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She has a playful spirit and is always the life of the party. She can be super playful with the kids or just kick back and lay with me and watch a movie. She is the perfect size and a wonderful companion. I could not ask for a better poodle. Moyen poodles are so hard to find or let me rephrase that true and high quality moyens are hard to find! Thank you for producing such an amazing little girl. She looks just like her dad Romeo! You do the very best breeding! To think that she will be 2 years old June 29th is hard for us to believe! Loving, sweet and beautiful! Thank you for such careful breeding! Our grand-daughter got a little girl from you last summer after seeing Zoe! Now she has her sweet Babs and is thrilled! Thank you again! We are so happy for you! Jonah is amazing, smart and loving beyond all our poodles during this puppy stage. He makes us laugh constantly and is always ready for a game of whatever, just as long as it is a game. Thank you! She is precious little one. She is so cute, and so sweet. She has so much energy. She can definitely keep up with our Standard Poodle. They run and run and have the best time. She has really developed lots of muscles and a great personalaity. Our vet says she is amazing!! She is so sweet with everyone and great with small children. I would definitely have another Moyen Poodle. I am going to give her a hair cut today, so will send another picture today or tomorrow, but sending one today that was taken a few months back. She definitely has a nice personality and a real love. I just wanted to write and let you know how Charlie is doing. He is one year old today! When we talked to you on the phone about adopting Charlie you said that you could refer us to others who could talk all day long about their dogs. Well, that is us now because he is an amazing fellow! When we were at your house and sitting on your sofa he climbed, or maybe marched is a better word, up my husbands arms and curled up behind my husbands neck. All the way home to Wake Forest, NC about 8 hours he insisted on climbing up my shoulders and sitting on the back of my neck. He is great with our three young kids and his size is exactly as you described. He is about 23 pounds and still has some growing to do. He is very calm around people and other dogs. I took him to obedience class yesterday and then to a meeting and during both he just laid at my feet quietly and patiently. To look at him, you would not believe he is still a puppy because he often acts much more mature than his age 6 months. He has learned everything we have taught him superfast. I cannot say enough good things about this dog! You can tell he stayed with the litter an appropriate amount of time by the way he acts with her. I love him with all my heart and soul. Let me know when the puppies arrive. If they are not all spoken for. .I may know some folks interested in seeing them. Thanks for such a wonderful dog and companion. Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.Top 30 Smartest Dog Breeds In The World If you're a dog lover, you've probably heard the age-old debate: which dog breeds are the smartest? While all dogs have their own unique intelligence and personality, some breeds have proven to be consistently brilliant over time. In this guide, we'll explore the top 30 smartest dog breeds ranked, from problem-solving whizzes to trainable and intuitive pups. We've done our research to provide you with an updated and informative.These pooches are joyful, lively, eager to please dogs. They are adventurous, kind, family-oriented pups who love hiking, swimming, canine games, sports and any, and all, family activities. These puppies are merry and bouncy little marshmallows. They are cuddly and sweet pups who love running around, playing, making friends and are very enthusiastic learners. The breed is divided into 3 recognized categories: Toy Poodle; Mini; Standard. Although they differ in size, one thing is for sure: they are glamorous companion pets. We are 5-month-old Standard Poodles weighing about lbs. While I love to play with my foster siblings, I really just want calm space to hang out with my humans and other fur friends. I wake and jump into bed to give my foster parents good morning snuggles! I enjoy a light morning snack and spend the rest of the day napping and hanging out with the humans while they work. After work, all bets are off, and I make sure to get all the puppy zoomies out. My leash training is going well, but I often try to chase the leaves and get distracted by unfamiliar sights and smells. I love to go outside to play, chew on a stick or take a walk. I also enjoy down time with humans to cuddle and get lots of belly rubs. I start my day at am, go potty, then breakfast. After I like going outside to chase squirrels and play. I then have dinner around pm and in my crate by 10pm for bed. I love learning tricks and am very food motivated! I also like to try and outsmart my foster parents when they hide my treats or sticks, I bring inside. I am very curious and love to explore, play, eat, and cuddle. Now that I am older, I can make it through the night without any potty accidents but I need to go outside as soon as I am up, usually around 7am. I eat breakfast then it's right back outside for my next potty break! I like to have a chew bone and play for a while, then naps. I like to sit on the couch next to my foster mom, or lay on my back sprawled out on the floor. I love going for walks and am learning to not pull. I bark a little at other dogs but I am very dog and people friendly. Nights are pretty low key, I may play a little before bed time, where I prefer to sleep next to my foster parent's bed. I love to cuddle if you'll allow me up too! Since I am still a puppy, I need reinforcements with potty training, proper leash walking, and learning what and what not to chew on. I am just a super sweet girl and can't wait to share my love with you! Questions about Poodle puppies for sale in Dallas TX? We have answers. Give me an overview of Poodle puppies for sale in Dallas TX. You will notice when looking for a Poodle that there are many prices available. This is due to the fact that Poodles come in so many varieties, big and small, as well as many different colors. Price also depends on pedigree and breeder experience. Do your breeders arrange travel for Dallas Poodles out of state? Uptown only works with professionals and due to this, they have a lot of experience with organized travel and transport of their puppies. They even make sure their pups are sent by plane in certain instances. But, as Uptown grows and grows by the day, there may even be a Poodle pup around the corner for you to pick up! How do you screen miniature Poodle breeders in Dallas? Breeders, businesses and companies that desire to be part of the Uptown network constantly contact us with calls and messages. Very few of them will actually make it through our vetting process and eventually take the Breeder Pledge. We only have the strictest of standards when it comes to the wellbeing of your pup. Why is Uptown Puppies different from other miniature Poodle breeders Dallas? Uptown exists because of care, rather than profit. We truly care about connecting honest breeders, companies and businesses with lovely families, such as yours, looking to bring home a new best friend, to take care of and love for life. What is a puppy mill like for miniature Poodle Dallas? To say it simply, puppy mills are actual prisons for dogs. A whole lot of dogs are grouped together in small cages. The only reason for their sad existence is to give birth to multiple litters until the mother dogs pass away from infections and other health reasons. Puppies that come out of here will cost you thousands in vet bills and often die young. Are there any miniature Poodle puppies Dallas for sale now? Because Poodles are so popular, you will always be able to find a puppy through Uptown. Just begin your search underneath and fill in a few details about yourself and what exactly you are looking for in your perfect pooch. Soon enough, you will have your new best friend by your side. What kind of dogs are mini Poodle puppies Dallas? They originate from both Germany and France and were originally bred to hunt ducks in the water. They are easily trainable as they are so intelligent and have many skills - including herding. How do I know I can trust you with miniature Poodle puppies in Dallas? Uptown is fully aware of all the scams that occur regarding the selling of puppies. We are currently raising gorgeous multi colored Parti Poodles and solid colored in miniature and soon, toy sizes. We started in standards but have made the move to smaller sizes. We feel very passionate about health testing, showing, and titling our poodles for our Poodle breeder program though we do give preference to pet puppy homes. More Than Amazing Color While we understand color is part of what makes Parti Poodles so popular, we want you to know that we place high emphasis on temperament and type or build, in our partis and well as solids, so your puppy will grow into a eye catching and distinguished adult that is as sweet and intelligent as any poodle should be. Conformation Show Titles We are proud of our show titles! We understand families searching for a pet do not need a show dog, we do this so families know that what they have purchased from us represents a great amount of knowledge and hard work. We test our Poodles against other great dogs so that we can know our breeding dogs are worthy of your family both in soundness of temperament and that they truly are representations of their breed. We do give preference to pet homes for our puppies. Testament to Temperament We have donated to date five puppies for service dog training and so far, all of our candidates have graduated and gone on to service work! We feel this is a real testament to what we strive to produce for families that want to purchase a puppy from MnJ- a great, stable, sweet and social family member. We are currently raising gorgeous multi colored Parti Poodles and solid colored in small standard and miniature sizes. While many will think we have Moyen Poodles, in truth the FCI breed standard for this size is very misunderstood so we avoid using a marketing term. Past Puppies Just a few of our past puppies so you can get an idea of what we offer!

Arthritis Cancer You can keep your Bernese German Shepherd as healthy as possible by bringing him to the vet for a wellness check at least once per year. As your dog gets older, you may want to increase the frequency of the visits and consider doing senior bloodwork at least once every year. Also make sure to keep your dog on prevention for heartworms , fleas and ticks at all times. It should be no different for your dog. But you need to help him. The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is the answer. This handy guide will help you recognize the symptoms of the health problems above. Get the knowledge to stay ahead of these terrible issues that can rob your lovely dog from vigor and life. The Euro Mountain Sheparnese lifespan is sadly not that long. Giant breeds simply do not live as long as smaller breeds. With good care, the lifespan of your Euro Mountain Sheparnese could reach 10 or ever 12 years, but that would be quite old for this breed. Many pass away around 8 or 9 years old. Grooming and Shedding: Get Ready for Fur! The answer to that question is definitely yes! If you cannot handle dog fur, this is probably not the right dog for you. When you combine the two breeds into a Euro Mountain Sheparnese you are definitely going to get a designer dog that sheds profusely! You are going to need to stock up on a heavy duty vacuum cleaner as well as a variety of brushes and combs. You should give your dog a bath as needed, but approximately once every month or two. If your dog has very long fur, you might want to take him to a professional groomer a few times per year for a haircut, or at least a sanitary trim. You should also clean his ears frequently to prevent infection. Is the Euro Mountain Sheparnese Hypoallergenic? The Euro Mountain Sheparnese is not hypoallergenic unfortunately. If you are allergic to dog dander, this mixed breed will not work for you. Exercise The Euor Mountain Sheparnese is a big, athletic dog that needs plenty of daily exercise. You will not be able to keep this dog cooped up in the yard or in a small apartment all day. These dogs need vigorous exercise such as walking, jogging, swimming, hiking, or playing with other dogs. After they burn some energy, they are happy to relax by your side, but you should be prepared to provide at least an hour of daily activity if you adopt a German Shepherd Mountain Dog. Likewise, the German Shepherd Mountain Dog needs a lot of training and mental stimulation to keep him from becoming bored and destructive. The best way to train a Bernese Mountain Dog German Shepherd mix is through positive reinforcement training. If possible sign up for a basic obedience class or a puppy socialization class with a positive reinforcement trainer. Never use painful tools such as pinch collars or shock collars on your German Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog mix. Such tactics will damage the fragile trust between you and your new dog. Your dog will learn best through positive, pain-free methods. If you think your Bernese Mountain Dog German Shepherd mix would enjoy even more mental enrichment, you can sign up for a canine sport such as nosework, agility, weight pull, or herding trials. The best route is probably through rescue or adoption. Since the Euro Mountain Sheparnese is a mixed breed dog, there are not too many breeders out there creating Euro Mountain Sheparnese puppies. Although there might be a few. If you do end up working with a breeder, make sure you do a lot of research to make sure it is a responsible breeder. Definitely do not buy a Bernese Mountain Dog German Shepherd mix puppy from a pet store or over the internet. Visit your local animal shelter and let them know that you are looking for a German Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog mix. Even if they do not have one at that time, you can fill out an application and leave your name and number on file for the future. That way they can let you know if they receive a dog that might be a good match for you. The shelter can also refer you to other rescue groups that specialize in certain breeds and mixes such as a local German Shepherd rescue, a Bernese Mountain Dog rescue, or a rescue that specializes in giant mixes. The internet is another useful tool for finding a Bernese Mountain Dog German Shepherd mix for adoption. Check out websites such as Petfinder. The price will depend on where you purchase or adopt your dog. If you adopt from an animal shelter or rescue group, the adoption fee is generally fairly affordable. This significantly less than you would pay if you purchased a purebred dog from a breeder. We hope that this article has answered some of your questions about the lovable Bernese Mountain Dog German Shepherd mix! Thank you for reading! Allie M. Allie has worked in the field of animal welfare for over ten years and as a freelance writer the space for many years. She has had many different kinds of dogs and cats throughout her life—all adopted. She currently shares her home with a lovable pit bull mix named Huckleberry. Meningitis Heat sensitivity By ensuring that your dog gets the right food diet and exercise, you can help increase the lifespan of your dog companion. For puppies, it is recommended to delay neutering, about 10 months. Delayed neutering is beneficial for the dog to achieve correct hormone levels and stimulate proper growth and development. Moreover, early neutering may cause further hip dysplasia later on. Euro Mountain Sheparnese Food Requirements Taking into consideration their large size and activity level, this hybrid dog should at least eat cups of high-quality dry food per day. Take note of this 3 important tips for your Euro Mountain Sheparnese nutrition needs: Carrying out blood tests to identify any food allergies: This is recommended since both parents of this mixed breed dog are known to have certain dietary sensitives. The German Shepherd side of his lineage is known to be easily prone to nutritional sensitivities. Choosing the right food: Pet dogs enjoy the same food humans do. Make sure you choose the right food product that will attend to all your dog nutritional needs. Dog foods rich in carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals are highly recommended. Avoid additives: This is very crucial because if they consume any additives or fillers from their food, it may cause overactivity and other behavioral issues. Consult a Dog Nutritionist. To ensure that your Euro Mountain Sheparnese is receiving the proper nutrition he needs, opt to consult dog nutrition professionals for pieces of advice specific for your dog companion. All responsible dog owners love to provide their pooch with the best care and nutrition. If you wish your dog was strong and healthy, stay away from the worst dry dog food, and choose the best dry dog food instead, for example, Wellness Core Dog Food , Dog For Dog Food , or Nutra Thrive dog food supplement. Puppies require food that is full of vitamins and easy to digest which you may find among best puppy food brands. Older dogs, in their grandpa style, need food that contains moderate fat and protein levels as in the best senior dry dog food. Your hairy companion comes from different breeds and therefore you can experiment with the best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food. Euro Mountain Sheparnese Bernese Mountain Dog German Shepherd Exercise Requirements Since both parent breeds of Euro Mountain Sheparnese are high-energy dogs, regular exercise is needed to release excess energy and to keep them happy and healthy. Also, routine exercise is not only good for your dog but also beneficial for your health. You can provide interactive dog toys or conduct challenging activities to keep him mentally fit. As previously mentioned, the Euro Mountain Sheparnese is a hybrid of working dogs. Both parent breeds were developed to be work-oriented. Thus, you can train puppies at an early age to perform varying tasks ranging from agility to herding. Training this hybrid dog is very crucial since they are large sized and tends to be very active. Implement positive reinforcement training methods. Euro Mountain Sheparnese loves treats and encouragement so expect them to be very responsive. Make sure to avoid punishment-based training since this hybrid dog may tend to respond aggressively when being punished or shouted at. Train your hybrid dog consistently in a positive method, and your dog will reward you with obedience and loyalty. His Bernese Mountain Dog lineage is known to pull on anything, but proper training can help fix this. Obedience Training: Train your Euro mountain Sheparnese puppies to grasp basic obedience training commands such as sit, down, stay and recall. This will also help improve bonding with your friendly companion. Correcting Growling and Aggression: It is vital to train your hybrid dog to not be aggressive to people and to other dogs as well. This hybrid dog is not particularly cautious of strangers but may bark in alarm, which may not be dog-friendly. Early social training is essential since the German Shepherd parent of this hybrid can be aloof. He loves to be with the people all the time. Kids love the Euro Mountain Sheparnese because it tends to be very affectionate with its loved ones, which is what a child wants. Their genuine nature and friendly disposition make them a devoted family dog companion. Lifespan Sociability Since the Bernese Mountain and German Shepherd continue to become more popular, their hybrid mix does as well. The parent breeds of a Euro Mountain Sheparnese tend to be expensive, so the mix of these tends to go down that price range as well. If you want to adopt a Euro Mountain Sheparnese, you might need some patience. Euro Motaunain Sheparneses are known to be energetic and playful dogs. They require plenty of mental and physical stimulation to avoid boredom. Training and early socialization are always a good idea with puppies so they grow to be friendly dogs around other pets and people. The Bernese Mountain Dogs are supposed to have worked on farms 2, years ago. Bernese Mountain dogs were initially called Swiss Mountain dogs. Although they were not originally from the Swiss Alps region, it is the area with which they have become the most strongly associated. The reason for this is their longevity, having been brought to the region by the invading Romans 2, years ago. They were also used as herders and traveled the Alps with their shepherding masters. As in many other areas of the world, the need for so many small farms decreased in the 19th century and the use for these pups along with it. They began to see a sharp decline in overall popularity. Luckily, there were devotees to the breed that worked hard to maintain their bloodlines. The Bernese Mountain dogs became popular all over Europe. When they were imported into the country, they quickly began their climb in popularity and were accepted by the AKC in .The Euro Mountain Sheparnese still have the hard work ethic and strength of the Bernese parents. It is due to these traits that they make excellent farm dogs. They like to have a job to do and appreciate more space to run around in as well. German Shepherds are a popular but relatively young breed. The Germans initially bred them, supposedly a Captain Max von Stephanitz, who wanted to produce the most obedient and well-rounded dog. He did so by studying desirable traits in many different dog breeds in Germany during the late 19th century and developed the German Shepherd as a result. Since then, they have spread around the world as a popular dog. It is mostly because of their alert temperaments, loyalty, and high trainability. So much popularity has encouraged bad breeding, where some desirable traits end up in the mix. These dogs can be mistaken for Rottweilers, depending on which parent they favor. Sometimes, it can be confusing to differentiate purebred and well-known dogs from other lesser-known hybrids. In the case of a Euro Mountain Sheparnese, they can easily be mistaken for a Rottweiler. The reason for this is because of their coat color and texture patterns. Both the German Shepherd and the Bernese Mountain dog have a double coat, meaning two layers of fur for extra protection from the elements. It also means that they tend to shed quite a bit. They also have similar color patterns to one another, black and tan, with the Bernese typically having white splotches on their chest and paws. If the hair ends up being shorter, favoring the typical German Shepherd look, then the combination of physical traits makes them resemble a Rottweiler. The best way to tell between the Euro Mountain Sheparnese and a Rottweiler is their overall build and height. The Euro Mountain Sheparnese is large but tends to have a more athletic body and longer legs. Rottweilers have thicker chests, square faces, and shorter legs. They inherit a strong work ethic and demure attitudes from both of their parents. Both can also be serious, although younger pups still like to play with their family members. These dogs make an excellent watch and guard dogs because they are always alert and ready to protect. They can be cautious of strangers, so if your dog is socialized, be careful about teaching them appropriate social manners. These dogs are highly intelligent, coming from two independent breeds trained to be thinkers of a sort. They like to have the freedom and trust to make some of their own decisions. They are generally quite easy to train, but their size, energy, and sometimes temperaments make them not fit for first-time owners. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They are protectors, though, and take this charge quite seriously. These dogs can be wary of strangers; however, they are friendly and attentive with their own family. Their affection is what makes them a beloved pet. Regarding their parent breeds, it is relatively unpredictable how well they will get along with other dogs. Sometimes they can be quite territorial, while at other times, they are friendly and extremely social. Keep in mind that each dog is different, no matter what breed they come from, and they may need extra training to behave appropriately in different social situations. It is possible for these dogs to eat you out of house and home. They can eat 3. Check into the parental sensitivities from the breeder, especially of the German Shepherd. If you are still concerned about food sensitivities, you can get various blood tests done to check. If you have one of these dogs, you will find that vets and breeders highly recommend avoiding food with any fillers or additives. In these dogs, it can lead to behavioral issues. A post shared by Rocky rocky. They need a great deal of exercise each day and are thus not an appropriate choice for those who live in apartments or small homes unless they belong to an active owner. They need about 3 hours of high to medium levels of activity each day or about 14 miles of walking every week. Since they are highly trainable, you can try agility training. Since they need quite a bit of socialization, it is best to take them to some sort of dog park from as young an age as possible. They are large dogs that were often used for pulling, especially the Bernese Mountain dog. It means that they are known to pull on the leash, but this can be trained out of them with consistency. Forming a bond with these dogs is a sure way to find success in obedience training. The trainer needs to establish themselves as the leader. When this is established, their intelligence and willingness make them quick and easy to train. They need daily brushings to keep any knots out of their fur and their skin and coat healthy. You need to clean their ears thoroughly every several days, removing wax and dirt from the inside and preventing infection. Brush their teeth at least a couple of times a week, preferably daily because these dogs sometimes suffer from dental issues. Like many other big dogs, they have relatively short lifespans. Make sure to bring them to the vet at least once a year to catch any health issues as soon as possible. Minor Conditions. Breeders who have German Shepherd puppies for sale will want to be sure that you know where the dog came from. They are known for their resilience and strength, which makes them an ideal choice for family pets. Their loyalty, determination, and overall affection for their owners are some of the most important traits of any type of dog. The breeding of these two breeds has contributed to what we know today as the purebred dogs we see today. Their characteristics have allowed many people to adopt the Bernese Mountain Dog as their own family pet. These dogs are also well known for their unique and charming personality and physical strength. Many breeders will use genetic lines in breeding their dogs to produce a purebred dog. Having these two dogs together has helped breeders and dog owners produce many purebred dogs that have been used for dog show performances. One of the advantages of having a purebred dog and a Bernese Mountain Dog Mix for Sale is that they are rarely involved in accidents and are very well behaved. They will happily eat at your table and sit on your lap, doing nothing more than what you would expect from a dog. If you are looking for a dog that can be used for hunting and protection purposes, then you will find that a German Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog Mix for Sale will prove to be very useful for this purpose. Their larger size and extra mass can enable them to withstand the weight of even large games and will easily drag them away to their den. Another positive aspect of these dogs is that their muzzle can be covered by the owner and he or she can be able to snuggle up with them for a comfortable nap. An advantage of the German Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog Mix for Sale is that the training will be easier to teach and the attitude of the dog will be easier to handle. Your dog will be much more patient and will learn to be more level-headed than some of the other dogs that may be more excitable and anxious. German Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their endurance, stamina, and strength. In summary, a purebred dog and a German Shepherd Bernese Mountain Dog Mix for Sale can be very helpful in providing a house pet that will provide security and affection for your family. They are very sturdy and well adapted to the harsh climates that some areas may have. These dogs also make great companions for children and will have them calm and loved. There are many Bernese mountain dog mix puppies for sale these days. They come from all over Europe and the United States and have been bred to work in the rugged mountains and forests of Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and France. The Bernese mountain dog is one of the more popular types of dogs in the world. It is a small dog that weighs between twelve and fifteen pounds and has medium-length fur. Some have short hair and others have long. Their coat is brownish-gray in color with fine flea control. If you decide to look at Bernese mountain dog breed puppies for sale, you can be assured that they will be highly energetic, outgoing, and alert. They have a good temperament and love to please. They are easy to train and should get along well with children and other animals. They have a very large size dog and can sometimes grow up to about thirty or forty inches tall. They are very strong dogs, however, so they should not be left alone with small children. This breed has a very distinctive and recognizable appearance which is the result of a cross between the Doberman Pinscher and the Shepherd. They have a short coat with a reddish-brown color that makes them look like the Shepherd. This is a naturally occurring breed and has been passed down for generations to the present day. You can find Bernese mountain dog mix puppies for sale that have been shown at national shows. These dogs have an interesting and fun-loving personality, which comes from their genes. They are easy to train, and because they are so alert, loving, and energetic, they are often used in rescue work. They are used as companions for the disabled and physically challenged. Because they have a wonderful temperament, they are very loyal, and a good candidate to become a family pet for kids. The little dogs have a gentle personality and like to spend time with the family. Children especially love watching them play together and it is easy to train them to do things like fetch. They are great watchdogs and are great for protection for the home. German shepherd Bernese mountain dog mix puppies require a lot of time and attention. They need lots of exercise and plenty of food, but they do not need a lot of human interaction. Bernese mountain dog mix puppies require an entire crate to keep them safe and comfortable. They also need a sturdy bed that provides them with adequate warmth and softness, such as a dog bed with heavy stuffing. You also want to make sure you have a secure area where they can go when they want to go outside. Many people have heard horror stories about puppy mills and how they treat these little creatures. You want to avoid any type of animal shelter if possible. These places are not regulated and have horrible living conditions for these dogs. They are given food and supplies that are inappropriate for their age and personality. When you buy your dog, you want to make sure you choose a reputable breeder and a responsible breeder. You want to find a reputable breeder and the best homes for your new puppy. When you have found the best breeders and homes, be sure to take pictures of the puppies and get a certificate of registration. You want to get a purebred German Shepherd to make sure you get a purebred German Shepherd that is free from the genetic faults and defects common to this type of dog. You also want to buy a puppy that has been show-tested, since they are more prone to health problems with genetic defects than most dogs. Most of these sites do not offer you an opportunity to see the puppies in person. That is why it is important to make sure you have a vet that you can ask questions to. By doing some research ahead of time you will be able to find out the best place to buy your puppy from. When you start looking for German Shepherd puppies for sale , you want to make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder. A good breeder will give you a paper trail to go back to whenever you need it. They should be willing to show you all of the relevant paperwork as well as the breeding history and health records. You want to make sure that the breeder you are dealing with is legally allowed to breed animals. You also want to make sure that the dog mix puppies for sale that you are considering are healthy. Sometimes these dogs end up in animal shelters because they are sickly. The breeder you are dealing with should be able to provide you with a clean bill of health. Be wary of any breeder who does not take adequate care of their animals. They should make sure that the dogs are getting proper exercise and are getting proper nutrition. German Shepherd dog mix puppies for sale can come in various colors and patterns. It should be no more than one color different. You do not want to get your German Shepherd a brown puppy and then end up with a chocolate Labrador. You will also want to make sure that the dog you are getting has been socialized. This is an important part of finding the right mix of dogs for your family. You should take the time to work with the breeder to learn whether or not the puppy is a good mix for your family. Do not be afraid to ask questions about this as you want to make sure that your puppy will fit in with your family. German Shepherd dog mix puppies for sale can come in various sizes as well. This is something that you will want to take into consideration. You do not want to get a puppy that is too small to be a good match for your German Shepherd. You also do not want to get a puppy that is too large as this may strain the relationship between the two dogs. This is so that you can know what to expect in terms of the general health and behavior of the puppy. You also want to know if the dog has any genetic diseases. Make sure that you get the parents when possible to ensure that there is adequate knowledge regarding the health and behavior of the puppies. German Shepherd dog mix puppies for sale are often available through local breeders or rescue groups. In most cases, the breeder will be able to give you more information than you can find online. If you cannot find enough good information about the dog online, ask the breeder to speak to you about it. You should never rely on just the pictures that you see on the Internet and you should always ask to see the dog in its actual home before purchasing a puppy. Share this:. Should they take after their Bernese Mountain Dog parent, they will be a large, fluffy, energetic, playful, and friendly dog that makes a great family pet. But, you do want to talk to the breeder about the other dog breed in the mix. Because a mixed-breed dog can inherit any combination of traits from one or both parents, the other parent breed will introduce some other potential traits into the mix and you will want to be aware of what those are. Bernese Mountain Dogs are known for their large, fluffy appearances and their friendly, affectionate personalities. They get along well with children, other pets, and other people. They can have a high prey drive, so they may need some extra socialization with other smaller pets in the household. Talking to the breeder about the other parent breed and meeting the mother dog can give you an idea of potential temperament. But, once you get a puppy home, continued training and socialization are up to you. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a moderately adaptable dog. As long as an apartment can handle their large size and they still get plenty of exercise, they can adapt to apartment living even though they are better suited to larger homes with yards. The other parent breed in the mix could result in a Bernese Mountain Dog Mix that is more or less adaptable than the Berner parent. So, you do want to talk to the breeder about the other parent breed to get an idea of what potential range to expect. Are mixed-breed dogs healthier than established breeds? A mix can inherit the potential health conditions common to one, both, or neither of their parent breeds. On the Bernese Mountain Dog side, potential health concerns to be aware of include elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. As a large dog breed, they are also more prone to bloat. Bloat in dogs can become dangerous quickly, so you do want to know how to prevent it as well as the symptoms so you know when to get help. Reputable breeders will screen their stock to avoid passing issues on to puppies. So, you want to make sure you talk to the breeder about the other parent breed as well as the health and genetic history of both of the parent breeds. Berners are highly trainable dogs. They are intelligent and eager to please their owners, so they tend to be a good fit for owners of any experience level. But, they are a working breed with a lot of energy, which can be challenging for first-time dog owners. If the other parent breed is similar when it comes to training, then you can expect the same in a Bernese Mountain Dog Mix. If not, then you will want to be prepared for a dog that may be more difficult to train. Puppy training classes can be a big help and they also often offer opportunities to socialize a puppy. A mix can inherit a coat that is similar to one of the parent breeds or a true combination of both. If they inherit the Berner coat, a Bernese Mountain Dog Mix will have a thick, fluffy double coat that will shed year-round and heavier during seasonal changes. Brushing a few times a week, daily during seasonal shedding, and bathing as needed is enough to keep a Berner coat looking great. Monthly nail trims are usually sufficient to keep nails from growing too long. You want to make sure ears are dry, clean, and free of debris and pests. Due to a lack of good dental care for dogs , gum disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs. This will help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. Although they are a working breed, Bernese Mountain Dogs are not a high-energy breed. They have a more moderate activity level. But, when they play, they play hard and tend to keep things up until they are tired. This can result in some intense play sessions, so you will want to be prepared for some bursts of high energy. The other parent breed in the mix could result in a lower or higher activity level. Talking to the breeder about the other parent breed can give you a better idea of what range to expect in a Bernese Mountain Dog Mix. A Bernese Mountain Dog is a large dog breed that stands about inches tall and weighs pounds when they are fully-grown. The other parent breed can affect this, so you do want to talk to the breeder about them. Although it is not a guarantee, you can also meet the mother dog in-person to see around what size to expect in a fully-grown Berner Mix. Bernese Mountain Dogs tend to live for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you can likely expect something similar in a Bernese Mountain Dog Mix. Be extra cautious with online transactions! We encourage you to read these guidelines before buying or adopting a dog. Have you done your research? Carry out the research so you have the necessary knowledge of the pet you are getting. Since owning a dog is a big commitment, you should research about the breed fully to make sure it fits your current lifestyle and budget. Have you seen the puppy? Take time to visit the advertiser's home to confirm if they are genuine. Do not settle for online communications and photos. UK Pets does not verify the authenticity of all advertisers. The advertiser should allow you to personally see the puppies with the puppies' mother. If they keep on giving you excuses why you could not visit their home or the address stated in the advert is not the accurate and permanent location of the pet, consider this a red flag. Avoid online payment Never pay anything online through money transfer companies especially if you have not personally visited the advertiser and seen the puppy, this includes deposit and delivery cost for the puppy. There is also no means to recover your money if issues arise. Before closing a deal, you must have signed a well-defined contract. Responsible Advertiser The advertiser should only release the puppies when they are 8 weeks old or older. They should be responsible enough to know that separating the puppy from the mother earlier results in medical and behavioural issues.

Breed Title Goldador Puppies Temperament Goldadors are an amazing combination of the intelligence and trainability of the Labrador and the friendly, gentle personality of the Golden Retriever. With their outgoing, friendly character and sweet disposition, Goldadors make excellent family pets around children and other animals as they have a great aptitude for understanding people. In terms of temperament, these beloved pups are highly sociable but not overly boisterous or hyper; they enjoy playing fetch but rest just as happily on your lap or at your feet while you work. Golden Labrador Retriever Puppy Health Considerations Though generally very happy and long-lived — with an average lifespan of around years — our Goldadors for sale are not without their unique health concerns. Like every breed of dog, there are a few conditions you should be aware of before you consider purchasing one of our Golden Labrador Retriever puppies for sale. Understanding the risks allows you to know the signs and prevent small health concerns from turning into big ones. Finding a Golden Labrador puppy for sale from a reputable breeder can also dramatically — although, not eliminate — the risk of your dog developing some of these conditions. Depending on the climate they live in, Goldadors may need regular baths — however omitting shampoo once or twice a year will ensure their coat retains its natural oils. Finally it is recommended to check the ears regularly and trim nails as needed. Adopted Golden Labrador Retriever Puppies. It is their outgoing, affectionate, and eager-to-please demeanor that makes them so qualified to take on all of these jobs and still be the perfect family pet. When it comes to breed standards, the AKC recognizes three official colors for the Labrador: black, chocolate, and yellow. At Hidden Pond Labradors, we understand that everybody has a different preference in mind when they set out to bring one of these incredible dogs into their home. Yellow Labrador Retriever Breeder The yellow Lab is one of the most popular colors, in part due to its photogenic nature. This also makes them excellent show dogs, although any of the three recognized colors can easily achieve Grand Champion status. Coat shades that are classified as yellow range from white to fox red. Like chocolate, the yellow coat is a recessive color that requires both parents to carry and pass on the gene. Yellow Labrador Retrievers, just like every other color, have a stable, amiable temperament. Their trainability and discipline should not be mistaken for lethargy though. Labs are very active dogs that will bring a lot of fun energy to your household. Are you interested in the unconditional love, support, and joy a Lab can bring to your family? Get in touch with Hidden Pond Labradors! Your purchase of one of our yellow Labrador Retriever puppies includes a veterinarian health certificate , first set of vaccinations, one-year written health warranty, and a lifetime placement warranty should you need it. Contact us today to reserve a puppy from our next litter! 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. During this time, they have learned that good breeding is not seldom. This is why they conduct DNA genetic testing on the mating Labs, research pedigrees, and perform x-rays. At other times, they fly in semen from other states to guarantee the best quality future Labs. They have produced family dogs, show dogs, hunting dogs, and service dogs. If you want to reserve a puppy from Humehill, they will send you a questionnaire and a deposit contract. The puppies leave the facility after they are eight weeks old. Prior to this, the puppies are taken to the vet for a checkup, dewormed, microchipped, and receive their first vaccine. They consider themselves knowledgeable breeders because they have degrees in Animal Science and Agricultural Engineering. They focus on producing and raising genetically quality dogs, a reason why the parents undergo Embark tests. In addition, they raise the puppies in an acre home with fenced-in yards instead of kennels. The dogs also have a large pond to swim or play in. All Hidden Pond puppies have veterinarian health certification, a one-year written health guarantee, have their first shots, and are microchipped. They also give a lifetime placement warranty and offer stud service. They aim to breed championship Labs that can go to the show program. The pups that do not qualify for show programs are trained for companionship, hunting, therapy, or response dogs. The breeder is dedicated to guaranteeing that future Labs have the best genetics to live a long, happy life. They also receive year-long preventative health care. Stoneleigh Labrador puppies are hand-raised with abundant affection then socialized before they leave the facility. Even though the breeder does not always have available puppies all year round, they will be happy to have you on a waiting list. Legacy puppies receive the same socialization programs as service and guide dogs. They are paper trained, crate trained, taken for car rides, and receive daily playtime. They are also microchipped and AKC registered. Unlike other Labrador breeders, Legacy accepts applications only when there is a litter available. This means you must be on the lookout since they do not keep a waiting list for potential buyers. Occasionally, they have older dogs available after they have finished their show careers. These dogs are suitable for children of all ages because they are socialized at a young age. All pups receive their first shots and worming before they leave. To purchase one, contact the breeder via email or the website. She has a passion for Labradors and loves their sweet temperament. This is proof that not only are the Labs well-bred, but they are healthy and with easy to live temperaments. To find and purchase a pup , visit the website, or contact the breeder via email. Ollie, originally from the USA, holds his master's degree in wildlife biology and moved to Australia to pursue his career and passion but has found a new love for working online and writing about animals of all types. Thank you David for all the joy you have given us. We love our beautiful dogs! He is just perfect! My vet said he has never seen a better put together Lab. He is the hit of our community and has to say hello to everyone he meets. Hidden Ponds is just the best place to purchase a Lab. David is so kind and informative. His dogs are gorgeous and well mannered. They treat their dogs with kindness and it shows. They are smart, their costs are beautiful! He has a great personality and is wonderful with the kids! He is lbs and thinks he is a lap dog. We would definitely buy from Dave again!! Lindie is an incredible athlete, as you can see by the photo. Lindie also volunteers at our local hospital in Glens Falls, NY comforting anyone that needs fur therapy! She is an amazing ambassador for the Labrador breed! Thank you! He hiked his first mountains this weekend in the Adirondacks. He is such a wonderful addition to our family and we will be back for a companion for him next year. Read more testimonials Bentley Bentley is almost 4 years old and is absolutely amazing! She is the happiest, cuddliest, wiggliest ball of fur, and I love her more than I can say. She is super smart, very curious, and a little mischievous. She has already learned to walk very well with my wheelchair. Thank you, Hidden Pond! At 9weeks she has accomplished stairs,swimming learned to sit and give paw. Play time and eating remain 1 LOL but,she is full of kisses and love all the time too. My sweet service dog, Rhett, came home in October of and has been the biggest blessing in my life. This breeder not only breeds for confirmation and health but for perfect personality and temperament. They are perfect in every sense of the term responsible breeder. I cannot imagine life without my Labs. And not to mention how welcoming everyone was when we went to pick Rhett up. They care about each puppy they welcome into their home. And they strongly support several forms of care to keep the puppies happy and healthy in their new homes like food and supplements! I cannot thank them enough or recommend them enough!! Savannah Stevens Read more testimonials Chip Chip is a crazy, funny, lovable gem. He is the most gorgeous dog. He has the most regal head. Everyone who sees him stops to tell us what a handsome dog he is. Thank you to Hidden Pond for letting him be ours. We picked her up in early July , and she made our family complete! She is such an amazing dog: sweet, gentle, loving, and playful. It is wonderful to see how much she loves our three young boys. We love how much she loves being outside — especially swimming and playing in the snow. Thank you Dave and your family for bringing her into our lives. She was exactly what our family needed to be complete. She is the sweetest, spunkiest and most wonderful dog we could have asked for. We picked him up this past September. He is a joy, fully housebroken, and so very funny. Everyone who meets him always comment on how handsome he is. He is really beginning to look like his dad, Thunder. He loves walking and meeting all his dog friends in our community. Thanks, David, for this wonderful dog! He has made our house a home again!! She brings so much joy to our home. She is loyal, smart and a lot of fun. She loves going on walks or long hikes in the woods and is a big snuggler in the house. Scout has a very sweet disposition and people comment on what a beautiful girl she is. She enjoys people and dogs of all ages. Thank you Dave, we are enjoying every day with one of your Hidden Pond pups! Courtney Hundley Read more testimonials Raemo This Lab is truly a best friend to everyone that comes his way. Very kind and affectionate. Raemo is now 6 months old and is great with the family, friends and the neighborhood. He is great with other dogs too! David and his Labs are simply the best and worth the wait! Rob Amurao Read more testimonials Daisy We got Daisy in June , but Dave introduced us to her the day she was born; it was love at first sight!!! Dave kept us updated with pictures and short videos as we anxiously awaited the day we could pick her up. She has been an absolute joy in our lives! She is incredibly smart, a sweetheart along with being an active puppy. She was swimming at 10 weeks with our other dogs. She is now 10 months old; everyone she meets loves her. Thank you, Dave, for such an awesome new family member!!! Marilyn Morey Read more testimonials Mabel Mabel is 6 months and we thank you for this blessing. She is a wonderful addition to our family. We love going on adventures with our little girl. Highly recommend and reasonable pricing! He has an amazing temperament, his favorite activities are long walks and swimming! Marlana Broderick Read more testimonials Chip Chip is the best dog we have ever had. He is funny, silly, smart and so handsome. We get stopped on the street every 5 feet. Everyone asks where he is from and tells us how gorgeous he is. Thank you Dave. This photo is with his sister Cocoa. Chip on the left Cocoa on the right. She has such a great personality. Gets along so well with the grandkids ,and so adaptable she took to the crate and house breaking so easily. Accepts new experiences so calmly. Dave has been great to work with a fountain of info. We also went with the dog food he recommended an love the results that we switched our cat to it as well. She is the most beautiful, sweet tempered, smart lab. We could not be happier having her as part of our family. Romy Ziegler.

You can also attach the leash to the front and train your Frenchie how to walk properly on a lead from a very young age. With the Health Harness which is already puppy proofed against chewing you don't have to worry about your puppy chewing or ingesting the plastic buckles found commonly in dog harnesses. You can be worry free knowing each of Frenchiestore Health Harness comes with premium materials such as metal buckles. Always look for durable chew toys for your Frenchie, they have very powerful jaws that will go through toys like water. We recommend getting the Vet Pet Box for a new puppy. Every product in the VetPet Box has been hand-selected by veterinarians for quality and safety. All you have to do is specify what breed of dog you have French Bulldog is on small breed category then click "need more customization" there you can choose your pet is a puppy and chewing style we recommend choosing "Powerful Chewer" and thats it! You'll be able to choose what plan you want and you'll be covered for as long as you. French Bulldogs can't rely on a thick coat of fur to keep them warm during the winter. Signs your French Bulldog might be cold: shaking, shivering, seems uncomfortable or anxious. If your French Bulldog is hunched over, or stiff with a tucked tail. If your Frenchie is exhibiting change in behavior and is more vocal. If on a walk your French Bulldog is seeking a place to hide or reluctance to keep walking or tries to turn around to go back home. Frenchie puppies are usually very energetic though they also sleep a lot , so after an exhausting day of expending all that energy, a real dog bed, nice and comfy will be just what your Frenchie needs. To minimize back issues an orthopedic bed would be optimal for your dog's back. Car seat - the first experience your puppy will have is the car ride home. Puppy gates - You will need to section off an areas of your home that could pose a danger for your new Frenchie puppy such as the kitchen. Frenchies are very curious by nature and they get into everything. In order to avoid your Frenchie pup from getting into the kitchen cabinets or the trash it would be helpful to put some boundaries and use baby gates. Not only is it helpful in minimizing dangers it is also beneficial for potty training your Frenchie puppy by not allowing full range of your home. Bathrooms - can be a very dangerous place for a Frenchie puppy. In order to avoid your puppy from going into the bathroom unsupervised you would have to make sure to close your bathroom door every single time. A trick that would be helpful is hanging a sign on your door, wall or above the sink reminding you to close the door when you leave the bathroom. Fireplaces - does your home have a fireplace? Make sure you block it off from your Frenchie pup. Grooming supplies - dog shampoo should be carefully picked for a Frenchie pup as they often have sensitive skin. Nail clipper and facial anti bacterial wipes for your Frenchies' folds and tear stains. Puppy pee pads - if you are planning on house training with dog wee pads you should consider having them ahead of time prior to the puppy coming home. You should find a vet - preferably one that is knowledgeable in the French Bulldog breed and you are comfortable with that lives close by. In case of an emergency you don't want to start looking for a vet and calling everyone, or traveling very far. You need to have your vet already picked and ready to be dedicated to your Frenchie. Pet insurance - Prior to bringing your Frenchie dog home is is a good idea to have pet insurance. In this video we'll cover all the puppy proofing tips, best ways to puppy proof your house or apartment, and tons of puppy safety tips. There are some great puppy hacks in this video too. Raising a puppy shouldn't be stressful, so get the best puppy training tips and grab the puppy checklist so you can be fully prepared for your new puppy's arrival. French Bulldog puppies are known for chewing everything around the house, whatever they find they will chew or try to eat it. If puppy proofing your entire house seems like an insurmountable task, create a dog space. You dedicate an area of your house solely for your Frenchie, preferably one that you and or your family frequent. You can secure this area by using the puppy fence. This not only keeps your puppy in a safe and protected area, it also helps to not overwhelm them. You should go through your home and look for anything that could be hazardous to your new French bulldog puppy. Electrical cords, choking risks, shoes or anything of the sort should be cleared out. You also have to be conscious of any dangling cords that your Frenchie could chew, trip over or worse. As soon as you put all of these in place, you are all set and ready to bring the newest family member home. Bringing home your French Bulldog puppy The most efficient way to raise a well-adjusted, well-mannered French Bulldog is to expose them to everyday scenarios and experiences as soon as possible. The first experience your puppy will have is the car ride home. You should make sure the breeder will not feed your puppy right before the car ride home to avoid stomach upset or vomiting. As mentioned above having your Frenchie puppy secured in a car seat will be the safest option. This is because consistency goes a long way in training a well-behaved all rounded Frenchie dog. Now that you have gotten home, resist the urge to spoil and over indulge your Frenchie. You should start training your puppy early and refrain from excessive scolding, use positive reinforcements, and lots of praises. Potty training your Frenchie puppy takes patience the easiest way is to take your puppy outside every half hour or so and encourage them to go. Bringing them to the same area will help them quickly understand that this is their pee area. Always give them a treat as soon as they pee outside. Continue to do this, and then gradually drop the treats and use only praise. If you are training your French bulldog to go indoors on pee pads, just do the same as mentioned above. How long do French bulldog puppies sleep at night? Frenchie puppies can sleep anywhere from 12 to 18 hours per day, only waking up occasionally for an hour or so every few hours of rest. It is best to develop a nighttime routine. If you wake up your puppy to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, you will develop this habit with your puppy. In adulthood your Frenchie might wake you up in the middle of the night and you want to avoid developing this habit if possible. It is best to establish a night time house training routine. Take your Frenchie puppy to the bathroom right before bedtime and immediately upon waking up. Why won't my French bulldog's ears stand up? It is normal for French bulldog puppies to have one or two floppy ears at puppy-hood. In fact, it can take anywhere from ten weeks to five months for them to stand up completely and they usually do after they are done teething. Some French Bulldog puppies' ears stand up prior to their 8 week mark and before they go to their forever home. Taping them is always an option for French Bulldog owners however, not one we recommend or endorse unless it is really necessary and recommended by your Frenchie breeder or specialized in French Bulldog vet. Puppy proof the outside of your home and garage Antifreeze taste sweet to your dog however can be lethal. Remove any rat poison or traps around your home. Fence off areas where there could be toxic plants such as wild mushrooms or any water sources like pools. Frenchies are not good swimmers and most will sink. Make sure your backyard is safe and secure without any way for your Frenchie to get out of the fenced area. If needed fix loose fencing or holes prior to your French Bulldog's arrival. Always watch your Frenchie puppy when going outside since puppies get bored easily. Once they are bored they will get destructive and exhibit bad behaviors such as digging holes throughout your backyard or chew patio furniture etc. Always keep your trash secure, and away from your Frenchie. Frenchies are prone to obesity, watch their weight, give them lots of exercise. Regular check ups with the vet will help them stay healthy. Keep them under supervision at all times, and spend time with them especially in those first few weeks. Congratulations on getting a new family member, you now know how to house proof for a new French bulldog puppy. You have all of the information you need here to ensure your canine journey goes as smoothly as possible. We care about you and your Frenchie. You can also access the pdf here. Some spaces are left empty as they are specific for your baby. This was given 5 days in a row. Microchip: You will need to complete your Frenchie babies series of shots. Typically they will give one to two more DA2PP vaccinations at weeks along with rabies at weeks depending on state regulations. Vets usually give booster shots every year after that. Rabies are given every 1 to 3 years depending on your state requirements. There is also evidence booster shots only need to be given every 3 years. If you wish to follow this schedule, discuss with your veterinarian. Below are the various guidelines. Continue shot series until complete Email vet report to info thefrenchbulldog. If you did not receive AKC papers at pick-up we will mail them to you within 60 days. We suggest feeding your baby 4 times per day to start and giving unlimited amounts. You may want to have the last feeding around pm so your puppy has its last bowel movement before bedtime. As your puppy grows you can adjust this schedule. Begin implementing your method of potty training as soon your Frenchie baby arrives just be patient at first. We recommend crate training. Typically a puppy does not want to dirty his own space. Use dividers to make the space the appropriate size. If you are not watching the puppy, put the puppy in the crate. Give your puppy more space when you can trust him. Reward with positivity and petting when your puppy potties in the correct area. After he eats or drinks, after a nap, or first thing in the morning take him out to potty. Safety We cannot overemphasize the importance of watching your Frenchie puppy at all times. If you are not watching him, place him in his crate or a puppy playpen. Puppies are like curious little toddlers. They put things in their mouth to explore and learn. Unfortunately some of these things can be poisonous such as certain essential oil, certain plants, cleaners, and small items can be choking hazards. When they are little, I use a doggie sling purse which keeps them with me so I can continue to do my chores. Have questions about French Bulldogs? Please contact us. Home » Blog » What to buy before your French Bulldog puppy arrives What to buy before your French Bulldog puppy arrives The weeks before your little baby arrives are not only filled with excitement and imagining how life will be with them, but you also need to prepare your home for the new family member and buy some stuff. Every family is different with a different home, lifestyle, and needs but we list below some of the essentials and some of the extras. Somewhere to sleep — Frenchie bed Your beauty will need comfortable bedding, which can be a dog-bed or couch, a cushion or a crate. Subscribe to our weekly blog newsletter: Subscribe to our blog newsletter! First name Email As your Frenchie baby will grow fast, try to make sure you can buy adjustable items whenever you can. There are crates with dividers which you can gradually move as your pup grows. You can place a soft cushion in the crate, while cushions can also be used as a bed in themselves for a daytime nap for your furry child. You might want to opt for an orthopedic doggie bed, which helps your girl or buy have a great rest after an active day. Once you receive your baby you should continue this same food to prevent any dietary upset, but we recommend to gradually switch to another type of food within a couple of weeks. Our recommendations are Acana or Orijen, please read our article about the best food for a French Bulldog. What you can buy before your pup arrives, though, is a set of bowls: one for food and another one for water. As they grow you will need other toys to train him or her, see more details about this here. Check out our. In order to be prepared when I bring my Frenchie puppy home, what supplies do you suggest I get? We like dishes with large bottoms so they do not tip over easily. We love the stainless steel ones because they will last a life time and cannot be chewed up. We have used the turkey and sweet potato recipe and we are now using the salmon, sweet potato, and pea recipe. After this period of time, assuming all is going well, you can transition over to a high-quality puppy or all-life-stages chow from another respected company if you choose although we recommend that you stay with PawTree for the life of your pet. Of course, it should have the required vitamins and chelated minerals designated as proteinate , and other important nutrients. We have also known of a few Frenchies that were gluten intolerant. If things are still going well, switch over completely to the new brand. We also advise using a fantastic supplement we were introduced to by a breeder friend of ours called NuVet. You can order from the link we provide at a substantial discount from the retail price. We try to include a sample pack in the puppy packet we provide to you. Treats — You can purchase commercially prepared puppy treats from any number of outlets including PawTree from our website, but your puppy will also love small pieces of cheese, hot dog, chicken, or beef just as well as any purchased treats. These should be given in moderation as a reward for doing something well. Also, raw hide should never be given to your Frenchie as a chew toy. They can swallow a chunk of it which will swell in their stomachs and potentially cause serious health risks. An additional plus for the NuVet supplement tablets mentioned above is that your puppy will love them and think they are treats. We were made aware of a new specialty kennel from one of our clients, which we think you should consider, called the Potty Training Puppy Apartment PTPA. This is an improvement on the kennel concept we were using to potty train our pups. If you have the room, we recommend the large size, although the medium size will work if space is an issue. They will not want to soil their sleeping area, but if it is much bigger than necessary they might use the extra space as a bathroom. Pee pads — If you will be using the PTPA, as mentioned above, there are specialty pads made just for the kennel. Otherwise, we recommend the pee pads which can be purchased at Costco. You can find similar pads in pet stores. Toys — It is important to have plenty of chew toys and bones for your puppy. Make sure to stay away from chicken bones or any bones that could splinter or break off and get lodged in their throats. Avoid rawhide, unless it is compressed rawhide which means it is in very small compressed pieces that are digestible. We, and our Frenchies, love the Nylabones — they are made of very durable nylon that will last forever, and our dogs love to chew on them, which is very good for their teeth and gums. One of our favorite toys is braided rope made especially for dogs. Our dogs and puppies have a ball playing tug-a-war and keep-a-way with them. They are very inexpensive they can even be found in most dollar stores and they are extremely durable. The point is to have a nice selection of toys to keep them entertained and out of trouble. Make sure that their toys do not have little parts they could chew off that could get stuck in their throats. Dog shampoo — There are many good dog shampoos on the market and it is really just a matter of personal preference. They can be purchased at any pet store, Walmart, etc. Years ago, when we owned a Yorkie, our vet recommended using baby shampoo because Yorkies tend to frequently get goop around the eyes and the baby shampoo allowed us to clean the area around their eyes without irritating them. We still use baby shampoo with our Frenchies since they have lots of folds on their faces that require regular cleaning. If you do go with a dog shampoo choose a mild formulated shampoo for sensitive skin; your vet may have some good recommendations. In addition to having several good chew toys, which are great for their teeth, you should apply toothpaste to their teeth and gums on a weekly basis. You will notice that it said apply and not brush. Doggie toothpaste has those enzymes. Just put some paste on your finger or a brush and rub it on the teeth and gums. We highly recommend using the kind that has a flat blade on the end of the raking tool versus the kind that has prongs. What we find works best for us is to use a 5 gallon bucket with a lid that is lined with a durable trash bag. The lid keeps foul odors trapped inside. Until our dogs are potty trained, we use old, soft towels and blankets for their bedding, which are very easy to launder. Though it is not a necessity, our dogs love their over-sized pillows and they spend a lot of time sleeping and lounging around on them. We have one that we bought at Petsmart that is 25 inches tall made of durable plastic which is collapsible, fairly light, and easy to set up. If you have a small room in your house such as a laundry room that is puppy proof, you may not need one; however, puppy pens are very practical for many who want to control their precious Frenchie puppy, while at the same time give it some freedom. Because it is is transportable unlike a laundry room , we like to set it up in our main room not on carpet where they can see all that is going on around them and we can see them. We like to keep a soft blanket or towel at one end and their pee pad at the other. Doggie gate same concept as a baby gate — There may initially be areas in your house that you may not want your puppy having free access to roam until completely potty trained. Putting up a doggie gate s will allow your puppy to have a larger area to investigate without getting on carpeted areas or another area you want to make off limits. You can find cute accessories and outfits at pet stores, and there are lots of options on line. Some people do not feel comfortable clipping their dogs nails and will take them to a groomer or vet. However, if you want to save time and money it is a fairly simple task that takes only a few minutes. There are two types of of clippers: a guillotine or a scissor type. The guillotine is the easiest to use. The instructions that come with the clippers will guide you on how to use the instrument. Light claws are easier to cut than dark claws as the blood vessels and nerves that supply the toenail, called the quick, is easier to see. Cut the toenail to within approximately 2 mm of the quick. If you cut into the quick, the toenail will bleed and the dog will experience pain, nothing serious, but they might not sit too still the next time you undertake this task. When cutting dark toenails, it is better to cut just a little off at a time. Some people who have dogs with dark toenails cut them once every week or two so that they only have to trim off a little, avoiding any fear of cutting into the quick. Have More Questions? If so, there are a few things you could be doing to prepare yourself and your home for your new French bulldog puppy! Research the French bulldog breed Before bringing home your new Frenchie, you should have a pretty good understanding about the breed itself. As a leading French bulldog breeder in Indiana and surrounding states, our experienced team at Family Puppies understands the French bulldog breed like the back of our hands. This knowledge not only helps us raise our French bulldog puppies for sale, but allows us to ensure their new owners are well-educated and properly prepared to add a new Frenchie to their family. Talk to your breeder about what you can expect with your new French bulldog puppy and be sure to ask them as many questions as you need to: What food have you been feeding them? How much does a French bulldog shed? What essentials should you buy? Do they have any favorite toys? To sort it all out, we suggest making a puppy checklist of things to purchase before bringing your pup home! What to buy for a French bulldog puppy Remember, these are only the essentials to have set up and ready before introducing your pup to their forever home. Most importantly, they need a collar to display their ID tag and a harness to support their body when on walks. Puppy pads House training is a lengthy process with any puppy, so some handy puppy pads are a must. And with their short, single coats making hotter climates a struggle, regular brushing will actually better their circulation and oil production, improving the overall quality of their coat. Puppy-proofing your home For the safety of your new Frenchie and your belongings, we suggest doing a sweep of your home to locate any potential hazards that your puppy may face. This includes hiding away electrical cords, stowing away any valuable personal items for the time being , and putting anything that could be poisonous to your puppy houseplants, cleaning supplies, etc. Find a veterinarian Your breeder may have a few suggestions for vets that they have worked with that already know your puppy, but be sure to secure a vet before bringing your pup home. Make yourself available for your puppy One of the most important things you must do in order to prepare for a French bulldog puppy is freeing up your schedule. These dogs are made for companionship and will definitely need you during their first few days in a new environment without their mother or siblings. We suggest taking a few days off of work to start, and after that, try not to leave them alone for full days, especially with that tiny puppy bladder! Check out the French bulldog puppies for sale through Family Puppies in Indiana. These amazing Frenchies are brought up in a loving and warm environment and we look for the same in the people who purchase them. Give us a call today at to learn more!

Articles Sit. Heal German Shepherd Hip Dysplasia Signs and Treatments Muscular, intelligent, and loyal, German shepherds are steadfast guardians and all-purpose workers. Highly trainable and obedient, German shepherds provide a range of services—excelling as show dogs and household companions, as well as military and search and rescue animals. Exuding confidence, this breed is royalty of the dog family. They are susceptible, however, to challenging hip and joint issues like hip dysplasia any time from puppyhood all the way through maturation. As with many large breed dogs, German shepherds are prone to canine hip dysplasia CHD , a dog skeletal condition that can be inherited or caused by a traumatic fracture or other environmental factors. CHD occurs from malformation of the ball and joint socket of one or both hips the hip joint is called the coxofemoral joint. If so, it maybe be because of breeding. The exaggerated hind leg angulation is often bred into the dog because of standards that dictate rear legs upper and lower thighs should come as close to a degree angle as possible. Along these same lines, a sloping back causes hindquarters to become more angulate and, thus, prone to lower back pain. These bent legs could point toward one of many health problems, one of which is hip dysplasia. Although irreversible, canine hip dysplasia can be monitored and treated to reduce chronic pain. According to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals , .The progression of it and the treatment options available depend on a number of factors, including the degree of misalignment and age of the dog. CHD has a range of signs, depending on the severity of the disease and degree of looseness in the joint. The severity also ranges from mild to extreme pain—some German shepherds even have to use a wheelchair. CHD Treatment Options Dog hip dysplasia surgery for severe cases in medium to large dogs can be expensive. If invasive surgery is not the best choice for your dog, look into non-surgical, conservative management options, such as dog leg braces, physical therapy, weight control, acupuncture, anti-inflammatories, and massage therapy. Ortho Dog specializes in flexible, adjustable, and affordable dog leg braces. Additionally, leg braces for hip dysplasia may slow the progression of this chronic issue. Is a Hip Hound Brace right for your pup? Designed for dogs who suffer from arthritis and mild to moderate hip dysplasia. Below are four common disorders of the hip and joint commonly seen in this breed: Degenerative Myelopathy As a German shepherd owner, you have likely heard of the fatal, chronic, and progressive disease called degenerative myelopathy that is most prevalent in this breed. Typically apparent between the ages of , degenerative myelopathy is a neurological disorder that affects the spinal cord and muscle coordination, ultimately leading to paralysis of the back legs within months. CHD shares several symptoms with early stages of degenerative myelopathy, including difficulty rising and jumping, and progressive weakness of hind limbs. As with any signs that something may be off with your dog, contact your veterinarian for a full exam. Canine Myasthenia Gravis A rare neuromuscular disease, canine myasthenia gravis is a disorder of the signal transmission between nerves and muscles, resulting in progressive muscle weakness, and fatigue with mild exercise. This disease is not typically confused with CHD because the signs tend to show up on the face more than the hindquarters. This incorrect movement can put a strain on their hips, which causes them to walk with an irregular gait. Our Hock Holder brace offers stabilization and support to the hock to help relieve stress. Osteoarthritis Most often seen in senior dogs, osteoarthritis is the inflammation of the hip joints due to cartilage deterioration. You may notice your dog moving a bit more slowly and having trouble with stairs. With less cartilage, bones can grind against each other and cause inflammation. Much like a human wearing a wrist or hand brace for arthritis, the Ortho Dog Hip Hound brace limits the movement of the joint, which helps with the pain. Helps with joint lubrication 4. NSAIDs Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Just like humans, dogs can benefit from taking certain pain medications to treat their hip dysplasia. In particular, NSAIDs can benefit your dog by reducing some of the pain and inflammation that hip dysplasia causes. There are some great charts available online that show you how much your German Shepherd should weigh at various stages of his life. Hard surfaces can be especially painful for your dog to walk on, so avoid walking on asphalt and sidewalks and instead take him for a walk in a grassy park. Repair and Prevent Cartilage Deterioration We mentioned cartilage a bit earlier. When your dog moves, cartilage helps cushion the joint. But it can become damaged when your dog has hip dysplasia. Over time, this cartilage deteriorates, causing pain and inflammation. Another word for this cartilage deterioration? Fortunately, certain active ingredients can help maintain joint health and reduce the likelihood that the secondary condition of arthritis will form as a result of German Shepherd hip dysplasia. In particular, the active ingredients of chondroitin and glucosamine for dogs help maintain cartilage health. These two naturally occurring substances work together to not only repair damaged cartilage but also prevent it from deteriorating in the first place. Lubricate Joints Hyaluronic acid is another key active ingredient that benefits dogs suffering from German Shepherd hip dysplasia by improving joint mobility and reducing discomfort. In particular, hyaluronic acid may help reduce the pain your dog experiences as a result of hip dysplasia. And how does it do that? Well, hyaluronic acid is an important component of synovial fluid. So it stands to reason that making sure your dog has enough hyaluronic acid is a great way to ensure his hip joints can move as smoothly as possible. But fortunately, MSM, a powerful antioxidant and building block for healthy joints, can help reduce the pain and inflammation your dog experiences from hip dysplasia. And the great news is that this ingredient is often found in joint supplements. Additionally, MSM may become even more effective when used alongside glucosamine, another common active ingredient. Yes, that is indeed our product. References 1. Clinical and pathological effects Hip dysplasia HD is a disease of the hip coxofemoral joints. Dysplasia means abnormal development. Both hips are usually affected Brass .It is a complex disease that results from a combination of genes that predispose a dog to developing hip dysplasia interacting with environmental factors that lead to its full development and expression Riser .It is characterized by hip joint instability which, if compounded by environmental factors, then results in secondary osteoarthritis and the clinical signs of hip dysplasia which include pain, lameness and disability Zhang et al .To fully understand hip dysplasia, it is necessary to understand the structure of the hip joint. The hip joint is the joint at the top of the hind leg, where it articulates forms a joint with the pelvis. It is described as a ball and socket joint, as in normal hips the ball-shaped head of the femur the thigh bone fits perfectly into a cup-shaped socket in the pelvis, the acetabulum. The head of the femur femoral head and the acetabulum are normally covered with cartilage which produces a smooth, low friction surface. Within the joint there is also a fine layer of synovial fluid that acts as a lubricant between these cartilaginous surfaces. This thin layer of synovial fluid, along with the round ligament a ligament that runs round the edge of the acetabulum — between the acetabulum and the femur , keeps the two cartilaginous surfaces together by creating a suction-like effect. The ligaments and the joint capsule also help to hold the ball and socket closely together. In newborn puppies, because the bones are soft and not fully ossified turned into bone as they need to grow and develop, they are still deformable if abnormal movements or stresses and strains occur in them. Riser suggests that, in a normal six month old individual, ossification of the bones and soft tissue strength the strength of the surrounding ligaments, joint capsule and muscles have developed enough to prevent hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is described as a biomechanical disease. The hips appear normal at birth. However, in affected individuals, the hips develop abnormally due, at first, to joint instability sometimes called joint laxity Riser .This means that the developing femoral head and acetabulum are not held constantly, closely together, and can move into abnormal positions relative to one another. This puts abnormal stresses and strains on the joint. Riser states this is due to the soft tissues, such as ligaments and muscle, not being strong enough to maintain congruity between the articular surfaces of the femoral head and the acetabulum ie the constant contact between the surfaces of the bones is not maintained. The pathological changes seen due to the joint instability are progressive inflammation and degeneration of the tissues that together form the joint. Brass details the following changes in the joint: The joint capsule can become thickened and the round ligament can become stretched or ruptured leading to additional, excessive movements. The synovial fluid increases in volume and changes in nature, due to inflammation, this pushes the joint surfaces apart. The cartilage on the bone surfaces gets worn away exposing subchondral bone the layer of bone beneath the surface cartilage. Unlike cartilage, bone contains nerve endings and such exposure will commonly cause pain. The rim of the acetabulum becomes damaged and flattened and later new bone starts to grow here as the body tries to stabilize the joint. The femoral head becomes deformed and flattened and also grows abnormal bone called exotoses or osteophytes. This changing of the shape of the joint with new bone growing in abnormal positions, and being lost in others, is called joint remodelling. The signs that are seen with hip dysplasia can vary hugely in their severity, the age at which they first appear and their progression. In mild cases dogs can be free from clinical signs for years; however, for more severely affected individuals, signs of pain can develop whilst they are still immature less than a year old Signs include acute pain, particularly after strenuous exercise or movement. This may show as lameness or reluctance to jump, to go for walks, climb steps or move at all if really severe. The pain may be worse in cold, wet conditions Brass .These signs may start intermittently, but over time can become constant. Muscle wastage is often seen in the hindlegs Brass .There appears to be little correlation between the severity of pain shown by the dog and physical abnormalities felt on examination by a vet or revealed on an x-ray Brass ie some dogs can be in severe pain but have few changes on x-rays and vice versa. This is typical of any joint disease. Controlling food intake during growth has been shown to decrease hip dysplasia in Labradors ie by reducing excessive energy intake and therefore excessive weight gain during growth Kealy et al .High calcium intake during growth has been shown to delay maturation of the skeleton and increase the risk of hip dysplasia in Great Danes Hazewinkel .It is thought that controlling the amount and form of exercise during development may also help Corr .Bennett and May suggest excessive exercise during development can lead to hip dysplasia. Treatment for hip dysplasia is complex; many surgical interventions have been developed to prevent signs appearing in young animals with high joint laxity and to treat dogs with severe osteoarthritis. All need specialist surgeons. Various medications to aid pain relief are also available, along with recommendations to reduce the effect of environmental factors. Return to top 2. Intensity of welfare impact Though some dogs may be mildly affected, for many German Shepherd dogs with hip dysplasia, the impact of the condition is major and life changing. These animals suffer pain that is severe and debilitating, leading them to be in pain even with small everyday movements such as standing up. Their quality of life is severely affected so that they are unable to enjoy normal canine behaviours such as walking and running. It is not uncommon for dogs to be euthanased due to the pain and disability of arthritis associated with hip dysplasia. Return to top 3. Duration of welfare impact Hip dysplasia is a progressive disease with signs seen from any age. For some dogs pain starts before a year of age. Signs may be intermittent to start with but often progress to be constant. Medical treatment and advice can help control pain and possibly slow progression, though a cure can only be obtained with major surgical intervention in dogs that are considered suitable candidates for such surgery. Return to top 4. Number of animals affected Hip dysplasia is the most common joint problem of large dogs Smith et al .UK VetCompass data for dogs overall, showed that 7. In this sample, diagnosis of conditions affecting the pelvis eg hip dysplasia did not significantly differ between purebred and crossbred dogs. Figures vary greatly for how frequently German Shepherds are affected by hip dysplasia, depending on the method by which they have been screened and the database reviewed. The frequency is likely to vary for geographically different populations of the same breed Brass .However, Paster et al suggested that the OFA population was biased, as it is not compulsory for radiographed dogs to have their x-rays submitted to the OFA scheme so some owners may have had dogs pre-screened and only submitted apparently non-dysplastic ones for consideration and scoring. In this study, German Shepherd dogs had a higher odds ratio of hip dysplasia occurrence than Dobermanns, Labradors and Rottweilers, indicating that the breed is at a significantly higher risk of hip dysplasia development. Return to top 5. Diagnosis For a young dog suspected of hip dysplasia, a diagnosis can be made on the clinical signs shown at home and on examination of the dog, including assessment of joint laxity and joint pain plus evaluation of radiographs x-ray pictures of the hip joints Corr .Assessment of the joint laxity and radiographs may need to be performed by a specialist vet who is used to checking for this condition. For a formal diagnosis, the radiographs are usually submitted to a panel for evaluation. There are three methods of assessing joint laxity. Radiographs and assessment of joint laxity need to be performed under heavy sedation or anaesthesia Corr .Return to top 6. Genetics Hip dysplasia in dogs is a polygenic disease; many genes are thought to play a role in its development. Most of these genes probably have small additive effects quantitative, polygenes and some probably have larger effects Zhang et al .Heritability estimates are used to demonstrate how much variation in a phenotypic trait is due to genetic variation among individuals in a population. Using hip scores published by the British Veterinary Association, heritability for hip scores of German Shepherd dogs was 0. Genes are not solely responsible for whether a dog with the genetic potential for hip dysplasia develops the condition. Environmental factors play an important part. They are discussed in the clinical and pathogenic effects section above. However, there are significant breed predispositions to this condition and the German Shepherd dog is one of the breeds affected. Return to top 7. How do you know if an animal is a carrier or likely to become affected? There are a number of breeding schemes around the world developed to decrease the incidence of hip dysplasia in dog breeds. These schemes assess potential breeding animals in somewhat different ways. All aim to give breeders and owners a strong indication of which dogs are likely to produce healthy offspring and which should not be bred. However, this is by no means straightforward for hip dysplasia as it is a polygenic condition in which the genetics are poorly understood and which is also affected by environmental factors in a major way. This lack of clarity has produced much debate over the best way to assess potential breeding dogs. A brief summary of the various schemes follows including some current evidence for their benefits. All dogs must be at least 12 months of age. There are nine radiographic features which are scored, including the Norberg angle NA - a measurement for hip laxity taken from the EHR and each dog is given a score out of 53 for each hip total of up to for both. A low score indicates healthy hip joints eg Greyhounds would score 0, as is not seen in this breed and a higher score indicates worse hip dysplasia. Breeders are recommended to only breed from animals with a score lower than the breed medianscore e. It is also based on an extended hip radiograph EHR , which is then graded by three independent experts to give an overall grade. All dogs must be over 2 years of age to be assessed. There are seven possible grades for the radiograph: excellent, good, fair, borderline, mild, moderate or severe hip dysplasia. Dogs must be between 1 and 2 years of age and the radiograph is graded by someone appointed by each breed club — they do not have to be an expert. Grades include: A- no signs of hip dysplasia, B — near normal hip joints, C — mild hip dysplasia, D — moderate hip dysplasia, E — severe hip dysplasia. Older dogs can be assessed but the likelihood of more secondary osteoarthritic changes is taken into account. Dogs from 4 months of age can be assessed. It involves the assessment of three different radiographic views of the hip joints called the distraction view, the compression view and the EHR. The radiograph must be taken by a vet who is registered with the scheme and the radiographs are assessed by vets at the PennHIP Analysis Center. Dogs with a DI lower than 0. Dogs with increasing DI values over 0. Advocates of the PennHIP method like it because it accurately identifies individuals who have hip laxity - the primary phenotypical abnormality that predisposes dogs to hip dysplasia. The other schemes only look at the EHR and though the NA can be measured from this, the NA has been shown to be an inaccurate method to assess hip laxity Culp et al .Much of what is assessed on the EHRs are secondary arthritic changes, these are not specific to hip dysplasia and are affected by many environmental factors. Recently, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have confirmed that the Distraction Index DI is a significant risk factor for the development of hip dysplasia. In other words, DI scores give a very good indication of the likelihood of osteoarthritic changes, due to hip dysplasia, developing in the future Smith and others , , , Smith , Runge et al .These and other researchers argue that the other schemes are not as good at detecting animals that have hip dysplasia as the PennHIP method and, despite older schemes existing for over 40 years, little improvement has been seen in hip dysplasia in the general pet population Corley , Kaneene et al , Leppanen et al , Paster et al .In fact, one recent study looking at a database of over 1,, dogs found an increase in the prevalence of hip dysplasia Witsberger et al .However EHR scores were found to have a much higher heritability 0. Heritability studies are difficult to compare between different populations with different environmental influences. To improve the gene pool, phenotypic traits that can be easily detected with strong links to the genotype genetic make-up of animals have to be found. Ideally, any potential pet would have had its hip joints assessed by one of the above schemes prior to purchase, although this is often unhelpful, as most pets are purchased as young puppies. Unfortunately, this does not guarantee all their offspring will be free from hip dysplasia. Certainly any potential breeding animal should be assessed prior to breeding using an appropriate scheme. Return to top 8. Methods and prospects for elimination of the problem Hip dysplasia is a complex trait which involves multiple unknown genes and environmental factors. Eradication schemes have been running in some countries for decades and still it is commonplace. Thus prospects for its quick elimination are low. In a recent study, Zhang et al suggested that using scores from four hip traits combined to create a breeding value for each animal would help speed up elimination of the condition. They felt that information on the single joint trait EHR eg the OFA scheme gave insufficient information to provide the basis for breeding decisions. The DLS is a measurement made from an x-ray taken in a weight-bearing position to measure the subluxation of the femoral head Farese et al .In this study on two populations of dogs where environmental factors were strictly controlled, heritabilities for all these traits were found to be relatively high eg heritabilities were 0. The researchers suggested these heritabilites were higher than expected due to the controlled environmental conditions. Zhang et al suggested an improved way for selectively breeding out hip dysplasia would be if breeders could be given breeding values derived from the four traits for each potential breeding animal, plus a measurement of the inbreeding of any potential mating eg the inbreeding coefficient. This way, they suggest, inbreeding can be avoided and only animals with phenotypes strongly indicative of healthy hip joint genes would be bred from. This scheme is a more organised form of others that have suggested using a combination of breeding values determined from pedigree information and phenotype score Ginja et al , Hou et al .As described by Bell , when breeders are prioritising raising dogs that have good hip dysplasia genotypes for future breeding the phenotype has to be used as a marker for the genotype. Although the diagnostic signs can be affected also by environmental factors such as feeding and exercise regimes. It is important that the puppies are raised in a standard and not excessively protective way. Otherwise, dogs that would normally have developed radiographic signs of hip dysplasia will have this masked and their genes will be perpetuated. Future development of genetic tests to help identify some of the hip dysplasia genes, along with more use of pedigree data that includes the health of ancestors and progeny for clinical signs of hip dysplasia and also for other inherited defects of German Shepherd dogs , may well help to improve methods used to eliminate this condition. Currently we have to continue to rely on choosing phenotypical traits which apparently indicate the presence of healthy genes. Return to top 9. Reviewed by Petal Smart Petal Smart is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and has been an editor in the veterinary and medical sciences since .She has edited more than assignments, including research studies published in various academic journals, continuing medical education materials, and articles on pet health. Canine hip dysplasia is most often seen in large breeds like German Shepherd dogs , Saint Bernards , and Greater Swiss Mountain dogs , but a dog of any size and both male and female dogs may be affected. The cause of canine hip dysplasia isn't known. The condition is thought to have a genetic link, and dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Puppies from parents that have hip dysplasia will be more likely to develop the condition than puppies born to parents with normal hips. However, even dogs with normal parents can develop hip dysplasia. What Is Canine Hip Dysplasia? The pelvis cradles the head of the femur thigh bone in a cup-like socket of bone that forms the hip. Puppies typically are born normal, but as the puppy matures, the hip joint alignment becomes progressively worse. This places abnormal stress and wear on the bones when they rub together, and causes further joint degeneration and pain. Bones respond to stress by growing thicker, which makes the fit even worse. As the dog matures, this damage predisposes to arthritic changes and painful joints. Signs and Symptoms Severe hip dysplasia may become noticeable as early as four months of age, but is more typically seen in pups aged 9 months to 1 year. The painful condition causes limping , favoring of limbs, and difficulty rising, running, or jumping. Dysplastic pups may exhibit an odd wobbly gait when walking and "bunny hop" when running or climbing stairs, which may help to ease joint stress. Stairs can prove a particular challenge for these dogs, and sore hips and pain may prompt aggression , causing the pup to snap or flinch when touched. However, there are degrees of severity. Some pups may show few to no signs at all, and mild cases may go undiagnosed until the dog reaches middle age or older. How quickly, or to what extent degeneration occurs is in part determined by the pup's activity level. While healthy, normal hips probably won't be adversely affected by hard work or exuberant play, the dog with mild to moderate hip dysplasia develops more noticeable signs more quickly when excessive stress is placed on these joints. Fortunately, only a relatively small percentage of pets suffer the severest, most crippling form of the condition. The condition may also be influenced by lifestyle, nutrition, body weight, and activity level. The puppy is placed on its back and the veterinarian looks for the typical arthritic changes and subluxation laxity of the joint. Some changes may not become evident until the pup reaches 2 years old, and experts say there may be considerable changes from 6 to 9 months up to 1 year. The OFA provides a consulting service for purebred dog owners and breeders, through which it reviews hip X-rays provided by an owner to evaluate the dog's conformation and, when normal, certifies that fact. The PennHip testing method, developed by Dr. Reputable breeders have dog parents tested prior to breeding to make sure they do not have hip dysplasia and reduce the chance of the condition in puppies. Dogs can be certified free of hip dysplasia by sending appropriate X-rays to either the OFA registry or the PennHip registry. This is evaluated by three radiologists who score the hips fair, good, or excellent. PennHip evaluation uses computer analysis to compare the X-rays to all the other dogs of that breed in the registry. Management of Hip Dysplasia There is no cure for hip dysplasia. Treatment is aimed at relieving pain and improving joint function. How well treatment works depends on the severity of the problem. Often, mild to moderate cases of hip dysplasia can be managed with gentle exercise, a healthy diet, and oral pain relievers like buffered aspirin or Rimadyl as prescribed by the veterinarian. Moderate exercise helps maintain and improve the puppy's muscle tone, which alleviates painful wear and tear on the joint. Encourage your dysplastic puppy to take short walks with you. Swimming is an ideal exercise, but jumping and prolonged running should be discouraged. Keep your puppy lean; obesity increases joint strain and can make the condition worse. Massage can also help the dog feel better. Severe cases of hip dysplasia may benefit from surgery that rebuilds or removes bone or alters the muscles and tendons to reduce pain. More from The Spruce Pets. If your dog qualifies for surgeries, you have even more options. Tips for Preventing Hip Dysplasia in German Shepherds Although not all cases of hip dysplasia can be prevented, a good majority can. Even if hip dysplasia is not preventable in your dog, you can use these tips to minimize pain caused by the condition. This can make a huge difference in whether your dog develops hip dysplasia. The best reputable breeders will even provide a screening for their puppies. After the screening, which can only be done after 16 weeks of age, you can know if a puppy is predisposed to hip dysplasia. From an early age, make sure to provide your dog with high-quality dog food specific for large breeds. For example, get a large-breed puppy-specific dog food when your dog is young, and switch to an adult dog food once the dog ages. Note that most senior dog foods are not generic, so your vet will be the best person to help you choose which product is best for your older German Shepherd. Only provide your dog as much food as they need, never under or over. Both malnutrition and obesity increase the risk for hip dysplasia development. If you are unsure how much to feed your dog, talk to your vet for recommendations. Right Exercise Exercise is another factor you need to consider carefully if you want to prevent hip dysplasia in your German Shepherd. Preventative Supplements Image Credit: ElenVik, Shutterstock You can begin giving preventative supplements to your dog to nourish their joints. One of the most popular is glucosamine. This supplement is prescribed to dogs with arthritis and hip dysplasia, but you can use it for preventative measures too. Of course, preventative supplements will have a lower glucosamine count than prescribed medications. Final Thoughts If you suspect that your German Shepherd is experiencing hip dysplasia, please visit the vet right away. Luckily, most German Shepherds with hip dysplasia live long and robust lives. If they get a great treatment, you can expect your dog to be happy and carefree. By starting a well-rounded prevention plan from an early age, you can help your dog grow with minimal issues. Featured Image Credit: makeitclear, Pixabay Contents.

For dogs under the age of 7 years, visit your vet every year. The vet will check for signs of illness, keep them up to date on vaccines, and will treat your dog for parasites and worms. Dogs that are over the age of 7 years should visit the vet every 6 months. The vet will check for signs of illness, keep them up to date on vaccines, and will treat for parasites and worms. Responsible dog owners get their pets vaccinated regularly, wormed, and treated for parasites such as fleas. Vaccination is essential even if you carry your toy poodle everywhere, or he rarely goes outside. This is because some infections such as parvovirus are caused by particularly hardy viruses that can attach to your shoes. Therefore, they can still pose a risk to even the most pampered of poodles. Talk with your vet about implanting a microchip in your dog. A microchip will help you track the dog if he gets lost. One of the health problems that toy poodles are prone to in later life is diabetes mellitus sugar diabetes. The hormones associated with estrous heat in the female can trigger diabetes. Therefore, it is wise to get your female toy poodle spayed. Toy poodles often live into their teens. Each time a bitch has a season, it weakens the lining of her womb and makes her more likely to develop a pyometra, which is a potentially life-threatening womb infection. Thus, spaying whilst she is fit and strong removes the possibility of needing emergency surgery in later life when anesthesia can pose a higher risk. Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell. Neutering a male is mainly done to prevent unwanted breeding and to control behavioral issues such as aggression or dominance. Talk with your vet to learn more. Small but resilient, toy poodles often live well into double figures. They do however tend to suffer from health issues as they age. Diabetes, poor teeth and heart disease are most common. These issues, once identified, can often be managed in order to help your pet live a long and active life. If you see any of these symptoms, speak to your vet. As your Toy Poodle puppy is maturing and growing, it is crucial to provide it with the proper diet and our Toy Poodle feeding chart will help you. This comprehensive manual is packed with advice that will assist you in providing appropriate portions. Provide a healthy and well-balanced diet tailored to the specific requirements of your Toy Poodle puppy. Until they are six months old, Toy Poodle puppies should eat three or four small meals a day. The six-month mark marks the time when you should begin reducing their daily intake to two meals. Toy Poodle Feeding Chart RER is the amount of energy a Toy Poodle puppy needs at rest to keep their vital organs working, including their respiratory system, digestive system, and cardiovascular system. Hence, your Toy Poodle puppy would require about calories per day in order to keep its body running normally while at rest. You should talk to your vet about how much food and how many calories your Toy Poodle puppy needs. Begin feeding your dog wet puppy chow and other solid foods around week 5. Have patience as your dog undergoes the transition to a new diet. Provide quarter cup of food at each of three to four meals a day. Maintain a regular feeding schedule, and transition your puppy to a dry kibble diet. Keep an eye out for signs of diarrhea and make sure they have plenty of water. Provide plenty water and keep an eye out for symptoms of food intolerance or gastrointestinal distress. It may be beneficial to eat only twice or three times a day instead of six or seven times a day. Maintain a steady supply of fresh water and watch for signs of diarrhea or weight gain. Toy Poodle puppies require a high-quality meal that has been developed just for them. Keep an eye out for symptoms of bloating, gas, or constipation. You should start transitioning your Toy Poodle to an adult diet as soon as possible. Keep an eye out for any signs of bloating, gas, or an allergy. Never stop providing a healthy, age-appropriate diet and plenty of fresh water. Maintain a healthy, age-appropriate diet while keeping an eye out for tummy troubles, allergies, or excess weight gain. Toy Poodles are prone to being overweight, so take care not to overfeed or underfeed them. You should feed them twice a day, each time with about a half cup to three quarters of a cup of food. Adjust feeding amounts based on indicators of gastrointestinal distress, food allergies, or weight gain. High-quality protein, vital fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals are all components of a healthy diet. A 4-pound Toy Poodle puppy would need roughly calories per day, or calories per pound of body weight. Their calorie requirements will rise as they get taller. Try to eat meat, fish, and eggs as protein sources. Puppies need DHA and other essential fatty acids for proper brain and eye development. Before they reach about six months of age, Toy Poodle puppies should be fed three to four small meals every day. Take into account their age, and degree of activity when determining the appropriate portion size for their meals. To find out how much food your puppy should be eating, talk to your vet. You should also provide your puppy access to clean water at all times and steer clear of feeding it any human food or table scraps to prevent them from becoming overweight or nutritionally deficient. Kibble vs Wet Food For Toy Poodle Puppies Puppy kibble and wet food are both good options for feeding your toy poodle, but they are not identical. Kibble is practical since it can be stored easily and it helps maintain dental health by stimulating jaw movement and cleaning teeth. Nevertheless, puppies of the toy poodle breed may have trouble chewing and digesting this food if they have dental problems or a sensitive stomach. Conversely, wet food may be more appealing to fussy eaters because of its quicker digestion and higher moisture content. More moisture is provided, which is great for toy poodles because they often become dehydrated. It can get pricey and go bad rapidly if left out for too long. Toy poodle puppies can do well on either dry kibble or wet food, or a mix of the two, but the best option will ultimately depend on your dog and his or her preferences and dietary needs. The changeover is expected to take around a week. As the puppy becomes older, they can transition to adult food by eating a combination of the two, with the amount of adult food increasing as the puppy food decreases. You should also be sure to provide your toy poodle with high-quality adult dog food. There are a number of potential causes if your Toy Poodle puppy is not eating. Puppies often lose their appetite at times of rapid development, teething, or stress. But, if your puppy refuses to eat for more than a day, you should take him to the vet to rule out any serious health problems. If your dog is picky eater, consider breaking up their meals into several smaller servings and giving them more often. You may also try moistening their kibble with warm water or chicken broth. You should also make sure your puppy gets lots of activity and drinks plenty of water. Toy poodle puppies, should not be freefed, or let to graze on food left out all day. Puppies have special dietary demands that must be met in order to guarantee they grow and develop normally. Overeating, obesity, and behavioral issues including food guarding and hostility are all possible outcomes of a freefeeding regime. Providing your toy poodle puppy with measured meals at set times throughout the day is advised. This will control their eating habits and make sure they have enough to eat to be healthy. This dry dog food is made for developing puppies who like smaller kibble. DHA from fish oil promotes brain, vision, and learning health. An antioxidant and vitamin E and C mix also boosts immunity. Pros DHA from fish oil for brain and eyes Healthy immune system form antioxidant and vitamin E and C No artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives Comprehensive and Balanced Nutrition 2. For If you have a small-breed puppy like the Toy Poodle, this is the perfect supper for them. This dry dog food is designed for your growing small-breed pup. The first ingredient, farm-raised chicken, delivers quality protein to help your little companion grow strong muscles. It contains 22 essential nutrients, including omega-3 DHA, which improves cognition and makes your pup smarter and more trainable. Some Final Words After you decide on a toy poodle and the gender, you still have to decide on the type of food you will feed him or her. Plus, you have to learn how much to feed your little puppy. Once you make all the decisions, the rest should be easy. To learn how to feed your toy poodle and what food you should use, just continue to read our article. It has the information you want to know about so that your little fell or gal will be healthy for years to come. Take a few minutes to see how important this information is. You do not want to feed too much to your little pet. It is easy for a dog to gain weight and become too fat. Then you have the difficult task of getting them to slim down. That may be harder than it is for you to stick to a diet. You can feed them a little less if you want to but not too much less. Their growing bodies need the nourishment of nutritious dog food. Many dogs may whine if they are only fed once a day and the reason for that is that they are probably hungry. However, you do not want to serve them large meals each time you feed them. Split the amount up over the number of times they eat so that they get the same amount of food. Also, you may give more food if your dog is a little more active than average. While you do not want to over-feed your pet, you also do not want to underfeed them either. For the most part, this will be up to you. Many people like to feed their dogs only once a day. But if their day is active, your pet may be hungry again in the evening or at night. It is not cruel to feed a dog once a day but if your pet is hungry, you should make allowances in the schedule to make sure they are getting their full nourishment share each day. To add a little variety to their diet, you can mix in some human food. The type of human food you give your toy poodle should be healthy and full of vitamins and minerals. For specific foods to share with him or her, talk to your vet. A lot of times, poodles and other dogs will decide which human food they like. While some people recommend up to three times a day, there is a risk of over-feeding your pet and giving them too much food. Of course, if your pet is very active, then you may give them some extra meals or snacks but not too much. The risk of over-feeding your poodle is great and your treasured friend may develop different diseases if you overdo the feeding portion of their day. There are some foods that your pet should not or cannot eat. Some of those food items are chocolate, xylitol, grapes, macadamia nuts, raisins, or drink alcohol. While these items may make your dog beg for some, resist their puppy dog eyes, and say no. Every dog owner and vet have their own personal favorites. You can choose any one of the top brands on the market today be wary of the cheap off-brand varieties. Those cheaper foods may fit your budget, but they are not as healthy as the top brands are. They do not have the very best or healthiest ingredients in them. Some Final Words Feeding your pet is a bit of trial and error. With every dog being different, you have to find the right amount of food and the right number of feeding times for your dog. Make food adjustments as you monitor their weight and their growth. Taking care of your pet means making sure they are getting the proper diet and exercise as well as the right amount of food. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. However, you should keep the intervals between meals similar. Best Dog Foods for Poodles To keep your dog healthy and happy, choose the right food. A feeding guide should include the best food to feed your dog, whether raising a puppy or caring for an older companion. Poodle owners have several choices when it comes to feeding their pets. They can buy commercial dog food, prepare a homemade diet of raw food or raw meat, or opt for a combination of the two as the best food for their pup. Poodle Homemade Food: A homemade diet can provide your dog with all the nutrients it needs, as long as you know what to include in a balanced meal. You can consider giving ingredients like grain-free foods for those with a sensitive stomach. You may also feed a Poodle puppy sweet potato or add cooked meats to their diet. Biologically Appropriate Raw Food Diet BARF : BARF , also known as raw diet or raw feeding, is a type of diet that mainly consists of raw meats, eggs, crushed bones, fruits, vegetables, probiotics, and other natural ingredients. If feeding raw food is done correctly, it can be very healthy for your puppies and adult dogs since it is free from preservatives. Consulting an experienced vet is strongly recommended when looking for the best diet for your Poodle. Sometimes, they get curious too. If you love coffee, keep it out of reach of your Poodle. It contains caffeine , which may cause high blood pressure, stomach upset, and heart problems. Another human food that should not be a part of your puppy food is chocolate. Theobromine , found in chocolate, can cause abnormal heartbeats, seizures , and even death in your puppy or adult dog if consumed. Toy, Mini, and Standard Poodles can also be harmed by gum, peanut butter, and candy containing xylitol. This can cause disorientation , hypoglycemia , seizures, and collapse. Most kinds of toothpaste also contain xylitol, so make sure not to drop any on the floor when you brush your teeth. A small amount can be fatal to your Poodle. Moreover, it is not advised to feed your Poodle avocado or cherries. The pits, skins, and leaves of avocados contain a toxin called persin. It is essential to always check the food label on any treats or ingredients to avoid giving toxic foods to your pets. Additionally, do not feed your puppy too fast and too much as it can result in bloating. You should also consult a vet if you have questions about safe human and puppy foods to ensure they live a long life. Start by adding more of the new food and eliminating some old food at each meal until your pet eats only the new food. This also applies when you switch from puppy to adult food. Feeding a Poodle Overview Ensuring that your Poodle is on a well-balanced diet is one of the most important elements to keeping your canine family member healthy, both now and into the future. This section will cover all Poodle feeding guidelines including how often to feed a Poodle, serving sizes, dry vs wet, grain vs grain-free, and top recommended kibble. Don't need all of the details and just want to know which brands are recommended? New Puppies - The Importance of Gradually Switching Foods Before you even bring your Poodle home, it is very important to discuss with the breeder or shelter worker if you are adopting a rescue exactly which brand of food they have been feeding to your Poodle. A fast change in food can cause upset stomach and digestive problems. Breeders and shelters are buying food in bulk and have to feed many dogs which is a factor in which brand they choose; so there is a good chance that you will want to offer your Poodle something different. Have both the current food and the new food on hand and make a gradual switch over the course of 3 weeks. Though you will be leaving food out at all times, it is important that the food is fresh. Do not just top it off throughout the day, rinse and clean the bowl as necessary so that old food is not stuck at the bottom of the dish. Puppy: Starting at just about the 3 month mark, Poodles of all varieties should be eating 3 meals per day, plus snacks. Adult: When a pup matures into an adult, this does not necessarily mean that they should suddenly be given only one meal a day. Smaller dogs such as Toy Poodles and Miniatures often do best with 2 or even 3 meals per day. Standards have a bit more tolerance to a single dinnertime feeding, however many can also benefit from having food split up into two servings. Several snacks can be given in between meals and this is particularly helpful is a Poodle is a fast eater. How Much to Feed a Poodle Exact serving size varies quite a bit depending on the type of food. There is a big difference in calories between wet vs dry and low quality vs high quality. And, the amount of food that a Poodle should be eating depends on the dog's age, activity level, individual metabolism, and health status. Even the weather can play a role since dogs tend to eat a bit more in the winter and a bit less in the summer. In regard to calorie requirements, puppies need more calories per pound than their adult counterparts, approximately 40 to 55 calories per pound, daily, compared to adult dogs that need about 35 to 45 calories per pound, daily. S enior Poodles typically have slower metabolisms and reduced mobility and therefore usually require slightly fewer calories, in the 40 calorie per pound range. If you are feeding your Poodle a commercial food, follow the suggested feeding guidelines. These are usually pretty spot-on. Since these are based on both age and weight, do not estimate how much your Poodle weighs but rather know what this is within a pound or two. If you are feeding your Poodle homemade food, a rough guideline for serving size is 1 ounce of food for each 1 pound of body weight, daily. As you can imagine, this can vary quite a bit depending on the exact ingredients. Using the 1 to 1 rule as a starting point, what your Poodle consumes within 15 minutes is usually a good amount for each meal. Wet vs Dry If a Poodle had their way, most would opt for wet food. However, dry food is recommended since this is much better for the gums and teeth. In addition, dry kibble tends to be easier on the stomach and intestines and a diet of all wet canned food can lead to runny stools. Grain vs Grain-free Until relatively recently, there was not much debate on this subject; if a dog tended to have gastrointestinal or allergy issues when on a diet with grains, they were switched to a grain-free recipe. However, this changed when it was discovered that several dogs that were breeds not prone to dilated cardiomyopathy developed that particular heart disease and also happened to be fed grain-free kibble. Lots of pet parents immediately thought that they needed to change their dogs back to grains; however, many more studies need to be done. In fact, the most recent update from the Veterinary Medical Center at Tufts University suggests that 'grain-free' alone may not be the issue at play. For now, it is theorized that a certain diet dubbed a BEG diet may be to blame. This stands for boutique small local brands with exotic meats non-traditional meats like alligator, bison, ostrich, venison, and kangaroo and grain-free along with peas, legumes, or potatoes as one of the top 5 ingredients. Currently there are no recalls of grain-free dog food brands and the FDA is still investigating any possible links including the BEG theory. If your Poodle does not do well with any grains at all, you may wish to stick to a brand that has traditional meats like chicken, turkey, or beef or a fish-based recipes. And, if you are not sure about which grains your Poodle may do okay with, you may wish to opt for wholesome non-wheat and non-gluten grains like rice brown or white , oatmeal, quinoa which is technically a seed. Exact recommendations for the best foods include both grain and grain-free options. Elements to Keep in Mind When Choosing Food for Your Poodle What to avoid: It's no wonder that pet parents have a difficult time navigating the many choices of dog foods in their quest to find the best brand to give their Poodle, there are a lot of ingredients to avoid: Artificial flavoring like MSG which can cause terrible allergic reactions. Artificial coloring. Some of the worst are Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 2, and Yellow 6 which are linked to very serious issues including neurological and behavioral issues like insomnia and hyperactivity and serious health issues including some cancers. Chemical preservatives. This can be tricky to avoid since these do not always need to be labeled; if these are added to protect 'protein meals' in low levels, you'll never see it listed as an ingredient. These are meats and animal parts deemed unfit for human consumption. Examples are lungs, spleen, spinal tissue, genitals, hooves, beaks, intestines, and more. Generic meats or oils. This can, by law, be any species of animal whatsoever and are usually 4-D animal parts: Sourced from dead, diseased, dying, or disabled zoo animals, farm animals, or even roadkill. These are very common in cheaper subpar brands and are inexpensive ingredients that are added only to plump up the food but offer little to no nutritional value. Examples of fillers include corn, soy, wheat middlings, peanut hulls, oat husks, and cereal grains. Ingestion of fillers is a contributing factor in coprophagia eating feces and is linked to malnutrition. High grain count. Though some wholesome grains may be desired next section , high levels of wheat or gluten can cause upset stomach issues and allergies. What to look for: Knowing what to avoid can help you identify some of the better brands though exact recommendations are below. This means zero artificial additives. Natural preservatives. Wholesome ingredients. For meats and proteins this includes chicken, turkey, duck, lamb, rabbit, beef, and many types of fish including whitefish, haddock, salmon, and cod. You'll also want your Poodle to have some vegetables and fruits which provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Zero fillers. Every ingredient should serve the purpose of providing nutrients and never added simply to bulk up the recipe. The right balance of healthy grains. Though some Poodles will need to avoid all grains, most do very well with select non-wheat, non-gluten options including oatmeal, quinoa, and rice. Added extras. Next, we'll cover exact recommendations that fit all of the above criteria. Best Food for Poodles: Recommended Brands Please note that if you have not yet read ' Grain vs Grain-free ' section, you may wish to do so before continuing. Top recommend food with grains: 1. Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry. For larger miniatures and standards, you'll want to opt for their regular Complete Health. There are also puppy, adult, and senior formulas. All of these have no wheat, corn or other fillers, artificial coloring or flavoring, soy, meat by-products, or chemical preservatives, so you can feel very confident that your filling your Poodle's bowl with truly wholesome, healthy food. These recipes also have excellent levels of omega-3 fatty acids. And, this is made in the USA. Halo Natural Holisitc Dog Food. This top brand has found its niche by offering a purely holistic, organic recipe with non-GMO veggies and fruits and meats with no antibiotics, no hormones, and no factory farming. The protein base is chicken and liver, the two grains in this are oats and barley, and vegetables and fruits include peas, blueberries, cranberries, carrots, and sweet potato. All other ingredients are to naturally preserve the kibble or are vitamins and minerals. This particular recipe is for small breeds, however there is also an original for larger dogs. Halo is made in the USA. Top recommended food without grains: 1. Merrick is a great brand which offers this recipe for small breeds, like toy Poodles and another option for larger dogs which would include miniatures and standards. Protein bases include Texas beef, lamb, chicken, and salmon. There is no corn or other fillers, wheat, gluten, artificial additives, or chemical preservatives. And, there are excellent levels of omega-3 and both pre and probiotics. Merrick is also made in the USA. The CORE formula from Wellness is, by far, one of the very best grain-free foods on the market today. It hits very single checkbox of what you are ideally looking for in a food for your Poodle and it has some superior extras. There are excellent levels of glucosamine and chondroitin, omega fatty acids, and antioxidants. There is both a small breed formula and an original formula for minis and standards as well as puppy recipes and a reduced fat option. Wellness is made in the USA. What to Feed Your Poodle if Home Cooking You will want to have a mix of protein, healthy grains, vegetables and fruits. Proteins can include beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, veal, and fish cod, flounder, salmon, whitefish. Vegetables can include sugar snap peas, green beans, lima beans, spinach, peas, zucchini, carrots, sweet potato, and regular potato. Fruits can include blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, apple, and pear. Extras can include eggs, salmon oil, extra virgin olive oil, certain cheese with low levels of lactose Colby, Monterey Jack, Swiss cheese, and cottage cheese and plain whole white yogurt. Note that if you home cook, you will want to include a daily vitamin and mineral since it is near impossible for any combination of foods to offer a dog every nutrient that they need. Snacks Snacks and treats are also an important part of a dog's diet. Dry treats often labeled as baked or crunchy are best to tide over the appetite in between meals. Moist or chewy treats are best when used as training rewards and to reinforce good behavior. Rapid ingestion of food can lead to gas, vomiting, or upset stomach and is linked to killer bloat. Types of Nuts that a Poodle Can Eat - If you are snacking away on some nuts and want to share them with your Poodle, see which ones are safe and which are not. Poodle Begging Behavior - Giving into begging for table scraps or extra snacks contributes to this bad habit. See how to react if your Poodle won't stop begging. Overly Picky Poodles - Read how to address finicky eaters to make mealtime less stressful for both of you. All rights reserved. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Share Us. Depending on age, poodles may require different levels of calories, protein, and other nutrients. Also, there are a variety of different types of dog food formulated for puppies and adult dogs. Therefore, feeding amounts may also vary based on life stage, lifestyle, size, and body condition. Toy poodle puppies need a lot of protein for their muscles, calcium for their bones, and calories for growth. How much to feed a toy poodle puppy is what we want to guide you on in this article. Too little or too much of any nutrients can harm your puppy. Maintain a good weight Sometimes, all you need to do is serve your toy poodle puppy with just the amount of food he needs. That is how you maintain a good weight for the puppy. When the pups are very young, they rarely get too thin or too fat. At this stage, they usually eat what they need, not more, not less, as long as the food is available. How to determine how much food to give to the puppy To determine how much to feed your toy poodle puppy, first find out the number of food calories the puppy needs for proper growth. Likewise, determine the amount of protein and calcium your puppy needs for proper muscle growth and bones to stay healthy. You should give any poodle under twelve months old dog food for puppies only. Be specific when choosing the right food. Make sure you take food that is labeled puppy food and is meant for toy dogs. The right frequency for feeding toy poodle puppies Puppies are often fed more than adult dogs because they still have small stomachs that can only accommodate small amounts of food, but that also need to be filled more frequently. Therefore, feed a toy poodle puppy small meals but regularly. The most preferred amount is four meals per day until the puppy is three months old. After that, feed your toy poodle puppy three meals daily until he turns six months old. Finally, give him two meals daily from when he is six months through adulthood. What to serve your puppy and how to do it Commercially dry kibble is one of the most popular options for toy poodle puppies. Besides being reasonably priced, it contains balanced nutrition for the puppies. Also, kibble is convenient and good for the little and delicate teeth. You can add a little warm water to the food to make it easy to eat and moisturize it. Also, you can add a little canned food to whatever food you are serving for extra flavor and nutrition. Another convenient feeding option is wet food. Canned food is majorly wet food and is digestible. Many of them are full of balanced nutrition. Give your puppy more wet nutritious food if he needs better hydration or has a problem with his teeth. Canned food usually contains 75 percent moisture, which is a lot more than the 6 to 10 percent for dry food. Final Verdict By now, you should know how much and how often you should feed a toy poodle puppy. It is a skill that, when learned, you can be an excellent owner or breeder. That is why you should take this information seriously. With the right amount of food every day, your toy poodle puppy will be strong, healthy, and growing appropriately. Related Posts. This will be easier for them to chew and swallow than large pieces of kibble. Weight ranges can vary quite considerably, so some puppies will naturally need a lot more food than others. One way you can adjust your meal sizes is by working with your veterinarian. If you struggle to feel any definition, your puppy could benefit from smaller meal sizes. But, if their ribs are very prominent, they could benefit from slightly larger meal sizes. You should always work with your vet when adjusting meal sizes to ensure that everything is done in a safe and healthy way. But, since Poodles have so much curly fur, seeing them can be hard even if they are overly prominent! As they get a little older, this can decrease to 3 meals. And, when your puppy is at their adult size, this can decrease to two meals per day. How to Choose the Best Puppy Food? There are a lot of commercial options to choose from when searching for the best Poodle puppy food. You will find dry options, wet food, grain free varieties, limited ingredient recipes, and more. Some owners even choose to make homemade meals for their dogs, or raw diets. However, homemade diets are more likely to be nutritionally imbalanced, which can lead to health problems. Commercial food brands offer a lot of choice. There are pros and cons to every food type, so it can also help to speak to your veterinarian. For instance, wet food is often the most palatable, but it can be hard to use in training and has a shorter expiry date than other types. Grain free food is associated with some health-related concerns, but studies have determined the need for more research into a link, and this food type can be better for puppies with allergies. And, kibble food is easy to store and use during training, but can contain unwanted ingredients, like unnecessary fillers. Slowly substitute in your new food over the course of a week, until the old food is completely removed. Doing this too quickly can result in stomach upset and digestive issues. You will also need to transition to an adult food variety when your puppy has stopped growing. Toy Poodles will often finish growing somewhere between 6 and 8 months. Miniature Poodles can take between 8 and 12 months. And Standard Poodles can take up to 18 months. The transition to an adult food should also be gradual, taking space over the course of a week. Is My Poodle a Healthy Weight? However, all Poodles are different. They will grow at different rates and will have different healthy adult weights. They will be able to help you make any suitable adjustments if your puppy needs to increase or decrease their weight to remain healthy. Obesity and excess weight can cause and worsen some serious health problems in our pet dogs. They can help to adjust meal sizes where necessary. And, they can look for any underlying causes to high appetite levels in your Poodle. This often happens when people first bring their puppy home, leading to panic and stress! However, puppies can also feel stress and fear when moving to their new homes. And, this can cause a loss of appetite. Or, if they think something better might be on offer. For instance, if you tend to feed them table scraps, they might leave their food to try and get more tasty treats. Doing so will prevent obesity and weight gain. Completing all of your training in the morning will pose the same problems as feeding your puppy a very large meal first thing in the morning. Another benefit of this is that your puppy will be extra hungry and motivated to work for their food if training is before each mealtime. How Much to Feed a Poodle Puppy — A Summary All Poodles are different from one another, so the amount of food they need each day and at individual meal times will vary. But, they usually need some adjusting. Have you got any tips for raising a healthy Poodle puppy? Let us know in the comments! Readers Also Liked.

Rome, GA labradoodlepuppy We are the first authentic Australian Labradoodle breeders in South Carolina and are passionate about what we do and are in love with our dogs. Green Gables Labradoodle puppies are born in our home on our five plus acre mini-ranch. We have carefully chosen sires and dams with consistent personality traits, coats that are non-shedding, allergy friendly and consistent looks that conform to the breed standard. Their safety and well-being are our top priority. Our breeding process creates some of the most beautiful and cuddly Australian Labradoodle puppies. These dogs have been bred to be therapy, service companions and great family companions. These beautiful animals are very intelligent, non-aggressive and easy to train. For more information look at the page "Our Breeding Practices" We breed small mediums, mediums and standard size Australian Labradoodles. All sizes adjust beautifully to small or large spaces. We have several of our standards living on yachts two to three months at a time, several times a year. Thank you for visiting the website of Green Gables Labradoodles. We look forward to hearing from you! Doodles gmail. We only breed authentic Australian Labradoodles to authentic Australian Labradoodles. Some of the breeders out there are breeding F1b's and this is not an Australian Labradoodle. Some breeder's are selling only F1's. A breeder of the F1's and F1b's will be hard put to say their puppies won't shed as many of them do shed. They should say their puppies may shed. Let me say it again: Our authentic Australian Labradoodles are bred multi-generational Australian Labradoodle to multi-generational Australian Labradoodle. Our puppies have consistent personalities, non shedding fleece coats. The personalities of our puppies are consistent across the litters; fun, smart, intuitive, mellow puppies. When we test our Australian Labradoodle puppies' personalities, the tester is amazed at the conformity of their personalities. The investment in a puppy is a long time investment. Please do the homework so you understand what you are getting. They are extremely loving towards the family and children, friendly to unknown faces, and can easily socialize with the other animals in your house. They are also very intelligent, smart little dogs that can get trained without any difficulty. One thing to keep in mind is that they constantly require a lot of love and cuddles from the owners. They love being in the spotlight and can get worn out if they do not receive the attention they require. They are very energetic animals that require at least 2 hours of exercise every day. This can be done by taking them for a walk and playing a game of fetch. Because of the difference of appearances with the parent breeds, these little Labradoodles can come in a wide range of colors on their coats, the fur texture, and so on. Even if they have a long fur coat, they are do not shed much. You only need to brush their coat every day, and that will keep them tangle-free! They can also vary in size and shape based on the dominant parent gene. They can either be a tiny pup or a medium-sized Labradoodle. Summing Up If you want to welcome a little Labradoodle into your home, finding a good breeder is the first step. This will help you find a puppy that is healthy and happy. Once you find a breeder, clarify all your doubts. Ask them how you can take care of them, how often they need to be taken to the vet, and so on. Make sure you are completely thorough with your knowledge. So, go ahead and bring a furry friend home! These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. We raise high-quality Mini Labradoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other reputable breeders that raise mini labradoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high-quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! F1B Mini Labradoodle Puppies are a second-generation cross or hybrid. The father is a Mini Poodle and the mother is an F1 Labradoodle. The F1B Minature Labradoodles usually have soft hair that is usually wavy or curly. Thes puppies are considered semi-hypoallergenic since they shed minimally. These puppies can be a good fit if a person that has mild pet allergies. Once F1B Mini Labradoodles reach 6 months old they require to be groomed once every 8 weeks or so to keep their fur healthy and to stop matting. Adult F1B Mini labradoodle dogs range in size from 14 inches in height and pounds in weight. The average life span is typically years of age. The F1BB puppies usually have curlier coats and will be totally hypoallergenic. Once the F1BB pup is 6 months they will need regular grooming every 6 to 8 weeks. F1BB Puppies are usually slightly smaller than F1B puppies and range from 12 inches in height and pounds in weight. Mini Labradoodles are known for their intelligence and the ability to be trained very easily. They make amazing family pets and love to participate in family activities like swimming, hiking, camping or just playing tag in the yard. This breed is also a good choice for people who live in apartments as long as they get at least minutes of exercise a day. So if you live near Greenville South Carolina and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Labradoodle puppy that can be delivered to you then check out our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Labradoodle pups that have been adopted.

And when is the best time to start training them? Naturally, the sooner your start with training, the easier it will be. Moreover, you have to remember that you are responsible for your pup. You need to show consistency in your own behavior. Your Doodle will have an easier time adjusting to his new home and family if you start from day one. Establish a Proper Routine Firstly, you should establish a proper routine for your Doodle. This includes meal times, bathroom breaks, playtime, naps, and bedtime. Keep in mind that consistency is key in Goldendoodle training. A structured routine gives dogs a sense of security. It will also help your new Goldendoodle puppy understand how you want them to behave. Routine is also an important part of housetraining , as consistent feeding times will also beget consistent potty times. If you have other family members living with you, make sure you all follow the exact same routine. It is usually recommended that puppies younger than six months of age eat three meals per day. Socialize Your Puppy Secondly, all dogs, and especially Goldendoodles, are social creatures. They enjoy spending time with their families and meet other dogs at the dog park. Early socialization is important for your Goldendoodle pup to get used to new people, pets and situations. Goldendoodle Training Sample Routine Goldendoodle puppy behavior is very much your responsibility. Puppies usually need to use the bathroom first thing in the morning. Tip 2: Feed your pup at the same time every day. This is a great way for your puppy to socialize with you and your family. Tip 3: Potty time around 30 to 60 minutes after each meal. Tip 4: Playtime or exercise after potty time. Playing with toys and shorter walks are perfect for baby Doodles. Tip 5: Puppies usually need to relieve themselves after exercise, as well. Puppies can sleep up to hours every day! Make sure no one distracts their sleep, as they need to rest. Tip 7: After naptime or being in their crate, take your pup for a bathroom break. Tip 8: Bedtime every day around the same time is also very useful to enforce a consistent routine. Remember that puppies around weeks of age need smaller portions and more frequent meals. Therefore, they will also need to go potty more frequently. And as we already said, all dogs and puppies are unique. This is a rough guideline that most Doodle owners find useful. Well, all dogs are unique, so there is no one size fits all approach in Goldendoodle training. However, there are a few main training methods that most dog owners find useful when training a Goldendoodle puppy. Of course, the younger your puppy is, the shorter their attention span. Usually, the general guideline is to start formal training at four to six months of age. However, keep in mind that first you should build a relationship and bond with your pup. Clicker Training Clicker training is one of the most popular Goldendoodle training methods that professional dog trainers use. It combines reward training with a small hand-held clicker that you will click every time you reward your pup for good behavior or when following a command. Your puppy will soon start associating the clicking sound with a reward. Therefore, your pup will also associate it with good behavior. Best for Clicker Training Compare Products 2. Positive Reinforcement Your behavior and attitude has a huge impact on your Goldendoodle pup. Always use positive reinforcement and do not scold or punish your pup for accidents. Remember, your puppy is still learning and growing. Instead, it will just make them fearful of you. Whenever you want your Goldendoodle puppy to do something, always keep a positive and enthusiastic attitude. If your pup has completed the task, always give plenty of praise and a nice little treat or a toy. Some dogs respond better to reward with food and others respond better to toys. However, always use these rewards together with lots of praise and enthusiasm. Crate Training Crate training is another very popular Goldendoodle training method. Crate training can take a few days or a few weeks, but the results are worth it. Keep in mind that you should only leave your pup in the crate in hours equal to the age in months that they are. See Also: Click the image 4. Mirror Training Mirror training method uses positive reinforcement and a clicker to teach a dog how to follow your lead. As your pup is looking up to you, they will naturally want to mimic your behavior and attitude. A great way to keep this from happening is to keep your kitchen counters clean and tidy at all times. Do not store food on counters longer than you prepare your meals. Surely you enjoy a clean kitchen, as well! Another tip is to put your pup in a crate or away from the kitchen while you prepare your meals. Jumping One of the very first things that you can start teaching your Goldendoodle puppy is to sit to be greeted. This will teach your puppy that they will only get attention once they sit. If you reward them, they will continue doing it. Barking With every common behavioral problem, the key is to think about what you want your puppy to do instead. How would you like them to react when someone is knocking on the door, or how should act when you have guests over? For instance, you can train your dog to sit still in a designated place when the doorbell rings. Leash Pulling When your puppy starts to pull the leash, immediately stop walking. Once your puppy has stopped pulling, you can start walking again. Doing this continuously will teach your puppy good leash manners. No-pull harnesses and headcollars can also be great tools for training your pup not to pull on the leash. See Also: Click the image 5. Make sure your pup has enough interesting toys and provide them plenty of playtime and exercise. Biting and Mouthing Biting is a completely natural behavior for dogs. As with any other behavioral problem, biting also can stem from your pup wanting your attention. Also, biting and mouthing might indicate that your pup needs more playtime. See Also: Click the image 7. October 25, In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? The Goldendoodle, a hybrid breed that launched into popularity in the United States in the s and never left the top list, Goldendoodles are affectionate and smart dogs whose amiable personalities are well-suited for a variety of owners and lifestyles! How do you know if the Goldendoodle is the right fit for you and your family? A Brief Background on Goldendoodles! As we quickly stated earlier, the Goldendoodle is a hybrid, a cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. Thanks to the success of Labradoodles Labrador Retriever and Poodle cross-breed , dog breeders began to intentionally breed Golden Retrievers with a range of Poodles, creating a variety of Goldendoodles in different coloring and sizes. What are Goldendoodles Breed Characteristics? Some distinguishable characteristics of the Goldendoodle include their sizing range, variety of coloring, and temperament. Goldendoodles can come in mini to standard size, thanks to the genes from their poodle side. Goldendoodles can weigh starting at 15 lbs for miniature sizes up to 80 Ilbs for standard. One of the most distinguishable features is their thick, soft, curly coats that are considered hypoallergenic because they shed less frequently than other dog breeds. What are Goldendoodles Personalities like? Goldendoodles love people! They are friendly, affectionate, and love to please. With the right amount of socialization, this breed will be a friend to everyone! However, their fun-loving personalities also bring a lot of high energy, jumpiness, and nippiness throughout puppyhood. This is important to remember especially if you have young children at home. Goldendoodles can make excellent family dogs, but proper training and boundaries must be started the moment you bring them home to help get them there! Think about your current living environment and where you plan to be in the next few years. That being said, if you were planning on adding a Goldendoodle to your life, consider that these pups do best in a home with enough space especially if you are getting a standard-sized Goldendoodle and a fenced in yard! While some Goldendoodles on the smaller range of the size scale work great for apartment dwelling, these are energetic breeds that need space to exercise and play. Regular walks and training sessions at a local park will help them expel some energy in a constructive way, and are highly recommended for this breed, especially if you live in a city environment! How to Care for Your Goldendoodle! Goldendoodles can suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia, ear infections, allergies, hypothyroidism, and Gastric Dilation Volvulus Bloat. To avoid having to shave down their beautiful coats, daily brushing to remove mats is recommended, along with regular professional grooming appointments. Like all other breeds, having their nails trimmed and teeth brushed regularly will ensure they stay clean and healthy! Goldendoodle puppies are very smart and love to work! With consistent puppy training from an early age, they can master basic obedience skills quickly, and also move on to more advanced training, including therapy and service animal training. Start your puppy off on the right paw by establishing their daily puppy schedule complete with feeding, potty breaks, nap times, playtimes, and puppy training sessions! Going back to their wilder instincts, puppies will naturally avoid soiling where they sleep. Crate training your Goldendoodle puppy will help boost their confidence and resilience while learning to be alone at home. Puppy training can provide your puppy with controlled socialization with other puppies under the supervision of a puppy trainer that can watch out for rough playing or dominant behaviors between puppies. When done correctly, socialization helps teach your puppy the proper way to great people, other dogs and create boundaries. During socialization sessions, you can work with your puppy on barking or jumping, which are common puppy behaviors when they are excited or over-stimulated when meeting strangers. And if you're not sure how to do this on your own, hire a local puppy trainer to help set you up for the best success! Consider advanced training to keep them engaged Goldendoodles are very intelligent which means they love stimulating activities! Along with basic obedience, dog sports like agility are a great way to motivate them and help your puppy work out their energy. Agility helps establish a stronger communication bond through body language while your puppy is participating. You will learn to communicate with more body language and signals to focus your puppy at performing tasks necessary to help individuals that are incapable of doing it themselves. Respect their alone time. This is especially challenging for young kids when they can look like real-life stuffed animals! But, this constant handling can often cause some frustration for these young pups, having them act out with more nipping to try to make the petting stops, or growling, which can lead to more serious behavioral issues down the road. Make sure to give them dedicated time through the day to rest and their own space where they can be left alone to nap, unbothered. And always monitor young kids when they are interacting with the puppy so you can easily step in to give your puppy a break when they need it! Did you recently bring home a Goldendoodle puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! This means that I may earn a small commission if you click on them and make a purchase. We picked our Mini Goldendoodle up when she was seven weeks old and immediately started training her. Our training consisted of strategies we had learned in books along with some tips that our breeder has passed along to us that were very helpful. However, the biggest help in our training efforts was the experience of actually doing it. Learning all you can is great but nothing can beat the first-hand experience. I write this article knowing that each dog is different so they will respond differently to training. The tips I will share worked for our Mini Goldendoodle and hopefully will be of help in training yours. Our Mini Goldendoodle was our first puppy. As a newly married couple who had no idea what we were doing, we had to learn as we went. This was our first test and there was no time to mess around. We were thrown right into the fire and had to learn quickly. We read books, watched training videos, and talked with other dog owners all in an effort to gain an edge in the process. We learned through trial and error. In the end, our dog became a well-trained and obedient family member. Perhaps it was our training or maybe it was her high intelligence and pleasing temperament. However, if we were to do it all over again, it would probably go a little smoother knowing what we know now. Dogs generally respond well to training when they are young puppies and the earlier you start, the better off you will be. I have put together some tips that I feel were crucial in training our puppy the way we did. If I could go back and give advice to us, these are some tips that I would share. We started with the basics such as potty training, leash training, walking without pulling, and just basic obedience. We also began early with the task of teaching her to do common tricks such as sit, shake hands, and give five. As with any puppy though, it can be challenging. They are like a toddler and are just experiencing the world for the first time. Positive reinforcement is needed to help them understand exactly what you want them to do. Your efforts will be greatly rewarded if you start as early as possible, taking it seriously and truly understanding that what you do in their earliest years will either harm or help your efforts in training your Doodle. Your dog will be able to read your emotions. They have a way of picking up on your frustration and will not respond well during these moments of frustration. If you are more patient in your approach, they will respond more positively and feel your calm, reassuring energy. It will help them to retain the teachings that you are trying to get through to them. A dog that experiences this may develop scars from such actions that they will carry with them the rest of their lives. It will take time for your puppy to respond to commands. A leash is a primary way you have to control your dog when on walks or out in public. You see this all the time when people are walking their dogs. The is especially true with a large breed but even a small dog like a Mini Goldendoodle can become challenging if not trained properly. This takes time and a lot of patience. Our Mini Doodle pulled like any other dog in the beginning but we often corrected her with commands and a slight tug here and there. Because we started young, she became good on a leash and has continued this trend for most of her life. The best way we found to leash train our Mini Goldendoodle was to take her on walks consistently. Rather than just letting her run free, our focus was on keeping her by our side at all times. We also practiced around the house and gave rewards with treats when she did what we wanted her to do. Our breeder suggested that we make use of a bell so that our dog would have an easy way of letting us know she needed to go outside and potty. We gave it a shot and it has been super convenient for our Doodle to let us know that she needs to go outside. You can read more here about our process of training our dog to ring a bell to go outside. Many people are amazed when she goes over to ring her bell to go outside. Rather than walking around crying, they can ring a bell and you can hear it all over your house. Any dog that I ever have in the future can expect to have bell training incorporated into their potty training. Eventually, they will catch on that every time they go outside, the bell needs to ring. It signals to them that what they have done is worthy of a reward so they are more likely to do that in the future. If you are going to train your dog like this, you will go through lots of treats throughout a training session. Using healthy, low-calorie treats for this is a must. Our favorite was baby carrots which we cut up into small pieces as we were training her to do different things. She loved the crunch and taste of them and now 14 years later, they are still among her favorite foods. We have used them as treats her entire life. You can also give them small fruits like blueberries , or small apple pieces. Just make sure not to give them anything that might harm them. Here is a good list of foods that should be avoided. If you just purchase boxes of treats and commence to giving these as training rewards, you might see them gain weight if you are not careful. If not now, at least later on in life since they are going to be conditioned to eat these types of processed treats. You can still include the commercially made treats but these healthy options will give you an additional way to reward them. We used our crate to train our dog and keep her in it when we were gone for small amounts of time. She would generally fall asleep in her crate and curl up with the pillows and toys that we had left for her. As a puppy, she found comfort and shelter in her crate. She often ran to it with her treat and ate it there so that no one would bother her. I worked from home and would often keep her in a crate in my office as I worked. Never use a crate as a place for punishment. Doing this will make a crate a negative place. Learn more about crate suggestions for a Mini Goldendoodle. If you have an area that is not carpeted, a gate can be a great way to make sure they stay in an uncarpeted area which makes it much easier to clean up if they have an accident. It also allows you to get them on a routine without them messing up throughout your house on carpets and rugs. Just a simple gate that opens and holds itself together pushing against the wall on each side is what we used. The following gate is similar to ours and is very cost-effective. Get up at the same time each morning, go to bed at the same time at night, take them out to potty at the same times each day, and take them to the same locations when they potty. All of these routines combined will help to build the connections in their brain needed to become a well-trained dog. This had multiple purposes. To keep her from tracking dirt into the house. Condition her to allow us to touch and mess with her paws. Doing this has helped with being able to clip her toenails, trim her paw hair, and inspect for other issues regularly. We also did the same with her teeth. We often looked inside her mouth and messed around with her teeth to get her used to it. I started brushing her teeth when she was young and this has all helped to maintain her teeth over the years. We have no issues opening up her mouth and inspecting areas, and cleaning areas that need to be cleaned. I brush her teeth regularly and starting young was a key to making it possible. However, it would have probably been better to opt for this type of training from a professional. We are self-learners so we chose to learn on our own. If you have a location in your area that offers basic obedience school, which can often be done with a group of people and their dogs , then sign up for it. There will be a fee to pay but it will give you a good start and a foundation to grow from. Not only is it good for the dog but it will also help you to be the human and leader that your dog is looking for. It will give you the tools you need to become a great parent to your Mini Goldendoodle. You can usually find classes like this at your local pet store or from a professional dog trainer in your area. It will definitely give you a leg-up with being able to communicate with your dog. You need to be intentional about the process and make sure everything you do around them is thought out and you are at least aware of how it might affect them in the future. If you have a Mini Goldendoodle that you are training, you are in for a fun ride and will hopefully end up with a best friend that is well-trained and a complete joy to be around just like mine is. Dan Collins Not only am I a dog or pet lover, but an animal lover. My Goldendoodle has opened my eyes to how special animals can be and I am proud to be her dad. I write about Doodles and share my knowledge and experience of owning a mini Goldendoodle for 16 years. Recent Content. Things we recommend when preparing for your goldendoodle puppy Food All of our puppies are on Royal canin med size puppy food, we transition them to Royal canin med adult food at 1 year of age. Theese are a few of our favorites! Lean treats that you get from your vet. Crates We highly recommend crate training. We like the black metal crates with a front and side door. We consider the side door a must, the crate can go so many more places in the house and car. A collar puts pressure on their developing tracheas. Here are a few that we have found that are great and long lasting! Red or black Kong - not the pink or blue that says it's for puppies - they can chew them up in no time. We put peanut butter in the Kong and give it to them in their crates; they love it! Nylabones - These are great when they are really teething, and even our older dogs like to chew on them. We have found the Dinosaur one to be a favorite for both Puppies and Adults! The Just for puppies ring bone dog teething chew toy is also a puppy favorite Chuckit - for playing ball. These are awesome! If you get a medium size, any tennis ball will fit! Just don't let your puppy have the tennis ball to chew on, it will wear down their teeth. Go Dog has fun soft toys, we aways get the ones with the chew guard! Brush The Soft Slicker brush by Safari is great for puppies, as they get older and their coat gets longer the Chris Christianson slicker brush works great! The best way to make sure your Doodle isnt matted is a metal comb. You can find it on Amazon or at a farm feed store. DVD Because our puppies are raised with the puppy culture program and come to you happy, confident, and ready to learn, we ask that all our families who get one of our puppies also watch the puppy culture dvd or vod so you can follow along with what the puppies are learning and continue it after you get your puppy home. For Heartworms Your vet will have their recommendations; but if given a choice we use heartgard or sentinel. We would NOT use trifexis as it has many side affects. We also do not recommend Lepto vaccine for puppies. Find the Rest of Our Reccomendations in the link below. The Labradoodle is a gorgeous cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, and the Goldendoodle is an adorable mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Characteristics and traits can vary significantly because these pups are a hybrid breed, but they are usually incredibly people-focused, laid back, and playful, making Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training an enjoyable moment. Doodles make awesome pets, especially if their owners fully comprehend the importance of training from a young age. The type of adult dog breed you end up with depends a little bit on their personality and a lot on how you take care of them. Before you begin Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training, it helps to decide exactly what kind of dog you want to have. Do Plenty of Research It is vital that you have an understanding of canine learning theory because dogs learn very differently from people. A puppy does whatever it can to get what it desires the most at that moment. There are plenty of online resources that can teach you about methods to get the best out of your training. It may be helpful to consult a puppy training professional or spend some time at doggy school to get a headstart and pick up tips from experts. Your pup is a blank slate — with your guidance, they can develop the traits and learn the behaviors that you value the most. Labradoodle and Goldendoodle puppies are curious and they love exploring their new home as they make it their own. Getting it right during the early stages sets a precedent for the rest of their life. Spending as much time as you can with them helps build the foundation for a happy, confident and well-behaved dog. Form a Bond and Gain Trust With Your Doodle Before you do anything, you will need to develop a strong bond with your new pal to make sure they trust you. Try to keep your own energy as calm as possible — they bounce off you. While it may be tempting to get excited by their cuteness and mirror their enthusiasm, this makes it more difficult for them to listen to you and regulate their own behavior. Teach your furry friend what to expect from the moment they get into the home to stop them from getting confused. Use Positive Reinforcement Intimidation or fear tactics are never the best way to build a loving and secure bond between you and your fur baby. To make the most of this method, reward your pooch for good behavior and ignore bad behavior. Treats, verbal praise, and clicker training reward them for a job well done. This also helps them to make positive associations with you and training time. Everyone has their own list of priorities and yours will depend on factors such as whether you have children or other pets. Potty training is a straightforward, formulaic process that your new puppy will adapt to. A consistent routine is the key to getting them toilet trained as efficiently and effectively as possible. Let them outside at the same time each day, and take them to the same spot. In the early days, it may be difficult for them to make it all the way through the night, so try to make provisions for this stage. Select a word for them to associate with potty training and repeat it over and over whenever you take them to the toilet. Every time they do their business outside, give them lots of cuddles and praise, treat them and play one of their favorite games. There will be setbacks — getting it right takes time! If they mess in the wrong place, take them outside to their toileting spot and give them the chance to relieve themselves. We cannot emphasize the importance of praising them when they get it right enough! Crate Training Not everyone opts to crate train their puppy, but it can be useful for the earliest stages of Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training. The crate gives them a safe place they can call their own. Be sure to make the time they spend in the crate a positive experience, and never leave them in there for more hours than their age in months plus one hour. For example, a three-month-old puppy can be kept in their crate for no more than four hours. Socialization Dogs are social animals, and Goldendoodles and Labradoodles, in particular, are happiest when they spend time pleasing people and playing. However, building confidence takes effort and guidance from their pet parent. If you want to ensure they grow up to have a balanced personality, you need to expose them to plenty of dogs, people and different situations. Take them out and about as much as possible to help them become accustomed to a range of noises, sights and sounds. Bring them to a local dog park to get them used to spending time around other dogs. Manners Your adorable little pup has the potential to develop a host of bad habits, but these behaviors can be nipped in the bud. Temperament and Dealing with Small Children There are several steps to take while getting your canine cutie used to being a member of a family with children. Both pup and child will need to have clear boundaries mapped out for them so they can build mutual trust and be kind to each other. Let the child practice with a toy before they pick up or cuddle the pup. Ensure the child sits down when they play with the dog; this helps to prevent the pup from getting overexcited. Teach the child to do small tasks to help care for the dog, such as filling the bowl or helping with grooming. Knowing what to expect according to the time of day helps them to settle and feel reassured. Always wake them up at the same time, feed and walk them around the same time and do training exercises at a set time. Patience Is Everything! The best piece of advice for Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training is to have patience. Spend lots of time bonding and playing with your pooch so you can make training something fun that you both enjoy. If there is a behavior your puppy exhibits that you may think is cute while your puppy is small, you need to think ahead and determine if this behavior will be acceptable from an adult dog. Consistency is the most important tool for training a puppy in their first year and beyond. Each family member needs to use the same techniques and commands so as not to confuse your puppy. It is important to remember that a puppy associates a reward or a disciplinary action with its behavior in the past 3 seconds. Waiting longer than 3 seconds to reward or discipline is very confusing to a puppy. You cannot stop this behavior, but you can certainly direct your puppy to chew upon acceptable items until this phase passes at about a year of age. The only way puppies know how to play is the typical wrestling, biting, chasing, tackling, pulling, and nipping they do with littermates. In the absence of littermates, you and your family suddenly become the littermates. Repeat this same disciplinary action a total of three times in a row. Every now and then, a particularly feisty puppy will become more excited by this disciplinary action and need a more distinct disciplinary measure. This next action needs to be initiated quickly. This will be uncomfortable for your puppy. When behavior meets with uncomfortable consequences, the behavior will stop. With all this being said, the absolute best remedy is for you to arrange daily play dates with other puppies or young dogs. The bottom line is that your puppy needs to have active playtime each day. Jumping — Your puppy will jump on you to get your attention. This may seem innocent while your puppy is small, but Grandma may not appreciate being knocked over by the full grown untrained dog. Make sure you do not reward the puppy for the act of getting down as this will enforce the behavior of jumping up only to be told to get down for a reward. This is not a sign of aggression unless you allow this to go undisciplined over time. You need to actively discourage any and all growling directed at you. If your puppy growls at you when you get close to the food bowl, immediately remove the food bowl and feed the puppy out of your hand. Do not stop brushing until the puppy accepts this without growling. Each puppy needs to learn its place in the pecking order of a family. Obviously, they need to be the lowest on the totem pole. If allowed to be boss, growling is a normal thing for a puppy to exhibit when showing its dominance. Each family member must establish they are boss. This includes young children who are timid or fearful of the puppy. Remember that any behavior you allow as a puppy is then extremely difficult to curb later in life. If you do not wish to have your adult dog on the furniture, do not sit on the sofa holding your puppy. If you do not want your grown dog to grab your pant leg, etc. Leash Training — Training your Goldendoodle puppy to walk on a leash without pulling will take some time. Be patient and read our complete guide to leash training here. Buying a Trained Puppy — You can opt to have your puppy purchased at Fox Creek Farm trained by a professional trainer. Buying a trained puppy can save you a lot of time and benefit the entire family. Please visit our board and train services page for more information. Pet Insurance — We always recommend that any dog owner have a good quality pet insurance. Choosing the best pet insurance will take you a bit of time to learn about the coverages and fees associate with the brand and your particular dog. Spend some time with our blog articles on pet insurance linked above to determine what is right for you and your furry friend. In fact, good dog training schools will conduct interviews before starting obedience training to develop a training plan with the pet owner. Dog Obedience Training Method: Clicker Training When it comes to obedience training, clicker training is a very popular dog training technique among certified dog trainers. Clicker training for dogs involves the use of a hand-held device that creates a clicking sound. Over time, the dog begins to associate the clicking sound with the reward. Once the dog is reliable in his obedience skills, the food rewards are given only occasionally, but the clicking continues on a consistent basis, serving as an indicator of praise for the dog. If you need a clicker, you can find them at a pet store or on Amazon. Goldendoodle training is similar to training most puppies since they are a mix between a golden retriever and a poodle, which means that rewarding with treats usually works well. Many dogs have a very high food drive. Food rewards can work well for a dog obedience training reward in these dogs. A food reward can consist of a traditional dog treat or other less traditional pet treat foods like baby carrots, pieces of cheese, cold cuts, hot dog bits, or other high-value foods. The food also serves as an effective, high-value reward for the dog. Obedience Training Methods for Dogs: Toy Rewards Dogs who have a high prey drive — like sighthounds such as the greyhound breed, will often place a higher value on toy rewards like a ball. Or use my affiliate link to find this dog toy that we have it has 11, 5-star reviews on Amazon! Toy rewards are good for the dog that would be apt to pick the toy when presented with an option between a treat and a toy. Certified dog trainers who are working with clients who undergo frequent dog training courses, such as a police dog or a cadaver dog, will typically opt to use toy and play rewards since toys can be used for specialized dog training. In essence, the working dog learns to detect drugs by seeking his toy during retrieval exercises. Obedience Training Using Praise as a Reward This approach is good when training a very people-oriented dog and in tune with his humans. When we want to reward good dog behavior, especially when house training, we use praise with food rewards. Often, praise is used in conjunction with toy rewards, clicker training, or food rewards. Occasionally, a dog trainer may use praise and attention alone to teach certain obedience training commands. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. A mix between the ever-popular golden retriever and the charming miniature poodle, the mini Goldendoodle, is a new and increasingly popular designer dog on the block. If you are looking for an affectionate, intelligent, and low-shedding canine companion that can double as a cuddle buddy, this cute hybrid is a superb choice! With their teddy-bear faces and soft, fluffy curls, miniature Goldendoodles are easy on the eye and also have great temperaments. Moderately active and spunky, these mini doodle dogs are also outdoing and adoring pooches that are always in the mood for snuggles. Highly adaptable, easy to train, and outgoing, they make great pets to people of all ages and are a particularly fantastic choice for timid, first-time owners. Keep on reading to find out if this adorable hybrid is the right pup for you! Miniature Goldendoodle Overview Size — 13 to 20 inches tall, weighs from 15 to 35 pounds Coat — Medium-long wavy or curly thick coat; color varies Shedding — Non to low shedding Lifespan — 12 to 16 years Trainable — Highly trainable, but can become destructive if not mentally stimulated Activity — Moderately active; needs between 30 and 45 minutes of activity every day Best For — Singles, couples, seniors, families with children, first time owners, homes with fenced outdoor space What Is A Mini Goldendoodle? Miniature Goldendoodles are a relatively new designer breed developed by crossing a purebred golden retriever with a purebred miniature or toy poodle. To avoid birthing complications, breeders exclusively breed female golden retrievers with male miniature poodles. Mini Goldendoodle Appearance The Goldendoodle is a mixed-breed dog and not a purebred. Pups that take after their golden retriever parents are more robust and thicker-bodied, while pooches that mainly take after the poodle are more delicately built. Most miniature Goldendoodles weigh anywhere between 15 and 35 pounds and are typically around 13 to 20 inches tall at the withers. Color The most recognized and highly sought-after miniature Goldendoodles are those with the golden blond coat of the golden retriever. Coat The coat of the mini Goldendoodle is typically medium-length and should be wavy or curly. Miniature Goldendoodle Character And Temperament Mini Goldendoodles tend to inherit the best personality traits from both their parent breeds, which is one of the reasons why they are so popular. They are extremely people-oriented dogs that need affection, attention, and interaction with their owners to stay happy and thrive. People pleasers at heart, miniature Goldendoodles form strong bonds with their families and will find creative ways to earn an extra pat on the head or a full belly rub session. Thanks to their sociable nature and their need to have company, these cute pooches are best suited for multi-pet households and will enjoy having other furry companions. As long as they are properly socialized from a young age, mini Goldendoodles get along nicely with cats as well as dogs. Bred specifically for its small size and companionship, the mini doodle makes a devoted, biddable, clever, fun, and spunky pet for people of all ages. They like to be involved in all family activities and will always find ways to be the center of attention. If you decide to welcome this handsome crossbreed into your home, know that your personal space will be invaded! If you leave your Goldendoodle home alone for hours on end, your cute pup will turn into a menace that will resort to destructive chewing and excessive barking to feel better. These dogs crave affection, attention, and company above all else. Miniature Goldendoodles are incredibly playful dogs that are always up for a game of fetch, chase, or hide and seek. As an offspring of two water dog breeds, this designer hybrid likes water and will have a lot of fun in a pool or a lake. Thanks to their excitable nature, you can expect a good dose of enthusiasm during every play session. Caring For Mini Goldendoodles Mini Goldendoodles, like all other dogs, require proper care to fulfill their needs. To keep your mini happy and healthy, pay attention to the following factors in particular. Exercise As mentioned previously, mini Goldendoodles are moderately active dogs. Most need at least around 30 to 45 minutes of moderate activity every day to stay healthy and in good shape. However, they do well in agility and are always up for a walk and play session in the park. Intellectual Stimulation Like their parent breeds, miniature Goldengoodles are highly intelligent dogs. When left to their own devices without stimulating toys, these pups easily become bored and frustrated. When bored, your angelic-looking pooch may chew your favorite pair of leather shoes. To keep your shoe collection intact and to prevent the destruction of your home, keep your dog mentally stimulated with puzzle toys and other interactive dog toys designed to keep your Goldendoodle sharp and stimulated. Companionship Bred to be companion dogs, mini Goldendoodles adore people and are devoted to the entire family. Without interaction and companionship, they tend to develop separation anxiety, which is often accompanied by a host of other behavioral problems. If you live alone and work a lot, consider hiring a pet sitter or taking your pooch to doggy daycare while you are at work. Grooming Needs Being a poodle mix, the miniature Goldendoodle has higher grooming needs than most other dogs. Due to their fast-growing fur, most owners opt to take their miniature Goldendoodles to a professional groomer once every two to three months. Diet The ideal diet for miniature Goldendoodles is one formulated for small breeds with moderate to high energy. Common Health Problems Although they are generally considered healthy dogs, mini Goldendoodles tend to develop many of the same health problems that affect poodles and golden retrievers. Commonly seen health problems in this mix are: Hip Dysplasia: Caused by the malformation of the hip joint, hip dysplasia is a painful condition that causes mobility issues, lameness, and arthritis. Patellar Luxation: The dislocated knee is a common issue seen in both miniature and toy poodles. Progressive Retinal Atrophy: This is a group of degenerative diseases that affect photoreceptor cells in the eye, resulting in blindness. Dogs with this condition experience excessive bleeding even from minor wounds and cuts. Lifespan Mini Goldendoodles have an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years. How To Train Your Mini Goldendoodle As an offspring of the biddable golden retriever and highly intelligent miniature poodle, the mini Goldendoodle is a highly trainable dog. Thanks to their quick wits and eagerness to please, they can learn new commands after only a few repetitions. Like all other dogs, mini Goldendoodles respond best to positive reinforcement training, so use treats and a lot of praise to train your puppy to become a well-mannered dog. Despite being naturally friendly and trusting, your miniature Goldendoodle will benefit from early socialization. Expose your pup to different people, sounds, smells, and situations from a young age to build their confidence. This designer hybrid makes an amazing pet and companion to first-time owners, people of all ages, and families with children. If you have enough time to interact and play with your dog, the miniature Goldendoodle will adapt to any type of home with or without outdoor space. If you work from home or are looking for a doting canine companion, the mini Goldendoodle may be the right choice for you. Buying A Mini Goldendoodle Puppy Doodle breeds are extremely popular, but no breed is so highly sought after as the Goldendoodle, both the standard and the mini varieties. If you want a standard miniature Goldendoodle, look for first generation or F1 mini Goldendoodles. These puppies have a poodle father and a golden retriever mother and may vary in appearance greatly. Some breeders breed two miniature Goldendoodles together, and their puppies are known as F2 or second generation Goldendoodles. These pups have a similar appearance and are a bit more expensive than F1 puppies. The exact price of a mini Goldendoodle depends on many factors, including the breeder, location, supply and demand, quality, and pedigree of the parent breeds. Highly intelligent, easy to train, affectionate, spunky, and agile, poodles make great companion dogs. They are often mixed with other breeds due to their great temperament and low shedding hypoallergenic coat. Golden Retriever: Breed History And Overview Medium to large in size, the golden retriever originated in Scotland as a gun dog bred to gently retrieve shot waterfowl without damaging the birds. While they are still used for hunting, goldens are nowadays more commonly kept as pets due to their affectionate, intelligent, and loyal natures. Outgoing, trusting, eager to please, and people-loving golden retriever is one of the most popular dog breeds, and they can often be seen as service or therapy dogs assisting people with disabilities. Mini Goldendoodles make superb family pets to people of all ages and novice owners. They are affectionate, sweet, playful, spunky, doting, and smart dogs that get along with everyone, including other dogs and cats. Wrapping Up: The Goldendoodle A fairly new designer hybrid that has quickly caught the attention of dog lovers around the world, the miniature Goldendoodle makes a fantastic family pet. If you are thinking of welcoming this cute mix into your home, make sure you are able to: Interact with your dog daily and meet their high social needs Commit to regular grooming to prevent mats and tangles from forming Provide companionship to your dog in form of doggy daycare or a pet sitter if you have long working hours Do you have a miniature Goldendoodle? If so, what is your doggie like? Share your experience owning this mix with us and our readers in the comment section below. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. Check out more of our favorites on our New Puppy Checklist.

Which dog should I get? German Shepherd or Rottweiler? While they may have a ferocious reputation, the Rottweiler makes for a calm and courageous companion when paired with an experienced pet parent who is willing to invest time into training and socializing them. In contrast, the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and not nearly as headstrong as the Rottweiler and this, coupled with how praise-motivated they are makes them easier to train. From size to strength and intelligence to aggression, read on to find out which canine companion is right for you. German Shepherd Image credit: Getty Images Bred as a sheep herding dog, the German Shepherd is an intelligent, brave, confident dog eager to please its owner. Often used as police dogs, this working breed is easy to train as it is a fast learner and is motivated by praise and play. They have lots of energy so they will need more exercise — about two hours a day. They love to play, but are not as goofy as the Rottweiler. The breed comes in black and tan, blue, white and black colour variations. They live for around years, but are generally healthy dogs. Rottweiler Image credit: Getty The Rottweiler was originally used by the Romans to pull carts, herd cattle and guard homes. This breed is a loyal and affectionate protector. Also used as police and service dogs, they love to work, but are more motivated by food than the German Shepherd. The Rottweiler is a good, loveable pup. Their short to medium double coat is generally always black and tan. They live around years and are also quite healthy dogs. Rottweilers have a more square and stocky build, with males measuring around in cm at shoulder height and females around in .Males weigh around lb .Male German Shepherds measure around in cm at shoulder height and females around in cm. Their bodies are longer and more athletic. The Rottweiler probably has a slight advantage when it comes to strength because it has a more muscular, heavier build and they were built for carrying and pulling weight, whereas the German Shepherd is more agile. However both breeds were bred to protect and should not show aggression if trained properly. Rottweiler vs German Shepherd: Health Given the proper care, both of these breeds tend to be relatively healthy. However, as with all large breeds, they're naturally predisposed to certain health conditions that their smaller brothers and sisters aren't — such as hip dysplasia. The Rottweiler is also more likely to suffer from conditions like dilated cardiomyopathy and hypothyroidism, while the German Shepherd is prone to bloat and degenerative myelopathy. Check out our guide to five German Shepherd health issues you need to know about for more on this. Both of these breeds will benefit from the best dry dog food or wet food that's been specifically formulated for large breeds. It's important not to overfeed them as they're prone to weight gain if overfed and under-exercised and excess weight will put pressure on their joints. Rottweiler vs German Shepherd: Intelligence These two breeds are both intelligent. However the German Shepherd is considered the third smartest dog breed after the Border Collie and the Poodle in terms of work intelligence and obedience according to a study by canine psychologist Dr Stanley Coren. The Rottweiler ranked ninth on the list, showing that both breeds are smart but the German Shepherd learns more quickly. However, any dog can become aggressive if not trained properly and this does not necessarily mean that German Shepherds are more aggressive as this breed is more common. Although both breeds have a reputation for being aggressive, this is an unfair stereotype. Why do police use German Shepherds instead of Rottweilers? German Shepherds make great police dogs. Although Rottweilers are also smart and easy to train and have also been used by the force , they are not as athletic and do not have the same endurance. Their strength is also a hindrance in police work as often when apprehending felons, more care and less strength is needed to reduce damage. Whether you choose a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler will very much come down to your personality as well as theirs. They are very similar breeds and both will make loyal, loving protective family dogs. The German Shepherd will be slightly easier to train, but will need more exercise, whereas the Rottweiler will be a goofier companion and will eat more due to its size. Both are healthy dogs with a similar lifespan but look out for common health issues such as hip and elbow dysplasia in both breeds and cardiac concerns with the Rottie. For more on these two breeds, check out our guides to 10 surprising Rottweiler facts and six pawsome German Shepherd facts. Today's best deals on wet dog food. They are both working breeds, and a strong work ethic is central to their personalities. They are also both as stubborn as you can imagine. Rottweilers are fairly ancient dogs, and they were kept by the Romans to maintain the herds that would accompany their armies. They had to be ferocious enough to keep cattle in line, while also having enough endurance to keep up with an army on the march. They were primarily created to act as scouts and sentries at army installations. As a result, they had to be focused, dedicated, and ready to follow orders. Their backgrounds mean that these dogs require a firm and competent hand in training. Typically, neither breed is recommended for first-time owners. You should have some experience training and leading dogs before taking on one of these headstrong breeds. Also, early socialization is absolutely critical. Image Credit: cvop, Pixabay Training Styles Both breeds respond well to positive reinforcement, but neither one is likely to tolerate negative discipline techniques like shock collars, physical aggression, or yelling. German Shepherds are big, goofy animals, and as such, they tend to be motivated by play. You can teach a lot of important commands by incorporating them into a game or using playtime as a reward for successfully completing the training. Rotties, on the other hand, love to eat. They tend to be extremely food-motivated, so you may have to hand over some treats if you want him to sit and stay. Be careful about being too generous with the cookies, though, because the breed can be prone to obesity. Both are extremely intelligent, so you have to be consistent with your training practices and rigorous with your commands. German Shepherds tend to follow every command to the letter, so if you misspeak, you could have to redo some training. Rottweilers love to bend the rules, though, so you have to watch them like a hawk and not let them get away with anything. Exercise Requirements Once we told you that these were working dogs, you should have already known that neither one would be satisfied sitting next to you on the couch all day binge-watching Netflix. Both these dogs need a fair amount of vigorous exercise — about an hour a day for Rottweilers, and roughly twice that much for German Shepherds. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise, and perhaps more so. They need regular training, and you should consider investing in puzzle toys and other intellectual games. Both breeds also take well to sports like agility training. Bottom line: while neither breed is ideal for a family of couch potatoes, German Shepherds require even more activity than Rotties. Rottweilers are big dogs. Really big. They have broad chests, big heads, and plenty of power packed into their bodies. German Shepherds are longer and leaner. These dogs can also seem bigger than they are due to their massive coats more on that later. As you might expect, given their shapes and sizes, the two breeds have different physicalities as well. For Rottweilers, obesity can be a problem. This leads to heart issues, spinal problems, hip dysplasia, and more. German Shepherds, on the other hand, are extremely likely to suffer from hip or elbow dysplasia. They suffer arthritis at high rates as well, and degenerative disc disease is a concern due to the slope of their backs. Intelligence As noted earlier, these are two of the smartest dog breeds on the planet. According to neuropsychologist Stanley Coren, the author of The Intelligence of Dogs, German Shepherds are the third-smartest breed, while Rottweilers come in at ninth on the list. That means that both breeds will be quick studies in training, and they may pick up lessons you never intended to teach. It also means that you have to always be on your toes, as you might think that you left the peanut butter out of reach, only to find an empty jar when you wake up in the morning. Both dogs can also be accomplished escape artists if left alone in the backyard for too long. While you might assume that smarter is automatically better when it comes to dogs, you should realize that more intelligent dogs usually require more stimulation and more dedicated training. That said, both these animals are guard dogs by nature. However, when given proper socialization and training, both breeds can be extremely friendly and loving to everyone. Image Credit: , Pxhere Compatibility with Other Pets As with friendliness, this more dependent on training and socialization than anything else. At their core, however, neither breed is particularly fond of other animals. The sad truth is that both breeds have been used as fighting dogs in the past. Also, they both have fairly strong prey drives, so it might not be the best idea to bring a cat in the house. In fact, Rottweilers are much more likely to tolerate cats in the house than other dogs. Grooming Requirements Rottweilers are fairly low-maintenance, as they have short coats and only tend to shed seasonally. As a result, you can get away with only brushing a Rottie occasionally. German Shepherds, on the other hand, have extremely dense, long coats, and their fur gets absolutely everywhere. Both should be fine with only a couple baths a year, unless, of course, they find something disgusting to roll in. Frequently Asked Questions Which is better for families with small children? Either the Rottweiler or German Shepherd can be perfect for families with kids — and either breed can be a disaster. Once again, it all comes down to proper training and socialization. You also need to teach your kids how to behave around canines; doing so will protect them from any dogs they come across, not just your own. Which makes for a better therapy dog? Both are commonly used as therapy dogs, as both have the intelligence and discipline to handle any task asked of them. If you see any of these, stop the activity immediately and consult a licensed trainer or behavioralist. Which breed is more expensive to own? Oh, how they can eat. Expect to spend more on dog food if you get a Rottweiler. While these dogs are fantastic and worth every bit of trouble they cause, they do make moving a bit of a hassle. Which breed drools more? If you welcome puppy kisses, though, Rottweilers should be your pick. What should I look for in a puppy? Be sure to actually visit the breeder before buying, and look for any signs that the dogs are abused or neglected. Also, check and see how the breeder interacts with the dogs. Do they seem to love the animals, or are they seen as nuisances? Bring your kids with you so you can see how it responds to children as well. Ask the staff there for their opinions as well most dogs undergo temperament tests in animal shelters. Rottweiler vs German Shepherd — Which to Choose? German Shepherds are slightly less expensive to own , love to play, and take commands very literally. They also require about twice the amount of exercise and exponentially more grooming. Rottweilers, on the other hand, are extremely powerful, food-motivated, and love to test boundaries. Originating during the Roman Empire , they started as herding dogs but quickly grew into guardians due to their natural protective instincts. They were supposedly used during the Middle Ages to guard merchants traveling with lots of money and later recruited as law enforcement animals during World War II. Plenty of Rottweiler owners talk about their pets being goofy, sweet, gentle, and loving. If your Rottweiler begins training and socializing at a young age, they should get along well with children and, often, other pets. However, you might need to watch out for those herding instincts, as they could result in small children or those shaky on their feet being accidentally knocked over. Their characters can range from laidback to highly driven, solemn to silly. Overall, Rottweilers have a tendency towards calmness rather than hyperactivity, and at times, even seem a bit aloof. These pups will likely be at your feet often as they make sure you stay safe. They can be fine left to their own devices, though, unlike other breeds with separation anxiety. As far as potential negatives go, Rottweilers can be territorial, which means they might not want to let strangers into your home without you being welcoming. Finally, they can be quite stubborn at times. Some of the more common ailments in Rottweilers include hip dysplasia , dilated cardiomyopathy , hypothyroidism , and lymphoma. Bathing is only needed as necessary — although if you use a gentle shampoo, you can wash them weekly. Trimming their nails should be a bi-weekly experience. Since they are calmer than other breeds, around an hour of exercise a day should do them well. Image Credit: K L, Pixabay Suitable for: Rottweilers are suitable for those who are not first-time dog owners as they need a lot of training. They are also ideal for families with backyards and those who spend several hours a day outside the home. Finally, these pups are good for those looking for a working dog, whether it be for herding or guarding. German Shepherds make excellent family pets given proper training and socialization. Also a working dog breed, German Shepherds are known for being whip-smart and courageous under fire. It makes sense seeing as how these dogs are high-energy and love having tasks. That high energy and driven nature make them less suitable for those without the time to dedicate to their furry companions, though. They can be more likely to suffer separation anxiety than other breeds, so leaving them alone for long periods may cause trouble. They are highly intelligent and incredibly loyal, making them great as family watchdogs. Their smarts give them the ability to be trained to do almost any job you can imagine minus those requiring the use of thumbs! One thing these dogs hate, however, is being left to their own devices. This can cause separation anxiety which in turn can lead to bad behavior and aggression. These include elbow dysplasia , bloat , degenerative myelopathy , and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. This activity can come from walks, playing in the backyard, and a variety of doggy toys. How much food they need a day will vary by age. Be careful not to overfeed or give them too many treats since this can cause weight gain that leads to joint issues. German Shepherds will shed much more than Rottweilers, so have your vacuum handy! Brushing twice or thrice a week will be helpful. Image Credit: Osetrik, Shutterstock Suitable for: German Shepherds are suitable for families and those who live in homes with backyards large enough to run and play in. They are also wonderful for people who are highly active and able to spend a couple of hours a day exercising their dog. However, German Shepherds are less suitable for those living in apartments or smaller dwellings with tiny yards and for people who are away from home often. Which Breed is Right For You? Whether the Rottweiler or German Shepherd is right for you comes down to a few factors — where you live and how much space there is, how much time you must dedicate to a pet, and whether you are able to train your pup or send them to a trainer. Other than that, both the Rottweiler and German Shepherd can make for good, loyal pets who are also willing to guard and protect the family if needed. See also:. Both breeds are known for their large size, intelligence, and loyal nature. Rottweilers, with distinctive black and tan coats, are typically pretty enormous and have a more muscular body. On the other hand, German Shepherds are slightly smaller and typically have a black and tan or all-black coat. Both breeds are excellent family pets but require firm, consistent training to prevent aggressive behavior. Overall, these breeds are beloved by many for their courage, loyalty, and protective instincts. Rottweiler vs. While the breeds may be similar, the Rottweiler generally has a bulkier build with more muscle mass, while the German Shepherd has a leaner and more agile frame. Additionally, Rottweilers typically have a short, glossy coat in shades of black and brown, while the German Shepherd has a thick fur coat ranging from black and tan to sable. The differences in their appearance may contribute to their respective roles as working breeds. Ultimately, both breeds are stunning in their own ways and are loved by their families for their unique characteristics. Size Rottweilers are generally larger than German Shepherds, with males weighing up to pounds and standing between inches at the shoulder. Meanwhile, German Shepherds are usually not more than 85 pounds and stand inches tall. Coat Rottweilers have a short, dense coat that is black with tan markings. The fur of a German Shepherd is also double-layered, but it can be either long or short and comes in many different colors, including black, tan, white, and sable. Training Both breeds are highly trainable and make great service dogs, but the training methods used for each breed may differ slightly. Rottweilers may respond best to positive reinforcement techniques such as reward-based training. In contrast, German Shepherds may be better suited for corrections or commands when learning new tasks. However, they have different behavioral traits that potential owners should consider. Rottweilers have a protective nature and are known for their defensive instincts. They are wary of strangers and can go wild if they feel any threat. However, German Shepherds are more social and easier to train. They are loyal and obedient, making them the go-to breed for law enforcement and military work. Moreover, below mentioned personality differences will help you further to make a more informed decision. Personality and Temperament When choosing between a Rottweiler and a German Shepherd, understanding their unique personalities and temperaments is crucial in making an informed decision. Both breeds are large, loyal, and intelligent, but notable differences exist. Rottweilers tend to be more reserved and calm, while German Shepherds are more outgoing and lively. Additionally, Rottweilers are also known for their unwavering loyalty and protectiveness toward their family. German Shepherds are highly trainable and excel in working roles such as police or military dogs. Due to their size, Rottweilers may require more food and larger beds, which could result in higher monthly costs. On the other hand, German Shepherds may have higher veterinary costs due to potential health issues such as hip dysplasia. Pros and Cons: Rottweiler Vs. German Shepherd Choosing between these two dog breeds can be challenging for any canine enthusiast. It is because both breeds have their advantages and drawbacks. Rottweilers are known for their imposing size and defensive nature, making them perfect guard dogs. However, their reputation can also make them intimidating to strangers, and they require plenty of socialization and training. German Shepherds are smart, loyal, and easy to train, making them ideal for families. They also have an incredibly strong sense of smell and are often used as police or service dogs. However, they can be prone to health issues and require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Exercise Requirements As two dog breeds with high energy levels, the Rottweiler and German Shepherd have unique exercise requirements to keep them happy and healthy. Rottweilers are known for their powerful build and require daily exercise for at least an hour, with a mix of walks, jogs, and playtime. On the other hand, German Shepherds are bred for herding and require a lot of mental stimulation through activities such as obedience training, agility courses, and interactive playtime. Both breeds benefit significantly from regular exercise, which can help reduce anxiety and improve overall well-being. Grooming Needs Rottweilers have a short double coat, which means they require minimal grooming. Brush your Rottweiler once or twice a week to remove any loose hair or dirt. You should also check for any fleas or ticks when you brush your Rottweiler. On the other hand, German Shepherds have a thick double coat that sheds year-round, requiring more frequent brushing and grooming. While each breed has specific needs, keeping up with grooming will help your Rottweiler or German Shepherd look their best and ensure they stay healthy and happy for years. Life Expectancy Rottweilers usually live between years on average, while German Shepherds have a life expectancy of around years. However, both breeds can live longer if given the proper care and nutrition. Bear in mind that the rottweiler is significantly larger, and will therefore need a lot more space and food. When it comes to exercise requirements they are both breeds of high energy levels and need lots of daily exercise to stay happy. In addition, the cost of ownership can vary dramatically depending on factors such as specific dietary requirements, health expenses, adequate training, and more. Whether you get a Rottweiler or a German Shepherd, it is essential to carefully consider the pros and cons of either breed before bringing them into your home. But, also remember, that each dog has its own personality and characteristics. Above all, your dogs personality will be shaped after how you raise them. Giving them mountains of love and a few treats will inevitably produce a loving dog. Thank you for reading this article! Keen for another comparison between two dog breeds? Head over to uncover the differences between the Beagle Vs. Many people living in apartments, especially those who live alone, consider getting a dog for companionship. Having a dog definitely lessens the feeling of loneliness and adds comfort and affection to an otherwise solitary space. However, not all dogs are suitable for apartment living. Several factors contribute to whether a specific breed is compatible with a smaller space or bigger houses with fenced yards. Generally, smaller dogs fare better in apartment living. This is simply because they require less space to move around, and smaller breeds require less exercise than their larger counterparts. They are also a bit easier to maintain especially for busy apartment dwellers. However, there are matters that you need to consider carefully before committing to a GSD or a Rottweiler. German Shepherds Can Be Good Apartment Dogs Although not ideal, German Shepherds can definitely thrive in apartment living , thanks to their high adaptability to changing environments. But you should be prepared to meet the following conditions to provide your GSD an good life while living in a relatively small space: Breed-restriction Laws In some states, apartments impose breed-restriction laws on their tenants, which means that there are specific breeds that are not permitted. The idea behind these laws is to prevent dog attacks by potentially dangerous breeds. Unfortunately, GSDs are one of those prohibited breeds. However, some private apartment owners can be negotiated with, but corporate owners are much harder to convince, as they carry much higher liability for any such occurrence. In the case of the latter, their decision must be respected and you are left with the choice of moving to another apartment that accepts GSDs or choosing another breed. Exercise You need to exercise your GSD daily. If your apartment does not have a spacious area where you can exercise your dog, it must at least have a nearby park that you can visit everyday. Remember that exercise is a must for active dogs like German Shepherds! As a rule of thumb, your German Shepherd must have at least 30 minutes to 1 hour of exercise daily. Separation Anxiety You should not leave your GSD alone for long periods of time, as they are prone to separation anxiety. As a rule of thumb, adult GSDs should only be left alone for a maximum of four hours, while puppies should be left alone no longer than three hours. Neighbors Your GSD must be trained to behave well around your neighbors. Keep in mind that many people are very scared of large dogs. Noise GSDs are vocal dogs, and they will bark a lot especially if they are untrained! If your apartment has weak soundproofing or thin walls, this can be very annoying for your neighbors who only want to live peacefully inside their units. Shedding GSDs shed a lot, thanks to their double coats. Consequently, you must prepare yourself to clean your apartment often to get rid of all the hair. Adult Rottweilers Do Better in Apartments Rottweilers can cope living inside apartments, but keep in mind that adult Rotts are more suitable for this type of space than puppies because of their lower energy levels. Rott puppies are very high-energy dogs. Because they are bred as working dogs, they will be very curious and will always look for something to do. All that pent-up energy should be channeled into something useful like exercise. Otherwise, the puppy will become bored and turn to destructive behaviors such as chewing objects or digging. Your Rottweiler puppy will need at least two walks a day and an additional hour of playtime. This is a commitment that you should be aware about, since it can be too much to handle for an owner who is always busy. The need for exercise is exactly why a fenced yard is perfect for high-energy dogs such as GSDs and Rotts. When a Rott puppy becomes an adult, he will naturally become less active, so living in an apartment will not be much of a problem. However, a Rottweiler will still need sufficient daily exercise to prevent weight gain, since Rotts, being naturally heavyset, are very prone to obesity. Frequent Potty Time Because puppies have less control over their bladder, they will need to go to the bathroom very often — usually every 30 minutes to 1 hour. It is important to establish where the bathroom is for your puppy while he is still young. Ideally, train him to take a pee outside to avoid the difficulty of transitioning him from peeing inside to outside. Socialization Rottweilers are very social dogs; they love being with their owners all the time. Nevertheless, they are not very keen on other dogs, which is why socialization that starts from an early age is very important. Socialization lessens the manifestation of undesirable traits, the most prominent being aggression. As dogs who always like to see where their master is, Rottweilers can do well in a small space where they will not have to follow them around. But if you leave your Rott alone in the apartment for several hours, he may become bored and anxious and act out by destroying things, digging, barking incessantly, whining, or peeing everywhere. As a rule of thumb, do not leave your Rottweiler alone for more than 6 hours a day. And do not do this abruptly. Rather, transition slowly and in increments. If you have to leave him for longer than that, consider getting a dogsitter. Breed Restrictions Unfortunately, Rottweilers are also almost always included in the list of dog breeds that are prohibited in apartments. Always check with the management first to find out if they impose these restrictions or not. Neighbors Keep in mind that many people are fearful of big dogs in general, but more so of Rottweilers because of their popular reputation as aggressive dogs. While your dog may be well-mannered, you cannot always control how your neighbors will react in his presence. Both German Shepherds and RottweilerS are massive dogs, which is why many people often wonder if they are safe to be around children. Regardless, adult supervision is still always necessary. German Shepherds Can Be Wonderful Companions for Your Children If you search the Internet for photos of German Shepherds with children, you will most likely see a bunch of cute photos of kids cuddling these dogs. German Shepherds are natural protectors, having been bred originally as protectors of sheep and human properties. They are extremely loyal to their owners. This makes them an excellent breed to have around children! However, you need to set up your GSD for success first so that a safe, fun, and loving relationship can grow between your children and your dog. Below are some general pointers to remember that will foster a harmonious relationship between your GSD and your child: Socialization The best way to turn your GSD from an overprotective, fearful dog into a welcoming and friendly companion is to expose him to kids as early as possible. Actually, regardless of whether you have kids or not, socialization is a key part of training that is most responsible for a dog that is well-behaved around people other than the owner. If you have a child and you want to ensure that your dog will behave well around him or her, a great deal of consistent socialization is a must. The key is to expose your dog not just to your own kids but to other people — adults and children alike. This teaches your dog proper responses towards strangers, and that not everyone is out to get him. Begin socializing your puppy as soon as you get him home and be consistent about it. This is the only way that the training will be retained in your puppy for long. Training Obedience training and socialization go hand-in-hand. Both need to be introduced to your puppy as early as possible for the best possible behavior outcome. Similarly, a simple command can prevent any untoward incidents from occurring between your dog and your child. Simply put, a well-trained dog is a well-behaved dog. Be sure to read this comprehensive guide all about training your German Shepherd. This is most often true. GSDs are very active dogs, hence their energy must be spent on physical activities to prevent boredom and make them calmer afterwards. Giving them activities to do gives them a sense of accomplishment and channels their energy into appropriate places. In this respect, you will find that your German Shepherd is not too different than you are! Simply speaking, a dog that is well-exercised keeps the high energy at bay, thus preventing excited behavior from harming your child. If your dog is bursting with too much unspent energy, he will be rougher during playtime. He may jump on your child or playfully bite more often, which can lead to serious physical injuries. Unfortunately, many parents overlook this aspect, putting all the blame on the poor dog whenever ugly situations occur. A relationship must be a two-way street. Do not expect your dog to be perfect and always gentle if he is not being treated fairly in the first place! Many dog bites in America are caused by children teasing or being too rough on dogs. Supervision All dogs can be unpredictable. Even the most well-behaved dog on the planet can snap due to a seemingly random trigger. Always supervise their interactions. This is because both breeds are huge, intelligent guard dogs with an inherent desire to protect their owners. Born with a natural self-confidence and a watchful nature, Rottweilers can be excellent protectors of children. They are also goofy and playful, making them entertaining and rewarding pets for your kids. But for Rottweilers and children to hang out together peacefully, the same key principles must be followed: socialization, training, exercise, education, and supervision. The only difference, perhaps, is that Rottweilers need firmer obedience training because they have the tendency to be stubborn , especially the males. They are quite intelligent dogs that can pick up commands easily, but they are at times known to challenge their owners during training. Hence, training should be done early, firmly, and consistently. However, this also means they can become jealous easily when a new member enters the family. Male Rottweilers tend to mature slower than females. Female Rotts tend to be calmer and easier to command and may be more appropriate for your child. On the other hand, it can also be disaster for your kid. A simple excited jump can unintentionally knock down your child. While Rotts are sturdy and blocky, never allow your child to ride on their back as this can still hurt the dog. This is where your supervision matters. Never leave your Rottweiler and your child alone! Include your child in the training of your Rottweiler. Training should NEVER include any physical punishments such as hitting or pinning the dog to the ground. This is cruel and counterproductive and can lead to undesired behavior in your Rottweiler. This information might be useful if you have other dogs or cats in the house or are planning to bring home a new one. German Shepherds Can Coexist with Other Dogs Generally, German Shepherds can live peacefully with other dogs in the house provided that they have been socialized early. Socialization means exposing your GSD to other dogs, animals, people, places, and senses. This helps your dog adjust his behavior towards creatures other than him and teaches him the idea that not everything that moves is a prey. Socialization also reduces anxiety in your GSD, which can sometimes manifest as aggression. It helps your dog stay calm and confident in most situations. The key to a successful socialization that yields the best results is timing and consistency. Patience and consistency are key to making this successful. They view other dogs as threats or enemies. Sometimes, there are other reasons behind the aggression that are not covered by socialization training. These are the following: Your dog has experienced trauma or negative experiences from other dogs in the past. There is a sudden change in lifestyle or the environment, such as moving into another location or welcoming a new member of the family. While GSDs are generally adaptable and flexible, individual dogs can still exhibit different responses. Your dog is not spayed. In this case, the hormones responsible for the aggression are still active. Your dog is ill. For a more in-depth discussion on this topic, be sure to read this informative article: How to Socialize Your German Shepherd German Shepherds and Cats While the thought of a big dog with a high prey drive and a cautious cat together can be hard to imagine, the truth is that German Shepherds and cats can get along nicely most of the time. But it may still depend on the individual personalities of both animals and their past experiences which may shape their present reactions. The most obvious instances are chasing little animals such as squirrels and cats and biting or chewing furniture, or even your hand! Of course, with proper socialization between the two animals, coexistence is definitely possible. The keys to preventing a disastrous first meeting is to start slow , create a safe space for the cat where she can be protected from a potential attack e. Rottweilers and Other Dogs Rottweilers are territorial dogs, and they may have issues particularly with dogs of the same sex. Despite that, coexistence between a Rott and another dog in the household is definitely possible if the Rott has been exposed to other animals while he is young. The most important requirement for setting up a peaceful relationship between a Rott and another dog is your training and supervision. Armed with the knowledge that Rotts can have aggressive tendencies, it is your responsibility as the owner then to make sure that your dog is even-tempered. Muzzling Your Dog: Good or Bad? In fact, in some countries like Singapore , muzzling a Rottweiler or a German Shepherd is required when visiting public areas. Proper muzzling also requires training, so be sure to start at an early age so that your pup becomes accustomed to it. Waiting until your dog is older to muzzle train can be a traumatic experience for them. Always remember to supervise your dog at all times even if he is trained, as he can snap into instinctive protective behavior if he perceives something as a threat. Rottweilers and Cats Rottweilers and cats can live together peacefully inside the same house provided that they have been properly socialized together when they are young. It can be said that Rotts get along even better with cats than with other dogs of the same sex. The same guidelines in proper introductions apply: There must be a safe space for the cat to run to or hide. The dog must be leashed at the first meeting. Introduction must be gradual, starting with scents first and then slowly moving on to face-to-face meetings. All interactions must be supervised. What Are Their Grooming Requirements? German Shepherds and the Rottweiler have essentially the same grooming requirements with a few small differences. We will now highlight these differences below. Keep in mind, however, that German Shepherds will require more brushing because they are heavy shedders, which can be attributed to their thick double coats. A simple slicker brush like the Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush can effectively rake the finer undercoat of your dog. Nail trimming: Nails should not be overlooked in grooming dogs, as they can hurt the dog and its owners once they get too long. To trim the nails, you can either use clippers or a nail grinder. Dental care: Like humans, dogs also need their teeth cleaned to keep their breath fresh and to prevent mouth diseases. Ideally, brushing should be daily or at least several times a week using a dog-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste. Dental chews also help clean the teeth. Ear cleaning. Rottweilers have a flat, medium-length outer coat all over their bodies and an undercoat on the neck and thighs. However, it must still be done weekly to minimize shedding. Unlike GSDs, Rotts are only seasonal shedders , but they may shed moderately throughout the year. Some adult Rotts with dominant personalities may feel uncomfortable with being brushed all the way down the back. Unless your Rottweiler gets dirty very often, bathing every few months is enough. Toothbrushing and nail trimming must be done weekly. Because they are black dogs, they have black nails that are trickier to trim. Here is a straightforward video on how to trim black nails on a large dog: Grooming Pros and Cons.