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South African Boerboel Puppies Puppies are vet checked, dewormed with first vaccines and docked tails. Doberman and American bulldog Dog Fits with no problem. The canvas is stretched tightly over solid wood subframes and the design is gallery wrapped around the sides creating a true art gallery feel. This artwork arrives very carefully packaged and completely ready Shipping by seller American Bulldog Puppies Barrie American Bulldog Puppies looking for our forever homes! We have been vet checked, received our first shots and up to date on deworming We are.They are currently 8 weeks old and are ready to go. They have first shots deworming and are registered with a long list of pedigree. Vet checked only. These happy girls will come vet checked, first shots and dewormed. If you're looking for a sweet.This 'American Bulldog' Painting Print makes it the focal point of any room or office. Registered litter.Both parents are UKC registered. We have 4 males and 8females. They are being raised under foot around children and an assortment of other animals. They will come with vet.Ready for first vaccination. This breed is the must loyal. Kind abd sweet pet you can get. Great house guard. Litter is registered- papers, breeding rights at an additional cost. She comes with her shots and deworming x2 and flea and tick.Decorative Throw Pillows for Couch Bed Sofa with Zip CoversAn easy fun way to add a pop of colour or bring new life to any room in your home or office is with these beautiful Animal throw pillows. Dress up your bed sofa or lounger with this decorative design art pillows. Catharines we have an amazing all white American bulldog for sale. We are really attached but have to give her away. Mom is an American Bulldog and dad is a Boxer. Both parents have amazing temperments. If you like lots of snuggles then these babies are for.Raised with kids and a newborn all family dogs parents are family.All born in july 1st Canada hey! We have remaining: 1 brown female 1 brown male 1 brindle female 1 brindle male They come dewormed. South African Boerboel Puppies Puppies are vet checked, dewormed with first vaccines and docked tails. Doberman and American bulldog Dog Fits with no problem. The canvas is stretched tightly over solid wood subframes and the design is gallery wrapped around the sides creating a true art gallery feel. This artwork arrives very carefully packaged and completely ready Shipping by seller American Bulldog Puppies Barrie American Bulldog Puppies looking for our forever homes! We have been vet checked, received our first shots and up to date on deworming We are.They are currently 8 weeks old and are ready to go. They have first shots deworming and are registered with a long list of pedigree. Vet checked only. These happy girls will come vet checked, first shots and dewormed. If you're looking for a sweet.This 'American Bulldog' Painting Print makes it the focal point of any room or office. Registered litter.Both parents are UKC registered. We have 4 males and 8females. They are being raised under foot around children and an assortment of other animals. They will come with vet.Ready for first vaccination. This breed is the must loyal. Kind abd sweet pet you can get. Great house guard. Litter is registered- papers, breeding rights at an additional cost. She comes with her shots and deworming x2 and flea and tick.Decorative Throw Pillows for Couch Bed Sofa with Zip CoversAn easy fun way to add a pop of colour or bring new life to any room in your home or office is with these beautiful Animal throw pillows. Dress up your bed sofa or lounger with this decorative design art pillows. Catharines we have an amazing all white American bulldog for sale. We are really attached but have to give her away. Mom is an American Bulldog and dad is a Boxer. Both parents have amazing temperments. If you like lots of snuggles then these babies are for.Raised with kids and a newborn all family dogs parents are family.All born in july 1st Canada hey! We have remaining: 1 brown female 1 brown male 1 brindle female 1 brindle male They come dewormed.

Life Span Did You Know? The Boxador is a designer mixed dog breed that is a cross between a Boxer and a Labrador Retriever. They are sometimes also called a Boxer Lab Mix, although Boxador tends to be a more popular term. Because this is not an established purebred dog, the Boxador is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, but they are still recognized by other official organizations. With mixed breed puppies, you can get any combination of the physical characteristics and character traits of the parent breeds. A Boxador puppy could take completely after their Boxer parent or their Lab parent or could be some combination of both. In general, Boxadors tend to be intelligent, friendly, energetic, and loving. Overall, these dogs tend to make a great addition to a family. Both the Boxer and the Labrador are known for their happy-go-lucky, friendly temperament. They also have a playful spirit and are known for getting along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. In general, the Boxador tends to have a similar temperament. Playtime with small children should be supervised as these dogs will grow into large, energetic dogs and small children can be knocked over by their excitedly wagging tails and energetic play. They tend to be loyal, friendly, and playful and love spending time with their families. Due to the hunting instinct in the parent breeds, a Boxador may have a high prey drive and enjoy chasing things. Boxadors tend to be highly adaptable dogs. They do tend to be a better fit for larger homes with a fenced-in backyard where they can run. However, as long as they receive plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and attention, they can adapt well to apartment living. As with many dog breeds, they are sensitive to extreme heat and can be sensitive to cold. But, overall, this dog breed does well in just about any climate. They love to be around their families and have a high energy level, so they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. Mixed dog breeds can inherit some, all, or none of the potential health issues present in their parent breeds. When it comes to the Boxador, they are a relatively healthy breed. Some of the potential health conditions to be aware of include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, cataracts, and heart conditions. Asking the breeder about the genetic history of the parent breeds and to see any relevant health clearances can help allay potential concerns about health you may have. Both the Boxer and the Lab are highly intelligent dog breeds that are eager to please their owners, which makes them both highly trainable. You can expect your Boxador to be highly trainable as well. These dogs respond well to positive training techniques and are a good fit for owners of any experience level. Although it tends not to be necessary with this breed, enrolling in puppy training and obedience classes is an added bonus and can offer some extra opportunities for socialization. Boxadors usually have a short and dense coat. They will shed moderately year-round and more heavily twice a year as the seasons change. Generally, brushing their coat a few times a week is sufficient. This will help keep your dog more comfortable and will keep some of the loose fur contained to the brush instead of all of around your house. In terms of bathing, these dogs only require the occasional bath or more often as needed if they have gotten dirty or have been swimming. Dental care for dogs is especially important. Both of the parent breeds of this designer dog breed are high-energy, so you should expect your Boxador to have a high energy level as well. In addition to regular daily walks and playtime, your Boxador may enjoy running with you, going for a swim, going hiking with you, and taking trips to the dog park. They also are a good fit for several canine sports like dock diving, agility, and more. Their joints are still developing before this age and can be damaged by strenuous exercise. A fully-grown Boxador will usually stand 20 to 25 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh 55 to 80 pounds. A Boxador generally lives 10 to 14 years. Boxador Puppies for Sale. Puppy for sale. Bullador Puppies For Sale. There are many options that can easily provide you lab boxer mix puppy for sale in low price. Boxador Puppies For Sale No puppies available at this time. The Boxer mix can have multiple purebred or mixed breed lineage. They are intelligent, lively, appealing dogs. The Boxador is a designer breed created through the cross of the Labrador Retriever and the Boxer. Boxer Labrador retriever puppies for sale. North Carolina Boxer Rescue. They've had their first prevention vaccine and deworming, and the puppies are eating hard food and using puppy pads on their own. The Boxer Lab mix is a dog with one Labrador parent and one Boxer parent. Lab Boxer Mixes Puppy for Sale If you have selected this dog breed for your family, you can get it from sale. And two males with tan white white chests. My name is Levi I ended up View Details. Mom is a Fawn boxer and Dad is a silver Spring. They are not going to sit around and cuddle all day. Although these are designer dogs, yet they can be found in the shelter homes and breeds specific rescue centers. Boxers for Sale in Manchester, NH. Boxer lab mix puppies, Silver Lab boxer Mix or the Boxador is a designer dog breed produced by the cross between the Boxer and Labrador Retriever. When fully grown, this mix can grow about 35 to 80 pounds in weight and about 18 to 25 inches in terms of height. Search through a wide range of Residential Lands for Sale in Makkah and get agent contact details for sending enquiries. We have solid black boxer lab mix puppies that are 9 weeks old and ready to go. MJ is a petite gal with a lot of love to give. Boxer Lab Mix Puppy. Bulladors tend to be friendly, loving, and playful dogs that make great family pets. Boxer Lab mix dogs are high shedding and need regular brushing. The Boxer Lab Mix aka Boxador. They will have their shot record since they've had their first puppy shot and two dewormings. West Coast Boxer Rescue rescues and adopts out stray, abandoned, neglected, abused and surrendered Boxers, primarily pure bred, but sometimes Boxer mixes and other breeds. The Pit Boxer Lab mix is a medium- to large-sized dog with a muscular body. For sale apartments in Al Aziziyah, Makkah. Boxer Mix Puppies For Sale. He is good with children and other pets. After production of boxador, they inherited the best qualities of their both parents. Kampong Jerudong in Brunei and Muara District. Apartments for Sale in Makkah. Explore 9 listings for Boxer lab puppies at best prices. Boxer puppies for sale in Alabama from trusted breeders. Although they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable dog organizations. What is a Boxador? Boxadors are a cross between a Boxer dog and Labrador Retriever. However, these dogs do have some specific traits most of the time. Pennsylvania Boxer Rescue. They are very high-energy, so they should only be adopted by active families. House For Sale. Also, these puppies are intelligent, and devoted to their families. The population was 3, in .Boxer For Sale in Phoenix .We are asking for a rehoming fee. Thus boxer lab mix puppies would like lots of early socialization to make a confident, outgoing temperament. Boxador puppies. Local time in Kampong Timbunan is now. Also known as Boxadors, these lively, clever pups can be a great fit for active families who are available to spend lots of time. Currently, we do not have any Boxer Mix puppies available, but we can alert you when new Boxer Mix puppies are available! Just enter your email address and click submit! They inherit traits from both parents, which can make predicting their temperament and appearance a bit difficult. Though DNA testing has become more readily available, it is still met with much skepticism on its accuracy. Travel ideas and destination guide for your next trip to Asia. They do best in homes with fenced yards where they can run. Currently, we do not have any Boxer Mix puppies available, but we can alert you when new Boxer Mix. They tend to do well in most climates. Riverside Dogs for Sale and Adoption. Labrador Retriever Mix Puppies for Sale. Residential Lands for Sale in Makkah. Boxer-Lab Mix Puppy male courtneygregorski12 Zuko is a 2-month-old, lab-boxer mix. The Bullador is a moderately adaptable dog breed. Boxer Mix Puppies for Sale. Boxers for Sale in Denver. Find Boxer puppies for sale Near Alabama Despite their light and fun-loving nature, the Boxer is a hardworking, versatile, and vigilant breed that is incredibly loyal to their family. Where can I adopt a Boxer? Puppies for Sale in New Jersey. Mixed Breed Dogs for Sale. This mixed breed reaches their adult weight and height at around 12 months old. We are dedicated to improving the lives and welfare of homeless Boxers. Kampong Timbunan Destination Guide. Al Aziziyah, Makkah, Western Region. However, there are many other options that are less expensive including rescue shelters, adoption homes and friendly dog breeders. Hello, I have boxador puppies looking for a forever home. In contrast, buying Boxers from breeders can be prohibitively expensive. Three girls and two boys remaining. This dog is approximately the same size as a Labrador, and it shares its same characteristics. Kampong Timbunan in the region of Brunei general is a place located in Brunei close to Bandar Seri Begawan , the country's capital. They are 8 weeks old and absolutely ready to go. The Bullador is a designer mixed breed that is a cross between an English Bulldog and a Labrador Retriever. He is social and plays well with other dogs. He is very friendly and is great with kids. Al Buhayrat, Makkah, Western Region. Boxador Puppies for Sale in Ohio. Villas for sale in Asir. Henceforth, don't spend money on its purchase and remember to adopt a dog from these resources. He is a good companion for a family or friend. The puppy should be in a clean and safe environment, ideally with its mother. The Boxer Lab mix needs a lot of exercises — and we mean a lot. Villas for sale in Makkah Al Mukarramah. Puppies are just over weeks old and will be ready. One way to determine the ancestry of your mixed breed is through a DNA test. Browse thru our ID Verified puppy for sale listings to find your perfect puppy in your area. She is a sweet girl that is looking for someone to be the apple of her eye. However, if you dedicate the time to giving them the exercise and mental stimulation they need, they can adapt to apartment living. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to heat. Labrador Mix Puppies For Sale. It is a medium to large size dog. Boxador Puppies for Sale in New Jersey. These are one of the most active dogs around. After all, they can inherit any trait from either parent. Chihuahua-Terrier Mix Puppy. Conway is in NH and available for adoption. Most Popular Mixed Breed Dogs in

Stasia Boxers We are a small home based kennel located in Eastern Washington. All of our dogs are part of the family and share the bed or couch with myself. I am dedicated to improving the boxer breed not only in conformation but sound temperament and excellent health. My first and foremost importance is having healthy and temperamentally sound Boxers that make excellent family members. Shortly after acquiring my first boxer, I was able to get my second boxer with the help of a friend I added Morgan to the house. Morgan started my experience in the conformation ring. I work hard with all of my dogs and try to make them the absolute best they can be to have good members of society. All of my dogs are well socialized and have acquired a CGC title as well as therapy dog certification and other performance event titles such as agility, rally and lure coursing. Along with owning and showing boxers, I work closely with local rescue organizations and adoption facilities to foster, train, rehabilitate and re-home animals in need. Every animal who comes through my doors as a foster in need, are all very important to me and become part of the family until the perfect forever home can be found for them. I do support rescue and adoption efforts in any way that I can, every animal deserves a home. Thank you for visiting!! Puppies available Please, contact me if you have questions about our current and future litters. Our breeding prospects were screened very carefully before we made a decision to add them to our breeding program. We buy puppies from best breeders in Europe, and raise them in our home. If we decided to keep the puppy for ourselves but see anything that is considered as 'red flag', we prefer to find him a forever pet home. Some of the puppies we planned to breed have been disqualified and put in great pet homes. The issues that are not acceptable are temperament related in most cases , and health rarely. We have a strong belief that high quality breeding starts with the decision to take best out of the best. If we don't like the results of our work, we won't continue doing it. All our dogs live in a clean, dry environment, fed with the quality food, getting plenty of exercise and been socialized since the puppy age. None of our Boxers are shy, too hyper, or having issues with health, food allergy, behavioral problems, or genetic abnormalities. She is obedient, smart, friendly, and has a beautiful coat. That includes the tail docking, first vet check, first shots and dewormers done, 1-Year Genetic Health Guarantee. We take cash, money order and cashiers check at pick up. We will accept personal checks for deposits only, when you reserve the puppy that is younger than 8 weeks of age. All other payment methods are available by request only. We do sell our puppies to pet homes and won't transfer any registration papers at pick up. However, we will share the copies of parents Pedigrees upon request. First, we have an exclusive breeding program, and work hard to not just improve the breed, but pick a different breeding prospects that match our breeding criteria. Second, we are aware of risks of improper breeding and can't guarantee the reproductive health of our puppy. Based on our continuous breeding experience we know that ALL of our puppies who are currently reside in their forever homes are much loved and well-taken care of. The Boxer families are made out of the greatest people in the world! We can deliver our puppies from Spokane to 4 destination points. The shipping via cargo is no longer available for out-of-state buyers. You have an option to fly here and we will meet you at the Spokane or Seattle airport. The weeks old puppy can fly with you in a cabin without any adverse effects on dog's health. If we need to go to the Seattle International Airport, we have to add a delivery fee, which is a mileage charge. We will provide the linage information for each puppy upon request. Dog Food.

Even though this dog was bred as a working dog, it is friendly and loyal, making it an excellent choice for breeding to create unique family-oriented crossbreeds. On the other hand, the German Shepherd is known to be courageous, fierce, and protective. Most people keep the German Shepherd as a guard dog, making it an excellent choice for families that need a protective dog. Breeding these two creates a gentle dog to work as a family pet and fierce enough to protect its family when need be. In simpler terms, the crossbreed highlights the best qualities from both parents, creating a unique, valuable dog. However, the two parents have a conclusive background, explaining how the breeds came to be and how their popularity grew. Whippet History The Whippet can be traced back to the s, with its origin believed to be England. This medium-sized dog belongs to the sighthounds family, a descendant of the greyhounds. They are smaller than regular-size greyhounds as not much has changed, even with breeding. Whippets were kept and trained to chase wild rabbits and other small animals. They would hunt these small animals out of their burrows due to their high speeds. Today, Whippets are mostly kept as home pets, but some still use them as working dogs. While their popularity grew in England more than in other parts of the world, they were first recognized by the American Kennel Club in .This followed recognition by the Kennel Club in Egland in .In its earlier days, farmers in Germany and the rest of Europe relied on dogs to protect and guide their herds. Some dogs were great at the job, but no one had developed a district herding breed. In , Captain Max von Stephanitz retired from military life and began breeding dogs. He created a superior German Shepherd dog, thanks to his extensive knowledge of the breeding techniques of the British people. But, he was determined to keep the breed as a working dog, after which he decided to train it for police work. Captain convinced the German government to use the breed with his military connections. This followed the German Shepherd used as a Red Cross dog, rescue, guard, messenger, and supply carrier. Breeding of this dog in the United States was not regulated, which led to a deterioration in the quality of German Shepherd. Whippet German Shepherd Appearance The Whippet German Shepherd mix has a distinct appearance that carries the physical attributes of both parents. The dog can present the skinny body of the Whippet but have the curious face of the German Shepherd. Therefore, Whippet German Shepherd mixes can vary even among siblings, each having its own set of physical traits. Another unique feature of the Whippet German Shepherd mix is the straight back, despite both parents having a curved back. Size The Whippet German Shepherd mix stands at 20 to 25 inches tall. Most dogs of the same age will appear similar in height, taking this standard. The Whippet German Shepherd can weigh between 20 to 96 pounds when it comes to weight. The German Shepherd is considered a medium to large dog and can weigh between 75 to 95 pounds. The Whippet is much smaller and weighs between 15 to 30 pounds. This means the mix can take a size closer to the Whippet or German Shepherd, hence the variation in size. Coat Type and Color The coat type and color of the Whippet German Shepherd depend on the dominant gene from the parents. Your dog can have a coat resembling the Whippet or one closer to the German Shepherd. They come in a medium-length coat prone to shedding, needing regular brushing. If your dog takes after the German Shepherd, it will have an intelligent mind, and you will notice its inquisitive side comes to play. If it takes after the Whippet, it will show the gentle, friendly vibe of a family-oriented dog. It will have a more mellow than curious personality, but you may still notice a few personality traits of the German Shepherd. Both parents are great family dogs and enjoy human interaction and attention. Therefore, the mix does not do well if left alone for a long time. It can generally be an independent dog, but having created relationships in the family, it would be best to give it as much attention as needed. The courageous and curious personality of the German Shepherd may lead to your mix having a stubborn attitude. Training can be challenging, but your dog can pick up on cues and commands with positive reinforcement. Whippet German Shepherd Care Whippet German Shepherd mixes bring so much value; they deserve regular care and maintenance. Feeding The type of food to give your Whippet German Shepherd mix is not cast on stone. Usually, diet is best established on a per-dog basis rather than per breed or size basis. On that note, the right food for your Whippet German Shepherd mix will depend on its health, activity levels, etc. It is important to note that both parents, the Whippet and German Shepherd, were bred as working dogs. Therefore, they have adapted to being high-energy working dogs since time immemorial. That means their diets need to match their energy requirements all through. The best food for your Whippet German Shepherd should provide essential nutrients for optimal growth and development. Additionally, the food should be balanced and packed with adequate energy-giving components to keep your dog active and healthy. You may be inclined to feed large portions many times, but that can increase the risk of your dog developing obesity. If you are unsure of the right foods or potions, the best approach would be to seek help from a certified vet for guidelines on an appropriate diet. Grooming The Whippet German Shepherd mix is a moderate shedder, so you need to brush the coat regularly. If you have your dog indoors, then you would need to invest in a high-quality vacuum to get rid of loose hairs on the floors, furniture, and other surfaces. Your dog may need regular baths depending on how dirty it gets, especially if it plays outside most of the time. A bath once a month is adequate to keep your dog clean. Training The Whippet German Shepherd mix is a pretty intelligent dog. On this note, your dog might have difficulty cooperating with you during training, as they like having the upper hand. The best approach would be to make the sessions short and quick to keep their attention span higher. The dog may be inclined to chase small animals, but the behavior can be tamed if appropriately handled. Like other dogs, your Whippet German Shepherd mix will respond well to positive reinforcement. During training, praise your dog and offer treats whenever it improves or picks up on a cue. Lastly, ensure you socialize your dog to help with behavior. Plan doggy dates with your friends or take your dog to the park to play with other dogs. You could also leave your dog in a doggy daycare to interact with other dogs and people too. Your Whippet German Shepherd dog will need active playtime and walks to stay healthy and happy. This mix is considered a high-energy dog; therefore, long walks, hikes, and park playtimes are advisable. Creating an exercise routine for your dog will help keep destructive behavior at bay, often resulting from built-up energy and lack of socialization. When your dog is tired from exercise, it is likely to behave better and rest better. Some of the health issues your Whippet German Shepherd may suffer from include: Bloating. They are typically around 21 to 22 inches tall and weigh approximately 60 to 65 pounds. Coat The Whippet — German Shepherd mix can take on a number of appearances depending on the parent it takes after. Grooming While Whippets are short-coated with smooth hair, GSDs typically have medium-to-long hair with dense undercoats. The offspring of these two breeds could don either of the two coat types. The difficulty of grooming a GSD — Whippet cross would depend on what type of coat they inherit. If they take after the GSD, they will need more frequent baths and brushing. They will also shed throughout the year and blow their coats twice a year. On the other hand, their short coats will need very little maintenance if they take after the Whippet. Strength The Whippet might seem small and lanky, but its body is actually composed of lean muscle. Apart from body strength, these crosses can also inherit the considerable bite strength of their GSD parent. German Shepherds have an average bite force of psi. They are also incredibly agile. Nevertheless, they perform best in sprints with long rests in between. Generally, they thrive best when they get several vigorous exercise sessions per day. Three minute sessions of fetch or regular long walks should be enough. Exercise requirements can vary between each individual dog. Trainability Whippets are not as easily trained as German Shepherds. While GSDs are among the smartest and most obedient dog breeds, Whippets are more self-willed and not as intelligent. In fact, while GSDs rank as the 3rd most intelligent dog breed, Whippets rank at .Nevertheless, given ample time to form a strong bond and with enough determination from its handler, a Whippet — German Shepherd cross can be quite eager to please and can learn fairly quickly. These dogs can be affectionate with family and are patient with young children. With early socialization and proper introduction, they also get along with cats and other pets. Although the GSD — Whippet mix can be quite wary of strangers, they can become playful and sociable with guests once welcomed by the rest of the family. Nevertheless, they can still inherit the strong protective tendencies of their German Shepherd parent. Health The German Shepherd — Whippet mix is generally a healthy cross. They could, however, be just as prone to life-threatening bloat. However, this can be avoided through proper screening of breeding stock and keeping the dog at a normal weight. Additionally, these dogs can sometimes suffer from eye disorders and deafness. In fact, they typically live between 12 and 15 years. Ensuring proper nutrition and keeping them at a healthy weight could further contribute to their longevity. Because it is a cross between two purebreds, it does not have breed standards that can be used for conformation events. Through this program, both purebreds and mixed breeds come together and take part in events like Tracking, Obedience, and Rally. These crossbreeds are undeniably extraordinary dogs with many positively unique characteristics. However, most breeders prefer to keep their pedigrees pure not only because purebreds are more profitable but also because there are too many uncontrollable variables when trying to produce crosses. For these reasons, finding the offspring of a Whippet and a German Shepherd would be difficult. These rare crossbreeds are typically the result of accidental mating. They thrive best when they have a job to do and have access to some open space. If you believe you can meet their mental and physical needs, a Whippet-GSD would definitely be a wonderful companion. If you found this crossbreed fascinating, you might also be interested in the larger GSD-Greyhound mix. Or, check out how the German Shepherd mixes with several other breeds of all sizes. They can usually be identified by their lean bodies no matter which parent they take after more. There are certain colors that may be present in their coats: Black ; gold Black ; red Sable Their coats will be on the short to medium side and they very rarely shed. This makes them a very easy dog to groom, which is great because these dogs love to play outside in the dirt. More On The Whippet German Shepherd Mix Whippets and German Shepherds have very different personality traits, and a Whippet German Shepherd could take on more traits from one parent or be an equal balance of both personalities. The German Shepard is a very dominant dog, and they are also incredibly smart. They are very courageous and have no problem scaring off anyone that presents a danger. On the other side of the gene pool, the Whippet dog is a lot more mellow. They are one of the least aggressive breeds of dogs and usually love to be around people. These are the dogs that can sit beside their human companions and listen to them chit-chat for hours. A lot of people find having a Whippet dog around very comforting. When listing out the traits that you would like your ideal dog to have, most people will find those both German Shepherds and Whippets present qualities they want. When these two breeds come together to breed, they bring the best of both worlds into one dog. The Whippet German Shepherd mix could have the temperament of either breed, but will likely have traits from both. They are incredibly smart guard dogs that show a lot of courage. The Whippet gene does usually take over and these dogs become loveable family dogs. However, one trait that many Whippet German Shepherd mixes carry from the German Shepherd side is nipping. This is because the German Shepard was originally bred for herding. They may start to nip when they are trying to get your attention. This is because the German Shepherd dog is full of energy and the Whippet is known for how speedy they are. Ideally, you should give a Whippet German Shepard mix at least 40 minutes of exercise each day. The best way to do this is to break it up into two separate sessions. They love a game that challenges their mind as well as their agility. They love a good game of fetch or tug-of-war. Switching up the games will keep them happy while staying healthy. Since they are a gentler breed, they can easily be entertained by playing with kids. Most Whippet German Shepherd mixes enjoy the company of kids. Whippet German Shepherd Mix: Training While these dogs are very well-behaved, they do have some bad habits such as nipping that should be corrected. Training should be started as early as possible with Whippet German Shepherd mix dogs. This will help curb some of the aggressive traits that they inherited from the German Shepherd. When you start training and socialising with these dogs when they are puppies, then they will likely be very obedient dogs. This will help ensure that your dog behaves in an affectionate manner, without taking their guard dog instincts away from them. The thing about Whippet German Shepherd mixes is that they are at their happiest when they have a task to do. You should always encourage them to exercise their physical and mental capabilities to the fullest. This goes back to the instincts of the Whippet dog because they were originally bred to chase rabbits and fish them out of their burrows. Once a Whippet German Shepherd mix is socialised and well adapted to their surroundings, they will be very loyal to their owners. What makes this dog perfect for most families is that they have the gentle nature of a Whippet and are very affectionate to those they love. However, they still hold the protective traits of a German Shepherd. You will need to make sure you begin training these dogs early to make sure they are on their best behavior. When you put the time into these dogs, they will easily become a part of the family. They are one of the most loyal types of dogs and enjoy being surrounded by people they love. Other Popular Posts. Many of the characteristics that pass on to mixed breed puppies can be dominated by one of the parents only. Consequently, a Whippet German Shepherd mix will likely be a medium to large dog. Whippets and German Shepherds are muscular dogs, but where the Whippet is lean, the Shepherd is stockier. Perhaps a mix of the two breeds will be somewhere in between. German Shepherds have a double coat of thick outer fur covering a soft undercoat, where Whippets have a single coat. German Whippets then will tend to have a thicker coat than its whippet parent that will require regular grooming. Join over others who've subscribed to my newsletter! No spam guarantee - I only send 1 newsletter each week. German Shepherds can also be coloured black, red and sable and these colours may also pass on to a mix. Purebred Whippets too have a range of coloration, such as brown, black, blue and white. They can also have a combination of colours as well as a variety of markings. Hence the colours of and markings of German Whippets might be equally varied. They can be a little highly strung given their strong prey drive, just like other members of the sighthound family. Additionally, German Shepherds are intelligent, loyal, fearless and confident. They might also be very protective of their homes, as German Shepherds are. As with all dog breeds, German Whippets will benefit from early training, especially if you have you have children. Both Whippets and German Shepherds are know to be great family dogs, but puppy and obedience training will be essential to curb undesirable behaviours. Find out about how to socialise Whippets. Others disagree and suggest that unregulated designer dog breeding results in a greater chance that mixed breeds will be prone to more illness rather than less. Tia is a very special dog as for the frist 7 months of her life she was mistreated very badly. She was not let outside, had things thrown at her, way underfed and probably a lot of other things I don't know about or haven't worked out by her reactions. My partner and I have had Tia for a couple of months after Mandi, a lovely lady, rescued her from this terrible home but then could no longer keep her as she has such a bad back. When Mandi first got Tia, she was happy about leaving her old home behind but did not have a clue about right or wrong. She would mess inside, wouldn't walk on the lead and was scared of everything. Mandi did a brilliant job of housebreaking Tia, and used a crate. For 3 months Tia lived with a proper family. Because Tia pulled so much on the lead, Mandi had to find her another home. This was heartbreaking for her and her children. Mandi said she chose my advert from a site called Preloved because all I was looking for was another dog who needed a loving home as a companion for Shep. As we do not have children, I have lots of love, kisses and cuddles to give. We met Tia on a Saturday and she hit it off with me and Shep first time. Sunday we went back and brought her home and I have not regretted it! She is a bit of a handful, but given her first home, I feel lucky to have such a caring dog. She is as affectionate as Shep, and they love nothing more than playing together. I have taught Tia her left and right back and front paws, to look left and right at the road, to stop at the road, roll over, jump, dance, and also to talk. She does this at all hours! Shep knows all of these tricks too so you can imagine the fun.But I wouldn't change either of them for anyone! Tia has really come out of her shell, jumping and playing. I am slowly training Tia to heel, and although she is very clever in learning harder tricks, heeling is the hardest thing to teach her. She is still scared of things, some are silly like cups or cushions, or flies, but I think with all the love my partner and I can give her, she will become as settled as Shep is. They are both more like humans than dogs, and they love nothing better than to cuddle up in bed. I would like to ask that if people are looking for a new dog, to take in a rescued dog. They are a lot of hard work and need alot of patience, but everyone deserves a second chance. In the rescue centers they normally teach the dogs basic tricks. I've gone for the hard way, but I've learned so much that I would even think of doing it again once I move to a bigger house :. Needs 40 min. Whippets have such great personality traits that they are becoming a favorite for mixing with other breeds. The German Whippet has displayed the wonderful qualities of both breeds and is a great choice for those who love Whippets but are looking for some of the hardier qualities found in Shepherds. Here are some of the features you can expect with this mix: 1. This mix loves to run far and dig holes. They will do best in a large, fenced-in area. The fence needs to be rather high as the German Whippet will be capable of leaping high fences in a single bound. They will also probably retain the urge to chase things. German Whippets might be a little stubborn but they will be quick learners. You can teach this dog to play soccer, Frisbee, or chase a tennis ball down. It can display the energy levels of both breeds. The weight range for this cross-breed will typically be 45 pounds with lots of lean muscle. It may look like a German Shepherd and have their markings with a bit more refinement. As with all mixes, there is no guarantee which traits will be displayed as even repeat breedings with the same parents can produce different results. The Whippet side of the family will bring the laid-back tendencies to the mix, and the Shepherd side will give them the desire to keep busy and they love to learn. This mix should produce a dog that loves most everyone but still has a bit of the guarding instinct as they may be suspicious of strangers. If you would like a visual image of the German Whippet, check out this YouTube video to get an idea of the size and gentle nature of this mixed breed. Whippet Central advocates the adoption of the German Whippet as unintentional breeding of these two dogs does occur. Right Pet concurs that the appearance and size of these dogs may vary as well as the dominant traits from the two breeds. They do feel this mix will benefit from leash training as this mix will probably not be able to resist the urge to run and chase. Dogsnet describes the popular features of the Whippet which include their agility, incredible disposition, resiliency, and infinite and incredible speed. It seems that even when they are mixed with the more stoic and aggressive Shepherd, they retain their fun-loving and speedy features. Dogsnet points out that German Shepherds are known for their loyalty and courage. When mixed with the Whippet, the result could produce a dog with either a longer and thicker coat, or the dense and sleek coat of the Whippet. The color combinations of the mix are varied and numerous. Combining the Shepherd, who is courageous, bold, and loved for his work ethic, will most likely produce a dog that is more docile than the pure Shepherd but result in a gentler breed who still has lots of energy. Frequently Asked Questions How big do Whippet mixes get? Whippet mixes will typically have a skinny body like a whippet and that adorable inquisitive face of a Shepherd or vice versa. In terms of height, a whippet mix will grow to around 20 or 25 inches tall and weigh anywhere between 20 and 95 pounds! Interestingly, both German Shepherds and Whippets have curved backs, but a whippet mix has a relatively straight back. This might make them appear slightly shorter than they would be if their backs were curved. Do Whippets smell? Like all dogs, whippets will become smelly from time to time and require baths every other week or so, especially if they go running through the dirt. Some reasons other than, they just need a good scrub in the bathtub your dog may smell bad are: Skin issues — dry skin can cause your dog to scratch a lot which could create cuts that can become infected that would have a musty smell Ear infection — dogs ears are quite prone to ear infections if not cleaned regularly, this can cause a yeasty, musty smell, too Are Whippets good house dogs? The only issue with whippets in the home is that they do naturally want to chase prey, so any other small, furry pets might be at risk if you bring a whippet into the equation. To ensure your whippet is well-behaved around other dogs and humans, you should start socializing them as soon as possible. This will give your dog more confidence and prevent them from being afraid and defensive when meeting new dogs and humans. This is especially important with breeds like whippets because they are inherently shy. Bottom Line If you are a fan of the German Shepherd breed because of its intelligence, loyalty , and its eagerness, and ability to learn, but are looking for a more physically refined dog who loves to curl up in your lap, you might want to consider the German Whippet. Whippets are well-known for their loving and docile personalities. They are speedy and energetic, but are a great breed for bonding with their owners and being personable and loveable to all family members, even other pets. Crossbreeding the German Shepherd and Whippet is becoming increasingly popular all over the world. The reviews have been outstanding and the common theme is that your German Whippet mix will be a loveable and amazing dog who will fit in with your family and bring you unconditional love and lasting memories. Recommended Reading:.

Dietary Issues Dietary issues are a common cause of diarrhea in German Shepherds. Some dogs enjoy rummaging through the trash, which increases their risk of consuming contaminated or moldy food. This includes old food they might find on their daily walks. German Shepherds also frequently have a wide range of common food allergies or intolerances to particular ingredients in their diets. Did you know you can get an at-home pet food intolerance test? Runny poop can be a sign of digestive issues, such as eating too much food or treats too quickly. Typically, this could be: the stuffing from a favorite toy pieces of plastic from a rubber chew anything they put in their mouths! German Shepherd puppies, particularly prone to eating inedible objects, are the best example of this. Stress and Anxiety Despite their intimidating exteriors, German Shepherds are susceptible to the effects of stress, which can show up in a number of ways, including diarrhea. You might be surprised to find their bowel patterns react to changes in your lifestyle! Medications A German Shepherd may experience diarrhea and episodes of runny poop from certain medications that irritate their stomach and intestines. Some examples of drugs that may result in diarrhea as a side effect Antibiotics: Antibiotics can disrupt the healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, leading to stomach upset and diarrhea. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs : These drugs are generally given to relieve pain, such as in the case of arthritis, but can cause stomach irritation. Chemotherapy drugs: Chemotherapy drugs that are used to treat cancer are not well-tolerated in some dogs and have side effects, such as diarrhea. Antidepressants: Some dogs on antidepressants to help with anxiety and stress issues may experience bouts of runny poop while on the medication. If your German Shepherd exhibits any unusual symptoms while taking medication, call your veterinarian right away. They may suggest switching to a different drug or adjusting the dosage. Bacterial and Viral Infections German Shepherds can develop diarrhea from two common infections: parvovirus salmonella If your dog consumes contaminated food or drinks dirty water, she could become ill with salmonella. Salmonella levels are higher in stagnant bodies of water, such as ponds and lakes. These are the same places that many German Shepherds enjoy sipping from and swimming in! In addition to being extremely contagious in dogs, another virus called parvovirus can be fatal if not treated quickly. For German Shepherd puppies, it poses a particular risk. These parasites can affect the digestive system and harm the gut lining, resulting in diarrhea, stomach aches, and inflammation. They might also obstruct the intestines, which might result in episodes of runny poop. Giardia, on the other hand, is a protozoan parasite that attaches to the gut lining and causes irritation and inflammation, which can result in diarrhea. As long as your dog is eating and drinking and otherwise seems like their normal self, then treating them at home is generally safe source. Temporarily withhold food. Withholding food for a short period of time is one of the most recommended treatments for German Shepherd diarrhea. This allows the digestive system to rest and lets the stomach recover from irritation. Many dogs will naturally be reluctant to eat when their stomachs are upset, but some will continue to eat almost anything you put in front of them. Your German Shepherd needs access to clean, fresh water to avoid dehydration while experiencing diarrhea. Give them small, bland meals. This allows their stomachs to gradually adjust to processing food once more. Your German Shepherd can be fed a bland diet for up to 3 days. After 3 days, start gradually weaning them back to their regular food. A bland diet is an easy-to-digest homemade food that helps German Shepherds with diarrhea by promoting stomach healing and easing the signs of an upset stomach. There are generally two main ingredients: boiled, skinless, boneless chicken and cooked unseasoned white rice. The main objective of feeding your German Shepherd a bland diet is to give them easily absorbed protein and carbohydrates while keeping them away from any ingredients that will worsen their diarrhea. After your German Shepherd starts passing solid feces, you can gradually reintroduce their regular food over the course of a few days by blending small amounts of their regular food with the bland diet food. Add daily probiotics to their diet. A probiotic supplement may be beneficial for some German Shepherds because it contains healthy bacteria that can balance the gut microbiota and support digestive health. Probiotics for German Shepherds PetHonesty makes this delicious probiotic for German Shepherds available as chewable, simple-to-take tablets that contain various probiotic strains. Giving probiotic supplements to your German shepherd may also have the following benefits: Improved digestion. Dietary issues or consuming rotten or toxic foods are the main causes of diarrhea in German Shepherds. The best way to help your GSD is with a temporary fast if appropriate before following a bland food diet. Bouts of diarrhea will certainly happen to most German Shepherds throughout their life, at least a handful of times. Diarrhea is a standard reaction to sudden changes in their GI health or even reactions to stress in the world around them. Each cause requires a different treatment approach, making it essential to get to the bottom of their troubles! Dietary Issues German Shepherds are extremely curious, meaning they often try to eat anything that may seem edible. Not only do they scarf up any food that crosses their path, but they can get their paws on human food as well. Dietary issues in dogs refer to eating anything outside of their normal diet. This can include getting into the trash, eating a greasy piece of bacon, or even eating something rotten found outside. When a dog eats something outside of their normal kibble, this can cause a sudden shift in the bacteria in their gut and intestines. This is made much worse by any high-fat content that could be in the food, along with any dangerous bacteria that could be present as well. Whether your vet suggests a new food or your pup no longer likes their kibble, an occasional diet is sometimes needed. A sudden change in diet can cause a shift in this balance, leading to GI irritation. A change of diet that is not done over a gradual period will likely lead to diarrhea, and even vomiting in some cases. Stress Just like you and I, our German Shepherds can experience stress and in severe cases, even depression. While they may have different triggers than humans, their struggles are just as real. Dogs can react to this stress in multiple ways, one of which being diarrhea. There are many factors that can cause a GSD to become stressed. They may react to changes in their normal routine, new people in the home, the sudden absence of someone they love, or any other change that impacts their life. This is extremely common in dogs that are boarded while their owners are away, so much so that kennel owners know to be on the lookout for any sign of diarrhea. Bacterial Infections Our German Shepherds are exposed to different types of bacteria all the time. Bacteria live in the soil they touch, the bowls they drink out of, and even some of the toys they play with. Because of this, dogs can fall victim to bacterial infections that cause an upset stomach. Most dogs with a bacterial infection will experience diarrhea, vomiting, change of appetite , abdominal pain, and more. Bacterial infections often require veterinary care, as most pups will need antibiotics to get them back on track. Intestinal Parasites Intestinal parasites are foreign invaders that cause serious GI upset in our German Shepherd friends. Shepherds with intestinal parasites may experience diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, lack of appetite, weight loss , abdominal pain, distended abdomens, and more. The best way to prevent intestinal parasites is to have your pup dewormed from the moment you adopt them, and then offer them monthly heartworm prevention. Most heartworm prevention contains ingredients that stop worms in their tracks. Serious Illness Diarrhea can be a symptom of serious illness in German Shepherds. This combination can cause diarrhea for many dogs, especially if it is a GI illness in particular. Be sure to keep a log of all the symptoms your dog is currently experiencing, so you can help your vet make an accurate diagnosis. While any diarrhea that lasts longer than 24 hours should be seen by a vet, there are a few at-home options to try. Withholding Food Withholding food for hours is an option that can be practiced in certain dogs. If you know that your dog is having diarrhea due to something they ate, this can be a successful way to let their stomach calm down. Fasting should only be practiced in healthy adult dogs, and when approved by your veterinarian. You should never fast a German Shepherd puppy or senior dog, as this can lead to more complications. Switch To a Bland Diet Switching to a bland diet is one of the most successful ways to combat diarrhea in your canine companion. When a dog is experiencing an upset stomach, it can be challenging to properly digest their normal food. The most popular bland diet option is boiled chicken breast and white rice, but you can also purchase a bland diet from your veterinarian. Some vets do approve pro-pectalin for use at home, but this should always be approved before giving it to your furry friend. Your vet can also prescribe antibiotics that help with diarrhea, along with medication to firm their stool. Diarrhea is often a result of some type of irritation in the GI tract, making probiotics useful in many cases. Probiotics are packed with beneficial bacteria that helps to promote digestive health. Adding daily probiotics to a bland diet can help your pup get back on track. This is especially important for German Shepherds with sensitive stomachs, as they may be easily triggered by certain changes. The general rule is to always seek help if their diarrhea does not resolve within 24 hours. However, there are a few special circumstances that require veterinary care much sooner. Final Thoughts As you can see, German Shepherds can experience diarrhea due to multiple causes. Be sure to review the information that we discussed above, and you can help your pup at the next sign of diarrhea. 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. Signs of worms in poop Your vet will treat diarrhea depending on the cause, and further investigations may be required. Never give your German Shepherd any anti-diarrhea medications e. How to Prevent Diarrhea in German Shepherds It would be impossible for your German Shepherd to never suffer from the odd case of diarrhea. But there are some things you can do. To prevent diarrhea in your German Shepherd, feed a complete and nutritious diet, and avoid table scraps and titbits that your dog is not used to. Avoid anything toxic and ensure your GSD does not get into the garbage. Ensure worming treatment and vaccinations are up to date. Follow these simple guidelines to prevent diarrhea: Make sure you know all the dangerous poisonous foods for your German Shepherd. Ensure your GSD keeps to its usual diet. Prevent guests to your home from feeding titbits, especially toxic foods that they may be unaware of, for example, grapes or chocolate. Be wary of feeding bones , as they must be raw and be of the correct type and size for your dog. Keep all toxic substances out of reach of your dog. The Pet Poison Helpline has a complete list of these. Consider a muzzle when you are out in the woods or park to prevent your dog from scavenging if they are that way inclined. Keep worming treatment up to date. Vets recommend every three months — but check for your breed. Keep vaccinations up to date. Exercise your German Shepherd regularly, especially if they suffer from stress. Refrain from exercising your dog immediately before or after a meal. I like to give my German Shepherd a good hour on either side, which also helps prevent bloat. Acute diarrhea, which is the most common type, usually lasts for one to two days and can sometimes last up to two weeks. Chronic diarrhea, on the other hand, lasts for at least four weeks. The duration of diarrhea in German Shepherds can vary depending on the underlying cause. In some cases, a temporary change in diet may be recommended by a veterinarian to help manage the diarrhea, but this should only be done under the guidance of a professional. Feed your dog plain, easily digestible food such as chicken and rice to get him back on his feet again. I hope you found the above prevention tips helpful, which will minimize the risk of this unpleasant and messy occurrence! Related Posts You May Like:. Your dog seems to be straining to pass feces Mucus or blood in the stool Sometimes additional symptoms may accompany diarrhea, such as vomiting, fever, abdominal bloating or pain, low energy, lack of appetite, and weakness. These are signs there may be a more serious underlying health condition. An Overview Just like their people, German Shepherd dogs can develop diarrhea at any age and stage of life. And just like in people, diarrhea in German Shepherds should never be ignored. Sometimes the reason is very temporary and passing. But for German Shepherds in particular, sometimes the reason can be an underlying digestive disorder. German Shepherds, in particular, are prone to digestive disorders ranging from a sensitive stomach to G. In fact, in research published in the Journal of Canine Genetics and Epidemiology, researchers pointed out that diarrhea was one of the most consistent health issues reported by German Shepherd owners. Clearly, there are a number of reasons why a German Shepherd might develop diarrhea. These reasons can sometimes be related to age or life stage as well as the environment, which is what we will talk about in the next section here. As a large breed dog, a GSD puppy is growing up fast and every day is different. Since German Shepherds are genetically predisposed to have issues with sensitive stomachs, each food change has the potential to cause diarrhea. As well, other major stressors can cause temporary bouts of diarrhea. Change in their environment such as rehoming. Stress crate training, kids, other pets, etc. Worms and parasites, a viral or bacterial infection. Diseases That Can Cause Diarrhea in German Shepherd Adult Dogs There are several potentially heritable genetic health conditions that can cause occasional or chronic diarrhea in adult German Shepherds. As far as canine biologists know, German Shepherds are the only dog breed to have this particular condition. The two main warning signs of pancreatic enzyme insufficiency are ongoing diarrhea and rapid weight loss. The only current treatment is to add digestive enzymes at each meal. Even so, pancreatic enzyme insufficiency is known to be life-limiting. IBD happens when the cells that line the stomach intestine begin to collect substantial amounts of inflammatory cells. These cells disrupt the normal function of both organs by preventing the food from being properly digested and absorbed by the body for use. The symptoms of IBD will depend on where the inflammatory cells congregate. If the cells choose to gather in the colon and lower intestine, chronic diarrhea is common. Often owners will report seeing mucus or blood. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss , depression, and lack of energy. Blood work, ultrasound, X-rays, and G. There is no cure and IBD can be life-limiting. The only treatment is dietary changes and medications. Unfortunately, ongoing research has yet to figure out exactly what causes IBD to get triggered. Other Causes of Diarrhea in German Shepherds When your German Shepherd is experiencing chronic diarrhea that does not seem to respond to the usual remedies, it is always time to look deeper. But sometimes diarrhea, like life, just happens and then it passes. When the episode is brief, you may not ever know exactly what caused your GSD to have diarrhea. This may range from garbage to garden mulch, lawn mushrooms to cat poop. There are four basic categories of canine diarrhea when it is not related to an underlying disease: 1. Motility issues. With motility issues, the gut pushes the food through too fast. Intestinal exudation. Ulcers in the intestinal tract can cause blood and fluid to seep in or out. Over secretion. When the intestinal tract is exposed to a pathogen parasite, bacteria, et al it will secret too much liquid to try to cleanse itself. Osmotic imbalance. When too many food molecules crowd into the intestines together, this draws in water and causes diarrhea. Parasites, worms, viruses, bacteria, and fungus can cause diarrhea. Liver and kidney disease can also trigger bouts of diarrhea. Ingestion of poisons and toxins may also give rise to diarrhea and other symptoms. Treating Diarrhea in German Shepherd Dogs As with any health issue, your German Shepherd is suffering from, the very first step is always to make sure you know what is causing diarrhea. The best approach is to schedule an appointment with your canine veterinarian to get a correct diagnosis. Then you can match the treatment to the cause. As this YouTube video by a veterinarian explains, antibiotics may be necessary when diarrhea is caused by a parasite or bacteria. Just make sure that the pumpkin product you choose is just plain pumpkin puree with no additives. Check to be sure there is no xylitol, a sugar substitute that can be fatal to dogs. Sometimes diarrhea arises and subsides quite quickly, and when this happens, just make sure your dog takes in plenty of water and gets lots of rest. What Is Diarrhea? Diarrhea refers to a condition where a dog passes soft or watery stool during bowel movement. Doggy diarrhea is not a disease itself. Rather, it is a symptom of an underlying issue. The stool will usually occur in large amounts and in greater frequency than normal. Physiologically speaking, diarrhea occurs due to fecal matter passing too quickly through the intestine while the absorption speed of electrolytes, nutrients, and water is decreased. Symptoms of Diarrhea in a German Shepherd Diarrhea can appear on its own, but it can also have other accompanying symptoms. The most common symptoms are bloody stool red or black , a low-grade fever, lethargy, flatulence, loss of appetite, and vomiting as in gastroenteritis. In cases wherein these symptoms also appear alongside diarrhea, it is best to bring your dog to the vet immediately. What Causes Diarrhea in German Shepherds? Throughout the lifetime of your German Shepherd, she will most probably experience diarrhea at least a few times. The most common causes of diarrhea in GSDs are the following: Viral infections, such as one that is caused by parvovirus or canine distemper virus , especially in young, unvaccinated dogs Stress brought about by a change in environment or traveling Abrupt change in diet or treats Poor diet Food allergies or sensitivities, such as dairy products Intestinal parasites which can come from raw meat Ingesting poisonous substances, spoiled food, garbage, or foreign objects Antibiotic medication In rare cases, tumor s in the digestive tract cancer Types of Diarrhea in German Shepherds Diarrhea is a general term, but there are several different types of it. Acute and Chronic Diarrhea Depending on the underlying cause, diarrhea in your GSD can be acute short-lived or chronic happening intermittently over course of weeks or months. Sudden acute diarrhea can appear if your GSD ingests something that does not get along well with her intestines. GSDs have a higher prey drive than most breeds, making them susceptible to chasing rodents and squirrels when left to their own devices. If your dog ingests the meat of these animals, the bacteria in the meat can upset her stomach. German Shepherds and larger breeds in general are more predisposed to this chronic disease than smaller dogs, especially during middle age. Oftentimes, veterinarians prescribe medication to manage the symptoms, as this is an incurable condition. Small intestinal diarrhea is usually caused by bacterial and viral infections, parasites, food sensitivities, IBD, ingested garbage, poison, or foreign objects. In this type of diarrhea, your GSD may pass large amounts of stool about three to five times per day, without straining. Your dog may also vomit, pass gas frequently, and lose weight. On the other hand, large intestinal diarrhea also known as colitis is often caused by whipworms, colon ulcers, colon cancer, IBD, and stress. Colitis is characterized by more frequent passing of stool more than five times a day in smaller amounts, and your GSD may strain in the process. Blood in the stool may appear bright red, and mucus may also be present. Unlike small intestinal diarrhea, large intestinal diarrhea does not always cause vomiting or weight loss in dogs. In some cases, your dog may exhibit a combination of these two types of diarrhea. For instance, the problem can start in the small intestine and then proceed to the large intestine. However, always provide plenty of fresh water nearby to avoid dehydration. After the hour fast, feed your dog a bland diet. Opt for skinless, boneless boiled chicken and broth. You can mix in a few small spoonfuls of mashed pumpkin, sweet potatoes, or potatoes, but make sure that they are unseasoned and unsalted. Rice can be added, too, as long as your GSD is not sensitive to it. These foods will help to firm up the stool. Start with small meals every two hours, then gradually increase the amount of food and the time in between meals. Be very cautious when transitioning your GSD to her previous diet. The transition should be spaced out and gradually done over a few days. If this successfully resolves the diarrhea, you can get her back to her regular food. You may be tempted to give your dog some medication to help ease her discomfort and cure her diarrhea. It is important, however, to understand the risks and to follow proper instructions before you do so. Imodium Imodium is a common over the counter medication that many people give to their dogs to treat diarrhea. Imodium, known generically as Loperamide, is effective in slowing down the movement of the intestines, allowing nutrients to be absorbed more slowly. As previously mentioned, and this bears repeating, you must be very careful when administering Imodium to your GSD. Always consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog Imodium. Imodium Loperamide is a synthetic opioid, and it is possible to overdose your dog if you are not careful. Never give Imodium to puppies, pregnant and nursing GSDs, senior GSDs, and those with other medical illnesses such as liver disease, kidney disease, and hypothyroidism. Some of the side effects of Imodium may include: Constipation. If so, you probably already know that it causes a lot of crap for both you and your dog. Seriously though, dog diarrhea is no fun for anyone. What are the warning signs of dog diarrhea? Has your German Shepherd shown signs of dehydration, such as sunken eyes and lethargy? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, your dog just might have diarrhea. Down below in this article, we will go over six reasons why your dog might have diarrhea. If you suspect that you German Shepherd may be suffering from dog diarrhea due to a viral infection, it is important that you contact your vet immediately. Fortunately, viral infections usually show more signs than just diarrhea. As a dog owner, there are steps you can take to prevent the risk of a viral infection. Commonly, viral infections are passed on through the poop of another dog. Of course, keeping your dog up-to-date on his vaccinations will also greatly reduce the risk of a viral infection. Not only can eating something off-limits give your Shepherd a nasty case of dog diarrhea, it could also make them extremely sick, or worse. Whenever you and your dog go out for a walk, be sure to pay close attention as you never know what may be laying on the ground. Could Your Pooch Be Stressed out? As silly as it might sound to us, dogs can definitely get dog diarrhea from being too stressed out. Most of the time, German Shepherds will get stress-induced diarrhea from having to adapt to new people, households, routines, and so on. If the problem persists, you can work with your vet to create a stress-management plan. This should solve the problem. When you change your German Shepherds diet, it can cause some intense dog diarrhea. This is because it is a heavy change on their system. Therefore, the next best thing would be to slowly ease your dog into their new food. To start off, mix a tiny amount of the new food in with the old food. Most of the time, this should solve any diarrhea issues. Have you Checked for Parasites? Worms in German Shepherds are the absolute worst. Some dogs are born with worms, and some get them from other dogs or simply from the environment. The best way to prevent this is to give your dog regular worm treatments and flea prevention treatments. Unfortunately, there are multiple different types of worms and parasites that can cause your dog to get dog diarrhea and other health problems. When you suspect this is the problem, seeing your vet can help fight the infestation your German Shepherd currently has. Your vet can also help you take precautions to prevent future infestations. I know this might be alarming, but dog diarrhea can be a symptom of much more serious health problems. For this reason, it is so important to call your vet any time you see diarrhea, even if it may not be this serious. There are certain health problems where diarrhea is a huge symptom, such as Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.

Breeds The link has been copied! When looking into the cost of a Boxer, there are many elements to consider that can influence the final expense. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve deep into not only the initial purchase price of a Boxer puppy or adult dog but also explore ongoing costs associated with their care and well-being. As you read through this post, you'll gain valuable insights on how to find reputable breeders and identify key aspects that influence the cost of a purebred Boxer puppy. Additionally, we'll provide tips on how to potentially lower these expenses while ensuring your beloved pet remains healthy and happy throughout its life. In essence, our goal is to equip you with all the necessary information required for making an informed decision when answering "How much does a Boxer cost? The cost of a Boxer can vary significantly depending on several factors such as the breeder, bloodline, and location. PetFinder is one resourceful platform for finding adoptable dogs near you. Pet Food: High-quality dog food is essential to maintain the health of your Boxer. How Much Is a Boxer Puppy? Before committing to bringing a Boxer puppy into your home, be sure to factor in the associated costs. The purchase price of a Boxer puppy can vary depending on several factors such as the breeder, location, and bloodline. In addition to purchasing your new furry friend, there are also routine adoption fees that may apply if you choose to adopt instead of buying from a breeder. Factors That Impact the Cost of a Boxer When looking at getting a Boxer, it's important to be mindful of the various elements that can affect its price. Some key aspects influencing the price include colors, bloodline and purity, breeder reputation, and estimated size. Colors of a Boxer The color of a Boxer may affect its price as certain coat colors are more sought after than others. For example, fawn and brindle are common colors for this breed; however, white boxers tend to be rarer and may come with a higher price tag. It is important to note that American Kennel Club AKC standards do not recognize all-white or black boxers in conformation events. Breeders Reputation The reputation of the breeder you choose plays a significant role in determining how much you'll pay for your new furry friend. Reputable breeders invest time and resources into ensuring their dogs' well-being while prioritizing responsible breeding practices such as genetic testing for hereditary conditions like hip dysplasia or heart issues commonly found within this breed source. Estimated Size of a Boxer The estimated size of the adult dog can also influence its cost. Generally, larger dogs require more resources such as food, grooming services, and healthcare which may lead to higher expenses over their lifetime. According to the AKC, male Boxers typically weigh between pounds while females range from pounds. To ensure the safety of your beloved pet and protect your investment, it's essential to consider using a GPS-tracking dog collar, such as the one offered by Fi. The Fi Smart Collar V3 is designed specifically for keeping track of your dog's location at all times. It offers real-time tracking with nationwide coverage, ensuring that you'll always know where your Boxer is, even if they wander off or get lost. Battery Life: The long-lasting battery life ensures continuous tracking without frequent charging interruptions. Durable Design: Built to withstand rough play and harsh weather conditions, this collar will stay functional through various adventures with your energetic Boxer. User-Friendly App: Easily monitor your pup's location and activity levels through the intuitive Fi app available for iOS and Android devices. Taking proactive steps to secure our furry friends not only safeguards our investments but also shows that we are devoted to providing them with the highest quality of care. Boxer Breed Guide The Boxer breed is a popular choice among dog owners due to its unique personality, size, and lifestyle. This section will look at the characteristics of Boxers that make them a great pet for those with busy lives, such as professionals and remote workers. Personality Boxers are known for their playful and energetic personalities. They are highly intelligent dogs that enjoy learning new tricks and engaging in interactive play with their human companions. These dogs are loyal to family members and have protective instincts when faced with strangers or potential threats. Males stand at around inches tall at the shoulder whereas females measure about .Their muscular build makes them strong yet agile pets suitable for active lifestyles. Average Lifespan The average lifespan of a healthy Boxer ranges from 10 to 12 years but can be extended through proper care such as regular veterinary check-ups , vaccinations, grooming routines, and providing a balanced diet rich in nutrients. They enjoy activities such as running, flirt pole playing , hiking, and playing fetch with their owners. These dogs thrive in environments where they can engage in both physical and mental stimulation. Approximate Lifetime Care Costs The cost of owning a Boxer includes not only the initial purchase price but also ongoing expenses such as food, grooming supplies, veterinary care, training classes, toys, and more. How Can I Lower the Cost of a Boxer A Boxer may be costly to own, yet there are measures that can help reduce the expenditure associated with this breed, such as adoption rather than buying from a breeder and opting for an older dog instead of a puppy. By considering adoption instead of purchasing from a breeder and opting for an older dog rather than a puppy, you can save money while still enjoying the companionship of this energetic and loving breed. Adopting vs Buying From a Breeder Adopting a Boxer is often more affordable than buying one from a breeder. Choosing an Older Dog Over a Puppy Puppies may be adorable but they come with additional expenses like vaccinations and training classes. Opting for an older dog, on the other hand, offers several advantages: Vaccinations: Most adult dogs have already received their necessary vaccinations which will save you both time and money. Training: Adult dogs are usually housebroken and well-behaved, reducing the need for expensive training classes. Lower energy levels: Older Boxers tend to be calmer and require less exercise than puppies, making them easier to manage for busy professionals or remote workers. By adopting an older dog or choosing a rescue over a breeder, you can significantly reduce the cost of owning a Boxer while still enjoying their loyal companionship. Remember that every dog deserves love and care regardless of age or origin - with proper attention and commitment, your new furry friend will become an invaluable part of your life. By making informed decisions and researching the breed thoroughly, you can significantly lower the cost of owning a Boxer. Furthermore, understanding all of your options when it comes to obtaining a Boxer is essential for determining whether or not this breed is right for you financially. The Cost of Owning a Boxer As you've seen throughout this article, owning a Boxer can be quite an investment. From the initial purchase or adoption fees to routine care costs such as vet visits, vaccinations, grooming, and pet food, it's essential to budget accordingly for your new furry family member. This cutting-edge collar enables you to monitor your pup's whereabouts and activity levels, making sure they stay safe and healthy. In addition to considering Fi's GPS collar for added security measures, there are other ways you can lower the overall cost of owning a Boxer: Adopting vs buying from a breeder: Adoption fees are typically lower than purchasing from reputable breeders. Additionally, adopting helps save lives by providing homes for dogs in need. Selecting an older dog instead of a puppy: Older dogs may have reduced adoption fees compared to puppies. Plus, they often come with basic training already completed - saving time and money on obedience classes. Budgeting for preventive care: Regular check-ups with veterinarians help catch potential health issues early on before they become costly problems down the line. Frequently Asked Questions Here are the most frequently asked questions regarding boxer puppy cost What is the most expensive Boxer dog? The most expensive Boxer dogs are typically those with a strong pedigree, champion bloodlines, and exceptional physical traits. However, it's essential to prioritize health and temperament over cost when choosing a puppy. How much is a Boxer pitbull worth? It's important to research breeders thoroughly before purchasing any mixed-breed dog. How much does it cost to walk a Boxer? The cost of walking a Boxer varies based on your location and whether you hire a professional dog walker or use an app-based service like Rover. What is all about owning a Boxer? Owning a boxer involves providing proper training using positive reinforcement , socialization opportunities, regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and routine veterinary care. They are known for their loyalty, intelligence, and playful nature but also require consistent attention due to their energetic disposition. Conclusion Analyzing the variables which determine a Boxer's cost reveals that having one can be pricey. From the initial purchase price to ongoing expenses like food and vet visits, potential owners should carefully consider if they have the financial means to provide for this breed. For more helpful articles about pet-parenting tips, check out the Off Leash blog at TryFi. Want to know more about TryFi. This is the fastest way to find your dog after an escape. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. Written by: Howmuchisit. Originating from Germany, it is considered as a very gentle dog, even though it may not look gentle upon first glance. On PuppyFind. Boxer puppy overview A reputable breeder should always include some sort of health guarantee, up-to-date vaccinations, a certified vet checkup, a travel crate if being shipped and registration paperwork. What are the extra costs? Tips to know: Boxer puppies will measure between 21 and 26 inches tall and can weigh up to 50 to 70 pounds, with females, on average, weighing about 20 percent less. They are known to be quite strong, powerful and are known for their smaller nose and powerful jaws. A Boxer will have a shorter, smooth and shiny coat, that can include common coat colors such brown and white, also referred to as brindle and fawn. White Boxers also exist, but most white Boxers are found to be deaf. The Boxer is known to be very attentive, loyal to its owner and highly intelligent. If healthy, the average Boxer can live 10 to 12 years. Boxers are known to be wonderful with children. How can I save money? With so many Boxers out there, consider checking out a local adoption center or rescue group that specializes with this particular breed. Advertising Disclosure: This content may include referral links. Please read our disclosure policy for more info. This range, however, is comparable to that of other large dog breeds. The ongoing expenses associated with having a Boxer puppy primarily comprise food and other necessities. However, you must also consider check-ups and pet insurance. Regular check-ups should be provided to your Boxer dog at least every two months so they remain healthy and they meet their maximum lifespan. Additionally, you should invest in pet insurance to help with the financial strain of high-priced vet expenses. Pet insurance coverage includes emergency procedures such as total hip replacement, injuries, and various illnesses. These additional costs may include pet daycare, grooming, kennel club certifications, and other necessities. Pet Sitter Fee: Pet sitters are an alternative to pet daycare. Leaving your dog with a friend, neighbor, or a professional pet sitter is an excellent option, particularly for well-behaved, socialized canines. You can hire a professional groomer instead. Emergency Medical Procedure: Serious health issues such as kidney, liver disease, or cancer can strike certain dogs without warning, and the Boxer is not exempt. If your dog has already reached the end of its prime years, expect to pay for emergency medical treatments. Apart from emergency medical treatment for certain health conditions, the expenses mentioned above are entirely optional. This implies that as you progress, you can identify strategies to avoid these expenses entirely and make additional savings. All of these sites are trustworthy, so you can rest assured that you will not come across a backyard breeder. They have been conducting research and working with healthy Boxer puppies since .They began breeding Boxer puppies in and have continued to expand, following the breed standard. This breeder maintains a close group of experts who serve as consultants of the kennel. Cimarron Boxers — Cimarron Boxers have been breeding European Boxer puppies for over two decades now. They vet their dogs and provide a 5-year health guarantee. Aside from the ones mentioned above, you can also check out our list of top Boxer breeders for more options. Meanwhile, if you advocate for rehoming, the following Boxer shelters and rescue organizations may have adult Boxer dogs available for adoption: Boxer Lovers Rescue BLR — Boxer Lovers Rescue BLR is a non-profit organization managed entirely by volunteers that assists Boxers in the Northwest states. Their principal objective is to decrease the number of homeless Boxer dogs and increase public awareness of the breed. In collaboration with volunteers and local veterinarians, this rescue provides medical care and temporary housing for the Boxers they handle. HBR was founded out of genuine love for the Boxer breed and a passion for helping reduce their suffering caused by neglect, abuse, or abandonment. You can also read our list of top Boxer rescues for more options. It includes some reputable Boxer dog rescues in the United States and some other helpful sources. Moreover, you can connect with other Boxer owners via social media groups. Surely, someone will gladly assist you in your search for this pooch. Furthermore, you might also want to read this article on how to ace your adoption application. This will undoubtedly guide you in bringing your chosen Boxer dog! Money-Saving Tips for Boxer Owners While we adore our canine companions, caring for them may become costly, particularly if they become ill. Unexpected expenses for your Boxer dog are inevitable, so you should really find ways to save money. Here are some money-saving tips you can use as a Boxer owner: Make food and treats for your dog. If your Boxer dog is a fussy eater, you will be obliged to purchase expensive wet canned food. Making homemade food and treats for your dog is one method to cut down on this expenditure. Invest in high-quality essentials. Investing in high-quality dog accessories such as a food and water bowl is an excellent way to save money. Groom your dog at home. Boxer puppies require little grooming at home. Investing the time and effort necessary to learn how to groom this puppy yourself will eventually pay off. Stick with durable dog toys. Choosing durable dog toys for playdates is essential. Consider products noted for their durability, so it would take a few months before you need to buy new ones. Visit the vet regularly. Investing a few hundred dollars in veterinary care is preferable to spending thousands on emergency medical procedures later. Routine check-ups will ensure that your pup remains healthy and fit. You can cut back on money while still providing adequate care to your Boxer. Final Thoughts The Boxer puppy cost is relatively reasonable. Except for the high maintenance requirements and grooming costs, the monthly expenses associated with having this dog are manageable. If you have assessed that you have enough savings to tend to this dog, then go contact the breeders and rescues I listed above to ask for the price of their available litter. Got leads on where to find Boxers with affordable prices or tips on how to cut down the expenses of Boxer ownership? Feel free to share them in the comment box 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. How Much to Sell my Boxer Puppies for? I have a light brindle male boxer that is only CKC registered. How much should I sell their puppies for… what's the usual price? Photo Credit: Katie! Then see what the average adoption fee is for shelters in your area. That is what those puppies are worth. Answer by David Gilbo I paid for my male and for my female without papers. I now am having my own litter and I wouldn't sell them for any less than what I paid just cause I know both the dogs' backgrounds and they are well behaved great temperament and a great bloodline there just like my kids. CKC would register pretty much anything…they register designer dogs so that shows you how much they care. Really with only 1 of your dogs being AKC registered you shouldn't even be breeding them. I would have to check out both parents before I even purchased a boxer. As for papers, papers to me are just papers who cares. If someone really wants a dog they will pay. Just make sure they go to really good homes. Answer by Juan Garcia Honestly, I believe the price of a boxer pup depends on its features. The whole reason behind even creating a breed is to produce dogs with specific features. Buying a pup with a great pedigree is done as an attempt at ensuring the end results features. However, a boxer pup with; a bulldog head, pink inner eyelids, reg. Answer by Summer Yeah, papers are papers. Definitely make sure they go to good homes. All boxers need to be with a family that will make them part of there family. During its first year, a Boxer puppy will consume about pounds of food. They only need to be taken to the groomer about six times annually. This includes bathing, hair removal if applicable, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing. To save money, consider buying an at-home dog-grooming kit. If you are interested in getting health insurance for your new pet, Lemonade offers customizable insurance plans and responsive customer service. Your dog can urinate on a rug or eat your favorite pair of shoes. Ensure he always has plenty of fun toys to keep his mind occupied. But it is possible to own a Boxer on a budget while still providing it with exceptional care. You can skip the costs of bi-monthly grooming sessions by purchasing an at-home dog-grooming kit. Make DIY dog toys from old clothing. However, this is just an estimate. You can own a Boxer without breaking your budget. Be prepared for unexpected emergencies by opening up emergency savings account for your dog and getting pet insurance. Boxers make loving, loyal pets that deserve the best care money can buy. With some planning and preparation, you can comfortably bring a Boxer into your home. Less - The Boxer is exemplary in its combination of stylish elegance with strength and agility. It is square-proportioned with good substance and musculature. Its stride is free and ground-covering, with proud carriage. Its head is distinctive, with a broad, blunt muzzle and alert expression. Its coat is short and shiny. It is perfectly suited to serve as a working watchdog. The boxer is playful, exuberant, inquisitive, attentive, demonstrative, devoted and outgoing; it is a perfect companion for an active family. It can be stubborn, but it is sensitive and responsive to commands. It may be aggressive toward strange dogs, but it is generally good with other household dogs and pets. History The Bulldog is an ancestor of the Boxer; various terriers were also part of its make-up, which gives the breed its speed, agility and more graceful body. The breed was virtually ignored until World War II, when it was brought into use as a military or police dog. This helped to insure instant popularity with returning servicemen, and the breed became in demand in the United States. The contractual agreement between you and the breeder Agreement made to not breed the dog in the future Agreement made to not enter it into competitions No restrictions on the Boxer puppy Read on to see why these factors affect the price of Boxer puppies. Reputation Of The Breeder Breeders spend a lot of time and money to build up their reputation as trustworthy Boxer breeders. The more renowned a breeder is, the more they are able to charge for their dogs. However, some puppy mills and backyard breeders will shoot up their prices to appear to be reputable breeders. Therefore, you should go through a trusted association to find a reputable breeder. Do not be fooled by good advertising. The individual Boxer puppy you want to purchase must have its own papers that document its registration with the American Kennel Club. These papers cost money and will increase the price of your Boxer puppy slightly. This is important because pedigree changes the price of the Boxer puppy; I will discuss this next! Pedigree is important when it comes to determining what your Boxer puppy will look like, its temperament, and the chance of it developing genetic issues in the future as it grows up. Determining who the dam and sire of your Boxer puppy are is important in determining price. If your Boxer puppy has a champion sire or dam, then the price of the puppy will increase significantly. Champion heritage drives the price of the Boxer puppy up because the buyer is almost guaranteed to get a perfect specimen of what a Boxer should be and has a better chance at winning competitions with their Boxer puppy when it grows up. The breed, unfortunately, suffers from hip dysplasia, cardiovascular myopathy, severe arthritis, degenerative myelopathy, several cancers, and aortic valve disease. The American Kennel Club recommends that all of these tests, including thyroid screening, elbow evaluations, and certain DNA tests are all done to produce a long-term prognosis so effective preventative care can be carried out from day one. If a Boxer puppy has any health concerns, then their price will decrease, and they will often be sold for a couple of hundred dollars or so depending on the specific health issues they have. As medium-sized dogs, Boxers can leave their mothers safely at eight weeks. Many people who want to compete with their boxers will wait until the Boxer puppy is six to eight months old before purchasing them. During this time, the breeder will invest in behavioral training. When the Boxer puppy is six to eight months old, the breeder will also be able to give you a better idea of their temperament and their adult markings and ultimate size. As a result, these puppies will be much more expensive than the younger ones. Boxers will stand at 23 to 25 inches tall if they are male and .They have tall, regal-looking shoulders that slope down gently to a smaller set of hips. Their heads are quite square and are characterized by their wrinkles that make them appear confused but curious! Boxers that meet the breed standard are a fawn or brindle color with white markings on their chests, bellies, inner legs, and faces. However, the white markings may not be more than a third of their entire body. If your Boxer puppy meets the breed standard, then their price will increase because they can be used for competitions. However, if they do not meet the breed standard, then their price will be decreased, as this is seen as undesirable from a competition standpoint. The first agreement will prevent you from further breeding your Boxer puppy. The second agreement will prevent you from entering your Boxer puppy into any competitions. Both contacts will decrease the price of your Boxer puppy, as they place restrictions on what you can and cannot do with your puppy as it grows up. There are many other costs associated with owning a Boxer! One-Time Bring Home Costs There are a number of things you will need to purchase before you even pick up your Boxer puppy to make them feel more comfortable and happy in their new home! Fortunately, a lot of these items only need to be purchased once or twice, like food bowls and crates, for example. Here is a list of some of the vital things you need:.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Deer Creek Comfort Dogs Shaping future companions for families and those in need of comfort Our family has been raising puppies for over 20 years. Our children have always had a passion for dogs which began our journey and now our grandchildren enjoy growing up with our wonderful dogs by their side. Deer Creek provides emotional support dogs, therapy dogs, service and therapy prospects, canine good citizen dogs as well as family pets. Deer Creek assists our families with puppy selection to help ensure the families get the puppy that will work well with their needs. Someone once said, "Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative" and we hope you choose one of ours. If you are interested in finding your new family member, fill out our puppy application and we will be thrilled to work with you. We recognize that our dogs have the capability of changing peoples' lives on a therapeutic level. Many of our Doodles have become therapy dogs at funeral homes, children's advocacy centers, hospitals and nursing homes, and others have found homes as anxiety, PTSD and emotional support dogs. Learn more about our nonprofit organization Deer Creek Paw Prints at www. Learn More Molly, Rhys, and Beau! Introducing the Perfect Family Pet! Read our About section to learn more about us and our program. We have puppies ready to go home NOW! Stud Service Transport if live coverage is needed for stud services. All transportation costs are subject to travel expenses unless otherwise specified. Please inquire directly for an estimate. Arrowhead Academy Advanced Training Program is around months. Advanced pups will be fully vaccinated as well. For cost and program details, please reach out. We are actively searching for guardian homes within 2 hours of Calhoun, LA. It is basically like a foster home but for dogs. Puppies will be going home at various times for this program! It is recommended that this pup participates in Arrowhead Academy to get a jumpstart on training and set you up for success! Males must live within 30 minutes. Arrowhead's puppies are making their way from coast to coast! Puppy buyers are you ready to bring one home? Whoever said diamonds are a girl's best friend.They are the most loving and compassionate dogs I have ever met. They really get in sync with their families and provide so much affection. You know how some people prefer a weighted blanket for comfort? I would compare our ALD's to a velcro weighted blanket. My life was completely shattered. We purchased a little girl in early and she became my Emotional Support Animal. She knows when I'm sad or down. She won't leave my side. She sleeps in my lap or on my pillow. If I'm crying, she will literally lick my tears away. She is literally glued to me like velcro and provides so much support and comfort. I was shipping a puppy to a customer, and was in line with a man who was shipping two pups together in a crate. His little pups were beautiful, and I was making baby noises at them and petting them through the crate door. At some point in our conversation, this man mentioned that he had hundreds just like them at home, and actually spun the puppy crate up over his head with the babies inside! It was utterly shocking to me!!! I almost made the evening news! My family, and other reputable breeders, fully support new laws protecting pets and families from the horrible puppy mills that are scattered all over the country. In an effort to raise sound, loving, family pets, as well as dogs used in therapy settings, we believe that all breeding dogs — both moms and dads -- must be raised in a family setting, with interaction within the home, room to roam, and activity of all kinds. The very first step in raising well-socialized and loving pups is to have well-socialized and loving parents. This is the reason we place most of our breeding doodles in guardian families. All our breeding dogs are beloved family pets. When whelping and raising a litter of puppies, either we or our guardian families bring our precious doodle babies into the world in the bedroom, laundry room, or even the kitchen in a secure whelping bed with their human mom or dad watching over them. For the first four weeks of age, doodle mama provides everything babies need while they are getting used to human interaction and activity. At four weeks of age, a more secure bed is provided for them with cedar chips and a tall pen to prevent escapes and accidents. Feeding is supplemented and puppies are being romped outdoors whenever possible to begin housebreaking and to become independent. By the time our pups are ready for their forever family 8 to 12 weeks of age , they have been wrapped in blankets, held like babies, pottied in the grass several times a day, and romped with other pets. J There are some who believe that it is wrong to purchase a pet from any breeder. They feel that rescuing is the only way to acquire a furry family member ethically. I firmly say that there is room for both! As the proud mother of 10 yes, ten children, we have experienced the joys of adding to our family in multiple ways. We have children who are biologically ours, adopted children, and children who were placed here as foster children and have continued to have a secure family bond with us. Rescuing a puppy or dog is a wonderful and fulfilling thing to do if you are able to put in extra time for assessing, training, rehabilitating, loving, and saving a rescued pet. There are some rescued pets that have wonderful temperaments, and some that have emotional pain and trauma. If you have allergies to dogs or asthma, have special-needs or young children, and want to have a furry kid who is trustworthy, know that we are preparing our pups from day-one for your family. The labradoodle is suspicious of strangers and prefers to meet them while outside, not in her lounge room. Key points: Blaze was one of 39 labradoodles found at a Bridgetown puppy farm Rehabilitating and retraining dogs from puppy farms is a long process The RSPCA is waiting on an appeals process before adopting the dogs out Despite the apparent anxiousness, Blaze has come leaps and bounds in the nine months since first coming into Ms Wall's care. ABC News: Ashleigh Davis As some of the rescue dogs were pregnant when they were seized, litters of labradoodles were also born in care, taking the total number to .The space between an abusive home and a new, loving one is an important time for a rescued dog. It takes time and patience to retrain, psychologically rehabilitate, and in some cases, physically care for animals that have been mistreated or neglected. Ms Wall, who has fostered more than 50 dogs since , said at first Blaze was not capable of walking on a lead or learning basic commands like sit or down. Madilyn Wall is hoping to adopt Blaze once the court process concludes. She would run and hide, she couldn't walk calmly through the house," she said. Ms Wall is not only a seasoned foster carer, but she is also a supervising inspector for Quarantine WA's detector dog unit. Supplied: Madilyn Wall While she never intended to keep Blaze, she is now hoping to adopt her once the court process is over. From there, they can get a warrant to remove the animal, and the rehabilitation process begins. Want more local WA news? Ms Beswick said rehabilitation looked different for each animal, depending on the situation it came from. Supplied: RSPCA Ms Beswick said animals from prosecution cases were unable to be adopted until the judicial process had concluded and they had been forfeited through the courts. The RSPCA is currently waiting out the day appeals process after sentencing before the Bridgetown labradoodles can be adopted. Ms Beswick said the Bridgetown case was a large-scale operation that highlighted the need for people to do their due diligence before buying a dog. Isn't puppy farming outlawed in WA? Despite a new shiny piece of legislation aimed at curbing puppy farms like the one found in Bridgetown — the Dog Amendment Stop Puppy Farming Act — most of the law's regulations are still not in place, leaving puppy breeding unchecked in WA. These regulations are hotly anticipated by the RSPCA, who were involved in a consultation group that helped inform the legislation. The organisation has long advocated for proper dog breeding regulations, including mandatory sterilisation and a streamlined breeder registration system. The government tender was put out for a provider to supply this service — that tender closed last month. ABC News: Ashleigh Davis While the WA government was unable to provide a timeline for when the regulations will be in place, in a statement, a spokesperson for the Minister for Local Government John Carey, described the state-wide register as a "significant undertaking. So many of these dogs have physical problems, and a lot of them are just crazy. He was fulfilling a request from a couple who needed a pooch that would serve as a guide dog for a blind woman but also be hypoallergenic for her husband. Once the magic canine was produced, word got out and everyone wanted one. Purebreds crossed with other purebreds — better known as designer dogs — have been capturing our affections for the last 20 years. Demand for these dogs has led to a corrupt underground economy that funnels animals through puppy mills, swap meets, Internet sales and retail stores that often buy from disreputable sources. The miniature Yorkies, Pomeranians and Chihuahuas — often seen hitching a ride in the purses of celebrities such as Paris Hilton — are created by breeding runts with runts. But runts are usually the unhealthiest dogs of the litter, and those health problems are passed down. Teacup mothers often die giving birth. Most legitimate breeders refuse to get into the teacup dog business at all, meaning that most are shipped in from South Korea. At the end of , he received a trio of genetically modified Belgian Malinois pups that had been created to be stronger and fitter than normal dogs, with state-of-the-art-sniffers for detecting drugs and explosives. Putin banished them to an unglamorous job guarding a prison. Purebred dogs, of course, have long suffered from health problems, with French bulldogs being one of the most prominent examples. Their increasingly flattened noses make breathing difficult, while their distorted body shapes mean natural mating is now impossible. Artificial insemination is used instead. In a bid to stop the madness, Bernstein predictably encourages people to adopt their pets from shelters. But what if you have your heart set on a labradoodle, a goldendoodle, a puggle or a maltipoo? First, Bernstein says, never buy a teacup dog. Then, find a reputable breeder. And you should be able to ask for references from past customers. Share this article:. I am sure someone will email me and tell me how wrong I am to write about these breeders and that it could happen to anyone but let me say that if you ever once were on the other end and got dogs from these filthy hell hole breeders that you would be as sickened and angry as I am. He looks clean, he smells better than he once did. He eats better now than he ever did. This is Sawyer. My dream dog. My once hopeful stud boy. When I took him home he was infested with worms, reeked like a New York City trash can and had hip dysplasia. It took months to rehabilitate and glue his broken shell back together. I remember standing at the door for 3 hours while he stood in my back yard not allowing me to get near him; he stood in the cold November rain and shivered. He wanted to come in so badly but was too afraid. I stood inside the kitchen soaking wet crying and begging him to come in. I finally had to get a bed sheet and with my husbands help cornered him and tossed the sheet over him. He was purchased from a well known breeder who offered a warranty and a guarantee on his health. We promptly started health testing him when he got home. Sadly he failed his OFA and was diagnosed with hip dysplasia. His breeder refuses even after receiving proof to honor her warranty. She herself admitted that she has never tested her dogs but yet sells them at a premium rate. Look for proof of testing. She never cried a day in her life for this dog. This is Sawyer, I cry when asked about him, he will always have a special place in my heart. I saw old rusted crates stacked along the drive, driving past a dog run out by some trees I saw a dog house and 4 small dogs, I parked next to a car port type structure that housed several cages stacked on top of one another in rows, inside the cages were chickens, rabbits, cats, ferrets and other small animals. There were several small shack like out buildings. I walked up to the door and knocked, no one answered but I had called 5 minutes prior so they knew I was there. I opened the door leaning inside to say Hello; looking around there were empty cages everywhere and bags of Purina stacked 10 or more bags high, empty bags and other trash scattered on the floor. Back out on the porch I called the breeder to alert them that I was there, looking up I was faced with 2 dobermans not looking very happy, I later learned that they were nice. I entered a room with a desk, sofa, 2 recliners, a TV, door covered with bed sheets and walls lined with dog crates stacked from floor to ceiling, wall to wall, filled with filthy dogs. I had arrived with enough cash to buy 4 dogs. In the cage above them I found Sawyer, then referred to as Prado. He was scared and my heart broke seeing him. I passed it up. I drove home with a pit in my stomach but vowed to take care of and do the right thing by those dogs. He has a dog brother who keeps him in line, he has been trained and know several tricks; can wave, high five, pray, dance, roll over… and many more. I get letters from Sawyer every few months and everyone of his letters makes me cry. He is doing great and is a good boy. I love you Sawyer. Another sad story starts with an Oregon breeder sending me a dog in whelp, the dog was due 2 weeks after she arrived. I took the fluffy white dog out of her crate at the airport holding her in the air to shine my smile upon her face and once again found myself looking into sad scared eyes. I took her to the vet to confirm her pregnancy and the vet told me what I already knew. I had her groomed to get her pee stained and matted coat into presentable shape; I was called by the groomer to tell me she had bit her. Took her home to have her a few days later bite my 11 year old daughter and to later have her bite a guest in my home and my vet the day I returned her to her breeder. Being told stories from clients about an Indiana breeder who is breeding a dog that was either hit by a car or stepped on, the story was told to me by multiple clients who claimed to visit the breeder and was told the dog had a funny limp and was skittish because of her accident, unfortunately the cause of the accident change based on who was visiting. Calls from other concerned customers who visited an Iowa breeder; was advised in order to visit she first had to pay for a puppy. Arriving to play with the puppies they found the adult dogs matted and dirty, so dirty even that to touch them or have the dogs brush up against them would soil their clothes and leave an awful stench. Hearing barking in a side room where they were able to gain a quick peek revealed dogs in crates stacked from floor to ceiling. Calls from a different client reported a visit to a neighboring Iowa breeder with a similar story. I will continue to report on stories from clients and my experiences with puppy mill breeders. Here are other dogs who were found in puppy mills across the United States. Please support ethical breeding and do not buy pets from pet stores or puppy mills. The Labradoodle is a companion dog and should not be raised in a kennel, they need human companionship and thrive on being loved. If you are unclear of what a puppymill is take a look at the pictures below. They are sickening and; REAL. This type of life for millions of poor unfortunate dogs are a reality everyday. For many dogs they are confined in conditions like this for their entire life until they are no longer able to breed to make their capturers money then they are killed. The dogs you see in these pictures are VERY lucky as they are being photographed because they were rescued. How can you help?

For example, white miniature German shepherds is a mixed breed with Maltese dogs. Since this breed is known for being short-tempered with kids, this may make them too scary for kids, a possibility no family wants. This may also make training harder, unlike standard GSDs that can easily be trained. For example, most miniature GSDs carry the intelligence and loyalty of German shepherds. This leads to plenty of differences between the personality of a miniature German shepherd and the standard GSD. Another good news is that those that belong to the purebred or the dwarfism category typically acts like how a standard German shepherd should. But a mixed breed like the white miniature German shepherd is not only a dog that looks like a German shepherd but smaller. They also have a different purpose, depending on the other breed. They are great for those who own their own farm. Despite a less aggressive behavior, they still qualify as guard dogs. German shepherds have great potential as a search and rescue dogs. Even more so with the mini German shepherd since their size allows them to easily navigate through most terrains. See also 17 Things To Know About German Shepherd Pomeranian Mix Take note, however, that miniature German shepherds, like any other dog, need to have a balanced work and play for a comfortable life. While the German shepherd traits work well with the working line, the traits from the miniature breed may work the opposite way for family dogs. Due to their small size, they can easily be carried from place to place. This makes them great for kids. However, as previously said, when mixed with incompatible breeds, they can exhibit undesirable behaviors. Some examples of such breeds are chow chows and chihuahua , which are the worst dog breeds for small children due to their snappiness. On the other hand, being bred with a collie, poodles, and other friendly breeds may make small German shepherd breeds better family dogs. This means the dog might inherit different traits that you might not know of. Information such as the DNA line and health data are crucial things that you should know so you can take care of the miniature GSD properly. Breeders that cannot answer questions about the parents or provide any documents to back their statements are likely to be the type that only goes after the money. There are also dogs that look like a German shepherd but smaller with a parent from another breed. Some can have different personalities, appearance, health issues, and so on. At the end of the day, you learned many valuable things in this blog post. Many questions have been answered about miniature German shepherds. The truth was revealed. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. What is a Miniature German Shepherd? Purebred or crossbreed? The other side claims it is a mixed breed. The truth is that the Miniature German Shepherd is indeed a crossbreed. Small-sized standard German Shepherds do not exist unless the dog happens to have dwarfism. To get a Miniature German Shepherd, the standard is bred with another purebred, most commonly the Collie or Poodle. Instead, take a look at the parents to get an idea of how a puppy could possibly turn out as an adult. The Intelligent Border Collie This breed is world-renowned for its smarts. A lovable family doggo with talents for competition and herding, it contributes desirable personality traits to make a German Shepherd Collie mix. It can weigh up to 44 lbs 20 kg with a height of 22 in 56 cm and has a lifespan of up to 17 years. Some health concerns to be aware of with this breed include bloating and an eye anomaly that causes partial or complete blindness. This dog makes an elegant and friendly family dog that is a fast learner. The Poodle excels as a competition dog and is also widely used for therapy. The Poodle can weigh up to 70 lbs 31 kg with a height of 22 in 56 cm and has a lifespan of up to 15 years. There are health concerns associated with this breed, such as epilepsy, canine hypothyroidism, and progressive retinal atrophy. The Loyal German Shepherd The German Shepherd is sharp as a tack and completely dedicated and in love with its family. Ranking as the 3rd most intelligent, you get a well-rounded dog that is not only stunningly beautiful with its thick coat, confident stance, and communicative features, but an excellent guard dog that will protect at any cost. It can weigh up to 88 lbs 40 kg with a height of 25 in 65 cm and has a lifespan of up to 13 years. For further insight into German Shepherd growth, take a look at this guide and chart. With the Shepherd breed, hip dysplasia is a common health issue that is seen in the Miniature variety as well. Shepherds are also known to suffer from a neural disease called degenerative myelopathy and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency, which is a digestive disorder. This is a rare inherited genetic disorder that results from breeding two purebred German Shepherds. A German Shepherd with dwarfism, though significantly smaller weighing up to 30 lbs , will exhibit the token characteristics and mannerisms the breed is known for. It will also look like a typical Shepherd, except with shortened limbs. This is one way to procure a smaller than normal Shepherd, but there will be extra health issues to deal with, such as allergies and thyroid issues. It is common for these dogs to bald as they age as well. Here is a cute video that gives a glimpse into what life is like for a German Shepherd with dwarfism. The Mini German Shepherd is undoubtedly smaller than the standard one, weighing up to 50 lbs 22 kg. Any combination of these colors can be inherited by the Mini. This Dog is a Devoted Protector maria. They make excellent guard dogs but are good-natured. If you have kids, the Mini will take full responsibility for their safety, with a healthy dose of playtime and cuddling thrown in. Hardworking and intelligent, they make phenomenal search, rescue and therapy dogs. Training is a breeze, as this breed is a fast learner remember, all of three possible parents rank TOP-3 in the smartest dog breeds list? The earlier you introduce behavior commands and socialization methods such as walks in the park where other dogs can be encountered safely, the sooner you will see the intelligence blossom. Hip dysplasia is the most common inherited disease from the German Shepherd parent. This painful condition occurs when an abnormality in the hip socket causes the dog to become crippled or experience agonizing arthritis. To keep your small German Shepherd in good health, plenty of exercises is key. This breed is also prone to canine hypothyroidism, which can cause obesity. No one can guarantee how a mix will turn out. The breeder should be able to present health clearances for hip dysplasia and other common diseases. Check out these Miniature German Shepherd breeders for available litters. The result is a Mini German Shepherd that is a versatile and playful, smaller breed that would make a good family pet or a mini guard dog. Designer dogs come in a variety of coat colors and types, depending on the parent mix, but this hybrid is likely to inherit much of the classic German Shepherd look, its working dog ethic, and intelligence. This petite mixed breed dog is energetic and family-friendly and will prove itself to be both affectionate and protective. A Mini German Shepherd puppy makes an adorable family pet for any dog lover. It is possible to find a very small purebred German Shepherd dog but that would only occur due to dwarfism in the breed. Fact: Pituitary dwarfism is a condition caused as a result of a rare genetic mutation in this purebred dog. Dwarfism in German Shepherd dogs is rare, and if it occurs the puppy may unkindly be referred to as the runt of the litter. A Miniature German Shepherd is the result of cross-breeding. It is a cross between two different dog breeds — a purebred German Shepherd dog and another smaller purebred such as a Collie, Border Collie, Poodle, or occasionally a Golden retriever, or even a tiny Yorkshire Terrier or a Corgi mix! This highly desirable and much loved purebred dog has a strong and impressive bloodline dating back to , in Germany. The German Shepherd was originally bred to be a skilled, powerful and obedient herding dog that was also used as a fearsome guard dog. History of the other possible parent s — crossed to produce this mixed breed dog The Collie When cross-bred with a Collie, it adds another herding and highly disciplined purebred dog into the mix. A Collie is also an intelligent dog and it too is easily trainable with a strong work ethic. Their mini GSG puppies would be a Black and Tan color, sometimes with white bits on their coat, and shed a lot! The Poodle A Poodle is a small dog that is increasing in popularity as the ideal partner for any designer dog combination. They have an easy-going and relaxed approach. They are good-natured and love nothing more than to curl up with their family member and go to sleep. The Golden Retriever and The Yorkshire Terrier are also very popular and much loved family dogs that are smart, family-friendly and easily trainable. Whatever the mix of breed of the Miniature GSD it is going to be a loveable and much desired family dog. However, the majority of the individual breeds used to create this mixed breed dog are. Considering the other parent breeds, mainly Collie and Poodle dog breeds, there are a range of possible coat colors for this dog breed, including Black and Tan, White or even fawn. What are the main characteristics of a Miniature German Shepherd? Like any other crossbred dog, Miniature German Shepherds can inherit the characteristics of either parent or both. It is sometimes thought that crossbred dogs are more likely to inherit health problems than purebred dogs; however, a puppy mixed dog can inherit all, some, or none of the health problems its parent breeds have. It can be heavily weighted towards the characteristics of one parent more than the other. The Miniature German Shepherd puppy tends to have more of the classic appearance of the standard German Shepherd parent, but it is a smaller breed of dog. The characteristics of Miniature GSDs are a combination of nature and nurture: genetics of the parents, the environment and the quality, type and amount of training and socialization. Loyalty and companionship Any mix of German Shepherd is likely to be extremely loyal and have a very loving temperament when trained and socialized properly. They will make a very caring and protective companion, for any dog lover. They can be very loving and affectionate dogs and enjoy company, and the more active their lifestyle the better. Reputation: The German Shepherd is a confident breed that looks fiercer than its actual behavior. The Miniature German Shepherd is a very cute mix and because of its smaller size it could be forgotten that this breed has a reputation for being a fierce guard dog and possibly one of the listed dangerous dogs when not trained and socialized properly. When handled correctly and properly trained the mini GSD can be an affectionate and reliable dog for a family or individual dog lover, who wants a companion. And a mini mix that tends to have the GSD look will be highly popular and desirable too. Although smaller it will still be an agile and alert dog that will need lots of mental and physical activity. The trainability of this intelligent shepherd breed dog should be fairly easy. Positive reinforcement and small treats will work well with this dog but not harsh control, any form of negative punishment or physical restraint as it may rebel. The mini GSD puppy is very energetic and easily bored, so to prevent mischief it will need at least one hour a day minimum exercise, building up hours a day in adulthood. That means they are clever, alert and used to working hard when trained. This dog is fairly easy to train and will love to have challenges and a working purpose. They will be strong, resilient and love a challenge with both mental and physical stimulation involved, otherwise, they may misbehave. Socialization: Early socialization and learning discipline are strongly recommended for any German Shepherd crossbred dog. Any type of hybrid dog with two intelligent parents will be strong-willed and want to be kept active and useful. They will not want a sedentary lifestyle and will enjoy as much exercise and action as the owner can provide. When trained and socialized this mixed breed dog will be approachable and friendly around children and other animals. Purpose: This breed will be loyal and true to their owner and protect them to the end. If the other parent is a collie then both were bred as fearless working dogs for herding and protection. This means they will want to work for their master and keep busy. Even is the other parent is a poodle or a smaller dog, they will still be clever and want to serve and obey their owner well. Behaviour: This breed can be strong-willed and needs to be trained early as it can easily and will become destructive, or bark if under-stimulated. Physical Characteristics of the Miniature German Shepherd Apart from being athletic, attractive and family and stranger friendly, the miniature German Shepherd will be loyal and protective, playful and guard its family and home with precision. Temperament: Intelligent, agile, noble, proud, alert, energetic, athletic There is a certain amount of controversy surrounding the breed, as the name is somewhat of a misnomer. Many backyard breeders attempt to sell the breed as a truly miniature version of a standard German Shepherd, but the truth is that the dog is a mixed breed. This means that the Mini German Shepherd may share many similar traits with a German Shepherd but may inherit other traits from their parent breeds too. If you are looking for a carbon copy of the German Shepherd in a smaller package, these, unfortunately, do not exist. That being said, the Miniature German Shepherd is a wonderful hybrid breed nonetheless, and if this dog sounds like it may be the one for you, read on for an in-depth look at this unique breed. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. Miniature German Shepherd Puppies A post shared by Ailbhe Donohue ailbhedonohue Miniature German Shepherds can vary fairly widely in appearance and size, depending on what breed the German Shepherd was bred with. While they do often resemble a smaller German Shepherd, remember that due to their mixed genetics, they will not have the same temperament and characteristics as a standard German Shepherd. They are typically hybrids of a German Shepherd and a Border Collie or Poodle, so the resulting crossbreed is usually just as smart as their parents. The same goes for energy and exercise needs; with those parents, these dogs are high energy! These dogs need more exercise than even a purebred German Shepherd, and as any Miniature German Shepherd owner will tell you, it takes a great deal to tire these pooches out. This makes them excellent guard dogs, and they will do anything to protect their owners, just like a standard German Shepherd. One plus of having this smaller version of the German Shepherd is that they are highly adaptable and can live in small homes and apartments happily, provided that they get sufficient exercise. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They have a strong instinct to protect their owners, so they make excellent guard dogs. Like their parent breeds, they thrive off of human companionship and adore being around their owners. This can be a problem if you are out frequently, as they are prone to suffering from separation anxiety. If you are away from home for large chunks of time, this is probably not the breed for you. German Shepherds have a strong prey drive, and Miniature German Shepherds are much the same. This means that early socialization is essential for this breed — the earlier, the better — to prevent them from going after the family cat! Around 2 or 3 cups of high-quality kibble are ideal and should be split into two meals a day to prevent bloating. Be sure to check that the first listed ingredient on the food is an animal-sourced protein and that the food is free from too many filler ingredients, such as wheat, corn, and soy. While these dogs are not prone to getting overweight, too many of these ingredients can cause weight gain and digestive issues too. This will add welcome variety and give them a boost of high-quality protein and amino acids. We recommend at least 1 hour or 2 a day, but the more, the better. This could be a run, jog, or bike ride or an intensive interactive game, like fetch or frisbee. These intelligent pooches will love agility exercises and games, and this will give them plenty of mental and physical stimulation. Remember that these dogs have lineages that were bred for a specific purpose, and the closer you can get to giving them directed exercises, the better. They are highly intelligent, so mental and physical stimulation is essential to prevent boredom and undesirable behavior. Just like other working breeds, these dogs respond well to positive reinforcement training methods. This method requires consistency and dedication, but the result is well worth it. Try to begin training your dog from the day that you bring them home, as this will help set the training and prevent them from picking up any bad habits, which are harder to fix. The key to training these dogs well is consistency and repetition, but try to make training a fun experience and avoid too many of the same exercises. German Shepherds can be stubborn and aloof at times, and the same trait may be passed down to your dog. Early socialization with people and other dogs is crucial for avoiding this and will make training them easier. Bathing them with human shampoos or too often can strip their coat of its natural oils and cause further shedding and even allergies down the line. However, there are no guarantees, and there are a few issues that may be passed down from their parent breeds, including hip and elbow dysplasia, hemophilia, and epilepsy. Gastric dilatation-volvulus is fairly common in dogs with deep chests, so be sure to feed your dog two to three small meals throughout the day and avoid feeding them after exercise. Degenerative myelopathy is fairly common in senior German Shepherds and may be seen in German Shepherd hybrids too. Minor Conditions. Life Span Did You Know? A Miniature German Shepherd is a cross between a German Shepherd and a smaller dog breed that is meant to result in a smaller version of a German Shepherd. Although these Mini Shepherds can inherit any combination of traits from their parent breeds, they tend to be energetic, intelligent dogs that bond closely with their families and are affectionate with them. Miniature German Shepherds make great family dogs. They may be hardworking while on a job, but they have a playful spirit while relaxing with their family. They also tend to get along well with children and other dogs in the family. Although they tend to do well with smaller pets they have been raised with, they do have a high prey drive. Mini German Shepherds are also protective and alert. They will bark to alert you and will be naturally suspicious of strangers. Proper socialization and training early on can help make sure barking does not become a nuisance and will help them open up to strangers once introduced. Miniature German Shepherds are highly adaptable dogs. They tend to be a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. But, they can adapt just as well to apartments as long as they get the exercise, mental stimulation, and attention they need. They do well in most climates, but are sensitive to heat. Because they bond so closely with their families and want to be near them, they do not do well with long periods of alone time. Mixed-breed dogs can sometimes be healthier than purebred dogs because of genetic diversity. However, this is not a guarantee. They could inherit no conditions common to the parent breeds, but they could also inherit some or all of them. So, make sure you are asking them about the health and genetic history of both of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. For the Miniature German Shepherd, potential health conditions to be aware of include progressive retinal atrophy, hypothyroidism, epilepsy, and hip dysplasia. Because of their body shape, they are also at risk for bloat. Although Miniature German Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs that pick up on things quickly and are eager to please, they can be difficult for first-time dog owners to handle on their own. Their high energy, working dog instincts, thirst for learning, and need for structured training can be overwhelming for first-time dog owners. Because of this, puppy training classes are recommended if you are not an experienced dog owner. They help reinforce training, strengthen the bond you have with your dog, and also offer opportunities to socialize a puppy. In general, a Miniature German Shepherd will have a coat that sheds moderately year-round and heavier seasonally. Brushing a few times a week, daily brushing during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath is usually sufficient for this coat type. If a Miniature German Shepherd has a Mini Poodle parent, there is a chance they could inherit the low-shedding Poodle coat. Weekly ear checks with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. Although good dental care for dogs is essential, it is often overlooked. This is one of the reasons why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in older dogs. You can help protect your pup from painful dental diseases later in life by brushing their teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day and keeping up with regular vet visits. Although a Miniature German Shepherd may be smaller than a German Shepherd, they are still a high-energy dog with working dog instincts. In addition to having a job to do, these dogs also need daily walks plus playtime and time to run to be happy and healthy. If they like it, swimming can be a good low-impact activity while they are still growing. Once puppies finish growing , you can try higher-impact activities like hiking, running, training for dog sports, and more to see what they like. A fully-grown Miniature German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs about 50 pounds. There can be some variation depending on the other parent breed in the cross, but meeting the mother dog in-person can give you a better idea of what size to expect in a Mini GSD. A Miniature German Shepherd generally lives for years. If the other parent crossed with a German Shepherd is a Standard Poodle, the result is a Shepadoodle. Featured Miniature German Shepherd Article. Besides being hard-working herding and guard dogs , miniatures also have a bit of a soft side. They are not as aloof as full-sized purebreds, but may appear standoffish when around people or dogs they do not know. They are very protective of their owners and will be loyal to them. Those mixed with Golden Retrievers or Poodles have calmer temperaments than those mixed with Border Collies. Poodle or Golden mixes are ideal for families with children. Border Collie mixes will be higher strung and do not thrive in households with kids. This mix does not bark much. Regardless of temperament, all mini German Shepherds need daily mental and physical stimulation. Mental stimulation can come in the form of puzzle toys, feeders, sniffing outside, or training sessions. Physical stimulation can be jogging, walking, running, herding, or agility exercises. This mix requires a bare minimum of 60 minutes of daily activity. There is no guarantee what miniatures will look and act like. Most puppies retain the characteristic appearance and personality of the German Shepherd, but there will be some variation depending on the cross. A mini German Shepherd lives longer than a German Shepherd, on average. Miniatures can live up to 15 years, while purebreds live between 12 to 14 years. This is due to the fact that smaller dogs age slower than larger dogs. Also, being a mixed breed dog helps most minis have a longer lifespan, this is known as hybrid vigor. There is still a chance miniature German Shepherds will inherit health conditions from their parents. They are prone to hemophilia, elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, gastric dilatation-volvulus, epilepsy, and pituitary dwarfism: Hemophilia is a genetic condition where a dog has impaired blood clotting. Elbow dysplasia occurs when the bones forming the elbow joint are improperly aligned or have uneven growth patterns. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint socket does not nicely enclose the head of the femur, creating looseness. Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive breakdown of the spinal cord. This results in hind limb weakness and paralysis. Gastric dilatation-volvulus is a condition in which the stomach bloats and rotates on itself. It requires surgery to fix due and can be life-threatening. Puppies can be affected by dwarfism and growth hindrance. Dwarfism is an autosomal recessive disorder. Affected puppies will have legs that are abnormally short, bodies that are abnormally long, and hair coats that may have patches of baldness. There is some controversy surrounding miniature and teacup dog breeds. Some people mistakenly assume that a mini breed is simply a smaller version of its purebred parent. This is not true! The miniature German Shepherd is not a purebred dog breed; it is a hybrid mix. These smaller puppies can keep some recognizable traits of a German Shepherd, but they are not purebred. Some breeders try to sell their miniature puppies as purebred dogs. They do not exist unless you are considering dwarf, however these dogs come with many health problems. Most miniature German Shepherds are created via crossbreeding. There are two other ways that breeders may have litters of minis: Pituitary Dwarfism Breeding Runts Breeding two German Shepherds that are both carriers of the Pituitary Dwarfism gene is not ethical. Dwarves can be affected by many health conditions such as hypothyroidism, poor kidney function, and skeletal defects. Dwarves are not the same as miniatures. Some breeders selectively breed German Shepherd puppies that are runts. This can also produce smaller puppies after several generations. Similar to dwarfism, the practice of intentionally breeding runts can create puppies predisposed to health conditions. These puppies will have lower than normal birth weight and may fall behind on the growth curve. Make sure to avoid breeders that breed runts or dogs with pituitary dwarfism. Miniature vs. Standard Differences Miniature German Shepherds can be half the size of standards! This means they do not grow taller than 20 inches and weigh no more than 50 pounds. Due to their smaller size, minis have a slightly longer lifespan of 15 years. At first glance, mini German Shepherds look just like purebreds. They will likely keep the alert, athletic and muscular appearance of their purebred parent, but it will be on a smaller body. This means they are mainly tan and have a saddle-shaped black pattern on their backs. Other coat colors include: white, black, sable, black and silver, or black and red. They generally increase the price of miniature German Shepherds.

How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. Just a few months ago, your little ball of fluff was tumbling around, getting into mischief. This article will help you determine when to switch your puppy to adult dog food, how puppy and adult dog foods differ , how to select the best adult dog food, and how to transition foods smoothly to ensure that your pup is set up for a life of good health. According to AAFCO, puppy foods should be higher in protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorous than adult dog foods. These macronutrients and minerals help support lean muscle and bone growth. They also provide enough caloric density to enable the puppy to grow and perform basic bodily functions such as breathing, digestion, and movement. Many puppy food manufacturers also include higher amounts of compounds like omega-3 fatty acids to support proper brain and eye development as your puppy ages. Large-breed puppies need specially formulated puppy foods that contain less fat , calcium, and phosphorous to moderate their rate of growth. This helps prevent skeletal diseases such as elbow and hip dysplasia that can result from growing too quickly. You need to ensure that your puppy has the extra protein, fat, and minerals they need to support their growth and development and prevent various bone, joint, brain, and eye disorders. But aside from breed size, you also need to consider whether they are spayed or neutered or if they are a highly active dog that needs more calories. Breed Size Because of their faster growth rate, smaller breeds such as Chihuahuas , Yorkshire Terriers , and Pugs reach adult size sooner than larger breeds such as Golden Retrievers , German Shepherds, and Dalmatians. The guidelines below will help you to determine when to start feeding adult dog food: Small breeds under 25 pounds when fully grown reach adult size at months of age. These breeds will be ready for adult dog food at months of age. Medium-sized breeds such as English Springer Spaniels , Australian Shepherds , and Border Collies are pounds when fully grown, and they reach adult size at months of age. With growth rates between those of small breeds and large breeds, medium-sized dogs will be ready for adult dog food around months of age. Large breeds are over 50 pounds when fully grown. There are many large breed dogs, from the Boxer to the Great Dane , so the point at which these breeds reach mature size and weight can vary between 15 and 24 months of age. With the wide range of breeds under this category and a generally slower rate of growth, these dogs will need to stay on puppy food until they are months old to ensure they have enough protein and other nutrients during this stage. They also need to get those nutrients in the proper ratio to support the growth and proper development of their larger skeletons. Activity Level Athletic dogs may benefit from staying on puppy formulas longer, as the extra protein supports lean muscle growth and function, and the extra fat and higher caloric density can allow energy for high-intensity activities. Spaying or Neutering Breed size is not the only factor when determining when to transition your puppy to adult dog food. Because puppy foods contain a higher calorie density, feeding the correct amount during the remaining months of puppyhood is very important to prevent obesity as the puppy matures into an adult. Spaying or neutering does not usually slow the growth rate of your puppy, but it may affect the growth plates in the bones of large breed puppies, setting them up for joint problems later in life. In addition, unspayed female dogs who will be bred early in life may need to stay on puppy food longer to support gestation and lactation following whelping. Switching Too Early or Too Late Because the timing of switching your puppy to adult dog food is so important, there can be negative consequences from both switching too late and switching too early. Dogs that are taken off puppy food too late may be more predisposed to obesity and associated health problems later in life, given the fact that puppy formulas have more fat and calories per cup than adult dog formulas. The extra protein and calories in puppy foods can also increase the rate of growth in certain dog breeds if they are not fed a breed-specific puppy food formula. If these breeds are left on puppy formulas too long, they can be more predisposed to developing joint problems in the future. Similarly, if your puppy is taken off a puppy formula too early, they may suffer from nutritional deficiencies and growth abnormalities, failing to reach adult size around the expected time and increasing their risk of future bone, joint, brain, and eye issues. How to Pick the Right Adult Dog Food When it is time for your puppy to transition to adult dog food, how should you go about selecting the best adult formula for them as they become young adults? The young adult stage is typically considered years of age, as middle age starts by year in many dog breeds. While most dogs are generally quite healthy during this stage in their lives, feeding them appropriately during their young adult years can help lower the risk of obesity, arthritis , and dental disease as they age. Choosing a Brand The many adult dog food companies are not all equal in terms of quality. Dry Food vs. Wet Food The next step is to decide whether you would like to feed your dog dry food, wet food, or a mixture of the two. Both types of food have positive and negative aspects, and the choice to use one, the other, or both depends on the specific needs of your dog. For example, wet food: Has a higher moisture content than dry food and may be better for dogs that do not drink much water. Has a lower calorie density per volume than dry dog food, allowing dogs to feel fuller on fewer calories, which helps control their weight throughout their lives. Is often more palatable and appetizing than dry food, so it may be a great option for picky eaters or for stimulating the appetite of dogs that are less interested in food. Can be beneficial for dogs with oral abnormalities or dental disease, as it is easier for them to chew. By contrast, dry food: Can be a more economical option than wet food. Is a great option for easier portion control and for dogs that tend to graze throughout the day rather than consume a full meal in one sitting, as dry food will not spoil as rapidly if left out for long periods of time. Is beneficial for dental health, as the crunchy pieces act as an abrasive against the teeth during chewing and help prevent tartar buildup and thus tooth and gum disease. Can be easily used as a tool in puzzle toys for enrichment and mental stimulation. Is be used in slow feeders for reducing the rate at which dogs are able to consume their meals. When your pup eats more slowly, the risk is lower of them swallowing too much air and developing bloat, a potentially dangerous condition. Nutritional Requirements The final step in selecting the best adult dog food diet is to examine the Guaranteed Analysis panel on the bag or can of food and ensure that the formula meets a few major nutritional requirements. Other formulas have glucosamine for joint health or probiotics for gut health. Some dogs are sensitive to chicken and do better on beef- or salmon-based formulas. If you are unsure of the additional needs for your dog outside of the key ingredients and nutrients listed above, consult with your veterinarian. This will help ensure gut regularity with less physical activity. Remember that dog treats and other sources of calories in the diet need to be included when determining the appropriate amount of food for your young adult dog. How to Switch Your Puppy to Adult Dog Food Once you have selected the best adult dog food for your puppy, you are ready to transition them slowly onto their new diet. Because rapid diet changes can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs, such as vomiting and diarrhea , it is recommended to introduce the new food slowly over a period of five days or so. Continue to feed your puppy as many times per day as they are used to throughout this process. If your puppy develops vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of appetite, stop feeding the adult dog food and see your veterinarian. How Often to Feed Your Dog For large-breed puppies, it may be best for them to continue to eat three times per day. For medium-breed puppies, they should continue to be fed twice daily when they have been transitioned to adult dog food. For small-breed puppies, you may consider transitioning them to eating twice daily instead of three times per day after they are fully on adult dog food. This may involve providing more attention and playtime for your dog as they become accustomed to fewer feedings per day. Consider extra walks, extra playtime, or brushing to distract them from feelings of hunger. Some dogs may benefit from high-fiber adult dog food to increase feelings of fullness between meals. Your dog may also enjoy cleaned, raw fruits and vegetables such as sliced carrots, cucumbers, or apples without the core or seeds. If you have any questions about transitioning your puppy to adult dog food, contact your veterinarian. In addition, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist can be a great resource for any issues that come up, and they can help develop the best diet and feeding schedule for your new family member. Featured image: iStock. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Your puppy should have access to clean water throughout the day, but it should be taken away at night. Puppies between the ages of eight and twelve weeks benefit from being fed three or four times per day. Any changes in the amount of food a puppy consumes should be implemented gradually. A German shepherd puppy needs a lot of food between 6 and 8 months to grow into an adult. Adult food provides numerous superfluous nutrients that the puppy does not need at that time. Feed him tiny servings of puppy food per day. After a year, you can switch him to adult food. It is recommended to feed your dog as directed by the manufacturer. These instructions may vary by brand and composition. Make sure your dog stays fit. To feel the spine, ribs, and pelvic bones. A noticeable waistline is a must. German Shepherds are capable of consuming a wide variety of human meals, including beef, chicken, pig, turkey, salmon, tuna, and eggs. Fruits and vegetables such as apples, bananas, berries, carrots , peas, and pumpkins are also permitted. Additionally, you can feed your GSD additional foods such as rice and noodles, yogurt, and cheese. This procedure should take two to four weeks to finish. Supplements should be avoided since they may add too many nutrients to the diet that are already there. If you wish to provide a treat, eggs, cooked vegetables, or yogurt are excellent additives for improved digestion or flavor variation. Although it is natural for young German shepherd pups to be hungry, persistent hunger should be a matter of concern. Worms can make your dog be ever hungry. Carol is a paw parent, and her love for dogs started when she was just 5. She adores her two German Shepherds and a Bengal cat, who she says, "life would be incomplete without" Recent Posts. Time Zones puppy feeding schedule and recomendation Prior to weaning our German shepherd puppies, they would have obtain most of their nutritional needs from their mother's milk. By the time our puppies are ready to move into their new home, they will be fully weaned on to solid foods. The puppy is then entirely dependent on his new owner, to provide a fully balanced diet that will meet all of his nutritional requirements. All puppies thrive on the same basic nutrients as adult dogs, but due to their rapid growth rate, these nutrients are needed in proportionately larger quantities. Similar to human babies, puppies have small stomachs, so they need to be fed little portions but often. German shepherd puppies grow very rapidly in the early stages of their development. A German shepherd dog will reach about half their adult weight by five or six months of age. However, there is a wide variation in adult body weight between different breeds, and dogs mature at different rates, since this article is focus on the German shepherd puppy, we will focus at that. German shepherd puppies, in particular, which are most affected by the feeding regimen - as they are growing rapidly, these puppies are prone to disturbances in their skeletal development. It is unwise to overfeed such dogs at this stage in an attempt to obtain the maximum possible rate of growth. A puppy needs between two and four times as much energy as an adult of the same size - growing is an energetic business! They must have more protein than adults - this must contain all the right building blocks of the protein amino acids for growth, and they need just the right amount of minerals for healthy bones and teeth. Puppies therefore have to eat large amounts of food in relation to their body weight, but their stomachs have only a small capacity. To compensate for this, a puppy needs to be fed several small meals a day. It also helps if his diet is designed to meet a number of useful criteria: the food should be concentrated to ensure an adequate intake of nutrients before his stomach is full; The food should be easily digested to maximize its nutritive value; the diet must be balanced to provide the right amount of nutrients to meet the puppy's particular needs; and it should also be tasty so that he will eat it. Devising an acceptable nutritionally balanced diet for growth is thus a very complex exercise. Fortunately, feeding your puppy need not be as complicated as it sounds. Diets, which are specially formulated for growth, take all the guesswork out of rearing a healthy puppy and provide a balanced and concentrated diet, which he will enjoy and thrive. For a normal, healthy German shepherd puppy there is no need to use supplements. In some ways this could be harmful. If you do decide to use a supplement please consult your veterinarian. The feeding schedule of your puppy will depend greatly on his age and individual characteristics, until they are about four months old. Feeding can then be reduced to two times a day until six months of age. You can offer your puppy his daily food allowance in two separate meals. You can feed an adult diet from 14 months of age Since all puppies are individuals, some may need more and some less than the indicated amounts. Your puppy's condition is the best guide of whether you are feeding the correct amount. By recording his weight on a regular basis you will be able to check his growing at a healthy rate, appropriate to his breed. You can then make adjustments to avoid him becoming under - or overweight. Generally, a puppy should be allowed 10 to 15 minutes to eat at each mealtime. After then discard any uneaten food. Your puppy should have his own feeding and water bowls and should be kept clean, separate from the family's dishes. Provide fresh water daily If you notice that your puppy is excessively thirsty and often, you should consult your veterinarian. Note: When puppies come from a kennel environment "outside living", to a family house, most often they will show signs of panting and thirst. This is normal because they will be hot with-in. In few days they should adjust in being indoors. The "puppy" feeding schedule is a guideline for our German shepherd puppies. A puppy should be kept lean during 4 to 8 months of age rapid growth phase , BUT they should not appear thin. You should be able to feel the rib cage and the back bone, but not see them. Looking down on the dog, there should be a slight indentation between the end of the rib cage and the hip bones. If you have questions or comments that you would like to share, please EMAIL US Please do not use our website to attempt to diagnose or treat your pet. The consultation with your veterinarian is the best source of health advice for your individual pet. You should not rely, on the veterinary advice or any other information provided on this site for the diagnosis or treatment of any specific condition. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the medical condition or general treatment of your pet. When should I change my German Shepherd puppy to adult food? Discover the online program that more than 57, dog owners have used to rapidly transform their dog into a well-behaved, obedient furry friend. This is a very controversial topic. I'll bet if you asked 10 dog owners this question you'd get 10 different answers. Growing puppies should only be fed a high quality puppy diet which you need to continue feeding until your dog reaches 80 to 90 percent of his anticipated adult weight. For many German Shepherd puppies, this occurs usually around 8 to 9 months of age. Keep in mind that individual German Shepherd puppies growth rates will vary greatly from dog to dog. If your puppy is growing exceptionally quickly, you might want to ask your vet about switching your GSD puppy to adult food even sooner. And how will you know if your puppy is growing faster than most, you may ask? Well, for one thing I would check with your own GSD breeder. And if you didn't get your German Shepherd puppy from a breeder, for example, if you got your puppy from a rescue organization or from a shelter or maybe some other source I would then suggest speaking with your veterinarian about your pups growth rate and when the change in diet should occur. You may wonder why you don't just start feeding your puppy adult food in just one meal or so. That's just asking for trouble. There's a really good reason for this slow transition from one type of dog food to another - to avoid upsetting your dog's intestinal tract or causing diarrhea. If you were to just drastically switch from one food to another without this transition period you will have runny poops and just overall messy poops and a puppy with an upset stomach. And this can be easily avoided by following the transition as suggested above. And for adult GSD's, I always suggest feeding a good quality dry food only. You don't need to supplement a good quality dry dog food with any type of canned food. A good dry food is an excellent choice for a growing German Shepherd in many respects and it is very beneficial to their teeth as canned foods can cause many problems with tooth decay. What puts man in a higher state of evolution is that he has got his laugh on the right end. According to Total German Shepherd , all feeding changes should be made gradually to ensure the best possible results. The food recommended by the breeder or rescue organization should be used for the first few weeks to avoid digestive disruption, and kibble should be mixed with a little water. Clean water should be available to your puppy all day but taken up at night. Puppies between eight and 12 weeks old do best with being fed three or four times daily. After 12 weeks, feeding your puppy twice a day is fine. Any changes to the amount of food a puppy eats should be done gradually. Puppies will experience their most significant growth rates between three and six months old. In most cases, this will be around a year old, although larger males might take longer to reach this size. The Happy Puppy Site states that a lot of problems German Shepherds can encounter are due to bone growth that occurs too rapidly. These issues include hip dysplasia. Choosing the right food and feeding the right amount both play a leading role in making sure your puppy grows at an acceptable rate. A raw diet might prove beneficial once your dog has reached adult size. One of the possible benefits is reducing the possibility of hip dysplasia. When your puppy has a growth rate that follows a proper pace, the dog will reach the appropriate proportions when they are supposed to. Even though all dogs run the risk of injury, a puppy that grows at the appropriate rate has healthier bones. Puppy food for large breeds with a high protein level is best for German Shepherd puppies. Whenever possible, it is always a good idea to continue the same brand and essential formulation, but to switch to the adult version when appropriate. You will not only avoid any issues with finicky behavior but will also help ensure that your puppy continues to meet its essential nutritional needs. The outcome of taking these steps will be better overall health for your dog. Then, you will replace half the food for two days and three-quarters for two days, ultimately making the switch totally to the new food. This process should take two to four weeks. This video helps put the process of switching your dog over to another food into perspective. This relatively simple step is an essential way of making sure that your dog is nourished. Avoid adding supplements, because they may add too many nutrients that are already present in the food. Eggs, cooked vegetables, or yogurt make suitable additives for better digestion or flavor variety if you want to provide a treat. Amanda J. These guidelines may vary depending on the brand and formulation. Make sure your dog keeps a healthy weight. The spine, ribs, and pelvic bones should be easy to lightly feel. All GSDs should have a visible waistline. If the food your puppy is eating seems to be leaving them unsatisfied or they do not appear to be gaining healthy weight levels, you may need to consider following up with your veterinarian. Medium-length beef marrow bones can be a tasty treat in addition to their food, especially if stuffed with pumpkin without any spices or peanut butter. However, avoid pork or poultry bones, because these can splinter very easily. Gravy should never be given as a treat because of its potential to cause diarrhea. Another concern is that gravy might contain spices possibly toxic to dogs. Avoid feeding table scraps for the same reason. There are concerns about some kibble-based dog foods that owners should be aware of, according to Anna Burke. These foods include grain-free varieties high in potato and legume content like lentils or peas. Such ingredients increase the risk of canine dilated cardiomyopathy. Large dogs like Shepherds may be somewhat more prone to this condition. If you want to consider this diet, wait until your dog has achieved adult size. Avoid homemade diets, as these are mostly deficient in crucial nutrients that growing puppies require. Melissa Smith notes that timing is everything when it comes to switching from puppy to adult food, and your vet will play a leading role. One of the reasons why timing is so important is because the calorie content of puppy food is so high. This can make the young adult dog gain weight too quickly, in the wrong places, particularly the belly area, where fat can be dangerous. A growth spurt after a year is possible in German Shepherds, particularly males, and your vet may have a good idea of when the growth will finish. However, what about Shepherds that are not purebred? This question is very reasonable, as it is a little more difficult to guess when a mixed-breed is done growing. Compare your measurements to popular GSD growth charts for reference. Consider making sure your vet is on-board as you make the transition from puppy food to adult. Your vet will be able to spot any nutritional deficits that require addressing. Another advantage is being able to ensure the dog has proper bone growth. If your German Shepherd has needs that require a special diet, your vet will be able to provide valuable guidance about the appropriate timing. Even though you might find it challenging to think about obesity when your dog is transitioning out of puppyhood, this stage is not too early by any means. Early prevention is key to stopping many conditions besides hip dysplasia. Both obesity and being underweight can come with their share of problems for your growing dog. Obesity, when unchecked, can not only lead to bone and joint issues but can also lead to heart disease and diabetes. If your dog is underweight, Amber King recommends a high-protein diet with a moderate amount of fat. Follow up with your vet to help uncover the cause of the low body weight. Another possible health issue of concern, according to Dr. OCD is a condition that involves abnormal cartilage growth at the end of a joint. Wobbler syndrome is another condition that may have its origins in overly rapid growth. This disorder is a neurological condition that affects the spinal cord in the neck area, often leading to difficulties with walking. When you have a growing German Shepherd, the right nutrition makes all the difference in their growth and development. Even though it may feel as though the amount of information on nutrition is overwhelming, it is essential. Making the right choices early on will mean greater health and happiness for your dog. A dog that grows at a reasonable, healthy rate will do much better in life. Recommended reading:.