golden retriever number of puppies

If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn More Are you looking for adorable Labradoodle puppies in Indiana? All of them follow ethical breeding practices and make sure that their puppies come from healthy, carefully screened parents. For this, ethical Labradoodle breeders in Indiana conduct rigorous health and genetic testing on their breeding dogs. Only dogs who have passed with flying colors are used for breeding purposes, which greatly reduces the risk of the puppies inheriting any genetic conditions or hereditary illnesses. Some breeders even offer a three-year health warranty! All of these organizations require that their member breeders follow their strict health testing standards, ethical breeding practices, and provide the pups a nurturing, loving, and safe environment to grow up in. Additionally, some breeders also post their customer testimonials on their websites. Chestnut Hill Labradoodles is a Puppy Culture breeder and also utilizes important puppy rearing techniques from Avidog. They make sure that all of their pups are properly socialized with children, adults, elderly, and other dogs before adoption. They also implement various enrichment methods, such as potty training, crate training, Early Neurological Stimulation ENS , regular grooming, household desensitization, and more. What Makes This Breeder Unique? Puppies receive their age appropriate vaccinations, dewormings, a microchip, free pet insurance for 30 days through Trupanion, and early spaying or neutering. This way, you will know what to expect and if this is the right breed for your home. Ashford Manor Labradoodles Ashford Manor Labradoodles is one of the breeding centers you can rely on if ever looking for labradoodle dogs in Indiana. They have been in this industry for a long time now, which means they have already established a reputation among dog lovers. They have a wide variety of Labradoodle puppies for sale, and that is why you will never have a hard time choosing from them. Ashford Manor only works with the top Australian Labradoodle lines, and they go through every procedure to a tee. The dogs would not be unaware of this, but they get improved genetics in terms of superior hypoallergenic and non-shedding hair. In addition, they maintain a small breeding program to give each puppy the attention and socialization it requires for them to grow up to be loving, loyal pets. Ashford breeds multigenerational mini and medium-sized Labradoodle puppies. A professional trainer guides these pedigree puppies in fluffy, allergy-friendly, and non-shedding coats. Each puppy comes with a 2-year genetic health guarantee. Address: West Columbia St. This is why Chestnut Hill Labradoodles is one of the top breeders on the list. Chestnut Hill Labradoodles is located in Indiana, and they can provide you with all the information you need about their services and products. The puppies learn through positive reinforcement and puppy culture training because the first sixteen weeks are so important. They are best known for their multigenerational mini, medium, and standard-sized Labradoodle puppies. Not to mention that this Gold Paw enterprise is one of the favorites in Indiana for Labradoodle puppies. In addition, they offer a two-year health guarantee. Not only do they provide excellent services, but they also offer different types of puppies, depending on what you are looking for. Daffodil Hill Australian Labradoodles are popular for their mini and medium-sized puppies. They are multigenerational hypoallergenic dogs that are not only friendly but also intelligent. Each puppy will be part of your family for the rest of its life. They breed only the finest Australian and American multigenerational non-shedding Hypoallergenic miniature and medium Labradoodle for sale. Its mission is to provide loving families with the healthiest and best-natured Labradoodle pups in Indiana. Forever Friends uses a gentle and kind temperament to ensure that the puppies are comfortable in every situation, which is why Doodles from Forever Friends make excellent family pets. They breed F1, F1B, and multigenerational labradoodle puppies in both mini and medium sizes. They provide excellent services, but their pups are also highly intelligent and make great family pets. Furthermore, they guarantee their puppies for two years from genetic diseases. If you have allergies, the Harvest Labradoodles are perfect for you because they are non-shedding and very friendly, making them ideal as family pets. Address: Located on a small family farm in Madison, Indiana. Phone: Website: www. We hope that you will find it helpful to adopt one of these non-shedding and hypoallergenic dogs. They will be perfect as your new family pet, and they will have a positive impact on your life. Smaller Labradoodle breeders in Indiana offer advantages such as greater specific care for each puppy and a feeling of becoming part of the family when you buy from them. These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. These days I have two adorable fuzzy rascals around me, that ensures I get plenty of exercise and laughter throughout my day! Legal Information The owner of this site, LabradoodleHome. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Labradoodle Home does not intend to provide veterinary advice. All articles and posts are aimed at giving users a better understanding of their dogs. The content on this blog is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. Amazon OneLink. Ashford Manor offers important services that benefit you, your puppy, and your family! Puppy Bootcamp Your puppy is already socialized and prepared for family life, but this takes it a step further. For an additional fee and in four weeks, your puppy will begin to know basic commands. Grooming Services Australian Labradoodles are groomed in a special way. Many groomers do not this, but we do. Try us out! It takes time to search for the best products for your dog. We understand that. She is amazing, wonderful, and adorable. Nothing seems bothers her: not the noise, car horns, police sirens, fire engines, or motorcycles. You should hear all the comments I get from people who stop me to ask what breed she is and tell me how cute and beautiful she is. He is totally crate trained, and has very rarely had an accident inside. He slept the first night and every night from 11pm-6AM better than any of my 4 kids! People with dogs say that we are very lucky and have such a great dog! She is always the smartest one in the class as she is such a quick learner! Izzy is pretty much completely potty trained — she regularly rings the bells — though she has figured out that ringing the bells get her the attention she likes, so she does that for fun sometimes too. He is just a doll and the grand kids love him. Kids absolutely adore her — thank you for such a wonderful puppy. Our breeding program includes Labradoodles from Tegan Park and Rutland Manor, the originators of this clever breed. We are dedicated to preserving the Australian Labradoodle, by insuring sound breeding practices, excellence and the highest standard of ethics. Our dogs and puppies live in our home as loved pets. They are well socialized and used to children and other animals. Proper socialization is important to the puppy you will adopt so much attention is given to your new puppy. While in our home we take the utmost care of your new puppy. Your little prince or princess will be treated like royalty. You can be assured that the best care and attention is given to all aspects of breeding, and that we are devoted to advancing and preserving this unique breed. Only sound Labradoodles are allowed to participate in our breeding program. Our adherence to these policies backs up our guarantee in providing only the best Australian Labradoodles. It is my goal to produce the finest companion for your family and am honored that so many families come to me for their puppy. Australian Labradoodles. We also offer older trained pet puppies!!! We care very deeply about the well-being of our dogs for future generations. As a result, we have all our breeding stock tested genetically, hips and elbows are scored by the OFA, and eyes are certified. Each of our breeding dogs are specifically selected for the best temperament for service and therapy work so our puppies have the best chance at being happy doing this work that helps to enrich so many peoples lives. Our moms and dads live in guardian homes so each doggie parent is a much loved member of their family. They will come to us for breeding and moms will come to us to have their puppies and at the end of their career they stay with that family forever. Our puppies are raised specifically for service and therapy work by special puppy raisers that work with the puppies every day from birth on up until our trainer evaluates them at around 8 weeks of age. They start with early neural stimulation at 3 days old and go on to add touching the pups all over their body and settling the pups on their back. We play sound tracks to get them used to different sounds, lure them over obstacles with food for training purposes, have them meet at least different people and go to day cares, nursing homes, ball games, schools, hospitals, the mall, church functions and many other places all before 8 weeks of age. This gives our puppies the best start in their life whether they go on to be a service dog, a therapy dog or just a much loved family pet. Meet the people behind the scenes that help to make your puppy the best it can be! Emily is my partner and acts as my assistant at times. Emily is the head of our puppy raising program and both her and Randy are our puppy raisers. We have always had poodles, spaniels and Labrador retrievers in our family and loved the fact that the Australian Labradoodles are a perfect combination. We became a guardian for our Rudy from Meadow Park and fell in love immediately with his lovable personality. Little did we know that a few years later, after moving to the country, we would be raising Meadow Park puppies for service and therapy. We are grateful that we can babysit our grand babies daily and raise these puppies alongside them!! At first, it was all about the excitement of bringing new puppies into the world and hoping they would go on to do great things. Then, during our socialization outings, we realized just how much they were helping others in the community! Seeing the faces on nursing home residents, that have been depressed, light up as they snuggle a puppy. Watching as a small child, that is normally shut down, respond and participate in class for the first time. And, seeing the tears in the eyes of Doctors, nurses and first responders, in an inner city hospital, as they cuddle a puppy and relax after a stressful shift. What a blessing it has been to us personally, working with the puppies and watching them become confident and strong. As we raise these little ones, we pray that each of these puppies goes on to make a difference in every life they touch. She is the one that evaluates all our puppies at 8 weeks of age and lets us know which puppies will make the grade for service and therapy dogs. Julie comes from a family of dog trainers and has been training dogs herself for over 20 years. Julie is Master Certified to train: service and therapy dogs, police dogs, bomb dogs, obedience training, problem behaviors, house manners and just about anything you want your dog or puppy trained for. Contact Our Breeders!

Our goal at the Ranch is to create a home-like environment the best way we can for each rescue dog. While they are in our care, our Adoption Counselors work hard on behalf of our rescue dogs to find a new loving home that is the right fit for the dog, and the new family. Pictured left, this entire family has adopted all their dogs through Coastal K9 German Shepherd Rescue San Diego A Coastal Connection From the uncertainty of the unknown to the solid ground of a second chance at life, our rescue dogs are welcomed into a new family at Coastal. A family of dedicated staff and volunteers are committed to helping our dogs become as well-adjusted, happy, and healthy as possible while they are with us. Through this labor of love, each dog develops a special bond and connection with one or more of our volunteers. Whether they are referred to as advocates, angels, or champions, our Coastal family members go out of their way to give our rescue dogs the attention and love they need and help them feel "at home" while they are awaiting their forever home CONTACT. Located in beautiful Southern California, we strive to breed superior quality family dogs that will not only make great companions and protectors for your family but that also represent the German Shepherd breed well with the exceptional temperament the breed is known and loved for worldwide. We breed only top German V and VA bloodlines that possess superior health and temperament through generations of hip and elbow certified and temperament tested dogs. Additionally all of our dogs are tested for Degenerative Myelopathy to be sure we are producing puppies safe from this disease. Additionally all of our dogs are DNA tested Clear for the MDR1 gene that can cause mild to severe reactions to a variety of medications. Please visit our testimonials page to read review from many of our clients through the years. Also be sure to visit our Dogs For Sale page to see retired females and males we currently have available to the right homes. Check back often as we are always updating photos of our available puppies. With keeping a small number of dogs we have time to give plenty of love and individual attention to them and the puppies when we have them. Our dogs are not kept in kennels, they live with us as part of our family, with room to roam outside on our one acre property and a warm spot inside to sleep. All puppies are raised inside our home in a clean and healthy environment. All whelpings are supervised by us and assisted as needed to ensure the best start and to protect the health of the mother and her puppies. All puppies are well socialized with small children, cats and our other dogs. Temperament is very important to us, our breeding dogs have wonderful temperaments that they pass on to their puppies. Puppies are temperament tested so that we can help you to find the perfect fit for your family and your needs. We actively show our dogs on the local, national and international level thereby striving to breed dogs of quality bloodlines and structure that adhere to the German SV standard for the German Shepherd dog. We make every effort to continue to learn and to improve our bloodlines by importing dogs of superior quality with top German VA bloodlines to bring you the highest and best quality puppy for you and your family to enjoy. Our hope as breeders is that we can provide the best quality German Shepherd puppy with an outstanding temperament that will in turn make a lasting impression on you and your family like they have in ours. I have so many customers that have been lifelong fans of the German Shepherd, that have grown up with German Shepherds and long for that companionship again with the dog of their childhood. I look forward to providing the dog of your dreams to you and your family! Call today to begin your future with a great German Shepherd Dog of your own. Call or email for an appointment to visit us and to meet our dogs and puppies. I have been a well respected and very successful German Shepherd breeder for more than 40 years. To be an excellent breeder takes a lot of knowledge and skill. Because of this, I am able to produce the very best quality and temperament for my German Shepherd puppy buyers. I want YOU to be happy, and I want my puppies to be happy and in forever homes. Most people that buy my German Shepherd puppies do so to because my dogs are very loving and loyal family dogs, but also have very well developed natural protective instincts to guard their home and family. Those are very lovely dogs, but as the saying goes, they will ask the burglar or attacker to please throw the ball for them once they are done with their dastardly deeds. Most people get a German Shepherd with the expectation that the dog will protect them…. They no longer have the needed protective instincts that made the German Shepherd famous in the first place. This way the breed maintains the character and protective traits that made the German Shepherd famous in the first place. I am very careful as to what dogs I include in my breeding program. I studied the German language in college so I could talk to the breeders directly each time I traveled to Germany to select new stud dogs and bloodlines to import back to my kennel. I carefully selected which dogs to add into the breeding program generation after generation using world famous working and show dogs, mostly from Germany. Some of my puppies have been from direct imports, and others have up to 9 generations of my selected breeding program behind them. I get very consistent results. That is when I simi-retired and moved to Kansas. No one has ever matched the accomplishments of my foundation sire Eros! I have many accomplishments with my dogs, all raised, trained and shown by me. I hope you will go to my About Us page and read more details about my experience and my dogs as I want you to feel confident that if you buy a German Shepherd puppy from me that you will be happy with your puppy. .The more you know about me and my dogs, the better choice you can make as to if you feel one of my German Shepherds will be the right dog for you. My German Shepherd puppies are well socialized and handled daily so they are very well bonded to people. This means they will adapt to your home and family easily once you take your puppy home. I make sure every one of my dog babies gets off to the best possible start! My puppies come with a written sales agreement and written health guarantee, as well as detailed Puppy Care information, and guidelines on how to teach your puppy proper manners. By following my guidelines, you will not have to put up with nipping, jumping up, etc. It is better to teach the puppy how to behave from the beginning so the puppy learns manners in the first few weeks. Sure, they are babies and will not be as well trained as an adult, but they will be well on the way to being a blessing to your home rather than a curse. I will share a story here. I retire me females from the breeding program while they are still young. Many of my girls go on to a second career as a service or therapy dog. Of course, Bristol was laying quietly and calmly on a loose leash next to me in the waiting office. We waiting to get her heath certificate so she could move to Hawaii to be a service dog there. I felt sorry for the owners of the dogs as well as the dogs. Life does not have to be like that. I owned and ran an all breed dog training school for over 25 years as well as running my German Shepherd breeding kennel. I told the Golden owner that it is training, not age that makes a well behaved dog. And yes, it is easier if you start with a puppy that is selectively bred to have a high desire to please and is highly intelligent like mine, but all dogs can learn polite manners. My guidelines will help you achieve that happy level of control where you will be able to take your dog with you anywhere and know it will be a pleasant experience for you both! Service Dog Bristol in her new home in Hawaii Please take some time and read some of the other pages on my site. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have! I love to talk to dog lovers, and especially German Shepherd lovers! I post a lot! Male deposit 1- ES Female deposit 1-CM Male deposit 2- Female deposit 2-VP Male deposit 3- Female deposit 3- Male deposit 4- Female deposit 4- If you would like to know litters coming later than this please give us a call Before you place a deposit, Please download or print our guarantee and contract. Fill it out and return to us either by texting it, scanning and emailing or through regular mail. Remember that regular mail is slower and cause you to not get the spot you want if I get other deposits and contracts before yours. Once I receive your signed contract and your deposit, I will sign one and send one back. New-contract-June 15 We distribute the best dry food available for dogs and cats! Most people want to feed the best and LA is just that! Or if you will be taking home a puppy soon, make sure you buy a puppy start pack. The start up pack is on the same page as the food. Performance shows what the dog IS. If you wanted to ship your puppy, you would need to first come to our kennels and then ship the puppy out yourself. Or you can use a ground transportation company. By placing a deposit on a litter not yet born, please keep this in mind and be willing to move your deposit onto another litter at a later date. This allows us to offer puppies to pet homes at a more affordable price. You will still get AKC papers except they will say limited. If you bred a dog that was registered limited, then you would not be able to register the offspring. This limit however, can be lifted by the breeder. That said, while it can be done, I strongly urge anyone who lives in an apartment to think carefully about how much time and work it can be to keep a large, working dog in an apartment. I will not sell a puppy to anyone who lives in an apartment and leaves the dog home alone all day. At least one person needs to be home during the day. The dog needs to be taken outside to play at least once a day and taken for potty breaks many times EVERY day. Also, please check with your apartments rules on German Shepherds; some complexes do not allow them. New strains of the Parvo Virus are abundant and it is my job to keep puppies safe. I use a high titer Parvo Vaccine at 4 weeks but this may not protect all puppies. So please understand as much as you would like to visit with your puppies as they grow I can no longer allow this until they are 7 weeks. I will send out emails with pictures or videos weekly. No outside dogs are allowed at anytime. Thank you for understanding how important it is for me to keep the puppies safe. If you do visit other breeders, please do so on a different day that you visit. Von Ward Kennels will take back any puppy at any time in their lives if their owners can no longer care for them. Please never take a Von Wards dog to a shelter if you can no longer keep them. While most of our dogs are larger than the standard, we do have a couple of breeding females that are within standard. We have answers. The cost of German Shepherd San Diego puppies can be affected by a large range of variables such as coat color, gender, breeder experience, pedigree and much more. Our goal is to match families with the best puppies possible. How do you vet San Diego German Shepherd breeders? All of the companies and German Shepherd breeders in San Diego CA we partner with are followers of our binding Breeder Pledge, and we never work with puppy mills. In our humble opinion, Uptown Puppies is the most efficient and fun way to find your dream dog! Unfortunately, that popularity means there are tons of puppy mills and unethical breeders out there, too. Do you have white German Shepherd San Diego available near me right now? Because we work with passionate, experienced, professional breeders, businesses and fellow dog-lovers, we have a great track record of matching families with awesome puppies all over the US. Our MatchMaker process is what helps connect future dog-owners like you with our carefully selected, screened and approved companies and breeders who will set you up with your dream German Shepherd.

Updated: November 10th, This article contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here. Golden retrievers are an extremely popular breed and make great companions and pets to people of all ages and families with children. All things considered, there are some subtle and some not-so-subtle differences between golden retriever dogs every owner needs to know about. Rest assured, there is only one golden retriever breed but all types of goldens make amazing companions and pets. In this article, I will tell you everything you need to know about different golden retrievers and what to expect from all varieties. This way, the next time you see a golden retriever puppy for sale, you will be able to differentiate the type. History Of Golden Retrievers Goldens were originally bred in Scotland in the 19th century to serve as gun dogs and to retrieve shot waterfowl. For centuries, people had only been able to hit game from a relatively short distance. But, as hunting technology and guns improved, the hunting style had to change and evolve too. Since hunters could now shoot birds from further distances, the game fell further away and often ended in streams, rivers, or ponds. The retriever dogs of that time were not bred to tackle these new challenges. They also could not retrieve game from lakes or rivers. So, breeders needed to create a new dog. Dudley Marjoribanks, the first Lord of Tweedmouth, took on the challenge. He crossed a yellow-colored retriever, named Nous with a Tweed Water Spaniel female dog, called Belle. The Tweed water spaniel is now an extinct breed but was then very common in Scotland. The resulting litter had four puppies. Those four puppies became the foundation of a breeding program, which also included a bloodhound, an Irish setter, the St. Tweedmouth wanted to create a more athletic and powerful breed than previous retrievers that would still be highly trainable and mellow. His retriever dogs instinctively loved the water but also had a thick and fluffy double-coat to keep them warm. The golden retriever, as it came to be known, was born. In the U. Today, golden retrievers are one of the most popular breeds in the country. They became especially popular in the U. The public fell in love with his dog Liberty, and the breed soon became a part of the American Dream. There is some confusion about whether golden retrievers come in different varieties. The short answer is yes. But the distinction is more nuanced. Simply stated, there are two ways golden retrievers can differ one from another. The differences between these three kinds of golden retrievers are minimal. They are mostly physical for example, there are differences in their coat types , and these differences have emerged naturally over the course of breeding. They have no real effect on the temperament or health of the dogs. It is worth noting that despite their subtle differences, they are all purebred dogs and members of the one and only purebred golden retriever breed. Canadian Golden Retriever The Canadian golden retriever looks somewhat different than the two other types of golden retrievers. Their coat is generally darker, shorter, and thinner than the coats of American and British golden retrievers. Furthermore, they have less feathering on the back of the forelegs, neck, and tail than the other two types. One of the major differences between this and the other two kinds of golden retrievers is that the Canadian breed standard allows all shades of gold. There is no specific mention of lighter cream shades, which are deemed less desirable in the American breeding standard. Canadian golden retrievers have broad, well-defined heads, dark, slightly tapered eyes, and their ears are set further back on the head. And these dogs can stand taller than the other varieties by as much as two inches. This is the biggest difference between this type and the other two. The average male Canadian golden retriever is 23 to 24 inches tall, while females can grow up to .Males generally weigh from 65 to 75 pounds and females can tip the scales at 60 to 70 pounds. Canadian goldens are therefore not native to Canada; they originated from Scotland where all other golden retrievers came from. Unlike in America or England, Canada initially registered all retrievers as one breed. According to the Canadian Kennel Club CKC studbook, this went on until when a specific reference to golden retrievers was made. Canadian goldens have been bred since then, developing the unique traits they boast of today. Main Characteristics of the Canadian Golden Retriever Shorter and thinner golden coats Coats come in all shades of gold Ears set further back on the head Broader head Slightly tapered eyes British Golden Retrievers British or English golden retrievers have long, feathery cream coats that are characteristic of the breed. Their coats can be flat or wavy with a lot of feathering, and they have a prominent ruff around their necks. And unlike the American and Canadian breeding standards, the English breed standard allows cream as coat color. The British type of golden retriever is more solidly built and heavier than American and Canadian types. They also have broader features, large round dark eyes that are at the same level as ears, and a wider muzzle. They are somewhat smaller than the Canadian variety, but not by much. The biggest difference between the British and American types of golden retrievers is the coat color. The rest, including their temperaments and behavior, are very similar. English goldens tend to be slightly smaller than the other two varieties, with males being between22 to 24 inches tall and females standing between 20 and 22 inches. Most males weigh 65 to 75 pounds, whereas females weigh 50 to 70 pounds. At the time when they were becoming well known all over Great Britain, some people decided to primarily breed them for dog shows. The AKC, however, does not recognize them as a breed due to their different breeding standards. Main Characteristics of the English British Golden Retriever Long and feathery coats Pale cream to deep golden-colored coats More muscular and athletic. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Retriever has been an AKC-recognized breed since and was commonly used as a gun dog and for retrieving small game such as waterfowl, and for companionship. The Golden Retriever originated in the Scottish Highlands. The first Lord Tweedmouth, Dudley Majoribanks, is credited with developing the breed and keeping detailed records to create the ideal gun dog for the terrain. Great discipline and a gentle spirit make the Golden Retriever a perfect retrieval breed since the goal of this task is to bring the trophy back as undamaged as possible. Golden Retrievers first appeared in dog shows in at a British dog show. They also started appearing in the United States around the same time as they were brought across the Canadian border. They gained popularity with sport hunters and in general. Their popularity really took off in the s and they are consistently one of the most popular dog breeds. If you are not the sporting type, bringing a Golden Retriever into your family as a pet is just as rewarding because they are one of the most loyal and jovial breeds out there. One of the facts about Golden Retrievers is that they are the epitome of friendly and make fantastic family dogs. Golden Retrievers are considered one of the friendliest dog breeds. They tend to be good with kids, other dogs, other pets, and even strangers. Goldens love attention and they bond closely with their families. They are affectionate with them, and also just about everyone else. Although they do tend to get along with everyone, they love being around their favorite humans the most. They will bark to alert you and can end up barking a lot if you do not train your dog to stop barking early on. Golden Retrievers are highly adaptable dogs. They thrive in homes with yards where they can run. They can also adapt to apartment living as long as they get enough daily exercise, mental stimulation, and attention. These dogs do well in just about any climate, but are sensitive to heat. As one of the most affectionate dog breeds , they are not at all happy about being left alone for long periods of time. Although super-friendly and attention-loving, Goldens can also be sensitive to their surroundings; make sure they feel included, but have a quiet place to go if things get too noisy or overwhelming. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Golden Retriever include progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, elbow dysplasia , and hip dysplasia. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies. Reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of the parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Goldens are considered one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. They are highly trainable dogs that pick up on things quickly and are eager to please. These traits make them a good fit for owners of all experience levels. It also helps them excel at obedience competitions. As one of the smartest dog breeds , Golden Retrievers can get bored easily. Because they pick up things quickly, they can get bored with too much repetition in training. If your dog has mastered the command, move on to something more advanced or another activity. You can also enroll in puppy training classes for some variety in training and also some socialization. Golden Retrievers have a long double coat that will shed a little year-round and will be heavier twice a year as the seasons change. Brushing a few times a week and daily brushing during seasonal shedding along with a bath as needed is usually enough for at-home care. You will want to go to the dog groomer for a professional trim a few times a year, especially as the seasons change. Nail trims once or twice monthly keep nails from growing too long. Daily tooth brushing, along with cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. Golden Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds. Daily walks plus some playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough to keep these dogs happy and healthy. But, they are high-energy dogs that will likely always be up for more activity if you are. Much like the Labrador , they also tend to have an extended puppyhood. They tend to start winding down a little around the age of 3 and settle into your lifestyle, but they will still be high-energy dogs that require a lot of daily activity. Goldens are known for being versatile and athletic dogs. They tend to love swimming. Once they are done growing and the vet clears them for higher-impact activities, you can try other things too. They are one of the dog breeds that make good running partners. You can also teach them how to play frisbee or play fetch. Training for dog sports is another good option. In addition to obedience, Golden Retrievers are well suited for agility, dock diving , rally, flyball, tracking, and more. Fully-grown Golden Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Golden Retrievers generally live for years on average. With their intelligence, eagerness to please, and gentle disposition, Golden Retrievers are versatile working dogs. In addition to being one of the dog breeds that make the best service dogs , Goldens can be found working as emotional support dogs, certified therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, military dogs, police dogs, animal actors, and more. Featured Golden Retriever Article.

This breed has been popular for a long time, due to its lovable nature. In addition, Labrador puppies are known for their great temperaments and have a reputation for making a wonderful family dog. American Labs are labradors that have been bred from working lines, such as gun dogs, whereas English Labs tend to be bred from show bloodlines. However, despite the different bloodlines, the two dogs are, in fact, the same breed. The breed was recognized by the Kennel Club in and by the American Kennel Club in , which shows you how long these dogs have been around. Breed Origin Labradors were first around in the s and were first bred in Newfoundland, Canada, and England. Originally, they were bred to be water dogs, gun dogs, and hunting dogs. Labradors accompanied hunters and were used to retrieve animals that had been shot. Thanks to their loyal, loving nature, they quickly became popular dogs for families and were registered by Kennel Clubs around the world. Today, these dogs are used as companion dogs for families but are still popular for working dogs and service dogs. In addition, you often see Labradors working as guide dogs and therapy dogs. Their friendly personalities, which make them so popular as dogs for families with children, also make them ideal for this kind of work. Most puppies from the breed are usually born in litter sizes of between six and twelve. You can expect your puppy to be ready for you to bring home to the family when they are around eight weeks of age. This breed is very popular, so you should not find it too difficult to find a breeder near to you. However, this popularity of the breed also means that are plenty of irresponsible breeders and puppy mills breeding for labradors. Make sure you do plenty of research first and look at a few breeders before you decide to buy, to make sure you are buying from a reputable, responsible breeder. Puppies from good breeders will be healthier and have a better temperament. Appearance English Labradors are considered to be a medium to large-sized dog breeds. American Labradors tend to be larger than the English Labradors, although English Labs often have a stockier build than the American version. Most labs stand between .The males are usually heavier than the females. The English Lab tends to be athletic in look, with a larger head and medium-sized, folded ears. In addition, they have a medium-length, thick tail, which would have originally been used to help to propel the Labs used as water dogs through the water, almost like a rudder. Coat English Labs have a single coat, which is short, stiff, and dense. This coat comes from its origins as working dogs and is weather resistant. Regular grooming can help to keep the shedding under control. Color There are three common coat colors for the English Labrador. You will usually see them in yellow, black, or chocolate. All of these coat colors have been accepted by the American Kennel Club in the breed standard. English Labradors should be one solid color and never bi or tri-colored. Temperament Labradors have long had a reputation for being one of the most gentle and least aggressive breeds of dogs. The puppies are friendly, with a very sweet nature, which has made them very popular, especially for families. In addition, labs tend to be very adaptable and sociable, which adds to their popularity. Their good nature makes Labs an excellent option if you have children. They play with children and will be very loyal to your family. Many Labradors have even been known to be pretty fearless and come to the rescue of their owners. This breed is a very active dog, so that they will be best suited to a more active family. However, they tend to love people and get on well with other animals who might also live in the home, making them a good option if you have other pets or young children. English Labs need to be trained and socialized, as all dogs do, but they are an intelligent breed, so this is not too difficult to do. They do need to be given lots of love and attention, but English Labs are an excellent job to keep in your home if you can give them this. They can be an ideal option for first-time dog owners, even if you have no real experience with dogs. Their temperament makes them an excellent choice for your first dog. Lifespan English Labradors have an average life expectancy of between 10 and 12 years. Unfortunately, however, the breed can suffer from two main health problems. The first more common issue is elbow dysplasia. This happens as a result of abnormal development in their hip or elbow joints. This can result in pain, discomfort, lameness, and a change in gait. Depending on how severe this condition is, it can usually be managed with medication and therapy. However, in some cases, surgery is an option. The other more common health problem that Labs can suffer from is patella luxation. It can be successfully treated with surgery. The most common cause of death in English Labs are cancer, cardiac issues, and old age. They can also suffer from epilepsy, which can be treated with medication. To spot any health issues before they become untreatable, make sure you keep an eye on your dog and schedule regular vet checkups. Remember to always buy from a reputable labrador breeder to greatly reduce the likelihood that your dog will struggle with any health conditions. A trustworthy breeder will do thorough health checks on both parents and will not breed from a dog if there is any chance that they will pass on any severe issues to their puppies. Daily Life What is it like to live with an English Labrador in your home? English Labradors tend to be a very easy breed to take care of, which is why they are often recommended as a good first dog for owners. Food And Diet English Labradors love to eat, and they should be given a healthy diet. The breed can be prone to obesity, so you should be careful not to give them too many treats, watch how much you feed them, and be sure to give them enough exercise to keep their weight in a healthy range. Your English Labrador should be given dry dog kibble once they have reached 8 or 9 months old. When they are younger puppies, they should be given four meals a day, which you can then reduce to two meals a day once they have reached adulthood. Most Labradors weigh around 60lbs. Labs of this weight should be given 4 or 5 cups of good quality dog food every day. Make sure you always check the back of your chosen dog food packet so you know exactly how much you should be feeding your Labrador. Like many medium to large breeds, Labs can be prone to bloat due to their love of food. Make sure you know what the symptoms of this are, as it can be fatal. To prevent them from bloating, make sure your dog is not allowed to eat too fast. You can do things like putting their food into a puzzle feeder to help them to slow down their eating. Smoky Mtn Labradors has nearly 4 decades of professional experience with English labradors and strives to provide its customers with the best labrador puppies in the nation. You can learn more about how to reserve one for yourself here. We have AKC English Lab puppies for sale Our goal here at Winter Valley Labs is to breed excellent dual purpose AKC Labrador Retriever puppies that make great companions and family pets, that also have the ability to excel in the field as well as show ring. And of course, in our hearts. We breed for quality, not quantity. We breed English Lab puppies! Each of our litters is carefully planed and bred with purpose. We are a small breeder in Hatley, Wisconsin. Our love and passion for Labrador Retrievers drives us to better the breed and provide families with healthy, happy, perfect pets, companions and hunters. We have been breeding labs for over 10 years, and look forward to that number growing. We bred our first litter in January of .We hope to grow in size now that we have the room for it. We love to take the dogs out bird hunting, and am excited to get them started on waterfowl this year as we are located on the river. I have been around dogs my whole life, but the lab has always been my favorite. I started studying at the UW of Stevens Point for Wildlife Ecology and Captive Wildlife management, and had done some study in veterinarian medicine but complications with pregnancy forced me out. I decided after my first son was born that I wanted to stay at home with my babies anyways both human and canine. So I am now a stay at home mom for all of our babies. Prior to that I had worked at an animal shelter as well as a grooming and boarding facility. I am doing some online studies for genetics and animal behavior, as I am always striving to be very well educated with the dogs. I am an avid hunter and LOVE spending the days outside with the dogs. Please note; We do not breed silvers, charcoals or champagne. We do not breed labradoodles, golden labs or any other designer breed. We do have English lab puppies for sale- We breed Fox red lab puppies, yellow lab puppies, black lab puppies, chocolate lab puppies and white lab puppies. Fox red and white labs are registered as yellow labs! These ARE akc recognized unlike the dilute colors. Click here to see what english lab puppies we have that are ready to go and looking for their loving forever homes! Our focus is on the English Lab breed. Please contact us for more information on any of our wonderful English Lab puppies, or upcoming and planned litters! We will help you find the perfect puppy for your family! All of our English Lab puppies are vet checked with the vaccines that are needed and also wormed. They also have their dewclaws removed. If in any case a dew claw, or partial dew claw grows back, that will be the buyers responsibility to take care of, if they feel the need to do so. This can be done at the time of spaying or neutering. This is not a common thing. All of our English Lab Puppies are placed with limited registration Pet homes only If you are looking for full registration Breeding rights Do not wait until pickup day to discuss this with us. For nearly 50 years we have produced English Labradors in the true style of the all-around dog they were meant to be. Our ultimate goal has been a beautiful dog conforming to breed standards with soundness of temperament and body. Our Labradors retain the hunting ability that has made them the supreme hunting retriever. This intelligent, well-tempered dog is a perfect family companion and service dog. We are pleased to not only have many of our On The Bluff Labradors in pet, show and hunting homes, but also used as guide dogs for the disabled and specialist for airscent detection. Our breeding program strives for perfection in every litter. We use the highest quality stud dogs with a background of multiple Grand Champions. We combine their linage with the outstanding genetics of our females. The result are not just cute, adorable puppies, but dogs that can be well trained, healthy companions for a lifetime. We have never lost sight of our initial goal to produce the perfect Labrador- in mind and body. Feel free to email us for additional information or to get on a waiting list for one of our puppies. Staffed by professional trainers- each puppy receives several weeks and hundreds of hours of individual lessons- Obedience Training, House Living Training, Group Socialization, and Outside Etiquette. We believe our unique training methods and individualized programs sets us apart from any other breeder. Here you will find many adorable pictures of our current puppies.

Best calming aid for German Shepherds Supplements can help stressed, anxious German Shepherds by providing calming support in challenging situations. The idea is to help your dog feel calmer so they become more receptive to behavioral therapy techniques. In time, this will lead to a happier, more playful, and more confident dog and an improved quality of life for you both. Many calming aids use hemp extracts, CDB, or even valerian root to produce a relaxing effect on dogs. These additives help regulate various bodily functions such as sleep, appetite, and pain sensation. Some of them can also reduce inflammation, anxiety, and seizures in dogs. Start with a low dose to avoid any adverse effects such as nausea, lethargy, or diarrhea. Their use is part of a complete program that helps them adjust their reactions while going through a behavior modification program. More professional GSD breeders today, however, are committed to the health of their canines and actively support scientific research that aims to eradicate genetic diseases in GSDs. Supplements are no longer an afterthought. May guard against some allergies. Can provide pain relief for back, muscle, and joint pain that is chronic. Boost energy levels to support a healthy, active lifestyle. Caring for your German Shepherd is more than just a routine. Given the multitude of health problems in the breed, stay watchful and monitor for any abnormal behavior or health concerns. A supplement could help provide your GSD relief in some cases. See your veterinarian sooner rather than later. Supplement Safety Your top priority is safety when selecting supplements. Unfortunately, with little regulatory enforcement, there is a high potential for ineffective, or even unsafe, supplements that make fraudulent claims. So, how do you choose supplements for your German Shepherd that are safe and effective? First, you need to ask questions, such as: 1. How long have they been in business? Generally, the longer, the better. Contact the company with questions. How responsive are they? Who is involved with formulating the products? Nutritional experts and veterinarians are best. What kinds of claims are being made? Is there specific safety or efficacy research on this product? Is there a guaranteed analysis? Is there a lot number and expiration date? Have you consulted with your vet regarding giving them to your pet and what condition you hope to address? Typically, reputable supplement manufacturers have their products tested and approved by third-party organizations, such as the National Animal Supplement Council. Additionally, labels must indicate the contents accurately, and the products should be free from contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and harmful bacteria. Performing these quality checks beforehand could help minimize the risk of adverse side effects and ensure that your German Shepherd benefits from the supplement. Some common side effects to watch out for include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and allergic reactions. Consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns or notice any unusual reactions. Allergic reactions Allergic reactions to supplements can be serious, particularly in dogs with known food allergies. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing, swelling, hives, and vomiting. In severe cases, anaphylaxis can occur, which is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate veterinary attention. Seek veterinary advice if any adverse side effects occur. Upset stomach An upset stomach is a common issue that German Shepherds face. Certain supplements can help alleviate this discomfort. Probiotics are one such supplement known to promote healthy gut bacteria and improve digestive function. Other options include digestive enzymes, which can calm stomach inflammation and reduce nausea. Some side effects lessen with consistent use, while others may continue and require you to readjust the amount or type of supplement for your German Shepherd. Digestive problems Digestive problems in German Shepherds can range from mild discomfort to serious health issues. Supplements such as probiotics, digestive enzymes, and fiber can improve gut health and alleviate symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Unfortunately, side effects such as bloating or increased bowel movements could still occur even with supplements meant to quell those exact issues. Some supplements, like omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, and calming treats, have been shown to improve mood and reduce anxiety in German Shepherds. These mood-boosting supplements can still cause side effects, such as vomiting or diarrhea, or not work as you anticipated. Discontinue use if necessary, and contact your vet for further treatment in this case. Consulting a Veterinarian Before Giving a Supplement to a German Shepherd It cannot be overstated how crucial it is to consult with a veterinarian before giving any supplements to your German Shepherd. They can also identify any pre-existing health conditions, as certain supplements can interact negatively with other medications or might not be suitable for treating with supplements. Ultimately, seeking the guidance of a veterinarian can prevent adverse reactions and ensure your dog receives the best possible care. The fact that supplementation with these nutrients can help with so many problems shows that some supplements are a good choice for treating certain diseases. The best supplements for German Shepherds are:. Unfortunately, some breeds are often affected by joint problems and hip or elbow dysplasia, where the bones do not fit properly in the socket and allow a much greater range of movement than is appropriate. However, there are a number of joint supplements for German Shepherds that can help limit and slow the pain or problems they face as a result. Along with good vet advice and treatments such as medication, supplements can also help to build up supporting muscles, improve cell growth, and reduce inflammation that can often cause pain, allowing sore dogs to move more, building up the muscles around their joints. Supplements can also slow the degeneration of joints. With a little understanding of what supplements are available, you can help your German Shepherd enjoy their exercise long into their senior years! Glucosamine When it comes to joint health, every smart owner of German Shepherds will have Glucosamine at the top of their list. Glucosamine contributes to the synovial fluid in joints, which helps to keep them lubricated and running smoothly. Glucosamine supplements for dogs are also used to build and repair cartilage. The cartilage found at the end of bones and within joints — articular cartilage — allows the joint to move smoothly and effectively. The power of Glucosamine together with Chondroitin For the best possible dog joint health support , Glucosamine works best in conjunction with Chondroitin Sulphate, with both supplements having greater effect on joint health when used together. Hyaluronic Acid Not only does Hyaluronic Acid help ease inflammation and pain caused by joint issues in dogs, but it is well known to aid the growth and development of cartilage between joints. It can grow new cells and tissues, so whilst even degenerative, hereditary forms of joint problems can continue to develop, a supplement containing Hyaluronic Acid is working all the time to help replace what has been lost. Also, there are supplements that combine Hyaluronic Acid with other important ingredients like Chondroitin Sulphate and Glucosamine, which offers your German Shepherd the best possible support against joint problems. In fact, this combination is one of the best joint supplements for German Shepherds available. MSM Methylsulfonylmethane MSM is an antioxidant and cell rejuvenator which can help build and preserve cartilage, reduce inflammation and support joint function. This is especially important for any good hip and joint supplements for German Shepherds. Vitamin C You will hopefully be giving your dog a diet that has plenty of Vitamin C already. Found in plenty of vegetables, this vitamin is an important antioxidant and can help reduce joint inflammation. This vitamin plays an important role in the limitation of cellular injury, which is a key feature of hereditary joint conditions. Found in fish oil, leafy greens and vegetables, Vitamin E can slow the progress of joint issues, provided it is taken in the right quantities. Omega-3 There have been plenty of studies that demonstrate how Omega-3 fatty acids can benefit brain function and skin health, as well as limit the symptoms of many diseases and conditions, such as joint stiffness and discomfort. These fatty acids increase blood flow and are very important anti-inflammatories, crucial to controlling joint pain in German Shepherds. Unlike Vitamin C, it is not a naturally occurring acid in mammals and is often derived from fish oils. Hopefully, your dog's diet will already contain either artificially added or naturally occurring Omega-3, but there are plenty of dog supplements available which contain them, as well. Known for their loyalty, intelligence, and courage, they are a favorite of law enforcement and families alike. However, these large, active dogs are also prone to joint problems as they age, which can greatly impact their quality of life. That's why many veterinarians recommend adding glucosamine to their diet. Glucosamine is a natural supplement that can help protect and repair joint cartilage, reducing the risk of arthritis and other joint-related issues. In this blog, we'll explore the best glucosamine for German Shepherds and how it can help keep them healthy and active for years to come. They were developed for herding sheep and protecting flocks from predators. The breed's founder, Captain Max von Stephanitz, aimed to create the ideal working dog that combined beauty and intelligence with a strong work ethic. Today, German Shepherds are used for various purposes, including police work, search and rescue, military service, and as loyal companions for families. They excel in performance sports such as agility, obedience, and tracking due to their eagerness to learn and please their handlers. German Shepherds have a distinct appearance, with a strong, muscular build, a straight back, and a thick double coat that can range in color from black and tan to sable or all black. They have a noble head with a long muzzle, erect ears, and dark, intelligent eyes. Socialization and proper training are essential for German Shepherds from a young age, as they can develop behavioral issues if not given adequate mental and physical stimulation. They are protective of their families and may be wary of strangers, making them excellent guard dogs. Despite their many positive qualities, German Shepherds are susceptible to certain health issues, such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, arthritis in dogs and degenerative myelopathy. Regular veterinary check-ups and preventative care, such as joint supplements, can help ensure a long, healthy, mobile life for this breed. Glucosamine for German Shepherds Glucosamine is a naturally occurring compound that plays a vital role in the health and maintenance of joints, cartilage, and connective tissues. It is an amino sugar derived from glucose and the amino acid glutamine. Glucosamine is one of the major building block of cartilage, which helps provide cushioning and support for our dog's joints. Just as in humans, as our dogs age or undergo physical stress, the production of glucosamine tends to decrease, leading to the degeneration of cartilage and increased joint pain. This is where the best glucosamine joint supplements for German Shepherds come into play, as they can help compensate for this decline in natural glucosamine production. These supplements are often sourced from shellfish exoskeletons or produced synthetically. Glucosamine supplements are commonly used to alleviate symptoms of osteoarthritis in dogs. It can reduce inflammation, improve joint mobility, and slow the progression of the disease. It is often combined with other natural substances, such as chondroitin and green-lipped mussel , to enhance its effects. To find the best glucosamine supplement for your German Shepherd, follow these steps: Consult your veterinarian: Before starting any supplement regimen for your pet, consult with your veterinarian. They can provide guidance on appropriate dosages and recommend brands or products with the best track record for safety and efficacy. Choose a reputable brand: Look for brands that have a good reputation for quality and manufacturing practices. Check for independent lab certifications or testing, customer reviews, and recommendations from other German Shepherd owners or pet experts. Read the label carefully: Ensure that the glucosamine supplement contains the right amount of glucosamine for the size and weight of your dog. Also, look for supplements that include other joint-supporting ingredients like chondroitin and green-lipped mussel. Opt for a suitable form: Glucosamine supplements for dogs come in various forms, such as chewable tablets, soft chews, liquid, or powder. Choose a form that your dog is likely to accept and consume easily. Monitor your dog's response: After starting your German Shepherd on a glucosamine supplement, observe their progress over time. Keep an eye out for any improvements in their mobility, energy level, and overall joint health. If you don't see positive results, discuss alternative options with your veterinarian. How much glucosamine does a German Shepherd need? As mentioned earlier, glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance that helps to keep joints healthy. Glucosamine is important for big dogs like German Shepherds because they are more prone to joint problems such as arthritis. Joint diseases that are inherited, such as hip or elbow dysplasia are more prevalent in big dog breeds. Glucosamine can help to reduce pain and inflammation, and it can also help to improve joint function. Glucosamine for German Shepherd dogs can help protect your dog's joints from the painful signs of these joint diseases. While it cannot reverse the problem, it can help your dog's joints from deteriorating more rapidly than they would without it. Since Glucosamine is an all-natural supplement, you can give Glucosamine to German Shepherd puppies. White German Shepherds are beautiful! Glucosamine Powder: an important part of your GSD's diet to protect their mobility! At what age do you start giving your dog glucosamine? This chart shows you! K-9 dogs are often GSDs! Here is a guideline based on the weight of your dog to determine how much glucosamine a German Shepherd needs: The average size for an adult male GSD is around 24 to 26 inches tall and weighs between pounds. The average size for a female GSD is about 20 to 22 inches tall and weighs from 60 to 80 pounds. Based on these weights, the amount of glucosamine a male German Shepherd needs per day is mg. The amount of glucosamine a female German Shepherd dog needs per day is mg. When you consider adding a joint supplement for your dog, Glyde Mobility Chews is an excellent source of glucosamine because there is mg of glucosamine per chew. Based on the weight chart above, or the average weight listed in the bullets, consider when you use Glyde Mobility Chews, you can add 3 chews per day for your male German Shepherd, and 2 chews per day for your female German Shepherd and get the right amounts of glucosamine to keep your dog happy, healthy and active. How old should your German Shepherd Dog be when you begin adding glucosamine to their diet? Because of the size and activity of the GSD, it is a breed that is recommended to begin adding glucosamine at age 1. The great thing about adding all-natural glucosamine, such as in Glyde Mobility Chews for dogs, is that your German Shepherd can take it for the duration of their life with no side effects or negative impact on their health. Unlike taking NSAIDs for years, which can have a negative impact on liver function, and other organs, if taken for a long period of time. There are now a few dog foods on the market that offer glucosamine as an ingredient in their food. In those foods, there is not enough glucosamine in dog food ingredients to get the proper amount for your German Shepherd. The best way to get glucosamine is to add it with a joint supplement, like Glyde Mobility Chews. The result is the best joint supplement for dogs: Glyde Mobility Chews. We use all-natural, gluten-free ingredients to promote healthy joints to let your dog do everything he or she loves to do! Glyde is the only nutraceutical that contains proven levels of three key components that work to relieve the painful signs of arthritis. Glyde uses all-natural ingredients to promote healthy joints that let your GSD do everything he or she loves to do. Glyde is the only APVMA-registered nutraceutical that contains a proven level of three key components that work to relieve the painful signs of arthritis. They are:. As German shepherds age, their bodies become weak and their joints wear down. Vets recommend adding joint supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin to their diet to strengthen their bodies. When Should German Shepherds take glucosamine? You should give joint supplements to your German shepherd when he is at least one year old. At this time, they will be more beneficial to their bodies than when the dog is under one year. Can you give a dog human glucosamine? It is not healthy to give your dog human glucosamine as it contains toxic ingredients like xylitol which is an artificial sweetener. Xylitol is safe for human consumption but is toxic to dogs. Can you overdose a dog on glucosamine and chondroitin? Glucosamine mostly acts as a food supplement than medicine. It is unusual for dogs to have a toxic side effect from overdosing on glucosamine. A dog will puke or have a loose stool but will not have serious side effects. If your dog responds negatively to the supplement, you should seek veterinarian intervention. Conclusion Before buying your German shepherd hip and joint supplements, consult your vet first. Buy the supplements that have a chicken or flavor to lure your dog into eating them. Do not give your dog any human supplements. 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. These issues can affect all types of dogs. Large dogs like German Shepherds can be more prone to joint issues. Due to a variety of factors, including age, genetic disposition, weight, diet, lifestyle, and environment, dogs can develop joint issues that significantly affect their mobility. Especially among larger breeds, these are some of the most common conditions: 1 Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that affects dogs because of the progressive and irreversible deterioration of the cartilage around their joints. Consequently, it leads to chronic joint inflammation, pain, and loss of mobility in the limbs. Over time, the joint deteriorates and causes pain, a reduction in their range of motion, or even crippling lameness. This can involve any joint in the body and often leads to pain, swelling, limping, and lameness. Like hip dysplasia, this is a developmental disease that occurs commonly among fast-growing breeds. However, OCD is immediately apparent and so can be corrected with surgery right away to minimize the risk of joint degeneration over time. That leads to degeneration of the hip joint and typically requires surgery. Luckily, most dogs regain full use of their limbs with proper post-operative care. While Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease is most common among small dogs, it is not unheard of among large breeds. Many joint supplements are available for dogs. These are the ones most commonly used to support overall joint health and to avoid painful conditions brought about by age or diseases: 1 Glucosamine Hydrochloride Glucosamine hydrochloride is the most popular joint supplement given to large dogs like German Shepherds. It is used to avoid or help treat inflammatory conditions like arthritis and hip dysplasia. It is one of the most critical substances in the development of cartilage, oral supplementation and is said to slow down joint deterioration. Like Glucosamine, the studies surrounding the efficacy of chondroitin sulfate remains questionable or inconclusive. However, veterinarians continue to recommend them due to what may be convincing anecdotal evidence as well as their own positive experiences with their patients. Supplements made of which are commonly used to support healthy joint function. Numerous studies — including the one published by the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in and the one published by BMC Veterinary Research in — have proven the efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids or fish oil in preventing and treating canine arthritis, or at least alleviating its symptoms. It is derived from organic sulfur and used as a dietary supplement specifically because of its natural anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and pain-relieving properties. Thus, it is able to reduce swelling and pain as well as support overall health. However, combined with the other compounds found in this shellfish, it is generally regarded as more potent in reducing joint pain and fighting inflammation. Additionally, it contains naturally-occurring glycosaminoglycans, which provide further protective properties to the joints. These are typically given to dogs in powder form, as part of a treat, or combined with their main meals. Because there are so many supplements available for canine joint health, it could be challenging to find the one that will benefit your dog the most. To help you out, here are some of the best supplements for large dogs, particularly aging German Shepherds. Their Dasuquin with MSM tablets are most popular, especially for large breeds because they have a variant specially formulated for dogs weighing over 60 pounds. Veterinarians recommend it because its active ingredients include glucosamine hydrochloride, MSM, sodium chondroitin sulfate, and ASU powder. They are the second most popular breed in the U. However, German Shepherds are especially prone to develop joint problems as they age. Why is one supplement better than the next? Do any of these supplements actually work? The answer is yes…and no. The efficacy of a supplement depends on the ingredients that it contains. Certain products claim to be better than others, especially for large breeds like German Shepherds, but there are a few things that you should look for before choosing a supplement for your dog. At SeaPet, we are dedicated to bringing you the best German Shepherd joint supplements available today. Our Super Joint Formula Powder is made with pure, natural components that are scientifically proven to help your pet maintain good joint health, allowing your GSD to enjoy more mobility and comfort at any age. There are some signs that your German Shepherd may be experiencing joint pain. Some are obvious, like difficulty getting up from lying down, a stiff gait, or limping. But there are other signs that may not be as clear. This is also a good time to talk about the underlying causes of joint problems in German Shepherds, like degenerative myelopathy, panosteitis, and hip and elbow dysplasia. All of these conditions can cause joint pain in your dog. In fact, some may be downright harmful. The studies conducted on joint supplements for dogs show that there are a handful of ingredients that provide support for good joint health. Many of these are already found naturally in the body, and others are great for enhancing joint health. Protein is important when it comes to supporting strong muscle and tissue development. Shark Cartilage Shark cartilage is known for providing compounds like chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, two compounds found in healthy joint cartilage more on these two below. Shark cartilage is also a great source of proteins that inhibit angiogenesis, further promoting good joint health. There has been limited research done on MSM, but anecdotal evidence indicates that MSM is effective in treating inflammatory diseases like arthritis. Glucosamine Glucosamine is a naturally occurring compound and one of the most well-known over-the-counter supplements for arthritis. Glucosamine is often used to alleviate joint wear caused by conditions like hip dysplasia by aiding in the repair of damaged cartilage. Cartilage plays an important part in bone health, as it acts as the cushion between bones. Glucosamine supplements are often combined with another natural compound called chondroitin sulfate. Chondroitin Sulfate Chondroitin sulfate is another natural compound that aids in rebuilding damaged cartilage. It also helps to maintain the consistency of synovial fluid, the natural fluid found in joints. Used in conjunction with glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate can be a very effective way to address joint pain in your German Shepherd. SeaPet has been providing high-quality, third-party-tested, sustainable products for over 25 years.

When you bring a new puppy home, it's important to keep feeding it the same food that it has been eating at its previous home. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Talk to the person or organization that you are adopting your puppy from to see what food they are feeding it. They should willingly provide that info and they may even send you home with some if you can't find any to buy. If you can't find the right food in your local pet supply store, consider ordering it online. However, you would need to order it ahead of time so that you have it on hand when the puppy comes home. If you want to feed your puppy a different food from what it has been eating, you will need to switch its food over the course of several days. Feed that mix for several days. Finally, you can give the puppy all new food. If you are content to give your puppy the food it was originally eating, it's fine to do that. Every puppy will have different nutritional needs. Because of this, it's a good idea to discuss proper nutrition with your vet. They can suggest great foods to give your puppy and how much it should be eating. Go to source The right portion size depends on the size of your puppy and its metabolism. Ask your vet to teach you how to body score your puppy. This will allow you to do a quick visual check to see whether your puppy is losing or gaining weight. Tip: If your vet suggests a specific food but doesn't tell you how much to give your puppy, follow the instructions on the packaging. Doing 3 or 4 feedings per day allows your puppy to get enough nutrients without overwhelming its digestive system with a huge amount of food at once. This is especially important when your puppy is under 6 months old, as they have delicate systems. Go to source Don't just leave the food out all day. Take the food away after the puppy eats for about 10 or 15 minutes. Lab puppies should always have access to fresh water so that they can stay adequately hydrated. Put out a dish of water and dump it out, clean the dish, and refill it daily. Some puppies are really messy with their water dishes. To prevent a mess, try putting the water dish on a tray, so that spilled water won't go right onto the floor. Helpful tips for caring for your puppy About the Labrador Retriever The Labrador Retriever originated in Canada in the 19th century and is now a world-wide beloved dog breed. These dogs are medium-sized dogs, females have a height of .Their average weight as an adult is pounds for females and pounds for males. They have a life expectancy of years. When it comes to their temperament, Labrador retrievers are very loyal, friendly and affectionate companion dogs. They are known for being very social towards strangers and other dogs. Labrador retrievers also come in three colours : black, brown or yellow. These dogs are very active as they need plenty of walks, play time and affection. They are great with children and make a great companion dog. If you're thinking of adopting a Labrador retriever puppy, keep reading as we go through how to care for them! Learn more about the Labrador Retriever in our breed sheet. When to collect your Labrador puppy You can adopt and collect your Labrador puppy once they are 8 weeks old. This way, you make sure that they have had enough time to socialize with their family, mother and siblings. It also makes sure that they have developed good bite moderation before being adopted to their new family. Other advantages are that they have had time to drink their mother's milk and properly wean off. They will also feel more independent and will transition better to their new home after being 8 weeks old. We also encourage you to check out your local animal shelter before buying from a breeder. Where your puppy should sleep the first night When it comes to sleeping at night, your puppy will have some difficulties. This may be due to the new environment and new people. They may feel unprotected and disoriented. For this reason, it's normal to hear them cry as they may be calling their mother for guidance and company. Now that you've adopted this puppy, this is your job as their human companion. When they call out, try to be there for them as they are scared and lonely. Be understanding as your puppy learns to adapt to their new home. As a puppy is very dependent and on their first night they will feel scared and disoriented, it's best they sleep near you on their first night. Remember that puppies tend to sleep with their siblings and their mother. Being alone in a new place for the first time will be difficult for them. The best option for your new puppy is to sleep in their own bed inside your room, near you. So that if they feel scared or lost and cry, you can let them know that you are there with them. Once they feel more oriented and safe in their new home, you can move their bed to another location where they can sleep. Learn more in our article where we elaborate on how to prepare for your puppy's first night in their new home. What to feed your Labrador retriever puppy When feeding your Labrador retriever puppy, you will need to provide them with a rich and balanced diet. Keep in mind that puppies begin weaning when they are around weeks old. This means that they will slowly transition from their mother's milk to a solid food canine diet. A natural canine diet mainly consists in essential fatty acids and meat-based protein. The protein should have two or three types of protein from meat. For example: whole chicken, lamb, beef and fish. For fat sources, you can opt for chicken fat. Good fat sources can solute some of the most important vitamins a dog needs. When it comes to carbs, it should be kept in a low amount as dogs thrive on meat. If you are cooking for your dog, then we recommend to include low amounts of whole carbs, such as sweet potatoes. Lastly, you can offer some fruits and vegetables that provide good vitamins and minerals to help your dog's over-all health. Training your Labrador retriever puppy Labrador Retrievers are very active and intelligent dogs. Other than daily exercise, they will need basic dog training. Yes, even as a puppy! You can begin training your dog with paper training. Learn more about that in our article about paper training for puppies. You can then begin to teach them basic commands, such as to sit, stay, or even to play fetch. Remember to always train them for short amounts of time each day, not exceeding 15min, and always through positive reinforcement. This way, training will be enjoyable for them and will help you create a greater bond with them. To learn more, read our article about when to start training your puppy. Exercising your Labrador retriever puppy Your Labrador retriever puppy will needs plenty of exercise. Due to their small size as a puppy, this will mostly be at home. They will begin by playing with their siblings and walking or running around the house. Then, after their first round of vaccinations, usually around the age of 7 weeks old, puppies will begin to go outside. This is a very important part of their puppyhood as they will learn to go out on walks with their caregivers and will begin their socialization period. During this period, they will meet and interact with new people and other dogs. They will also explore new places. It's very important that during this period they have good interactions and don't get traumatized. When a puppy is well socialized from a young age, they will have a balanced temperament as adult dogs. Learn more in our article about socializing puppies. Hygiene care Next, we're going to talk about maintaining our puppy's hygiene. As Labrador puppies haven't grown their full coat, they won't need to be brushed regularly just yet. A bath is only necessary when they get very dirty on their outdoor walks. Dental hygiene is also important when it comes to caring for a puppy. You can opt for a dog tooth paste or a dental canine treat. Talk to your veterinarian to see which would be best for you puppy, and learn more in our article about dental hygiene for dogs. Other than that, we must make sure that their everyday environment is also clean and that we refresh their water bowl everyday. This way, our puppy will have great personal hygiene and we can help them prevent certain health issues from a young age. Health care Lastly, we're going to talk about your Labrador retriever's health. The Labrador Retriever is a relatively healthy and long-living dog, especially if they stay in shape. However, the lack of genetic diversity resulting from breeding programs makes them prone to certain hereditary diseases and conditions , which are usually manifested as the dog grows old. For instance, Labradors tend to suffer from hip dysplasia. When your Lab is a puppy, you must ensure they get the necessary vaccines, and you must follow their vaccination schedule during the rest of their lives. This will prevent them from suffering very serious diseases that tend to affect dogs. If you want your dog to stay as healthy as possible, go to the vet for check-ups every 6 months. You can prevent the development of common diseases by watching your Lab for symptoms and caring for them as best as you can. Labrador Retrievers are prone to obesity - they love treats, and if they don't get enough exercise they will soon become overweight, with the related muscular and joint problems. Helpful tips for caring for your puppy We hope that this article has given you great insight when it comes to caring for a Labrador Retriever puppy. Here are some other helpful articles for caregivers that are adopting puppies:. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. Well-bred Labradors are relatively low maintenance, fit and healthy dogs. But your Labradors continuing health and well-being does depend entirely on you. A nutritious diet, regular exercise, grooming, preventive measures and regular visits to the vet are the real key to maintaining a high level of wellness and good health. All these actions are your responsibility and solely under your control. Daily routines will be diet control, exercise and physical inspections. Weekly routines will be grooming, ears, eyes, teeth and nail care. Quarterly routines could be shared between visits to the vet, a canine dentist and bathing. And the annual routine will be vaccinations. Just remember that prevention is always better than cure, so doing your best to prevent any illness and catching problems at the earliest possible stage is the goal to aim for. The following are all areas where you only need a little knowledge to effectively take care of your Labrador well. And if you cannot dedicate this time and effort, then in the nicest possible way, you might be better suited to a pet with less demanding care requirements such as goldfish. Making Safe Your Home and Garden Labradors are a lively and inquisitive breed, especially during their first three years so you need to keep dangerous household items out of their reach. Conceal electrical wiring…we all know of their infamous love for chewing. Sharp teeth and electricity do not mix! A Labrador can easily choke on wrappings or trash that may be swallowed along with edible scraps. Labs are smart and opening cupboards and drawers soon becomes easy for them. Be mindful of the toxicity of certain plants — Over plants have been identified as toxic to dogs , so be sure to research any plant before bringing it into your home. Fence of any ponds or pools in your yard. These are just a few points to consider around your home and garden, there are many more. Just try to put yourself in your Labradors shoes and take a good look at his environment as he would see it. Try to see how he could get into trouble and take measures to prevent it. Click here for a more detailed guide on puppy-proofing your home and garden. Brushing also helps to shake loose dirt out of and spread the natural oils throughout their coat for that desirable, healthy glossy look we know and love. Related article: The Best vacuums for removing pet hair from your home. Frequent baths will strip their oils, leaving them prone to wet and cold in winter, causing dry skin and making their coat look dull and not shiny. Keeping Nails Trim Most Labradors will need a nail trim every 2 to 3 months, although some may never need it. Regularly walking your dog on hard ground, especially sidewalks and roads, will have a natural filing effect and keep your dogs claws in order. This can make them sore and bleed. Ear Care What with a Labradors slightly drooping ears and their love of water, the inside of their ears can sometimes retain too much moisture, causing bacteria to build up and infections to form. I shall be writing an article on this very soon. Just some of the problems a Labrador may have with its teeth are gum disease, loose teeth, cracked or broken teeth, root abscesses and a build up of tartar. These can be very uncomfortable for your dog and can lead to further problems if neglected. Therefore, you need to inspect their teeth regularly, take measures to clean their teeth and even visit a professional canine dentist every 6 months or annually for a thorough check up and any necessary treatments. Treat their teeth like you would your own. Dealing with Parasites Controlling fleas, ticks and other parasites is essential for keeping your Labrador healthy. Immediate problems include extreme irritation and skin sores, but extreme infestations can lead to more dangerous problems including Lyme disease and tape worms. If you stick to a regular grooming schedule as you should! Simply brush your hand against the lie of your Labradors fur and watch for any small moving dots and check for any clearly visible ticks. There are many safe and effective over-the-counter flea control products , many of which contain formulations to prevent ticks at the same time. Finally, depending on where you live in the world, you may need to put your Labrador on medication for heartworm. Where mosquitoes are a problem, they can pass on heartworm and this can be fatal. Even the medicine for heartworm makes your dog very ill so prevention is definitely better than cure! Diseases such as distemper, rabies, hepatitis and parvoviros to name just a few. Your puppy will have had his first shots at five or six weeks before you got to take him home, and he will need a few further shots over a period of up to 18 weeks. A rabies shot usually follows at 6 months of age or so. After this, your adult Labrador will need just a single booster each year to stay protected. For many facts on vaccinations and the schedule you should follow when vaccinating your puppy, please click here. Dogs need a balance of vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins different to that of a human and feeding them on human leftovers can lead to malnutrition, as can a diet based on cheap filler packed dog food. You should perform a little research to find and use a recognized healthy brand of dog food that will cater to your Labradors needs. To help with this, please see our articles that list 4 of the best foods for Labrador puppies opens in new window or the best dog foods for adult Labradors opens in new window …yours really will thrive on these handpicked, quality foods! Additionally, the best thing you can do is set up a feeding schedule for your dog, twice per day being the recommended, and be mindful of any extra treats. Your Lab should always be well fed but not over-fed. I shall discuss this more in a later article. An Important Note On Drastic Changes In Eating And Drinking Habits If your dog is off their food, drinks way too much or way too little for a period of time more than 36 hours, you should call your vet as this is almost surely a sign of an underlying problem. They are voracious eaters and will eat just because they can, not because they need it. Excess weight can lead to all sorts of issues including arthritis and heart problems. To prevent this, control their diet and give them plenty of exercise for them to burn off those calories. They really do need very little exercise of just a few short minutes a couple of times per day. Too much exercise for a puppy can cause skeletal formation issues and plays a large part in joint problems. Take it easy until your puppy is at least a year old. Bedding and Shelter A Labrador should always have a soft surface to lay upon. To prevent this you should get your Lab a large sized dog bed or line a crate to offer a soft and comfortable place to rest. If your Lab spends any amount of time outside, you must provide shelter to offer an escape from the sun in summer, and preferably the shelter should have a raised floor so the wet and cold is kept away in winter. If your Lab puppy gets used to sleeping in a bed of yours or your children, it will be a hard habit to break and will more than likely end in separation anxiety and night-time whining. You want your Labrador to be comfortable alone for periods of time and should start forming this habit ASAP. Training The importance of training your Labrador cannot be overstated. A dog is a dog and not a human. You need to teach your dog how to behave and what your instructions are asking them to do. Before a puppy can become a trusted, well-behaved dog they have a lot of learning to do…and you a lot of teaching! To learn from the written word, I am part way through building the ultimate resource in the form of this site. Routines for feeding, exercise, grooming and visits to the vet are all easily managed with a little knowledge and by planning a schedule in advance and sticking to it. Spending quality time with your Lab is also key, especially regular grooming sessions. You should also attempt to learn your dogs normal living habits, how much he eats, drinks and sleeps. Anything To Add? As always, if you have any questions, would like to offer feedback, suggestions or further advice on the subject, please do so in the comments section below. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative for seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. They help you find the information you need right now. You might also want to check out our sections on Labrador Puppy Training. Do let us know what you would like to see added to the site. We are always happy to have your comments and suggestions. When To Collect Your Puppy We highly recommend that puppies are not removed from their breeder until they are 8 weeks old. There are lots of good reasons for this. It helps puppies develop good bite moderation skills before they are adopted into a family, ensures that they are ready to adapt quickly to their new life. And it helps to reduce the sad numbers of puppies bred for a quick profit. Puppies sold under seven weeks old often have health problems and need special care, and extra veterinary attention. Check out the following articles for further information: When can puppies leave their mother Your first puppy Your first puppy is a huge adventure. You have so much fun ahead. Labradors are generally very friendly dogs, but they can also be very distractible. So do start daily training games, using plenty of food. You can get regular training tips from Pippa by email, using the box below. However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on. If yes, you need to be extra careful when handling the dog. You will take a lot of time to adjust to the needs and demands of the dog and spending quality time with the dog will help in this task. Labradors are highly attention seeking dogs. They may not have a lot of demands, but they can certainly not do without attention. Ignoring them is the biggest blunder when handling them. Since, Labradors are even tempered and lovable dogs, they constantly shower their owners with a lot of love and want the same to be reciprocated. Thus, the pet owners need to be quite open with their feelings and shower love on them and show them that they are loved and cared for. They are always ready to please their owners and many times, they bank upon their intelligence so as to please their owners. Labradors also need a lot of fun and excitement in their life. Taking them to the park and indulging in a lot of energetic play can help them to build a nice and strong bond with each other. There can be a lot of intelligent interaction between the pet and the owner that will help in cementing the relationship between each other. Having a highly energetic Labrador may pose a lot of problems as far as its security and protection is concerned. Many pet owners go microchip way to ensure complete protection of their friendly pets. While taking care of your Labrador, you also need to be particular about its diet and nutritional demands. They must be given food that is rich in the nutrients and minerals necessary for their proper growth. Moreover, Labrador love to indulge in a lot of exercising; hence their diet demands are also on a slightly higher side. Daily and regular exercise can make them more energetic and active. Some variations in the exercise can help the dog to enjoy the whole routine. The dog will enjoy boundless energy as a result and some outlet for this energy will ensure a well balanced pet. About Rahul From Delhi, Rahul is an animal lover at heart. He is a writer and most of his writing revolves around making people aware of animal issues like health, training and grooming. More like this.

View recommended products below and visit our Cockapoo shop for more. It has been carefully formulated with all natural ingredients to provide wholesome nutrition and contains no artificial colours or flavours, no dairy, no soya and no added wheat. Harringtons provides the conventional benefits associated with premium pet foods. These tasty meals will delight your dog and provide a healthy diet. All have been carefully formulated to provide wholesome grain free nutrition and contains no artificial colours or flavours, no dairy, no soya and no added wheat. Puppy recipes have been developed to ensure the best start in life, with all the vitamins and minerals needed for bouncing energy and healthy growth, and help support immunity. Complete and Balanced: meals rich in all the nutrients your dog needs. No Nasties: no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. Grain Free: naturally gluten free - no grains or bulkers. Healthy Growth: calcium for bones and high quality proteins for muscle growth. Beneficial Oils: Omega 3 and 6 - helps support your puppy's natural immunity. British and Irish Farmed: we only work with suppliers we know and trust. A Wholesome Bowlful: we believe nothing is better for your dog than nature's most nourishing food. We carefully prepare all our meals right here in the heart of England with natural ingredients from British and Irish farms and only use suppliers we know and trust, to make delicious and nourishing food for dogs. Made with natural ingredients. High in tasty meaty proteins. No cereal or soya fillers. All the vitamins and minerals your dog needs. No artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. All natural meaty goodness with added vitamins and minerals, for great tasting, complete and balanced recipes every meal time. It's fun being as fit as a Butcher's dog. Suitable for home use as well as for working dogs. Main features: Reflective edges and chest strap: One of the most important functions of the IDC-Powerharness is that it works well as a visibility vest too. The grey line on the chest strap and the edges of the harness are made of reflective materials to help keep your dog visible even from a great distance, when out walking in the dark. Scientifically proven comfort: a chest strap leaving the neck of the dog free. Heavy-duty buckles: The high-quality buckles of the IDC-Powerharnesses are thoroughly tested and checked. The buckles work perfectly during wintertime, and do not break even in frosty weather. Closable handle: With the new handle fixing option, you can fix only the steel ring, only the handle, both of them or none of them. With these you can minimize the dog's chance of being stuck. It's really important especially for hunting dogs, search- and rescue dogs. Side bag attachment option: Side bags are available in 3L and 4L versions for Powerharness sizes 0 to 4. A smaller IDC Universal side bag is also available. With its cm3 capacity, it is ideal for carrying documents, vaccination papers, cellphones and dog treats. Flashlight holder: The flashlight holder is made of an elastic, high quality German material, so it can hold various sizes of flashlights. It can be used simultaneously with the side bags. It is essential for search and rescue dogs and service dogs working at night. Water repellent cover: Developed to be water resistant, highly durable, comfortable and secure, the IDC-Powerharness is the dog harness of choice for professional trainers, security personal and pet owners alike. Since ! Recommended by dog trainers, veterinarians, search and rescue and working dog organizations for 10 years now. If you've been looking for premium natural dog treats that won't break the bank then your search is over! A delicious range of flavours, shapes and textures, without any artificial colours. Great for training aids or just as a reward to make their day a happy one. Baltic dried sprats for dogs are high in healthy fish oils like Omega 3. Pork is the only ingredient making it a perfect pet safe alternative for a good boy or girl. Labradoodle VS Cockapoo Origin In , Australian Wally Conron purposefully crossed a Standard Poodle with a Labrador Retriever to create a non-shedding hypoallergenic guide dog for the people with pet allergies and named the hybrid Labradoodle. However, it created many controversies, and Wally was soon discouraged by some pure breeders and The Kennel Club. They even threatened to remove him from the registry and accused him of corrupting the works of pure breeders. Because of their friendly nature and trainable personalities, Labradoodles are still being used as guide and therapy dogs. They originated in the united states and also known as Cockerpoo, Cockerdoodle, or Spoodle. The Cockapoo is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and Poodle usually a toy or miniature poodle. These hybrid dogs are highly intelligent, hardly sheds, and so affectionate that you will never feel alone. Personality Known for their intelligence and calm temperament , Labradoodles are fantastic companion dogs. The Labradoodles are full of energy, and their personality is so affectionate and friendly that they often need to be trained to brace their excitement. Due to their intelligence, they process information rapidly, and one of the clever canines. In general, Labradoodle is typically happy and eager to please its people. Cockapoos have the traits of hunting dogs due to their parent Cocker Spaniel which are excellent hunters. They are also friendly, intelligent, and energetic dogs, which is why they love to work on mental and physical challenges every day. Cockapoos are not aggressive, but they can be very creative when bored, such as barking, jumping, and chewing furniture. So they are perfect for people with an active lifestyle. They adapt well to your daily routine and loves to follow you around the house. Both dogs have really good temperament. Because of their Poodle parents, both of these hybrids are also highly intelligent. Appearance Both the hybrids are insanely cute. However, they have some physical differences that span further than just height. Labradoodles can come in three different sizes Standard, Medium, and Mini. They can grow up to 24 inches 53 cm and weigh up to 60 pounds 27 kg. The size and weight of a Cockapoo vary significantly on the size of its parents. They can grow up to 15 inches 38 cm and weigh up to 24 pounds 11 kg. Training Labradoodles have the energy of a Labrador and their work ethics of both Labradors and Poodles. They are very enthusiastic, and their eagerness to please makes it easier to train them. Like all other dogs, consistency and repetition are a must. They need rules and benefit from schedules and training sessions. These sessions should be performed daily and kept short. Similar to the Labradoodles, the Cockapoos are relatively easy to train. They do well in obedience, and with the right training techniques and proper handling, this dog will thrive. They require firm handling but can be somewhat sensitive to the tone of your voice. So the training should be consistent and will require positive reinforcement. Time Investment Both the Labradoodle and Cockapoo require the same amount of time each day. Besides daily training, you will need additional time for taking them out for a walk several times, grooming, caring, and cuddling sessions. Cockapoos need less exercise than Labradoodles but they will still need daily exercise. They love to get out of the house to run around and chase things. Labradoodles will require enough exercise and an outdoor activities to keep them from getting restless and bored. You will need to spare at least hours a day to care for these dogs properly. If you live with a family or with your partner, you can easily split the session with each other. The dog will love to spend time with all of you. Each of these coats also has variations. The three main coat types are Fleece, Wool, and Hair. Labradoodles Grooming requirements vary depending on the length and type of their coat. Generally, you can expect to brush a Labradoodle about once or twice per week. You may also clip or trim their coats every six to eight weeks to keep them easy to maintain. The Cockapoo is usually seen au naturel, but many people like to clip the coat. However, you should only trim to inches in length. Hair around the eyes should be trimmed to allow visibility. The coat needs to be brushed daily. Ideal Home Labradoodles and Cockapoos are excellent choices for first-time dog owners. The fact that these hybrids are very playful and loving with children makes it easy to introduce them to the family. With early and proper socialization, this will be even easier. Labradoodles are full of energy. So, apartments are not the ideal setting for this energetic dog. They enjoy a bigger house and space to run around. Although the Standard or Maxi Cockapoos do not adapt as readily to apartment life as their smaller cohorts, they do well if exercised properly. The ideal situation for Cockapoos is a house with a small, fenced yard. They inherit the diseases of both parent breeds. Cockapoos are also prone to similar health conditions: Joint problems like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and patellar luxation Eye diseases like PRA, glaucoma, and cataracts Allergies and sensitivities Kidney problems, such as familial nephropathy Epilepsy So, in the Cockapoo vs Labradoodle health debate, the single most effective thing you can do is to choose a reputable, ethical breeder that thoroughly screens parent pups before breeding any new litters. On average, Labradoodles have a life expectancy between 12 to 15 years. In contrast, Cockapoos tend to live between 12 to 16 years, some even exceeding it to 18 years. In general, smaller dogs usually live larger than larger pups. Naturally, this is also dependent on their early development. Nonetheless, both Doods are also very eager to please their owners, so training them should be a breeze. When it comes to their exercise needs, both Cockapoos and Labradoodles are active pups who need their daily exercise. Think of daily walkies, jogs, playtime, and also interactive games. With that being said, these pups also require regular mental stimulation to keep them out of boredom. Otherwise, they might start to exhibit unwanted behaviors and even become destructive. In terms of their environment, you might already guess that smaller Doods like the Cockapoo are better suited for apartment living. As it usually goes with larger dogs, Labradoodles need plenty of room to feel comfortable. In general, both pups have similar requirements. What many potential Doodle owners would like to know is — which one is more family friendly, the Cockapoo vs Labradoodle? Both Labradoodles and Cockapoos are great family pets and they both get along well with children. Their lively and affectionate temperament certainly helps with that! But as we mentioned earlier, the key to a confident and well-rounded pup is early socialization. Similarly, larger and more active Labradoodles may also be a bit too much to handle for very small children. For this reason, you should never leave your puppy and young kids unattended to avoid any accidents. Above all, you want to factor in your lifestyle, home environment, family dynamics, but also your personal preferences. So, which one should you choose? The Cockapoo would be the best choice for you if you: Are looking for a smaller pup Live in a smaller home like an apartment Prefer a slightly calmer and less active pup Have younger children Opt for a Labradoodle if you: Prefer a larger Dood Have plenty of space and a spacious fenced backyard Enjoy a more active lifestyle Have slightly older children who can handle the larger and more active Labradoodle Cockapoo vs Labradoodle: Final Thoughts All in all, both Cockapoos and Labradoodles have many great qualities that will certainly make your decision that much harder. However, the main difference that these pups have is their size, which can greatly affect your decision. Hopefully, our guide has managed to get you one step closer to making that decision.

We all know cats are typically the fur family members to use a litter box. But what about dogs? Are there any good arguments for litter box training your canine friend? A dog litter box? Or an artificial grass pad? So I rarely advise pet parents to skip this opportunity. That said, there are a few instances when using a dog litter box is preferable. Is it right for your dog? This is especially true if you have a small dog, or tiny tinkler as I call them, since they often have more difficulty holding their urine than bigger dogs. This leads to more accidents in the house and bigger frustrations, which puts a damper on your relationship. I wrote an entirely different article that goes into more detail about why your dog is peeing in the house. But if you live in an area that sees several feet of snow or is primarily paved and gets very hot, an indoor dog litter box might actually be safer for your pet. You or Your Dog Have Mobility Issues If you or your dog have mobility issues, dog litter box training might be a good idea. Some companies, like doggybathroom. All you need to do is change out the pads and keep the inside clean. This can be a good option for medium-sized dogs that raise their leg to pee. The downside is the cost. The pee pads are disposable and will need to be replaced frequently. If you want to use dog litter, the sides of the litter box should be low enough for your dog to easily step over but high enough to contain the litter. Now what about artificial grass pads? The initial investment for a grass pad like this one is minimal. Can Dogs Use Cat Litter? Yes, technically, dogs can use cat litter. However, cat litter can be harmful if ingested, which is a risk since our canine friends are known to eat strange things from time to time. Dog litter typically consists of larger, more absorbent pellets, which are safer if ingested. Some are also made with recycled material, like wood or paper. Pin me! Whether you choose a litter box or a grass pad, will your dog really use it? This is the million doggie bone question. Can pet parents actually get their pups to use a dog litter box? In many cases, the answer is yes, you can. Trying to contain a Bull Mastiff in a box while they do their business would be quite a feat! And large dogs tend to raise their leg to pee, so the sides of the dog litter box would have to be very high to avoid soaking surrounding objects. Step 1: Find the Right Spot When house training dogs, we usually bring them outside. Do this by getting a paper towel or pee pad containing a little of their urine and placing it where you want them to go. Step 3: Praise Them for Using the Right Spot Again, just as you would do if training a dog to go outside, be sure to give them lots of praise and some training treats when they do their business in the right spot. But with time, your dog will understand how to use their new pee spot. And of course, you want your home to be sanitary. Consider Using Deodorizing Litter Cats have famously used litter boxes for a long time, so pet product manufacturers have developed many unique products that absorb pee effectively and suppress odor. By offering your old dog accessible litter boxes, you can almost eliminate the possibility of accidents, all while empowering your aging dog. By giving your dog a huge amount of praise and an immediate reward, you can override any other thoughts they may have, like a compulsion to mark. Watch for Digging or Coprophagia Dog owners encounter some of the most common issues when litter box training their dogs are digging and coprophagia. Unfortunately, the best way to address these issues is using a different potty training method. Buy a Litter Box With High Sides To avoid accidental spills, you should consider buying a litter box made of sturdy material with high sides. These prevent spills with male dogs since they can block any splashing. A flat litter box tray has drawbacks but is significantly better for large dogs. Generally, you will have an easier time litter box training a smaller dog, as a large dog will have difficulty containing their mess in a cat litter box that is entirely too small for their body. If you are set on litter box training a large dog, you will need to get creative with what you use as the litter box itself — using a large metal tray or a shallow plastic storage bin may be your best bet! A small dog can use a standard large litter box and keep the mess in the potty area. High sided litter box, intened for dog use 4. While litter box training a dog is not for everyone, you can teach your dog how to use one with persistence, treats, and positive reinforcement! How useful was this post? Click on a star to rate it! Submit Rating Please give us feedback on this post: Let us improve this post! Tell us how we can improve this post? Throughout the site, you will find a variety of helpful dog training articles, insightful dog behavior tips, and truthful product reviews from nationally-recognized canine trainers and professionals. Post navigation. But what about dog litter? But thanks to the advent of dog litter—and dog litter boxes—canines can take advantage of this convenience, too. What Is Dog Litter? While most cat litters are made from clay, dog litters typically are made from paper, like Secondnature dog litter , or wood. Dog litter and a dog litter box can be used as an alternative to dog pee pads, according to Mauger. Although dog pee pads, also called dog potty pads , work well for some homes, the texture can be confusing for dogs, unlike a dog litter pan filled with dog litter. Why Use Dog Litter? Convenience is a big reason for using dog litter. By leaving out a dog litter pan filled with dog litter, you can relax knowing your dog has a place to relieve himself if the urge strikes. Bloom recommends teaching a dog to use a litter box the same way you would in normal housetraining ; but instead of taking him outdoors, take the dog to the box during potty times. Make sure you choose a litter box that is large enough for your pup. As with all housetraining, Bloom adds, the keys to litter box training a dog is making sure he gets taken to the right place often and, when he relieves himself in the right area, giving him plenty of praise and treats. Litter box training a dog may be more appropriate for smaller dogs than larger breeds, according to Bloom. Finally, if you have a dog who likes to hike his leg up to pee, a litter box may not be tall enough to contain the stream.

A friendly dog by nature, it strives for human attention and likes to remain close to its family members. It is patient with children and does well with other pets too. However, its athletic and exuberant disposition calls for careful observation when around younger children, otherwise they could be knocked over and get hurt. This sociable and pack-oriented pet is always happy to help its owner in family activities. Like its Weimaraner parent, it suffers from separation anxiety when left alone for hours. Although it does not bark at everything, it will certainly alert its owner about the presence of an intruder. This makes it suitable for watching and guarding activities. Care Exercise Being highly energetic and lively, labmaraners need plenty of daily activities to burn off their energy. Thus, homes with enough room to play and run are suitable for raising these dogs. They should be taken out for walks every day, which does not mean strolling around the neighborhood will satisfy their exercise requirements. To be fit, they need vigorous activities like hiking, running, and playing. Since these obedient dogs like to stay close to their owners, they do not always have to be taken out on leashes. Grooming The short and smooth-haired labmaraner does not require extensive maintenance. Combing once in every alternate week keeps its coat glossy. While bathing your pet with mild soap is recommended only when needed, occasional dry shampooing prevents the accumulation of dirt. Health Problems Like most crossbreeds , it is also prone to hereditary health issues. It may inherit some health conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, entropion, obesity, and bloating from its parent breeds. Also, check for some general dog health concerns including diarrhea, worms, fleas, and ear infections. Training Even though training them is easy, their occasional stubbornness is something that inexperienced owners might find difficult to manage. Employ a firm and assertive training method, but do not be harsh in your approach. Make the puppies familiar to their cage or crate so that they accept it as their safe dwelling place. Start socialization and obedience training early to prevent them from becoming over-dependent. This will also restrain some of their destructive behaviors like chewing small household items and digging holes in the yards. Feeding Your labmaraner dog needs a nutritious diet rich in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals to support its high activity levels. Instead of providing one or two heavy meals, you should divide it through the day. Interesting Facts These are multitalented dogs and could be used for retrieving, jogging, agility, and performing tricks. They are good swimmers and do not shy away from the water. The breed was a great success. Labrador retrievers are considered among the most intelligent and trainable dog breeds. This is why they are often used as working dogs. Labs are also naturally playful and affectionate. They love their people, and they are friendly with strangers and other animals. This makes them great family pets but terrible guard dogs. This is why they are usually rated among the top three dog breeds in most countries. The main complaint that people have about a Lab is that it has a high-shedding coat , which can be difficult to manage. Yes, we have Labs at home and I assume we eat our fair share of dog fur throughout the year, especially during the high shedding seasons. Meanwhile, Weimaraners are large dogs that were bred in Germany for hunting in the early 19th century. They are large enough to use when hunting animals such as boars, bears, and deer and were favored by royalty when hunting was still a popular aristocratic pastime. The history of the Weimaraner Lab mix is less well known, but it most likely originated in the s when many of the Lab mixes emerged. While breeders agree the mix results in an excellent dog, Weimaraner Labs are still relatively rare due to their large size and high-shedding coats unlike many other Lab mixes. Weimaraner Labrador Retriever Mix Appearance Both parent breeds are medium-to-large dogs, so you can expect the same from their mixed offspring. Weimaraners are fairly large dogs typically measuring 22 to 28 inches in height. They have athletic bodies, so they typically only weigh between 55 and 88 pounds. Labs are a bit smaller, measuring 21 to 22 inches, but they can weigh between 55 and 80 pounds with their sturdier frame. A Weimador will usually measure between 21 and 24 inches and can weigh anywhere from 60 to pounds depending on whether they get the athletic figure of the Weimaraner or the stockier build of the Lab. They usually have the barrel-chested appearance of the Weimaraner but with a bit more heavy muscle on their frame. Labs have high-shedding double coats that are quite long and can be black, chocolate, or yellow. They will have light amber, gray, or blue gray eyes. Their skin under their coat is a pinkish color rather than white or black. While their coat can be short or long and is a single layer, they still tend to shed quite a bit. They do shed, so they need to be brushed regularly to keep their coat under control. While their appearance can vary significantly, as is true with most mixed breeds, you can expect them to have a relatively long and square muzzle with long ears that flop down. Weimaraner Labrador Retriever Mix Temperament Labrador retrievers are among the most intelligent and naturally friendly dogs, which is why they are popular for mixed breeds. Weimaraners are intelligent, but not on the same level as a lab, so mixing them with a lab improves their intelligence and trainability. Weimaraners also have a very strong prey drive. The trainability that the Lab brings to the Weimador mix is important for teaching your dog what not to do and controlling their natural instincts. Weimaraner Labrador mixes need to be properly socialized from a young age to learn appropriate behavior. However, due to their large size, they should always be supervised when around smaller children. Labradors are very social animals that love being around their people all the time. Weimaraners take this to the next level! They are not independent and prefer to be glued to the side of their person. As a result, you can expect their mixed breed offspring might be a little needy. While their large size means they need outdoor space, they also need to be allowed inside the family home to be close to you. This unique mixed breed can develop fairly severe separation anxiety if they are left on their own for extended periods of time on a regular basis. You can expect whining, digging, and destructive behavior as a response. These dogs do best with families when there is usually someone around the house or when they can accompany someone to work. Weimaraner Labrador Retriever Mix Energy Levels Both Labrador retrievers and Weimaraners are high-energy dogs, so you can expect their mixed breed offspring to be a big ball of energy. They should have plenty of outdoor space available to blow off steam whenever needed. Just make sure your yard is well-fenced! Their prey drive can see them overcome some pretty impressive obstacles to catch smaller animals. A Weimaraner Lab mix needs at least an hour of exercise a day, preferably broken into two or three sessions. These should be active sessions that include running and games such as fetch and pull. They will enjoy accompanying the family on outdoor activities such as hikes and swims. Both their parent breeds love the water, and the Weimaraner even has webbed feet that it may pass on to its offspring. When they are at home, these dogs need quite a bit of mental stimulation. Interactive puzzles and toys that release treats are a good choice for them. A slow feeder is also a good investment as they tend to gobble down their food. This will stimulate them and improve their digestion. Weimaraner Labrador Retriever Mix Health Care Weimaraners are actually considered among the healthiest purebred dogs, and this is something their mixed breed offspring benefit from. They have a good lifespan of 10 to 12 years, which is about average for a dog of this size. Smaller dogs tend to live for longer. Unlike many large dog breeds, hip and elbow dysplasia rates are low in Weimaraners and their mixed offspring, too. It is still worth being careful about this due to the prevalence of the condition in Labs. One of the best things you can do is not over exercise them as a puppy, as this can exacerbate the problem. They should only have five minutes of exercise per month of life until they work up to an hour a day at the age of one. Eye conditions are a common problem for both parent breeds and can show up in their puppies. They probably will develop some kind of sight loss as they enter their senior years. Another problem for Weimanders is bloat or gastric torsion. This is when the stomach twists itself, pinching off blood vessels and blocking the route of food traveling in and out. If it is not treated quickly, it can lead to death fairly swiftly. Constipation and a swollen stomach are among the first symptoms. This can be avoided by feeding them smaller meals more often and avoiding rigorous exercise for an hour before eating, as well as for about an hour after eating. However, they do sometimes show up in shelters. Their neediness means they often prove to be too much for unprepared owners and therefore might find themselves in need of a new home. There are a few breed-specific rescues where you might be more likely to find these dogs. Labrador Weimaraner mixes have a friendly and playful personality and are full of energy. They are quite clingy and love to be around their people all the time. They will want to join you on hikes and in bed, and they can develop anxiety if left alone too much. Is a Weimaraner a good family dog? Weimaraners love their families and will thrive in an active family that has lots of time to spend with them! While they love children, it can be difficult to socialize them to live alongside smaller animals, such as cats, due to their high prey drive. Do Weimaraners like to cuddle? Yes, a Weimaraner will love to get up on the couch with you for a cuddle. They are also fans of standing hugs and will probably greet you with one every time you walk through the door. Weimaraner Lab mix dogs are friendly and playful dogs that are fun to be around, but they are also a pretty big commitment! Their size and energy levels mean you need a pretty big space for them and have to commit to regular exercise. They also need good training structure to keep their prey drive under control. These dogs can only be described as clingy, and they will want to be around you all the time. They will not cope well if left alone at home for hours at a time while everyone is out and about. They are ideal for someone who wants constant canine companionship. Weimaraner Lab mix puppies Due to their high energy and potentially anxious nature, this is not a breed that will do well with an owner who works full time and is not at home much. They also like a lot of space, so apartment-dwellers might think twice about this breed. That said, Weimaraner Lab mix dogs make fantastic family pets. They are great with kids and adults alike and a social breed happy in multi-dog households. The breed slowly made its way to the Americas, but their popularity exploded after many Weimaraner pups were brought back from Germany after the end of World War II. The Labrador breed are descended from the St. Labradors were favored by wealthy aristocrats in their early days, before becoming one of the most popular breeds in the modern age. Weimaraner Lab Characteristics The Weimaraner Labrador mix will take on the characteristics of its parent breeds — but as with any mix, the results may vary. Looking at the Weimaraner, the height span is inches, with weight between 55 and 90 lbs. The Labrador is a bit smaller, with a height of .You could assume that a Weimaraner Black Lab mix would fall in a similar weight and height class based on these figures. However, in reality they could be at the Lab minimum or Weimaraner maximum. As for appearance, the Labmaraner is a beautiful dog. It has long legs, a glossy coat, and a strong, muscular frame. The Lab Weimaraner mix tends to have a short, single-layered coat. Longer coats are possible, but are rare. Grooming Since Weimaraner and Lab mix dogs have relatively short coats, their grooming requirements are fairly light. Brushing once a week or so should be sufficient. However, Labradors are prolific shedders, and can molt a great deal. Although Weimaraners shed less, their mix could go either way. So be prepared for either eventuality. Weimaraner Lab Mix Temperament Labrador Weimaraner mixes are very active dogs that tend to have a lot of energy. Since both parent breeds are fairly high-energy, you can count on your Labmaraner having an active personality. These dogs tend to be very loyal and loving, as you would expect from the origin breeds. They are great with kids, and generally make excellent family pets. Their friendly temperament means that although they are likely to bark to alert their owners of an intruder — before running over to get their belly rubbed by said intruder. Labs are also often friendly to the point of being quite pushy, a characteristic that you are less likely to see in a Weimaraner. Weimaraner and Labrador Health Any mixed breed dog will be susceptible to inheriting the health issues of the parent breeds. On the Weimaraner side, potential health problems include hypertrophic osteodystrophy a bone disease , spinal dysraphism a spinal deformity that can lead to neurological abnormalities , hyperuricosuria a condition that can lead to bladder and kidney stones , and hypomyelination a condition that can lead to tremors in puppies. For Labradors, health problems typically include eye problems, joint problems, obesity, and cancer. While generally healthy pups, one of the most common issues with Labs include hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Labradors may also be prone to obesity and related concerns, including diabetes and arthritis. These factors can typically be controlled by proper feeding habits and regular exercise. The Weimaraner parent should also have good hip scores and have had their eyes checked by a vet. Your pup might be prone to the health issues of either parent, and it may take on more or less of the characteristics of either parent. Socialization and Training Lab Weimaraner mixes are typically happy, social dogs, but they need to be socialized early for best results. The ideal socialization window for young dogs is typically between 8 and 16 weeks of age. This is the period where your pup will be most open to new experiences. And less fearful of larger dogs and unfamiliar humans. Keep in mind that socialization needs to happen with other dogs, and with other people. As for training, Labradors are generally eager to please. They respond very well to positive reinforcement training with treats. Weimaraners are a bit more strong-willed than labradors, which can make training a bit more difficult. Lab Weimaraners should be trained early and often for best results. As they are both sporting dog breeds with the potential for prey drive, recall training from a young age is essential. And thus, the Weimaraner Lab cross is actually rather uncommon. Finding one in a rescue situation will be quite difficult. When choosing a breeder, make sure to do your research. You want to identify a reputable breeder that is knowledgeable and kind to their pups. Ask if the breeder conducted any health testing on the parents, as the results of those tests could sway your decision. Cream, silver, yellow, black, chocolate Suitable for: Active lifestyles, homes with land Temperament: Energetic, loyal, intense, action-oriented So, what exactly happens when you cross these two structurally similar dogs? You get an agile, lean muscular dog that is capable of taking on the world at large. 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. Labmaraner dogs are energetic and loyal animals. Find the right food for your dog, and give them tons of love to keep them happy and healthy. They have fun-loving personalities and make terrific playmates. The Weimaraner is an incredibly intense dog that loves nothing more than a job to do. When you cross the Labrador Retriever and the Weimaraner, you get a very high-energy breed that needs lots of space to run. Their mental and physical stimulation is equally important, as this dog is fiercely intelligent and very active. This breed would fare best in situations with lots of room to run and explore. If you have a lot of acreage or a huge fenced-in area, they can work quite well in your living situation. This breed is a bit hyper, taking a very long time to mature. Because of their overabundance of energy, they work best with people who have a highly active lifestyle. These dogs can be highly affectionate with their owners and family members. But primarily, they are bred for work. However, a well-trained cross can be incredibly devoted, loyal, and faithful to their humans. These dogs do not do well with apartment living. So, if you and your family live somewhere that makes it complicated for outdoor activities, you might want to think about getting another breed. Because of their exuberant energy, these dogs work best for children ages 6 and older. Also, the Weimaraner is known for exhibiting a bit of aggression at times. They have too much intensity for younger children and might knock down or hurt a younger child. Even though a Lab is a super exciting, fun breed, the Weimaraner DNA might throw a wrench in the mix when it comes to being a family pet. However, because of the possibility of same-sex or territorial aggression, you should socialize them as early as possible. They have high chasing instincts.