positive gesture cues, and treats. Exposure to these realities will help your Lab puppy adjust fast and nurture proper social behavior. In addition, exposure will preempt signs of poor puppy socialization, like aggression and fear around people and other animals. In general, your eight-week-old Labrador puppy should have two minute sessions of exercise daily. In addition, keep the following in mind: Keep exercise sessions short in the beginning and allow your puppy to adapt gradually. Playtime counts as exercise, so be careful not to over-exercise your Lab puppy. This is the harness I use. Allow your pup spontaneous rest moments between play. When exercising your puppy , avoid taking him for walks during the coldest or hottest times of the day. There are several ways to ensure your eight-week-old Labrador puppy is always safe, including ample supervision and choosing the right kind of toy. They might also try to get away on an exploratory walk if the door is left open. To avoid these dangers, puppy-proofing your home before getting your eight-week-old Lab puppy is vital. Read more here, What Foods are Poisonous to Labradors? Unplug power cords and put them away when not in use, as your puppy could try chewing on them. Remember that your puppy is young and still learning. It is also a legal requirement in some countries, such as the UK, and it may be required when traveling. While name tags are an excellent way to identify a dog, they can be easily removed or get lost, which means you are better off microchipping your Lab puppy, or even better, do both. Choose Safe Play Toys for Your 8-Week-Old Labrador Puppy Like us, eight-week-old puppies still have their baby teeth which they gradually lose to make room for their adult teeth. So, expect a lot of chewing and nipping during this time. Like humans, teething can be uncomfortable, and chewing is their only way to relieve some of that pain. To that end, ensure your Lab puppy has the right chewing toys to avoid damaging teeth or accidentally swallowing toy pieces. This toy is great for teething pups, doubles as a fetch toy, and is also a treat-dispensing toy where you can stuff it with peanut butter or other goodies. If proper toys are not provided, your Lab puppy will chew any available object in the house, such as table legs, shoes, remotes, or your hands. As such, they need proper resources for resting and sleeping. That includes the time to do so and a place where they will feel safe in. This synthetic dog bed has an ultra-soft feel and provides maximum comfort for your Lab. You can use it in the crate or as a stand-alone bed, and it comes in a few different styles and sizes. I like this bed due to its 3. Ensure the bed is in a location with no draft and where your puppy does not get any disturbance when resting. If you put your puppy straight into the crate without helping them adjust, it may react poorly. When buying a kennel, the best approach is to buy one that your pup can use as an adult dog, which for a Lab would be around 42 inches .Just be sure to get a crate with dividers so you can make the space smaller for your puppy. An 8-week-old Lab puppy can only walk for approximately minutes at a time. In most cases, young puppies will not walk but rather jump around and play. Still, keep in mind that they do not need long exercise sessions. Instead, keep playtimes short and allow for lots of rest. Remember that puppies should only walk about five minutes for every month of age, twice a day. At three months, you can stretch it to 15 minutes. Overwalking your Lab puppy can cause joint and bone issues and should be avoided. As such, a dog from a larger breed will need more food as a puppy than a smaller breed. An 8-week-old Lab puppy should be fed three to four meals of no more than cups a day. The amount you feed your puppy will depend on his size and weight. For example, if your puppy is between lbs 4. These measurements can vary with each dog food product, as different manufacturers have varying ingredients, so ensure you check the packaging first. Eight week old Lab puppies sleep for approximately 18 to 20 hours a day. An 8 week old Lab should pee as soon as they wake up, after eating and drinking, after waking up from a nap, during or after a session of play or exercise, just before going to bed at night, and when they awake during the night. How often and what time to feed I will show you the best puppy foods, whether dry, wet, or raw, and look at food safety, together with schedules, quantities and even a handy puppy diet chart. Best Puppy Food for Labs The best Labrador puppy food provides a diet that is nutritious, healthy, and tasty. So, what is the best puppy food for your Lab? Puppy kibble or dried food is the most popular option. Kibble is complete and can give a perfectly balanced diet. Puppy kibble and tinned dog meat combined is another common choice among puppy parents. Feeding your Labrador puppy on home cooked food or on a totally raw diet is also possible. Raw puppy food is growing in popularity, and there are pros and cons to raw feeding your puppy. People often feel very strongly that one way of feeding is better than another, and you can always find evidence to support your view. Dog breeders, veterinarians and even nutritionists have their own strong views. The dire consequences they list for not listening to them can have puppy owners very worried. The truth is that there is no good quality evidence showing that kibble is better for the long term health of your dog, or that raw feeding is better. There are risks and benefits to both, and the main thing is to ensure that your dog has good quality food to eat. Puppy kibble suits some better, and raw puppy food is better for others. Puppy Kibble for your Labrador Puppy food made into pellets is called kibble. An airtight plastic container or tin will do the job, although you should make sure it is food grade quality. Puppy kibble is the best way of feeding your Labrador according to most breeders and your veterinarian is most likely to support this method of feeding. Good puppy kibble will contain every nutrient your Labrador puppy needs in order to grow and remain healthy. The kibble pieces will be tasty, good for keeping teeth healthy, and free from additives that can provoke allergies or stomach problems. Labrador puppy kibble only needs to be fed next to water. Puppy kibble from a reputable manufacturer is intended to be a complete and balanced food. But some owners like to mix in canned dog food or even scraps of raw food with kibble. Your puppy is likely to get an upset stomach or to not have the right balance of nutrition when fed this way. Whether you decide to feed only with kibble or you want to mix it up, pick a good dried food manufacturer and stick with them. Feeding your Labrador puppy raw food has its benefits and drawbacks. One of the downsides is that there is a lot to learn. Here is a link to the articles you need to help you decide whether or not raw feeding is for you: Although I like the raw diet for my dogs, most puppies fed kibble go on to have long and healthy lives. Whatever puppy food you choose, the most important thing is portion control. How Much to Feed your Labrador Puppy? People often tell me how much their puppy weighs, and ask how much puppy food they should give him. Your Labrador is particularly at risk if they grow too quickly. The following diet chart is for kibble fed puppies and does not apply to raw fed pups. It gives you an idea of how much to feed your Labrador puppy Lab Puppy Feeding Chart The Lab puppy feeding chart below is only a very rough guide. The quantity of food you need for your puppy will vary depending on your puppy and on the brand of food you are feeding him. Labrador puppy food must be aimed at medium to large breed dogs. Check the pack carefully and look at the dietary charts. Ideally, you want the optimal protein content and the lowest amount of additives. Part of this always comes down to the cost. The healthiest puppy food is usually the most expensive and may not be affordable for some families. The Cost Of Puppy Food Some puppy food brands are more concentrated than and contain a higher proportion of proteins, essential oils, and other nutrients. The absence of these fillers means that you can often feed lower quantities of more costly food, making them less expensive than they first seem. You might also find that cheaper brands make your puppy poop more due to those extra fillers going straight through him. While some brands are beyond the budget of many families, it is usually good to buy a premium brand. High Quality Brands of Puppy Food Some brands of puppy food have developed a reputation for producing a high quality product and have many devoted supporters, including breeders that have fed them to generations of puppies. The source of protein matters when considering a high-quality diet. FATS The rest of the diet should be made up of fats, carbs, and vitamins. Labs need to have a correct protein -to-fat ratio, where protein takes the lead. Dogs tend to convert fat into glucose, so this is an important source of energy. Dogs rely mostly on protein and fats, but carbs are necessary. That said, a low carb diet is best for puppies. However, you still need the right percentage of carbs, since this gives your dog the sensation of being full. These include starches, fibers, and sugars. Try to opt for more complex carbs like starchy grain and veggies because these are easier to digest. Your Lab puppy will thrive when his or her diet includes: Vitamin B12 especially during puppy development , Vitamins A and E, C, Vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium, Potassium Each of these required vitamins and minerals contributes to a healthy, happy, and energetic puppy. They also help offset issues like obesity. Vitamins A and E are important because they help your dog burn calories and promote eye and skin health. Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus, on the other hand, are part of a trifecta that works to strengthen teeth and bones. Potassium is a heart health-preserver. Labs with poor genetics are especially prone to orthopedic issues. Osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are common health problems for this breed. Glucosamine, an amino-sugar, together with chondroitin sulfate, helps replace and support naturally degrading cartilage during old age. Recently,"grain-free" foods are being championed as a preferred and even high-quality form of dog food. That's, not the whole story. An investigation launched by the FDA revealed that there are potential links between a form of canine heart disease and grain-free foods. So far, researchers have provided an update to this researchers have provided an update to this research staring that the issue may not just be grain-free diets. Grain-free may be part of other trends knows as "BEG"- boutique companies. Puppy diets don't' need to be complicated. They also don't need to include ingredients that humans might enjoy. Enjoyment doesn't necessarily bring any nutritional value to your puppy's development. Keep it simple, using the guidelines for fats, proteins, and carbs above and don't shy away from food with grains in them. It's not their presence that's a problem it's often the ratio. There shouldn't be more carbs or grains than protein. Nor does including only legumes, seeds, lentils, or chickpeas as the primary ingredients make the food more superior. It's perfectly healthy to include complex carb sources like starchy rice and other grains. Grain-free isn't and shouldn't be a qualifying factor for your choice in puppy food. Feeding Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is dried, pelleted food that stores well is easy to eat, and is pre-formulated with everything your puppy needs to thrive and grow in his early developmental months. There are plenty of popular brands that don't measure up to the Snowy Pines standard. That's why it's so vital for you to learn how to read puppy food labels. Puppies should stick with "puppy stage" food, while adults should stick to bags marked "adults. Instead, your dog should have regular bowel movements, allowing them to absorb all the nutrients available. You should also keep in mind that caloric intake is calculated a little differently for puppies. Kibble diets are measured by how many calories the proteins, fats, and carbs represent for each gram. For puppies, this should be 3. Sticking to these ratios will help ensure your kibble choice is a healthy one. It's also important to note that kibble calories are often higher when compared to wet food. If it's high-quality wet food, it won't have as much fat to preserve it, which means fewer calories. You may have to supplement with dry food, especially if you're trying to keep the calories of carbs, proteins, and fats in the right per-gram ratio. You are planning to adopt a Labrador puppy, or already are a proud pet parent of one, you must be anxious about how best to assure optimum growth and health to your pup. This piece of writing is an attempt to give you some useful information about the kind of food which you can feed and also about how best you can feed it. In earlier times, the breed was mostly utilized and appreciated for being a versatile hunter. It can hunt on land as well as water; besides, this intelligent dog is a possessor of a gentle temperament, which makes it easily fit into the role of a friendly family dog. Types of Dog food Broadly speaking, the food for your pet is available in three forms — Wet, Dry and Raw. Wet food is the commercially manufactured food which offers chunks of meat, with or without gravy, with added vitamins, minerals and other important elements to make it nutritionally complete and balanced. Dry food consists of pellets called kibbles of food, which are easy to store and convenient to serve. The ready-made food bits meant for puppies consist of nutrients in the right proportions to support a healthy growth. Raw diet consists of raw meat, bones, fruits and vegetables. There are benefits and risks involved in administering a raw diet, which one should be aware of before adopting a fully raw diet. You may go for dry, wet or raw diet, or a combination of them. You may also consult your vet to guide in case you are confused about your choices. Labradors are always hungry and that is because of their huge appetites. As a pet owner you need to monitor the amount of food they eat, as their greed for food can easily drive them towards obesity, and consequently towards various diseases. Commercially made food Many companies categorize their foods on the basis of life stage puppy, adult, senior , breed large, medium or small , or may offer pet food specifically targeting a particular breed like Royal Canin Labrador Junior , which seeks to take care of a Labrador dog up to 15 months of age. The formulation of diets like this are based on the assumption that all pure breed dogs have their unique needs, which if addressed would bring the dog to an optimum level of health. Information from the breeders If you have brought the puppy from a breeder, then he would supply you a diet routine which needs to be followed, some food or may be some information regarding feeding. Follow it religiously for some days to give some sort of familiar touch to the puppy that is undergoing the stress of being separated from its mother and siblings. In absence of any information from the breeder, best thing would be to consult a vet. Milk for the puppy? Beware of confusing food labels Learn how to read a food label. The food label is given in decreasing order, making the first ingredient the biggest element in the food. That is why it is very important to know what the first two or three ingredients of the food are. Ideally, the first element of any dog food should be a specific kind of meat like chicken, duck, beef ; meat-by-product, meat or animal should not be mentioned on the package as they present an ambiguous picture. Leftover of slaughter houses can find its way to your dog food, something which cannot be classed in the category of healthy and complete food. So if you care for your dog, be aware and make the right selection. Water Make sure that water is available to the puppies at all times of the day, except for one hour before sleeping time. Divide the daily diet The daily dietary requirement of your Labrador pup should be properly divided into portions of meal to be fed at regular intervals. This would help in managing digestion and for keeping its overall health at a good level. You can begin by feeding four meals a day to your 8 to 12 weeks old puppy, and have a time marked for each. Have a gap of at least 3 hours in between each meal so that the little doggie is able to digest it well. Two meals a day is also something which most dog owners continue to feed even after the dog grows up. Feeding your dog once a day after 12 months of age can work as long as you feed it raw meat. The dry kibbles tend to swell once the dog drinks water, and this may cause bloating and also damage its stomach, hence is strictly not recommended. Teach the dog to eat at meal times Your dog would learn to eat the food when it is offered to it if you take back the bowl after a specific interval of time, say 15 to 20 minutes. Household scraps Avoid giving leftovers from your own meals to your puppy, unless you have enough knowledge and experience in dealing with the nutritional requirements of a growing canine. The nutritional needs of your puppy are different than that of humans; also it may differ from one breed of dog to another. The growing pup needs complete and balanced diet to achieve its potential growth, otherwise lifelong disabilities or problems can find easy entry into its life. As, your heartfelt, but nutritionally lacking edible additions might unbalance the diet of your dog. How much to feed? How much food to feed your dog each day is something no one can precisely tell. But the guidelines on the package of the food you are feeding, along with your observation of how the dog is doing with the quantity fed, would help you decide an adequate quantity. The important thing to remember is that the dog should neither be too fat or too slim. Following some instructions related to diet, regular appointments with vet, observing the puppy and showering it with lots and lots of love would give such environment to the little canine in which it would thrive. About Petsworld Team The blog editor of Pets World is a pet aficionado and fervently follows her pet-obsession. A pet parent to animals big and small for the past two decades. The sum of all experiences gathered is an amalgamation of useful knowledge and research. More like this.

Lifespan Sociability Boston Boxer dogs are very popular, resulting in many breeders. We recommend searching for as many as possible to find the perfect puppy before you make your decision. Always ask a breeder to show you the facilities before making any payment. In many cases, you can find a breeder that is willing to sell you a puppy at a reduced cost, but we must caution against prices that are too good to be true, as unscrupulous breeders often create these puppies in unsafe environments known as puppy mills. The best way to fight puppy mills is not to buy their puppies. You can always ask your local shelter if they have a Boxer mix that resembles the Boston Boxer. They are athletic and can run fast and jump quite high and will maintain a fast pace for extended play sessions before tiring. They quickly become attached and protective of their owners and are wary of strangers who might cause them to become aggressive and bark. However, they generally get along with other household pets and small yard animals like bunnies and squirrels. Boston Boxers are sensitive to their environment and prefer a set, predictable schedule, and they can be stubborn if you change things up too quickly. They are very intelligent and easy to train, as long as they think they are in charge. They love the company and will remain at your side most of the day. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They are very friendly, energetic, and playful. They get along well with pets including, cats and other dogs. They like to play with children and will provide each other with unlimited amounts of entertainment. Boston Boxers are intelligent enough to follow orders and behave and will even learn tricks and guard the house while you are away. They will require at least one family member to take them out for long walks, though, and these are high maintenance in the exercise department, requiring at least one hour of running and jumping each day. If you live in the city, it can be challenging to find enough room, and you will likely require access to a park or trail. They are even more friendly if you socialize them early and get them used to other animals, but even so, this breed rarely gets aggressive toward another animal. This food should be high-quality without any harmful chemicals or preservatives. High-quality dog food will contain meat, vegetables, grains, and fruits, according to the American Kennel Club. You can expect to take your Boston Boxer for a long walk every day, and on some days, you may need a second walk. You can expect to walk at least eight miles a week spread out over about an hour a day, every day, for the next several years when purchasing a Boston Boxer. In most cases, you will only require patience and a bunch of treats to have your Boston Boxer impressing your friends. To train your pet, simply stand in front of them with a treat ready. Boston Boxers are smart and will know you have it. When they figure it out and sit, give them a treat. Stand them back up and repeat. After several tries, your Boston Boxer will catch on and quickly sit on command. Using the above system, you can teach your dog plenty of tricks, like shaking hands, fetch, rollover, and plenty of others. You can even teach them more complex tricks like retrieving the newspaper with a little practice. They only require occasional brushing and trimming of their nails. But there are a few problems associated with them that you should know about before you make a purchase. Minor Conditions. Boston Boxer Highlights Boston Boxers are mixed breed dogs. They are not purebreds like their Boston Terrier or Boxer parents. The main colors of Boston Boxers are black, brown, fawn, blue, and white. Sometimes their coats are solid, and sometimes they have a mix of colors, like in a pied or brindle pattern. Boston Boxers are known to be a good choice for families with children. Always supervise playtime. The Boston Boxer is a highly energetic mixed breed. If left alone for too long or without any sort of stimulation, this energy can manifest in unwanted destructive behaviors. Make sure your dog gets at least one good half-hour- to hour-long walk per day with a few good, active play sessions and shorter walks mixed in. When it comes to other pets, Boston Boxers can get along with other animals if they are introduced slowly and calmly, and early socialization will help this go smoothly. Boston Boxer History The Boston Boxer mixed dog breed may have existed naturally over the years, but designer breeders started intentionally mixing Boston Terriers and Boxers in the late s, likely in North America. Breeders wanted to mix the two parent breeds to keep the friendly and energetic spirit of the Boxer but in a smaller, Boston Terrier size. They continued to create Boston Boxers as demand for the mixed breed pups climbed. Even though the Boston Boxer got their start as a designer breed, some have ended up in shelters or in the care of rescue groups. Consider adoption if you decide the Boston Boxer is the dog for you. Be sure to check your local shelters, look up Boston Boxer or Miniature Boxer rescues, or check with breed-specific Boxer or Boston Terrier rescues, as they sometimes take in mixed breed dogs and find homes for them. Boston Boxer Size Since the Boston Boxer is a relatively new mixed breed, there are few standards when it comes to size. That said, as a mix between Boston Terrier and Boxer parents, you can expect your Boston Boxer to be on the small-to-medium size. Most weigh in at 22 to 55 pounds and range in height from 15 to 23 inches from the shoulder. However, many can be larger or smaller than average. The Mini Boxer can be somewhat hesitant around strangers, which is why it is very important to socialize your Boston Boxer as early as possible to make sure they are people-friendly. These dogs are prone to attaching to one particular family member, and they can become somewhat protective of them. Even with their protective tendencies, most Boston Boxer enthusiasts say their dogs are complete goofballs. The Boston Boxer is also a highly energetic mixed breed, so they are best-suited with people who can keep up with the pace. Some of the more common health problems Boston Boxer suffer from include: heart murmurs. Light brown, black and brown, white and cream, black, brown and white Suitable for: Active families, families with children Temperament: friendly, alert, affectionate, loving, intelligent, loyal, social, protective Although not recognized by major kennel club registries, these non-aggressive dogs make excellent companions for adults and children alike. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. This characteristic makes them quite similar to other dogs. Miniature Boxers are also known for their sociability and desire to be around others as they dislike being alone. Their lifespan can be anywhere from years with the possibility of certain health conditions developing during the course of their life. Overall, Miniature Boxers can be trained to be excellent household pets. They are best described as being intelligent, friendly, affectionate, alert, loving, playful, gentle, loyal, protective, and social. Miniature boxers are seen as an excellent choice for a family pet because of their friendly and protective nature. Keep in mind that Miniature Boxers can become verbal and aggressive when they meet a stranger and associate it with a sense danger to their human family. However, once they are assured that there is no danger, they will go back to their usual behavior. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They can prove to be a great addition to the household for people from all walks of life including active families, novice dog owners, singles, couples, and active retirees. For kids, having a Miniature Boxer will give them the opportunity to learn practical life lessons about responsibility, patience, and compassion. These high-energy dogs have no issues getting along with other dogs so long as they are properly trained and socialized. The training process begins in the Miniature Boxers first few years of life so by the time they are a bit grown, they will have no issues interacting with others and being social. Furthermore, Miniature Boxers that have been trained get along well with family cats and other animals. This is a great perk because if you have more than one pet in your house, you will not have to worry about your Miniature Boxer getting into a fight or injuring the other ones. Where to Find Boxer Terrier Puppies? They make great pets, but of course, not everyone can consider giving a home to this dog. Boxers are large and can be expensive to take care of in comparison to the smaller dogs, and require plenty of space to play. The good news is that you can now adopt the Mini Boxer! Unlike Boxers, the Small Boxer dog is a relatively new breed. The history or origin of this new breed is not clear so we rely on the parent dogs for its characteristics and the personality. Back then, he had a number of names including the American Terrier, Boston Bulldog, bullet head and round-headed terrier. The modern-day Boston Terrier is an active, intelligent and loyal dog. However, he can become stubborn so positive reinforcement training methods should be used. He moved to the United States in and during the First World War, these dogs were used by the military as pack carriers, messengers, attack dogs and guard dogs. The modern-day Boxer is an active and alert dog with great watchdog capabilities. He is good with kids and very protective of those close to him. He is a high energy dog that requires plenty of exercises to thrive. He has a rounded head and his nose is normally black. His coat is short and smooth with the most common colors being black, white, brown, red and silver. When a breeder works on his cross-breeding for a long period, the size of the Mini Boxer keeps on decreasing with each generation. Boston Terrier Boxer Mix Temperament A good dog owner should research the temperament of his desired dog before bringing the pet home. While personality and temperament can vary from one dog to another depending on their pedigree and the manner in which they are trained, most breeds exhibit some basic traits that are found in their specific lineage. However, he is wary of strangers and can be a great watchdog. He is as curious as his Boston Terrier parent breed and is fond of following his master around the home. He can get stubborn but this can be resolved with proper training.

As a result, breeders need to factor in the cost of birthing by a qualified vet to make sure mum and pups are all safe, which contributes to the cost of the puppies. Other Costs of Bulldog Ownership Besides the purchase price of your puppy, the other major cost of Bulldog ownership is the cost of health care. Bulldogs are known for recurring health illnesses such as breathing problems, spinal, eye, skin and dental conditions, which can cost their owners hundreds or even thousands of pounds to treat. For this reason we recommend that you also budget enough for pet insurance. One form to fill out. How much are English Bulldog puppies? We think the additional cost is well worth the extra cost as a healthier pet will save you money in vet bills and pet insurance in the long run. How to pick an English Bulldog puppy When choosing an English Bulldog puppy, you'll first want to make sure the puppy came from a good home and breeder—not a puppy farm. That means visiting the puppy's home and ideally meeting both its mother and father. Be wary of anyone who wants to bring a puppy to you—even if they pitch it as for your convenience. Also, look for a puppy that has been health checked. When will my Bulldog puppy calm down? Puppies tend to act like puppies until 12 to 18 months of age. Until that time you should expect chewing, nipping and other puppy behaviour like the "crazies" when they run around the house like a lunatic! By two years old, they should be very settled and well into "adult" dog behaviour. How many times can a French Bulldog have puppies? Legally , a dog cannot have more than 6 litters of puppies—however the more common guidance for the mother's health is to limit the number to a maximum of 4 litters, or even 3. Before buying a puppy ask how many litters the mother has had. Increase in Number of Bulldog Puppies for Sale To get an idea of how many more bulldog puppies are for sale now than a few years ago, we looked back in time at the Pets4Homes website using the Wayback Machine , a tool that saves snapshots of webpages at various points of time. There we found snapshots of the French and English Bulldog 'inventory' from .This shows there were 1, French Bulldogs for sale in compared to 2, today. So there are essentially twice as many puppies for sale on that platform now than 4 years ago. Methodology To find out how much the average Bulldog puppy costs in the UK, we gathered over data points on the cost of French and English Bulldog puppies for sale from Pets4Homes. We looked at the most recently posted ads. This included a mix of puppies that have been health checked and puppies that have not. We analysed this data to determine average costs for each type of Bulldog and also for the additional cost to buy a health-checked puppy, as well as the costs of premium colours. For the to analysis, we compared data we gathered in early to data we gathered in November .Buzz Bullz, Leighton have been fab, very professional and Big Doe is a real specimen. Thank you for the continued support, highly recommended. Lovely meeting you all. Thank you so much, hopefully no2 next year! Thank you to Leighton and his family for such an easy and enjoyable experience. Over the move with our little addition too, thank you. However Buzz Bullz and Leighton are not the norm. From the moment we walked in we were like wow! At Buzz Bullz we pass on the same love and devotion to both our litters and to our customers. We want you to feel the same connection and pride we feel every time we bring a new life into this world. With close partnerships throughout the UK and within US, Leighton and Charlotte have built a global brand and a thriving business producing exceptionally high quality dogs filled with rich heritage and championship bloodlines. After many months of negotiation and planning, Leighton successfully managed to acquire our beloved champion and founding male- BIG DOE. Our Queen What with her enchanting eyes, clear face and beautifully soft pale colouring Martini embodies the perfect example of an elegantly soft feminine bulldog. She commands your attention and respect being one of the very first Tri Blue females bred in the UK. An accolade shared with championship breeder and nationally acclaimed breeder Shrinkabulls which is headed up by the well-known Lisa Jaycox and Mille Gallant. His swagger, his build and colouring regularly stops passers-by, but it's his ability to turnout amazingly cute and character filled puppies that steal the headlines. Bear is 4 panel health clear and is true to type with a very thick structure. Including short neck and a nice round head with a perfect set ears. Bear is consistently producing top quality pups! His chipped and comes with a cage, bed, bowels n stand, lead, harness, training lead, toys, paw n wrinkle cream, jabs records. .Read More Olde English bulldogge Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B61 8SH Hi all so unfortunately we are having to rehome our beautiful girl we rehomed her ourselves due to not getting on with the owners other dogs we have now realised she is not good at all with younger ch.Read More Beautiful kc registered English bulldog puppies Weoley castle, West Midlands B29 5LA Beautiful English bulldog puppies looking for their forever homes We have 5 girls and 2 boy left they are fully health checked, microchipped, Flea and dewormed and had their first injection get second.Read More 10 week englsish bulldog Swanssa, Swansea DA2 6LL Beautiful chocolate and tan engliah bulldog her name is coco brought up in family home she has had first injection and has been microchipped we have kc paperwork and she uses puppy pads please only en.Read More English bulldog puppies Birmingham, West Midlands B98 9AE We are proud to announce our loverly bitch has gave birth to 7 outstanding puppies 5 boys and 2girls all outstanding puppies mum is our loving family pet and dad is a stud from a friend of mine both a.Fully vaccinated and microchipped, wormed and flead. Read More British bulldog puppies kc registered ready 13th may Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST6 8JU Stunning chunky British bulldog puppies ready for there forever loving homes 13th may Both mum and dad are fantastic family pets Puppies will be Kc registered Micro chipped Wormed to date and flea tre.Read More.

We have answers. The difference is that a purebred dog has a documented pedigree, and it is bred to meet very specific standards. A mixed breed dog has an ancestry involving different breeds. There is nothing wrong with mixed breed dogs, but many people prefer purebreds like French Bulldog puppies for sale Sacramento. What is the French Bulldog like? Friendly, cute, and tiny, Frenchies are hugely popular. They are actually descended from English Bulldogs, but they are smaller. They have lovely personalities and are adorable pets. French Bulldog puppies for sale in Sacramento also make great family dogs because they are friendly and get on well with kids. What makes French Bulldogs so expensive? French Bulldogs cannot reproduce naturally due to their narrow hips, so French Bulldog breeders Sacramento must use artificial insemination and the pups are also delivered by C-section. This means extra skills are required by French Bulldog breeders in Sacramento, and this is reflected in the higher prices. How should I use Uptown? We put the fun back into finding French Bulldogs for sale in Sacramento. Just search for a French Bulldog Sacramento, find a litter, and connect with the breeder. You can then start making arrangements to pick up your pup, and in no time at all you could find yourself meeting your dream Frenchie puppy! Am I going to find the cheapest French Bulldogs puppies here? We screen them all very carefully to ensure they have high standards, and they provide a boutique service. Why should I not just choose a shelter dog instead? Getting your dog from a reputable shelter could be a great option. However, shelters are not the right choice for everyone. If you want a purebred dog or you want to know its full health history, then finding a Sacramento French Bulldog for sale in the Uptown network might make more sense than using a shelter. How can I be sure that my Frenchie puppy will be in good health? All the companies and breeders in the Uptown Network provide full health checks. But you should still take your pup to the vet to verify its health when it arrives. Can I pick up my new puppy in person? If you find a French Bulldog for sale in Sacramento, you should make arrangements with the breeder to find out how to pick up your puppy. If you cannot find Sacramento French Bulldogs for sale, and you find a puppy much further away, the breeder can make travel arrangements so you can pick up your dog at your nearest major airport instead. If I have kids, will my Frenchie be OK around them? They love playing and having fun, after all! But make sure they are supervised properly, especially around young kids, in the same way that you would with any dog. What are the exercise requirements for French Bulldogs? A short walk and a bit of playtime is usually enough to keep them in good health. I breed French Bulldogs and offer social distancing rally and agility classes! Owner, Nanci Manceau, and her furry family! Puppies are now available. Learn More About Us I have been breeding, showing, and training dogs for over 30 years! I believe in breeding with integrity; we only have one litter at a time and our dogs and their puppies receive lots of love and attention. I fell in love with the French Bulldog breed, and we have puppies available each year. We also have an on-site agility and rally course. We hold weekly classes for dogs and their owners to train together under my training and supervision. We are currently accepting new participants in our courses — contact us to join the fun! Their wrinkles, soft and oh so round, Their paws, petite upon the ground, They steal our hearts with every move, These little dogs, we all approve. In Loomis town, they rule the roost, Their friendly nature, not a ruse, For French bulldogs are known to be, The perfect pups for company. So if you visit Loomis town, Be sure to look for these renown, French bulldogs with their charm and grace, Will put a smile upon your face. Interested in puppies, agility, or rally? All rights reserved. We have two litters of frenchies coming in March.

I have worked in the animal field throughout my lifetime and I received my medical knowledge having worked in the Veterinary field for more than 7 years. I went on to work with Guide dogs and VA service dogs. My European German Shepard's are fearless, agile, and very clever, inherently loyal, the German Shepherd dogs are happiest when they spend their time with their owner, never leaving their side. They yearn for companionship, and they thrive in a family environment. They become attached to children and other pets quickly, and they take excellent care of puppies, injured animals, and vulnerable people. They make excellent guide dogs, military service dogs, and search and rescue dogs. English Cream Golden Retrievers are smart, beautiful, and friendly. Having worked in the Veterinary field for more than 7 years and I have witnessed many genetic defects that could have been avoided with the proper testing; prior to breeding combining that with my numerous years of training different breeds for obedience, therapy, and service I strive for excellence in creating what I consider to be the perfect puppies, and achieving impressive results. Puppies are sold with limited registration. If you would like to purchase a puppy contact us for application and deposit information. Contact me for a applications. Nicole Fragale. We have answers. Am I limited to Brooklyn German Shepherd puppies for sale? Looking for your dream German Shepherd, Brooklyn? If you're looking for a certain type of dog, but can't find it in your area, don't worry! We work with breeders and businesses throughout the United States who are experts at transporting dogs. Most families who choose Uptown Puppies will have their pup flown to a major airport for pickup. German Shepherd puppies for sale? Brooklyn has the best! We are a network of ethical, humane breeders. When we screen breeders who wish to join our network, we look for a track record of top-notch breeding practices, caring for puppies, and excellent customer service. Breeders must adhere to our Breeder Pledge and have a no puppy mill policy in order to be part of our network. Are German Shepherds trainable for novice owners? What about the best German Shepherd puppies Brooklyn has to offer? German Shepherds are one of the most intelligent dog breeds, which makes them easy to train. They love to serve their owners and make great family pets. If you're looking for a loyal and hardworking pet, a German Shepherd might be the perfect choice for you. Looking for a dog that's perfect for you and your family? Then check out our puppy finder network! We carefully screen all of our breeders, ensuring that you get the best possible dog for your needs. What is a puppy mill? Do they have cheap Brooklyn German Shepherds for sale? Puppy mills are not all bad. In fact, some people see them as a better alternative to traditional dog breeds because they provide affordable puppies with good genes. Puppy mills also have a high rate of producing healthy puppies. However, there are some negative aspects to puppy mills. For one, the dogs in these facilities are treated like machines and have little room to exercise or socialize. This can lead to the dogs having undetected genetic issues due to poor breeding standards. Some unscrupulous breeders may tell you that it's perfectly fine to keep your German Shepherd cooped up. The truth is that German Shepherds need regular exercise and room to roam. Dogs that don't receive enough physical activity are prone to both destructive and antisocial behavior, so be sure your pup gets plenty of exercise! Are there any German Shepherd puppies for sale near Brooklyn? There are a lot of German Shepherd puppies out there that are perfect for someone like you. The only problem is that new and upcoming litters get taken up quickly on Uptown Puppies. If you see the German Shepherd of your dreams, it's important to act fast before someone else does! Are German Shepherd puppies near Brooklyn right for me? Well, that depends! Do you want a loyal dog who is intelligent and hardworking? The German Shepherd may be protective, but it's also very friendly towards its family. If that's the type of dog you are looking for, the German Shepherd may be perfect for you! Are German Shepherds good family dogs? Yes, German Shepherds can be quite intimidating to those who are not familiar with them. However, they make wonderful family pets and are very protective of their loved ones. They are also very friendly towards people they know, but will remain reserved with strangers. Proper socialization from a young age is key to ensuring that a German Shepherd remains calm and tolerant around other animals and humans. Where do German Shepherds come from? Are they only available from German Shepherd breeders near Brooklyn? The German Shepherd is one of the most popular working dogs in the world. Originating in Germany, this breed is known for its intelligence, obedience and strength. They are responsible for herding sheep and protecting flocks from predators, making them ideal companions for people who work outdoors. Are German Shepherds smart? German Shepherds are not only incredibly intelligent, but they are also incredibly trainable. They are considered the third-smartest breed of dog, according to a study that ranked intelligence based on each breed's ability to learn and obey commands. Because they're so smart, training is vital for German Shepherds. Without a solid foundation and continued training, your German Shepherd may spend his time outsmarting you rather than following your instructions. How fast can German Shepherds run? Where can I find the best German Shepherd for sale Brooklyn has to offer? German Shepherds are known for their speed. They can sprint briefly at a top speed of 30 miles per hour or run at a sustained speed of up to 15 miles per hour, sometimes for an hour or longer. Whether they're herding, working, or playing, their speed is impressive. Keep this in mind when out wandering as an off-leash German Shephard may be tricky to catch.

Although she stands no more than 10 inches tall and weighs between 4—6 pounds, the Toy Poodle has a big, playful personality that can fill up a room. While frequently associated with France, Standard Poodles were first developed in Germany, where they were used in duck hunting. They have lower exercise needs than many other dog breeds, but still benefit from a daily walk and play session. Poodles of all sizes have curly coats with extensive grooming needs. Their coat grows continuously, calling for a trim every four to six weeks. However, there is no such thing as a completely "hypoallergenic" dog. People with allergies should spend time with the breed before officially bringing home a Toy Poodle puppy. But during this long life , they are predisposed to a few health issues that may require care. Pet parents may benefit from investing in pet insurance early in life. Progressive Retinal Atrophy Progressive retinal atrophy PRA is a group of diseases that cause a breakdown of the photoreceptor cells rods and cones on the retina. Initially, the dog may have difficulty seeing in the dark, but the condition can cause blindness over time. PRA is an inherited disease and there are currently no effective treatments available. Patellar Luxation The patella kneecap is a small bone that normally sits in a groove within the femur at the knee. In dogs with patellar luxation, the patella moves luxates outside of its assigned groove when the knee is flexed. This movement can cause discomfort and may eventually lead to arthritis. Many pets will skip or run on three legs when the patella is out of place. While some cases will correct themselves, in more severe cases the patella remains out of place. In mild cases, joint supplements such as fish oils and glucosamine or anti-inflammatory medications are used to control pain and prevent arthritis. In more severely affected dogs, surgery may be recommended. This causes pain and limping occur as the bone breaks down. In some cases, pain can be controlled with medications. In severe cases, surgery to remove the head of the femur may be recommended. Symptoms include visible debris, redness, odor, head shaking, and scratching. If any of these signs are noted, take your dog to the veterinarian for an exam. In most cases, ear infections can be resolved by cleaning the ear and with topical medications. Toy Poodles develop ear infections more often than most other breeds. This may be partly due to Poodles having long ear canals with excess curly hair to trap in moisture and debris. Trimming not plucking the hair from the ear may help reduce the incidence of ear infections. Dogs with chronic or recurring ear infections frequently have allergies that should be addressed. Dental Disease Dental disease is one of the most common conditions seen in dogs as they age, especially in small breeds like the Toy Poodle. Dental disease occurs when bacterial tartar and plaque build up, leading to inflammation of the tissues around the teeth—and eventually to tooth and bone decay. Daily tooth brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste is the best way to prevent dental disease, though some diets, treats, and chew toys also help prevent plaque and tartar. Tracheal Collapse Tracheal collapse occurs when the trachea commonly called the windpipe flattens. This happens due to weak cartilage rings or the sagging of a membrane along the trachea. Most cases are treated using medications, but in severe cases where breathing is impeded, surgery may be necessary. Toy poodles are likely genetically predisposed to tracheal collapse. When on walks, use a harness instead of a collar, as pressure on the trachea can cause further damage. The condition causes a deficiency in a protein called the von Willebrand factor, which is necessary for platelets to stick together and form a clot. In dogs that are deficient in this protein, the blood may have difficulty clotting, which can lead to bleeding from the nose, vulva, bladder, or gums. Additionally, dogs with this condition may bleed for a long time after trauma or surgery. If there is concern about VWD, a screening test may be performed. This test measures how long it takes for a small cut in the mouth to stop bleeding. If the time is longer than usual, additional testing is needed to confirm VWD. Because some dogs with VWD do not have notably prolonged bleeding until later in adulthood, blood levels of von Willebrand factor can be measured to help with diagnosis. Most veterinarians recommend testing for VWD prior to any planned surgery, including spays, neuters, and dewclaw removals. Puppies should be fed a diet formulated specifically for puppies or designated for all life stages. For Toy Poodle adults, dental-focused diets may be recommended by your veterinarian to help prevent dental disease. Toy poodle puppies, however, should eat three to four small meals per day on a consistent schedule to help maintain their blood sugar. Additionally, the feeding guide labels on the dog food provides valuable information for pet parents. Just remember: In small breeds like the Toy Poodle, calories in treats add up quickly. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in skin and joint supplements , fish oil, and even in some specially formulated dog foods. These fatty acids act as natural anti-inflammatories that help support the skin, coat, kidneys, joints, and heart. They are playful and self-confident when socialized at a young age. While relatively calm, Toy Poodles enjoy playtime and exercise with the family. The breed is gentle with children and other pets, though all interactions between dogs and kids should be supervised. Because these pups are so tiny, they can accidentally be hurt during playtime. Toy Poodles have lower exercise needs than many other dog breeds, but still benefit from a daily walk and play session. Toy Poodle Behavior Toy Poodles bond closely to their families and may develop separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods. They can also be sensitive to stress, and sudden changes in the home environment may lead to gastrointestinal upset. Additionally, because Poodles are so smart, they need mental stimulation to keep themselves entertained—and out of trouble. Bored dogs are more likely to bark, jump, be destructive, or misbehave. Toy Poodle Training Toy poodles want to please their owners. Paired with their smarts, this makes them an easy breed to train. As always, training is most successful when based on positive reinforcement with praise and tasty treats. Fun Activities for Toy Poodle Obedience training. The following are some most effective ways to take care of your pup. Nourish the Toy Poodle with Quality Food Dogs require varying amounts of protein, calories, and other nutrients depending on their age. Puppies, adult dogs, and elderly dogs all require different types of dog food. Puppyhood — They require more protein for muscular growth, calories for growth, and calcium for strong bones. If your toy poodle is under the age of 12 months, you should feed it puppy food. Choose a puppy meal formulated specifically for toy dogs. Adulthood — When your dog reaches the age of roughly 12 months, switch to adult dog food. Continue feeding them this food until they are around 7 years old. These foods are nutritionally balanced to meet the dietary requirements of a canine. Senior Age — Switch to a senior food when your adult toy poodle reaches the age of seven. These have a lower concentration of minerals like phosphate, which the kidney has a harder time processing. Use Dry Diet — A complete dry diet or a wet diet of canned food with the addition of mixed biscuits are the two feeding alternatives. Ensure Proper Hydration — Make sure your dog has access to water at all times. Clean the dish every few days and change the water every day. Combing and Clipping — Groom your dog daily through combing and clipping. Groom your dog every day for a few minutes. This will accomplish two goals: you will be able to untangle his hair while also providing him with much-needed attention. Use Hair Brush — A comb or brush offered at a pet store to comb through the snags. Gently brush the teeth of your poodle. Use the wet towel to clean the toothpaste. Here are some essential precautions a poodle owner should learn. Appointment with Vet — Every six months, dogs above the age of seven should see a veterinarian. The veterinarian will look for symptoms of sickness, administer immunizations, and treat parasites and worms. This is because some diseases, such as parvovirus, are caused by viruses that are especially hardy and can cling to your shoes. Your toy poodle puppy is intelligent, active, and eager to learn. Some useful suggestions that can help you take care of a toy poodle puppy are as follows. Balanced Diet Give her a high-quality puppy chow. Avoid foods containing wheat, maize, or soy because poodles are prone to bloat and skin irritation. Potty Training For potty training, use a leash. To begin, put your canine on a leash and walk to the front door. Make it a habit to take her to the same area outside every time. This clever dog will ultimately find her way back to the exact location on her own. Grooming Groom toy poodle puppy regularly. Every other day, give your dog a brushing. The hair on your poodle is prone to tangling and grows swiftly. Once a week, clean her ears. Gently pull the hair out of the ear canal, then wipe the outer ear with a dampened cloth. For regular cuts, ear cleaning, and toenail care, take her to a professional groomer. Provide Entertainment Make sure she has a lot of things to do. Give her things to gnaw on as well as toys to play with. These bright puppies require mental stimulation. They enjoy fetching a ball and chew toys are excellent for teething puppies. You should also take your dog for a daily walk. Toy poodle puppies have a lot of energy, but they can get low blood sugar if you take them on a long walk. Put a little honey in water and give it to your puppy, if you think your pup is exercising too much. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For dogs under the age of 7 years, visit your vet every year. The vet will check for signs of illness, keep them up to date on vaccines, and will treat your dog for parasites and worms. Dogs that are over the age of 7 years should visit the vet every 6 months. The vet will check for signs of illness, keep them up to date on vaccines, and will treat for parasites and worms. Responsible dog owners get their pets vaccinated regularly, wormed, and treated for parasites such as fleas. Vaccination is essential even if you carry your toy poodle everywhere, or he rarely goes outside. This is because some infections such as parvovirus are caused by particularly hardy viruses that can attach to your shoes. Therefore, they can still pose a risk to even the most pampered of poodles. Talk with your vet about implanting a microchip in your dog. A microchip will help you track the dog if he gets lost. One of the health problems that toy poodles are prone to in later life is diabetes mellitus sugar diabetes. The hormones associated with estrous heat in the female can trigger diabetes. Therefore, it is wise to get your female toy poodle spayed. Toy poodles often live into their teens. Each time a bitch has a season, it weakens the lining of her womb and makes her more likely to develop a pyometra, which is a potentially life-threatening womb infection. Thus, spaying whilst she is fit and strong removes the possibility of needing emergency surgery in later life when anesthesia can pose a higher risk. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell. Neutering a male is mainly done to prevent unwanted breeding and to control behavioral issues such as aggression or dominance. Talk with your vet to learn more. Small but resilient, toy poodles often live well into double figures. They do however tend to suffer from health issues as they age. Diabetes, poor teeth and heart disease are most common. These issues, once identified, can often be managed in order to help your pet live a long and active life. If you see any of these symptoms, speak to your vet. Low History of the Toy Poodle The poodle was bred to be a duck hunting dog in Germany over years ago, where its thick curly coat came in handy to protect against the cold. Their athletic skills and eagerness to please made them perfect retrievers. The exaggerated show cut that poodles are often recognized for today stemmed from their historic days of retrieving. Their chest, hips, and leg joints would still be covered with curly hair in rounded tufts. Poodles have three variations—standard, miniature, and toy. The standard poodle is the oldest of these varieties and the miniature and toy variations were eventually created for those who desired smaller dogs. Despite their small size, toy and miniature poodles were working dogs. Toy poodles, specifically, have historically been desired for circuses due to their high intelligence and athleticism. The toy poodle was first bred in the early 20th century as a companion dog, especially great for those living in apartments or smaller spaces. The poodle was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in and the Poodle Club of America was founded ten years later. Today, poodles are exceedingly popular among pet owners, especially those in France. In fact, the poodle is the national dog of France. In particular, toy poodles are considered the easiest of the bunch, due to their small size—acts like grooming and exercise will take no time at all thanks to their petite frame. Exercise While larger standard poodles need plenty of room and exercise to thrive, smaller toy poodles do not. However, they are still an active breed and love going for daily walks with their loved ones. They also love swimming, retrieving, and performing tricks to burn off energy. If their coat develops mats, toy poodles may need to be shaved quite short to give their hair a chance to grow back nicely. Fine-toothed combs with sturdy teeth are great options to keep in your toy poodle grooming kit —they get the job done well without causing a significant amount of discomfort for the dog. Owners may opt to do the trimming themselves with a pair of clippers or head to a pro every six weeks for a cut, bath, and nail trim. Training Toy poodles are an intelligent breed and absolutely love to please their owner. As active and graceful dogs, they excel at sporting activities. This may come as a shock to those who believe poodles are prissy or feminine—a common misconception. Toy poodles are great at learning and performing tricks. Always make sure to get your toy poodle from a reputable breeder who tests their puppies for common health problems and can provide you with medical paperwork before you commit. Some health problems to watch out for in toy poodles include:. Proper care for the Poodle will involve many aspects that will all work in combination to maintain excellent health and promote learning and good behavioral habits. It is important to establish a foundation of proper care during the puppy stage that will carry over throughout the Poodle's life. We will discuss: The items that you should have to care for a Poodle puppy Details on the 5 most important tips for proper care - Feeding, house training, offering the right amount of exercise, grooming and how to offer a healthy environment. Toy Poodles and Mini's will be puppies for the 1st year; standards mature at a somewhat slower rate and are considered to be puppies until the age of 2 years old. During this time, much care is needed for both physical growth and mental development. Bringing your new Poodle home is not as simple as just picking up your new family member from the breeder. Good care involves planning ahead. It helps to have all needed items well in advance so that you can focus on the puppy without having to rush out for a needed supply items. One of the most important elements to be aware of is that no matter what the puppy has been fed since he or she began eating solid food, you should have the exact same brand on hand. Quickly switching foods can cause upset stomach and other issues…and in the case of a puppy it can be the cause of hypoglycemia. A slow change must be made. If you opt to go with a different brand or to home cook, have enough of the 'old' food on hand for several weeks, as well as the 'new' so that that you can make gradual changeover. A quality dog bed — A new puppy will feel stress going to even the best of new homes. This is why making sure that you have a nice, soft, comfortable dog bed is important. You should show your Poodle that this is the area in which he can rest, sleep or just get away from noise when things seem to overwhelming. If you will be leaving your puppy home alone during the day, it is best to have the bed placed in the area where he will be staying. A gated off section of a room or inside a canine playpen works well. The entrance to this can be left open when you are home with your puppy can of course, closed off when you are away. In this way, the puppy will become accustomed to the area. If you will be home with your puppy, place this in the corner of room that is frequently used but not chaotic. Dogs like to have their own quiet spot, but not feel isolated. Walking and ID accessories — Along with a retractable leash and a collar for ID purposes, it is highly recommended to have a harness for your puppy. Toy Poodles no matter what the age and all Mini and Standard puppies should have on a harness and not a collar when they are on a leash. When a leash is connected to a dog collar, this can create too much tension on the neck, which can cause collapsed trachea. The trachea windpipe is protected by rings of cartilage…when this happens, those rings collapse in, causing pain and breathing problems. These can be purchased at a pet supply store and come in many unique and interesting designs so that your Poodle always looks stylish. If you are not sure which harness would be best for your Poodle puppy, you may wish to look to both 'Accessories' and 'Clothing- Harness' in the Poodle Specialty Shoppe. A Car Safety Seat - Long ago cars did not even have seat belts for humans. But now, of course, we all know how many lives they save. The very same is true for dogs. Even if you are a conscientious driver, you cannot be in control of those who are driving near you. Be sure to secure your Poodle into a canine car safety seat. All it takes is 1 second of you having to quickly brake for your Poodle to go sliding off of the seat, completely unprotected. These are also great for dogs that are prone to car sickness. A raised booster seat will assist a puppy in being able to look out of the window which reduces motion sickness. However, choosing high quality toys that can stand up to continual chewing and hold a puppy's interest is better. Puppies are full of energy and filled with curiosity; having a good supply of toys at all times will be very helpful. Puppies that are in the teething phase will be experiencing discomfort and teething toys will help to sooth sore gums and offer a chewing outlet See also: Poodle teething Grooming Supplies - Poodle care certainly involves proper grooming. This includes nails, dewclaws, bathes, drying, wrapping, trimming, clipping and topknots. See also: Bathing a Poodle Clothes - Particularly for tiny toy Poodles, protection against the elements should be implemented as needed. During cold, icy winters the use of canine shoes or paw wax helps protect paw pads from ice melt chemicals and aids with traction. A sweater or cute vest can keep a small Poodle puppy from becoming chilled. During hot months, shoes help protect sensitive paws from hot surfaces. Bowls - Plastic bowls often contain heavy dyes that can cause staining on a Poodle's coat. In addition, tiny scratches that easily develop in plastic bowls can also harbor dangerous bacteria. It is best to use stainless steel or ceramic bowls for both food and water. Dishes should shallow so that a puppy can easily reach both food and water without bumping their heads or straining to reach. Toys and Mini's may like raised bowls. However, Standards - who are prone to bloat- should only eat and drink from bowls that are at floor level. Free feed until 3 months old leaving food out at all times and then give your puppy 3 meals per day plus healthy snacks. Please choose your food wisely; cheaper foods with fillers will not offer the proper nutrition needed to aid with the rapid growth that is associated with the puppy phase. You will find that if you reserve snacks and treats as rewards for training, housebreaking and command training will go smoother. Read more: Feeding a Poodle 2- Start house training right away, keeping in mind that it is your commitment to the process that will bring about success. Generally, housebreaking takes 2 to 3 months. If your Poodle puppy will be expected to use an outdoor area, do not focus too much on indoor training when the pup is home along, since it is difficult for puppies to learn 2 different methods. Do keep in mind that young puppies should not be over-exercised since it can interfere with growth plate development; however a daily 20 to 30 minute per walk is perfect. Walks allow a puppy to release pent up energy, it expands their view of the world and is a good staring point for socialization techniques and learning proper heeling. Poodles are generally very active dogs. Aside from a walk each day, this breed loves to run , jump and show off their agility capabilities. Playing catch, Frisbee or training your Poodle to jump through hoops will keep them in good health, both physically and mentally. See also: Poodle Exercise Requirements 4- Begin a routine of grooming and care. While many puppies will balk at the idea of being brushed or having teeth cleaned, doing these tasks on a regular basis allows a puppy to become accustomed to being touched and taken care of. Taking care of the teeth during the puppy stage is important since dental hygiene will affect the adult teeth that have not yet erupted. Read more: Poodle dental care 5- Limit stress, focus on fun. One of the most important elements of Poodle care is to offer a loving, safe environment. Puppies and dogs are sensitive to their owner's moods and the atmosphere of the house in general. Puppies can become easily stressed in noisy, chaotic homes. Puppies should be given a designated area to retreat and rest if feeling overwhelmed. Often, a gated off area that is secured when a pup is home alone, but the entrance is open when owners are home works best. Speak to your pup in a pleasant voice and remember that positive reinforcement for good behavior works much better than scolding for bad behavior. Take time to puppy proof the home, clearing the floors of any small items and stowing away shoes and other objects to higher ground. This should be done before bringing a puppy home but also on a regular basis. See also: What it means when a Poodle puppy shakes - If a Poodle is suddenly shivering, you'll want to look to these top reasons. Poodle Winter Care - Everything you need to know about caring for your Poodle during the wintertime. Other Articles: Apricot Poodles - This is a super popular coat color. Details and photos. Black Poodles - Another gorgeous color. Poodle tear stains - Putting to rest the old myths on what works. A list of the most effective at-home treatments to remove stubborn stains. Poodle hair tangles - Due to the nature of the curly coat, tangles are not uncommon yet should be removed as soon as possible with a method that does not affect hair growth. Are You a Member Yet? When you sign up to become a Member of the site, this allows you to receive a friendly notice when new pages of information have been added. Always something to help keep your Poodle happy and healthy. All rights reserved. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Share Us. Post by: Emily W. While many may associate Poodles with being prissy indoor dogs, that could not be further from the truth. Poodles will happily go on a hike or jump into a puddle of mud like any other dog. History of Toy Poodles For years people have associated the Poodle breed with France, but these curly-haired canines actually originated in Germany. In fact, the pom pom haircut that these dogs are known for was inspired by their first job as retrievers. The fur around their organs and joints would be left longer, in order to protect them from the cold water temperatures. The rest of their hair would then be trimmed to lower resistance and lower the risk of getting caught on something when they were in the water. Although they originated in Germany, Poodles quickly made their way to France, where people fell completely head over heels for the canines. Over time, many people began wishing for a smaller, more manageable size of the Standard Poodle. Breeders began pairing the smallest Poodles from different litters, and as a result, the Miniature Poodle came into existence. While the larger, Standard Poodle was used for hunting and retrieving purposes, the Miniature Poodle was used to sniff out truffles a type of mushroom in the woods. After the success of creating the Miniature Poodle, people once again wished to create an even smaller version of Poodle. Breeders followed the same pattern as before, and they bred together the smallest Miniature Poodles. This soon resulted in the creation of the Toy Poodle. Unlike their larger ancestors, the Toy Poodle was not used for any type of job or service. Instead, people simply wanted Toy Poodles as companions and lapdogs. Considered to be the same breed, the Standard, Miniature, and Toy Poodle were bred to be identical versions of one another, but just at three different sizes. Besides a few slight variances, chances are, if you have enjoyed living with a Standard Poodle, you will equally love living with a Miniature or Toy Poodle. Attributes of Toy Poodles The Toy Poodle is an old dog breed that has remained popular among families everywhere, since nearly the day they were created. Learn more about what makes these dogs such a great choice. While living with an intelligent dog can be an extremely helpful trait when it comes to training, Poodle parents should still take heed. For instance, if you choose to feed your Toy Poodle scraps from the table, they will quickly begin to expect scraps every time you sit down at the table. Chances are, they will also turn their nose up to their own food because they will quickly learn to expect delicious human food. Besides creating poor manners, feeding your dog from the table can also be dangerous, since a large amount of human food is toxic to dogs. Toy Poodles are friendly and outgoing, so they are often happy to meet new friends. Toy Poodles are also known to get along well with other pets, but take note that if they live in a multi-pet household, they will generally want to be the center of attention. Toy Poodles cap out at 10 inches in height, and they typically weigh between pounds. They can also be found in nearly any solid color, including apricot, cream, white, brown, red, silver, grey, and black. Poodles can also be found in a phantom pattern or a two-toned pattern, consisting of a combination of colors. One of the many reasons why people are drawn to these dogs is because of the claim that Toy Poodles are hypoallergenic. In truth, though, no one type of dog is completely hypoallergenic. However, Toy Poodles shed very little when compared to the majority of other breeds—which means there will be less dander present. People with dog allergies will oftentimes experience less of an allergic reaction, or none at all, when they are around Poodles. How to Groom a Toy Poodle Even though they do not shed excessively, Toy Poodles still require regular brushing in order to minimize mats in their coat. These weekly or more often, if needed brushings should be done in addition to your Poodle being professionally groomed. Clipping is recommended to be done about every three months, and about every month for the face and feet. Some Poodle parents have even learned how to do these trims on their own. When it comes to Toy Poodles, brushing their teeth is essential. Due to them having a small mouth, their teeth may become cramped, which in-turn can cause dental issues. One of the best ways to help your dog have a healthy mouth is to brush their pearly whites at least once a week. On top of brushing, clipping, and teeth cleaning, your Toy Poodle should additionally be given regular baths and nail trimmings. Caring and Exercise Although a small dog, Toy Poodles still require daily exercise. Walks are always a great choice, but these little pups do equally as well with a game of fetch in the yard or some playtime inside. Besides physical exercise, it is just as important that your pup receives mental exercise. Keep in mind that a bored Poodle will become a destructive and sometimes disobedient Poodle. Training Your Toy Poodle When it comes to training, three of the most important items to keep in mind include: 1. Start as soon as possible Whether you adopt your Poodle when they are four months old or four years old, it is important to begin training as soon as possible. In fact, an ideal time to begin training is the very day you bring them home. By starting training early-on, this will help establish good manners, it will deter bad habits, and it will serve as a good time to build the bond between you and your dog. Be consistent Consistency is key, especially in how often you have training sessions and the words and motions you use for commands. By remaining consistent with your techniques and how often you train, this will allow your Poodle to quickly learn what is expected from them in their new household. Use positive reinforcement Toy Poodles thrive off of positive reinforcement. Great rewards for your dog can include a treat, a toy, or affection. By receiving rewards, your dog will better understand that they are doing the correct command, and chances are they will become more eager to practice the command again. Poodles are known for being among the most intelligent dog breeds, so chances are they will catch onto new commands and tricks rather quickly. Common symptoms include excessive drooling, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, and loss of appetite. While gastrointestinal issues can stem from a variety of causes, regardless, most will clear up in just one week. Ear infections: With their floppy ears, Toy Poodles can be prone to getting ear infections. Allergies: Just like humans, dogs can also develop allergies to pollen, dust, dander, grass, perfume, and food, among many other items. Common allergy symptoms can include: excessive itching, red or watery eyes, frequent sneezing or wheezing, swollen pads, and paw chewing. With food allergies, you will want to keep an eye out for vomiting or diarrhea. Skin irritation: Many Poodles are prone to having sensitive skin. Various household products such as carpet cleaners, detergents, and various grooming products can cause dry, itchy, or irritated skin on your dog. A quick fix for some households is to simply switch these products over to the hypoallergenic option. However, since puppies are born with this condition, veterinarians are often able to catch the problem when your dog is still young. While these are the most common health conditions among Toy Poodles, that does not mean that your Poodle will be affected by any or all of these conditions.

I just bought land for my homestead and will hopefully be moving onto by the end of April, and will be living by myself for the first time, so I am looking for a personal dog, and one that will make others second guess tryin' to mess with me! I love German shepherds, but not so much the insane shedding. I know this is kind of a shot in the dark, but I thought I would try asking here anyway. I am willing to pay a reasonable adoption fee! Preferably no docked tails or cropped ears, but since the mix is hard to find I'll probably take one anyway! Also, it MUST be a puppy. I would love to take an adult dog that is good with cats, but my cat is a jerkface and likes to pee everywhere when he doesn't like something new, and I think a puppy would upset him less. We kept a puppy for 3 weeks last year and he wasn't too upset by it, but when we got my mom's adult dog all heck broke loose! He eventually quit once he got used to her, but there was definitely a difference between bringing in an adult and bringing in a pup. I think he feels more able to assert dominance over a puppy, and therefor less threatened. Now in Oklahoma City, too! We are a foster-based organization working out of Tulsa and now Oklahoma City! Our dogs are cared for in private homes and we do not operate a shelter. We are an all-volunteer organization. We are always in need of more help to answer questions, check applications, socialize dogs, transports dogs to adoption events and much more. Adopt: Fill out our adoption application here. Only approved adopters may schedule meet and greets with our dogs. Even if you are unsure which dog you would like to adopt, we recommend filling out an application and getting approved first so you are ready when the right dog comes along. To ensure your new family member is a good fit, dogs may be returned within 14 days of adoption for any reason. Adoption Requirements: We require all pets in the home to be spayed or neutered, up-to-date on vaccines and on heartworm prevention. If you rent, we will need authorization from your landlord that German Shepherds are allowed. We also require a fenced-in yard. References may not be related to you. If you have questions, please send us an email! Available Dogs: View dogs available for adoption here. To meet one of our dogs, please fill out an adoption application. Foster: We are in need of folks to provide short-term, in-home care for dogs in need until they are adopted. Veterinary care, food and a large crate are provided. If you can help, please complete our foster application here. Please note, fostering is for those who want to volunteer by providing temporary housing for homeless dogs. If you are planning on adopting and just want to try out a dog in your home to see if it is the right fit, please fill out an adoption application. Only approved adopters can schedule meet and greets with our dogs. All adopted dogs can be returned within 14 days of adoption for any reason. As we work out of Tulsa and Oklahoma City, we prefer fosters to be within a 1-hour driving distance to Tulsa or OKC so they can bring a foster dog to adoption events and veterinary appointments if needed. Online Auction: Over the past few months, our rescue has seen a significant increase in dogs that have been surrendered or abandoned. When we do not have enough fosters, we have had to put dogs in boarding which also is an added expense. To raise much-needed funds, we are hosting an online auction. We will have items such as unique products and services, tickets to special events, art, jewelry, wine, restaurant and hotel gift certificates, dog items, gift baskets, etc. Stay tuned for more information! If you or your business would like to donate an item, please email: oklahomagsr gmail. Every little bit helps and the value of your donation is tax-deductible. Each auction contributor will be recognized in the online event and our Facebook page. Events: Check our Facebook page for a schedule of adoption events. Small donations add up! You may donate online or by mailing a check. Your donation is tax-deductible. Thank you! Donate Here Need to surrender a dog? If you are the owner of the dog you want to surrender, please fill out the owner surrender form. Please contact your local animal shelter or the closest SPCA or humane society for more information.

They are extremely kind, affectionate and intelligent puppies. They are like teddy bears and love their cuddles like their mom Heidi and dad Duke. They are bred to a very high standard and their pedigree is available. This is the first litter from our gorgeous family dog, Heidi, who is an excellent family pet. We have one male and one female cream puppy available, they are in perfect health and displaying a friendly temperament, much like their mother. Our puppies have been raised and played with by my nine grandchildren since they were born, so they are well accustomed to being handled regularly. They were also born the same time our cat had kittens so they are well used to and quite affectionate with our cats and kittens. Each puppy is IKC registered, vaccinated, wormed, and microchipped. We would be more than happy for you to visit and meet the puppies before making any commitments. It is very important to us that the puppies go to suitable homes that will provide love and affection aswell as proper looking after. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Retriever has been an AKC-recognized breed since and was commonly used as a gun dog and for retrieving small game such as waterfowl, and for companionship. The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands. The first Lord Tweedmouth, Dudley Majoribanks, is credited with developing the breed and keeping detailed records to create the ideal gun dog for the terrain. Great discipline and a gentle spirit make the Golden Retriever a perfect retrieval breed since the goal of this task is to bring the trophy back as undamaged as possible. Golden Retrievers first appeared in dog shows in at a British dog show. They also started appearing in the United States around the same time as they were brought across the Canadian border. They gained popularity with sport hunters and in general. Their popularity really took off in the s and they are consistently one of the most popular dog breeds. If you are not the sporting type, bringing a Golden Retriever into your family as a pet is just as rewarding because they are one of the most loyal and jovial breeds out there. One of the facts about Golden Retrievers is that they are the epitome of friendly and make fantastic family dogs. Golden Retrievers are considered one of the friendliest dog breeds. They tend to be good with kids, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. Goldens love attention and they bond closely with their families. They are affectionate with them, and also just about everyone else. Although they do tend to get along with everyone, they love being around their favorite humans the most. They will bark to alert you and can end up barking a lot if you do not train your dog to stop barking early on. Golden Retrievers are highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in homes with yards where they can run. They can also adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough daily exercise, mental stimulation, and attention. These dogs do well in just about any climate, but are sensitive to heat. As one of the most affectionate dog breeds , they are not at all happy about being left alone for long periods of time. Although super-friendly and attention-loving, Goldens can also be sensitive to their surroundings; make sure they feel included, but have a quiet place to go if things get too noisy or overwhelming. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Golden Retriever include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, elbow dysplasia , and hip dysplasia. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Goldens are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. They are highly trainable dogs that pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. These traits make them a good fit for owners of all experience levels. It also helps them excel at obedience competitions. As one of the smartest dog breeds , Golden Retrievers can get bored easily. Because they pick up things quickly, they can get bored with too much repetition in training. If your dog has mastered the command, move on to something more advanced or another activity. You can also enroll in puppy training classes for some variety in training and also some socialization. Golden Retrievers have a long double coat that will shed a little year-round and will be heavier twice a year as the seasons change. Brushing a few times a week and daily brushing during seasonal shedding along with a bath as needed is usually enough for at-home care. You will want to go to the dog groomer for a professional trim a few times a year, especially as the seasons change. Nail trims once or twice monthly keep nails from growing too long. Daily tooth brushing, along with cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. Golden Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds. Daily walks plus some playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough to keep these dogs happy and healthy. But, they are high-energy dogs that will likely always be up for more activity if you are. Much like the Labrador , they also tend to have an extended puppyhood. They tend to start winding down a little around the age of 3 and settle into your lifestyle, but they will still be high-energy dogs that require a lot of daily activity. Goldens are known for being versatile and athletic dogs. They tend to love swimming. Once they are done growing and the vet clears them for higher-impact activities, you can try other things too. They are one of the dog breeds that make good running partners. You can also teach them how to play frisbee or play fetch. Training for dog sports is another good option. In addition to obedience, Golden Retrievers are well suited for agility, dock diving , rally, flyball, tracking, and more. Fully-grown Golden Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Golden Retrievers generally live for years on average. With their intelligence, eagerness to please, and gentle disposition, Golden Retrievers are versatile working dogs. In addition to being one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs , Goldens can be found working as emotional support dogs, certified therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, military dogs, police dogs, animal actors, and more. Featured Golden Retriever Article.

For example, white miniature German shepherds is a mixed breed with Maltese dogs. Since this breed is known for being short-tempered with kids, this may make them too scary for kids, a possibility no family wants. This may also make training harder, unlike standard GSDs that can easily be trained. For example, most miniature GSDs carry the intelligence and loyalty of German shepherds. This leads to plenty of differences between the personality of a miniature German shepherd and the standard GSD. Another good news is that those that belong to the purebred or the dwarfism category typically acts like how a standard German shepherd should. But a mixed breed like the white miniature German shepherd is not only a dog that looks like a German shepherd but smaller. They also have a different purpose, depending on the other breed. They are great for those who own their own farm. Despite a less aggressive behavior, they still qualify as guard dogs. German shepherds have great potential as a search and rescue dogs. Even more so with the mini German shepherd since their size allows them to easily navigate through most terrains. See also 17 Things To Know About German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix Take note, however, that miniature German shepherds, like any other dog, need to have a balanced work and play for a comfortable life. While the German shepherd traits work well with the working line, the traits from the miniature breed may work the opposite way for family dogs. Due to their small size, they can easily be carried from place to place. This makes them great for kids. However, as previously said, when mixed with incompatible breeds, they can exhibit undesirable behaviors. Some examples of such breeds are chow chows and chihuahua , which are the worst dog breeds for small children due to their snappiness. On the other hand, being bred with a collie, poodles, and other friendly breeds may make small German shepherd breeds better family dogs. This means the dog might inherit different traits that you might not know of. Information such as the DNA line and health data are crucial things that you should know so you can take care of the miniature GSD properly. Breeders that cannot answer questions about the parents or provide any documents to back their statements are likely to be the type that only goes after the money. There are also dogs that look like a German shepherd but smaller with a parent from another breed. Some can have different personalities, appearance, health issues, and so on. At the end of the day, you learned many valuable things in this blog post. Many questions have been answered about miniature German shepherds. The truth was revealed. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. What is a Miniature German Shepherd? Purebred or crossbreed? The other side claims it is a mixed breed. The truth is that the Miniature German Shepherd is indeed a crossbreed. Small-sized standard German Shepherds do not exist unless the dog happens to have dwarfism. To get a Miniature German Shepherd, the standard is bred with another purebred, most commonly the Collie or Poodle. Instead, take a look at the parents to get an idea of how a puppy could possibly turn out as an adult. The Intelligent Border Collie This breed is world-renowned for its smarts. A lovable family doggo with talents for competition and herding, it contributes desirable personality traits to make a German Shepherd Collie mix. It can weigh up to 44 lbs 20 kg with a height of 22 in 56 cm and has a lifespan of up to 17 years. Some health concerns to be aware of with this breed include bloating and an eye anomaly that causes partial or complete blindness. This dog makes an elegant and friendly family dog that is a fast learner. The Poodle excels as a competition dog and is also widely used for therapy. The Poodle can weigh up to 70 lbs 31 kg with a height of 22 in 56 cm and has a lifespan of up to 15 years. There are health concerns associated with this breed, such as epilepsy, canine hypothyroidism, and progressive retinal atrophy. The Loyal German Shepherd The German Shepherd is sharp as a tack and completely dedicated and in love with its family. Ranking as the 3rd most intelligent, you get a well-rounded dog that is not only stunningly beautiful with its thick coat, confident stance, and communicative features, but an excellent guard dog that will protect at any cost. It can weigh up to 88 lbs 40 kg with a height of 25 in 65 cm and has a lifespan of up to 13 years. For further insight into German Shepherd growth, take a look at this guide and chart. With the Shepherd breed, hip dysplasia is a common health issue that is seen in the Miniature variety as well. Shepherds are also known to suffer from a neural disease called degenerative myelopathy and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which is a digestive disorder. This is a rare inherited genetic disorder that results from breeding two purebred German Shepherds. A German Shepherd with dwarfism, though significantly smaller weighing up to 30 lbs , will exhibit the token characteristics and mannerisms the breed is known for. It will also look like a typical Shepherd, except with shortened limbs. This is one way to procure a smaller than normal Shepherd, but there will be extra health issues to deal with, such as allergies and thyroid issues. It is common for these dogs to bald as they age as well. Here is a cute video that gives a glimpse into what life is like for a German Shepherd with dwarfism. The Mini German Shepherd is undoubtedly smaller than the standard one, weighing up to 50 lbs 22 kg. Any combination of these colors can be inherited by the Mini. This Dog is a Devoted Protector maria. They make excellent guard dogs but are good-natured. If you have kids, the Mini will take full responsibility for their safety, with a healthy dose of playtime and cuddling thrown in. Hardworking and intelligent, they make phenomenal search, rescue and therapy dogs. Training is a breeze, as this breed is a fast learner remember, all of three possible parents rank TOP-3 in the smartest dog breeds list? The earlier you introduce behavior commands and socialization methods such as walks in the park where other dogs can be encountered safely, the sooner you will see the intelligence blossom. Hip dysplasia is the most common inherited disease from the German Shepherd parent. This painful condition occurs when an abnormality in the hip socket causes the dog to become crippled or experience agonizing arthritis. To keep your small German Shepherd in good health, plenty of exercises is key. This breed is also prone to canine hypothyroidism, which can cause obesity. No one can guarantee how a mix will turn out. The breeder should be able to present health clearances for hip dysplasia and other common diseases. Check out these Miniature German Shepherd breeders for available litters. The result is a Mini German Shepherd that is a versatile and playful, smaller breed that would make a good family pet or a mini guard dog. Designer dogs come in a variety of coat colors and types, depending on the parent mix, but this hybrid is likely to inherit much of the classic German Shepherd look, its working dog ethic, and intelligence. This petite mixed breed dog is energetic and family-friendly and will prove itself to be both affectionate and protective. A Mini German Shepherd puppy makes an adorable family pet for any dog lover. It is possible to find a very small purebred German Shepherd dog but that would only occur due to dwarfism in the breed. Fact: Pituitary dwarfism is a condition caused as a result of a rare genetic mutation in this purebred dog. Dwarfism in German Shepherd dogs is rare, and if it occurs the puppy may unkindly be referred to as the runt of the litter. A Miniature German Shepherd is the result of cross-breeding. It is a cross between two different dog breeds — a purebred German Shepherd dog and another smaller purebred such as a Collie, Border Collie, Poodle, or occasionally a Golden retriever, or even a tiny Yorkshire Terrier or a Corgi mix! This highly desirable and much loved purebred dog has a strong and impressive bloodline dating back to , in Germany. The German Shepherd was originally bred to be a skilled, powerful and obedient herding dog that was also used as a fearsome guard dog. History of the other possible parent s — crossed to produce this mixed breed dog The Collie When cross-bred with a Collie, it adds another herding and highly disciplined purebred dog into the mix. A Collie is also an intelligent dog and it too is easily trainable with a strong work ethic. Their mini GSG puppies would be a Black and Tan color, sometimes with white bits on their coat, and shed a lot! The Poodle A Poodle is a small dog that is increasing in popularity as the ideal partner for any designer dog combination. They have an easy-going and relaxed approach. They are good-natured and love nothing more than to curl up with their family member and go to sleep. The Golden Retriever and The Yorkshire Terrier are also very popular and much loved family dogs that are smart, family-friendly and easily trainable. Whatever the mix of breed of the Miniature GSD it is going to be a loveable and much desired family dog. However, the majority of the individual breeds used to create this mixed breed dog are. Considering the other parent breeds, mainly Collie and Poodle dog breeds, there are a range of possible coat colors for this dog breed, including Black and Tan, White or even fawn. What are the main characteristics of a Miniature German Shepherd? Like any other crossbred dog, Miniature German Shepherds can inherit the characteristics of either parent or both. It is sometimes thought that crossbred dogs are more likely to inherit health problems than purebred dogs; however, a puppy mixed dog can inherit all, some, or none of the health problems its parent breeds have. It can be heavily weighted towards the characteristics of one parent more than the other. The Miniature German Shepherd puppy tends to have more of the classic appearance of the standard German Shepherd parent, but it is a smaller breed of dog. The characteristics of Miniature GSDs are a combination of nature and nurture: genetics of the parents, the environment and the quality, type and amount of training and socialization. Loyalty and companionship Any mix of German Shepherd is likely to be extremely loyal and have a very loving temperament when trained and socialized properly. They will make a very caring and protective companion, for any dog lover. They can be very loving and affectionate dogs and enjoy company, and the more active their lifestyle the better. Reputation: The German Shepherd is a confident breed that looks fiercer than its actual behavior. The Miniature German Shepherd is a very cute mix and because of its smaller size it could be forgotten that this breed has a reputation for being a fierce guard dog and possibly one of the listed dangerous dogs when not trained and socialized properly. When handled correctly and properly trained the mini GSD can be an affectionate and reliable dog for a family or individual dog lover, who wants a companion. And a mini mix that tends to have the GSD look will be highly popular and desirable too. Although smaller it will still be an agile and alert dog that will need lots of mental and physical activity. The trainability of this intelligent shepherd breed dog should be fairly easy. Positive reinforcement and small treats will work well with this dog but not harsh control, any form of negative punishment or physical restraint as it may rebel. The mini GSD puppy is very energetic and easily bored, so to prevent mischief it will need at least one hour a day minimum exercise, building up hours a day in adulthood. That means they are clever, alert and used to working hard when trained. This dog is fairly easy to train and will love to have challenges and a working purpose. They will be strong, resilient and love a challenge with both mental and physical stimulation involved, otherwise, they may misbehave. Socialization: Early socialization and learning discipline are strongly recommended for any German Shepherd crossbred dog. Any type of hybrid dog with two intelligent parents will be strong-willed and want to be kept active and useful. They will not want a sedentary lifestyle and will enjoy as much exercise and action as the owner can provide. When trained and socialized this mixed breed dog will be approachable and friendly around children and other animals. Purpose: This breed will be loyal and true to their owner and protect them to the end. If the other parent is a collie then both were bred as fearless working dogs for herding and protection. This means they will want to work for their master and keep busy. Even is the other parent is a poodle or a smaller dog, they will still be clever and want to serve and obey their owner well. Behaviour: This breed can be strong-willed and needs to be trained early as it can easily and will become destructive, or bark if under-stimulated. Physical Characteristics of the Miniature German Shepherd Apart from being athletic, attractive and family and stranger friendly, the miniature German Shepherd will be loyal and protective, playful and guard its family and home with precision. Life Span Did You Know? A Miniature German Shepherd is a cross between a German Shepherd and a smaller dog breed that is meant to result in a smaller version of a German Shepherd. Although these Mini Shepherds can inherit any combination of traits from their parent breeds, they tend to be energetic, intelligent dogs that bond closely with their families and are affectionate with them. Miniature German Shepherds make great family dogs. They may be hardworking while on a job, but they have a playful spirit while relaxing with their family. They also tend to get along well with children and other dogs in the family. Although they tend to do well with smaller pets they have been raised with, they do have a high prey drive. Mini German Shepherds are also protective and alert. They will bark to alert you and will be naturally suspicious of strangers. Proper socialization and training early on can help make sure barking does not become a nuisance and will help them open up to strangers once introduced. Miniature German Shepherds are highly adaptable dogs. They tend to be a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. But, they can adapt just as well to apartments as long as they get the exercise, mental stimulation, and attention they need. They do well in most climates, but are sensitive to heat. Because they bond so closely with their families and want to be near them, they do not do well with long periods of alone time. Mixed-breed dogs can sometimes be healthier than purebred dogs because of genetic diversity. However, this is not a guarantee. They could inherit no conditions common to the parent breeds, but they could also inherit some or all of them. So, make sure you are asking them about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. For the Miniature German Shepherd, potential health conditions to be aware of include progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia. Because of their body shape, they are also at risk for bloat. Although Miniature German Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs that pick up on things quickly and are eager to please, they can be difficult for first-time dog owners to handle on their own. Their high energy, working dog instincts, thirst for learning, and need for structured training can be overwhelming for first-time dog owners. Because of this, puppy training classes are recommended if you are not an experienced dog owner. They help reinforce training, strengthen the bond you have with your dog, and also offer opportunities to socialize a puppy. In general, a Miniature German Shepherd will have a coat that sheds moderately year-round and heavier seasonally. Brushing a few times a week, daily brushing during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath is usually sufficient for this coat type. If a Miniature German Shepherd has a Mini Poodle parent, there is a chance they could inherit the low-shedding Poodle coat. Weekly ear checks with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. Although good dental care for dogs is essential, it is often overlooked. This is one of the reasons why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in older dogs. You can help protect your pup from painful dental diseases later in life by brushing their teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day and keeping up with regular vet visits. Although a Miniature German Shepherd may be smaller than a German Shepherd, they are still a high-energy dog with working dog instincts. In addition to having a job to do, these dogs also need daily walks plus playtime and time to run to be happy and healthy. If they like it, swimming can be a good low-impact activity while they are still growing. Once puppies finish growing , you can try higher-impact activities like hiking, running, training for dog sports, and more to see what they like. A fully-grown Miniature German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs about 50 pounds. There can be some variation depending on the other parent breed in the cross, but meeting the mother dog in-person can give you a better idea of what size to expect in a Mini GSD. A Miniature German Shepherd generally lives for years. If the other parent crossed with a German Shepherd is a Standard Poodle, the result is a Shepadoodle. Featured Miniature German Shepherd Article. Standard German Shepherd Dogs In the late 19th century, various strains of German dogs were combined to create the ultimate herding dog. Today the breed is better known for their military, police, protection and service dog work. A well-socialized German Shepherd Dog makes a wonderfully loyal family pet. This is a well muscled dog with a deep chest and strong hindquarters, and he is longer than he is tall. Their double coat of medium length comes in a variety of colors. They have a long muzzle, confident head carriage, and pointed ears. Therefore that makes them more appealing to many people. The oversized round head and big eyes associated with little dogs engenders a feeling of caretaking behavior in people. This phenomenon is known as baby schema. Are Miniature German Shepherds Real? Miniaturization in dog breeding is achieved in one of three ways. A standard German Shepherd can be crossed with a smaller dog breed. They can possess the gene for dwarfism. The final way to miniaturize is to breed two exceptionally small purebred German Shepherds together. Miniature German Shepherd Mix Breeding a female German Shepherd with the male of a smaller breed produces a mixed breed dog. This is the most humane way to miniaturize. They could be smaller but not look or behave anything like a German Shepherd. The upside to crossbreeding is that it can reduce the incidence of passing along genetic health problems. Here are some breeds that breeders commonly mix with the German Shepherd. They measure just 10 to 12 inches and weigh from 25 to 30 pounds. Despite the size difference, these are both herding breeds who are smart and trainable. You can expect this mix to stand from 12 to 15 inches and weigh anywhere from 25 to 65 pounds. The Corman Shepherd will be an athletic dog who needs plenty of activity. This is a highly intelligent, loyal, and loving mix. In appearance, these two breeds are very dissimilar, so looks can vary depending on which parent the puppies take after. The standard Poodle is over 15 inches and weighs from 40 to 70 pounds. You can expect the Shepadoodle to range from 15 to 26 inches tall and weigh between 40 and 90 pounds. This is sure to be a whip smart and extremely energetic dog. He will need plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation. The Shollie will be highly trainable. But a tendency to be protective might not make them the best choice for homes with small children. The Border Collie stands from 18 to 22 inches and weighs from 30 to 55 pounds. Physical characteristics of this condition include short bowed legs, longer body and issues with coat development. This would truly be a miniature German Shepherd in terms of temperament and behavior. However, pituitary dwarfism can have some pretty serious health effects. To a breeder, it means puppies whose weight at birth is abnormally low. To clarify, defined this way, you could have an entire litter of runts. Unfortunately, puppies who are born extremely underweight are likely to face many health problems throughout their lives. And the more underweight they are, the more they are at risk. Some breeders choose this method because the other characteristics of the breed will get passed down to the puppies. However, when two dogs who are way below the standard size are bred together, it increases the chance of passing along health problems as well. The standard female German Shepherd is somewhat smaller, standing from 22 to 24 inches and weighing between 50 and 70 pounds. To be a mini German Shepherd you need to be less than 22 inches tall and fewer than 50 lbs. But Miniature German Shepherds can be considerably smaller than this, depending upon how they are bred. Miniature German Shepherd size will depend on a number of factors. So crossing with a Collie would make a larger dog than one mixed with a Yorkie. A miniature German Shepherd full grown with the gene for dwarfism would have very short legs and weigh approximately 30 pounds. Breeding two very underweight purebred GSDs could potentially make an even smaller dog, but at what cost? Besides being hard-working herding and guard dogs , miniatures also have a bit of a soft side. They are not as aloof as full-sized purebreds, but may appear standoffish when around people or dogs they do not know. They are very protective of their owners and will be loyal to them. Those mixed with Golden Retrievers or Poodles have calmer temperaments than those mixed with Border Collies. Poodle or Golden mixes are ideal for families with children. Border Collie mixes will be higher strung and do not thrive in households with kids. This mix does not bark much. Regardless of temperament, all mini German Shepherds need daily mental and physical stimulation. Mental stimulation can come in the form of puzzle toys, feeders, sniffing outside, or training sessions. Physical stimulation can be jogging, walking, running, herding, or agility exercises. This mix requires a bare minimum of 60 minutes of daily activity. There is no guarantee what miniatures will look and act like. Most puppies retain the characteristic appearance and personality of the German Shepherd, but there will be some variation depending on the cross. A mini German Shepherd lives longer than a German Shepherd, on average. Miniatures can live up to 15 years, while purebreds live between 12 to 14 years. This is due to the fact that smaller dogs age slower than larger dogs. Also, being a mixed breed dog helps most minis have a longer lifespan, this is known as hybrid vigor. There is still a chance miniature German Shepherds will inherit health conditions from their parents. They are prone to hemophilia, elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, gastric dilatation-volvulus, epilepsy, and pituitary dwarfism: Hemophilia is a genetic condition where a dog has impaired blood clotting. Elbow dysplasia occurs when the bones forming the elbow joint are improperly aligned or have uneven growth patterns. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint socket does not nicely enclose the head of the femur, creating looseness. Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive breakdown of the spinal cord. This results in hind limb weakness and paralysis. Gastric dilatation-volvulus is a condition in which the stomach bloats and rotates on itself. It requires surgery to fix due and can be life-threatening. Puppies can be affected by dwarfism and growth hindrance. Dwarfism is an autosomal recessive disorder. Affected puppies will have legs that are abnormally short, bodies that are abnormally long, and hair coats that may have patches of baldness. There is some controversy surrounding miniature and teacup dog breeds. Some people mistakenly assume that a mini breed is simply a smaller version of its purebred parent. This is not true! The miniature German Shepherd is not a purebred dog breed; it is a hybrid mix. These smaller puppies can keep some recognizable traits of a German Shepherd, but they are not purebred. Some breeders try to sell their miniature puppies as purebred dogs. They do not exist unless you are considering dwarf, however these dogs come with many health problems. Most miniature German Shepherds are created via crossbreeding. There are two other ways that breeders may have litters of minis: Pituitary Dwarfism Breeding Runts Breeding two German Shepherds that are both carriers of the Pituitary Dwarfism gene is not ethical. Dwarves can be affected by many health conditions such as hypothyroidism, poor kidney function, and skeletal defects. Dwarves are not the same as miniatures. Some breeders selectively breed German Shepherd puppies that are runts. This can also produce smaller puppies after several generations. Similar to dwarfism, the practice of intentionally breeding runts can create puppies predisposed to health conditions. These puppies will have lower than normal birth weight and may fall behind on the growth curve. Make sure to avoid breeders that breed runts or dogs with pituitary dwarfism. Miniature vs. Standard Differences Miniature German Shepherds can be half the size of standards! This means they do not grow taller than 20 inches and weigh no more than 50 pounds. Due to their smaller size, minis have a slightly longer lifespan of 15 years. At first glance, mini German Shepherds look just like purebreds. They will likely keep the alert, athletic and muscular appearance of their purebred parent, but it will be on a smaller body. This means they are mainly tan and have a saddle-shaped black pattern on their backs. Other coat colors include: white, black, sable, black and silver, or black and red. They generally increase the price of miniature German Shepherds.