french bulldog puppy teething

Breeds The link has been copied! Few dogs are as intelligent and loyal as German Shepherds. With its athletic build and remarkable drive, this working breed makes excellent companions, herding dogs, police K-9s, and therapy animals. How much does a German Shepherd cost? The price of a German Shepherd puppy can vary a lot from one breeder to another. German Shepherds are active and need plenty of stimulation. Flea and tick preventatives are a must-have. You might face additional costs such as pet insurance, training classes, boarding fees, or dog walkers. Puppies tend to cost more due to the high demand. However, professional breeders charge a lot more. Professional breeders usually conduct health testing for the parents. Elbow and hip dysplasia and degenerative myelopathy are the two main tests to look for when adopting a GSD puppy. Prenatal care for the mother can be expensive. These costs can include bloodwork, ultrasounds, and X-rays. Most breeders raise the puppies for the first eight to 12 weeks. They provide nutrition, a living space, socialization, and sometimes early training. Puppies typically receive veterinary care, including a first round of booster shots and a deworming treatment. Colors German Shepherds can come in a few different colors. Black and tan and black and cream are the most common GSD colors. However, there are rarer colors, like black and silver, sable, or black. These colors meet the official breed standards, and a puppy with an unusual color can be worth more. Bloodline and Purity One of the key factors that influences the cost of a GSD puppy is the parents and their pedigrees. A breeder will look at how well the parents match the AKC breed standards. Both parents should be the right height and color. They should have a muscular morphology and the proper head shape. Breeders who are able to trace the ancestry of a litter over several generations and document that all the ancestors are purebred GSDs will charge more. You should also expect to pay more if a breeder can provide health testing information over several generations. Titles are another important factor. Show dogs can receive V, VA, or VA1 titles if they do well at an event and judges determine they meet all the standards of the breed. An IGP3 title indicates that a dog can protect its owner. Parents with IGP or IPO titles produce puppies that are worth more since breeders consider these animals to have excellent potential for training. A breeder who has an excellent reputation and many positive online reviews will attract more prospective dog owners and can afford to charge more. You can protect your dog with a microchip, but there are other steps you can take. The Fi GPS tracking dog collar helps you keep your dog safe. The design is highly resistant and waterproof for durability, and the collar comes with a battery that lasts three months. You can track your pet anywhere and locate them easily if they get lost. There are a few things you should know about this working breed. Personality of the German Shepherd German Shepherds are fiercely loyal. They make excellent guard dogs thanks to their protective instincts. They also make amazing pets who will give you lots of affection. GSDs are reliable and hardworking dogs who thrive if you constantly give them new tasks and challenges. These dogs are extremely versatile. German Shepherds have amazing potential and tend to do extremely well in training thanks to their drive and intelligence. However, they require consistent training and handling since they can be mouthy, chase prey, or become overprotective without the right training. Size and Weight German Shepherds are medium to large dogs. When it comes to weight, a healthy male will weigh 66 to 88 lbs. Lifestyle and Activity Levels German Shepherds are a working breed. Their origin dates back to the 19th century when dog breeder Max Von Stephanitz developed a new dog by breeding different herding dogs. Like all shepherds, GSDs have a strong need to stay active. Due to their athletic build, these dogs need at least two hours of exercise every day. Going for walks might not be sufficient. Your GSD will thrive if you provide plenty of opportunities to use their athletic abilities, including jumping, swimming, or running. Approximate Lifetime Care Costs The total cost of owning a German Shepherd is difficult to estimate since every animal is different. German Shepherds can be expensive. Here are a few tips to help you lower the cost. Look for a breeder who cares about the animals and who does health testing on the parents, but everything else is extra. You should also consider adopting a dog with an unknown lineage. Check local shelters or go online to look at classified ads. Check classified ads to find owners rehoming their pets. If you decide to get a German Shepherd, think about using the Fi GPS dog collar to keep your dog safe, and make sure you can bring your puppy home if she gets lost. Get more expert advice on pet-parenting by visiting the Off Leash blog at TryFi. TryFi's The Fi Dog Collar is a must-have for any pet parent, it's a GPS tracking collar that helps you keep tabs on your dog's location, activity, and sleep patterns, and alerts you if they escape your backyard. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. The high cost of raising this breed is attributed to its pedigree, size, and availability. So, how much does it cost to raise a German Shepherd puppy? Although German Shepherds live between 9 to 13 years, the cost is pegged at one year since this is when puppies become dogs. This dog breed requires extra attention, training, and expenses. The cost of raising a German Shepherd puppy is determined, to a greater extent, by the initial price of the puppy. The higher the initial cost, the higher the cost of raising the puppy. Supplies Dog supplies are the next cost category for raising a German Shepherd puppy. Your puppy needs dog supplies for its daily needs for a comfortable living. While the leash is used for walks, the collar is for identification purposes. A dog bed: Your German Shepherd puppy needs a comfortable place to sleep and rest. You need a bed specifically designed for dogs. Food and water bowls: These are necessary to feed your puppy. Toys: These are important for mental stimulation and physical exercise. Your puppy needs mental stimulation for enhanced memory and problem-solving skills. Although German Shepherds are brilliant dogs, they are sometimes stubborn and can get on your nerves. For this reason, you must train them to be obedient and well-behaved dogs from a younger age. This amount covers the training materials, class fees, and certification. You can add more sessions as you progress and monitor how the puppy responds. Medical Expenses German Shepherd puppy One of your responsibilities as a German Shepherd puppy parent is ensuring that the canine is healthy. This includes regular check-ups, vaccinations, and treatments. Immunization: This is necessary for the prevention of diseases like rabies. Parasite control: It involves internal and external puppy parasite control. You should have your puppy spayed or neutered between six and nine months old. Food and Treats A healthy and balanced diet is crucial for the growth and development of your German Shepherd puppy. It also helps in preventing illnesses like obesity and food allergies. The cost of feeding a German Shepherd puppy varies depending on size, age, and activity level. You may spend nothing if you decide to groom the puppy yourself using readily available tools. The table below summarizes the cost of raising a German Shepherd puppy: Cost. Apart from recurring costs such as dog food, toys, and grooming essentials, a great chunk of your finances must go to routine veterinary care and pet insurance. Annual check-ups should be done on adult German Shepherds to check their physical condition and ensure they are healthy dogs. This involves listening to the heart and checking the ears and eyes. The typical lifespan of a GSD is 7 to 10 years. Other Potential Expenses Owning a dog is already comparable to parenthood. German Shepherds, much like any other dog breed, have other needs that go beyond food, water, and shelter. Your dog will be watched over, fed, and socialized with other dogs. Grooming Services: For your GSD to have a well-maintained coat and appearance, you should take them to a professional grooming salon. They will be cleaned, trimmed, and pampered as they deserve. Emergency Treatment: Dogs grow up so fast. As your German Shepherd puppy gets older, they are more prone to health issues like hip dysplasia. Sudden injuries can also happen that will require immediate medical attention and treatment. This will allow them to join various dog shows and other competitions. Places to Find German Shepherd Puppies for Sale and Adoption Once you plan everything out financially, you are ready to find places where you can buy your German Shepherd puppy. Cheap German Shepherd dogs can be bought from puppy mills or a backyard breeder. Buying from responsible breeders is the best option to get healthy puppies that will grow up to be strong adult dogs. To help on your quest, here is a list of breeders certified by the American Kennel Club that offer high-quality German Shepherd puppies: Vom Ragnar German Shepherds — This is a small kennel located in Illinois dedicated to breeding show-quality German Shepherds with sound temperament and the best condition because they have their puppies undergo health testing. This breeder strives to match their GSD pups to the most suited families. Mittelwest German Shepherds — As a well-renowned breeder, the owner ensures that they only produce show-quality German Shepherd puppies that can serve as show dogs, guard dogs, K-9, and much more. They also import and ship their dogs worldwide. West Coast German Shepherds — If you are located in California, this breeder can offer you a health-tested German Shepherd puppy coming from the best bloodlines. Buying the cheapest puppies online seems tempting, especially if you are on a budget, but you might spend more in the future due to medical expenses. To easily distinguish a responsible breeder from a puppy mill or backyard breeder, check out our puppy buying guide. Are you considering adopting a German Shepherd instead of buying from a breeder? If you are, this list can help you find the perfect GSD pup for you: German Shepherd Rescue and Adoptions — Based in North Carolina, this non-profit organization was established to protect and promote the German Shepherd breed. German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County — This volunteer organization is all about placing unwanted, neglected, and abused German Shepherds into permanent, loving homes. Applicants are encouraged to meet up with their chosen dog prior to adoption. Matching their rescue dogs to a suitable owner is their top priority, along with the restoration of their health. For more chances of finding your lifelong companion, check out this list of the 10 best German Shepherd rescues. You can surely find one in your location! Adoption is the cheapest alternative to getting a German Shepherd Dog, and this is more suggested than buying from backyard breeders. Buy high-quality items. You will spend more on replacing them rather than having good products that can last for a longer time. Purchase supplies in bulk. When buying food or treats for your pup, make sure to stock up by buying them in bulk. This can save you a lot of money than buying small bags of kibble or cans of wet food. Keep your dog in excellent shape. To avoid expensive veterinary bills, keep your German Shepherd puppy fit and healthy. Do this by feeding them high-quality dog food equipped with the right nutrients. Groom your GSD at home. Instead of going to a professional groomer, learn to groom your German Shepherd puppy at home. All you need to do is buy the basic grooming tools and research how to groom your dog effectively. Plan your finances accordingly so no one will have to suffer in the long run. They are highly intelligent and loyal dogs that will protect you at all costs. Buying one from a reputable breeder is worth the hefty purchase price than purchasing from backyard breeders or puppy mills. On another note, you can adopt from a local rescue organization, but make sure to ask about any current health conditions that the dog may have. Aside from the financial aspect, make sure you are prepared for the full responsibility of being a German Shepherd puppy owner. Now you know how much German Shepherds cost, are you ready to own one? Share your thoughts in the comments below. My passion for animals started at a very young age as I grow up on a farm with several horses, cows, cats, chickens, and dogs on our property. Leave a Comment. German Shepherds are considered healthy dogs that can live many years. You must be able to pay for these dogs every month of their lives. For the most part, providing your dog with a lot of exercise and high-quality food will prevent the dog from developing unforeseen health issues. You will need to buy a dog-safe toothpaste, dog-safe shampoo, and certain medications, such as heartworm prevention, to keep your dog healthy its entire life. Not only do you have to feed your German Shepherd a lot of food, but you want to feed your dog food that is high quality and healthy. As long as your dog does not have any known illnesses or issues, you should not have to pay monthly prices. At the minimum, you should take your German Shepherd for an annual visit, assuming it is healthy. You also need to pay for flea, tick, and heartworm prevention. Most of these medications last for 1 to 3 months at a time. It is completely up to you whether or not you decide to get pet insurance. If you are interested in getting health insurance for your new pet, Lemonade offers customizable insurance plans and responsive customer service. If you do not want to pay for pet insurance, you can simply set up a savings account instead. So long as you have a house and a yard for your dog to play, the home environment is generally suitable for dogs. Some environmental maintenance things you will need to buy include doggie bags. You need these if you take your dog for a walk or if you have a yard that you have to maintain. You may also need to pay for carpet cleaner, deodorizer, and other items to keep the house clean, despite your heavy shedding German Shepherd. This means that your German Shepherd can help you out when you are in a pinch, but it also means that you need to provide your German Shepherd ample entertainment, or else your dog could become destructive. At the very minimum, you need to buy heavy-duty toys for your German Shepherd. German Shepherds can be really rough with their toys. So, we recommend some sort of brand specific for rough-playing dogs, such as Kong. These boxes will offer toys, treats, and more for your dog, but these boxes can be pretty expensive too. Additional Costs to Factor In In addition to initial costs and monthly payments, there are some other additional factors you need to think about. For starters, obedience training is really important for dogs of this size. Obedience training can be a bit expensive at first, but it will be worth it in the long run. You need to pay for a pet sitter or kennel whenever you go on vacations and your dog does not come with you. If you are buying a German Shepherd puppy, you may also have to pay to replace or fix items the puppy damages. Think about accidents or unforeseen illnesses too. These can cost a whole lot in vet visits. Owning a German Shepherd on a Budget If you want a German Shepherd but are worried about destroying your budget, there are ways that you can own one of these wonderful dogs without spending a fortune either. Unfortunately, there is little you can change about the price of these dogs up front, but you can save on the monthly expenses. The most important tip for taking care of a German Shepherd on a budget is to know when to splurge. When it comes to dog food, make sure to select high-quality food. This will be more expensive upfront, but it will ensure that your dog is healthy for as long as possible, resulting in fewer bills. Splurging on heavy-duty toys is another great idea. These toys will cost more at first, but they should last much longer than cheap ones. For instance, there are a lot of coupons and promo codes you can use when purchasing toys, food, and other items for your German Shepherd. Even if you find coupons, only spend money on the essentials. Not to mention, buy crates and beds that are suitable for the dog as it grows. Many people make the mistake of buying crates and beds suitable for the puppy, but the puppy soon outgrows them. The initial cost primarily accounts for the dog itself and any other items required when bringing the dog home for the first time. Even after the German Shepherd has made your home its home, you will still have to pay some pretty hefty bills for the remainder of its life. Although the initial and monthly costs for this dog are a bit high, they are required for this dog to live a happy life. If you cannot afford to provide a German Shepherd the sort of life it needs and deserves, simply do not get a German Shepherd. If your breeder had not run these genetic tests on your dog—or if you adopt a German Shepherd from a rescue or shelter, you can run the Embark Dog DNA Test using a simple saliva test you can perform at home. Dogs with CLAD, type III typically exhibit symptoms such as recurrent ear infections, skin infections, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections. Dogs with DM first lose coordination in their hind legs, then they lose muscle mass and eventually the ability to walk. It is caused by a lack of one of the proteins needed for blood to clot properly. Dogs with hemophilia A will often suffer from uncontrolled bleeding, most commonly into the joints. Uric acid is a waste product that is normally eliminated from the body through the kidneys. When the kidneys are not able to remove enough uric acid, it builds up in the blood and can cause health problems. Dogs with hyperuricosuria are at risk for developing bladder stones, kidney stones, and other health problems. P-glycoprotein is involved in the transport of drugs and other molecules across cell membranes. Drugs that are known to cause adverse reactions in MDR1 dogs include digoxin, ivermectin, loperamide, and milbemycin. There are several different types of MPS, each caused by a deficiency in a specific enzyme needed to break down mucopolysaccharides. It is caused by a genetic mutation that impairs the ability of the blood to clot properly. This can lead to frequent and sometimes severe bleeding events which can be difficult to control, even with the help of medications. Dogs with this condition are at an increased risk for bleeding and may require lifelong monitoring and medical management. Symptoms include weight loss, decreased appetite, vomiting, and increased water consumption. Affected dogs have problems with the development of their skin, hair, nails, and teeth. They may also have problems with sweating and the function of their tears and salivary glands. Dogs with this disorder usually have a very thin coat of hair, often with areas that are bald or have very thin hair. Their skin may be dry and cracked, and they may develop sores on their skin. Nails may be abnormally shaped or missing altogether, and teeth may be missing or poorly developed. Dogs with X-linked ectodermal dysplasia often experience overheating. Attend a sanctioned dog show and talk with breeders and competitors for recommendations. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations regarding reputable breeders. Check the Facebook page of the breeder and read through the comments. Remember, however, that comments can be deleted by the page owner. The breeder should be happy to share the name and contact information for customers. Ask questions. Lots of questions. The breeder should be glad to share the test results from the health tests and screenings and should be happy to let you meet at least the mother if not the sire as well of the German Shepherd Dog puppies. Ask how often the dogs are bred. Ask to tour the kennels. Are they well maintained? Do the dogs look healthy? Beware of operations that will not let you tour the kennels and breeders that want to meet you in a parking lot to hand over the puppy. Be prepared for questions. The breeder should ask YOU questions as well; be suspicious if the breeder has no questions about your past history with pets, your living situation, etc. The breeder should want to know how much experience you have with herding breeds, what your training plans are and your plans for exercising the dog. Ask if the breeder will take the German Shepherd puppy—or adult dog—back if necessary. Ask for a contract. If medical problems are diagnosed, the breeder should readily take the pup back and provide a full refund. German Shepherd breeders may adopt out of the area but, nonetheless, you will want to go to the breeder to meet the parents, view the kennels and bring home your puppy in person. This will add to your expenses—but breeders that transport a puppy by air are putting the dog at risk. If you want to buy a German Shepherd Dog from an online breeder, please think again. There are numerous scams; people spend thousands of dollars for a dog and never receive a puppy. AKC warns potential pet parents to be wary of any seller asking for payment by Venmo, in gift cards or as a wire transfer. Dogs purchased from puppy mills can mean years of heartache and expensive veterinary care—and perpetuation of a cruel industry. The pros of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder: You may be able to select a puppy—including a choice of gender. A reputable breeder will be passionate about German Shepherds and will a resource for years to come. The cons of purchasing from a German Shepherd breeder You will pay far more for a cattle dog from a breeder than a rescue or shelter. If you find a breeder who has German Shepherd puppies for sale at prices much lower than you are seeing from other breeders, you must suspect you are dealing with a backyard breeder who has not done health screening, with an online seller who is operating a puppy mill or with someone who is running a scam. You will need to wait until puppies are available. You will need to do your own due diligence to select a reputable breeder. German Shepherd Dogs in rescues are far less expensive that those at a breeder. Puppies under a year old will be the most costly. This group provides funding to a network of GSD rescues — they do not have dogs themselves for adoption. They have a list of affiliated rescues that can help located adoptable GSDs in your region. A breed rescue is, like the name suggests, a pet rescue that is specifically for one breed of dog. These are generally small non-profit groups that operate through a foster system of volunteers who love the breed. German Shepherd rescues specialize in German Shepherds of all ages; some have primarily purebred German Shepherds while others may also have adoptable Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds. How to Find Breed Rescues Along with the list mentioned above, many breed rescues list their adoptable dogs on large adoption sites such as:. If you are looking to buy a German Shepherd puppy, then you should find one from a reputable breeder. While these puppies are more expensive, a reputable breeder can guarantee the health and behavior of the puppy. These dogs are prone to genetic diseases such as hip and elbow dysplasia. These health issues can be avoided by genetically testing the parents, which is something reputable breeders usually do. When improperly raised puppies might have behavioral issues and can cause a lot of damage if they bite someone. A good breeder will have their dogs pass a temperament test. German Shepherd Dog Price While most dogs in shelters are adults, adopting a German Shepherd is a great way to find a dog without supporting unethical breeding. Sometimes these hardworking shepherd dogs are given up because they are very energetic. Not everyone is able to take care of a dog that needs a lot of attention and exercise. Some people buy a German Shepherd puppy without understanding the work involved in caring for this breed. Why Are They So Expensive? Breeding a healthy and well-behaved German Shepherd puppy is not easy! It is not as simple as crossing German Shepherds together. However, if you want a puppy of good temperament that is genetically healthy, there are other costs involved in the breeding and raising. This is especially important for a German Shepherd. You do not want a puppy that grows up to be aggressive or that suffers from mobility issues due to hip and elbow dysplasia. Papers A paperless German Shepherd puppy will be the cheapest. Typically breeders invest as little as possible in these pups. You get a puppy just how it is, without knowing its pedigree or background. A puppy with health certifications, temperament test results, and registration papers costs more than this. However, those papers will be beneficial not just for you, but also the puppy. This means your puppy meets the breed standard and is a purebred dog. The last thing you want is to buy a German Shepherd wolf-mix thinking it is purebred. Veterinarian Visits Reputable breeders not only genetically health test the parents, but they will also take the puppy to see a vet before 8 weeks for a basic health check. During these visits breeders will also have the puppies vaccinated, dewormed and placed on preventatives. When you buy a German Shepherd puppy from a reputable breeder, they will offer you a health guarantee. Most will also be able to provide you proof that the puppy has passed a temperament test. Training Some breeders also take the time to socialize and train their puppies. Many experienced breeders have a specialized training program that begins the process of potty training and basic obedience. This will mean you have an easier time housetraining your puppy, but you will have to pay for their efforts! These are all good signs that the puppy you are buying is of good quality. This will mean you are more likely to avoid any temperament issues or having to pay for vet visits to diagnose and treat hip and elbow dysplasia. Bloodlines Breeders who focus on breeding championship bloodlines will charge more for their puppies. A family might not need such a high-quality German Shepherd. All they need is a healthy and well-behaved puppy that will bring them years of happiness. However, there are many people who need a working dog or show dog. The most expensive dogs are those that are bred to be champions or protective and hard-working. Some breeders spend thousands of dollars just training a world class service dog. A family friendly guard dog with a protective temperament is not easy to breed consistently. Breeders have to factor in not just the genetics, but also the temperament and training. Origin The most expensive types of German Shepherds are those that are imported directly from Germany. Breeders must pay to stud and import these dogs which is not cheap. Since the German Shepherd breed originated in Germany, breeders in the US import dogs from Germany to breed puppies with a purebred lineage. Breeding in Europe is more regulated so the bloodlines are better protected. These puppies are known as European German Shepherds and are slightly different. They are smaller, have straighter backs and brighter coat colors. Some people think they look similar to a belgian malinois. Most European dogs are bred to be working dogs, while American dogs are more frequently bred for companionship. This is the same for American and German Rottweilers and American vs. European Dobermans. All of these breeder will be able to provide: Pedigree and kennel club registration. Documents that certify the puppy is free of any disease and has been checked by a veterinarian. A health warranty. Health records that guarantee the parents are genetically healthy and will not pass on elbow or hip dysplasia. These German Shepherd breeders all breed their puppies in accordance with the breed standard. None of them will sell puppies that are not registered with the American Kennel Club. Another good place to start looking for breeders is the American Kennel Club marketplace. Many of these puppies are bred to be family dogs and come with their papers. As you start looking into more well-known breeders or those that produce dogs of championship or working bloodlines, then the price of a German Shepherd starts to increase. Julia was a German Shepherd bred by the Harrison K-9 facility, highly trained in protection. She could also understand commands in three different languages. Her intelligence, as well as her ability to protect, were why she was priced so highly. Julia was bought by a billionaire businessman in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The rarest coat color is panda, which is why it is also the most expensive. These German Shepherds are black and white. It is a piebald pattern where the black coat is splotched with large patches of white. Some puppies can have other colors like tan, instead of white. Panda dogs are purebred, but the rarity of this mutation makes them very hard to find. There are very few breeders that sell the panda color. And he actually cost nothing! By the end of his life, Rin Tin Tin had appeared in 27 Hollywood films. Rin Tin Tin most notably helped Warner Bros. But these dogs come in more than just this classic color! There are 11 colors that are recognized by the breed standard. Check out the table below for some German Shepherd prices based on coat color. The tan color covers the chest, belly and legs. White A white puppy has a furry coat that is entirely white, allowing it to blend in with the snow. Its eyes and nose are black as coal. Black A black German Shepherd has a coat that is entirely black. Any other color would classify them as a bi-color. Blue A blue German Shepherd is not literally blue, but has a gray color with a bluish hue. Sable The sable color is one of the most common colors, but is a bit more interesting than the black and tan. The hairs of these dogs have bands of tan and black, giving them a very unique coloring. Some of the factors that contribute to this cost are: Food. If a breeder tries to tell you that his puppies are healthy because their parents never had any issues — do not believe him! It is impossible to diagnose e. Where can you find cheap German Shepherd Dogs? The question is — do you want to purchase a dog with questionable health and temperament? These dogs often are not purebred German Shepherd puppies, but are mixed with e. Labradors, Pitbulls or Golden Retrievers. If you end up with a dog with genetically based health conditions however, be prepared to spend a multiple of the original purchase price on vet costs! Temperament and behavior While a lot of good manners can be taught through consistent training, temperament is genetic to a certain level. When you buy an extra cheap German Shepherd puppy, you not only get a dog with questionable health, but also with unpredictable temperament! Even aggression can be genetic and can be passed on from the mom and dad to the offspring. You can save yourself a lot of time, nerves and money spent on future behavioral training by getting a well-bred and more expensive dog. What is the most expensive type of German Shepherd? Like in many dog breeds, certain rare German Shepherd colors are much more expensive than the most common colors and patterns. It is much more important that your puppy has a sound temperament and fits in well with your family and lifestyle than that he has a certain rare look. These dogs are mutts German Shepherds mixed with Miniature Poodles, Shelties or other smaller breeds. Once more, be certain to not decide on your future dog based on looks alone. A stable temperament and good health is much more integral than a certain size or weight. Working lines vs show lines The German Shepherd was originally bred as a working dog. Since his original use as a shepherd dog however, he has filled many different roles — from guarding properties over being used in the show ring to participating in Schutzhund and IPO trails. Depending on which lines your German Shepherd Dog comes from, the prices can vary a lot! Show line German Shepherds are the dogs that are bred for conformation shows. These are the type of dogs you should decide on if you would like a shepherd puppy as a pet and companion animal. If you are interested in using your German Shepherd as a protection dog and to participate in IPO trials, you should pick one from working lines. There are a lot of highly successful working line breeders both in North America and Europe. For this price, you get an absolutely flawless dog with extensive skills and perfect obedience. Some US dog owners interested in Schutzhund choose to import a puppy from old European working lines. While this might sound insanely high for a pet dog owner, for Schutzhund enthusiasts it is a typical price for a pedigreed German Shepherd pup. How much does it cost a month to own a German Shepherd? This will cover the basics: high-quality food and regular vet checks. Some German Shepherd owners spend considerably more money. Professional grooming is necessary for many German Shepherd owners, as these dogs shed heavily. This breeds tends to exhibit several behavioral issues that can be difficult to fix for first-time dog owners, including: Separation anxiety.

Otto Bulldog Description The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is a well-developed, exaggerated bulldog with a broad head and natural drop ears. The prominent muzzle is covered by loose upper lips. The prominent eyes are set well apart. The Alapaha's coat is relatively short and fairly stiff. Preferred colors are blue merle, brown merle, or red merle all trimmed in white or chocolate and white. Also preferred are the glass eyes blue or marble eyes brown and blue mixed in a single eye. The ears and tail are never trimmed or docked. The body is sturdy and very muscular. The well-muscled hips are narrower than the chest. The straight back is as long as the dog is high at the shoulders. The dewclaws are never removed and the feet are cat-like. This breed is named as such for its streak of "royalty. They will fight to the death to defend their owners and make excellent companion dogs. Excellent with and protective of children. These are active, athletic and mindful dogs with a lot of heart. The objective in training this dog is to achieve a pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates under a single leader; lines are clearly defined. You and all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. That is the only way your relationship can be a complete success. Height, Weight Height: 24 inches 61 cm Weight: Males up to pounds 47 kg Females about 78 pounds 34 kg There is a considerable difference between the males and females. Males can be almost twice as heavy as the smallest females. Health Problems With such a small genetic pool, health problems such as inversion of the eyelids entropion can develop. Living Conditions Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldogs will do okay in an apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. They are very inactive indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard. Exercise These athletic, active dogs have an average demand for exercise. They need long daily walks and will enjoy a romp in a safe enclosed area. Life Expectancy. Females: pounds. Height Males: inches. Females: inches. However, not all of these dogs were used for the horrific, thirteenth-century spectator sport. Many were kept as farm dogs and used to move cattle, hunt large game such as boars, and protect the property. English settlers, fleeing the rising conflict of the English Civil War, fled to the United States and brought with them their hard-working dogs. Once in the United States, the settlers made their way to the American Southeast, where they set up farms for crops and livestock. Their dogs were employed to work homesteads, farmlands, and plantations, just as they had guarded homes and properties for centuries in Europe. There, the dogs were most likely mixed with local dogs and those imported by other settlers from the area. He used dogs that were descendants of the native southern bulldogs, considered a staple in his part of Georgia. These hardy-working bulldogs existed in the American Southeast for centuries. Two characteristics that they all had in common were their hard work ethic and the ability to assist their families. Whether their families needed cattle moved, property protected, or a wild boar caught, these bulldogs were up to the challenge. Only the best working dogs, having earned their keep, were kept for breeding purposes. These old bulldogs remained a popular staple of farms and plantations throughout the American South for decades. The result was a powerful yet agile bulldog fit to serve as a loyal companion and fierce protector of life and property. Like the American Bulldog, the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldogs come in various types ranging from the more bulldog-esque bully type to the less extreme standard type. Breed Characteristics Head: The skull may range from a slightly mesocephalic skull type, being somewhat bluntly wedge-shaped as in the standard type, or it may be somewhat brachycephalic and distinctly square-shaped, as in the bully type, or the skull may fall anywhere in between. An excessively long or narrow head, a head resembling that of an American Pit Bull Terrier, or an overly brachycephalic skull that resembles that of an English Bulldog is incorrect for any variety of Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog. The head is large yet proportionate to the substance of the dog. It is broad and powerful. The topskull is flat, long, deep, and broad, being at least as wide measured from one side of the topskull to the other in front of the ears as it is long from occiput to stop. The forehead should be wider than it is tall. It is of good bone and well-muscled, with strongly pronounced temporal and cheek muscles giving it a distinctive padded shape, accentuating a median furrow that runs deep from the stop and diminishes up toward the occiput. The skull is relatively clean-cut, lacking excess skin or wrinkling; however, slight wrinkling of the forehead is permissible when the dog is alerted. Eyes: Medium in size, oval, lemon, almond, or open almond in shape, and set well apart. All colors are acceptable, including blue, hazel, amber, or medium to dark brown. Speckled, flecked, marbled, or eyes of different colors are all equally permissible. The eyes are never bulging or drooping. The eyelids should fit sufficiently tight without any sign of entropion or ectropion; haw should never be visible. The eyelids should be well-pigmented in areas that are colored. There should be sufficient bone in the surrounding orbital sockets to protect the eyes. Ears: The ears are small to medium, set at the highest and outermost part of the skull, and set relatively far back on the long topskull. They may be drop-shaped, button, or rose. In drop ears, the fold must be set level with the head. Fully erect ears are incorrect for this breed. Cropped ears are incorrect as they detract from the expression that is unique to the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog. Muzzle: The muzzle is broad, deep, and strongly developed. The plane, or bridge of the muzzle, is straight. The chin is strong and well-defined but never upturned to the point of protruding beyond the upper lip, nor is it covered by the upper lip. The upper and lower jaws are wide and may be equal in length, as in the performance type, or with the lower jaw being just slightly longer, as in the bully type. The jaws have good bone substance. They are strong and well-developed, never appearing weak, excessively brachycephalic, flat-faced, or long and narrow. The muzzle must never appear long, narrow, or flat for this breed. Nose: The nose is well-pigmented, black, or self-colored, according to the coat. The nostrils are well-opened. Neck: Strongly muscled, powerfully built, well arched, and of moderate length to allow for free movement and action of the head and forequarters. The neck and forequarters are the powerhouse of the American Bulldog and where much of his catching and holding ability comes from. Therefore, a powerful neck capable of free action is essential to the breed. It should widen at the base near the chest and shoulders and taper just slightly to the base of the skull. A very slight dewlap is permissible. Short necks and weak necks are incorrect for this breed. Chest: Deep and broad but never wider than deep. The brisket extends to the point of the elbows. Body: Compact, solid, and of good substance. The body is never racy or refined, long, or low-slung. The shoulders should not appear overly wide and human-like, as this detracts from stamina, power, speed, agility, and endurance. The body's width at the shoulders is approximately equal to the body's width at the hindquarters. Feet: Oval to round and compact, with well-arched toes and tough pads. Tail: The tail is set neither high nor low on the croup but as a natural extension of the topline. It is thick at the base and tapers toward the tip. When held down, the tip of the last vertebrae should extend to approximately the hock joints. The tail is very expressive and can tell when the dog is alert or excited held up , or calm held in a relaxed downward position, never tucked. The tail should never be curled over the back, corkscrewed, or kinked. Natural tails are essential for balance and equilibrium when working, so natural tails are preferred. Docked tails are considered incorrect for this breed. Movement: Powerful, agile, effortless, efficient, smooth, and with great coordination, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. When moving away, the forelegs and rear pasterns should remain parallel to one another. When viewing movement from the front, the forelegs should remain parallel, with elbows and paws moving neither in nor out. From the rear, the back pads should be visible when the rear legs are extended. As speed increases, the forelimbs and hindlimbs will converge to the centerline of gravity. From the side, the topline should remain firm and level. Good reach of movement in the front allows the forepaw to extend out in line with the nose. When extended, the width between the forefeet should be approximately equal to the width between the hindfeet when extended, indicating balance, good reach, and a good drive. Dogs that exhibit any sign of breathing or locomotive difficulty shall be disqualified from the show ring. Their multifaceted versatility, can-do attitude, and devotion to their family make them true all-around working dogs as well as loyal keepers of any family. They love to work and can do so with great enthusiasm, intelligence, and power. They are intelligent and watchful. Adult specimens may develop an attitude of impartiality or aloofness towards strangers, which is not to be penalized. Some may even develop an intolerance for other dogs of the same sex. However, dogs that are disruptive should be excused from the show ring. Any unprovoked aggressive or fearful behavior toward people is incorrect for this breed. The distance from the withers to the root of the tail is equal to the distance from the withers to the ground. Females may be slightly longer. The body is well put together with sturdy substance and strong bones. Dogs may range from bull type to standard type. Males should appear masculine, being more substantial in size and mass, while females should appear more feminine and slightly less substantial. Neither should lack overall type. The weight of males and females is always in proportion to height. Head General Appearance: The skull may range from a slightly mesocephalic skull type, being somewhat bluntly wedge-shaped as in the standard type, or it may be somewhat brachycephalic and distinctly square-shaped, as in the bully type, or the skull may fall anywhere in between. Expression: Powerful, watchful, alert, self-composed, confident, and intelligent. Stop: The stop is definite, preferably forming a degree angle between the topskull and muzzle. Skull: The ideal muzzle-to-skull ratio is between and , with the topskull being longer than the muzzle. The ideal muzzle-to-skull axis may be parallel or convergent. Lips or Flews: The lips are thick and fit loosely, but not pendulously, over the upper and lower jaws. The lips meet in the front, completely covering the incisors and all teeth. The lips should just cover the lower jaw but never hang well below in a pendulous fashion. Cheeks: The cheeks are powerfully padded and should never appear flat or chiseled. They should also never appear overly prominent due to an improperly proportioned head. Missing or broken teeth due to routine work are not to be penalized. The teeth and tongue should never be visible when the mouth is closed. Body and Tail General Description: Compact, solid, and of good substance. Topline: Level from slightly prominent withers to croup. The back is broad, strongly muscled, and straight, yet supple. The loin is taut, flat, and level, or slightly arched, yet supportive. The topline is never swayed or roached. The topline may be level, from slightly prominent withers to the croup, with a broad, straight, and firm back, or it may incline just slightly almost imperceptibly downward from the withers to the tail. The loin is short, wide, supple, and may be slightly arched or level with the back. The back should never be sway-backed, long, roach-backed, or wheel-backed. Croup: Gently sloped. Underline: A slight tuck-up may be present, or the underline may run parallel to the topline. The underline is taut and firm, without any indication of sagging or excess weight. Ribs: Long, well-sprung, well-laid-back, and oval-shaped, never barrel-chested or slab-sided. Forequarters and Hindquarters Forequarters: The forequarters are always in balance with the hindquarters. They are well-angulated with well-laid-back shoulder blades. Shoulder blades are approximately equal in length to the upper arm and forearm. Elbows: The elbows are close to the body. Forelegs: Frontal View: Straight, of good muscle and strong bone, and parallel to one another. A slight inclination inward is not a fault as long as they are straight. Side View: The forelimbs appear straight with strong pasterns. Pasterns: Never weak or broken. Hindquarters: The upper thigh and lower thigh are equal in length, sturdy, of strong bone, and well-muscled. Rear View: When viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are parallel to one another. Side View: Good angulation will allow the rear toes to align with the point of the rump or within one to two paw-lengths behind the point of the rump, with the rear pasterns remaining perpendicular to the ground and parallel to one another. Stifle Joint: Well-angulated with a good bend to well-let-down rear pasterns. Angulations: The angulation of the hindquarters is always in balance with the angulation of the forequarters. Coat Skin: Well-fitted, yet supple. The skin should never obstruct the outline of the dog. Coat Type: A short, close, single coat that is stiff to the touch. Length varies, ranging from one inch or less in length. The coat should never exhibit fringing, wave, or furnishings. All coat color patterns are permissible, including black, liver, blue, gray, silver, Isabella, red without or with mask, known as fawn , seal, with tan or tan points, or brindle. Black, liver, blue, gray, silver, and Isabella variations including brindle, seal, and fawn masked portion may have the merle modifier. All with white markings or white with the above-listed markings. Preference is given to dogs that are 40 percent or more marked with color. Solid white dogs are permissible. Movement Powerful, agile, effortless, efficient, smooth, and with great coordination, the characteristics of a healthy structure are evident. Faults All dogs should be in proper healthy condition, free from disease or defect. Any departure from this description is considered a fault. Unless altered, all male dogs should have two fully descended testicles. Contact Us.

Not all dogs are the same, some will eat more while others will eat less. The amount of food your dog will eat depends on his age, energy level, eating habits, health status. Many owners will not make a big deal of a short-term appetite loss. Not all days are the same. Maybe something was stressful for your dog and therefore he ate less that day. But how to be sure that your dog is eating enough? Unless stated otherwise, the specified amount is recommended for 24 hours. If you have an adult Boxer, split this amount into two meals. Of course, there are other factors that you should take into account. One of them is the level of activity. If you notice any change, whether your dog is losing or gaining some weight, adjust the portions accordingly. Pay special attention to following questions: Is your Boxer a light eater? Is your Boxer eating less then usual? Have you changed your dog food recently? Is your Boxer happy to eat, he starts but not able to finish the meal or he is lethargic and not interested in food at all? Does your Boxer refuse treats? Does your Boxer drink water? What about his other habits, does he play, does he have the same level of energy, how much he sleeps? Have you noticed any other health issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, signs of pain? Can you see the ribs, spine, and bones from a distance? Do monitor your Boxer next couple of days and see what happens. If his appetite comes back to normal, great! If not, call the vet, as any dog that was a good eater, suddenly loses interest in food has some kind of problem. There are various illnesses that can make your Boxer stop eating or decrease his appetite significantly. Professionals from Winter Park Veterinary Hospital listed and explained health issues that can cause Boxer not to eat. Dental Issues Dental issues are the most common chronic diseases that affect all dogs but Boxers are especially prone to these issues. Everything begins with the tartar build-up and then continues with gum infection. What is characteristic for Boxers, according to experts from Winter Park Veterinary Hospital , is the development of Hyperplastic gums. As tartar builds on the teeth, the gum tissue grows swollen. In some cases that excess of tissue covers almost the whole tooth so the dog can barely eat. Also damaged or broken teeth may cause eating difficulty. That is why you should pay special attention to what your Boxer is chewing on. You should avoid giving him super hard chewing toys made of plastic. Instead of these, pick the toys made of rubber or nylon. Your Boxer may stop eating as something in his mouth causes him pain but an oral tumor can also be the reason for decreased appetite. Digestive Disorders There are several digestive disorders that Boxers are prone to. They can start early in their lives and cause a variety of digestive problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. The point is that you can prevent these issues from happening if you take good care of your dog and feed him with high-quality dog food. Heart Problems According to Winter Park Veterinary Hospital Boxer breed is prone to Dilatative Cardiomyopathy, a heart issue that makes the heart become very large but thin. There is also an issue called Aortic Stenosis that your Boxer may inherit, which causes some obstructions in the heart blood flow so the heart must pump as twice as hard. However, these heart issues will make your dog very tired, breathless, coughing. All these symptoms will affect his eating habits and appetite. Bear in mind that in this case heart problem is something that has to be treated immediately and poses a much bigger threat then weight loss. Anyhow, if you notice that your Boxer stopped eating, do rush to the vet as the reason might be a tumor or cancer Kidney Failure If your dog experiences kidney failure, you may notice excessive thirst in your Boxer. The disease progresses bringing lethargy, depression, poor appetite, vomiting and in extreme cases your dog might stop producing urine at all. Liver Disease Opposite to kidney failure, liver disease may cause an increase in thirst which will make your dog pee frequently. But also important indicators of liver disease in Boxers are very poor appetite and weight loss. For example, viral infections such as Distemper or Parvovirus will cause a lack of energy and appetite loss. However many infections no matter what caused result in a lack of energy as a great deal of energy is diverted to the immune system in order to fight off the infection. As a result, we have a lethargic dog that even refuses to eat. Other heath issues Many health issues have appetite loss as one of the symptoms. How to Stop Anorexia Back to Top Like humans, it's not unusual for a dog to lose its appetite once in a while. But if your dog is refusing to eat, it could be a sign of a deeper problem. Any sudden loss of appetite that is out of character for your dog and lasts longer than a meal or two requires veterinary attention—sooner if your puppy acts sick. We break down the reasons that puppies sometimes refuse to eat and how to know when it's time to seek a veterinarian's assistance. Why Do Puppies Refuse to Eat? Anorexia—or loss of appetite—may be abrupt, with your pup suddenly refusing to eat, or gradual, so that it's eating less over time. A number of factors can contribute to your puppy's anorexia. Toy breed puppies are particularly prone to potentially deadly drops in blood sugar hypoglycemia if they skip a meal. Finickiness Some finicky pups develop preferences for certain foods and refuse to eat anything else. When you give in and feed your puppy its desired food, you've taught it how to get its way. Stress and High Temperatures Stress can suppress your pet's desire to eat; being left at the kennel or change in an owner's work schedule that results in separation anxiety can suppress the dog's appetite as well. Just the stress of household visitors could prompt anorexia. High outdoor temperatures can also kill a pet's appetite. Illnesses, Parasites, and Teething Anorexia is one of the most common signs of illness in dogs and can occur in conjunction with a fever if an infection is present. Life-threatening viral infections, such as parvovirus, will cause anorexia. Distemper and other less severe infections such as an upper respiratory infection or intestinal parasites will also cause anorexia. Other times, an ingested foreign body like a swallowed toy or piece of trash can cause abdominal pain and result in a puppy not wanting to eat. If your dog's anorexia lasts for more than a few meals, be sure to have your veterinarian rule out any illnesses before trying any techniques to coax your puppy to eat. Offer wholesome tidbits like a sliver of lean beef or chicken. This will also help you decide if your puppy is just being finicky or really has a problem that needs veterinary attention. Stimulate your puppy's appetite with pungent-smelling foods that may make eating more attractive. Liverwurst and peanut butter are common favorites. Give your puppy meat-based baby food, which is palatable to most puppies and easier to eat with a sore mount. Add warm water or no-salt chicken broth to dry foods to make a slurry in the blender. Spike your puppy's regular food with yogurt or cottage cheese for another good way to tempt your dog to eat or offer a small amount of a stinky canned product with high meat or fat content. The aroma and higher protein content of cat food are very appealing to most dogs. Try hand-feeding your reluctant pup. Offer your reluctant eater a small amount of food, and when it's had its fill or refuses to eat, take the food away and try again an hour later. Leaving food out for a reluctant eater for long periods may overwhelm the appetite centers in the brain, which may kill any appetite your puppy has left. Utilize a little behavior modification if your veterinarian has ruled out a health issue and your puppy is turning its nose up at even the tastiest foods. Cut back on treats as with kids, treats tend to spoil a puppy's appetite for meals and stick to your dog's regular feeding schedule. Buy a new food dish or move the old one to a new location, which might make it a little more interesting; you might even try using a food dispenser that your pup can partially control. Take your dog for a walk or engage in another type of exercise with it before mealtimes if its appetite still isn't what you'd like it to be. Talk to your veterinarian if your puppy's case is severe. She may recommend drugs to help stimulate its appetite, depending on the diagnosis. Seek veterinary attention immediately if your puppy shows signs of low blood sugar hypoglycemia , such as a drunken-type gait, weakness, and occasional seizures. In the meantime, if it appears weak, you might try boosting its low blood sugar by applying something sweet to its gums, such as a very small amount of pasteurized honey or Karo syrup. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. Article Sources The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Idowu, Olutunbi, and Kathryn Heading. Hypoglycemia in dogs: Causes, management, and diagnosis. Categories Boxer If your Boxer starts refusing their food it can be both concerning and confusing. Receiving too many table scraps, treats, not receiving enough exercise, an unclear feeding schedule, or an upset stomach are the most common reasons why Boxer dogs start refusing their food. This is likely only going to be the case if you have recently switched kibbles or diet. If your Boxer has been on the same diet for a while with no issues, then this is less likely to be the cause. Too many tables scraps or treats Table scraps can do two things: Either our dogs think they can refuse their own food in anticipation of us giving them ours… Or the table scraps will upset their stomach and cause them to refuse their food. If we offer too many treats it could ruin their appetite or cause them to leave their food in anticipation for more treats. Lack of exercise Boxers need a considerable amount of daily exercise, with minutes being ideal for most. Unclear feeding schedule If your boxer has unclear eating times then it can end up affecting their appetite negatively. By having set times once in the morning and evening and sticking to them exactly, it will essentially train your Boxer to be hungry at those times. Change in environment Quite a common cause of food refusal comes from a sudden unexpected change in their environment. If anything changes or makes our dogs uncomfortable refusing food is a normal reaction. This is a very primitive reaction as dogs will rarely eat if there is a perceived threat nearby. From getting new neighbors to having someone new in the home, moving homes, or new construction work nearby. Many things can trigger our dogs and make them uncomfortable, causing them to refuse food. Boredom Boredom is harder to identify, but if your Boxer seems gradually less interested in food over time, it could simply be that they are bored. However, I must admit this is rare. In most cases, if a dog likes their food, they will continue to eat it for years at a time in most cases. Boredom could be induced by treats and tidbits. Health issues Food refusal is also a common symptom of underlying health issues. Although this is rare and you likely have nothing to worry about, it may be best to consult your veterinarian. More on this below. Typically, if your Boxer does have health issues then other symptoms will be present too. When To See a Veterinarian While most cases of food refusal are non-serious it helps to know when you should consider visiting your veterinarian. If, however, your Boxer is an otherwise healthy adult with no extra symptoms and they are still drinking fluids, you will likely be able to solve this issue at home without the help of a vet. Allow some time If your Boxer is otherwise fine and the sudden refusal of food seems completely random, then the best thing to do is give them an extra day or two. One thing not to do is to make any hasty changes before you allow some time. Hold back on all treats Try temporarily holding back on treats and avoid all table scraps altogether. If your Boxer has been used to receiving too many treats this could be the change that makes all the difference. They must eat their main meals as that provides the most well-rounded nutrition. Try wetting their food Dry kibble can sometimes get boring and unappealing, one way to make it more palatable and tastier without actually changing it is to simply add a little warm water and mix it around. This will create a little gravy and the wetness will make it significantly different for your Boxer. If you want to add flavor, you could add a little meat broth preferably unsalted to the kibble. Has their routine had any recent changes? Are their exercise levels sufficient? Their dog refused their food until their bowl was moved back some things can be as small as that! Rotation diet The rotation diet is a great way to prevent boredom and keep their meal times interesting. This could work as a solution to the current eating problem, but also prevent future ones too. It involves getting two or three kibbles that your Boxer has no issues with, then switch them every 2 or 3 months. This way, most of the formula remains the same. Wet dog food is highly palatable, tasty, and rich, with only a small amount mixed into dry kibble it can completely transform it. However, due to the richness of wet dog food, this is better as a temporary fix than something we should provide permanently. If you can, try to opt for the same brand of wet dog food as you are using for the dry kibble. Add in turkey breast Another trick is to mix in a small amount of plain cooked turkey breast to their food. You really only need a small amount shredded up. This will entice even the fussiest of eaters. Dogs are naturally able to go longer without food but their tolerance for not drinking water is much less. At most a dog can go three days without water intake but can survive for five to seven days or more without food Like our first tip, Dr. Philips Animal Hospital also recommends giving your Boxer dog some time before making radical changes. It could just be a minor blip in behavior and revert the following day without you doing anything. Thanks for reading! The Puppy Mag makes an active effort to search for plagiarized content using plagiarism detection software. If plagiarized content is found, action will be taken.

Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.Top 30 Smartest Dog Breeds In The World If you're a dog lover, you've probably heard the age-old debate: which dog breeds are the smartest? While all dogs have their own unique intelligence and personality, some breeds have proven to be consistently brilliant over time. In this guide, we'll explore the top 30 smartest dog breeds ranked, from problem-solving whizzes to trainable and intuitive pups. We've done our research to provide you with an updated and informative.These pooches are joyful, lively, eager to please dogs. They are adventurous, kind, family-oriented pups who love hiking, swimming, canine games, sports and any, and all, family activities. These puppies are merry and bouncy little marshmallows. They are cuddly and sweet pups who love running around, playing, making friends and are very enthusiastic learners. The breed is divided into 3 recognized categories: Toy Poodle; Mini; Standard. Although they differ in size, one thing is for sure: they are glamorous companion pets. Humane Society of El Paso. These pups are in El Paso, Texas too! Below are our newest added Keeshonds available for adoption in El Paso, Texas. El Paso, TX info hselpaso. Adoptable animals. Basenji puppies for sale in El Paso, TX from trusted breeders. Check out the gallery below to see all of our adoptable rescue dogs. Tags: Golden retriever puppy Golden puppy Golden retriever puppies Retriever puppies Pure bred golden retriever puppies. Find and adopt a pet on Petfinder today. Premier Pups is committed to providing four-legged dog lovers with happy, healthy Yorkshire Terrier puppies for sale near El Paso, Texas. Are Beagles for sale El Paso faithful dogs? A year health guarantee is in place to back up. Keeshond puppies and dogs in El Paso, Texas. The Humane Society of El Paso is a private, non-profit animal shelter that does not receive any city, state, or federal funding. Join millions of people using Oodle to find puppies for adoption, dog and puppy listings, and other pets. Pug puppies for sale in El Paso, TX from trusted breeders. Available puppies Certified breeders Work with a breeder to get a spot in an upcoming litter There are no Miniature Schnauzer puppies available right now. They instantly became a huge hit, and everybody wanted one - a Golden Retriever and Poodle in one! These dogs have become more and more popular by the day, and flood goldendoodlesofinstagram with millions of posts! Blue Diamond French Bulldogs usually mature weighing around pounds and inches to the top of the back. Find great deals and sell your items for free. This group was made to look for lost pets or let people's know they have found a pet or you want and looking for a pet no pet sales allowed or you will be banned :. French Bulldogs for Sale in El Paso. If you see a boy or girl that you would like to meet, please scroll down and fill out the adoption application. Join millions of people using Oodle to find puppies for adoption, dog and puppy listings, and other pets adoption. It is a 2 acre kennel with 60 runs a large exercise yard and large training field. We look forward to hearing from you! Frenchies are non-hypoallergenic and have short. Adopt a Pet can help you find an adorable Schnauzer Giant near you. Maltese puppies for sale in El Paso, TX from trusted breeders. Don't miss what's happening in your neighborhood. These dogs are also super protective over little ones! Save this search and we'll notify you when they are. Find your puppy for sale in El Paso, TX. Search for a Schnauzer Giant puppy or dog. Puppies for Sale in El Paso, Texas. Maltese breeders El Paso once bred them in a wide range of colors, but today they are exclusively available with white coats of fur. Animal Rescue League of El Paso. Goldendoodles for sale El Paso make amazing family dogs! Follow on FB for pics and more. We recommend speaking directly with your breeder to get a better idea of their price range. Many also enjoy expressing their affection by nuzzling with you when you pet them. Puppies for sale in El Paso! Beagle For Sale in El Paso .They are 12 weeks old and ready to go home! We are asking. Labrador Retrievers for Sale in El Paso. El Paso Times Classifieds Listings. Because all breeding programs are different, you may find dogs for sale outside that price range. One of the reasons for this is their personality; beagles tend to be playful, curious, and cheerful. El Paso, TX .Great Danes for Sale in El Paso. El Paso Goldendoodle puppies for sale were first bred a few decades ago in the s in America. We are a full-service canine boarding and training facility, Barkerhaus is the oldest operational kennel in El Paso. Learn more 1, puppies available 1, certified breeders Transportation Location Color. Miniature Poodles for Sale in El Paso. Find and apply to Good Dog breeders to learn about upcoming litters. Their brains, size, and loyalty make them ideal police and service dogs, but they also make great friends. Schnauzer Giant puppies and dogs in El Paso, Texas. We rely on grants, adoption fees, private. Chihuahuas for Sale in El Paso. Browse thru our ID Verified puppy for sale listings to find your perfect puppy in your area. The Maltese can serve as a lapdog but it loves to play with humans of all ages. Males tend to be larger in size compared to females. Dogs for Sale in El Paso, Texas. Adopt a Boxer, Mixed Breed. The life expectancy of a Frenchie is around years. Adopt Zeus a Labrador Retriever, Mixed. Tibetan Terrier puppies and dogs in El Paso, Texas. Maltese breeders El Paso once bred. Prices may vary based on the breeder and individual puppy for sale in El Paso, TX. We rely on grants, adoption fees, private donations, and fundraising events for all of our operating expenses. French Bulldog Puppies make wonderful family pets and are well-mannered. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help you find the puppy. We have answers. What are Poodle puppies for sale near El Paso like? A Poodle is a highly intelligent breed of dog that originated in Germany and is most commonly known for the puffy, curly coat found in its Standard and Toy varieties. The breed is further divided into four varieties, which includes the Miniature, Toy, Standard, and the recently created, Continental Giant. Poodles are well known for being very loyal and obedient but can sometimes be high strung and need regular exercise. They tend to form strong bonds with their owners and get along well with children and other dogs; however, they need to be properly socialized when young. Will Poodle puppies for sale in El Paso cause me to have allergies? While the chances of having allergies with a pet Poodle are lower than other breeds due to their hypoallergenic fur, no dog is completely allergy-proof. Allergies to dogs are caused by the dead skin cells, called dander, not the fur, so unfortunately even Poodles can cause allergies. Factors such as your individual sensitivity to allergens, the Poodle's age and whether it is groomed frequently or not can all affect the rate of allergies to a particular poodle. Do El Paso Poodle puppies for sale have special dietary needs? Poodles do have special dietary needs that are unique to the breed. Additionally, because of their intelligence and energetic nature, Poodles require foods with proactive nutrients for cognitive and physical development. They also need vitamins and minerals, including Omega 3 fatty acids for healthy skin and joints. Feeding your pet a nutritional diet is essential in keeping them active and healthy. How can I become the best puppy parent for Poodle puppies in El Paso? Becoming the best puppy parent for your Poodle involves providing a loving home, lots of exercise, and proper nutrition. To start, ensure that your home is ready for your pup by making sure the environment is safe and secure. Make sure all items around the house are puppy proof and all cleaners and toxins are out of reach. Additionally, make sure to exercise your pup daily playing fetch, going on walks, and swimming are all great activities for Poodles. How fast do Poodles for sale in El Paso grow? The adult size of your Poodle puppy depends on several factors, such as its genetics, diet, and exercise. However, on average, a full-grown Poodle will likely stand between 10 and 15 inches tall. Standard Poodles usually weigh pounds, while Toy Poodles typically weigh between pounds. A Miniature Poodle stands between inches high and typically weighs between pounds. If you're looking for a more general idea of your puppy's future adult size, an excellent starting point is to look at the size of its parents. Do Poodle puppies near El Paso like to swim? Poodles love to swim and exercise and are incredibly active and energetic! Generally speaking, almost all Poodles demonstrate an enthusiasm and affinity for water activities that ranges from casually paddling around the pool to actively competing in various water sports activities. In fact, Poodles have a unique double coat that gives them a distinct advantage when it comes to water activities, as the coat provides warmth in cold water and prevents chills. The coat also protects them against the harsh feeling of the water on their skin. Are Poodles in El Paso good for first-time owners? Poodles can make wonderful companions for first-time owners. They are easily trainable, highly intelligent, and have a strong desire to please their owners. Poodles come in a wide variety of sizes, from tiny toy poodles to much larger standard poodles, so size can be a major deciding factor when considering if a Poodle is a good fit for a first-time owner. Since Poodles require regular grooming sessions and exercise, they are good for first-time owners who have the time and resources to care for them. Are El Paso Poodles for sale considered smart dogs? Absolutely, Poodles are considered to be highly intelligent dogs which can easily pick up things with a few repetitions. Poodles have been rated among the top ten smartest dog breeds since the s. This breed is a great choice for owners who want a smart companion that can be trained to perform different activities and tricks. Poodles love to please their owners and are highly trainable, respond quickly to commands and can learn several words. Poodles perform tasks rapidly and accurately, making them an excellent choice for they are fast learners.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. We participate in Breed Shows and Field Trials and our dogs enjoy it as much as we do. We strive to breed dual purpose dogs who can work hard in the field and perform in the show ring. But most of all for the family as a loving companion with a superb temperament and personality. We breed with imported and championship lines to produce top quality Golden Retrievers. Our saying.Passion, Pride, Purpose, Perfection!!! They are very well socialized and taken care of Puppies are send out on 8 weeks of age KUSA Registered Kennel Union of Southern Africa Puppy Contract All our puppies come with breeding restrictions on them puppies are sold as PETS ONLY, not for breeding 1st Inoculation clients get the vaccination book with Micro-chipped clients get the micro-chip certificate with Been Dewormed every 2 weeks since the age of 2 weeks Client get to choose their own name for their puppy Puppies are all Vet checked A Puppy Blanket as a gift from us that come with your puppy. Our puppies are raised on Hills large breed puppy food to make sure they get the best possible start in life. We definitely recommend clients to continue on Hills. We have exported many puppies so it is no problem to send a puppy aboard at all. How to book a puppy: Once the puppies are born, mating has occurred or on any future litters planned bookings can be made depend on availability. To make a booking on a puppy we ask a commitment fee to secure a booking non refundable , rest is payable once the puppies are born. For any reason whatsoever, puppy death, miscarriage and so on and there is no other puppy available in that specific litter you will be carried over to the next available litter or due litter of your choice that have availability. Once you have booked a puppy: Due to the fact that we do Puppy Culture with all our puppies we asses them right thru from birth and know them each by heart, by the time visiting weekend comes. So we do the full assessment when the puppies are about 6 to 7 weeks of age and we can also see the individual personality of each puppy by then very clearly. We will go thru all the forms filled in of the clients that are booked in that litter and see who will fit who best. You then get to choose out of those puppies best suited for you and your lifestyle should there be more than one suitable. Reason for this is to make sure the right puppy goes to the right owner for some clients want a active dog and other a calm dog and in the end we need to find the best suited home for our puppy. Visiting weekend will then also be in that time frame. We also try and send update pictures every Friday to clients, so clients can keep track of how the little ones are growing and developing. Prince: house trained, great with other dogs and loves kids; very friendly, happy, affectionate dog Prince is an unbelievably gorgeous 5 year old boy that has been surrendered to our kennels. He is house trained, great with other dogs and loves kids. He does not know cats. He can do with some more leash training. He is a very friendly, happy, affectionate and loving dog who loves to play and be with his human. He needs a good size garden, daily exercise and a warm bed inside the house at night. He must be a very special family member! He has the biggest smile and will always warm your heart and brighten your day with his beautiful temperament. He enjoys his toys and loves to play with his ball! He will make an unconditionally loving companion and such a special friend. He would love to join you on outdoor activities and fun adventures! Availability: Kindly understand that a dog's availability can change in seconds. They can ONLY leave for their new homes at 9 weeks of age. All healthy puppies and dogs will only be ready for adoption after they have had their 1st vaccinations, micro-chipped and sterilised. Procedure: If you are interested in adopting, we will email you an adoption application. Once completed we will arrange a home inspection. We had a third litter in October , a fourth in December , a fifth in November and a sixth in August .A seventh and eighth followed, together, my first time with two litters at once, in October , as the girls usually come into season together. Indi had her second, our ninth litter in January , as she did not come into season with the other girls as she normally would have, but only some 5 weeks later and, as we didn't have our usual travel plans for early - thanks Covid - and I was already in "puppy mode", I decided to go ahead and breed her instead of putting it off till later in .We had our 10th and 11th litters together, once again with Gucci and Prada, who gave birth within 2 days of each other, at the end of , both for their third and final litters. I mainly breed when I want another pup to add to my breeding lines and for the show ring, so do not simply "churn out" puppies for other people, although having said that, we cannot simply keep adding to our ever-increasing pack. I am not a breeder who will rehome my dogs once they are past their "usefulness", as many others do, they are first and foremost our beloved pets and all stay with us until the end of their days. But most of our puppies, aside from the ones we keep, go to the most fabulous pet homes I can find. Of course because of Covid, was a non-event in the showing arena as everything was cancelled. To add to our South African lines, I imported two gorgeous bitches, Ch Stanroph Scarlett Rose of Savannalands Rosie , from Spain, in who I was never able to breed with as she has both ectopic ureter and just one kidney - so our very expensive pet! Both have achieved their Champion titles. First birthday together in Cape Town for those who could make it. Savannalands puppy party to celebrate their first birthday, Floyd x Indi litter born 21 August .Celebrating their first birthday in exuberant style!

The range of amounts is based on the activity of your Golden for the day, either low, moderate, or high level of activity. Golden Retrievers should have scheduled times to eat daily. The scheduled times will help them with their energy levels and keep them healthy. You can schedule their eating times as to what works best for your schedule. For example, feeding them before you leave for work and then when you get home. As a puppy, they will eat three times a day, so you will need to find times in those first few months to feed them more often. When they are an adult or senior, the scheduling of feeding times will be easier because they will only eat twice daily. For a Golden Retriever puppy, the best feeding schedule is once in the morning, noontime, and in the evening. For example, you could feed their first meal at am, lunch at noon, then dinner at pm. Planning their mealtimes around your mealtimes will often make it easier for you and the puppy. Make sure to give them plenty of time after eating to got to the bathroom a couple of times before heading to bed. Hopefully, this will help them sleep for a longer period. After about six months, your Golden Retriever can go down to two daily feedings. This usually occurs once in the morning and once in the evening. They can usually last about 12 hours between meals. If it goes past 12 hours, they could become nauseated. Golden Retrievers can experience food allergies often caused from proteins in dairy or meat products. If your dog experiences symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or itching they may have a food allergy. They warn that feeding dogs any raw animal-source protein could cause illness because it has not gone through a process to remove harmful pathogens. However, a raw diet can be healthy if you are willing to go through the extra cleaning processes of the meat. This is a lot of work and difficult to do correctly and safely. We do not recommend it without expert veterinary help. Before starting a raw diet with your Golden, be sure to consult a veterinarian. Find one that is familiar with raw foods and can help with the proper handling of the foods. If you work hard to make sure your homemade foods are rich in the vitamins and minerals that a dog needs, then it might work for your Golden Retriever. It takes a lot more time to find recipes and make sure it has all the nutritional value of a store-bought dog food. If you are willing to research expertly formulated recipes internet is making it easier to do this , and take the time to cook for your golden then go for it! Consulting your veterinarian is a must before starting any homemade diet. A veterinary nutritionist should also review your plan before starting. Feeding your Golden Retriever table food is not the best practice but a small amount of dog healthy table food is fine. Some example table foods that are healthy for them are carrots, blueberries and plain yogurt. Just be aware that feeding them too much table food can throw their entire diet out of whack. They may not be getting enough vitamins and minerals like they do from their dog food. Conclusion Making sure your Golden Retriever is getting the right foods at the right amounts will help them live their best life. There are many choices of foods with all the right ingredients. Be sure to choose one that works best for you and your Golden. Consult with your veterinarian on which food will bring the most nutritional value to the health of your Golden Retriever. If your Golden is experiencing any health issues related to changing foods, visit your veterinarian. If this article was helpful, please consider sharing this post on Facebook with the button below! She is board certified a specialist in canine reproduction. In her day job, she is a leader in a small biotech where she and a team of veterinarians and scientists work to develop new medications for pets. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of this wonderful breed of dogs. She and her husband have 2 children, 3 dogs and one cat. They love camping and hiking and she can often be found with her head in a good book. Recent Posts. A low-calorie diet is enough for an older dog, but it should still be full of nutrients. Moderate protein and fat content are still needed. Typically, Golden Retriever puppies need to be fed at least three times daily. Meanwhile, adult and senior Golden Retrievers are satisfied with two meals per day. A Golden Retriever puppy should be fed three times a day at scheduled intervals until it reaches six months. You may divide the three meals into breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When your Golden Retriever puppy turns six months, you can begin feeding it twice a day until it reaches adulthood. For adult Golden Retrievers, the most ideal feeding schedule will be twice a day with equally spaced meals. You can give it high-quality food in the morning and evening. The same goes for senior dogs but with fewer calories. For an easier routine, you can create a customized feeding plan based on your daily schedule or commitments. A proper routine also prevents under and overfeeding. As Golden Retrievers have a ravenous appetite, you might be tempted to feed your dog often. But you should be firm and watchful to avoid any weight-related problems. Here, we provided the optimal feeding times you can follow for your Golden Retriever: 2 to 6 months: am — am, pm, pm 7 months to 8 years and above: am — am, pm — pm Ideally, you should not feed your Golden Retriever puppy after pm. Instead, give your pup an ice cube to chew on when it gets thirsty. Your Golden Retriever puppy should also be fed in the same area daily without distractions. This way, your young puppy can focus on eating its puppy food. Allot around 20 to 30 minutes for your Golden puppy to finish its meal. Remember that some Golden Retrievers like to gorge on more food while some are finicky. Keep your pooch lean with the right feeding schedule, feeding amounts, and proper physical activity. You can also consult your vet for more insights. You may give your pooch kibbles or cold-pressed dog food. Both are packed with necessary ingredients that are filled with nutrients! It can be a bit costly, but wet dog food is still a better choice for Golden Retrievers that are picky eaters and for senior Golden Retrievers, too. You may either mix them or alternate the two at every meal. Just make sure that when you take this approach, your pooch is getting the right food with proper calorie and nutrition requirements. Complete Raw Diet: Feeding your Golden Retriever raw food should be fine after it turns three to four weeks. However, feeding dogs with this option is linked to many food safety concerns. Meanwhile, freeze-dried dog food is also a raw food that has been repacked. Both have no preservatives added and are easy to store with long shelf lives. When choosing the best dog food for your Golden Retriever, you should take into account the ingredients, nutrient details, and feeding instructions as well. Based on the general guidelines, the nutrients you should be looking for besides meat products or animal protein and fats are high-quality grains such as brown rice. Fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals are also vital. This can be ideal for dogs that are sensitive to different types of grain. But grain-free food has been controversial due to its link with heart disease. Your vet can also help you personalize a diet plan for your dog. Curious to see what a homemade meal looks like for Golden Retrievers? Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Golden Retriever Golden Retrievers are known for their strong appetite, and on top of this, they are also curious. Several foods are toxic to Golden Retrievers, such as chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, walnuts, and macadamia nuts. Alcoholic drinks and foods that contain xylitol are also dangerous for your dog. Even a tiny amount of alcohol can cause severe issues to your dog, such as vomiting, and diarrhea, among others. Meanwhile, xylitol is an artificial sweetener that is also unsafe for your pooch. If your Golden Retriever consumes too much xylitol, it can result in a dangerously low blood sugar level and even acute liver failure. This substance is usually found in sweet candies, gums, cookies, and the like, so make sure that you check what treats you give your dog. Read food labels or buy organic brands instead. Other vegetables that are harmful to your Golden Retriever are Brussel sprouts, kale, and wild mushrooms. The pits, skins, and leaves of avocados contain a toxin called persin. Meanwhile, cherries contain cyanide which can be extremely harmful to your dog. You may also consult your vet to check the safety of specific foods, especially if your pooch has allergies or sensitivities. These gradual transitions typically occur over 5 to 7 days. Golden Retrievers are very food motivated. If your puppy seems to be getting fat, you may need to switch to the lower end of the above recommendations. Alternatively, if their ribs are becoming too prominent, you should work to the upper ends of the guidelines. Golden Retriever puppies have much smaller stomachs than adults. This means their daily food allowance should be split into smaller, more frequent meals. Rather than just feeding them once in the morning and once in the evening, as you might plan to do eventually, their food will need to be split into 3 or even 4 portions, like so: 8 — 12 weeks: 4 meals a day 3 — 6 months: 3 meals a day 6 — 12 months: 2 meals a day However, like the feeding charts, this should only be used as a guide. Feeding too much food at once can lead to cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, and discomfort for your puppy. How to Choose the Best Golden Retriever Puppy Food Puppies need a balance of certain nutrients and vitamins to support their growth — not just as much food as possible. In fact, simply giving as much food as possible is linked to certain joint-related health problems. So, when searching for a high quality puppy food, there are a few key ingredients you might want to search for. This includes a real meat source, and the correct amount of nutrients like calcium and iron. Commercial Food vs Homemade Food There are pros and cons to every type of puppy food available. Dry food is long-lasting and easy to use during training, but can contain filler ingredients. Wet food is palatable and easy to serve, but can be more expensive and harder to use during training. Homemade food is often very appealing in terms of taste for our dogs, but is the most likely type to contain nutritional imbalances that can lead to serious health problems. So, they will continue to grow and develop physically until somewhere between 12 and 18 months. You may want to transition your puppy to a new food when you bring them home, rather than whatever your breeder was giving them. Ideally, you want to make the change over the course of a week. Replace a very small amount of their old food with their new food at mealtimes. Over the week, you can change these amounts by decreasing their old food and increasing the new. By the end of the week, they will be eating only the new food. Changing abruptly can cause stomach upsets and symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. But, Golden Retrievers should generally look lanky rather than chubby. But, the most successful rewards in this type of training are often food, such as kibble or small chunks or meat and cheese. Doing all of your training in the morning can lead to stomach upsets if your puppy ends up eating a large amount of their daily allowance all at once. Instead, try and complete shorter training sessions before each mealtime, and give whatever allowance is left for each meal after training is done. This can also benefit your training, as a hungry dog will be more motivated to work for those treats! Learn more » Congratulations on your new golden retriever puppy! You now have a beautiful, smart, and loyal dog who will love you for life. To make sure they grow into a healthy and happy companion, you need to feed them the right amount of food. At months old, which is usually when they are ready to leave their mother, a golden retriever puppy should be eating 3 cups of dog food divided into three meals per day. This is based on a typical large-breed puppy food. Different brands will give a feeding guide on their packaging. However, how much and how often to feed your golden retriever will keep changing during this time of rapid growth. Golden Retriever Puppy Feeding Timeline Image Credit: PxHere All puppies are different as are the foods, but some general guidelines for feeding your golden retriever during their first year are: 0—6 weeks: A golden retriever puppy can start eating solid food when they are 3—4 weeks old. Give them a total of 3 cups of dog food per day by their third month, 3 to 4 cups by the time they are 6 months old. The AKC recommends waiting until large breed puppies are at least 12 months old before switching them over to adult dog food and more likely 18 months. The amount will depend on their weight and activity level, but a rough guide is 1—2 cups per meal. Image Credit: Kinek00, Shutterstock Large breed puppies like golden retrievers should eat three to four small meals a day for the first 3—6 months of their lives. Smaller portions spread throughout the day are easier on their tummies and help prevent bloat, a serious condition that can be deadly for dogs. It also helps them maintain their energy level throughout the day. Puppy food has more calories and fat to support their growth, as well as extra vitamins and minerals for their developing immune and nervous systems and bones. The protein source matters, too. Puppies need animal-based proteins like chicken, beef, or lamb for their growing muscles. Choose a Large Breed Formula: Large breed puppies grow quickly, which means they need extra support for their bones and joints. Formulations for large breeds contain the correct calcium and phosphorus ratio for strong bones and glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints. They can help you choose the right food for your puppy based on their age, weight, and activity level. But puppies need to be fed on a schedule to prevent them from overeating and becoming overweight. How do you know if your puppy is getting enough to eat? After that, their growth will start to slow down. He Has a Healthy Appetite: A healthy puppy is interested in food and eager to eat. He Has Plenty of Energy: A well-fed puppy is full of energy and ready to play. Make the most of mealtime with these tips: 1. It also helps other aspects of puppy training, such as potty training and crate training. Image Credit: Alena Marchuk, Shutterstock This means leaving food out all day for them to graze on whenever they want. Leave food down for 10 minutes and then pick up what is not eaten. If they have not eaten anything, offer it again in an hour. Slow them down by scattering their kibble around the bowl, using a puzzle feeder or snuffle mat. This will help them learn to eat slowly and enjoy their food more. If your puppy is not drinking enough water for your liking, try adding a bit of broth to their bowl to make it more appealing and help them stay hydrated. Resist the Urge to Sneak Them Table Scraps Puppies are experts at giving those big, soulful eyes that make it hard to say no. But resist the temptation to give them table scraps or human food. Aside from teaching them bad manners, it can also lead to health problems, like obesity. A lot of human foods are not safe or healthy for dogs. For instance, garlic and onions are toxic to dogs. Oily food can upset their stomach, and carbs add a lot of calories. This helps them learn that mealtime is a specific time and place and not something that happens all over the house. Let Your Puppy Eat in Peace. This includes other pets in the house and small children who might want to bother them or try to steal their food. Otherwise, meals can become a stressful experience for your puppy instead of a happy one. Conclusion Feeding your golden retriever puppy the right amount of quality dog food will establish a strong foundation for their health and happiness. In addition, make mealtimes more meaningful by turning them into lessons and bonding moments between you and your dog. The puppy phase is over before you know it, so enjoy it while it lasts! Read the full disclosure here. Being a large and energetic dog, your golden retriever has a ravenous appetite and can eat a lot. However, overfeeding is never good and could be avoided with the help of a golden retriever feeding chart. Knowing how much to feed your golden retriever is always tricky but essential for their well-being and health. Goldens are prone to obesity and joint problems, which can only be exacerbated with an inadequate feeding plan. So, stay with me to find the right feeding plan and meal schedule for your goldie. Most first-time owners think their puppies should be chubby. In truth, golden retriever puppies are supposed to look lanky and act like they are always hungry when fed the correct amount of food. To encourage proper growth and development without making your pup obese, you will have to know how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. For example, cheaper foods use fillers and have a smaller amount of calories, thus you will have to feed more than you would when using premium large breed puppy foods. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. We all want our golden retriever puppies to be healthy and happy. We envision them running through a verdant field chasing a ball. Full of energy with the beautiful, lustrous golden coat. But, just like us, eating the proper food in the proper amounts will help your golden properly grow and thrive. After all, what we eat impacts how healthy we are. How much you should feed your golden retriever puppy will vary depending on the quality of food you feed, his age, his weight, his general health, and his activity level. Your golden will be growing for up to two years. And the amount of food during that time will have to be adjusted depending on his needs. Because most people feed kibble to their pup, this article will focus on that. Kibble is convenient and cost effective. Instead, they should be lanky and full of energy. They should love to eat their food with gusto. Instead, you should be able to feel his ribs when you pet him there. There should just be a thin coating of fat under his skin. And he should have a defined waistline. Of course you should check with your veterinarian to make such adjustments. And remember a young puppy should get only so much exercise a day. Their joints and bones are developing and can be damaged if the exercise is too extreme. Assuming you have an eight-week-old puppy, he should receive three to four meals a day. From eight weeks old until about five or six months old, three meals per day are advisable. Of course, feed at the same intervals every day and split the total amount per day in half to be given at each feeding. After about six months of age through adulthood, two feedings per day are the norm. Always check with your vet regarding how much and how often to feed. These are just guidelines. Feed him at the same distraction-free location so that he focuses on eating. As much as goldens love to eat, a young golden puppy is also very easily distracted. This can lead to possible health problems, including joint and bone problems. Goldens can easily become overweight. Free feeding can also lead to a picky eater. Some puppies figure out that if their buffets are always there, and they can just go graze at will. Most foods you purchase will have guidelines on their bag or box. When you first get your puppy, feed him the same food that the breeder or rescue fed him for a few weeks. Then, if you want to change his food, do so over at least 10 days. Add more of the new food and subtract more of the old food each day. After about five days, you should be giving him approximately 50 percent of the new food and 50 percent of the old food. Switching food over such a period of time will help prevent stomach upsets and diarrhea. Overfeeding will result not only in him becoming overweight but it will also make him grow too fast. Periodically—even weekly— test whether you can still feel his ribs without them protruding. You can then increase the amount he eats. You should also feed his last meal of the day at least 90 minutes before his bed time so that he can digest his food and potty before bed. A well-balanced, high-quality food should provide all the nutrients he requires. Golden puppies require a formula made for large-breed dogs. Puppy formulas for large-breed dogs regulate their growth. Eating too quickly can lead to digestive upsets and even bloat, which can be deadly. I rescued my golden retriever Riley when he was about six months old. To say that he ate as if it were his last meal would be an understatement. He had a voracious appetite. I bought one of the maze bowls to slow him down. The kibble is placed between each section of the bowl, and he had to forage for his food. It worked! He ate at a more normal pace. Of course, dogs should be given free access to fresh water. Other Feeding Options Although I concentrated in this article on feeding kibble to your new puppy, there are other options. There are some drawbacks to them because they may not be nutritionally complete, may be cost prohibitive, or may be too time-consuming to make. Wet Food Canned food alone or mixed with kibble is an option. But wet food alone is very expensive. He may become a picky eater. Feeding raw is controversial. Dehydrated raw foods reduce some of the risks. The ratio of calcium to phosphorous is crucial to puppy development. Homemade Diet Cooking for your best friend can be very appealing. And many people do. You know what ingredients and their quality are. But it has its drawbacks. Of course, the amount you feed is important for his growth rate and general health and well-being. But there is no one-size-fits-all in determining how much to feed a golden retriever puppy. Any amounts you see are just guidelines. Adjust them as necessary regarding your own special puppy. Do you have a golden retriever puppy? How did you determine what and how much to feed him? Please leave your comments in the section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist. Debbie has been training dogs for over 24 years and has nationally ranked obedience and rally dogs, agility dogs, trick dogs, and therapy dogs. Post navigation. They are famously loving and playful family pets, always eager to jump in the pool or snuggle up with you on the lounge. They are patient and energetic dogs who are easy to train, making them excellent service animals as well as loyal companions. If you are bringing a Goldie into your family, you might also be aware of their reputation as food lovers. Your Goldie might want to eat anything and everything you put in their bowl — and maybe even anything left on an unattended plate. In this Golden Retriever feeding guide, Hypro Premium will take you through everything you need to know when it comes to food options for your pup. The best food for most young puppies is milk. If you are weaning a puppy, you can start to mix in a little dry kibble with their puppy milk to create a paste. You can feed this mix to your puppy up to four times a day, slowly reducing the amount of milk you mix in. Over time, your Goldie puppy will get more comfortable with solid foods, until you no longer need to include any milk in their diet. While chubby little puppies are cute, your Goldie should not build up too much excess fat once you start feeding them solids. Goldies go from a small 4kg puppy at 7 weeks old to an almost 30 kg adult dog in the space of only 10 months. At six months old your puppy will still be growing, but more slowly as they reach most of their body development milestones. This is why appropriate feeding in the first year of their life is vital to the overall health of your Goldie for years to come. Over time this can increase to up to 4 cups a day at 10 months old, though females should usually only need 3 cups a day. The amount you feed your puppy is often dependent on their size and sex. While they may have some growing left to do, it depends on your dog. Some Goldies will continue to experience growth spurts before their second birthday, while others will stay the same size. Large breeds can be at risk of growing too fast, which can make them more vulnerable to skeletal and weight problems when they get older. Golden retrievers are especially prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, which can be avoided through diet control. You should feed your Goldie between 3 — 4 cups of food per day over two meals. Adult dogs and puppies have different nutritional needs. This is important to take into consideration as you are establishing a feeding schedule for a Golden Retriever puppy. Puppies require more calories to support their rapid growth than adult dogs, but they also have much smaller stomachs, which means they get fuller faster. Because of this, puppies can easily overeat, especially Golden Retrievers. You can help your puppy avoid overeating by allowing them a short amount of time to eat, and then removing their bowl. All puppies grow a lot during their first year, but large breed puppies are more likely to suffer from negative health consequences as a result. In order to provide your Golden Retriever puppy with the most appropriate food to support their rapid growth, consider choosing a large breed puppy food. Goldie puppies need lots of protein, fibre, and fatty acids to support the development of their bodies and provide them with energy. These foods also take into account the difference in nutrient digestion between small and large breeds. Too much of these nutrients can cause your large breed puppy to develop skeletal abnormalities. So how much do you feed a Golden Retriever? Your adult Goldie could need anywhere between and 1, calories per day. The amount of food you feed your dog will be determined by a few important factors. The first thing to consider is the sex of your dog. On average, your male Golden Retriever will need slightly more food than a female dog. Senior dogs will usually be less active and so will need less food. Goldies in particular can have a lot of variation in the amount of food they need on a daily basis. No matter how much you feed your dog, it is ideal that you feed your adult Golden Retriever two meals a day at evenly spaced time intervals. Feeding your dog twice, once in the morning and again in the evening, can be useful for establishing a routine and avoiding overfeeding. This routine can also include exercise, and is useful for encouraging healthy behaviour around food and toilet training. Special Considerations Your Golden Retriever could be predisposed to several health conditions that are important to consider when you make decisions about their diet. Firstly, Golden Retrievers are known for their beautiful coats, but their skin can often become infected. Goldies love swimming, but this can cause problems if water irritates their skin. They can also be susceptible to atopic dermatitis, which causes extreme itchiness, resulting in licking and biting behaviours in dogs that can cause even more damage. For dogs prone to skin and coat issues, a fish-based diet can help alleviate symptoms. Fish contains plenty of fatty acids, which support coat and skin health, and rarely triggers any allergic reaction in dogs. Goldies often benefit from healthy grains in their diet, especially as avoiding them can actually leave your dog more vulnerable to nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy, or nutritional DCM. This heart disease is common in Golden Retrievers, and can be triggered by consuming too much grain-free pet food that contains legumes like lentils and peas. You should consider feeding your Golden Retriever foods that are full of grains and proteins like chicken or fish. These are the benefits and drawbacks of the three most popular options — wet food, a raw food diet, and dry food. Wet food can be a great option for dogs that need plenty of protein and fat, like working dogs or dogs with certain health conditions. It also hydrates your dog while they eat, which can be useful for dogs suffering from any illness. For dogs with highly restrictive diets, raw food prepared by you can be a great way to avoid allergens. You can have complete control over a raw diet, which does require a lot more work on your part, but can have great results. For instance, a Golden Retriever with heart issues should eat a low salt diet, which can be easier to achieve if you are preparing their meals from scratch. However, low quality kibbles tend to be made up of a lot of low quality fillers, which can be hard for your pup to digest. Whatever option you choose for your Goldie, make sure it is suitable for large breeds and contains high quality ingredients. This will help prevent degenerative health disorders in the long run. Your Golden Retriever will probably love food, and will probably try to eat anything you put in front of them, which means you need to help them avoid the negative consequences of overeating. Golden retrievers, like other large and active breeds, need plenty of exercise. Not only is this vital to their physical health, but it also ensures they grow up well socialised and mentally stimulated. As your Goldie grows from a puppy to an adult dog, the amount of meals they need a day will reduce as their digestive systems become more developed. Your dog will need two meals a day, once in the evening and once in the morning, from the age of 6 months.

We rescue abandoned, homeless and neglected Labradors from all over central California and beyond. We wish to end suffering and promote the welfare of labs and lab mixes through direct action and education. We provide each dog with a stable environment, love, companionship, food and veterinary care until a qualified, loving forever home is found. Labrador Retriever Rescue of Fresno believes that all companion animals should be treated with dignity, compassion and kindness. LRRF is supported entirely by our dog loving community. We fix broken bones and provide all needed medical care for the dogs who come into our rescue. We take in senior and special needs Labs. As a direct result of the number of dogs coming into rescue, our resources are severely strained. Through the generous hearts and hands of people like you, we can ensure that the animals who come into our care will never again be alone, hungry, sick, afraid or in pain. Please consider a one time or monthly donation to help us with caring for these dogs. Your donation is tax deductible and greatly appreciated. Donations can be made via our Paypal button below. Box , Clovis, CA .These predictable, durable, steady breeds, like Labs and Goldens, are great with kids and offer the whole family more dog to love. At Twin Lakes Kennel, we have been breeding and training world class Labrador retrievers for almost forty years. Our industry setting Puppy Guarantee makes buying one of our pure-bred Labrador retrievers one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Labrador Retriever owners from around the country. Visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-the-minute puppy information at .Located near Laurel Hill, NC, we deliver our world class Labrador retriever puppies and adults to locations as far away as Alaska. We can easily deliver our guaranteed Labs to your location in or around Fresno. For details, call Woody or Judi at .Labrador Retriever Puppies and Children In a recent article, a licensed professional counselor for more than twenty-five years, explained how owning a Labrador retriever can help produce healthier, happier, more well adjusted children. Here is an excerpt from her article: Dogs help children to be more physically fit. All dogs, regardless of breed, need to be walked. Children who take their dogs for regularly scheduled walks tend to exercise more than those who have no reason to get up off the couch and leave the TV. The Journal of Physical Activity and Health concluded that people who walk their dogs generally walk about an hour longer per day than non-dog walkers. In this age where over one-third of children and adolescents in the United States are overweight or obese, exercise is no longer merely a choice of leisure activity, it is a necessity Center for Disease Control and Prevention, .What more pleasurable way for a child to exercise than to run and play with an adored dog? All dogs need exercise regardless of size, so children include dogs when they are running or playing casually—not just on regularly scheduled walks. One of the reasons that I suggest retrievers when parents ask about what kind of dog is best is simply the name. Of course, I grew up with retrievers and I love them, but even more than other dogs, they love to play ball. Be sure to read the rest of her article, Ten Reasons to Own a Dog. Our world class Labrador Retrievers puppies for sale! Our Latest Happy Clients! Become A Happy Client! We have answers. The Labrador Retriever was first bred in Newfoundland to help fishermen retrieve fish and nets from the frigid North Atlantic. Today, these intelligent and obedient dogs are relied upon for various jobs. See more of them by browsing our Labrador Retrievers for sale in Fresno. How can Uptown help me find Labrador Retriever puppies for sale in Fresno? Finding your dream dog is simple on Uptown! When you find the dog that you like, contact the breeder to ask your questions. If this is the right dog for you, then you can arrange its transport details. Why is Uptown Puppies different from other places that offer Labrador Retriever puppies for sale Fresno? For a lot of people, the only way to be sure about the puppy that they are getting is to visit the breeder in person. However, we know this is not always possible. We created a network of qualified Fresno Labrador Retriever breeders so you can search for your dream dog online without fear of getting scammed or ending up buying from a mill. Are there any Labrador Retriever puppies in Fresno available now? We can help you see if there are any! Labrador Retrievers are popular dogs and new puppies find new families quickly. If you miss your chance, you could be waiting for some time before the next litters of puppies are born! Does Uptown Puppies have a transparency policy when it comes to breeding puppies? These honest businesses are committed to transparency and are ready to share the health and breeding records of their Fresno Labrador Retrievers for sale when you request it. Do I need to pick up my puppy in person? One of the services offered by the breeders and businesses on Uptown is safe puppy transport. So instead of going to the breeders, you simply have to pick up the puppy at a major airport near you. While waiting, the breeder will keep in touch to update you of the milestones your puppy reaches and to answer your questions. Do you sell the cheapest Labrador Retriever puppies Fresno? It was never our goal to sell the cheapest puppies. What the breeders on our network offer is a boutique service that includes exceptional breeding standards, transparent health records, and puppy transport. This way, people who are looking for a Fresno Labrador Retriever for sale on Uptown can have a stress-free experience. Do you recommend specific food for my dog? Are Labs easy to train? In fact, Labrador Retrievers are one of the easiest breeds to train. When teaching Lab puppies at home, remember to be patient and to use positive reinforcement. Ready to find your dream dog? Uptown can help you find a Labrador Retriever for sale in Fresno. Do Labs make good family dogs? Labrador Retrievers are among the best breeds for families because they are kind, patient, and good-natured. They are easily taught to be gentle with children. Uptown can help you find a Labrador Retriever for sale Fresno to join your family today.

Prevalence: Common Pugs are members of the toy group despite their solid appearance. They range in height from 10 to 11 inches and in weight from 14 to 18 pounds six to eight kilograms. They are square dogs with substantial limbs. Pugs are the sturdiest dogs of the toy group, befitting their mastiff heritage. Pugs are known for their large, round heads, with the shortened muzzles and extensive forehead wrinkles. The vertical wrinkle on the forehead is said to resemble the Chinese character for "prince" and thus known as the "prince mark. The tail curls tightly over the hip. They have a short, but very dense double coat. Colors can range from apricot to fawn, silver and black. All but the black dogs have a dark mask and ears with a trace of darkening down the back. The ears feel like black velvet. Personality: Pugs are not the lively socialites that some of the toy breeds are. They are a bit more serious, with a dry sense of humor. The breed motto is "multum in parvo," meaning a lot in a little, with plenty of dog in a small package. Pugs can be stubborn but normally want to please. These are fairly laid-back dogs, not usually given to extensive barking, digging or chewing. Pugs tend to get along well with other dogs and are sturdy enough to get along with children. They enjoy company and can be quite affectionate. True to their grouping, they are good companion dogs. Living With: Pugs are extremely easy to keep and have a serious tendency to become obese unless their diet and exercise are watched carefully. With the short muzzle, they do not do well in hot, humid weather and must be observed carefully for heatstroke. Pugs do tend to snore, again a result of the short muzzle. The prominent eyes are easily injured and care must be taken to keep them moist. Pugs are fairly robust and often live to 14 or 15 years of age. Pugs do best with some daily exercise to help with their weight problems. Despite their heroic alarm years ago, they are not usually great watchdogs, preferring instead to greet newcomers with a wagging tail. Pugs should be socialized to keep that outgoing temperament, and they do well with other pets. Grooming is important, both for the shedding from the dense coat and to keep facial wrinkles clean. A quick daily grooming, even a swipe with a hound mitt, usually suffices for the coat and a gentle wiping with a wet cloth for the face. History: While the pug is often associated with Holland, the breed originated in China, probably bred down from one of the local mastiff-type dogs. The little dogs with the round heads and expressive facial wrinkles were then transported to Holland via trading ships of the Dutch East India Company. In , a pug sounded the alarm that saved Prince William from the approaching Spanish soldiers, and the breed forever after was tied to the royal House of Orange. Napoleon's wife had a pet pug, and the duke and duchess of Windsor had a pug as a royal companion. Victorian England took on pugs as the latest rage in canine fashion and many pugs can be spotted in paintings of that era. The word "pug" may come from the Latin "pugnus" for fist, possibly describing the round face and head. The name does not fit the breed's temperament, because these are not really guard dogs, but designed first and foremost as companion dogs. Related Pet Care Articles. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Pugs are clowns at heart, but they carry themselves with dignity. Pugs are playful dogs, ready and able for games , but they are also lovers, and must be close to their humans. Pugs love to be the center of attention, and are heartsick if ignored. Pugs are square and thickset, usually weighing no more than 20 pounds. Their heads are large and round, with large, round eyes. They have deep and distinct wrinkles on their faces. Legend has it that the Chinese, who mastered the breeding of this dog, prized these wrinkles because they resembled good luck symbols in their language. His ears are smooth, black and velvety. He has a characteristic undershot jaw the lower teeth extend slightly beyond the upper teeth and a tightly curled tail. Personality-wise, Pugs are happy and affectionate, loyal and charming, playful and mischievous. They are very intelligent, however, they can be willful, which makes training challenging. If trained and well-socialized , they get along well with other animals and children. Because they are a small, quiet breed and are relatively inactive when indoors, they are a good choice for apartment dwellers. Pugs have a short, double coat, and are known for shedding profusely. Pug Highlights Loyal and affectionate: Pugs are known for being very loyal and affectionate dogs. They love to cuddle and be around their owners, and they make great companions. Easy to care for: Pugs are relatively easy to care for. Good with children: Pugs are generally good with children. They are patient and gentle, and they enjoy playing with kids. Adaptable: Pugs are adaptable dogs. They can live in apartments or houses, and they can do well in both hot and cold climates. Funny and playful: Pugs are known for being funny and playful dogs. They enjoy making their owners laugh, and they are always up for a good time. Some historians believe they are related to the Tibetan Mastiff. They were prized by the Emperors of China and lived in luxurious accommodations, sometimes even being guarded by soldiers. Pugs are one of three types of short-nosed dogs that are known to have been bred by the Chinese: the Lion dog, the Pekingese , and the Lo-sze, which was the ancient Pug. Evidence of Pug-like dogs has been found in ancient Tibet and Japan. In the latter s and early s, China began trading with European countries. Reportedly, the first Pugs brought to Europe came with the Dutch traders, who named the breed Mopshond, a name still used today. Pugs quickly became favorites of royal households throughout Europe, and even played a role in the history of many of these families. In Holland, the Pug became the official dog of the House of Orange after a Pug reportedly saved the life of William, Prince of Orange, by giving him a warning that the Spaniards were approaching in .It is known that black pugs existed in the s because the famous artist, William Hogarth, was a Pug enthusiast. He portrayed a black Pug and many others in his famous paintings. In , Goya also portrayed Pugs in his paintings. Before she married Napoleon Bonaparte, she was confined at Les Carmes prison. In the early s, Pugs were standardized as a breed with two lines becoming dominant in England. Pugs were first exhibited in England in .The studbook began in with 66 Pugs in the first volume. Meanwhile, in China, Pugs continued to be bred by the royal families. When the British overran the Chinese Imperial Palace in , they discovered several Pugs, and brought some of the little dogs back to England with them. Two Pugs named Lamb and Moss were brought to England. He was an outstanding dog and was bred many times to dogs of both the Willoughby and Morrison lines. Click is credited with making Pugs a better breed overall and shaping the modern Pug as we know it today. Pugs became very popular during the Victorian era and were featured in many paintings, postcards, and figurines of the period. Often, they were depicted wearing wide, decorative collars or large bows around their short, thick necks. Queen Victoria had many Pugs, and also bred them. The queen preferred apricot-fawn Pugs, whereas another Pug fancier, Lady Brassey, made black Pugs fashionable after she brought some back from China in .At first, Pugs were very popular, but by the turn of the century, interest in the breed waned. A few dedicated breeders kept breeding and, after some years, the breed regained popularity. Pug Size Pugs weigh between 14 and 18 pounds male and female. Generally, they are 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder. He tends to be a sedentary dog, content to sit in your lap as you read a book or watch a movie. Au contraire. He is a playful, comical dog that enjoys living it up, and delights his owner with silly antics. Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training , and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Meeting siblings or other relatives of the parents is also helpful for evaluating what a puppy will be like when he grows up. Socialization helps ensure that your Pug puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking him to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will also help him polish his social skills. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA web site offa. Cheyletiella Dermatitis Walking Dandruff : This is a skin condition that is caused by a small mite. If you see heavy dandruff, especially down the middle of the back, contact your vet. The mites that cause this condition are contagious, which means all pets in the household need to treated. A diagnosis of PDE can only be made by testing the brain tissue of the dog after it dies. PDE usually affects young dogs, causing them to seizure, circle, become blind, then fall into a coma and die. This can happen in a few days or weeks. They are prone to a condition called idiopathic epilepsy : seizures for no known reason. If your Pug has seizures, take him to your vet to determine what treatment is appropriate. Nerve Degeneration : Older Pugs that drag their rear, stagger, have trouble jumping up or down, or become incontinent may be suffering from nerve degeneration. Since their front legs often remain strong, some owners buy carts to help their Pugs get around, and the veterinarian might be able to prescribe medication to help alleviate symptoms. If your Pug squints or the eyes look red and tear excessively, contact your vet immediately. Corneal ulcers usually respond well to medication, but if left untreated, can cause blindness or even rupture the eye. Dry Eye : Keratoconjunctivitis sicca and pigmentary keratitis are two conditions seen in Pugs. They can occur at the same time, or individually. Your vet can perform tests to determine if this is the cause, which can be controlled with medication and special care. Pigmentary keratits is a condition that causes black spots on the cornea, especially in the corner near the nose. If the pigment covers the eye, it can cause blindness. Your vet can prescribe medication that will help keep the eyes moist and dissolve the pigment. Both of these eye conditions require life-long therapy and care. Eye Problems : Because their large eyes bulge, Pugs are prone to a variety of eye problems, including proptosis the eyeball is dislodged from the eye socket and the eyelid clamps behind it ; distichiasis an abnormal growth of eyelashes on the margin of the eye, resulting in the eyelashes rubbing against the eye ; progressive retinal atrophy a degenerative disease of the retinal visual cells that leads to blindness ; and entropion the eyelid, usually the lower lid, rolls inward, causing the hair on the lid to rub on the eye and irritate it. Allergies : Some Pugs suffer from a variety of allergies , ranging from contact to food allergies. If your Pug is licking at his paws or rubbing his face a great deal, suspect allergy and have him checked by your vet. Demodectic Mange : Also called demodicosis, all dogs carry a little passenger called a demodex mite. The mother dog passes this mite to her pups in their first few days of life. If your Pug has a weakened or compromised immune system, however, it can develop demodectic mange. Demodectic mange can be localized or generalized. In the localized form, patches of red, scaly, skin with hair loss appears on the head, neck and forelegs. Even so, you should take your dog to the vet because it can turn into the generalized form of demodectic mange. Generalized demodectic mange covers the entire body and affects older puppies and young adult dogs. The dog develops patchy skin, bald spots, and skin infections all over the body. The American Academy of Veterinary Dermatology recommends neutering or spaying all dogs that develop generalized demodectic mange because there is a genetic link. Staph Infection : Staph bacteria is commonly found on skin, but some dogs will develop pimples and infected hair follicles if their immune systems are stressed. The lesions can look like hives where there is hair; on areas without hair, the lesions can look like ringworm. You should contact your vet for appropriate treatment. Yeast Infection : If your Pug smells bad, is itchy and has blackened, thickened skin, he may have a yeast infection. It commonly affects the armpits, feet, groin, neck, and inside the ears. Your vet can prescribe medications to clear this up. Hemi-vertebrae : Short-nosed breeds, such as Pugs, Bulldogs and French Bulldogs, can have misshaped vertebrae. Sometimes, only a few of the vertebrae are affected and the dog is able to live a normal life. Others will stagger and display an uncoordinated, weak gait between 4 and 6 months of age. Some dogs get progressively worse and may even become paralyzed. The cause of the condition is unknown. Surgery can help. Hip Dysplasia : This malady affects small breeds as well as large breeds, including Pugs. Many factors, including genetics, environment and diet, are thought to contribute to this deformity of the hip joint. Affected Pugs are usually able to lead normal, healthy lives with proper veterinary attention. Legg-Perthes Disease : This is another disease involving the hip joint. Many toy breeds are prone to this condition. When your Pug has Legg-Perthes, the blood supply to the head of the femur the large rear leg bone is decreased, and the head of the femur that connects to the pelvis begins to disintegrate. Usually, the first signs of Legg-Perthes, limping and atrophy of the leg muscle, occur when puppies are 4 to 6 months old. The scar tissue that results from the surgery creates a false joint and the puppy is usually pain free. Patellar Luxation : The patella is the kneecap. Luxation means dislocation of an anatomical part as a bone at a joint. Patellar luxation is when the knee joint often of a hind leg slides in and out of place, causing pain. This can be crippling, but many dogs lead relatively normal lives with this condition. Vaccination Sensitivity : There are reports of Pugs suffering from sensitivity to routine vaccinations. Usually, symptoms include hives, facial swelling, soreness and lethargy. A dog that is sensitive to vaccines can develop complications or die, though this is rare. Watch your Pug carefully for a few hours after being vaccinated and call the vet if you notice anything unusual. Pug Care Though playful and rambunctious, the Pug is a low-maintenance companion, making it ideal for older owners. Because they are a small, quiet breed and are relatively inactive when indoors, they are a good choice for apartment dwellers as well. Light sleepers may also want to invest in a pair of ear plugs — Pugs are prone to snore. How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. These dogs love to eat, eat, eat. This, combined with their small stature, puts them at risk for obesity. As a Pug owner, you must show great restraint. Do not indulge him with food. Feed appropriate portions , limit treats and encourage exercise. For more on feeding your Pug, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Pugs are typically fawn-colored or black. The fawn color can have different tints, such as apricot or silver, and all Pugs have a short, flat, black muzzle. Pugs shed like crazy, especially in summer. The wise Pug owner accepts this, and adjusts her wardrobe accordingly, wearing light-colored clothing that better hides hair. Following that, regular brushing and bathing helps keep the coat in good condition and shedding to a minimum. A monthly bath is sufficient, though some owners bathe their Pugs more frequently. These folds are hotbeds for infection if allowed to become damp or dirty. The wrinkles must be dried thoroughly after bathing, and wiped out in-between baths. Some owners simply use a dry cotton ball; others use commercial baby wipes to wipe out the folds. Because they protrude, the eyes are vulnerable to injury and irritation from soaps and chemicals. Like many small breeds, the Pug can be susceptible to gum disease. Regular brushing with a small, soft toothbrush and doggie toothpaste helps prevent this. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his mouth. As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet. Eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early. Though small, the Pug is not delicate like some toy breeds, so he is a good breed choice for families with children. However, children who want an active pet to retrieve balls or play soccer will be disappointed with a Pug. Adults should always supervise interactions between children and pets. Properly trained and socialized , the Pug enjoys the companionship of dogs , and can be trusted with cats, rabbits, and other animals. Pug Rescue Groups Pugs are often purchased without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one. There are many Pugs in need of adoption and or fostering. There are a number of rescues that we have not listed. They thrive on attention and can get pretty worked up and excited if fun things are happening. These are amiable little dogs who want to participate in your activities, too. Pugs with kids and babies are often a great combination since Pugs are fun and enjoy playtime. Finally, when it comes to a career, Pugs may have the best job in the world: being a companion to their loving family. They are average barkers not too quiet, not too much and make fairly good watchdogs. The biggest challenge to Pug care is probably their health needs, which are high. Grooming Guess what—Pugs shed! Black Pugs might shed a bit less than fawn-colored pups, but both shed year-round and not just in the fall and spring as with other breeds. Be sure to clean those wrinkles and skin folds every day with mild wipes to remove dander and accumulations; this will help prevent irritation and infections. If you see redness or swelling or smell an odor your pup may have an ear infection. Your vet can prescribe medication to clear it up. A bath about every month is also a good idea. Be sure to dry those delicious folds completely! Pugs need their nails trimmed every two to three weeks. Get the how-to here. If nails are left too long on older dogs, it can make it painful to walk. And be sure to talk with your vet for advice regarding dental health and the use of dental chews. Have your vet professionally clean their teeth every year. Regular dental care will help prevent serious issues later in their life. Pugs are people pleasers, so they want to do a good job for you. You can do this in part by taking your dog to group training classes or becoming involved in a dog sport like agility, obedience or rally. Obesity leads to other health problems down the road. Consider feeding your pup a well-balanced, high-quality commercial diet formulated specifically for toy breeds. Those treat calories count! Finally, consider getting a doggy- Puggy? They are in the best position to help you pick the right food for your dog based on their individual needs. Exercise All dogs need appropriate exercise, and your Pug is no exception. Since Pugs are a brachycephalic breed flat-faced with a short nose , some may have a compromised airway caused by the extreme facial characteristics in their nostrils, palate, larynx and trachea. Instead, aim for shorter exercise sessions, broken up throughout the day. Pugs have pretty low energy levels, and their exercise needs are also fairly low; they typically need less than an hour of exercise every day. While some Pugs do enjoy doggy sports like agility, a short walk or fun indoor playtime will be plenty. Ideal Environment Pugs are wonderfully adaptable to many types of home settings and will be happy wherever you live. No problem for Pugs. Small homes? Big homes with room to roam? You bet! Country homes with huge backyards? Your Pug will love that too, although they may not need a yard of that size to be happy. Pugs are usually open to meeting strangers, even though they may bark to let you know your guests are here. Pugs really do prefer the indoors. Back to Top Pug Health Toy dog breeds tend to have longer lifespans than large dog breeds, and the Pug is no exception. Pug life expectancy is about 13 to 15 years. However, there are a few health issues you should be aware of, so you can help your pet stay healthy throughout their life. Eye Issues: Since Pugs have such prominent eyes, they are more prone to eye issues. Treatment usually consists of medicated eye drops. Weight reduction, physical therapy and surgery are options for treatment. Patellar Luxation: This is the condition where the knee slides out of the joint. In milder cases, pain medication and weight management are treatment options. Surgery is often needed in more severe cases. Pug Dog Encephalitis: This is an inflammatory brain disease and is fatal. Within a matter of weeks, a dog will experience seizures, circling, blindness, then coma and death. At this time, there is no known treatment for the disease, nor are experts sure how they get it. Skin Issues: Keeping your Pug clean helps minimize skin issues. In particular, the skin folds require special attention to avoid irritation and infections. Ear Infections: Those floppy ears are cute, but they may harbor infections. Check their ears every day and gently wipe away any debris. Signs of infection include redness, swelling or a bad odor. Your vet can prescribe medicated ear solutions to get rid of an infection. Allergies: Pugs can be affected by skin allergies. These can be caused by something in the food they eat or their environment pollen, mold, etc. Thankfully, your vet can treat allergies with either dietary changes or medications, depending on the cause. Back to Top Pug History The history of the Pug dates back thousands of years and spans multiple continents. But their not so humble origins began as the beloved companions of Chinese emperors , and they were highly prized and valued for centuries. Some Pugs even had their own guards! By around the s, Pugs began to travel abroad, and they arrived in Europe, where they became quite popular with royalty in Holland. Over in England, Queen Victoria was said to be especially fond of the breed; she shared her home with as many as 38 Pugs. They may be small dogs, but they pack a lot of personality into their small size! The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in , but the popularity of the Pug breed in America declined somewhat around the turn of the 20th century. Today, the Pug enjoys steady popularity, currently ranking 28th of the most popular dog breeds in the US. You can also reach out to Pug rescue organizations to adopt a Pug or keep an eye out for the breed at your local animal shelter. A bit goofy and rambunctious, pugs have also earned a reputation as a canine class clown. Pugs are ideal house dogs thanks to their stable temperament and loving disposition. Although you'll need a quality vacuum, as they shed profusely! Playful but not requiring lots of activity, pugs are content to do whatever their owner wants to do, whether that be watching a movie or going for a walk around the block. Very intelligent, and at times willful, pugs are happy and affectionate pups who remain very loyal to their owners. As a brachycephalic breed, that adorable smooshy face can also be the source of common health problems for pugs, which potential owners will want to understand before they choose to become pug parents. Pugs come in two standard colors with a few tonal variations: fawn with a black mask or all black. The fawn or tan coat color can range from a warm apricot to a cool and rarely seen silver. Their heads feature their signature short, flat, black muzzle covered with deep wrinkles. Their prominent eyes dominate their comical, wrinkly face and showcase a range of emotions, from surprise and happiness to curiosity. They sport moles on their cheeks, called "beauty spots" and a clearly defined "thumb mark" on their forehead. Their short coat is actually a double coat, and they shed like crazy, especially during the summer months. According to the AKC standard , the perfect pug tail has a double curl. Temperament A pug's favorite place to be is right by your side. Bred to be companions, they are completely content snuggling up on your lap and lounging the day away and aren't afraid to hop right into bed with you. But be forewarned: Pugs wheeze, snort, and snore so you may want to invest in some ear plugs. They will be quite unhappy—and will let you know it—if you don't shower them with affection or if you leave them alone for long periods of time. You shouldn't expect a pug to hunt, guard, or retrieve. A pug will have nothing to do with such activities. A funny little dog, pugs often find ways to create their own silly entertainment—but please for their sake pay attention to the show they are putting on—while maintaining a dignified manner when necessary. While they are a toy breed, pugs are a bit tougher than other similar-sized pups and are up for playtime. Avoid disappointment and make sure the kids know pugs aren't likely to play fetch or chase a soccer ball though. Pugs are pretty amenable to getting along with anyone, including other dogs, cats, rabbits, and other animals. Pugs also make great companions for those living in apartments and older individuals because they don't require too much indoor space for activity. We're not necessarily saying pugs are lazy, but they are known to sleep up to 14 hours per day! They also don't bark much because breathing is a bit difficult for them. Their breathing challenges combined with their short legs make them poor swimmers, too. Although they'd likely benefit from a dip in the pool on hot summer days, as they don't tolerate heat—or the cold—well. So be diligent in helping manage their intake—limit their treats and don't feed them table scraps no matter how cute and pleading their stare may be—because their small stature makes them likely to gain weight quickly. You should also encourage exercise, although they don't need much in a day. They find creative ways to burn off energy on their own. Bathing about once monthly and regular brushing with a medium-bristle brush, a rubber grooming mitt, or a hound glove help manage significant pug shedding. And those sweet facial wrinkles need extra attention because they are a breeding ground for infection if they are damp and dirty. Dry your pug's wrinkles thoroughly after bathing and wipe them out in between baths—a dry cotton ball will do the trick. Pugs also need their nails trimmed regularly, as they don't naturally wear by spending lots of time outdoors. Regular teeth brushing is a must as pugs are susceptible to gum disease. Training can be a challenge, Nichols says. Remember their ultimate goal is simply to spend time with you. If those surgeries are not done, expect a lifelong loud snoring dog. These are symptoms of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome BOAS , which can also cause saliva disorders, sleep issues, and difficulties with regurgitation. Pugs can face a fair amount of other health issues, including back problems, epilepsy, allergies, hemi-vertebrae or misshapen vertebrae , hip dysplasia , patellar luxation,and nerve degeneration later in life. A variety of skin conditions may affect pugs, including yeast infections, staph infections, or demodectic mange. While their big, dark eyes are adorable, they are especially vulnerable. Pugs sometimes face corneal ulcers, proptosis , and dry eye, among other ailments. Skin conditions such as walking dandruff—caused by a small mite—need to be treated by your veterinarian. Pug parents also need to watch that their pugs maintain a healthy weight; obesity can exacerbate their breathing problems. A study released in comparing the health of pugs to other dogs found "many critical health-related welfare challenges to overcome for pugs. Conversely, according to the study, pugs had significantly reduced adjusted odds of having heart murmur or lipoma tumors. One affliction unique to pugs is Pug Dog Encephalitis , afatal inflammatory brain disease. There is no known cause or test for it unfortunately. It causes a pug to seize, circle, become blind, then fall into a coma and die. Research is ongoing. History Pugs are an ancient breed—perhaps the oldest dog breed, in fact—that originated in China. Going back some 2, years, flat-faced, or short-nosed toy dogs like the pug were popular with Chinese emperors and lived lavish lives because of it, the AKC says. They were only given to those outside the Far East as gifts. But in the s and early s, Dutch traders arrived in Europe with the breed and thanks to popularity with royal households they quickly gained popularity across Europe. Their long history reveals a number of different names for the breed including lo-sze Chinese , mopsi Finnish , doguillo Spanish , and mophonds Dutch , among others. The name pug is supposedly derived from the Latin word "pugnus"—which means "fist"—to reflect the fact that a pug's face looks like a clenched fist, the AKC writes. Pugs were also very popular during the Victorian era, featured on postcards, in paintings, and as figurines. For years they remained largely pets of the aristocracy. Queen Victoria had many pugs and bred them , and Marie Antoinette also had a pug named Mops. They were standardized as a breed in the early s. Upon taking over the Chinese Imperial Palace in , the English discovered several pugs and began breeding them back in England to improve the breed. It wasn't until after the Civil War that pugs came to the United States. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in .Initially very popular, pug ownership and breeding waned until the s when the, the Pug Dog Club of America was created and recognized by the AKC. Fun Facts One legend says the pug became the mascot of Holland's royal House of Orange after a pug barked a warning to save the life of the Prince of Orange before an attack by Spanish troops, the AKC writes. Another legend holds that some pugs were prized in Chinese culture because their wrinkles resembled good luck symbols in the Chinese language. A group of pugs is called a grumble. Not surprisingly, pugs' cute mugs have graced the big screen. In recent years, many pugs have become insta-famous on Instagram as well. Doug the Pug is undeniably the most popular of the bunch. With more than 13 million social followers, the celebrity pup rubs noses with stars like Joe Jonas and Shakira. Pug owners and enthusiasts are just as quirky and loveable as the breed, often dressing up their pups and hosting get-togethers and pug parades. Post by: Annie M. Because this charming, playful, people-loving breed is a lot of dog crammed into a small body. Pugs are expressive, funny, loyal, and sweet. To know a Pug is to adore one. Basic Pug Facts Pugs belong to the companion classification of dogs. Despite their stocky, muscular build, they are part of the toy group. Fully grown, these pups are 10 to 12 inches tall and weigh between 14 and 20 pounds. The average Pug life span is 12 to 15 years. With their gentle, playful personalities and sturdy bodies, Pugs make great canine companions for families with small children. Breed History Pugs are one of the oldest dog breeds around. Some enthusiasts claim they can be traced all the way back to the Shang Dynasty, which ruled China from B. While Pugs did originate in China, most people agree that it was likely closer to B. Here are some of the highlights: In ancient times, Pugs kept Tibetan monks company in their monasteries. Portuguese traders brought the breed to Holland in the 16th century. In the Netherlands in , a Pug named Pompey famously saved his famous pet parent — William the Silent, Prince of Orange — from Spanish assassins by barking to wake his master. In the early 19th century, Queen Victoria popularized the breed. No one is certain where the name Pug originated. Still others speculate that the name evolved from Puck, the mischievous fairy from "A Midsummer Night's Dream. These shorthaired dogs have a sleek, double-layered coat that comes in a variety of colors, including black, fawn, silver fawn, and apricot. Pugs are square and thickset with round, flat faces, deep wrinkles, large dark eyes, and velvety ears. Pugs also have a classic underbite, which gives them a comical, faux-grumpy expression. In this case, your veterinarian might recommend orthodontic treatment. Pugs are incredibly friendly people pleasers who have a great sense of humor and love showing off. They even seem to enjoy being dressed in adorable costumes. Pugs have a serious side, too. If left alone for long periods of time, Pugs can get anxious or depressed. They are welcoming to strangers when their pet parents approve, but they still know how to guard their castle. Although what they lack in yapping, they make up for in other sounds…like wheezing, snorting, and snoring! You better believe it! Although they have short, glossy coats, these wrinkly wonders are heavy shedders. Aside from the shedding, Pug grooming is relatively low-key. Bathe your pooch as needed, and trim their nails every few weeks. Thoroughly clean and dry inside the folds using these wrinkly dog care tips to avoid infection. In addition, Pugs are prone to dental issues, so your pal may need more frequent dental cleanings. Pug Parent Tips Be aware that Pugs are brachycephalic dogs, meaning that their flat faces naturally constrict their airways. Your pup will get winded easily and have a tough time regulating their body temperature. Even a pleasant summer day can lead to dangerous heat exhaustion. Pugs do much better when living in an air-conditioned home with plenty of access to shade and water whenever they do head outdoors. Some airlines actually ban Pugs from the cargo space due to their difficulty regulating body temperature. Pugs are naturally a little lazy and typically sleep 14 hours a day. Try taking your furry friend on two short walks a day. Take breaks if your pup seems pooped. Training Pugs are curious and intelligent, but can be obstinate, so the sooner you begin training, the better. Crate training is typically most successful in terms of housebreaking, and enrolling your canine companion in puppy classes at 10 to 12 weeks is ideal. Make sure to approach all training in a supportive and loving way. Pugs are sensitive little pooches, and severe training may hurt their feelings. Common Health Issues The breathing concerns associated with Pugs are probably the most well-known health issue they face. These can include pinched nostrils, elongated soft palates, and reverse sneezing fits. Unfortunately, this lovable breed is also prone to: Eye injuries: Those big round eyes are vulnerable, and your Pug may suffer from proptosis a bulging, dislocated eyeball , scratched corneas, conjunctivitis pink eye , or a painful entropion muscle spasm that causes the eyelid to fold inward. Orthopedic conditions: Sixty-four percent of Pugs end up with hip dysplasia. Breed-specific disorder: Pug dog encephalitis PDE is a serious condition that occurs when the brain and meninges become inflamed. It can cause seizures and even death. Even minor veterinary visits come with a price tag. Is your Pug covered? Get a free quote today! Before adopting your own Min Pin, learn more about this German breed. Nutrition and Feeding Toy dogs have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate. They must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion. Check out our dog feeding guidelines for more information. Proper nutrition along with care can contribute to a Pug lifespan reaching 15 years. Grooming Pugs The Pug grooming process is fairly easy as their coat is low maintenance, requiring a quick brush once a week. However, the wrinkles over the dog's nose will need to be cleaned daily, and the ears and eyes will also need to be checked every day. They should be taught to walk on a lead and harness — as well as learn a reliable recall — not that they generally wander far from their beloved owners! Are Pugs Good Family Dogs? Pugs make great family dogs and are ideal for those with children. Although they should avoid boisterous games, as their eyes can be prone to injury, and their breathing restrictions prohibit too much running around, especially in the heat. While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them. He proved so popular that the character was expanded in the sequel made in , by which time Mashu was seven years old and needed make up to cover his grey hairs! They are one of the most irresponsibly bred and puppy-farmed breeds, leading to a huge increase in health problems. Not everyone loves Pugs however. While Josephine, wife of Napoleon, adored her Pug called Fortune, and insisted they slept in her bed, her husband was not so enamoured. He hated all dogs from then on and was convinced they brought him bad luck. The German word for Pug is Mops. A group of Pugs is called a grumble. FAQs Can a Pug be left alone? Do Pugs bark a lot? Do Pugs like to sleep with their owners? Pugs are people-oriented so they will adore spending as much time with their owners as possible, even while sleeping. Do Pugs bite? Similar Breeds:.

Actually, you can, when it comes to vegetables. Feeding vegetables is a great way to keep your dog healthy while also reducing costs and extra trips to the store to buy pet food. Just like us, dogs require a variety of organic foods and nutrients for a balanced diet. Veggies are rich in fiber, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and phyto-nutrients not found in meat. It's important to feed your dog different kinds of vegetables, as each type offers its own array of nutrients. How to Prepare Vegetables for Dogs The way you prep the vegetables is just as important as the vegetables themselves-chop small enough so your dog can't choke. For optimal benefits, the veggies will be pureed - see below. Here are some simple prep methods: Blanching Submerging vegetables quickly in boiling hot water and then very cold water, also known as blanching, is a great option for preparing vegetables. Blanching cleanses the surface of vegetables of dirt and retains both vitamins and flavor. It's also a healthy alternative for humans because no cooking oil is needed. For more information on different types of blanching, check out these instructions. Steaming Steam is an excellent method for cooking veggies that doesn't require submerging them in boiling water. Steaming cooks the vegetables through, while still preserving the bright color and flavor, and much of the nutrient content. Use these straightforward instructions for help properly steaming your veggies. Pureeing For maximum benefits and digestibility, veggies can be blended to a raw puree. Some vegetables, such as celery and spinach, do not need to be cooked before blending. Root vegetables like carrots and sweet potatoes should be blanched or steamed to make blending possible. Pureeing the vegetables breaks down the cell walls of the plant material, making them easier for dogs to digest. Freezing Cooking vegetables in large batches and storing them in the freezer is a great way to save time and effort. After pureeing, put the veggies in an ice cube tray, and just grab a cube when you're in a hurry! Simple, and healthy. Tip: Even though vegetables are great for your pet, keep veggie content to less than 25 percent of your dog's diet. Each of our recipes contain less than 15 percent, for example. Too many vegetables can create issues, such as negatively changing the gut flora, or increasing alkalinity, which would cause kidney issues. When it comes to healthy diets, moderation and balance are key. Dog-Friendly Vegetables Now you're ready to get cookin'! Next time you're at the store, try picking up these 10 dog-friendly vegetables to feed both your family and your pet: 1. Kale Benefits: Kale's key vitamins like K, A and Iron provide bone health, proper vision and immune function, fetal development and energy metabolism. Read more about kale for dogs. Spinach Read more about spinach for dogs. Carrots Read more about carrots for dogs. Green beans are also low-calorie and rich in fiber, which can help dogs feel full. Read more about green beans for dogs. Broccoli Benefits: Broccoli contains a huge variety of vitamins, including vitamin K, vitamin C and potassium, which improve bone density, battle diseases and improve heart health in dogs. Learn more about broccoli for dogs. Beets Benefits: Beets provide vitamin C, fiber, folate, manganese, and potassium. These nutrients help your dog's digestion and immune system and supports a healthy skin and coat. Celery Benefits: Celery offers many vitamins including A and C, which are antioxidants that will help keep your dog young and healthy. Read more about celery for dogs. Cucumber Read more about cucumbers for dogs. They contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, and manganese, plus they are rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene. Butternut Squash Benefits: Butternut squash contains lots of vitamins and minerals like A, C, B6 and more which help your dog's immune system, vision and cardiovascular function. Read more about squash for dogs. Avoid giving your dog any of these: 1. Grapes, raisins, and currants Even a few of these fruits can cause severe kidney damage in your pooch. Keep the grapes far away. Aromatics like onions, garlic and chives These can wreak havoc on your dog's blood cells, which could cause low iron levels and harm to their kidneys. Persimmons, peaches, plums, apricots, and cherries The seeds in persimmons can cause inflammation of the small intestine if consumed by your dog. Similarly, the seeds or pits in peaches, plums, apricots, and cherries contain cyanide, which is poisonous for both humans and dogs. Note: The meat of the fruit itself is not harmful as long as it contains no toxic seeds see above. If you decide to cut bits of fruit for your dog, it should be fine. Mushrooms Store-bought mushrooms are fine for dogs to consume, but avoid feeding wild mushrooms as they may be toxic. If your dog has eaten a toxic mushroom , they may begin to exhibit symptoms such as wheezing, vomiting, diarrhea, and changes in heartbeat. At its most severe, ingesting toxic mushrooms can cause organ failure, seizures, and comas in dogs. Rhubarb can also reduce the calcium in your dog, causing renal failure and other health issues. If your dog has eaten any of these foods, take them to the vet or emergency clinic immediately. Healthy for Us, Healthy for Dogs Vegetables can be a tasty treat for both you and your dog. Test out some of the approved veggies to see the health benefits for the whole family, including your pup. And if you're interested in more healthy food options for your dog, Raw Bistro's products are made from recipes designed to both fuel and delight your pup: Our frozen raw dog food is available in 4 pack and 6 pack quantities. For a shelf-stable alternative to raw with the same healthy ingredients, check out our dehydrated entrees. There are lots of fruit and veg that are safe some are even healthy! After all, there are a lot of human foods that can make our dogs very poorly , or even kill them. Alcohol, chocolate and foods containing the sweetener xylitol can all be deadly to our four-legged friends. This way you know your dog will get the right balance of nutrients and it will only contain safe ingredients. However, if you want to give them a treat, your dog may love some safe fruit and veg as a healthy snack. Complete dog foods contain all the nutrients your dog needs to keep them happy and healthy. Some fruit and veg, on the other hand, make great treats! Just like our favourite snacks, commercial treats from the pet shop or supermarket can sometimes be quite fattening and contain a lot of additives. Which vegetables can my dog eat? There are a few different vegetables our dogs are fine eating but remember, a little for us is a lot to our dogs so keep treat sizes small! Always cut it into bite-sized pieces to avoid choking and feed in moderation, especially if your dog isn't used to eating fresh veg. Dog-safe vegetables include: Broccoli — in small amounts, raw or steamed Brussel Sprouts Carrots — many dogs enjoy them raw, but they can be given steamed or boiled Celery Green beans — steamed, boiled or raw Peas — sugar snap peas, garden peas and mangetout, but avoid tinned peas Sweet potatoes and potatoes — plain, boiled or steamed not raw Sweetcorn — fresh cooked corn with nothing added can be given to dogs but it must be cut off the cob first! Click to enlarge Which fruit can my dog eat? Just like veg, there are a number of fruits our dogs can eat safely. She currently works as a relief veterinarian for various emergency and specialty hospitals. Washington recognizes the importance of education and also works as a freelance veterinary writer. They also serve as fantastic low-fat and healthy meal toppers and treat replacements for dogs on weight loss programs. Some veggies especially favored by dogs include carrots, green beans, peas, and cucumber. Remember that even though some veggies and safe and enjoyable for your dog, no treat should make up more than 10 percent of your dog's diet. Not all vegetables are equally great for our pups, and others think garlic, onions, and leeks can be downright harmful. Feed them fresh, cooked, or frozen, but do be sure to cut them down to a proper size for Fido or blend them to make sure they are easy to digest and don't present a choking hazard. Serve baked, roasted, or pureed. Raw sweet potatoes are poorly digestible and risk causing obstruction if large pieced are swallowed. Many pooches enjoy pea pods right off the vine, but you can also feed your dog frozen thaw them out first peas, as well. Just avoid canned varieties, since they may have added sodium or preservatives. You can serve it raw or cooked so long as you skip any seasoning, or simply give some frozen broccoli as a quick and easy snack. Be aware that there is a risk associated with this cruciferous veggie as it contains compounds called isothiocyanates. These can cause gastric irritation in some dogs when too much is fed, ranging from mild to severe. Moderation is definitely the key when it comes to offering broccoli. Benefits: Broccoli is low in fat, which makes it an excellent treat for dogs who need to lose a few pounds This green vegetable is rich in vitamin K, which improves bone strength and density Continue to 5 of 11 below. For an extra-special treat, smear a little bit of unsalted peanut butter onto the celery stalk before offering it to your pooch. Do keep in mind though that not all dogs tolerate celery well, so you'll want to avoid it if your dog develops stomach issues or urinary changes after eating. If your dog is overweight—far too many are—you can reduce calories by replacing some of your dog's kibble with unsalted green beans, whether canned or frozen. Your pooch will enjoy his meal just as much without realizing that it's helping him slim down and improve health. Cut the cucumber into slices or small chunks before offering it to your dog to reduce the risk of choking. Benefits: Cucumbers contain phytochemicals that may be able to fight against bad breath Cucumbers make an excellent snack for dogs who need to avoid excess calories, fat, or sugar. Dogs can safely eat cauliflower in many preparations—including raw, steamed, roasted, and riced. Benefits: Has a low calorie count, so may be a good choice for dogs in need of low-calorie treats for weight loss, especially dogs who suffer from joint pain Chockful of fiber to promote healthy gut activities Continue to 9 of 11 below. It's no different for dogs, but if your pooch enjoys this healthy cruciferous vegetable, it's fine to serve a small helping of steamed or boiled Brussels sprouts. Not too much though; like other cruciferous vegetables, Brussels sprouts tends to cause gas in large amounts. Tear the lettuce leaf into pieces for a small dog to prevent choking. Mash the beets or offer them in small chunks. Stay away from canned beets, however, unless you find a brand without any added salt or other ingredients. Be aware that beets can turn your dog's urine red for a few hours after consumption, but this is not harmful. To keep them safe, avoid feeding them any of these veggie varieties known for being toxic for canines:. You can try feeding them both regular and dried cranberries. Remember to practice moderation as too many cranberries can cause upset stomachs for dogs. Grapefruit - NO Grapefruit contains essential oils and psoralens that are toxic to dogs. If a dog consumes grapefruit it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other issues. So, grapefruit is a NO. Grapes - NO As we mentioned at the beginning of this post, you should never let your dogs have grapes. Grapes are extremely toxic to dogs. This also includes raisins. If your dog eats any grapes, call your vet. Grape seed extract is actually beneficial to your pup, whereas grapes are extremely poisonous. The acidic nature of lemons can cause some seriously upset stomachs, vomiting, and other issues. BUT with that being said, small amounts of lemon juice is found in some treats and foods and is safe for your dog's consumption. BUT with that being said, small amounts of lime juice is found in some treats and foods and is safe for your dog's consumption. This sweet fruit is loved by most pups, just be sure to get rid of the hard pit as it can be a choking hazard and can contain some cyanide which is poisonous for dogs. Another thing to be aware of is the high sugar content in mangoes. Sugar can cause weight gain and potentially diabetes when consumed regularly. So the final word, mangoes are safe for dogs in moderation and be sure to not give your dog access to the pit. So, as long as you just give your pup the fruit and leave the pit out, you are safe to feed your dog nectarines. Orange peels can be difficult for dogs to digest and should be avoided. Some orange benefits are below. High in Vitamin C Potassium Fiber for digestion help Just remember to limit the quantities of oranges for your dog. And like always, monitor your pup when they start eating a new fruit or vegetable. Peach pits are a choking hazard and contain cyanide, which is poisonous for dogs. Also, be sure to steer clear of canned peaches as they typically contain extremely high amounts of sugary syrups. Small amounts of cut-up peaches have some great benefits for dogs. Here are some peach benefits. High in fiber to aid in digestion Rich in Vitamin A Most dogs love the taste of peaches, again, just be sure to remove the pit. Just like other fruits though, be sure to remove the seeds and pit as they contain cyanide which can be poisonous for dogs. Pears can be a great snack because of the following benefits. And a second reminder, remove all seeds and pits before giving your dog any pears. One of the main advantages of pineapple for dogs is bromelain, an enzyme that helps dogs to absorb protein. Pineapples can be a fantastic choice for a sweet treat for your pup. Again, practice moderation and monitor your pup when he or she first try pineapple. Plums are much more difficult to remove the pit and some people get lazy and try to give their dog plums with the pit still intact. This is a big no-no. So, play it safe and just stay away from plums for your pup. Raspberries have loads of benefits for your four-legged friend. Here are some good reasons to feed your dog raspberries again, in moderation. Strawberries - YES Dogs can eat strawberries in moderation. Strawberries contain lots of sugar, so be sure to not overfeed them to your pup. Nothing says summertime quite like strawberries, and most dogs love the taste of this sweet fruit. Some benefits include: Fiber for digestion Vitamin C Teeth whitening properties not like Crest White Strips, but still better than nothing! Go ahead and add strawberries to the list of fruits dogs can eat, just remember to practice moderation. Tomatoes - NO Although the red flesh of a ripe tomato is fine for dogs, the green parts are toxic. With that being said, we recommend playing it safe and just avoiding tomatoes all-together. If you have tomatoes in your garden, we recommend fencing it off or closely supervising your pup around these plants. Some signs of a dog ingesting the green parts of a tomato include: Upset stomach. What they may not be sure about, however, is exactly which fruits and vegetables are good for Golden Retrievers to eat? Spinach and carrots are good for Golden Retrievers. Carrots are perfect substitutes for dog treats, especially for overweight dogs. For fruits, apples are great substitutes for dental treats and contain essential vitamins and fiber. This article may contain affiliate links and loyalgoldens may earn a commission if a purchase is made. Unlock your goldens natural intelligence and see just how quickly problem behaviors disappear. This is the best at home dog training I've ever used! Treats like fruits and veggies are best used sparingly to minimize potential health risks caused by some ingredients in them. Fruits are best given sparingly, or not at all. Many vegetables, including leafy greens, are high in fiber. Fiber can be a great supplement for your Golden Retrievers digestive system, but too much can lead to vomiting. Consult a vet if you observe any concerning reactions. In order to keep your Golden happy and healthy for many years to come, scrutinizing any food you give them is a good rule of thumb to adhere to. While you know that eating fruits and vegetables is a benefit to your health, you may be unsure as to exactly how fruits and veggies can help your dog? Golden Retrievers in particular have a higher risk of cancer compared to other dogs, making watching what you feed them of critical importance. Also, keep in mind that Goldens often have to learn to eat these items. Spinach and Golden Retrievers The king of leafy greens, spinach is not only good for you but great for your Golden Retriever! Spinach has a list of nutrients a mile long. Potassium, iron, fiber, and folate are some other great additions as well. To serve, you can peel and serve no more than half a banana to a medium-sized Golden Retriever. Either whole or sliced is fine, and even better are frozen bananas packed into a Kong toy Amazon for your Golden to puzzle out on a scorching hot day. A couple Golden Retrievers taste testing fruits and vegetables. Other nutrients like minerals and antioxidants make this an even better idea, but make sure to portion correctly — a tablespoon is enough. Instead, look for regular canned pumpkin. Apples and Golden Retrievers Apples keep the doctor away for both humans and their best friends! High in dietary fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C, apples are a wonderful and healthy way to reward your Golden Retriever. To serve your dog apples, slice them up and remove the core and seeds which contain cyanide. Some Goldens are reluctant to try them, which is where your secret weapon comes into play — peanut butter! Golden Retrievers Love Carrots Carrots are a good substitution for traditional dog treats. You should always slice carrots before you offer them to your Golden Retriever we like to use pre-packaged, organic baby carrots — both raw and cooked are fine no butter, salt, or spices if cooked to use as treats or in addition to dog food. Full of fiber and essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, and K, green beans can be served in numerous ways. Dogs enjoy both cooked and fresh green beans, as either a treat or mixed with wet food. If your Golden always seems hungry, try giving them some green beans with their next meal. Brussel Sprouts and Golden Retrievers Brussel sprouts are full of vitamins, but the antioxidants and fiber help promote healthy blood circulation and heart health. Cook these plain, cut off the woody stem, and serve up to three sprouts to your Golden at a time. Broccoli For Golden Retrievers Broccoli stalks help fight inflammation from arthritis, cancer and boost your Golden Retrievers immune system. Too much broccoli can cause noxious gas, so only feed a few small pieces to your Golden at any given time. Vegetables should always be a supplement! Discover how to train your Golden Retriever by playing games : 21 games to play with your Golden that will make them smarter and better behaved! As long as you serve and portion correctly, your pup will remain healthy and happy for a long time. Therefore, you must feed sparingly. Instead, remove the kernels and feed them separately. Cucumber Golden Retrievers can eat cucumber. Although cucumbers are mostly water, they are high in nutrients such as vitamin K, which is good for bone health and blood clotting. They also contain antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory qualities to help reduce chronic conditions. Cucumbers make a great crunchy snack for your Golden Retriever and are low in calories. Give them to your dog after removing the peel and chop them into bite-sized pieces. As they are a great source of hydration, they are super cool to feed in warm weather. Eggplant Golden Retrievers can eat eggplant, and they are an essential source of fiber. Eggplant also contains vitamins B6, K, folate, potassium, niacin, and phytonutrients that help protect your Golden Retriever from chronic disease. Some dogs may not like the taste of eggplant, so if this vegetable is a fan of yours, you may want to experiment with giving your dog a little flavor to see how he handles it. It would be best if you cooked eggplant before giving it to your Golden as he may have difficulty digesting it raw. It can be grilled, baked, or boiled. Please do not feed your dog eggplant leaves as they contain solanine. This compound is poisonous to dogs when eaten in large quantities. Green Beans Golden Retrievers can eat green beans. They are an excellent vegetable for dogs because they are so nutritious. They contain essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber and are low in calories. My dog enjoys a handful of chopped green beans that I add to her bowl — they are gone in a flash! Kale Golden Retrievers can eat kale — in moderation. As one of the cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, you must feed kale sparingly! Cons: Too many cruciferous veggies can cause hypothyroidism in animals. However, a study on humans found that eating g 5 oz a day of cooked Brussels sprouts for four weeks did not adversely affect thyroid function. So, can dogs eat kale and the other cruciferous veggies? Lettuce Golden Retrievers can eat lettuce. However, lettuce contains very little nutritional value due to its high water content, but it does contain beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A. Other nutrients include vitamin C, iron, calcium, and fiber. Mushrooms store-bought Golden Retrievers can eat mushrooms. They are low in calories and full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Other benefits include preventing heart disease, strengthening the immune system, sustaining liver and kidney function, and fighting cancer. Mushrooms purchased in stores are generally safe for dogs, but wild mushrooms can be toxic and extremely dangerous or prove fatal depending on the amount and species ingested. Like most vegetables for dogs, you should serve them cooked. They are very safe to feed your dog and contain many vitamins C and B6, folic acid, and potassium. They also have antioxidants that help fight cancer. Since parsnips are quite starchy like other root vegetables , only feed sparingly. You can give them raw as long as you slice them up into small digestible pieces, or you can cook them, which is preferred. Peas Peas are safe for Golden Retrievers to eat and contain an abundance of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B, and K. They also have fiber, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium, and lutein an antioxidant good for the skin, heart, and eyes. Peas are starchy carbohydrates that are great for increasing energy levels. You can feed your dog fresh or frozen peas, but avoid the canned varieties, as they contain a lot of sodium and additives. Potatoes cooked Golden Retrievers can eat potatoes. They contain vitamins C and B6, iron, magnesium, potassium, and many other nutrients, which are good for dogs. However, as they are high in carbs, feed them sparingly, especially if your dog is already struggling to control his weight. Do not let your Golden Retriever eat raw potatoes or if the potatoes are green as they contain solanine, a toxic compound if consumed in high amounts. However, cooking potatoes reduces the amount of solanine, making them safe. You can feed your Golden mashed, baked, or boiled potatoes without salt or butter. French fries and potato chips are absolutely off the menu as they are not healthy, either for you, me, or your doggo! Sweet potatoes are a superior option as they are way more nutritious. Pumpkin Golden Retrievers can eat pumpkins. They are excellent for your dog because they are rich in fiber, vitamins A, E, C, potassium, iron, magnesium, beta carotene, and antioxidants that help promote overall heart health. They are also low in calories and sugar. Pumpkin is one of the best vegetables recommended for digestion. The abundance of fiber absorbs water like a sponge and helps relieve diarrhea. It also helps if your dog is constipated because it contains both soluble and insoluble fiber. They contain a lot of healthy nutrients. They also act as a helpful insect deworming agent, as they have cucurbitin. Both raw and cooked pumpkin is okay for your Golden Retriever. However, cooking is better for easier consumption. Rhubarb stalks Golden Retrievers can eat rhubarb but not the leaves. It is an excellent source of vitamin K which helps blood clot , vitamin C, calcium, and fiber. Rhubarb leaves are poisonous to dogs. The leaves contain soluble calcium oxalate crystals and oxalic acid. When consumed in large enough doses, it can result in hypocalcemia, tremors, drooling, upset stomach, and renal failure. As a child, I remember eating peeled pieces of rhubarb soaked in a pile of sugar to get rid of the sour taste! Fun fact! So, does rhubarb belong in the veggie section? Although you often see rhubarb in jams and fruit pies, it is theoretically a vegetable! They are nutritious, low in calories, and are an excellent overall disease-fighting vegetable. They can be eaten raw or cooked. If feeding these veggies raw to your Golden Retriever, ensure you thoroughly wash them first to eliminate any leftover traces of bacteria or pesticides. Spinach Golden Retrievers can eat spinach. This super nutritious food has lots of good qualities to benefit your dog. It is high in iron and provides fiber, vitamins A, B, C, and K, beta-carotene, folate, potassium, and antioxidants. It fights disease and is a known cancer fighter. Although the food of Popeye, there is a little controversy about whether you should feed your dog spinach — a high dose of oxalic acid. Healthy dogs can efficiently process small amounts of dissolvable oxalates. I recommend steaming the spinach first as this is the healthiest way of cooking to preserve all the goodness. Sweet Potatoes Golden Retrievers can eat sweet potatoes. In addition to vitamins A, B6, and C, they are also rich in calcium, copper, thiamine, iron, folate, potassium, copper, and thiamine. Sweet potatoes are also rich in beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A for healthy skin and strong eye health. They are great for the overall health of your Golden Retriever, support the immune system, and reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers. Because sweet potatoes are primarily starchy carbohydrates, if your dog is overweight, under-active, or diabetic, they are best avoided unless you give him very little. However, they are a healthier option than cooked white potatoes and are a popular vegetable in many dog foods. You should peel and cook them first before feeding them to your dog. Sweet potatoes also hold their nutritional value better when steamed or boiled rather than baking. Squash All varieties of squash are safe for your Golden Retriever to eat. Squash is very nutritious and has many health benefits for dogs. It contains beta-carotene, fiber, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, C, and K. It is excellent for the eyes, skin, bones, and immune system and helps fight certain diseases. If your dog suffers from diarrhea, a small amount of cooked pumpkin mixed into his regular food can help. Zucchini Golden Retrievers can eat zucchini. This veggie is nutrient-rich and includes fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. Zucchini also belongs to the squash family, but it is generally easier to digest than most squashes. An excellent idea for the summer is to give your dog a thin slice of frozen zucchini. Too much can cause excess gas! Can Golden Retrievers Eat Vegetables? So now you have the list of all the vegetables your dog can surely eat; you might also be wondering, should Golden Retrievers actually eat vegetables? Are they not just carnivores? Golden Retrievers can eat vegetables and benefit from them in their diet. They provide an additional source of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and help reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Although dogs fall into the taxonomical order of Carnivora, they are deemed omnivores. But why? So they are not just carnivores. Other main physiological factors that support the idea that your Golden Retriever can eat vegetables include dogs with broad flat molars capable of grinding up fibrous plants and smaller intestines than other known omnivores. Vegetables can be a significant health boost for your Golden Retriever. They also contain no cholesterol and have less sugar than fruits. Generally, a few small pieces a day will be just fine for your Golden. Do you want to know what to feed your Retriever? Can Golden Retrievers be Vegetarian? Vegetarianism in dogs is a controversial topic. There are strong views for either side and a wide range of opinions in between. But what are the facts? Can Golden Retrievers be vegetarian? Golden Retrievers can be vegetarian as they are omnivores capable of digesting a meat-free diet. Most dogs can eat a vegetarian diet and thrive. However, careful planning with an expert canine nutritionist is essential to ensure your dog receives the proper nutrition to keep healthy. How to Feed Vegetables to Dogs Here are some guidelines on how to give your Retriever vegetables: Introduce vegetables slowly to avoid an upset stomach. Wash the vegetables first to eliminate dirt, bacteria, or residual pesticides. Cook veggies to aid digestion. I like to use a steamer. Give in small bite-sized pieces to prevent choking or stomach issues. You can feed frozen vegetables for convenience. Be vigilant of canned vegetables as many are high in sodium and other additives. They are allium family members, and the intake of toxic portions of these vegetables can damage red blood cells, making them more likely to burst and cause anemia. Garlic is five times more poisonous than leeks and onions. If your Golden swallows a toxic dose, he may show vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, weakness, difficulty breathing, and collapse can occur. Raw or green Potato Raw or green potatoes contain solanine that can affect the nervous system of your Golden Retriever. This poison can also induce blurred vision, disrupt digestion, and slow heart rate. Peeled cooked potatoes are okay as the amount of solanine is substantially reduced during cooking. Green tomatoes are also in this category. Rhubarb Leaves Although rhubarb plant stems are safe for your Golden Retriever, the leaves contain soluble oxalic acid, which is poisonous if ingested in sufficient quantities. Signs of poisoning include vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness, shaking, and, in severe cases, kidney failure can occur. If you grow rhubarb at home, keep it enclosed and ensure your Golden is always accompanied in the garden area. Mushrooms There are thousands of species of wild mushrooms, and many are deadly to dogs. Mushroom poisoning in dogs can have serious consequences, including liver and kidney failure, confusion, convulsions, and in severe cases, death. Mushrooms purchased in grocery stores are primarily safe if they are plain, without butter, garlic, or seasoning. We all love treating our dogs and trying something new, and veggies are a great option. Many veggies are safe, but some are better than others. Experiment by feeding sparingly and little by little. Most vegetables are better served cooked to support digestion. Know the vegetables that are toxic to dogs. Related Posts You May Like:. This is especially true for vegetables. After all, vegetables are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Most of us could stand to get more of these healthy veggies, so why not our Golden Retriever, right? But, considering dogs are carnivores, and their natural diets do not include the need for vegetables, one might wonder if Golden Retrievers can or should eat vegetables? Golden Retrievers can eat some vegetables as a rare treat or snack. While they can eat some vegetables on occasion, moderation is essential. Certain vegetables should be avoided due to the potential for gastric issues or toxicity concerns. We discussed whether Golden Retrievers could eat fruit yes and good fruit options versus bad fruit options in a previous post. Unfortunately, we discovered that some fruits were outright toxic to Golden Retrievers, while other fruits were safe to eat in moderation. Others are not harmful, but they can cause digestive distress, resulting in gas, bloating, diarrhea or vomiting. The toxic vegetables need to be avoided outright, and you should ensure your Golden Retriever does not have access to those. Much like fruits, the occasional veggie indulgence is acceptable. However, any vegetables provided to your Golden Retriever should only be from the healthy list and in moderation. Some are outright toxic to your Golden Retriever, while others have the potential for some issues. Asparagus is not toxic to your dog. However, it can cause stomach issues — gas, bloating, indigestion — especially in its raw form. Cooked asparagus is more comfortable for your dog to chew. Cooking breaks down the vegetable making it less likely to cause stomach issues, but it also depletes many nutrients. There are better options for your dog, however. Garlic Garlic, like onions, is part of the Allium family and is toxic to dogs. In addition, garlic contains thiosulfate, which is a very toxic substance to canines. Thiosulfate can cause damage to red blood cells resulting in hemolytic anemia. Symptoms include rapid breathing, dark urine, lethargy, jaundice, diarrhea, vomiting, and gastric upset. Keep garlic and garlic-laden foods away from your Golden Retriever. Also, be mindful of garlic pills, which can be dropped on the floor and ingested by your Golden. Kale contains a few substances that are unhealthy for your Golden Retriever and potentially toxic at higher levels. Kale contains Isothiocyanate and calcium oxalate. Calcium oxalate is especially concerning because it can cause kidney and bladder stones. Isothiocyanate can cause gastric issues, specifically severe gastric irritation in large quantities. Avoid kale due to the nasty double combo of calcium oxalate and Isothiocyanate. Onions Like garlic discussed above, onions also are part of the Allium family and contain thiosulfate. Same toxicity, the same potential for hemolytic anemia, and other severe symptoms. Keep onions away from your Golden Retriever. Peas and Potatoes While peas and cooked potatoes raw is never an option for your dog were long considered healthy and may still be, this may not be the case after all. According to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, the Food and Drug Administration issued an alert about reports of canine dilated cardiomyopathy DCM in dogs eating certain pet foods containing peas, lentils, other legume seeds or potatoes as main ingredients. This alert is specifically concerning for the Golden Retriever owner. Stern also found the diagnosed Goldens were all eating the same grain-free diet that included potatoes and peas, among others, as the main ingredients. While at this time, the link between diet and DCM seems to be a correlation only, peas and potatoes make the unhealthy list as a precaution. Talk to your veterinarian if you have any concerns or questions. Wild Mushrooms Avoid wild mushrooms. Some can be very toxic and even deadly to your dogs. Yes, deadly. Mushrooms provide very little nutritional value to your dog. They are often prepared in combination with onions or garlic, which is highly toxic to your Golden Retriever. There are better, more nutritious options on the list for your Golden to enjoy, should you choose to make vegetables a part of its diet. These vegetables can make good snacks for your Golden Retriever in smaller quantities. Raw peppers might be difficult for your Golden Retriever to digest, so cooked peppers are better for digestion. If you choose to cook the peppers, be wary of any added sauces or spices such as garlic or onions. Also, peppers apply to bell peppers only — not chili or other varieties. Peppers are a good source of beta-carotene, vitamins A and C, potassium, folic acid, iron, and fiber. Bell peppers also contain vitamin B6 and are low in calories. Broccoli Broccoli could be on both the healthy and unhealthy list. Golden Retrievers can safely eat broccoli florets. However, the stocks can cause intestinal obstruction or choking concerns, so avoid those. Cooked broccoli without any sauces or seasoning is more comfortable for your dog to chew and swallow. Broccoli as well as cauliflower and kale contain isothiocyanate. This substance can cause stomach upset in your Golden Retriever. Because of this, you should only feed broccoli to your dog in minimal quantities. Large quantities can cause gas, bloating, and even significant health problems. However, provided owners feed the florets to their dog and keep the amounts very small and infrequent, there should be little issues with broccoli as an occasional snack. However, there are much safer options if you choose to feed your Golden Retriever vegetables. Brussel Sprouts Brussel sprouts are safe for your Golden Retriever. Brussel sprouts are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Yes, Brussel sprouts are healthy for humans and dogs alike. Similar to us as well, Brussel sprouts can cause gas and flatulence in our Golden Retrievers. So, be forewarned that your Golden Retriever may gas you out of the house after eating Brussel sprouts. Carrots Carrots are an excellent snack for your dog and are most definitely Golden Retriever approved. Carrots are high in beta-carotene, vitamin A, and fiber. While carrots can be eaten raw, cooked, or steamed is best. With raw carrots, much of the nutrients are lost due to cellulose. Cellulose makes it challenging to digest the vegetable and absorb the nutrients. Cooking breaks down the cellulose, making digestion and nutrient absorption easier for your dog. However, raw carrots are great for your Golden Retrievers teeth, and they like the crunch. So, consider mixing it up with raw and cooked to get both benefits. A full carrot can even be frozen to help a teething puppy with sore gums. Cauliflower is an excellent source of fiber, vitamins K and C, calcium, potassium, and folate. However, like broccoli, you need to go easy on the amount given due to its Isothiocyanate content. Isothiocyanate can cause gas, bloating, or significant health problems if given in large quantities. Celery Celery is a safe snack for your Golden Retriever. Low in calories and fat and high in fiber, this crunchy snack is packed with nutrients. Celery is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K and contains manganese, folate, and potassium. Celery is excellent diet food for dogs struggling with weight issues or obesity. But, like all vegetables and fruits, keep portion sizes small. Corn Yes, this vegetable some classify it as a grain is perfectly safe for dogs. The corn kernels are safe for dogs, not the cob. Corn gets a bad rap at times for being void of nutritional value. In truth, corn has protein, fiber, vitamin E and beta carotene, omega-six fatty acids, and linoleic acid which dogs cannot make on their own. Cooked corn is best for your Golden Retriever. Corn kernels are fine, but avoid feeding the cob. Green Beans Greens beans are a safe vegetable for your dog. Green beans can be eaten by your Golden Retriever raw or cooked. This vegetable is low in fat and calories, high in fiber, and is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and K, calcium, folate, magnesium, and potassium. It also contains omega-three fatty acids. As with any extreme dietary changes, talk to your vet first before considering this if your dog has weight issues. Cucumbers The water-packed cucumber is a great summer snack for your Golden Retriever. A medium cucumber contains about eight calories in a half-cup of slices. Although this crunchy vegetable is packed with water, it also includes some excellent vitamins and minerals. Cucumber contains vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and magnesium. Lettuce: Iceberg, Romaine, and Arugula Lettuce, including romaine, iceberg, and arugula, are safe for your Golden Retriever. Lettuce is mostly water, and there is not much in it that should pose any safety issues for your dog. The high water content and low calories make lettuce a good snack for your Golden Retriever, especially in the hot summer months. Iceberg lettuce provides nutrients such as vitamins K and C and calcium, potassium, vitamin C, and folate. Romaine is high in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. Unfortunately, both iceberg and romaine are low in fiber. Arugula is incredibly healthy and nutrient-dense lettuce. Arugula is high in fiber and phytonutrients. Arugula also provides a healthy dose of vitamin A, calcium, folate, and potassium. Arugula is a cruciferous vegetable in the same family that includes broccoli, kale, and Brussels sprouts. Arugula has many of the high antioxidants and phytonutrients found in the cruciferous family. Also, wash all lettuce before feeding it to your Golden Retriever to prevent contamination with E. Spinach Spinach is one of those maybe vegetables like broccoli. In the case of spinach, that substance is oxalic acid. Oxalic acid can lead to kidney damage in your dog. However, your Golden Retriever would have to eat large quantities for that to be an issue. Feeding spinach to your Golden Retriever is a personal choice, but if you do, keep it in small quantities only to be safe. As for health benefits, spinach is packed with nutrients. Spinach is an excellent source of vitamins A, B, C, and K. Spinach also contains iron, antioxidants, beta-carotene, and fiber. Squash including Zucchini and Pumpkin Squashes such as butternut, zucchini, and pumpkin are all safe for your dog to eat if cooked. Technically, zucchini and pumpkin are part of the squash family, which is why I have included them together. While technically, all squashes are botanically a fruit, they seem better suited to the vegetable list. Butternut squash is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, and potassium. Zucchini is low in calories and a great source of fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, potassium, and manganese. Pumpkin is best steamed and mashed. Pumpkins are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, including beta-carotene, carotenoids, potassium, and Vitamin C; it also has some calcium and B-complex vitamins. In addition, pumpkin is high in fiber and low in sodium. Like fruits, the key is moderation, and the same rule applies. Gardeners should be mindful if your Golden Retriever has easy access to your garden. Your Golden Retriever may help itself to some of the vegetable varieties that are less than optimal or downright toxic to your dog. While small amounts of vegetables are okay, large quantities of vegetables — even healthy ones — can potentially cause gastric issues. For example, consider erecting a fence around your garden to ensure your Golden Retriever cannot help himself to vegetables in your garden. Our pup Bailey up on the garden boxes. Another concern is digestive issues. Some vegetables can cause your Golden Retriever some stomach issues, while others not so much. Vegetables in their raw form can be tough to digest for dogs. Provided your Golden Retriever is only getting a small amount, there should be little issues with vegetables, provided your choices come from the healthy list discussed. An older or senior Golden Retriever might not do well with certain vegetables that it tolerated well as a younger dog. Final Thoughts Vegetables, while healthy for us, can potentially cause issues with your Golden Retriever. However, veggies should pose little issues as an occasional treat or snack and often make a better alternative to commercial treats.