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Apart from recurring costs such as dog food, toys, and grooming essentials, a great chunk of your finances must go to routine veterinary care and pet insurance. Annual check-ups should be done on adult German Shepherds to check their physical condition and ensure they are healthy dogs. This involves listening to the heart and checking the ears and eyes. The typical lifespan of a GSD is 7 to 10 years. Other Potential Expenses Owning a dog is already comparable to parenthood. German Shepherds, much like any other dog breed, have other needs that go beyond food, water, and shelter. Your dog will be watched over, fed, and socialized with other dogs. Grooming Services: For your GSD to have a well-maintained coat and appearance, you should take them to a professional grooming salon. They will be cleaned, trimmed, and pampered as they deserve. Emergency Treatment: Dogs grow up so fast. As your German Shepherd puppy gets older, they are more prone to health issues like hip dysplasia. Sudden injuries can also happen that will require immediate medical attention and treatment. This will allow them to join various dog shows and other competitions. Places to Find German Shepherd Puppies for Sale and Adoption Once you plan everything out financially, you are ready to find places where you can buy your German Shepherd puppy. Cheap German Shepherd dogs can be bought from puppy mills or a backyard breeder. Buying from responsible breeders is the best option to get healthy puppies that will grow up to be strong adult dogs. To help on your quest, here is a list of breeders certified by the American Kennel Club that offer high-quality German Shepherd puppies: Vom Ragnar German Shepherds — This is a small kennel located in Illinois dedicated to breeding show-quality German Shepherds with sound temperament and the best condition because they have their puppies undergo health testing. This breeder strives to match their GSD pups to the most suited families. Mittelwest German Shepherds — As a well-renowned breeder, the owner ensures that they only produce show-quality German Shepherd puppies that can serve as show dogs, guard dogs, K-9, and much more. They also import and ship their dogs worldwide. West Coast German Shepherds — If you are located in California, this breeder can offer you a health-tested German Shepherd puppy coming from the best bloodlines. Buying the cheapest puppies online seems tempting, especially if you are on a budget, but you might spend more in the future due to medical expenses. To easily distinguish a responsible breeder from a puppy mill or backyard breeder, check out our puppy buying guide. Are you considering adopting a German Shepherd instead of buying from a breeder? If you are, this list can help you find the perfect GSD pup for you: German Shepherd Rescue and Adoptions — Based in North Carolina, this non-profit organization was established to protect and promote the German Shepherd breed. German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County — This volunteer organization is all about placing unwanted, neglected, and abused German Shepherds into permanent, loving homes. Applicants are encouraged to meet up with their chosen dog prior to adoption. Matching their rescue dogs to a suitable owner is their top priority, along with the restoration of their health. For more chances of finding your lifelong companion, check out this list of the 10 best German Shepherd rescues. You can surely find one in your location! Adoption is the cheapest alternative to getting a German Shepherd Dog, and this is more suggested than buying from backyard breeders. Buy high-quality items. You will spend more on replacing them rather than having good products that can last for a longer time. Purchase supplies in bulk. When buying food or treats for your pup, make sure to stock up by buying them in bulk. This can save you a lot of money than buying small bags of kibble or cans of wet food. Keep your dog in excellent shape. To avoid expensive veterinary bills, keep your German Shepherd puppy fit and healthy. Do this by feeding them high-quality dog food equipped with the right nutrients. Groom your GSD at home. Instead of going to a professional groomer, learn to groom your German Shepherd puppy at home. All you need to do is buy the basic grooming tools and research how to groom your dog effectively. Plan your finances accordingly so no one will have to suffer in the long run. They are highly intelligent and loyal dogs that will protect you at all costs. Buying one from a reputable breeder is worth the hefty purchase price than purchasing from backyard breeders or puppy mills. On another note, you can adopt from a local rescue organization, but make sure to ask about any current health conditions that the dog may have. Aside from the financial aspect, make sure you are prepared for the full responsibility of being a German Shepherd puppy owner. Now you know how much German Shepherds cost, are you ready to own one? Share your thoughts in the comments below. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. Think of the right breed you want, your space, time, and lifestyle. Most of all, consider if you can afford to buy a GSD. This article will focus on the cost of buying and raising a GSD so you know what to expect and how much funds to allocate ahead of time if you finally decide to buy a GSD. German Shepherd Puppies Price Range The following price range is from reputable or responsible breeders who can show bloodline certifications and proof of health testing so expect the initial purchase price to be high. Owning a purebred German Shepherd will always come with a high price tag because breeders often charge high prices for purebred dogs in order to ensure that they find good owners. Additionally, this price can be even higher if the German Shepherd is a show dog or comes from a kennel known to produce prize-winning dogs. Purebred GSD s have certain genetic traits or appearances like their parents and other ancestors. This means purebred GSDs belong to the same breed. So if you buy a purebred puppy, you already have an idea about his general physical appearance and behavioral characteristics. Czech German shepherds have been used for working purposes because of their strength and intelligence. If you want to buy a good Czech GSD, you need to find a good breeder. Is It Normal? All GSDs can be born either black, grey, or white and can change color as they grow but black german shepherds are born black as the name implies until they reach adulthood. Also, expect to pay a pretty penny if you want a show quality black GSD. Finding a good breeder who has puppies available is not easy since it is such a rare color. Why Does the Cost Vary First of all, the price depends on the breeder. It also depends on the pedigree and colorings of the German shepherd puppy. Well-reputed breeders price their German shepherds by considering their expenses in breeding, raising, training, and showing their dogs. Of course, German shepherd puppies bred for show quality are more expensive than dogs bred for companionship or family pets only. Sometimes the only difference between the two is their color. Most of the time these organizations health screen German shepherd puppies before placing them for adoption. It is advisable to set aside a monthly budget for your GSD. Food The amount of food you give depends on your GSD. Just make sure you give a balanced diet rich in protein and healthy fats. Because German Shepherd puppies are constantly exploring their environment most of the time, they eat more high-energy food than adult GSDs. They need to eat smaller meals each day. Aside from their main meals, treats are also important to have a healthy and happy German shepherd puppy. Shelter Since every GSD deserves a good home, you should provide your German shepherd puppy with a comfortable bed inside your home. For your GSDs outside, you may provide a kennel for them and make sure their shelter is cozy and free from dirt. Expect to pay a hundred dollars for annual exams and vaccinations. However, too many vitamins can also have negative consequences so before giving any supplements, ask your vet first. Other factors to consider Aside from making sure they have enough food, comfortable shelter, and keeping up with the vaccination schedule of your GSD, there are other miscellaneous additions to consider. Take into consideration obedience training; grooming essentials brushes, combs, toenail clippers, and shampoo toys, and other unforeseen problems. You may also go to professional dog shows to meet with several breeders. Take your time to meet them, visit their homes, and get to know their dogs. Buy from a reputable hobby breeder, experienced breeder, or responsible breeder. You can recognize if the seller is a responsible breeder if he has clean facilities, well-fed dogs with complete records and certifications. Conclusion Finding the best breeder of German Shepherds is not easy. Do your research and avoid impulse buying because if you purchase a German shepherd puppy that is improperly bred, he may grow up with health and behavioral problems, such as disabilities and aggression. Start preparing your budget or save up now to buy the GSD of your dreams. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. German Shepherds are considered healthy dogs that can live many years. You must be able to pay for these dogs every month of their lives. For the most part, providing your dog with a lot of exercise and high-quality food will prevent the dog from developing unforeseen health issues. You will need to buy a dog-safe toothpaste, dog-safe shampoo, and certain medications, such as heartworm prevention, to keep your dog healthy its entire life. Not only do you have to feed your German Shepherd a lot of food, but you want to feed your dog food that is high quality and healthy. As long as your dog does not have any known illnesses or issues, you should not have to pay monthly prices. At the minimum, you should take your German Shepherd for an annual visit, assuming it is healthy. You also need to pay for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. Most of these medications last for 1 to 3 months at a time. It is completely up to you whether or not you decide to get pet insurance. If you are interested in getting health insurance for your new pet, Lemonade offers customizable insurance plans and responsive customer service. If you do not want to pay for pet insurance, you can simply set up a savings account instead. So long as you have a house and a yard for your dog to play, the home environment is generally suitable for dogs. Some environmental maintenance things you will need to buy include doggie bags. You need these if you take your dog for a walk or if you have a yard that you have to maintain. You may also need to pay for carpet cleaner, deodorizer, and other items to keep the house clean, despite your heavy shedding German Shepherd. This means that your German Shepherd can help you out when you are in a pinch, but it also means that you need to provide your German Shepherd ample entertainment, or else your dog could become destructive. At the very minimum, you need to buy heavy-duty toys for your German Shepherd. German Shepherds can be really rough with their toys. So, we recommend some sort of brand specific for rough-playing dogs, such as Kong. These boxes will offer toys, treats, and more for your dog, but these boxes can be pretty expensive too. Additional Costs to Factor In In addition to initial costs and monthly payments, there are some other additional factors you need to think about. For starters, obedience training is really important for dogs of this size. Obedience training can be a bit expensive at first, but it will be worth it in the long run. You need to pay for a pet sitter or kennel whenever you go on vacations and your dog does not come with you. If you are buying a German Shepherd puppy, you may also have to pay to replace or fix items the puppy damages. Think about accidents or unforeseen illnesses too. These can cost a whole lot in vet visits. Owning a German Shepherd on a Budget If you want a German Shepherd but are worried about destroying your budget, there are ways that you can own one of these wonderful dogs without spending a fortune either. Unfortunately, there is little you can change about the price of these dogs up front, but you can save on the monthly expenses. The most important tip for taking care of a German Shepherd on a budget is to know when to splurge. When it comes to dog food, make sure to select high-quality food. This will be more expensive upfront, but it will ensure that your dog is healthy for as long as possible, resulting in fewer bills. Splurging on heavy-duty toys is another great idea. These toys will cost more at first, but they should last much longer than cheap ones. For instance, there are a lot of coupons and promo codes you can use when purchasing toys, food, and other items for your German Shepherd. Even if you find coupons, only spend money on the essentials. Not to mention, buy crates and beds that are suitable for the dog as it grows. Many people make the mistake of buying crates and beds suitable for the puppy, but the puppy soon outgrows them. The initial cost primarily accounts for the dog itself and any other items required when bringing the dog home for the first time. Even after the German Shepherd has made your home its home, you will still have to pay some pretty hefty bills for the remainder of its life. Although the initial and monthly costs for this dog are a bit high, they are required for this dog to live a happy life. If you cannot afford to provide a German Shepherd the sort of life it needs and deserves, simply do not get a German Shepherd. Final Thoughts You may get a great idea of having a reliable and loyal member of your family. It is a German Shepherd dog. The next question is how much a German Shepherd costs — either a puppy or an adult dog. However, such dogs come from the lines which are not properly tested for genetic health issues or temperament drawbacks. So, you may come across the trouble of frequent visits to a vet or unmotivated aggression in your pet. That is why it is much better to spend more on a purebred puppy with great genes. The first point you need to understand starts with breeding. It is not just a simple pairing of two adult dogs, raising their puppies, and then selling them. A responsible breeder deals with the careful selection of mates who are free from breed-specific problems with health and behavior. Such selection takes much time and effort. Moreover, raising puppies involves their early socialization and a lot of sensory stimulation achieved by training. German Shepherds can suffer from health issues that are impossible to detect during a quick examination at a vet. They require more thorough diagnostics, for example, x-raying for hip dysplasia and specific genetic testing, which are not cheap at all. That is why the ultimate price of a puppy can reflect it. In addition, there are a number of tests required by the AKC for successful breeding. They include elbow x-rays, thyroid and cardiac tests as well as a canine ophthalmologist examination. There is one more point that may influence the GSD cost. Good manners and obedience are products of training, and it also takes a lot of money and time. However, some behavioral features and temperament result from genetic disposition. These problems involve harsh reactions, stress, anxiousness, and aggression. That is why a reputable breeder considers these characteristics in both parents and pairs only those dogs that are a good match. It needs a lot of patience and effort. If you buy a very cheap puppy from an irresponsible breeder, you may face its unpredictable temperament. So, you will save yourself a lot of time, nerves, and costs if you purchase your fluffy friend from a responsible seller but at a higher price. A purebred German Shepherd puppy can cost a lot. However, it is one of the most reasonable solutions to get such a puppy. In this way, you will avoid many problems with health and behavior. The best idea is to purchase your puppy from reliable breeders. This is the strongest guarantee that the puppy will grow healthy. Purebred dogs have a number of phenotypic and genetic characteristics that come from their ancestors, making such shepherd dogs almost ideal. That is why you need to have an overall vision of what your dog should look like and what you expect of it. Responsible breeding results in a bit higher price but it is worth it. If the price is too attractive to be real, be cautious. You can see such offers from pet stores or backyard breeders. However, even if you save a good amount while buying, you may spend much more on veterinary help in the future. German Shepherd puppies are expensive. You may ask why. The answer is simple — breeding and raising these perfect puppies cost a lot. Moreover, high-quality breeding takes a lot of time and effort. A breeder should have a lot of expertise and experience in raising the litter. In any case, all the money you will spend on a good-quality German Shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder is worth it. A dog with a stable temperament and behavior, healthy and socialized, is worth every cent spent on it. German Shepherds can be of different colors. Depending on how rare the color of the coat is, the price may vary. The rarer the color is, the higher the price is. These dogs are very popular among military and police forces. In general, if a puppy is born black, it is unlikely to change its color, but there may be exceptions. Occasionally, some fading can be observed. On average, a black German Shepherd costs a bit more than any other color. However, black dogs are more difficult to find, so you may have to wait in a line in search of the friend you would prefer to have. This specific bloodline is also newer than others, so if you have decided to have a purebred white dog, you should learn a lot about its characteristics and peculiarities. The first thing to decide upon is where to buy such a puppy — from an enthusiastic lineage breeder or a traditional one who is mostly focused on the color you need. Health problems are quite common in German Shepherd dogs, and there are those related to the color. That is why you had better choose a reputable breeder who can show you the parents of your potential puppy and offer health certificates. If you want to buy your white puppy in the USA, there is a White Shepherd Association that can recommend to you the breeders listed by state, so you can ask them what to do if you want to find the puppy of your dreams. Blue German Shepherds are not traditional at all. This German Shepherd cost can also differ between breeders. A puppy bought from a reputable breeder is sure to cost you more. However, the blue color of the coat is not actually blue. In fact, it is dark gray, and such dogs may come in varied color patterns. Though the color is a bit unusual, such puppies are still considered purebred. Nevertheless, some experts believe that this color is just a gene mutation and over time, it will be bred out. Make sure that you have received your blue puppy from the parents who are either black or blue. They need to have two copies of the diluted recessive gene because a puppy needs to receive it from both parents. Sometimes, blue shepherd dogs can look a bit dusty as if someone has dropped a bowl of flour on their back. Or, in some cases, they can look darker, like gunmetal or something like this. In any event, blue German Shepherd dogs make up perfect family pets because they are highly loyal and trainable. Yes, this is one of the variants to save your costs. Breeders sometimes sell retired show or breeding dogs at a lower price. Such dogs can be years old. The reasons why these dogs are on sale vary. That may be the end of their show career. Or, for a certain purpose, they can be spayed after producing several litters. Usually, the number of breeding dogs is limited because a responsible breeder needs to pay more attention and give optimal care to their breeding dog. Purchasing a retired German Shepherd dog has several indisputable advantages. These dogs have a perfect pedigree, and their parents were carefully tested. They have got substantial socialization to take part in shows, so they can live together with other dogs and get accustomed easily to different people and conditions. The canines are fit and strong because they have received high-quality food, appropriate veterinary care, and all needed shots. Such dogs are sure to be far cheaper than purebred puppies with the same characteristics. Though, finding such a dog for sale is a great luck. You will need to make inquiries from several breeders because most of them sell their precious dogs only once in a few years. In addition, they love their pets so placing them in a perfect home is their priority. So, you should become a good match with both a dog and its owner. They are really rare. You can purchase them only from breeders who specialize in this color. Your puppy will keep its white coat without changes while growing if you get a guarantee that both of its parents are white-coated. How can you save while buying a GS puppy? In fact, you can never be sure that your puppy is healthy and good-tempered if you purchase it for little money. That is why our strong recommendation is not to buy a cheap puppy. Unregulated breeding can result in severe hip dysplasia which is passed from parents to their offspring. This health condition can display at the very young age of a dog — often under 4. This is a result of a loose position of the hips in their sockets. The looser the sockets are, the more profound severity you will observe. Some dogs may display a limp even at the age of 2 or under. Therefore, find a responsible and reputable breeder, and you will be sure that your puppy is really healthy. You will get a loyal friend and beloved companion for a long time then. It is always a bad idea. Where can I find a responsible breeder? Reputable and responsible breeders have a waiting list of potential puppy buyers. Of course, they do not have signs informing about sales in their front yards. So, what can you do? You can ask your friends or acquaintances who have already purchased a German Shepherd puppy. Word of mouth is a great recommendation. Or, if you are a member of a canine club or community, you can make inquiries there. Look for well-known canine associations online and contact them. They can recommend responsible breeders to you. Can my breeder guarantee that my GS puppy will not have hip problems? Hip dysplasia is polygenic, though, in some cases, it can be caused by environmental factors. If a breeder is careful and responsible enough, your puppy will undergo x-raying, and it will have a certificate. However, no breeder in the world can guarantee that your dog will never have dysplasia at an older age because of certain factors including feeding and treating it. How much does it cost to feed a German Shepherd? However, veterinary care, disease prevention, and dog utilities may cost you twice as much per month. Final Thoughts All in all, German Shepherds are not dogs that you can acquire for cheap. You need to consider spending a lot to buy your new family member from a responsible breeder. It means that your future puppy has already received some training in obedience, tracking, and protection. The price can also depend on the color of the coat. Rare colors usually cost more. If your pup comes from a champion bloodline, the price will also be higher. Nevertheless, it is never a good idea to start looking at the ads that offer to sell German Shepherd puppies for some hundred dollars. Such puppies are not properly tested, so you may face tier health and temperament problems. The most widely experienced issues here are hip dysplasia and aggression. They are always a result of irresponsible breeding. Your well-trained and socialized friend will be a pleasure to deal with. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. For example, if you search on puppyfind. Instead, others like gooddog. I suggest that one way to ensure the breeder is reliable is by checking they have a decent website. So, when searching for breeders, following up on the information on their website gives authority to the breeder. This tells you how much experience they have as a breeder. Address, social media pages, and phone contacts. Ways on how you can contact the breeder, which is one way of finding out if they are authentic. A collection of photos of their dogs and available puppies or those already sold. These give you a first idea of the quality of their dogs, the prices of their German Shepherd pups, and the waiting time. Breeder achievements. For example, German Shepherds who have won sporting or other awards indicate the quality of their breeding. A copy of their purchase contract, a questionnaire for gauging your suitability, and an application form. All these are key in creating a first idea of what you should expect from the breeder you will buy from. An indication of the price of their puppies. This gives you a more updated idea of how much the pet will cost compared to breeder search sites. For example, some German Shepherd breeders listed on gooddog. Nonetheless, many factors impact how reputable breeders price their dogs. But what makes German Shepherds so expensive? German Shepherds are so expensive as breeding costs are not cheap, and as a popular breed, breeders can demand more. Health screening, vet visits, and vaccinations need to be paid for. Factors influencing price are lineage, color, type, litter size, breeder qualifications, and registration. And this is without counting additional costs if you are using a top German Shepherd sire and need to make trips abroad. You can read my article, Costs of Owning a German Shepherd, to get a clear picture of what awaits you after buying. German Shepherd Prices In the below table, I have researched the current prices of German Shepherd puppies from 17 breeders. You can find some examples of UK prices later in the article. I am not endorsing any of these breeders, and you should still do your due diligence before purchasing. Most will offer details of future planned litters and how to apply for and reserve a pup. Current German Shepherd Puppy Prices. Less - The German Shepherds are medium to large-sized dogs , well-balanced, muscular dog, slightly longer than tall, with a medium length coat, erect ears, and a low-set natural tail that normally reaches to the hock and is carried in a slight curve like a saber. The outline of the German Shepherd Dog is made up of smooth curves rather than angles. The head is in proportion to the size of the body, strong without appearing coarse or fine. Gender differences are readily apparent. The German Shepherd Dog is confident and fearless, willing to be approached, yet a certain level of aloofness towards strangers is acceptable. When working, the German Shepherd is alert and eager, adapting well to new tasks. Lack of confidence is a serious defect in the character of a German Shepherd. The structure of this breed was designed for efficient locomotion, particularly at the trot, so poor movement is another serious fault. History Less - The German Shepherd Dog is a relatively young breed, developed almost single-handedly in the first half of the twentieth century by a German cavalry officer, Max von Stephanitz, president of the Verein far Deutsche Schaferhunde S. Using a variety of German sheepdogs as his foundation stock, von Stephanitz developed a distinctive breed in a very short period of time, due in large part to the authoritarian practices of the German dog fancy at that time. Von Stephanitz emphasized utility and intelligence in his breeding program, enabling the German Shepherd Dog to switch easily from herding duties to other fields of work, particularly military and police work. All things German were shunned and popularity slumped. After the war, however, movie star Rin-tin-tin stimulated interest in the breed again. The striking good looks of this breed, combined with its remarkable intelligence and loyalty, have made it a favorite working and companion dog. If your breeder had not run these genetic tests on your dog—or if you adopt a German Shepherd from a rescue or shelter, you can run the Embark Dog DNA Test using a simple saliva test you can perform at home. Dogs with CLAD, type III typically exhibit symptoms such as recurrent ear infections, skin infections, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections. Dogs with DM first lose coordination in their hind legs, then they lose muscle mass and eventually the ability to walk. It is caused by a lack of one of the proteins needed for blood to clot properly. Dogs with hemophilia A will often suffer from uncontrolled bleeding, most commonly into the joints. Uric acid is a waste product that is normally eliminated from the body through the kidneys. When the kidneys are not able to remove enough uric acid, it builds up in the blood and can cause health problems. Dogs with hyperuricosuria are at risk for developing bladder stones, kidney stones, and other health problems. P-glycoprotein is involved in the transport of drugs and other molecules across cell membranes. Drugs that are known to cause adverse reactions in MDR1 dogs include digoxin, ivermectin, loperamide, and milbemycin. There are several different types of MPS, each caused by a deficiency in a specific enzyme needed to break down mucopolysaccharides. It is caused by a genetic mutation that impairs the ability of the blood to clot properly. This can lead to frequent and sometimes severe bleeding events which can be difficult to control, even with the help of medications. Dogs with this condition are at an increased risk for bleeding and may require lifelong monitoring and medical management. Symptoms include weight loss, decreased appetite, vomiting, and increased water consumption. Affected dogs have problems with the development of their skin, hair, nails, and teeth. They may also have problems with sweating and the function of their tears and salivary glands. Dogs with this disorder usually have a very thin coat of hair, often with areas that are bald or have very thin hair. Their skin may be dry and cracked, and they may develop sores on their skin. Nails may be abnormally shaped or missing altogether, and teeth may be missing or poorly developed. Dogs with X-linked ectodermal dysplasia often experience overheating. Attend a sanctioned dog show and talk with breeders and competitors for recommendations. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations regarding reputable breeders. Check the Facebook page of the breeder and read through the comments. Remember, however, that comments can be deleted by the page owner. The breeder should be happy to share the name and contact information for customers. Ask questions. Lots of questions. The breeder should be glad to share the test results from the health tests and screenings and should be happy to let you meet at least the mother if not the sire as well of the German Shepherd Dog puppies. Ask how often the dogs are bred. Ask to tour the kennels. Are they well maintained? Do the dogs look healthy? Beware of operations that will not let you tour the kennels and breeders that want to meet you in a parking lot to hand over the puppy. Be prepared for questions. The breeder should ask YOU questions as well; be suspicious if the breeder has no questions about your past history with pets, your living situation, etc. The breeder should want to know how much experience you have with herding breeds, what your training plans are and your plans for exercising the dog. Ask if the breeder will take the German Shepherd puppy—or adult dog—back if necessary. Ask for a contract. If medical problems are diagnosed, the breeder should readily take the pup back and provide a full refund. German Shepherd breeders may adopt out of the area but, nonetheless, you will want to go to the breeder to meet the parents, view the kennels and bring home your puppy in person. This will add to your expenses—but breeders that transport a puppy by air are putting the dog at risk. If you want to buy a German Shepherd Dog from an online breeder, please think again. There are numerous scams; people spend thousands of dollars for a dog and never receive a puppy. AKC warns potential pet parents to be wary of any seller asking for payment by Venmo, in gift cards or as a wire transfer. Dogs purchased from puppy mills can mean years of heartache and expensive veterinary care—and perpetuation of a cruel industry. The pros of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder: You may be able to select a puppy—including a choice of gender. A reputable breeder will be passionate about German Shepherds and will a resource for years to come. The cons of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder You will pay far more for a cattle dog from a breeder than a rescue or shelter. If you find a breeder who has German Shepherd puppies for sale at prices much lower than you are seeing from other breeders, you must suspect you are dealing with a backyard breeder who has not done health screening, with an online seller who is operating a puppy mill or with someone who is running a scam. You will need to wait until puppies are available. You will need to do your own due diligence to select a reputable breeder. German Shepherd Dogs in rescues are far less expensive that those at a breeder. Puppies under a year old will be the most costly. This group provides funding to a network of GSD rescues — they do not have dogs themselves for adoption. They have a list of affiliated rescues that can help located adoptable GSDs in your region. A breed rescue is, like the name suggests, a pet rescue that is specifically for one breed of dog. These are generally small non-profit groups that operate through a foster system of volunteers who love the breed. German Shepherd rescues specialize in German Shepherds of all ages; some have primarily purebred German Shepherds while others may also have adoptable Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds. How to Find Breed Rescues Along with the list mentioned above, many breed rescues list their adoptable dogs on large adoption sites such as:. If you are looking to buy a German Shepherd puppy, then you should find one from a reputable breeder. While these puppies are more expensive, a reputable breeder can guarantee the health and behavior of the puppy. These dogs are prone to genetic diseases such as hip and elbow dysplasia. These health issues can be avoided by genetically testing the parents, which is something reputable breeders usually do. When improperly raised puppies might have behavioral issues and can cause a lot of damage if they bite someone. A good breeder will have their dogs pass a temperament test. German Shepherd Dog Price While most dogs in shelters are adults, adopting a German Shepherd is a great way to find a dog without supporting unethical breeding. Sometimes these hardworking shepherd dogs are given up because they are very energetic. Not everyone is able to take care of a dog that needs a lot of attention and exercise. Some people buy a German Shepherd puppy without understanding the work involved in caring for this breed. Why Are They So Expensive? Breeding a healthy and well-behaved German Shepherd puppy is not easy! It is not as simple as crossing German Shepherds together. However, if you want a puppy of good temperament that is genetically healthy, there are other costs involved in the breeding and raising. This is especially important for a German Shepherd. You do not want a puppy that grows up to be aggressive or that suffers from mobility issues due to hip and elbow dysplasia. Papers A paperless German Shepherd puppy will be the cheapest. Typically breeders invest as little as possible in these pups. You get a puppy just how it is, without knowing its pedigree or background. A puppy with health certifications, temperament test results, and registration papers costs more than this. However, those papers will be beneficial not just for you, but also the puppy. This means your puppy meets the breed standard and is a purebred dog. The last thing you want is to buy a German Shepherd wolf-mix thinking it is purebred. Veterinarian Visits Reputable breeders not only genetically health test the parents, but they will also take the puppy to see a vet before 8 weeks for a basic health check. During these visits breeders will also have the puppies vaccinated, dewormed and placed on preventatives. When you buy a German Shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder, they will offer you a health guarantee. Most will also be able to provide you proof that the puppy has passed a temperament test. Training Some breeders also take the time to socialize and train their puppies. Many experienced breeders have a specialized training program that begins the process of potty training and basic obedience. This will mean you have an easier time housetraining your puppy, but you will have to pay for their efforts! These are all good signs that the puppy you are buying is of good quality. This will mean you are more likely to avoid any temperament issues or having to pay for vet visits to diagnose and treat hip and elbow dysplasia. Bloodlines Breeders who focus on breeding championship bloodlines will charge more for their puppies. A family might not need such a high-quality German Shepherd. All they need is a healthy and well-behaved puppy that will bring them years of happiness. However, there are many people who need a working dog or show dog. The most expensive dogs are those that are bred to be champions or protective and hard-working. Some breeders spend thousands of dollars just training a world class service dog. A family friendly guard dog with a protective temperament is not easy to breed consistently. Breeders have to factor in not just the genetics, but also the temperament and training. Origin The most expensive types of German Shepherds are those that are imported directly from Germany. Breeders must pay to stud and import these dogs which is not cheap. Since the German Shepherd breed originated in Germany, breeders in the US import dogs from Germany to breed puppies with a purebred lineage. Breeding in Europe is more regulated so the bloodlines are better protected. These puppies are known as European German Shepherds and are slightly different. They are smaller, have straighter backs and brighter coat colors. Some people think they look similar to a belgian malinois. Most European dogs are bred to be working dogs, while American dogs are more frequently bred for companionship. This is the same for American and German Rottweilers and American vs. European Dobermans. All of these breeder will be able to provide: Pedigree and kennel club registration. Documents that certify the puppy is free of any disease and has been checked by a veterinarian. A health warranty. Health records that guarantee the parents are genetically healthy and will not pass on elbow or hip dysplasia. These German Shepherd breeders all breed their puppies in accordance with the breed standard. None of them will sell puppies that are not registered with the American Kennel Club. Another good place to start looking for breeders is the American Kennel Club marketplace. Many of these puppies are bred to be family dogs and come with their papers. As you start looking into more well-known breeders or those that produce dogs of championship or working bloodlines, then the price of a German Shepherd starts to increase. Julia was a German Shepherd bred by the Harrison K-9 facility, highly trained in protection. She could also understand commands in three different languages. Her intelligence, as well as her ability to protect, were why she was priced so highly. Julia was bought by a billionaire businessman in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The rarest coat color is panda, which is why it is also the most expensive. These German Shepherds are black and white. It is a piebald pattern where the black coat is splotched with large patches of white. Some puppies can have other colors like tan, instead of white. Panda dogs are purebred, but the rarity of this mutation makes them very hard to find. There are very few breeders that sell the panda color. And he actually cost nothing! By the end of his life, Rin Tin Tin had appeared in 27 Hollywood films. Rin Tin Tin most notably helped Warner Bros. But these dogs come in more than just this classic color! There are 11 colors that are recognized by the breed standard. Check out the table below for some German Shepherd prices based on coat color. The tan color covers the chest, belly and legs. White A white puppy has a furry coat that is entirely white, allowing it to blend in with the snow. Its eyes and nose are black as coal. Black A black German Shepherd has a coat that is entirely black. Any other color would classify them as a bi-color. Blue A blue German Shepherd is not literally blue, but has a gray color with a bluish hue. Sable The sable color is one of the most common colors, but is a bit more interesting than the black and tan. The hairs of these dogs have bands of tan and black, giving them a very unique coloring. Some of the factors that contribute to this cost are: Food. If a breeder tries to tell you that his puppies are healthy because their parents never had any issues — do not believe him! It is impossible to diagnose e. Where can you find cheap German Shepherd Dogs? The question is — do you want to purchase a dog with questionable health and temperament? These dogs often are not purebred German Shepherd puppies, but are mixed with e. Labradors, Pitbulls or Golden Retrievers. If you end up with a dog with genetically based health conditions however, be prepared to spend a multiple of the original purchase price on vet costs! Temperament and behavior While a lot of good manners can be taught through consistent training, temperament is genetic to a certain level. When you buy an extra cheap German Shepherd puppy, you not only get a dog with questionable health, but also with unpredictable temperament! Even aggression can be genetic and can be passed on from the mom and dad to the offspring. You can save yourself a lot of time, nerves and money spent on future behavioral training by getting a well-bred and more expensive dog. What is the most expensive type of German Shepherd? Like in many dog breeds, certain rare German Shepherd colors are much more expensive than the most common colors and patterns. It is much more important that your puppy has a sound temperament and fits in well with your family and lifestyle than that he has a certain rare look. These dogs are mutts German Shepherds mixed with Miniature Poodles, Shelties or other smaller breeds. Once more, be certain to not decide on your future dog based on looks alone. A stable temperament and good health is much more integral than a certain size or weight. Working lines vs show lines The German Shepherd was originally bred as a working dog. Since his original use as a shepherd dog however, he has filled many different roles — from guarding properties over being used in the show ring to participating in Schutzhund and IPO trails. Depending on which lines your German Shepherd Dog comes from, the prices can vary a lot! Show line German Shepherds are the dogs that are bred for conformation shows. These are the type of dogs you should decide on if you would like a shepherd puppy as a pet and companion animal. If you are interested in using your German Shepherd as a protection dog and to participate in IPO trials, you should pick one from working lines. There are a lot of highly successful working line breeders both in North America and Europe. For this price, you get an absolutely flawless dog with extensive skills and perfect obedience. Some US dog owners interested in Schutzhund choose to import a puppy from old European working lines. While this might sound insanely high for a pet dog owner, for Schutzhund enthusiasts it is a typical price for a pedigreed German Shepherd pup. How much does it cost a month to own a German Shepherd? This will cover the basics: high-quality food and regular vet checks. Some German Shepherd owners spend considerably more money. Professional grooming is necessary for many German Shepherd owners, as these dogs shed heavily. This breeds tends to exhibit several behavioral issues that can be difficult to fix for first-time dog owners, including: Separation anxiety.
As one of the most energetic breeds, your Silver Lab puppy will always be down for exercise, play, swimming or any other outdoor activity. Playful and excitable, be prepared to remove any knick-knacks from coffee tables or end tables — this breed is notorious for knocking these over with an almost constantly wagging tail! Widely considered the sweetest tempered dog breed, your Silver Lab puppy will light up every time you walk in the room — greeting you with kisses and affection when you come home after a long day at work. Highly intelligent, these dogs can easily be trained to respond to a variety of commands — and their alert nature makes them natural guard dogs. As one of the most lovable dog breeds, your Silver Lab puppy is sure to get along with everyone — from other dogs to small children and the elderly — making the breed a perfect fit for almost anyone who has the stamina to keep up with it! Many of these conditions affect dogs in later life, though some can occur during adolescents and early adulthood. To learn more about our commitment to ethical breeding practices , read about the Keystone Puppies Health Guarantee! This hunting breed has a water-resistant or water-repellent coat that is slightly dry and oily. Unlike many short-haired breeds, Labs are outdoor dogs. They are usually able to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Silver Labrador Retrievers have short, straight coats that shed seasonally. They have a double coat — with thick, dense hair — which helps keep them warm during winter months. Their heavy coats also offer additional insulation when swimming — a favorite pastime of Labradors, Silver Labs included. With a low-maintenance coat, the Silver Labrador Retriever only needs brushed once or twice a week. Meet Silver Lab Puppies for Sale. At Happy Lab Kennels, we specialize in healthy, happy silver Labrador puppies, a variation of a chocolate lab with a gene mutation that creates their distinctive gray coat. Explore more about silver Labrador puppies for sale in NC and learn about the other great Labrador puppies we offer, including black, yellow and chocolate. The reason for this record is simple. Labs are great dogs. They have a wonderful temperament and are filled with Love to share. They seem to have one goal in mind, making Life long friends and memories. Labs are the perfect example of unconditional Love. While they do thrive on Love and attention, they require little maintenance. No long hair and curls to worry about and shedding is minimal. At Happy Lab Kennels, we focus on producing dogs that are healthy, friendly, gentle and full of love! While our dogs are mainly loving companions, they do come from hunting stock. With proper training, they would make a great hunting partner. About Happy Lab Kennels Our love for dogs has been growing for over 30 years We both grew up with a family dog, and knew we would always have a dog or two when we were older. Well, our love for dogs have been growing for over 30 years, with never having just one. Our dogs are a big part of our family. We have them spend time with us indoors, as well as, outdoors. We have them sleep inside when the weather is cold and to take a break on those very hot days. In our dog journeys, we have taken our dogs to field trials and have been active members of a K-9 Search and Rescue Team. What is A Silver Labrador? Loving companions, with the outgoing, friendly personalities Silver Labrador Puppies for Sale NC Silver labs were first created by a breeder in the early 80s and were officially recognized as a subset of the chocolate lab breed by the AKC in .While some think the unusual color comes from outside the breed, these dogs are verified by the AKC as percent Labrador retriever. Male labs grow to an average of .Our silver labrador puppies are bred as loving companions, with the outgoing, friendly personalities that have long made labs one of the most popular family dogs. These rare purebred, pedigreed pups are registered with the American Kennel Club. The Silver Labradors are registered as chocolates. Like other lab variations, silver labradors need lots of exercise. Get ready to play endless games of catch and take long walks around your neighborhood, where your pet is sure to make friends with other dogs and humans alike. These dogs respond well to training and easily adapt to new environments. They also tend to be great with children, although younger labs can be quite boisterous and may be excitable around those younger than 5. Our Other Labrador Retriever Colors Silver, chocolate, yellow, and black Labradors available for sale Black Labrador Puppies Black labs are sometimes considered the original Labrador puppies, brought to Newfoundland in the s. Because black is the dominant color gene for these dogs, they are more common than yellow, silver and chocolate labs. We offer an impressive selection of purebred chocolate labrador puppies for sale. This chocolate color comes from a gene variation on the classic black lab. Their golden hue occurs when both parents carry the gene for yellow fur rather than the dominant gene for black. Our love for dogs have been growing for over 30 years, with never having just one. Labrador Litters. Life Span Did You Know? One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they come in many colors. Silver Labrador Retrievers, or Silver Labs, are relatively new compared to the other Lab coat colors. Contrary to their Yellow, Chocolate, and Black Lab cousins, which have recorded sightings from and before, Silver Labs have only cropped up since .There was some heated debate over their authenticity, as many breeders believed the silver tint appeared from outside the breed. A diluting factor in coat color dominance traits is responsible for the silver hue — something that is also present in Charcoal and Champagne Labs as well. At any rate, Silver Labrador Retrievers are regal, loyal, and friendly Labradors that have a lot of energy and a lot of love to give! Silver Labs are curious and playful dogs. Their curiosity will often get the better of them and they may wander off in search of adventure if they are off-leash. Labrador Retrievers are known for their gentle, friendly dispositions and good natures. Well-socialized Labs tend to get along with children, other dogs, and even other pets and strangers. Because of this they make the ideal family dog and are one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. Despite being one of the most active dog breeds , Silver Labrador Retrievers are highly adaptable. They prefer bigger spaces to stretch their legs and explore. As one of the sturdy dog breeds for outdoor adventures , they will often take an outside adventure over an inside one any day. But, they will also just be happy to be spending time with you. They do well in most climates, but are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Silver Labs are one of the most affectionate dog breeds. They are happiest when they are spending time with their favorite humans, so they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Silver Labrador Retriever can include elbow dysplasia , hip dysplasia, hereditary myopathy, heart disease, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy. A condition called exercise-induced collapse EIC has a genetic link and can occur in young adult Labradors. Good breeding practices and the health of the parents make a big difference in the health of Silver Lab puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, the Silver Labrador Retriever is at a higher risk for bloat. Silver Labs are one of the smartest dog breeds. They pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. Despite their energy and getting bored easily, they are still a great fit for dog owners of any experience level. Labrador Retrievers are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Silver Labrador Retrievers have short, water-resistant fur in two layers. Because of this dense double coat that protects them from the cold, and being one of the dog breeds that tend to love water , they may try to go for a swim regardless of the season. They shed year-round and more heavily twice a year when seasons change. Plus, your Lab will love spending the time with you. Trimming their nails once or twice monthly keeps them from growing too long. Regularly checking ears and cleaning them as needed can help prevent ear infections. Proper dental care for dogs , like daily brushing and cleanings at the vet when needed, is important to prevent the tartar buildup that causes painful dental diseases later in life. Silver Labrador Retrievers need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for this dog. Although they are high-energy dogs, Silver Labs will tend to mellow out a little bit as they get older. Labrador Retrievers tend to have an extended puppyhood and maintain that puppy-like energy until they are around years old. Swimming is a great low-impact activity. Once your Lab puppy is cleared for more intense activity, you can try a lot of different activities with them. In addition to being one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs , Labs are also athletic and versatile dogs that tend to be a good fit for a wide range of activities. Fully-grown Silver Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Silver Labs generally live for years on average. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds used as guide dogs, therapy dogs, and search and rescue dogs. They are also commonly found working as police or military dogs. They are even one of the best dog breeds for farms! Featured Silver Labrador Retriever Article. Check out our Puppies for Sale page for Available pups and anticipated litters! Blue after a successful hunt! DuckCreek Kennels is located about 40 miles southeast of Wichita, Kansas, nestled along the edge of the great Flint Hills. Our labs come from reputable lines that are second to none. We pride ourselves in the fact that they are as comfortable in the field and duck blind as they are on a couch! As we build our kennel, look for good solid litters that will compliment and enhance the Dilute coated Labrador Retriever along side the Standard colors. We strive to enhance the breed with quality dogs that are not only intelligent and easily trained but loving and great additions to your home and hunting trips. Our dilutes have been enhanced with improvement breeding and all our Labs have extensive genetic health testing prior to breeding. Please browse our web site. I hope you enjoy. Take special notice of any print in yellow. It will link you to whatever subject is being discussed. We welcome your input. The puppy whisperers!
Dedicated to a Healthy Legacy. Boxer Puppies and Young Boxers pictured. Subscribe to get news on litters! We own a farm on 29 acres in Morriston, Florida, near Ocala. We moved to Florida in .Throughout my life I've had boxers. Had other breeds but always came back to the Boxer for their unmistakable loyalty and dedication. My Boxers are champions and their heritage is champions or have been in the show ring. Made in America. All of our puppies are proudly made in America. All the food and everything we use to raise up our puppies is made in America. All products in our kennels are made in America. God bless our troops. Proud to be American citizens. Jesus is Lord! He is featured on our MALE page. To have our boxers be everything they are meant to be we knew we must start with a good foundation. We believe we have achieved this with our boxers. We have spent time and research on choosing all our boxers. Boxers are born to show off and they do plenty of that. AKC Boxer Breeder. Florida, the sunshine state, the perfect place to own a AKC Boxer puppy. Looking forward to working with you. Enjoy the journey! Files coming soon. A new look for: americanboxerpuppies. We have been a K9 breeder for over 20 years and have been breeding boxers for over 12 years. Our boxers are raised in a social, healthy and loving environment. Through my life I've had boxers. Had other breeds but always came back to the boxer. For their unmistakable loyalty and dedication. My boxers are champions and their heritage is champions or have been in the show ring. God bless our troop! Listons Boxers. AKC Boxer breeder. Florida, the sunshine state, the perfect place to own a AKC boxer puppy. Our web site americanboxerpuppies. They have areas to exercise and play. We have top of the line breeding. Our boxers are related to one of the top boxers in the US. From our home to yours we strive to have you bring home a healthy and well balanced puppy. A Furever Friend Boxers are fun loving, playful and ready for a venture. They love to snuggle and great with children. Email Address. Free online listings of cute Boxers. All puppies are raised inside our home and socialized with the rest of the pack. Leaping Laws Boxers is proud to present Indy's first litter. If you are unable to find your Boxer puppy in our Puppy for Sale or Dog for Sale sections, please consider looking thru thousands of Boxer Dogs for Adoption. List your puppy for sale and reach thousands of readers in Ocala, Marion County and central Florida. Find dogs for sale in Ocala and Marion County, Florida. Please call Kenneth at -- Photos. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help you find. Boxer puppies for sale in Ocala, FL from trusted breeders …. Boxer puppy for sale in Ocala, FL. Breed Boxer Breed Info. Ocala Find Boxer puppies for sale Near Ocala, FL Despite their light and fun-loving nature, the Boxer is a hardworking, versatile, and vigilant breed that is incredibly loyal to their family. Join millions of people using Oodle to find puppies for adoption, dog and puppy listings, and other pets adoption. Boxer Puppies florida, ocala. Up to date with shots and worming. Livestock The Boxer is exemplary in the combination of stylish elegance with strength and agility. The cost for a Boxer puppy for sale varies greatly and depends on many factors such as the breeders' location, reputation, litter size, lineage of the puppy, breed popularity supply and demand , training, socialization efforts, breed lines and much more. Search results for "boxer puppies" Pets and Animals for sale in Ocala, Florida. Located in Florida family pets .So, if you are searching for quality Boxer puppies for sale in Florida with American bloodlines, Hard Run Acres is a suitable choice for you. AmericanListed features safe and local classifieds for everything you need! Subscribe to get news on litters! Boxer Puppies for Sale Your search returned the following puppies for sale. Male Boxer Puppies for Sale near Ocala. AKC Boxer Puppies. The sire is out of champion lines. Puppies for Sale Pawrade connects pawsome people like you with happy, healthy puppies for sale from our respected, prominent breeder relationships we've established over the last 15 years. Find Boxer puppies for sale Near Ocala, FL Despite their light and fun-loving nature, the Boxer is a hardworking, versatile, and vigilant breed that is incredibly loyal to their family. We are true animal lovers! Find Boxer puppies for sale Near Florida Despite their light and fun-loving nature, the Boxer is a hardworking, versatile, and vigilant breed that is incredibly loyal to their family. AKC Boxer Puppies florida, ocala. Florida Classifieds Hoobly. Boxers for Sale Ocala, FL. We own a farm on 29 acres in Morriston, Florida, near Ocala. Seller Jensen.Boxer puppies, 1 white male, 2 white females and 1 fawn female. Boxer For Sale in Ocala .If you need a new best friend come meet Calvin! Be sure to stop back often to. If you are unable to find your Boxer. These will be about 18 pounds fully grown. Ready April 9th, ! AKC Dam. Before searching "Boxer puppies for sale near me", review their average cost below. They will have AKC papers, veterinary health certificate, 5 dewormings, two sets of shots, and will come with collar, toy, and Boxer training book. Boxer Puppies for Sale in Ocala Florida. We are Florida's Premier Show Kennel. States For Sale. There we enjoy our Boxers, horses, birds, etc. We are located in central Florida. Join our community of paw lovers across the U. Dogs for Sale in Ocala, FL. Available puppies Certified breeders. Save this search and we'll notify you when they are. Find a Boxer puppy from reputable breeders near you in Ocala, FL. Brooklyn's Boxer's prides ourselves in improving the breed and raising some of the best quality Boxer puppies. The breeders love Boxers and treat their dogs like a part of the family; to that end, they only breed one to three litters a year. We recommend speaking directly with your breeder to get a better idea of their price range. So, you can be sure that this breeder knows what they are doing. The head is distinctive, with a broad, blunt muzzle and alert expression. Female Boxer Puppies for Sale near Ocala. Throughout my life I've had boxers. Here are some from nearby sorted by distance — change search area. By the time they are 8 weeks old crate training and potty training has begun. Prices may vary based on the breeder and individual puppy for sale in Ocala, FL. Dogs and Puppies For Sale. Shoquest Boxers is a small kennel located in the northeast Ocala area. Or looking for something different? We can help! Boxer Puppies and Young Boxers pictured. Boxer puppies for sale in Florida from trusted breeders. Puppies of the Week from Heavenly Puppies. Call for Information Lisa Spohn. List your adult or young dog over one year old for free. Boxer puppies florida, ocala. Don't miss what's happening in your neighborhood. Boxer puppies for sale in Ocala, FL from trusted breeders. We have 10 gorgeous puppies available 2 males 8 females they are boxer husky mix mother is a boxer father is a siberian husky most have husky blue eyes if interested. In addition, the breeder has almost 32 years of experience in this field. Browse these Boxer rescues and shelters below. Had other breeds but always came back to the Boxer for their unmistakable loyalty and dedication. Find your Boxer puppy for sale in Ocala, FL. Full European boxer puppies health tested, gentle temperament, proven foundation lineage. Boxer Puppies for Sale near Ocala. Ready to go now with first shots and health certificate from vet! First shots and health certificate Ready Now! Seller hollykadrich. Ready January nd Health Certificates and shots. Available Dogs If you are interested in adding a new member to your family, and have decided to rescue a boxer, please take a minute to understand what rescue is. Transportation to Ocala, FL available. This breed is square-proportioned with good substance and musculature. You will leave our home with everything you need to be. This puppy food has ingredients like L-Carnitine, meant to support healthy bone growth so your Boxer is less likely to develop health problems when they get older. The pet classifieds at Ocala4sale are a great way to find a new companion dog. Beautiful Boxer pups that will be ready to go to their new homes on November 3. There are animal shelters and rescues that focus specifically on finding great homes for Boxer puppies in Ocala, Florida. Find your next precious puppy in the classifieds on Ocala4sale. Weight must be around pounds. Ocala, FL. Don't let that fool you, she is the loudest and rowdiest puppy in the pack! Message us to schedule your meet and greet and reserve payment for your new best friend. Boxer Breeders in Florida! You will be able to find all their current contact information, as well as a link to their website, so you can see what puppies they currently have available for sale. We provide you with all this information so that you can research each breeder individually and find the one that has your perfect puppy available! If you are considering getting a Boxer, you'll want to check out the incredible book "The Complete Guide to Boxers". It's written in an easy-to-understand way but still has the expert knowledge to help any new owner successfully raise their Boxer from puppy to old-age. It's widely available, so pick up a copy if you see one, here is the link to grab one on Amazon. If you can't find the perfect Boxer puppy in your state, try checking at your local animal shelter or rescue organization. Many Boxers young and old need a loving home and adopting one can be a great way to save a life. We are so happy that you have chosen Local Puppy Breeders to help you find the puppy of your dreams. In addition to visiting us often here, you can check us out on Facebook , Twitter , and Pinterest for more information, pictures, and videos!
Use tab to navigate through the menu items. It will be easier for you to come to meet and pick up the puppies in Southern California, rather than having to drive to our primary location in Newcastle. The dam and sire of this litter are our own adults in the breeding program, but are being hosted by a very caring, nurturing and experienced dog family. We work hand in hand to assure the puppies are cared for and socialized in the way our customers have come to recognize as the "best. If puppies stay for extended training, that is done at our Newcastle, CA. Below you can read more about the upcoming puppies and their loving host. If you would like to be included on the reservation list for the puppies, in our SoCal location, do not hesitate to contact us. We would love to welcome you to the CHGR family! Southern California is expected to have a litter due in December, .Puppies will go to their new homes in mid to late February. Place your reservation now as spots fill up very quickly! What a wonderful girl she is! We love Lexi and her pups, as she passes along her incredibly sweet temperament to all of her fur babies. She is beyond sweet and loves to lay her head on your lap, foot, or wherever she can to get close to everyone she meets. Incredibly smart, she loves to perform her skills, especially for treats! Lexi loves to play ball and adores people, especially children. Lexi loves to play with other dogs and also loves to sleep with the cat. She has a beautiful cream coat between a silky and cotton texture and is one of our larger girls, at a little over 75 pounds. Why Wisteria Goldens? Here is what one family had to say about why they chose us. We look forward to getting our puppy and we are now trying to figure out what his name will be. It is a huge responsibility to ensure their physical needs, but their developmental ones, too, which requires creating a foundational program that focuses on health and includes socialization and introduction to training. Our goal is to raise and have confident secure puppies that can adjust quickly to new environments, things, people, places, etc. We use a process developed by Puppy Culture — a socialization and training program from whelping to going to their new homes, and also include our own experience for what works best for our breed and puppies. Our routine is instrumental in giving each of our English Cream Golden puppies a great foundational start to becoming the best possible member of your family. Click here to learn more about our Foundational Start Program. They are friendly, affectionate, intelligent, and have lovely, calm, mellow personalities. Our English Cream puppies come in various sizes, build, and color — something for everyone. We believe in finding that perfect puppy for you! If you have additional questions, check out our Frequently Asked Question page. Wisteria Goldens : English Cream Golden Retrievers Our puppies are raised as part of our family, until they become part of yours!
Breed Title Goldador Puppies Temperament Goldadors are an amazing combination of the intelligence and trainability of the Labrador and the friendly, gentle personality of the Golden Retriever. With their outgoing, friendly character and sweet disposition, Goldadors make excellent family pets around children and other animals as they have a great aptitude for understanding people. In terms of temperament, these beloved pups are highly sociable but not overly boisterous or hyper; they enjoy playing fetch but rest just as happily on your lap or at your feet while you work. Golden Labrador Retriever Puppy Health Considerations Though generally very happy and long-lived — with an average lifespan of around years — our Goldadors for sale are not without their unique health concerns. Like every breed of dog, there are a few conditions you should be aware of before you consider purchasing one of our Golden Labrador Retriever puppies for sale. Understanding the risks allows you to know the signs and prevent small health concerns from turning into big ones. Finding a Golden Labrador puppy for sale from a reputable breeder can also dramatically — although, not eliminate — the risk of your dog developing some of these conditions. Depending on the climate they live in, Goldadors may need regular baths — however omitting shampoo once or twice a year will ensure their coat retains its natural oils. Finally it is recommended to check the ears regularly and trim nails as needed. Adopted Golden Labrador Retriever Puppies. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Labrador is a designer dog breed that originated in the United States. They are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Labrador Retriever. The goal was to combine these two highly popular breeds to create a dog that exhibits the best traits from both of them. A mixed dog breed can take after one parent breed more than the other or any combination of traits from the parent breeds. This can result in some variation among individual puppies. But, overall, a Golden Labrador is friendly, intelligent, energetic, and affectionate. Although this mixed breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable organizations like the American Canine Hybrid Club and more. This large designer breed is characterized by their energetic personality and friendly disposition. Both of the parent breeds in this cross are open, friendly, and affectionate, so you can expect the same in your Golden Labrador puppy. They are very playful and get along fabulously with children, other dogs, and other pets. They may be alert enough to be a good watchdog, but they do not make good guard dogs. They are instinctually more interested in making new friends and getting attention than they are with anything else. They can have a slight prey drive, but most of the time, they are just curious and interested in playing and making friends. The Golden Labrador is a moderately adaptable dog breed. Their large size and energy tend to make them a better fit for larger homes with room to run. They can adapt well to apartment living as long as they are given enough exercise and mental stimulation. But, small spaces can be a challenge because they are large dogs that are so playful and energetic. Golden Labradors do well in just about any climate. As with most dog breeds, they are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Because they love their families, thrive on attention, and get bored easily, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. As a mixed breed, a Golden Labrador can inherit the potential health conditions of one or both of the parent breeds. Although the Golden Labrador is a relatively healthy dog breed, there are some potential health conditions to be aware of. These include eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy and joint issues common to large dogs like patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. Like their parent breeds, the Golden Labrador can be prone to weight gain, which does put them at risk of diabetes later in life. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to ensure genetic conditions are not being passed on to puppies. Regular vet visits, proper nutrition, and sufficient exercise can help keep your dog healthy and reduce preventable diseases. Both of the parent breeds in this cross are highly intelligent and highly trainable, so the Golden Labrador should be no different. Eager to please their owners, these dogs pick up on things quickly and respond best to positive training methods focused on praise and reward. This dog breed, like both of the parent breeds, is a great fit for owners of all experience levels, including first-time dog owners. Their high energy can sometimes be a challenge, so you may want to consider puppy training and obedience classes. This designer dog breed may be called a Golden Labrador, but they can show up in many colors. A cream, yellow, or golden coat may be the most common, but a Golden Labrador can also have a black, red, or brown coat. It tends to be a dense double coat that is short or medium in length. This dog breed will shed moderately year-round with heavier shedding sessions twice a year as the seasons change. During seasonal changes, you may want to increase to daily brushing. Not only will this make your dog more comfortable, but it will also decrease the amount of loose fur that ends up around your house. In addition to coat care, you will also need to handle nail, ear, and dental care for your Golden Labrador. Floppy ears tend to trap more dirt, moisture, and debris, which makes them more prone to developing ear infections than ears that stick straight up. Unfortunately, this is often overlooked, which is why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. Beyond that, you can use vet-approved dental hygiene chews and treats and even a specially-formulated dental care diet to supplement your efforts. Getting them used to it early and keeping it a positive experience can make grooming a lot easier as your puppy grows into a big dog! Plus, it can become a bonding experience that your dog looks forward to. Golden Labradors are high-energy dogs. Daily walks, playtime, and some extra activity are generally enough for this dog to stay happy and healthy. But, they will probably tire out before you do! Their friendly nature makes the Golden Labrador a great fit for trips to the dog park. Try teaching your dog how to play frisbee. With their retriever background, it could become one of their favorite activities. You can also train your Golden Labrador for several dog sports like agility, dock diving, obedience, and more. A fully-grown Golden Labrador usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between pounds. A Golden Labrador generally lives years. Although Golden Labrador is the most popular name for this designer dog breed, they are also sometimes referred to as a Goldador or a Goldador Retriever. Featured Golden Labrador Article. Life Span Did You Know? Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds. The Chocolate Labrador Retriever is not a distinct dog breed from other Labs, but it is a separate coat color variation that is specifically bred for. Similar to the other standard coat colors of Labrador Retrievers, Chocolate Labs are energetic dogs that get along well in a family setting. As a Retriever, they also make great hunting dogs and have also been known to fill other working dog roles including service dogs, guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and more. They are even one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units. A point of interest is that all modern Chocolate Labrador Retrievers can be traced to three specific Black Labradors that lived during the s. Chocolate Labs are industrious little pups. They were bred for retrieval and will often sniff about for something to get into. They are also one of the most affectionate dog breeds and absolutely love being with their favorite humans. Properly socialized and well-trained, Labs are one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. They get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They are famously even-tempered and playful. This makes them fantastic dogs for a growing family, as they tend to be gentle and patient with little ones. They can have a high prey drive. They usually do well with small pets within the family that they have been raised with or socialized around, but likely will still have the urge to chase other animals while out and about. They also tend to be open and friendly with strangers. After all, strangers are just more people to give them attention and play with them. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers may be high-energy dogs, but they are also highly adaptable. They will thrive in homes with fenced yards where they can run freely. They can adapt well to apartment living as well as long as they get plenty of daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. Their natural urge to dig and bark when they are bored or agitated can be quelled with a little training and exercise. Although they can handle some alone time, Labs love to be with their families and thrive on attention from them, so they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Chocolate Labs also have a water-resistant double coat that makes them well-suited for most habitable climates. As with most dogs, they are sensitive to heat. Although they can handle some cold and will likely love to play in the snow, they are not a snow dog breed and may need to bundle up while out on walks in areas with harsher winters. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Chocolate Labrador Retriever can include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hereditary myopathy, and heart disease. There is also a condition with a genetic link called exercise-induced collapse EIC , which can occur in young adult Labradors. Carriers of this can be identified by DNA tests and it is advised that breeders test for this and avoid practices that would produce the disease. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents and about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are at a higher risk for bloat. Bloat in dogs can be dangerous and can quickly become fatal if the stomach flips gastric torsion. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers are incredible companions and are also one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Their energy can make them a handful at times, but their intelligence, adaptability, patience with people, and eagerness to please make them easy to train. Labs are one of the smartest dog breeds , so they pick up on things easily. As long as training is consistent and focused on positive reward and praise, a Chocolate Lab will do their best to respond as expected and will often exceed expectations. Chocolate Labs have a short, water-resistant coat that will shed year-round. Brushing a few times a week, daily brushing during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath are all that are needed to keep a Lab coat healthy and looking great. They may need baths more often if they are avid swimmers, go on a lot of outdoor adventures, and get dirty a lot. Floppy ears tend to trap dirt, moisture, and debris. Proper dental care for dogs is imperative to help prevent painful dental diseases like gum disease or tooth decay later in life. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with vet-approved dental hygiene chews. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds and need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough, but your Chocolate Labrador will likely be up for more activity if you are. One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they have an extended puppyhood and tend to maintain that puppy-like energy and maturity until they are years old. Swimming can be a great lower-impact activity and Labrador Retrievers are one of the dog breeds that tend to love water. Between that, their water-resistant coat, and webbed toes, you may have trouble getting your Chocolate Lab out of the water. Fully-grown Chocolate Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Chocolate Labs generally live for years on average. Fourteen years later, the American Kennel Club did the same in .Featured Chocolate Labrador Retriever Article. Our Lab Family Only 5 minutes outside the small town of Wallaceburg, we are living our dream having raised our 3 children in a big country home. We are both former professionals who decided to leave the world of being trapped behind a desk in an office. Raising Lab puppies has become a dream come true. In the spirit of doing our part to save the planet we grow much of our own food in a garden. We have raised a couple of pigs, turkeys, chickens and have laying chickens for their fresh eggs. Although we are not farmers, we enjoy the satisfaction of biting into an organic tomato or other vegetable fresh from the garden. Clair where we fish for bass, perch and walleye and throw balls into the water for the labs to retrieve until our arms fall off. Our children are now grown and starting families of their own. Our two boys are working with us and we are passing on the knowledge of breeding service quality dogs that we have learned over the years. This will ensure our tradition of breeding genetically sound, super smart and even tempered dogs will continue in the future. They will also continue our donation of dogs to service dog organizations in both Canada and the USA. If you are interested acting as a Guardian please click for info. Click for info. Our chocolate lab puppies and silver lab puppies are a result of a Breeder focus on health, intelligence, and temperament. Click to read more about our level of quality, how we operate and the cost of our Labrador Retriever puppies. Trained Labrador Retrievers for Sale Looking to skip the small puppy stage? The crying, up through the night, jumping on guests…. .One of our Trained Labs may be for you. Click for more info. Labrador Retriever Frequently Asked Questions Some of the most frequently asked questions and their answers about our Labrador Retrievers and the Lab puppy adoption process. We Love our Labs Becoming a Chocolate Labrador Retriever Breeder means raising, playing with, training and grooming our dogs is all we do. Our chocolate lab puppies have been placed all over Ontario, Canada and the US. Meeting all the wonderful people who adopt our dogs and seeing their faces when they arrive to pick up their lab puppy is one of our favorite things! We Truly Care Our belief is that a fur ball is a friend for life not just a cute puppy. This could mean 12, 15 or more years. We make a promise to our extended family of continued support for the life of your Lab. Our goal is 0 of our Labs in shelters and we will take your Lab back until we find a suitable home if necessary. Respect and love for those who dedicate their lives for others is our focus. Click to see them. Click here to visit! Have you just searched for dog breeders near me and are looking for Looking for Chocolate Labrador Retriever Puppies for sale in Ontario? We are committed to strengthening the characteristics of the Labrador Retriever breed. Our focus as a breeder is to breed puppies with excellent health, outstanding intelligence and even temperament. This breeding focus has resulted in top quality family pets and hunting retrievers. It is because of these qualities that the Labrador Retriever is the most popular breed of dog in the world by registered ownership. These dogs have an excellent memory and can thrive if exercised properly even if they live in an apartment. They are excellent water dogs, service dogs , family dogs and are used for many things including police and customs work, search and rescue dogs, seeing eye dogs and assistant dogs for people with disabilities including Autism, Emotional Support USA and Comfort Dogs , Diabetes, Blindness, Seizure alert dogs and PTSD. Just have a look through our Facebook Page LuckyLabsPuppies and you will be able to view many of the families we have given puppies to over our many years as a Labrador Breeder. When looking for a Labrador puppy, a Lucky Labs puppy is simply the best friend you could ever hope for. A Yellow Labrador Retriever is not to be mistaken for a Golden Retriever as they are a different breed. Golden Retriever puppies are different primarily in the fact that they have a longer coat than a yellow lab. When searching for puppies in Ontario, Lucky Labs can help provide you with a puppy you will enjoy for years to come. Pups come with a four year written guarantee for all major organs. Hip and elbow guarantee is 14 months which gives your dog time to grow and be tested. Genetic testing is also carried out on the bloodline to ensure your dog is bred from lineage free of health problems. Lab puppies normally travel very well, for more on this click this link. If you are looking for a puppy and health, are not too old for a Lab puppy, intelligence and temperament matter to you, we have a Lab puppy for you! Welcome, and please read through our site to get to know us and our amazing dogs. You might want to begin with this article on the 10 most common Labrador Retriever questions.
Updated On: September 23, Golden retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. They are fun, loving, and smart. Overall, this is a relatively healthy breed. Yet, there are some diseases that are prevalent in Golden Retrievers. They were bred for hunting and retrieving waterfowl. In many ways, the Golden Retriever resembles the Labrador Retriever, which is another sporting and waterfowl breed. They are actually very similarly sized breeds and live approximately years. Golden Retrievers do have some differences with Labs. The most obvious difference is in their appearance. Golden Retrievers have a characteristically golden coat. Labs come in brown, black, or yellow colors. Golden Retrievers can also have either long or short costs. Golden Retrievers tend to be quieter than labs. Also, Golden Retrievers have a few more health issues. Because they were bred as a sporting and hunting dog, Golden Retrievers need a lot of exercise. Without the stimulation they need, they can become destructive. If you want a couch potato dog, then the Golden Retriever may not be for you. However, if you enjoy swimming, playing catch, walking and running, and many other outside activities, you and your Golden Retriever will get along just fine. Golden Retrievers are fairly healthy on average, but there are a few common health concerns: Hip and Elbow Dysplasia As with many large breeds, elbow and hip dysplasia are both common in Golden Retrievers. It is a genetic condition that causes the femoral head to partially dislocate. Hip and Elbow Dysplasia can cause stiff and painful joints. You will notice your dog struggling to stand or having an unusual gait with this condition. Most responsible breeders will ensure that they do not breed dogs with Hip or Elbow Dysplasia. If your dog has the disease, your veterinarian can help you create a treatment plan. Treatment will depend on the severity of the symptoms. It may range from pain medication and therapy to surgery. Cancer Unfortunately, cancer is very common among Golden Retrievers. That is a huge occurrence of the disease in this breed. As with humans, cancer is spread genetically. There are actually far more cases of cancer in Golden Retrievers than there were in the s. That is good news because it may point to a new genetic mutation in the breed. Researchers are looking for a reason for the recent rise in Golden Retriever cancer rates. The good news is, cancer in Golden Retrievers may be treatable depending on the type. Epilepsy Epilepsy is a neurological condition common in dogs and Golden Retrievers are no different. They are prone to this disease. You can suspect that your Golden Retriever has epilepsy if they have involuntary seizures or lose consciousness often. If you notice these symptoms, take your Golden Retriever to your vet immediately. Epilepsy can be treated through the use of medication. The two most common are phenobarbital and potassium bromide. Research is ongoing into more modern anticonvulsants. Allergies More than many other breeds, Golden Retrievers are prone to allergies. Their allergies can cause skin problems like lick granulomas or hot spots. Wheat allergies are common with this breed, as are environmental allergies. Most allergies can be controlled. Otherwise, you can help them by treating the symptoms of their allergies. Take them to the vet if they excessively lick or scratch at an area. Also, removing the allergen as much as possible can help control symptoms. Golden Retriever Mobility Loss Joint conditions like hip dysplasia are the tip of mobility problems impacting Golden Retrievers. Golden Retrievers are active dogs, making them prone to injuries like ACL tears. It is devastating when a previously active dog can no longer walk. A dog wheelchair can help your senior Golden Retriever to walk again. If your Golden Retriever struggles to move, a dog wheelchair might be precisely what they need! Buddy the Golden Retriever and His Wheelchair Two days ago Buddy lost use of his hips from displacement and arthritis. Early this morning I felt there was no other option but to put our family member Buddy down. He had not gone to the bathroom for almost 2 days. But then, I found your optional rear end harness! It is absolutely perfect for the manual transport to and from house, car, etc. I found you on the Internet this morning, drove to your office. Now my family and I have more time with our beloved Buddy. Thank you! However, the increase in cancer rates in the breed is worrying. Regular vet checkups and constant love and handling can help you catch any health problems before they get out of control. Make sure you are aware of the health issues before deciding on a Golden Retriever. That knowledge ensures you help your beloved Golden live a long and healthy life. Related Articles:. Fibrocartilagenous embolism: a sudden loss of hind leg function without pain mostly in large breeds, caused by a small cartilage fragment blocking an artery. Far more often suspected than actually the cause. Fractures and trauma: injuries to the spine are uncommon in well-cared-for dogs but can happen due to running onto a road or into a glass door. Feeding calcium deficient diets : this spinal collapse was once common on home made diets but is now very rare due to balanced diets being widely used. Myasthenia gravis: an autoimmune disease that attacks the neuromuscular junction, also extremely rare. Low blood sugar : rare except in diabetics receiving too much insulin. Low thyroid levels : hypothyroidism is common, but this is a rare symptom. Syringomyelia or Chiari like malformation: a problem with the shape of the skull only common in young Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Hemivertebra: a congenital spinal malformation commonly seen in young French Bulldogs, Pugs and English Bulldogs. Cervical spondylomyelopathy or wobbler syndrome: a problem mainly of Dobermans and other young adult to older large and giant breed dogs. Neospora caninum is a parasite especially of young dogs that causes toxoplasma — like signs. Meet his team here. Note: Comments have now closed but you should find answers to most questions by scrolling through previous replies. He would be standing on tile to eat and slowly the legs start to come out the sides and he ends up all splayed out on the floor. Any suggestions? Andrew says: Hi Kate. Until proven otherwise, the most likely explanation is osteoarthritis. It should respond well to treatment if so. Sean says: Hi my 7 year old Chihuahua has had a high temp with the vet prescribed antibiotics yesterday. Rick Silver says: April 28, at pm My 12 year old Aussiedoodle had sudden onset paraplegic yesterday, while admitted in Vet Clinic. He has been loosing hair, muscle mass same weight , and dysrexic, starting just over a month, refusing his usual dry food and some treats, seemed to chew oddly. Having a history of dental issues, he had a dental cleaning and extractions as needed. After 3 weeks home recovery, he became more dysrexic, treated with Entyce, but that only increased thirst, not hunger or food acceptance. Eventually he refused all food 4 days ago, brought to Vet who drew labs and inserted nasal feeding tube. We delivered several liquid feedings, but tube did not stay in, then syringed food in mouth. Admitted 2 days ago to the vet clinic hospital for IV therapeutics, including anti-nausea meds and antibiotics. Was walked outside several times yesterday, then hours later unable to stand on rear legs, or move them at all. Did not ask if responsive to pain. Decompensated through the day, labored breathing, seizure. Explanation for sudden onset paraplegic likely a spinal cord stroke, possibly a blood clot. For Big Picture, Vet suggested a malignant tumor or Hyper-aggressive Pancreatitis as primary diagnosis, I am a physician, and agree. Connor R. Keep in mind as he has been growing he has become very tall like if that makes sense. But, the last 2 weeks or so maybe longer he has been having these episodes where he starts walking but then his back legs start shaking slightly then eventually either buckles or he ends up laying down wherever he is. It takes a few mins before he can try again and can walk. But this seems to be happening more frequently like when he eats or attempts to go to the bathroom he struggles as his back legs give out and he ends up having to lay down again. Hoping someone can help to see if I need to get him to someone sooner than that. Thank you in advance for any advice on this. Andrew says: April 22, at am Hi Connor. That sounds like a muscular weakness, and it will definitely require a vet to work out. As rare as it is, the way he fatigues after exercise sounds most like myasthenia gravis. Cris and Abby says: April 8, at am I have an 11 year old 5. Mostly when she was laying down. Sometimes when she walked, but would straighten them out. Last week she had weakness in her right hind leg. I took her to the vet and they did an xray. Showed narrowing between C vertebrae. She took prednisone and some SX got better. Her back leg is back to normal. Her front paws still bend sometimes. She eats fine, tries to run after squirrels and does not seem to be in any distress. Vet said prob herniated disc. Can dogs be on permanent prednisone? I know that is bad for humans. Andrew says: April 8, at pm Hi Cris and Abby. Visit this page for more about prednisolone use in dogs. Sherri Cornelius says: April 5, at pm My 6 month old American Bully has problem with hind legs. Mostly right hind leg gives out and point out when walking. It gives out and he sometimes drags it. Sometimes looks like he is walking sideways with back end going to side. He has always been fed instinct for puppy that has raw food in it. Trying to get appt with orthopedic to see him but long wait list??? Please post back here for others once you find out the cause. Greet Garczynski says: April 5, at am Hi my dog retriever and terrier mix started having problems with 1 back leg but now has problems with both. Hard time walking steps and yesterday had suddenly hight fever. If they are, it will take further investigation to work out why but one explanation could be bacterial or fungal discospondylitis. Berta says: April 4, at am Hi, my 10 year old rescue mix strongly suspect staffordshire terrier and basenji has been slow on her hind legs to get up for a couple years. Two days ago, she suddenly started limping occasionally and every few stairs she would drag her right paw up over the stair. Then yesterday she suddenly could not hold her hind end up reliably, had uncoordinated movements of her back legs, and twice her hind legs gave out and her hind end collapsed to the ground. We took her to the ER and they said it is neurological, but had no further information to offer. She did not exhibit pain response while in the ER but snapped at the tech when she was being loaded back into our car. Andrew says: April 4, at pm Hi Berta. The ER are probably right, but I have seen several occasions where arthritis has progressed to the point where it looks neurological simply due to the degree of pain. Therefore, before considering end of life decisions it may be worth trialling high doses of pain meds. Alane says: March 27, at am My 6 year old shihtzu starting having back pain and walking with tail down about a month ago. Got pain meds and anti inflammatory meds. It cleared up in 4 days. She was back to running, jumping and walking 2 miles a day with me. Yesterday she jumped on couch and now will hardly walk or do anything. Back end is wobbly and went to vet got same thing. Should we have made her rest for a longer period of time.? Andrew says: March 27, at am Hi Alane. You did nothing wrong last time but she could be in great danger from IVDD learn more at the link. Keep her as still as you can and make sure your vet knows that her back legs are now wobbly. Rudy Maikis says: My 1 year dog got poisoned by eating pieces of rail road tie and now has lose the use of her hind legs. Can she recover from this or is it best to put her down…. Andrew says: Hi Rudy. I am unfamiliar with creosote causing this type of poisoning. Furthermore, the decision to euthanise will really come down to factors that only your local vets can guide you on. She still gets excited to see me when I get home and runs up to me, but I can see she is walking a little differently. Her heart is fine. Andrew says: Hi Donna. It helps a lot to cover slippery floors with carpet runners, as well as attending to the cause. Cathy says: March 1, at am I have a 7 yo Maltese who has suddenly has loss of control, weakness in his back legs and walks wobbly. It started mostly in the left back leg slipping. Yesterday he had a episode where his back legs went board stiff for 5 min. Now the weakness seems to affect both back legs, mostly left, and left front leg. His only medical issue was a dental 6 weeks ago to remove all teeth. Any thought would be greatly appreciated. Andrew says: March 1, at am Hi Cathy. The disease that comes to mind as something we see in this age and breed with these signs is Polyradiculoneuritis, which is especially common in dogs that eat raw chicken. Good luck. Otherwise, your vet will have a better idea as they are able to get a lot more information than I can. Betty Carmack says: February 28, at pm Our 1. We have our daughters two doodles visiting and tonight immediately after bolting in a mad dash to the door he seemed to lose temporary control of his hind legs. He was in a panic but after a few minutes he was fine and is acting normal again. What could have caused this Andrew says: Hi Betty. Certainly be very careful about this sort of activity in the future. Only one leg. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase the item. This comes at no extra cost to you. Wish your golden retriever puppy would stop biting so much? Puppy nipping is one of the most frustrating things about raising a new puppy—their teeth are razor-sharp, it hurts when they bite, and they can ruin your clothes! But why do puppies bite so much? Puppies bite to learn acquired bite inhibition, or ABI. What exactly is ABI? He might leap up and bite you because you hurt him and scared him. But the important thing is this: how hard will they bite? This is where ABI comes in. So ABI is really important. Now the question is, how do they learn it? The only way for puppies to learn ABI is to bite, and bite often. The best teachers are other dogs. Next time they bite a little less hard and playtime continues. This is how they learn ABI. Obviously, it takes a lot of repetition of this scenario to happen for a puppy to learn not to bite so hard, but this is essentially how it works out. Yes, you will need to help teach your puppy ABI. You can do this two ways: Set up puppy playdates and take them to puppy kindergarten so other puppies can teach them ABI. You actually want them to bite a little bit and learn to control how hard they bite. That being said, letting them go on a biting rampage is not helping the situation, so here are five tips to help you stop your puppy from biting so much: 1. Socialize your puppy Other dogs are the best teachers of ABI so make sure to get your puppy in kindergarten and set up playdates with dogs that you know are vaccinated. Remove yourself from the situation Puppies can often be over-stimulated or over-tired. One thing we did with our puppy, Oliver, when he got in these moods was to go sit at our high-top table in the kitchen and ignore him until he calmed down or distracted himself with a chew toy. Exercise your puppy A tired puppy is a good puppy. Young puppies have weak jaws, so if they had dull teeth, a bite from them would be no big deal. Most adult golden retrievers bite out of fear and a professional can help you properly handle it. Puppy Biting vs. Chewing Puppy biting or nipping is when a dog purposefully bites you. As we already talked about, they need to do this to learn ABI. Puppy chewing, on the other hand, is when puppies chew on things to relieve the pressure in their mouths from their adult teeth coming in. Since puppies bite and chew for different reasons, you need to handle these problems differently. Mentally wear them by out by training them, going for long walks and letting them sniff around, and giving them puzzle toys or frozen kongs. Remember that a tired puppy is a good puppy. A: It can take up to six weeks or more for your puppy to learn ABI and what is appropriate to bite or not. If it takes longer than six weeks, just remember to be consistent with the steps to stop it and have faith that it will slow down soon. Q: Is puppy biting an act of aggression? A: Most puppy biting is a form of play. It helps them learn ABI. If you think your puppy is biting out of aggression, then you should talk to a professional. Q: Why are puppy teeth so sharp? Q: What is ABI? A: ABI is acquired bite inhibition, or the natural ability for a dog to not bite so hard. Q: Do all puppies bite? A: Yes! Instead, they need to learn to control their bite force, then learn to bite less. Have any questions about puppy biting? Let me know in the comments below! Related articles:. They Are Naturally Mouthy Golden Retrievers are a mouthy breed, to begin with, they are naturally inclined to pick up and hold anything and everything in their mouths. While it may seem like there is something wrong with your puppy to cause him or her to bite so much, rest assured, all puppies bite, not just Golden Retriever puppies. Play Behaviour When you see a litter of pups play together, they often nip and bite at one another. It is their way of socializing and initiating play. Your puppy will bite and nip at you during playtime with you because it is a natural behaviour to them. They Are Teething Many people associate puppy biting with teething, however when a puppy is teething they will resort to chewing and mouthing in order to relieve their pain. They may chew or mouth on your hands and fingers, but teething is not the cause of biting that every puppy owner experiences. Puppy biting is most often just play. To summarize, puppy biting is normal and should be expected as a puppy owner. In general, biting will naturally subside in Golden Retriever puppies around the age of months. This is around the time that their adult teeth have come in. Puppies at this age usually already know how to moderate their bite, and will not bite or nip at you as much as they did when they were younger. While biting anything and everything is normal behaviour to your puppy, it is not something that you want your puppy to continue to do. It is up to you to teach your puppy not to bite humans, especially children. Take a look at the common mistakes puppy owners often make, and learn to avoid them. Puppies who are excited bite more. Children often fall victim to the most puppy bites because they get very excited around puppies and this just gets the puppy going which results in biting. Any attention that you give your puppy after they bite you will seem like a reward to your puppy, and the biting will just continue. Yelling at your puppy, pushing them away, talking to your puppy, or even looking at them is giving them the attention that they want. Bite inhibition is when your puppy learns how to control the strength of his bite. Puppies learn this skill when they are with their littermates, which is why they need to stay with them and their mother until they are 8 weeks old. Playing with their littermates teaches puppies that biting too hard hurts and will end playtime. The puppy then learns to bite softer. When your puppy comes home with you, it is up to you to teach your puppy how to control the force of their bite. Biting down on the thick fur coat of his mother or littermates is a lot different than biting down on human skin. By not teaching your puppy bite inhibition, you will risk your puppy turning into a dangerous adult. Puppy bites are a lot different than adult dog bites. Once your puppy learns how to control the strength of his bite, eventually the bites become gentler, and in time, your puppy will learn to stop biting altogether. This is part of teaching your puppy bite inhibition. This is a way to mimic how puppies play together, when one puppy bites another puppy too hard, that puppy yelps in pain, and will walk away. In some cases, puppies could get even more worked up by the noise and keep on biting. This is when you need to walk away. When your puppy has calmed down, you can resume playing with your puppy. When your puppy bites you again, repeat the steps of yelping and walking away. Eventually, your puppy will learn to soften his bite, because biting too hard ends playtime. The following video discusses why puppies bite, how to teach bite inhibition and how to survive puppy biting. It is a good idea to have a few chew toys on hand to offer up as a distraction from your skin. Check out this list of the best teething toys for puppies. This will get your puppy to stop and focus on being obedient. A great way to solve boredom is by going for a walk with your puppy. How much exercise should you give your Golden Retriever puppy? A good rule of thumb is 5 minutes of exercise for every month that your puppy is alive. So a 3-month-old puppy should get 15 minutes of exercise a day, a 5-month-old puppy should get 25 minutes per day, and so on. This is in addition to and not instead of playtime. Bitter Apple Spray can also be used to prevent your puppy from nipping and biting at you. Before you interact with your puppy, spray it on your arms, legs, pant legs, or sleeves, anywhere that your puppy likes to nip at you. Once your puppy bites at you, he will get a bad taste in his mouth and will stop. Bitter Apple Spray may not work on all puppies, some may actually develop a taste for it. I know that when my Golden Retriever Ellie was a pup this stuff worked amazingly well, but as she got older she developed a taste for bitter things such as crab apples which are extremely sour and she once sucked on a vinegar packet that was lying on the ground! Reward Good Behaviour Every time your puppy stops biting and nipping at you, you need to see this as positive behaviour. Good behaviour should be rewarded so that your puppy learns that he did something good. Rewarding good behaviour with affection and praise is great, you can also use treats, or toys, sometimes the best reward for your puppy is just spending time with them. Be Patient and Consistent Owning a puppy requires a lot of patience! It is so easy to lose your patience at times, but you need to know that your puppy is learning what is right and wrong, and that takes time. It might not happen overnight, but as long as you remain consistent and patient, your pup will learn good behaviour. If your puppy is nipping at your pant legs or sleeves, chances are he is loving the tugging feeling and is actually already playing tug-of-war. Instead of using your clothing, redirect his attention to a rope toy. One thing to be careful of is being too rough with tug-of-war, especially when your puppy is going through his teething phase. A game of fetch offers your pup a distraction from biting, and Golden Retriever puppies naturally love to retrieve things. This is a great way to also teach your puppy to drop it, by offering a treat when your puppy drops the ball or rope toy. A well-socialized puppy will be less likely to exhibit any unwanted behaviours later on. Enrolling your pup in puppy kindergarten or arranging some play dates with other dogs who are friendly and vaccinated is a great way for your pup to learn social skills. Other dogs are sometimes the best teachers for a puppy because they will let your puppy know what is okay for play and what is not okay, in terms of biting and nipping. Always supervise your puppy while playing with other dogs. Yelling at your puppy will only make your puppy scared and confused as well as lose trust and respect for you. Common mistakes people make when their puppy is biting are pushing them away, clamping down on their mouths or spraying them in the face with water. All of these are a bad idea! Your puppy could see this behaviour as a form of play and continue biting and nipping at you even harder. If you remain calm and use a firm voice not yelling , your pup will see you as in charge. Puppies and dogs often exhibit the same behaviour as we do, if you get upset and start yelling, your puppy will just get even more excited. As unpleasant as puppy biting is, it is normal behaviour. Your puppy biting and nipping at you with a mouth full of shark teeth may seem aggressive, but it is most often just out of curiosity and play behaviour. Golden Retrievers are known for their calm and gentle demeanour, but there are rare instances where you may have an aggressive puppy on your hands. Puppies who have been taken away from their litter earlier than weeks, bad breeding, being abused, a chemical imbalance, and not being socialized are all reasons for aggression in puppies. Signs of an aggressive puppy include barking, growling, lunging at you or another dog, a stiff posture, and showing teeth. If you think your puppy is aggressive, it is important to work with a professional dog trainer or behaviourist in order to find out the reasons for aggression and work on correcting the behaviour before it gets worse. It is important to keep your calm and work with your puppy to teach him the important skill of bite inhibition, and to redirect his biting to more appropriate behaviour. Socializing your puppy, as well as rewarding good behaviour will all help to turn your puppy into a well-behaved dog. Have you tried any of the tips mentioned above? Do you have any other tips to stop Golden Retriever puppy biting? Share your thoughts and comments below, as well as any questions you may have. I would love to hear from you. Jenny I am the proud owner of a Golden Retriever named Ellie. She keeps me busy, and when she is resting, you can find me working on my blog. She is always close by though. I live in Stirling, ON Canada with my husband, and we both enjoy the never a dull moment life with our Ellie. Spread the love. You are bound to want to know when your biting puppy will grow out of this phase and how you can speed that process up. Biting, as you will have discovered is usually accompanied by lots of noise! Why do puppies bite? So why do puppies bite? My puppy is biting hard Puppies do bite hard and it does hurt. But I want to reassure you that even at 8 weeks old, your puppy has learned to moderate his bite in play. Puppies have powerful jaws designed to tear through flesh and crush bones. Those of you who feed your puppy a raw diet will know that even an 8 week old puppy from a medium sized breed can crush bones the size of your little finger. He is deliberately attempting to be gentle. Puppy Biting — Bite inhibition This ability, that your puppy has, to moderate the power of his jaws in play, is called bite inhibition. It is something that his mother started to teach him when he was just a few weeks old. And now it is your turn to take over and complete the training process. Growling and Puppy biting One thing that often worries people who have a new puppy in the family, is the growling that accompanies puppy biting. It sounds horrific. Great snarls and snaps accompany the biting and the puppy can appear quite demonic as he grabs onto your skin, or clothes. Tugging away with all the strength he can muster. Ninety nine times out of a hundred this is completely normal play biting. Is my puppy biting aggressive? You cannot determine whether or not a puppy is biting aggressively by how hard he bites or by the volume of the noise he makes. Play biting puppies bite hard and growl fiercely. Some puppies do occasionally draw blood. But these are not normally savage or crushing bites and the puppy is clearly enjoying himself. Fierce but fun! The play biting puppy will launch himself at the target of his bite. Whether it is your slippers or your fingers, with equal tail-wagging enthusiasm, hanging on grimly and grabbing repeatedly when the item is removed from him. All this, shocking though it may seem, is normal, and is not a sign that your puppy is going to be an aggressive dog! In fact some of the gentlest and most amiable breeds the labrador for example are the worst and fiercest play biters. The puppy that is a cause for concern is the puppy that is frightened. Because although puppies rarely bite through aggression, the nervous puppy may become aggressive as he matures Is my puppy afraid? A scared puppy may bite and scared puppies can grow into scared adult dogs so this is something you need to address quickly. You will know that your puppy is scared because he will try to avoid whatever it is he is scared of. A really frightened puppy will sometimes give off a distinctive musky smell. This hiding, and retreating, and the scared smell are warning signs that you have scared your puppy badly, or purchased a poorly socialised puppy. In this situation you need to get specialist help right away. Your vet should be able to advise you. For the vast majority of puppy owners then, biting is normal puppy behavior. Will my puppy biting stop naturally? To some extent biting is a phase caused by natural puppy playfulness and teething. Some puppies do stop biting with very little input from their family. Which is great. You may feel he should have grown out of it by now. We can physically prevent puppies from biting and we can train puppies not to bite. Both of these are good strategies. Or when children are getting upset, or visitors are winding your puppy up. Prevention usually involves interrupting the biting behavior, then redirecting the puppy into an alternative and more acceptable behavior, such as chewing on a toy. Or, it may involve temporarily separating him from his playmates. Interrupting the puppy biting In mild cases you may simply be able to put a toy in your biting puppy's mouth and get him tugging on that instead of on your fingers. If you are on the floor with the puppy stand up. And if you are standing up, turn and walk away from the puppy. This is where dog gates come in very handy with small puppies. A standard baby gate works fine for most breeds of dog. Managing the puppy You may have to pick up your biting puppy to remove him from the scene if he is biting your children for example, rather than you If he bites your hands and clothes as you try to restrain him, put him on the other side of a barrier or in his crate or puppy playpen for a short while. Although the puppy does learn from them, these are useful management techniques to enable you to control the situation. They help you to keep your puppy calm, and prevent the biting escalating through over excitement. Over-excited puppies Puppy play biting is directly linked to excitement. The more excited your puppy gets, the more and the harder he will bite. And the harder it will be to interrupt and distract him. Rough play excites puppies and noisy play does too. Children tend to squeal when they play and get very physical with puppies. One of the first rules they need to learn when playing with dogs, especially big dogs, is to stand up and stand still when the game gets too much. Limit such play and call a halt to it if your puppy is biting. With medium to large breed dogs, physical rough and tumble play is not a great idea. It can lead to dogs bowling people over or humping them, neither of which is very pleasant. Stopping play when it gets rough is a good management strategy and it is a form of training too. Over time, your puppy learns that biting and rough play loses him his playmates and that people simply leave if he is being mean. When do puppies stop biting? Many puppies have stopped biting completely by six months of age and biting is usually subsiding by the time that the puppy is heading towards five months old. This is if the puppy has been managed appropriately If people have been exciting him, or rewarding him for attention seeking behavior then biting can persist And it can be much more of a problem in bigger stronger puppies than in little ones. Training Puppies Not To Bite The idea of this exercise is to teach a puppy to accept being stroked and handled in any way, without touching us with his teeth. The event marker is a distinctive sound. Even around his mouth, without him making any attempt to bite you. You can also make it easier for him by starting this training when he is calm and not distracted. But for now, keep things simple. It can be a good way of getting the training started so that you have chance to say YES and give the puppy the opportunity to learn what you want him to do. Over the next few sessions, you can work on getting your hand closer and closer to the puppy. Until you are brushing the sides of his face without him making any attempt to mouth or bite at you Progress to touching and holding his collar, stroking his ears, grooming him, examining his paws and so on, all the time rewarding him for the correct behavior. Anytime the mouthing returns, back up to a point where he can succeed and move forward more slowly again Bite Inhibition Training Some experts feel that puppies should be allowed to mouth and even bite gently for a week or two before being prevented from biting altogether. Simply follow the instructions for managing your puppy above when he bites hard. But allow him to mouth you when he bites gently without much pressure. This is a great way to teach a dog excellent control over his mouth. After a couple of weeks of this, you can progress to the training exercise I outlined in the previous section. Older puppies that bite in play have often learned that this gets them a lot of attention. They have discovered that people squeal and shout and get quite cross. Sometimes these people push and shove the dog around which young dogs quite enjoy when they are playing. For these dogs it is important that you stop all physical play, with all family members If a puppy is biting hard at your hands when you try to interrupt his game. Or an older puppy is getting out of hand biting at clothing, you need to put your puppy on a harness and house-line a short trailing leash. This will enable you to control your puppy, and take him to a calming place, without handling him. You can just pick up the end of the line and lead him away. Older biting puppies are often bright and bored. And the best approach to avoiding future episodes of bad behavior is a structured programme of training and interesting activities. A professional dog trainer using modern positive training methods will be able to help you with these. Summary So now you know some tips on how to stop your puppy from biting. The first few weeks can be tough with a determined biter in the house, but you will get through this and come out the other side. A few months from now, this difficult period will be a distant memory In the meantime, focus on keeping your biting puppy calm, avoiding too much rough play, and redirecting his biting onto appropriate toys and activities. Spend some time on the training exercise set out above. Are you a proud new golden retriever puppy parent or considering getting a furry friend? While puppies are adorable and full of energy, they can also be a handful, especially when it comes to biting. This article will cover practical strategies to manage puppy biting and help you and your pup develop a solid and loving relationship. Thus biting is natural. Their bites will become softer as they practice and learn to manage their bite strength. They will eventually stop biting entirely. While biting is a natural part of the learning process, it is essential to train your puppy not to bite excessively. Here are a few tips to get you started: Providing Chew Toys for Redirecting Biting Behavior Providing chew toys is an excellent approach to help your puppy stop biting. When your puppy begins to bite you, remove your hand or foot and replace it with a chew toy. This teaches them that biting is acceptable, but only when done with toys, not people. It is essential to keep an eye on your puppy when they play with chew toys to ensure they do not consume anything toxic. By exposing your puppy to a variety of people, animals, and environments in a controlled and positive manner, you can help them develop proper social skills and reduce biting tendencies. Socialization helps puppies learn appropriate bite inhibition and establishes boundaries for acceptable behavior during interactions. Through well-planned socialization experiences, you can guide your puppy towards becoming a well-behaved and gentle companion. Employing the Time-Out Strategy for Persistent Biting Use the time-out strategy when other methods fail to stop your puppy from biting. If your puppy continues to bite, place him on a time-out for 30 seconds before allowing him to return to play. This teaches your puppy that biting is unacceptable and will result in a loss of playtime or attention. Again, use a gentle tone and avoid shouting or scolding your puppy. When your puppy plays gently with their toys instead of biting you, shower them with praise and perhaps even a tasty gift! This teaches your puppy that good behavior leads to beautiful things. Instead, concentrate on encouraging appropriate behavior and redirecting any inappropriate biting. Your puppy will learn to control their biting and play in a friendly and safe manner with time, patience, and positive reinforcement. This entails repeating the same commands, techniques, and rewards each time you train. When you do this, your puppy learns what is expected of them and how to get rewarded. On the other hand, if you are inconsistent, your puppy may get confused and unsure of what they need to do to please you. This can make training more difficult and frustrating for you and your puppy. So, strive to be consistent in your training. However, they can get nippy during their fun exploration of the world around them. The good news is that this is a natural habit for pups, and there are ways to deal with it. Puppies prefer to bite to initiate play, learn more about their surroundings, and adjust their bite pressure, especially when they are teething. These actions are part of how they play, interact, and learn about their environment. First, however, puppies must be taught how to control their biting pressure and redirect their biting to appropriate toys and chew objects, which we will discuss later. Puppy bites, for example, can become more painful and even harmful as they increase in size. Additionally, it might lead to destructive chewing if you do not divert their biting habit to appropriate chew items. As a result, it is critical to address this habit early on through regular teaching and positive reinforcement. Understand what motivates them and what makes them more likely to engage in biting. Adjust your training methods: Not all puppies respond to the same training techniques. Some may respond better to positive reinforcement, while others may require more redirection and distraction. Consider their energy levels: Golden Retrievers are known for their energy and enthusiasm. Be patient and consistent: Training takes time, and each puppy learns at their own pace. Be patient with your puppy and provide consistent guidance. Remember, every Golden Retriever puppy is an individual, and what works for one may not work for another. With a customized approach, you can effectively address biting behavior and set your unique puppy on the path to becoming a well-behaved and happy companion. So, most puppies begin to bite and mouth less frequently when they are 8 to 10 months old. However, this varies greatly depending on the individual pup. Some may stop sooner, while others may take a little longer. Golden retrievers, for example, love using their tongues. At the same time, herding dogs such as border collies or corgis may continue to nip at ankles as they age. Just keep working with your pet and providing the guidance they require to create positive habits! Conclusion As you begin the joyful road of raising your Golden Retriever puppy, keep in mind that training and socialization are essential for producing a happy and well-behaved dog. You can teach your puppy what is expected of them and create healthy behaviors that will last a lifetime using consistent and positive reinforcement techniques. Remember that each puppy is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. You will be rewarded with a devoted and well-behaved companion if you are patient and committed to the training process. Remember to give your puppy enough exercise and mental stimulation and to continuously reward positive behavior. You can help your puppy grow into a happy and healthy adult dog who will provide you happiness for many years by doing so. By the time your puppy reaches around three months of age, they should start to develop bite inhibition and learn to control the force of their bites during play. As you continue to interact and train with your puppy, you can gradually increase your sensitivity to the level of bites you find acceptable. By the age of four or five months, their play bites should no longer exert any force. Can I use physical punishment to stop my puppy from biting? Certainly not! To stop a puppy from biting, never use physical punishment. It is not only ineffective, but it can also be harmful and cause long-term behavioral issues. Instead, train your puppy using positive reinforcement techniques, including redirection, time-outs, and excellent rewarding behavior. What can I do? Puppies frequently nip and bite while playing with other dogs, but teaching them to control their bite force is essential. My puppy is teething. What can I do to stop them from biting? Teething is a normal developmental stage for puppies , and they naturally want to chew and bite things. Similar to what we discussed earlier. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Read the full disclosure here. Tasty finger! Your golden retriever puppy is as friendly as can be — great with kids, respectful of other dogs, and not overly attentive to your cat. Yes, golden retrievers are known for their good-natured demeanor, but they are still dogs — not so very far removed from their wild cousins, and they can be unpredictable when faced with stressful, disturbing, or frightening situations. One of our jobs as responsible dog owners, of course, is to keep our dogs safe, but we may not always be able to protect them, and we may not always be able to prevent them from biting through fear or when in pain. What is Bite Inhibition? Puppies begin learning this from their mother and siblings as soon as they start to tumble around with each other in play. If they bite too hard, they are scolded by their mother or alerted with a yelp from their siblings. Eventually, they learn how hard is too hard, and they use their teeth more gently in play. Human Sensitive or Advanced Bite Inhibition By the time your puppy moves into your home, they will have been using their bite inhibition skills for weeks. Your puppy needs to learn that human beings are fragile and should be treated with care. There are many professional trainers who recommend that you simply train your puppy not to bite. This seems like a practical course of action, and it does work — in the short term. Teaching a puppy not to bite will give you quick results, but it may mean they never learn how much force is safe to use on people when they are forced to bite in an emergency. So if they do eventually bite, they will know to hold back the pressure safely and will not cause anywhere near as much pain or damage as they otherwise might. Why is Bite Inhibition Important? Believe it or not, even the most gentle dog that has been trained from a young age never to bite, can react to certain triggers. Those triggers are fear and pain. Consider these situations: Your dog has been suffering from chronic ear infections and hates to have his ears handled. The neighbor stops by with her toddler, who immediately runs to your dog and fondles his sensitive ears roughly. What will he do? You and your dog are walking down the road like you do every morning when out of nowhere comes a huge dog who attacks your dog without thinking twice. You manage to pull your dog away, but in the process, your frightened dog bites your arm. Your sweet golden retriever has gotten themself tangled in some barbed wire while hiking. As you loosen the wire from her skin and fur, she snaps at you, biting your hand. You may never experience any of these situations. By teaching bite inhibition while your puppy is young, you will be far safer and ready for any of these situations should they occur. Teaching Advanced Bite Inhibition Following is a general guide to the bite inhibition skills your puppy learns and when, as well as where you should aim for their skills to be at certain ages. She will start the puppies off by teaching them how rough is too rough during nursing and play. These lessons begin when the puppies start nursing day 1 and continue until the day you pick your puppy up from the breeder. This works for some puppies, but for others, it just seems to arouse the pup and make matters worse. You will have to experiment to find out what works for you and your pup. You should withdraw all of your attention from your puppy for very hard bites. Do not over-correct your puppy so they become afraid of biting. After your puppy has calmed down, use a chew toy as a reward and let them chew it in your lap or lying by your side. This teaches you puppy that there are other ways to keep their mouths and teeth busy. By four or five months, all force behind play bites should be eliminated. Kids tend to play rough with puppies, and puppies will get rough right back. Your puppy needs to know that every human being is sensitive to their bites, not just you. It is a process that sometimes lasts months, depending on your puppy. Be prepared for this, and remember that long-term results in your adult dog are more important than curtailing puppy bites as painful as they may be. Supervise your puppy around children — If you have young children at home, you will have to think carefully about how you will protect them and your puppy. Little puppy teeth can cause a lot of pain, especially when your pup is still learning to control those urges. Young children can also cause a lot of pain to small puppies. Always supervise very carefully when your pup and children are together. A tired puppy is a happy puppy — It will be much easier to teach bite inhibition if your puppy is not bouncing off the walls. Make sure they get enough exercise every day. Not only will this help with training, but it will also help prevent all kinds of other destructive behavior. Conclusion Teaching bite inhibition to your golden retriever puppy is a gift you give to your pup that will last forever.
Also called Miniature Labrapoos, Labradoodles, and Labradorpoos, the Miniature Labradoodle is a well-known hybrid breed in a smaller package. They are sweet-natured and smart, and they love to spend time with their people. They are affectionate with their family. They are also tolerant and compassionate, and they tend to be well-behaved around people of all ages and other pets. Labradoodles are generally healthy and should live to be 10 to 14 years old. These qualities make Miniature Labradoodles an ideal family dog that does well with other pets and children. Even the most inexperienced dog parents find this breed to be easy to train and eager to please. They are too gentle and sweet to make a good guard dog, but they can be useful watchdogs. They are small and fluffy, square and athletic. Long, furry ears are set on the top and back of their heads. Their muzzles can be medium to long. The Miniature Labradoodle coat varies a great deal, ranging from straight to loose curls, and usually kept about 4 to 6 inches in length. The coat may be one of three textures. They could have hair similar to fur in shedding dogs, they could have a more dense and non-shedding wool, or they could have more of a silky fleece. They come in a variety of colors: Gold. Welcome to Minton Manor Australian Labradoodles. UK breeders of multigenerational Australian labradoodles - our passion is breeding the finest quality Australian labradoodle puppies and our pride is the service we deliver. Reserving miniature Australian Labradoodle Puppies Spring - Breeding quality puppies will be available to approved programmes Our Multigenerational Australian Labradoodles are bred from the best lines, with extensively health tested parents, raised in our family home in the beautiful Herefordshire countryside in the United Kingdom. The Australian Labradoodle is the perfect family companion, being non-shedding to low-shedding and miniature labradoodles are great with children of all ages and other animals alike. A dedicated breeding programme to provide families with happy, healthy, well balanced Australian labradoodle puppies with a professional, personal, friendly service. Our premises has been awarded a 5 Star Licence with our local authority so you can have confidence and trust in our high standards. We can export Australian labradoodle puppies globally, please enquire for more details. About Us Learn About the Miniature Labradoodle The Australian labradoodle is very loving, social, highly trainable and excellent companion dogs with incomparable beauty. They are perfect for therapy work or a perfect family companion. The client had a husband with severe allergies and needed a guide dog that did not shed excessive hair or dander. The Labradoodle, aka "Doodle", worked for the client's household. As the breed grew in popularity, breeders began breeding Doodles as both guide dogs and companion dogs. The Labradoodle has a coat that ranges from soft and wavy fur or a wiry and curly fur to a straight and coarse coat. The breed comes in three sizes: Miniature: 14 to 17 inches and 26 to 55 pounds Medium: 18 to 21 inches and 40 to 55 pounds Standard: 23 to 26 inches and 45 to 60 pounds for females and 55 to 77 pounds for males The First Miniature Labradoodle The American veterinarian and geneticist Dr. Kate Schoeffel bred the first Mini Labradoodle as a companion dog in .The miniature is the result of breeding a male Toy or Miniature Poodle with a female Labrador Retriever. Temperament Miniature Labradoodles are loyal, affectionate and friendly dogs that enjoy interacting with people of all ages. The dogs are very intelligent and easy to train. They have a gentle nature that makes the Miniature Labradoodle an ideal family pet. Responsible Breeding When you search for a Miniature Labradoodle breeder, you'll want to find a responsible breeder. This person will be highly selective in their choice of which dogs to breed, the timing of the litters and the care of the dogs. A responsible breeder practices the following: Breeds only one or two litters a year: A responsible breeder should have only one or two litters a year to allow him to have time to give each puppy the right amount of attention and care. The only exception would be if the breeder has a sizable staff that can provide individualized attention for a larger number of annual litters. Protects dam's health: A good breeder also only breeds a dam over two-years-old. The dam should only be bred once a year or less to protect her health. Requires an application process with interviews: Many breeders have a comprehensive application process that includes an initial phone interview and then meetings with all family members. The process may also include a house visit. Good breeders require this type of application process because they want to make sure that you have the right home environment for a Mini Doodle, understand the needs of the breed and the commitment of dog ownership. Provides a written contract: Responsible breeders provide a written contract that explains the terms of the sale and the responsibilities of both the buyer and seller. Demonstrates expertise on the breed: The can answer most questions about temperament, health issues and provide care advice. She should be willing to answer specific questions about the health and temperament of a litter's parents. Policies on puppy placement: A responsible breeder will not separate a puppy from its mother until the puppy is at least between eight and twelve weeks old. She will also ask questions about other household pets and may require the existing pets to meet the new puppy to make sure temperaments match. Socializes the puppy: Careful breeding includes puppy socialization before placement. A good breeder will socialize a puppy in a home so that the puppy can interact with people, children and other animals. The puppy can also learn acceptable home behavior from its mother. Provides initial health care: This includes first vaccinations and full health care check. Recommends puppy care: A responsible breeder should provide detailed instructions on puppy care, food recommendations and training advice. Allows customers to return dogs: A good breeder should insist that a customer can return the dog at any age if he can no longer care for the dog. In fact, the written contract may require that the customer promise not to ever turn the dog into an animal shelter. Are you InTheKnow? Sign up for our newsletter featuring all the latest stories and products we love. Invalid email I agree to receive email communications from LoveToKnow. Breeders disagree over whether or not these dogs should be crossed with other Labradoodles since these multi-generational breeding sometimes produce health and temperament issues. Many Doodle breeders only breed first generation dogs, meaning that one parent is a Labrador Retriever and the other is a Poodle, or they breed back cross Labradoodles. These dogs are the result of breeding a first generation Labradoodle with a non-related Poodle. This tends to result in healthier pets. Questions to Ask Breeders Here are some questions to ask Miniature Labradoodle breeders to help you find the right pet: Do you breed first generation, backcross or multi-generation Doodles? What are your buyer requirements? Please describe the application process. How do you get a puppy ready for placement? The Goldendoodles. Both sites also provide detailed information on the breed. Buying a Mini Labradoodle from a responsible breeder will help you find a healthy dog and protect you from pet sale scams. Research breeders carefully and you will find the right dog for your family. All Reservation Fees are good for 1 year from the time they are submitted. What is an Australian Labradoodle? He mixed Labrador Retrievers with Poodles. The current bloodlines were perfected by the owners of Tegan Park and Rutland Manor based in Australia. A natural by-product of this being a conspicuous lack of dog odor! Their even temperament makes them excellent candidates to become service dogs and is also a big part of what makes them exceptional family dogs. They are highly intelligent and are a preferred breed for their excellent health. Our puppies range from 18 lbs. Our dogs are incredibly loved and extensively health tested. Our dogs will never live in kennels — they live in our home or a guardian home as a member of the family. Happy, healthy, well loved and cared for parents produce healthier puppies. Our goal is to operate with the highest integrity, while producing genetically exceptional, structurally sound, well-adjusted puppies who are ready to become a loving part of your family. These methods include early neurological stimulation and creates an enriched environment early on for your puppy to grow in. Our in-home puppy play area includes early training for problem prevention such as emotional resilience, exercises using therapy toys and sound desensitization. Your puppy is introduced early to many scary sounds including loud thunderstorms, lightning, and doorbells ringing. We start potty training our puppies using a bell on the door at 4 weeks and we initiate crate training at 6 weeks. By 8 weeks, the puppies are ready for their new homes with their loving families. We strive for excellence in our dogs, our customer service and in the relationships we build with the families who entrust our family with raising their new baby. You can rest assured and trust our program for transparency, prompt communication and excellent customer service. We understand the level of trust our prospective puppy families place in us and we take our responsibility seriously. Your name is placed on our wait list in the order your Reservation Fee was received. You will remain on the waitlist until you have been offered and accepted a puppy to adopt that meets the temperament needs and preferences of your family. If we do not have a puppy of your sex or color preference, you may choose to defer to a future litter. Final payment is due by the time the puppy is 6 weeks old and the puppy can go home at 8 weeks. Ready To Get Started? Microchipping Full socialization in home environment keeping Puppy Culture principles in mind Litter registered with the Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association Comfort blanket with mom and littermates' scents on it to help comfort them in the first few days away from our home. A 3lb bag of puppy food. Crate that your puppy was crate trained in starting at 6 weeks old. You will remain on the list until you have chosen a puppy to adopt. If we do not have a puppy of your sex or color preference, you may choose to defer to a future unreserved litter. Springdale Labradoodles does not guarantee placement on our waitlist until the puppy Reservation Fee has been received. We will reply to your inquiry promptly. Springdale Labradoodles does not guarantee placement on the wait list for any litter until the puppy Reservation Fee has been received. Breeder always has the first pick. We want our puppies and their new families to have the best chances for success! We do NOT ship our puppies in Cargo under a plane, as we do not believe it is in their best interest. You are welcome to pick your puppy up at our home, or we may be able to meet you if you are coming from one of the states mentioned above. Out of state and unsure how to get your puppy home? To make for a smooth trip for you and your puppy, we will ensure that your puppy is acclimated and ready to travel in a soft-sided airline carrier prior to going home. Don't want to fly? No worries! We have our very own puppy Flight Nanny! Our experienced flight nanny will personally fly your puppy to you on his lap with love and deliver your puppy into your arms at your closest airport. Additional fees apply and will be paid directly to the puppy nanny once travel arrangements are confirmed. We will be as flexible as we can in helping you receive your Springdale puppy. Travel fees are determined on an individual basis. We do everything possible to make the transition from our home to yours as easy as possible! With respect to the well-being of the puppy, our veterinarian does not perform early spay and neuter ESN , as she does not believe that it is in the best interest of young puppies. We follow her advice. We do our best to ensure that our puppies go to wonderful forever homes. If a dog must be relinquished, you must return the dog to Springdale Labradoodles. We have a professional flight nanny service available. Please contact us for details. Making a reservation earlier will help to keep the delivery fee lower. Our dogs are our much loved pets and live in our family home on our small holding in East Yorkshire with us. We have 9 acres with an acre of lake which they share with our goats, sheep, cats and chickens. Our puppies are born and brought up in our home with us, we make sure they are handled lots by our children, family and friends and are exposed to all the sights and sounds of a lively, loving family environment so when they leave for their forever homes, they are developing into sociable, well rounded, confident little dogs. At Lakeside Labradoodles, all our puppies leave at 8 weeks old after their first vaccination and full vet health check. Our vet has one of our puppies which is testament to us and all the time and love we put into our dogs. We are proud to be council licenced and follow the 5 star rating system that the government has set out in the new Animal Welfare Regulations brought out in .New posts will not be retrieved for at least 5 minutes. There may be an issue with the Instagram access token that you are using. Your server might also be unable to connect to Instagram at this time. Click here to troubleshoot. Tilly is probably the nicest temperament dog we've had. Such a perfect dog. Nellie is our first dog and she is beautiful. She is such a character and we wouldn't be without her. Lottie has bundles of energy lots of character and is the kindest most loving dog and is amazing with our children. She is the best and we wouldn't be without her she's amazing xx. Site by Weborchard. Life Span Did You Know? Second-generation crosses could include a Labradoodle and a Mini Poodle or two Mini Labradoodles as parents. This hybrid dog breed was originally developed to create smaller potential service dogs that might be a good fit for people with allergies to dog fur. With a mixed breed, you can end up with any combination of traits from the parent breeds. Often, Mini Labradoodles are smart, friendly, and sociable dogs that are highly trainable. They are often found working as service dogs and therapy dogs and living as beloved family companions. Although they are not recognized by the AKC, the Mini Labradoodle is recognized by other canine registries. A Mini Labradoodle is a combination of two friendly dog breeds that crave human affection and are always happy to have company. These dogs also tend to have playful, energetic personalities and low prey drives. Well-socialized Mini Labradoodles tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Due to their smaller size, these dogs can be injured by accidental rough play or accidental falls, so any interactions between young kids and puppies should be closely supervised. Miniature Labradoodles will usually bark to alert you when someone is at the door, but generally are not prone to nuisance barking unless they have been trained into it. It may not be a bad idea to train your dog to stop barking early on. Well-socialized Mini Labradoodles may be initially wary of strangers, but tend to warm up quickly and will often be happy to make a new friend. Miniature Labradoodles are highly adaptable. Provided they get enough exercise, attention, and mental stimulation, they can adapt well to apartments as well as larger homes. They tend to do best in moderate climates, but can tolerate warmer or colder climates. As with any dog, they are sensitive to heat. Although they tend to have a fluffier coat, they are also smaller and may need to bundle up in some winter dog products to stay warm while out on walks in the cold. Mini Labradoodles are also very much companion breeds. They bond closely with their families and thrive on being near them, so they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. The health of the parents and good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of Mini Labradoodle puppies. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done to help allay any concerns you may have. Miniature Labradoodles tend to be highly intelligent and eager to please. This generally makes them easy to train and a good fit for owners of all experience levels. In fact, their parent breeds are considered some of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. These dogs respond best to consistent training and positive reinforcement. Puppy training classes can ensure that owners of any experience level learn the latest training techniques and start building a strong bond with their puppy. Grooming requirements with a Mini Labradoodle can vary. On the Poodle side, you have a low-shedding, but high-maintenance, coat that needs daily brushing along with trimming and grooming every weeks. On the Lab side, you have a higher shedding coat that is more low-maintenance, requiring some weekly brushing or brushing a few times a week and intermittent bathing. Overall, Mini Labradoodles range from having a non- to low-shedding coat. They can have one coat type or the other, or a combination of both of them. So, you will want to be prepared for brushing a coat a few times a week and the possibility of more grooming needs. Regardless of coat type, there are some other general grooming tasks you can count on. Regular dental care for your dog will help prevent serious dental issues like gum disease and tooth decay later in life. This is especially important for dog breeds with floppy ears as they are more prone to developing ear infections. Miniature Labradoodles can be high-energy dogs. In general, they require daily walks plus some playtime and extra activity to be happy and healthy. Since they love to be around their family and can have an exuberant and outgoing personality, they will likely be up for more playtime if you are. This little dog may get tired more easily at times and could push themselves too far in their excitement. On the other hand, they may just keep going and going with no signs of slowing down. What is most important is making sure your Miniature Labradoodle gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. Fully-grown Mini Labradoodles usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Miniature Labradoodles generally live for years on average. Featured Mini Labradoodle Article.
Post header Skip post header How much exercise does my Poodle need? Poodles are known for their intelligence, elegance and friendly nature. The breed comes in three sizes, Standard, Miniature and Toy, with Standard Poodles being the largest and Toy Poodles being the smallest. How much exercise does my Standard Poodle need? A Standard Poodle can grow between 37 to 60 cm in length and has lots of energy and stamina. A healthy adult will need 50 minutes of daily exercise on average. How much exercise does my Miniature Poodle need? How much exercise does my Toy Poodle need? This little pup still has lots of energy and will need 40 minutes of exercise a day on average. How should I exercise my Poodle? Play can be a fantastic way to get them moving, too, as Poodles are an extremely intelligent breed and will benefit from the additional mental stimulation and enrichment. How much exercise does a Poodle puppy need? Toy and Miniature poodles will be fully grown by about 12 months, while a Standard Poodle may not reach that point until they are nearly two years old. Whether their exercise is taking the form of zoomies or walking outside, the general rule is that puppies will need five minutes of formal exercise for every month of their age. How much exercise does a Senior Poodle need? What are the best types of exercise for a Poodle? All Poodles thrive when doing exercises that work both their bodies and their minds, so why not try some of these activities that combine both? Agility training. You can practice agility as part of a group or even set up a course yourself at home. They even have a waterproof coat and webbed paws! If fetching the ball becomes too repetitive for them, then why not try playing with a dog-friendly frisbee instead? After all, nothing beats off-lead confidence and the ability to know your dog is getting the exercise they need every day. You might also like Single page Single page Best dog breeds for first time owners Never owned a dog before? No problem. These dog breeds all need moderate amounts of exercise, making them pawfect for all sorts of people. Standard Poodles are the biggest canines of this breed that can grow to a height of 21 inches or more. These dogs have a lot of energy and stamina to remain active, strong, and healthy. Therefore, the recommended duration of exercise for standard poodles is 60 to 90 minutes per day. Miniature Poodles are 10 to 15 inches long and come in the category of small to medium size dogs. The energy level of these poodles is quite high and can be more active than standard poodles. However, 45 to 75 minutes of exercise every day is enough for them due to their smaller size. These spirited, playful, and energetic canines make strong bonds with their families. An exercise session of 30 to 60 minutes per day is sufficient to keep them happy and healthy. According to All Poodle Info , puppies require five minutes of exercise for each month of age. For example, a three-month poodle puppy should get at least 15 minutes of daily exercise. This general rule of thumb works in this fashion until your poodle miniature and toy reaches the age of 11 months. In contrast to that, standard poodles should get 55 minutes of daily exercise until they are months old. These exercises include walking especially for early-month puppies , free playtime, and any minimal intensity exercise. The overall physical activity of a puppy poodle can also be divided into sessions for better results. Dogs enter the bracket of senior poodles when they are 7 to 9 years old. Several physical and health conditions can also be responsible for their inactivity. For these reasons, senior Poodles no longer require a lot of exercise, but they do need some kind of physical activity. Generally, 30 to 45 minutes of daily exercise is enough for a senior poodle. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Work as service or therapy dogs. Simple and fun activities can be as efficient as dog sports to spend his excess energy. Here are some ideas to provide your dog with proper physical activity without too much training, preparation, and gear. Play Fetch or Frisbee. Chasing and retrieving balls is an excellent activity for hunting dogs. To make this classic game more convenient and fun for everyone, I highly recommend you to invest in the ChuckIt Ball Launcher. If fetch is too repetitious for either you or your dog, frisbee can be the perfect alternative. You merely need an appropriate disc such as the Kong Flyer or the Flippy Flopper Frisbee and some free time to get started. Tug-of-war is very good for him to burn off energy, improve his self-control, and stimulate his mind. Other Fun Exercise Ideas. There are many other creative ways to provide your Poodle with proper physical activity. As long as you have some time, energy, and imagination, you should be able to satisfy his body. Here are some of my best ideas to exercise and have fun together simultaneously. If you have more money than time, toys can be an excellent idea to keep your dog happy and healthy. Poodles are generally very playful and energetic, so investing in objects designed to meet their exercise requirements is a no-brainer. But there are many other great options you should consider to help your Poodle maintain an active lifestyle. Flirt Pole. Whether you want to play in your living room, at the dog park, or in your backyard, the Flirt Pole can help you tire him out in relatively small areas. This toy is the perfect solution to satisfy your Poodle both physically and mentally. Interactive Ball. This interactive ball will encourage your dog to exercise and stimulate him mentally at the same time. Made from durable material, the Babble Ball can also stand up to rough play. Automatic Ball Launcher. As I already told you, fetch is an excellent activity to provide your Poodle with proper exercise. The iFetch company has developed an interactive ball launcher to let your dog play on his own. You only have to teach him how to retrieve and put the ball in the machine. For Miniature and Toy Poodles, the smaller model may be more appropriate for their size. Mind enrichment is also essential to keep your dog healthy and happy. The Poodle is active and intelligent, so you have to satisfy his body as well as his brain. Training is one of the best ways to provide dogs with proper mental stimulation. Learning new skills regularly will not only challenge their minds. Another great idea to provide your Poodle with mental exercise is with challenging games and toys. For example, dog puzzles such as the Nina Ottosson Brick Toy can keep him busy for long periods. Besides toys, teaching him how to play the shell game can be very efficient to stimulate his mind. Indeed, scent work can be an excellent source of mental stimulation. Letting your Poodle work for his food is also great for mind enrichment. To make it simple, physical activity and mental stimulation are essential for their happiness and well-being. Another potential problem caused by the lack of exercise is obesity. An overweight dog can be prone to many other health conditions. Overall, a tired dog is a good and happy dog. So you must understand how much exercise your Poodle needs. Depression Symptoms. Poodles are a highly intelligent and elegant breed that originated in Germany. Although from Germany poodles are often associated with France, where they became popular as show dogs and companions for the French aristocracy. They are known for their distinctive curly or corded coat, which comes in a variety of colours such as white, black, apricot, and silver. Poodles come in three sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. The Standard Poodle stands at a height of cm, while Miniature Poodles stand at cm, and Toy Poodles stand at up to 28 cm. Their weight varies depending on the size, ranging from 4. Poodles have an average life expectancy of years. What is the temperament of Poodles like? Poodles are known for their intelligence, alertness, and active nature. They are highly trainable and adaptable dogs. Poodles are generally friendly, sociable, and eager to please their owners. They are excellent family pets and can get along well with children and other animals when properly socialised. How much exercise do Poodles need? Poodles have moderate to high exercise needs and require approximately 1 to 2 hours of exercise every day. They are active and energetic dogs that thrive on mental and physical stimulation. Poodles enjoy activities such as brisk walks, jogging, playing fetch, and participating in dog sports like agility and obedience. They have a great capacity for learning and excel in various training activities. It's important to provide them with regular exercise to prevent boredom and to keep them physically fit. Poodles can adapt well to different living situations, including apartments, as long as they receive adequate exercise and mental enrichment. Poodle puppies have different exercise requirements compared to adult dogs. Their growing bodies and developing joints require caution to avoid injury. It's recommended to provide short and gentle exercise sessions for puppies, focusing on playtime and controlled activities that don't put excessive strain on their joints. Avoid long walks or high-impact activities until they are fully developed, usually around 12 to 18 months of age. Do Poodles need a lot of grooming? Poodles have a reputation for being hypoallergenic due to their low-shedding coat, which makes them a popular choice for individuals with allergies. However, it's important to note that no dog breed is completely allergy free. Poodles have a unique coat that requires regular grooming to maintain its health and appearance. Their coats are dense, curly, and non-shedding, which means they require professional grooming every weeks to keep their coat in optimal condition. Regular brushing at home is also necessary to prevent matting and tangles. Some Poodle owners choose to keep their dog's coat in a shorter, more manageable trim known as a "puppy clip" or opt for a traditional "show clip" that showcases their elegant appearance. Grooming may also include regular nail trims. Like any dog, regular tooth brushing with a dog-specific toothpaste twice daily is ideal. Are Poodles easy to train? Poodles are highly trainable dogs and are often ranked among the most intelligent breeds. They have a natural inclination for learning and excel in obedience training and various dog sports. They respond well to positive reinforcement methods and enjoy mental challenges. They thrive when given tasks to complete and enjoy being mentally stimulated. Poodles are quick learners and can master a wide range of commands and tricks. Consistency, patience, and positive rewards are key to successful training sessions with Poodles. What do Poodles eat? A nutritious and well-balanced diet is important for the overall health and vitality of Poodles. Feed them high-quality dog food that is appropriate for their age, size, and activity level. Poodle puppies require a specific puppy food formulated to support their growth and development. It's recommended to feed them times a day until 6 months old, then twice daily. As they mature, Poodles should transition to adult dog food. It's important to monitor their weight and adjust their portion sizes accordingly to prevent obesity. Your vet can advise on the appropriate diet for your poodle. Are Poodles healthy? Poodles are generally healthy dogs, but like any breed, they may be prone to certain health conditions. It is a very serious condition and a vet should be contacted immediately! This is more likely in Standard Poodles. Potential health issues presented are given as a guide only and are not meant to be comprehensive. If you ever have any concerns about your dog's health, contact your local vet. Poodle Guides. Poodle Exercise Requirements Overview Exercise plays a crucial role in a dog's overall health and can even extend a dog's life span. Offering proper exercise goes way beyond taking a Poodle out for a walk now and again. This section will make sure that you know how to find the right balance of activity for a Poodle of each variety Toy, Miniature and Standard and of any age. We will go over: How your Poodle will benefit from scheduled activity What type of exercise is best for this breed, for each size variety Exercise requirements for all stages of a Poodle's life How to overcome the most common reasons for not exercising your dog Alternative activities you can do with your puppy or dog 6 Top Exercise Tips Why Exercise is So Important When a Poodle receives enough proper exercise, the benefits are enormous. Can help slow the development of arthritis Can increase life span, as diet, exercise, dental care and living conditions are the top 4 elements that affect how long a dog lives. In many cases, just sticking to a walking schedule can combat some of the most difficult behavioral problems. For each of these elements, it is simply a matter of allowing a Poodle to release built-up energy and frustration in a healthy way. If exercise is done randomly and without structure, you won't see much improvement. Destructive behavior - Without regular release of energy via healthy, purposeful activity, a Poodle of any age may instead focus his energy on chewing, digging, scratching or other destructive behaviors. Barking - One of the main causes of excessive barking is frustration and exercise can help eliminate this element. Attention seeking behavior - Dogs that miss out on regular one-on-one time with their owners can end up constantly seeking attention. However, when this need is met, the dog can relax at home, knowing that another session is due to happen soon. It can also lead improvements in: Sleep - Dogs that routinely exercise sleep better at night, both in how long they sleep and how much REM deep sleep they receive. Just a slight case of sleep deprivation that snowballs as the days and weeks pass by can cause all sorts of behavioral issues. This can be resolved with proper exercise. Overall mood - With tension and frustration released in a healthy way, half the battle is done. The other part is mental stimulation.Dogs are happier when they routinely can 'be dogs'; they are happiest when they can smell scents and see sights other than what is inside the house. This creates more of a calm, relaxed mood when indoors. Social Health - An often overlooked yet important part of a Poodle having the right amount of exercise is how it will improve his ability to be well-socialized. When done correctly, regular exercise will: Teach socialization- One of the most crucial aspects of raising a dog to be tolerable of other animals, people and situations is to expose him to the outside world on a regular basis. Many owners of Poodles that act hyper toward cars, dogs and people will avoid taking the Poodle out for a walk; yet this is the very thing that will lead to the Poodle learning to behave more ahead. In time, regular outdoor activity will allow a dog to gain the experience needed to have self-confidence while out and about. This is particularly true when you use this time to work on Heeling techniques. Regular walks with you gives your Poodle a 'job' and taking this on as a team each day can greatly improve the relationship between owner and dog. Just as you make sure that your Poodle eats super healthy foods, you puppy proof the house to keep him safe, you brush his teeth to prevent tooth decay and you work hard to keep him well-groomed… exercise should be a non-negotiable element of caring for your Poodle. The Best Exercise for a Poodle While quick bouts of energy filled activity like playing fetch does have its place, for daily exercise, walking your Poodle is the way to go. This holds true for tiny toy Poodles, medium sized Minis and large Standards. It is the best type of exercise for this breed for several reasons: 1 It is low impact. When your Poodle will be performing an action daily and essentially forever, you want that activity to offer all of the benefits without putting undue stress on the body. Repeated strenuous exercise puts stress on the joints, overtaxes muscles and can cause injury. Once you fall into a routine of walking your Poodle often enough and for long enough periods of time more ahead , his cardiovascular health, stamina and muscle strength will gradually improve… as this happens, walking speed can be incrementally increased so that your Poodle receives the same amount of body conditioning. The only things that you will need is a leash and harness more ahead and some patience if your Poodle needs some practice to keep his behavior in line more ahead. Also, with few exceptions, you can walk a dog during any season we will discuss winter, rain, heat, etc. In other words, while you may be walking very slowly, if your toy Poodle is trotting along beside you at a moderate pace, your dog will be receiving moderately challenging exercise in comparison to your stroll. Scarlett, 2 years old Photo courtesy of Dorothy How Much Exercise a Poodle Needs Puppies - For toys and miniatures under 1 year old and standards under 18 months old, owners must carefully schedule exercise times. Offering quick bouts of outdoor walking is a great way to for the puppy to discharge their abundant energy. That being said, greatly exceeding exercise limits for puppies can be detrimental to their growth. During the first year for toys and miniature Poodles and until about 18 months old for standard Poodles , the bones are still forming and growing. At the end of all major bones are growth plates; these are soft areas that contain rapidly dividing cells that are instrumental in allowing the bones to develop and grow longer as the Poodle pup matures from puppy to adult. Once a Poodle is done with puberty and is officially an adult dog that is done growing, the plates harden and calcify. Until that time, over-exercise can cause injury to this soft bone tissue and interfere with normal bone growth. So, you'll want to find a balance of enough walks, for the proper duration, to allow the pup to release energy and start becoming socialized to the world, yet be careful to not exercise your Poodle puppy to such an extent that it could possibly harm those growth plates. Do keep in mind that normal play in the house, etc. Over-exercise relates to repetitive actions such as running, walking briskly, etc. You just never want to push a young puppy into activity that puts stress on the body and raises the heartbeat if he is not up to it. In looking at these guidelines, we must remember that the duration is the same, no matter the size of the dog. This is because it is the pace at which the dog moves that equates a state of exercise. Toys will trot and standard Poodles will trot, and it is the owner that will need to adjust the pace at which they walk to keep the dog going briskly. A good rule of thumb is: 5 minutes per day, for each month of age. Toys and minis will at this point, move ahead to adult exercise requirements. You'll want to go at a moderate pace that is not overwhelming. Young puppies are only starting to learn about how to walk on leash and it can take some time for them to focus on proper heeling. Ahead, we'll dive into tips to making walking a more pleasant experience coming up. Adults - An adult Poodle in his prime, 1 year old toys or 2 years old standards to 7 years old, should have 60 minutes of exercise per day. Do keep in mind that no matter how active a dog appears while inside the home, this does not decrease the amount of time that the dog should be walked. There will be days that your schedule simply does not allow this or days when weather is so severe that you'll need to offer alternatives; however those should be the exceptions. Most Poodles do best with those 60 minutes split up into two 30 minute or three 20 minute sessions. We recommend: Morning - If you will be leaving for the day, it's a good idea to exercise your Poodle before you leave. Early evening - When you arrive back home, the two most important things to do will be to bring your Poodle to the bathroom area outside and then take him for a walk to release the built up tension that developed while the dog was home alone. Two hours later - Once dinner has been served, some household chores have been done and you are thinking about possibly relaxing for the night, this can be a great time to go for the 3rd and last walk of the day, should you decide to do 3 walks per day instead of 2. While you won't want to exercise your Poodle right before bedtime, heading out for a quick jaunt about 2 hours before the expected sleep time can help your dog calm down and relax as the family settles in for the night. Scotland, 10 months old Photo courtesy of Marlyn Seniors - Do not make the mistake of assuming that an older dog doesn't need exercise. Unless a senior Poodle has health conditions that prohibit him from exercising, you'll want to continue with daily walks. Some owners feel that a senior Poodle is more than content resting around the house. And while seniors are often complacent…they've seen it all and have done it all… and not much may excite them… Being out in the fresh air and stretching their legs can put a little pep in another wise ho-hum step. Regular light exercise can relieve joint discomfort that is common with older dogs, helps the senior dog maintain muscle mass and offers all of the benefits that it does with a senior dog's younger counterparts. Osteoarthritis is not uncommon for senior Poodle; though light exercise can often help alleviate symptoms and this will be something that you'll want to speak with the vet about. You'll want to monitor the older dog to see how he deals with duration, cutting back as needed or slowing down the pace. Health Exceptions - There are some health conditions , of course, that will necessitate a cease in exercise and others that require certain exercise as part of the treatment program. A good example of this is luxating patella slipped kneecap. During recovery, strict bed rest is often prescribed along with medications to reduce swelling and help with pain. However, afterward many vets will suggest strengthening exercises, most notably walking the dog uphill, to help build muscles that surround the knees. Always check with your Poodle's vet during and after any health issue for exercise restrictions and instructions. Pregnancy - In general, healthy pregnant Poodles should be taken for walks and exercised as normal up until the last week of pregnancy. Easy yet consistent exercise during pregnancy helps a female dog stay well-toned which is believed to help with labor and delivery. In most cases, exercise can gradually resume 2 to 3 weeks after giving birth. Depending on the age and size of your Poodle, this may simply be a casual stroll for you. With toy Poodles, do not expect to get in your cardio while walking the dog however, the fresh air, sunshine and movement will be beneficial to you as well… studies show that time NOT spent sitting is as important as exercising and that walking slow is much better than being sedentary. Take note of how your dog's legs are moving… He should be at a trot, with a short stride. Overcoming Reasons for Not Walking Your Poodle There are quite a few reasons why owners may be reluctant to take their Poodle out for regular exercise. Here we will discuss some of these concerns and how to deal with them. However, avoiding walks will not help resolve the issue. Many dogs will bark madly at anything that's within their line of sight… people, other dogs, cars, birds, squirrels, etc. The key to all of this is that a dog reacts that way when the element is intriguing or if it gives the dog concern. And both of those attitudes will fade more and more as the dog is exposed to the elements. If you've ever seen a dog barking like mad when being walked, if you could fast forward 6 months and the owner consistently kept taking the dog out along the same route that whole time , you'd see a very different dog. That dog would be socialized to every aspect of the outside world and those perceived threats would no longer cause alarm. The best thing to do is to ignore the barking and your neighbors that are giving you funny looks and with your Poodle safely on a harness not a collar and the leash kept short, keep walking at the set pace. Walk with determination and without pause, no matter how hyper your dog acts.Any time that the barking stops for even just a count of 5 if it is severe , give enthusiastic praise while simultaneously reaching into your pocket to dispense a small treat as you continue on the path. Exercising in hot, humid weather is certainly a concern for this breed and for all dogs. However, with some planning, you can continue to make sure that your Poodle stays active enough during the summertime. Here are some tips: Protect the paws from hot pavement. Far too many dogs have their paws scalded by hot pavement and this can easily be fixed by either using a super high quality paw wax that will create a layer of protection or by placing comfortable doggie shoes on your Poodle. Protect the nose from sunburn this can happen within 20 minutes with direct sun which can lead to peeling. Use a quality nose balm. Avoid going out during the hottest part of the day. Even on exceedingly hot days, early morning and then again right before sunset, the temperature can often be in the 70's or low 80's which is tolerable. Not to mention, the sun's rays will not be as strong. Bring along water and plan one break. At just about the halfway point, take a break preferably in the shade. During the break, offer a good amount of cool water to your Poodle a canine travel water container works well… the cover works as a bowl and you can place a couple of ice cubes in the insulated thermos to keep the water cold. Do always use caution; if you feel it is just too hot out to safely walk your Poodle, look to alternative activities more ahead. While there are exceptions, walks during the winter can be doable if you plan ahead. For 'normal' winter days, here are some tips: Protect the paws from winter elements. Use a quality paw wax or slip on no-skid canine booties. Dress appropriately. This is important advice for both you and your Poodle. When an owner is freezing and miserable, they will be much more likely to rush the walk, take a short cut or skip it all together by rushing back inside after the dog goes to the bathroom. If you bundle up we're talking hat, scarf, thick winter coat, gloves and durable water-proof boots , you'll be much more apt to stick with your Poodle's exercise program. Likewise, particular for toy Poodles, owners often need to take steps to help the dog stay warm. A thick lined vest, hoodie, coat or sweater will help your toy Poodle keep his core body temperature warm and toasty. Sophie, 9 months old Photo courtesy of June Nelligan Protect the nose - Cold air and whipping chilly winds can quickly cause a chapped nose. Be pro-active in protecting your Poodle's nose before chapping happens. Use a dab of quality nose butter. Depending on the weather, and the safety of the road conditions, you may need to take a shorter route or limit the time spent outdoors. Of course, during blizzards or a severe weather event, staying inside is the safe option. While some dogs are super active in the house, most do need to have scheduled walks. When veterinarians suggest exercise guidelines, this is taking into account that a dog is going to be moving about the house. By heading outside, you will accomplish many things: You'll know that your dog is meeting the requirements of up to an hour of exercise per day. It is also an opportunity to socialize your dog, work on heeling and spend quality time together. Alternative Activities Maybe it is pouring cats and dogs outside, a blizzard is blowing in, or it's degrees out… no matter what may be the case, you may be looking for ways to keep your Poodle active if a walk is out of the question. Here are some tips: 1 Summer Tips: If it is the summer heat that is getting in the way, setting up a kiddie pool in a shaded area of the yard can be just the trick to get a dog moving. As with most activities, your enthusiasm will play a role in how much fun your Poodle has. Another great option is to set up a sprinkler. Most dogs love the thrill of chasing after osculating water and this can be a great way to offer a bit of cardio in the summer. Lastly, swimming is a great exercise that puts very limited stress on the body… However, do keep in mind that not all Poodles automatically know how to swim well. While the Poodle was bred to be a water dog, retrieving fowl from lakes and ponds, that was quite a while ago and today's modern Poodle may need practice to feel comfortable in water. Stay super close to your dog … and using a canine life vest is always a good idea. After swimming, be sure to shampoo and rinse the coat well, as any chlorine residue can cause excessive dryness as well as discoloration of the coat. Make it more challenging as your Poodle catches on, following him about the house to keep him on track and keep him moving. For fetch, all you need is a long hallway and a ball. As we mentioned above, your attitude and level of eagerness will play a huge role in how receptive your Poodle is and how much energy the dog puts into playing. Top 6 Exercise Tips 1 Make a schedule. Life can be exceedingly busy and there will be times that you come home exhausted and see your Poodle is perfectly content cuddling on the sofa with you while you watch TV. However, when you have times blocked off for taking your Poodle out for walks, it's easier to stick with the program. Maybe your Poodle behaves just fine no pent-up energy and is more than happy to hang around the house… so why bother? Exercise is important for 'now' and for 'later'. Every session works toward building a stronger, healthier dog. These short bouts of activity can be training times as well. Whether it is to get your Poodle so used to other dogs that he learns to calm down… or you want to gradually get him to no longer fear traffic… or you want to teach the "Heel' command until your Poodle marches like a little trooper by your side… Make each walk have more meaning by working toward a goal together. Teaka, 4 years old Photo courtesy of Rolande and Dan 4 Assess and adjust. Throughout your Poodle's life, his exercise requirements will change. As he builds endurance, you may need to pick up the pace. If the weather is hotter than you expected, you may need to cut the walk short and schedule it for later in the day. As a senior, he may need 3 shorter walks as opposed to two longer ones. Always be mindful of how your dog is handling the activity and make adjustments as needed. It cannot be overstated how vital it is to have your Poodle wearing a harness any time that he is on leash. If a leash is connected to the collar, this places stress on the neck which can cause injury, including collapsed trachea. This is especially true for toy Poodles, though it does apply for miniatures and standards as well. Not only do you have the weight of the leash, there is the element that if the puppy or dog jumps to the side, runs ahead, gets wounded up in the leash, etc. You will also find that it is much easier to control a Poodle when he is wearing a harness, which makes walking a more pleasant experience. Particularly relevant when house training , it's never a good idea to let a Poodle pee and poo along the way when you could have had the dog use the designated bathroom area first. When you return home, allow your Poodle another opportunity to pee and poo in the bathroom area before being brought back into the house. A: As long as you bring your Poodle for regular walks and are making sure that he meets the exercise requirements for this breed, there is nothing wrong at all with having your dog in a stroller. Just like a car seat or a bicycle basket, strollers or slings are another form of safety and in this case, you are the mode of transportation. Q: I really wanted to start teaching my Poodle puppy how to navigate obstacles and weave poles, but I've heard that puppies shouldn't be exercised too much. Would this be harmful? A: It is true that too much exercise is not good for puppies; however this has gotten really exaggerated by some sources. Puppies are naturally very active and this is a good thing! Being sedentary is not advantageous for any dog, of any age. The only type of over-exercise that interferes with growth plates is severe exertion that would cause the puppy to pant and really struggle to keep up…. Exercise that taxes the body and puts strain on the dog. And this would have to occur on a regular basis to cause a problem. Normally playing and running about the house is expected and helps a puppy grow up healthy. Just do not push the pup to do more than he shows enthusiasm for, taking breaks or calling 'time' after 20 minutes or so. By the way, teaching weave pole obstacles is a great idea and can be super fun for both of you. What do you think about canine treadmills for exercise? A: These are, mostly, used for physical therapy and some large breed dogs may do well with treadmills, especially if they are overweight and need some vet-directed additional exercise. However, these can be very expensive and are not a good substitute for one-on-one play with your Poodle. And if you must stay indoors on many days, playing fetch or other games that offers your dog interaction with you will be much better for his mood than walking on the machine. As a final note, if this were to be used, we'd suggest extreme close supervision as injury would be a top concern. Q: What, exactly, should my reaction and my action be when my Poodle barks like a madman at other dogs when we're out for a walk? A: The first thing to keep in mind is why a dog does this. Imagine that you spent your days surrounded with only dogs… no humans at all, just canines. Then as a brief respite, each day for 20 minutes, you are let out into the world to exercise and during that time you actually get to see other people. BUT, you are not allowed to interact with them. You are instructed to keep walking and ignore them. Would you go a bit nuts after a while? So, the point of this that many owners need to remember, is that a dog will bark at other dogs out of frustration. Many times, this is not an aggressive maneuver at all and it does not mean that the barking dog is misbehaving. It can often be resolved by just allowing your dog to meet the other dog. If your Poodle did nip, that would then be another topic. But you'll never know how he does with other dogs, unless you give him chances with a variety of dogs and allow him to learn to socialize while out for his daily walk. We'd suggest calling out to the other owner with a friendly, "Hi, do you mind if my dog says hello to your dog? At that point, allow the dogs to be dogs. Without interference, they should be allowed to sniff each other. Yes, it will be the rear ends. That is where their scent glands are located and this relays information back and forth regarding: health status, mood and gender. In some cases, the dogs will then back away, which is your cue to thank that owner and continue on your way…. As long as the other person doesn't mind, a short bout of playing is just fine and will allow your Poodle an opportunity to learn canine socializing. Do always keep a close eye on your dog, with the leash in hand, ready to pull him toward you should the other dog get too rough another reason why a harness is the better choice over a collar when on leash. You will also be able to suggest a topic for us to write about - we always look to Member suggestions. All rights reserved. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Share Us. The right exercise for a puppy is different from what would best suit an adult dog or senior dog. Over exercised dog symptoms Poodles can go hard and keep going, often not knowing when to stop. With any dog, it is possible to over-exercise them, especially in hot weather. It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a dog that has overdone it. Poodle Exercise Requirements There are three main types of exercise and activity you must provide your Poodle every day. Daily walk 2. Purposeful Activity and Play see Poodle exercise ideas below 3. Mental stimulation Poodle Walking Requirements A Poodle requires a daily walk of between 20 — 60 minutes at a comfortable but brisk pace for them depending on whether they are a Toy, Miniature or Standard Poodle. As many Poodles have a good level of stamina they can go for much longer distances if you wish. By observing your Poodle you can assess how long of a walk they need. If they are panting excessively, are falling behind, or stop and lay down they have probably had enough. It is probably a good idea to end the walk. If they are happily trotting along you can choose to walk a bit further. This can be a walk on a leash around the block or can be off leash exploring at the local park. The daily walk is not only a good way to release some pent up energy, but is also a good opportunity for training and is great for building your bond with each other. It also provides mental stimulation by way of the sights, sounds and smells they come across and social interaction with other dogs you meet along the way. A short daily walk is more beneficial that nothing all week with a long walk at the weekend. If you prefer you can take your Poodle for two shorter walks instead. Obviously, every dog is an individual even if they are the same breed. For a puppy or a senior dog, the exercise requirements will be different. See below for a guideline for puppy exercise and senior dog exercise. Purposeful Activity and Play In addition to one or two walks a day it is important to provide other activities that can help burn pent up energy and provide enrichment for your Poodle. This can include playing with toys and playing games with your dog. Play games There are countless fun games that you can play with your dog. Chew Toys Chewing is a natural instinct for dogs and has many benefits including keeping them busy and occupying and stimulating their minds. When a dog chews it releases endorphins to the brain giving them a natural calming and good feeling. To learn more about the benefits of and the best chew toys see here. Dog toys that move on their own There are many dog toys that rattle, roll and move about by themselves. These are ideal for your Cockapoo to get them having fun and active play. Play with other dogs Provide the opportunity for your Poodle to play with other dogs. This is not only great to burn energy and stimulate their mind, but teaches them important social skills. Not all Poodles are dog-friendly, so ensure yours is to prevent the possibility of fighting. Tug of War A firm favorite of many dogs. Make them crouch and pull back to use extra energy. Ensure that this is a controlled game and they release when you want them to. Also, a great way to build muscle and strength. Swimming Many Poodles are keen swimmers, particularly Standard Poodles. Swimming is a great exercise for a Poodle as it burns energy and uses all the muscles groups, in particular, the front legs and shoulders. It is a good exercise for dogs recovering from injury. For more on swimming exercise for dogs see here. Stair Walking A good energy burner if you have stairs in your home. Have them return down the stairs at a slower pace to avoid injury. Walking up stairs or a hill strengthens the rear legs as the full body weight of your dog is on each leg as the step. As they descend the stairs they are using the opposing muscles for stability. For more on stair exercise for dogs see here. Backyard agility Set up an agility or obstacle course in your backyard. Poodles are great agility dogs. You can use items you have around the home, build your own agility or you can get reasonably priced agility sets on Amazon. You can include tasks such as the weave, hurdle jumps, tunnels or jumping through hoops or a platform to jump on and stay. Fetch Playing Fetch with your Poodle is another fantastic way to burn pent-up energy. Poodles are generally ball or toy crazy and can play this for hundreds of throws. A great alternative is to use an Automatic Ball Launcher so your dog can play Fetch by themselves. As the Poodle is intelligent and highly trainable as long as you focus their attention they learn to use this quickly. However, it is a good idea to provide other activities that stimulate the mind. Mental exercise can burn as much energy as physical exercise. Many dog behavior problems are a direct result of boredom. Kong toys which you stuff with food and treats work in much the same way. Puzzle toys are great for times when your dog is home alone. A popular game that involves learning is to teach them the names of their toys. Dogs can learn hundreds of words and names. Food enrichment Turn mealtimes into an opportunity for your Poodle to get a mental challenge and enrichment. Instead of feeding them from a bowl, give them activities that require them to work for their food. To learn more about feeding enrichment for dogs see here. To learn more about environmental enrichment for dogs see here. How much should you exercise a Poodle puppy The exercise suggestions above relate to a healthy adult Poodle. The exercise needs of a puppy are quite different. With puppies, their bones, muscle, and joints are still growing and developing. Toy and Miniature Poodles are fully grown by about 1 year of age. For Standard Poodles, they may still be growing for up to 18 months. Overly strenuous walks are not necessary and in fact, could possibly cause harm. An activity that is high impact on the joints should also be avoided The best exercise for a young puppy is free play with age-appropriate toys. Socializing with other puppies or friendly adult dogs is a great way to burn some of that puppy energy along with teaching them the social skills they need. As your Poodle puppy gets older you can take them for short informal walks allowing them to sniff and explore and get used to being on a leash. Check with your vet when it is alright to venture out to the park or street. The general rule of thumb for walking a puppy is around 5 minutes for every month of age. So, for example for a 4-month-old puppy, a walk of 15 minutes to 20 minutes is enough. Monitor your Poodle puppy on the walk for signs such as lagging behind, lying down or panting. End the walk if they seem too tired. Mental stimulation is important for puppies and can tire them just as much as physical activity. For more on mental stimulation for puppies see here. However, it is still important that they remain reasonably active to keep their joints and muscles mobile and to manage their weight. It is also important for an older dog to maintain muscle strength and mobility. This aids in protecting and supporting their aging joints and tendons. This video shows some simple and good exercises to help maintain your older dogs body. Many dogs develop arthritis as they age. Exercise for them becomes a balancing act. It is important to keep their joints mobile and manage weight, but too much can make them sore. In Summary All of the Poodle sizes are a moderate to high energy dog and require a least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise daily to keep them healthy and prevent boredom. This daily activity should include a daily walk along with some purposeful activity and play. It is also crucial that they receive mental stimulation and enrichment to challenge their active minds and prevent boredom. Mental exercise can tire a dog just as much as physical activity. Let us know in the comments how much exercise and what types of activity you do with your Poodle and whether that are a Toy, Miniature or Standard Poodle. Author Joseph Coleman A lifelong writer and proud dog dad. Joseph started this blog dedicated to helping other dog owners find accurate information on how to keep their pets at their healthiest through exercise and nutrition. His passion for all things canine shines through in his writing, and he believes that every dog deserves the best possible care. If you're a dog owner looking for reliable advice on how to keep your pup healthy and happy, be sure to check out Joseph's work. This dog breed is extremely popular due to its looks, lack of shedding, and hypoallergenic claim. No dog is truly hypoallergenic. One of the most crucial parts of keeping a Poodle happy and healthy is ensuring they are getting enough exercise each day. Poodles require up to 60 minutes of exercise per day. Proper Exercise When exercising your Poodle you need to keep a few things in mind. The activity needs to have a duration. You also want a little exertion in the mix. If you and your Poodle are taking a walk, which is one of the best exercises for the breed, then keep up a brisk pace that helps them burn off a bit of energy. Exercise time should be broken up into minute or minute intervals throughout the day according to their age and needs. Just like children, your Poodle grows and changes which means their exercise needs to change with them. They are also full of energy. While your puppy is growing, they need exercise to dispel this energy and avoid becoming too rambunctious. Breaking up exercise into minute intervals is great for young pups. Taking a nice walk helps them get used to the world around them, the leash , and being with you. The important thing to remember with Poodles at this age, however, is that they are still growing. Let your pup play and rest as they need to. A good rule of thumb when determining how much time you should walk your puppy is to use 5-minute intervals per month of age. A 3-month-old puppy would walk for 15 minutes a day. A 4-month puppy would walk for minutes and so on. You can even break the walks into smaller intervals while your puppy is growing into the routine. By the time they are considered an adult, they will be on the right track to getting their minutes of exercise each day. It should be broken up into timed intervals throughout the day. Time guide of how much exercise your puppy needs: 3 months — 15 minutes.
bulldog puppies for sale miami - Known for its natural beauty, vibrant downtown, and outdoor adventures, Boise City is a fantastic place to find and raise your new Boxer companion. Our goal is to connect you with the most exceptional Boxer breeders and puppies for sale in the region, ensuring you find the perfect furry friend for your family. Discover the dynamic dog-friendly scene in Boise City, featuring pet-friendly cafes, spacious dog parks, and engaging dog events. For those passionate about dog shows, events like the Boise Kennel Club Dog Show provide an opportunity to appreciate the beauty and grace of Boxer canines while connecting with fellow enthusiasts. At TrustedPuppies. Most of our reputable Boxer breeders provide safe and affordable flight delivery, complete with a dedicated flight nanny who accompanies your new pup throughout their journey, ensuring their safety and comfort as they travel to their new home in Boise City. Many breeders also offer affordable vehicle delivery, utilizing specialized pet delivery services. This option allows your Boxer puppy to be transported directly to your door by a professional who understands the unique requirements of pet transportation. Begin your search for the perfect Boxer puppy on TrustedPuppies. We are down to only 3 puppies now - the other 6 have gone to their new homes - so only a few new numbers. We will be winding down this website soon, as our remaining puppies all leave for their new homes. Updated July 7, -- We added a puppies at play short video clip, and a picture gallery directly below. These puppies are so adorable! We also added one more puppy to our sold list - beautiful dark brindle Aero will be living with JH starting next Tuesday! The puppies continue their strong growth and are now about 10x their birth weight! Updated June 30, -- Each puppy has a new 6-week picture on the Meet the Puppies pages! Updated June 29, -- The Puppy Growth Chart now has their 6-week old weights, and all of these sweet and loving pups are showing very healthy gains! Also, a weight table and graph in pounds has been added, since the ounce readings are getting so big! Hunt on Tuesday, July 13 and are starting to go to their new forever homes! Ace — sold to KB, and the new name is Ryker for this strikingly handsome brindle boy! Aero — This handsome and playful dark brindle has been sold to JH! Alice — sold to SM, and the new nickname is Kat for this sweet and beautiful brindle girl! Angel — this sweet, adorable fawn has been sold to RW! Apollo — pending until July 16 to MM, who likes Apollo for the name of this athletic fawn boy! Archie — sold to EL, and the new name for this wonderful and loving brindle boy is Bodie! Arie — This beautiful, loving fawn has been sold to KM! Arlo — pending until July 16 to CM, who likes Arlo as the name but is still thinking about other names for this handsome brindle boy! Astro — This beautiful and loving brindle boy has been sold to MR! The puppies are full of energy! Here they are playing at 7 weeks - July 7, .Click the play arrow, lower left Here are a few pictures at 7 weeks - July 7, We are a family in Eagle, Idaho. These amazing puppies were born on May 18, .We are taking reservation deposits now, and they will be available for their forever homes at 8 weeks or older — Wednesday July 14, or later they are getting their 8 week puppy shots with Dr. Hunt on July .Sweet, loving, beautiful puppies from absolutely wonderful parents! Pile of Puppies - A Week Old Arie at 24 days old - June 10 Apollo - 30 days - June 16 Aero - 30 days - June 16 Ace at 6 weeks - June 30, Aero at 6 weeks - June 30, Alice at 6 weeks - June 30, Angel at 6 weeks - June 30, Apollo at 6 weeks - June 30, Archie at 6 weeks - June 30, Arie at 6 weeks - June 30, Arlo at 6 weeks - June 30, Astro at 6 weeks - June 30, Previous Next Here are a few short video clips taken when the puppies were 3 weeks old and starting to walk like toddlers — a little wobbly. One week later, at 4 weeks they were confident little runners! So fun to watch the rapid growth and development of these loving little pups. Mommy Meekah is teaching her 4-week old puppies how to play! This is the dry food we are feeding our wonderful puppies. The "Large Breed" means the adult weight is expected to be over 50 lbs. Our local stores are frequently sold out of this puppy food, but it is readily available online at Amazon, WalMart and many others. We also feed the wet food below. This is the wet canned food we use - we mix dry food, wet food, and water for feedings four times each day. The puppies have a bowl of water, and a bowl of dry food in their pen at all times. This canned food is also frequently sold out at our local stores, but is readily available by the case online.
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bulldog puppies for sale miami - Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. What to Feed German Shepherd Puppies: A Healthy Feeding Guide One of the first things you need to know about what to feed German Shepherd puppies is, right from the start, to choose a high-quality puppy-specific food for large breed puppies. What to feed German Shepherd puppies—feed German Shepherd puppies a diet that is: Specifically created for large-breed puppies. What do German Shepherd puppies eat? New owners are given a host of choices when bringing home their new pups. You can choose to offer one or the other, or even opt for mixed feeding. Dry Kibble Kibble is the most popular and economical choice for German Shepherd puppies. Plus, the major manufacturers offer a complete and balanced diet in many different flavors, with or without grains, and even limited ingredient diets. Kibble can be moistened either with water or broth. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of kibble when it comes to feeding German Shepherd puppies: Advantages Easy to purchase at most stores and online. Keeps for longer than other food options. Quick and simple to serve with little clean up. Disadvantages Can be difficult for some puppies to chew, causing them to not eat enough. Wet Food Here are some advantages and disadvantages of feeding German Shepherd puppies wet food : Advantages Softer and potentially more palatable for picky eaters. Contains more water content than dry food, which can help keep your puppy hydrated. Can leave dogs feeling fuller for longer due to the water content. Can be more expensive than kibble in the long run. Requires more preparation time. Mixing Dry Kibble and Wet Foods Feeding our German Shepherd puppies is no easy task, and deciding between wet and dry puppy food can leave us scratching our heads. But what if we told you there was a middle ground? Mixing wet and dry puppy foods can be an option worth considering, but it comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Wet food contributes to increased water intake, ensuring your furry friend stays well-hydrated. Allows you to provide a diverse array of nutrients, contributing to a balanced diet for your growing German Shepherd. Disadvantages Might make it trickier to regulate portion sizes accurately, potentially leading to overfeeding and weight issues. These diets exclude foods that have been cooked or processed in any way. There are also some advantages and disadvantages to feeding a German Shepherd puppy a raw food diet: Advantages Raw diets consist of uncooked, fresh ingredients that retain their natural nutrients, potentially promoting better health for your puppy. Some puppies with food sensitivities might find relief on a raw diet as it eliminates common allergens found in processed foods. Disadvantages Preparing a balanced raw diet requires careful planning to ensure your pup gets all the necessary nutrients in the right proportions. Raw diets carry a higher risk of bacterial contamination, potentially affecting both your pup and you. Sourcing high-quality ingredients and properly storing them can be costly and time-consuming. Homemade Diets For large breed puppies, like German Shepherds, homemade diets must be carefully formulated, just like commercial foods. To create a homemade diet recipe specifically for your dog, it is preferable to consult a veterinarian who holds a board certification in veterinary nutrition. Unfortunately, research has shown that many well-intentioned dog owners still overfeed or give their dogs an unbalanced diet, which can be harmful. By cooking at home, you can skip additives and preservatives often found in commercial dog food. Disadvantages Without proper knowledge and planning, homemade meals may lack essential nutrients, leading to nutritional imbalances. Preparing homemade food demands time and effort, which might be challenging for busy pet parents. Mishandling raw ingredients can lead to contamination, causing health issues for your puppy. Remember, these charts help provide a guideline, but each dog is an individual. For example, if your dog has had a busy day of training and playing, they may need a few extra calories for dinner. This helps ensure they are growing as expected, and if not, you may need to alter the recommended feeding amount. As a rule of thumb, most German Shepherd puppies will eat as follows in this chart: Age. How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. When should I change my German Shepherd puppy to adult food? Discover the online program that more than 57, dog owners have used to rapidly transform their dog into a well-behaved, obedient furry friend. This is a very controversial topic. I'll bet if you asked 10 dog owners this question you'd get 10 different answers. Growing puppies should only be fed a high quality puppy diet which you need to continue feeding until your dog reaches 80 to 90 percent of his anticipated adult weight. For many German Shepherd puppies, this occurs usually around 8 to 9 months of age. Keep in mind that individual German Shepherd puppies growth rates will vary greatly from dog to dog. If your puppy is growing exceptionally quickly, you might want to ask your vet about switching your GSD puppy to adult food even sooner. And how will you know if your puppy is growing faster than most, you may ask? Well, for one thing I would check with your own GSD breeder. And if you didn't get your German Shepherd puppy from a breeder, for example, if you got your puppy from a rescue organization or from a shelter or maybe some other source I would then suggest speaking with your veterinarian about your pups growth rate and when the change in diet should occur. You may wonder why you don't just start feeding your puppy adult food in just one meal or so. That's just asking for trouble. There's a really good reason for this slow transition from one type of dog food to another - to avoid upsetting your dog's intestinal tract or causing diarrhea. If you were to just drastically switch from one food to another without this transition period you will have runny poops and just overall messy poops and a puppy with an upset stomach. And this can be easily avoided by following the transition as suggested above. And for adult GSD's, I always suggest feeding a good quality dry food only. You don't need to supplement a good quality dry dog food with any type of canned food. A good dry food is an excellent choice for a growing German Shepherd in many respects and it is very beneficial to their teeth as canned foods can cause many problems with tooth decay. What puts man in a higher state of evolution is that he has got his laugh on the right end. Your puppy should have access to clean water throughout the day, but it should be taken away at night. Puppies between the ages of eight and twelve weeks benefit from being fed three or four times per day. Any changes in the amount of food a puppy consumes should be implemented gradually. A German shepherd puppy needs a lot of food between 6 and 8 months to grow into an adult. Adult food provides numerous superfluous nutrients that the puppy does not need at that time. Feed him tiny servings of puppy food per day. After a year, you can switch him to adult food. It is recommended to feed your dog as directed by the manufacturer. These instructions may vary by brand and composition. Make sure your dog stays fit. To feel the spine, ribs, and pelvic bones. A noticeable waistline is a must. German Shepherds are capable of consuming a wide variety of human meals, including beef, chicken, pig, turkey, salmon, tuna, and eggs. Fruits and vegetables such as apples, bananas, berries, carrots , peas, and pumpkins are also permitted. Additionally, you can feed your GSD additional foods such as rice and noodles, yogurt, and cheese. This procedure should take two to four weeks to finish. Supplements should be avoided since they may add too many nutrients to the diet that are already there. If you wish to provide a treat, eggs, cooked vegetables, or yogurt are excellent additives for improved digestion or flavor variation. Although it is natural for young German shepherd pups to be hungry, persistent hunger should be a matter of concern. Worms can make your dog be ever hungry. Carol is a paw parent, and her love for dogs started when she was just 5. She adores her two German Shepherds and a Bengal cat, who she says, "life would be incomplete without" Recent Posts. Just a few months ago, your little ball of fluff was tumbling around, getting into mischief. This article will help you determine when to switch your puppy to adult dog food, how puppy and adult dog foods differ , how to select the best adult dog food, and how to transition foods smoothly to ensure that your pup is set up for a life of good health. According to AAFCO, puppy foods should be higher in protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorous than adult dog foods. These macronutrients and minerals help support lean muscle and bone growth. They also provide enough caloric density to enable the puppy to grow and perform basic bodily functions such as breathing, digestion, and movement. Many puppy food manufacturers also include higher amounts of compounds like omega-3 fatty acids to support proper brain and eye development as your puppy ages. Large-breed puppies need specially formulated puppy foods that contain less fat , calcium, and phosphorous to moderate their rate of growth. This helps prevent skeletal diseases such as elbow and hip dysplasia that can result from growing too quickly. You need to ensure that your puppy has the extra protein, fat, and minerals they need to support their growth and development and prevent various bone, joint, brain, and eye disorders. But aside from breed size, you also need to consider whether they are spayed or neutered or if they are a highly active dog that needs more calories. Breed Size Because of their faster growth rate, smaller breeds such as Chihuahuas , Yorkshire Terriers , and Pugs reach adult size sooner than larger breeds such as Golden Retrievers , German Shepherds, and Dalmatians. The guidelines below will help you to determine when to start feeding adult dog food: Small breeds under 25 pounds when fully grown reach adult size at months of age. These breeds will be ready for adult dog food at months of age. Medium-sized breeds such as English Springer Spaniels , Australian Shepherds , and Border Collies are pounds when fully grown, and they reach adult size at months of age. With growth rates between those of small breeds and large breeds, medium-sized dogs will be ready for adult dog food around months of age. Large breeds are over 50 pounds when fully grown. There are many large breed dogs, from the Boxer to the Great Dane , so the point at which these breeds reach mature size and weight can vary between 15 and 24 months of age. With the wide range of breeds under this category and a generally slower rate of growth, these dogs will need to stay on puppy food until they are months old to ensure they have enough protein and other nutrients during this stage. They also need to get those nutrients in the proper ratio to support the growth and proper development of their larger skeletons. Activity Level Athletic dogs may benefit from staying on puppy formulas longer, as the extra protein supports lean muscle growth and function, and the extra fat and higher caloric density can allow energy for high-intensity activities. Spaying or Neutering Breed size is not the only factor when determining when to transition your puppy to adult dog food. Because puppy foods contain a higher calorie density, feeding the correct amount during the remaining months of puppyhood is very important to prevent obesity as the puppy matures into an adult. Spaying or neutering does not usually slow the growth rate of your puppy, but it may affect the growth plates in the bones of large breed puppies, setting them up for joint problems later in life. In addition, unspayed female dogs who will be bred early in life may need to stay on puppy food longer to support gestation and lactation following whelping. Switching Too Early or Too Late Because the timing of switching your puppy to adult dog food is so important, there can be negative consequences from both switching too late and switching too early. Dogs that are taken off puppy food too late may be more predisposed to obesity and associated health problems later in life, given the fact that puppy formulas have more fat and calories per cup than adult dog formulas. The extra protein and calories in puppy foods can also increase the rate of growth in certain dog breeds if they are not fed a breed-specific puppy food formula. If these breeds are left on puppy formulas too long, they can be more predisposed to developing joint problems in the future. Similarly, if your puppy is taken off a puppy formula too early, they may suffer from nutritional deficiencies and growth abnormalities, failing to reach adult size around the expected time and increasing their risk of future bone, joint, brain, and eye issues. How to Pick the Right Adult Dog Food When it is time for your puppy to transition to adult dog food, how should you go about selecting the best adult formula for them as they become young adults? The young adult stage is typically considered years of age, as middle age starts by year in many dog breeds. While most dogs are generally quite healthy during this stage in their lives, feeding them appropriately during their young adult years can help lower the risk of obesity, arthritis , and dental disease as they age. Choosing a Brand The many adult dog food companies are not all equal in terms of quality. Dry Food vs. Wet Food The next step is to decide whether you would like to feed your dog dry food, wet food, or a mixture of the two. Both types of food have positive and negative aspects, and the choice to use one, the other, or both depends on the specific needs of your dog. For example, wet food: Has a higher moisture content than dry food and may be better for dogs that do not drink much water. Has a lower calorie density per volume than dry dog food, allowing dogs to feel fuller on fewer calories, which helps control their weight throughout their lives. Is often more palatable and appetizing than dry food, so it may be a great option for picky eaters or for stimulating the appetite of dogs that are less interested in food. Can be beneficial for dogs with oral abnormalities or dental disease, as it is easier for them to chew. By contrast, dry food: Can be a more economical option than wet food. Is a great option for easier portion control and for dogs that tend to graze throughout the day rather than consume a full meal in one sitting, as dry food will not spoil as rapidly if left out for long periods of time. Is beneficial for dental health, as the crunchy pieces act as an abrasive against the teeth during chewing and help prevent tartar buildup and thus tooth and gum disease. Can be easily used as a tool in puzzle toys for enrichment and mental stimulation. Is be used in slow feeders for reducing the rate at which dogs are able to consume their meals. When your pup eats more slowly, the risk is lower of them swallowing too much air and developing bloat, a potentially dangerous condition. Nutritional Requirements The final step in selecting the best adult dog food diet is to examine the Guaranteed Analysis panel on the bag or can of food and ensure that the formula meets a few major nutritional requirements. Other formulas have glucosamine for joint health or probiotics for gut health. Some dogs are sensitive to chicken and do better on beef- or salmon-based formulas. If you are unsure of the additional needs for your dog outside of the key ingredients and nutrients listed above, consult with your veterinarian. This will help ensure gut regularity with less physical activity. Remember that dog treats and other sources of calories in the diet need to be included when determining the appropriate amount of food for your young adult dog. How to Switch Your Puppy to Adult Dog Food Once you have selected the best adult dog food for your puppy, you are ready to transition them slowly onto their new diet. Because rapid diet changes can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs, such as vomiting and diarrhea , it is recommended to introduce the new food slowly over a period of five days or so. Continue to feed your puppy as many times per day as they are used to throughout this process. If your puppy develops vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of appetite, stop feeding the adult dog food and see your veterinarian. How Often to Feed Your Dog For large-breed puppies, it may be best for them to continue to eat three times per day. For medium-breed puppies, they should continue to be fed twice daily when they have been transitioned to adult dog food. For small-breed puppies, you may consider transitioning them to eating twice daily instead of three times per day after they are fully on adult dog food. This may involve providing more attention and playtime for your dog as they become accustomed to fewer feedings per day. Consider extra walks, extra playtime, or brushing to distract them from feelings of hunger. Some dogs may benefit from high-fiber adult dog food to increase feelings of fullness between meals. Your dog may also enjoy cleaned, raw fruits and vegetables such as sliced carrots, cucumbers, or apples without the core or seeds. If you have any questions about transitioning your puppy to adult dog food, contact your veterinarian. In addition, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist can be a great resource for any issues that come up, and they can help develop the best diet and feeding schedule for your new family member. Featured image: iStock. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Growth and weight The German Shepherd puppy is a popular addition to many households. Sometimes called the Alsatian puppy, the German Shepherd was initially developed for herding and now commonly used as a working dog or pet. This is your guide to providing all the nutrients your new puppy needs. When Your Puppy Comes Home Although they look pretty sturdy at eight weeks old, German Shepherd puppies are vulnerable to tummy upsets when they arrive at a new home. To help them settle in stick with the food their breeder was giving them for the first two weeks minimum. You can then gradually swap over by increasing proportions over the course of a couple of days. However, if they are doing well on their original food, considering sticking with it for longer. To begin with follow the guidelines provided by the breeder, the feed manufacturer or by your veterinarian. This will vary depending on how calorie dense the food is and how it is formulated. Your puppy should be fed four times a day up to the age of four months. After this age, two larger meals at regular times will be sufficient. However, the more often you feed your pup the stronger your bond will grow. Simple sits and recalls, puppy tricks, they all make a big difference to how your dog behaves towards you and feels about you as they grow. What to Feed A German Shepherd Puppy You will find there are a lot of different opinions about what kind of food is best. Kibble and wet food are the most popular, but you do also have the option of raw or homemade meals. Puppy Kibble Great quality, high meat content kibble is my go-to for feeding larger puppy breeds. At the beginning of the day I measure out their daily food amount, then separate it into little pots. Some as meals, and the remainder to use throughout the day to reward good behavior or get off on the right foot with positive reinforcement. The FDA recently issued a notice alerting dog owners to a potential increased risk of a serious heart condition. This is called canine dilated cardiomyopathy DCM. The risk is in dogs eating foods that include peas, lentils, or potatoes instead of grains. The underlying cause of these cases is not clear, but the FDA note suggests that caution should be used in selecting foods with these ingredients for German Shepherds and other large dogs. Canned Dog Food For picky eaters canned food can be more appealing. It smells stronger, and debatably tastes nicer. These diets do not include cooked or otherwise processed foods. However, it may be more difficult to regulate a BARF diet to ensure a slow and steady growth rate in young puppies. If you find this option intriguing, you can check out our article on feeding your dog a raw diet. Homemade Diets Research has shown that in the past, poorly balanced homemade diets have been harmful to German Shepherd puppies. There is now abundant information available to anyone who is willing and able to produce a safe and balanced diet. However, modern cases studies have shown that well-meaning owners may still over-feed or create an unbalanced diet. So, this is an area where you really can have too much of a good thing. As with commercial foods, homemade diets must be properly formulated for a large breed dog. Do not deviate from recommended recipes as provided by a veterinarian. If possible, preferably a vet with a board certification in veterinary nutrition. Recipes published in popular magazine and websites may not be nutritionally complete or suitable for a large breed puppy. Is My Puppy the Right Weight? You can also refer to German Shepherd puppy growth charts to see if you puppy is gaining weight and within the normal range. However, keep in mind that some dogs will be unusually small or large but still be perfectly healthy. Do not try to maximize growth rates as this can lead to health problems later. Ensure that you are familiar with how to assess the body condition of your puppy. The ribs and spine should be easy to feel but not simple to see. My Puppy Is Still Hungry If your puppy seems excessively hungry provide more frequent but smaller meals. Young puppies cannot tolerate going without food for extended periods. With older puppies you may wish to experiment with foods that help them feel more full, and provide low calories treats. Keeping a health puppy active and occupied will help prevent them from becoming overly focused on anticipating their next meal. When should you transition to adult dog food, and how? Still, there are several variables — for example, whether your pup has developed faster or slower than average, the amount of exercise it gets, and any advice your vet has given you. This article will explore these and other factors that come into play when deciding to start giving your young German Shepherd adult dog food. But on an individual basis, the time of adulthood may be closer to ten months or, on the other side, fourteen. After all, you know your dog best. Protein And Fat Must Be Balanced In Any Diet The main thing to be aware of is that when your dog is a puppy, they need a diet rich in protein to fuel their enthusiastic and curious nature — in other words, how much exercise they prefer to indulge in. A good balance between how much your pup moves and how much they eat is essential. Your German Shepherd puppy also requires a significant amount of fat in their diet at this stage to keep their skin and coat healthy and to add flavor to their food. But be careful — too much fat in the diet can exacerbate congenital disabilities like hip dysplasia, arthritis, and degenerative myelopathy. This practice can lead to obesity, and again, hip joint problems. The opposite, not feeding the dog often enough, can cause a deficiency in vital nutrients and lead to dysfunctional behavior. Always be aware that you should strike a balance between good health and an appropriate appetite. Unfortunately, one of the only things to be done preemptively against hip dysplasia is to make sure you get full disclosure of any issues from the breeder or individual you buy your puppy from, and preferably a check-up with the vet as well. Some German Shepherd parents prefer to give raw foods — in degrees that vary from a raw egg mixed into dry food to a total biologically appropriate raw food BARF diet that includes bones, raw meat, and vegetables. Also, cross-contamination from raw meat on cooking surfaces can make humans sick. And finally, the high cost in time and money it takes to maintain this feeding method can be too much to handle. For example, the Food and Drug Administration allows ingredients in dog food like infected animal products , justifying that the heat involved in the kibble-making process kills microorganisms and other pathogens. Add to this all the dyes and other chemicals added to kibble, and you can understand why some German Shepherd owners go with other kinds of food altogether. Also, take into account that the liquid fat applied to dry food to make it palatable can also go rancid quickly, and you might want to reconsider the whole option of kibble for your German Shepherd. Canned Dog Food Is Only A Partial Answer As Well It may seem tempting to go for the canned food advertised as containing real meat and vegetables and no fillers like excessive grain content. And depending on which exact brand you choose, canned food can seem like a sweet deal if you can afford it. Think of how your mouth feels after eating a chocolate bar — your teeth become coated in sugar. The longer you wait before brushing, the more harm that coating can do to your dental health. Final Thoughts Hopefully this article has provided you an essential guide to transitioning your German Shepherd puppy to adult dog food, with attention paid to all the smaller choices involved in the process and their consequences. Proper nutrition is key to keep your German Shepherd healthy and happy. According to Total German Shepherd , all feeding changes should be made gradually to ensure the best possible results. The food recommended by the breeder or rescue organization should be used for the first few weeks to avoid digestive disruption, and kibble should be mixed with a little water. Clean water should be available to your puppy all day but taken up at night. Puppies between eight and 12 weeks old do best with being fed three or four times daily. After 12 weeks, feeding your puppy twice a day is fine. Any changes to the amount of food a puppy eats should be done gradually. Puppies will experience their most significant growth rates between three and six months old. In most cases, this will be around a year old, although larger males might take longer to reach this size. The Happy Puppy Site states that a lot of problems German Shepherds can encounter are due to bone growth that occurs too rapidly. These issues include hip dysplasia. Choosing the right food and feeding the right amount both play a leading role in making sure your puppy grows at an acceptable rate. A raw diet might prove beneficial once your dog has reached adult size. One of the possible benefits is reducing the possibility of hip dysplasia. When your puppy has a growth rate that follows a proper pace, the dog will reach the appropriate proportions when they are supposed to. Even though all dogs run the risk of injury, a puppy that grows at the appropriate rate has healthier bones. Puppy food for large breeds with a high protein level is best for German Shepherd puppies. Whenever possible, it is always a good idea to continue the same brand and essential formulation, but to switch to the adult version when appropriate. You will not only avoid any issues with finicky behavior but will also help ensure that your puppy continues to meet its essential nutritional needs. The outcome of taking these steps will be better overall health for your dog. Then, you will replace half the food for two days and three-quarters for two days, ultimately making the switch totally to the new food. This process should take two to four weeks. This video helps put the process of switching your dog over to another food into perspective. This relatively simple step is an essential way of making sure that your dog is nourished. Avoid adding supplements, because they may add too many nutrients that are already present in the food. Eggs, cooked vegetables, or yogurt make suitable additives for better digestion or flavor variety if you want to provide a treat. Amanda J. These guidelines may vary depending on the brand and formulation. Make sure your dog keeps a healthy weight. The spine, ribs, and pelvic bones should be easy to lightly feel. All GSDs should have a visible waistline. If the food your puppy is eating seems to be leaving them unsatisfied or they do not appear to be gaining healthy weight levels, you may need to consider following up with your veterinarian. Medium-length beef marrow bones can be a tasty treat in addition to their food, especially if stuffed with pumpkin without any spices or peanut butter. However, avoid pork or poultry bones, because these can splinter very easily. Gravy should never be given as a treat because of its potential to cause diarrhea. Another concern is that gravy might contain spices possibly toxic to dogs. Avoid feeding table scraps for the same reason. There are concerns about some kibble-based dog foods that owners should be aware of, according to Anna Burke. These foods include grain-free varieties high in potato and legume content like lentils or peas. Such ingredients increase the risk of canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Large dogs like Shepherds may be somewhat more prone to this condition. If you want to consider this diet, wait until your dog has achieved adult size. Avoid homemade diets, as these are mostly deficient in crucial nutrients that growing puppies require. Melissa Smith notes that timing is everything when it comes to switching from puppy to adult food, and your vet will play a leading role. One of the reasons why timing is so important is because the calorie content of puppy food is so high. This can make the young adult dog gain weight too quickly, in the wrong places, particularly the belly area, where fat can be dangerous. A growth spurt after a year is possible in German Shepherds, particularly males, and your vet may have a good idea of when the growth will finish. However, what about Shepherds that are not purebred? This question is very reasonable, as it is a little more difficult to guess when a mixed-breed is done growing. Compare your measurements to popular GSD growth charts for reference. Consider making sure your vet is on-board as you make the transition from puppy food to adult. Your vet will be able to spot any nutritional deficits that require addressing. Another advantage is being able to ensure the dog has proper bone growth. If your German Shepherd has needs that require a special diet, your vet will be able to provide valuable guidance about the appropriate timing. Even though you might find it challenging to think about obesity when your dog is transitioning out of puppyhood, this stage is not too early by any means. Early prevention is key to stopping many conditions besides hip dysplasia. Both obesity and being underweight can come with their share of problems for your growing dog. Obesity, when unchecked, can not only lead to bone and joint issues but can also lead to heart disease and diabetes. If your dog is underweight, Amber King recommends a high-protein diet with a moderate amount of fat. Follow up with your vet to help uncover the cause of the low body weight. Another possible health issue of concern, according to Dr. OCD is a condition that involves abnormal cartilage growth at the end of a joint. Wobbler syndrome is another condition that may have its origins in overly rapid growth. This disorder is a neurological condition that affects the spinal cord in the neck area, often leading to difficulties with walking. When you have a growing German Shepherd, the right nutrition makes all the difference in their growth and development. Even though it may feel as though the amount of information on nutrition is overwhelming, it is essential. Making the right choices early on will mean greater health and happiness for your dog. A dog that grows at a reasonable, healthy rate will do much better in life. Recommended reading:.