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As a medium to large-sized dog breed, Boxers need more time to fill out and reach their full size than smaller dog breeds. As a general rule, expect your Boxer to grow until they are 18 to 24 months old. Keep in mind that this range is an estimate, so there are always exceptions. Image Source: Canva How big should a 6-month-old Boxer be? A 6-month-old male Boxer should weigh around 41 to 48 pounds, while a 6-month-old female Boxer will weigh about 39 to 44 pounds. According to Care. For a male Boxer puppy, this would be around 17 to 19 inches tall. Pro Tip: Check out this downloadable new puppy checklist covering topics like vaccination schedules, setting up the home for a new puppy, teething, veterinary visits, and more! How much bigger will my Boxer get? There are several ways to estimate how much bigger your Boxer will grow. If your Boxer is less than two years old, they are likely still growing. Some Boxers stop growing closer to 18 months, but many Boxers will continue to fill out in weight and body size until they are two years old. A puppy will rarely be larger than either parent, so this can give you a clearer idea of their maximum size. Do their paws look oversized compared to their legs and the rest of their body? This is a strong sign that your Boxer is still growing and filling out! What is the size of a full-grown Boxer? According to the American Kennel Club Official Boxer Standards , a full-grown male Boxer will stand around 23 to 25 inches tall, while a female Boxer will stand about .A fully grown male Boxer will weigh around 60 to 70 pounds, with their female counterpart will weigh about 55 to 65 pounds. As with many things, prevention is always better than treatment. Taking your Boxer to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do for their health, along with consistent love and care at home. One of the best things you can do at home is brush your dog's teeth regularly to help prevent painful periodontal disease and avoid pricey dental treatments in the future. Periodontal disease can cause bad breath and oral pain for your pup and may require your Boxer to have a dental cleaning or tooth extractions under anesthesia at some point in their lives if not attended to at home. Keeping your Boxer at a healthy weight is crucial for their longevity, overall health, and happiness. If your Boxer is overweight, talk to your veterinarian to develop a weight loss strategy so that you can get them back on track. Consult with your veterinarian about the ideal food and exercise for your Boxer. Like all dogs, Boxers have certain conditions that they are prone to. Boxers are a purebred dog breed prone to heart problems, like cardiomyopathy, heart valve narrowing, and congenital heart defects. Brachycephalic syndrome increases their risk of respiratory distress, allergies, heatstroke, and sinus problems. Regular veterinarian appointments are crucial in finding and treating illness early to give your Boxer the healthiest and longest life possible. Unfortunately, veterinary bills can be costly with many treatments for emergencies and illnesses, such as heart problems, being thousands of dollars to treat. When surveyed, .The financial safety net provided by pet insurance is why pet insurance is worth it for many pet parents. Keep in mind that even healthy behaviors, like exercise, can be overdone. Consult with your veterinarian about how much exercise is prudent. Medium to large-sized dogs that are still growing may suffer from joint damage if they are overexercised. Make a plan with your veterinarian today to provide your Boxer with the ideal amount of exercise to keep them lean, healthy, and happy. Boxer puppies grow into strong and sturdy adults that make fun-loving, often silly companions, and fierce protectors. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Things then taper off as they age, with them gaining little to no weight between their first and second birthdays. Boxers undergo several different stages during their lives, similar to how humans change as they develop from babies to teenagers to adults. A healthy adult Boxer will have a noticeable tuck in their waist and a muscular build. For this reason, if the size of your Boxer is crucial to you, I encourage you to work with a reputable breeder. Of course, some puppies may not follow the genetic makeup expected of them, but such situations are uncommon. A mother Boxer feeds her puppies on the grass. A notable change is that puppies require less protein and fat the older they get. So, feeding them food with the same nutritional composition as when they were younger could damage their growth. The amount and timing of when you feed your Boxer are also vital. Your Boxer puppy can handle larger portions of food two to three times per day as it grows. Such a feeding schedule can be damaging to a younger puppy, who needs several smaller meals to achieve growth. You can expect male Boxers to grow taller and heavier than females within any given litter. The key here is within a litter. Two Boxer puppies playing in the garden. How does this happen, you wonder? But until their growth plates calcify, puppies are in a fragile state, meaning that excessive exercise or exercising on hard surfaces can hinder their growth. The longer-term ramifications of too much exercise at too young of an age are often arthritis and hip dysplasia. Most veterinarians recommend five minutes of exercise per month of age, meaning a 4-month-old Boxer can safely have 20 minutes of exercise per day. But did you know that fixing your Boxer at the wrong age could cause them to grow taller than nature intended? The reason is that spaying or neutering Boxers too early can slow the closure of their growth plates. As a result, it gives your dog more time to continue growing. Such a situation is less common in smaller dogs , given that they stop growing at an earlier age, meaning that their growth plates are usually already calcified by the time their owners fix them. Doing so can have long-term ramifications on their joint and bone health. A snoozing boxer dog. The Bottom Line So, when does a Boxer stop growing? You can be sure that your Boxer will stop growing by 2 years old, although it often happens between the 12 and month mark. Therefore, if you have your heart set on a particular Boxer size to ensure you have enough space for them, consider adopting a full-grown Boxer from your local animal shelter. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. With a strong, powerful body and plenty of energy, this breed can be quite active at times. The issue at hand however, is what to do if a Boxer is hyperactive and won't calm down. Let's dive into this topic and discuss all relevant issues. When a young puppy is not running around, he is recovering from acting hyper and napping so that he can get up and do it again. And this is because despite his size, the 12 month or 18 months old is still indeed a pup. He has the mentality of a pup and his actions reflect that. So you have a rather large dog of 45 to 55 pounds .The size of Boxers can fool owners. Since Boxers almost but not quite reach their adult weight by 18 months but have puppy-like tendencies for some time beyond that, owners can sometimes expect too much from a puppy that is beginning to take on the appearance of an adult. Stages of activity levels to expect with Boxers: 8 weeks to 4 months old: This is the 'new' puppy stage. Boxer puppies can be very hyper but owners often do not need to help them calm down because they'll plop down when they tire out, which is quite often. At this age, a Boxer can be running around one moment and asleep with his head in the food dish the next. This is a time of exploring and curiosity… the energy level is like a roller-coaster. You'll want to have a solid schedule in place so that a hyper Boxer puppy has more structure to his day. A Boxer will still get a lot of joy from playing and often craves tons of attention from his owners… this is a good thing… that interaction is a big part of proper bonding and instilling proper hierarchy that will lead to a well-behaved dog. Daytime naps are much less at this point, so having a Boxer awake most of the day can lend to feeling as if the dog is always on the go… or at least is restless if you are not available to get him outside and on the go! By this time, all commands should have been taught and the dog should have a good schedule of releasing his energy in burst of exercise… and if this has not been done or if the Boxer is home alone much of the day and has no release, they'll be some behavioral consequences of that. Generally Boxer dogs begin to calm down by the age of 2 years old, though it is a gradual process, as you'll note from above. Issues can arise if these elements are not in place, however it is never too late to take charge and we will go over some steps owners can take to reel in a hyper Boxer dog. Most will indeed act like adults, but this does not mean that you will have a perfectly behaved dog that can handle any situation with grace and refinement. Boxers are as intelligent as a human toddler , hyper aware of their environment and subject to acting hyper or in most cases very restless if healthy methods of releasing energy are not available or encouraged. The adult may have trouble with separation anxiety or may become agitated or overly clingy if he is not offered both physical and mental workouts. He relaxes quite a bit but can still be engaged to take walks, explore and even take on new challenges. Problems of restlessness can arise if the dog has health issues that interfere with his sleeping or if some disrupts his environment. How to Deal with a Hyper Boxer and Calm Him Down The best method to calm a puppy or dog down is to have a routine that preemptively combats hyperactivity before it reaches an uncontrollable level. It is much easier to avoid this state of frenzied behavior than it is to reverse it. Do keep in mind that very young puppies up to about 4 months old cannot really be reined in; they are all over the map and will have short energy bursts followed by deep sleep; it's a temporary stage that will gradually even out. Here are some ways to encourage a calm demeanor: 1 Have the proper confinement method. The confinement method that you use to keep him in one spot will have a big impact on his behavior. If the area is too small, a Boxer can develop overwhelming feelings of being pent up and this can make him very hyper and agitated. It's very stressful for a dog of any age to be confined to a small space. This breed also can have some claustrophobic issues more than others, so this only adds to the issue. When made to stay in a tiny area with not enough room to move around, there are often issues of developing restlessness and anxiety. It can be difficult to calm a Boxer down after he has been let out. If a dog is stressed that he is alone or even if he is just bored, quite a bit of damage can occur as he roams the house, looking for an outlet. Puppies do best with a sectioned off area of a room; the kitchen or living room is often best as they should be close to their humans and not feel as if they are too isolated. Another option for Boxer puppies is an appropriately sized indoor canine playpen. Older Boxer dogs that are housebroken often do best with one room, not having full access to the house. And for those with separation anxiety, being alone in a large empty house if often more stressful than being alone in just one room that has all the needed supplies to keep him safe, happy, fed and occupied. One of the biggest mistakes that owners make is taking a Boxer out once he shows signs of needing to get outside. If you're sitting on the couch, binge watching Games of Thrones and after 3 shows you realize that your Boxer is acting hyper he really doesn't have much interest in whether or not Daenerys will ever actually get Drogon under control and then you say, "Oh, my Boxer could probably use a walk", it's often too late. At that point, the walk will only help a Boxer release the frustration that built up as opposed to the walk being an outlet for a normal level of activity requirements. He will be a bit calmer, but not as calm as he would be had you taken him out in advance of the building agitation. So, the best thing that you can do is to set up a schedule of when you'll engage with your Boxer dog and really try to not miss any sessions or delay them. If there are others in the house, this can be split up between those who are going to be involved with caring for the puppy or dog. There are 3 activities that you'll want to do on a regular basis: Walks - The importance of these are often understated. It may seem as if your Boxer is just ambling along, perhaps even just going along for your sake but this is not true at all. The Boxer is a strong breed that was built for action; he needs to work his muscles and experience the liberty of movement. Super young pups should have all puppy shots before being taken out. For most Boxers, regardless of age, two walks per day are best. The daily amount should 45 minutes for pup and 1 hour for those 1 year and older. These can be broken up in any way that suits your own schedule and time availability. Cardio - Just a 15 minute bout of high intensity action such as Frisbee or fetch once per day can make a huge difference in a Boxer's demeanor, keeping much more calm and happy when he is back in the house. Some owners mistake a Boxer's indifference at seeing a Frisbee as not wanting to engage. However, it is often the level of enthusiasm that an owner displays that will directly impact a Boxer's desire to run. Most love to run and stretching and working the muscles in this way is a great method to keep a Boxer dog in good shape. That hyper and restless activity that you witness when a Boxer is in the house can be channeled into a short session of action that leaves the dog satisfied and both physically and mentally ABLE to be calm. Commands - We going to dive into this a bit more ahead, however taking 15 to 20 minutes a day to work on commands has a triple benefit: 1. You work toward having a well-trained dog which in and of itself is a huge plus. It helps a Boxer learn self-control. When a dog discovers the element of focus and purposely learning, he is then able to self-regulate and this itself can help the dog calm himself down. It helps to establish hierarchy, with you as the clear leader. For any dog to behave well, this is a must. While it is true that Boxers will be much calmer if they have a physical outlet, stimulating the mind plays a huge role as well. Very detailed studies have proven that canines in general have the emotional capacity of 3 year old humans. This is quite telling. Do you have kids? Or have ever spent even an hour with a toddler? They are super hyper, highly inquisitive and importantly are never happy just 'being' for long periods of time. Dogs are the same. Boxers can become hyper if they have nothing to focus on. Just left to 'be', they can get bored and have trouble knowing what to do, so they run around… they quite literally can end up bouncing off the walls in an overly hyper state with no real tools to calm themselves down. Now, if you take that same hyper Boxer dog and he is taken out for walks twice per day, plays one-on-one with his owner once a day AND is given indoor task that require him to use his canine senses, he'll be a much happier and calmer dog. The mention of canine senses is rather vital here…. Dogs have urges to use their sense of smell… to sniff… to explore with their noses …. It's the way it has been for thousands of years and it's a canine urge that is not going to go away no matter how pampered or spoiled a life a dog lives. So dogs have this innate craving to sniff after scents that builds up each day if not allowed to really use this, it can cause a dog to become frustrated. So, an indoor game that involves a Boxer using his sense of smell along with a task that requires focus is often an integral part of preventing hyper behavior and giving a dog a feeling of accomplishment that can work with the other elements to keep him calm. You might be thinking that you'll have to invest in some sort of intricate canine version of Sudoku. Not at all. This is as easy as hiding some treats in the house and encouraging your Boxer dog to find them. As with cardio mentioned earlier, the energy level and enthusiasm of the owner plays a huge part in how eager a Boxer will be to follow through. Speak with in an animated voice and encourage your dog to seek out the hidden treats. Start with easy to find hiding places and then work up to much more difficult sessions. Once a dog learns that it's time to play the game, he often will not give up and will search until he finds his treasure. Advanced sessions can include having the reward be deep in a cardboard box under layers of old towels and safe odds-and-ends and be sure that the treat itself has a strong scent; a good choice is a strip of bacon grease blotted out because most dogs won't bother to move much for a food that they will receive at any rate. Be sure to use a command word such as 'Find' or 'Go Get' and a word to end the session such as 'Good, Find' or 'Good, Get' to establish when this begins and when this ends. You don't have to do this every day; 2 or 3 days a week is usually enough to make a Boxer dog happy and work in conjunction with the other methods to keep hyper behavior at bay and encourage a more calming atmosphere when you just want your dog to settle down. Continued below 4 Have the right collection of toys for your Boxer. Are you guilty of walking out of a dollar store with an armful of cheap dog toys? If so, you may very well then be an owner who wonders why the heck your Boxer isn't just happy having all those toys and would rather run, jump up and spin around the house like a hyper nutcase. When a dog is bored he will do one of three things: Sulk and act depressed, bark or otherwise have disturbing behavior or express agitation. When you invest a few more bucks to obtain sturdy, quality toys that encourage independent play, this can make a huge difference in a dog's general state of mind and his ability to keep himself occupied. Think of someone giving you a paper and pencil compared to paper and a piece Crayon box. Give your Boxer rawhide alternatives that allow him to happily gnaw away or treat-release toys that motivate him to work to gain his reward. There are two huge benefits of teaching a Boxer all basic commands: he will respect you as the true leader and you will have control over his behavior. While a hyper puppy definitely still needs to be walked, engaged and given tasks to stay busy…and a puppy cannot be expected to remain calm all day… when you take the assertive position to give a 'Sit' command that is listened to without hesitation, this can really come in handy if your Boxer is acting hyper around company or when out in public in a store or other area where you really need him to act calm. It's never too early or too late to start working on this. Training for the basics of Sit, Come, Stay, Down, Get or Fetch and Give can start when a Boxer puppy is 8 weeks old and can be taught to older dogs as well. In addition to this, teaching a Boxer to Heel is always advantageous and not only will keep him calm when out on a walk around the neighborhood but will also keep him appropriately by your side in high energy situations where a dog can become hyper just by picking up the vibe of an event. The size of a dog's world is exactly the size that an owner allows it to be. Dogs that are not used to seeing cars and people walking about will often bark like mad when they do actually see them. Dogs that are not used to being out in public will act inappropriately because they have not been exposed enough to know how to stay calm. Dogs that rarely see a visitor to the house will often jump and act overly excited on those few occasions that someone new enters into their territory. Boxers should be gradually exposed to the many situations, places, people and other pets that exist in the world. If you stayed inside your home… only venturing into your yard and nowhere else for years and were suddenly plopped down in to Times Square, you wouldn't be so calm either; that's how dogs feel if they are isolated and not given the opportunity to slowly learn about the world and all that is in it. Go to parks, bring your Boxer along to run errands, bring him hiking, change up the walking routes, take the time to say hello when you pass by another owner with his dog, have him outside with you while you wash the car, bring him to the beach… unless there are big signs saying 'no dogs allowed' bring him along and let him experience the sights and sounds of the world. Hyperkinesis - Being clinically hyperactive is often misdiagnosed. Most dogs simply need the physical and mental releases as we discussed above. These highly sensitive dogs can be set off into a frenzy by everyday simple noises such as microwave beeping or normal household events such as someone zipping down the staircase. For these rare cases, thorough testing must be performed, which should include a 2 to 3 day stay at an veterinary hospital where vitals are monitored, both heart and respiratory rates, when both at rest and when stimuli is introduced. If this is diagnosed, stimulants similar to those that are given to humans with ADHD can be helpful as are vet supervised changes to the diet and possible supplements of L-theanine, GABA and valerian root. Senior Issues - In some cases, a senior dog will be unable to stay calm and this is often related to either cognitive decline, health issues that are causing discomfort or a combination of the two. Physical discomfort often associated with arthritis can cause a dog to have trouble resting or sleeping. Food Allergies - While we have not seen any studies showing specifics, veterinary medicine claims that canines may have food allergies that can lead to abnormal behavior including acting hyper and having an inability to calm down. With all the high levels of chemicals found in many manufactured foods, it's easy to believe this could be the case. When a dog is constantly ingesting artificial coloring, artificial flavoring and all kinds of chemical preservatives, this is not good for physical health and it's not a huge leap from there to a dog's mental health as well. If this is suspected, a change to home cooked food or a switch to a quality commercial brand without these elements should be considered. Summary Boxers are animated, able to express emotion and are great companions. This is not a lazy breed or one that is content to sit alone just 'being'. Expect your Boxer puppy to be hyper and for a Boxer of any age, follow the guidelines for providing proper care which will help your dog channel his energy in a health way. With our dogs, we often get what we give. The attention and time that you take to interact with your Boxer will pay off, giving you a happy and healthy dog. The Most Popular Pages: How much water a Boxer dog needs - Making sure that your Boxer is hydrated is super important to his overall health. Boxer dog summer care - Changes that should be made when the weather is hot. Grooming, feeding, coat care and more. Which shampoo is best for a Boxer dog - The best products to keep the skin from getting too dry and to help keep the coat healthy and shiny. Boxer dog eye discharge - Often eloquently referred to as 'eye booger's; why these develop and how to properly clean them. Boxer dog is drooling - How much is normal and reasons why it may be excessive.

Boxer Luv also receives a significant amount of daily inquiries that are managed by volunteers with full-time jobs and families. They are graciously giving of their personal time. Given the significant volume of inquiries, we are unable to respond to each one individually. Know that we are grateful for your support and your interest in helping one of our Boxers. We will contact you if you appear to be a good fit for one of our Boxers. Thank you for understanding. Our areas of operations are limited by available volunteers in the area: We are currently not accepting applications outside of the Phoenix and Tucson Maricopa, Pinal, and Pima Counties. If you are a previous BLR adopter, email us at info boxerluv. Considering all the factors involved in placing our dogs in the right home, we may not be able to accommodate your specific requests, for example "cat-friendly Boxer. Your tax-deductible adoption donation directly supports the Boxers in our rescue. For example, if there are chronic medical issues that will require ongoing medical care, we may lower the adoption fee. The balance is covered by individual contributions through fundraising drives and organizational grants. Your donation to adopt helps us continue to help others in need. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We appreciate your support. This page is powered by Shelterluv. Learn more www. Raised in a military family have lived in many places, My father retired here, so Arizona is my home, Boxer Mom Pups AZ has been breeding and raising boxers for 12 years. American Bulldogs for 3 yrs. We offer short term visiting. We have more than 20 years of breeding experience, We search high and low to find the best homes to suit our dogs. We have older dogs also, some are retired breeding stock that are waiting to become a couch potato! For Pet - Only homes, please. Some are rescues that we acquired due to families moving and can't take them or abandoned pets. All have been vet checked and are healthy and ready to go to their forever home. Let us know what you're looking for and we'll try to fit you with the right companion. We also have several males up for stud service, and breed back to our male pups on request and approval! When you choose your new companion, our relationship doesn't stop, we are available for any questions or concerns you may have just call or text. I have helped over the phone and in person with the birthing process with new moms and owners. We love getting pictures, visits as the pups grow along getting your feedback on our testimonial page about your experience with us! Our adoption process is listed below. We only place within the state of Arizona. Step 1: Online Application link sent by adoption counselor Once you complete and submit your application it is reviewed by our adoption team and qualified applicants will be contacted to set up a phone interview. Step 2: Phone Interview If the application meets the initial requirements, then one of our Adoption Counselors will go through your application with you over the phone to ensure there are no errors and to clarify any points as necessary. Step 3: Home Visit s After the Phone Interview, one of our volunteers will contact you to set up a Home Visit at a suitable time when all members of your household can be present. Our primary goal is to place each dog in the best situation possible. This can take days or weeks and is difficult to predict. We encourage you to stay in contact with our representatives since we get new dogs in all the time. We strongly encourage each and every adoptive family to go through a training program with your entire family and new boxer. Training will give everyone the knowledge and confidence needed to make this adoption both fun and successful! After you adopt we will follow up with you during the initial adjustment period and we are always available to answer questions and provide help when possible. We wish you and your rescue boxer all the best. Remember you are now part of the Boxer Luv Rescue family. Always feel free to ask us questions and send pictures. We love to hear how our babies are doing!!! Boxer Description The Boxer has a compact and powerful body. Their head is proportionate with the body and has a short muzzle with an underbite. The tail is set high and typically docked. Their coat is short, smooth, and comes in multiple colors including fawn, tan, brindle, mahogany, and black and often with white markings. Boxers also come in a white coat, but some clubs will not register them. Discover more about our Boxer puppies for sale below and see why they are one of the most popular breeds in the U. Disposition and Temperament Boxers are happy, playful, curious, and energetic. So much so that many remain extremely fit and athletic into their old age. They are very intelligent, eager, quick to learn and known to be a good breed for competitive obedience. Boxers bond closely with their family and are loyal and affectionate. In fact, they are known to get along well with children. A properly socialized Boxer will get along with dogs and other household pets, such as cats, but small animals such as rodents or birds may be too tempting. Being energetic and playful, the Boxer can become boisterous and jump on people without proper training and leadership. Boxers need to go on a daily walk and get daily mental and physical exercise. Without it, they can become stressed out. You should start training your Boxer while it is a puppy: Boxers do best with dominant owners who can be firm, consistent and committed. You need to establish yourself as the leader of the pack with this dog breed. Owners who do not establish dominance often find their dogs to be stubborn or demanding which can hamper the owner-pet relationship. Living Conditions As for living arrangements, they can be fine in an apartment if sufficiently exercised even though they are active indoors, but Boxers really do best with an average-sized yard. They are also temperature sensitive, overheating easily and chilling quickly. Boxers have a natural tendency to protect their owners and home, and although visitors who the dog recognizes are not seen as a threat, will protect their owners if they sense danger. Boxers are courageous which makes them great watchdogs and will even restrain intruders. It is important to know Boxer puppies require human leadership and need to be taught not to be boisterous or jump up on people. It requires very little grooming. Brush it with a rubber curry brush once or twice a week to keep it looking good. The Boxer tends to be a clean breed only occasionally needing a bath. Origin The name Boxer is thought to come from the way they use their front paws for just about everything; pawing at its food bowls, toys, and even its owner in a playful way. The Boxer was developed in Germany in the 19th century and its ancestors were two German mastiff-type breeds. They were later bred with the ancestors of the Mastiff and Bulldog. Boxers were first used for dog-fighting, bull-baiting, cart pulling, cattle dogs, rounding up livestock, and to catch and pin wild boar and bison until hunters could arrive. Later they became popular theater and circus dogs. There are two types of Boxers: the German and the American Boxer. German Boxers have bigger heads and are generally more muscular than American Boxers. See store for details on a puppy. The American Canine Association, Inc. The American Canine Registry.

Tail docking or cropping is usually done while the Boxer is still a puppy. Nowadays, Boxer tails are docked mainly in adherence to the breed standard and to prevent potential tail injury. In fact, this procedure has already become a part of the breed standard for some dogs, such as the Boxer dog. Unsurprisingly, many dog enthusiasts are against this practice and deem it unethical. They argue that tail docking negatively impacts the life of a dog, especially on how its body naturally functions. Meanwhile, Boxer owners historically administer tail docking procedures believing that such practices prevent rabies. However, this assumption has already been long refuted. Some dog breeds also have their tails docked because of the nature of their tasks as working dogs. The tails of herding dogs, for example, are docked to prevent them from getting stomped or stepped on by cattle when they herd. Originally, Boxer tails were docked because breeders and dog owners thought back then that such practice prevented their dogs from developing and spreading rabies. However, this baseless assumption has been long debunked. Going back to 18th century England, a tax law was imposed on all dogs except for working dogs with docked tails. To avoid paying taxes, owners opted to dock the tails of their dogs. The tails of working dogs like Boxers were also docked to prevent injuries while they were doing their tasks. As Boxer dogs were also historically bred to hunt and hold down large wild animals such as bears, deer, and wild boars, a few reasons why they have docked tails have something to do with hunting. Hence, a Boxer dog with an undocked tail will be severely penalized on a dog show. Are Boxers Born With Tails? Nowadays, it is rare to see a Boxer dog with an intact natural long tail. However, most Boxer dogs are actually born with tails. The tail of a Boxer puppy is intact at birth. The Boxers with short tails that you see nowadays have mostly undergone tail docking. However, with the recent introduction of the bobbed tail gene , some Boxers are born with naturally short tails or also known as bobbed tails. Typically, Boxer dogs that inherited the bobbed tail gene will have nearly absent tails or short tails that are about two inches long. Tail docking in Boxers and other breeds is considered to be a legal practice in most parts of the United States. There are only two states where this procedure is restricted: Maryland and Pennsylvania. Just for emphasis, tail docking is not banned in Maryland and Pennsylvania. It is only restricted, which means it is allowed so long as the requirements of the government are met. In Maryland, the law requires that dog tail docking and other similar procedures such as dog ear cropping and declawing should only be done by a licensed veterinarian or a registered veterinary technician. Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, owners are only allowed to dock the tails of their puppies while they are less than five days old. Puppies older than the stated age should only be docked by a licensed veterinarian. People who oppose tail docking deem the practice senseless and unnecessary because it no longer serves a purpose for companion-type Boxers other than for cosmetic reasons. Since most Boxer dogs today are bought as companion pets, there is no longer the need for their tails to be cut as means of preventing them from suffering injuries while they herd. In addition, the supposed health benefits of tail docking, such as protection from rabies and faster and more agile bodily function, are baseless and unscientific. This is why they encourage the American Kennel Club and other canine clubs to remove tail docking on dog breed standards. Tail docking is also considered to be unethical and cruel. Anti-tail docking advocates contend that cutting off the tail of Boxers is a painful process that brings no significant advantage or benefit to dogs. Canines use their tails to express emotions and communicate by moving their tails which is similar to body language. Some dogs also use their tails for balancing and stabilizing their body while running or swimming. Because of these reasons, many countries around the world have already banned tail docking and ear cropping on dogs, while other countries have put heavy restrictions on such practices. Just like with other dog breeds, Boxers are born with natural tails for various reasons. Boxers use their tails to counterbalance while they are moving and performing tasks. Working dogs like Boxers use their tails to navigate when they run or swim by swinging them to one side of their body. Boxer dogs also use their tails to communicate as a form of body language. Tails are like human eyebrows. They aid dogs in expressing emotions such as happiness, excitement, fear, and anger. If a Boxer dog approaches you while wagging its tail softly, it means that it is happy to see you. An excited Boxer will also swiftly swing its tail. Meanwhile, Boxer dogs with their tails between their legs express fear or submission. They do this to mask the scent coming from their anus. Dominant dogs will set their tails high to release more scents from their anal glands. Some argue that it is cruel and unnecessary, while others say it is advantageous and beneficial. Check them out and decide for yourself which side weighs more. Boxers with docked tails are less likely to suffer from tail injury since their tails are cut short. Working dogs with long tails are at high risk of suffering from a condition called happy tail syndrome or splitting tail. Dogs suffering from this tail injury have deep wounds that are difficult to heal. Breed conformation. A Boxer with tails docked is considered more desirable in the show ring since the Boxer breed standards of different kennel clubs specifically mention that Boxer dog tails should be docked. A Boxer with a long tail will surely get severely penalized on a dog show. Advantageous for working Boxer dogs. Tail docking is still deemed advantageous for Boxer dogs that are raised for herding. A Boxer with a docked tail may become less able to express its emotions. In general, Boxer dogs communicate emotions with their owners and other dogs through the use of their tails. Tail docking is a painful procedure. Contrary to popular belief, puppies actually feel pain when they undergo tail docking. This is according to a study. In addition, researchers also found out that tail docking can cause long-term pain to dogs. Tail docking can lead to complications if done improperly. Tail docking is a procedure that involves cutting off tendons, skin, muscles, and bones. Hence, if it is not administered correctly and safely, complications such as infection and excessive bleeding could arise. Tail docking is a permanent and irreversible procedure. For puppies older than five days old, anesthesia should be administered in cropping their tails. The tail can be docked by cutting it off using a sharp object or by cutting the supply of blood using a rubber. Most veterinarians and Boxer breeders prefer using scalpels, surgical knives, and scissors to cut off the muscle, tendon, and cartilage of the tail. Tails docked through this method usually have cleaner cuts once healed. A rubber is tied tightly to the part of the tail that should be removed to cut off the blood supply and promote necrosis. The tip of the tail will automatically fall off once the process is done. Nonetheless, there is a high risk of infection if this method is done improperly. More often than not, the tails of puppies docked through this method are also deformed. The length of the tail that should be cut off varies from breed to breed. A Boxer with a docked tail may develop a condition called amputation neuroma or a nerve tumor. This is common for dogs that had undergone tail amputation because of tail injuries or had their tails cut for cosmetic reasons. A Boxer with a docked tail suffering from this condition experiences hypersensitivity and pain on the docked area. Furthermore, puppies may also develop infections, tail deformity, and other health complications, especially if the docking procedure is done incorrectly. AVMA also mentioned in a literature review on their website that most dogs that had their tails docked have a higher incidence of incontinence and may have less developed muscles around the pelvis. Tail docking is a painful procedure since it involves cutting off muscles, cartilages, and nerves. Tail docking in Boxers and other dogs has left the canine community divided. Those who are against docking tails, especially cosmetic tail docking, argue that such a practice is cruel and unnecessary. Since docking tails offers no clear scientific and medical benefits, many pet enthusiasts want to put an end to tail docking procedures on dogs. Meanwhile, advocates emphasize the importance of tail docking in defining and preserving the characters of some dog breeds. The cost of tail docking may vary depending on your location and the docking method. However, the cost could greatly increase if the dog is older since anesthesia will be required for the tail docking procedure. Always remember that docking is a permanent and irreversible procedure. Hence, you should carefully weigh down the pros and cons of tail docking. Nonetheless, with or without tails, the Boxer dog proves to be a loyal and amazing guard dog and pet to have! How about you? What do you think about tail docking? Tell us what you think in the comment section! We would love to hear your side. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. In the past, the breeding of these Bullenbeissers was in the hands of the huntsmen, whom they assisted during the hunt. Their task was to seize the game put up by the hounds and hold it firmly until the huntsman arrived and put an end to the prey. For this job the dog had to have jaws as wide as possible with widely spaced teeth, in order to bite firmly and hold on tightly. A Bullenbeisser which had these characteristics was best suited to this job and was used for breeding. Previously, only the ability to work and utilization were considered. Selective breeding was carried out which produced a dog with a wide muzzle and an upturned nose. His muscles are taut, strongly developed and moulded in appearance. His movement is lively, powerful with noble bearing. The Boxer must be neither cumbersome nor heavy, nor light or lacking in body substance. Depth of chest is half the height at withers. Temperament is of the utmost importance and requires careful attention. Devotion and loyalty towards his master and his entire household, his watchfulness and self-assured courage as a defender are famous. He is harmless with his family but distrustful of strangers. Happy and friendly in play, yet fearless in a serious situation. Easy to train on account of his willingness to obey, his pluck and courage, natural keenness and scent capability. Undemanding and clean, he is just as agreeable and appreciated in the family circle as he is as a guard, companion and working dog. His character is trustworthy, with no guile or cunning, even in old age. Must be in good proportion to the body and appear neither too light nor too heavy. Muzzle should be as broad and powerful as possible. The harmony of the head depends on the balance between muzzle and skull. From whichever direction the head is viewed, from front, above or sideways, the muzzle must always be in the right proportion to the skull i. It should be clean, not showing any wrinkle. However, natural folds are formed in the cranial region when alerted. From root of nose, folds are always indicated running in a downward direction on both sides. The dark mask is confined to the muzzle and must be in sharp contrast to the colour of the head so that the face does not appear sombre. It is slightly arched, neither too round and short, nor flat; nor should it be too broad. Occiput not too pronounced. Furrow in forehead only slightly marked, must not be too deep, especially between the eyes. Stop : The forehead forms a distinct stop with the bridge of nose. Bridge of nose must not be forced back into the forehead as in the Bulldog, nor should it be downfaced. Tip of nose is placed slightly higher than root of nose. Muzzle : The muzzle is powerfully developed in three dimensional volume, neither pointed nor narrow, nor short or shallow. Its appearance is influenced by : a Shape of jaw. The canines must be placed as far apart as possible and must be of good length, making the front of the muzzle broad, almost square and forming a blunt angle with bridge of nose. In front, the edge of the upper lip rests on the edge of the lower lip. The part of the lower jaw with lower lip curved upwards, called the chin, must not markedly protrude over upper lip, seen from front. Nor should it be hidden by the upper lip but should be well defined from front and side. The canines and incisors of the lower jaw must not be visible when mouth is closed, neither should the tongue show. Median groove in the upper lip philtrum is clearly visible. Lips : The lips complete the shape of the muzzle. The upper lip is thick and padded and fills the space formed by the undershot lower jaw; it is supported by the lower canines. The Boxer is undershot. The upper jaw is broad where it joins the cranial region, tapering only slightly towards the front. The teeth are strong and healthy. The incisors are as even as possible, set in a straight line. Canines wide apart and of good size. Cheeks : Cheeks are developed in proportion with the strong jaws without markedly bulging. They merge with the muzzle in a slight curve. Eyes : The dark eyes are neither too small nor protruding or deep set. Their expression conveys energy and intelligence and must not be threatening or piercing. Eye rims must be dark. Ears : The natural ears are of appropriate size. They are set on wide apart on highest part of skull. In repose they lie close to the cheeks and turn forward with a definite crease, especially when the dog is alert. NECK Topline runs in an elegant arch from the clearly marked nape to the withers. It should be of ample length, round, strong and muscular. BODY Square body resting on sturdy, straight legs. Withers : Should be marked. Back : Including loin should be short, firm, straight, broad and muscular. Croup : Slightly sloping, broad and only slightly arched. Pelvis should be long and broad, especially in bitches. Chest : Deep, reaching to elbows. Well developed forechest. Ribs well sprung but not barrelshaped, extending well to the rear. Underline : Running towards rear in elegant curve. Short, taut flanks slightly tucked up. TAIL Set on high rather than low. The tail is of normal length and left natural. Shoulders : Long and sloping, connected firmly to body. Should not be too loaded. Upper arm : Long, making a right angle to shoulder blade. Elbows : Neither too close to side of chest nor turned out. Forearm : Vertical, long, lean and muscled. Carpus wrist : Strong, well defined, but not exaggerated. Metacarpus Pastern : Short, almost perpendicular to ground. Front feet : Small, round, tight, well cushioned and hard pads. Hindlegs : Seen from rear : straight. Thigh : Long and broad. Angles of hip and knee are open but as little as possible. Knee Stifle : When dog is standing, should reach sufficiently forward so that it would touch a perpendicular line from point of hip to ground. Lower thigh : Very muscular. Hock : Strong and well defined but not exaggerated. Angle approximately degrees. Metatarsus Rear Pastern : Short with slight inclination, degrees to the ground. Hind feet : Slightly longer than front feet, tight; well cushioned and hard pads. SKIN Dry, elastic without any wrinkles. COLOUR : Fawn or brindle : Fawn comes in various shades from light fawn to dark deer red but the most attractive shades are in the middle range red fawn. Black mask. The brindle variety : fawn background of varying shades has dark or black stripes running parallel to ribs. Stripes must contrast distinctly to ground colour. White markings should not be discarded. They can be quite pleasant. Females : cm. Weight : Dogs : over 30 kg when height at withers is ca 60 cm. Bitches : about 25 kg when height at withers is ca 56 cm. FAULTS Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog. Dribbling, showing of teeth or tongue. Muzzle too pointed or slight. Bridge of nose falling away. Leather or weather nose, pale nose leather. In uncropped ears : Flying, half erect or erect ears, rose ears. Wry jaw, slanting teeth, incorrect position of teeth, poorly developed teeth and unsound teeth due to illness. Sagging body, roach or sway back. Lean, long, narrow, sagging loin, loosely coupled body. Arched loin, croup falling away. Narrow pelvis, hollow flanks, pendulous belly. Too much or too little angulation, down on hocks, barrel hocks, cow hocks, narrow hocks, dewclaws, hare foot, flat, splayed feet. Stripes brindling too close together or too sparse. Sooty ground colour. Mingled colours. Unattractive white markings such as a entirely white head or white on one side of the head. Other colours and white markings exceeding one third of the ground colour. Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding. This summary is not a replacement for the full text of the FCI's governing regulations. These regulations are subject to change by the FCI at any time without notice. Cropped ears Dogs born in a country where ear cropping is not now permitted or was not permitted at the time of the dog's birth may not participate and will not be judged. Dogs born in a country where ear cropping is now permitted or was permitted at the time of the dog's birth may participate and will be judged. Dogs born in a country where tail docking or dewclaw removal is now permitted or was permitted at the time of the dog's birth may participate and will be judged. Cosmetic surgery Without exception, dogs that have been physically altered through any form of cosmetic surgery such as the removal of third eyelids, etc. The final decision will be determined by the laws of the country in which the events are held and the organization sponsoring said event. Overview The debate regarding docking a Boxer's tail is side by side with ear cropping. Look to our Ears - To Crop or Not to see which countries allow this and which deem it illegal. Usually, if an owner decides to crop the ears, they will also have the Boxer's tail docked. Docking is the process of having a certain percentage of a Boxer puppy or dog's natural tail removed. This is done to produce a short tail that stands erect. Docking is done one of two ways. The first method is to cut off the blood flow in the tail with the use of a special rubber band, placed so tightly that the blood cannot reach the end of the tail; thus causing it to eventually fall off. The second method is via a procedure in which the tail is cut. Billy the Boxer Photo courtesy of James and Joanna Murphy It is believed that the puppy feels this amputation, since most puppies let out a very loud yelp, however they seem to recover quite quickly. Long ago, it was thought to prevent rabies and increase the dog's running speed; however this has been proven false. With this said, docking has also been done for centuries to prevent damage to the tail. There are no specific records that show why this train of thought was applied to some breeds and not to others. At this point, with docking being done for so many generations, those in favor of this argue that if docking were to suddenly stop, the Boxer breed would not carry 'good tails' tails would too heavy to sit correctly, the dog's balance would be off, etc. The deliberation between those who favor it and those who are against it goes on to say that within a short amount of time the only breeding pool available would be dogs with 'bad' tails that could not produce viable offspring. Of course, all of this is debatable and the Boxer breed is as strong as ever in countries where this is illegal. Putting health and breeding issues aside, some simply believe that a Boxer should have cropped ears and a docked tail to have the "Boxer look". Consensus among those who do choose docking, dictates that the dog looks stronger, more powerful and more intimidating with the cropped and docked appearance. Those who have a dog with a natural tail or those who have a litter of newborns and choose to forgo this procedure should feel just fine about that decision.In regard to dog show requirements, the debate is still on. Some clubs do not give an advantage to a docked dog and others state that docking is expected for a Boxer to conform to requirements. When is Docking Done? Many Boxer breeders will have a puppy docked very early, within a few days of being born. Since a dog is not sold or given to a new owner until the age of at least 8 weeks, many owners do not see the docking process or the healing process. Although this may make some cringe, if a Boxer puppy under 12 weeks old is to have their tail docked, it is usually done without anesthesia. In states where it is legal, an owner may have their Boxer's tail docked at any age ; however the older a dog is the longer amount of time is needed for recovery. In addition, a dog that is quite used to having their tail may have a difficult time adjusting to what may seem to them as an amputated part of their body. Three inches will look quite appropriate for most Boxers expected to be of average size and maybe a tad longer 3. Legality and Banning The laws of docking tails are a bit complicated with changes occurring often. Also, some countries view both ear cropping and tail docking the same; others will allow one but not the other. Though it is illegal in many countries, it is not uncommon for Boxer puppies to be docked at any rate. It should be noted that in many countries, it is the tail docking itself that is banned and it is not unlawful to purchase a puppy with a docked tail. You may be wondering about what the fine or punishment is for docking a Boxer's tail in countries in which it is illegal. Punishment ranges from fines to imprisonment. What do the Boxers in these shows have in common? Their tails are docked. Want some proof? After watching that, you might think that the breed is simply born with a short tail. All the Boxers seem to share this trait, after all. Rather, their tails are docked at a young age. What Is Tail Docking? There are a few breeds that commonly feature docked tails, Boxers being one of the most well-known. Is Tail Docking Ethical? For the most part, tail docking is performed on working dogs. Usually, these are dogs that work in jobs where their tails are likely to get injured. Farm dogs, for example, could get their tail stepped on by large livestock. For working dogs, you can definitely make the case for tail-docking being a beneficial procedure. Ethics are subjective, but to really judge tail docking, we need to understand its effects better. Do Boxers Need Their Tails? It leads you to wonder why dogs even have tails in the first place? Turns out, tails have multiple benefits for Boxers. In addition to those clearly important benefits, Boxers also use their tails for communication. Very similar to how humans use body language to communicate, Boxers use their tails to convey many messages , including their emotions and feelings. Having a tail can also help dogs swim and the best swimmers use their tail as a rudder to steer. Furthermore, it found that dogs with docked tails suffer heightened ongoing pain sensitivity and negative welfare impacts that will be life-long. However, the American Veterinary Medical Association AVMA reports that only about a quarter of a percent of the dog population suffers serious tail injuries yearly. Having said that, I can personally attest to the possibility of tail breaking in Boxers. My own Boxer mix broke his tail in two places, and it freaked me out when I came home and saw it! Luckily, it did heal on its own, but he was in pain for weeks and I was definitely worried that it would never heal all the way. Though Boxers today are primarily beloved companion pets and show dogs, they used to be serious hunters. They were originally created by crossing Bulldogs with the now-extinct Bullenbeisser , which was an impressive dog used for hunting large game such as bears and boars. Additionally, it was also done to protect the dog from the prey it was hunting. A bear could easily grab hold of that tail or bite down on it, and then the Boxer would be in serious pain and might be unable to escape since their tail is being held. Still, many members of the breed display docked tails to this day. An undocked tail should be severely penalized. Without a docked tail, a Boxer has little to no chance of placing well in a dog show. After banging their tail hard on enough different items, it can actually break. In some cases, the problem becomes recurring and tail amputation is necessary, though this is pretty rare. In some countries, the practice is frowned upon and considered illegal. However, many countries do still allow tail docking, including the United States. At present, no states have banned tail-docking, though a few states have considered legislation against it in the past, including New York and Vermont. Some of the other countries where tail docking is still legal are: Argentina. Though his spirited bearing, square jaw, and cleanly muscled body suggest the well-conditioned middleweight athlete of dogdom, the boxer is happiest when he is with people. He later became a utility dog for peasants and shop owners. His easy trainability even found him performing in the circus. In the s, descendants of this type of dog were bred to a taller, more elegant English import, and the era of the modern boxer had begun. Imported to America after the First World War, his popularity really began in the late s. Appearance The boxer is a medium-sized dog ranging from 21 inches high at the shoulder in a smaller female up to 25 inches sometimes even taller in a large male. Adult weight may reach pounds in the male, with females about 15 pounds less. There are no miniature or giant varieties. Boxers come in a range of colors from fawn which may vary from a tawny tan to an stag red to brindle which can be so dark as to appear reverse brindle to white. Today, cropping and docking serve no functional purpose. Once it was unusual to see a boxer with natural ears; now it less common to see one with cropped ears. Do Labradors, retrievers, shepherds, and the countless other breeds with naturally long tails cause chaos around them and injure loved ones with their tails? We think not. Other people argue that boxers with cropped ears look mean. We ask you not to discriminate against dogs whose ears or tails are not what you expect them to be when you think of a boxer. Fashion is fleeting, but an eternal truth is that a boxer is a boxer is a boxer — sweet, delightful, and, most of all, deserving of our love. And one thing we can assure you is that whatever your boxer looks like, it will be beautiful in your eyes from the moment you love it. Characteristics Boxers are clownish and playful, loyal and steadfast, courageous and protective, and goofy and stubborn, all rolled into one dog. This combination of temperament traits in conjunction with intelligence and a very expressive face, result in a one-of-a-kind type of dog. For more information on the boxer personality, visit our Boxer Temperament page. Care of a Boxer The boxer is a relatively low-maintenance dog, but ownership of any dog is a big responsibility. Regular veterinary visits and year-round heartworm preventative, general care, feeding and exercise are a must for your boxer. General care should include regular nail trimming, an occasional bath, periodic tartar removal from teeth and quality dog food. Exercise should include a daily walk or other stimulating and athletic activity. The boxer is sensitive to temperature extremes and does not enjoy drafts, summer heat, or cold. While some dog breeds can handle the temperature ranges and fluctuations of being outside for long periods, boxers are not so tolerant and should not be kept outdoors. Good nutrition is the hallmark of a healthy boxer. For a non-biased review of the quality of various dog foods, visit Reviews. For more information on potential pet hazards in your home and yard, and how to avoid them, visit Expertise.

The early months are critical. The timing is vital. Some apply to all dogs, such as distemper and rabies. If your French Bulldog is in contact with other pups, you should get him a kennel cough vaccine. Likewise, if you take him on the trail with you, consider getting him a Lyme disease vaccine. They are starting to learn social skills and how they fit in the hierarchy with their littermates. They are becoming more independent and starting to show signs of their unique personalities that will define them as adults. Socialization is critical at this age as it will determine how well he gets along with other people and pets. Anything is fair game for this pup. You can transition him to a dog food for pups at this life stage. A French Bulldog reaches his adult size at 12 months. Unfortunately, this pup has a relatively high tendency to gain weight. That puts him at risk for many chronic health conditions that can complicate the ones associate with him being a brachycephalic breed. That brings a host of other health issues that advisable to avoid. While breeding also can have adverse effects, keeping your pet intact may offer a viable option. More likely, stunted growth is the outcome. Growing up takes a lot of energy. The danger of stunted growth also extends toward so-called teacup varieties. These pups are at a greater risk for health problems because of their size. We recommend buying puppies from reputable breeders who understand the particular needs of the French Bulldog. The best way to gauge the weight of your French Bulldog is to look down at his body shape from above him. He should have a well-defined waist. You should also be able to feel his ribs. The feeding guidelines on the back of the package or can are not written in stone. Base his feeding schedule on his current weight and state of health. An online calorie calculator can help you plan his mealtimes correctly. Conclusion The cuteness of the French Bulldog makes it easy to overfeed him. His cute face begs for a treat. It will reduce his risk of chronic health conditions and improve his quality of life. After all, you want him to hang around as long as possible as your BFF. See also:. French Bulldog Adults: Average Weight and Height On average, a full-bred adult French Bulldog weighs between 18 and 28 pounds and is 11 to 12 inches tall. Again, this can vary, and all pups grow at different rates. Everything you need to know about French Bulldog weight can be read here. Can I predict the size that my French Bulldog puppy will be? Double up: Typically, an adult dog will weigh twice as much as it did when it was 4 months old. This may vary. You can also compare your pup to the height of their mother for females or their father for males. Genetics As mentioned, genetics play a major role in the size of a puppy. A high-quality breeder will happily answer questions. A responsible breeder also ensures that the mother is provided with top-notch nutrition before breeding. Diet Like with plants and babies, puppies need proper nutrition in order to grow. Keep in mind some dogs show less interest in food and may not finish their entire bowls at meal times. Vets tend to recommend giving your dog a certain amount of time to eat. After a certain amount of time is up, you pick up the bowl with the remaining food. This is to train your dog that they need to eat all of their food at one time, or they will have to wait until the next scheduled meal time. Check out this complete guide to French Bulldog food. Mental Health If a French Bulldog is under stress or suffers from anxiety, it may show a loss of appetite. If you notice your pup being uninterested in meal times, try changing up its food. When is a French Bulldog full grown? Is my French Bulldog overweight? You can determine if your French Bulldog is overweight by noticing the following: Stand over your Frenchie and feel their ribs. You should be able to feel the ribs, but not see them. While Frenchies may show difficulty breathing due to being a Brachycephalic breed short muzzles can cause obstructive breathing , dogs of a healthy weight should be able to exercise at least for a bit without struggling. Of course, getting a second opinion from your vet is the best way to determine if your French Bulldog is overweight. Can I help my French Bulldog lose weight? Providing your pup with regular exercise and a balanced diet that includes protein, fat, fiber, and water and following the serving size provided on the nutrition facts is the best way to ensure your Frenchie is at a healthy weight. Wholesome food made with natural, high-quality ingredients like this can help your pup maintain a healthy weight. Less active dogs, like French Bulldogs, should eat about 25 calories per pound a day. So, if your pup is 20 pounds and eating about calories daily, its daily treats should consist of about 50 calories. Apple slices and carrots are nutritious, tasty treats. Is my French Bulldog underweight? Can I help my French Bulldog gain weight? When a pup gains too much fat instead of healthy fats combined with muscle, it can face health issues such as joint, heart, and lung problems. If your pup seems to be underweight according to the French Bulldog growth chart or it looks malnourished, certainly contact your vet. Disclosure HappyFrenchBulldog. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Always seek advice from a certified veterinarian in a case of emergency. Contact Have questions about our content? Contact us at info [at] happyfrenchbulldog. Footer Nav. Please keep in mind that these are estimates to give you a general idea of how tall your French Bulldog puppy will be. At what age is a French Bulldog fully grown? A French Bulldog will reach close to their full weight around eight to twelve months old and maximum height around nine to twelve months of age. French Bulldogs will continue to slowly fill out anywhere between nine to fifteen months of age. They are considered fully grown around 12 to 14 months old, but may continue to put on muscle until they are two years old. How big should a 6-month-old French Bulldog be? A male French Bulldog will weigh between 17 and 22 pounds at six months old and have an average weight of .A six-month-old female French Bulldog will weigh between 13 and 20 pounds with an average weight of 17 pounds. Both male and female French Bulldogs will stand around seven to nine inches on average. Learn all about your puppy's physical characteristics, breed history, personality traits, and more in our comprehensive guide. French Bulldogs usually reach their full height when they are between nine and twelve months old. As short dogs, French Bulldogs barely double in height from three months of age to 1 year old. If their paws look oversized next to their legs and body, this is a telltale sign that they are still growing! What is the size of a full-grown French Bulldog? Most female French Bulldogs will weigh about 17 to 24 pounds, while male French Bulldogs weigh about 20 to 28 pounds. Both male and female French Bulldogs will stand 11 to 13 inches tall and have a muscular, heavy-boned build. How do I make sure my French Bulldog is healthy? As a purebred dog breed, French Bulldogs are more prone to genetic health problems. In particular, French Bulldogs are predisposed to skin problems, ear infections, diarrhea, eye problems, spinal injury and respiratory distress caused by their brachycephalic syndrome. Brachycephalic syndrome causes them to have a flat nose and shorter esophagus, creating a heightened risk of breathing problems. The Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine found that about half of French Bulldogs have significant breathing problems and .In addition to this, French Bulldogs are prone to obesity , which can lead to type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, disc disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, and further respiratory issues. Pro Tip: Compare pet insurance plans to save on veterinary expenses and ensure that the cost of care never interferes with the essential treatment your pet deserves. Most French Bulldogs do well with a leisurely walk or active playtime. Be careful with taking your French Bulldog out in hot weather though as their brachycephalic syndrome makes them prone to overheating and heat stroke. As a general rule temperatures over 80 degrees should be avoided for French Bulldogs. As loving pet parents, we never want to think the worst could happen to our furbaby. However, we must prepare for both everyday costs, like vaccinations and veterinarian appointments, and emergencies. Dog Insurance is here to help you with emergency costs, as well as expected costs like veterinarian care see the wellness options many pet insurance plans offer. Only .Pet insurance can help you provide your pup with quality routine and emergency care. Some people can predict the future. For everyone else, there's pet insurance. Use Pawlicy Advisor to easily compare plans from top providers so you can find a great deal with great coverage. Key Takeaways On average, French Bulldogs weigh between pounds at age one, with inches in height. French Bulldogs stop growing around months old, so pet owners should be mindful of weight gain after their first birthday. As a breed, French Bulldogs are exceptionally prone to obesity, which can worsen breathing problems and lead to a number of secondary health concerns. Use our French Bulldog growth chart to monitor your puppy's weight and ensure they stay within a healthy range. Pet insurance promotes positive veterinary care and offsets the cost of services should your Frenchie get sick or injured at any point in life. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. Injuries due to stresses on bones, muscles, and joints High blood pressure Signs that a French bulldog is underweight You should look at the chest region. However, when your Frenchie is thin or grossly emaciated, its bones are clearly visible. French Bulldog underweight health implications Being underweight could signal health problems as well. If your Frenchie is thin, it could have a parasitic infestation, a gastrointestinal disease, or a kidney problem. Upon observing your dog and reading the pointers herein, you could be wondering how you can get your Frenchie to either gain or lose weight. How to get my French Bulldog to lose weight? Exercise Although French Bulldogs are low-energy dogs and love sleeping all day, they should exercise and play around in order to remain fit. Daily minute walks or regular play sessions are ideal for keeping its weight down. Other than this vital measure, you can also undertake any of the following interventions. You could feed them dog foods that already contain all the nutrients that they need to remain healthy. However, you should carry out extensive research before deciding since not every feed can work for your Frenchie. Alternatively, you could prepare homemade food that contains proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins. You should reduce the portions but ensure that your Frenchie feeds multiple times a day. Disclaimer: Some dog lovers advise that you should give your Frenchie raw food meat-based diet as a weight-loss strategy. First, if you are an advocate of such, you should take care since fresh food could contain contaminants, e. To protect against this, you should freeze the raw diet that your dog will ultimately consume. Nonetheless, our investigations, after scouring through multiple studies available today, establish that this strategy does not hold any scientific basis. Instead, a raw meat-based diet presents both health and safety risks. Sensitize family members Your children could be overfeeding your Frenchie when you are away at work or giving it human food. Or they may fail to take your dog for a walk every day or even not have it accompany them as they go outside to play as you had instructed them earlier. Also, you should sensitize them on the dangers of overfeeding the dog and not taking it for a walk or allowing it outside to play. Exercise Most importantly, you should take your Frenchie out for walks and play sessions in order to facilitate weight gain. The vet might also advise the use of supplements. Diet If you have been feeding your Frenchie the correct amounts of food, but its weight has continually dropped, then the vet could advise you on what to feed them. Alternatively, you could try feeding them a different type of food other than what you usually give them. Also, the collective effort of the family is crucial in making weight gain a reality. Conclusion The average weight of French Bulldogs is 22 pounds 10 kilograms. The weight range for an adult Frenchie is between 18 and 28 pounds 8 and 13 kilograms , which means any figure above or below this range indicates that your dog is overweight or underweight, respectively. The indicators summarized above should help you identify either of these two states. In the absence of causes that emanate from underlying health conditions, maintaining their weight relies on a combination of diet and exercise. Be in the know and ensure you keep your French bulldog within the allowed threshold to avert health conditions that could dent your wallet unnecessarily. Unless your vet advises otherwise, you should try and keep your dog in the weight-range typical for his or her breed and gender. By analyzing thousands of data points, we created the real-life French Bulldog weight distribution chart. For a typical female, the weight ranges from 9. That is, .The chart presents the percentage of the population that falls in a specific range. You can see trends and identify any problems. You can set up the normal weight range for your pet and log different measurements over time. Monitor the weight of your pet Download the 11pets: Pet Care app now and start monitoring the weight of your French Bulldog. We have included a tutorial that shows every step of the weight tracking process. Download the 11pets app now More information from experts of your French Bulldog Care guide for the hygiene of your French Bulldog In our blog you can also find a care guide for the hygiene of your French Bulldog developed by a group of experts. It explains how often you should bath your dog, trim its nails, clear its ears etc.

However, the first thing you need to know is that silver Shepherds are very rare, and their fur coloration is not a sign of another breed but a result of color mutation, especially of red and tan hairs changing under the influence of certain genes or alleles. You may have heard a lot about these unique dogs, but as long as some facts are true, others are absolute myths. History and Causes of Silver Color in German Shepherds The history of this Shepherd coloring dates back to , and this fur tint is considered to be the closest to the original German Shepherd. A German officer and veterinarian, Max von Stephanitz, spent about 35 years researching and breeding ideal herding dogs. Then, in , a new breed was registered. It had a wolf-like appearance, was strong and alert, and was used as a working dog for herding sheep, serving in the police and military, and guarding. According to the American Kennel Club report, it was the third most registered breed in .However, the AKC breed standards focus on rich colors , and washed-out tints that are undesirable for the show ring. Probably, it is one more reason why this coloring is so rare in GS dogs. Therefore, how can this rare and unique color appear in German Shepherds? Every set of genes has two copies. They may be similar or different from each other. If they differ, one copy dominates and results in specific physical characteristics. The other copy produces recessive traits that are not physically displayed. However, these recessive traits can appear in further generations under specific conditions. Both parents need to have a dilution recessive gene to receive a silver color. This gene called the KIT, influences the tan and red colors, making them cream or pale beige. Another dilution gene is the Agouti or A-locus. It affects black, wild sable, and tan colors and also produces a silver coat hue. Therefore, silver refers to black or grey wold-like coat colors and any other diluted GS colors. Appearance and Character of Silver German Shepherd Dogs The appearance of a pure silver or black and silver German Shepherd does not differ much from the dogs of this breed with other colors. Such pups have a long muzzle, domed forehead, long bushy tail, black nose, and erect ears. The average height of these male dogs is inches cm , and females are usually inches cm tall. An adult male weighs pounds kg , while adult girls can weigh pounds kg. The type of coat is short-medium, medium, or long. The latter is pretty rare. Because these animals are double-coated, they are heavy shedders , especially in the seasons of spring and early autumn when they prepare for temperature changes. Since silver Shepherds are a subtype of the mainstream breed, they have a build and physique fully identical to other German Shepherds. Their coloring ranges from cream to off-white with a metallic sheen. They usually have pure black spots among the silver areas. The size of the black areas depends on the color that the Agouti gene has diluted; for example, silver bi-color dogs are mostly black with minimal silver areas on saddles and blankets. It is a result of red or tan modifications. As for their temperament, these pups do not differ much from their counterparts, either. They are brave, loyal, confident, and intelligent. Like other German Shepherds, they are alert, protective, energetic, and territorial. These pets are quite independent and versatile. They are aloof to strangers and can become superb family pets if properly trained. Socialized silver Shepherds are friendly to children and other pets in the household, and they can be perfect dogs for new owners. Such dogs can work in the police, military, and search-and-rescue services. However, they bond with one person only, and it has to be taken into consideration while training to help them extend their protection drive to the entire team or household. Silver Shepherds need a lot of exercise and a good trainer who is confident and consistent and applies only positive reinforcement. Not every German Shepherd carries the Agouti gene that produces a silver coat. That makes the breeding process quite challenging and expensive. Moreover, even if both parents are the recessive gene carriers, they are not guaranteed to produce silver offspring. If you get only one silver puppy out of four in a litter or do not get any, the price of such a rare pup doggy will grow up. These dogs are not a mixed breed. They are purebred, with the same appearance, physical and behavioral patterns, and care needs as their counterparts. Though pure silver German Shepherd dogs are even rarer, most colors can get this stunning silver tint that differentiates this type of dog from other German Shepherds. Even the AKC accepts pure silver as a variation of registered colors. However, even if you register your doggy with this organization, it does not mean you can win prizes on most shows. You may wonder whether your pet needs some specific care because of its coat color. In fact, there is nothing specific, though you need to consider the characteristics and requirements for this breed. Nutrition is an important part of care, and feeding your doggy with high-quality kibble, a mixed diet, or a raw handmade diet rich in protein, fat, and useful carbs, is a must to preserve the shine of its fascinating silver coat. However, extensive brushing is recommended twice weekly, and you can do it even daily in shedding seasons. Your pet will need a medium-to-high amount of exercise. Walking with your dog twice a day for at least 45 minutes per session will do a lot of good. As well, your doggy will need training and socializing. These pups are easy to train, and you can teach them a lot of commands. The lifespan of a silver Shepherd is, on average, years. Vaccination is also very important when you take a silver puppy home. Develop a schedule with your vet and accurately follow it. Despite any misbeliefs, the coat color does not influence the overall health of silver Shepherds. They can suffer from common health problems among all other dogs of this breed. You can prevent or manage many of these conditions if you provide your pet with proper care. It is not true. However, some animals can be more aloof than others, while some individual dogs can be friendlier or more aggressive. Like all other German Shepherds, they need proper training and socialization. In addition, they do not like staying alone for a long time. They can get bored and destructive if you do not play or exercise with them. Try to include more problem-solving puzzles in the everyday training routine, and you will get a perfect pet and companion. Even the rarest blue-silver German Shepherd dogs can have the same issues as their red, tan, sable, or black counterparts. One more thing that is usually misunderstood about silver Shepherd breeding is that this color is possible only from two silver parents. In fact, any dog that has a recessive silver coloration gene can produce silver offspring. However, knowing beforehand how many puppies in the litter can be silver is impossible. That leads to breeding difficulties and the rarity of the silver Shepherds. You may wonder why it is so cheap if the dog is immensely rare. The matter is that these dogs are not accepted at the conformation shows. You can register your pup with the AKC, but the chances it will be successful in the show ring are minimal. So, breeding this tint in dogs is not popular among professionals, which accounts for a price reduction. Is a silver German Shepherd rare? Yes, this color is very rare among German Shepherds. Only the two dogs with a dilution recessive gene can produce the puppies with this tint. They do not need to be silver themselves. They can only be carriers of it. On the contrary, you never have a guarantee that a silver Shepherd will necessarily produce any silver offspring if its mate does not have that recessive gene. The color can even display in the second or third generation. Final Thoughts If you want to adopt a silver GSD and make it a part of your family and household, you need to know more about these beautiful animals. They are very intelligent, courageous, loyal, passionate, and energetic. They become superb guards and trustworthy companions. However, you have to train your dog properly to teach it to do commands and be more aloof and confident while communicating with strangers and other animals. Such pups look truly majestic, especially black and silver German Shepherd dogs. They resemble some fantastic creatures, sometimes rather scary and intimidating. However, they are very kind and caring if exercised and trained properly. You have to be ready to provide your new pet with much time and attention to avoid the development of certain behavioral problems and enjoy your time with your stunning pet. David W. I admire German Shepherds. They are magnificent dogs! I have been dealing with dogs, namely German Shepherds, throughout my life. I have been working part-time as a dog trainer and instructor for about 5 years, dealing mainly with German Shepherds. So I know a bit about these animals. Therefore, I decided to share my knowledge and experience about this fantastic breed. If you need help with advice and care tips or want to know more about German Shepherd dogs, welcome to this blog. Lifespan Sociability The Silver German Shepherd is a real spectacle—and among the rarest of all shepherd colors. Because of its rarity, you may have trouble finding a breeder near you. But always do a local search—and be prepared for the cost associated with the color. Also, they may have you sign a puppy contract stating that you will return the pup if you are ever unable to care for them. Finding a Silver Sable Shepherd at a shelter is unlikely, but still possible. If you do, you will likely have to go through a rigorous application and screening process. If you purchase a Silver Sable Shepherd this way, you can expect them to come with all applicable health care, including spay or neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping. Silver coloration in Shepherds is caused by genetic dilution. The silver color of this particular German Shepherd is the result of a recessive gene in the bloodline. Just because there might be a silver puppy in a litter does not mean that they all will share the trait. Silver Sable Shepherds are incredibly rare. You might have some real trouble locating a Silver Sable German Shepherd. When you do, you want to secure the puppy as quickly as possible—as there is high demand for them. Even if the brothers and sisters of the litter do not share the color, this can make the particular puppy cost more than the others. The ultimate cost is up to the breeder to ensure the quality of the animal. Silver Sable Shepherds are stubborn. Because the Silver Sable German Shepherd is so remarkably intelligent, they tend to have a stubborn streak. For inexperienced owners, their energy levels and intelligence can be intimidating, making training difficult. Silver Sable Shepherds are incredibly family-oriented. Like any other German Shepherd, the silver sables are intensely loyal to the members of its family. Silver Sable Shepherds are perfect for a wide variety of work-related tasks. Because of their sharpness, they do well and work-related tasks on police forces and other special duties. It truly is remarkable what these animals are capable of. Conclusion If a Silver Sable German Shepherd sounds like a perfect fit for your home life, you can start looking at breeders in your local area. If you have your heart set on this rare coloration of an excellent dog breed, we wish you the best of luck in your search. Featured Image Credit: J. Romanova, Shutterstock Contents. In , its name was changed back to German Shepherd. This correlates with anti-German sentiments that lasted throughout the war. The ancestral origin of the silver German Shepherd is as the name suggests Germany, where General Max von Stephanitz spent 35 years of his life researching and breeding dogs. In this process, he intended to develop the ideal herding dog and cross-bred different species because trying to get a better dog by breeding the same bloodline would be ineffective. The different types of German Shepherds available today come from him. The breed ranked as the third most registered breed in by the American Kennel Club, and they remain popular all around the globe. Although silver German Shepherds are a subset of the mainstream GSDs, they have precisely the same build and physique. Their breeding history is also no different than other German Shepherd Dogs. They are a relatively modern breed, with their origin dating back to .Silver GSDs have a wolf-like appearance and were originally working dogs developed for herding sheep. But because of their friendly nature, intelligence, strength, obedience, and trainability, they are now bred worldwide for other types of work such as search and rescue, police, military roles, disability assistance, and even in acting roles. Its appearance makes it stand out from other GSD dogs. Silver GSD Rarity, Cost, Look World of Dogz German Shepherds officially come in a wide range of colors , including black , black and cream, black and red, black and silver, black and tan, bicolor, blue , grey, liver, sable , and white. Blue, grey, white, liver, and silver German Shepherds within this range are considered unique and are pretty rare as well. Washed-out colors are considered undesirable because they are seen as faults, and white is disqualified from the show ring. Sorry to disappoint some — but silver German Shepherds are not always gray and glimmering. So, what does a silver GSD look like? Silver German Shepherds have an off-tan coloration. Silver color can range from a cream to an off-white color but comes in a metallic sheen in most cases. Since silver is a modification of reds and tans or pheomelanin pigmentation, they usually have black areas amongst the silver portions. Silver bi-color dogs are also predominantly black with minimum silver points and extended saddles and blankets similar to their tan counterparts. Scientists also believe their unusual coloration results from a modifier on red or tan hair. They are also known as silver sable German Shepherds. Like all Alsatians, they have a distinctive head, domed forehead, and triangular pointy ears that stand open at the front but are often pulled during movement. Silver German Shepherds are large dogs with a moderately long body length to height ratio. Males weigh lbs and are about inches tall. Females weigh lbs and will be inches tall. There is no standard weight range set by the American Kennel Club official breed standard. Watch This Gorgeous Silver German Shepherd Having Fun… Silver German Shepherd These dogs usually have a long muzzle, a short-medium to medium dense double coat, a soft and long plush tail reaching the hock, and a long neck that raises when excited and lowered when moving at a fast pace. Silver GSDs possess numerous physical qualities matching standard German Shepherds and are thus not different in build. Their silver color is simply a variation that plays no part in determining their temperament. No German Shepherd variation possesses the G series Greying gene. So, where does the silver color come from then, genetically? In German Shepherd coat color genetics , although clear scientific and genetic evidence explaining the silver coat color is not available, scientists have found out that they come from the A-series or the Agouti series. This same series also produces the sable German Shepherd and contains at least one Agouti allele not paired with a dominant sable allele. The agouti becomes quite distinctive when combined with red hair dilution, which results in the red hairs becoming cream or greyish. Studies clearly show that the silver coat color of these breeds is merely a genetic phenomenon and does not affect their temperament. However, keep in mind that they are not friendly to every stranger they meet and need adequate socialization and training. They are good with children and make excellent family dogs, but you need to set specific boundaries for them, just like any other breed. They often take on a guardian role for those within their family, owing to their history of herding sheep. Silver German Shepherds do not like staying alone for long periods and can become destructive if unexercised and boredom sets in. You can curb their behavior by giving them essential mental and physical exercise by including various activities, training, and problem-solving puzzles in their routine. This ensures that they drain their excess energy by channeling it into constructive and exciting activities. Does Silver Colour Affect Health? Coat color affects the health of some breeds, but that is not the case for silver German Shepherds. Their glorious color has no bearing on their health. They are, however, prone to certain health conditions, but that has nothing to do with their coloration. Their health correlates with that of other German Shepherd types. Hip and elbow dysplasia are some of the most common health-related complications in this breed. Instead of looking for a relationship between health and coat color, one should look at the health condition of parent dogs. Parents with high scores for hips and elbows should reduce the chances of puppies developing these conditions. By then, puppies with dysplasia risk are already bred and sold. Silver German Shepherds are a relatively healthy breed. However, like most breeds, they are prone to some conditions. These are: OCD Osteochondritis dissecans abnormal cartilage growth. Saber is a certified therapy dog as well - he loves people and loves to visit. .Saber at Three Below doing therapy and some casual shots Starting to fill out! He has had reds and tans too! Good thing she never looks at my websight or she'd kill me lol: Michelle and saber winning it all st the fair news paper article Saber doing agility walked right on the equipment first time Sabers brother at only 8 months old. .Like this male Saber consistantly produces bigger and better then himself Sabers 2 year old brother and letter from owners Good Morning Robin, I figured since Max just turned 2 I'd update you. He was born on 17 Dec , to Blaze and Ziva. Had him at the vet's on Monday and he weighed in at pounds, so his weight has been pretty steady for the past few months, but he has grown taller. Currently he likes to rest his chin on the dining room table when he watches me on the laptop. Always ready in case there is an opportunity to be pet. Loves riding in the car, and gets along great with other dogs, but still apprehensive with new people, or with someone he hasn't seen in a while. I always bring treats with me to help with the introductions. Loves going with me to different businesses where allowed and has never been a problem. Great on hikes, and he carries his own backpack and supplies. The picture was taken this morning while he was waiting for his breakfast. As you can see, the silver is starting to really show. We get stopped all the time when we're out and about because of his looks, and I'm always asked if it's ok for them to take his picture because they've never seen another German Shepherd like him. I've had too many offers to sell him to count. The vet's office is really surprised at his disposition because he takes the poking and proding without incident considering his size. As always there are people worried about him because of his size, but they soon learn their fears are unfounded. Overall I'd have to say he's been a great dog. Saber sons from his first litter out of a very small female! Both at 10 months old are over lbs and 30 " high at the shoulder. The rare tri color sable male is lbs the black and silver at 10 months old. When we take them for walks they strut like the world is looking at them. I wanted to get another puppy before he passed away, so that our older dog could help raise the puppy. After a while, I found your website, and looked through it, repeatedly. I was impressed by what you detailed. Large GSDs, with calm temperaments, good health, and long lives. I then researched your reputation. I am a trained investigator, being suspicious is a career hazard. I could only find one, single complaint.I wasn't really looking for a "breed standard" GSD.I was looking for more. Another white shepherd, with a straight back and good hips. I called you, and discussed what I was looking for.A large white GSD, with a good protective drive, lower prey drive, and a mellow disposition. Well, it is a year later.And we have gotten far more that what I had hoped for. Physically, he is an amazing example of a German Shepherd. He is a solid pounds, with incredible muscle tone, and a massive head. He has yet to start filling out. I expect him to be at least pounds. In all honesty, I have been a bit startled by how quickly he grew, and how large he has become. My veterinarian, who has been practicing for 35 years, has remarked that she has never seen another dog like him. She is very impressed with his bone structure, his stance, and how proportional he is. His strong, straight back; his massive head, his size, and his strength are all things that she has noted. She has suggested that I breed him, because she believes that it would be a shame not to pass his genetics on.He is, quite simply.When we take him out in public, he creates quite a stir. People routinely approach us to compliment him, and how beautiful he is. He has been described as "gorgeous", "regal", and "majestic". The fact that our eight year old can control him in public only adds to people's fascination with him. He is very obedient, and was easy to train.He is very intelligent. He is affectionate, very loving, and very playful. Despite his size, he is quite gentle with those he loves. His protective drive is very appropriate. He is wary of strangers until properly introduced. He physically places himself between my children and other people. After being taught by our older shepherd, he now regularly patrols the perimeter of our property. I have included a few pictures. Unfortunately, it is hard to get good angles of him, because he thinks my taking pictures is some sort of game. The pictures truly do not do him any justice. We will be picking up another puppy from you. Quite frankly, I think that you have managed to produce amazing examples of what GSDs should be.Large and powerful; extremely intelligent, loyal and gentle; superior health and longevity, with a very appropriate protective drive. You have surpassed all of my expectations, and our family thanks you.Andrew Sadowski. Are they healthy dogs? Strong, rich colors are generally preferred in this working bred dog. This may be why silver grey dogs are less common. Washed out colors, including blues and livers, are considered a serious fault. The white coat color is undesirable within the official description, and even leads to disqualification from the show ring. Where Do They Come From? The black and silver German Shepherd is essentially the same as any other color of German Shepherd Dog. The history of the German Shepherd Dog, of course, can be traced back to Germany. Cavalry Officer Max von Stephanitz decided he wanted to breed the ideal herding dog. Von Stephanitz spent 35 years dedicating his life to improving the breed. Expanding from its pastoral herding roots to showing its utility as a service dog and in police and military canine units worldwide. The Genetics of the Silver German Shepherd Coat color genetics are complex, with the exact genes responsible for silver coloration yet to be fully identified. Within the German Shepherd breed, the gene for sable is dominant over all other colors and patterns. The first registered German Shepherd Dog was sable in color. While you may see a working silver sable Shepherd, that would be a very unusual color combination. Different colors Bear in mind as well that the final color of a puppy will only be clear once the outer coat has fully developed. This means that a relatively dark coated puppy could develop into a mature black and silver German Shepherd Dog. They are large dogs, weighing between 50 — 90 pounds and standing between 22 — 26 inches tall. And have a muscular, strong body, with pointed ears and a dense double coat. You may have seen parent dogs advertised as black saddle silver German Shepherds, but what does that actually mean? Any German Shepherd Dog with silver coloration is less likely to have a silverback German Shepherd pattern. Grooming The double coat of the German Shepherd does require brushing every few days to remove loose hairs. They will also shed twice a year, leaving a significant amount of hair behind! Color vs Temperament There is no link between the gene for silver fur and the typical temperament traits of the dog. German Shepherds have a reputation for being fiercely intelligent, intensely loyal, and enthusiastic about work or exercise. This is a brave and courageous breed, as well as being more aloof than some others. They are good around children they know, and often take on a guardian role for those within their own family. Training and Activity All German Shepherds are intelligent dogs, regardless of their coat patterns. Their high level of intelligence means they are a joy to train, and enjoy positive, reward-based training methods. These are active dogs, and require regular daily exercise. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for German Shepherds. Be sure to challenge yours with activities such as agility, or learning tricks, as a way to keep both their mind and body stimulated. Unfortunately, all German Shepherds can be prone to a range of health conditions. Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are both common in the breed. Parent dogs should have been given a score for their hips and elbows. By selecting parent dogs with high scores, you can reduce the chances of your puppy developing these conditions. This is the result of abnormal cartilage growth. Other health conditions that can affect this breed include: Degenerative myelopathy.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Imagine you knew how to discipline a German Shepherd puppy the right way so that your bond with your dog grew instead of fell short! Learn how to communicate with your pup and get the behaviors you want using these simple and easy methods for training a German Shepherd puppy. They may become frightened of you or fear your presence, depending on how severe your discipline is. Anxiety may even develop with too much punishment or useless corrections. Training a German Shepherd puppy at 8 to 12 weeks old? Yes, you can! A GSD pup of 8 to 12 weeks of age or older still needs positive reinforcement for the best behavior changes. Disciplining your GSD should not involve hitting, kicking, slapping, intimidation, or yelling. Do you want your German Shepherd puppy to stop their unwanted, bad behavior and turn into the sweet angel you want them to be? You can easily learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy if you work smarter… Not harder! Start early and remain consistent with your expectations. Training a German Shepherd means knowing what to do when your puppy acts up. Shepherd pups are one of the smartest dogs on the plant and learn quickly what you expect of them. But the best way to learn how to train a German Shepherd puppy at home is to work on your own behavior first. You should show them what behavior is unacceptable in your house. This means that you must stay consistent when responding to their behavior. For example: If your pup jumps on you and you redirect their attention to a toy to chew on instead. But, then your pup jumps on your friend and your friend lets them and you say nothing. This makes it likely that your dog will jump on whoever they feel like in the future. Use reward-based training. Use reward-based German Shepherd training techniques to get the quickest results. Reward-based training helps your puppy recognize when something is a bad choice source. When your pup performs what you ask, offer a tasty treat and words of praise. For example: Have your pup sit when you are by the front door getting ready to go for a walk. This teaches them that when they behave, they are more likely to get what they want. The best way to train your German Shepherd is by following a fun, engaging program that teaches not only the basics but covers problem behaviors, too. Sound difficult? It teaches you how to get your pup to learn positive behaviors. You can also have fun right at home with these games for German Shepherd puppies. Offer your puppy another option when they begin jumping on you for attention. Think about what your puppy is trying to get when engaging in jumping and bad behavior to determine when to ignore them. When your pup jumps on you when you come home, they probably want your attention. Withholding your attention when they are acting out shows them they need to act differently to get your approval source. Instead, offer them pets and praise when they have all 4 paws on the floor. You can also place them behind a puppy gate until they learn not to jump in order to avoid them scratching or nipping house guests when they arrive. After you teach them their basic obedience, ask them for a competing behavior like a sit or down when they begin to jump. Always remember to reward the behavior you want to see again! Ultimately, your puppy learns that good behavior earns your affection and attention more quickly. Your dog soon understands that they get nothing from you when they act badly. Here are some great commands for a German Shepherd that you can work on training. Redirect bad German Shepherd puppy behavior. Does your puppy jump, nip, chew, bite, or dig and you want to know the right discipline? The noise and disapproving tone distract your dog from bad behavior source. Showing them a favorite toy. Offering them another option you would like that is more constructive. You want to remember to watch out for: If your dog chews inappropriately on a pair of expensive shoes, get their attention by making noises or calling them to you and immediately offer the correct approved chew item. If you know your dog tends to bite you during play, have a toy nearby you can show them that you want them to bite instead of your arms. If you know they get wild and crazy in the evenings, have a list of these easy German Shepherd brain games to distract them and funnel their energy. Use time-outs appropriately when training a German Shepherd puppy. When your dog engages in bad behavior, remove them from what is causing the unwanted behavior. Put them in a different environment that is more calming and quiet instead. Respond immediately to the bad behavior and use the same routine every time to maintain correct discipline. Time out should: Not be done with force or yelling. Not be in a closet or other dark, scary area. Work to calm your puppy down, not frighten or stress them. Give your puppy a break from over-excitement. Not be a long punishment. Timeouts are generally recommended for only 1 to 2 minutes for puppies. Also, remember that closed doors can cause anxiety in dogs, so use a reliable pet-safe baby gate so that your puppy knows that you are still nearby. Remember, when training a German Shepherd puppy: Time out should not last over minutes. Watch for when your puppy is calm and quiet for a very brief period seconds long of calm. Then let them out quietly, without scolding them. This can cause anxiety. Remember to use a pet gate to separate them from the excitement that caused the unwanted behavior, while still allowing them to see you and not feel trapped. Ignore the unnecessary barking. German Shepherd puppies bark, but there are positive ways to help train them to bark and whine less. When they finally quiet down, even if only for a few seconds, reward them with a treat or praise. To have success, wait until they are quiet and stop barking, even if only for a few seconds in the beginning source. For example: If your puppy barks at joggers out the window every morning pull the blinds or curtains. If the behavior continues, place your dog in another room for a couple of minutes and repeat the previous time-out procedure every time they bark at the joggers remember to use the pet safe baby gate and to not shut a puppy behind a solid door because it can give them anxiety. If they are whining and crying at night, this could be a warning they need to potty. Make sure you read this post to know how to potty train a German Shepherd before you ignore all whining, barking, and crying. If your puppy barks during play they might be too excited and you can offer them a chew toy instead or cut your playtime short to allow them to calm down. Puppies bark for a number of reasons. But it does get easier to train your GSD over time as they learn what you expect. Keeping your pup from nipping and chewing. Puppies have sharp teeth, especially German Shepherd puppies! Puppies are energetic and must learn their limits for playing too rough source. Puppies view you jerking your hand back quickly as part of a game and could also tear your skin. And physical punishment should never be given! Show them what they can chew, instead, such as their favorite chew toy. Have plenty of safe chew toys to grab nearby to give your pup when they get wild and decide to bite you. Always use toys that your puppy can chew and bite to play with — pick from this list of German Shepherd Chew Toys to Prevent Boredom so you have a safe puppy toy that can take their bites. When they stop biting or nipping reward them with verbal praise and pets. Return later to try playing with your pup again and repeat the procedure. Read this information for more helpful tips to stop your German Shepherd puppy from aggressively biting and nipping you. Catch your dog being good and reward them out of the blue. See your puppy acting the way you want? Reward them out of the blue! Keep small bits of treats in jars around the house out of reach of your pup or in your pocket or a treat bag on your waist and use any opportunity your catch your pup doing good to reward them. If they sit and wait at the door, instead of dashing out ahead of you, reward them! Aim for one of these healthy treats that are the best for German Shepherds and pick carefully to ensure your dog stays athletic and fit. Food-based rewards are very motivating when training and disciplining a puppy. Avoid physical punishment and harm. Your German Shepherd is your companion for life. Research shows that physically punishing your dog for example hitting, kicking, growling, or staring them down increases aggression in your dog study source. Never use physical punishment to correct undesirable behavior. Not only can this punishment injure your puppy, but it also ruins your relationship and causes anxiety. It means setting expectations that they understand and staying consistent. Physically hurting your German shepherd will ruin your relationship with them. They will lose their trust in you and begin to avoid you. In the worst case, your dog could develop anxiety disorders, health issues, or even more problem behaviors. You could even accidentally injure your dog and they need vet care! Use the right tone and body language to communicate. Different commands and body language conveys information for training to your German Shepherd. The different tones of your voice and body movements are better understood by your dog. The actual command words are of less importance to your puppy. Use a direct tone and body language that matches what you want to say to your dog. Even pointing to a missed treat on the ground is body language your dog learns to understand. Still not convinced? Try out your training with this extensive list of helpful German Shepherd commands and watch how much your dog is capable of understanding. Shepherd pups want to please and have order in their home. To do this, stick with your training. Begin with a plan in place and disciplining your GSD will go smoother from the start. Persevere with your training and discipline. Remember that your German Shepherd is highly intelligent and needs your help to get the best from them. If you feel like giving up, take a break from training for a day or two. In order to avoid training frustration, remember that just like you a German Shepherd needs time to learn the rules of the house and new commands. This is true especially of puppies or rescue dogs. If you want to take a break from training and have fun, then include a few days a week of puzzles. German Shepherds are one of the smartest dogs in the world, so training them generally takes a short time. Never discipline a German Shepherd puppy for having accidents during potty training. Whether your German Shepherd is potty trained or not, never push their faces into their potty accidents. Your dog is counting on your leadership to show them the rules in a positive manner. Work on setting a consistent schedule with feeding and walks to avoid potty accidents indoors. German Shepherds are easy to train given the right attention. And they need to understand their schedule by having you teach them using consistent patterns, rather than receiving punishment or discipline. Keep a potty schedule posted nearby so all your family can see it and help prevent your puppy from having an accident. Use your bond with your puppy to your advantage during recall training. Use your positive bond with your German Shepherd puppy to work on early recall training. Especially when there are so many natural pleasures to see and explore outside. When you call your German Shepherd, its obedience simply depends on whether the motivation to obey your commands outweighs what your dog is focused on at the moment. Use this to your advantage! Tips for great German Shepherd puppy recall training: Begin calling your puppy in as many locations inside as you can. Give them a tasty reward or play a game with their favorite toy when they come. Work your way up to a perfect recall by having others try to distract your puppy while indoors. Next, move to your back or front yard with your dog on a long leash like this so they stay safe nearby and do the same. You can disciple them by showing them your tasty treat and walking backward a few steps to encourage them to move toward you. Train the come command in all situations, including the home and outdoors, from the time your puppy is 6 to 8 weeks old to avoid discipline problems later on. Need to train your German Shepherd on their recall? Although any German Shepherd dog is trainable, they are very strong and powerful animals. If you start out with a puppy, you have the opportunity to shape and mold its personality and develop your relationship early. German Shepherds can be very protective of their family members, so you want to socialize your puppy early in puppyhood. This will get them used to interacting well with a wide variety of people and animals, which is essential. This will be a big dog, and you want to prepare the dog when they are young and small for future grooming and veterinary visits. They may need nail trimming, ear cleaning, temperature taking and other procedures. These procedures will be difficult to accomplish should your full-sized adult German Shepherd dog object. You will need to train them to sit, stay, and heel, in addition to house training them. Your puppy will not understand your commands immediately. Have patience with your dog when they don't do exactly what you ask right away. German Shepherds love to learn and they are highly motivated to follow your commands if they are rewarded with treats. Pet your puppy while they're eating, as long as they do not stiffen and stop eating when you are petting the puppy. If the puppy stiffens, stops eating or growls, you have to deal with this aggressive response immediately. Do this by removing the food bowl and feeding the dog by hand. There is no bowl to guard. Make the bowl no big deal. If a piece of food is dropped inside, let the puppy take it and praise them. Then feed nearby again. The bowl will not always have food inside. Gradually increase the amount of food you drop in the bowl as you stand or sit there with the puppy. You can also add high value treats like roasted chicken breast into the bowl if your puppy seems to need more reassurance that you bring goodness to the food bowl. Resource guarding can be a very serious symptom of fear aggression and, if you are seeing this in a puppy, it needs to be addressed ASAP so it does not escalate. You can gradually ask the puppy to look at you to get more food, then sit and wait for more food, etc. .The humans controls the resource of food and rewards the puppy for good behavior. You still praise your dog, just not offer a treat each time. If you are working to modify a command to create a faster response, add in treats again to shape the behavior until they have it down. Then start using treats to reward truly outstanding performance. Do not yell at your pet. Learn to recognize when you are losing patience and stop the training session on a happy note. Your dog can sense your frustration in your body language and tone of voice. Try another day when you are both fresh. If you continue to have problems, get a professional trainer involved. Typically, as puppies are first learning commands, one adult family member will be responsible for training. Later, when the puppy is consistent and understands the basics, other members of the family can participate in formal training. It is important for the dog to understand that not only one person in the household is to be obeyed. Your puppy should be weeks old and started on their vaccine series for this first class. There are puppy preschools designed for puppies who have not yet finished receiving all of their vaccines. The school will have certain requirements for enrollment and you will likely have to provide proof of vaccination. Calm older dogs are good for this one. Most importantly for German Shepherd puppies, it will give you a chance to work with them around other people, and different dogs from a young age. Settle on a mat German Shepherds are incredibly curious, which can make it difficult for them to relax while out and about. Leash walking — no one wants a large breed of dog pulling them down the street, so be sure you teach loose lead walking and how about some heelwork too? Recall games — Play a game of tennis with your pooch! Calling them from person to person with treats on either side. Get started with grooming and brushing sensitive areas — In long-haired German Shepherds, this is typically the case with the face, legs, and ears, which become tangled the most and may hurt when brushed. Remember to brush carefully, do a little bit of brushing on a sensitive area while feeding them treats or letting them have a lickimat, and then brush an easier to brush area. For socialisation, start working on items that are vital to your lifestyle this week, such as if you have a horse and want your puppy to be comfortable with horses, or if you enjoy sailing, having them near water will be important to you. Getting your puppy exposed to new experiences early on can help them accept them much more easily. Socialization exercises to do this week Training to do this week Husbandry Tasks to do this week — Go to the pub — you deserve it! Remember that settle training you did before, take your mat and get your German Shepherd puppy to settle on it with a nice stuffed kong. Alone training: increasing time alone is important for your puppy. It gives them essential coping skills. Recall — Practise this outside, using a lead, and lots of rewards. Lead walking — Take this outside. Make sure you keep a strong pace going, since German Shepherds enjoy walking quickly, and praise often to keep your puppy interested. Pretend Nail Clips — simply holding a claw, pretending to clip , and rewarding your puppy with a treat is enough. Following on walks — Bring special toys, like the Tug-E-Nuff Pocket tugger, with you on walks to ensure your German Shepherd puppy enjoys hanging out with you. Playing with them will make you irresistible! Week 7 — Training your German Shepherd puppy The 7-week itch! Nah not really. I bet your German Shepherd puppy is doing wonderfully and growing rapidly! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — How about taking your German Shepherd to a city farm, letting them watch from afar and rewarding them for being such a calm puppy? Teach your German Shepherd puppy to stay — this will be a great one to show off at the park, trust us. So, first, take a walk with a dog that your German Shepherd puppy has already met. At first, it may be difficult for your puppy not to get distracted, so keep the rewards coming and try to keep them interested in you, rather than the other dog! Recall — off the lead Make sure you do this in a secure and confined area and bring plenty of smelly treats, a fun toy to play with, and your silly high-pitched voice so you can call your German Shepherd puppy back regularly. Remember, German Shepherds enjoy learning! Tick 3 things off your personal socialisation checklist — maybe take your German Shepherd for a swimming lesson? Practice exercises in different locations — how about a train station, or in a shopping centre or mall? Teach a hand target — This is a favourite among pups and their owners. Hand Targeting or touching is the foundation for additional trick behaviours like leg weaving and closing doors. Introducing nose work to your puppy — We mean it when we say your German Shepherd puppy has a better nose than you! Play a game of hide and seek with their favourite toy to bring out those excellent search skills. Looking for more great puppy training tips? Check out our overview of when to start teaching your puppy anything , next. It will be fun they said. We go the extra mile for you. If you want a stress free puppy experience, get this downloaded! Worth every single penny! This app is very helpful. It helps you to understand and gives you a path to follow. The coaching support is excellent and super speedy. Download the app now. How to train your German Shepherd Dog — 5 key steps Niki Dog health and wellness Puppy training December 29, The OneMind Dogs method is built on the idea that close bonds start with owners understanding their dogs. Building a magical connection with your German Shepherd takes empathy, patience, and a keen eye for the non-verbal cues dogs communicate with. Naturally, this applies to training all dogs, especially those highly intelligent breeds that need plenty of stimulation. Two German Shepherds can be equally fast learners but have different learning styles. One may prefer to think through a task while the other prefers jumping in head first. Setting the dog up for success in training So, what does it mean to set up for success? When you train matters as much as how you train. Choose a time of day when your dog is likely to be motivated, focused, and eager. A motivated puppy will pay more attention and have an easier time following cues. Training just before mealtime is great because then mealtime becomes a reward. Rewards also encourage dogs to focus and listen. Try lots of different toys — hard, soft, noisy, bouncy, crinkly etc. Make the family part of the fun and DIY safe puppy toys at home! If rewards are how you finish strong, routine is what gives you momentum going into training. When sessions start at the same time every day, dogs know what to expect, and when. Likewise, late afternoon sessions can help energetic puppies wind down for the evening and sleep soundly. Knowing what they value tells us what motivates them. We can use this to communicate things more intuitively. This also applies when trying to teach your dog new commands. This means we need to help them connect the verbal command to the act of putting their bum on the floor. Being flexible will keep you from getting frustrated and your puppy from feeling overwhelmed. How we respond has a huge impact on the success of any training session. We focus on positive reinforcement because it rewards a job well done, and uses healthy alternatives to replace bad manners. Plus dogs respond much better, learn faster and trust you more in the long run! Teaching your German Shepherd to chill out alone Boundaries are the key to a happy home for every family, and the same is true when bringing a new pet into yours. Spacial boundaries range from having a safe nook where they chill out to staying calm when visitors come over. Giving your dog a safe space to chill alone will help them get used to their own company. Running an obstacle course and other physical exercises teaches dogs to use their bodies, improves balance, and supports their growth. Mental stimulation, on the other hand, improves their focus, regulates emotions, and strengthens the magical bond they share with you. Training that engages their minds as much as their bodies will lead to better results. It helps your dog stay on task, even in a disruptive environment. Using their brains to solve problems builds confidence by engaging all the tools they need in everyday life. Success here is about pairing fitness and focus. OneMind Dogs Foundation for Agility has some great tips to keep daily walks fun , exciting, and mentally stimulating. You can even hide the DIY puppy toys as part of a game to get their noses working. To train a German Shepherd puppy dog you must be consistent, kind and clear. German Shepherd dog puppies are divinely cute and for a reason! Just like babies are cute, puppies will win your heart even after destroying your favorite pair of shoes or that expensive carpet! Making sure you use them will start you on the right side of training and pave the road for you to get an obedient dog. The good news is that you do not need any special equipment to have an obedient GSD puppy. All you need is love and treats. The most important German Shepherd puppy training tip is socialization. Some vets will tell you to keep the pooch inside until the full set of vaccines is completed. Unfortunately, if you do keep your pooch safe inside until he is months of age, his socialization period will have closed forever and your chance to raise a friendly and confident dog drops significantly! That said, it is ultimately your decision whether you want to take the risk to take him outside or not. Most large US cities do not have too many disease problems and taking your puppy to a class where the trainer checks that every puppy has had the first set of shots is mostly safe. However, if you leave in a rural area, make sure there is not an outbreak of a disease that can affect your pooch. Of all the German Shepherd puppy training tips, I suggest you really think this one through. As a dog trainer, I recommend you find a safe puppy socialization class because this developmental period is critical to prevent behavior problems in the future. Apart from that, you also need to socialize your puppy daily on your own, this link will explain the process and give you a list of things to check as you go! Tip 2: Teach your German Shepherd puppy to use his mouth properly. You may have noticed that your German Shepherd puppy likes to chew on your shoes, toys, boxes, carpets, pillows, your hands…well, pretty much everything! Before you loose your mind and all your precious possessions let me tell you that this is normal puppy behavior. At this age dogs explore everything with their mouths and even though annoying, it is a great time to teach your pet what is appropriate for his mouth as well as how to soften the bite. The reason German Shepherd dog puppies have sharp teeth is because they are capable of learning how much or how little pressure to apply when biting different things. This is good news! To train a German Shepherd puppy to do this follow this link! Tip 3: Potty train your German Shepherd puppy the right way. Right around now you are also probably dealing with potty training, the best German Shepherd puppy training tips for potty training are outlined below. You should know how many times, and when to take you puppy out. I am sure you have heard all sorts of things against the use of food for training. To do this, you need to find the things that your dog likes most and use them as rewards. Food will be one of them, so use it. But also use anything else, like walks, petting, play time, toys, etc. So, of all the German shepherd puppy training tips here, I don't want to hear any excuses for this one! Done the right way, your pooch will respond to your command even when empty handed. Hope my website is helping you better understand and train your dog. Do you want to help? Be a modern philanthropist through Patreon. This is a hard concept to understand for us, clever human beings. When we learn something new, we can very easily generalize the concept to any situation, that is what makes us creative creatures. Fortunately, you have a German Shepherd puppy, they are clever and chances are they will need less repetitions than the average breed. To help you out on this matter, this link will take you to a step-by-step guide to train a reliable command. Tip 6: Train your German Shepherd puppy to ask for permission. Dog commands and fun and useful and you can probably find hundreds to teach your GSD. This one though - Ask for permission - is technically not a command, because you will not ask your canine to do it every time, instead you want to teach him to do it on his own every time the occasion requires it. Take time to do this with your puppy, it will be worth it! This is another one of the most important German Shepherd puppy training tips because a dog that asks for permission is an obedient and safe dog. To prevent a dog from jumping on people it is imperative to teach that same dog not to jump when he is a puppy. If he jumps again, then ignore again. When I say ignore, I mean it! No eye contact, no pushing or kneeing…nothing. Keep turning around if you have to. Pulling on the leash is another of those dog behaviors that people think come out of the blue, but actually they happen because there was never formal training done. To prevent pulling on the leash all you have to do is make sure your puppy understands that he gets rewarded food, petting, attention, verbal praise, keep on walking, etc. Pay close attention to what he does during those first few walks together and make sure you reward him for staying close to you! Got any German Shepherd puppy training tips to share with us? Tell us about them here! Those ideas came from research done in wolfs in captivity and have now been debunked by new research done in wolfs in the wild. The new research says that you need to be a good leader, kind of like a parent. Alphas are most often the parents of the group. Provide shelter, food, safety and limits. This article tells you more about it! Tip The best German Shepherd puppy training tip is… Reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior. This rule is amazing and will work wonders, besides it is really easy to apply, all you have to do is pay attention to your German Shepherd puppy and reward the good things he does. You need to figure out what the reward is and remove it. For example, when a dog is laying down, it is harder to bark. This Form cannot be submitted until the missing fields labelled below in red have been filled in What is your DOG's name? Please note that all fields followed by an asterisk must be filled in.

Scroll down for LIVE puppy cams! However, if mama needs a little help, we are very close by monitoring the process to assist removing the sac or stimulating a puppy to breathe. When mama has finished her clean up, we remove puppy for a quick weight, add an ID collar, and treat the umbilical stump with a disinfectant. For the first few days after birth, we practically have to drag mama away from her babies to get her to go out to potty. After the first few days, mama begins to leave the puppies for brief periods of time—usually she lies just outside the box on the cool floor—she needs an occasional break from the higher temperature that is so necessary for her babies. We also have a heating pad area the puppies can choose to move to if they need more warmth when mama is away. Puppies are little heat seeking missiles—they have heat sensors on the sides of their noses. This heat seeking instinct guides them to mama to nurse, to each other to puppy pile and to warm areas in their nest. We also add one additional step by presenting the puppies with a new scent stimulation daily. This series of brief, specific exercises we perform are in addition to our normal daily handling of the puppies as we weigh them, trim toenails, move them to clean their area, etc. One Week Old: The puppies continue to spend all their time nursing or sleeping. During this week, we give them their first toenail trim and continue to weigh each puppy two-three times a day. We monitor weight gain carefully, since that is our first indication that a puppy might need a little extra boost of supplemental formula. Puppies generally double their weight in their first week of life! These rails originated on farms to protect piglets—hence the name pig rail. Puppies often gravitate to the outer edges of the box and wedge themselves down in a corner. Since mama is spending most of her time in the box with her babies all around her, she often leans back against the walls and falls deeply asleep as she recovers from her labor and delivery. The rail stops her from crushing or smothering a baby that has burrowed in behind her along the edge. We remove the rails when the puppies are about three weeks old and are strong enough to raise a ruckus if they get trapped. Towards the end of the first week, we see their eyelids begin to become more defined and separate, and their eyelashes grow longer. By the beginning of the second week, the eyes are starting to open in the inner corner and working to the outer corner of the eyes. By days old, their eyes will be open. Two Weeks Old: The puppies eyes are all open now and their ears will be opening in the next few days. At this age puppies do not experience fear, so the startle is not fear driven. In these next few weeks before they begin experiencing fear around weeks of age, we will mildly stress them with noises to build their recovery response. We are carefully watching the intensity of the startle and the speed of recovery—our goal is to elicit a very mild startle followed by a rapid recovery. By repeating the noise several times in a row, the startle response will diminish and go away and the recovery will become immediate. This will help the puppies be stable to new sounds and experiences as they grow into adult dogs. The puppies continue to gain weight at a remarkable rate—often several ounces a day. Mama is still stimulating puppies to potty and cleaning up completely after—she keeps the nest fastidiously clean. Their awareness of their surroundings is awakening. We start enriching their environment during this week—we generally remove the whelping box at this point to give them more room to explore, adding soft toys to give texture to their area. We place potty pads at the back of their area for the beginning of potty training, and we help define that potty area by adding sleeping beds, changing the bedding in the main area of their pen several times a day and leaving the soiled pads in the potty area. The puppies will gradually begin to follow the scent to the specific potty area, and in a matter of weeks they will regularly go to the designated potty area to eliminate. Four-Six Weeks Old: During these weeks we continue to add enrichment items to their area and also expand their area as they show signs of needing more room to move and explore. The puppies become more stable on their legs and start to interact with one another, play bowing, barking at one another, and noticing us. We have continued the weekly toenail trims and daily handling—touching paws, ears, body. At this time we increase our interactions with the puppies and spend more individual time with them. As the puppies continue to wake up and become more aware over the next several weeks, we will start our clicker training exercises, following our Puppy Culture protocols. Although the puppies are still nursing, during this time they are introduced to food. We start them with puppy formula, gradually adding in raw lamb and baby rice cereal, then softened kibble and diminishing the formula. Mama dog is usually tired of sharp teeth nursing and she pushes the puppies to weaning. She no longer lies down to nurse and only spends brief times in the pen with them cleaning them and checking on them—then out she jumps to lie just out of reach, keeping an eye on things, but no longer feeling as protective. At this point, she is fine to let the other older dogs interact with her babies, and she happily rejoins her guardian family once her puppies are eating solid food on their own. Seven-Nine Weeks Old: Weather permitting, puppies are introduced to the outside area through the doggy door and discover a whole new world of running, larger toys and obstacles, wind, sun, rain, the chickens, etc. Such fun times they have outside! They become proficient at diving through the doggy door, in and out all day. In the warmer months, we have a wading pool for them to play in, in fall and winter they chase leaves, dodge rain drops, and play in rain puddles. We welcome visitors once the puppies are six weeks old, and the puppies love meeting children, teens, and adults. At about eight weeks of age we do our temperament and structure evaluations and veterinarian check up. The big day arrives all too quickly that we make puppy allocations and at nine weeks old our puppies head off to new horizons, adventures, and wonderful lives with YOU! All rights reserved. All of the puppies that have been born currently have families anxiously awaiting their arrival. Please see our upcoming litter list. To see upcoming available litters that we are currently accepting applications and deposits for, please click the links below: Litters Frequently Asked Questions FAQ When should I tell my kids about the new puppy? You should wait to tell any kiddos about getting a new puppy until the litter has been born and you know there are enough puppies or your preferred color, gender are available. Mother Nature decides if a mom gets pregnant and how many she will have. Some things are just out of our control. Puppies are God made not Amazon made. How much are your puppies and what is included? This includes a two-year health guarantee against congenital health problems, the first round of core vaccines administered by a licensed veterinarian during a thorough physical examination, and a microchip. The microchip is an ISO chip that is universal and will be recognized should you travel outside the United States. Lastly, this price includes a lifetime of support for you in providing the love and care that every puppy deserves. How do you keep the families updated on the puppies? Weekly you will receive an email update explaining where the pups are developmentally and what we are doing with them. Updates also include attachments of learning articles that concentrate on care and training and group or individual pictures. What happens after the puppies are born? The pups are de-wormed at two weeks, four weeks, six weeks, and at eight weeks of age. Socialization is begun early with the introduction of different toys in the whelping box as mom will allow and later into the weaning pen with the purpose of stimulating all 5 senses. We subscribe to the Avidog and Puppy Culture protocols for temperament development. Lastly, the puppies are introduced to car rides early and frequently. Therefore, our pups rarely develop car sickness. How are pups allotted? Pups are allocated at seven weeks of age after the temperament testing is completed. Families are notified during the seventh-week email update as to which puppy they will be bringing home. At what age do puppies go home? We feel 8 weeks of age is the optimal time for puppies to separate from their litter. Longer, and it creates more stress for them. The take-home day is scheduled for the 8th week from the actual birth date. Do you provide transportation services if we live out of town? Yes, we can either drive your puppy to you or we can fly your puppy on our lap to your nearest airport where you will meet us. There, we will go over the puppy orientation and hand-deliver your new family member. You will need to let us know ahead of time if this is needed and a specific quote based on your location will be given. No, this date is not flexible. Additionally, when planning, be advised that pups cannot be boarded publicly until they are four months of age and have vaccines completed. What else do you send home with the puppy? It is a preferred collar for young pups as it is very lightweight and less distracting than heavier adult collars. If I have other questions what is the best way to contact you? Email is preferred, but you may also call or text us at Our locations In addition to our Greensboro and Milton locations, we have some exciting news! Our reputation and business have really grown. Chances are you found us because a friend or a family member has one of our puppies or you ran into someone walking an adorable doodle down the street. Our mission has always been to breed for health and temperament and moving the breed forward. One way to ensure we are doing just that is by rising our puppies in-home while giving both mom and puppies individual love and attention. However, with as much as our reputation has grown, there is no way we can meet demand and continue to execute our high level of standards when it comes to socialization, care, and attention. This brings me to our exciting news! We are happy to announce that we are expanding and opening up two new sites in addition to our Milton locations. We will now have a location in Wytheville Va. My sister, who holds a doctorate as a Nurse Practitioner, and provides tela-health from home, is very excited to join our team. We believe her medical background and a lifetime love of dogs, will be an excellent addition. She adopted a puppy from us named Ginger, and once she received her, she was hooked on the doodle breed. She will whelp and raise the Georgia x Harley litter that is due August 1st. Because we came to this decision after her litter was already reserved, we will still hold Family Day and Go Home Day in Greensboro, so that a change in location will not be an inconvenience to you. Sally and Andrew Anglin have one son, Ben, a rescue dog, and a current guardian mom, Sammie! We want our puppies to get a tremendous amount of individual hands-on attention, and I knew this would be right up her alley! It is our sincere hope that the Anglin family will want to continue raising the occasional Good Day Doodle litter after Sammie retires! We do not want to expand Good Day Doodles unless we can do it in a way that maintains our highly regarded reputation for excellence. We are very excited and want to see Good Day Doodles grow and produce the best possible puppies. We believe that we have put together an outstanding team to do just that.

Moderate Grooming Moderate Grooming Although enthusiasts would advise any interested dog owners to ask which line their Lab mix puppies come from, it's still important to note that there is only one Labrador breed. Whichever your Lab mix is from, I'm sure it'd still be the best boy or girl you can ever care for. Labrador Mixes Size Because Labradors are considered medium to large dogs, so they definitely affect their hybrid size. For example, small breeds mixed with Labradors may stand and weigh more than the other purebred parent. Mixed with larger breeds, then they may stand and weigh less than the larger parent. It all boils down to your preference and lifestyle as the owner. Labrador Mixes Life Span Numerous studies have found that mixed-breed dogs may live just a little bit longer than purebreds. The same goes with Labrador mixes as they are expected to live for 12 to 14 years, slightly longer than a purebred Labrador of 10 to 12 years. But as long as they are happy and healthy, Lab mixes can surely accompany you for a much longer time than that! Labrador Mixes Health Generally, Labradors are quite a healthy breed. The same goes with Lab mixes, although they can still be prone to diseases inherent to their parents' breed even though they are expected to be genetically better. Some health concerns that Lab mix owners need to watch out for are different eye diseases, Elbow and Hip Dysplasia , Arthritis, Obesity, etc. Labrador Mixes Temperament Knowing the temperament of a purebred pup is easy, but not for mixed breeds. As they are born from two different breeds with different personalities and temperaments, your guess is only as good as mine on how a Labrador hybrid will turn out. If possible, meet both parents to know what personality your dog may pick up. Or you can also observe their behavior and temperament in the kennel, especially if they are at least 6 months of age or older. Labrador Mixes Energy Level Because Labradors are energetic, their mixes can also be quite energetic too, especially if combined with an equally active breed. As a rule of thumb, a Labrador mix needs at least 1 hour of physical activity a day or else, they'd redirect their energy to chewing off things, and you don't want that! And depending on how active they are, they can do zoomies way longer than that! Apart from running or playing fetch, Labradors are also known swimmers—maybe that's something your Lab mix would also want to try! The over-the-top cuteness of a Labradoodle won the hearts of millions of dog owners worldwide with their cute smile, teeny ears for a big body, and fluffy fur. They are low-shedders and a perfect family dog, especially for children! Unlike the Labradoodle, Goldador can be heavy shedders. Their double coats need brushing every other day. Also, they require plenty of physical exercise so having a spacious house or yard is better to accommodate a Goldador's energy. Although they have short coats, they can still shed quite often, so regular brushing and grooming are also necessary. This hybrid is very much protective, loyal , and affectionate to its family members. Apart from being playful, they mostly retain their Border Collie parent's herding instinct, so there may be some nipping-at-the-heel action going, especially if they're not trained. There's no other way to describe a Labrbull's appearance but that. Since Pitbulls have such a bad rep just a misunderstanding, if you ask me! They may look fierce, but Labrabulls are sweet and easy to care for! Great Danes are gentle giants, and so do Labradanes. They are great for families with kids and don't need as much exercise as other Labrador mixes. First-time owners would surely do well in caring for a Labradane. It's quite difficult to guess the temperament of an Aussiedor because its parents' personalities are polar opposites. While Labradors tend to be friendly and outgoing, Australian Shepherds are more of I-don't-need-friends-I'm-shy-but-I-got-you types of dogs. Aussiedors can also inherit their other parent's herding instinct, which may be a problem for your small kids if you have one! Beagadors can go along with other pets. However, training may be quite difficult, especially if they mostly take after their Beagle parent. But because both its parents are intelligent, Labraheelers can do well in agility and obedience training. Houses with yards are preferred, but apartment living is fine too, just as long as they get their daily hour walk. There's no mistaking the parentage of this mixed-breed dog with its startling blue eyes and regal demeanor. Huskadors are intelligent and intuitive. They can easily pick up new commands and tricks as they are being taught. However, they got the extra shedding coat of their Husky parent, so extra brushing is also needed. Plus, they can also be the clingy type, so don't leave them too long on their own. Labmaraners do well in outdoor activities, which means couch potato owners may have to exert more effort in keeping them happy. They can also weigh up to 90 lbs, so beware of small kids and little pets! Labmaraners are generally friendly, but they may get too friendly without giving a mind to how big they actually are! One thing's sure, though—they are working dogs through and through, so lots of physical activities are necessary. You can also expect a year-round moderate shedding thanks to their thick, double coats of fur. Dachsadors are quite lively and motivated, and thanks to their size, they'd be contented playing zoomies even in an apartment setting. They'd also happily cuddle with you on the couch as they don't require much physical activity, unlike the others. Spanadors can weigh up to 50 lbs and can do well in different canine agility sports. But if you only want to relax on the couch, they can be the perfect companion for that too! Apart from being sociable, Dalmadors are great guard dogs thanks to the protective genes of a Dalmatian. However, because they're intelligent, you may need to try different approaches in training them, or else they'll get easily bored! Because of this, their energies if not used wisely may mostly be spent chasing after smaller animals. On the other hand, Springadors will do their best to please their owners, so you'll definitely get an attentive and faithful companion out of them. Mixed with an equally active Labrador, we get a tiny furball of pure energy from Labrahuahuas. But don't worry, whatever aggressive behavior their Chihuahua parents typically have wasn't picked up by the Labrahuahua. They love being the center of everybody's attention and would happily entertain everyone they know well. Just be mindful of those skin folds—they need constant cleaning, too to prevent any complications from developing! Chabradors are extremely loyal dogs that tend to bond well with one human. They don't need much exercise, but they do need a lot of grooming and brushing because of those thick, double coats that shed quite often. And depending on how large the Labrador parent is, they can actually weigh up to a whopping lbs! Another thing they commonly inherit from the other parent is a gentle and mellow personality. However, expect to clean your house more frequently because Labernards can also be quite the shedder! A full-grown Doberdor can weigh up to lbs and will definitely need a lot of active time to be fit and healthy. They are also quite a friendly mixed breed when socialized properly, and their alertness makes them excellent watchdogs too. Well, just imagine a Pug's face in a Lab's body! This mix can grow up to 50 lbs and can be quite the shedder too. Pugadors are also good as playmates and companions for kids! No wonder Labrakitas got this personality, too, although on a calmer level because of the Labrador genes. There are excellent watchdogs and companion dogs, too, when trained if you manage to get over their natural stubbornness. Labrakitas are well-suited for families with no children. They can be your hunting companion, your family companion, or simply just your companion on the couch. They can even adapt to apartment living just give them an hour a day of outdoor exercise, and they'll be good! Vizsladors can be quite independent, too, though, so patience is key in training them! They're not much of a shedder, but they sure are slobberers! Otherwise, they can be quite destructive and nobody wants that! Rottadors shed moderately, can stand up to 27 inches tall at the shoulder, and can weigh up to lbs. Because if the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in the country, the French Bulldog comes second for , at least. They're also one of the friendliest breeds you'll meet in the bunch! They can be playful, too but not expend as much energy as a purebred Labrador. If you're not on an adventure, though, try to keep them busy still. Otherwise, they'll look for something to get busy with themselves, and you may not like it! Combining them with a Labrador, an equally athletic breed, brings about a mixed breed that naturally needs lots of active time. Greyadors also need structured training and physical activities. Be wary because, at times, they can get pretty stubborn too! Their sizes also make them a little clumsy, so apartment living is definitely not the best idea for a Labrador Corso. Depending on which parent they take the most after, their ears can either be floppy or erect. Weekly brushing is often necessary for their thick and dense coats, and just like their Labrador parent, they don't mind taking a few splashes in the pool every once in a while! They range from medium to large size with short, straight, dense fur that can be red, black, brown, or sable in color. And just like their parent Basenji, Labrasenjis don't bark—they yodel! If you haven't heard how Basenjis yodel, check out this video! Their sizes range from medium to large dogs, and they don't require much grooming. Rhodesian Labs are also energetic , but one thing about them is they tend to eat more than what they really require, so you may want to be strict about that portion control! They also love to swim. Good thing they have water and weather-resistant coats! But running around may be the easiest activity to keep them fit, so urban or rural living is your best bet to keep your German Wirehaired Lab happy. They do well in a hot or cold climate, thanks to their thick coat. The catch is they do shed a lot, so frequent brushing is required. Bassadors love the attention , though, especially from their favorite human, so they don't mind getting brushed on a regular basis. This means they are not just casual pets—they require tasks and work to be done. They also do well in sporting activities, so make sure to engage them in one to maximize their fullest potential. The American Bullador is a stocky mix breed of yet another two purebreds loved by the American population. Like any other Lab mix, they require at least a weekly brushing as their short but dense hair can still be prone to matting. Their nails are also hard and tend to grow fast, so trimming them every 2 to 3 weeks might be necessary. American Bulladors also tend to be stubborn; you gotta have a lot of patience and positive reinforcements on hand to train them. Corgidors look just like a Labrador but with shorter legs which make them the cutest! Because of their size, they don't mind small living spaces, but they still do require regular exercise every day. They're also very patient with children and are quite the people-pleaser too! Just look at how fluffy those furs are! The Labernese is very much affectionate with their family, so much so that they can get anxious when left alone on their own. Joggers in the family can enjoy the company of a Labernese for their everyday run since this large mix breed also needs its daily exercise. Cavadors are naturally intelligent and affectionate, thanks to the similar personalities of both parents. Plus, they also do extremely well with kids! Just watch out for what and how much they eat because they are also prone to gaining too much weight! Plus, their high activity requirements can keep them warm even during the chilly season! Alaskan Maladors are intelligent and easy to train, yet they may not be the best option for first-time dog owners. They also have a high prey drive and tend to bark or howl a lot. They sure need strenuous activities to keep them entertained, and they can also excel in agility competitions if trained. Physically active owners will find the best companion ever with Chesadors. But surprisingly, they are not quite as active as their dog parents. They still need to be kept entertained. Otherwise, they'll probably dig holes around the yard. Lab'Aires are the offspring of two heavy-built, medium-sized dogs, so the same can be expected of their size and stance. They are seasonal shedders, so moderate grooming is only needed for this mixed breed. They can be average barkers, only to alert you when there's a stranger or danger in place. However, they also tend to shed a lot, and they can be notoriously chewers, too, especially when bored. The thing is, New Labralounds are high maintenance, grooming-wise. They will need five to six times brushing per week, and a pin brush and de-shedder will be your best friends in doing this. They are also easy to care for and are low-maintenance, but socializing them at a young age is important. Because of their size, they surely need a large space to wander about. They can weigh up to 80 lbs so a large living space is ideal, especially since they love running and playing around. Labrasetters also love the company of children, other pets, and their family! Because both parent breeds are intelligent, Kelpadors are also clever and eager to please. However, depending on who they take on after the most, they can be either friendly or reserved. Nonetheless, if you ever come across this unique mix, don't pass on the chance! They are also perfect for new dog owners, so there is nothing to worry about. So it's no surprise that some breeders thought of mixing these two together. And what a winning combination Labratzus are! Combine a Shih Tzu's spunky attitude and a Lab's easy-going personality, and you'll get the perfect companion dog for your family, especially kids! Another perfect companion dog for families who love to snuggle. Just don't expect them to be watchdogs, though. They are too friendly that all they might do only is befriend strangers! They are also energetic and quite affectionate with their families. Appearance-wise, they can stand up to 27 inches tall and weigh 75 lbs when fully grown. And while they do well in families with kids, it's best if the kids are a bit older and know how to interact with a dog properly. Some of the adjectives to describe them are brave, strong-willed, and devoted. They are also intelligent with excellent judgment, that's why they also make the best family guard dogs. Because of this, Schnauzadors can also come in varying sizes depending on their dog's parent. Although they are friendly, Schnauzadors can also get too bossy at times. They'd always try to show other dogs especially same-sex who's the boss! However, they still make for great family dogs, especially for children and older people. Never mind the sit, stay, roll over command. They just gotta watch that stranger passing by the window! It's hard to guess what temperament their mix will turn out; it depends on which parent they will take after the most. One thing's sure, though, they are loyal through and through and will love their humans for as long as they can. These Labrador mixes, however, need an experienced dog owner who can confidently show them who's the alpha. Otherwise, they'd decide for it themselves, and you may have a hard-time training and disciplining them! They're family-oriented dogs who love playtime! However, early socialization is still important, even how friendly this breed is, so make sure to introduce them to new people and animals. It's not advisable to leave them on their own as they can get too anxious alone. They are generally healthy Labrador mixes too, but also with the potential for weight gain, so watch out for what and how much they eat! Although they are a fairly active breed, they can do well in smaller living spaces and only require 30 to 45 minutes of daily exercise. Personality-wise, they tend to take after their Plott Hound parents, so they may be a little reserved around strangers compared to their Labrador parents. German Shorthaired Labs only require moderate grooming, and they are actually quiet and just observant most of the time. Don't get intimidated by their size and appearance; they'd still be a perfect fit for first-time owners—just as long as that owner loves physical activities as much as this mixed breed. Depending on the other purebred they are combined with, a Labrador mix can be slightly larger or smaller than Labs themselves. However, on average, a Lab Mix can grow from 20 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 45 to 90 lbs. How can I tell if my dog is a Lab Mix? The best way to know whether your dog is a Labrador mix or not is thru DNA tests. There are available DNA test kits that you can purchase online that will not only determine your dog's ancestry but also their traits and possible health complications so I'd say it's worth giving a try! Do Lab Mix dogs shed? Labradors are heavy-shedders, so yes, Labrador mixes can be shedders too. However, some breeds like Poodles can somehow tone the shedding down when mixed with Labradors. Labradoodles, for example, are said to be non-shedders and a perfect match for dog owners with allergies. After reading all the information you need about this popular mixed breed, like the Labrador mix's life span, size, temperament, and health, I hope this article helps you decide which Lab mix is the best fit for you and your family's lifestyle. Related Articles:. As affectionate and intelligent pets, Labs are the perfect fit for families who can give their pups lots of love and activity. And when you combine these traits with other personalities from popular breeds such as German shepherds, corgis , and huskies, the mixes are sure to melt hearts. A Bit On Labrador Retriever Mixed Breed Health and Genetics Before adopting a new puppy, it's important to understand the health and genetics of the breed in order to provide all the loving care you can. When dog breeds mix, traits from both parents present themselves in the breed, creating both adorable physical characteristics and loving personalities as well as various health risks. Theresa Entriken , DVM, says health risks aren't meant to discourage pet parents from choosing mixes, but it's important to stay alert for as your pet ages. Early signs typically include noisy panting , a raspy bark and tiring easily with exercise, but later signs can include vomiting and muscle weakness. Before adopting, make sure to research breeders carefully and avoid breeders who aren't putting the puppies' health and safety first. And be sure to consult a veterinarian to learn about the health risks of both parent breeds. Now, on to these fun-loving mixed dog breeds! Along with being adorable and easy to train, their curly poodle coat offers minimal shedding for us allergy-suffering dog lovers. Whether you're looking for a companion to explore the outdoors or a puppy to train, this mix is sure to deliver the fun. These intelligent dogs are full of energy and affection, making them the ideal companion for any active owner. The caring and active personalities from a Lab and golden retriever makes this crossbreed a perfect fit for anyone looking for a loving, active dog. Beagles are natural scent hounds and Labs love to have fun outdoors, so this gentle mix will want long walks to sniff every corner they can. Typical Lab mix traits The best Lab mix breeds are of course a matter of opinion. As with any purebred dog, it depends entirely upon why you want a canine companion. If you want a small Lab mix as a family companion then getting one who is crossed with a smaller, calmer breed is a good choice. But if you want a dog for sports or hunting then going with a Labrador crossed with another working breed is a sensible move. If you want a dog to have a go at agility, then a Collie cross is a great place to start. Lab mix dogs are often found in shelters or Lab rescue centers. What is My Lab Mixed With? Labrador mix bred dogs can often look very different to either of their parents. And in some cases, if the parentage is unknown it is entirely possible that they have more than one breed in their genetic makeup. If you are rescuing an older dog, the only way to know with reasonable certainty where your mixed breed dog came from, is to order a DNA test. This will give you as many as three or four generations back, and give you a great idea what breeds went into your wonderful dog. They are fairly rare, as Afghan hounds are not terribly numerous. Your Afador puppy is likely to grow to be fairly large, as both Afghan Hounds and Labradors are reasonably tall. You could therefore end up with a dog with medium to long fur, which will require regularly grooming. Afghan temperaments tend to be more aloof than that of Labs, with less boisterous enthusiasm for everyone they meet. Basset Hound Lab mix Another rare cross but one which has great appeal to some people, is the Bassador. They are on average around 14 inches tall as adults, with body proportions suiting a larger breed of dog and shortened legs. Working line Basset Hounds tend to be in far better shape than their show bred cousins, and this is where you should start your search if you have your heart set on a Bassador. Border Collie Lab Mix Border Collies are incredibly intelligent dogs, who work very well with their owner if properly trained. Loyal to their families, and fairly indifferent to everyone else. They are quick to learn and can be taught a mind boggling range of activities through positive reinforcement training. The show dogs tend to be the least driven, although still high energy dogs that require a lot of stimulation. Like Labs as puppies they can be very nippy. This can express quite strongly around children, as they attempt to herd them around. They are not generally therefore recommended to families with very young kids. They do however often make excellent pets when older for active, busy families who enjoy training and working together. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are without a doubt some of the friendliest little dogs in the world. They are charismatic, fun and loyal. They also have a fairly good average lifespan of 11 years. However, there are a couple of big, scary health problems associated with large numbers of this breed, so be very careful and do a lot of research if you are thinking of bringing one into your home. Health problems impacting a vast quantity of these little dogs include mitral valve disease , a heart problem which causes early death, and syringomyelia. This is a neurological problem caused by the size and shape of their skulls, not allowing their brain and brain stem to be properly accommodated. Two very popular breeds of gundog with a lot of similarities, this is one of the cross breeds where can be fairly confident of the type of Lab mix you will be getting when you bring home your puppy. Goldadors are very popular seeing eye dogs. They are well known for being intelligent, fast learners and very co-operative with their handlers. Like their Golden Retriever and Labrador parents, they tend to have very friendly temperaments and love spending time with their human family. Golden Retrievers are similarly sized dogs to Labradors, but with a far longer and wavier coat. Most Goldadors seem to have shorter fur more like the Lab parent, but this is not guaranteed. Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to be fairly calm and aloof as adults, and require a lot of dedication to socialisation when they are young due to potential nervousness around strangers and guarding tendencies. Due to their size, they are not really recommended for homes with young children or frail adults. Bernese Mountain Dogs are very large, growing up to 28 inches tall and weigh up to pounds. They also have a long coat, which requires a lot of grooming to keep in a good condition. Unfortunately like many extra large breeds, Bernese Mountain Dogs do not have very long life expectancies, averaging around 8 years long. When looking at longevity size is a big factor, and giant breed dogs regardless of whether they are mix bred or not will have shorter lifespans. You could therefore expect to see your puppy potential live fewer years than the average purebred Lab. They are utterly beautiful dogs, and if well managed can make wonderful companions. Labmaraner The Weimaraner is a beautiful dog, and an intelligent one too. Like all members of the gun dog group he has been bred with co-operative working in mind. Although he tends to be slightly less people focussed in general than your average Lab. This means that they are not as obsessed with greeting everyone when you take them for a walk. However, they can also be a little harder to engage in the training process and in some cases be even more driven than a Labrador. Like Labs, Weimaraners can also be prone to separation anxiety when left alone for long periods. Labradoodle Labradoodles are the most popular Labrador Retriever designer dog breed at the moment. A Labradoodle will not necessarily be a non-shedding dog, and may require some extreme grooming or very regular visits to the poodle parlour in order to not become matted. Pitbull Lab Mix The Pitbull Lab mix should be a great family dog, full of energy, with a short, easy care coat. Rottador or Labrottie Rottweilers crossed with Labradors are known as Labrotties. Or Rottadors. And they can be incredibly beautiful and dedicated companions to their families. Rottweilers can be up to around 27 inches tall, with big heads, deep chests and well muscled bodies. They are powerful dogs and need commitment to positive training from day one from their families in order to understand how to behave in their homes. Rottweiler temperament is also quite different to that of your average Labrador Retriever. There is no way of knowing which of his parents your Labrottie will take after. Rottweilers are a guarding breed. Extremely loyal to their family, but known to be wary of strangers and unpredictable around children if improperly socialised and managed. Your Labrottie puppy must be very well socialised, just as you would with a pure guarding breed dog. Make sure he has regular positive contact with people of every age, and is familiar with things like beards, hats and unusual items of clothing. Springador Springer Spaniels crossed with Labs are often referred to as Springadors. They can make fabulous pets or working dogs, but can have the extremes of both breeds. They are not for the inexperienced or inactive owner. Springers are very lively dogs with an incredibly high prey and hunting drive. They benefit from positive reinforcement training from an early age. In general Springers have great temperaments. However, there are some working lines which have nervous aggression problems and fixations on light chasing. Make sure that you meet the Springer parent to ensure that they are confident and not agitated. English Springer Spaniels tend to be smaller and lighter than Labs, with a longer coat. Springadors often have shorter coats, and can look a lot like a slightly shaggy black Lab with a few white markings. Lab Mix Temperament When you buy a mixed breed dog, their temperament will be a product of their varying lineage. They could end up with any mixture of the two lines temperaments, or something completely different. Make sure to meet both parents to ensure that they are confident, friendly characters. If both lines are happy, loving dogs then the chances are good that your puppy will be the same. Photo kindly provided by N Pappalardo. If your Labrador is a known cross, then you can make an educated guess that he could be anywhere between the average sizes for those breeds. However, it not always the case. And with a Labrador mixed with unknown other dogs, then they really could be any size at all. The Labrador element to their genetics does not limit their growth. Nor do they mean that they will definitely have any specific height to them. There will potentially be huge variation even within the litter. I grew up next door to a family who had two Labrador x Terriers from the same litter. One looked exactly like a Labrador in every way, except she had very short legs. The other was Labrador height but with a totally different shape. If size matters to you, then a purebred puppy or dog over 18 months old might be a better choice. Lab Mix Health Mix breed dogs can still be susceptible to the diseases carried by their parents. Especially if those diseases are common in both breeds. The Labrador parent should have a clear eye test of less than a year old. They should be PRA clear, and have a lower than average hip score. For full health testing for Labs check out this article. The other parent may also need a clear eye test, and a good hip score. The most important thing is to pick a puppy whose parents have both had all of the health tests relevant to their own breed. And whose personalities you would be happy to see replicated in your pup. Alternatively, look for a rescue dog that you have met and fallen in love with yourself. Mixed Breeds By K9 of Mine Staff 19 min read July 14, 23 Comments K9 of Mine is reader-supported, which means we may earn a small commission through products purchased using links on this page. Labrador retrievers are well known for their even-tempered personalities, loyalty, fun-loving natures, and complete devotion to their family members. In fact, the Labrador retriever continues to be the most popular dog breed in the US — a position the breed has held for 27 years straight! Take a gander and share your thoughts in the comments below! Note: K9 of Mine does not endorse irresponsible breeding — please keep in mind that this photo collection is intended for enjoyment and pooch appreciation, not as any kind breeding recommendation or resource. There is very little official data about mixed breed dogs, so the photos displayed here are chosen based on information given by owners. We are unable to personally verify the breed heritage of the pooches shown here — instead, we must simply trust that owners are truthfully describing their dogs with they share photos of their mixed breed canines. TL;DR: Just enjoy the cute photos of doggos! The Basics of the Labrador Retriever Before we introduce you to some of the cutest Lab mixes around, it is important that we talk about a few of the basics of Labradors. This will help you decide whether a Lab mix may be a good fit for your family! Labradors usually weigh between 60 and 80 pounds and stand about 22 to 24 inches at the shoulder. Labs have moderately long lifespans of about 12 years, though some reach even older ages. Labs are members of the sporting group, who were originally bred to help fisherman tend nets, until their owners started using them to retrieve downed birds. Labrador retrievers have a friendly, happy-go-lucky demeanor, and they usually get along with most two- and four-footers they encounter. Labs are full of energy and often make superb running or hiking companions. Labrador retrievers can make great pets for first-time dog owners, so long as you provide plenty of exercise and stimulation each day. Labs are people-oriented dogs, who thrive best in homes that are rarely empty. Labrador retrievers are generally intelligent and eager to please, making training a breeze. Labs tend to shed pretty heavily, thanks to their thick double coats. Labrador retrievers do often suffer from a few common health problems, including patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, and osteochondritis dissecans. No dog breed is perfect for all situations or scenarios, but as you can see, Labs are certainly one of the most appealing breeds in the world and they have quite a bit to offer the right family! Without further ado, here are some Labrador designer breeds that are sure to steal your heart. In some cases, like the Labradoodle a cross between a Labrador retriever and a poodle , the names are pretty popular and used widely. Australian Shepherd Lab mixes also produces some puppers with pretty adorable coat color patterns , which just adds to their appeal. These pups are best paired with active owners. But while they may have blockier builds than typical Labs, most of these guys and gals are big softies, who love nothing more than cuddling with their humans. Like Labs, American bulldogs excel at a wide variety of tasks, making them great all-around dogs for families, farmers, hunters, and more! Labs are lovable goofballs who are all about fun and games, while Akitas are no-nonsense pooches, who project an air of competence and quiet dignity. One pooch in the litter may take after the Lab parent, while another may more closely resemble the Akita. Name aside, these playful pups have energy levels that are off-the-charts, so be sure you have a big yard and plenty of time to visit the park before adding one of these dogs to your family. Well, the Beagador may be just the thing! But, they can be a bit aloof around strangers. But when you cross a bullmastiff with a Lab — a dog who views all strangers as potential pals — all bets are off! These mixes can be a bit of a house-keeping headache, as Labs shed pretty heavily, while bullmastiffs are Olympic-caliber droolers. Labs have held the 1 spot since , but the cocker spaniel has sat atop the popularity pyramid in 23 different years since the s. Note that there are two different corgi breeds the Cardigan Welsh corgi and the Pembroke Welsh corgi , and each will produce a slightly different version of this mixed breed. Either are considered Lab Corgi dogs. Doberdor Labrador Retriever X Doberman Pinscher A post shared by Charli the doberdor charlithedoberdor Given that Dobermans and Labs are both very affectionate dogs who bond strongly with their owners, Doberdor mixed breed pups will make great companions for individuals and families alike. The Doberdor loves his human family and will make it known with endless puppy kisses and loyalty. Wanna see more Doberman mixes? Check out 15 of our favorites here! You may just want to consider the Dalmador. Labs make pretty good jogging partners themselves, and Dalmatians can run for days. Honestly, there are a variety of Dalmatian mixes available for fans of polka-dotted pooches. Dachsador Labrador Retriever X Dachshund. Should a Lab Mix take after their Labrador Retriever parent, they will be a playful, energetic, and affectionate dog that loves their families. Labrador Retrievers are energetic dogs that tend to have an extended puppyhood. They are also social, friendly, and tend to be patient and gentle with children. This makes them fantastic pets as they also tend to get along well with other dogs and even other pets, despite their retriever tendencies. If the other parent breed has a similar temperament, then you can expect the same from a Labrador Retriever Mix. You still want to ask questions about the other parent breed as they are bound to introduce some potential quirks of their own. Although Labs are happiest with room to run, they adapt well to apartments as long as they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and affection. They also do well in most climates, but do not like to spend long stretches of time alone. If the other parent breed is also highly adaptable, then you can expect the same from a Labrador Retriever Mix. Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? As with purebred dogs, health often depends on reputable breeding practices. Just as a mix can inherit none of the conditions common to their parent breeds, they could also inherit all of them or some combination of them. From the Labrador side, potential health concerns to be aware of in a Labrador Mix include patellar luxation , hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and cataracts. The other parent breed will likely introduce some other potential conditions to this list. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Labrador Retrievers are highly trainable dogs that can be a good fit for owners of any experience level. First-time owners may have a challenge at first with their high energy and exuberance, but tend to be successful. If the other parent breed is also highly trainable, then you can expect the same from a Labrador Retriever Mix. If the other parent breed tends to be more challenging to train, then you will want to be prepared for that potential and be ready to enroll in puppy training classes if you need them. A Lab Mix can end up with a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is truly a mix of both. Should they inherit the Labrador Retriever coat, it will be short and will shed throughout the year with heavier shedding as the seasons change. Weekly brushing and the occasional bath keep a Lab coat healthy. Trimming nails once or twice monthly keeps them from growing too long. Because dental care is often overlooked, gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. Brushing teeth every day or using an enzyme toothpaste daily in addition to cleanings at the vet as needed helps prevent painful dental diseases later in life. Labrador Retrievers are high-energy working dogs that need plenty of exercise and a job to do to be happy. If the other parent breed is also a high-energy dog breed, then you should expect a Labrador Mix to be a high-energy dog as well. Even if the other parent breed sits in a lower activity range, you will still want to be prepared for the potential of a high-energy dog should they take after their Lab parent. Fully-grown Labrador Retrievers tend to stand inches tall and weigh pounds. The other parent can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother. Labs generally live for years. Although the other parent breed could affect this slightly, you should be able to expect a similar average life span from a Labrador Retriever Mix. Featured Labrador Mix Article.

Perhaps you have heard great things about this breed! Average sizes and life expectancy of the breed. They are serious workers at hunting and field work, as guides for the blind, and in search-and-rescue, enjoy obedience and other competitive events, and have an endearing love of life when not at work. The Golden Retriever is a sturdy, muscular dog of medium size, famous for the dense, lustrous coat of gold that gives the breed its name. The broad head, with its friendly and intelligent eyes, short ears, and straight muzzle, is a breed hallmark. In motion, Goldens move with a smooth, powerful gait, and the feathery tail is carried, as breed fanciers say, with a 'merry action. These records were released to public notice in Country Life in , when Lord Tweedmouth's great-nephew, the sixth Earl of Ilchester, historian and sportsman, published material that had been left by his ancestor. They provided factual confirmation to the stories that had been handed down through generations. Goldens are outgoing, trustworthy, and eager-to-please family dogs, and relatively easy to train. They take a joyous and playful approach to life and maintain this puppyish behavior into adulthood. These energetic, powerful gundogs enjoy outdoor play. For a breed built to retrieve waterfowl for hours on end, swimming and fetching are natural pastimes. Most of the time, a good brushing-out with a slicker brush once or twice a week will remove much of the dead hair before it has a chance to fall onto the furniture. During times of heavy shedding, these brushing sessions turn into daily affairs. Baths help to loosen the dead hairs, but the dog must be completely dry before brushing begins. Otherwise, Goldens only need occasional baths to keep them clean. As with all breeds, the Golden's nails should be trimmed regularly. They are loving and loyal, friendly, and great with children. They have the perfect balance of energy when you want to play and laid back when you want a loving family companion. Candy Rock Golden Retrievers is excited to provide adorable Golden Retriever puppies that will brighten your day and give you a wonderful sense of pride. Our puppies are worked with using ENS training or Early Neurological Stimulation and have received their veterinary health certifications along with up to date worming and vaccinations. We make sure your new puppy is happy, healthy, and ready to go home. We also strive to connect with our golden family through FB and Instagram. Visit our contact page to speak with us right away. Breeders VS. The sad truth is that many pet store purchased pups actually come from puppy mills. Basically, there is zero authenticity with pet stores. When it comes to adopting any animal from a pet store, there is an increased risk of unforeseen health or genetic problems. You also cultivate a life-long relationship with the breeder, meaning support is available to you anytime you may need it. With My Golden Retriever Puppies , you have the option to come and visit both the puppy and the breeder in person! Golden Retrievers are an adaptable breed, meaning they are better at adapting to seasonal changes and various types of climate than certain other breeds. Goldens sport a double-coat, which ensures that these sweet pups are able to tolerate slightly colder temperatures than their friends from other breeds. Your pup deserves better than that, which is why here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we ensure high-quality care is taken of your pet at all times. For more about the true price of a golden retriever puppy, you can read our full price breakdown here. Location Information for Colorado Customers Our home office is located in Ohio, but we understand that long-distance travel can be inconvenient. If you prefer to meet a breeder in person, they may be able to offer private visits at their home. Of course! Here at My Golden Retriever Puppies , we value family and authenticity, which is why we always guarantee our pups through our 2-year genetic health guarantee. Like adopting a Golden Retriever from a pet store, there is an increased risk when adopting a pup from a rescue center or shelter as well. For example, pups purchased through a shelter or rescue center are far less likely to come with the kinds of health guarantees and reassurances that a breeder can provide. What type of Golden Retrievers are sold in Colorado? We have some good news! Ready to make your Golden Retriever dreams come true? Take a look at our convenient list of available puppies. How do I know which breeders to trust in Colorado? Our independent network of trusted breeders have already been pre-screened and verified, so that you can focus on what really matters: choosing your dream puppy. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Best Golden Retriever Breeder in Colorado? Well, we will let you be the judge, but we love our dogs like family and treat them as such. We do not over breed our dogs or participate in any crossbreeding tactics or exotic dog types. We are Golden Retriever lovers, enthusiasts, and protectors. Every dog is like family to us. While we are happy to entrust our puppies to loving families, we do have a puppy acquisition process in order to ensure our high quality dogs are delivered to warm homes that are able to care for our dogs properly. Every puppy we sell is depending on us to properly screen new owners, so please understand we take this seriously. This also protects your interests and maintains high standards for you as well. All puppies MUST be picked up in person. No exceptions. Golden Retriever Lovers Welcome! If you have a wonderful home for one of our puppies, we would love to hear from you. Whether you want a family retriever or a specialty dog for hunting, we will help find the exact fit for you. Many times there is a waiting list so apply early! If you are just getting started and would like to discuss our process, we are also eager to hear from you. Contact Us Today! Look at the current breedings or litters we have or are upcoming and fill out our contact form specifying what breeding you are interested in. Before puppies are born we only take deposits on the first pick, second, and possibly third picks on both males and females. After puppies are born and all spots are filled you will be told what pick you have. Get ready to welcome a lovely puppy that will bring all the love and affection. Tucker is now 3 born and is my best companion. Tucker is the quintessential Golden, beautiful, faithful, active, family-oriented, and geez I cannot come up with enough good things to say. Tucker is my soulmate. He makes me smile every day. If I feel bad he cares and comes to comfort me. He is so wonderful. My parents adopted another Slater Creek Golden, different parents, and she is phenomenal. So beautiful and sweet. Slater Creek Goldens are all love, loyalty and so much fun. Linda — you and your pups are my favorite ppl! Linda you will be in my heart forever. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Retriever has been an AKC-recognized breed since and was commonly used as a gun dog and for retrieving small game such as waterfowl, and for companionship. The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands. The first Lord Tweedmouth, Dudley Majoribanks, is credited with developing the breed and keeping detailed records to create the ideal gun dog for the terrain. Great discipline and a gentle spirit make the Golden Retriever a perfect retrieval breed since the goal of this task is to bring the trophy back as undamaged as possible. Golden Retrievers first appeared in dog shows in at a British dog show. They also started appearing in the United States around the same time as they were brought across the Canadian border. They gained popularity with sport hunters and in general. Their popularity really took off in the s and they are consistently one of the most popular dog breeds. If you are not the sporting type, bringing a Golden Retriever into your family as a pet is just as rewarding because they are one of the most loyal and jovial breeds out there. One of the facts about Golden Retrievers is that they are the epitome of friendly and make fantastic family dogs. Golden Retrievers are considered one of the friendliest dog breeds. They tend to be good with kids, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. Goldens love attention and they bond closely with their families. They are affectionate with them, and also just about everyone else. Although they do tend to get along with everyone, they love being around their favorite humans the most. They will bark to alert you and can end up barking a lot if you do not train your dog to stop barking early on. Golden Retrievers are highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in homes with yards where they can run. They can also adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough daily exercise, mental stimulation, and attention. These dogs do well in just about any climate, but are sensitive to heat. As one of the most affectionate dog breeds , they are not at all happy about being left alone for long periods of time. Although super-friendly and attention-loving, Goldens can also be sensitive to their surroundings; make sure they feel included, but have a quiet place to go if things get too noisy or overwhelming. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Golden Retriever include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, elbow dysplasia , and hip dysplasia. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Goldens are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. They are highly trainable dogs that pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. These traits make them a good fit for owners of all experience levels. It also helps them excel at obedience competitions. As one of the smartest dog breeds , Golden Retrievers can get bored easily. Because they pick up things quickly, they can get bored with too much repetition in training. If your dog has mastered the command, move on to something more advanced or another activity. You can also enroll in puppy training classes for some variety in training and also some socialization. Golden Retrievers have a long double coat that will shed a little year-round and will be heavier twice a year as the seasons change. Brushing a few times a week and daily brushing during seasonal shedding along with a bath as needed is usually enough for at-home care. You will want to go to the dog groomer for a professional trim a few times a year, especially as the seasons change. Nail trims once or twice monthly keep nails from growing too long. Daily tooth brushing, along with cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. Golden Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds. Daily walks plus some playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough to keep these dogs happy and healthy. But, they are high-energy dogs that will likely always be up for more activity if you are. Much like the Labrador , they also tend to have an extended puppyhood. They tend to start winding down a little around the age of 3 and settle into your lifestyle, but they will still be high-energy dogs that require a lot of daily activity. Goldens are known for being versatile and athletic dogs. They tend to love swimming. Once they are done growing and the vet clears them for higher-impact activities, you can try other things too. They are one of the dog breeds that make good running partners. You can also teach them how to play frisbee or play fetch. Training for dog sports is another good option. In addition to obedience, Golden Retrievers are well suited for agility, dock diving , rally, flyball, tracking, and more. Fully-grown Golden Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Golden Retrievers generally live for years on average. With their intelligence, eagerness to please, and gentle disposition, Golden Retrievers are versatile working dogs. In addition to being one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs , Goldens can be found working as emotional support dogs, certified therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, military dogs, police dogs, animal actors, and more. Featured Golden Retriever Article.