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Characteristics Life Span As pointed out in the intro paragraph Shepradors generally live between 10 and 12 years, and sometimes they can reach the age of .However, they tend to be cautious with strangers, thanks to their German Shepherd ancestors. Caring Grooming: their shorthaired coat needs regular brushing: every day in the shedding season spring and autumn and three-to-five times a week in the rest of the year. Activity level With two highly energetic parent breeds, these dogs need an active life, so be ready to spend several hours a day keeping your pet busy. A Labrador Shepherd is generally 20 to 26 inches tall cm. Besides being active, you should have a large house, with a yard to provide her with enough space to move around. The Labrador Shepherd likes cold climates rather than hot weather, so be sure to have the ability to keep her comfortable all year. Further Reading Top 10 Dog Sports 2. They have it in their blood, and can successfully do police work, including searching, tracking, rescue, or guard work. If you care about your flowers and plants, you should also consider building an enclosure to keep your dog away from them. When you bring her inside, provide her with toys and games to keep her busy. She will enjoy any activity that stimulates her mind, such as dog puzzles or training sessions. The vacuum cleaner will be your new best friend German Shepherd Lab Mix is a double-coated breed, which means they have an undercoat next to the skin with longer hair over the top. Dogs from this crossbreed shed a lot, especially when the seasons change. If you want to keep her hair shiny and healthy, you should take time to brush her for at least minutes, three-to-five times a week. A consistent brushing schedule will help you reduce the amount of hair around the house. Besides brushing, you should include in your schedule: cleaning her ears once a week , brushing her teeth at least three times a week , and cleaning her eyes when needed. While this sounds like a lot, on the other hand, she only needs to take a bath about once a month. Exercising her on a concrete surface could help you keep her nails in good shape and reduce the number of visits to the vet. Always buy non-toxic toys, and substitute them with new ones as soon as they start deteriorating to avoid accidents. Your dog will need some strong toys, adapted to her age. Most hybrids tend to have a balanced personality, but as your puppy could be the result of more crosses , she may not inherit the exact characteristics you want in a dog; your future dog is prone to a series of health issues, caused by her bloodline. Obesity, hip and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases and diabetes are a lot more common with these dogs, but she could also develop epilepsy, skin allergies, bloat or cardiovascular diseases, these being common among Labradors and German Shepherds. From my point of view, most estimations work well for average dogs. You should buy your dog from a responsible breeder In most cases, a Labrador Shepherd has high potential and is a great candidate for the title of the perfect family dog. However, as mentioned before, hybrid dogs could have unpredictable coat colors, personalities, and health issues, so buying your puppy from a reliable source is as close as you can get to a clear image about your future dog. Generally, this hybrid can be 26 inches 66 cm tall and can weigh up to 88 pounds 40 kg. Taking into account the height and weight of its German Shepherd and Labrador mix parents, this crossbreed is a medium to a large-sized dog. So measurements can still vary more or less from that range. Good news for you! It will shower you with love and loyalty, and make you proud with its intelligence and playfulness. Do you think you can deal with this? Shepradors has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, but some of them can reach this age. We all want our pets to live longer and spend more years with us, so read this section to avoid and better prepare against genetic illnesses. Conclusion As you could see above, when buying a Sheprador you get the best of two great breeds. I think that this mix of German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever makes for the perfect family dog — kind, loyal, patient with children, and protective. However, they have endless energy and require a lot of time and attention, which makes them suitable for active families only. So are you ready to handle such a dog? Leave us a comment below and tell us about your personal experience with this unique crossbreed. My first Shepherd grew up as I did and wanted to be where I was at all times. I got my second dog as a 16th birthday present, and her loyalty for me was just as strong as my first. I hope that my contribution to Animalso will help others find dogs who give them that same unconditional love. But I adopted my little Hank recently and he seems both very playful and very cuddly. He likes to snuggle a lot but is very active too. Just wondering if I should expect him to go crazy one of these days? There is no way to find out if your puppy will develop any of these conditions. All you can do is to take care of your dog properly to prevent some of these severe medical conditions. Your growing dog should maintain a healthy weight because extra weight can be an additional weight on its spine. The ideal dog nutrition will also depend on any nutritional needs of your dog. If you are training your dog, never give treats as a reward. This encourages obesity and will only cause more problems for your dog. Here are top dog food brands that your German Shepherd Lab will surely love. Its core ingredients include ground brown rice, lamb meal, white rice, and chicken. It is all natural and contains no preservatives. Even a picky puppy will surely love this dog food. Precise Holistic Complete Large Breed Adult Formula Precise Holistic contains chicken, brown rice, chicken fat, and oatmeal and is considered the best organic dog food for large dogs. This comes with extra calcium and phosphorus needed by dogs to achieve its full, large size. This is a portion of irresistible dog food for large breed dogs such as your Lab German Shepherd mix. Just like any other dog, never give your German Shepherd Lab the following human food. Not all human food is safe for dogs. Alcohol Chicken bones or cooked chicken bones Grapes or raisins Salty foods and junk food Chocolate, coffee, or tea Onions, chives, and garlic If you want your dog to grow strong and healthy, you need to give them the best care in the world. So, start with their nutrition! That means you need to stay away from the worst dry dog food, and try out the best dry dog food instead. Your hairy friend comes from different parents and therefore you can experiment with the best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. Our puppy friends need nutrition that is full of proteins and easy to digest. You can look for some ideas in the best puppy food brands. Senior dogs, in their grandpa style, need food which contains moderate protein levels as in the best senior dry dog food. Because of this, you need to spend ample time in a day to exercise and to walk this dog otherwise; it can develop destructive behavior. Play with your dog regularly to develop a strong bond with your pet. Remember that this dog will love to swim because of its Labrador Retriever lineage. A local dog pool or a pond would work great with your dog. If you have a large yard, an old, large vat will work great just for him to play and cool off. All dogs love to fetch and play Frisbee. Use other kinds of toys like large ropes so you can play pulling games. Use a giant ball for fetches like an old football or a tennis ball. Here are a few ideas 1. This is available in six sizes so you will surely find the best size for your medium to large-sized Lab German Shepherd mix. It is indestructible so your dog will undoubtedly spend hours playing with it. It is made from durable materials that will never break or chip. This is indestructible, and your dog will surely love to play with this over and over again. It is soft but is made to be indestructible. Your pet will surely love to chew on this soft bone. This will be his favorite toy in no time. Lab German Shepherd Mix Training The Lab crossed with a German Shepherd is a brilliant dog, but it may need more than simple traditional training techniques to train this dog. The following tricks will help you make your dog obey you in no time. The Clicker Technique Learn how to train your dog using a clicker. Press this, and you will hear an audible click, a sound that dog loves very much. The clicker may be used in all kinds of tricks, but the most common is for positive reinforcement. Just click the clicker when your dog can follow the trick and then click again if you want to repeat the behavior. Invest in a good clicker which is available in most pet stores online. This can contribute to obesity and other health problems related to being overweight. Reward good behavior by patting your dog, playing with him or giving him a good scratch. Tell your dog what a good dog he is and combines this with a lot of pats as reinforcement. Every dog takes his time so you must be patient. His bed should at the same place where he found it the first time while his food bowls should also be in the same area. Consistency is the key to training dogs important stuff. Also, consider talking to everyone at home regarding your rules and commands to reinforce consistency in training your dog. Train Your Dog In A Familiar Environment Dogs like the Lab are easily distracted; therefore you must train your pup in a quiet and familiar environment first before you take him out for further training. Start inside a quiet room with only you and him. You can train him outdoors once he is less distracted to noise and the presence of other pets and people. You may also opt for professional training for your Lab German Shepherd mix dog if you want your pup to grow up and become a service dog or police dog. German Shepherd Lab Mix and Families Lab German Shepherds can be great family dogs because these dogs love to be with their masters and to please them every way they can. These are patient with children and will never roughhouse or bite. They can even tolerate toddlers and very intense games like dress up and role play games. Lab German Shepherd mix dogs will love to be with other pets and even other dogs. They are not domineering and will never cause a fight. The Lab German Shepherd mix may become anti-social and may become aggressive with people or other dogs when they are not introduced to people and other pets early on. Your dog should be trained first and exposed to other dogs and people to prevent this untoward behavior. This will help you to recognize the nature of the Sheprador a little better. This gave us the Labrador we have come to know and love in modern-day society. Your black Lab pup could weigh as much as 80 lbs, reaching heights of 24 inches. The black Labrador Retriever is an ideal companion because they are always eager to learn and a pleasure to train. These loyal fur babies come from a long line of useful working hounds. Did you know that up until the s, the lovable Labrador was pretty much only black and was intentionally bred to go along on hunting and shooting expeditions? Read next: black dog breeds. The Temperament of the Black Labrador Retriever These sweet-natured furballs are generally pretty active. They love to play and learn. They especially love meeting new people, and they have a strong sense of family loyalty. The American Labrador, or hunting Lab, is built with a daintier frame and tends to possess a bigger drive for retrieving. These doggos are successful at field trials and competitive activities such as hunting. Some Labs, however, are bred specifically for the show ring. Black Labradors are an asset in hunting and sporting communities, and although the popular choice was black, that has shifted slightly in recent years. Where hunting dog owners still do prefer a black coat, those wanting a Lab as a pet or in a show certainly have a preference for a lighter shade. Breeders today sell predominantly lighter-colored Labs, such as yellow, fox red, and chocolate. These good-tempered hounds can be proud members of your family for 12 years or even longer with a healthy diet and the right exercise regime. Standing tall at about 26 inches at shoulder height, this fuzzy friend is clad in a glossy coat and outlined with curvaceous, athletic proportions. A star student, the German Shepherd is delightfully reliable, courageous to the core, and a loyal companion to have by your side. Looking for more intelligent GSD mixes? Getting to Know the German Shepherd The beloved German Shepherds are loyal to the point of putting their own lives on the line when it concerns protecting their loved ones. German Shepherds are extremely courageous but are also one of the most intelligent dog breeds. But when they mean business, these hounds can give a cheetah a run for their money. Looking for a smaller companion? Read more about the most intelligent small dog breeds. The Temperament of the German Shepherd Stout-hearted German Shepherds have been described as the canines that lead the ranks of royalty. Moreover, their character is what sets them shoulders above the rest of the hairy hounds. They have, however, been noted to display a distant, cool quality that does not always bode well for making new friends. However, they still continue to be devoted guardians and valuable team members. Want a protective GSD mix? Yup, you guessed it. A hound that is a blend of two fantastic pups. Both bring enthusiasm and athletic abilities to the table. Labradors, for example, were originally bred as hunting hounds to retrieve fallen fowl from the water and aided as companions on the hunt. Two of the most popular doggos in America are the Labrador and the German Shepherd, so they make for a popular choice among breeders interested in exploring hybrid breeds. These designer pooches are the result of crossing two pure-blooded canines. The Nature of the Lab and German Shepherd Mix When mixing two different dog breeds, each with its own unique nature, there is a possibility for random and unexpected results. This is because traits are passed on and inherited randomly. We can, however, predict that a Sheprador puppy, much like any other hybrid, will inherit the best features from their parent dogs. Despite this, of the batch of hybrid Sheprador pups, some will display more of a German Shepherd personality, and others, more of a black Lab Retriever. Labradors are a very big success in the service and work industry, and to have as domesticated pets in the family home. Their gentle, laid-back nature was an asset to their human companions after a long day of hunting. Born and bred as herding dogs, German Shepherds make excellent security dogs and prefer to work at a distance from whoever is in charge. A handler or herder will get alerted by their German Shepherd whenever something suspicious poses a threat. Labradors are not similar in this regard. But like the lovely Lab, German Shepherds are incredibly versatile creatures and excel in any task they take on. Both doggos are gifted in service or military posts and even in the detection of narcotics. Socialization of the German Shepherd Labrador Mix An essential part of parenthood, when it comes to owning a dog, is socializing your pup. This process allows your pooch to get used to other animals and people. It also helps them to get to know new places and activities. Believe it or not, this is even more reason to prioritize socialization so as to ensure that when they do inevitably interact with other animals or people, they do so in the best way possible. The German Shepherds in your Sheprador will mean they are loyal to the end when it comes to their favorite humans, but they can definitely be wary of strangers. Luckily through early socialization during puppyhood, they can learn good habits. Socialization can even include having people over at your house so they can become used to new voices and faces. Getting them used to small children is also essential to avoid any unwanted accidents out of fear or nervousness. And, of course, if you have other pets, the earlier you introduce them to your Sheprador puppy, the better. Anything new should ideally be introduced earlier rather than later. German Shepherd Labs are likely to inherit this friendliness from both of their parents. Proper socialization will ensure that all parties are comfortable and that your pooch has the confidence to get out there and interact in a healthy way. Read more about why puppies whine so much and why puppies lick your face. Additionally, you should also be sure that you have lots of free time for games and activities that your dog can join in on, such as garden games or even jogging and hiking. These pups can get bored easily and become destructive if they are not properly stimulated. These dogs are really great with children, much like their parent breeds. If properly socialized as puppies, they are truly a joy to have around kids supervised, preferably. So if you have family members who can share the responsibility of entertaining these hounds, then that would be ideal. They are some of the least-aggressive dogs out there, thanks to the Lab in them. But, supervision is important because of their size and slight clumsiness. They can easily knock over a small child in the excitement of fun and games. As you can tell, these doggos are definitely on the needier side and require plenty of love, attention, and care. And not to mention, you are guaranteed a lifelong companion and proud family member. The Appearance of the German Shepherd Lab Mix When one combines these two brilliant pedigree pets, you are likely to end up with a lb hound offering servant-hearted companionship and a diligent, working spirit. Your German Shepherd mixed with Lab will stand tall at about 25 inches and will display the high intelligence and athletic ability of their parent breeds. However, predicting the coat pattern and color of the Sheprador puppy that will emerge from the breeding is not an easy feat. Predicting the inherited physical appearance of any dog is tricky enough as is. So, for the most part, the looks and personality of your Sheprador can be quite a gamble, as with any designer breed. This will simply make your precious pup all the more unique and special. But, if you are specific about the traits of your Sheprador pup, then a reputable breeder will be able to follow the genetic line of the parent breeds and make a rather accurate prediction. These physical and personality traits are a lot easier to predict when the parent dogs — in this case, German Shepherd and Labrador Retriever — are quite similar in nature, which they fortunately are. German Sheprador Coat Labradors have tight, short hair, while German Shepherds have a medium-length, double coat. They can also have longer coats that are wavy. Shepradors are not exactly low-maintenance dog breeds when it comes to grooming. True to its parent breeds, the Sheprador has a double coat consisting of a super warm undercoat and a coarser outer coat to protect them from the elements. These dogs historically worked outdoors, so adequate protection from the heat or the cold was essential. Due to the gene for long coats being recessive and very unusual among Labradors, your Black Lab German Shepherd Mix will most definitely have a neat, short coat like its Labrador parent. This means that even if their German Shepherd parent has a long coat, it is highly unlikely to be passed on to their puppies. However, a lint roller will definitely be your best friend when it comes to maintaining furniture and clothing. Consider also how this handsome hairball may affect any existing asthmatic or allergic conditions. The other main concern when it comes to apartment living is the exercise needs of these dogs. So, if you are available for a rigorous daily walk and plenty of playtime, then it can work. As long as these hounds have the opportunity for daily energy expenditure to keep them happy and healthy, all will be well. Other than that, they will be in their element if they can curl up on the couch for movies and naps with their favorite humans. Like most crossbreeds, mixed breeds are usually healthier than their purebred parents. So if your Sheprador takes after their German Shepherd parent, then you may encounter spinal problems that lead to arthritis and hip dysplasia as they get older. The silver lining is that the good health of the Labrador balances out the potentially compromised health that German Shepherds sometimes have, and the result is a stellar, mostly-healthy Sheprador pup. Elbow Dysplasia: Elbow Dysplasia is characterized by lameness in the forelimb and results in limping. Progressive Retinal Atrophy : This ailment affects the photoreceptor cells of the dog which causes them to deteriorate over time. It eventually leads to blindness. In addition to these conditions, Labradors are also prone to allergies. However, there are no DNA tests to detect this predisposition, so your best bet is to check with your breeder about a family history of allergies. It results due to a lack of von Willebrand factor protein vWF. Hypothyroidism: Marked by an underactive thyroid condition, this endocrine disorder in dogs is rather common. It causes bodily functions to slow down, and warning signs include lethargy and weight gain. Cataracts: German Shepherds are prone to eye problems like Cataracts. It occurs when the dog develops cloudiness in the eye, which disturbs its vision. It causes abnormal blood clot formation. More About the Health of Your Black Lab and German Shepherd Mix While this breed has some health concerns in its parent breeds, these can be detected early on with screenings. Other than that, conditions like obesity can be prevented by pet owners. The best thing you can do with your Sheprador puppy is to find a reputable breeder and ask many questions. Find out about the parent breeds, what their health and medical histories are, and be sure to ask for health screening certificates. Life Expectancy of the Sheprador Now that we know what health issues to look out for, what is the lifespan of these hounds? Labrador Retrievers live between 10 and 14 years, whereas German Shepherds typically live less long, between 9 and 12 years. Exercise Regime for the German Shepherd and Lab Mix With black Labs and German Shepherds being high-energy, athletic animals, combining the two of them results in a grown Sheprador in need of at least 2 hours of walking a day. These two types of dogs were bred with the initial purpose of being active and physical for several hours each day. They are excellent work dogs and will likely chew your furniture or dig up your rose garden if left ignored or indoors for prolonged periods of time. In addition to going for walks or runs, playtime with your Sheprador can include tug of war, fetch, and working on developing scent detection. In addition to needing lots of playtime and physical stimulation, they also need a lot of mental stimulation. This can include dog puzzles and dog toys — they are very mouthy pups, so multiple chew toys, or anything to clutch in their jaw, for that matter, will suffice. Not to mention, these hounds will be in their element with doggy sports like obedience training, agility work, and fieldwork. They are hard-working and love any opportunity to learn something new while pleasing their favorite humans. Both parents of the Sheprador were bred to spend several hours a day being mentally and physically challenged. And take note that no amount of fetch games with a ball launcher will be too much for these playful canines. Dietary Requirements of the Labrador and German Shepherd Mix In order to ensure you have a Sheprador with a happy and healthy life, you should be sure that you feed your pooch the right dog food. Not all dog food on the market is high quality, so carefully selecting the right brand is important. In general, a good rule of thumb is to opt for food with all-natural ingredients and high-fiber dog food that includes fruits and vegetables. Also, make sure they have a diet high in protein. You should also avoid food with filler ingredients, artificial flavoring, and preservatives. The Labrador side of these hounds will certainly mean they come with a big appetite and a love for snacking. Due to this, Shepradors are very prone to weight gain and overeating. To avoid gulping down their dinner, it may be best to invest in a slow feeder. If Shepradors are allowed to become overweight, they will suffer from joint problems, hip dysplasia, and, later on, arthritis. This mixed breed is quite widely accessible and is luckily not as pricey as other, more fashionable crossbreeds. The best route is to research reputable breeders and follow recommendations. Shepradors are not extremely expensive dog breeds. Adopting a Sheprador If you are struggling to find a reputable breeder or you simply have your heart set on a Black Lab German Shepherd, then rescuing is a great option. Be sure to check out your local shelters and adoption agencies. These pups have so much love to give and deserve a second chance at a happy home. They are also easily adaptable and should slot into their new environment and family without too much fuss. Remember that they flourish on positive reinforcement and rely on learning and training in order to thrive. Like with any relationship, there will be highs and lows. But, for the most part, the pros will likely outweigh the cons when it comes to the Black Lab mixed with German Shepherd. Cons of Owning a Sheprador They can inherit serious health issues: this is emotionally and financially stressful, but health screenings can, fortunately, help predict and prevent inherited issues. They need lots of exercise: without sufficient exercise and a generally active lifestyle, these hounds will grow restless, bored, and unhappy. They are likely to shed heavily: without a frequent brushing and sweeping routine, your pooch will leave your home in a blanket of hair. Pros of Owning a Sheprador Shepradors are outgoing with loyal personalities: your Sheprador is always eager to play, engage, learn, and meet new people, which makes them great companions. They are great family pets: affectionate and loving, Shepradors want to belong in your family and feel needed on the team. The dogs are excellent security dogs: the Sheprador is innately a protector and a watchdog and will alert you of any threats to your safety. Final Thoughts on the Sheprador There you have it, folks — the brilliant, blended Sheprador that we all adore. This razor-sharp, athletically-inclined hound is a sure companion to have at your side. They are eager to please and easy to train, which will make them a pleasure to have around in the home or on the job. You cannot go wrong with parenting one of these fur babies unless, of course, you have a problem with too much loyalty and brilliance. Looking for more GSD crossbreeds? Take a look at these posts next:. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. It is, therefore, no surprise that some breeders are starting to mix the two. Considering whether a German Shepherd Lab Mix is right for you? Read on for everything you need to know about this amazing mixed-breed dog. Lab German Shepherd Mix Overview Size — 22 to 25 inches tall and 50 to 80 pounds Coat — Medium length, double coat, color varies Shedding — Yes Temperament — Intelligent, active, and loyal, but can be wary of strangers Trainable — Highly, but prone to destructive behavior when bored Activity — Highly active needs two hours of activity per day Best For — Families and people with active lifestyles and lots of time to spend with them What is a German Shepherd Lab Mix? As these dogs are roughly the same size, the mother can be of either breed as long as she is larger than the father, to ensure against any difficulty in the birthing process. Sheprador Appearance As is the case for most mix-breed dogs, it is a bit of a gamble what you will get when these two come together. They might have the pointed ears of a German Shepherd or the floppy ears of a Labrador. There is nothing to do but wait and see. But luckily, both German Shepherds and Labradors are attractive dogs, so however they turn out they should be handsome. That said, we can make a few generalizations about the appearance of Shepradors. Size As both German Shepherds and Labradors are medium- to large-sized dogs, you can expect their mixed offspring to be the same. German Shepherds are the larger of the two and are usually between 50 and 90 pounds and 22 to 26 inches tall. Labradors are only a little bit smaller, at 50 to 80 pounds and 22 to 25 inches tall. So expect your German Shepherd Lab Mix to stand between 22 and 25 inches tall and weigh 50 to 80 pounds. You can narrow this range down a bit by looking at the size of the parents. Color The color of these gorgeous mixed-breed dogs is also highly variable, and you might end up with a pooch of a solid coat color, like Labs, or striking mixed coloring, like German Shepherds. A lot of this depends on the color of the Labrador parent, whether they are yellow, black, or chocolate. As a general rule, the darker the lab parent, the darker the coat of the pup. But you also get white German Shepherd Dogs, which can result in striking white Shepradors. Coat When it comes to coat length, you should expect in most cases that your Lab German Shepherd Mix will have a shorter coat, like that of a Labrador. This seems to be a dominant gene, and the vast majority of German Shepherd Lab Mixes end up with this type of coat. The dog will certainly have a double coat, as this is a feature of both breeds. The undercoat will be soft and fluffy, and the guard coat rough. This does mean that they shed—a lot. This is not the type of dog to have at home if anyone in the household suffers from allergies. Shepherd Lab Mix Puppy Lab German Shepherd Mix Character While temperament is again unpredictable with mix-breeds, both German Shepherds and Labradors are intelligent, active, and loyal dogs, so you can expect their offspring to share these traits. German Shepherds are very intelligent and have a natural protective instinct. They have a tendency to guard whatever they consider to be theirs. Labradors were originally bred as gun dogs, to retrieve the wild game of hunters. As such, they are very obedient and tend to be pleasers, and they like nothing more than spending time with their humans. As both breeds are intelligent and highly trainable, you can expect these characteristics to appear in a Sheprador. However, whether they will be a guard dog that can be aggressive with strangers, or a pleaser that is great with children, you will have to wait and see. While dogs are a mix of nature and nurture, if you want to take a Lab German Shepherd mix into a family home, or if you are a first-time dog owner, you will want to be careful about which individual dog you choose. Activity Levels However their personality turns out, you are going to have a dog with a lot of energy. These larger dogs that are used to working need around two hours of exercise each day. Their intelligence also means they get bored easily, and when they do get bored, they can have a tendency toward destructive behavior, which means digging and chewing. They do best with active owners with whom they can go walking, hiking, and running. Whether these dogs will like swimming is a coin toss. While Labradors love the water, German Shepherds are a bit more wary. But their size and adventurous nature mean they can be trained to love the water. So you have a good chance that your Lab German Shepherd Mix will be a swimmer. These dogs are loyal and love being around their humans. You will find them at their happiest and healthiest when you make them part of the family and shower them with love. Exercise Ideally, your Sheprador will need around two hours of exercise per day. This might be more than just a long walk, as their high energy levels mean they will like to run as well. They will enjoy tackling tough trails with you at their side, and the retriever nature of Labradors also means this breed is likely to enjoy a good game of fetch. Bear in mind that these dogs will need this level of exercise rain or shine, or they will become frustrated and start engaging in destructive behavior. This is not only bad for them in general, but can put excess pressure on their hips, which are also prone to issues. Intellectual Stimulation German Shepherd Lab Mix dogs are invariably highly intelligent, which makes them easy to train but also means they get bored very easily. When they do get bored, they are smart enough to find trouble, and you may come home to quite the scene. These dogs need to spend time with people to occupy their minds, and they also benefit from intellectually stimulating games. But expect them to make short work of these challenges, as they are chewers. You will be getting them new games quite often. Companionship Labradors need a lot of companionship, and this is a trait their offspring with German Shepherds are likely to share. Not only will they get bored and start acting up, but they can become depressed. Grooming Both German Shepherds and Labradors are shedders, so you can be sure their Sheprador offspring will be as well. This is just a fact of life with Shepradors. They will need to be brushed at least twice a week, and as often as once a day during the shedding seasons fall and spring. As well as brushing, invest in a good quality vacuum cleaner that has special functionality to help you pick up dog hair. These dogs are also likely to enjoy jumping up on the couch for a snuggle and a snooze. Invest in coverings and be sure your swanky vacuum cleaner has an attachment for upholstery. Their coat is not the only part of their grooming to attend to. You need to clean their teeth three times a week, with a brush or with dental treats. Finally, trim their nails every three months. This is both for their health and the health of your home, as their nails can damage your floors. For a big dog like this, it can be a good idea to take them to the vet to get their nails clipped. But if you feel confident to do this at home, check out our list of the best nail clippers. Diet German Shepherd Lab Mixes are big dogs that have lots of energy, but they also have a tendency toward obesity, which means they have to get their energy from good sources. This means high-quality protein and fats over carbohydrates. Preferably this means meals made from quality meats rather than meals or byproducts. When looking at the ingredient list, look for named meats at the first ingredient. Lab German Shepherd Mixes also benefit from novel proteins in their diet, as they can be prone to allergies. Dogs tend to develop allergies to the meats they eat the most, which often means beef and chicken. When they are puppies, Shepradors should be fed three times a day, and this should be cut down to two times a day from about four months of age. As a rule, dogs need 25 to 30 calories per pound of their weight per day, though you should watch their individual weight and energy level to see if you need to adjust their meals up or down. You can also check the label on your dog food to get a rough estimate of how much you should be feeding your Sheprador. Of course the amount will also vary depending on how often you exercise your dog. Known Health Problems While there is no limit to the number of health problems that a dog of any breed can develop, or they might not develop any at all, some dog breeds are more prone to some conditions than others. German Shepherd Lab Mix dogs have the potential to develop the health problems that are common in goth German Shepherds and Labradors. These include: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia — This is a condition where the hip and elbow joints do not develop normally and that can cause extreme pain and arthritis in later life. For more information check out our list of Glucosamine for Dogs. Progressive Retinal Atrophy — This is a group of degenerative diseases that affect the eyes and can lead to blindness. Shepradors are also prone to eat whatever is put in front of them, so you need to be conscious of what you are feeding them. Gastric Dilatation Volvulus — Poor diet can lead the stomach to dilate and expand, in turn leading to a twisting of the stomach that is life-threatening. It can block the flow of blood to the abdomen, leading to rupture of the stomach walls, and put pressure on the diaphragm thereby inhibiting the lungs. Degenerative Radiculomyelopathy — This is a condition that affects the spinal cord and leads to progressive weakness of the hind limbs, and eventually paralysis. Panosteitis — This is an inflammation of the outer surface of the long bones in the legs, resulting in a shifting lameness and making bones more susceptible to breaks. Allergies — Dogs can be born with allergies or develop them over time. Dogs often develop allergies if they eat the same foods consistently. Underactive Thyroid — The thyroid manages hormones, and an underactive thyroid is unable to secrete the required hormones. This can result in weight gain, lethargy, and cold intolerance. At this time, their energy levels will drop and they will need some changes in their diet and exercise. GSD Lab Mix Puppy But no matter how well trained they are, if they are left to get bored for too long, they can engage in some pretty destructive behavior, such as digging and chewing everything in sight. You have been forewarned. The highly assertive nature of German Shepherds means they do not respond well to domination training. They are likely to revolt when subjected to punishment. The best way to train a Labrador German Shepherd Mix is through positive reinforcement. Labradors are pleasers that love to make their humans happy. This means their offspring are also likely to feel the same way. So they will respond rapidly to training based on rewards for positive behavior. Deal with this behavior early, with specific training for dealing with children and strangers. They are very active and need lots of attention, so they need to be in households that support this. But they do great with adults and kids, so they can be a great family pet. Remember that German Shepherd Labrador Mixes need around two hours of exercise every day, so they need someone who can commit to that level of activity. But at the same time, it means they are the type of dog you can take on all of your adventures if you like hiking and trailing. They also need attention and stimulation throughout the day. If anyone in the house suffers with pet hair allergies, this is another reason Labrador German Shepherd Mixes are not the right dog for you, as they shed a lot. Consider something like a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle instead. Also, ask for medical records of the parents, to see what health conditions the pup might be prone to in the future. If you decide to adopt a mature dog, spend a bit of time with them to see what their temperament is like. History of the Breeds German Shepherd German Shepherds originated in Germany in the late 19th century as a sheep herding dog. But, because they are very intelligent, trainable, obedient, and strong, they have since moved into many different working roles including police, military, search and rescue, and disability assistance. German Shepherds can have a reputation for being aggressive, but they are more alert and wary than aggressive. They can have a tendency to become overprotective of family and territory. But if socialized and trained properly, this tendency should be highly manageable. German Shepherds are the second-most popular dog in the United States and the seventh-most popular dog in the United Kingdom. Labrador Labradors, also known as Labrador Retrievers, were initially used in Newfoundland as fishing dogs to retrieve fish that had gotten away. Because they are incredibly friendly but also intelligent and therefore easy to train, today Labradors are favored as disability assistance dogs, often helping individuals with blindness, ptsd, mobility issues and autism. Labradors are the most popular dog breed in the United States. They are intelligent and therefore easy to train, and loving and loyal, so they will quickly feel like part of the family. However, they do need a lot of exercise and attention, so adopting a Sheprador into your family is a commitment. German Shepherds have a reputation for being aggressive, but it is not really deserved. They are natural watchdogs and reserved around strangers, but they are not aggressive dogs that are likely to attack. They are also intelligent and easy to train, which means easy to control. Beagles, Poodles, Boxers, Golden Retrievers and Spaniels are all extremely friendly dogs as well, many specifically bred to be companions. They do best with active people or families who are full of people to love them. Like all dogs, they will do their best when they are cared for properly. This means training them appropriately, exercising them, keeping them mentally stimulated, and feeding them well. But these loyal pooches will repay your care and commitment with a lot of love and affection. 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. Origin of the Black Lab German Shepherd Mix Designer dogs — the result of deliberately crossing two different pedigrees — are a relatively recent phenomenon. But the Labrador and German Shepherd pedigrees both go right back to the 19th century. And understanding their individual histories provides important insights into German Sheprador temperament. Labrador history Labradors were originally bred as hunting dogs, to retrieve fallen waterfowl from the water. Breeders selected breeding dogs for traits which made them great at this job: a strong build, a thick waterproof coat, and an enthusiasm to learn and work in a team with their handler. The best Labs were also gentle and chilled out companions once the hunting day was over. Which is why Labradors exploded so successfully onto the pet scene, and into service roles as well. Unlike Labs, GSDs needed to be able to work confidently at a distance from their handler. They also used to double up as watch dogs and guard dogs, alerting their owner to the arrival of anything unfamiliar, which might be a threat to their flock. Like Labradors, they also proved to be remarkably versatile, and succeed in a wide variety of roles — including police work, military work, narcotics detection, and service roles. What to Expect From a Black Lab German Shepherd Mix The whole purpose of establishing pedigrees for purebred dogs is to ensure that all the puppies descended from that pedigree look and behave in a reliable way. Inevitably, mixing breeds creates possibilities for unpredictable results. Puppies inherit traits from both of their parents at random. Designer dogs with parents who have a lot in common are easier to predict. Puppies from parents who either look very different, or were bred for very different purposes, are more variable. Black Labs can also carry the genes for chocolate and yellow coloring. Some Labs also silently carry the genes for markings like tan points. These genes hark back to when Gordon Setters contributed to the foundation of the breed. So a black Lab German Shepherd mix puppy might be black or dark brown, and have markings including sable shading or tan points. How big do German Shepherd black Lab mixes get? Labradors and German Shepherds are both medium to large sized dogs. Labs weigh 55 to 80 pounds, and GSDs weigh 50 to 90 pounds. For both breeds, females tend to occupy the bottom end of the weight range, and males the upper end. So, a black Lab German Shepherd mix could weigh anything between 50 and 90 pounds too. Their weight will be partly determined by all of the following: the general parameters of the breed the size of their parents their sex and environmental factors, like receiving adequate nutrition in puppyhood. Do black Lab German Shepherd mix dogs shed? Labs and GSDs both have thick double coats — ideal for insulating them against harsh weather conditions whilst working. So, one thing we can say for sure about the black Lab German Shepherd is that they too will be high-shedding dogs. Regular brushing, and seasonal grooming with specialist tools like a Furminator can help to keep your house clear of discarded fur. They also have a strong retrieving instinct — or in other words they like to carry things around in their mouths! Black Labs in particular have traditionally been favored for working roles, so they tend to be focussed and easily motivated to engage in training. German Shepherds are often described as courageous and loyal. They have strong herding and guarding instincts. Part of this is an innate distrust of unfamiliar people. Although, they are devoted and affectionate to their human family and regular guests. They are also very smart, and capable of picking up new cues quickly. But they are both talented problem solvers and quick learners. Sheprador puppies are sure to be smart and trainable too. So, the training and socialization you do with them while they are young will be very important. Puppies under 12 weeks old readily form positive associations with new things, if they have a good first encounter with them. Socialization is particularly important for German Shepherds and their mixes, because they are naturally inclined to be wary of strangers. It gives them the confidence to interact calmly with the world when they are older. Typically friendly breeds like Labs still need socializing too. And very friendly individuals will also need teaching how to greet people calmly, without jumping up or getting over excited. German Shepradors also need methodical leash training from a young age — being dragged along the sidewalk by a large dog is no fun! Exercise Labs and GSDs are both athletic dogs which have been bred to be mentally and physically active for several hours a day. An adult Lab GSD mix dog needs at least 2 hours of walking per day. At home, they enjoy additional games of fetch, tug and scent work. Training and puzzle feeders like Kongs and sniffle mats are valuable for providing mental exercise. A Sheprador is also likely to enjoy dog sports like fieldwork and advanced obedience training. Black Lab German Shepherd Mix Health Just like in every other respect, Sheprador health is a mixed inheritance from both of their parent breeds. Labrador Health.

We are a reputable Labradoodle breeder We do all health testing on our Labradoodles before breeding. We are dedicated to a quality-breeding program that has allowed us the opportunity to develop relationships with some of the top Australian Labradoodle breeders in the United States and we are located in Sacramento, CA. She is a calm, patient, and sweet breeding dog that has a gentle and affectionate personality. Brookside Diesel 23 pounds Diesel exudes joy and playfulness, reveling on attention and companionship. He exhibits a warm and friendly demeanor towards both humans and fellow canines. Diesel's abundant energy is evident as he eagerly positions himself in front of anyone petting another dog, yearning for his share of attention. She is a happy, cunning, smart, and sweet breeding dog that has a unique blend of intelligence and mischievousness. Our previous litter We are pleased to share that we have had the pleasure of raising 5 litters of adorable Australian Labradoodles. Each our puppy received the best care and attention possible, ensuring that they developed into happy, healthy pups. We are thrilled to announce that all of our previous litters have found their forever homes and are bringing joy and happiness to their new owners. We take great pride in our breeding program and are dedicated to producing healthy, well-socialized Australian Labradoodles that are the perfect addition to any family. We hope that our track record of successful litters and happy owners gives you confidence in our breeding program. As experienced breeders, you can trust us to provide you with a wonderful companion that will bring years of love and companionship to your life. The dogs they use to breed are beautiful and appear in great health as well. My puppy Luna can be a lot of work at times but that goes without saying. Highly recommend Adorable Labradoodle! Colin T From the beginning I have had such an amazing experience with adorable labradoodle. Tatyana was super responsive. She FaceTimed me so I could pick the perfect puppy for my family. She even offered to let me visit her before pick up date. On pick up date, she worked with me for a time that worked well for my schedule. You can tell she loves what she does and the puppies are I. Such a loving home and environment. We took home a little girl we named Charli and she is so smart. She is def the addition we needed. Thank you so much. He is such a great noy and I am sooo in love with him. Finn is almost six months old and certainly is adorable! Lori Steuben Norman is very people oriented. I believe all these good traits come from good breeding and the breeders who took the time and care for there animals. So this is our first sample of a non hunting companion. What a wonderful choice we made. Thank you again Adorable Labradoodles. Ruben Great experience with Adorable Labradoodle. Very professional, friendly, and helpful the whole way with getting your dog to you. I would recommend Adorable Labradoodle to my own family and friends. I received the perfect little Teddy Bear and now she is 8 months old. Jane All of these puppies are well cared for and loved, socialized, and have amazing temperaments. You can tell how the entire family loves and knows each puppy. This is not a high volume breeder-everyone knows each puppy and takes the time to answer all of your questions. There is so much heart and soul here. Thank you! Michelle Takemoto Very responsible Breeder. Puppies are socialized. My red poodle I would highly recommend Adorable Labradoodle! We had a great experience with this breeder and I could not imagine getting a puppy from anywhere else. As a first time dog owner, she went above and beyond in terms of thoroughly answering our questions. Kon Kon Viev More Our Certificates If you are looking to purchase a Labradoodle as a pet or as a breeding dog, then you are at the right site. We are current ALAA breeders, and we have a good reputation in the Association, which is confirmed by certificates and diplomas. Call Gerry at to see if you qualify? ADEL reserves the right to hold back both males and females from any litter for our breeding program. We are located in Sun City, Arizona, less than 20 miles from Phoenix. We recently relocated from Windham, Maine, but we still serve Maine, Massachusetts, and beyond! We breed cream, apricot, red, chocolate, and black and white mini and medium labradoodles. Our puppies are raised in our home and are socialized with adults, children, and other dogs daily. You can be sure your future furry family member will have a sweet, gentle disposition. We pride ourselves on our well behaved, cheerful, and intelligent puppies. Our labradoodles make terrific family companions, activity partners, and even therapy dogs. Our labradoodles By choosing only the highest quality breeding dogs available, we ensure your puppy will be as healthy as possible when you bring him or her home. Please explore our website to find out about available puppies and upcoming litters , or contact us to begin the process of bringing home your own labradoodle. Or just go through our labradoodle photos and videos for some cuteness overload. We look forward to hearing from you!

I am familiar with common and uncommon health problems they may face so when my boyfriend and I decided we were ready to adopt our own english puppy finding a reputable breeder that prioritizes health was most important to us. Erica and Mitch of Bruiser Bulldogs are just that. They are experienced, ethical and quality breeders. I was referred to them by my friend that I trust after I saw their gorgeous healthy puppy. Our Puppy Primrose is the light of our lives! Bruisers was there to assist us every step of the way. We would highly recommend Bruisers Bulldogs to anyone looking for their own happy, healthy pup! Leah H. We were lucky to have come across Bruiser Bulldogs and even more so the fact that they were near our family and hometown made it even better. We have had Clementine Callie for four months now, and she is a wonderful dog. Her personality is amazing, and I think part of it is breeding and the other part is Erika and her family lovingly raising the puppies in their home with plenty of attention and snuggles. I also was impressed that, rather than send the puppies out right at 8 weeks, Erika kept ours for a few extra weeks because she was tiny and not read to leave her mom yet. It's that care that differentiates Bruisers from other breeders. Emily R. Erica was easy to work with thru the entire process from application to adopting and now beyond as we host our new family member, Chief. Her on-call support and willingness to provide open, honest advice to all of our questions and concerns continues to be appreciated. We would highly recommend Bruiser Bulldogs to anyone looking for an English Bulldog to join their family. Elizabeth W. Lady L. They are experienced, responsive and knowledgeable about all things bulldog related. They went above and beyond for us and are truly dedicated to all of their pups! We love our little girl so much and would recommend Bruiser to anyone looking for a healthy beautiful bully. Jonathan E. Erica and Mitch are trustworthy, excellent communicators, fair, passionate, and produce the best bulldogs. We were at the top of the waiting list for months and Erica reached out every litter to see if we were finally ready for a bulldog. When we were, she was very easy to work with. Her knowledge on bulldogs is outstanding. We had many questions on the process and she always knew what was best for the puppy. We've had Penny formerly Blair for two months and she is very healthy, energetic, playful, and sweet. She is great with other people and dogs. We are so happy with our pup. When we are ready for bulldog 2, we will only consider Bruiser Bulldogs. Mitch C. Bowser was born April and is an integral part of our family. When we were first exploring English Bulldog breeders our biggest concern was the overall health of the dogs. We decided to work with Erica at Bruiser Bulldogs because we liked their focus on improving the breeds breathing abilities and the fact that the puppies are raised within her family environment before coming home with their new owners. Bowser also breaths clearly and our vet was impressed with his overall health from the moment we brought him home. All that said we know English Bulldogs have a predisposition to many health issues and that his current health can not predict the future. With that In mind its important to start with a breeder that open to answer any of your questions as Erica has ours, and that strongly believes in improving the breeds overall health profile. Adam B. My sister ended up finding Bruiser Bulldogs and we knew right away that they were the breeder for us. In September we ended up driving 9 hours to pick up two Bruiser bulldog puppies- one for my husband and I and one for my mom. Jackson and Penelope have been nothing but a joy. They are both very athletic and healthy. They are also HUGE snugglers and always want to be with you. It is an absolute pleasure having these two bullies in our lives! Erica is very knowledgeable about the breed. She is very hands on throughout the process and is just overall a kind and honest person to work with. With all that being said I cannot recommend Bruiser Bulldogs enough! Collyn C. One of the reasons we chose Bruiser Bulldogs was due to the claims about breeding for health. During our first visit at our vet's office, he told us that our pup was one of the healthiest English bulldogs he had ever seen. He is healthy, happy and social. Would recommend to anyone. Christina S. We seen our dog on their website and sent them an Email. Mitch called us and personally walked us through the process and made sure we had the right dog for our family. We couldn't be happier when we picked up our dog Ramsey, Erica made sure we had everything we needed and then some. They are truly amazing people who breed truly amazing dogs! Jim T. Free Bulldog Puppy Starter Kit! The neck should be solid; shoulders should be well muscled and well defined. Elbows should be in line with the dog's shoulders and feet. The musculature is not extreme or bulging as to allow for agility, quickness and endurance. The coat is coarse with slight feathering on backs of hind legs. Black-only pigmentation and spotting is found on the skin, around the eyes, on the nose and lips and the genitalia. The head is square with noticeable or moderate stop. Supra-orbital arches pronounced with a center crease between the eyes to the back of the head. Bite: Scissor, reverse scissor to 1" under at most. The ears are rolled or flapped. The eyes can be any shade of brown, amber okay; blue is considered a fault in the breed. The feet are round and compact with noticeable webbing between toes. When the tail is not docked, it is thick at the base and feathered at the end. Temperament The White English Bulldog is a family and livestock protection dog. It is a controller and retriever of the roughest livestock, even in wetlands. It suffices as an all-around hunter from treeing squirrels to bears. A very old and extremely rare breed in its true form, the WEB is a medium to large dog bred as an all-around farm and stock dog, specifically for protection of such. It is loyal and fiercely protective of its master, the master's family, property, livestock and especially the children. As with all dogs, be sure you are this dog's true pack leader , and it will be submissive to its handlers. The WEB is not bred to be a hunting dog, though it suffices adequately. Height, Weight Height: Females 20 - 24 inches 51 - 70 cm Males 21 - 25 inches 53 - 63 cm Weight: Females: 55 - 85 pounds 25 - 39 kg Males 65 - pounds .Living Conditions Living conditions are described as those for a farm dog: large, open areas with free run. Most do not do well in kennels or indoors. These dogs need to work and perform their duties. Exercise Needs a job to do. If the dog is in between jobs, for example, between hunting seasons, it needs to be taken for at least a long daily walk. Life Expectancy. Vocality level 1 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. He is willing to please, although he retains a stubborn streak. He is very good with children. Most are moderately friendly toward strangers. Although some can be aggressive with strange dogs, the breed is quite good with other pets. Upkeep The Bulldog appreciates a daily outing but cannot tolerate hot humid weather, which can be deadly. He should not be expected to jog or walk great distances, or to jump from any heights. Most Bulldogs cannot swim. Most Bulldogs wheeze and snore, and some drool. Coat care is minimal, but facial wrinkles and any folds around the tail should be cleaned daily. Special precautions must be taken when anesthetizing a Bulldog. Caesarean deliveries are commonly needed. Hip radiographs show most Bulldogs to be dysplastic but few show overt symptoms. History With the most distinctive mug in dogdom, the Bulldog has an equally distinctive history. Some Bulldogs were also set against bears for bear baiting, purely for entertainment. In , bull baiting was outlawed, and a new phase began for the Bulldog. By all rights, the breed should have become extinct, except that it had gained so many ardent admirers that they set out to rescue the Bulldog by selecting against ferocity while still maintaining—and often accentuating—its distinctive physical characteristics. Its tough steadfast persona led it to be identified as a national symbol of England. Its amiable clownish personality belies its appearance, and the Bulldog is a popular pet. Related Content.

German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Welcome to our German Shepherd puppy development stages and ages — week by week guide Different breeds like all different babies develop at different rates. There are going to be many exciting events for you to look forward to. Whether you are bringing your 8 week German Shepherd puppy home or about to be blessed with a litter of puppies. This is going to be an exciting, demanding but hugely rewarding journey. Newborn puppies are born at around days after fertilization. Newborn puppies are born with their ears and eyes tightly sealed. The reason eyelids are sealed shut is to form a protective barrier for the fragile developing eye. This helps to protect them from any foreign object, bright lights, bacteria or any other microorganism that can cause disease or damage. In the same way puppies ear canals are closed at birth to make them effectively deaf. This is a protective barrier to protect the fragile underdeveloped machinery needed to hear. In a mature ear the pressure caused by sound will mechanically move structures in the ear. German Shepherd puppies are highly dependent upon their noses. Puppies navigate by smell from the moment they are born. This helps them to identify their mom, the very important milk supply, siblings and surroundings. Newborn puppies are born with a fur coat however they cannot control their own body temperature yet. To keep them warm they are dependant on their mothers or another heat source. If you live in a cooler climate installing a heat lamp would be ideal to help keep the puppies nice and warm. Germans Shepherds make amazing mothers and will be relied on a lot at this stage. Mother dogs will only leave their newborn puppies to go to the toilet, eat and drink. However, when mom has gone the newborn puppies are not completely useless. They are able to use their front paws to drag themselves towards a heat source. When mom is away the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat. Along with being able to drag themselves to a heat source newborn puppies are also able to drag themselves to their mothers to locate the milk supply. They will move their heads around to search for a nipple, latch on and suck strongly. Newborn puppies are not born with teeth these will also develop in the next several weeks. Other than the above puppies are completely dependent upon the care of their dedicated mom. Newborn puppies have little control over the rear end of their bodies. To encourage their pups to pass urine and bowel movements the mom will lick their bottoms. Anything produced mom will then lick up and swallow to keep her puppies and nest clean. Some pups will even double their birth weight! Your German Shepherd puppy will still be highly dependent upon their mom at this stage. Beneath all their fur the vital organs will be working hard to mature. This includes the eyes. Your puppy will not be ready to open their eyes yet but lots of changes are taking place to prepare them for grand opening. The ear canals will begin to open around the same time as the eyes. When the ear canals do open, the ears are much more formed than the eyes are at this point in time. Their eyesight usually takes around 8 weeks to reach its full potential. When their eyes become wider, they will reveal blueish-gray eyes which are hazy in appearance. Their eyesight will continue to develop until around 8 weeks old. The ear canals will also open around 2 weeks. The puppies hearing has been developing much quicker than their eyesight and they will be able to hear most things by the time their ear canals fully open. However, their amazing hearing ability will continue to enhance over the next several weeks. At the moment your German Shepherd puppy will have cute floppy ears. Their adorable tall ears can come up anywhere between 8 weeks and 6 months of age. Floppy ears are common until your German Shepherd finishes teething. By then the ear cartilage will become strong and hard enough for the ears to stand up permanently. Now is a good time to start handling the puppies and get them used to your voice. Most puppies are wormed for the first time when they are 2 weeks old. All this development has happened so quickly, but things are about to get even more exciting. Between 2 and 4 weeks your German Shepherd puppy will begin to stand up this is when the real fun begins. Puppies milky teeth will also start to develop between 2 to 4 weeks. These sharp little teeth will remain until about weeks of age. These little daggers play an important role during the weaning process. Even the most patient moms will struggle to nurse with these sharp painful teeth. This reluctance to nurse will prompt the German Shepherds to seek alternative food sources. These sharp teeth will then help to make up for the lack of jaw strength when eating solid foods. Finally, these sharp puppy teeth play an important role in teaching the pups to gauge their bite pressure when playing with their mom and siblings. This is an essential life lesson that enables our powerful German Shepherds to become safer companions as they mature into strong adult dogs. During the last few weeks mom has done an amazing job of getting her babies strong and their mobility will have come on leaps and bounds well not quite yet but by 3 weeks of age your German Shepherd puppy will begin to trotter around. Most 3 week old German Shepherd puppies can stand and sit. With their baby teeth starting to cut through a lot of breeders. Especially those with large litters will start introducing some solid foods. This helps relieve some of the pressure for the devoted German Shepherd mom. When weaning puppies, you need to start off by soaking their food in either water or puppy milk replacement formula to make it mushy and more comfortable for them to eat. As they start to interact and play with their siblings their personalities will really start to show. You may also notice them starting to playfully growl at each other. At 3 weeks old it will become easier to start identifying different members of the pack. Breeders and moms will be kept on their toes and paws over the next few weeks. As the pups start getting more confident on their feet they will be running around and playing enthusiastically. At 4 weeks old they will begin to wag their adorable little tails. With solid food becoming a major part of their diet the pups will be passing bigger bowel movements. They will be able to show more control of their bowel movements as they take themselves away from their brothers and sisters to perform their business. At this stage mom will be taking a much more relaxed approach to parenting and there will be a lot more for the breeder to clear up. By this point mealtimes are a messy process. If it is warm and safe enough to do so we would recommend taking the pups out in the yard for feeding. German Shepherd puppies are becoming a lot stronger at vocalisations by 4 weeks old. When mom returns to her babies the litter will noisily greet her. Around 4 weeks of age your puppies will need to be wormed again. From this week onwards human interaction is very important in order to form relationships with people. Including different noises and smells. This exposure will ensure your German Shepherd puppy turns into a confident, friendly individual. Mom will also be doing an important job of teaching her puppies to not bite too hard. Even an 8 week old German Shepherd puppy would have the power in their jaws to break the smaller bones in humans fingers. This is why mom teaching her puppies bite inhibition is so important. For more information on bite inhibition please see our guide on German Shepherd bite inhibition. By 5 weeks old German Shepherd puppies will be eating a lot of solid foods, several times throughout the day. Those sharp little teeth would have done their job and mom will be gradually weaning her pups of the dependency on her milk. When mom does feed her puppies, she will only do so for a short period whilst standing up. They will be eating between five and six small meals a day. Although the pups no longer rely on mom for milk, they still need her help and guidance for the next few weeks. Mom will be teaching her babies important life skills to live alongside humans. In some countries 6 week old puppies are taken away from their mothers and moved into their new home. We would not recommend this as the puppies will miss out on continued bite inhibition training from their siblings and mother. This can result in a puppy who bites too hard which can be challenging to manage as they get older. In the USA your puppy will be due their first combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 6 weeks old. This vaccine helps to immunizes your puppy against hepatitis, parvo, distemper, parainfluenza and coronavirus. Most puppies will also need to be wormed again at 6 weeks old. Their last week together will consist of plenty of socialization and playing. Most breeders will arrange a 7 week health check up with the vet to make sure your bundle of fluff is fit and healthy to go to their new home. In the UK some breeders will arrange for the pups first 8 week vaccination to take place during this check. Although some vets advise against it. By the end of this week German Shepherd puppies are ready to leave their mothers and move into their new homes for good. The week you get to take your new puppy home. This will be a very exciting time, but you may also be feeling a bit nervous. There will be some challenged along the way for new puppy owners and your puppy will take some time to adjust to life without its mother and siblings. In the UK the first combined vaccination will help to immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. The first puppy injection in the UK typically will happen between 8 and 10 weeks. Some breeders would have trained the puppies to poop and pee on newspapers or puppy pads. From the moment you get them home it is important to show your German Shepherd puppy where to pee and poop. Puppies naturally like to pee where they have done so before so to avoid building history of peeing in your home is best if you can to avoid it. The more you can avoid accidents from happening as much as possible from the start the faster the puppy training process should be. All puppies are different, and some will get this quicker than others. The main thing to remember is not to discipline your puppy for accidents. The most successful way to potty train is to reward success and ignore accidents. Just clean them up quickly and thoroughly. Your puppy will love nothing more than being praised. For more information please see our guide on How to potty train your German Shepherd puppy. Already your German Shepherd puppy will feel like part of the family. German Shepherds puppies are always adorable but at 9 weeks they are at the age where they are still puppy-like but very clumsy,curious and keen to play with her new family, which is very cute. Your German Shepherds unique personality will make you feel very proud. At 9 weeks your cheeky German Shepherd pup will be feeling more confident, with this the need to explore everything and anything may end up getting them into trouble. Your puppy will develop new sleeping patterns and feeding routines which you will need to adapt to. Most puppies will sleep between eighteen and twenty hours a day at 9 weeks old. During the day when you are with your puppy generally you will not need to shut them away in a crate to nap. German Shepherd puppies are often more than happy to sleep whilst family life goes on around them. However, there will be times when sleeping in a crate is better and safer for your puppy. You must not leave a 9 week old puppy to sleep outside the crate if you are not home to watch them if they wake. Puppies are into everything and many innocent items found in the house could be a potential hazard to your inquisitive pup. For more information please see our guide on how to puppy proof your home. Even if your puppy can barely keep their eyes open other pups and children will still want to play and your German Shepherd puppy may find it hard to refuse. After a hard day of play the peace and quiet of a crate will enable your pup to have a well-deserved nap. If your German Shepherd puppy does need to go to the toilet in the night make sure you keep it short and to a minimum. Establishing a daily routine is the best way to get your German Shepherd puppy to sleep through the night. Part of this schedule will involve mealtimes. Your 9 week old puppy will need four meals a day. Split these up throughout the day and try to stick to similar times. This is to stop encouraging your puppy to wake up earlier and earlier because they associate waking with food. You should always reward your puppy either vocally, with a favourite toy or treats for good behaviour and ignore bad behaviour. Puppies and dogs want to be praised so they respond very well to positive encouragement. Punishing puppies and dogs may have a short term positive effect on their behaviour but long term you could be setting them up to fail. It is very important to socialise and expose your puppy to other humans, dogs and different scenarios whilst they are young. This maybe hard before your puppy has had all its vaccines however getting many different people to come and visit you at your home will enable them to get used to visitors. Before their full vaccinations you can also, you can take you German Shepherd puppy out and about with you to expose them to the outside world as long as you can carry them. If you live in the USA, your puppy will be due their second combined 5-in-1 vaccine at 9 weeks old. In the USA a minimum of three sets of the combined vaccine are required for your puppy. Although you cannot put your puppy down outside until after their final vaccination. Puppies 10 week injection In the UK is a booster vaccination to help immunizes your puppy against distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis and hepatitis. Check with your vet what date after their jabs your German Shepherd puppy will be able to go down outside. Your puppy will then need a booster between 6 and 12 months old. If you live in the USA at 12 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be due their booster for the combined 5in1 vaccine against hepatitis, distemper, parainfluenza, parvo and coronavirus and a vaccine against rabies and leptospirosis. If you live in a high risk area, they may also need to be given the vaccination to help immunize them against Lyme. If applicable at 16 weeks your German Shepherd puppy may need to have a fourth combined 5in1 vaccine. A minimum of three combined injections are required in the USA. Check with your vet what date they will be able to be out down outside. By 10 weeks old your German Shepherd puppy will be able to control their bladder a lot more. Potentially up to several hours. This is great time for you to introduce them to the big wide world and develop their social skills which you have already been building the foundations. When taking your German Shepherd puppy out try to introduce them to as many other friendly dogs, humans and noises you can. This will help your German Shepherd puppy to grown into a confident well-rounded dog. At 3 months old your German Shepherd will go down from four daily meals to three. These three portions will be larger than what they are used to which may cause stomach upset. If your German Shepherd puppy does get an upset stomach, try going back to four smaller meals for a couple of days and they try the three larger portions again. This can be a challenging time as your adorable German Shepherd puppy turns into a furry crocodile. Luckily the teething stage is only a phase as with human babies and short lived. In most cases your puppy biting should stop around when they are around 7 months old and have their adult teeth. You maybe noticing your German Shepherds gorgeous ears fluctuating between floppy and pointy. By the time your puppy has finished teething their ears should tick up all the way. This usually happens around months. As they grow their cartilage becomes stronger. Some puppies need another month or so to help them cope without going out for frequent toilet breaks. Even when your German Shepherd puppy is toilet trained occasional accidents are normal. German Shepherds do have large ears but they tend to grow into them as they get older. German Shepherd puppies will begin to grow their new adult coat between 4 and 6 months old. To make way for their adult coat all the puppy hair has to go. For several weeks you will notice an increase in shedding. This is a completely normal part of growing up for your German Shepherd. Being a double coat breed German Shepherds dogs have a topcoat and an undercoat. Twice a year your pup will shed their undercoat. Usually in spring and again in fall. They also shed in general days a year so be prepared for a lot of fur! They will very much look like a smaller version of their adult selves. Although your German Shepherd may look older on the inside, they are still very much a puppy. If you are looking to get your puppy neutered or spayed the recommended age is 6 to 9 months. However, it is common for some female puppies to get spayed at 4 months old. Summary: Your German Shepherd is bound to give you so much joy and happiness throughout its life. There will be challenges along the way but remember this is completely normal. German Shepherds are such an amazing breed and you will have a loyal friend for life. Related Posts. Even though you can train a German Shepherd at this age quite easily, the amount of commands that you can teach is quite low, and they are partially just for looks. Though 10 weeks is the point where that growth starts decreasing, and halves at around 4 months or so, before completely stopping. Overall, for female German Shepherds average weight is 8 to 9 kg 16 to 18 lbs , for male dogs it is 10 to 12 kg 20 to 24 lbs. And still, some owners are struggling with that problem. So what should you do, in that case: First of all, for many young German Shepherds the ears are not consistently up. There may be periods when they are up, and sometimes they are just leaning on one side. It is completely normal — they are gradually developing into an adult, and their body changes relatively. A good solution would be just to wait and see. If the ears have been damaged, whether by accident, or by tampering with them, you should definitely take your dog to a vet clinic, where vets will decide what to do. Lastly, if the puppy is older than a year or half a year , and the ears are still not up, then you should, as always, consult a vet. They may operate on the ears if necessary. Behavior It is important, that before the puppy passes the 10 week age mark, it should already know bite inhibition before everything else. Nobody wants an aggressive German Shepherd, does anyone? Should go before every other command, as these tricks also induce patience for the German Shepherd. Learning them first will prove to be beneficial in further training. Lie down. Recommendation: walk the dog for about half an hour or more first, so that it would be tired and thus would be more focused on the task. Additionally, you should never blame your dog if it does something wrong — just repeat the command, until it works out. Then, greet your dog for doing everything correctly. A puppy will never learn anything in a strict and unwelcome environment. But it will surely remember everything if you make it a good and relaxing time, or some sort of a game. In the end, we wish you best of luck with your 10 week GSD, and thank you very much for reading.

Contact Welcome to North Creek Goldens Finding an ethical breeder is tough, let alone one you can actually trust. Eight years ago I had difficulty finding a Golden Retriever puppy locally that I could actually afford. After what seemed like forever in my search, I felt that I had no other option but to search on Craiglist - purchasing from a backyard breeder. I was so stressed in my search, I bypassed all of the important questions to ask while looking for a pup! I, of course immediately fell in love with my Craiglist Golden I still have him to this day! I love and respect Golden Retrievers with all of my heart. My mission is to educate future Golden lovers of the correct breed standard and provide sound, healthy puppies that compliment what the breed is meant to be. My Goldens are the equivalent of my children, making my puppy parents immediate family. If you ever have any questions or any concerns - I am here for you for the life of your Golden. Once you bring one of my puppies home - you're a part of the Golden Pack. Tucked away in the Northwest corner in the city of Las Vegas, our family is made up of five humans and five furry family members. We do not function as a kennel - the puppies, and all of our Goldens are housed and raised, right inside our home. Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Nevada Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Nevada? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Nevada? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved.

The link has been copied! Is it possible to tire out a German Shepherd? This is a question many Shepherd owners have found themselves asking on more than one occasion. German Shepherds are naturally high-energy dogs and few families are physically active enough to keep up with them. This begs the question, how much exercise does a German Shepherd need? And the next one, is it possible for them to get enough? While it may not seem like it sometimes, it is definitely possible for German Shepherds to get enough exercise. Overexercising can actually instigate the hip dysplasia problems that the breed is already prone to. Thus, it is important to know how much exercise your German Shepherd should be getting — and what kind. By the end of this article, you'll know exactly how to get your pup some quality, healthy exercise. Originally, they were bred for hard work on the farm, herding and guarding flocks of sheep. They would spend hours each day keeping the flock together, which requires a lot of running. Plus, they were constantly on alert for danger and ready to neutralize threats to their charges. These high-energy dogs need plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy. For most dogs, this translates to at least 90 minutes of exercise each day. This can happen in bursts throughout the day and a wide variety of high-energy activities count. This includes taking them for walks or runs, hiking, playing fetch, agility classes, and so much more. If you're an active person looking for a running or hiking buddy, a German Shepherd is a perfect dog for you! They have the energy and endurance to keep up with you on long walks or runs. German Shepherds also make great agility dogs - they love to jump, run, and play! If you're looking for a fun way to exercise your German Shepherd and yourself! Maybe you have a hard time sitting still or concentrating on a task. You might even feel a little anxious. Whatever it is, the frustration dissipates as soon as you go for a good run. German Shepherds are like that — all the time. However, individual needs vary. These can be based on factors such as age, general health, overall fitness level and habits, and more. They may try to get your attention by barking, whining, or jumping up on you. Perhaps they pace back and forth or otherwise appear anxious. Excessive Chewing or Digging With those feelings of restlessness pushing them, dogs start to look for ways to burn off their excess energy. Unfortunately for us, this usually means they start digging up the yard or chewing on the furniture. Whatever is within a bored German Shepherd's reach has no hope for escape. Excessive Barking Another annoying method they will use to burn off excess energy is to bark at everything that moves. They may be trying to give themselves a job to do, seeking attention out of boredom, or both. Weight Gain Just like people, a lack of exercise puts German Shepherds at risk of gaining weight. This is especially true if they have free access to food. They may eat more out of pure boredom. Unfortunately, these dogs are already susceptible to problems like hip dysplasia, which is greatly exacerbated by being overweight. Thus, they need plenty of exercise too. However, they need it in shorter, more frequent doses. Playful pups get a lot of it themselves as they run around and explore their world. However, you should provide about 5 minutes of formal exercise such as a walk for every month of their age. The best exercises for German Shepherd puppies are short walks or runs, playing fetch games, and swimming. These activities will help them burn off some of their energy while learning commands and socializing with other dogs. Exercise for Senior German Shepherds As dogs age, their muscles get weaker and their joints become more sensitive. Senior German Shepherds should get at least 20 minutes of exercise a day, but no more than 60 minutes. The best type of exercise for senior German Shepherds is walking or slow jogging. Swimming is also a great exercise for a senior German Shepherd as it puts no strain on their joints. Other forms of low-impact exercise for senior German Shepherds include playing fetch and agility training. Just make sure to keep the activity level low and short, and never push them too hard. The Best Type of Exercise for German Shepherds The best type of exercise for German shepherds is a combination of aerobic activity and mental stimulation. Aerobic activity is important for German Shepherds because it helps to keep their heart and lungs healthy. Mental stimulation is also vital for preventing boredom. In addition to daily walks or runs, German shepherds also benefit from other forms of exercise, such as active games like fetch or tug-of-war, swimming, and agility training. If you have the space, it might be helpful to set up an agility course in your yard. Another great option is to enroll your dog in dog sports. If you want to really give your German Shepherd a workout, dog sports such as agility or flyball are excellent. These activities will tire your pup out both physically and mentally. You can also get dog toys that are specifically designed to be mentally stimulating for pups. These are helpful for days when you are short on time, but should not take the place of regular exercise. If you like to be active, include your pup! Take your dog hiking with you and give him a chance to explore different terrain and new areas. The Fi GPS collar is a great tool for tracking how much exercise your dog gets each day. They are equipped with an activity monitor that keeps track of your dog's walks, when they go for walks, how long they exercise, and even when they sleep. Using the app, you can check your dog's activity levels and sleep patterns in real time. German shepherds are versatile dogs that can excel at any type of exercise, so get creative and have fun with it. For more helpful articles about pet-parenting tips, check out the Off Leash blog at TryFi. Want to know more about TryFi. This is the fastest way to find your dog after an escape. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! You might also like. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. You need the best exercise for German Shepherd puppies to keep them healthy, fit, and, more importantly… Out of mischief! Quite the opposite is true for your fast-growing breed! German Shepherd puppies should stick to only five minutes of continuous, on-leash leisurely walking at a time, based on their age in months. So, an 8-week-old puppy can walk for 10 minutes at a time on a leash, while a 6-month-old can walk on a leash for 30 minutes at a time. However, your puppy can enjoy low-impact, gentle exercises for longer periods of time. You can play games that work on sustained growth multiple times per day safely. Instead, exercise on soft surfaces, for example: Grass Sand Dirt paths or trails Stretching of soft ligaments at too early an age, strains on young, growing joints, and carrying too much weight on their overall framework can and will harm your young puppy. This leads to problems in adulthood, which you could avoid! Remember to watch for: Panting heavily with rapid breath Lagging on their walks for longer than usual Stopping on walks and standing Lying down on their belly or side If your dog is hyperactive and displays excessive chewing and destructive behavior, they may need engaging brain stimulation to help them use their brains to engage in their environments constructively. Ideally, you also need to teach them basic commands and house manners. Start now with basic obedience training to avoid later behavioral issues. Eventually, your active, adult GSD will need at least 2 walks of 45 minutes each source. Other great ways to exercise your German Shepherd puppy include working on their balance, enjoying mental stimulation, and playing gently with toys they love. Until your vet clears your dog as having their bones fully fused this is around 12 to 18 months of age , activity should be cautious and slow-paced. Up to twelve months of age, natural free running is the best way to exercise German Shepherds. With free running, your dog is off-leash and can stop or slow as they wish. Limit and monitor on-leash walks and activity while your German Shepherd is growing. When walking on a leash, allow them to Walk at their own pace Stop and start as they please Sniff around leisurely to explore the grass, flowers, and trees Lay down, roll around, and dig in approved digging places Use a no-pull harness with a design that allows for natural shoulder movement to avoid unnatural gait development. Try this padded no-pull harness on your German Shepherd to avoid any neck injuries to her while she is young. This design also limits pulling and helps teach nice leash walking manners. The handle on the back of the no-pull harness makes it easy to grab your pup to stop them from running into a hazard or just to catch them! Read more helpful information on the benefits and disadvantages of using a harness or a collar to help you choose the right equipment for walking your new puppy. There are plenty of other ideas to try with your new baby German Shepherd. Even better? You can find so many ways to learn what your new German Shepherd puppy likes to play with for their fun and games! Keep reading for a German Shepherd puppy exercise chart and specific, step-by-step fun games to keep your new pup happy and healthy. Exercising puppies heavily too early in life may lead to joint damage. This is especially likely in large breeds with rapidly growing and heavily loaded joints, such as your GSD. High-Impact Activity to Avoid Jumping, especially from couches, furniture, or cars Twisting such as chasing a toy that wildly moves in many directions Exercising over hard or uneven ground especially sidewalks and asphalt Keep exercise short and frequent, as this is more beneficial than long, infrequent periods of activity. Post header Skip post header How much exercise does a German Shepherd need? Making sure your German Shepherd gets plenty of exercise and mental stimulation is really important for keeping them healthy and happy. Regular exercise can not only keep them in good shape, but it can also help improve their behaviour and well-being. How much exercise does a German Shepherd need? German Shepherds are highly active dogs , originally bred for working and guarding flocks of sheep, and more recently used by military and police forces. All this means that German Shepherds are among the most high-energy dogs out there. Of course, their exercise needs can vary based on a number of factors including age, fitness level, general health, food intake and more. That said, most German Shepherds usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing. To get an exercise goal tailored to your dog, simply download the free PitPat app and enter their details. How much exercise does a German Shepherd puppy need? This is especially true for this breed since they are prone to conditions like hip dysplasia. As a rule of thumb, puppies will need five minutes of formal exercise such as walkies for every month of their age. These walks should be opportunities to explore their environment, work on training and good behaviour outdoors, and socialise with other people and dogs in a controlled manner. How much exercise does a senior German Shepherd need? You can also set your own goals manually in case they have higher or lower exercise needs. What types of exercise are best for German Shepherds? German Shepherds excel at all sorts of exercise and canine sports thanks to their working background. In addition to their daily walks, you could try:. To start running, hiking, or any other intense workout, you should wait until your dog is fully grown. Before reaching adulthood, his bones, joints, and muscles are still in development, so they are fragile. As large dogs, they can take from 24 to 36 months 2 to 3 years to be fully grown and ready for adventures! As your dog ages, his energy will slowly start decreasing. At an elderly stage, your GSD will be more prone to joint issues and injuries. Just as puppies, old dogs are too fragile for high-impact sports. Around 1 hour of low-impact activity with some mental stimulation should be enough to keep them healthy and happy. Even if German Shepherds are generally healthy, they can still be prone to several medical or physical restrictions. At the same time, you can ask him for personalized advice to exercise your dog properly. Talking to an expert is always the best way to have accurate answers to your questions. They are also helpful to determine how much exercise he needs. Weight problems, joint issues, lack of stamina, and many other aspects can influence his requirements. Energy Level. German Shepherds are definitely among the most energetic working breeds, but some are more hyper than others. If you want to prevent your GSD from boredom and keep him healthy, your ultimate goal is to spend all of his pent-up energy at the end of the day. First of all, daily walks are essential for him to stimulate his mind and body at the same time. Now the real question is about how often should you walk with him? For high-energy dog breeds, the longer they walk, the better it generally is. An adult German Shepherd in good shape has enough energy, stamina, and physical conditions to walk all day long. However, the minimum daily requirement for most GSDs is approximately 30 to 45 minutes of walking. For the distance, anywhere between 2 and 5 miles of walking per day should be fine for the average German Shepherd. Learn more about how far you can walk with your German Shepherd! With 5 to 10 minutes of daily moderate exercise requirements per month of age, walking is still important for young dogs. A puppy German Shepherd should walk around 5 minutes per day for every month of age. For instance, 20 minutes of daily walking is perfect for a 4-month-old puppy. If you enjoy endurance sports and your dog is athletic, running can be a great way to exercise together. German Shepherds are strong, tough, fast, and generally have good stamina. With proper training and preparation, they can make awesome running partners! If you want to run with your German Shepherd, I have another article to help you out! To keep him fit, healthy, and happy, you have to find other ways to exercise. Interactive Games. You can tire out your dog quite easily with nothing else than a ball or a tug rope. The German Shepherd is very social, so playing games actively with him is essential. With some energy, time, and creativity, you have everything you need to exercise your dog. Try Some Dog Sports. Another great idea to provide your German Shepherd with proper exercise is to practice sports together. Some of the best sports for German Shepherds are agility training, Schutzhund protection , canicross, bikejoring, and tracking. Smart, courageous, and active, they are generally good candidates for virtually any activity. Thus, you should always try to include your dog in your exercise routine! Quick Tip: To make an obstacle course at your home, check out this agility equipment kit on Amazon! Free Playtime. If you are not a particularly sportive person, there are many other ways to keep your German Shepherd healthy and happy. Chasing bubbles, playing with the hose, and jumping in the snow are simple ideas to exercise your pooch. Hanging out together in your backyard can be as fun and beneficial as any other physical activity. Play With Dog Toys. Keeping your GSD active and busy is probably not an easy task. Fortunately, some dog toys can help you provide him with proper exercise. Let me share with you my recommendations for such an energetic and intelligent companion. My favorite exercise equipment for hyper dogs is the Flirt Pole. If your German Shepherd has a lot of energy to spend and a high prey drive, the flirt pole is the perfect toy for him. This accessory will help you throw the ball farther, pick it up easily, and avoid getting your hands dirty. Made for him to chew and play tug-of-war safely, it might help you to entertain him! Explore The Great Outdoors. My favorite way to exercise alongside my dog is to take him on my outdoor adventures. There is nothing better than working out, getting some fresh air, and spending quality time together. Escaping real life to enjoy nature is an excellent opportunity to have fun and do some physical activity with your four-legged companion. Furthermore, German Shepherds are excellent hiking partners. Thus, you have no reason not to explore the great outdoors with your dog. With the right equipment and proper training, you will be able to head out on trails together and share unforgettable memories! Cognitive work is as important as physical activity, especially for intelligent dogs such as German Shepherds. Providing them with appropriate mental exercise is essential to prevent boredom and care for their well-being. There are certainly better ways than others, so here are some of my suggestions to keep your German Shepherd mentally satisfied. First of all, the most important mind enrichment source for dogs should be training. By learning skills, your GSD will stimulate his brain, improve his manners, and burn off a lot of mental energy. Thus, I highly recommend you to teach him obedience commands or new impressive tricks if he is already obedient. Besides training, challenging dog toys are also great for mental stimulation. You can make him work for his food with the Snuffle Mat , let him play with the Classic Kong Toy , or give him bones to chew on. To keep your German Shepherd active and mentally satisfied, dog agility and scent work are also other ideas you may consider! In this state, your German Shepherd can develop destructive behaviors. Chewing, Digging, or Barking Just put yourself in his place for two seconds; he has to entertain himself if nobody else helps him stay busy. On the other hand, your German Shepherd can also have weight issues or be hyperactive. With personal life, work, other pets, and family, you have many things to manage. Thus, you might have to prioritize his health and well-being over other tasks. If you really have no free time, I highly recommend you consider hiring a dog walker to help you out. Short-Term Signs:. It also helps to improve their mental health by reducing boredom and anxiety. Exercise can also help to prevent behavior problems from developing. There are many different ways that you can exercise your German Shepherd. You can take them for a walk, run or hike. You can also play fetch or Frisbee with them. Whatever you do, make sure that you are having fun too! Dogs are social creatures and love to spend time with their family. The age-appropriate exercise chart for German Shepherds is very important. This is mainly because they will require a different amount of exercise as they grow up and grow old. As German Shepherds age, they will generally need less exercise. This is because their metabolism slows down and they become less active overall. However, every German Shepherd is different and some may still need a good amount of exercise even as they get older. There are a few things to keep in mind when exercising an older German Shepherd. First, start slowly and build up gradually. Older German Shepherds are more likely to get injured if they try to do too much too soon. Second, focus on low-impact activities like walking or swimming. These are easier on the joints than running or jumping. Finally, make sure to give your German Shepherd plenty of breaks. They may need to rest more often than they did when they were younger. They need plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy, and they love to play. Here are some of the best exercises for German Shepherds that will meet their exercise needs: 1. Walking your German Shepherd is one of the most important things you can do for them. It provides them with much-needed exercise and helps to keep their energy levels down. Additionally, walking also helps to socialize your dog and gets them used to being around people and other animals. Walking is a great way to start off with any dog, especially high-energy dogs. Start with shorter walks and gradually increase the distance as your dog ages. Running Running is also great for high-energy dogs. You can start by running alongside your dog while they walk and gradually increase the speed as they get used to it. German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They are also one of the most versatile, which is why they make great family pets. However, German Shepherds are also working dogs, and as such, they need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. Running is a great way to provide your German Shepherd with the exercise they need, and it can be a lot of fun for both you and your dog. Here are a few reasons why running your German Shepherd is important: German Shepherds were originally bred as herding dogs, so they have a lot of energy. This means that they need plenty of exercise to burn off all that energy. Running is a great way to bond with your German Shepherd. Frisbee or fetch Frisbee or fetch is another fun exercise for high-energy dogs. Dogs love to chase after things and this will help them use up some of that energy. Playing fetch or frisbee with your German Shepherd is an excellent way to help them burn off any excess energy they might have. German Shepherds are especially good hiking companions because of their athleticism and obedience. Hiking is a great way to bond with your dog and tire them out at the same time — both of which are important for a healthy relationship. Hiking is another great exercise for high-energy dogs. It is a great way to explore new places and get some exercise at the same time. Just be sure to start off with shorter hikes and work your way up as your dog gets used to it. Hiking with your German Shepherd is also a great way to meet other dog owners and socialize with your pup. If you live in an area with limited trails or parks, hiking can give you access to new places to explore together. And of course, spending time outdoors is always good for your mental health. So next time you and your dog are feeling cooped up, consider heading out for a hike — you might just be surprised at how much you both enjoy it. Share this:. Sep 06, Puppies need exercise to develop healthy bones, muscles and hearts. Exercise goes a long way to help curb anxiety and behavior issues related to boredom. But you may have heard that too much exercise can be harmful. How much exercise is necessary, how much is too much, and what kinds of exercise should you be doing? As a general rule, your puppy knows best. Normal puppy play is okay, and you should never feel as though you should stop your puppy from playing on its own accord. Short walks are also okay, as long as your idea of a short walk isn't 3 miles every morning! Short games of fetch and tug are also okay. Fetch is especially hard on the body because most dogs rapidly accelerate to go after the ball and rapidly decelerate once they get to it, so good throws is plenty in conjunction with other acceptable exercises. Tug is also hard on the body, so minutes is plenty in conjunction with other acceptable exercises as well. Swimming is a great, low-impact exercise. Just make sure your puppy doesn't ingest too much water while swimming. It's also recommended that you not play fetch in the water because dogs can accidentally ingest a lot of water when retrieving toys thrown into bodies of water. Examples of exercises that are too rigorous for puppies are long hikes, running steps, long games of fetch, long walks, running, jogging, weight pull and pulling carts of any kind, wearing vests with anything over a few ounces in it for anything other than a short stroll, flyball, and inappropriate amounts of agility training. All of these things are stressful on soft, growing bones and joints and can result in hip and elbow dysplasia and musculoskeletal deformities, diseases and injuries. As a rule of thumb, don't exceed 5 minutes for each month of the puppy's age of acceptable exercise no more than twice a day. For instance, 15 minutes of exercise twice a day is ideal for a 3-month-old puppy, while 20 minutes twice a day is ideal for a 4-month-old puppy. As a general rule, you can start building up puppies to adult levels of exercise once they turn 9 months of age if they're not expected to grow over 25lbs. By a year they can be exercised as an adult as long as you properly build up their stamina. For medium and large breeds, you can begin to build them up to adult levels of exercise by 15 months and it's safe to exercise them as adults once they turn 18 months old. German Shepherd dogs will naturally travel in a cantering-lope rather than a slow walk. That means that it is imperative that you train your puppy early on how to walk on a leash by your side without pulling. German Shepherds are a powerful breed and are capable of dragging handlers who aren't strong enough to hold them back. Eliminate the possibility of a physical tug of war by relying on solid training instead. Remember, exercise is also great for keeping hip and elbow joints stabilized in German Shepherd Dogs. Many large breeds are known to suffer from hip and elbow problems later in life, but dysplasia seems to unfairly target the German Shepherd. Regular exercise can help to build muscle around joints to protect them. The more muscle, the less stress on the joint. Make sure you keep your puppies lean, well hydrated, and wait an hour or two after your puppy eats before exercise. If you stick by these rules, you lessen the chances of hip and elbow dysplasia, panosteitis, strains, sprains, ligament injuries, bloat, obesity, heart disease and arthritis. Also keep the temperature in mind and watch for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Stop exercise if your puppy no longer wants to play or stops to rest and everything should be fine. When can I start to walk my puppy? Young puppies are prone to disease if they are walked before they are fully vaccinated. Puppies do pick up some immunity from their mum if the mum was vaccinated which helps to keep them safe when they are very young. It is recommended that you do not look to walk you puppy until they are 16 weeks of age. Puppies are still growing and the more they walk the more pressure they are putting on their bones and joints. Studies have shown that over-exercising a German Shepherd puppy may result in damage to their developing joints and cause early arthritis in your puppy. This does not mean you should be locking your puppy up in a cage for the first year of their life, far from it, exercise and socialization is great for your GDP See what I did there. A slow walk out and about around the neighborhood will do wonders for your puppy in helping them to grow and socialize. This means that for an 8 week old puppy the recommendation is a total of 20 minutes per day. The Take 5 rule has become the go-to suggestion when recommendations are given for how far a puppy should walk. The following section is purely our opinion based on our own puppies. Please ensure you consult your vet for official recommendations. Before 16 weeks we would absolutely recommend sticking to the rule. We interpret the rule to be aimed at making people aware of the potential issues overexertion on their pup may cause in the long run. You know your puppy better than anybody so are in the best position to judge what they can handle and when they are beginning to tire. When can we start the more vigorous stuff? Again, each German Shepherd is different and as their owner you will have to use your judgement on this. Typically, a puppy will be strong enough to go on a faster paced, minute walk when they are 6months or older. Forcing your puppy to continue walking when they are already tired is a sure-fire way to book a ticket to the vets! If you would like to go running with your puppy start easing them in very slowly around 6 months of age and gradually introduce running to your puppy. Over time you will then be able to slowly increase the amount of running you and your puppy can do together. Other signs that you are progressing too quickly can be your puppy refusing to walk further while you are out or a reluctance to go out with you again. Hope this article helps and we would absolutely love to hear your thoughts in the comments. How far do you walk with your German Shepherd and at what age? How do you judge if your puppy has had too much? Have we missed some important information out of the post? Let us know. Related Posts.

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Learn more » The Pug has become one of the most popular dog breeds thanks to their quirky appearance and friendly attitude. This tiny breed does have some unusual habits that set it apart from other breeds and while some, unfortunately, are caused by their brachycephalic facial shape, some are behavior-based attributes. Among the traits that some people accuse the Pug of having is that they are lazy dogs that sleep a lot. You may notice it more because of the heavy breathing and snoring that tends to emanate from that squashed face. If your Pug is sleeping up to 14 hours a day, it is normal, but if yours is sleeping more than this, you may need to investigate to determine the cause and look for ways to remedy the problem. About The Pug Note Though the Pug is a popular breed, they unfortunately suffer from a plethora of health issues as a result of generations of selective breeding and therefore unfortunately have a lower quality of life when compared to other dog breeds. Veterinarians around the world are urging pet owners to not adopt the breed as their genetic shortcomings cannot be overcome by proper care and management alone. If you wish to adopt a Pug, please be mindful that they will most likely need extensive medical assistance throughout their life, which may include necessary reconstructive surgery. The Pug is a toy breed of companion dog. The breed has been developed to accompany their owner and provide companionship and has never been a working dog. The breed is known to be affectionate with family, will bond with visitors and even strangers, and they will usually get along with other dogs and potentially even cats. Because this is several hours a day longer than most people sleep, it can seem like Pugs spends their entire life snoozing. Puppies can sleep as long as 20 hours a day while senior Pugs may sleep for 15 or so hours a day. Although you can take some steps to reduce this a little, you need to ensure that your dog is getting enough sleep to recharge and stay healthy. Aim for about 12 hours of sleep a day. Top 6 Causes Of Excessive Sleeping If you determine that your Pug is sleeping more than 14 hours a day, take a look at the possible causes. Such causes include: 1. Boredom Pugs like fun and they enjoy spending fun time with their owners. If your Pug gets bored, one of their few options is to go to sleep in the hope of waking up to something more exciting. Try to introduce more playtime, offer a greater range of more exciting toys, and look for ways to provide stimulation that will keep your pup entertained. Image Credit: Piqsels 2. You should provide up to an hour a day of decent exercise, including walks and playtime. Make sure you provide two walks a day, of between 20 and 30 minutes each, and supplement this with some time playing with toys or playing games like hide and seek. Stick to an appropriate diet and if your Pug is really overweight, consult a vet so that they can advise you on the best next steps to shed the pounds and achieve a healthy weight. Image Credit: Tanya Dol, Shutterstock 4. Poor Diet Diet is as important to dogs as it is to any animal. Pugs do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with the supervision and approval of a canine nutritionist or your veterinarian. Pugs like to follow their humans around and partake in some of the same activities. Determine how long you spend in front of the TV to see whether this could be the cause of your sedentary pup. Image Credit: Michelle Scott, Pixabay 6. Illness Some illnesses can cause lethargy and even fairly minor ailments can wipe a dog out, in the same way illness can leave us feeling jaded and in need of extra rest. Conclusion Pugs can be fun-loving, affectionate, and jaunty little pets that want to spend as much time as possible with us. While they do sleep for up to 14 hours a day and make a lot of noise while they are sleeping, they actually have similar sleeping habits to other breeds of dog. If yours is sleeping for longer than 14 hours a day, it may be worth investigating to determine the cause and changing habits to help achieve optimal sleeping habits. Pug Sleeping Habits Overview Just about any Pug owner will agree that this breed gets a bit of a bad rep in regard to sleep. The Pug is sometimes thought of as a lazy breed; a dog that takes over your favorite chair and sleeps his life away, snoring as if he doesn't have a care in the world. While it may be true that a Pug does tend to snore - and make a few other interesting noises - he does not sleep more than any other breed and he is not lazy at all. In fact, Pugs are super animated, very personable and eager canines that often are curious, emotional and expressive. They thrive on attention and tend to mimic their owner's mood and vibes. If you sleep a lot, your Pug is not going to pace around the room; he'll be right by your side. And if you're active, he'll want to be right there as well; in fact many Pugs need to have limitations set because they'll push themselves to far and can have overheating and breathing issues. One element that may make it seem as if a Pug sleeps a lot is that he is so obvious when he does it. Other dogs may retreat quietly away and an hour later, an owner may wonder 'where's my dog? In this section we are going to cover: How much Pug puppies should sleep Normal amounts of sleep for adults and seniors Reasons why a Pug may have trouble sleeping Things that may cause a Pug to sleep too much Common questions about Pug sleeping habits Emma, 20 months old, photo courtesy of Helen Gastaldo How Much Sleep is Normal for Pugs Newborns - Newborn Pug puppies - from 1 day old to 3 weeks - sleep just about all of the time, up to 22 hours per day. They will mainly only be awake to eat; after that's it's right back to bed, warm and safe next to the dam and littermates. The age of 3 weeks old is a huge turning point; at this time both hearing and vision are working well and with this comes a new found curiosity. A heightened interest in exploring his little world and for playing with siblings will cause the pup to stay awake a bit longer now. From 3 weeks to 8 weeks, a puppy will sleep anywhere from 20 to 21 hours per day. Puppies - Owners of new puppies often want to know how much Pug puppies sleep because they worry about the pup being overtired and perhaps sleeping too much and missing out on things. The first couple of months - age 2 months to 5 months - a Pug puppy will sleep from 18 to 20 hours per day. This includes both nighttime sleep and naps taken all throughout the day. This is a really funny stage, because often a Pug puppy will be so interested in his world that he struggles to stay awake. It's not uncommon for a Pug to zonk out in the middle of playing or even eating, resting his head on the rim of the bowl because he just couldn't make it to his bed. Each month that the Pug matures, he will sleep a bit less and stay awake for longer periods. By 6 months old, many Pugs are on the sleeping schedule of adults. Adults - Adult Pug dogs sleep roughly 14 per day. There are some reasons for sleeping less or more discussed ahead. This may seem like a lot - especially when compared to how much we get- however most of this will be done at night. When you subtract 8 or 9 hours of nighttime snoozing from the average of 14, this leaves 5 to 6 hours of on-and-off again naps. The amount of naps will depend on how much the Pug sleeps at night and most will shadow what their owners do. It's very common for this breed to start getting tuckered out when lights are dimmed and their humans are relaxing before bed. It's typical for a Pug to drift off about an hour before his human family; he'll try to hang on but will conk out as the house quiets down and everyone is relaxing. Then, most will pop right awake as soon as the alarm goes off of if they sense that their human has awoken. It's rare for a Pug to stay sleeping in the morning while everyone starts their day. Since canines - like us- need a good amount of deep REM sleep, if they do follow their owner's sleep schedule of 8 hours a night, this leaves a good 6 or so hours that will be napped away during the day. And if an owner is only sneaking in 6 or 7 hours with the Pug following suit, this makes for a lot more napping of up to 7 or 8 hours during the day. So, how much you actually see your Pug snoozing will depend a lot of your own schedule and whether or not you are home with your dog or are away at work or school. Seniors - As a dog ages, there are many changes… decreased metabolism, a slowing down that reduces activity, etc. These are gradual changes, so you may not notice that your Pug sleeps an extra 20 minutes or so; but as the years pass, this adds up to falling asleep an hour earlier than usual and it is then that it really becomes apparent. When a Pug Has Trouble Sleeping With puppies, it can take a while for puppies to accept their schedule; many may seem downright nocturnal, making you wonder if somehow an owl was crossed in the Pug's bloodline. It takes a couple of months for a pup to understand the cues of a day winding down and feeling isolated can cause a puppy to stay awake whining or barking at night. For those of any age, this breed will show appreciation for many of the care elements you provide and often won't be shy at all to announce when things are not right. Here are the top reasons why a Pug may not be sleeping as good as usual: 1: Quality of the bed - Choosing the right bed for your Pug is important for this breed that tends to have hips and back issues. Keep in mind that beds do not last forever; after 4 years or so, cushions can lose buoyancy and won't be as supportive as they once were. Also, a puppy may be outgrowing his smaller bed and seniors may a thicker mattress to better support aching joints. This has a base of 2-inch medical-grade memory foam, water-proof inner and outer fabric, and a cover that is resistant to mold and dust mites and washable. Pugs need a good place to rest but still like to be close to the 'action' so that - if they happen to prefer it, they can join in. While it is a good idea to give your Pug his own space - especially if you want him to get used to that area for when home alone - it should in a quiet corner of an familiar room that is used by the family such as the living room or den. Some owners may move a Pug's sleeping area further away if the dog snores loudly or is otherwise causing a disruption; however, a compromise should be made so that a Pug doesn't feel quarantined. Additionally, any chronic snoring noises should be evaluate by the vet for possible stenotic nares, elongated palate and other issues common to brachycephalic breeds. Drafts, which can cause interrupted sleep, are common near windows and doors, but can also be found hear exterior walls. Keep in mind that any cold spots may only be near the floor, so you may want to get down to your Pug's level to access things. With sleep apnea, a dog will stop breathing for 10 to 20 seconds, repeatedly throughout the night. While some stay asleep, many will gasp and wake up. This can cause sleep deprivation, which often manifests as troubled, moody behavior the next day. Reasons a Pug May Sleep Too Much Dogs will vary the amount of time that they sleep by an hour or so, just like humans. However, whenever there is a marked increase in how much a Pug is sleeping this is reason to take note. Possible reasons include: Mimicking- As we touched on a bit earlier, this breed is notorious for copying his owner. Even if you don't sleep much, if you spend a lot of time watching TV or zoning out with video games, etc. After all, very few Pugs will run around and stay super active if the owner is plopped on the sofa, aside from young puppies that may have high energy levels. Lack of Stimulation - If a dog has nothing better to do, he'll often do one of two things: bark or sleep. This breed often chooses the later and you really can't blame him. Dogs need interaction, challenges, sights to see and scents to smell! It's best for a Pug to have a fun session of command training after dinner, be taken for a late evening walk and have some interactional playtime as opposed to just lazing around. A dog's world is as small or as large as you allow it to be. If a Pug is kept at home without much going on, he's going to sleep more. If he's taken to different places, goes on new walking routes, is challenged by learning new commands, etc. Illness or Injury - Any time that a dog suddenly sleeps much more than normal, this is a red flag that there may be a medical condition. For puppies that appear to be suddenly weak and dizzy, this is a possible sign of hypoglycemia, most often seen in those 2 to 5 months old. With adults, any condition that causes the body to fight off disease or caused discomfort will make a dog sleep more. If you notice that your Pug is sleeping much more than usual, you cannot attribute it to any of the issues mentioned above and it lasts for longer than 3 days, this is your signal that it's time for a vet visit, even if there are no other symptoms. I'd swear my Pug does dream, he moves around and even seems to mumble. His eyes move around under his lids too when he's asleep. A: Yes, absolutely. Studies have proven that dogs do dream and quite often. They have eye twitching, lip movements and even vocalizations that you wrote about that point to REM sleep. REM sleep is the phase of deep sleep when dreams occur. It is believed that dogs and other animals can have complex dreams full of memories of actual events. So that's pretty cool; our Pugs are most likely having dreams about us. Q: Should my Pug sleep in my bed? Aside from hogging the mattress is there anything wrong with it? Would it be interpreted as spoiling? A: While you'll want to hold off until your Pug is housebroken, there's nothing inherently wrong with a Pug sleeping in his owner's bed. There are some cons, however. Due to heavy shedding you'll have to be prepared for how much fur may end up on your sheets, blankets and pillows. Also, know that once your Pug is allowed to sleep in your bed, that spot is claimed. Also, if an owner is currently single, some thought should go into the future when someone else may want the other side of the bed. Q: Is it okay for Pugs to sleep on their backs? My Pug will fall asleep, belly up, and his paws up in the air. It's pretty comical but I'm wondering if this can cause breathing problems or anything else? A: While this is not the 'normal' canine way of lying down to sleep, a small percentage of dogs do sleep this way. If your Pug finds that sleeping on his back is the optimal position for him and he must if he's doing it , this might actually be his way of breathing better at night. When curled up, this constricts the neck and makes breathing a bit more difficult. But if a Pug naturally lies on his back, neck extended back, this will open up the windpipe and may offer him better airflow though the nasal passages. Q: Is it normal for a Pug to sleep with his mouth open? My Pug does this and kind of drools while he's sleeping. A: Being a brachycephalic breed, Pugs are prone to stenotic nares, which essentially means narrowed nostrils. This can make it hard for a Pug to breathe correctly out of his nose. Excessive drooling while sleeping is a possible sign of sleep apnea. And snoring is a sign as well. But, with that said, if your Pug seems fine otherwise and the drooling is not too bad, it's nothing to be concerned with. Did you find this article helpful? You may also like: Pug Dog Separation Anxiety - Effective ways to help your Pug cope when home alone, whether you are gone for just a couple of hours or for the day. Pug Paw Care - The paws are an often overlooked area of the body, but one that should not be ignored. Read tips to keep your Pug's paws in good shape and help for treatment of common paw issues. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy 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. Pugs puppies from 3 — 8 weeks will sleep anywhere around 20 hours per day. Adult Pugs will sleep 14 hours a day and that is a lot more than other active dogs. It may sound this breed does nothing but sleep, most of it occurs at night. Basically, it comes down to how you raise them and the amount of attention you give them. If you choose to sit around watching television all day, this breed will be happy sleeping on your lap. Check out these playpens for Pugs to help increase their activity level. Pug Puppies: Just like babies, your new pup will require more sleep at this stage in their life. This includes the hours they sleep at night and the short cat naps they take throughout the day. Adult Pugs: At this stage in life, this breed can sleep up to 14 hours per day. At this point in their life, their metabolism slows down and they just want to spend their days lying around. Where Do Pugs Sleep? It basically comes down to a personal preference on where you want Fido to sleep. Read this article to find out whether Pugs can see in the dark and if they need a night light. Their Own Bed: Mindy had her own pet bed and this is where she slept and took all her naps. Dogs who are crate trained start thinking about their crate as their own little private den. Do Pugs Sleep A Lot? The short answer is it depends. Adult Pugs have a tendency to sleep quite a bit, especially if you are not keeping them active. If your Pug sleeps all day, then it might have to do with your current lifestyle. This breed tends to mimic their owners behavior. Of course, if you have an active lifestyle and your Pugs sleeping day and night, you may want to contact your veterinarian to find out if their are any underlying healthy concerns. Can Pugs Sleep Outside? This toy breed is an inside dog and should not be left outside for long periods of time. Because of their short noses, they are extremely sensitive to cold, humidity, and heat. They should never be left outdoors unattended for long periods of time. We realized that Mindy loved sleeping outside, she slept on the mulch in our garden. However, she had access to a pet door to come back in when she got tired of being outside. If your Pug loves sleeping outside, make sure they can get back inside. Leaving them outside by themselves can be dangerous and you could end up coming home to a dead Pug. Pugs with this sleep apnea may temporarily stop breathing, which causes them to wake up throughout the night. This can cause them to feel tired and groggy throughout the day. Mindy had a small case of insomnia when she gained a lot of excess weight. It eventually went away when her diet helped her shed those unwanted pounds. Insomnia: This occurs when your dog has trouble falling asleep or constantly wakes up throughout the night. Insomnia is usually a sign of a bigger problem, such as an illness, an injury or anxiety. If you spend a lot of time watching television, working on the computer, playing video games and etc, then your Pug has nothing better to do but sleep. If your pooch is just lounging around and sleeping all day, it could be a sign that they need more attention. You can improve their quality of life by getting them a companion or spending more time with them. Start taking them for short walks in the morning or the late afternoons. How Do Pugs Sleep? This breed loves their sleep and a few times we caught Mindy sleeping sitting up. At first, we thought she was watching TV, but she was actually sleeping! Here are some of the other awkward positions and what they mean. When Mindy was young, she loved sleeping on her back like a puppy. As she got older, she slept half on and half off of her bed. On Their Back, Paws in the Air Pug sleeping on back When a dog sleeps curled in a ball, it helps them conserve energy. When your Pug sleeps on their back with their belly exposed, they are trying to cool off. Their bellies have less fur and their paws hold sweat glands, and when they are exposed, it helps them keep cool while sleeping. It may not look comfortable to you and me, but this position indicates a dog is very comfortable because they are leaving their most vulnerable areas exposed. If your Pug is more active during their sleep, it means that they are in the REM stage of their sleep. Movement during their sleep is more common among puppies and senior dogs. Because it allows them to get take a quick nap and get back on their feet quickly. Pug puppies are very active, especially, if they live with other dogs or cats. Half On And Half Off Their Bed Pug dog sleeping When Mindy entered her senior years, we started noticing her awkward sleeping position of lying half on and half off her bed. We had no clue what it meant, but soon realized that she started sleeping this way due to the aches and pains in her body. Related Questions Why do pugs like to sleep under covers? Smaller dogs like to burrow themselves under the covers because it acts like shelter. If you let your dog sleep with you on a regular basis, your bed represents their shelter or den. Read this article to find out why dogs sleep under the covers. Your bed has become their happy place and crawling under the blankets represents the inner sanctum of their den and it is the safe place to be. They will spend most of their day playing and take short naps throughout the day. How Long Do Pugs Sleep? A normal healthy adult Pug will sleep around hours, depending on your lifestyle. My Pug Sleeps All Day. .It most likely has to do with the fact that your Pug is bored, especially, if they are younger. The required amount of sleep will vary by breed, however, most adult dogs will sleep around hours. If you feel that they are sleeping too much and are not dealing with any health issues. Then take a look at your life. Remember, this breed is known to mimic their owners. You May Also Like. But for a toy breed like the Pug, how much is too much? Many Pug owners find themselves worrying that their dog spends way too much time in dreamland and not enough time playing and socializing. Do Pugs sleep more than other dogs? What is considered normal and at what point should you be concerned? Why does my Pug sleep so much? Sleeping between 10 — 14 hours a day is completely normal behavior for a Pug. Knowing how much sleep is normal for a Pug may put your mind at ease. But if your Pug has an unusual affinity for sleep and is dozing his life away, some changes are called for. The norm for most breeds is 10 hours, so a Pug typically sleeps just a bit more than the average dog. Depending on your sleeping habits, the majority of these hours will be during the night while you too are sleeping. So, if you average 9 hours of sleep each night, chances are that your Pug does too. Nine hours or so of nocturnal sleep mean that for the majority of the next day, your Pug should be awake and active, only catching a few naps here and there. Some owners find that this is indeed the case. Is that normal? You may not want to hear this, but the problem often lies with the owner. Cause: Boredom This is the number one cause of snoozing away the daylight hours. Your poor Pug simply has nothing better to do. Picture the following for a moment. No cell phone, computer, books, or TV. Nothing to engage you or hold your interest. You guessed it. The same thing happens to Pugs frequently. When they are left with nothing better to do, sleep is the only appealing option. Granted, many dog owners must head off to work for the majority of the day, leaving their four-legged buddy home alone without much to keep him alert and occupied and awake. Treat-dispensing ball toy — As your dog rolls, chews, and pounces on the ball, several treats are released to encourage more playtime. Interactive fitness robot — With this toy, you can schedule interactive play at certain times throughout the day right from your phone. Enlist help — Arrange for a friend or family member to drop by once or twice per day to take your little sleepyhead out for a short walk. No friends available? Try booking a professional dog walker on sites such as Rover or Wag. Doggy daycare — Chances are that there is at least one privately run daycare for dogs near you. If not, consider hiring a pet sitter to come by daily and spend a few hours interacting with your dog. Cause: Too Little Exercise Habits form easily. It takes motivation and encouragement to get you up and moving, right? The same is true for your Pug. Head out there with him and engage him in some fun activities. Get creative to hold his interest and make exercise fun. At the very least, establish the habit of going for a couple of short walks each day. Head out in a different direction every so often to keep things interesting. Cause: Obesity Pugs are a breed particularly prone to obesity. Guess what inactive pugs spend their time doing. Sleeping — which only makes the issue of obesity worse. Your vet can recommend an appropriate diet plan and exercise regimen to help your Pug shed some pounds and regain mobility. If your Pug is filling up on junk, he may not be getting enough required nutrients to keep him active and energetic. The result? A constantly tired, lethargic Pug. Not good. Solution Feed the highest quality kibble that you can afford so that your Pug will receive the necessary nutrients that he needs to convert food into energy and get off of that couch. Make sure that each bite of food he eats is nutrient-rich, not loaded with unneeded fat, sugar, and calories. If you spend hours at a time relaxing in the family room, your Pug is likely to be right by your side relaxing too i. Solution If your Pug is going to mimic your behavior, and he will, set a good example by moving around frequently throughout the day. Solution If you suspect that your Pug may not be feeling well, a trip to the veterinarian is in order. Your vet can run tests to diagnose the problem and get your Pug started on the road to recovery. Related Posts:. A year-old pug will require around 12 hours of sleep every night. If your pup wakes up in the middle of the night and starts barking or whining, it probably means they need to go outside. Pug puppies tend to sleep even more than adult pugs. A newborn pug puppy usually sleeps about 18 hours every day. Pug Sleeping Reasons 1. Mimicking their masters Pugs are well known for their ability to mimic the behavior of their human masters. They will eat simultaneously, walk in the same stride and even sleep in the same positions. If you always curl up with your Pug on your lap, then they will do the same when they think that no one is watching. Suffering from stress or anxiety Pugs are compassionate creatures, and their human moods very easily influence them. If your Pug suffers from stress or anxiety, they may go to sleep to escape the problem. This can be triggered by changes in routine or anything that causes tension. If you find that your Pug sleeps excessively, you should speak to your vet about the best way of reducing their stress. Lack of exercise This is one of the leading causes of canine sleep disorders, and it is often overlooked. Pugs are gentle creatures by nature, but they need to participate in the exercise. They have a high energy level, and if this is not satisfied, they will find other ways to spend their time. It may not be a problem in the summer when they can spend hours chasing insects in the garden, but if you cannot take them out during colder weather, they will look for alternative ways to burn off their energy. Pug sleeping problems can often be solved by giving them more exercise, but they should balance their need to rest. There is no danger in them drinking too much, but it may cause them to sleep for long periods. Old age As with any breed, Pugs get older and suffer from different ailments that can cause them to sleep for more extended periods at a time. Older dogs need less exercise and often sleep more than their younger counterparts. Medical problems As with any breed, Pugs are prone to some medical issues. If they suffer from a severe condition, they may sleep for extended periods as a coping mechanism. Pugs are beautiful animals that will offer years of love and affection. If you find that your Pug is excessively tired, there may be reasons behind it. By identifying the problem, you can choose the best course of action, and your Pug can continue to enjoy a happy and healthy lifestyle. Caring for a Pug sleeping schedule: Pugs tend to sleep in the same spot all the time, by your feet or on your lap. You should make sure that their sleeping spot is clean to avoid skin or fur issues. Please do not disturb them when they are sleeping, or they will be startled. Do not allow other animals to disturb their sleeping habits, as they can become territorial over a good spot. Avoid loud noises or sudden movements around the Pug when napping during the day because it will mess with their sleep cycle. It is usual for a Pug to whine, grunt, or walk around when sleeping. Please do not wake up a Pug in deep sleep because it can be dangerous for their health. If your Pug is sleepwalking, ensure that you are not blocking them from a clear path to their potty spot. Pugs are also known to sleep talk, whistle, and snore, depending on how deep they sleep. Please do not allow children to disturb the sleeping habits of a Pug, as it can be hazardous. Yes, Pugs do have REM. This is because they are dogs and all dogs including Pugs have REM. REM is a sleep stage characterized by rapid eye movements and dreaming. Do Pugs suffer insomnia? Yes, Pugs can suffer from insomnia. They may also be more prone to getting sick because they cannot fight off infection. Owners of pugs should make sure their pet gets plenty of exercise and try to establish a regular sleep schedule. If your Pug has trouble sleeping, talk to your vet about possible solutions. How long do Pugs sleep at night? On average, Pugs sleep for around 14 hours per day. This varies slightly depending on the Pug, but 14 hours is right for the average dog. They tend to have two distinct periods of sleep — one during the day and one at night. Conclusion People who own pugs often joke that their dog is always sleeping. Post navigation. These dogs tend to sleep more than other breeds. They even snore, snort and make some weird noises that may sound ridiculous to you. Some might say they are lazy. But, Pugs are not lazy. They are interactive creatures that enjoy playing at any time. Yet, these dogs are curious and emotional, striving for your attention most of the time. Learn about your Pug sleeping habits to understand their health better. In this article, I will have answers to some questions about the sleeping habits of Pugs. The sleeping time of Pugs varies on their age: Pug Newborns Baby Pugs need a lot of sleep for their growth. On average, a newborn Pug can sleep up to 22 hours a day. They only wake up to eat and go to the bathroom. From the third week and on, Pug newborn pups will grow as their vision and hearing develop. So does their curiosity. Pug puppies at this stage will spend time playing with their littermates and exploring their world. Once the Pug puppies open the eyes, they will reduce their sleeping hours to 20 to 22 hours a day. Pug Puppies In the first couple of months, Pug puppies will sleep in between 18 to 20 hours. They spend the rest of the time eating and exploring their world. From 3 weeks old, the puppies will roam around their area, hopping on their paws, sniffing, and chewing. From 6 months old, the pup will sleep like an adult Pug. Adult Pugs Pugs from 6 months old sleep even less. They spend more time socializing, exploring the world, and shadowing you. They will sleep roughly around 14 hours a day; that includes nighttime snoozing of hours. During the day, Pugs spend around hours napping after being in high gear. Senior Pugs Old Pug dogs need extra hours to rest as they reduce activities. During the day, a senior Pug may nap more than when they were young. In particular, they may fall asleep earlier than they used to. A puppy Pug can sleep for more than 20 hours. Your Pug sleep habits may differ from others. But when compared to other breeds, Pugs sleep much more. Usually, a healthy Pug spends 9 hours for his nocturnal sleep. But if the Pug adapts to your sleeping hours, they may go to bed and wake at the same time as you do. Then, in the daytime, the dog may snuggle on the couch and catch a few naps for some hours. This is entirely normal. Pugs sleep more than enough. There are a variety of reasons for oversleeping in Pugs. If your grown Pug naps more than 5 hours a day, this can be a problem. Pugs demand a lot of attention from you. They need you around to spend up their energy. If a Pug falls into boredom, he will nap to wait for you. Sleeping this much is not healthy. That said, Pugs are not dogs to be left alone. They tend to sleep through the lonely hours. You can invest in some automatic interactive toys. But without your participation, Pugs are unlikely to get up. However, be aware. This could result in inside destruction. Alternatively, ask help from a friend or a relative to drop by twice a day. Daycare dog service: This kind of service will walk your dog hours a day and play with the pup if you are busy Fitness robot : This toy is a bit costly but may worth it as it keeps your Pug interactive without your presence. You can schedule the time for the bot to run and trigger your dog to play. Ball dispenser : This auto-dispenser can be a playmate for the Pug. But make sure you train your dog to use the machine before putting it to work. Obesity Obesity can make Pugs more sedentary. Without much exercise, an overweight Pug tends to sleep more to deal with the boredom. Also, you will get consulted on the exercises appropriate for an obese Pug. Low to no exercises Being lazy and not exercising is a bad habit which you should not form at the beginning of his young life. Instead, it would be best if you encouraged your Pug dog to romp and play rather than lounging on the sofa. Pugs are dogs that love to make their owner happy. That means you are the motivation. So, take the fetch to the backyard and start a game. Poor Diet Like people, Pugs become weak when consuming low-quality food, too many treats, and excessive fatty foods. Feed your Pug with high-quality food recipes for Pugs. As Pugs are prone to obesity, you should consider low fat, sugar, and calorie food. Mirroring As a part of the shadowing habit, Pugs tend to mimic you in the sleeping routine. That means, if you sleep, the pooch will drift off with you. So, if your sleeping schedule is chaotic, that will apply to your Pug too. Solution: This can be an advantage when your Pug tries to mirror you. Be awake during the day to play with your Pug. Play with him and help him use up his energy while giving him attention. Then, you can allow him to nap for an hour or so. Then, repeat the playtime. Sickness Sleeping is an integral part of healing. So, no wonder why Pugs, or any dog, would sleep through if they get sick. However, you should keep an eye on your Pug pup and wake him up on his mealtime. Your Pug also needs to be up to visit the vet and take medicine. Solution: A visit to your animal clinic is a must when your Pug is not feeling well. While under-recovery, your Pug needs a lot of time to rest, let him sleep, and wake him up for food. Pug Sleeping Troubles While some Pugs sleep soundly while dreaming at night, others struggle to sleep. Some owners find their puppy Pugs stay awake and howl out of isolation. Many of them feel insecure in a new home. However, other Pugs are awake and whine because they have enough sleep all day. Other than that, there are several care elements involved in Pug sleeping troubles. Bad bed The fact is Pugs are prone to hips and back issues. More than that, choose a bed that resists mold and dust mites. This helps your Pug sleep without disturbance. Besides, temperature changes also cause your Pug to lose sleep. Respiratory problem Breathing problems are common in Pugs due to their flat-wrinkled face. But with sleep apnea, a Pug will stop breathing for up to 20 seconds. This causes sleep deprivation. This leads to health troubles and misbehavior in the long run. The REM stage is a deep sleep where dogs may dream. However, Pugs are not heavy sleepers. Why do Pugs Snore in their Sleep? That affects the construction of the nostril, making it hard for the air to flow. Lethargy in Pugs? What is it? They could be sleepy, or they could be sick. But if you notice that your Pug sleeps through the day and lacks appetite, he is probably ill. Do Pugs Suffer Insomnia? When Pugs are restless at night, that means they have insomnia. The reasons vary from changes in the environment, diet, illness to uncomfortable bedding. If you want to know the source of insomnia in your Pug, take some time to observe. A healthy Pug should sleep well at night and nap during the day. But if your Pug is struggling to fall asleep, you should: Address the underlying cause Make sure she gets enough exercise during the day Supply melatonin.

Who are we? We are a group of poodle lovers right here in Kokomo Indiana that simply love the breed and strive to let those that also love the breed get very high quality puppies at affordable prices. The Princess Petite Poodle member families have over combined years of matching the perfect poodle to your family. Our poodles are our family, our pets and our bed and blanket hogs. All of the Princess Petite member families simply love the breed and always had poodles. Living in a rural community we decided that we could breed and share the breed with other families. So we began our adventure. We bought our first poodles from Poodle genius Brenda who is now a long time friend and has her poodles and services represented on this sight as well. We had 4 boys ages years old so we combined our love of poodles with our desire to raise responsible, hard working young men. Before we began, we took each of the boys to our credit union and had them set up an account. When we would have litters, the boys were all responsible to do the work and learn the process from breeding to puppy delivery. Each day they would work together to schedule, clean, and sterilize the kennel, feed the dam, feed the puppies, calculate when the puppies could go to their new homes, take pictures of the puppies that in that day we would send by text to clients, give shots to the puppies, keep track of the deposits, prepare the puppies for client visits, host the clients with our help of course , learn to speak respectfully to clients, learn customer service, and finally see the puppies were ready for clients on pick up day. As a result of their hard work and dedication to the breed and the clients, since the work had been spread out evenly, the reward of a job well done was spread out evenly as well. After all of the puppies were picked up the monies were divided into 5 equal stacks, 1 stack for each kid then 1 stack shared between us parents. The remainder of the kids stack was deposited into their personal accounts and they would use to buy their own extra wants such as shoes, cloths, toys, dirt bikes, video games etc. By doing this our goal was to let each kid learn the value of a dollar, the importance of hard work, the importance of savings and for the higher ticket items as they got older the skill of waiting to get what you want until it is in your budget. The boys are up and gone now, all on their own but they still come and help us or the other Princess Petite Poodles member families with poodles, our web site, setting up poodlecams, shots day, advertising and such. This website and other basic tech is Dean The Poodle Genius behind each of the member families is Brenda The poodles that are available or have been placed, come from numerous member families All of our member families use Brenda's line of poodles to assure the highest quality, healthiest, and best temperament puppies in Indiana Pricing structure Very basic pricing structure is affordable for our clients to get a high quality puppy. This is basic starting point, see available puppies tab then slide show at the bottom for what is include and "extras" that can be added. Some prices may be slightly increased due to size smaller can cost more or color the deep mahogany reds or merels can cost more. Questions about Poodle puppies for sale in Indiana? We have answers. Give me an overview of Poodle puppies for sale in Indiana. Poodles come at different prices. Different things to consider are their height, size and weight, color as well as experience of the professional breeder. You will be able to afford one! Can breeders arrange travel for Indiana Poodles out of state? Yes they do! The breeders, companies and businesses in our network know that perfect families do not always live close by, and sometimes far-distance travel arrangements have to be made. You may even be able to pick up your pup from an airplane close by or even around the corner - it all depends! How do you screen miniature Poodle breeders in Indiana? We really care about puppies and their well being, so it is of the utmost importance that anyone who wants to be connected to us is screened under strict rules - and then they have to take our Breeder Pledge. The health of your puppy-to-be, its wellbeing, the way it is taken care of, the place it is brought up in - all of this matters to us. Why is Uptown Puppies different from other miniature Poodle breeders Indiana? The internet is available to absolutely everybody - and that includes scrupulous breeders who are out there just wanting to cash in by selling puppies. We care deeply for dogs and puppies and we love connecting good and honest breeders with families who just want to open their homes to a new and wonderful puppy. What is a puppy mill like for miniature Poodle Indiana? A puppy mill is an awful place that is unfortunately legal. Dogs are treated terribly and all their owners want from them are their puppies which they make money out of. Are there any miniature Poodle puppies Indiana for sale now? We just need to know a little bit about yourself and exactly what you are looking for. Then begin your search and find the Poodle of your dreams. There are breeders, companies and businesses out there that are really excited to place their beautiful puppies in your home. What kind of dogs are mini Poodle puppies Indiana? Poodles are actually part of a group of formal dog breeds. The Poodle is available in Toy size, Miniature size and large, regal, Standard size. They are highly intelligent and their origins belong to both Germany and France. How do I know I can trust you with miniature Poodle puppies in Indiana? It is hard to monitor all the puppy scams that happen daily on the internet so we make sure that we have a secure Breeder Pledge and a strict screening process, in order to create the best of relationships between our customers and our breeders, companies and businesses. Our reviews reveal all!