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This cross means that Australian Shepherd Mix puppies can have the traits of an Australian Shepherd, the other dog breed in the cross, or any combination of both of the parent breeds. On the Australian Shepherd side, you have a loving, loyal, dedicated, and high-energy working dog that also makes a great pet for an active family. This, in addition to meeting the puppy and the mother dog in-person, will give you a good idea of what to expect in your puppy. If the Australian Shepherd Mix takes after the Australian Shepherd, they will be a highly intelligent and highly active dog that loves to be doing things with their families. Although Australian Shepherds are high-energy working dogs with herding instincts built-in, they tend to get along well with children and are highly protective of their families, which makes them good watchdogs and guard dogs. They can be wary and suspicious of strangers and other dogs, but with socialization early and often, they can take on a more open and friendly nature. Asking the breeder about the other parent breed in the cross will give you a better idea of what temperament to expect in your Australian Shepherd Mix puppy. Puppies raised in the same litter will often learn how to behave from their mother, so meeting the mother dog in-person will also give you a good idea of what sort of temperament your puppy might have. Depending on the other dog breed in the cross, the Australian Shepherd Mix is likely to be highly adaptable. An Australian Shepherd can adapt to large homes with plenty of space to run as well as smaller apartments, as long as they are given plenty of exercise and attention. They also do well in both cold and warm climates. This could change a bit depending on the other parent breed, but asking the breeder about the parents is a good way to determine what to expect. The Australian Shepherd is a relatively healthy dog breed, but there are some potential health issues to be aware of. These include deafness, allergies, cancer, hypothyroidism, epilepsy , and sensitivity to certain drugs. Talking with the breeder about the genetic history of both of the parent breeds, any breed-specific issues with the other parent breed, and asking to see any health clearances can help allay several potential health concerns. Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent, tend to be sensitive to their owners, and are innately eager to please. If the Australian Shepherd Mix takes after their Australian Shepherd parent, they will be a good fit for an owner of any experience level. The grooming level to expect in an Australian Shepherd Mix will depend heavily on the parent breeds in the cross. An Australian Shepherd does shed year-round with two heavier seasonal shedding sessions and will require regular brushing to maintain a healthy coat. If kept groomed, they only need to be bathed when they are dirty, which keeps their bathing needs low maintenance. You will want to ask the breeder about the other dog breed in the mix to get a better idea of what coat types you could expect. If the Australian Shepherd Mix has ears that flop over, they will be more prone to ear infections as their ears are more likely to trap moisture, dirt, and debris. You may just need to check floppy ears more often. Dental disease is one of the most common, and most preventable, health issues in dogs. Good dental care for your dog could include one or a mix of brushing their teeth daily, using enzyme toothpaste, dental chews, and more. Because the Australian Shepherd has such a high energy level, you need to be prepared for an Australian Shepherd Mix to require a lot of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Not only do Australian Shepherds need a job to do, but they also need to run and play a lot to expend energy. This could vary in an Australian Shepherd Mix depending on the other breed in the cross, but you will need to be prepared for the possibility of a high-energy working dog. An Australian Shepherd usually stands 18 — 23 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between 35 and 70 pounds. The size of an Australian Shepherd Mix can be greatly affected by the other parent breed in the cross. Asking the breeder about the other parent breed and meeting the mother dog can give you a good idea of what size to expect in your Australian Shepherd Mix puppy. Australian Shepherds generally live for 12 — 15 years. Although the other parent breed of an Australian Shepherd Mix can affect the average life expectancy slightly, you should be able to expect a similar life span from them. Featured Australian Shepherd Mix Article. German Australian Shepherd Video Temperament and Behavior Known for their intelligence, alertness, and loyalty, the Australian German Shepherds are extremely devoted to their family members, spending time playing. They get along well with the kids provided they are socialized when young. As in the case of most herding dogs , they are reserved and unresponsive with strangers. Being protective by nature, they do a great job watching and guarding their house and family. Because of their kind and loving behavior towards their family members, they are considered good family pets. However, they need confident and firm leadership and are thus not suitable for the timid or first-time owners. Care Exercise As a lively dog, it needs a minimum one-hour of daily activities including running, playing, and agility exercises. Keep your pet occupied and mentally stimulated by providing it with puzzle toys. Long walks are also recommended for avoiding boredom and inactivity. Grooming Routine maintenance will ensure a shinier and healthier coat. Utilize a slicker brush to stroke its hair in the direction of its growth. This will keep dead hairs from coming on your clothes as well as furnishings. Do not bathe your pet too often as it might strip its skin of all its natural oils. Trim its nails occasionally to prevent them from growing too long. Keep its teeth and gums healthy by brushing them with a gentle toothbrush and vet-recommended toothpaste. Health Problems These dogs might be prone to common health conditions including food and contact allergies, hip dysplasia, epilepsy, eye disorders, as well as some other diseases affecting its parent breeds. While adopting a puppy, it is advisable that you check the health clearances of its parents from the breeder. Training Let your pet know that you are its leader and it should follow your commands. Enforce strict and positive training methods, but do not be too harsh. You may reward it by praising its good behavior, offering foods, or playing with toys. This will encourage your pet to listen to your commands and accept training. Feeding Keep an eye on the quality as well as the quantity of food you provide your pet. A low-calorie diet with small amounts of fat and protein is necessary to keep it in good shape. Do not offer more than cups of dog food a day. Origin Story of the Aussie German Shepherd Mix It might not be a shock to hear this about mixed breeds, but the origin story of the Australian Shepherd mixed with the German Shepherd is somewhat unclear. What is known about the German Shepherd Aussie is that the breed was developed sometime between the s and s. However, like other mix-breeds, the only way you can really decipher what this dog is all about is by understanding their purebred parents. Von Stephanitz did this by using a selection of the best shepherd breeds that were scattered around the German countryside. The German Shepherd dog also referred to as GSD has quickly proved to be capable of far more than just herding. Nowadays, these dogs are synonymous with police work, bomb and drug detection, and personal protection. While the breed was refined in the outback, this purebred got its actual start working the hills and countryside of Europe. In the last hundred years, the Aussie Shepherd transitioned to the Australian West, rounding up livestock for farmers and ranchers. They, too, are astute and will often try to outsmart their owners. So, be prepared to remain on your toes at all times. Australian Shepherd The Aussie Shepherd is an emotionally supportive dog but can, at times, be reserved and independent. At heart, the Australian Shepherd loves the company of its owners. Australian Shepherd and German Shepherd Mix Appearance Whenever you get a designer pup, you can never fully predict what physical traits the dog will adopt from either parent. These dogs are mostly well-proportioned with strong athletic bodies. Their sloping back and long legs give this half German Shepherd half Australian shepherd the ambling gait of a GSD with the pep-in-step of the Aussie. This hybrid will most likely have a fluffy, plumed tail that can be long or short. This will be dependent on which parent breed they take after. Their almond-shaped eyes are very expressive. With these dogs, their eyes are truly the windows to their soul. Eye colors vary from dog to dog. Typically, you can see them with brown, blue, or hazel eyes. In some cases, the German Shepherd Aussie can inherit Heterochromia , a condition that causes two different eye colors. Males tend to be at the heavier end of the scale. These dogs tend to sport a solid color, while a few might have a combination of colors. Some are even speckled or spotted dogs with a tricolor or tinges of silvery gray or brindle. It really depends on the parents and who has the dominant gene. Therefore, grooming these dogs can take a bit of time and concentrated effort. Grooming this hybrid requires plenty of brushing and trimming to keep their coats in top shape. Since their coats are primarily straight hairs, you can use a dog comb and a dematting brush at least twice each week. Baths should only be given when necessary using a mild dog shampoo. This will help to avoid irritating the dogs skin or drying out their fur. Doing so helps them avoid ear infections. And to finish off a full grooming program, keep their nails down with some quality dog nail clippers. If your dog gets enough exercise, it is less likely that they will need their nails clipped each month. If you run on asphalt or hike with them, their nails will naturally wear down. This designer mix, however, is a moderate shedder with half the grooming needs of their parents. This occurs in the Spring and Fall seasons when the dog will lose clumps of hair and shed much more than usual. During this time, it is best to take them to a groomer to effectively get rid of the shedding hair. Shaving is never the solution for dogs with a double coat. Shaving a double-coated dog can actually make it harder for them to cool off. This part of their personality is thanks to their German Shepherd heritage. However, both the German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd are amazing problem solvers and can work as police or service dogs. German Aussie puppies have a very high energy level, and without consistent exercise, they will make their boredom and frustration known. They will bark all night and day, chew on things and dig, dig, dig. Essentially, all this dog wants is to play with its family. They can be a little wary of strangers but are overall still very confident dogs. Their wariness of strangers makes them great guard dogs, though, so you can expect some barking from them when strangers approach. Are They a Good Family Dog? The German Shepherd and Aussie mix is a great addition to any family. They adore human attention and would fit best in an active family — they are a breed that enjoys going on long walks or hikes with their owners. This breed can get along with other pets. The most significant factor in their acceptance of other animals is their socialization when they are puppies. Both parent breeds are known for being quite relaxed as properly socialized dogs. They can even get along with cats and other small animals if introduced slowly and correctly. Well, it all boils down to the breeding business. Some breeders are well-established and have pedigree dogs in their kennels. Breeding is an expensive business, and very few breeders make any profit at all. To make matters worse, you could get your heart set on an unhealthy pup. These documents should include more than a standard vet checkup. The best breeders care just as much about their puppies as their clients do. When it comes to rescuing a German Shepherd Aussie mix, there are several benefits to adopting one. For starters, you can save quite a bit of money. You can also have the option of bringing home an older dog and avoid the highs and lows of potty training a whining puppy. One or two other breeds may be thrown into the mix. Take the time to observe if the breeders or rescue staff have an evident bond with their pups. If the adult dogs or puppies at one of these breeding or rescue facilities seem detached or fearful, this is a huge red flag. As both parent breeds were bred to be obedient working dogs, their cross also has that focus and obedience during training. With plenty of positive affirmations and repetition, you will have a wonderful, well-trained dog in no time. Exercise for German Shepherd and Australian Shepherd Mix As previously mentioned, this breed is highly energetic, so it needs plenty of exercise. The German Shepherd Aussie will need about 2 hours of activity spread throughout the day. But you will probably have to walk with them twice a day to fulfill their exercise quota for the week. Diet and Nutrition for the German Shepherd Aussie As an active breed, your German Shepherd Aussie mix needs a diet high in protein to keep its body and muscles strong and healthy. This is an estimated 1, calories a day. Divide this amount into two meals to discourage overeating and bloating. You should also check if your German Shepherd Aussie mix is gaining too much weight by doing a touch test. This is where you run your fingers through their coat and feel for their ribs. Being overweight can be a sign of illnesses like insulinoma a tumor of the pancreas and hypothyroidism an underactive thyroid condition. As for the Aussie Shepherd, this dog enjoys a life expectancy of between 12 and 15 years. It is suggested that the German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix could live for between 13 and 15 years, adopting its Aussie genetics. Sometimes, unsound breeding practices in their parents can contribute to a greater risk of hereditary conditions. Joint issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia are possible in German and Australian Shepherds. However, below are some potentially serious health conditions affecting the half Aussie half German Shepherd breed. Hemophilia An inherited condition that stops blood from clotting. Dogs with this condition can have prolonged, spontaneous bleeding from injuries or even from the nose and eyes. Epilepsy Seizures can be caused by trauma or sickness, but in many cases, the real reason is unknown. Luckily, this can be managed with lifelong medication. A visit to the vet may prescribe eye drops to reduce inflammation, but surgery to remove the cataract is the most effective treatment. It usually occurs after the dog has eaten or drank excessively, often just before or after exercise. The stomach starts to fill up with gas, then twists around on itself, cutting off the blood supply to the organs and rupturing the stomach lining. Without emergency surgery, the dog will not survive. Collie Eye Anomaly This is actually a group of eye problems affecting Collie-type breeds. They range from mild to potentially fatal, and some can cause blindness in one or both eyes. Your dog must be checked regularly for any sign of eye problems of this nature. Degenerative Myelopathy Degenerative myelopathy is a disease of the spinal cord that stops the brain from communicating with the hindquarters. It is a progressive disease that almost always results in complete paralysis of the back legs. In many cases, their front legs are weakened, and they become incontinent. The only good news here is that the dog is not in pain while experiencing this disease. They do, however, require a diligent owner. Novice pet parents or those with packed schedules should think twice before bringing one of these puppies home. The primary consideration you must make with these pups is their need for space and attention. As long as you make the effort, they will be an excellent addition to your home. Applies to all dog food recalls in the U. The German Shepherd mixed with Australian Shepherd dogs weighs from 46 to 65 pounds. Its parent breeds are notably medium to large-sized dogs. The height of this crossbreed could range from 20 to 23 inches. Its coat is remarkably dense. You should be wary about warm places due to the coat of this dog. The colors of their coat can come out as a combination of white, black, blue, red, cream, silver, and sable. The Australian Shepherd German Shepherd mix makes a very energetic dog, suitable for owners and families with an active lifestyle. This dog also loves going outdoors and exploring nature. The German Shepherd crossed with Australian Shepherd dogs are intelligent dogs. They can be trained well to become service and therapy dogs. High intelligence causes less worry and more pride to the owners. The trainers would require less training time for this crossbreed. The mixed puppy has a clingy nature. Its affectionate nature may also contribute to a fearful state, often leading to separation anxiety. This condition may be averted by employing effective obedience training and socialization. Overall, this crossbreed is a dependable and wonderful companion. Australian Shepherd Crossed with German Shepherd Puppies for Sale Finding a breeder for a crossbreed tends to be more difficult than going into a pet store and purchasing a new pet. The quality of the crossbreed is drastically high when the dog is acquired through reliable breeders. One place where you can spot potential professional breeders is at a dog show. Certified breeders often attend this event. You can gauge the temperament and disposition of some dog breeds during the dog show as well. This event could help you decide better on what breed to get. There are designated and verified parent clubs that you can access and reach out to. These parent clubs provide support for breed-specific studies, along with the help of AKC. You can seek out public opinion regarding some breeders. There are breeders with website and comments. You will see disappointed owners or prospective buyers if the breeder has pending issues on the environment and health problems of the dogs. There is no accessible list of substantiated breeders for the Australian Shepherd German Shepherd Mix dogs at this time. These places are good grounds for acquiring your new family member. Following these steps will assure that your dog will be in top appearance throughout all the seasons. Brushing is an essential part of grooming this mixed breed. The German Shepherd Australian Shepherds shed heavily throughout the year. Brushing is beneficial in developing your bond with your dog as well as its aesthetic value. I recommend two to four times of brushing per week for this crossbreed. Another function of brushing the coat is providing proper insulation for the dog. Some owners prefer this step. This may or may not reduce the insulating property of the coat. There is a possibility that the coat will not grow as well as before it was shaved. While you are brushing its coat, you should also check for tick and flea infestations. You may also need a pair of thinning shears. You need to do minimal trimming of the feet, tail, ears, britches, and legs. With the use of a slicker brush, you will gently brush the hair from the toes toward the leg of the dog. You will cut the hair sticking above the foot and the lengthier hair surrounding the foot. You can use the shears to cut a vertical line at the end of the tail. You only need to cut the hair with excess length. Trimming this part involves following the natural curve of the coat. The special spot to notice is the coat on the ear. If you lack the basic grooming tools or enough time, there are dog wash salons that may also offer grooming services. You can also contact and find professional groomers to help you with the activity. The risk factors and genetic mutations in the parent breeds affect the disposition of the offspring. The Australian Shepherd parent breed is relatively healthier than the other dog breeds. It suffers less skin, coat, and bone problems. It manifests as spontaneous bleeding. Dogs could have internal bleeding in muscles or joints. Hip and elbow dysplasia: This malformation can spontaneously occur to the dog. It leads to joint inflammation at a young dog age. The cartilage in the hip socket is greatly affected in this disease. This degenerative disease ultimately ends in blindness. Epilepsy: It is a serious neurologic disorder that can be triggered by infections and injury. This may have structural or idiopathic causes. For German Shepherd crossed with Australian Shepherd dogs, this health issue has an idiopathic origin. Collie Eye Anomaly: This is a group of eye issues that may be minor to fatal. It may cause unilateral or bilateral disturbances. If you established enough rapport with the breeder, you can contact him more about the proper management of the dogs. Professional breeders will gladly inform you about the health hazards, genetic and non-genetics, and other things you need to watch for. They made the effort to subject the parent dogs and the offspring to screening tests. A regular appointment with a reliable veterinarian can help you a lot in maintaining the health of the German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix dogs. Australian Shepherd Crossed with German Shepherd Food Requirements You will need a great diet plan to sustain the energy of this agile crossbreed. This mixed pup could grow to a helpful working dog, so it is crucial to maintaining a steady and strong development. A healthy quantity of the dog depends on some variables. It is advisable to divide the food servings into two meals each day. Some essential minerals for the development of puppies are chloride and sodium. They affect the cardiac and skeletal muscles. They also contribute to the correct functioning of the nervous system. Below is a list of the recommended dry food for the Australian Shepherd crossed with German Shepherd dogs. These ingredients contribute to building strong muscles and giving energy to the dog. It is gluten-free. The formula has Omega-3 and Omega-6 for a shiny coat. It also includes minerals for the optimal function of the joints and strength of teeth and bones. Orijen Dog Food: This well-known formulation has a high content of protein, amounting to 75 to 80 percent. The recipe for this dog food is patterned on the diet of the wolf ancestors. Canidae Life Stages: This is quite a one-size-fits-all dog food. It can be suitable for dogs of all ages and kinds. It is equipped with antioxidants, fatty acids, and probiotics. It contains chicken, turkey, lamb, oatmeal, potatoes, brown rice, white rice, and cracked pearled barley. It can be digested easily. It has a healthy source of fat called flaxseed. It is important to know the benefits of this dry food, like its advantage to the brain and eye development. It has vitamins C and E that provide help to the immune system. This is a vet-approved formulation without any artificial flavors and colors. It has whole grain wheat, whole grain corn, whole grain oats, and whole grain corn. Giving proper nutrition does not end in providing the food. You need to monitor if the diet contributes to the good development of the dog. You can check for possible weight gain by touching his spine and ribs. There is a breed standard that the dogs need to achieve. If you are able to feel the ribs, the dog is less likely to be overweight. Owners should be cautious with the possibility of obesity because it may be a manifestation of a systemic disease like hypothyroidism, insulinoma. Your inquiries can be addressed by setting up an appointment with a veterinarian. The professional can also create a detailed diet plan for the dog. There are also some brands that you should keep off of their food bowls, such as the worst dry dog food. Dogs pass on the genes to their puppy pups, and thus they can develop a different taste for food, which is why you can try your luck with the best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. If you own a puppy, scan through the best puppy food brands, and for gray-coated grandpa doggos, chose something from the best senior dry dog food list. All changes in nutrition should be made after discussing it with your vet. The crossbreed inherited the athletic nature of its parent breeds. The duration of vigorous physical activities should be at least one and a half hour. Different techniques to gain the attention and interest of the Australian Shepherd German Shepherd mix puppies are required to avoid irritability and aggressiveness from manifesting. You can involve the dog in physical activities such as long walks, jogging, hiking, tug-of-war, and fetching. Tug-of-war may intimidate some new owners because it could lead to increased aggression. This has great benefits if done properly, such as teaching about rules and boundaries and bonding with your dog. For fetching activities, the Legendog Flying Disc Rubber Catcher is a great toy that can fly higher than the average flying discs. It has edge bulges to let the dogs bite firmly. It keeps the dog fairly occupied. It has no preservatives, salt, sugar, or plastic. You can give it to dogs of all ages. Australian Shepherd Crossed with German Shepherd Training The German Shepherd crossed with Australian Shepherd dogs has a high possibility of being hailed as service dogs, involved in search and rescue, and therapy dogs. These dogs are highly trainable and willing to learn. The owner has a role in supporting and keeping a level head during the training process. The emotions of the owners could confuse and distract the dogs. Choose particular tasks: You can heighten the productivity of the dog if you choose to train it with specific tasks. These tasks may involve fetching the newspaper or loading the dishwasher. Never hit your dog: This action will affect your bond with the dog. The dog could see you as a threat and attack you. It may develop antisocial personality traits. Basic commands: The breeding instinct of the Australian Shepherd may manifest in their offspring. Invest in obedience classes: Your dog will benefit greatly with knowing the basic commands through formal classes. You can have fewer frustrations as well because another person is responsible for the training. It is important to allow time for the dog to process the commands and avoid unnecessary pressure. Training will also contribute to better mental health for the dogs. If you are hesitant of the proper training techniques for your dog, you can refer to an experienced dog trainer. It is affectionate and loyal to its owners. An important factor in building a good family dynamics with the Australian Shepherd German Shepherds is making the dog feel that it can be part of the family, even if it is still new. You must do early socialization. This will contribute to their potential in becoming therapy dogs, service dogs, or herders. Aside from its benefit to family dynamics, socialization allows the dog to be friendly to your friends. They are also friendly to children. With the proper training and early socialization, you can be assured that these dogs will exhibit minimal herding behaviors with your little children and other animals. You need to be careful in dealing with boredom in these crossbreeds. They could manifest with destructive behaviors if left unattended for a long period of time. These behaviors may include excessive barking which may affect your relationship with your neighbors. Also known as a GEA or Aussie-Shepherd , they can be loyal and loving family members while still retaining some of the instincts of both breeds that make them excellent working dogs. German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix is the result of two herding breeds mating. A German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix will inherit physical traits from its parents, including size, fur color, and potential herding behavior. Appearance: A GSAD mix will often have the physical characteristics of both parents but may also look quite different. Most commonly, they will have the fur coat of an Australian Shepherd and the coloring of a German Shepherd. They may also have the long snout of a GSD and the pointy ears of an Aussie. As with any crossbreed, their appearance will vary from dog to dog. The range tends to be more along the lines of medium-large-sized dogs like an Australian Shepherd or a German Shepherd. Life Expectancy: The average life expectancy for this mix is around 12 years. However, many factors could affect this number, including health, diet, and lifestyle choices. These dogs were bred to work, so they need a lot of physical and mental stimulation in order to be happy and healthy. The good news is that these dogs are generally very eager to please their owners and are usually quick to learn new commands. So with a little bit of effort, you should be able to train your German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix into a well-behaved member of the family. Just be sure to start training your dog early and be consistent with your commands. Grooming Requirements: The grooming of puppies is very important for the overall health and well-being of the pet. Puppies are not born with their adult dog coat or head of hair, instead, they are born without any fur at all! Before the new baby coat grows in, it will be completely dependent on its parents to keep them clean, comfortable, warm, and free of parasites. The grooming of puppies begins on the day that they are born. The mother dog will clean her new babies daily, licking them all over to keep the skin free of debris and infections, so it is very important for the mom to be able to bond with her newborns since she will have to take on this task as well as feed them and protect them from harm. You can use a gentle dog shampoo or even baby shampoo, and make sure to rinse off all the suds to avoid skin irritation. Puppy nails will also need to be trimmed on a regular basis, especially if they are scratching themselves or causing damage to furniture with their sharp little claws. There are many different types of nail clippers available, but the guillotine style is usually the easiest for new pet owners to use. You can use a good dog ear cleaner or even non-alcohol baby wipes that you can buy from your local supermarket. Some people prefer to use cotton balls as a safer alternative to wipes or a cleaner, but my preference is to wipe as they are easy to use and tend not to push debris further in. When it comes time for coat brushing and combing, it is very important that the pet owner only uses a dog brush and comb and never human hair products. A small dog brush and comb is perfect for puppies and toy breeds, while a larger brush and comb is better suited for adult dogs and especially those with long hair. It is also a good idea to keep a comb or brush in the car for those times when your dog decides to take an impromptu dirt bath, and you need to get them clean and dried off before coming inside the house. Regular grooming will help keep your German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix healthy and free from parasites, as well as keep their coat looking shiny and smooth. Grooming is also a great time for you to check your dog over for any lumps, bumps, or other abnormalities that may need to be checked out by your veterinarian. So take some time each week to give your furry friend a good groom, and they will return the favor with lots of love and wagging tails. Some of the health problems that may affect this mix include hip dysplasia, ear infections, epilepsy, and cancer. This condition is common in many dog breeds, including German Shepherds and Australian Shepherds. Ear infections are also common in both of these breeds and can be particularly troublesome in German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mixes because their floppy ears can make it difficult for bacteria and moisture to evaporate from the ear canal. If left untreated, ear infections can lead to hearing loss. Epilepsy is a seizure disorder that can affect any dog breed, and German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mixes are no exception. Seizures can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, head injuries, and poisoning. Finally, cancer is also a common health problem in dogs and can affect any breed. While the cause of cancer can vary, some types of cancer are more common in certain breeds than others. For example, bladder cancer is more common in Bulldogs, while mast cell tumors are more common in Cocker Spaniels. While all dog breeds are susceptible to certain health conditions, German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mixes may be more likely than other breeds to develop the conditions listed above. This is because Australian Shepherds and German Shepherds are both herding dog mixes that share a large number of genetic similarities, which means their offspring may inherit similar health problems. It just means you need to know what symptoms to look for and take appropriate precautions. Keep in mind that every dog is different, and certain dogs will be predisposed to certain health conditions more than others just like people. With proper veterinary care, most of these conditions can be treated and managed effectively. Nutrition Requirements: Since a German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix is a mixed breed, their nutritional needs will vary depending on their genetics. However, as a general rule, they will need around 2, calories per day. This can be split between two meals or four smaller ones. Their diet should include a balanced mix of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats. Some good sources of protein for a German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix include chicken, beef, salmon, lamb, and eggs. Healthy carbohydrates include sweet potatoes, quinoa, brown rice, and oats. Good sources of healthy fats include nuts, olive oil, coconut oil, and avocados. It is important to make sure that your dog always has access to clean water. Socialization: The German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix is a great dog for people who are looking for a versatile pet. They are very social animals and love spending time with their family. There are many different places you can take your German Shepherd Australian Shepherd Mix to socialize with them. You can take them to the park, the grocery store, or even out on walks. Be sure to introduce them to new people and new dogs, as well. This will help them get used to interacting with others and will make them better-rounded dogs. They are both working dog breeds and have many of the same characteristics. They are both intelligent, loyal, and have a strong work ethic. They also tend to be good with children and other animals. A German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix can make an excellent family pet or working dog. They are versatile and can excel in a variety of settings. Whether you are looking for a pet to keep you active or a working dog to help you with your daily tasks, a German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix may be the perfect dog for you. They are loyal, protective, and good with children. However, all dogs should be supervised around children to ensure that both the dog and the child remain safe. It is important to remember that any dog can potentially become aggressive if provoked, so it is always best to err on the side of caution. Temperament: Temperament is also something that a German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix inherits from its parents. This can be both a positive and a negative influence, depending on the situation at hand. In theory, any genetic combination could happen when breeding two separate breeds together; however, generally speaking, the most likely combination of genetic material is that which creates the breed resulting in the fewest genetic deviations from the original breeds sampled. When it comes to mood, many owners are surprised to learn they have an aggressive dog on their hands. For example, some people expect aggressive behavior from a German shepherd because this breed has long been known as a guard dog. The reality is that any dog, regardless of breed or mix, can be aggressive to varying degrees. With this said, there are some key behavioral differences that you will need to look out for if your German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix inherits aggression from their parents. In general, physical confrontations with a German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix tend to involve more biting and grappling with another individual, whereas an Aussie may use barking and chasing as a means of confrontation. This is not to say that the latter approach is right or wrong; it just depends on how these behaviors have been interpreted by the dog in question at a young age and what role they have been exposed to in comparison with their peers. As is the case with any dog, socialization is key to preventing aggression in a German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix. If your puppy has been exposed to positive experiences with other people and animals from a young age, they are less likely to become aggressive as adults. This is not to say that all puppies who are not well-socialized will become aggressive; however, it is one of the most important factors to consider when trying to prevent this type of behavior in your pet. Overall, the best way to deal with aggression in a German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix is by identifying any potential triggers and then working with a professional trainer to help your dog learn how to respond appropriately. With early prevention and intervention, most cases of aggression can be managed successfully. Physical confrontations between a GSAD mix and another individual tend to involve more biting and grappling, whereas an Aussie may use barking and chase as a means of confrontation. It is also important to socialize your puppy early on with positive experiences with other people and animals in order to help prevent aggression as an adult. The good things will be listed in the pros column, and the not-so-good qualities will be found in the cons column. A GSD-Aussie mix may be more inclined than other mixes to act as some sort of duty or protection dog due to their genetic makeup. Companionship — Sheepdogs are famously loyal and affectionate with their people counterparts. Great with Children — This is a tough one because oftentimes, certain breeds are known to be better with children than others. In this case, both breeds have a very good temperament. In fact, they can become bored fairly easily if training or working becomes monotonous. A large GSD-Aussie mix could potentially weigh as much as pounds. Energetic — Both breeds are high-energy dogs that require a lot of exercises. Need for Attention — Again, both breeds are very people-oriented and crave attention from their families. When left alone for long periods of time, they can develop separation anxiety which may lead to destructive behavior. Guard Dog Tendencies — While the majority of both breeds are excellent protectors, there is the potential for your mix to become territorial and aggressive around other dogs. If you have a problem with this, this may not be the dog for you. So, as you can see, there are both pros and cons to owning a German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix breed dog. If you can provide plenty of exercise, attention, and training, then this may be the perfect breed for you. Aussies are known for their high energy levels, so the GSD in the mix will keep them entertained and active. These mixes make great working dogs and are commonly used for police work. Their adult coloring typically changes, however. Because of their high energy levels, many tend to play too rough with small children. Make sure you teach them early how to properly play with younger members of the family. They can become overly protective of their owners, especially if they sense that they are in danger. They need to build a close bond with their human families. Final Thoughts: German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mixes make excellent pets for families who have plenty of time to exercise and play with them. If you are looking for a loving, active dog who will be a loyal member of your family, a German Shepherd Australian Shepherd mix may be the perfect pet for you. The German Shepherd mixed with Australian Shepherd dogs weighs 46 to 65 pounds. This crossbreed has a medium-sized or large parent breed. Its height could range anywhere between 20 inches for small dog breeds like Pugs all the way up to inch heights found in more significant kinds such as Labs which typically weigh about 60 pounds. Do Australian German shepherds shed? The Australian Shepherd is a very active breed that sheds moderately, and their coat needs regular maintenance to avoid matting. Owners will have to brush them weekly or risk having dirty fur stuck in their hands after every brushing session! Do Australian shepherd German shepherds make good guard dogs? Some may be very protective of their family and property. In contrast, others may not be interested in guarding their home turf. Generally, Australian shepherd German shepherd mixes are very active and require a lot of exercise. They also make great companions and can be good with kids if adequately socialized. Do Australian German Shepherds like to cuddle? Do German Shepherds bite? This can be common to all dogs; however, their character will depend on how well they were raised as puppies by the owner. If you want your shepherd mix to stay away from nipping or biting people or other animals, make sure he gets enough time outdoors to play with both you or another trusted family member and other pets — usually, cats will do! Post navigation.

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:. 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. 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:. Free from additives, artificial preservatives, gluten, and added sugar, it ensures a pure and wholesome experience for your German Shepherd. The gram bottle lasts up to 6 months for smaller pups, while larger adult German Shepherds enjoy a 2-month supply. Say goodbye to bad breath and plaque troubles with this vet-recommended, tooth-saving gem. Pros Made from selected North Atlantic seaweed, free from additives and artificial preservatives Easy to use, sprinkle over dry or wet food Recommended by vets Supports normal and healthy teeth, gums, and breath odor Visible results can be seen as soon as weeks Cons Small scoop size can be challenging to handle when the powder is low. Could benefit from a longer scoop for easier measurement. Scoop may require transferring powder to a separate container for convenience. Some owners report their dogs refusing to eat their food once sprinkled with the dental powder. These chicken-flavored chew treats are specifically formulated to promote kidney, bladder, urinary tract, gut, and immune system health. With a blend of organic marshmallow root, astragalus, licorice root, D-mannose, nettle seed, and Cran-Max cranberry concentrate, this supplement provides a comprehensive solution. Owners mention that their dogs have shown positive results, from resolving urinary incontinence to reducing UTIs. Your pup deserves optimal urinary and bladder health, and this product provides the perfect solution. It may take some time for the product to take effect. Here are some of the reasons why you could give your German Shepherd health supplements, along with how they may benefit your pup: 1. Joint health As German Shepherds age, they can experience joint pain and stiffness, making it difficult for them to move around comfortably. Joint health supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin help to reduce inflammation and support joint function. These soothing supplements may help your dog remain more active and mobile. Combine joint supplements with hip pain relief for your German Shepherd. Digestive health Many German Shepherds have sensitive stomachs and experience occasional digestive issues. Probiotic supplements can help improve gut health and promote healthy digestion. Skin and coat health Dry skin, itchiness, and hot spots are common skin issues for German Shepherds. Plus, dryness and itching are lessened, promoting a healthy, shiny coat. Supplements containing ingredients like chamomile, valerian root, or L-theanine can help calm dogs and reduce anxiety. Plus, puppies who find it difficult to wind down may benefit from calming supplements. Dental health Poor dental health can lead to bad breath, tooth decay, and other health issues. Dental health supplements containing plaque-reducing ingredients can help to clean teeth and improve overall oral health. Immune system support A strong immune system is important for defending against illness and disease. Brain health As dogs age, they can experience cognitive decline and memory issues. Supplements containing ingredients like DHA and EPA, found in fish oil, can help improve brain function and cognitive health. These supplements are also great for growing puppies to support their brain health. The most common methods to give supplements to your German Shepherd are: 1. You can mix powdered supplements or liquid drops into wet or dry food to make them easier to administer. Wet dog foods tend to hide the taste of powders and make it more appealing to consume the supplement. But many GSDs happily eat their dry kibble even with supplements added. Giving soft chews. You can also give supplements directly to your dog as treats. Soft chews are generally more treat-like for dogs, and German Shepherd puppies enjoy the soft texture. Administering a tablet or soft gel capsule. Another option is to provide supplements in the form of tablets or soft gel capsules. Wrapping a pill or capsule in a piece of cheese or meat can make it more appealing. Some tablets must be consumed whole to have the most therapeutic effect. When should I give my German Shepherd a supplement? Unless otherwise directed by a veterinarian, your growing GSD puppy does not require additional calcium. Most owners give joint supplements, omega-3 supplements, and probiotics to German Shepherds for a well rounded lifestyle. What supplements do German Shepherd puppies need? German Shepherd puppies generally need the following supplements:. 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. One way to guarantee that our German Shepherds are receiving the proper nutrients they need is through a comprehensive supplement plan. A solid supplement plan can help support your pup's overall health and well-being. While all dogs need vitamins and minerals, German Shepherds require even more due to their large size and high energy levels. Incorporating vitamins specific to German Shepherds into their regular diet can aid in maintaining their coat, joint health, and digestion. By providing your pup with a complete supplement plan tailored to their needs, you can feel confident that they are receiving the proper support for a happy and healthy life. These bites are a great source of vitamins that help improve the overall health of your pet. As German Shepherds are known for their intelligence and agility, it is essential to provide them with a healthy diet that supports their active lifestyle. With Zesty Paws 8-in-1 Bites, you can rest assured that your furry friend is receiving all the essential nutrients, including vitamins, and minerals for a healthy and happy life. These treats also come in a mouth-watering chicken flavor that your pup will surely love! Pet Honesty 10 in 1 Dog Multivitamin As pet owners, we want nothing but the best for our furry friends, which is why it's important to keep them healthy and happy. The Pet Honesty in-1 Dog Multivitamin is a fantastic product to help you achieve that goal. Specifically formulated for German Shepherds, this multivitamin is packed with all the necessary vitamins and minerals to help keep your pup in top shape. Vitamins like A, B12, and D3 play crucial roles in your dog's overall health, making this product a must-have for any German Shepherd owner. With this multivitamin, you can rest assured that your furry best friend is getting all the nutrients they need to thrive. German Shepherds are very active dogs and as such, require a high protein and vitamin-rich diet to ensure their mobility is not jeopardized. Mobility Bites is packed with a combination of Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, and eggshell membrane which work together to promote healthy joints, cartilage, and connective tissues. This supplement comes in a yummy chicken flavor and is easy to chew, making it enjoyable for your furry friend. It is advisable to consult your veterinarian first before starting on this or any nutritional supplement to ensure it fits your dog's specific needs. These furry companions require a lot of love and attention to stay healthy and active. However, sometimes even the best of diets can have gaps in essential nutrients, which is where Healthy Breeds German Shepherd Multi-Vitamin Soft Chews come into play. These soft chews are specially formulated to provide the right balance of essential vitamins for German Shepherds, supporting their immune system, heart health, and overall well-being. Made with all-natural ingredients, these chews are easy to administer and are a great way to ensure your furry companion is getting all the essential vitamins they need. German Shepherds, while strong, muscular and agile, require a balanced diet and adequate nutritional supplements to remain in optimal health. This is where the Healthy Breeds German Shepherd All in One Multivitamin Soft Chew comes in as it provides a convenient and effective solution for adding essential vitamins and minerals into your dog's diet. Each chew contains a carefully-blended and researched combination of vitamins and minerals that have several health benefits for German Shepherds, including improved joint health, enhanced skin and coat condition, and a strengthened immune system. The soft texture of the chew makes it easy for your dog to consume, and they're available in a variety of flavors. When it comes to keeping your German Shepherd healthy and happy, incorporating a multivitamin soft chew into their dietary regimen is an excellent place to start. VetPro Dog Vitamins and Supplements As pet owners, ensuring our furry friends are as healthy as possible is a top priority. This is where VetPro dog vitamins and supplements come in - these products offer an extra boost of nutrition to support your furry friend's overall well-being. But what sets VetPro apart from other options on the market? Specifically, their focus is on quality ingredients that are specifically tailored to different breeds. For example, VetPro offers a range of vitamins for German Shepherds, which are formulated to address some of the unique health needs of this breed. Whether you're looking to address a specific health concern or simply give your dog an extra boost, VetPro dog vitamins, and supplements are worth considering. However, like all dogs, they are also prone to developing joint issues as they age. That's where a balanced breed dog multivitamin glucosamine chondroitin dog joint supplement comes in handy. This supplement is packed with essential vitamins and nutrients that help support your German Shepherd's overall health, while also providing targeted support for their joint health. Glucosamine and chondroitin are two key ingredients that work together to promote joint health and mobility, allowing your furry friend to stay active and comfortable throughout their golden years. So if you want to ensure that your German Shepherd stays healthy and happy for years to come, consider adding a balanced breed dog multivitamin glucosamine chondroitin dog joint supplement to their daily routine. Coco and Luna 10 in 1 Multivitamin for Dogs As a pet owner, you always want to make sure that your furry friend is getting the best care possible. German Shepherds, in particular, are known to be large and energetic dogs that require plenty of exercise and nutrition to stay healthy. This multivitamin supplement is specifically formulated for dogs and contains a blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can improve overall health and vitality. But did you know that even with a healthy diet, your dog may still not be getting all the necessary nutrients? Formulated specifically for dogs like German Shepherds, this supplement packs a powerful punch of vitamins and minerals that work together to improve your dog's overall health and well-being. With ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin, it also supports joint health and can help prevent joint-related issues that are common in larger breeds. Plus, with its easy-to-chew form, your pup will look forward to getting his daily dose of nutrition. These easy-to-administer vitamins are specially formulated to support joint health and overall well-being. Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, such as Vitamin E and B12, NaturVet's blend is tailored to meet the nutritional needs of older dogs. Plus, the added Glucosamine helps to support joint health - a common concern for aging dogs. These daily vitamins contain everything from antioxidants to support a healthy immune system, to omega-3s for healthy skin and coat. However, like all dogs, they have specific health needs that must be addressed to keep them happy and thriving. This targeted supplement is packed with essential vitamins and nutrients specifically formulated to support the unique health needs of German Shepherds. From hip and joint support to immune system boosters, this supplement is designed to provide the comprehensive care that every German Shepherd deserves. So, if you're looking for a way to give your furry companion the best chance at a long, healthy life, WoofWell Breed-Specific Health Support Supplement is the perfect choice. Zesty Paws Probiotics for Dogs As pet owners, we all want our furry friends to live long, healthy, and happy lives. That's why it's important to ensure that our dogs are getting all the nutrients they need, including probiotics. Probiotics help boost gut health, which in turn promotes a strong immune system and supports regular digestion. Zesty Paws Probiotics for Dogs is a great option for those looking to supplement their dog's diet. Specifically formulated with a blend of probiotics and prebiotics, these vitamins for German Shepherds help maintain digestive and immune health. Additionally, they may also help with skin and coat health, which is especially important for breeds prone to skin irritations. Give your furry friend the gift of good health with Zesty Paws Probiotics for Dogs. Pet Naturals Daily Multivitamin for Dogs As pet owners, we want to ensure that our furry friends are receiving the best possible care to maintain their health and well-being. One important aspect of caring for our canine companions is providing them with the necessary vitamins and nutrients. Pet Naturals Daily Multivitamin for Dogs is an excellent option for German Shepherds and other breeds, as it contains a balanced blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support their overall health. From boosting immune function to promoting healthy skin and coat, this daily multivitamin has been formulated to meet the specific needs of dogs. So if you want to give your furry friend an extra boost of wellness, consider trying Pet Naturals Daily Multivitamin for Dogs. This supplement is specifically designed for senior dogs, including those of the German Shepherd breed, to provide them with key vitamins and minerals to support their overall health and wellness. With ingredients like antioxidants to boost immunity, digestive enzymes for better nutrient absorption, and CoQ10 to support heart health, this supplement is a fantastic addition to any senior dog's diet. Conclusion In conclusion, the well-being and vitality of our German Shepherds are of paramount importance, and providing them with the necessary vitamins is crucial for their overall health. By incorporating the 16 best vitamins specifically formulated for German Shepherds into their daily regimen, we can strengthen their immune system, promote optimal joint and bone health, support their cognitive function, and enhance their coat and skin condition. With these valuable resources, we can continue to provide our German Shepherds with the highest level of care, ensuring they lead healthy, active, and joyful lives for years to come. Related Content. 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.

Two snorts turned to four and before we knew it, we had created our own tribe of frenchies. We are a boutique breeder. We operate a small, detail oriented operation. We Focus on producing quality dogs and providing round the clock care as opposed to just making as many puppies as possible. We focus on one or two litters at time. Our end goal is to produce french bulldog puppies that you can be sure were cared for at the optimum level of love and at a great value. She has produced healthy and beautiful french bulldog puppies. Her Champion bloodline goes all the way to Hungary. She is the foundation of everything that is Crescent City Frenchies. Khaleesi enjoys short walks, getting her belly rubbed and snorting as much as possible. Click on the link below to get to peek of her and other french bulldogs on Instagram. Khaleesi Mother of frenchies Is a Frenchie right for you? French Bulldogs are extremely popular. Many people contact us for a new born puppy yet have done very little to no research regarding the care that a french bulldog requires. Some issues related to this flat faced breed include, trouble breathing, snoring at night, and farting. Yes, you read that right. Frenchies are stinkers. We urge everyone to do their research before submitting an application for any of our french bulldog puppies. If you need a place to start your research, click the link below. Frenchie Info How to reserve a puppy Reserving one of our french bulldog puppies starts with the application process. None of our french bulldogs are sold with out answering the questions provided and multiple phone calls. We don't mind video chatting to show a puppy. It also gives us the opportunity to see the environment the puppy would potentially be in. Once the application is completed and accepted, you will be sent a formal contract and you can reserve your puppy with a deposit. Your puppy is now reserved! Take a look at the application in the link below. Your responses to the questions can be sent to crescentcityfrenchies gmail. Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? Table of Contents Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.All French Bulldog Insights French Bulldog Breed Info If you're seeking an adorable companion with a charmingly squashed face, an easygoing personality, and a distinct penchant for lounging on the couch, the French Bulldog could just be your perfect match. With their signature bat ears and expressive eyes, French Bulldogs, or "Frenchies" as they are lovingly known, have captured the hearts of many dog lovers around the globe, consistently ranking among the most popular breeds. Renowned for their easy maintenance and the ability to thrive in apartment living, French Bulldogs are a city dweller's delight. Their small size, typically weighing under 28 pounds, makes them perfectly suited to compact urban spaces. However, their charming personalities and heartwarming companionship are universally loved, irrespective of city or countryside living. This breed's laid-back nature does not mean they're devoid of fun and play. On the contrary, French Bulldogs can be quite playful and are known for their often comical and entertaining antics, which only further endears them to their owners. Their affectionate demeanor, combined with a remarkably low barking tendency, makes them a joy to have around the house. French Bulldogs are sturdy, compact, and stocky, with a powerful muscular build that contradicts their small size. They have a smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, from fawn and brindle to white and grey. Their facial expressions are human-like, and they're known to "talk" using a complex system of yawns, yips, and gargles. However, owning a French Bulldog does come with responsibilities. Their brachycephalic short-nosed nature makes them prone to certain health issues and less tolerant of extreme temperatures. Despite their muscular appearance, they are not the best swimmers, and care should be taken around bodies of water. Questions about French Bulldog puppies for sale in Louisiana? We have answers. How does French Bulldog puppies for sale in Louisiana work? There are various factors that can affect the price of French Bulldog puppies for sale Louisiana including coat color, breeder experience, pedigree, and more. Start searching our network today and see what you can find! What characteristics do French Bulldogs have? French Bulldogs are small dogs that just love cuddles. They are companion dogs, they are funny and goofy, and they are incredibly cute. Are you ready to find your new puppy? Then start looking for French Bulldog puppies Louisiana here and get ready to meet your new best friend. French Bulldogs seem expensive. Why is this? These little dogs require a lot of skill and work by French Bulldog breeders Louisiana in order to breed them properly. They have narrow hips, meaning natural reproduction is very difficult, and artificial insemination is therefore used. This extra skill means French Bulldog puppies in Louisiana are often more expensive than many other breeds. Will you only connect me with French Bulldog breeders in my local area? Start looking for a Louisiana French Bulldog for sale here. Then you can meet your new pup at your nearest major airport because the breeders in our network are skilled at arranging puppy travel. How do I know the breeders in your network are all ethical? Because they have to take our Breeder Pledge. Our vetting process is strict for breeders providing French Bulldogs for sale Louisiana. We only want the very best Louisiana French Bulldog breeders and companies here. We take factors like experience, animal care, facility quality, and more into account, so you can search with peace of mind. Is Uptown Puppies really any better than searching online for a puppy? We only let the very top French Bulldog breeders in Louisiana into our network, so you know you are getting your new pup from the best. Start your search here today! Will I find puppy mills in your network? Absolutely not! Puppy mills are terrible places for puppies. They only care about making money, and mill pups often develop health and behavioral problems. Steer clear when you search for a French Bulldog for sale in Louisiana. Will I be able to find French Bulldog litters in your network now? Are you ready to find your French Bulldog Louisiana? Then start here! We make it quick, easy, and fun to find the perfect pup for you and your family. Will my French Bulldog puppy be OK around kids? Not only are French Bulldogs small dogs, but they are also very friendly. After finding your French Bulldog for sale Louisiana and taking it home, make sure you supervise it when it first starts to spend time with the kids. Do French Bulldogs need to get a lot of exercise? They will also love playing with you at home.

Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Goldador Overview The idea was to create a working dog with the sensitivity of the Golden Retriever and the tolerance of the Labrador Retriever. It worked. Cross them, and the result is the unequivocally genial Goldador. Thanks to their easygoing nature and keen intelligence, Goldadors have proven outstanding guide dogs, service dogs, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs, and bomb detection dogs. But like their parent breeds, Goldadors are happiest simply working alongside a person they love. Goldadors are active and require at least half an hour of daily exercise — most enjoy retrieving games as well as hiking and swimming. Training the eager-to-please Goldador is relatively easy — they come from a long line of dogs who work closely and willingly with people. This makes them an excellent choice for first-time owners, provided they get the exercise, structure, and positive reinforcement they crave. Goldadors are also a good option for families with children though they can be a bit rambunctious for toddlers , as they want nothing more than to be part of family activities. The ideal residence for a Goldador is a home with a fenced yard, but with regular exercise and companionship they can live and thrive in apartments and condos. Whatever his home, a Goldador should live indoors with his people. Goldadors are good family dogs and generally do well with children of all ages. The Goldador sheds moderately and requires weekly brushing. Goldadors require about 30 minutes of exercise per day. They enjoy being outdoors and can make excellent jogging companions. Although a house with a fenced yard is the ideal home for a Goldador, he can do well in an apartment or condo with proper exercise. Goldadors can be a good choice for first-time dog owners. Goldador History The Goldador was first developed more than a decade ago: the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever were crossed with the hopes of creating a sensitive, tolerant working dog. The effort proved successful. At this time, there are no breed clubs or any efforts to create a breed standard for the Goldador. Goldador Size The Goldador is one of the few designer breeds with a fairly predictable size, as both parent breeds are large and similar in size and shape. The Goldador is usually 22 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder and weighs 60 to 80 pounds. Goldador Personality The Goldador is affectionate and loyal, alert enough to make an excellent watchdog, but too friendly to be an effective guard dog. His intelligence and desire to please render him highly trainable, and he responds best to positive reinforcement techniques. Socialization helps ensure that your Goldador puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Goldador Health Goldadors are prone to certain health conditions. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but it can be worsened by environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-calorie diet or injuries incurred from jumping or falling on slick floors. Elbow Dysplasia is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem, or medication and weight loss to control the pain. Cataracts are an opacity on the lens of the eye that causes difficulty in seeing. The eye s of the dog will have a cloudy appearance. Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels. Blood sugar levels are regulated in part by insulin, which is produced in the pancreas. Glucose sugar is needed by the cells of the body to burn for energy; insulin is the key that lets the glucose into the cell. Without insulin, the glucose cannot enter the cell, so the cells are hungry even though there are high levels of glucose circulating in the blood. A diabetic dog will eat more food to try to compensate, but he will lose weight because food is not being used efficiently. Signs of diabetes are excessive urination and thirst, increased appetite, and weight loss. Diabetes can be controlled by diet and daily insulin injections. Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA : This is a degenerative eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. PRA is detectable years before the dog shows any signs of blindness. Fortunately, dogs can use their other senses to compensate for blindness, and a blind dog can live a full and happy life. Both parents should have health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for hips, elbows, heart, and thyroid and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation CERF certifying that the eyes are normal. Goldador Care The ideal home for a Goldador is a house with a fenced yard where he can play safely; however, he can do well in an apartment or condo if he gets daily walks or runs. Interested in dog sports? Goldadors make formidable competitors in agility and flyball. Mental stimulation is crucial as well. Teach your Goldador to fetch the paper or your slippers, practice obedience training regularly with him, and put his mind to work from time to time with an interactive dog toy. As with all dogs, positive reinforcement techniques praise, play, and food rewards work best with the Goldador. Goldador Feeding Recommended daily amount: 3. Note: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog. For more on feeding your Goldador, see our guidelines for buying the right food , feeding your puppy , and feeding your adult dog. Goldador Coat Color And Grooming A Goldador should have the same double coat as a Labrador Retriever, with a short, thick, straight topcoat and a soft, dense undercoat some have a slight wave down the back. Weekly brushing with a rubber curry brush will remove dead hair, helping to keep it off your clothes and furniture. During seasonal shedding periods, however, daily brushing is recommended. Bathe your Goldador as needed, and be sure to give him a thorough freshwater rinse any time he goes swimming. The Goldador can be prone to ear infections, so check and clean the ears weekly. Other grooming needs include dental hygiene and nail care. Trim his nails once or twice a month, as needed. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his mouth and ears. Goldador Children And Other Pets Goldadors are an ideal family companion and are generally gentle and loving toward children of all ages. As puppies, they can be a bit rambunctious and may knock over smaller children unintentionally, so close supervision is important. Social and easy-going, Goldadors do well with other dogs and pets, especially when raised together. Always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party. No dog, no matter how good-natured, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. Goldador Rescue Groups There are no official rescue groups for the Goldador, but this cross is frequently available at private and municipal animal shelters. More Info For You. They cherish the company of children and are quite comfortable with other animals and pets, especially if you have trained them to grow up together. These dogs are fond of people and love to be around them, and hence, it is tough for them to cope with solitude. They need the company of the owners, and in return, expect their care and attention. With all these graces and goodness, they are perfect for first-time dog owners. This large breed is comfortable living in apartments, provided you help them meet their regular exercise needs. Care Exercise These active dogs have a high level of energy, which they can burn down by sufficient amount of exercise. They also love swimming. But be present with them when they do. Take your GL out for a long brisk walk or a jog at least once a day, for a minimum of 30 min. This should not merely keep it mentally sound and physically fit, but would also strengthen the bond between you and your companion dog. Your dog would also appreciate if you indulge it in some everyday games. If you have an open yard, it can simply roam around freely, which should also add to its fitness activities. But make sure your yard is fenced and safe where you can easily free it from the leash. Grooming Use a rubber curry brush to groom it. If your dog has already started losing hair, we recommend that, you brush it daily. Otherwise, only a weekly session sounds good. This should remove all its dead and loose hairs. To avoid ear infections, do not forget to rinse the inside of their ears when they come out of the water. Also, take care of their teeth by brushing them every week to keep away possible plaque buildups. Because of their hefty built and other associated genetic factors, they are prone to a few issues like elbow and hip dysplasias, PRA Progressive Retinal Atrophy , diabetes, cataracts, and certain skin conditions that are especially prevalent amongst yellow labs including allergies, hotspots, dry skin, sun burns etc. Train it to socialize from a very young age, right after adoption. Let them know people and mingle with your children and other pets at home, and practice obedience. This should work. They would grow up to a happy dog without much anxiety and concern of its surroundings. Teach them tricks like retrieving, and enthuse them in agility games like flyball, Frisbee, etc. Do take the lead and let your dog follow you. But insist on sober and gentle training methods. Praise them as they succeed, give them treats, toys and gifts. However, if you choose dry dog foods, do stick to high-quality foods only, and those that are meant for the dogs of its size and energy. But divide the food into two equal meals. Tomato leaves stem or unripe fruit Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor Grapes or raisins Golden Retriever Crossed with Labrador Exercise Requirements The Lab Golden Retriever Mix has an active temperament so they might get destructive if they get bored. It is recommended to exercise them at least 2 hours daily. Getting them to do physical activities every day will help keep him happy and healthy. Here are some outdoor activities that you can try with your Golden Retriever Lab Mix: Hiking: It is a great way to turn your daily walk more challenging and exciting for your dog. Swimming: Utilize your private pool and do a swimming exercise with your dog companion. Swimming does not only serve as an exercise activity to yourself and to your companion dog, but it is also a great bonding experience. It also provides relief from the heat during the summer months. Make sure you supervise your dog all the time while doing this activity. Dock Diving: This is a fun sports activity to enjoy with your dog. All you have to do is throw a floating toy and encourage your dog to jump and swim out to retrieve it. If you and your Golden Retriever Lab Mix want to upgrade the challenge, you can try joining a Dock Diving Club and compete with other dogs. Play Fetch: This is a classic outdoor game that is great to do in summer. Challenge your dog by putting a twist to the activity, you can either use a Frisbee or a tennis racquet to make the object travel farther for your Golden Labrador to retrieve and return back to you. However, you should not be working them too much because when it comes to recovering objects, both parent breeds of Golden Retriever Lab Mix can be overly enthusiastic. However, even though they are intelligent dogs and has a friendly nature, you still need to put time and effort to train them better. Both parent breeds were bred to carry things. The best way to teach your Goldador not to bark is to socialize them frequently with strangers. Use Positive Reinforcement The Labrador crossed with Golden Retriever is a sensitive type of dog, so training them using positive reinforcement will be very helpful. Make sure to avoid negative punishment-based training since this hybrid dog may end up fearing you rather than respecting you as their leader. Make it a regular routine to reward your puppy whenever they do something right. Training your Goldador consistently in a positive method will give you pet companions that are obedient and good-natured. Do Mental Exercise The Golden Retriever mixed with Lab is an intelligent dog, and they need stimulating mental activities to avoid developing any aggressive behaviors, such as nuisance barking and chewing. Without proper mental exercise, Goldador puppies will grow into a passive, timid and uninspired dog. Labrador Golden Retriever Mix and Families Despite its large size, the Labrador mixed with Golden Retriever is a great family dog because of its easy-going personality. It is extremely friendly and affectionate. The Goldador is the type of dog that goes well in a loving and active family — one that considers him as a family member. The Golden Labradors cherish the company with children. They are naturally gentle, but they can play tirelessly as long as your kids can keep up. However, due to their sheer size, supervision is still needed around toddlers and infants. The Goldadors makes an excellent therapy and companion dog. Because of their affectionate nature, they generally do well when given lots of attention and affection. These hybrid dogs love to be with people, and hence it is tough for them to cope with solitude. So give love lots of love and affection to your Goldador Lab Retriever Mix and expect that it will shower you back with love. Finding black Lab Golden Retriever puppies for sale? The black Lab Golden Retriever mix is still a Goldador. But, by using a black Lab parent, many breeders aim to get puppies with a black coat. A black Lab Golden Retriever mix will have the same general traits as any other Goldador. They will be friendly, energetic, and playful. Black Lab Golden Retriever mix dogs are also great with kids and other animals. Especially when they are socialized and trained well from a young age. This dog is simply a puppy with one Golden Retriever parent and one black Labrador Retriever parent. Since the genes for a black dog coat are dominant, many breeders hope that they will get black Goldador puppies when they breed with a black Labrador parent. But, first generation mixes like this are quite unpredictable. A Goldador with a black Lab parent will usually have a black coat. But, in some instances, puppies may have lighter, or golden coats. Other than their coat color, their traits will vary as much as any other Goldador dog. It will depend which parent they take after the most. Generally, you will have a medium to large dog. Typically, a Goldador will grow between .They usually weigh between 55 and 80 pounds as adults. Females are often smaller than males. In terms of coat type, this mix will have a double layered coat that sheds all year round, and more heavily during shedding seasons. Their coat may be slightly longer if they take after their Golden Retriever parent, with some feathering around their legs and chest. However, a puppy must receive two recessive genes one from each parent to have a non-black coat color. So, it is much less likely that your puppies will have golden or chocolate coats if they have a black Lab parent. If your heart is set on a black Goldador puppy, let your breeder know. They may be able to give you first pick of the litter to ensure you get the shade you want. Both parents of this Goldador mix are known to be friendly, energetic, and loving. Especially toward their close families. Generally, when they are well socialized as puppies, they will get along very well with everyone they meet. This includes other pets and even young children. However, since they are quite large dogs, they can accidentally bump and hurt young kids during play. Socialization is Proven to Help Studies into dog behavior have shown that socialization from a young age helps to prevent behavioral issues in older dogs. This includes aggression and fearfulness. So, you should train and socialize your black Goldador mix well from a young age to get the best of their temperament. You should also meet the parent dogs to see what traits your puppy may inherit. If its parents are friendly and keen to meet you, your puppy will often be similar! Most families get on well with a black Lab Golden Retriever mix. They tend to love everyone they meet, especially when socialized and trained from a young age. These dogs need families that have plenty of time to dedicate, and who can take their dog with them everywhere. Plenty of Energy On top of this, a black Goldador is a very energetic dog, that comes from two hardworking, athletic parents. A black Lab Golden Retriever mix will usually be as healthy as its parents. Mixed breed puppies like this are vulnerable to the same health issues as their parent breeds. Common problems to look out for include: Cancer big issue for Golden Retrievers Hip dysplasia. The double coat has a soft undercoat below a rough top coat that is water resistant. Either way, their coat will be fairly high maintenance. Shedding and Grooming Your new friend is going to shed, sometimes a lot. Both parent breeds heavily shed their coats with the change of seasons twice a year. For the rest of the year, expect a moderate level of shedding. Increased brushing during transitional times can help catch the loose hairs and stop them from spreading everywhere. Golden Retriever Labrador mixes will need weekly brushing, likely more during shedding season. Their nails should be trimmed regularly as well. Are They Hypoallergenic? The Goldador dog will not be hypoallergenic. They are high shedders, spreading dander from skin and saliva liberally around your home! With designer breeds like the Golden Retriever Lab, you can only make an educated guess about their temperament based on the general demeanor of their parents as well as the temperament of the parent breeds as a whole. If they are left alone a lot, they may become very destructive to your home. They will chew out of boredom or anxiety. As many Lab lovers know, these dogs do not know a stranger. Generally, the Goldador will get on well with children and other pets. Socialization Socialization from an early age is important for any breed, including the Golden Retriever Lab. Even though it hails from overly friendly and sociable breeds, there are still no guarantees to the temperament of your dog. Since training and socialization are both best started early on, puppy training classes can be a great way to both train and socialize your puppy at the same time. Training Tips The Goldador has an easygoing and eager to please temperament that helps make them highly trainable. Owners should start training early, from the time their puppy comes home. The parent breeds have a long history as service dogs, bomb detection dogs, hunting dogs, and now therapy dogs. Obedience classes will help create a well-mannered dog but also strengthens the bond between the dog and owner. Since Goldadors grow to be large dogs, obedience is also important to prevent them from jumping up at your guests! Energy Levels Golden Retriever Labrador puppies will grow into high-energy adults with a love for playing and a passion for retrieving! A Labrador Golden Retriever Mix makes a great companion for jogging, hiking, or cycling. This is a breed that also loves to swim. Canine sports, like agility, obedience trials, and tracking, are also a great way to keep your dog physically active, mentally stimulated, and out of trouble. As a very social breed, they do best as indoor dogs, but with a large, fenced in yard to run around. In addition to self-exercise, they need walks or other forms of daily activity with their owners. Exercise is especially important for the health of your Goldador since both Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers have a tendency to develop elbow and hip dysplasia. Weight management is one way of combating these joint problems. Health and Care All pedigree dog breeds are inbred to some extent. The measure of this is called the coefficient of inbreeding COI. The higher the COI, the greater the risks of health issues arising specifically from inbreeding. In a crossbreed such as the Goldador, the COI is usually much lower than it is in a purebred dog, and this is a good thing. To begin to look at the health and care of a Goldador we first need to consider the inherited health risks from both parent breeds Labrador and Golden Retriever. Labrador Health Labrador Retrievers are prone to a few hereditary health conditions and joint problems, as well as some health issues common to most dogs. To help minimize the likelihood of hereditary health issues in your new Goldador pup, check that your breeder has followed the recommended testing for the Labrador Retriever breed: Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis HNKP. Life Span Did You Know? The Golden Labrador is a designer dog breed that originated in the United States. They are a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Labrador Retriever. The goal was to combine these two highly popular breeds to create a dog that exhibits the best traits from both of them. A mixed dog breed can take after one parent breed more than the other or any combination of traits from the parent breeds. This can result in some variation among individual puppies. But, overall, a Golden Labrador is friendly, intelligent, energetic, and affectionate. Although this mixed breed is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, they are recognized by other notable organizations like the American Canine Hybrid Club and more. This large designer breed is characterized by their energetic personality and friendly disposition. Both of the parent breeds in this cross are open, friendly, and affectionate, so you can expect the same in your Golden Labrador puppy. They are very playful and get along fabulously with children, other dogs, and other pets. They may be alert enough to be a good watchdog, but they do not make good guard dogs. They are instinctually more interested in making new friends and getting attention than they are with anything else. They can have a slight prey drive, but most of the time, they are just curious and interested in playing and making friends. The Golden Labrador is a moderately adaptable dog breed. Their large size and energy tend to make them a better fit for larger homes with room to run. They can adapt well to apartment living as long as they are given enough exercise and mental stimulation. But, small spaces can be a challenge because they are large dogs that are so playful and energetic. Golden Labradors do well in just about any climate. As with most dog breeds, they are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Because they love their families, thrive on attention, and get bored easily, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. As a mixed breed, a Golden Labrador can inherit the potential health conditions of one or both of the parent breeds. Although the Golden Labrador is a relatively healthy dog breed, there are some potential health conditions to be aware of. These include eye problems like progressive retinal atrophy and joint issues common to large dogs like patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. Like their parent breeds, the Golden Labrador can be prone to weight gain, which does put them at risk of diabetes later in life. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to ensure genetic conditions are not being passed on to puppies. Regular vet visits, proper nutrition, and sufficient exercise can help keep your dog healthy and reduce preventable diseases. Both of the parent breeds in this cross are highly intelligent and highly trainable, so the Golden Labrador should be no different. Eager to please their owners, these dogs pick up on things quickly and respond best to positive training methods focused on praise and reward. This dog breed, like both of the parent breeds, is a great fit for owners of all experience levels, including first-time dog owners. Their high energy can sometimes be a challenge, so you may want to consider puppy training and obedience classes. This designer dog breed may be called a Golden Labrador, but they can show up in many colors. A cream, yellow, or golden coat may be the most common, but a Golden Labrador can also have a black, red, or brown coat. It tends to be a dense double coat that is short or medium in length. This dog breed will shed moderately year-round with heavier shedding sessions twice a year as the seasons change. During seasonal changes, you may want to increase to daily brushing. Not only will this make your dog more comfortable, but it will also decrease the amount of loose fur that ends up around your house. In addition to coat care, you will also need to handle nail, ear, and dental care for your Golden Labrador. Floppy ears tend to trap more dirt, moisture, and debris, which makes them more prone to developing ear infections than ears that stick straight up. Unfortunately, this is often overlooked, which is why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. Beyond that, you can use vet-approved dental hygiene chews and treats and even a specially-formulated dental care diet to supplement your efforts. Getting them used to it early and keeping it a positive experience can make grooming a lot easier as your puppy grows into a big dog! Plus, it can become a bonding experience that your dog looks forward to. Golden Labradors are high-energy dogs. Daily walks, playtime, and some extra activity are generally enough for this dog to stay happy and healthy. But, they will probably tire out before you do! Their friendly nature makes the Golden Labrador a great fit for trips to the dog park. Try teaching your dog how to play frisbee. With their retriever background, it could become one of their favorite activities. You can also train your Golden Labrador for several dog sports like agility, dock diving, obedience, and more. A fully-grown Golden Labrador usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs between pounds. A Golden Labrador generally lives years. Although Golden Labrador is the most popular name for this designer dog breed, they are also sometimes referred to as a Goldador or a Goldador Retriever. Featured Golden Labrador Article. Golden Labrador Retrievers are loyal and will make the perfect addition to your family if you have kids and other dogs. They are protective companions. These characteristics make this dog breed perfect for families with both young and older children. They are patient and rarely show any signs of aggression unless provoked. In most cases, this dog breed is docile and can easily be trained to fit into a variety of different households. However, there are commitments to keeping such a highly intelligent and active dog breed in your home. They need plenty of love and attention, lots of walks, and a good diet. Labs are usually good with other dogs, especially if they have been socialized from a young age. However, since Labradors are good at adapting to their environment, they are welcoming to strange submissive dogs. It is always a good idea to slowly introduce your Golden Labrador Retriever to any new puppies and dogs that will be joining the household. This can be done by placing both dogs on a leash and letting them sniff each other. Golden Labs are particularly accepting of having cats join the household and commonly share a connection with them. You should be cautious when keeping this dog breed with smaller pets such as hamsters, guinea pigs, and rabbits, though. This is because Golden Labs naturally have a strong hunting instinct due to their ancestors being game hunters. They may see these smaller animals as food rather than a pet in the household. They should also obtain nutrients from fruits, vegetables, and grains. Ensuring that your Golden Labs diet has the right balance of proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and fiber is important for optimum health and longevity. Since this dog breed is prone to obesity, their diet should be low in fats and higher in protein. The fat in their diet can be increased if your Golden Lab is particularly active, as they will need a higher percentage of fat and protein as fuel. Your veterinarian can direct you to a diet for your Golden Lab that caters to any conditions they may be prone to, such as obesity, bloating, or skin conditions. Since this dog breed is prone to obesity, they must have a daily exercise routine to keep them fit and in shape. A healthy, adult Golden Lab needs between an hour to two hours of exercise a day, whether it is going on walks, playing fetch in the park, swimming, or playing with other dogs. This dog breed enjoys a variety of different activities, which makes it easy to find an exercise routine that works best for your Golden Lab. If you find that you and your family are out most of the day, whether at school or work, then you may struggle to keep your Golden Lab active, which can lead to these dogs becoming bored and obese, which affects both their mental and physical health. Of course, the amount of exercise they receive depends on their personality, as young Labrador puppies are more active and exploratory in comparison to an older Golden Labrador Retriever. This loyal and eager to please dog breed can be taught a variety of tricks, and even be taught to be more obedient. You can take advantage of their innate trainability by starting them on an obedience training program, especially while they are still in the puppy stage. You can either work on obedience commands on your own or sign up for an obedience class with a local dog trainer. Grooming also helps keep their fur kept well, removes dirt and oil, and helps to keep their nails at a decent length. This dog breed sheds quite a lot of hair , and they are not hypoallergenic. Their shedding should be controlled with weekly brushings, and you can take them to a pet grooming parlor where they can be professionally washed, brushed, trimmed, and have their nails cut. If you are experienced at grooming dogs, then you may be able to do the grooming at home by yourself but take caution when trimming their nails and rather seek guidance from a veterinarian if you plan to cut them yourself. Image Credit: lelonka, Pixabay. They can have a range of different fur colors too, including yellow, chocolate, or black. These dogs are pretty cool, but you may not see them very often. So, you may be wondering — what exactly is a golden Labrador, and how are these stunning creatures any different from their fellow non-golden Labrador counterparts? Are these Labradors like some rare, special kind? To make things easier to understand, it is first best to describe these two different dog breeds. The Golden Retriever This dog is often mistaken for a golden Labrador. They are both different, however. The Golden Retriever is a large gun dog that has previously been used to bring waterfowl that have been shot to its owners when people have gone hunting. This is not their only purpose, though, Golden Retrievers often will be used as sniffer dogs, hearing dogs, guide dogs and sometimes are even used for things like search and rescue missions. They are the ideal family dog, and the Golden Retriever is actually known as the third most popular dog breed for families in the United States. They are fairly new dog breeds that have only been around for about a decade. They combine many of the characteristics of both Golden Retrievers and Labradors. These dogs are highly intelligent and are sometimes used in anti-narcotic work and bomb detection squads. Have a look at a chocolate Labrador and a yellow Labrador side by side. Again, look at the differences between a fox red Lab and a black Lab. You will find that the same can be said of the golden Labrador. Basically, a golden Labrador is like a yellow labrador that has a slightly golden tint to its coat. If you have a look at some yellow Labs, you will see that they can come in a range of different shades. Some of them can be fox red, pale yellow, light cream, white , and of course, golden. With that in mind, the golden Labrador is basically a yellow Lab that has a golden shaded coat. A quick search of the AKC website will tell you that you can find Labrador Retrievers in three different colors. That is yellow, black and chocolate. Basically, the golden color is somewhere in this spectrum of yellows. Seems logical! There is a very clear difference between the yellow Labrador and the golden Labrador since the golden shade of the coat really stands out. The coat shade is the only real thing distinguishing a golden lab from any other Labrador. They are the same in terms of temperament, size, and health problems. You will more than likely find a yellow shade Labrador, but golden ones in specific are much smaller in quantity. The pale yellow ones have been more popular since the s. They have double coats much like Labrador Retrievers. Much like Labradors and Golden Retrievers, these dogs are friendly, loving, loyal, and energetic, but they can also be somewhat stubborn! They are slightly lower maintenance than golden retrievers in many respects. The Golden Labrador, Golden Retriever, and the Goldador are quite intelligent, meaning that training them should be fairly easy and a lot of fun. Labradors usually have much shorter hair than Golden Retrievers, though they are still going to need brushing on a regular basis to ensure that their coat is healthy. These dogs also differ in terms of the shape of their muzzle. You will find a narrow and lean jaw on a Golden Retriever, whereas a Labrador Retriever has a wider nose. Frequently Asked Questions Do golden Labradors have a good temperament? Golden Labradors have a great temperament, just like other kinds of Labradors. They are happy dogs that are very affectionate and loving. They are fond of people and are fantastic both as family dogs and working dogs. Which Labradors are the smartest? Do golden Labs shed a lot? Golden labs do shed quite a lot, much like other Labradors. You will notice that they are shedding much more when they blow their coat, which happens approximately twice per year. Hopefully, you have a good vacuum cleaner! Do You Love Labs? We love the Labrador breed so much because they make an exceptional companion in the great outdoors. Here are some other interesting articles about Labradors you may want to read:.

That is not by accident. We only use the highest-quality puppy and dog food: free from corn, wheat, soy, glutens, and GMO ingredients. This strengthens your puppy's immune system and helps prepare him or her for a long and healthy life. We love sharing the joy of Goldendoodles with others, but we should not be confused with a kennel. We are a family. We raise puppies with our five children. Mom and some of the kids have pet allergies, so they are the perfect companions for us. Our dogs spend their days relaxing in the house and playing outside in safely fenced yards in sunny Southern California. Our puppies are socialized from birth to be gentle and safe for their new families, as well as in service and therapy work environments. We often have English Goldendoodle puppies for sale, medium Goldendoodle puppies for sale, F1b Goldendoodle puppies for sale, and mini Goldendoodle puppies for sale, mini Cavapoo puppies for sale and mini F1b Cavapoo puppies for sale. At Oodles O'Doodles we have been raising Poodles and Poodle-hybrids since and we are more than happy to answer any questions you might have about them! Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Meet the Parents. Studs Premier breeder of mini and medium Goldendoodles. We are proud breeders of amazing mini and medium goldendoodle puppies. Located in Dubuque, Iowa, our puppies are multigens and come in wonderful colors of apricot, red, cream, black, chocolate, phantom, sable, and parti. Our puppies have wavy to curly coats, and are low to no shedding. Healthy dogs are a priority to us. Therefore, each of our parent dogs are genetically tested and we offer a two year guarantee against genetic disease. Our two-year guarantee covers genetic joint issues. And, finally, all of our parents visit a certified veterinary ophthalmologist every two years to get their CAER certificates. We raise our dogs with care, including taking critical steps during the first eight weeks of the puppy's life to ensure we raise happy, socially successful, and trainable dogs. Early neurological stimulation, daily handling and play, noise-desensitization, and age appropriate exposure to a crate are important parts of our program. And, of course, at 4 weeks we give the pups a great start to house-training with scheduled meals and outside potty time. The size range of the female English Golden Retrievers I have owned range from lbs. In my 20 years of breeding English Teddy Bear Goldendoodles I am achieving a very good consistency with creating sizes. I am at the forefront of creating and perfecting the Pocket Size lbs. Micro is then a huge classification of any puppy less than 14 lbs. Whether you call them Micro Goldendoodles, Micro Petite Goldendoodles, Toy Goldendoodles, Teacup Goldendoodles; they all have the same great personality as their larger Goldendoodle ancestors in a cute small little package. Here at Hilltop Pups, we only breed Poodles with English Golden Retrievers for their excellent health record with an average life span of years. Absolutely no other breeds mixed in to rush the downsizing. Downsizing takes several generations by breeding in a smaller size poodle every 2 to 3 generations to retain the English Golden Retriever personality. Our smallest poodle here is 3 lbs. Since Hilltop Pups team is creating and perfecting the smallest Goldendoodles along with the increasingly popular Irish English Goldendoodles; we have our own size range chart of the average sizes we have witnessed in the past 20 years of breeding. Until an organization such as AKC or CKC identifies Goldendoodles as an official breed, no organization can state what the size standards are as they vary so greatly with breeders breeding American or English Golden Retrievers, plus the range of poodle sizes from lbs. Although Goldendoodles are not considered a Purebred dog breed; it is still important to register your puppy with a reputable canine tracking organization. This will allow breeders to have the information necessary to make responsible breeding decisions. I am an official Preferred Breeder by the strict Breeding Standards set forth by CKC which has the best pedigrees for tracking ancestors for breeding purposes. There are many Designer Dog Registries, but I prefer one of the two largest reputable groups. The English lines create the Teddy Bear look. The English Golden Retrievers have short stocky legs and shorter body length, whereas, American Golden Retrievers can have long bodies and are taller. From there we will have a better understanding of your wants and needs, to properly answer your questions. At Hilltop Pups you get the honor of choosing your puppy with our expert assistance of course. We do not assign puppies to you. We allow visitors because we are proud of our establishment. Beware of Breeders not allowing you to visit and hiding behind Parvo to scare you off. Google Earth those Breeders addresses and names. If you cannot find their name and address on their website immediately exit their website, they are hiding something such as arrest record for cruelty to animals. There are as many good Breeders as there are Puppy Mills out there. My two daughters Abby and Brittany are breeding dogs at their houses, and all puppies are raised with the same excellent breeding practices. Our three sons also house dogs for us; all their dogs are listed on my website, so we can link our websites together. I love hearing from my puppy parents how easy going their puppy is and friendly with everyone. This is due to all the loving care givers our dogs and puppies are with every single day. I have my three Granddaughters ages help with puppy Early Stimulation training and play, so puppies meet a wide variety of people and children in a comfortable trusting setting. When a puppy has been trained by only one person, say a lady; then the puppy may be fearful of a man or a child. Thus, we create confident, brave well-adjusted puppies. Luckily, I have the sweetest husband that cannot sit still and is always looking for something to do or something to clean up. Feel free to contact us via email preferred at hilltoppups yahoo. We will make every effort to answer your questions promptly and truthfully! During busy times, such as when there are several litters of puppies to care for or a mom in Labor, email is much easier for us and we can put in writing complex questions, so you have time to digest and study the information. Our FAQ page is an excellent place to start if you are not familiar with Goldendoodles, as I have collected 20 years of most often asked questions. Email is more efficient; when you call, I may be bathing or grooming a dog or puppy and I cannot leave them unsupervised. Emailing gives me time to answer questions thoroughly, attach reading material, pictures of puppies or Goldendoodles for example. For those people that cannot visit in person, we provide a lot of pictures and video to assist with the selection process. On our website you can search pages by size category, so you have less to look through. On the Sire and Dam pages all our dogs are listed and their health tests. Click on any document to view it. If you do not adopt a puppy from me request proof of health documents and pedigrees before submitting that non-refundable deposit. If a Breeder does not present documents up front, some never will. Some of the dogs listed on my website live with my two daughters and three sons. My two daughters work with me, live close by, and will someday take over my business. It all started here with a dog loving family with 5 children. With my background of Human Resource Management, I know how to research and apply my knowledge in respect to Breeding Laws, better breeding practices, and making my business the best it can be from the treatment of my dogs to my customer service. Some Breeders pick your puppy for you. At Hilltop Pups you get to choose your puppy with our expert advice. We post pictures of puppies every 7 to 10 days with videos, so you get to watch them grow. We schedule visits one hour apart at the top of each hour, once the schedule is full, we schedule on the half hour as well. After each visitor we disinfect everything that has been touched. I am aware some of you are coming a great distance. Go to your car in advance and GPS our address, make sure your GPS is set for highways "not scenic route" as we live on the edge of a town and the GPS will take you through winding country roads. Then give yourself an extra half hour, as I prefer you be early than late running into the next appointment. If you are not able to visit, I take many videos of the puppies and if you have narrowed down your selection to two puppies; we can make you videos of just those two puppies. Rarely in the last 18 years has someone changed their mind when they arrived here and picked a different puppy than the puppy they first fell in love with via our website. You are welcome to fly here to get your puppy. Currently American Airlines has resumed puppy shipping, but temperatures at any point in the flight including departure and layover, must be below 85 degrees and above 32 degrees. Which is a challenge here during the Summer and Winter months, plus any stop over destination and arrival destination temperatures. You are welcome to fly here; Louisville Kentucky airport is the closest at only 80 miles away. Many people are choosing Delivery to your door via vehicle delivery service. Here are reputable delivery companies I have been using for years; you contact the companies directly, arrange shipments with them, and pay them their shipping fee when they deliver the puppy to you. Flight Nanny Service contact Mary Venneketter for cost .Early Stimulation Training program is our highest priority which we start at 3 days old and once puppies are walking around, we still hold them every day on their backs, talk to them to create eye contact, rub all over them to make grooming easier in the future. We teach our puppies not to jump on people and to sit at your feet for attention. Puppies are paper trained to go on shredded paper which feels just like grass, so house training is a breeze, or if you need to train on potty pads that is easy as well. See what your puppy learns before you get the puppy home. The first step in your puppy's future. The next step in your puppy's future is your training from the very first day your puppy enters your home. Want to train your puppy from the convenience of your home as early as the day the puppy arrives home? No waiting until your puppy is fully vaccinated to start training. I suggest you start the training program before your puppy arrives; so you will be off to a great start. After completing this course your puppy should qualify. They are very friendly, helpful, easy to understand, and encouraging, which motivates you to continue in your training adventure. They offer video lessons, plus one on one training question and answer sessions via video chat. This is a Lifetime Program with Members Only Access to training methods, materials, and other resources needed for Pet Parenting and beyond. To continue training where we left off, I highly suggest you have the first unit completed before you get your puppy home. We create the best puppy for you, and you create the best Dog Ever! We are proud of our establishment and have a Visitation Room which includes windows for you to view where our Adult Dogs are Housed. We bring the puppies and adults to you to visit with them. For the safety of our dogs and puppies we do not allow you to walk through the facility, because we would need to disinfect everywhere you walked. We have had this practice in place since the beginning of our breeding program and have never contacted any health concerns by doing so, beware of Breeders that do not allow you to visit hiding behind false statements. Breeders walk everywhere in the world, shopping centers, gas station, Veterinarian Offices and then come home and walk around their kennels, just like anyone else. So why shouldn't people visit? I prefer puppies to get all the interactions they can with different people; you are providing valuable puppy training as well. Evansville is a one-hour drive. This is our house, not a public shopping center. We require appointments to visit as you do want to make sure we are home and able to focus our attention on you and have adequate time for you to interact with the puppies. This is not a large place; the visitation area can get crowded quickly if more than one family is visiting at a time. Our visitation Room does have windows on two sides, so you can see where and how all our adult dogs are housed. It is very important to stay as close to your scheduled arrival time as possible, give yourself that extra half hour for traffic concerns. We are at Eastern Time. Jasper is an aesthetically pleasing clean town of 15, and always rated at the top of the best places to live listings. How amazing it would be for AKC to do this; it is up to Breeders to commit to keeping their breed healthy going forward by health testing the parent dogs. Which believe me very few Breeders invest their money back into their dogs; so always demand copies of health testing prior to even submitting a deposit. DO Not trust Breeders that say they will provide the documents when the puppy goes home, demand proof up front. It is a nightmare to try to get paperwork from a Breeder after you have the puppy, because they do not have it. The Breeder is pulling on your emotions knowing you are getting attached to the puppy and then you are stuck with no proof that you have a healthy puppy that will live a long healthy life. Breeders never to rarely give you the correct documents after you have the puppy, learn from heart breaking experiences of having to re-home dogs that couldn't pass health screening. My research, commitment, and due diligence has paid off. Here is the foundation for creating the perfect Teddy Bear Goldendoodle and how to build conformity into the Breed. At Hilltop Pups we DNA test the coat type of all our dogs so we can create the most non-shedding hypoallergenic coat as possible. I follow this DNA rule when breeding to make sure my dogs are non-shedding. No guess work involved here; You can brush them and not even get hair to pull out. Next, we only breed with English Retrievers which produce a softer less shedding less matting coat than the coarser American Golden Retriever coats. The weight range of English Golden Retrievers that I have owned is for female and for males, although they look just and big and fluffier than the American Golden Retrievers. Next, we consider the color genetics behind the poodle: Reds-, browns-, and cream-colored poodles produce soft non-shedding coats. White, Gray, and Black poodles produce shredders even in the curly dogs; thus, they have been removed from Hilltop Pups breeding program. In we started breeding the Irish Goldendoodles. I am very pleased with what I have seen in the Irish Goldendoodles. Therefore, I only breed English Golden Retrievers as their life expectancy is years and very few ever have cancer. It takes a few generations to build the dark red poodle color back into the English Goldendoodles since the English Golden Retrievers are only white to cream. For the Irish we started with breeding a health tested American Golden Retriever to a health tested Irish Setter to get the hybrid vigor and dark red color; then bred that with a health tested male poodle and then back to another health tested poodle creating the F1b Irish Goldendoodles to ensure the hypo allergenic non-shed coats, plus get the dark red color and fabulous coats. Advantages of adopting an English Goldendoodle from Hilltop Pups Size range available 8 - 38 pounds Predictable size ranges for F2b and multi-Generations Hypoallergenic if past the F1 First generation, because we can DNA test the coat types for breeding. Fully Vaccinated for their age Trained with Early Neurological Stimulation Trained not to jump on people, but sit at your feet for attention Paper potty trained Pre-spoiled, loved, and well socialized Puppies go home with: A 2-year health guarantee; 4 years if you provide NuVet Vitamin Supplements Microchipped with pre-paid membership enrollment form CKC Registration Papers.

Without training to curb your pup's aggressive tendencies, a relatively harmless little Lab can quickly grow into a large and potentially dangerous adult. Step 1 Take your Lab pup out for a brisk walk or jog on a leash and play engaging games like fetch and hide-the-toy with your little furball. Tug-of-war games are discouraged for any dog with any hint of aggressive tendencies. Labradors are a high-energy breed that needs lots of exercise to burn off their extra energy. They love to swim, which may work well if you have a pool -- but don't forget a doggie life jacket for safety. A bored puppy who isn't properly exercised burns off this energy through destructive means, such as chewing on furniture -- or your limbs -- as part of his "play" behaviors. Labs are notorious for chewing on anything and everything around them. While this behavior is not necessarily aggressive to start with, it can lead to aggression when your dog reaches adulthood. If your Lab thinks that biting people or animals during play is okay as a pup, he'll continue to bite people as his jaws get stronger, a situation that can have serious consequences. Step 2 Play with your Lab puppy using chew toys, not your fingers or hands. If your Lab nips your hand during play, loudly say "Ouch! Do this each time your dog nips or bites you until your dog learns that nipping leads to something unpleasant: an abrupt end to the fun and attention. Reward proper behavior that doesn't involve biting with a tasty treat and praise. Step 3 Spray a taste deterrent on your hands or ankles, depending on which body parts are the target of your Labrador pup. These sprays taste bitter and unpleasant to your dog, and when biting or nipping at you results in this yucky taste, it will deter him from nipping at you in the future. Continue to spray your limbs and clothing for two weeks until your pup ceases his attempts to nip or bite you. Step 4 Enroll your Lab pup in a puppy obedience class to teach him basic good manners and to socialize him around strangers and other dogs. Your Lab may not be aggressive around you or your family, but may show aggression toward other animals and people. Labs tend to be protective dogs, wary of strangers, especially as they get older if they are not properly socialized as puppies. Puppy obedience classes expose your dog to strange people and dogs in a positive manner, so he views them as something good. Your dog will also learn basic commands that make it easier for you to control him, decreasing the chances of aggressive behavior. The American Kennel Club offers special classes for puppies called the S. Puppy Program, which stands for puppy socialization, training, activity and responsible owner. Classes are offered around the country and last at least six weeks, depending on how quickly your dog responds to the training. Step 5 Spay or neuter your Lab prior to six months of age, the age at which most pups reach sexual maturity. Labs grow very quickly, and become large dogs by four months of age, according to Veterinary Partner. These pups grow into a to pound adult within the first year, an imposing and potentially dangerous size if your dog is aggressive. The sex hormones present in an intact male dog -- a dog who hasn't been fixed -- increase his aggressive tendencies and dominant behaviors. Step 6 Take your Lab pup to the vet for a checkup if he begins showing signs of aggression, including nipping, growling or snarling. Sometimes a medical condition such as hypothyroidism, an infection, a seizure disorder or an injury can make your dog irritable and more likely to become aggressive, according to the Labrador Retriever Rescue. Step 7 Feed your Lab puppy with his food dish in your lap or you can hand-feed him bits of dry kibble. Not only will your dog bond with you during this experience, but it prevents food and possessive aggression from developing or worsening. Dogs who guard their food dish can snap at you or family members unexpectedly during feeding. Have other family members feed the puppy as well to get your dog used to being submissive to everyone in the home. Slip a treat into your pup's bowl while he eats to also help discourage food aggression from developing. More Articles. I have had the same experience as many many others seem to have and understand how hard it is to work through it. We sometimes seem to make progress and then not and it is upsetting and our Gwenni has been still biting at certain times at 6 months. Over the weekend we have however sat down using Pippa's article How to deal with puppy biting as a framework to help us. We have read this and other advice streams many times and it takes us a while to work out what to do when. So we sat down and worked out for us what helps to reduce her biting and therefore what to do more of and then what doesn't help and so what not to do. We bullet pointed our actions and have been as consistent as we can. It has made us realise what 'calm' means for us and our Gwenni and what perhaps was maintaining or triggering her and she has been much improved -so far. We looked at what we say to her and what not to say, when we interact with her and how to respond to her early escalation. We were probably giving her reinforcement for biting inconsistently but also trigger stacking by interacting at the wrong times- it is soooo difficult not react in some way to when it hurts I know. So what seems to be working for us over the past few days we are going to continue with as consistently as we can and see how it goes over the next few weeks. I look at other people with gorgeous calm adult Labs and can not for one minute see them as having special powers or skills we do not possess but we certainly have to work out what works for us and Gwenni. Hope that helps in some ways - its tough and can take a some time- All the best. Aggression in Labradors Dealing with Aggression Labradors are not usually an aggressive variety. However, there are several factors which may contribute to aggression in labradors. Personality and genetic disposition are not usually the main influences. The early life experience of pups in the 'first fear imprint period, Aggression against the pup by family members or other household pets is highly influential to the way that a dog will respond throughout its life. The secondary influences include sex, age, size, hormonal variation during pregnancy and anxiety. Anxiety in pups must be placated with secure affection and positive discipline. Socialisation from 8 weeks of age is also critical for the healthy development. Do not use physical punishment. This can increase the intensity of your dog's aggression. For general health reason, particularly in later life, we do not recommend this prior to 8 months of age. Types of Aggression Animal behaviouralists classify patterns of behavior and the circumstances in which they occur. This is done to determine the dog's motivation and the cause of the behaviour: Dog to dog - Pack order aggression is one of the most common forms of aggression in dogs. They are pack animals, and they relate to humans as members of their own pack. If your dogs are fighting, do not get in the middle. Interrupt the aggression using water in a spray bottle. Dog to human aggression occurs as the result of intimidation or physical intervention by people, your and old, adult and child. Redirected aggression can occur when an aggressive dog, particularly a male that redirects its aggression from the source to another. When an owner is restraining a dog by pulling him back the dog may retaliate. Dominant dogs often redirect their aggression towards pack subordinates or children of equal size or smaller. Dominant dogs will defend their pack area including a home, room or yard. House and feed your dogs separately if they are fighting with each other. Remove contentious objects like bones and toys. Gender aggression particularly between adult males involves territorial and dominance disputes. Inter-female aggression occurs most frequently between adult females living in the same household. This will be apparent if one female is pregnant. Predatorial aggression is directed towards quick-moving stimulus, like a car or bike. Anything considers as prey, usually other weaker species can be the object of this aggression. Pain induced aggression occurs when a person attempts to touch a painful area or when injections are given. Fear induced aggression occurs when when the dog senses that it is cornered or trapped and cannot escape. A fearful dog is often the victim of an owner uses severe punishment common. Active and unpredictable children may induce this type of aggression. Never allow small children to have unsupervised access to any dog no matter how passive the dog may appear. Children and adults should avoid interacting with dogs that are eating. They should never tease or hurt dogs. Keep your dog confined when unfamiliar children are present Maternal aggression may be directed toward anyone that approaches a bitch with puppies or in false pregnancy. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. They love everyone. Sound familiar? The Reactive Labrador The reality is that there are individual Labradors who are reactive and use aggressive behavior at times. The reasons or motivations for their behavior will vary. But one thing is true of all of them: aggressive behavior is totally normal. All dogs can use aggression to a greater or lesser extent depending on their individual temperament and experiences. Just like every person can lose their temper or slam the occasional door in frustration. When working with a reactive and aggressive Labrador the aim is not to suppress the behavior. How we do that varies depending on the likely emotion underlying the reactive behavior. Warning Signs of Reactivity in Labradors Generally canine social etiquette is ritualised and aimed at diffusing tension and avoiding conflict; aggressive behavior carries a risk of injury and is therefore a last resort. Dogs will show early warning signs that they are feeling uncomfortable in a situation. These include turning or moving away, yawning, nose licking, and their pupils will dilate. If they are prevented from moving away, then they are likely to increase the intensity of their signals. Moving on to snapping and biting to get their point across. If the dog learns that the smaller signals are ignored, or if the intensity of the trigger is too high, then they will respond with the more overt behavior. They will start barking, rushing towards in an attempt to drive the trigger away, snapping and biting. The aggressive behavior in the image below is cued by the handler. These are a couple of the indications that this is a learned response. If the dog may be in pain then providing suitable pain relief is essential. Reactivity From Frustration Another common motivation for aggression, but one that is often mistaken or forgotten, is frustration. A frustrated dog is likely to show fewer of the lower level signals of discomfort. Although lip or nose licks are common in times of conflicted emotions such as wanting to greet but not being able do because of the lead, or a fence. If your Labrador is bouncing on the end of the lead, weight forward, ears pricked, tail up, and barking with a high pitch then they are likely to be a frustrated greeter. One who may behave more appropriately off lead when they can greet as they like. Many frustrated greeters, however, are socially inappropriate. Rushing at other dogs and ignoring any signs from them that they are less than enthusiastic about the approach of 30kg of happy Labrador. They may well end up being snapped at, or worse, by the dogs they bounce on. It is not uncommon for dogs whose reactivity manifests first as frustration to develop elements of fear-based aggression after being told off by other dogs for their social ineptitude, leading to considerable conflict of emotions around other dogs. Dogs who become extremely frustrated around other dogs, or when denied things that they want, may well redirect their frustration on to the nearest object they can find. The lead, the person or dog standing next to them, or a toy if one is available. Providing a suitable outlet such as a tug toy is one way to manage the situation in an emergency. Does Predation Create an Aggressive Labrador? It is worth mentioning that predation is also a common motivation for aggressive behavior. Labradors are not traditionally associated with catching and killing prey. But actually it is not unusual to meet dogs who are aroused by fast moving objects. Such as bicycles, running people and the more obvious small furry animals and birds in our fields and hedgerows. Again, if the desire to chase is thwarted then any resulting aggressive behavior may well be frustration-related. This is despite predation being the initial motivation for the behavior. Is Reactivity in Dogs Medical? There are several techniques that can be used to modify aggressive Labrador responses. Before considering any of them it is essential to rule out any underlying medical issue. Pain or illness which may be contributing to the aggressive behavior. Pain is the most obvious cause. So if your dog appears stiff, reluctant to move or uncomfortable at times then discuss this with your vet. It can help to take video of the movement, gait, or situations that concern you. This will mean that your vet can see exactly what is happening, in a way they cannot recreate in clinic. Even if a clinical exam does not identify a source of potential pain it can be beneficial to trial a short course of pain relief. Make sure you note any changes in behavior or movement. Pain which occurs when playing with other dogs can often be at the root of the onset of dog:dog aggression; equally aggression towards people can be triggered by pain or the fear of pain on being stroked, or moved from a resting spot. As well as pain there are medical issues which in themselves increase the likelihood of aggressive behavior so a thorough vet check is essential. Especially in cases where you seem to have an aggressive Labrador without warning. The behavior has developed suddenly. This helps them relax and improves their general welfare. They are no longer on edge anticipating something which scares or arouses them. And also stops them practising the behavior that we want to change. Every time your Labrador reacts aggressively they are strengthening the neural pathway. This makes that behavior more likely and harder to change; it becomes their default and may well be used in situations away from the initial trigger in the future. Aggressive behavior which has generalised in this way is much harder to change. If your Labrador is reactive towards other dogs on walks, whatever the underlying emotion behind the reaction, then try to find alternative places with fewer dogs and keep your distance by turning around calmly before your dog can react. Or look for a local space such as a riding school or dog training centre you may be able to hire for safe and secure walks. Reacting To Reactivity It is important to note that if your dog does react aggressively, whatever the situation, scolding them or correcting them will not help them learn what you do want them to do instead. In fact it may well make things worse, as they then become concerned about your reaction as well as the thing that triggered their behavior in the first place. Instead, calmly move them further away from the situation until they are at a distance where they can be calm themselves. If possible let the dog look at the scary, or frustrating, thing and reward them with tasty treats for being calm. This also helps them start to change their emotional response; so that the dog that scared them is now associated with tasty treats instead. We will next take a look at ways of changing emotions and behavior in the medium to longer term. Aggressive behavior is a normal part of social interaction. In some cases the genetic tendency of a dog to be fearful, anxious or easily frustrated, or the length of time they have been practising their aggressive behavior, will limit the progress you can make with them. You will need patience, and a willingness to accept that their needs are different from those you might have expected when you brought them home. Your Aggressive Labrador There is an increasing understanding of the needs of sensitive dogs, and many more trainers and dog places offer activities that are perfectly suited to dogs who do not wish to run and play with other dogs, or who would rather have a bit more space around people. Scentwork and tracking are ideal, as are activity classes which offer lots of different options, from trick training to fun rally. This should involve acknowledging and working to change their underlying emotional response, not simply suppressing the aggression using punishment. There should also be a focus on enabling them to manage themselves in arousing situations, so that, in time, they can make the right choice without needing direction for you. Many dogs will also need help to learn the correct social skills around other dogs. Your Labrador is an individual, with individual experiences and genetics that make them unique; their behavior modification plan should be as individual as they are. Even if you are able to manage the day to day behavior modification training alone, the benefits of working alongside someone who can provide objective feedback, advice on the next steps and support are invaluable. High value food is usually the obvious choice. This can quickly change his emotions from wanting the other dog to go away to wanting them to be around so that he gets the really yummy treat. This is usually done in conjunction with DRI so that he can start to learn how to behave appropriately and be reinforced for polite behavior around other dogs. At all times your Labrador should be working at a distance where they are not reactive, and gradually moving closer to their trigger when they are ready to do so. Any signs of low-level fear or anxiety should be respected and the distance between the dogs increased until the fearful dog is comfortable. To continue working with a dog above threshold is stressful for your dog, counter-productive and risks an aggressive response. Options for Helping your Reactive Dog One of the main criticisms of BAT is that it relies on your Labrador feeling empowered, or relieved, by the other dog moving away in response to calm behavior from your dog. In learning theory terms this is negative reinforcement i. This suggests that he was uncomfortable beforehand, even if only marginally. CAT and flooding are far more extreme in their use of relief as a reinforcer and should be avoided. Examples of this include sitting automatically before their lead goes on, or waiting calmly without being told when you open the boot of the car. This is particularly useful with frustration-related aggression where learning to stay calm when denied access to things he wants is the key skill your Labrador will need to learn before you can work on his manners around other dogs. As with any kind of training or behavior modification, finding a trainer whose skills and knowledge are suitable for your reactive Labrador is key. You must have confidence that they have a range of appropriate tools available to them, that they are able to accurately assess and respond to your dog and that you would like to work with them. This article has only scratched the surface of the options and techniques that are available to help you and your reactive Labrador, but good help is out there. Sian Ryan is an expert Animal Behaviorist based in Cambridgeshire. With several years of training experience and after completing her MSc, Sian worked as a behavior counsellor and trainer in the University of Lincoln Animal Behavior Clinic, where she was able to apply her MSc research in to Self Control in Pet Dogs to her behavior and training work. Sian owns and runs the Developing Dogs Training and Behavior Centre in Cambridgeshire, as well as giving seminars and workshops nationally and internationally. Her first book, No Walks? No Worries! But as your kids approach the puppy, he starts biting and nipping them, causing a few surprised cries. The AKC says Labradors are an affectionate breed, treating adults, children, and other animals like family without causing any trouble. Labradors are easy to train and receptive to learning new commands since their main goal is to please their families. Do All Labrador Puppies Bite? As your new puppy settles into their new home, they are many stimulants, and he needs time to get to know your family, its new surroundings, and that not all slippers are a toy. Just as when people move to a new house, city, or country, your new Labrador puppy is exploring the world. This process will take a few weeks, so be patient. But what happens when he suddenly starts biting you and your kids? Every family that gets lab puppies faces this challenge. Although your puppy is only a few pounds, Labrador puppy biting is still painful. Many owners worry that the behavior will continue into adulthood, especially when biting becomes an ongoing issue. The good news is that there is usually a short time frame that you have to experience this. So in reality, Labrador puppy biting is primarily instinctual. Reason 1: Teething Puppies Sometimes, a Lab puppy biting is simply due to teething. Teething is uncomfortable, so your pup likely just wants to relieve that discomfort in any way possible. If that means biting a chew toy or your fingers, then so be it. Once your Lab puppy has its teeth, it might stop biting and nipping. You can help ease his comfort by offering him teething toys for puppies, like frozen chew toys. Reason 2: Excitement Biting Behavior Your new Lab puppy could get excited by just about anything: Your kids squealing, shouting, or crying, and adults shouting or being angry can set off your Lab puppy biting with its sharp teeth. The solution: Deter your puppy from biting you by redirecting him to what he can bite, like a toy. Reason 3: Biting for Attention Most Labrador puppies are receptive to conditioning and positive reinforcement. Dog lovers know that dogs crave attention from their families, but Lab puppies are extreme attention seekers. They love any form of contact with their families, whether playing, petting, or even just eye contact. So if your pup gets these responses from you while biting, he will interpret them as attention. The solution: Stop giving your puppy the attention he wants when he bites so he learns not to associate the two. When puppies are with their mom and siblings, the mom teaches them how hard they can bite each other without it being too painful through play fighting. Your Lab puppy learns how to calibrate strength based on his own family experience. Do Labrador Puppies Bite Children? One major adjustment is the play-biting: A small Lab puppy has a powerful bite and can cause pain, especially to such sensitive skin. The downside is that Lab puppies are more likely to bite children and teenagers than adults. It all comes down to learning how to interact with the puppy. Children and teenagers are inherently more confusing for a Lab puppy. The great news is that you can stop your Lab puppy from biting your kids through consistent training, but the training should be on both sides. Your kids also need to learn how to play and interact with the puppy, understanding its boundaries and playing just enough to keep them from overexciting. You plan to throw a chew toy into the yard for him to chase — but before you can throw it, he suddenly starts nipping and tugging at your hands while making odd puppy sounds that sound dangerously close to snarling. You might also be worried that you have a puppy displaying aggressive biting behavior. Most of the time, they mean no harm and just need a little training to control it! Without the proper guidance and education, many of these methods might be wrong: Instead of discouraging your puppy from biting, you could unintentionally reinforce it. Puppy Biting Tip 1: Discourage Play Biting Whatever stage of puppy development your adorable pup is in, he will always crave attention. If you encourage and reward play biting, he will associate it with attention, praise, and treats, causing him to do it more. So if your puppy has entered its biting phase and is displaying rough or aggressive behavior, stop yourself from giving any reaction. Simply follow rigid training steps, and it will eventually stop. Although that might be very hard to do because a Lab puppy is so adorable, you will thank yourself in the future for doing this. In fact, it might even make things worse. When you punish your Labrador, he might learn to fear you. This can worsen the biting and lead to your puppy developing more aggressive behavior as an adult. Some people also do a light swat on their puppies when they misbehave. When your pup starts biting, remain calm and follow positive training methods rather than negative ones. This is especially true when it comes to a nipping Labrador puppy. While a biting puppy is normal puppy behavior, without proper training and techniques, your Labrador might bite well into adulthood. Step 1: Teach Small Children Boundaries The first step in your training routine should be teaching your kids how to interact with the puppy. But if they start barking and biting out of excitement, you must stop playing with them immediately. Instead, pick up the toy and step away. Bite inhibition is when you teach your puppy how much is too much. After that time-out, you can return to the room and resume whatever activity you were doing. As your puppy learns to bite with less intensity, you can start training it not to put your hand in its mouth. This training takes time, so be patient, and you will see a positive result. Step 4: Reinforce with Additional Training You can also use other training techniques to reinforce positive behavior. Move your hand closer to the puppy and follow the same technique. If the puppy bites you, walk away from it. As you train the puppy to tolerate your hand getting closer to it without biting, you can finally keep your puppy calm and play safely without causing overstimulated biting. Puppies and dogs might go back to their bad habits if you change how you interact with them, so being consistent is crucial. Remember that children tend to take more time to learn training steps, so always reinforce the boundaries and supervise them during playtime in the early training days. Be patient and give your puppy time to learn. Seek help from professional trainers. Professional dog trainers are experienced in redirection, toy-play, and bite inhibition training to give you helpful tips and tricks. Take your puppy to puppy school. There are hundreds of puppy schools and programs that teach puppies good manners. Remember to never punish your puppy for biting. Invest in some good toys, such as different chew toys or Kong toys, so you always have something to redirect him towards. Conclusion Whether teething, scared or just excited, most Labrador Retriever puppies bite for various reasons. Unfortunately, those sharp little puppy teeth can hurt — so if you notice some unwanted biting from your Lab puppy, you should immediately start training him into different behavior. Learn more about what we do and check out our available Labrador puppies today! Share on. Older puppy aggression Most puppies are through the worst of the biting phase by about four months old. After about six months of age, some puppies begin to show signs of fear aggression. This means that they may growl or snap at strangers who approach or try to touch them. The way to avoid this behavior and raise a friendly puppy is to thoroughly socialize your pup. You should follow our socialization steps as soon as your puppy arrives in your home Nipping and rough behavior in bigger puppies Some aggressive puppies at around six to nine months old have a resurgence of nipping and rough behavior. Often ending in tears when children are involved. This kind of biting is almost always linked to inappropriate play. Often involving children. Dogs, especially young dogs, are not great at reading behavioral signals from small children and vice versa. There is a bit of a language barrier here, and children can get hurt. The article on playing safely with your Labrador will help you with this. True Aggression in Puppies It is important that you also know how to recognize and deal with true aggression. Genuine aggression is very rare in small puppies and is almost always linked to extreme fear. A puppy that bites from fear will normally attempt to hide and withdraw first. The frightened puppy will normally growl fairly quietly and try to avoid contact before he bites, whereas the playing puppy will initiate contact and growl more and more fiercely once the biting game is underway. A frightened puppy will also often give off a distinctive musky smell. Helping a frightened puppy If you find your puppy cowering under a chair and not wanting to be touched, you can be sure that someone or something has really frightened him. Remove the source of fear toddlers, and other dogs are common culprits and take your time over reassuring him. Fetch some nice food, and tempt him out. He may need plenty of cuddles for a while, but try not to worry. Most puppies are very resilient and soon bounce back from an unpleasant experience. Aggression in older puppies It can be hard to know when an older puppy is truly being an aggressive puppy. Most commonly, biting and rough behavior in older puppies is due to the causes discussed above. True aggression in older puppies is normally caused by fear and anxiety due to insufficient socialization. Socialization To avoid this kind of aggression it is vital to socialize puppies carefully, so that they are not afraid of anything. Although there may be a genetic element to some dog aggression, socialization is your biggest tool in raising a happy calm friendly puppy. Some dogs will guard beds, chairs and benches. Resource guarding should be treated using positive reinforcement Resource Guarding Sometimes, aggression in older puppies is due to resource guarding. This is clearly not to do with play. An aggressive puppy may growl when people approach his food bowl, or his bed for example. Some aggressive puppies also guard stolen socks, or trash picked up on their walk. This is all classed as resource guarding. How to train an aggressive puppy Some years ago, people believed that resource guarding could be trained out of puppies with dominance and pack leadership strategies. We now know that these techniques only suppress the problem and make the dog feel more threatened. They can be extremely dangerous and lead to bites and ultimately the destruction of the dog. Positive Reinforcement Modern training techniques use positive reinforcement and counter conditioning to change the way that dogs feel about having people near their food and other resources. With most resource guarding problems, especially in older puppies and adult dogs, it is best to get professional help from a behaviorist. Your vet should be able to recommend one. Aggression towards other dogs As with dog-human interactions, it is important to be aware that puppy growling and gentle biting at the other dogs in your house is normal puppy play. Keep an eye that the older dog is not getting frustrated, and separate them if needed — but try not to worry about the puppy noise! You may find our guide to introducing a puppy to an older dog helpful. If, however, your older puppy or dog is being aggressive to other dogs it meets, you may want to consider help from a behaviorist. Puppy Aggression Causes Dog to dog aggression occurs for a variety of reasons. You may need help unpicking the cause, before trying to fix this problem. In the meantime consider keeping your dog on a leash when other dogs are around. And remember — punishing your dog is known to make this problem worse. Life with an Aggressive Puppy Growling and biting are not usually signs of aggression in puppies. Noisy, aggressive-looking, play is a developmental phase that all puppies go through. With your help, it will soon be over. Serious aggression in small puppies is rare and usually only occurs in puppies that are terrified, and that have been prevented from hiding. So rest assured, no matter how fierce your little puppy sounds when he hangs on to your shoes or attacks your fingers, it is not a sign of true aggression. It is normal puppy play. More serious problems Most puppy owners will be reassured by this article, that their puppies growling and nipping is not a sign a an aggressive puppy, but is a normal phase of puppy development. However, if you are concerned that your older puppy or adult dog is showing true aggression, or that they may bite you in a way that causes genuine harm, seek help. A canine behaviorist can assess your dog and advise you on how best to retrain them. Your vet will be able to put you in touch with a behaviorist. Aggressive Puppy and Children Remember, children are particularly at risk from dog bites. If you are concerned, minimize interactions between your dog and children. And always supervise their time together. Research shows that most people find it hard to predict when their children are safe around a dog, and when to worry. Your vet is an important point of call for an aggressive puppy or dog. But in 33 years of experience with Labradors and we always had at least 5 you had the alpha bitch, the alpha male, and everything in between. Or even intelligence, but found it to be an every-changing organism that is fascinating to behold. Timeline and PBS have many great documentaries. Most I find on Youtube. And we certainly want to curtail any play biting in one day if every family member is consistent with our recommendation on play biting. Thus, you need to understand true aggression and merely puppy play biting or growling. Its very interesting to observe. Between two unfamiliar adult dogs, this play should not be encouraged on their first meeting. This is something to take slow. It can easily turn dangerous if your dog or the other suddenly shows any aggressive body language like pulled back ears or snarling. This is for dogs that know each other WELL. They may or not ever play like that. Some have more play drive and will be happy to play with you OR their other canine family mate. It will end badly. So encourage your child to STOP whenever the pup jumps or bites and freeze. If they are unable to apply the proper force or consistency to the training, you may have to jump in and assist. Starting early with understanding dog socialization and stopping bad habits early will save you that 24 month old BRAT that has never been trained or corrected. For info on correcting this behavior, go to either the link above from our Youtube channel or find additional talks on similar topics on our blog. Labradors, with guest blogger, Olivia Stanley.

The recipe features real meat, garden veggies, and fruit plus whole grains and LifeSource Bits rich in antioxidants. It also features ingredients that support healthy growth and development for a growing pup. Natural sources of chondroitin and glucosamine are the building blocks of healthy joints and cartilages ideal for mobility. It is packed in vitamins and minerals with antioxidant benefits for lifelong health and happiness. This kibble made for large breed adult dogs also features Iams DHA Gold to promote mental sharpness and alertness and also to encourage healthy cognitive ability. It is crafted with prebiotics for healthy digestion and strong defenses. Puppies and adult pooches have diametrically different nutritional needs, and senior canines require kibble that is gentle on their aged teeth and stomachs. We suggest you pick one of our recommendations for the best puppy food brands and the best senior dry dog food and see how your pup responds. Who knows? Given that your Pitbull Boxer is neither big nor small, they may like the taste of the best dry dog food for small dogs and the best large breed dry dog food alike, so you might want to offer them both kinds! Pitbull Boxer Mix Exercise Requirements The general advice for most dogs would be to train them while they are young. But in the case of your Pitbull Boxer cross, you have to very cautious. Puppies of large-breed origin that exerts too much energy from running or playing can cause injuries that may last his lifetime. For puppies, activities may be limited to regular short walks or play until it has reached a certain maturity, around one year up to 16 months. As it gets old, the daily exercise requirement will also change. For an adult Pitbull boxer, minutes of exercise should be adequate to maintain good health. It is a very energetic hybrid so they will thrive in a lively environment. An ideal home would mean lots of space to move around, inside or in the backyard. Some states enforce restrictions with regards to Pitbull mixes like your pitbull boxer, so you have to keep it on a leash while out exercising. Using a leash will also prevent them from running into or jumping into everyone they encounter. They are most happy walking around in the city or the Dog Park or even trudging in the mountains. Another essential thing to consider is the weather. During the rainy season, your dog will need a raincoat to protect her from the rain and also to keep her warm. Sunscreen can be used but avoid products with zinc oxide, as it is a poisonous substance. The jacket provides full chest coverage, and the solid print is stylishly chic. The elastic leg straps and adjustable fastener guarantees a snug band comfortable fit. It also features reflectorized stitching so you can see your dog even at night. It is guaranteed durable — it features a galvanized cable and coated with crack-resistant vinyl. It should be able to withstand up to 7x the weight of your dog. My Dog Nose It! Pitbull Boxer Cross Training The combination of Pitbull and Boxer is explosively stubborn, so it is a suitable pet for someone with a firm and unyielding grip in training and socialization. And as always, your dog will react and respond best with positive reinforcement, rewards, and incentives. Punishment will never work, and more often than not, will only create or aggravate behavioral problems. It is essential to reward your pet to encourage positive behavior. Early socialization and training from puppyhood will form the foundation of a well-adjusted dog. Training your Pitbull Boxer should be a piece of cake because of their ability to pick up commands. To get their focus though, you would need to be tough and establish yourself as the master and make him obey you. We listed some training activities you can try out with your petpal: Behavior Training — How do you train him to stop barking mad? Constant practice will help you achieve the desired effect but never shout at him even if he continues to bark. Also, allow him to learn commands other than barking. Keep in mind that the goal is to reward your pup for being silent. Chores Training — Teach him to fetch your newspaper for you. Playing fetch with a toy or a ball should prep your dog for this activity. All you have to do is replace the toy with the newspaper and tech your Pitbull boxer how to get it, pick it up or bring it back to you. Fun Training — Rollover is one activity designed with your big Boxer Pitbull in mind. Start with getting your dog to lie down, and eventually how to roll over. Make sure you reward each action accordingly, and of course, practice makes perfect. Pitbull Boxer Combination And Families The Pitbull Boxer will become accustomed to any family dynamic most especially when trained well and socialized correctly. Their energetic and sometimes rowdy nature can knock off small bodies, so be extra careful if you have kids. There are specific training designed to help you manage this kind of behavior. Check with your local authorities with regards to the legal status of Pitbull mixes in your area. Find out if your Boxer pitbull mix is banned or restricted. Not only will they thrive in large spaces to allow lots of movement, but they will also want owners who will dedicate their time to train and socialize and to love and care for them. Should a Boxer Mix take after their Boxer parent, they will be a playful, energetic, and friendly dog that loves their family and loves being active with them. Boxers are known for their energetic and exuberant personalities. They bond closely with their families, tend to have a cheerful disposition, and also tend to get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Although they are friendly dogs, they do have the instinct to protect their families. If the other parent breed has similar traits, then you should be able to expect a similar temperament in a Boxer Mix. Asking the breeder about the other parent breed in the mix is a good start. You can also meet the mother dog to get a feel for her temperament and to see what behavior she is modeling for her puppies. Although the breeder should be socializing puppies while they have them, it is up to you to continue training and socializing a puppy once you get them home. Boxers are moderately adaptable dogs. Because of their energy, they tend to do better in homes with yards where they can run. But, they can adapt to apartments as long as they get exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day. Although all dogs are sensitive to heat, the Boxer is even more so because of their short snout. And, because they bond so closely with their families, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. The other parent breed could introduce some traits that could affect the adaptability of a Boxer Mix, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. Knowing more about the other parent breed will help you get a better idea of what range of potential characteristics to expect. Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than purebred dogs? A Boxer Mix can inherit any combination of the potential health issues common to one or both of their parent breeds. Or, they could inherit none of them. From the Boxer side, potential health conditions include degenerative myelopathy, thyroid deficiency, hip dysplasia, and heart conditions. Boxers also tend to have sensitive digestive systems, which often makes them gassy. As a brachycephalic dog, they will also snort and snore. Because they are a barrel-chested breed, they are also at a higher risk for bloat in dogs. This can become dangerous, especially if the stomach flips, so you want to make sure you reduce the risk when you can and know the symptoms so you can get help as soon as possible. Since reputable breeders screen their dogs to avoid passing issues on to puppies, they should be able to answer your questions. Despite their high energy, Boxers are highly trainable dogs that can be a good fit for owners of any experience level. Because they are intelligent, they pick up on things quickly and can get bored easily. But, they are eager to please their owners and tend to respond well to training. The other parent breed could make a Boxer Mix even easier to train or more difficult to train. You want to make sure you ask the breeder about the other parent breed so you know what range of trainability to expect. A Boxer Mix can end up with a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is a combination of both of them. Monthly nail trims are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Ears should be dry, clean, and free of debris or pests. Unfortunately, many dog owners overlook dental care, which is why gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed. Daily walks plus playtime and other activities should be enough for this dog. However, they will likely be up for more activity if you are. If the other parent breed is also a high-energy dog breed, then you can expect a Boxer Mix to also be a high-energy dog. However, this is a potential range, so you will still need to be prepared to deal with a Boxer Mix that is high-energy. A Boxer usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. The other parent breed can affect this, especially if they are the mother, so you do want to ask about them. A Boxer generally lives for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you can likely expect a similar life span in a Boxer Mix. Featured Boxer Mix Article.

Short-Haired vs. The breed can be bifurcated into a Long-haired English Labrador Retriever as well as a short-haired Lab. A typical Labrador can be characterized as a 55 to 80 pound, short-haired dog with a life span of years. However, for those who love dogs with long locks, though not very common, long-haired Labs are also bred and can prove to be great pets. This breed was developed from imported Canadian fishing dogs. The Labrador is one of the most popular dog species in various regions all across the globe. They come in three colors, i. Genetic Differences The distinct feature of the long-haired Lab has to be its length and much finer double coat than typical Labrador Retrievers. The long-haired Lab owes this to the difference in the genetic makeup of both types. Long-haired Labrador Retriever has a combination of two recessive alleles genes , which result in lengthier coats. This gene is called the fibroblast growth factor 5 gene. Geneticists have termed it the FGF5 gene. However, it is known by the name of the L gene by the Labrador breeder community. The L gene has two alleles forms. L, which is the gene for short hair, and l, which is the one that produces long hair. L is the dominant one amongst the two. So, whenever a combination of both alleles is formed for the new offspring, the L form masks the effect of the I allele, and an individual with short hair is produced. All offspring get one allele from each of their parents. If both mates from the combination 'Ll' or 'LL,' the offspring will have a coat that grows up to be short-haired. In contrast, if both parents pass only recessive genes, it will result in an 'll' combination, and the puppies will grow up to be long-haired. One thing that needs to be noticed is that whenever two different alleles Ll combine, it results in an offspring that does not show the effect of the recessive allele but becomes a carrier of the gene and may pass it on to the next generation where the gene may show its effect. In this case, if a puppy gets a combination 'Ll,' it will be short-haired but may result in a long-haired offspring by mating with a long-haired ll or a heterogenous Ll individual. Which is the Pure Breed? When a Labrador Retriever is talked about, a typical image of it that automatically comes to mind is athletic, steady, and with a thick, glossy, short coat. The standard says: "It should be short, straight and very dense, giving a fairly hard feeling to the hand… A slight wave down the back is permissible. However, this restriction does not exclude this breed from the list of purebred dogs. Long-haired English Labrador Retrievers are, in fact, purebred dogs that can be recognized in breed registries. The long coats only disqualify them from the show bench but keep them as pure of a breed as the typical ones are. Although, some breeders believe that exclusion from the literal definition should deliberately lead to no long-coated type breeding. But the continuous demand and adoration by the families as pets will never let this happen. Who is a Better Pet? The most relevant question that arises is: Can long-haired pets be good pets or not? Fortunately, the l gene has not been seen to have any other effect on the offspring except for the change in the length of their coats. No health issues, no other special characteristics. Just the long locks and nothing else. Long-haired English Labrador Retrievers have all the great traits that can be found in the typical ones, be it friendly disposition or special affection towards children. So the answer is a big fat yes! You can definitely pet these cute, faithful creatures. Labrador's thick, oily, double coat has always been the species' intrinsic characteristic which protects them from wind, rain, and harsh weather conditions. This helps them tolerate the worst environments without any significant effect on their health. A long fine coat makes the body more vulnerable to environmental conditions. Also, long hair is a bit more difficult to clean. So, the selection is based on your personal liking of you as a buyer. If you find long hair cuter on your pet and can handle all the extra fuss that comes along with the long hair, then why not go for what your heart desires? Which Breed is More Common? If the long-haired breed is ignored by the main breed registries to this extent, it surely means that the vast majority of Labradors that are bred in the present day are the typical short-haired ones. This in no way means that it is hard to find a Long-haired English Labrador Retriever. This breed is produced by several breeders in the country. You will not have to search much to find one for you. Bathing your long-haired lab might require more effort and time but once done, it makes it look and smell its best. To avoid the long locks from matting during the bathe and make the bath as smooth and enjoyable as the both of you want, brush your dog's hair beforehand. It is recommended to use some conditioner in a reasonable quantity after shampooing the hair. Don't forget to use it with diluting products so that it reaches and cleans every part of your dog's long coat. The residue from the products can be harmful to the dog's skin, so make sure to rinse thoroughly with water. It is a long and hectic process but the results will be worth it. It is advisable to use a slicker or bristle brush to bathe your short-haired Lab, as a pin brush may injure the vulnerable skin. Remember not to use any bathing products for use by humans. The ingredients which are beneficial for human hair may prove to be irritating to a dog's skin. Be careful with the shampoo as it can easily slip into the dog's eyes, nostrils, ears, or mouth, which in this case are not covered by hair. Verdict: Which One to Buy? The major difference between both breeds lies with the genetic makeup of the two of them. The different genetic combinations lead to two different coats, i. Long-haired Labs do not come under the typical Labradors definition, which leads to it being the less common breed among the two. Short hair breeds are easy to take care of. All other characteristics make both breeds quite the same. Therefore, the buying decision should more or less be based upon the mere appearance of the two. Go for the one that appeals to you the most. Bring your very own English Labrador home now! Contact us to learn more. The best way to determine the temperament of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross and know you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generation crosses. He is submissive with humans and other dogs.He is 75 lbs. Odin has been instrumental in our work with shelter dogs because he is so confident and friendly. Shelter dogs take to him immediately. There was one dog in particular who was terrified of everything and was reacting with aggression.When I got him home and introduced him to Odin, he completely changed his ways. He followed Odin everywhere and soon learned to trust people. Odin is really a fantastic dog. He lives for Frisbee.Odin is two years old as of Sept. He is a fun and energetic guy. Now full grown, he likes to try and cuddle even with his lb. Conformation is more like a short hair. She has web feet, loves to swim, combination coat-has a little wave in it during the cooler months. Probably the best dog I have ever owned. His dad is a purebred German Shorthair Pointer and his mother is a purebred chocolate Labrador Retriever. He is an amazing dog and knows over 20 tricks, along with herding cattle. He is an amazing dog and I think he is a wonderful description of the best mix of this breed. We sometimes say he is on steroids as he is extremely muscled and has no fat on him at all the shorthair in him. Sweet, lovable, intelligent, well balanced. Wishing there could be a forever. Over the years, we have always kept breeding stock that was structurally correct and naturally muscular with a great personality. Our females are medium size when compared to Labs. They hold their body condition on a limited amount of food and have maintained the great personality. The stud males are very strong, correct dogs that will walk up to any stranger and lick them in the face after a couple pats on the head. All adult breeding dogs must hunt, retrieve and track a downed bird with no formal training. But along the way something unpredictable happened: we fell in love with too many of the puppies. We had to stop raising puppies because our kennel was full and we did not have time to market the pups. Our hunting guests kept asking: where did we get those beautiful Labs, what is story with the spotted female, and where can I find one? So, after many requests, we started a breeding program in .View More About Us Our Adults and Working Dogs While we'd like to tell you the spotted female was a carefully planned creation, truth be known, she just showed up one day in a litter along with 10 black puppies. She is a beautiful female that hunts, points and retrieves with great energy. She has had three litters of pups; these dogs are scattered across the US, are loved by all that have them and are a constant source of high praise by their owners see the accompanying letters of praise. Though we have 12 adult dogs in the kennel, we limit breeding stock to five adult females and three proven stud dogs. Our goals are to offer more spotted puppies; though rare, we should be able to offer more in the future. We now have three young spotted prospects that we selected from two spring litters. If they pass the hunting tests, this fall they will be added to our breeding line. View Our Current Litters Questions? We are very blessed with the dogs we have in our care. By upholding high standards in our breeding program, it is our wish that others may enjoy the great qualities and uniqueness of these Hybrid Dogs for years to come. Should you want to reserve one of our pups or started dogs, please fill out our contact form and which puppy you are inquiring about. Their legs appear to be bent because they are malformed. This bone malformation causes them to have problems with their knee and hip joints, which can be painful and crippling. Any type of dwarfism can cause additional health problems to the animal. Although you associate dwarf Labradors with short legs, they can also have abnormally formed skulls. This can result in breathing problems. They can also have problems whelping, and require c-sections instead of being able to give birth naturally. Disproportionate leg and body lengths, such as seen to an extreme scale in the Dachshund, can also result in spinal problems and painful movements. Although some dwarf Labradors will live full and happy lives, they are at a greater risk than their unaffected cousins. It is therefore very important that Labrador breeders ensure that they do not breed from Labradors who carry the gene for dwarfism. Dwarf Labrador Health Tests Before you buy a Labrador, their breeder should have carried out a variety of health tests on both of the parents. One of the things you should make sure that they have tested for is dwarfism in Labradors. There is a test available for SD2, which will tell the breeder whether the parent carries the gene. No Lab with the gene should be bred to another with it, as they could result in the puppies having dwarfism. Miniature Labrador Breeders A Labrador Retriever small breed is something that has been coined by a few dog breeders to try and cash in on a market of dog lovers who want a small Labrador Retriever to fit into their lives. Every month hundreds of people scour the internet looking for a miniature black Lab or miniature chocolate Lab to join their family. And unscrupulous people will take advantage of these people who are innocently putting their faith in them to provide a happy, healthy new friend. They will provide you with clear, breed specific information. Those claiming to be miniature Labrador breeders may be producing puppies that carry the Labrador dwarfism gene. They may have cross bred their lines with a smaller breed of dog. Or they may be producing regular sized Labs and simply giving their customers the misleading impression that they will remain the same size. Words Of Warning From Lab Breeders If you are researching Labrador breeders, here are some negative buzzwords to keep your eyes peeled for: Micro Labrador Mini Labrador Miniature Labs These words demonstrate that the breeder is either lacking knowledge about Labradors or is trying to mislead puppy buyers. Either way, they are not the breeder that you want to approach. Well, yes, you can. Some Labradors are smaller than others! Within the bounds of usual Labrador size, they are a bit shorter, lighter and just plain littler than other Labs. You will also find that some English Labradors are chunky in build but short in height. Short legs are more fashionable in the show ring at the moment. So this can be removed as the reason for them being shorter legged. Small Labradors who are simply at the lower end of the normal spectrum can be found from reputable breeders, and they are a good option if you want a Labrador temperament in a slightly smaller package. The other option is to buy a Labrador mix, who is crossed with a smaller breed of dog. Just make sure that you check out the health tests that are relevant to this breed as well before you commit to the puppy. But no healthy Labrador will stay small to the miniature extent. Lab puppies that stay really small do so because they are undernourished, ill or have a disease. Even dwarf Labradors are only around 2. If you want a small Labrador Retriever, then think about why. Is it to do with a lack of space, or simply a personal taste issue? Small dog breeds are popular at the moment, but fashions change and the most important part of any pet is their personality and temperament. I hope that you will decide that a full sized Labrador is worth the loss of space on the couch, in exchange for the love and devotion they will give you for the next ten years. Find Out More About Labradors! Life Span Did You Know? There is a reason that year after year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed in the United States. The history of the Labrador Retriever dates back to the early s in Newfoundland, just off the Atlantic coast of Canada. Had these families not played a vital part in the continuation of the breed, the loving and affectionate Labs we have all grown to love may not exist today. The first recognized Yellow Labrador Retriever was born in .One of the friendliest breeds out there, Yellow Labs are great companions and love to be a part of the family. While the color yellow is part of their namesake, their coats range from fawn or cream to butterscotch or a deep golden hue. Coming into popularity during the midth century, the Yellow Labrador Retriever has been a staple for hunters and family homes alike ever since. These dogs are patient and kind when faced with energetic young ones. Yellow Labs delight in big spaces, opting to run and play wildly. However, they will happily lounge on the couch after having a long, hard run outside. When given a little training, they can easily learn to control barking habits and restrain themselves from digging. Their double coat also makes them a good fit for just about any climate. As with most dogs, they are sensitive to extreme heat or cold. Generally speaking, Labradors are healthy. They can develop certain inherent conditions, along with cataracts and kneecap displacement, but will remain healthy overall. As long as they are taken to their vet appointments with regularity, Labs will usually feel just fine. Yellow Labs are loyal companions with few drawbacks. Treats never hurt, of course. This, paired with their eagerness to please, makes them a highly trainable dog breed that is a good fit for owners of any experience level. With minimal training, these dogs can control their barking and digging without much trouble. Labs have very short, double-layered, and water-resistant fur. Its density protects them from the cold, so they will often try to swim any time of year. They experience heavier seasonal shedding twice a year and slight shedding throughout the year. Giving them a good brush once a week or a few times a week should keep their coats shiny and healthy. Other grooming tasks include nail trimming, ear care, and dental care. Proper dental care for dogs includes brushing their teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day. This helps prevent the tartar buildup that causes dental diseases like gum disease and tooth decay. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with dental hygiene chews, a special dental care diet, and more. This breed tends to be very active. They were bred to be working dogs and need exercise. A few daily walks and some time to run should help assuage their energy levels. Yellow Labs also need a fair amount of mental activity as well; they like to stay sharp. Yellow Labs are classified as medium to large dogs. They reach an average height of 23 inches and an average healthy weight of 75 pounds. A Yellow Labrador Retriever generally lives years. It was traditional in Newfoundland for every fishing boat to have a Labrador Retriever that would help retrieve the fish as they came in off the trawl. Featured Yellow Labrador Retriever Article.