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Elbow Dysplasia Overview Canine elbow dysplasia is a common disorder and has been shown to be more prevalent than hip dysplasia in some breeds. The problem is a congenital, hereditary disease affecting young dogs, usually under one year of age. This mal-alignment causes abnormal pressure or joint loading, and chronic rubbing which wears away the cartilage resulting in severe osteoarthritis. Elbow dysplasia can be broken down into numerous underlying pathologies such as fragmented medial coronoid process, osteochondritis dissecans and medial compartment syndrome just to name a few. Definitive diagnosis is made via CT scanning and arthroscopic examination. Some cases can be treated entirely with arthroscopic procedures. Clinical signs of elbow dysplasia The primary clinical sign of canine elbow dysplasia is limping or lameness. Head bobbing at a fast walk or slow trot is typical of front limb lameness. The lameness is usually not recognizable at a run. Some dogs with elbow dysplasia are reluctant to go for long walks or play for long periods of time. Dogs with elbow dysplasia also have limited range of motion ROM in the elbow joints and have pain on elbow extension and flexion. The limited ROM may cause discomfort and difficulty when lying down in sternal position. Diagnosis of elbow dysplasia The diagnosis of canine elbow dysplasia is based on physical examination, radiographs X-rays , computerized tomography CT Scan and ultimately arthroscopy. The surgeons at CCOR can make a fairly accurate diagnosis of elbow dysplasia and discuss the next steps based on physical examination and simple X-rays alone. CT scanning is often needed for the ultimate, final treatment plan. Arthroscopy is used both as a diagnostic tool and to treat elbow dysplasia. Treatment options for elbow dysplasia The treatment options for canine elbow dysplasia depend on the actual definitive diagnosis. Non-surgical treatments include pain management, physical therapy, nutraceuticals such as glucosamine, and various intra-articular injections. All of these options may be indicated in older dogs, or in conjunction with arthroscopic treatments, but none of the above listed treatments address the underlying problem. A common misconception regarding joint injections stem cells, PRP, etc. Intra-articular injections joint injections are commonly performed but with somewhat variable clinical results. Stem cells, platelet rich plasma PRP , hyaluronic acid HA and glucocorticoid steroids are the typical products injected. Recent studies have shown clinical improvement in some dogs with elbow dysplasia treated with PRP. The duration of improvement is currently unknown, but a best guess would be 6 months. Colorado Canine Orthopedics has extensive experience with intra-articular joint injections and we would be happy to discuss the pros and cons of joint injections for individual patients. Surgical treatment options can be broken down into arthroscopic treatments, osteotomies bone cuts to realign the bones, or a combination of both. Virtually all board certified surgeons agree that dogs with elbow dysplasia require a thorough arthroscopic examination both to evaluate pathology and provide treatment. The arthroscope usually mm in diameter is passed through the opening and into the joint. Joint visualization via magnified arthroscopy is incredibly thorough comparted to open joint inspection which is minimal at best. Bone and cartilage fragments and other joint debris can be identified and removed via arthroscopy. Dogs undergoing arthroscopic elbow surgery have a fair to excellent prognosis depending on the exact diagnosis, degree of incongruency and existing osteoarthritis OA. Nearly all surgeons agree our best defense against progressive OA is to obtain an accurate diagnosis CT and arthroscopic examination , remove any free fragments and minimize abnormal joint contact. Overall, the majority of dogs with elbow problems lead a fairly normal life although some degree of OA is inevitable. Fragmented medial coronoid process Fragmented coronoid process is a subset of elbow dysplasia that affects large and giant breed dogs, particularly Retrievers, Rottweilers, Mastiffs, Bernese Mountain dogs, and German Shepherd dogs. Malalignment and overloading of the medial innermost aspect of the joint compartment are believed to be key in this pathology. Loading or abnormal weight bearing on the medial compartment leads to concurrent cartilage erosions often full thickness and possible fragmentation of the medial coronoid. Diagnosis of fragmented coronoid process and medial compartment disease can be challenging. Radiographs are helpful but not definitive. In our opinion, arthroscopy is the ideal modality for the diagnosis of fragmented coronoid process because it allows accurate diagnosis and treatment of the fragment, as well as cartilage assessment. Traditional open surgery to diagnose fragmented coronoid is antiquated. First and foremost, the surgical approach to the elbow joint that affords the surgeon a thorough inspection is invasive and has moderate post-operative morbidity. Secondly, the arthroscopic visualization of key structures is far superior to an invasive surgical approach. Treatment of fragmented coronoid process in mild cases involves arthroscopic removal of the fragmented bone and cartilage. Arthroscopy is fast, effective, and minimally invasive. Arthroscopic treatment takes between 15 and 30 minutes per elbow and virtually all dogs can be treated on an outpatient basis. In mild cases the prognosis for return to normal activity is excellent. Most dogs return to normal activity within a few weeks to a few months with little or no lameness. In moderate cases, the coronoid process is both fragmented and abnormal in size and shape, cartilage erosion is present on both the medial humeral condyle and the non-fragmented portion of the remaining medial coronoid. In these situations, the fragment is removed and a partial coronoidectomy is performed arthroscopically. An ulnar osteotomy may also be performed in moderate cases. The prognosis for moderate cases of fragmented coronoid process is less certain. If the aforementioned treatments are performed and the cartilage is in fair condition, many dogs have no or minimal lameness and the progression of arthritis is slow. Medial compartment disease In the majority of dogs with chronic severe elbow dysplasia, all of the cartilage on the medial innermost aspect of the joint is worn away, resulting in what is now termed medial compartment disease. Unfortunately, this degree of osteoarthritis is difficult to successfully treat. Arthroscopy can be used to remove any free fragments and the joint. Several osteotomies such as proximal dynamic ulnar osteotomy and PAUL procedure can also be used to treat medial compartment syndrome with variable results. Platelet rich plasma has shown some promise for short term improvement but will not promote cartilage regrowth. Elbow replacement is available, and has been performed at CCOR, but the procedure is new and long-term results are not yet available. Canine osteochondritis dissecans OCD Osteochondritis Dissecans OCD is a juvenile bone disease that can affect the shoulder, stifle, tarsal and elbow joints of young dogs. Osteochondritis Dissecans is a subset of osteochondrosis. Osteochondrosis is a failure of endochondral ossification; the process by which most bones grow and involves juvenile cartilage being replaced by bone. This failure of cartilage becoming bone results in overly thick joint cartilage adjacent to the joint figure 1. The deepest layer of this thickened cartilage is inadequately nourished resulting in cell death figure 2. Cartilage debris and inflammatory mediators are released into the joint fluid and inflammation ensues. Elbow OCD affects young large and giant breed dogs. Limping is the common clinical sign. Many dogs have pain on elbow flexion and extension, as well as limited range of motion. Radiographs are helpful in diagnosing OCD, but CT scanning and arthroscopy are used for definitive diagnosis. Treatment for elbow OCD involves arthroscopic debridement followed by a cartilage grafting procedure called osteochondral autograph transfer system OATS. Artificial cartilage plugs Synacart by Arthrex can also be used to fill the defect. Some forms of biological treatment such as platelet rich plasma or stem cells have also been advocated but will not result in cartilage regeneration despite claims made by some. Canine ununited anconeal process UAP Ununited anconeal process UAP is an elbow disorder most often affecting young German Shepherds, although it can be seen in almost any breed. The underlying problem is not clearly understood. UAP may be associated with malalignment of the elbow joint or a genetic juvenile bone disorder called osteochondrosis. The most common clinical signs are limping and swelling of the elbow joint. Clinical signs usually appear at about months of age. Radiography, CT scan and arthroscopy are used to make the diagnosis. Treatment options include arthroscopy, ulnar osteotomy, fragment removal or fragment re-attachment. Treatment should be initiated as soon as the diagnosis is made. The prognosis is fair to good. Cost of elbow disorder treatments Veterinary specialty care is a double-edged sword these days no pun intended. All major orthopedic procedures are more sophisticated, successful, and less invasive today than they were in the past. These advances come at a cost for the surgeon and client. Fees for elbow arthroscopy includes anesthesia and monitoring, nerve blocks when needed, and routine go home medication. Radiographs and CT scans are charged for separately and should be discussed at the time of the initial consultation. Osteotomies, when required, are charged for separately and should be discussed on a case by case basis. At Colorado Canine Orthopedics we are committed to providing only state of the art, non-compromised pet healthcare. We realize some pet owners may find this level of care relatively costly. However, despite the inherently expensive nature of our work, we are dedicated to providing the highest level of care at the most affordable price possible. We believe if you compare our fees to other specialty practices you will find this true. Back to Top. Elbow dysplasia Elbow lameness: In a young dog, a deformed elbow may be the problem The term dysplasia refers to a developmental defect, where abnormal cells appear in a particular type of tissue or organ. And while hip dysplasia tends to get the headlines for canine orthopedic health, elbow dysplasia can be equally debilitating. Elbow dysplasia is the second-most common cause of elbow lameness in dogs. The first is osteoarthritis, which can be associated with elbow dysplasia. Breed prevalence Rottweilers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherd Dogs, Golden Retrievers and Chow Chows head the list of breeds with a high prevalence of this orthopedic problem, but any dog can suffer from elbow dysplasia. Large dogs are most likely to develop it, but Pugs are second on the prevalence list produced by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Elbow dysplasia is a genetic ailment, so breeders are encouraged not to use affected dogs in their breeding programs. While elbow dysplasia cannot be cured, it can be well-managed. With surgery and the appropriate medical management, many dogs have a good long-term prognosis. Some dogs will start refusing to exercise, with a noticeable decrease in their overall activity level. Dogs with this defect often move by turning their paw inward, noticeably holding their elbow out from the body in an attempt to shift weight off the sore part of the joint. If your dog has elbow dysplasia only on one side of their body, you or your veterinarian may notice their lameness earlier. That is the clinical picture if both elbows are affected but one side hurts more than the other. If both elbows are equally affected, then it can be more difficult to pick up on lameness. Most dogs will try to compensate with a shortened stride, and the range of motion in their joints is generally reduced. Another clue is if you see your dog manipulating their leg by extending and flexing the elbow joint — an action that is often associated with pain. Even with a more stoic dog, owners may notice some swelling of affected elbow joints along with abnormal warmth in the area. In dogs, the elbow joint involves three bones: the humerus, ulna and radius. These bones must all work together perfectly to give your dog pain-free movement in their elbow joint. Diagnosis True elbow dysplasia will not be diagnosed before 4 to 6 months of age, when the growth plates in joints are still closing. Most dogs are a couple of months older before a clear-cut diagnosis is made. Most dogs are diagnosed with elbow dysplasia by physical examination and by doing a thorough lameness evaluation at 4 to 12 months of age. In mild cases, however, affected dogs may not show lameness until 7 or 8 years of age, when arthritis kicks in. Diagnosing an elbow problem requires a thorough lameness exam with radiographs. Flexed views of both elbows can show defective areas and identify early arthritic changes. A CT scan and arthroscopic surgery to look into the joint are used to guide diagnosis and therapy. Treatment As with so many health problems, early intervention is best. For mild cases of elbow dysplasia, the goal of surgery is to remove any damaged tissues, which will often help to relieve pain, at least temporarily. Dogs with moderate-to-severe elbow deformities may need extensive surgery to realign the malformed elbow joint. A new option for dogs is surgical elbow replacement, a very difficult, expensive option. There are several elbow replacement systems available, but they all come with very serious complications. We are still diligently working on improving surgical approach and implant designs to reduce complications. Follow-up rehabilitation will be critical. Prevention For any puppy, but especially ones with a greater risk for any orthopedic defect, keeping the puppy trim as they grow is important. Your veterinarian may recommend some joint supplements right from a young age, even for normal pups, and they will encourage moderate exercise. This is when your dog repetitively jumps down off the bed, off the couch, out of your car and other similar movements. Going down long flights of stairs frequently can also add trauma. Many breeders recommend that puppies avoid more than 2 or 3 stairs until 6 months of age or older since the potential for damage is worse for puppies than for adult dogs. Rigorous use of screenings for breeding animals with full public information is currently the best bet for decreasing cases of elbow dysplasia. Normal parents may produce elbow problems, but the incidence is much lower than if one or both parents have bad elbows themselves. He personally recommends taking action as soon as possible to detect pain and lameness early, perform an arthroscopic coronoidectomy, followed by intensive non-surgical supportive care. It has been a humbling experience," he says. I believe it is arrogant to think we can fix it once the problem develops. Some dogs feel very sore with a Grade 1 diagnosis, whereas others rated Grade 3 are minimally lame. Grade 1: Minimal bone change along the anconeal process of their ulna at less than 2 mm Grade 2: Additional bone proliferation along the anconeal process 2—5 mm and subchondral bone changes trochlear notch sclerosis Grade 3: Well-developed degenerative joint disease with bone proliferation along the anconeal process being greater than 5 mm There are three other processes that describe specific types of bony defects in the elbow: fragmented medial coronoid process FCP , osteochondrosis of the humeral condyle and ununited anconeal process. These all fall under the umbrella of elbow dysplasia umbrella, and they all lead to secondary arthritis. Some dogs will be affected on just one side, but many dogs will have problems with both elbows. Fragmented coronoid process is the most common. There is the potential to make them worse, and surgery is expensive. The elbow cannot correct itself. That said, if surgery is impossible for other reasons, then medical-management strategies designed to help with severe arthritis are your next-best choice. Therapies include: Weight management: Simply getting your dog to their normal weight may decrease their pain dramatically. Exercise: Moderate exercise moves the joint and builds cushion. Be sure to use proper warm-up and cool-down periods. For example, if your dog loves to play ball, a minute walk will help loosen their joints so that they can move more freely. Laser treatments, TENs transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation , ice therapy and acupuncture may be worth trying. Pain medications: Your veterinarian may recommend a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSAID , such as carprofen, to help keep your dog comfortable. Joint supplements: Ingredients like glucosamine, hyaluronic acid and chondroitin encourage healthy cartilage and increased joint fluid, which help act as cushions. Work with your veterinarian to choose the best supplement for your dog. Injectables: Adequan is another injectable drug that could help with the accompanying osteoarthritis and pain. Injecting platelet-rich plasma PRP into the joint has also been used with some success in canine elbow dysplasia. Synovetin OA is a new, injectable medication that uses electron therapy to target macrophages and synoviocytes in the painful elbow. It must be injected directly into the affected joint. References 1. Clinical and pathological effects Elbow dysplasia ED is a general term that encompasses five distinct anatomical problems, outlined below, that tend to result in malformation of the elbow joint that leads to early-onset osteoarthritis, of which fragmented medial coronoid process FMCP is one. Ununited anconeal process UAP : The anconeal process is a protrusion of the top of the ulna. Developmentally, it starts as a separate bone which should fuse to the ulna. UAP occurs when this fusion fails to happen. Osteochondrosis dissecans OCD : In OCD an area of joint cartilage develops abnormally or becomes damaged leading to thickening, cracking and fragmentation of the cartilage. Elbow incongruity IC : Dogs with IC have malformed articular surfaces of the three bones that make up the elbow and because of this they do not fit together normally. It can affect the weight-bearing surfaces between the humerus and the radius and ulna and also the way in which the upper part of the ulna fits inside the lower end of the humerus Schwarz .Ununited medial epicondyle UME : This is an uncommon condition in which the medial epicondyle, a bone on the end of the humerus, fails to unite with the humerus during development. At their upper ends, the radius and part of the ulna form a flattened surface that bears the load imposed by the humerus. Most of this articular surface is on the radius but two parts of the ulna are involved: the medial towards the inside of the leg and lateral towards the outside coronoid processes. Figure 1. The three bones of the elbow joint separated and in normal alignment. In a healthy canine elbow joint the ulna and radius form a flat surface for articulation with the humerus. Image property of Phil Witte, to whom we are grateful for permission to reproduce it here. Figure 2. A diagram of the upper end of the ulna illustrating the locations of the coronoid and anconeal processes. The medial coronoid process MCP is located towards the inside of the leg. At birth the medial coronoid process MCP is composed of cartilage. In dogs with an FMCP this cartilage does not turn into bone in the normal way a process called endochondral ossification. There are different theories as to why as outlined below. For a healthy elbow joint it is vital among other things for the ulna and the radius to grow together and create a flat articular surface with the humerus. One theory is that FMCP is caused by the radius not growing in coordination with the ulna, so that the weight passing down from the humerus rests largely and abnormally on the coronoid processes of the ulna. More weight goes medially and this pressure prevents endochondral ossification Ubbink et al .Figure 3. Uncoordinated growth of the elbow joint. If the radius blue is too short relative to the ulna purple , the humerus green applies excessive pressure on to the coronoid processes blue arrow in the diagram , rather than it being distributed evenly across both radius and ulna. The coronoid processes therefore develop abnormally and are prone to fragmentation Image property of Phil Witte, to whom we are grateful for permission to reproduce it here. Another possibility is that abnormal development of the tracheal notch an aspect of elbow IC causes abnormal pressure on the medial coronoid processes MCP and abnormal endochondral ossification in them Wind and Packard a, Wind and Packard b, Ubbink et al .The damaged MCP then does not properly undergo the process that should turn its cartilage into bone endochondral ossification Grondalen and Grondalen , Olsson .Trauma is also a possible cause of the initial damage Guthrie et al .Pieces of bone and cartilage may break off, with these fragments floating in the joint or becoming embedded elsewhere within it. Holes may also be seen in the cartilage. Figure 4. In cases of FMCP, the medial coronoid process breaks off from the ulna as shown in this radiograph. Image property of Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists, to whom we are grateful for permission to reproduce it here. Figure 5. A Computed Tomography CT image shows a cross section of the elbow joint, and illustrates the fracture of the medial coronoid process blue arrow from the ulna. The pathology may be somewhat different in different breeds. In the Labrador it tends to be the lateral side of the MCP that breaks but this is held in place by the radius Hazelwinkel .Associated with FMCP there is often a lesion on the adjacent cartilage of the humerus. It has been suggested that both these changes should be encompassed within the term medial compartment disease Kramer et al .Dogs with FMCP develop osteoarthritis degenerative joint disease in the elbow. In osteoarthritis there are progressive changes to the joint cartilage, varying amounts of inflammation and ongoing damage to other joint structures - the joint capsule, joint fluid and surrounding bone. These changes are often present by months of age and lead to clinical signs later. Typical signs include: stiffness after rest, lameness which can be worse after exercise and reduced mobility of the joint, with the leg tending to be held twisted outwards abducted and suppinated. Such signs are indistinguishable from those shown in other forms of elbow dysplasia and imaging of the joint is usually needed to make a definitive diagnosis Schwarz .Affected dogs may be treated with rest and pain-killers, and often treatment needs to be life long. Various surgical procedures have been recommended but there is no clear consensus as to which is best. Some of these procedures involve major surgery, including removing whole sections of the ulna in order to shorten it Burton and Owen b. The male bias may be associated with the greater weight of males Hazelwinkel .Return to top 2. Intensity of welfare impact MCPF causes pain and disability associated with osteoarthritis. This can vary from mild to severe. Welfare may also be affected as a result of the veterinary investigations and treatments of the disease. Figure 6a Figure 6b Figure 6a and b. Osteoarthritic changes to the shape and structure of the elbow joint secondary to FMCP. The shaded areas on figures 6a extended elbow and 6b flexed elbow represent secondary changes to the bones as a result of FMCP. Return to top 3. Duration of welfare impact The mild to severe pain and disability seen in this disease can be expected to start during the first few months of life and, without successful treatment, to continue for life. Treatment may help but keeping affected dogs free from pain and avoiding disabilities is often not possible Return to top 4. In their studies of inheritance of elbow dysplasia, Guthrie and Pidduck found that 1. Diagnosis FMCP will be suspected by a veterinary surgeon when presented with a Labrador showing forelimb pain and elbow disease. Determining the type of elbow disease, its extent and the degree of secondary osteoarthritis requires further diagnostic procedures. In other cases there are typical secondary changes of osteoarthritis than lead to FMCP being suspected Burton and Owen a. Magnetic resonance imaging MRI or computerised tomography CT scanning are more sensitive methods of detection and are increasingly being used Burton and Owen a. Exploratory surgery is used to find fragments of bone, this is both diagnostic and can be therapeutic. This surgery may be via an arthroscope a small fibre optic instrument to look directly into the joint through a small key-hole incision van Ryssen and van Bree .It has been suggested that the best combination of diagnostic tests is CT plus arthroscopy Moores et al .Return to top 6. Maki et al gave a figure of 0. The heritability probably varies according to the breeding line of the individual; Ubbink et al found heritability varied from 0. Multiple genes are involved in the condition Padgett et al .Efforts to identify the genes involved in FMCP are underway but, as with other forms of elbow dysplasia, these are complicated by the difficulty of identifying animals that are definitely free of the disease Clements , Salg .Although different forms of elbow dysplasia sometimes occur together in some individuals sometimes Meyer-Lindenberg et al they are probably not linked genetically or pathogenically so should be considered separately when searching for genetic causes Innes .It is known that the father and mother contribute equally to the likelihood of the development of elbow dysplasia Maki et al .Return to top 7. How do you know if an animal is a carrier or likely to become affected? Affected dogs should not be used for breeding. Affected puppies can be produced from apparently normal parents Hazelwinkel and Nap .Determining carriers - those which carry and may pass on the gene s but which do not show signs of the disease themselves - is not currently possible. Return to top 8. Methods and prospects for elimination of the problem A voluntary scheme for grading the elbows of dogs susceptible to elbow dysplasia all forms has been operating in the UK since although it has been suggested that breeder uptake is relatively low Sampson .Radiographs taken by a local veterinary surgeon are forwarded to veterinary radiologists on the scheme panel for assessment. Each elbow is graded , with zero meaning that no evidence of elbow dysplasia was seen. If the two elbows have different grades the higher of the grades is the one used for the dog. The scheme recommends that dogs used for breeding should have grades of zero or one and that those with higher scores are not bred from. No evidence has yet been published as to whether this scheme is reducing elbow dysplasia in the Labrador. A comparable scheme, run in Sweden since , requires that all Labradors are screened in order to be allowed onto the breeding register Hedhammar and Malm .This scheme has reduced the prevalence of elbow dysplasia in Bernese Mountain dogs Swenson et al , Malm et al but data are not available on its impact in Labradors. Like other complex, multi-gene diseases in which environmental factors also play a part, good progress in reducing the prevalence of FMCP is likely to be aided by greater knowledge of the underlying genetics. One approach is to breed from dogs that have better breeding value see below than average for the breed Sampson .This takes account of both the individual being evaluated and its relatives Malm et al .Out-breeding Labradors with breeds known to have a much lower prevalence of FMCP and elbow dysplasia ED in general may lead to fewer dogs being born with a lifetime of painful joint problems before them. Return to top 9. Written by Dr. It occurs when the bones that make up the elbow joint don't come together just right, leading eventually to painful movement in the forelimb. The elbow is made up of the humerus the long bone of the upper forelimb , which communicates at the joint with the radius and ulna the two bones that comprise the lower forelimb below it. All these bones need to fit together just right for the elbow to withstand a lifetime of wear and tear. When they don't, "elbow dysplasia" is the descriptive term applied to the condition and its resulting symptoms. To make matters even more confusing, a variety of diseases specific to the elbow are considered different forms of elbow dysplasia: Ununited anconeal process UAP Fragmented medial coronoid process FMCP Osteochondritis dessicans of the medial humeral condyle OCD Ununited medial epicondyle UME Elbow incongruity All these problems may ultimately affect the elbow because the joint just wasn't "made right. Because arthritis also known as "ostoearthritis" and synonymous with joint inflammation is the result of the uncomfortable movement when the bones of the joint aren't properly aligned, this problem is sometimes confused by owners as a normal process of aging dogs. Nonetheless, the joint malformation that causes elbow dysplasia is the most common underlying cause of elbow arthritis in dogs of all ages. So think of the arthritis as a symptom we need to treat--not as the cause itself. Though trauma to the elbow can lead to the same kinds of changes to the elbow produced by elbow dysplasia, this disease is most commonly the result of genetic factors that lead to less than optimal joint conformation. Symptoms and Identification Dogs affected with elbow dysplasia may show signs of mild to moderate pain and lameness in the forelimbs as early as four months of age. But some will not show signs of this disease until later in life. Both elbows are typically involved, but one may be much more grievously affected. The timing of the symptoms' arrival is typically related to the severity of the joint's abnormality. Dogs who show no signs until later in life are typically those who have already developed arthritis inflammation in the joint from uncomfortable rubbing of the joint's misaligned components. Diagnosis of elbow dysplasia is typically arrived at through X-rays confirming visible changes to the joint. But a history of front-limb lameness in a young dog or palpable thickening of the elbow evidence of arthritis usually raises the alarm. CT scans of the area can also be very helpful to identify the exact version of elbow dysplasia present, but a surgical exploratory usually through arthroscopy, but also through open-joint surgery is considered the best way to determine the extent of the joint's damage. Affected Breeds Large breed dogs are most affected. The elbow joint is a Figure 1; The lower bones of the elbow of the dog. The radius is at the front and the ulna at the back. If the 3 bones do not fit together perfectly due to growth abnormalities, abnormal weight distribution on areas of the joint occur causing pain, lameness, and the development of arthritis. Elbow dysplasia is a disease that encompasses several conditions grouped into medial compartment disease fragmented coronoid process FCP , osteochondrosis OCD , joint incongruity, and cartilage anomaly and ununited anconeal process UAP. The cause of ED in dogs remains unclear. There are a number of theories as to the exact cause of the disease that include genetics, defects in cartilage growth, trauma, diet, and so on. It is most commonly suspected this is a multifactorial disease in which causes the growth disturbances, Figure 1. Elbow dysplasia is an inherited condition that can occur in most dog breeds but is most commonly seen in large to giant breed dogs. Bernese Mountain Dogs, German Shepherds, and Golden retrievers among others are predisposed to UAP while Labrador retrievers, German Shepherds, and Golden retrievers have an increased predilection among other breeds for developing medial compartment disease. Unfortunately, once the elbow joint has been damaged through either cartilage loss, medial compartment disease or an ununited anconeal process, inflammation and further cartilage damage occurs. Ultimately this causes progressive arthritis of the elbow joint leading to pain and loss of function. Affected dogs develop a front limb lameness that typically worsens over a period of weeks to months. Lameness is usually worse after exercise and typically never completely resolves with rest. Often both fore legs are affected, which can make detection of lameness difficult, as the gait is not asymmetric. When both elbows are involved the dog usually becomes unwilling to exercise for long periods or may even refuse to complete a walk. Diagnostics Diagnosis of elbow dysplasia is usually performed with a combination of clinical examination and x-rays. Usually the dog has pain on fully bending or extending the elbow and often your veterinarian will want to watch your dog walk or trot to detect any lameness. X-rays will typically shows signs of arthritis but may also show the presence of small bone fragments in the joint or an ununited anconeal process Figures 2 and 3. Your veterinarian may also choose to refer you to a specialist veterinary surgeon for more advanced diagnostic procedures to be performed. Figure 2: an ununited anconeal process UAP in an 18 month old dog. Note the large unattached fragment at the top of the joint arrow Figure 3: Advanced arthritis. Note the new bone deposited around the joint arrows and the increased density of the bone under the joint cross. Figure 4: Arthroscopic image of a fracture coronoid fragment arrow with severe cartilage damage to the humerus diamond and ulna cross. Figure 5: A 3D reconstruction from a CT scan showing a medial coronoid fragment arrow Treatment Treatment depends on the severity of the disease in the elbow. In most cases surgery is recommended, but your veterinarian may recommend medical management if the problem is very mild or so severe that the joint may not likely benefit from routine surgery. Treatment will depend on the primary cause of the elbow dysplasia. Often surgery is best performed arthroscopically, but conventional open surgery can also be done. Joint replacement if the elbow is severely diseased Figure 6: Removal of a medial coronoid fragment by arthroscopy. Figure 7: A proximal abducting ulnar osteotomy. This is one of two procedures used to shift weight away from the damaged part of the joint to a health part of the joint. Aftercare and Outcome Surgery aftercare will depend on the type of surgery performed, and your veterinarian will advise you of exactly what is required. In general your dog will need to be quiet and confined for a period of time, usually from 2—6 weeks or more. The outcome will vary between dogs, but in general the more mild the disease and the earlier it is treated, the better the long-term outcome. Most dogs will benefit from surgical treatment even if disease is more advanced, but unfortunately once arthritis is established it will slowly progress regardless of any treatment. Unfortunately elbow dysplasia cannot be cured but it can be well managed and our patients can have a good long term prognosis and outcome with a combination of surgical and medical management.

The Labradoodle has these qualities too. This makes them the perfect family pet. Unfortunately, not all breeders care about producing healthy canines or matching their dogs with suitable owners. Here are five signs to look for when searching for a breeder. Look for a breeder that breeds only one specific kind of mix—like the Labradoodle. Choose a breeder who is unwilling to meet or speak with you about their dogs. They should be eager to answer your questions over the phone and via email. Check out each dog yourself before leaving with a pup. Avoid breeders who keep their dogs in cages or kennels. Dogs kept in these conditions can become neurotic and destructive. Beware of breeders who offer puppies at a very low price. This could signify that the breeder is not breeding for quality but profit. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. 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They Prioritize Application Evaluations Responsible Labradoodle breeders in Maryland should evaluate each submitted application and screen potential owners to see if their home is the right fit for their pups. Approved applicants usually hear back from breeders via email or a phone call within a few days. Limited litters allow breeders to dedicate equal attention to each puppy. Lifetime Support The best Labradoodle breeders in Maryland can keep in touch after new owners take their pups home. Warning Signs of Puppy Mills Since Labradoodles are a popular mixed breed for avid dog lovers, some people prioritize breeding litters for profit instead of health or quality. As a result, puppy mills keep their breedable mothers in cramped, dirty living conditions while churning out one litter after the other. Some common red flags to look out for include: Refusing to answer your questions Selling their pups to pet shops Selling Labradoodles that are less than eight weeks old A breeder with limited knowledge of the breed Giving the puppy to you in a distant, disclosed location How Much Do Labradoodle Breeders in Maryland Charge for Their Puppies? When comparing your top options for breeders offering Labradoodle puppies for sale in Maryland, you might notice that their price ranges vary. Several factors can impact A collar for each puppy. For instance, Labradoodles with a multigen lineage, rare coat color, and excellent health coverage can cost less than first-generation dogs with common coat colors. On the other hand, you may also try to find an available puppy from nearby places. Check out our lists of reputable breeders from neighboring states:. We only breed Australian Labradoodles. We are intentionally small, exclusive, and family-owned. It is our focus to protect the health and future of this breed. Our carefully planned breeding program is dedicated to quality, not quantity. We have a limited number of litters a year and take great pride in breeding these outstanding family companions, for a therapy dog temperament and a teddy bear personality. They are intelligent, intuitive, allergy and asthma friendly, with non-shedding coats. They are affectionate, lovable and make devoted family members. Our puppies are born in our home, in a warm and loving environment with many hands to help. Puppies have started potty-training and crate training before they go to their new families to help with a smooth transition. Puppies are well socialized with children and other dogs, playing, romping and exposed to many different stimuli, so they are emotionally well adjusted. All puppies are vet checked, dewormed, vaccinated and microchipped. Puppies are placed with temperament testing to ensure the best match with each family. Our dogs live in our home or with our trusted guardian families, living their best lives. In addition, they also have their DNA profiles run for positive identification. All our dogs live in our home or with our trusted guardian families. They all achieve the Canine Good Citizen award by 18 months of age. They are our constant companions, well loved and living their best life as we think they should. These admirable qualities among many others make them perfect family pets. They are active, smart and desire to be engaged with the humans they love and live with. They are very eager to please, making them well suited as spoilt family members, therapy dogs and assistance dogs. They are very loving, smart and the make best friends ever. Their eagerness to please and soulful nature makes them ideal as a family pet or for therapy work. They are full of cuddles, fun and faithful. They display a keen intuition about the emotional state of family members. They are non-shedding and allergy-friendly. Coats can be wavy, straight or curly. Our Guardian Program Our breeding dogs are the heart and soul of what we do, and to ensure we are doing the best for them, we want all our dogs to live in wonderful happy homes as treasured members of the family. Our guardian program is a partnership between us and chosen families which allows our dogs to live freely in loving homes with their forever people. Sonali took the time to get to know our situation and make suggestions that ultimately turned out to be right on target. Our family received very personal attention so that our dream puppy could become a reality. We love that big fur ball so much! He has been really easy to train, listens well, and has adapted to our family very nicely. Our experience with Cornerstone was flawless. Olive is such an incredible puppy and we are so blessed to have her. The puppy preparation info and class were very helpful.

Rupert Jones Sat 10 Oct .Read more High demand and the large sums at stake have created a lucrative market for puppy smugglers, who illegally import dogs into the country, often from central and eastern Europe. Some people have been duped out of their cash completely — often by fraudsters posing as breeders and using images from legitimate puppy adverts. Others end up unknowingly buying puppies that are unhealthy and may eventually require costly veterinary treatment, or have behavioural problems. Kennel Club research has also found that almost a quarter of those who bought a puppy during the pandemic have experienced complications — from being charged more than initially agreed or the dog looking different to the one advertised, to the puppy becoming unwell once home or not having vaccination records. One bit of good news is that commercial third-party sales of puppies and kittens were banned in England from 6 April this year — hopefully spelling the beginning of the end for puppy farming. On the p up — soaring puppy prices Labrador puppies. Read more However, a price check carried out by Guardian Money this week suggests that average costs for those breeds are now higher than that and have also soared for other in-demand breeds. We searched for puppies for sale under four months old across all sellers and all locations. The upfront cost depends on the breed and where you get it from. If they are advertising many litters from different breeds, this is a red flag. Fraudsters often give fake addresses, use a variety of different mobile numbers and have multiple ads online. Do consider a Kennel Club assured breeder — to find out more, go to thekennelclub. Do make sure to visit more than once, even if it is via video call because of the coronavirus restrictions. Pets4Homes has a service where a buyer can put down a deposit that is held in escrow until the buyer and seller have finalised the transaction — although sellers can choose not to use it. Do ask lots of questions and make sure you see vital paperwork, such as a puppy contract, which gives lots of information about their parents, health, diet, etc. There is lots of help and advice out there. They visited Athens in August and while they were there a friend took them to an animal rescue centre run by an organisation called Save a Greek Stray. Costs Whippets can be sensitive to cold weather. Exercising your Labrador Another thing to consider is how much exercise will your labrador do? To exercise your Labrador you will need to walk them for at least 30 minutes every day, but this changes from when they are a small dog to when they become older and slower, as is typical with a large breed. Labradors are very active and love playing, so you will also require a big yard in which you can play with your puppy! Labrador feeding guide Feeding a Labrador is essential for your puppy to grow and develop. Labradors require a high-quality diet consisting of protein, vitamins, and minerals. When feeding my labrador puppy vets recommend buying puppy kibble from the pet store because it has been made specifically for young puppies under 12 months old. You should take your dog to get regular checkups where you can check if you are feeding it the right food. What colours can a Labrador be? What colour is most popular? Labrador pups come in various colours — black the most common , yellow which includes chocolate , red and silver. Black labradors are in high demand due to their especially gentle nature around children, they are less commonly used as a show lab. Black labs are also used a lot in country pursuits. When choosing a colour you should consider what you want your dog to do. If allergy sufferers were thinking about owning a labrador retriever then a golden one could be the best option as there would only ever be minimal amounts of allergens around the home compared to other options out there. Living costs of Labaradors Labrador living costs can vary from place to place. One of the most important costs that needs considering is what you might need in order for your dog to be kept healthy and well. The cost of getting a Labrador vaccinated on time after it has been born can vary depending on where you are based as well as how much experience they have with labradors — so always ask around, do some research online or even phone up local vets! You will also be expected to pay vet fees and feed your lab good quality food. For leads and toys, anything from anywhere! Labradors live to be about years old so the cost of raising one will go up over time as they get older. Labrador size also varies! This is where the joints in their hips or elbows do not develop properly during puppyhood, which can cause pain later on. Labrador retrievers are also prone to eye problems including cataracts nuclear sclerosis of the lens , progressive retinal atrophy degeneration of retina cells and arthritis or hip problems later in life. How to purchase a Labrador There are multiple options to consider when buying Labrador puppies. Puppies cost a lot of money, but you can avoid this cost by adopting an adult Labrador from your local shelter or rescue. If you do buy a puppy, make sure to choose the right breeder and location! This will save you future heartache when purchasing a labrador. Labradors are medium-sized dogs that have been ranked as the number one most popular dog in America for over 20 years straight. They are a very friendly large dog. Are Labrador Retrievers Good Pets? Labradors are known to be a great breed of dogs, they are a large and lively breed and make a great family pet. They are very friendly and make good pets for families with children or even other animals in the house. However, there is one drawback to owning a Labrador apart from hair everywhere — their high maintenance costs! They are known as a very active breed and require lots of exercise daily, taking them out on long walks or runs every day will become an essential part of life! If you can not get this type of physical activity into your everyday routine it might be best to choose a more relaxed dog, or something a lot smaller. Do labradors bark a lot? Labradors do bark a lot, they are known as a very vocal breed of dogs and will become more so when they reach puppyhood! If you have neighbors who can hear them barking from your property this may not be the best breed for you. Can Labradors live outside? Labradors are not the best breed of dog to live outside, they are very active and need lots of exercise daily. If you do not have time every day to take them out on long walks or runs then it might be better for your puppy if they lived inside with you! Backyards may be good enough for labradors but they will need to be let out often too. A Lab dog should still spend time in a home environment but if you leave your dog outside a lot make sure he gets regular vaccinations What is a similar breed to a Labrador Retriever? If you are looking for a similar dog to a Lab Retriever then there are many similar breeds to consider! Golden Retrievers, Flat Coated Retrievers, and Cocker Spaniels are all puppy breeds that can be found in many different colours like black, chocolate, or yellow. All of these dogs should have a similar temperament too so could make great family pets for you. When will my Labrador become an adult Labs become adult dogs when they are between 12 months and 18 months old. This is the time when they will start to be more independent but they still need your guidance! Training your lab Puppy When deciding to train a lab puppy you should consider puppy classes. Lab puppies make great pets for families because they love to play with children, labradors have been known to never bite or nip. Lab puppies should be taught how to interact with humans and dogs to assure they are well behaved. Conclusion In short a Labrador dog is a very popular breed of dog. They make excellent pets and loyal companions for humans, but they do come with some costs that you should be aware of before purchasing one as your next canine companion. You may want to consider pet insurance just in case the unthinkable happens and your labrador needs veterinary care or has an accident while playing outside. We break down everything you need to know before signing up for coverage in our blog post on the subject. To summarize, here are the key points we found: The most important thing to consider when looking at rates is whether or not your dog requires any specific breed-specific treatments such as hip dysplasia treatment; if so, make sure that this condition is covered by the plan you choose. Another major factor affecting pricing is where you live — some regions have higher costs of living than others which means prices may be more expensive there too. Should you get a labrador? A Labrador dog is a very popular breed of dog. How much does a Labrador cost? How do I find labrador breeders? How much should I expect to spend on vet bills for my Labrador? How much does a puppy cost from a local breeder? This is something that you will need to discuss with your preferred Labrador breeder before bringing home your new pet. Is my Labrador from a puppy farm? To spot a puppy farm is not always easy, however, there are signs to look out for that might indicate your Labradors parents were kept in puppy farm conditions. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We also shared a few tips on what to expect when buying a puppy. If you follow these tips, you can get a healthy Labrador Retriever puppy for a great price and avoid getting ripped off. Pet Keen advocates for adopting before shopping. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. ChampDogs helps you track down those dogs in your area. You can filter results by location, colours, completed health tests, and more! Gumtree puts you in contact with all the local breeders to get you the perfect puppy without having to hit the countryside. Not only are there tons of local breeders, but with Poolehall Labradors right around the corner, you can easily get a show-quality Labrador! A site like FreeAds makes use of this fact to put you in touch with local breeders. Just make sure to do your homework before forking over any cash. Not only are there are tons of Labrador Retrievers on the site, but many of them are also registered working dogs. Keep in mind that while most of that money is profit, it also goes to cover initial shots, health check-ups, and other necessary things to keep the puppies happy and healthy. Before you buy a puppy, ask the breeder the following questions. References: Before purchasing a dog from a breeder, get and check their references. Ideally, you want to reach out to customers whom the breeder might not be listing. Registration status: This one comes down to the pedigree of the dog. Keep in mind that you need the official registration status for your puppy, not just the parents. Is there a health guarantee? Do get a guarantee of health for at least a few months. Can you meet the parents? First, you should see the genetic lineage that your puppy is coming from. Where are the puppies raised? They Have Tons of Energy Before you bring home a Labrador Retriever , you need to ensure that you have plenty of space for them to roam and exercise. But big dogs also eat tons of food. Full-grown Labrador Retrievers can eat 4. They Are Extremely Smart and Trainable If you want a dog that you can train to do about a million tasks, a Labrador Retriever is a great choice. If you have kids and want a dog, a Labrador Retriever is ideal. There are tons of breeders out there, and the result is tons of Labrador Retrievers that you can purchase! You may also want to read:. Are they good family dogs? Labrador Dog Price — The Costs Involved Buying a Labrador is not just a question of the purchase price of a Lab puppy, though of course that is important. There are other costs involved, both financial, emotional and in terms of time and effort. So we need to look at those too. You may be wondering whether you will have the time for a dog, and if you have the space and energy for a large and lively breed? But this page will take you back to the fundamental considerations, to help you to make the right choice for you and your family. Do you have time for a dog? Can you afford a dog? What about your lifestyle? Will a dog fit in with your family? Is a Labrador the right dog for you? These questions all apply regardless of the type of Labrador you are looking for. The needs of a black Lab, yellow Lab or chocolate Lab are all the same in these respects. The same goes for an English or American Labrador too. Dogs need space, both indoors and outside. Even small breeds need room to stretch their legs and run about. And Labradors as fairly large and lively dogs need quite a lot of space. This means you need a decent sized backyard if you plan on buying a Labrador puppy. Somewhere that your Lab dog can run around, play and enjoy training sessions with you. Labradors can be quite silly during adolescence, bouncing and cavorting in the home. Their tails are long and thick, easily knocking any fragile decorations you might have from shelves. If you have lots of ornaments then you will need to move them to higher shelves to avoid them getting damaged. You will also need to move anything that could be easily damaged by chewing. With small puppies this will be very often indeed. Perhaps every 15 to 20 minutes during their first few days with you. If you live in a flat, or do not have a garden, this will be difficult for you. These are helpful but do take up a lot of space. Although this will take up a lot of space indoors, it can work very well for larger apartments with no easy outside access. Ideally however you do need to have a garden, and a part of the garden which your dog can use as a bathroom, along with a good system for clearing up after him hygienically. Space is key for a Lab dog! The right space for a Labrador includes large clear rooms in the house, with no breakable or fragile objects within his grasp. And ideally access to a garden where they can easily be let out to the bathroom and have room to play. Keeping a single Labrador permanently outside however is not usually a good idea, even with adequate shelter and security. Labs are very sociable dogs and prone to separation anxiety if they lack company. This means your dog may be both sad and noisy. It is always sad to hear from new puppy owners that are struggling to juggle the needs of a puppy with their need to work. These articles will help you to deal with this common issue. Even with a visit at lunch time. An older dog may cope with being left for up to four hours in row on a regular basis, but puppies need more attention than this. Contented Labradors are fairly quiet dogs and unlikely to disturb your neighbors. Nor are they very good guard dogs. However, lonely dogs bark and wreck things. If you work all day, can you afford to pay someone to come in and let him out to stretch his legs and empty himself? Or do you have a relative or friend that would be prepared to do this on a regular basis. Bear in mind that this is quite a lot to ask of anyone in the long term. The biggest long term time commitment in owning a dog is in the form of training and exercise. Training Takes Time All dogs need training in order that they can rub along in human society without being a complete nuisance. This means a regular daily commitment of ten to twenty minutes from you, in addition to your regular interaction with the dog. Training cannot be saved up for the weekend, your dog will have forgotten most of what he learnt the weekend before, and he does not have the attention span to concentrate on you for an hour and a half. You can find out more about training your Labrador puppy here. Staying Fit Exercise is required on a regular basis, for some breeds of dog this means at least an hour a day of walking or jogging to keep your dog fit and healthy. You can find out more about the exercise requirements of a Labrador puppy here. Whilst your dog will not come to any harm if you miss a day occasionally, a daily routine is often the best way to ensure that you build this important habit. Can You Afford A Dog? Dogs can be quite expensive to run. You need to consider not only how much a Labrador will cost you to buy, but also how much it will cost you to keep. How much do Labradors cost from breeders? The price of a Labrador puppy will vary from breeder to breeder, and from place to place. Perhaps you know a friend that has a litter of puppies and they are going to let you have one for free. However, the purchase price of a dog is almost irrelevant. It is such a small part of the final cost. The cost of keeping a Labrador The reality is, you are also going to need to fork out a chunk of your wages each week on keeping your pooch happy and healthy. Obviously you will have taken the cost of a good brand of Labrador puppy food into consideration. It is a good idea to budget for veterinary insurance too. Not because it is unreasonably priced, but simply because it is now so advanced. You can fix a lot of problems these days. We can do open heart surgery, mend complex fractures, treat cancer with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Pretty much anything you can treat in a human, you can now treat in a dog. And the catch? It costs. The more comprehensive your insurance package the more it will cost. Watch out for very cheap deals, as they may not provide continuing cover for long term ailments. You will also need to vaccinate your dog against common canine illness , and this will probably need to be done each year too. Especially if you are wanting to occasionally leave them in boarding kennels when you go away, as they require up to date vaccination certificates. Labrador Puppy Costs There will be a few other one-off costs such as a puppy crate and puppy play pen for your home for when your dog is young, another for your car if you have one. Then there are bowls, bedding, collar, leash etc. But you may be able to borrow a crate or get one second hand. Here are some of the items you will need for your new Labrador puppy, and reviews on the best options for Labradors:.

This post may contain affiliate links. Read more here. When it comes to French Bulldog colors, numbers are like shades in a rainbow. What are the healthiest colors, or is there a certain color best to avoid? What colors are accepted as standard, and what French Bulldog coloring is considered rare or unique? Believe it or not, the wrong color combination such as the case of two Merle parents means a combination of two undesirable genes and can be disastrous for your litter. Health testing is and will always be key. White French Bulldog As the name implies, these dogs sport pale white coat coloring. Various genetic factors, such as brindle, leucism, albinism, and merle genes can all lead to this pale coat coloring. However, this Frenchie color can be just as dangerous as it might be attractive. Photo by Miguel Granero on Shutterstock Your White French Bulldog might face future skin problems, eye and ear issues, and many others. Albino French Bulldog coloring is as rare for them as it is for most other animal species humans included. Albinism is caused by a recessive trait, meaning both parents would need to pass it along to offspring, and statistically said offspring might still only have a 1 in 4 chance of being born albino. Cream French Bulldog Another favorite among the French Bulldog colors, cream presents as a sort of slightly duller shade of white. Cream-colored Frenchies owe thanks to a recessive trait inherited from the fawn coat color line. No distinct markings will mar a solid-colored coat, offering a very clean, pure appearance. Lighter cream edges on the ears are especially distinguished. A darker dusk color rims the eyes and no pinker ticking or pigment in the eye rims like white Frenchies. Colors like beige or tan-brown fall under acceptable limits, but can range from a golden tan to more reddish tan, or creamer to lighter tan. Photo by Ivonne Wierink on Shutterstock Coat is brilliant, short and smooth. Skin is soft and loose, especially at the head and shoulders, forming wrinkles. Coats other than short and smooth are a disqualification. Ticking is acceptable but not desired. Keep in mind that many of these colors will make you ineligible for conformation in many clubs and can come with health risks. Merle French Bulldog Photo by Ksenia Raykova on Shutterstock Being a dominant gene in dogs, Merle creates a beautiful and exotic sort of pale fur pattern with several patches. The Merle gene is considered dangerous, and not recommended for any breeder. You could describe the coat coloring as grayish brown with occasional patches of white. With a grey-blue or reddish-pink nose, this is an attractive yet costly breed for many. Many breeders utilize both a C-section and artificial insemination to produce this color. Some devoted buyers have been known to pay a much higher cost for a valuable bloodline. Is it really worth it though? The recent craze for these designer breeds has driven costs up and yet these dogs are not even allowed to participate in conformation in most clubs. Consider paying for a healthy dog, not a particular color. Blue French Bulldog Another very rare gene code for this blue coloring, similar to the Lilac coloring above. You might call this coat a diluted bluish-grey, caused by a dilute gene. The coat coloring can range from blue-grey to almost black. You might hear about several popular poor health-related issues. Health complications in the blue French Bulldog will usually arise as a result of poor breeding practices. Blue Pied French Bulldog A predominantly white coat sporting clearly marked patches of blue adorn parts of the body and head, or both. Puppies will usually have lighter coloring blanketing their cheeks, legs, and chest. Blue Sable French Bulldog Photo by cynoclub on Shutterstock Blue Sables sport fawn coloration on the lower legs and head with a blue mask and blue-tipped hairs. Like the others here with a blue combination, these Frenchies are also quite rare and costly because unjustified demand makes it attractive for breeders to create all kinds of color variations. These spotted markings are usually only slightly different in the normal coat color, but in some cases there can be a difference similar to a white coat with black stripes. This usually includes the neck, around the eyes and ears, and back. Since the gene is recessive, two genes need to be present for this French Bulldog coloring. Isabella French Bulldog Considered by many to be the absolute rarest of French Bulldog colors, boasting a greyish-blue, liver-colored coat. A dilution in the recessive color genes provides this breathtaking Isabella-blue coloration. Noses can range from a lighter brown to pink , while the eyes can range from light brown to blue. Price tags in this range are almost never justified exceptions being special breeding programs for guide dogs, protection work, etc. They can present with a white patch on his chest, and a darker mask. Black means black without a trace of brindle. The fawn hairs have black tipping this time. In fact, the Frenchies we know today were first bred in s Nottingham by lace makers of that period. When these craftsmen began moving to France in the s they brought their toy bulldogs with them. Though disorders might differ, they share that similarity with most breeds today: very few are completely free from genetic conditions. On the other hand, you can increase the chances your Frenchie will live a long and happy life by wisely selecting a reputable breeder. Make sure you ask questions about the health of the parents and ensure they are all well cared for. Swollen glands can produce an abnormal amount of wax, sometimes leading to increased inflammation. Diarrhea Stomach upset and GI issues are pretty common in the bread. Frenchies tend to be overly sensitive to bacteria like e-coli, parasites, or viruses, often leading to diarrhea as the body attempts to rid itself of these irritants. Dogs get sick and usually respond well, but extended diarrhea can lead to dehydration. Runny, tarry or bloody, wet or unusually foul-smelling droppings are signs there is a bigger problem at play that might need attention. Conjunctivitis Their particular genetics make French Bulldogs more prone to developing conjunctivitis pink eye than other breeds. Conjunctivitis is the medical term for inflammation of the conjunctiva, or the membrane that covers the whites of the eyes. Conjunctivitis is caused by an infection, normally in response to bacteria. Skin Problems Both environmental and food allergies commonly plague French Bulldogs. Things like autoimmune skin diseases or parasites can also pose a problem. Bacteria can sometimes collect around those skin folds, causing issues. Unlike humans, allergies will more often manifest in the form of skin rashes on dogs, causing them to want to bite and itch. Secondary infections from open wounds might be more of a problem than the allergy itself, which can almost always be managed through watchful care. Panting and regular breathing can be problematic, leading to shortness of breath or an increased chance of heat-related injuries. Because they can have difficulty breathing , along with the obvious posture-related issues, French Bulldogs should never be left unsupervised around any body of water. Vacationers should also think twice about any air travel. Discussing any possible breathing issues, and what to do if you notice any problems, with your veterinarian is recommended. Smoking around these dogs is frowned upon, risking their already fragile upper respiratory system. Out of all possible colors, only a select few top are accepted by the American Kennel Club and most others. Pin This: Disclaimer: This blog post does not substitute veterinary attention and does not intend to do so. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist. If your dog shows any sign of illness, call your vet. Post navigation. Cream Frenchies Cream Frenchies have a coat color that is pale or light-colored, which is often described as a shade of off-white or ivory. The Black Mask pattern gives the impression that the dog is wearing a mask, which is why it is called a black mask. Take a look for yourself! The white patches vary in size and shape, and they can be solid or have brindle spots on them. Usually, the white patches are on their chests, however, they can be present anywhere on their coat… their head, back, paws, chest, tail, etc. Not all black Frenchies look the same! While the black coat color is not recognized by the AKC, it is still a desirable and popular color for many French Bulldog lovers. A lack of pigment cells The reason for this is that these genes are associated with a lack of pigment cells which give the appearance of their coats. This affects the small hairs in the ear There are small hairs in the inner ear that are called cilia, and when there is an extreme lack of pigment cells, the cilia may not develop properly, resulting in deafness. Hearing tests can rule out deafness If you are interested in a predominantly white French Bulldog or are just concerned about the possibility of your new puppy being deaf, be sure to ask your breeder about performing a BAER test. Blue Frenchies This one always confused me at first… Blue Frenchies are not actually blue! They have a coat color that is often described as a light grey or silver-blue color, rather than a true blue color. The color is a result of a dilution gene that affects the black pigment in the coat, resulting in a lighter color. Blue Frenchies can vary in shade, ranging from a pale grey color to a darker shade of blue-grey. While there is testing available for Color Dilution Alopecia, there is no cure. The Blue color comes from a dilution gene that affects the black pigment in the coat, while the Fawn color is a result of a Tan or Cream base color. A picture can explain better than I can… just look at my Blue Fawn Frenchie! Merle Frenchies Merle Frenchies have a coat color that is characterized by a marbled or dappled pattern. Not AKC recognized Due to these health concerns, the Merle coat color is not recognized by the AKC for French Bulldogs, and reputable breeders typically avoid breeding Merle Frenchies to ensure the health and well-being of the dogs. Chocolate Frenchies The brown chocolate-like Frenchie is one of the cutest colors out there in my opinion! The chocolate color can vary in shade, ranging from a lighter, milk chocolate color to a dark, almost black chocolate hue. The chocolate color is a result of a recessive gene that affects the black pigment in the coat, resulting in a brown color. As the name implies, Chocolate is a dark-brown coat color that is quite rare to see in Frenchies. Never seen a Chocolate Frenchie? French Bulldog Markings officially recognized by the AKC are… Piebald— A coat with large areas of white, mixed with patches of any other color. Black mask— A black mask around the face that covers the muzzle and eyes. The rest of the coat can be any color. Black markings— Any black patches on the coat, which may be small or large and can appear anywhere on the body. White markings— Any white patches on the coat, which may be small or large and can appear anywhere on the body. Brindle markings— A pattern of dark stripes on a lighter background color. The stripes can be any shade of black, brown, or gray, and may be thin or wide. However, as mentioned earlier, Frenchies can also have other markings that are not recognized by the AKC but can still be present in the breed. Other French Bulldog Markings You might see Frenchies with these markings, but the AKC would disqualify a Frenchie with these markings not important unless you want your dog to compete in AKC dog shows Ticked— this marking refers to small dots or flecks of color on a white or light-colored background. Spotted— this marking refers to small, evenly distributed spots of color on a white or light-colored background. Tan Points— this marking refers to tan or rust-colored markings on specific areas of the body, such as the eyebrows, cheeks, legs, and under the tail. This coat pattern is not officially recognized by the AKC. What Ticked Frenchies look like A Frenchie with a Ticked Coat Pattern Piebald Frenchies The piebald pattern is when there are spots of unpigmented white fur on top of the pigmented colored fur. The truth about most of these fad colors is that they are made by breeding Frenchies with other dog breeds. Believe it or not, these Fluffy Frenchies are actually purebred Frenchies— the gene for fluffiness is just extremely rare. Breeding Frenchies is a lot of work! What makes breeding French Bulldogs and hence Frenchie puppies so expensive is that they require artificial insemination and c-sections to reproduce. Their very slim hips make it very difficult, if not nearly impossible for them to reproduce naturally. Not to mention, vet bills, high-quality foods for the puppies, and housing just add to the cost of breeding Frenchies. These colors are not officially recognized by the AKC. Blue Fawn — This is what color my Frenchie is. While Frenchies may come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns, there are only a handful that are officially recognized by the American Kennel Club AKC. Posted on. Currently the American Kennel Club ranks them at number 4 in their long list of most desirable. These dogs make their point communicating with expressive eyes, energetic attitude and possibly the Frenchie Talk. French Bulldogs are excellent watch dogs who adapt well to family life or single. They don't mind being inside most of the time. They get along well with cats and other pets and they like to make friends with your guests and family who drop by. No wonder this a favorite dog for city life from Europe to the US and beyond. The Frenchie dog breed comes in a variety of unusual colors. This article will look at rare colors found in French Bulldogs like merle, lilac, blue and more. Those colors come in pied only if the mother and father are both pied in theory. Rare colors in French Bulldog puppies can be exceptionally expensive and there is some debate about how healthy a rare colored Frenchie can be. Frenchies are one of the few breeds that come in a bewildering variety of colors. Most Frenchies are Brindle. This is a dark colored coat mixed with lighter color strands of hair and the most frequently found color in the Frenchie. Fawn is a lighter tan colored coat that can range from very light to a dark reddish tan. These French Bulldogs often have a darker face mask and ears with some brindle streaks thrown in for variety. The third most common color in this breed is white. White French Bulldogs have a very porcelain white coat and most of the time come with a darker mask. Frenchies with tan points - black and tan Frenchie, blue and tan Frenchie, lilac and tan Frenchie, chocolate and tan Frenchie etc. Trindles - French Bulldogs which have brindle in their tan points. All black French Bulldogs - with no trace of brindle is also quite rare. The Blue French Bulldog is one of the rarest colors. For that reason alone people pay very high prices for them. There is usually a waiting list for blue aren't so much blue as gray puppies. You can expect to pay twice or triple as much for a blue French Bulldog than the average price for a standard French Bulldog. Blue Frenchies are quite striking however can be prone to Color Dilution Alopecia or CDA ;a recessive inherited condition that causes patches of hair thinning or loss. This is most commonly seen in dogs with blue or fawn coats. The puppies are born normal looking, but the hair thinning and loss symptoms can start at 6 months up to several years later. It is most often associated with Blue Dobermans. CDA is not curable but it's fairly easy to manage. It is important to mention that our blue Frenchie never suffered from any symptoms to his coat. Not all blue Frenchies will be prone to the coat problems however, your vet can help you keep your blue French Bulldog healthy and happy if any issue arises. Blue Frenchies get cold easily - Some owners have stated the blue Frenchie gets cold easily, we are unsure if this is just a myth or based on actual research. Either way French Bulldogs can't regulate their body temperature well. Having any Frenchie in cold climate is not ideal due to their short coat. If you live in a cold climate there are ways you can keep your Frenchie warm. Always dress your French Bulldog with our specially tailored for Frenchies hoodies , Frenchie pajamas etc. The blue Frenchie skin condition can also impact your grooming regime. We have not experienced any of the above with our blue Frenchie. We also know plenty of the standard color Frenchies who suffer from skin conditions and allergies. We are not trying to promote or discourage buying the standard or rare colors we simply don't discriminate over colors. We love all our French Bulldogs friends that come in all colors of the rainbow. What are the different coat colors of a Blue Frenchie puppy? All Blue Frenchie - meaning all blue without any other colors to the coat. Blue Pied Frenchie - Frenchies with blue coats and patches of white or cream on their bellies, chest, legs etc. Blue fawn Frenchie- Frenchie coat that looks like a mix of blue and fawn. Blue brindle Frenchie - Blue coated French Bulldog puppy with brindle streaks. Blue merle Frenchie - a combination of different patches and streaks that are irregular and unusual. Blue and Tan Frenchie - Blue coated French Bulldog puppy with tan points usually around paws and face. A sable Frenchie usually looks like a fawn Frenchie with darker black hairs covering throughout the coat. There are rare Frenchies with cream or tan sable coats as well. Isabella French bulldogs Isabella color in French bulldogs come from dilution of the recessive gene. A Frenchie puppy can be born with a blue coat and mature to a more of a pale greyish brown or golden coat. For a puppy to acquire this rare coat color he or she needs to have the genotype dd. DNA of an Isabella Frenchie puppy will be ddbb which means that he or she will have two copies of each chocolate and blue gene. The Isabella Frenchie is the only lilac that is testable for the chocolate gene therefore some French Bulldog breeders consider the Isabella to be the true lilac. This rare French bulldog color is usually the most expensive due to their stunning looks and variety of rare coats. Isabella Frenchies usually look different with lighter shades of noses and eyes. Why are they so much more expensive than other popular breeds? Most Frenchies can't have live babies the normal way. They have narrow hips that aren't designed for natural birth. The high price tag reflects the expense of artificial insemination and c-sections to deliver the puppies. They also require constant attention and care when they are born. They require many health and genetic exams. These dogs have always been expensive. Reports have it one of the wealthy individuals named Robert Williams Daniel who survived the Titanic had his Frenchie along with him. While Robert survived when the ship sank on April 15th, sadly his French Bulldog did not make it. Many breeders would agree good breeding practices can greatly reduce the risks of genetic disorders that can lead to hearing loss, hip problems, and respiratory illness in French Bulldogs. Buying a well bred French Bulldog can help avoid a lifetime of vet bills and care. You are much more likely to get a happy, healthy dog who can enjoy a full, rich life. Merle is a pattern in a dog's coat. Merle French Bulldogs can have tiger stripes, spots, or patches. These come in different colors and patterns and are determined by heredity and genetics. Health issues can occur when two merle dogs are bred, therefore breeders usually mate a merle parent with a solid coat parent. While Merle French Bulldogs can be quite exotic and strikingly beautiful, this kind of breeding can come with a number of serious problems from skeletal defects to blindness to deafness to increased fetal mortality. This is why it is extremely important to choose a reputable Frenchie breeder. The blue merle is the rarest of colors that exist in the Frenchie breed. They are best described as gray with spots or how we like to call them cookies N' cream. They are so different from the standard common French Bulldog however, being that rare may not be a great thing especially when one considers all the health problems blue and merle Frenchies can have. It is important to mention that some merle French Bulldogs can live a healthy uneventful life. It is critical and essential to find a reputable breeder with good breeding practices especially when considering a rare color Frenchie. Also expect a blue merle to come with a hefty price tag. One of the most in-demand of rare colors is the Lilac French Bulldog. The lilac Frenchies are only produced occasionally and usually by breeders limited to the West Coast of the United States. They have a purple lilac coat color that can be quite attractive. Price is always higher than the already expensive standard French Bulldog puppy. Excellent Lilac Frenchies have a distinct color and vibrant eyes. This happens when they receive a combination of chocolate and blue DNA from both parents. As you can imagine, this rarely occurs. The Lilac coat can range from cool blue to a very classy looking silver and purple hue. Some have white markings on their chest and face. Another rare trait are their light colored eyes. This remains from the time they are puppies throughout life unlike the standard French Bulldog. The rarest colors of French Bulldogs are blue, lilac, blue and tan, and chocolate and tan. Add that Merle coats. A blue merle is perhaps the rarest of them all. In a world where a standard French Bulldog costs several thousand dollars, these rare colors can sell for tens of thousands. Since rare color Frenchies are prone to health and genetic problems , it is extremely important to find a reputable breeder who uses responsible breeding techniques with the right precautions otherwise you may be sinking your life savings into a dog that will be at the vet all the time, will be sick and may die prematurely. Rare Frenchies are just that - rare. Active breeders may only see one every few years if at all. Most rare colors are produced by breeders who specialize in producing them at a more frequent rate. Breeding rare color French Bulldogs is serious business. Most rare color breeders are running family operations dedicated to become experts in producing the highest quality rare French Bulldogs possible. Breeders expect to spend a significant amount of time answering your questions and sending you information. Be sure to ask them questions about the health of the puppy, their bloodline, and what to expect. The Frenchie is sweet and charming. It's no wonder so many people love their little Frenchie. These dogs are compact, muscular, lovable, and oh so smart. They are just right for apartment life and smaller homes with diminutive yards. Rare colors in French Bulldogs are perhaps the most exciting development in this already delightful breed. Rare colors in this breed can come with health issues so it is imperative to seek a reputable breeder who specializes in rare colors which will greatly reduce the risks of genetic disorders. They surprised me. She is now a mom to a Lilac , Brindle, and a pure Black babies. So exciting. I have a six month old male frenchie. When will he be sexually mature to breed? He has a blue tan coat I believe. Do I get a free puppy after? Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Jera Benedict June 02, I have a black and tan make frenchie. I have several female frenchie owners asking what is my stud fee. He is 1 year old. He has the markings if a rottweiler. He has never been sick, has all his shots and was bred by a private breeder a former veterinarian. I have read numerous reports that I should beware of illness and disease. How rare is it to never have healty issues with the Blue Merle? Thank you so much for all the info! Where can I find info about it? Thanks Jules April 13, Very interesting reading thank you! Both parents are Kennel Club registered and Mum has Champion bloodlines. He has really strong red eye in the dark, does this mean he is a true Lilac? Thank you. I had to send AKC pictures for color matching. Frenchiestore Team March 03, Hi Georges, It sounds like one of the parents for your future Frenchie puppy is blue which is a rare color in French Bulldogs. Rare colors in the Frenchie breed can come with health concerns so it is vital you get your puppy from a reputable breeder who specializes in rare colors and does genetic tests etc which will greatly reduce the risks of genetic disorders in your Frenchie puppy. Thank you for your question, we hope we can continue giving you valuable information about the Frenchie dog breed. Thank you for reading and commenting on Frenchiestore blog, we hope we can continue giving you valuable information about the Frenchie dog breed. Gracias Joe A wonderful article. I learned a lot from reading this and gained some insightful information. Thank you for providing. Laurie October 02, Hi Benita, Thank you for the feedback. We hope we can continue giving you valuable information about the French Bulldog breed. We hope you found valuable information about potty training your Frenchie and other related topics that will help with bringing the puppy home. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic French Bulldog Overview Bat-eared but oddly beautiful, the French Bulldog has a unique appeal. Aesthetically, other breeds undeniably are more glamorous and showy, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder and what many behold in the French Bulldog are the attributes that make this breed one of the best companion dogs in the world today. The French Bulldog is small but substantial in build with a powerful muscular body. He sports a short easy-care coat to accompany his easygoing personality. The Frenchie likes to play, but he also enjoys spending his days relaxing on the sofa. That love of play and relaxed attitude carry over into their training sessions. French Bulldogs are intelligent, and training them is easy as long as you make it seem like a game and keep it fun. They are free thinkers and are not an ideal breed for competing in obedience or agility although some have risen to the challenge. This freethinking approach can also lead to a stubborn nature, and if they decide to dig in their heels there is no budging them. Frenchies are loving companions who thrive on human contact. If you want an outdoor dog who can be left alone for long periods, the Frenchie is not the breed for you. This is a dog who enjoys lavishing love on his human companions as much as he loves the same treatment in return. They generally get along well with everyone, including children. They can, however, be territorial and possessive of their people, especially in the presence of other dogs. Socialization is a must for this breed, but with their easy companionship this is an enjoyable task. With a nature that is both humorous and mischievous, the French Bulldog needs to live with someone who is consistent, firm, and patient with all the antics and idiosyncrasies that make him both frustrating and delightful. They can be protective of their home and family and some will try to defend both with their life. French Bulldogs do not need a lot of room and do very well in apartments or small dwellings. A couple of minute walks per day should keep them from becoming overweight. Keep the Frenchie in cool, comfortable surroundings. This is not a dog who can stay outside on a hot day. French Bulldogs are wonderful companion dogs with a gentle nature. If you work at home, the Frenchie is happy to lie at your feet all day or follow you from room to room. French Bulldog Highlights Friendly and playful: French Bulldogs are known for their friendly and playful personality. They love to cuddle and play fetch. Low-maintenance: French Bulldogs are relatively low-maintenance dogs. They only require moderate exercise and grooming. Good with children: French Bulldogs are good with children and other pets. They make great family dogs. Intelligent: French Bulldogs are intelligent dogs and can be easily trained. Adaptable: French Bulldogs can adapt to different living conditions. They are a good choice for apartment dwellers or people with active lifestyles. Healthy: French Bulldogs are generally healthy dogs, but they are prone to some health problems, such as brachycephalic airway syndrome and cherry eye. Overall, French Bulldogs are great dogs for people of all ages and lifestyles. They are friendly, playful, and low-maintenance, making them a perfect addition to any family. They were originally bred to be bull-baiting dogs, but this practice was outlawed in England in .French Bulldogs were then imported to France where they became popular as companion dogs. In France, French Bulldogs were often kept by lacemakers and other artisans who worked in small shops. The dogs were prized for their gentle nature and their ability to adapt to cramped living quarters. French Bulldogs also became popular with the French upper class, and they were often depicted in paintings and sculptures. French Bulldogs were first brought to the United States in the late s, and they quickly became popular with American families. The dogs were known for their friendly and playful personality, and they made great companions for children. French Bulldogs also became popular with celebrities, and they were often featured in movies and television shows. Today, French Bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. They are known for their friendly and playful personality, their low-maintenance coat, and their adaptability to different living conditions. French Bulldogs make great companions for people of all ages and lifestyles. The French Bulldog thrived in France and Europe, and his charm was soon discovered by Americans as well. Males weigh 20 to 28 pounds, females 16 to 24 pounds. French Bulldog Personality This is a smart, loving dog who wants and needs to spend lots of time with his people. Hip dysplasia can exist with or without clinical signs. Some dogs exhibit pain and lameness on one or both rear legs. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Ask the breeder for proof that the parents have been tested for hip dysplasia and found to be free of problems. Brachycephalic Syndrome : This disorder is found in dogs with short heads, narrowed nostrils, or elongated or soft palates. Their airways are obstructed to varying degrees and can cause anything from noisy or labored breathing to total collapse of the airway. Dogs with brachycephalic syndrome commonly snuffle and snort. Treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition but includes oxygen therapy as well as surgery to widen nostrils or shorten palates. Allergies: Allergies are a common problem in dogs. The medication for inhalant allergies depends on the severity of the allergy. It is important to note that ear infections often accompany inhalant allergies. Hemivertebrae: This is a malformation of one or more vertebrae that causes it to be shaped like a wedge or triangle. This malformation can occur on its own or with other vertebrae malformations. Hemivertebra can cause no problems, or it can put pressure on the spinal cord. This can lead to pain, weakness, and or paralysis. There is no treatment for the condition unless there is spinal cord pressure. It is caused when the patella, which has three parts — the femur thigh bone , patella knee cap , and tibia calf — is not properly lined up and slips in and out of place luxates. This causes lameness or an abnormal gait the way the dog moves. The rubbing caused by patellar luxation can lead to arthritis, a degenerative joint disease. There are four grades of patellar luxation ranging from grade I, an occasional luxation causing temporary lameness in the joint, to grade IV, in which the turning of the tibia is severe and the patella cannot be realigned manually. This gives the dog a bowlegged appearance. Severe grades of patellar luxation may require surgical repair. When the disc pushes into the spinal cord, nerve transmissions are inhibited from traveling along the spinal cord. Intervertebral Disc Disease can be caused by trauma, age, or simply from the physical jolt that occurs when a dog jumps off a sofa. When the disc ruptures, the dog usually feels pain and the ruptured disc can lead to weakness and temporary or permanent paralysis. In some cases surgery can help, but it must be done within a day or so of the injury. You may also want to ask your veterinarian about physical rehabilitation. Treatments such as massage, water treadmills and electrical stimulation are available for dogs and can have excellent success. It affects the clotting process due to the reduction of von Willebrand factor in the blood. Occasionally blood is found in the stool. This disorder is usually diagnosed in your dog between the ages of 3 and 5 and cannot be cured. However, it can be managed with treatments that include cauterizing or suturing injuries, transfusions of the von Willebrand factor before surgery, and avoiding certain medications. Cleft Palate : The palate is the roof of the mouth and separates the nasal and oral cavities. It is made up of two parts, hard and soft. A cleft palate has a slit that runs bilaterally or unilaterally and can range in size from a small hole to a large slit. A cleft palate can affect both the hard and soft palate separately and together and may cause a cleft lip. Puppies can be born with cleft palates, or a cleft palate can occur from an injury. Cleft palates are fairly common in dogs, but many puppies born with a cleft palate do not survive or are euthanized by the breeder. The only treatment for a cleft palate is surgery to close the hole, although not all dogs with a cleft palate require the surgery. It is important to get a diagnosis and treatment recommendation from your veterinarian. Elongated Soft Palate: The soft palate is the extension of the roof of the mouth. When the soft palate is elongated, it can obstruct airways and cause difficulty in breathing. The treatment for Elongated Soft Palate is surgical removal of the excess palate. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA web site offa. Regardless of how healthy your dog is when you first bring them home, you should prepare for any issues that may come up throughout their life. French Bulldog Care French Bulldogs do not need a lot of exercise. They have fairly low energy levels, although there are exceptions to every rule. To keep their weight down, however, they need daily exercise through short walks or play times in the yard. Many French Bulldogs enjoy playing and will spend much of their time in various activities, but they are not so high energy that they need a large yard or long periods of exercise. This breed is prone to heat exhaustion and should not be exercised in hot temperatures. Limit walks and active play to cool mornings and evenings. When training a French Bulldog, take into account that although they are intelligent and usually eager to please, they are also free thinkers. That means they can be stubborn. It is important to crate train your French Bulldog puppy even if you plan to give him the freedom of the house when he reaches adulthood. French Bulldog Feeding Recommended daily amount: 1 to 1. NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. For more on feeding your Frenchie, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. The skin is loose and wrinkled, especially at the head and shoulders, and has a soft texture. French Bulldogs come in a variety of colors, including fawn, cream, various shades of brindle — a coat patterned with specks and streaks of light and dark markings — such as black brindle and the striking tiger brindle, and brindle and white, known as brindle pied. French Bulldogs can be any color except solid black, liver a solid reddish-brown with brown pigmentation on the lips and nose , mouse a light steely gray , and black with white or tan. Run from any breeder who tells you that a particular color is rare and thus worth more money. Having your heart set on a fawn female is a recipe for disappointment when the litter contains only cream and brindle males. French Bulldogs are fairly easy to groom and need only an occasional brushing to keep their coat healthy. They are average shedders. Begin grooming your Frenchie at a young age and teach your puppy to stand on a table or floor to make this experience easier on both of you. When you are grooming your Frenchie at any stage of life, take the time to check for any scabs, skin lesions, bare spots, rough, flaky skin, or signs of infections. You should also check ears, eyes and teeth for any discharge or bad smells. Both are signs that your Frenchie may need to see the veterinarian. Clean ears regularly with a damp warm cloth and run a cotton swab around the edge of the canal. Never stick the cotton swab into the actual ear canal. If the edges of the ears are dry, apply mineral or baby oil sparingly. The oil can also be used on a dry nose. French Bulldogs do not naturally wear their nails down and will need their nails trimmed regularly. This prevents splitting and tearing, which can be painful for the dog. Keep the facial wrinkles clean and dry to prevent bacterial infections. Whenever you bathe your dog, take the time to thoroughly dry the skin between the folds. Bathe your French Bulldog monthly or as needed, and use a high-quality dog shampoo to keep the natural oils in his skin and coat. French Bulldogs should be easy to groom, and with proper training and positive experiences during puppyhood, grooming can be a wonderful bonding time for you and your Frenchie. That said, no dog should ever be left alone with a young child. When they are socialized to them during puppyhood, Frenchies can get along well with other dogs and cats. French Bulldog Rescue Groups French Bulldogs are often acquired without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one, and these dogs often end up in the care of rescue groups, in need of adoption or fostering. All dogs will need veterinary care at some point in their lives. French Bulldog Breed Organizations Finding a reputable dog breeder is one of the most important decisions you will make when bringing a new dog into your life. Reputable breeders are committed to breeding healthy, well-socialized puppies that will make great companions. They will screen their breeding stock for health problems, socialize their puppies from a young age, and provide you with lifetime support. On the other hand, backyard breeders are more interested in making a profit than in producing healthy, well-adjusted dogs. They may not screen their breeding stock for health problems, and they may not socialize their puppies properly. As a result, puppies from backyard breeders are more likely to have health problems and behavioral issues. Below are breed clubs, organizations, and associations where you can find additional information about the French Bulldog. And those alert ears! Frenchies are making a big comeback popularity-wise , climbing up the list of the most popular dog breeds in the United States in recent years. If you bring one of these puppies home, you might learn to understand their adorable language before they start to learn your human words. This may not be apparent, as French Bulldogs take to training slowly, but they do love you. They may have breathing issues As adorable as those smooshed faces are, the French Bulldog is a brachycephalic breed , meaning they have shorter snouts than other dogs. This can lead to breathing issues, especially when it comes to swimming or flying in an airplane. If you want to take your Frenchie for a swim , be sure to have them geared up with some puppy floaties, and stay close to them, as they literally cannot keep their snout — or the rest of their body — above water. Some airlines will not let brachycephalic breeds fly. Being in a small, hot area under a lot of stress can make breathing very difficult for these dogs and can even be fatal. As fancy as French Bulldogs are, the jet-set lifestyle was not made for them. Frenchies have something of a reputation for not only breathing issues but also for being gassy. Prepare to grab some non-toxic air fresheners and open up some windows! They can be champion couch potatoes and incredibly playful French Bulldog puppies can grow very accustomed to living in the lap of luxury. French Bulldogs can be incredibly silly and playful. Check out our French Bulldog Puppies What is included in our prices? We provide nanny service to all major US airports for an extra fee. Shipping to other countries is also possible, contact us for more info! PayPal and Stripe have payment insurance which means that they keep your money pending until you get the puppy. We get your money just after you have confirmed that your puppy has arrived in your arms safe and sound! Shots up-to-date worth USD Our pups receive all the necessary shots while they are with us: 1. Deworming worth 50 USD Our puppies are dewormed every two weeks from the age of 4 weeks old and they also get Simparica Trio against ticks, fleas and heartworms right before they leave. Anti-parasite treatment worth USD We give our puppies anti-parasite treatment against all parasites before they leave except for heart worms. Echocardiogram heart examination, worth 1, USD We do echocardiogram on our Frenchies and when we find the slightest chance of heart murmur in one of them, we rather cancel the adoption and find a loving home for them locally. Valer, French Bulldog puppy at TomKings Puppies Membership and right to post in the TomKings Frenchie Family closed Facebook group We created a Facebook group for our adopters where we answer their questions and they share their experiences with each other. We are a Family because we are connected by the love towards Frenchies and we are always there to help and support each other, as well as share valuable experiences and advice! Only TomKings Frenchie parents are allowed to post and ask from us or any other member in the group. Participation in TomKings Frenchie Meetups We organize Frenchie Meetups in major cities throughout the States where you can talk with other TomKings Frenchie owners and exchange advice while your Frenchies are playing with each other. Frenchie Love eBook worth .Lifetime Health Guarantee We give you a lifetime health guarantee on all genetic disorders which cause death, which means that we send you another puppy if your Frenchie dies. We have never had that so far since the parent dogs go through a rigorous selection process before the breeding program and our vet checks the puppies often. We know that Frenchie owners have a bunch of questions about feeding, raising, training, etc. Our goal is to have only happy and healthy puppies so we will always be there to answer your questions! Lifetime vet assistance Frenchie owners have a lot of questions about the health of their puppies and most of the time they run to their vet right away and leave a fortune there for nothing. We even tell you whether you need to visit your vet at all! Health certification TomKings Frenchies are examined strictly before they leave for their new homes and we give you a health certificate which can be used if you want to have insurance for your puppy which we highly recommend. Exceptional care We treat every puppy as a family member from the moment they are born. We believe that the secret of having socialized and healthy Frenchie puppies is spending time with them all day long and letting them run and play in the backyard. Potty training It is crucial how puppies are trained at the beginning of their lives. At TomKings Puppies we are focusing not only on their health but their proper training as well. We start potty training for them so that you have a much easier job! Ultimate Guide.

Save Story Estimated read time: minutes This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story. These puppies are so young that they can't live without their mother. Sometime Tuesday night, 3 male and 2 female puppies were stolen. Jessica Duffy, the breeder's daughter, said, "We have no clue who would've taken them. When she woke up around 9 a. Duffy said, "She's just like 'The puppies are gone,' so we searched everywhere. We were driving around looking, calling everyone. The odd thing is that no one heard any barking the night they were taken. Leading the family to believe the suspect might be someone familiar with the dogs. She freaks out when any strangers are here. They're purebred and registered with the American Kennel Club. West Valley City police say they're keeping their eyes out for anyone selling puppies on the street or online. They say that's all they can do at this point. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story. Buyers say the puppies steal their hearts, then the woman steals their money. A couple came across an online ad for German Shepherd puppies. So that's what they did. The breeder, Lacey Jumper, had a litter of three puppies for sale. The Wimmers fell in love and selected one. But turns out that same puppy was also promised to another family. They would be old enough to go home in five weeks. We have these two beautiful puppies that we're going to add to our home," said Neibauer. Both families believed the deal was legitimate. They saw the puppies, they knew Jumper's phone number, email address and where she lived, and they even got a handwritten contract. But around the time the puppies were ready to be picked up, both families received a heart-breaking call. Jumper told them the puppies had all died after eating rat poisoning under a trailer in the backyard. There's a lot of victims and a lot of money. Robin Heiden "It devastated all of us because we were so excited to get these puppies," said Neibauer. After doling out the bad news, Jumper disappeared. Her email account was shut down and her phone number was disconnected. KSL investigators found where she lived, but there was an eviction notice on the front door. The deposits for the puppies vanished right along with her. A check of year-old Jumper's background shows a criminal history and a long list of outstanding warrants. Salt Lake City Police say at least 12 different people have reported they were scammed by Jumper. KSL investigators found more alleged victims in Delta and Wyoming. All of them made a deposit for a puppy. Robin Heiden. Both the Wimmers and the Neibauers did find other puppies to purchase, but they still hope Jumper is caught. After KSL started looking into the story, someone saying he was Jumper's attorney called. He said all the buyers would be refunded by the end of the week. That didn't quite happen, but so far, five people have received refunds, including the Neibauers, but there are many others still without their money. Police are actively searching for Jumper. If you have any information about Jumper or her whereabouts, you can call the Salt Lake City Police Department at

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Do you want to learn how to exhaust a German Shepherd to tire them out so you can stop feeling worn out and stressed? So, how do they do it? They use essential dog skills, which you can learn easily right here. Below, I will show you exactly how to exhaust a German Shepherd even a puppy to not only tire them out… But to calm them down, too. German Shepherds have one of the highest exercise needs and are considered not only athletic but highly intelligent. These two traits, coupled together, make for a breed that may seem hyper and overactive. Some might even refer to their dog as having ADHD. Instead, they probably need a more creative daily routine to help them meet their breed-specific needs. Can you teach your German Shepherd how to be calm? Calm is hard to train a German Shepherd to perform on command. Being calm is a learned behavior that takes time to master and requires daily interaction and ongoing training to perfect. How to Exhaust a German Shepherd Learning how to tire out and exhaust a German Shepherd is a process that you can learn. But it does require time, effort, and grit. Stick with the program for a few months to see the best effects. Your German Shepherd is a well-muscled athlete whose body structure is designed for endurance. Think you can outrun and outdistance your German Shepherd? Never forget that your dog is first and foremost an athlete and must be challenged regularly and exercised in a variety of ways daily. Instead of focusing on walking your German Shepherd, consider all of the options you can introduce to your working breed dog. Follow these steps for a rounded exercise plan: For puppies, let them enjoy off-leash exploration in your yard or use a long line leash in a safe area and encourage them to explore at least 20 minutes daily For adults, try hill walking to increase muscle, or using fallen logs, tree stumps, and other natural obstacles and having your dog move around and jump over them to improve coordination and balance Find a physical game your dog loves, such as tug, and play it for an extra 15 minutes in the morning and evening Offer them mind games, described below, to have them use up their mental energy Find new activities to enjoy together with your German Shepherd, such as backyard agility or dog parkour You can create a breed-based exercise program that includes a variety of physical movements, like the German Shepherd exercise routine found here , to help you learn new exercises that engage your dog. When they master one of the mind games, you can increase the difficulty with a different and harder challenge. Exhausting their mind through mental challenges encourages calm, thoughtful play. Playing mind games also includes: reduces boredom are great for small spaces are perfect for bad weather days increase confidence and problem-solving skills Mental stimulation and mental exercise are best played 2 to 3 times daily for 5 to 10 minutes each session. Add in a mental enrichment session in the morning before you leave for the day and after their last walk to help calm them down for the evening. Wondering what mind games your dog will like? Or, how about learning how to play these fun mind games for German Shepherds to reduce boredom? You can always find new toys your German Shepherd will love for some exciting games together! Step 3: Let them sniff to calm themselves. Are you guilty of pulling your German Shepherd along on their leash outside, rushing them through the routine, and hurrying them along? Did you know that sniffing is exhausting work for your German Shepherd because they have to mentally process the source of the smell? Compared to the meager 5 million olfactory receptors in our human nose, German Shepherds have around million scent receptors source! Sniff to Calm Routine Try adding in more time to simply let your dog sniff and enjoy the smells around them. Try this sniffing routine to help calm a hyper German Shepherd: Set aside at least 15 minutes of your walk for sniffing. You can split this time during the beginning, middle, or end of the walk as you see fit. You can even visit a new path or trail to allow your dog to follow their nose for different scents. If you want to let your dog off-leash to sniff but keep them safe and close, then consider using a long line leash that allows your German Shepherd to sniff around freely while staying safe and nearby. Step 4: Encourage appropriate daily chewing. Chewing is actually beneficial to hyper, overexcited German Shepherds that need to calm down. Kong toys to the rescue! When they become too hyper, focus their attention on the Kong toy. I love to keep multiple stuffed Kong toys in my freezer. Freezing the Kongs increases the time it takes for my German Shepherd to earn her meal, so she stays calmer for longer, and working for her food tires her out. Feed your German Shepherd from a Kong toy for at least 1 of their daily meals to give them an outlet for their hyper energy. This is one of the daily essentials that I use to help exhaust my German Shepherd. Kong toys for German Shepherds are an essential item when tiring out your dog. The guide not only shows the most durable Kong toys, so you spend less money, but also the exact ways to use the Kong to prevent and lessen unwanted behavior issues. If you want an even more chewing variety, then choose from this list of German Shepherd Toys for Bored Chewers. Step 5: Build and practice new tricks and training skills. Or, do they only know their commands inside the house? Do you train your German Shepherd daily? Spend at least 10 minutes a day, preferably broken up into smaller minute fragments spread throughout the day, working on polishing up their old skills and learning new tricks. If you need a refresher on the basics, you can get step-by-step instructions here: German Shepherd beginner obedience at home. Even more tiring for your German Shepherd? Take them to different, safe areas on a leash, work on what they know, and see how well they perform. Start in your home, then try different rooms, in the backyard, front yard, or while on your daily walks. You can then see what you can polish up or add to their skill set. The German Shepherd is a dog built for endurance, athleticism, and tireless work. Every week, you add just a few more minutes of running to your routine. The same is true for trying to tire your German Shepherd through physical exercise alone. What adding more exercise does is simply build a more powerful and athletic German Shepherd. Your German Shepherd is more than a well-oiled athletic machine. Give all their senses a workout to truly tire out your German Shepherd. The best way to exhaust a German Shepherd depends on their age, health, and unique personality. But, as a general rule, you can use the following exercise formula to help you exhaust and tire out your German Shepherd. Adult healthy German Shepherds need a minimum of 60 minutes of physical exercise, but most adult German Shepherds do best with minutes of exercise, split throughout the day. This time should include about 15 to 30 minutes of high-intensity physical activity, such as tug or off-leash running. Also, include at least 15 to 30 minutes of mental activity and brain training, a daily chewing session preferably with a food-filled frozen Kong. And last but definitely NOT least, set aside 15 to 20 minutes of your day or longer to enjoy one-on-one time with your German Shepherd to help them bond with you. Exhausting and tiring out your German Shepherd means a complete and balanced routine that you perform daily over a long period of time. Consider that your German Shepherd puppy might not need you to exhaust them if they seem too hyper and wound up. Puppies need lots of sleep and rest and may act wild, crazy, and uncontrollable when what they really need is a quiet place to rest and get a nap. Always give your puppy the opportunity to find a place where they can rest, away from the bustle of the family. Many German Shepherd puppy owners have had success feeding their dogs a stuffed Kong in their crates or beds when they have a lot of energy, which encourages calmness and helps them to tire while in their resting place. Try giving your hyper German Shepherd puppy a frozen Kong to help with teething and give them an outlet for their hyper energy or a way to help calm themselves and drift off to sleep. Running your puppy while their bones are not fully fused can cause lifelong damage and put them in pain. Your German Shepherd puppy needs the right amount and type of exercise for their age. Examples of good exercise for German Shepherd puppies include: playing with other dogs and puppies of similar energy levels while supervised self-directed play indoors and out in safe areas short walks that gradually lengthen over time, preferably on grass As your puppy grows, you can slowly introduce more activities, such as going up and down stairs, jumping onto soft surfaces, and swimming. Try the following routine when looking for safe exercises for your German Shepherd puppy. The workouts listed in the post work on the essential physical movements your puppy needs to master while protecting his or her soft joints. There are more fun games to tire out your German Shepherd here you might miss out on! A properly stuffed and frozen food-filled Kong can keep a dog busy for minutes or more while tiring out their minds. And puzzle games will provide your German Shepherd with a way to work out when the weather is less than ideal to release some of their energy and improve their problem-solving skills. In other words: Tiring out and calming a German Shepherd requires a healthy balance of both mind and body exercise. Knowing how to exhaust a German Shepherd means thinking smarter, not harder. Spend time not only with physical movements but also with mental enrichment, as well as their innate desire to chew and sniff. While it takes some time to see the benefits of adding these tips into your daily life, the new routine will give you more freedom with your German Shepherd and help prevent annoying behaviors. They might seem tired the first few days, but German Shepherds have extraordinary athletic abilities and are known for their quickness to adapt. The end result of all your running and jogging? A German Shepherd is capable of learning almost anything, even being calm. How awesome is that? Catherine Krasavin, BS Hons. She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Mar 10, German shepherd dogs are an active breed. If you live with one, you know what we mean. As working dogs, they are high energy and have lots of brain power, too. And even then, as long as they have the ability, they still love to have fun and play well into their senior years. Since German shepherds were bred to work all day, they have lots of stamina. Built for herding and guarding livestock, they have plenty of energy to burn. They can easily get destructive, frustrated, develop anxieties, and even get depressed. Bored German shepherds are unfulfilled, unhappy dogs. The age a German shepherd begins to slow down is unique to the individual dog. The energy level expended in these sessions will lessen as the dog ages, their physical condition declines, or they develop orthopedic problems, etc. By the time a German shepherd reaches 8 — 10 years old, they are usually content to play, roam around the yard, go for a short walk, enjoy the outdoors, or go for a car ride. Taking them out for several short sessions several times a day is better than 1 — 2 long sessions. Some experts suggest exercising your puppy 5 minutes for each month of age several times per day. So, if your puppy is 4 months old, you would go for a minute walk several times a day rather than one power walk for an hour. Training Training your puppy will also help tire them out. You can also burn off energy by reinforcing training throughout the day. By doing things like having your puppy sit and wait for food, sit at the door before they go outside, or sit before you hand them a toy, you can work in the type of training that will also help calm them down. By exposing your puppy to new people, places, scents, noises, and animals, you will help them grow up into a confident dog that is free from fear and anxiety while burning up some of that puppy energy. Things like stuffed Kongs, puzzle toys, chew toys, snuffle mats, games, problem-solving like finding treats , scented toys, and more are all fun and help burn off steam so they can relax. Teach your Puppy to Relax or Settle Down Did you know you can also teach your puppy to relax and settle down? But, at the end of the day, your puppy can learn to chill out for a while. You can do this by marking calm behavior with a verbal command. Other tips for calming a high-energy puppy include: Crate training Confining to an exercise pen Mental games, such as sniffing and finding things Treat dispensing toys Switching out toys Calming the environment To recap, German shepherds, are working dogs that have lots of energy. They will be active from the day they come home and remain so well into their adult years years old. The age they begin to slow down depends upon the dog, their overall health, breeding, drive, etc. You can expect your adult dog to start becoming calmer around 6 years old. But even senior dogs continue to enjoy activities that they are physically able to do. After all those needs are met, you can teach your puppy how to relax and be calm. We hope you found this information helpful. As always, please feel free to share with your friends. If a hyper dog gives you anxiety, it could make your dog even more agitated. Some of the things you can do to signal your calm demeanor are as follows: Lower your voice — Speaking in a low baritone makes your calmness more noticeable to a German Shepherd. Minimize physical movement — Do not wave your arms or move too much when getting your GSD to calm down. Your physical stillness can inspire internal peace in your dog. The goal of you being calm and showing it to your German Shepherd is to get him to control the excess energy. But if you do this step right, step 2 will be safer. In either case, your dog is not in an ideal state to exercise around the public. As long as you have a backyard, you can let the German Shepherd Dog run around, exhaust at least some of his pent-up energy, and then take him on a long walk. But if you have the German Shepherd as an apartment dog and neglect his exercise, getting him to calm down safely can be rough. Look into getting him a physically engaging dog toy and let him play with it while you sit next to him, calm as a cucumber. Do Not Reward Hyper Behavior German Shepherd puppies are cute and manageable, making owners inadvertently condition them to be hyper. When you come back home, your dog is likely to be excited. Your puppy might jump on you, and you might pat him. This transaction rewards the dog for being hyper, reinforcing the behavior. And as the puppy grows, you have to reckon with the consequences of having a large dog trained to be over-energetic. Treat your German Shepherd puppy as a fully grown large dog when setting boundaries. And regardless of whether your GSD is a puppy or an adult, you can always start holding back on rewarding behavior when the dog is hyper. Usually, attention is the unintentional reward humans give when a dog is hyper. To avoid rewarding a German Shepherd for being too energetic, you should ignore him when he starts acting up. Reward the Dog With Attention For Being Calm If you ignore your German Shepherd unless he is barking or displaying hyper behavior, you might unintentionally incentivize him to be more excitable. Even negative attention can be satisfying to a GSD that is usually ignored. And when a large dog crosses a certain threshold of hyperactivity, you cannot afford to ignore it. When All Else Fails: Use Calming Products As mentioned earlier, rewarding the dog while progressively getting calmer can instill the importance of being relaxed in your canine. If all of the previous natural techniques fail, you can try calming products. Usually, these products are meant to help the dog feel less anxious around loud noises like thunder or fireworks or help with separation anxiety and travel sickness. Some of the most effective calming products on Amazon for GSDs are: Zesty Paws Calming Dog Chews — Calming chews work unbelievably on German Shepherds because they have over 40x the scent perception capacity as humans. These soft chews help with hyperactive and aggressive behavior. It releases oxytocin and helps the dog calm down when it is anxious. This study of 32 dogs found that aromatherapy diffused lavender odor for canine travel-induced excitement calmed the dogs down. Speak with a low baritone voice and drawn-out words to soothe the dog and reward him for calming down. You may use products like a calming jacket, scent, or calming chews if needed. Above all, the most healthy way to calm your GSD is to spend time with him and give him plenty of exercise to exhaust that excess energy. This gives you a visual guide to how you can teach your dog to master the same types of skills. This helpful YouTube video by a positive methods dog trainer walks you through how to train a German Shepherd to calm down on a mat or inside a kennel using clicker training, As part of this method, they also use treats and playtime for rewards. This German Shepherd owner forum clearly highlights just how surprised some new, first-time GSD owners can be when their puppy keeps on growing up and the energy level stays at puppyhood level! Herding dog breeds are accustomed to putting forth high energy output often for many hours at a stretch. Their job duties include keeping a herd of livestock together and accounted for and defending the herd against predators. The dog always needs to be on high alert against stragglers or predators. It is true that an older GSD may experience a natural slowdown due to advancing age. But with German Shepherd puppies, you can expect them to exhibit the characteristic intense focus and drive to work that this breed is known for. While some ranchers still do employ dogs in this type of job, the vast majority of herding dogs are now in demand in other types of fields. For the German Shepherd, the main types of jobs these dogs do today include the following: Police and personal protection duty. Guard dog and military dog duty. Search and rescue duty. Nose work and scent work. Hunting and tracking. Guide dog and service animal work. Other great avenues to give your GSD an outlet to burn up that considerable daily drive and energy include these: Canine athletics such as dock diving, herding, agility. Schutzhund training a perfect choice for German Shepherds. Obedience, Rally, and show dog competitions. You can also simply involve your German Shepherd in your own athletic activities. If you lead an active lifestyle, your dog will enjoy accompanying you for sure. However, here you need to keep in mind that, as a large dog breed, the German Shepherd dog can take longer to grow up and mature than a smaller dog breed will. It can take up to 14 months or longer for these plates to close permanently. You will need to wait for a confirmation X-ray to know for sure that the growth plates are closed and it is safe to enroll your dog in vigorous sports or go on extended adventures with you. How to Help Your German Shepherd Puppy Stay Calm Hearing that it may take up to 14 months for your GSD puppy to fully grow up may feel disheartening if you are coping with the all-go, no-stop activity level of the typical German Shepherd puppy! The STAR program is one such program. STAR teaches both the GSD puppy and their owner how to manage the exuberance and energy levels of a German Shepherd puppy by setting up a daily activity and exercise schedule. This is not to say you have to use this particular training program to achieve these results. Instead, it is simply to suggest that, if the current schedule your GSD puppy is on is not providing the results you hope for, you can sit down and create a different activity and exercise schedule to see if your puppy naturally becomes calmer. Sometimes there may also be environmental issues that are triggering excessive activity, crying, whimpering, barking , or other undesirable puppyhood behaviors. Teething Teething is very painful to go through no matter what the species. If your German Shepherd puppy is going through teething , you can absolutely expect more chewing, play-biting, nipping, whining, crying, and demands for attention. Giving your teething puppy ice pops or frozen chew toys can often help to ease the discomfort and also the behaviors. Separation anxiety Just as some dog breeds are more energetic and active by nature, so too can some dog breeds be more prone to developing separation anxiety. German Shepherds fall into both categories. But the two conditions are not necessarily linked. While having high energy is just a hallmark of the GSD breed, developing separation anxiety is more a function of putting a high-energy, high social-needs dog in a situation where there is not enough of either. Sometimes abuse, re-homing, and other factors can also trigger separation anxiety. For many years, separation anxiety in dogs was not well understood. Today, we do know that separation anxiety is potentially preventable and very treatable. But how can you know whether what you are experiencing with your German Shepherd is simply excess energy or separation anxiety? The behaviors only start to occur after a big change a move, divorce, new job, etc. You see your German Shepherd pacing, panting, drooling, or exhibiting other behaviors that are closely correlated with separation anxiety in dogs. Your GSD whines, cries, barks, howls or makes other noises the moment you leave direct line-of-sight. While you are away, your dog is extremely destructive and may destroy household furnishings, eliminate inappropriately in the house, or try to escape repeatedly. As the Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue organization points out, German Shepherds can develop any number of health conditions that may cause your dog to become or remain over-active. This is always the right time to take your dog to the veterinarian for a health checkup. In fact, sometimes it makes sense to do this first before you look at possible behavioral or boredom issues. This way, you can at least rule out any underlying health issues that may be triggering inappropriate or destructive behaviors in your dog. Here are examples of health conditions MAGSR gives that are known to plague German Shepherds that may cause your dog to act out: Skin allergies The itching and irritation of skin allergies can cause excessive scratching, licking, rubbing, and similar behaviors. Usually, these types of issues are controlled through diet changes or medication, or both. It often disappears on its own but a veterinary visit is always warranted. Perianal fistulas Perianal fistulas are every bit as uncomfortable for your dog as the name suggests. As Science Daily points out, there is now increasing research to suggest that dogs have evolved to closely mirror human emotions in every way. This can be a tougher challenge to track down. But it may help to start by keeping a journal on paper or on your phone, noting times when your dog becomes especially hyper and noticing how you are feeling during those times. If this does end up applying in your situation, learning more about deep breathing, mindfulness meditation, yoga or tai chi and other relaxation aids can help both you and your German Shepherd calm down quickly and effectively. Great At-Home Activities for Hyper German Shepherd Dogs You may be reading through this article and thinking there is no way you have any extra time in your daily schedule to try all these things. Breaking up the day with short focused walks, treasure hunts, play sessions, or training sessions also gives your dog more to look forward to all day long. In these ways, you can make small changes for big results to help your GSD calm down. They are most commonly brought home from a breeder at the age of 8 weeks to 6 months. This is also the juvenile stage when they start acquiring negative or positive habits. German Shepherd puppies can be hyper because of the following reasons: Lack of Exercise German Shepherds were bred to carry out tasks that require a lot of energy, such as herding. Therefore they need exercise to stimulate them. Puppies are always full of energy and therefore tend to run all over the place. They are also naturally built as strong, athletic dogs, and hence require a lot of exercise. Rewarding Bad Behavior When your German Shepherd puppy is hyper, giving them what they want, such as attention or food, to calm them down, encourages bad behavior. The puppy learns that to get what they want, they have to exhibit excited behavior. Boredom Hyperactivity in German Shepherd puppies can result from boredom. In most cases, dogs are left home alone as parents go to work and children go to school. An untrained puppy will end up re-arranging the house and not like an interior decorator! Lack of Training A German Shepherd puppy may act hyper if she is not properly trained. Therefore, regular training is essential to teach your GSD puppy discipline from a young age. This will help your puppy to know the difference between playtime and when to listen. Feeding the Wrong Food Dog owners tend to be overly kind to their puppies and may share food with them. However, certain foods may lead to their hyperactivity. Apart from causing hyperactivity, some of these foods, like chocolate , can be toxic to puppies leading to illness or death. If you are uncertain about what to feed and what not to feed your German Shepherd puppy , consult your vet. Separation Anxiety German Shepherd puppies often suffer from separation anxiety when their owners leave for business trips or vacations without them. This can also happen when the owner simply leaves for the day to go to work. They can express themselves by being destructive or peeing in the house while you are away. Getting Wet German Shepherd puppies who run around outdoors, just like a child, have to be bathed. This dryer comes with adjustable heat settings, a wide selection of air speeds, and a great warranty to boot. How to Calm Your German Shepherd Puppy As much as you love your puppy, all the hyperactivity and destruction can be overwhelming. The following are ways to calm a German Shepherd puppy. Properly Train Your Puppy Training enables your puppy to obey your commands. While you can train a German Shepherd to follow complex commands, only the basics are necessary. Make sure to always train your puppy in an area where there are few distractions, such as in your home or yard, and then progress to more distracting environments. This slow acclimation will also help to properly socialize your German Shepherd , which is essential for your puppy to grow in to a well-adjusted adult. When giving commands to your puppy, be sure to use an authoritative voice and issue them in a slow-low pitched voice. High-pitched commands which are spoken rapidly will only serve to over-excite your puppy. Below is a YouTube video showing you some simple and effective ways to train your German Shepherd puppy: Give Your Puppy Enough Exercise German Shepherds have more energy than most other breeds, and walking by itself as exercise will not be enough to keep excess energy at bay. Playing games such as fetch, going for runs, walking on hilly areas, and teaching your puppy to swim are healthy ways to wear your puppy out and curb hyperactivity. If you do not have adequate time to exercise your German Shepherd puppy, consider getting a dog walker. Did you know that German Shepherds are great frisbee dogs? This fact escapes most GSD owners, and because of this they often miss out on some great fun to be had with their dogs! Read this great article all about German Shepherds and their ability to play frisbee. Socialize Your Puppy As we mentioned above, a great way to calm your puppy is by regularly socializing her with other puppies, adult dogs, as well as other people and animals in general. Socializing your puppy will tire her out both physically and mentally, while at the same time making her the well-adjusted dog that you want her to be. This is because your German Shepherd puppy will learn that to be rewarded, she will have to behave appropriately, and that bad behavior will only result in being ignored. Aromatherapy Essential oils such as vanilla, ylang-ylang, lavender, sweet orange, and chamomile can be soothing to your dog. Test some of these on your German Shepherd puppy to see which one works best. For more information on aromatherapy and its benefits and potential harmful effects on dogs, check out this great article below: Is Aromatherapy Bad for Dogs? Setting up a good routine for your puppy is your responsibility. Make sure to not feed her too late at night, and always make sure that your puppy gets at least a moderately long walk before bed. A useful practice is putting food in a dog toy when your puppy becomes hyper. This will enable her to shift focus from hyperactivity to concentration. One great toy for this is a Kong Treat Dispensing Toy. This toy is designed to be filled with any number of goodies, and will keep your GSD puppy occupied for a long time! Some great examples of treats that you can put into a Kong are: frozen mashed banana and yogurt mashed potatoes and rice frozen Xylitol free peanut butter pureed and frozen watermelon and strawberries pureed and frozen turkey and cranberry mixture Essentially, if you can dream it, and it is safe for your puppy, you can stuff it into a Kong and keep your puppy occupied. Additionally, there are a number of other treat dispensing puzzle toys that will work to accomplish the same goal of reducing hyperactivity in your puppy while increasing mental focus. Stay Calm Reducing hyperactivity in you German Shepherd puppy begins with you. Puppies pick up on the energy you put out. If you become excited around them, they will copy you and start running around or barking loudly. To them, they are doing nothing wrong. In fact, a puppy will think that it is doing a great job by imitating you, the pack leader. So it is important that you set a good example for your puppy through your own behavior. It will take time to train and calm your German Shepherd pup because they are naturally energetic, strong, and athletic dogs — they love activity! Always use positive reinforcement as opposed to punishing your German Shepherd puppy. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are loyal, courageous, make excellent guard dogs, and bred as herders. German Shepherd puppies are generally hyperactive from the age of 3 months to 3 years. Later on, they become more mature and calm. Training puppies from 8 weeks to 6 months enables them to acquire and retain positive habits. Dog owners need to properly socialize their puppies, play with them, and use toys not only to challenge them mentally but also to require their full concentration, thus reducing their hyperactivity. Consistent training is also essential. If you are unable to do this on your own, we strongly suggest reaching out to a professional dog trainer. This will be a great long-term investment, and save you the difficult task of teaching an old dog new tricks.

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Chestnut Hill Labradoodles is a Puppy Culture breeder and also utilizes important puppy rearing techniques from Avidog. They make sure that all of their pups are properly socialized with children, adults, elderly, and other dogs before adoption. They also implement various enrichment methods, such as potty training, crate training, Early Neurological Stimulation ENS , regular grooming, household desensitization, and more. What Makes This Breeder Unique? Puppies receive their age appropriate vaccinations, dewormings, a microchip, free pet insurance for 30 days through Trupanion, and early spaying or neutering. Conclusion 1. This family-owned breeder has been in business for over three years now. While they are relatively new in the industry, they have received many positive reviews. The Australian Labradoodle puppies in mixed colors look curious to the surroundings. The breeder has a acre field where they raise their pups in a family-friendly environment. Dogs have a huge playing field in Daffodil Hill Australian Labradoodles. In fact, they indicate that their pups live in their home and are a part of their daily lives. Daffodil Hill Australian Labradoodles are pretty responsive as they love interacting with their pet parents. The breeder offers lifetime assistance to new pet parents to help them adopt their new furry friends successfully. Labradoodles from this breeder undergo basic training to ensure puppies have the required skills before moving to their forever homes. The breeder offers a 2-week board and train program to new pet owners. This is part of their adoption process to help puppies and pet parents get along on the right foot. Contact Details:. Thanks for stopping by! If you are a first time visitor, then congratulations on your decision to adopt a dog! Your are about to improve and potentially save! Every state page here on Local Dog Rescues contains a complete list of all the local rescue organizations that we have identified in each state. You will be able to see all their current contact information, as well as a link to their website, so you can check and see what dogs they currently have available for adoption. We provide all this information to help you identify ALL the available dogs for rescue near you, so you can find your perfect pup. It is jam packed with awesome info that will help you on your adoption journey! If you are considering getting a Labradoodle, you'll want to check out the incredible book "The Complete Guide to Labradoodles". It's written in an easy-to-understand way but still has the expert knowledge to help any new owner successfully raise their Labradoodle from puppy to old-age. It's widely available, so pick up a copy if you see one, or click here to grab one on Amazon. A cross between the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle, the Labradoodle is an intelligent and friendly breed. They love nothing more than to be around their family. The Labradoodle combines the energy of the Labrador Retriever with the strong work ethic and intelligence of the Poodle. They do have a desire to please so training is not overly difficult but early training is necessary. The Labradoodle gets along well with everyone, from other dogs and pets to children — though their size may be a bit problematic for smaller children. They enjoy hanging out with you on the couch but can easily transition to playful and energetic. Though they will bark when a stranger is near, they will not make a good guard dog due to their friendly nature. Overall, the Labradoodle is a great pet for first-time owners thanks to their friendly nature and easy trainability. We are so grateful that we are able to help you rescue the dog of your dreams. In addition to coming back here, you can also check us out on Facebook , Twitter , and Pinterest for additional info on rescue groups near you, current posts, and pictures! Labradoodle Rescues in Indiana. Learn more Since , All 4 Animals Rescue has been aiming to help minimize the number of animals in rescue shelters in Indiana. This non-profit organization continues its goal with dozens of volunteers and foster homes that provide care and support for the rescue animals. Their committed volunteers try to process all adoption applications within 24 to 48 hours and pair you with the right pet for your needs. As a popular Labradoodle rescue in Indiana, All 4 Animals Rescue is a great place to view adoptable dogs and find your new best friend. Considerations for Choosing a Labradoodle Rescue In Indiana Unfortunately, designer dog breeds like Labradoodles are not immune to rescue shelters. Some terrific Labradoodles enter an Indiana shelter due to owner-surrender. Advantages of a Rescue Adoption There are numerous benefits to selecting a Labradoodle from a local Indiana animal rescue agency. A rescue organization may be your best option if you are looking for a new furry best friend. Some advantages of adopting a rescue dog are: Give a dog a second chance at a happy life Helping control the pet population Rescuing a dog that may be euthanized due to overcrowding Less expensive than breeders Help minimize the demand for puppy mills Some dogs are past the exhausting puppy stage Many dogs will have basic house training already Some dogs in high-kill shelters suffer euthanization because there is no more space available, they are older, or because of Black Dog Syndrome if their coat is dark. The Price of a Labradoodle Rescue Pet Although the dogs you find in local Indiana rescues are not free, the cost to adopt a pet will be significantly less than if you were to get them from a breeder. All animals in rescue shelters will have alteration surgery to help control the pet population, have up-to-date vaccinations with a complete veterinarian check, and be a fraction of the cost. Typically, you will pay a few hundred dollars for a Labradoodle in an Indiana rescue shelter and will have the support of the rescue to help integrate your new pet into your home. The Adoption Process at a Labradoodle Rescue in Indiana The adoption process at your local shelter is typically not quick. However, these agencies work hard to rehabilitate their animals and complete pre-screening to match the right dog with a suitable owner. Although each rescue organization will have its processes, potential adoptive families generally need to fill out an application beforehand. They will require information about all individuals in the household, along with existing pets, housing conditions, and lifestyle details. This way, they can pair a dog that will match an owner to help ensure it is going to its forever home. Some agencies will do a home visit or ask all people and pets to come to meet the dog beforehand to ensure compatibility. The adoption process can take one to four weeks or more, depending on the necessary steps to choose the right animal for an adoptive home. Although this timeframe may seem too long for some dog lovers, it is well worth the wait to ensure that you have the most suitable pet for your home. Anytime an animal has a change in environment, it can become stressed. For example, some dogs temporarily will not eat or forget their house training. Other Labradoodles may act shy, scared, or nervous until they become accustomed to their new surroundings. Some tips to help your new pet in your home include: Avoid loud noises or sudden movements around them Do not be demanding or aggressive with their training Stick to a routine for predictability Avoid introducing friends and extended family members all at once Be patient as they settle in Set them up for success by eliminating tempting triggers like food on counters It may take a few weeks for your new animal to warm up to you and adapt to your surroundings, but it will be worth it once it happens. New pet owners will soon realize that once their Labradoodle relaxes in their new home, they will have a loyal friend for the rest of their days. Conclusion Finding a reputable non-profit Labradoodle rescue in Indiana is not difficult. Potential dog owners can start by talking to one of these top five organizations in your local area. They can save you time and money when compared to the alternative of obtaining a dog from a breeder. Do you know of another Labradoodle rescue in Indiana that we missed? Have you adopted an animal from one of these organizations before? Let us know your experiences in the comments, and share this list with anyone you know that is looking to adopt a Labradoodle in Indiana. Meet our writer Jen Clifford is an animal behaviorist and veterinary technician with more than a decade of hands-on experience working in small animal and specialty veterinary clinics. Leave a Comment. He looks clean, he smells better than he once did. He eats better now than he ever did. This is Sawyer. My dream dog. My once hopeful stud boy. When I took him home he was infested with worms, reeked like a New York City trash can and had hip dysplasia. It took months to rehabilitate and glue his broke shell back together. I remember standing at the door for 3 hours while he stood in my back yard not allowing me to get near him; he stood in the cold November rain and shivered. He wanted to come in so badly but was too afraid. I stood inside the kitchen soaking wet crying and begging him to come in. I finally had to get a bed sheet and with my husbands help cornered him and tossed the sheet over him. He was purchased from a well known breeder who offered a warranty and a guarantee on his health. We promptly started health testing him when he got home. Sadly he failed his OFA and was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. His breeder refuses even after receiving proof to honor her warranty. She herself admitted that she has never tested her dogs but yet sells them at a premium rate. Look for proof of testing. She never cried a day in her life for this dog. This is Sawyer, I cry when asked about him, he will always have a special place in my heart. I saw old rusted crates stacked along the drive, driving past a dog run out by some trees I saw a dog house and 4 small dogs, I parked next to a car port type structure that housed several cages stacked on top of one another in rows, inside the cages were chickens, rabbits, cats, ferrets and other small animals. There were several small shack like out buildings. I walked up to the door and knocked, no one answered but I had called 5 minutes prior so they knew I was there. I opened the door leaning inside to say Hello; looking around there were empty cages everywhere and bags of Purina stacked 10 or more bags high, empty bags and other trash scattered on the floor. Back out on the porch I called the breeder to alert them that I was there, looking up I was faced with 2 dobermans not looking very happy, I later learned that they were nice. I entered a room with a desk, sofa, 2 recliners, a TV, door covered with bed sheets and walls lined with dog crates stacked from floor to ceiling, wall to wall, filled with filthy dogs. I had arrived with enough cash to buy 4 dogs. In the cage above them I found Sawyer, then referred to as Prado. He was scared and my heart broke seeing him. I passed it up. I drove home with a pit in my stomach but vowed to take care of and do the right thing by those dogs. He has a dog brother who keeps him in line, he has been trained and know several tricks; can wave, high five, pray, dance, roll over… and many more. I get letters from Sawyer every few months and everyone of his letters makes me cry. He is doing great and is a good boy. I love you Sawyer. Another sad story starts with an Oregon breeder sending me a dog in whelp, the dog was due 2 weeks after she arrived. I took the fluffy white dog out of her crate at the airport holding her in the air to shine my smile upon her face and once again found myself looking into sad scared eyes. I took her to the vet to confirm her pregnancy and the vet told me what I already knew. I had her groomed to get her pee stained and matted coat into presentable shape; I was called by the groomer to tell me she had bit her. Took her home to have her a few days later bite my 11 year old daughter and to later have her bite a guest in my home and my vet the day I returned her to her breeder. Being told stories from clients about an Indiana breeder who is breeding a dog that was either hit by a car or stepped on, the story was told to me by multiple clients who claimed to visit the breeder and was told the dog had a funny limp and was skittish because of her accident, unfortunately the cause of the accident change based on who was visiting. Calls from other concerned customers who visited an Iowa breeder; was advised in order to visit she first had to pay for a puppy. Arriving to play with the puppies they found the adult dogs matted and dirty, so dirty even that to touch them or have the dogs brush up against them would soil their clothes and leave an awful stench. Hearing barking in a side room where they were able to gain a quick peek revealed dogs in crates stacked from floor to ceiling. Calls from a different client reported a visit to a neighboring Iowa breeder with a similar story. I will continue to report on stories from clients and my experiences with puppy mill breeders. Here are other dogs who were found in puppy mills across the United States. Please support ethical breeding and do not buy pets from pet stores or puppy mills. The Labradoodle is a companion dog and should not be raised in a kennel, they need human companionship and thrive on being loved. If after looking at these pictures your heart needs to rescue a doodle contact the International Doodle Owners Group a 3 c rescue www. If you are unclear of what a puppymill is take a look at the pictures below. They are sickening and; REAL. This type of life for millions of poor unfortunate dogs is a reality everyday. For many dogs they are confined in conditions like this for their entire life until they are no longer able to breed to make their capturers money then they are killed. The dogs you see in these pictures are VERY lucky as they are being photographed because they were rescued. So many dogs do not hit the dog lottery and make it out alive. How can you help? Well, Kent and I were talking last night in how it was one of the better decisions we have made. First, he and Willie are the best of buddies. Every morning Sawyer wakes up and climbs in between Kent and I giving us kisses. He loves to climb next to you and cuddle up, such a snuggler. In my opinion he is just a complete embodiment of love. He always wags his tail and just loves his life. Sawyer is just as good for Willie as Willie is for Sawyer. This past time when WIllie saw my travel bag he followed me around every where. Then he started to pout. I always make up what they are saying, by the way. But sometimes I think he is so happy because of the trials he went through. He tries to wake Willie up and the rest of us. Needless to say, we love our dogs. They are some of the most popular in the neighborhood! They are both unique in their same ways, and they both show their love in different ways. But they really love each other.

It should be noted that not all Labradoodle breeders are good enough to handle them well. We give you all the information you need about the best Labradoodle breeders in North Carolina so that it becomes simpler for you to choose one for yourself or take care of your pet by training it well. We did our investigation and located several breeders through the ALAA. PuppySpot is a great place to start your search. They have a wide variety of Labradoodle puppies to choose from, with different sizes, colors, and personalities. One of the things that set PuppySpot apart is that their breeders are carefully screened to ensure high standards for health, ethics, and care. PuppySpot also offers helpful resources and services to make the process of bringing your new Labradoodle home as easy as possible. Plus, their website is user-friendly and makes it easy to search for and compare different puppies. PuppySpot is committed to responsible pet ownership and animal welfare. They refuse to work with puppy mills or substandard breeders, and they partner with animal welfare organizations to promote animal welfare and responsible pet ownership. The Australian Labradoodle Club of America, Butch Charlton, personally picked the earliest progenitors of all their little darlings from a highly studied line in Australia in .DownUnder Labradoodles now is descended from those first dogs, who embodied a line of the greatest quality Australian doodles. You may rest assured that your Labradoodle puppy was reared in a safe environment because this Gold Paw breeder adheres to the highest quality ALAA ethical breeding standards. Until they go to their forever home, all dogs and litter stay with the family. They are de-sexed, microchipped, and come with a health guarantee from DownUnder Labradoodles, as well as lifetime assistance. Each Labradoodle puppy born here has a daily stimulation schedule, which increases their curiosity and inquisitiveness compared to their classmates. It also reduces their anxiety and terror later in life. Before adoption, each puppy is checked for hereditary eye and heart illnesses, as well as hip and elbow dysplasia. In addition, this North Carolina Labradoodle breeder socializes its puppies with men, women, and children, ensuring a smooth transition to your family. Each Labradoodle puppy is spayed or neutered, up to date on immunizations, deworming, and micro-chipped, in addition to being adaptable. Poodle puppies come in various sizes, including tiny, medium, and standard. The breeder strives to ensure you have a long and happy life with your doodle without the need for a lifetime of veterinarian costs with extensive testing taken to prevent inherited disorders. They also discovered that nothing beats compassion and meaningful time with people when it comes to a great start in life. A well-adjusted parent means a well-adjusted puppy; their mothers and sires are raised in Guardian homes rather than kennels. They never outsource their breeding to the southern hemisphere; instead, all their dogs are bred on site. Their innate disposition appears to be intended for service, intellect, boundless energy, and unwavering optimism. They only require some fine-tuning along the way. Neurological stimulation, Temperament training, and socialization are all used to help Labradoodle puppies tap into their inherent ability to learn and adapt. As a result, they produce excellent hypoallergenic service dogs for first responders, veterans, the injured, the elderly, and others. 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. We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Charlotte North Carolina and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted. Mini Labradoodle vs Mini Sheepadoodle Comparison Two dog breeds, one purpose: to make your life a joy-filled journey powered by strong bonds, friendship, and unconditional love. Meet the Mini Labradoodle and the Mini Sheepadoodle. Two very adorable and friendly dogs with upbeat personalities, the Mini Labradoodle and Mini Sheepadoodle make the perfect addition to any lucky family. Your way of life, hobbies, and work schedule are all important factors that can help determine which of the two dog breeds is a good fit for your lifestyle.Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? They are fun, easygoing, and gentle. Mini Labradoodles enjoy canine games like chase, fetch, and Frisbee, and thrive on cuddles and love. Energetic, friendly, and full of life, the Mini Labradoodles make wonderful jogging and hiking companions. They are known to enjoy a good swim, a long stroll, and are very fond of adventures. The Mini Labradoodle puppies are happy, energetic, and bright bundles of joy. They are loving and eager to please, love to play and cuddle, and are excellent training students. A cross between Labrador Retrievers and Mini or Toy Poodles, the Mini Labradoodle may take after one parent breed or the other in appearance or they may have their own unique look with an added bonus of a hypoallergenic coat.

To stop, release the enter key. We are located in Gilbert, Az, which is right outside of Phoenix. All of our breeding dogs have been raised by us, and some have been placed in loving Guardian Homes. This allows us to have multiple dogs in our program, while each dog is a family member with an extraordinary quality of life. When you look through each dog's individual page, you will see pictures of them on hikes, family vacations and just living an extraordinary life with their forever families. We are very proud of the fact that our dogs will never be "kennel dogs". We breed because we are dedicated to improving the breed that we love so much. We select our breeding adults for health, temperament and conformation. We breed as close to the AKC standard as possible and use health testing to try and eliminate possible health concerns. We are proud to have produced puppies that have gone on to become seizure alert service dogs, mobility assistance dogs and search and rescue dogs! Our puppies are raised in our home, with children, other pets and normal, busy, household activities. We use the Bio Sensor "Super Dog" program to create more confident puppies. All puppies will start crate training, have their first shots and will be groomed before coming to your home. No stock photos here! Make sure you follow our Facebook and Instagram pages for hundreds of pictures of our dogs and puppies. And don't forget to subscribe to our email announcement list. You can unsubscribe at any time. Good luck on your search for the perfect puppy! There is no obligation and you can unsubscribe at any time. First Name. Address: E. This establishment is the creation of breeder Linda Weygant, and all the puppies are raised in a household and get lots of socialization. The super cute face of a young Toy Poodle puppy. This breeder begins grooming early, which is important for Poodles. After all, this breed has to learn to tolerate frequent grooming throughout its life. Lone Tree Poodles wants to know about you, your household, and lifestyle before letting you adopt a Poodle. Linda Weygant earned her licensed veterinary technician credentials for both Arizona and New York. She has operated her breeding establishment in Arizona for several years. Her main focus is always health, both of the breeding stock and the puppies. What is the correct Poodle teething age? How many teeth do they lose? Munaut Standard Poodles provides a health guarantee for its puppies. Manaut Standard Poodles is friendly and happy to answer any questions you may have. Visit their beautiful website for extensive information on the owners and their operations. If you have the show ring in mind, tell the breeders. They will show you the puppies thye currently have available in the different accepted colors, including Cream, White, Silver, Blue, and Black. The owners of Munaut Standard Poodles consider Poodles an essential part of their lives. Each of them grew up with the breed. You should also thoroughly read reviews left by other people who have adopted puppies from the establishment. All the breeders listed here are good Arizona Poodle breeders. Final Thoughts As seen here, Arizona has plenty of excellent Poodle breeders. Are you planning to adopt a Poodle puppy soon? Take a look at your household and lifestyle and double check this breed is the right one for you. The Poodle is highly intelligent and beautiful, but full of bountiful energy. Similar Posts. If you think you have a special female with great lines, give us a ring and show us her testing and lineage…. They live with their own families, are raised by them, and retire with them. These are FOSTER homes, the dogs will come to us for breeding and delivering of litters females have 3 litters and are retired to their families. SCSPoodles posts testing performed on each of the dogs profile pages. Then moved to an outside location for daytime playtime till they are 8 weeks old. Then moved back inside from weeks for crate and foundation training additional charge. All Litters are raised using several Puppy Culture techniques, as well as other techniques learned along the 27 years of breeding and training dogs to expose them and create a foundation of confidence for you to continue training. We do work with many breeders that not only have the time but the drive to do so, and respect what they do for the breed. Many of our dogs do work in hunting, agility, dock diving, show, therapy, service, and many other facets of the dog world and we are very proud of those accomplishments. This is a list that allows future owners to become involved with a litter list that they prefer based on size, temperament, color, and gender. Temperament is the utmost importance in placing any pup with any family. SCSPoodles directs each family to the best fit for what they need and want. The Deposit List is simply a way for families to secure their preferences and for SCSPoodles to determine what pairings the general public wants and needs so that we pair up our dogs to also fit what families want. In Phoenix, AZ we live on 3 acres. All of our dogs enjoy roaming the majority of those acres in Phoenix, AZ and interact with our children, grandchildren, horses, cats, and chickens, Guinea Fowl, sheep, pigs, and goats, on a daily basis. Breeding our dogs is something that brings us joy. Our dogs are a huge part of our life especially considering that we have 2 sons with Epilepsy who have their very own Standard Poodle Service Dogs. These dogs play, work, travel and do just about everything with us. We are a very active family and because of that our dogs are well socialized in many different settings. We raise each of our dogs as if they were going to be a Service Dog. The main concern of Springer Clan Standard Poodles is to produce healthy, intelligent, sound, versatile dogs so they easily fit into your family life and are able to perform any task that you may ask of them. We strive to develop long term relationships with every family that adds one of our puppies to their life, and we take that responsibility seriously. We are here to help you make the best decision when choosing your new puppy and will be with you through the many years after adding one of our pups to your family. If we had the time, we would show our dogs in AKC and UKC events, however, with running a ranch, homeschooling, caring for 2 epileptic children and so on, it just is not a priority to us to show. A quality dog…. No exceptions please do not ask! We mean no disrespect to those that choose to Doodle, it is a personal choice, and we have made ours. A few of the litters produced for our families! When you purchase a puppy from Springer Clan Standard Poodles you are getting much more than just a puppy. You are choosing a dog bred with integrity and raised with an educated focused training from birth on. You really are, in all truth, joining our family. We think that Standard Poodles are the perfect dog for everyone due to their intelligence and adaptability to any family life that they are introduced to. Standard Poodles are naturally smart, as you well know, however Springer Clan Standard Poodles are raised using the Puppy Culture protocol. This has allowed us to focus on raising confident puppies who excel as Service Dogs in all the different aspects of that work as well as family dogs that are exceptionally easy to train because they LOVE to learn! They are calm when required to be indoors and yet athletic when outdoors. Standard Poodles love to learn and they learn very quickly. They have wonderful temperaments and get along with just about everyone, yet, when they need to protect the ones they love they will not hesitate. Standard Poodles are labeled hypoallergenic, which means they shed very little and have minimal dander, therefore, they are able to be companions to most anyone who is allergic to animals. After all this IS a practical factor when deciding from whom and when to purchase a puppy. We have decided that our prices for our quality raised and genetically tested, pure bred pups will be: As of 6. The older a puppy becomes the higher the price becomes since they will will have much more training when they are taken from our home to yours. Puppies are handled daily from the moment of birth until the day they leave our family to join yours. Puppies are exposed to cats, horses, goats, chickens, cows at times and our other dogs daily and learn to get along with everyone. The Springer Clan home is an activity hub. Lots of noises, voices, movements, and crazy quads, lawn mowers, diesel engines, leaf blowers daily for dust on my porch , grooming vacuums and clippers, screaming children, and motorcycles constantly all around your new puppy. This exposes them to many sounds so that they are confident around loud situations. If you have ever been to our home, there is a smile on your face. Health: By the third day all puppies have their first examination, tails are docked and dew claws removed by my vet. We allow puppies to nurse as long as the mother remains healthy. This gives every puppy the best start in life. Every litter is protected from communicable diseases by allowing no one outside our family or those with deposits near them until one week after their first series of shots. All puppies are given a series of shots at 6 and 8 weeks of age. Every puppy is wormed before going home with their new family. Every puppy full price will be micro-chipped at 8 weeks of age Grooming: Since Poodles will be groomed their entire life, we begin at birth by getting them accustomed to being handled. At four weeks old puppies are introduced to the process of grooming by having their face and feet trimmed, and will be trimmed weekly thereafter. Training: We have children in our family and friends who regularly visit, and therefore all puppies are taught early on that jumping on and nipping at people is unacceptable behavior. At birth we begin neuro stimulation which increases brain activity and is proven to create the building blocks of smarter and more confident pups. By 4 weeks old we begin playing Puppy games during feeding time which teaches pups self control, patience, observance, and respect for human boundaries. Whining and unnecessary barking telling humans what to do is nipped in the bud quickly. We crate three puppies per large crate overnight. This allows them to feel comfortable with litter mates at their side and soon learn that crates are not a punishment but a haven. Sometimes it is just too hot for this and skip it! If rarely there are any pups remaining with me past 8 weeks old, we begin to crate them individually and work on leash — price goes up NOT DOWN, for this training…something to think about. We choose to have a limited amount of litters each year, sometimes the litters fall in the first or second half of any given year, all Future Planned Litters will be posted on that page. We do not include these as part of our Breeding Program, yet will include these and any dogs that are born to our family in our Warranty Program and will be raised in the exact same fashion as our very own dogs. We rarely will sell to breeders but it is not out of the question. If you wish to begin a working relationship with SCSP, contact us and let us know your plans. Thank you for visiting our website, we look forward to hearing from you very soon… The Springer Clan Limited Registration: This means that the dog is registered as a pure bred dog, but no litters produced by that dog are eligible for registration. Its skull is somewhat round with a long, straight muzzle. All three varieties have the same build and proportions. This breed is nothing short of athletic, and they will want plenty of opportunities to show this off. Discover more about our Standard Poodle puppies for sale below. Poodles are notorious for learning tricks quickly and will love to take part in a wide range of canine hobbies. Keep them entertained with exercise, activities, games, and puzzles and you will have a very happy Poodle. Their elegant shape covered in a beautiful curly or corded coat gives them their distinct and famous look. It is this widely adored appearance, plus their intelligence, has earned this breed the status of the official dog of France. The Poodle is thought to have originated from Germany as a breed of water retriever. However, some argue that it is a descendant of the French Barbet dog. What we do know is that this is an old breed, with a history stretching back to the 15th century at least. Disposition Poodles are famous for being one of the most intelligent breeds, making them incredibly responsive and trainable. Meaning, they are very sweet, lively and cheerful puppies who like to be with people. If they are socialized properly, a Poodle will both charm your friends and also make a wonderful watchdog. It is important to give them the proper amount of exercise they need because, without it, they can become stressed and timid. The Poodle is great with children, making them an excellent family dog. Poodles are active, intelligent and proud dogs. They love to spend time with their family and are eager to play and please. They are remarkably agile and smart, which makes them wonderful to train. They enjoy learning and puzzles, so keep your Poodle stimulated to avoid them being bored or anxious. This breed is very people-oriented, which makes them both loyal and kind. They will respond to training routines that are fun and positive, just keep it consistent. Exercise Poodle puppies of any size are very active and require a good amount of exercise every day to suit their high energy level. They will thrive when they are kept busy and get to act on those inherent impulses such as retrieving, hunting, swimming, and learning. Poodles love to go for walks and jogs. Some even learn to do it themselves with clippers, while others take their dog to a professional dog groomer about every six weeks to have their hair and nails trimmed. Training As with most dogs, the Poodle will do best when they receive early socialization and leadership. This opportunity to learn manners will help that they grow up into a confident, happy adult dog. This is largely due to how cute they are as well as how trainable they are. The best approach to training is to make it both fun for you and the dog. They will respond best to positive reinforcement as they can be a bit sensitive. Despite their quiet nature, Poodles can be fans of their own voices. They tend to alert you to visitors, which is a trait you may appreciate. If you are not a fan of barking, make sure to not react to the barks. You may also want to try clicker training if the barking persists as an issue. See store for details on a particular puppy. American Canine Association, Inc.