golden retriever puppy calendar 2022

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. You turn your attention back to your computer screen and suddenly feel little teeth grabbing at your sock! You look down. Your once-angelic puppy is now having a full on game of tug-of-war with your pant leg! This cute baby is now more like a furry little monster. You get up and try to walk away, but the fur alligator is still attached, munching away at your trousers and having the best time! If this sounds like your life, read on to learn how to stop a puppy from biting. Why Do Puppies Bite? Believe it or not, this scenario is actually very common! Biting is one of the most natural things in the world to a young pup; and they do it for many reasons. You would be left with your feet and mouth to interact, taste and feel your environment. Now, what if you had puppy paws — incapable of grasping anything? That leaves you with one final way to interact — your mouth. For good measure, add in the incredible curiosity of a child. How many times do you see a baby grab things with their hands and pop them into the mouth? Puppies have that same mindset. Your mouth strength and play bite helped you communicate and determine your rank in society. Your mouthy mojo gave you respect in canine culture. Puppies interact with their surroundings largely through their mouths. Labradors, like most sporting breeds, have the drive to chase after prey, put it in their mouths, and bring it back to you. This translates into a strong need to chew. They will try this same tactic with their human pack members. If ignored, one bite on the toe is often enough to get the focus back on them. Remember, to a puppy even negative attention is still attention. Terrible Teething When you add teething into the mix, you have the recipe for a furry gator. Most pups will have an increased need to chew while teething , which can begin at 6 weeks and last to 8 months of age. Unlike teething, there is no magical age that puppies grow out of a learned mouthing behavior. Thankfully, with positive training, most dogs eventually lose interest in chewing on their owners. Types of Biting: Aggression or Play? Puppies use their teeth in many ways. However, this is actually just very intense play. Play biting can be accompanied with growling and snarling. This is just part of the fun to a young pup. Instead, we will look into how we can prevent playful mouthing. However, it is important to recognize the signs of aggression. Pay attention to the timing of the biting as well. If so, the motive behind the bite may be more aggressive. Could it be Resource Guarding? Some dogs also aggressively bite when they are guarding a toy or food item, commonly called resource guarding. With resource guarding, you will see the same behavior as aggressive biting, but they will also stand over an object and defend it from any perceived threat. If you think your puppy is behaving aggressively, seek professional help to learn how to actively manage this issue. In contrast to this, playing puppies will be relaxed and have a wiggly body. They will be bouncy, easily roll onto their backs and often be panting with open mouths. Even if they are growling, a relaxed face and body mean a happy puppy. What Can Trigger Biting? Do you really want your pound Labrador to target your hands as a toy later? Children Little kids tend to excite puppies more than adults. Children move erratically, run around, make strange sounds and have a lot more energy. Puppies can easily associate them with toys. Ankle Biters Puppies target fast moving objects that excite their prey drive. Your feet moving by at their eye level can be irresistible. After all, what self-respecting puppy would snub shoes with those floppy laces that are perfect for playing tug? How do we do this? Redirection with Hands When training your puppy, always have a toy to offer. Remember, puppies are like babies. Your job is to redirect them to fun toys instead of human skin. You must do everything possible to make toys extremely attractive so the puppy chooses them over your clothing, hands or feet. Redirection with Kids You can also use redirection around children. First, teach your puppy to use interactive toys and then show your child how to play with the puppy correctly. In the event that your dog forgets, teach your kids to be a tree when their puppy begins to bite them or their clothes. This position makes them less interactive to the puppy. They look boring and the puppy will lose interest. Most bites occur because the child is running or moving erratically. Remember, dogs have the same prey triggers as wolves. If something is running away, it looks like prey. Your job, therefore, is to have an even more amazing toy than your feet. You can take a toy, tie it to a rope, and then tie the rope to your belt so that you are dragging the toy whenever your pup is out. If your puppy is coming for your feet, stop moving them and wave the toy around excitedly instead. Once the pup is attached to the toy, you can start walking again. This way, they will pounce on the toy instead of you! Bite inhibition simply means that the puppy learns not to apply too much force behind their teeth. They apply gentle, but firm, pressure to their greeting. Puppies also learn to limit this pressure with their mouths by feedback from pack members. When puppies are little, they learn bite inhibition through play with their siblings. If two pups are tussling, and one bites down too hard, the other puppy yelps loudly. This startling sound usually causes the offending party to let go. The play stops for a few minutes, as the first pup nurses his wounded ego. Play then resumes, but with less brutality. Instead, let the puppy release your hand and then simply get up and and move away from your pup while ignoring them. Your job is to teach them when they bite down on you, the fun stops. Ignore them for about a minute, then return and resume the play and praise them when they focus on the toy. If they bite you too hard again, repeat this process. You can either step over a puppy barrier or go into another room and shut the door. Just make sure they are in a puppy-proof area, as they may take out their frustration on inappropriate household items. You can also keep the puppy on a leash while playing with them. If they bite you, you can calmly tether them to something and then walk out of their reach. Your goal is to correct the puppy only by taking away your fun presence. You should not be threatening or angry. Give them the appropriate time out from the fun interaction to settle down, and then come back with a toy to redirect their energy. Once they understand they have to be gentle, you can then start to ask more of them by ending the game with lighter and lighter pressure on your skin. Finally, you can take the game to the highest standard — no teeth on human skin at all. If you slowly progress to this over weeks, you teach your pup to have a soft mouth. If they do feel the need to put their teeth on a human, they know not to put much pressure into their bite. You need to teach your puppy that human skin is fragile and requires a softer touch than a canine interaction. Your goal for this exercise should be to help your puppy understand that the play and fun things continue as long as they keep their teeth on their toy and not on you! More Ways to Stop Your Puppy Biting While the yelp and time-out method works for most pups, there are additional ways to reinforce good behavior. When your puppy bites your hand, they get a terrible taste. You can use anti-chewing sprays like Bitter Apple to make your hands less appealing. When your puppy bites you, be still and wait for them to react to the bitter taste. When they let go, praise them and redirect them onto a treat or toy. You want the crate to always be associated with only good things. Crates also should be in the middle of the household, with the rest of the pack — not isolated. This is the same way other canine pack members would isolate them. A laundry room or puppy pen works well for this exercise. Make sure the room is comfortable and safe for your puppy. When the puppy is too stimulated, calmly put him in the room with some teething toys and leave. Teaching them interactive games like fetch or bringing you a toy to tug helps show them that they can have even more fun when they play by your rules. Positive play helps develop a bond with your dog. You never want to avoid it, you just want to show them how to play without biting you. Teaching puppies to retrieve objects helps to tire them out, gives them something positive to chase, and focuses their bite on an appropriate item. Plus, most Labradors are pretty good at retrieving! Remember, anytime we ask a puppy to stop a behavior, it should be because they are rewarded in an even more exciting and positive way for doing something else and things our way. The following video shows how. Video: How to Stop a Puppy from Biting This video shows how to use clicker training to stimulate a puppy in situations where they normally would bite; and then reward them when they choose a closed mouth and calm interaction. Dominant Puppies Dogs are individuals. However, as puppies mature, there may be the rare pup that uses biting as a way to take charge. Dominant puppies may bite to show you that they want to be the boss as they mature. This happens naturally among littermates, as all packs have a pecking order. This reinforces to them that you are backing down and that they are the leader in the relationship. Always remain calm and assertive with your puppy, but end the game as soon as they begin vying for leadership instead of playing. Remember, the alternative to not training your dog is a large animal putting his mouth on people. Be patient with your puppy. Remember, mouthing and biting are normal parts of canine culture. If you stay patiently positive, train consistently, and redirect and reward good behavior, you will soon see a puppy that learns to bring you a tug toy instead of shredding your trousers. It is not intended to be nor can it be considered actionable professional advice. It must not be used as an alternative to seeking professional advice from a veterinarian or other certified professional. Please consult a professional before taking any course of action with any medical, health or behavioral related issue. Helps ease anxiety in their new home. We love using Bully Sticks to help divert these unwanted behaviors. For a list of all the supplies we get for our new service dog puppies check out our New Puppy Checklist on the PuppyInTraining. This awful biting time with puppies seems like it will go on for ever, but actually it only lasts a few weeks - mostly by the time the new teeth have come through, at about four to five months, the biting stops, and soon you will find you have a dog with a gentle mouth. You may not realize it, but your puppy is already being careful to some extent - if you have ever fed a puppy a raw chicken wing, for instance, you will know that he would be completely capable of biting right through your fingers, if he really wanted to. He is already pulling his punches, and now just needs your help to learn that human skin is more delicate than the thick fur of his mother and siblings. Your puppy sounds like he gets wound up and overtired the mad running around the house. This is the time a crate or quiet area can work wonders. Stay calm, keep giving him toys and chews to chomp on instead of your hands, refuse to interact with him when he bites you - even a second or two of no attention will help him to realize you really don't like it. Grabbing his cheeks and pulling him obviously doesn't work, he probably thinks it's some kind of game, and the attention you are inadvertently bestowing on him in that way seems to be making the situation worse.It will help if you teach him what you DO want, which is calm, gentle behaviour. Don't forget to praise him quietly and calmly when he is being good and quiet. I found holding one end of a chew such as a bully stick , so that we were interacting without him actually hurting me, helped. I also found that working out a routine was very helpful, so that we would go outside to play, then he would have his food, go out again to pee, then I would put him in his bed in the crate or behind a gate for a rest. Don't panic, this is very normal puppy behaviour, and I guarantee it will pass. You will get there. In a couple of months you'll be telling us what a delight he is.Print How to stop your puppy from biting your hands and feet — fast! Have you ever watched a litter of retriever puppies play with each other? They are all mouths and feet as they growl, bite and paw at each other. Over time, if left to it, each pup will naturally figure out their place in the pack. However, when you bring your Lab puppy home there are no longer littermates with whom to tussle. And the result is often that your Lab puppy will start biting and growling at you! The problem is that puppy teeth are sharp. Very sharp! And when your puppy bites you, even if they are playing, it hurts. So, what can you do to stop this behavior before it gets out of hand and you find yourself or someone in your family injured by your puppy? Before I go any further, I want to be clear about what we are talking about. You should seek professional help and evaluation. Why puppies bite and growl Puppy play is a kind of training for a dog as they grow and mature. It is also a way that dogs determine rank within a group. Remember, dogs are pack animals. In a pack there is only one Alpha lead dog. Every other dog is under the authority and control of that dog. No two dogs share the same rank. So, while biting and growling starts as play, it does not stay that way. All dogs, whether in a group of dogs or a human family, want to understand their place in the family. They need to know their place. It helps they be more mentally balanced and will help solve a multitude of behavioral problems. Once a puppy or dog understands where they rank in the pack, they often assume that place, at least for a while. Remember, they are dogs. They are not robots so occasionally they may challenge their position, but if the boundary remains clear, the challenge is short lived. Biting, nipping and playful growling at a human can become a challenge of dominance. If your puppy is young, you can quickly and easily end this behavior by establishing boundaries and consistently enforcing these boundaries each and every time your puppy shows this type of behavior. If you have let this behavior go on for a while, you may be in for quite a fight to take back your authority. Biting is not the same as chewing A puppy biting your hand or feet is not the same as a puppy chewing on a shoe, toy or other item. All puppies have a need to chew. As their puppy teeth grow and their adult teeth come in, it is common for dogs to chew on things to relieve the pain and help the new teeth to come in. This should not be discouraged, but rather encouraged on an appropriate item like a chew toy, nylabone or rawhide. And if this works, this is an appropriate solution. Instead, it is likely an issue of dominance. How to stop puppy from biting you Biting is just one puppy dominance behavior. There are many others such as jumping on you, putting a paw on your feet, and lifting and placing paws on your arms or legs. The behaviors I have listed are often gateway behaviors that escalate into more aggressive or troublesome behaviors like stealing food off your plate or the counter, pushing you out of the way when going through doors and pulling you around on a lead. Start by establishing firm boundaries The first step to stopping your puppy from biting or mouthing you is to set up firm boundaries for your puppy. You can set these up for not only biting but for all dominance behaviors. So, what is a boundary? Well, here are some examples. Some people we have worked with are okay with their puppy mouthing their hand as long as there is no tooth pressure. If you feel the same way, then make that a boundary. But if there is any tooth pressure, a swift and consistent correction will follow. This boundary is stronger and does not give the dog any room for confusion. In fact, they often will understand what your boundaries are but will test that standard against everyone else in the family. Each person needs to set and enforce boundaries. React with firm consistent corrections After you establish the boundary, you now need to react every time your puppy or dog crosses that boundary. Each and every time! There can be no room for confusion. Your corrections must be swift and consistent. Not all dogs react to the same level of pressure. For some dogs, this squeeze and strong words will be all it takes to stop the behavior. Especially if you are consistent in your correction. But some dogs have a stronger or more challenging personality. This will give your puppy a taste of his own medicine since his puppy teeth are sharp and will pinch into his lips or flews. You must be consistent. How long will it take to stop my puppy from biting me? If you are firm and consistent, the behavior should stop for the most part in a day or two. Some dogs require more pressure, some less. Your puppy should feel some discomfort. That is okay. The point is to show your puppy that biting hurts and that it is not an acceptable behavior. When nothing seems to work If you puppy is a bit older and has been getting away with biting and mouthing you for a while, you may struggle to end this behavior. Often the problem is a strong dominance issue that needs to be addressed. If your puppy continues to snap or bite at you even after a correction, you likely need to exert some dominance over your puppy. This is similar to what a mommy dog does to a puppy that is not behaving. Humans can do the same thing to show dominance over a rebellious puppy. I know, it sound a bit ridiculous but it really does work. Instead, remain calm and patient. Stay in control. Reacting with emotion can lead to strong reactions or punishment that you will later regret. The point is to show your dog that you are the Alpha in the relationship, and you can and will determine what behavior is acceptable. Biting is not love As a professional dog trainer, I am always surprised at what some of clients consider appropriate behavior. Some owners feel that setting boundaries and enforcing those boundaries means that you do not love your dog. That you need to accept all dog behaviors otherwise you do not love your dog. This is a false and faulty mindset. We have seen clients who have been injured by their dog multiple times and they still refuse to take steps to end the behavior. That is not love. What if the next person that dog bites is a child? Would you be able to live with that? A dog that is allowed to continue harming humans is only one bite away from having to be put down. It may sound harsh, but it is the sad truth. Some people may argue that the dog is unable to understand what they are doing is wrong. This is not based on reality. Dogs are very smart. They can learn to do amazing things and become incredible hunting partners and family companions. But they rarely achieve this potential without an owner who cares enough to set boundaries and enforce them. Final thoughts on how to stop my puppy biting me all the time You can stop your puppy from biting you and others if you are willing to take the steps necessary to make your dog understand that biting is not an acceptable behavior. A firm consistent correction each and every time your puppy bites will quickly teach your puppy to stop biting. These corrections will not harm your relationship with your puppy, but will, in fact, enhance it. Your puppy will quickly learn where the boundaries are and how to operate within those boundaries. We see it time and again, once a puppy is taught that there are boundaries, they quickly adjust and become wonderful loving and obedient family members. Help, my Lab puppy keeps biting me! Calm puppy behavior. Conflicting advice on how to stop your pup biting Many articles will tell you to ignore a puppy when he bites and to offer him a toy instead. Some people will tell you to punish your biting puppy. Others will tell you that you must not stop your puppy biting too suddenly, or punish him for biting, for fear of drastic consequences later. So who is right, and who is wrong? Does ignoring stop your puppy biting? Many new puppy owners try to ignore the biting puppy initially. This failure tends to be for one or more of the following reasons. Does noise stop puppy biting? There is no doubt that a sufficiently loud squeal, followed by immediate withdrawal of attention, will cause many Labrador puppies to break off from biting. Sometimes long enough for a skilled owner to then redirect the puppy into a more appropriate activity. There is also no doubt that for some puppies, this has the reverse effect, and causes them to bite harder and more fiercely. A puppy that has spent sufficient time with his Mum, may be more likely to take heed of this verbal warning, as he will expect it to be followed by a sharp click of her teeth and a fiercer rebuke if he ignores her. But there are no guarantees here. And the fact is, squealing simply does not work as an effective anti-biting strategy, for some puppies. Punishing the puppy to stop biting I have heard, even quite experienced, breeders tell new puppy owners to punish their puppy if he bites. Either by intimidating the puppy with an angry growling voice, or even with physical punishment such as a scruff shake or slap. But there are problems with this approach. This process is called bite inhibition. And the use of punishment may curtail all biting rather than just the hardest, most painful, bites. Nowadays many people like to train dogs without punishment. And there are strong reasons for joining them — check out this article — the downside of punishing dogs. Teaching puppy to stop biting Why would we want to teach dogs to bite humans gently? Why is it not best to teach them not to bite at all, right from the start? The idea of reducing biting gradually was popularised by Ian Dunbar. The theory is that a dog which learns to inhibit his bite i. You can read more about bite inhibition here: Labrador Puppies Biting. The concept is a sound one, and most canine behaviorists agree that teaching gradual bite inhibition is a good thing. The problem for many new puppy owners, is stopping those painful bites in the first place! The first step is not a technique at all, but an adjustment in the expectations that we have of a small puppy How much do Lab puppies bite? New puppy owners tend to have false expectations of puppies. They also anticipate that stopping a puppy from biting will be a fairly quick and simple matter. None of these expectations is true. Most puppies bite hard, frequently and growl fiercely whilst they are doing it. This noise is not a sign of aggression see Help my puppy is aggressive. Stopping a puppy from biting is a process, a journey. And it can be temporarily an uncomfortable one! It is important to accept that there is no guaranteed way of stopping biting immediately. Indeed, as we have seen, bite prevention rather than inhibition may be a bad thing in any case. Supervise your puppy around children Once you have got your head around the fact that this process will take some time, that it will be a gradual thing, you need to think about how you are going to protect any children that might come into contact with the puppy. This is important because small children can, both hurt and, be hurt by small biting puppies. Calm your puppy to stop him biting The next priority is to keep your puppy calm. Overexcited puppies bite harder and more frequently than less excited puppies. This will merely start the biting up all over again. There are lots of ways to interact with puppies without physically playing with them. Check out our article on playing safely with your dog. What to do when a puppy bites When your puppy bites you really hard, take immediate action. Stand up, move away from him and completely withdraw your attention. You can try the squeal thing if you want to. This works well with some puppies. Be ready for it, and repeat your actions. If the puppy chases after you, biting at your legs and feet, step over a baby gate, or pop him in his crate for a few minutes. You can read up on this process in more detail in this article: How to cope with biting. Remember, puppies enjoy chewing , and teething puppies need to chew on something. Whilst you and your clothing are not suitable chew toys, you need to provide your puppy with alternatives, like Kong toys. How to stop your puppy biting Biting is normal Biting should be inhibited in stages Training takes time The key points to take away from this are that biting is normal, and that training a puppy not to bite takes time. Stop the painful bites first, then work on putting a stop to mouthing. If what you are doing is not working, you probably just need to be more patient and persistent. If your children are suffering, you need to separate and supervise. Work hard on keeping your puppy calm — it makes the biggest difference. How to teach your puppy bite inhibition. To make sure your puppy stays out of trouble, when he comes home it is your job to put the finishing touches to his bite inhibition ability. This is especially important if he does not have a great deal of access to playing with other dogs. The right way to stop your puppy biting All puppies bite. And biting hurts! Puppies have very sharp teeth and they bite really firmly. Often making fierce growling noises whilst they do so. You may be tempted to correct your puppy firmly for biting, after all, he needs to know it is wrong to bite people! A process that will help you put an end to biting, even though it takes a little longer. Conflicting advice is very confusing, and the best way to be confident in what you are doing is often to drill down to the reasons behind each approach. And studies suggest that if good bite inhibition ability is not acquired by the time a puppy is around five months old, it may never be achieved. Stopping your puppy biting! Some people, including some experienced dog breeders , will recommend that you simply stop your puppy from biting by firmly correcting him each time he does so. Some will even advise physical punishment. And it does. So this might seem like a sensible course of action. But there is a problem here. Suddenly stopping puppies from biting may give you a fast result, at the expense of some more important aims. One problem with correcting a puppy for biting is that the puppy quickly learns to be selective about who he bites. This is very important in families with children where puppies will often bite children ferociously, long after they have learned that biting grown ups has an undesirable and even painful consequence. Being completely prevented from even gentle biting, may mean that the puppy does not learn just how much force is safe to use on people. Why is bite inhibition for puppies so important? The trouble is, stopping biting is not the same as learning to control biting. The concern is that preventing the puppy from learning advanced bite inhibition may cause him to harm a human. Perhaps much later in life, when his bite is much more powerful and potentially dangerous. The answer is that there are triggers for biting, that may cause any dog, no matter how nice, to bite. Those triggers are fear, and pain. Many dogs that are injured, will bite for example. Many perfectly nice dogs that are trapped and tormented by a toddler, will eventually bite. We can do our best to make sure that our dog is never injured or tormented, but we cannot always be sure of protecting him. One day he may be hurt or badly teased, his growl of warning may be ignored. Small children are especially vulnerable in this kind of situation, as they fail to recognise the intention of a growling dog. If your dog is forced to defend himself, he may do what dogs do in this situation, and bite. Or at the very least, their homes. Most dog bites are not serious Although many people get bitten by dogs, fortunately, most dog bites are not serious. The reason for this is that most dogs do have good bite inhibition. So that if he is ever put in the awful situation of having to defend himself, he is able to pull his punches and give a mild warning bite. Essentially, by teaching good bite inhibition to our puppies, we are doing what we can to ensure that their bite is always inhibited. And never the bone crushing, devastating bite that a fully grown dog is capable of. How to teach your puppy bite inhibition What you will be doing is providing your dog with numerous opportunities to find that really painful bites are not rewarding for him. This means ending any game or cuddle, and if necessary removing yourself from his presence. Some puppies will stop biting if you squeak, squeal or yelp, and many people recommend that you do this. By all means try this. But be aware, the noise has no effect on some puppies and is encouraging to others. Your main trump card is the thing your puppy wants more than anything else — your attention. The rule for the first month is Withdraw all attention from the puppy for very hard bites Allow less painful biting and mouthing This is teaching him to reduce the force or pressure that he applies with his jaws. As a rough guide, aim for eliminating all painful biting by around three months of age Persistence and repetition in stopping your puppy biting Persistent repetition is the key. This is a process, not an event. If you correct the puppy for biting, be careful not to frighten him so much that he stops biting altogether. He needs to work through this learning process. Most experts now agree that it is better not to use correction at all for this process. Once you have withdrawn your attention for a short while, offer the puppy a toy to bite on or play with. Or let him sit on your lap and chew on a toy whilst you hold on to the other end. And become much more sensitive about how hard your puppy can bite. Until by about four or five months old, he is no more than gently mouthing at your hands. At this point, all force or pressure in his bite should be eliminated. The final stage of teaching bite inhibition Of course, mouthing is not acceptable in an adult dog. And the last phase in our training puts an end to mouthing. But as your kids approach the puppy, he starts biting and nipping them, causing a few surprised cries. The AKC says Labradors are an affectionate breed, treating adults, children, and other animals like family without causing any trouble. Labradors are easy to train and receptive to learning new commands since their main goal is to please their families. Do All Labrador Puppies Bite? As your new puppy settles into their new home, they are many stimulants, and he needs time to get to know your family, its new surroundings, and that not all slippers are a toy. Just as when people move to a new house, city, or country, your new Labrador puppy is exploring the world. This process will take a few weeks, so be patient. But what happens when he suddenly starts biting you and your kids? Every family that gets lab puppies faces this challenge. Although your puppy is only a few pounds, Labrador puppy biting is still painful. Many owners worry that the behavior will continue into adulthood, especially when biting becomes an ongoing issue. The good news is that there is usually a short time frame that you have to experience this. So in reality, Labrador puppy biting is primarily instinctual. Reason 1: Teething Puppies Sometimes, a Lab puppy biting is simply due to teething. Teething is uncomfortable, so your pup likely just wants to relieve that discomfort in any way possible. If that means biting a chew toy or your fingers, then so be it. Once your Lab puppy has its teeth, it might stop biting and nipping. You can help ease his comfort by offering him teething toys for puppies, like frozen chew toys. Reason 2: Excitement Biting Behavior Your new Lab puppy could get excited by just about anything: Your kids squealing, shouting, or crying, and adults shouting or being angry can set off your Lab puppy biting with its sharp teeth. The solution: Deter your puppy from biting you by redirecting him to what he can bite, like a toy. Reason 3: Biting for Attention Most Labrador puppies are receptive to conditioning and positive reinforcement. Dog lovers know that dogs crave attention from their families, but Lab puppies are extreme attention seekers. They love any form of contact with their families, whether playing, petting, or even just eye contact. So if your pup gets these responses from you while biting, he will interpret them as attention. The solution: Stop giving your puppy the attention he wants when he bites so he learns not to associate the two. When puppies are with their mom and siblings, the mom teaches them how hard they can bite each other without it being too painful through play fighting. Your Lab puppy learns how to calibrate strength based on his own family experience. Do Labrador Puppies Bite Children? One major adjustment is the play-biting: A small Lab puppy has a powerful bite and can cause pain, especially to such sensitive skin. The downside is that Lab puppies are more likely to bite children and teenagers than adults. It all comes down to learning how to interact with the puppy. Children and teenagers are inherently more confusing for a Lab puppy. The great news is that you can stop your Lab puppy from biting your kids through consistent training, but the training should be on both sides. Your kids also need to learn how to play and interact with the puppy, understanding its boundaries and playing just enough to keep them from overexciting. You plan to throw a chew toy into the yard for him to chase — but before you can throw it, he suddenly starts nipping and tugging at your hands while making odd puppy sounds that sound dangerously close to snarling. You might also be worried that you have a puppy displaying aggressive biting behavior. Most of the time, they mean no harm and just need a little training to control it! Without the proper guidance and education, many of these methods might be wrong: Instead of discouraging your puppy from biting, you could unintentionally reinforce it. Puppy Biting Tip 1: Discourage Play Biting Whatever stage of puppy development your adorable pup is in, he will always crave attention. If you encourage and reward play biting, he will associate it with attention, praise, and treats, causing him to do it more. So if your puppy has entered its biting phase and is displaying rough or aggressive behavior, stop yourself from giving any reaction. Simply follow rigid training steps, and it will eventually stop. Although that might be very hard to do because a Lab puppy is so adorable, you will thank yourself in the future for doing this. In fact, it might even make things worse. When you punish your Labrador, he might learn to fear you. This can worsen the biting and lead to your puppy developing more aggressive behavior as an adult. Some people also do a light swat on their puppies when they misbehave. When your pup starts biting, remain calm and follow positive training methods rather than negative ones. This is especially true when it comes to a nipping Labrador puppy. While a biting puppy is normal puppy behavior, without proper training and techniques, your Labrador might bite well into adulthood. Step 1: Teach Small Children Boundaries The first step in your training routine should be teaching your kids how to interact with the puppy. But if they start barking and biting out of excitement, you must stop playing with them immediately. Instead, pick up the toy and step away. Bite inhibition is when you teach your puppy how much is too much. After that time-out, you can return to the room and resume whatever activity you were doing. As your puppy learns to bite with less intensity, you can start training it not to put your hand in its mouth. This training takes time, so be patient, and you will see a positive result. Step 4: Reinforce with Additional Training You can also use other training techniques to reinforce positive behavior. Move your hand closer to the puppy and follow the same technique. If the puppy bites you, walk away from it. As you train the puppy to tolerate your hand getting closer to it without biting, you can finally keep your puppy calm and play safely without causing overstimulated biting. Puppies and dogs might go back to their bad habits if you change how you interact with them, so being consistent is crucial. Remember that children tend to take more time to learn training steps, so always reinforce the boundaries and supervise them during playtime in the early training days. Be patient and give your puppy time to learn. Seek help from professional trainers. Professional dog trainers are experienced in redirection, toy-play, and bite inhibition training to give you helpful tips and tricks. Take your puppy to puppy school. There are hundreds of puppy schools and programs that teach puppies good manners. Remember to never punish your puppy for biting. Invest in some good toys, such as different chew toys or Kong toys, so you always have something to redirect him towards. Conclusion Whether teething, scared or just excited, most Labrador Retriever puppies bite for various reasons. Unfortunately, those sharp little puppy teeth can hurt — so if you notice some unwanted biting from your Lab puppy, you should immediately start training him into different behavior. Learn more about what we do and check out our available Labrador puppies today! Share on.

They can be found under Available Puppies. Just like all the other toy and miniature poodles we specialize in breeding, our black poodle puppies are of a quality unlike any others you will find. Please keep in mind that just as we have high standards for our poodles, we have in many ways even higher standards for the homes and owners we send them to. We want each of our black poodles to go to an owner who we know will appreciate and care for the dog as much as we do. In order to help us make a decision on why you may be the right person for one of our black poodles, we ask that you kindly fill out our Puppy Application form to provide us with some initial information. We look forward to learning more about you and why you hope to bring one of our lovely toy poodles into your home. Before applying, however, we invite you to browse our selection of black poodle puppies for sale to learn more about them. You will be able to view pictures and learn about their temperament, birth date, size, and more! Explore our website today to learn more about our black poodle puppies and our history of toy poodle breeding in general, and please contact us if you have any questions! Also called Barbone and Caniche, the teacup-toy Poodle is an intelligent and loyal breed. If you want a best friend who is big enough to keep up with your adventures but small enough to ride in your lap, this energetic dog may be a match for you. Affectionate, eager, and playful, they are ready and willing to do what it takes to make you happy. Their intelligence makes them relatively easy to train, and early socialization will help your pup grow to be calm and happy around pets, children, and unfamiliar people. They are a delightful all-around dog that has such strong qualities, it has been a parent breed for dozens of hybrid breeds. Their eyes are dark and brilliant and reveal their intelligence. Their nose is refined at the end of a long, narrow snout, and their teeth meet in a strong scissor bite. A miniature variation dictates that Teacup-Toy Poodles will have a squarely-built body with a deep chest and muscled shoulders. Their stance is elegant but sturdy, and their tail stands straight up. Their hair is typically dense, curly, and even wiry. Their coats come in many colors: White. Ask for Our 'Special Order' Option. Teacup Poodle puppies are one of the most impressive dogs in the canine world. Not only are teacup Poodles extremely friendly and affectionate to their owners, these loveable beauties vibe well with young children, strangers, and other dogs. Our delightful toy puppies are also incredibly clever and easy to train. After learning a few tricks, our adorable teacup Poodles will keep you entertained for hours with their playfulness. Are you ready to open your heart and home to your fur-ever friend? Have a look at our available Toy Poodle puppies for sale, or contact us for information about our upcoming litters or the special order option. Temperament: Poodles are highly intelligent and adaptable dogs that are known for their delightful temperament. They are playful, affectionate, and loyal companions that make wonderful pets for individuals and families alike. One of the most notable characteristics of the Poodle temperament is their intelligence. They are quick learners and excel at obedience training and other forms of mental stimulation. Poodles are also highly adaptable and can thrive in a variety of living situations, from apartments to larger homes. In addition to their intelligence, Poodles are also affectionate and loving dogs that form strong bonds with their owners. They are known for being highly attuned to their human's emotions and can be extremely intuitive and sensitive to their needs. This makes them great companions for people who are looking for a loyal and loving pet. Poodles are also highly sociable dogs that enjoy spending time with their owners and meeting new people and pets. They are outgoing and friendly, making them great pets for families with children or other pets. Poodles also have a playful side to their nature and enjoy games and activities that involve interaction and engagement with their owners. Overall, the Poodle temperament is highly desirable, making them one of the most popular breeds in the world. Their intelligence, adaptability, and loving nature make them wonderful pets for a wide range of people and lifestyles, and their endearing personalities are sure to bring joy and companionship to any household. Available Puppies Appearance: Poodles are a distinctive breed known for their elegant and sophisticated appearance. They come in four sizes: standard, miniature, and toy, and teacup and have a variety of coat colors including white, black, brown, silver, apricot, and red. One of the most notable features of the Poodle is their unique coat. Poodles have a dense, curly coat that is hypoallergenic, meaning they are a great choice for people with allergies. Their curly coat is also water-resistant, which makes them excellent swimmers. Poodles have a long, narrow muzzle and oval-shaped eyes that convey a sense of intelligence and alertness. They have long, furry ears that hang close to their head, giving them a regal and elegant appearance. Poodles also have a long, slender neck that flows smoothly into their well-proportioned body. Another defining characteristic of the Poodle is their distinctive gait. They have a springy and energetic step, and their movements are graceful and fluid. This, combined with their elegant appearance, gives Poodles a sense of aristocratic refinement. Overall, the Poodle is a visually striking breed that boasts a unique and sophisticated appearance. Their curly coat, elegant body structure, and distinctive gait make them one of the most recognizable and beloved dog breeds in the world. Learn more Exercise Poodles are active and energetic dogs that require regular exercise to maintain their physical and mental well-being. While the amount of exercise they require may vary depending on their size and age, all Poodles need daily exercise to keep them healthy and happy. A typical exercise routine for a Poodle may include a brisk walk or jog in the morning and evening, along with some playtime or training sessions during the day. Poodles also enjoy playing fetch, running around in a securely fenced yard, or going on leisurely hikes with their owners. In addition to physical exercise, Poodles also benefit from mental stimulation. They are highly intelligent and require mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. Puzzle toys, obedience training, and other forms of mental stimulation can help keep Poodles mentally stimulated and engaged. It's important to keep in mind that Poodles can be prone to weight gain, especially as they age. Regular exercise not only helps to keep them physically fit but also provides them with mental stimulation and helps to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors. Monitoring their diet and exercise routine closely is crucial to prevent them from becoming overweight or obese. Overall, Poodles are active and energetic dogs that require regular exercise to maintain their physical and mental health. With the right amount of exercise, attention, and care, Poodles can live long, healthy, and happy lives. Learn more History The Poodle is an ancient breed with a history that dates back several centuries. While the exact origins of the breed are unclear, it is believed that they originated in Germany, where they were known as the "Pudel," which translates to "splash in water. Their unique coat, which is hypoallergenic and water-resistant, made them well-suited for this task. Over time, Poodles also became popular as circus performers and were trained to perform tricks and acrobatics. During the 16th century, Poodles became popular with European nobility and were frequently depicted in paintings and artwork of the time. They were also a popular choice for the court of Louis XVI, and were often seen in his court as well as other royal courts in Europe. In the 19th century, Poodles were standardized into three different sizes: standard, miniature, and toy. This allowed for greater versatility in the breed, and they became popular as companions and family pets. Today, Poodles are one of the most popular breeds in the world and are beloved for their intelligence, affectionate nature, and distinctive appearance. They continue to be used as retrievers and are also trained for a variety of activities, including obedience, agility, and therapy work. Learn more Maintenance Poodles require regular maintenance to keep their distinctive curly coat in good condition. Their curly coat can easily become matted and tangled, so it's important to brush and groom them regularly to prevent this from happening. The frequency of grooming will depend on the length of the Poodle's coat. For example, a Poodle with a shorter clip may only need to be groomed every six to eight weeks, while a Poodle with a longer coat may need to be groomed every four to six weeks. Regular brushing is also important for Poodle maintenance. Brushing helps to remove any loose or dead hair from their coat, as well as prevent matting and tangles. Poodles with longer coats may need to be brushed daily, while those with shorter coats may only need to be brushed a few times a week. Bathing is another important aspect of Poodle maintenance. Poodles should be bathed every three to four weeks, or more frequently if they get particularly dirty or smelly. It's important to use a dog-specific shampoo that won't irritate their skin or strip their coat of its natural oils. Poodle maintenance also involves regular nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth brushing. Their nails should be trimmed every two to three weeks, their ears should be cleaned weekly, and their teeth should be brushed several times a week to prevent dental issues. Overall, Poodles require regular maintenance to keep them healthy, happy, and looking their best. Consistent grooming, brushing, bathing, and other forms of maintenance can help prevent common issues like matting and tangling, and keep them looking and feeling great. These tiny little pups are loyal and loving and can fit just about anywhere! Also intelligent, the Teacup Poodle will keep you on your toes and carries many of the same characteristics as their standard sized parents. This breed is selectively bred and is a variation of the Toy Poodle. The only difference between the Toy Poodle and the Teacup Poodle is their size, so we can look to the Toy Poodle for a lot of information about the Teacup. Breed Origin The Poodle is one of the most popular dogs in the world and is in fact one of the oldest pure bred dogs. These dogs originated in Germany and were originally bred to be a working and gun dog that made the perfect hunting dog. The Poodle has a waterproof coat and great retrieving talents. Nowadays, this breed is more known as a lapdog rather than a working dog. They are bred in smaller breeds so that more people can enjoy having a Poodle as a best friend. The Teacup variation of this breed has been selectively bred from the Toy Poodle and must be under 9 inches in height and less than 6 pounds in weight to qualify as a Teacup. Teacup puppies are normally born in litters of one to two, although occasionally there can be more. They weigh around 2 pounds when born and will only grow to around 5 pounds once fully grown. They also are always under 9 inches in height. This is because of the selective breeding process and the fact that there are fewer dogs in every litter. Although there are no official breed standards, the general rule of thumb is that a Teacup Poodle is 9 inches in height and they weigh less than 6 pounds, whereas a Toy breed is less than 10 inches. Their breed is very elegant looking, no matter the size, and they always stand poised. Their eyes are also small, dark and are always alert and they have a long muzzle with floppy furry ears. Coat Their coat is curled and thick and they do not shed any fur. This means they are a hypoallergenic dog and are perfect for those with allergies. Unlike other Poodle mix dogs who may have a mixture of different fur colors, this dog only comes in solid colors. This way, you can determine whether you are being sold a purebred Poodle or not. They are extremely loving and make great companions for everyone, including individuals, families and the elderly. Because of their size, too, they fit into many different environments and will do well in apartments and in city living and also in large homes in the country or in open-spaced environments. Their exercise needs are not great, although they do get bored very easily and do not like to be left alone. If they are left alone for too long they will begin to suffer from separation anxiety and exhibit destructive behaviors. Lifespan The life expectancy of a Teacup dog is relatively long. These dogs can be expected to live anywhere between 12 to 14 years. Some of these problems are similar to the issues that may be carried by their standard sized ancestors due to their genetic similarities. These include: Progressive Retinal Atrophy PRA — this is an eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye. Dysplasia — this is normally seen in large dogs but can affect different joints in the body. Also, because of their selective breeding and small size, they are also prone to some other health issues. You should always check with the breeder you are buying from to see whether the dogs show any signs of these problems. The three most common are hypoglycemia low blood sugar , heart defects and patella luxation. Patella luxation is a common condition in smaller dogs and is caused when the patella is not properly aligned. This can cause lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, sort of like a skip or a hop. To ensure you identify the signs of any of these issues early, ensure you take your dog to the vet for regular checkups. Daily Life Fortunately, taking care of a Teacup Poodle in day-to-day life is not too challenging. They do not have as many needs as other sizes of the Poodle breed. Food And Diet Because they are small dogs , their food needs are not huge. Experts recommend that you feed your Teacup Poodle approximately calories per day, which is the equivalent to approximately 1 cup of high quality dry kibble per day. You should try them on a diet that is specially formulated for toy sized breeds, so you are ensuring that they get the right nutrients. You can also reward them with treats when they exhibit good behavior, as well as fruit snacks. Exercise The Teacup Poodle does not have great exercise needs, because of their size. Despite this, they still need to be walked every day. Exercising your dog can be a great way to bond with them and increase mental stimulation, as well as allowing them to experience new sights and sounds. Experts recommend you take your Teacup Poodle for no more than a 30 minute short walk a day. It is best that you split the walk into three so they do not over exert themselves. This way you could take them in the morning, in the middle of the day and in the evening and you could vary the locations to give your dog new experiences. Your dog will also benefit from toys at home that will increase bonding time with you. Keep in mind that a Teacup Poodle has trouble keeping warm because of their small size. If you live in a colder area, your Teacup will benefit from a sweater or jacket to keep warm! Family Compatibility Poodles love humans and make great companions for everyone, including families. Because of their size, Teacup Poodles can fit into any home, whether you live in an apartment in the city of whether you live in a large house in the countryside. They love to be around you, so they are not well suited to a family that is going to be out for most of the day. That being said, they are extremely loving and a great lapdog — and small enough so you might be able to take them with you! The Teacup may feel intimidated when being held by small children and therefore get a little cranky. Fortunately, with early socialization, this can be fixed. Training Teacup Poodles are easy to train, which is another reason many people love these dogs. They are naturally intelligent which makes your life a lot easier, especially if you have never trained a dog before. Teacups want to learn and want to please and they respond well to positive reinforcement. This includes verbal praise and treats. You will also need to socialize them, especially because they are small. They need to be introduced to other people and animals from a young age so they learn how to interact. You should aim to do this twice a week. You should also clip their nails and brush their teeth. To help prevent dental decay and disease, daily brushing is the normally recommended. Teacup Poodles certainly do well in a family environment and love to be around people. They can feel intimidated when they are around small children, so it is not usually advised to house them with young children. However, this can be fixed with socialization. They can live in both small apartments or in big houses, as long as you give them enough love. How much do Teacup Poodles cost? They are expensive because they can be difficult to breed and there is normally only one or two puppies in a litter. If this is too expensive for you, you may find a Teacup Poodle at your local shelter who needs a home. Summary Teacup Poodles are an adorable, friendly and loving dog. Ensure that you give them the right amount of food, exercise them every day and play games with them and they will love you forever! Teacup Poodles love to be around people and can make the perfect family dog. They are not difficult to train and walking is minimal, so they make a great pet to everyone! What do you think — is a Teacup Poodle the right dog for you? Search Dog Breeds. The teacup poodle is a newer type of poodle and has only recently found great popularity in the past twenty years. Originally, the poodle originated in Germany around the early 14th century and was used as a hunting dog that retrieved waterfowl. The poodle is also the national dog of France and is widely known for being intelligent, loyal, and loving. Over time, smaller sizes of this pup began being bred, and the poodle became more popular as a companion or lap dog. The miniature poodle originated in the early 20th century when American breeders started to create a more city-friendly poodle. The smallest puppies from toy poodle litters were used for breeding teacup poodles, achieving their small size. However, despite this small stature, the teacup poodle has a lot to offer owners. They lack none of the intelligence of the standard-sized poodle, and they are alert, friendly, and easy to train. Teacup poodles form strong bonds with their owners and are playful and affectionate, but they may be prone to nervousness if not properly cared for or left alone for too long. Teacup poodles stand no more than 9 inches tall and weigh up to 6 pounds. They have round heads with a slight stop, much like standard-sized poodles, floppy ears, and a longer muzzle. Their eyes are typically small and dark, but very alert, and they will have a longer neck, square body, and straight back with long legs. The coat of the teacup poodle is thicker, curly, and soft and will need to be brushed often to prevent tangles. What Size Is a Teacup Poodle? Teacup poodles are, as the name implies, pretty small dogs. This pup will stand no more than 9 inches tall and weigh less than 6 pounds. They can be quite fragile because of their small size, so you will need to pay extra attention to your dog while it is playing or moving around your home. The teacup poodle has a coat much like the standard-size poodles. Teacup poodles are considered to be hypoallergenic, so they may be a beneficial breed for those with allergies. The teacup poodle has a friendly disposition and is intelligent, alert, loyal, and loving. This pup tends to become very attached to their owners and will often be seen following them from room to room. Teacup poodles are also very smart and can pick up tricks easily. They are eager to please and will love the time spent with you learning new commands. Teacup poodles are not known to have a high prey drive or act very aggressively toward other animals, though they may be quite vocal if they notice something suspicious around their home. Are Teacup Poodles Affectionate? Teacup poodles are very affectionate and will enjoy spending as much time with their owner as possible. You can expect your teacup poodle to enjoy cuddling on the couch, sleeping in the same room as you at nighttime, and wanting to play frequently throughout the day. The small size of this breed makes them quite fragile, so rough play with children can lead to the dog becoming injured. Lots of yelling, excitement, and busy play from smaller children can also scare your teacup poodle, creating anxiety, nervousness, or barking issues. That being said, families with older, calmer children and children that know how to properly play with animals can easily get along with this pup. Teacup poodles are generally good with other animals as they are a friendly and social pup. Are Teacup Poodles Aggressive? Your teacup poodle is unlikely to attack, nip, or act aggressively toward strangers, but they can develop these behaviors if they are very anxious, fearful, or bored. Do Teacup Poodles Bark a Lot? Teacup poodles are, unfortunately, quite vocal, and you can expect this dog to bark at just about anything. Teacup poodles will bark when they are happy and playing, in addition to barking at things they find suspicious or untrustworthy around their home. They may also bark to draw your attention or to show their displeasure with something. You can train excessive barking habits down somewhat, but keep in mind that your teacup poodle is likely to be on the more vocal side, no matter what. Are Teacup Poodles Intelligent? This dog breed is fairly intelligent, and teacup poodles can easily learn new tricks. They can be house trained relatively quickly in addition to learning more complex commands and skills. Plus, teacup poodles are easy to please and love a mental challenge, something that adds to their learning abilities. Are Teacup Poodles Easy to Train? Due to their higher intelligence, teacup poodles can be quite easy to train. They are loyal, affectionate, and eager to please their owners, all factors which help them pick up new skills quickly and learn basic obedience tasks. Your teacup poodle may even be up to the challenge of learning more advanced tricks depending on their intelligence and how quickly they learn. Are Teacup Poodles Energetic? Teacup poodles have a moderate energy level and are a very playful breed. This pup will need two short walks per day that last around 15 minutes each and are likely to expend a lot of energy running around their home and playing with their toys and their families. As long as they have toys around their home and enough space to get their zoomies out from time to time, they will fit well into apartment living. However, you should keep in mind that this pup can be noisy from time to time, so training to curb needless barking is a must. Are Teacup Poodles Good Watchdogs? They are also fairly protective and loyal to their owners, which makes them easily fall into the watchdog role. While teacup poodles may be intelligent and quickly learn many tricks and commands, they are not the best size for acting as service dogs. This breed is too small to help with guiding and mobility support-related tasks, and they are not typically able to fetch heavy items for their owners. However, teacup poodles love being around their owners. So they are a good choice for a companion pup, making them eligible to act as a therapy dog or an emotional support animal. How to Care for a Teacup Poodle Teacup poodles are not the highest maintenance breed out there, but they do require a dedicated care routine to stay happy and healthy. You will need to spend lots of time with your teacup poodle, as this breed is prone to anxiety and loneliness without their owners, something that can easily translate into destructive behaviors. Make sure that you brush your teacup poodle a few times a week, as this helps to release any shed hair before it tangles and mats. You will likely need to take your teacup poodle to be groomed regularly to trim up their hair, give them a good bath, and ensure their coat is kept at a comfortable length. Supplement meals with nutritional treats to keep your pup happy. Your teacup poodle will need to be brushed a few times a week and regularly receive professional grooming. The groomer will help release shed hair, untangle mats safely, and trim up their coat, so your dog is more comfortable. Do Teacup Poodles Shed? Teacup poodles are low-shedding dogs and are often considered hypoallergenic. What Should a Teacup Poodle Eat? Your teacup poodle should be eating a diet of high-quality dry or wet food and, depending on their size, should be consuming between half a cup and one full cup of food per day approximately calories. Due to their small size, teacup poodles may be prone to certain health conditions that affect smaller dogs. These problems include hypoglycemia, heart defects, respiratory and digestive problems, seizures, collapsing trachea, and blindness. Genetically, your teacup poodle may be predisposed to dental disease and luxating patellas. To ensure your teacup poodle stays in the best health, you should be taking them to regular vet visits and checking their behavior for any concerning symptoms such as limping, lethargy, or sudden changes in behavior. Teacup poodles are known to live between 12 and 14 years, though your dog may live longer or shorter than this predicated lifespan, depending on any preexisting health issues and their overall daily care. Regular vet visits and proper care for your dog is the best way to ensure they live a long, healthy, happy life. Are Teacup Poodles Expensive? Due to their smaller size, teacup poodles can be difficult to breed, and there are typically only one or two puppies bred per litter. This creates a relatively higher demand for this dog due to a lower supply and makes teacup poodles fairly expensive. How to Find a Teacup Poodle Breeder If you want to purchase a teacup poodle, you will most likely need to find a breeder to buy from. The best way to do this is to perform internet searches of local and national breeders that are reputable, follow proper breeding practices, and care for both the breeding dogs and the puppies humanely. Make sure to avoid suspect breeding practices, very low-priced dogs if something is too good to be true, it usually is , and anything that looks like a puppy mill, as dogs and puppies that come from these spaces are likely to have been poorly treated and have increased health issues. Can You Adopt a Teacup Poodle? For the most part, teacup poodles are a variation of the standard-sized poodle and are in great demand. It is unlikely that one will turn up at a shelter for adoption, but it is possible. Keep an eye out on local and national poodle rescue organizations to see if a teacup poodle comes through that you can adopt. Are Teacup Poodles Purebred? That being said, its parents may be purebred toy poodles, and the teacup poodle may come from either a line of purebred poodles or mixed breed poodles. Can You Show Teacup Poodles? However, several other kennel clubs and organizations put on events and shows for teacup and toy dog breeds that your teacup poodle may be eligible to participate in. The teacup poodle may be good for new dog owners in certain circumstances. Owners should also be prepared to spend lots of quality time with their dog to prevent anxiousness and behavioral problems. The teacup poodle is a fantastic addition to the right type of lifestyle and family, but you may still be wondering whether or not this is the right dog for you. Review our list of points below to help make your decision easier. The teacup poodle is the right dog for you if: You want a loyal, loving companion dog that will stay by your side when you are home and likely accompany you from room to room. You need a small dog suited to apartment living, or you want a small companion dog that can also act as a helpful watchdog. You want a dog that can exercise for long periods of time and spend time in the outdoors with you hiking or completing working tasks. You want a dog that can be trained for service dog skills, such as guiding and mobility assistance. About 2 to 4 puppies Grooming Poodles must be bathed regularly and clipped every six to eight weeks. Clean and check the ears frequently for wax or mites or infection and pull out hairs growing inside the ear canal. The teeth need regular scaling. Since the coat does not shed it needs to be clipped. There are several different types of Poodle clips. The most common for pet owners is an easy-care clip called a "pet clip," "puppy clip" or "lamb clip" where the coat is cut short all over the body. Popular show clips are the English saddle and the Continental clip where the rear half of the body is shaved, bracelets are left around the ankles, and pom-poms are left on the tails and hips. The AKC standard allows for a dog under a year old to be shown in a show style puppy clip which has special requirements such as a pom-pom on the end of the tail. Other clip styles are the modified continental clip, town and country clip, kennel or utility clip, summer clip, and the Miami of bikini clip. Poodles shed little to no hair and are good for allergy sufferers. Origin The Poodle has been known throughout Western Europe for at least years and is depicted in 15th century paintings and in bas-reliefs from the 1st century. France has taken a claim on the origin, but the AKC gives the honor to Germany, where they say it was used as a water retrieval dog. Other claims have been Denmark or the ancient Piedmont. What is certain is that the dog was a descendant of the now-extinct French Water Dog, the Barbet and possibly the Hungarian Water Hound. The name "Poodle" most likely came out of the German word "Pudel," which means "one who plays in water. They would leave hair on the leg joints to protect them from extreme cold and sharp reeds. The hunters in Germany and France used the Poodle as a gundog and as a retriever of waterfowl and to sniff out truffles laying underground in the woods. The French started using the breed as a circus performer because of the dog's high intelligence and trainability. The breed became very popular in France, which led to the common name "French Poodle," but the French people actually called the breed the "Caniche," meaning "duck dog. In the 18th century smaller poodles became popular with royal people. The three official sizes are the Toy, Miniature and Standard Poodle. They are considered one breed and are judged by the same written standard but with different size requirements. Some of the Poodle's talents include: retrieving, agility, watchdog, competitive obedience and performing tricks. Maxidoodle the white Teacup Poodle at 7 years old, weighing 5 pounds 2. Until he was 3, he rode around the house in the pocket of my robe, and now at age 7 and 5lbs he continues to stand on my upturned left hand with his rear in the crook of my arm. I love to kayak the many springs in Florida and Max loves paddling too, riding just behind me on a pad I affix to the top of my kayak, even accompanied me on 4 day river sandbar camping paddle. Max also loves to boss around Tout d'Suite, my 20 black cat, and eat all his cat food. I keep him groomed in the continental cut and he prances like a little prince, on or off the leash. He's very polite and doesn't beg or steal people's food. Max loves to engage me or Tout d'Suite in a lively game of chase. I love my buddy! Penny is 2 years old and weighs 5 pounds 2. She is about 8 inches tall at her shoulder. She is a very happy little dog. Penny is a very healthy girl and enjoys her trips to the vet!! Penny is so good, she always lets me trim her hair and toenails! I think she is a very lucky little dog; she gets lots of love, but also lots of exercise and mental stimulation. Penny is healthy because she is only allowed to eat her dog food , never any people food. I think this has helped to prevent her from being a picky eater, which can be a problem in small dogs!

Did he jump off the couch or bed and maybe strained his leg? He may have sprained it. The vet didn't find anything wrong, so I would continue to keep an eye on him, give him his meds, and try to keep him as quiet as possible to rest his leg. When Dozer was a little pup, he fell on his paw and he sprained or bruised it. The vet checked him out, and took X-rays, but also didn't find anything wrong, Dozer was favouring his foot and would not walk on it, and he helped when ever we moved him. It was awful to hear him cry. The vet gave him pain medication and an anti inflammatory, we put him on a dog pillow on our bed to sleep, and we carried him up and down the stairs to go outside. During the day we had to crate him so he wouldn't try and walk on his foot. It took 4 days before he would put any weight on his paw, or try to walk on it, then he started to walk on it,but was limping. It took about a week before he walked normal on it. Bruno should be okay in a few days, and if you don't see any improvement in 3 or 4 days, have the vet recheck him, but it does take a few days for it to heal. I hope he feels better soon. Please keep us posted on how he's doing. One of the more common problems can be them limping on the back leg or front paws or showing signs of lameness. Some limping happens after sleeping and it will gradually wear off. No matter what the situation, you should always call your own vet for professional advice if your English Bulldog suddenly starts limping. Why is my English Bulldog limping? Some of the more common reasons why your English Bulldog has started limping will be strains to a tendon, ligament, or muscle — this is the soft tissue injury I referred to earlier and will happen after your English Bulldog has been exerting himself; the limping will start suddenly afterwards. Given time to recuperate, rest, and stop jumping and running, your English Bulldog should be better in just a few days. That means no walkies or indoor play! Check there is no visible bleeding or cuts on the paw. Check for any splinters or foreign objects in the paw. Check to see if your English Bulldog is lethargic and not eating. Check for any visible signs of swelling. When you call your vet, make a note of what you see, if anything. This is particular important if your English Bulldog wakes up from sleeping with a limp and shows no sign of the limp going inside of 30 minutes. Your English Bulldog might start limping after sleeping, laying down and just waking up. Keep scrolling down for the more serious English Bulldog lameness symptoms. Over-exertion: Your English Bulldog could be limping after some particularly excessive exercise. English Bulldogs get worn out very easily and will be exhausted after heavy exercise of just a few minutes. The limping could be due to utter exhaustion so give them water and time to recover. Injured claws: Your English Bulldog might have broken a claw. This injury can be extremely painful, especially if the tear in the claw gets to the nerve ending. Wound to the paw or insect sting: Your English Bulldog might have a splinter in his paw making him limp. It could be an open wound, a stone, chewing gum, or even a insect bite or sting so do a thorough check. Strain or muscle injury: Your English Bulldog might have strained a leg, joint, or muscle whilst playing or even just going about his day to day business. But there are more serious health conditions that limping legs are sometimes attributed to. Breaks, fractures, and dislocations: English Bulldogs are prone to leg injuries due to their genetics and can easily hurt themselves when active. Torn ligaments: Ligament damage will occur after your English Bulldog twists and jumps. It can be very painful but can be treated easily by a vet. Hip or elbow dysplasia: English Bulldogs are prone to these health conditions, being common with brachycephalic breeds. The hip dysplasia can occur in their back leg with elbow dysplasia in the front legs and paws. Luxating patella: This is the medical for a kneecap dislocation. It occurs on the back legs and you will notice your English Bulldog skipping or limping in pain. Inflammatory disease: Also known as panosteitis, English Bulldog puppies will often have this inflammation on their leg bones. You might see your English Bulldog shifting from leg to leg to balance the weight with this lameness condition. Your vet can check for it with a simple blood test. It can be fixed with an operation surgery, and your English Bulldog might even be back and walking inside of 60 days. Arthritis: This condition is most common in older English Bulldogs, where limping is a gradual thing as the joints become more swollen over time. Vets can prescribe therapy and medication for the pain. It can be treated with antibiotics. Valley fever: This is a fungal disease found in the United States and can either make an English Bulldog puppy limp, or an older dog. It is not related to how old your dog is. Neurological disorders: This will often occur after damage to the spine where a disc will touch against the nerves, leading to potential lameness in your English Bulldog. English Bulldog limping on front leg or paws Many of the reasons I have already listed for English Bulldog lameness and limping will happen with the back and front legs. But there are some conditions which will only cause limps to one of the other. For example; elbow dysplasia front legs or hip dysplasia rear legs. Elbow dysplasia front leg limping : This is very common in English Bulldogs and happens due to bone abnormalities in the elbow joints on the front legs. It happens due to cartilage fusing to the bone resulting in an elbow joint being pushed out of place. It will be very painful to your English Bulldog, with obvious swelling. Handy Hint: To keep your Bully free from injury you should not walk them too much. Here are guidelines for daily exercise limits. How vets diagnose lameness and limping Once you have booked an appointment in with your vet, they will do a manual check of your English Bulldog using just their hands. They will press and pull to see what the cause could be. The check will go something like this: Examine the paws for obvious signs of injury. Pull the legs stretched out to check for a reaction. Do gentle massage on all four legs. Lightly apply pressure to the spine to see if the English Bulldog puts up resistance. Read on to find out why your best friend may be limping and how to remedy the situation. Afterward, hold your pet close and try to feel the leg gently while keeping a close eye on the limb that seems to be affected. That initial observation and examination can let you establish the reason why your pet is limping. Some cases of dog limping can be sudden, while others may be gradual. Below are possible causes of limping. Injury One of the most common causes of dog limping is injury. Sometimes dogs get into fights and end up hurting each other, and that can easily lead to limping. The dog may also be involved in some other unfortunate incident that causes injury to the paw, ankle, or leg. Some dog injuries happen right in front of you, making it easy to tell the cause of limping. However, some happen when you are not around, and there may not be any visible injuries to help you ascertain the cause of limping. In such a case, you should consult a veterinary officer for examination and diagnosis. However, severe injuries require veterinarian care. Bone Disease Bone disease generally refers to any condition that affects the bones. This can include diseases such as hip dysplasia and panosteitis. Canine hip dysplasia occurs when bones do not fit correctly into their joints. The result is painful sensations, lameness, and even difficulty in getting up. Panosteitis is a condition that causes inflammation but does not necessarily last for a long time. The condition can make it quite painful for your pet to walk, which causes the limping. Another type of disease that may cause limping is bone cancer, or osteosarcoma. Cancer can affect any dog breed , but it is prevalent in English bulldogs. It is usually quite aggressive, and while there are treatment options, the prognosis is usually bleak. In most cases, limping caused by a disease develops gradually and gets worse as the condition becomes more severe. It is quite difficult for you to tell what disease is affecting your dog, which is why you should seek veterinary advice immediately. Arthritis Just like in humans, dog arthritis is more common in older English bulldogs than younger ones. Arthritis is a condition characterized by inflammation of one or more joints. It usually causes pain and stiffness. When a dog has arthritis, they tend to be reluctant when it comes to going up the stairs or even getting out of the car. They also sleep more and may start gaining weight. With close observation, you may notice that the animal is somewhat unsteady in the morning. This is because the pain from arthritis is more severe in the mornings. Dogs with arthritis tend to walk slowly and lose interest in playing. Lyme Disease Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and spread by deer ticks, as explained by PetMD. The tick generally does not cause the disease unless it is able to attach to your bulldog for 48 hours. If infected, your dog may start limping two to five months afterward. This limp usually develops gradually. Common symptoms of the disease include swollen lymph nodes, swollen joints, and a loss of appetite. Your pet may also be lethargic and can develop a fever. If not treated on time, the condition may become worse. Nonetheless, Lyme disease can be treated effectively using antibiotics. Foreign Object Issues If your bulldog starts limping suddenly, take the time to carry out a careful physical examination. Check for any foreign object stuck in the paw or on any other part of the legs. If the foreign object is on the outer part of the paw or leg, take it off gently to avoid causing injury. However, if the foreign object is embedded, it may be better to let your vet take it out. Neurological Disorders Some neurological disorders can end up causing your dog to start limping. A slipped disc in the spine can put extra pressure on nerves that ultimately makes it difficult for your pet to walk without experiencing pain. Medial Patella Luxation is another condition characterized by poorly aligned muscles, tendons, and bones. This can lead to limping and pain. A vet can examine your dog to determine the exact issues that are affecting them and give a conclusive diagnosis before initiating treatment. Ruptured Anterior This injury occurs when the dog accidentally twists on their hind legs. When it happens, you will notice your pet raising his back leg off the ground and barely touching the ground with it when walking. A ruptured anterior can even affect English bulldogs that are as young as six months old. This condition is usually corrected with surgery. Infections Dog infections can occur when a wound or bruise is not treated carefully. Yeast dermatitis affecting the paws is a condition that can create complications. It is advised to clean any open wounds or bruises and cover them to prevent such unfortunate incidents. The good news is that yeast and other infections can be treated easily. Joint Disorders This is a general term for conditions that affect the joints. Elbow dysplasia is a developmental disorder involving multiple abnormalities that can include poor weight distribution and slowed bone growth. Another joint disorder is cranial cruciate ligament disease which can occur due to a variety of reasons including genetics, obesity, aging, and poor physical fitness. The vet can carry out various tests to determine the exact culprit and start treatment accordingly. For instance, if the dog steps on a hot surface, they may limp as they go across the hot surface. Another reason may be that your dog slept on one of their legs, thus putting too much pressure on it. Pulled, strained and torn muscles caused by overstretching or accidental falls are also a temporary issue that may cause limping. Such situations usually resolve within a few minutes or hours without any outside intervention. In Conclusion For minor injuries or foreign objects stuck in the paws, you can always use the above-noted remedies to get the situation resolved. The vet is likely to ask a few questions that can help establish the possible causes. The vet is also going to carry out physical examinations and, if necessary, take an x-ray scan of the affected area. Once the root cause is established, treatment will begin immediately, and your dog is likely to recover soon. Talk to a Vet Live Now As we mentioned earlier, there are many reasons why your English Bulldog could be limping either on their back or front legs. To help you understand the causes, we have broken them down into categories to help pinpoint a potential diagnosis! It can be caused by several things, ranging from these common causes to rare and serious conditions! Remember, if you have any concerns, to speak to a vet immediately, as they can offer you tailored advice for your dog. Commonly, any of the following can cause back leg limping: Over-exertion Excessive exercise or even intense playtime can leave your English Bulldog tired and limping. These dogs can get worn out easily and, after a few minutes of heavy exercise, can feel exhausted. Their limping could be due to exhaustion, and usually, some water and time to recover will help with this limping. If it does persist or becomes worse, then be sure to consult a vet. Injured claws Limping can also be a sign of an injured or broken claw. These injured claws can be incredibly painful, especially if the tear in the claw is near the nerve ending. A wound or insect sting Your English Bulldog could have a splinter in their paw, making them limp. An open wound, a stone, chewing gum, or even an insect bite or sting could cause a limp. Be sure to check the paw thoroughly for any signs of a wound or sting. In these cases, you will need to see a vet to clean and dress any wounds and offer medication if needed. Strain or muscle injury Another common cause could be a strained leg, joint, or muscle while playing or even just daily walking and playing. But what about the more serious conditions a limp could be a sign of? Breaks, fractures, and dislocations English Bulldogs are prone to leg injuries, unfortunately. A break, fracture, or dislocation can be extremely painful for your dog, and you must seek medical help. Ligament damage Torn ligaments or ligament damage can occur when your dog twists and jumps. Ligament damage is incredibly painful for your English Bulldog, but thankfully can be fixed easily by a vet! Hip or elbow dysplasia As with other brachycephalic breeds, English Bulldogs are also prone to hip or elbow dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is seen in the back legs, whereas we commonly see elbow dysplasia in the front legs and paws. Luxating patella It sounds like a scary medical term; luxating patella refers to a dislocated kneecap. Inflammatory disease Inflammatory disease or panosteitis is commonly seen in English Bulldog puppies. The inflammation is usually concentrated on their leg bones, and your puppy will be shifting from leg to leg to balance their weight. To find out if your dog has cancer, the vet can perform a simple blood test, and the results are often back quickly. ACL tears often affect the back legs, and you should notice it first when your dog starts to lift their leg. An operation will be required to rectify this tear. The recovery time varies from dog to dog, but you might see your English Bulldog up and walking again within 60 days. Remember to follow the advice of your vet carefully so your dog can recover fully. Arthritis Arthritis is commonly seen in older dogs, where limping becomes a gradual thing. The joints will swell over time, and your English Bulldog can find walking and playing more difficult. Thankfully, it can be treated with antibiotics. Valley fever Valley fever is a fungal disease found in the United States. It can impact English Bulldog puppies or older dogs and leave them limp. Neurological disorders Neurological disorders are often caused when the spine has been damaged. A disc will touch nerves, leading to lameness in your English Bulldog. An injury usually causes this, although it can be caused by too much playtime or a dodgy jump and landing. Limping on Front Leg or Paws, Why? These can be caused by cartilage fusing to the bone, pushing the elbow joint out of place. As you can imagine, that is very painful for your dog and will result in obvious swelling. They will need medical attention to rectify this issue. Hip dysplasia can be quite painful for your English Bulldog, so be sure to take them to a vet if you are concerned about this. What the Vet will do Vet appointments can be traumatic for dogs and owners alike, so having a heads up of what to expect can go a long way to calm your nerves and help you keep your Bulldog calm. When a vet examines your English Bulldog to understand why they are limping, they generally use just their hands. They will press and pull on your dog to see what the cause could be. Often the inspection will follow this pattern: The vet will examine the paws for any signs of injury The legs are pulled to stretch them and see if there is a reaction All four legs are gently massaged to check for abnormalities or signs of pain Pressure is lightly applied to the spine to see if your Bulldog shows any signs of resistance. Generally, this examination is enough, and your vet should be able to offer you a diagnosis and treatment plan. If not, more in-depth tests can take place to diagnose your English Bulldog. It is rare that after these tests have been carried out, a diagnosis has not been found. Be aware that you might need to wait a few days for blood test results to come back, and during this waiting time, your vet will instruct you on how best to care for your English Bulldog. How can I stop my English Bulldog from getting leg injuries? None of us like seeing our dogs limping or in pain, and will do anything we can to avoid it. These can all be incorporated into your daily life easily to keep your dogs from harm. Avoid overworking or over-exercising your Bulldog, especially in hot weather. As you can see, English Bulldogs are prone to limping injuries, ranging from minor to severe. Kerry Kerry White is an avid dog lover and writer, knowing all there is to know about our furry friends. Kerry has been writing for PetDT for three years now, wanting to use her knowledge for good and share everything she can with new dog owners. Kerry has two dogs herself - a German shepherd called Banjo and a chocolate labrador called Buttons. Kerry knows more than anyone how adjusting to new life with a puppy can turn your life upside down, and she wants to ease some of the burdens through her articles. Pin1 1 Shares Frenchies are a resilient breed, but they are prone to various health issues , some of which can result in limping on the back leg or front paws and lameness. The majority of the time a limp will often be the result of a soft tissue injury such as a sprain in the leg tendon or joint. In most cases these will clear up in a few days and can be helped with pain killers. However, there are other times when a Frenchie limping can be due to something more serious. In this guide I am going to explain the various causes of limping with some short advice on each one. It goes without saying that you should always consult with your vet should your French Bulldog suddenly start limping and you have any concerns. Why is my French Bulldog limping? The most common reason why your French Bulldog started limping is due to a muscle strain, ligament or tendon damage, and a soft tissue injury. Typically, these injuries will occur after running or jumping where you will see the limping starting suddenly. In most cases this can be fixed in just a few days, with many vets prescribing a special dog pain killer which is very similar to aspirin. However, you should always run a few checks first. Vets advise that you: Check for broken toe and claw nails. Check there is no visible bleeding or cuts on the paw. Check for any splinters or foreign objects in the paw. Check to see if your Frenchie is lethargic and not eating. Check for any visible signs of swelling. When you call your vet, make a note of what you see. When you should call a vet If you cannot see any visible and obvious sign why your French Bulldog is limping, for example a splinter, then I would always consult with a vet. If your French Bulldog who woke up limping or shows no sign of getting better, it could be the sign of something more serious. Here are just some of the reasons why your French Bulldog has a limping back leg or limping with their front paws. Your Frenchie might start limping after laying down or just waking up. French bulldog limping back leg: common causes These are the most common causes as described by our own vet. You can continue scrolling for more serious causes of Frenchie lameness. Strain injury: Frenchies love to play, but this can often lead to leg injuries. It can include ligament strains and tendon damage that will often be resolved with pain killers and rest. You should also check for any foreign objects that could have got stuck in the paw. Broken and damaged claws: claws can get torn and split. If the tears is near to the nerve ending it can be very painful leading to a limp. Over-exertion: the limping could be as simple as your Frenchie has overdone things. French bulldog limping back leg: more serious conditions Hopefully the limping back or front legs will right themselves and can be easily diagnosed. However, there are more serious conditions which only your vet will be able to diagnose. Breaks, fractures, and dislocations: Frenchies are busy dogs but due to their genetic make-up can easily dislocate parts of their leg. Torn ligaments: ligament damage will occur after your dog twists and jumps. It can be very painful but can be treated easily by a vet. Hip or elbow dysplasia: both of these are very common in French Bulldogs due to their genetic make-up. Hip dysplasia affects the rear legs, and elbow dysplasia the front legs and paws. It occurs on the back legs and you might see your Frenchie skipping or limping in pain. Inflammatory disease: also known as panosteitis this is common in puppies and results in inflammation on the long bones of the legs. It can cause a shifting lameness, where you see your Frenchie shift weight to limp on either leg. Bone cancer: dog bone cancer is more common in larger dog breeds but can also happen to Frenchies. It can be diagnosed with a blood test. It can be treated with surgery, and your dog could be back walking 2 months post-ACL surgery. Arthritis: most common in older French Bulldogs, limping will start off gradually and is an inflammation of the leg joints. The pain can be reduced with medicine and therapy. It can be treated with antibiotics. Valley fever: this is a fungal disease found in the United States and can either make a French Bulldog puppy limp, or an older dog. It is not age specific at all. Neurological disorders: this will often occur after damage to the spine where a disc will touch against the nerves, leading to potential lameness in your Frenchie. French Bulldog limping on front leg or paws Whilst most of the above causes of Frenchie lameness and limping can affect both the front and back legs, there are certain conditions which are isolated to the rear or front. The most common would be elbow dysplasia front legs or hip dysplasia rear legs. Elbow dysplasia front leg limping : elbow dysplasia is very common in French Bulldogs and is caused by abnormalities in the elbow joints on the front legs. It occurs when cartilage fuses to bone resulting in an out of line elbow joint. Your Frenchie will experience a lot of pain and swelling. It explains what it is, how to treat it, and when to contact your vet. How vets diagnose lameness and limping The first thing a vet will do is check your Frenchie over. Having been to the vets twice in the last two years with Claude having a limp, the vet will first do a manual check. The vet will: Extend the legs to check for discomfort. Massage and manipulating the leg areas to check for swelling. Lightly push down the back to see if the Frenchie resists.

Latest Dog Articles Puppy home alone When we decide to have a puppy, no matter what breed, we, together with new and quite pleasant emotions and gain a lot of unpleasant moments. Small puppy - this is the same child, but watch out for that sometimes is more difficult than for the child. Chil Everything you wanted to know about your dog: wool Are there any dogs in the stomach hairballs? If you compare a dog with a cat, the dogs did not strongly monitor your hygiene. Dogs love lain in a different moldy stuff, bathe in dirty water, and even will not oppose whose eating - that excrement. And it i Tips novice dog breeder A complete and accurate answer for you, no one can give, because it all depends on many factors, the life of a breeder. By and large it all depends on the purpose for which purchased the dog, who will care for her, where you'll have it, and where and by w Methods of teaching a puppy Establish a connection with a young puppy can by feeding him from his earliest days. 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Frenchies often get along well with other animals and even enjoy being held or carried. French Bulldogs are known to be loyal and affectionate, making them excellent companions. They may become a bit possessive of their owners, which their owners should remain aware of. Will French Bulldog puppies for sale in South Charleston cause me to have allergies? Although French Bulldogs can cause allergies in some people, it depends upon an individual's sensitivities. The dander, saliva, and urine of any pet can trigger an allergic reaction in someone who is sensitive to them, regardless of the type of animal. If a person has pet allergies, it's best to be mindful of their own sensitivities and avoid situations where they come in contact with animals that may cause an allergic reaction. Ultimately, it's always a good idea to consider potential allergies before adopting any pet, as no pet should cause a person to suffer from allergies. French Bulldogs are considered to be low-maintenance dogs, however they still require proper nutrition to maintain their good health and vigorous energy. It is best to feed your French Bulldog a high-quality food formulated specifically for their breed and age. Make sure to look for age-appropriate foods since puppies need a different nutrient balance than an adult dog. It's important to provide the correct balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. When deciding which food to buy, focus on the ingredients and look for real meat as the first ingredient. A great way to start is to complete a health check for your home, in order to make sure it is safe and free of hazards for your pup. It is essential to make sure the environment is puppy-friendly, and any potential hazards e. Next, create a designated area for your new French Bulldog in your home. Are French Bulldogs for sale in South Charleston considered big dogs? French Bulldogs are not considered big dogs. They are technically classified as a small breed and weigh, on average, between lbs. While their size is smaller compared with large breeds, French Bulldogs are quite strong and have muscular bodies. Some may appear bigger than their actual size due to their heavy heads and chests. Since they are compact in size, they are great for living in smaller living spaces like apartments and condos. French Bulldogs are known for being loyal, affectionate, and intelligent companions. Generally it is not recommended to take a French Bulldog running as they are a breed that can overheat easily and running can be especially strenuous on them. Additionally, depending on the individual temperament of each French Bulldog, it's possible that they could become over-excited running and this could lead to them coming to harm. That isn't to say that running is definitely a 'no' for them though it could still be possible, with the right precautionary measures and careful monitoring on your part to ensure their safety. Are French Bulldogs in South Charleston good family dogs? French Bulldogs are indeed a great choice for a family pet. They are loyal, gentle dogs that are affectionate and great with children. They are generally easy-going and not overly active making them perfect for many types of home. Plus, they're relatively small, so they don't require a lot of space. On top of all that, they're usually low-maintenance when it comes to grooming and exercise. As a bonus, they also love to spend time with their owners, so they can easily become a part of the family. Are South Charleston French Bulldogs for sale considered smart dogs? French Bulldogs are undeniably intelligent canines. While their intelligence varies from dog to dog, their natural personable traits allow them to connect with their owners on a deeper level. With early and consistent training and socialization, they can become very capable problem solvers. They can easily pick up on basic commands in a relatively short time, and often have a knack for staying out of trouble once they understand the rules of the house. Owners can also find great joy in teaching French Bulldogs tricks, as they have an enthusiasm for learning that sets them apart from other breeds.

They are intelligent, loyal and energetic dogs when grown, but require lots of training and stimulation to avoid boredom and become well-adjusted socially. While loving to their owners, they are often distant with strangers and can suffer from separation anxiety when their owner is away. It is highly unusual for the puppy's owner to care for them during this time and is best left to a responsible, reputable breeder. Your puppy's body will double in weight as their muscles, organs and bones develop. Nutrition During the neonatal stage, your German Shepherd puppy will get most of their nutrition from their mother's milk. At around 4 weeks you may wish to introduce a few kibbles mixed with warm water. Health During this time it is important to monitor your GSD for any infections, diseases or birth defects. Puppies are unable to urinate or defecate by themselves initially, so their mother helps them but may additionally require your assistance. Keep your vet's contact details close by and educate yourself thoroughly on this stage of puppy development. By the end of this period, your puppy will be mobile and will explore the world mouth first — be sure to keep choking hazards and toxic foods out of their reach. Behaviour During most of this time your GSD will be asleep or inactive, but they will soon be playing with their brothers and sisters. After weeks they will go through as much sensory development as a human baby does in a few months. It is important to avoid disturbing the puppies' mother as she will be likely be protective, but some interaction with the young pups is normal so they become used to human touch. This is a formative time for your puppy and will be when they learn to walk, play, bite, hold their bladder, and interact with others. In this time your GSD will develop a trusting relationship with you and will respond negatively to harsh treatment, so be sure be assertive and establish your dominance but avoid shouting. Nutrition During the weaning stage, you should slowly introduce into their diet a nutritionally complete dog food which is appropriate to your German Shepherd's large size and young age. This breed tend not to be gluttons and quickly work off any weight during exercise, but this time is crucial for developing healthy bones and joints so feed them the best quality food you can. You should also familiarise yourself with lists of toxic foods and plants to avoid and hide as your puppy will soon find ways to get into places it shouldn't be. If your GSD is a long-haired variant you should make them familiar with brushing early as this will become a daily necessity for their entire life. You must be careful to monitor play and not allow your puppy to play too rough or they may irreversibly damage their sensitive back legs and shoulders. Behaviour Due to the changes in their environment, your GSD will likely be under a significant amount of stress. It's important that you provide lots of attention and build your relationship early, but be careful not to allow your puppy to become dependent on your attention and presence. GSDs are often described as aloof since they are shy with strangers — it is important to socialise them with strangers early so that they do not become aggressive towards people and dogs they are unfamiliar with. Your GSD will be full of energy and already require lots of time exercising, playing and in training. Your dog will likely do well at puppy training school and will benefit from obedience training to help control them in public. Nutrition Your German Shepherd puppy's diet should be based around a high quality, nutritionally complete puppy food. It is particularly important that you make sure your pup has the right diet at this time to help them grow properly and avoid joint or bone problems later in life. Your GSD has a double coat which changes with the seasons: the bottom layer sheds in the warmer weather, but will need daily or weekly brushing to help it along. After around 8 weeks your puppy will be due for some vaccinations, so they will need a checkup at the vet and to arrange for boosters after that. Studies showed that dogs supplemented with a diet of bovine colostrum had a quicker and stronger immune system response to CDV vaccine as compared to dogs fed a control diet. Colostrum supplemented dogs maintained a higher antibody level even after 40 weeks. A diet supplemented with Colostrum helps bridge the immunity gap in puppies that occurs between 3 weeks and 5 months of age. Behaviour German Shepherds are unendingly loyal to their family but are distant with people they don't know, so familiarise them with friends, strangers and other dogs early. It is vital to teach your pup early to be patient with children who may not respect their boundaries and might otherwise provoke aggressive behaviour. It is important to provide your GSD with lots of sturdy, entertaining toys to stimulate them — a bored German Shepherd will destroy your furniture and backyard for fun. Recommended Articles. It is suitable for the teeth It is good for the liver. It provides adequate nutrition. It is rich in PUFAs. It is enriched with colostrum. It has a high fibre content. It contains glucosamine for maintaining bone health. It has omega fatty acids. It is easy on the gut. It is uniquely formulated for puppies. It is suitable for weight-watching. It is enriched with DHA. It is suitable for digestion. It helps muscle growth Best overall product: There are many dog food options for German Shepherds available in the market, and each of them has a unique formula and offers exciting benefits. It gives your dog a complete and balanced meal with the right amounts of protein, fats and fibre. It takes care of adequate muscle and bone growth, is easy to digest, and is good for their teeth. Best value for money: For just Rs. It is also great for their coat and keeps it shiny and soft. It promotes muscle development and is easily digestible. It has the perfect balance of vitamins and minerals. How To find the right fog food? We must give our pets proper nutrition with their food. A good diet is the best way to ensure a healthy dog. Dog foods for german shepherds must include the right quantity of proteins, fats and fibres. They should be a balanced meal to ensure good muscle growth, good gut health and a shiny coat. You must also ensure that the dog food provides adequate amounts of vitamins and minerals to make up a sound immune system. Since most dog foods come with flavour options, you can choose the ones your dog likes best and make their meals enjoyable. You may be interested in Product. Let your pet enjoy a fun and interactive playing session with the help of some good dog toys. Here is a list of some of the most popular and affordable toys that are apt for large dogs. This dog food is easy to digest and is free from soy, eggs, dairy, red meat and more to give the right nutrition to your pet. This food is great for giving balanced nutrition to your pet without causing any disturbance in digestive health. Besides German Shepherds, you can use this pack of food to feed adult pugs, beagles, labradors, golden retrievers and more. This is a pack of dry dog food that is meant for dogs above the age of 18 months. Being apt for active dogs, this food can be used to feed most of the German Shepherds that are kept for security purposes and undergo training sessions regularly. If you are introducing this food to your pet dog, make sure that you refer to the feeding instructions given on the packaging to ensure the proper health of your pet dog. Besides German Shepherds, you can even feed this food to Dobermans, St. Bernards and more. Read more about German Shepherd dog food here. Purina Supercoat Adult Dry Dog Food If you have an adult German Shepherd at home, you can buy this pack of dry dog food to ensure a shiny and healthy coat for your pet. This food is a good source of proteins to make the muscles of your pet dog stronger. Regular consumption of this food can even ensure proper digestive health and a good immune system to keep your pet dog happy and healthy. This food is available in a tempting chicken flavour to easily attract your pet German Shepherd for the meal. Since it is free from artificial colours and flavours, you need not think too much before buying it online for your pet. If you are not sure about the quantity of food that is right for every serving, you can refer to the feeding instructions given on the packaging. Besides German Shepherds, you can even serve this food to puppies of other breeds as well. Also read:. It is also a vital element for brain and eye development. Fresh chicken meat in the diet provides protein with high biological value. Natural Prebiotics to boost the overall digestive process. The benefits of Orijen Puppy Large: A calorie limited diet to promote a healthy weight and to put less pressure on joints. Rich in protein for making German Shepherd pups healthy and strong. Highly delicious chicken and turkey liver tempt the pickiest of eaters. The crusty and crunchy kibble texture of this food promotes good periodontal health and helps in curbing problems like Tartar and Plaque buildup. An essential fatty acid like Omega 3 has been added in the diet for boosting the overall skin health of the dogs. A natural antioxidant like Vitamin E fortifies the natural immunity of the pups, keeping them strong and healthy. You can feed your adult German Shepherd 2 times a day. You should avoid feeding them synthetic preservatives. High in Fibres: Natural fibres maintain superior digestive health and also an ideal body weight. Vitamin C: Vitamin C keeps the joints healthy, preventing problems like hip dysplasia and arthritis. Natural fibres promote excellent digestion and maximum nutrient absorption. The benefits of Fidele Adult Large Breed: Contains a substantial amount of protein for enhancing strength and endurance in grown up German Shepherds. Omega fatty acids boost skin health and also maintain good eyesight. It consists of Real Chicken meat as the main constituent which is favourite for German Shepherds. It has a good combination of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids that significantly improves the skin health of the dogs. They do not contain any fillers or preservatives which makes this diet completely safe for German Shepherds to savour. Breed Specified Recipe specially made for German Shepherds Real Chicken meat offers good protein content for supporting strong muscle mass Excellent blend of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids endow the dogs with good skin health. This dog food has a rich protein content that fortifies the muscle mass in the dogs. Moreover, the crusty texture of this food helps in removing Tartar and Plaque build-up. Ideal dog food for a large breed like German Shepherd Consists of Calcium and Phosphorus that boosts bone density Glucosamine and Chondroitin provides anti-inflammatory effect to the dogs Beet Pulp and FOS prebiotics boosts overall digestive health of the dogs Crusty kibble texture of the food eliminates Tartar and Plaque build-up 5 Hills Science Diet Adult Large Breed Dog A highly nourishing meal that has Chicken and Barley as its primary constituents, the Hills Science Diet Adult Large Breed is an easy-to-digest meal offering a nutritional profile that suits an adult German Shepherd. Omega 6 and Vitamin E promote beautiful skin and coat in German Shepherds. Ample amounts of protein maintain lean muscle mass and endurance. They need foods that are low in protein and fat content while richer in fibres. However, an overall moderate diet with all the components is also considered healthy, provided your dog trains and exercises regularly. A senior German Shepherd consumes around calories daily. They can be fed 2 times a day. Fish Oil Omega 3 : Fish oil is an excellent source of Omega fatty acids that provides a good anti-inflammatory effect to senior dogs. Fewer Carbs: As elderly German Shepherds are quite vulnerable to obesity and diabetes, a diet that has a low glycemic index is most preferred to them. A combination of Vitamin E and C, builds a stronger immune system. Devoid of artificial flavors and preservatives. Fresh meat and freeze-dried liver make the meal highly delectable. A biologically appropriate diet that nurtures your older German Shepherds according to their biological and evolutionary needs. Thus, when you adopt a German shepherd pup, make sure that you provide it with a fully nutrition loaded diet and maintain a lifestyle with lots of physical activities. A comprehensive diet including all the above parameters will lead to a healthy and long life span of your little beasts. An avid nature and animal lover, Akhil likes to read and watch anything related to wildlife. He also has a great interest in athletics, mainly track and field events and is a big Masala Dosa fan. More like this. Very much like you, your German Shepherd needs a decent eating regimen to grow up sound and solid. Remember that the right measures of these supplements fluctuate starting with one dog then onto the next relying upon their weight, size, movement level, and medical issue. On the off chance that a dog winds up losing an excess of water, it can become truly ill to the place of deadly outcomes. Consequently, hydration is crucial to keep up with the great soundness of your German Shepherd. Thus, ensure your dog approaches water consistently, and make sure to top off their water bowl on various occasions for the duration of the day. Proteins Proteins assume a vital part in the prosperity of your German Shepherd. This specific supplement is answerable for building and fixing muscles, developing hair, just as making new skin cells. Protein additionally helps in the creation of fundamental catalysts and chemicals to guarantee legitimate capacities inside the body. Fats Sourced from meats and oils like olive oil, fish oil, sunflower oil, and canola oil , fats give your German Shepherd excellent energy. Starches Carbs are the principle wellspring of energy for dogs. Food sources wealthy in sugars for instance, potatoes, oats, and earthy colored rice supply their bodies with glucose. Glucose is a fundamental supplement for basic organs of the body, like the cerebrum and sensory system, to work appropriately. As you likely definitely know, German Shepherds are very huge dogs. They commonly fall somewhere close to 25 and 45 kgs. As per the National Research Council of the National Academics, dynamic dogs inside this weight territory ought to burn-through somewhere in the range of 1, and 2, calories each day, though latent or more seasoned dogs need somewhere in the range of 1, and 1, calories each day. On the off chance that you have a high-energy German Shepherd on your hands, you should take care of them as per the caloric prerequisite of dynamic dogs. In any case, if your dog has joint pain or an innate condition like hip dysplasia that made them be less dynamic, then, at that point a lower-calorie diet would be a superior way to deal with hold their weight down and try not to include pressure harmed joints. Some other posts which might interest you Also Read : 5 reasons why we love Golden retriever puppies admin Hey! I am the owner of this website, which was created to help pets and their owners to have a great life together. I love dogs, birds, cats, reptiles, and many other animals. 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In general, the males are bigger and heavier and the females are lighter. During growth spurts , your puppy needs more food, so it will be likely to need more food during its fastest growing time and you can reduce that as growth levels off. Every dog is different, so monitor your puppy. If it looks a little too fat, reduce its food a little. If it looks too thin, increase it. The most accurate way to judge feeding would be to look at calories vs weight. You can weigh your puppy by picking it up and stepping onto the scale. It is! But individual factors like metabolism will also come into play. But as his teeth begin to emerge, momma dog will want to get the weaning process underway, and it will be up to you to help. During her break, soften up some kibble in water or puppy milk formula and place a pan of the mixture within easy reach of the puppies. Show them the mix by putting them in front of the pan. Expect a mess. Set mealtimes for three to four times a day at first. After six months of age, your Boxer puppies are ready to move to feeds twice to three times a day. Keep feeding times regular. Like all little ones, puppies thrive on routine. Take any unfinished food away after the meal. Adult Boxers are prone to bloat which can be deadly. So, although most adult dogs can be fed once a day, it can be dangerous for Boxers. Twice-daily feeds are the best solution. And, if you want to be extra-careful, choose a slow-feeder bowl. No matter how good your Boxer puppy feeding chart is, you may find that there are times when your Boxer puppy needs extra food to thrive. Top times for this are between the ages of three and six months. A sudden growth spurt means a need for extra food to fuel it so that your puppy can develop a healthy body. An adult Boxer may be fine on just three cups of a good brand of kibble every day — but a puppy may need more! But just as there are individual factors that mean some puppies eat more than others, adult dogs vary too. But you might still find that the amount you feed needs to be adjusted beyond that. After all, all that bouncing around is fuelled by food, so a bouncy Boxer may need more food than its lazier cousins. Even among Boxers, you will find different activity levels, and that may mean a need to adjust feeding. For example, as your Boxer ages, he does tend to slow down. The important thing to understand is that their hormonal changes can slow metabolism — the rate at which they burn food. Pregnant And Nursing Boxer Females If you are caring for a pregnant or nursing Boxer female, you need to up the stakes on her nutrition. Puppy food is recommended for pregnant and nursing females. We recommend taking your female Boxer for a checkup once you know she is pregnant, and this will be a great time to get some feeding tips from a veterinarian. However, you can also get a good indication just by looking and feeling. When viewed from above, your Boxer should have a nice, nipped in waist. Next, look at the ribcage. You should not see individual ribs sticking out, but you should be able to feel them beneath the skin. What To Do If Your Dog Seems Under Or Overweight If your dog is suddenly gaining weight despite eating recommended amounts, do remember that thyroid problems are fairly common in boxers and have it checked out. And, of course, when it comes to puppies, they can get a bit skinny during rapid growth and may need a bit extra just because of that. When you know weight and height, you can compare that to age-appropriate breed standards. Remember that your Boxer, both puppy and adult, needs much more than food and water. They need you! Love, affection, play, and company are things that Boxers not only thrive on, but absolutely need. Enjoy your puppy! I fell in love with the breed around ten years ago after seeing some of my friends adopt a Bully. I love the combination of the muscular physique and calm, loyal companionship that the American Bully breed has to offer. My enthusiasm for the breed has led me to train as a dog behavioralist and trainer. Over the last ten years, I have supported many households in raising their American Bully and maximizing the potential of the breed. Recent Posts. Your dog may suffer from indigestion if they are fed too late at night. A Boxer may struggle to acquire weight at times. Having three meals each day, including snacks, can help during this time. Adult Boxers should be fed in the morning, noon, and evening. Scheduled feeding times should be established early on to prevent weight-related diseases. Adult Boxers on a two-meal diet should eat in the morning and evening. Never let your dog exercise vigorously after a large meal, especially if they eat rapidly. This prevents bloating , intestinal obstruction, and other serious digestive problems. Introduce fewer carbs and consider nourishing their intestines and giving them micronutrients that help fight off disease-causing microorganisms. The following is a top-notch selection of Boxer food: Dry Food: Your best bet is to feed your Boxer dog grain-free kibble or dry kibble. Some even advocate dog food with human-grade ingredients. High-quality kibble containing animal protein formulated specifically for the growth and development of lean muscle mass in Boxers. Wet Food: Wet food is another commercial dog food option. If you want raw feeding for your Boxer, be sure to consult a veterinarian first, as raw diets can be tricky to prepare. Home-Cooked Diet: Aside from raw food, you can feed your Boxer home-cooked food as well. Always get your meat and other ingredients from reputable butchers and merchants to avoid potential problems. There are benefits and drawbacks to each of these dog food options mentioned above. But, for the most part, these are the best food options for the Boxer. If you are in doubt, seek the advice of an animal nutritionist or veterinarian. However, Boxers are susceptible to skin allergies caused by these products. To have a grain-free diet for your dog, you should look out for ingredients like brown rice, wheat, corn, and barley. Chocolate: While chocolate is a delicious treat for us humans, it can be harmful to your Boxer. The stimulants in chocolates, known as methylxanthines , make them toxic for dogs. It could be fatal if your dog has consumed cocoa powder, cocoa butter, or cooking chocolate. Fatty Meals: Pancreatitis outbreaks in dogs can be blamed on fatty meals. A veterinarian should always be consulted before feeding a dog a new diet. Call a veterinarian immediately if you believe that your Boxer dog has consumed something hazardous. Some dogs may have stomach upset and even appetite loss if you suddenly switch to a new high-quality food or diet. This shift should occur within a five- to seven-day time window. American Kennel Club AKC advocates starting with 25 percent of the new food for your Boxer and gradually increasing it until all of the old food has been replaced with fresh food, based on the same ratio. Below is a table showing what the AKC recommends as a standard diet transition plan for most dog breeds, including Boxers: Day. Yet underneath that strong and active exterior is a lot of labor and commitment to protecting their loved ones. When it comes to maintaining their health, you need to understand how much to feed a Boxer puppy. We have included a Boxer puppy feeding chart to help you take care of this breed. The daily food intake for a Boxer may range from one cup to four cups. Meal sizes for Boxers depend not just on weight but also on the sort of food they eat. Due to their medium size, boxer puppies need three daily meals and around four cups of food every day. Keep in mind that RER is only a rough estimate of how many calories your dog requires per day; other variables, including their age and activity level, will need to be included in as well. Keeping the puppy clean and warm is essential during this time, as is giving it enough milk or formula to help it thrive. Choose a premium puppy food that has been developed with their unique nutritional requirements in mind. Provide modest, regular meals three to four times a day. At the beginning, feed the puppy just a quarter to a half cup every day, and gradually increase the quantity as it grows. Always have clean water available, and keep an eye out for any symptoms of food intolerance or gastrointestinal distress. To keep them healthy, give them high-quality puppy food in many little meals throughout the day. Exercise, socializing, and the introduction of obedience training should all be high priorities. Keep a close eye on their eating habits and weight gain, and alter their food intake accordingly. This is a pivotal time for training and socializing, so be sure you provide lots of both. It is important to keep feeding them three times a day, and to stick with a high-quality puppy food. Provide around 2 and a half cups of food daily, split between three meals. Starting now is a great opportunity to introduce more advanced training methods like obedience or agility programs. Throughout a day, give them around 2 and a half cups of food. This is a pivotal time for further education and integration into society. Feed them around two and a half to three cups each day. Throughout this phase, they are still learning new skills and interacting with others, making it an essential part of their development. Provide two meals daily, adjusting the quantity of food based on their weight. Maintain a program of regular exercise and training, and watch out for any signs of age-related health decline. Boxer pups need a high-protein, moderate-fat diet for optimal growth and energy. Bone health may be supported by making sure the meal has enough calcium and phosphorus. Depending on its age and degree of activity, the calorie requirements of a Boxer puppy may range from around to 1, per day. A Boxer puppy requires between — calories per day when they are 8 weeks old, and — calories per day when they are 6 months old. Authentic meats and seafood, whole grains, and produce should all be included as ingredients on the label. Puppies of different ages have different dietary needs and feeding schedules. A Boxer puppy of 6 weeks old has to be fed times a day, with each meal consisting of only a few bites. Puppies need to be fed three times a day until they are three months old, then twice a day until they are 12 months old. Training and housebreaking are aided by establishing a consistent eating pattern. Yet, the two are not identical. Dry kibble offers the advantages of being portable, simple to store, and lasting for a long time. Crunchy kibble is good for your teeth because it encourages chewing, which may reduce plaque. Yet, some pups may prefer wet food because to its increased moisture content and inherent tastiness. In addition, it may help you stay hydrated, which is crucial to your health. The preference and dietary requirements of each puppy are unique, thus the choice between kibble and wet food must be made carefully. An animal hospital is the best place to get advice on what to feed a Boxer adult dog. Many factors might be at play if a Boxer puppy suddenly stops eating. Illness, stress, dental issues, and even just a change in habit may all cause lack of appetite in Boxer pups. Sometimes getting a puppy to eat may be as simple as presenting a more appetizing food, feeding it by hand, or making mealtime less of a stressful experience. Leaving food available for a puppy to graze on all day is considered free feeding, which is not advised for Boxer pups. Since free-feeding might induce overeating and weight gain, it is not recommended for Boxer pups. High-quality protein from genuine chicken initially supports muscular growth. This natural dog food has all the nutrition your puppy needs with whole grains, garden vegetables, and fruit. Pros Real chicken first ingredient for protein Contains DHA and ARA for cognitive function Wholesome whole grains, garden veggies, and fruit A blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals No chicken by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy 2. Real chicken is the first ingredient in this tasty, nutritious puppy chow, delivering protein for strong muscles and a healthy heart. It also has a SmartBlend of high-quality, readily digested omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals for a lustrous coat and healthy skin. Four antioxidant sources for strong immune system High-quality, easily digestible ingredients. Delicious crunchy bites and tender meaty morsels. Cons Contains some corn and wheat 3. This high-quality kibble for pups under 1 year old has actual chicken as the first ingredient and no chicken by-product meal, maize, wheat, or soy. Omega-3 fatty acids like DHA help brain and ocular development and deliver protein. Pros High-quality protein for muscle development and growth No GMO, chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, or soy. Brain and eye growth from omega-3 fatty acids like DHA. This formula contains high-quality protein from lamb and omegarich fish oil to create lean muscles and enhance brain and eyesight development. Pros Protein-rich lamb is the first component. Omega-3 fish oil DHA for puppy brain and visual development. Calcium, phosphorus, and other minerals for bones and teeth, Vitamin A and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat Cons Lamb, may not suit all pups 5. Pros Flaxseed and salmon oil contain omega-3 fatty acids Grain-free Created by vets with protein, fat, and minerals Cons Not for ingredient-allergic pets. Raw feeding a Boxer puppy is a contentious issue with no clear consensus on whether or not it is healthy for the dog. Yet, some owners and vets are worried about the potential for bacterial contamination and nutritional imbalances in a raw diet, despite the fact that others feel it might give advantages including better digestion and coat health. Also, choose a reliable raw food supplier. The typical growth rate for a Boxer puppy is pounds per week for the first several months of life. A Boxer puppy, depending on its size and gender, may gain pounds by the time it is 6 months old. To make sure your Boxer puppy is developing normally, keep an eye on his or her size and weight. A constant supply of cool, fresh water is essential for the health of a Boxer puppy. Puppy development necessitates that they consume more water than an adult dog would. Puppies need half an ounce to an ounce of water per pound of body weight every day. A Boxer puppy weighing 20 pounds, for instance, should need 10 to 20 ounces of water each day. Puppy water consumption should be closely monitored to prevent dehydration. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. And, I'll go out on a limb to say I bet those early Boxers ate dog food with less additives and fillers than found in today's formulas. That is of course, unless you're armed with information on sourcing the best possible modern foods for feeding Boxer dogs! Adult Boxer dogs require 1, to 2, calories of good quality dog food per day depending on age and activity, with an averagely active adult dog somewhere midrange. Being a muscular breed that is highly active, Boxers require quality protein in food at a slightly higher level than many less active breeds. Credence should be given to invest in a quality kibble dog food with high protein and caloric value or go with a Raw Dog Diet , especially for active Boxers. Bloat Concerns This breed is prone to bloat, Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus , so grain free kibble and raw diets are a great option for feeding Boxer dogs. Carbohydrate and fat levels are less a concern when feeding Boxer dogs, yet Boxers are know to put on extra weight rather easily. Low carbohydrate diets should be fed to overweight dogs and the breed ideally should be slim, stocky and muscular. To learn how we choose quality kibble formulas, or for help selecting your own, visit our Feeding Dry Dog Food section. For a great alternative to kibble and food we highly recommend for Boxer dogs, visit our Raw Feeding Dogs section. Supplements As with any medium to large breed dog, providing a food that includes supplements adds additional insurance towards good health. To maintain your Boxer's joint health, foods containing chondroitin and glucosamine are awesome. If your kibble doesn't include these compounds, they can be supplemented separately with a product such a Cosequin. For a shiny coat and to promote skin health, foods with Omega-6 fatty acids are wonderful. For control of inflammation or arthritis pain in older Boxer dogs, support the heart, kidneys and stabilize overall mood, Omega-3 fatty acids are great to see on an ingredients panel. Just like Cosequin however, Omegas can be fed separately and as needed by simply squeezing a gel capsule over your Boxer's meal. In summary, feeding Boxer dogs about 2. Amount fed may go up or down based on your dog's size, weight, age and overall daily activity. Feeding Boxer Dog Puppies Quality formulated all life stages food and several small meals a day for a Boxer dog puppy. Your Boxer puppy will grow rapidly through the first six to eight months. Similar to any medium or large breed puppy that is susceptible to bone growth issues like hip dysplasia, feeding a quality all life stages, large breed puppy formula, or Raw Dog Food diet will help regulate growth. Boxer puppies can eat! Two to three regulated servings per day is recommended, do not free freed. There's an unwritten rule in among Boxer enthusiasts to feed at least twice as much food daily that your puppy would eat as an adult, In multiple regulated servings. Begin by following feeding guidelines per the label provided on your chosen Kibble Dog Food Formula. Increase or decrease the amount fed by assessing your Boxer's body weight and energy as he or she grows. From age 6 to 8 months on, the rapid growth phase should cease and while still technically a puppy, your Boxer can be transitioned to an adult diet. This includes higher protein foods yet many who were already feeing an all life stages formula can continue with the same. As always with both puppies and adult Boxers, keep an eye on your dog's weight. You should always see a trace of the last rib with this breed and they should appear slim, yet muscular. Adjust amount fed per serving accordingly to maintain that perfect Boxer appearance. And lastly, with all dog breeds that are prone to bloat, feeding Boxer dogs several small meals a day is a safer bet than free feeding, or one HUGE serving! Don't forget to check out our Feeding Dry Dog Food articles which focus on selecting a quality kibble for your Boxer dog. And, if there's another mid-size dog in your pack, Feeding Medium Size Dogs provides access to a library of breed specific feeding guides. For help choosing kibble dog food for your Boxer Dog plus additional info about raw feeding, visit our Homepage for quick banner access to the major sections of our website! Your vet can run the necessary tests and examine your puppy to determine the cause. Male Adult male Boxers are slightly larger than females. Males weigh an average of 60 to 70 pounds, requiring 3 to 5 cups of food. This weight range requires 2 to 4 cups of food per day. On top of a caloric increase, an active Boxer will also need a protein-rich diet to feed their muscles. A protein-friendly, calorie-dense dry kibble should be offered, and you should follow the instructions based on their weight. Image Credit: boxerdogmadness, Pixabay Sedentary Boxers tend to become overweight quickly if you overfeed them—blame their voracious appetites and love for snacking. This food offers a low-calorie alternative without skipping out on necessary nutrition. However, what really happens is that it decreases their metabolism rate, slowing their energy. This slowing process can cause weight gain if you continue to feed them the same amount of food. The puppies always get the nutrients first. So, if you have a food that is lacking in certain areas, the mother will suffer. Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock Boxer Feeding Guide for Seniors Just like puppyhood has special dietary requirements when dogs reach a certain age, so does old age. Seniors need to eat foods that cater to their life stage to keep them capable, happy, and healthy for their remaining years. A Boxer transitions into the senior category, usually around 6—9 years of age. If you have your dog on dog food for all life stages, it might be appropriate to continue this diet. A lower-calorie food will also help to prevent your dog from becoming overweight. If your senior has specific health issues, it might be best to feed them a specific diet that helps with their condition. As time goes on, you can work with your vet to accommodate their special dietary needs. It is formulated specifically for later years. Some dogs have voracious appetites that are never satisfied. It seems like you barely get it into the bowl before they suck it up like a vacuum cleaner. Free-Feeding—this practice involves making food available to your dog at all times. The danger with this method is that large dogs like Boxers are susceptible to bloat, or gastric dilation-volvulus GDV. Bloat happens when the dog eats too quickly, causing gas to fill the abdomen. It can be fatal. This method can also make overeating seem like the norm, which causes bad manners. Feeding your dog smaller, more frequent meals is a better alternative to free-feeding. Slow-Feeder Bowls—a great way to slow your pooch down, allowing them to digest their food properly, is to give them food in a slow feeder. It gives your Boxer unique designs to eat around, stimulating their mental curiosity while slowing them down. What Foods Are Bad for Boxers? Some things to look out for are: Corn. How much food to feed a boxer puppy How much food to feed a boxer puppy May 15, Let Everyone know For decades the Boxer dogs have been loved and cherished all over the world. Their imposing build along with their gentle and playful personalities captured the hearts of many dog lovers. This broad and muscular breed burns a massive amount of energy in their day-to-day life course, and thereby their diet and feeding formulas are subject to additional requirements. So the food to feed a boxer puppy must be taken in to consideration. To provide the boxer with quality and meaningful life, it is rather important to know how much food they should be fed, what and how often they should be fed. Concerns when feeding a Boxer puppy Boxers are a medium to large dog breed of German descent. Bred to bait bulls in the 19th century, they were fed a lot healthier than they are today, and their dietary habits were managed better. They are, by nature, lovely and enthusiastic, not to mention, far more involved when they are puppies. Their dietary requirements are a little different from other dog races due to certain anatomical variations. What food to Feed a Boxer Puppy Although it is undoubtedly not a fact that boxers are picky eaters, they may have special nutrition requirements when it comes to their feeding. Puppies typically need a nutritious feeding formula with a minimum of .Also, calcium and phosphorus are needed to maximize bone growth for your boxing puppy with ratios of at least or even .However, more is not always better. This will keep your Boxer pup from developing joint problems like osteochondritis or hip dysplasia. Boxers are also vulnerable to food-related allergies that can occur as food intolerances such as itching and inflammation. So choosing the right feed for your Boxer Pup might necessitate some experimentation. And indefinitely the feeding rate varies with the growth of your boxer. Boxer puppies, however, demand about 55 calories of food per pound of body weight, from a general viewpoint. A Boxer puppy is likely to become a medium to large muscle and a lean dog between 50 and 70 pounds if it feeds the correct food type and amounts. Since they are a highly active muscle species, they need high-quality protein foods to feed their energy slightly more than other less active breeds. Many dog food brands have just 25 percent protein formulas, which could prove to be inadequate for a Boxer puppy. It is therefore critical that you do your research and invests in a feeding formula of good quality. There is a common misconception that Boxer puppies should be fed twice as much food as they can consume as adults. It is still a good idea, however, to weigh your puppy every week or every two weeks and change the food intake accordingly. Some puppies may be susceptible to elevated protein, in which case food with moderate protein and fat content is recommended. Besides, Boxers will require a Calcium-to-Phosphorous ratio as near as possible to .In the first 6 to 8 months, your puppy can develop steadily in size and maturity. When your puppy grows older, you should decrease food consumption progressively as it can go longer without food. Kibble specifically intended for Boxer puppies is what is widely recommended as a choice of food as it helps preserve both intestinal and oral health and is nutritious. Some Boxer puppies tend to be a bit sensitive to food, in which case you may have to try a few options before you settle on your favorite puppy. Food with Omega-6 fatty acids is great for a sparkling coat and to support skin health. During their development, Boxer puppies need the recommended quantities of high-quality food and feeding formulas in different ranges. They can be fed up to 4 times a day between 2 and 4 months. Individual pups can still be eaten 3 times daily between 4 and 6 months. The frequency is reduced 2 to 3 times daily over 6 months. It is also possible to maintain this level of food in adulthood. This is the stage where you can teach your pup some food or sleep or exercise discipline and whatnot. In these cases, three meals a day can be considered. However, 2 meals per day are the preferred feeding schedule for your dog to train. You can feel some pressure from its ribcage or spine as you place your hands on the chest or back of your puppy. And you can encounter several problems by over-feeding your puppy. Bloating Bloating is a problem that is particularly common among boxer puppies. It can happen if you feed your puppy too much or too little. Constant bloating may contribute to other more severe gastrointestinal problems that could prove fatal to your dog. For this reason, boxer puppies are often recommended eating kibble-free foods and raw diets as they use more plant-based protein and carbohydrate formulas. Other food sources containing items such as grain, wheat, rice, and oats are frequently discouraged and may trigger excess gas in boxer puppies, which in turn causes bloating problems. Obesity As previously described, boxers are ideally supposed to have a slim, muscular build. They are not specifically susceptible to gaining too much weight, which is why the level of carbohydrates and fats in their food formulations is less of concern. However, boxer puppies or any dog are considered to be opportunistic when it comes to feeding. They will also continue to eat as long as they have food at their mercy. Boxer puppies may end up overeating for these reasons, which could cause them to become obese and overweight. This, in essence, will make their joints weak and cause arthritis, heart disease, liver disease, and kidney problems. There may be a variety of reasons why your puppy does not eat enough. Very frequently, loss of appetite is also one of the first symptoms of a more severe illness. This can also occur due to various reasons, such as; Anorexia Anorexia is indeed a problem for dogs, just as it is for human beings. Symptoms of anorexia include fever, pain, shortness of breath, and tiredness. In certain cases, it can also induce changes in the size of the organ and the weak lungs. If left untreated, it can end up being fatal to your dog. Lack of exercise may also be a source of anorexia, which is why exercise has become so crucial to your puppy. They will likely burn calories at the same amount of consumption to maintain balance. Short Life Span If you consistently underfed your Boxer puppy during its stage of growth, it will most likely grow into an undernourished and extremely unhealthy boxer, with far less engagement and energy than most other boxers. This could also affect his life span. Since Boxers are muscular dogs with a reasonable level of activity, they do need a constant supply of nutrients as described above, otherwise, they will not accompany you for a long time. Recap Boxer puppies need great care and consideration when it comes to their diet since they have some particular and unique dietary needs compared to other dogs with the same level of activity. What to Avoid when feeding your Boxer Puppy? There are no grains at all. Until ultimate research has been completed, play it safe and offer kibble with some level of healthy grain unless otherwise recommended by the veterinarian Boxer Pup must be on a specific grain-free diet, etc. Another one is synthetic preservatives, which could certainly be toxic. Artificial Coloring Ingredients, Blue 02, Yellow 05, and 06 are the most common types of dyes that we can find in feeding formulas that cause behavioral problems in puppies. Additional taste enhancers like MSG, which is one of the worst taste enhancers, are linked to anxiety, stress, rapid heartbeat, and respiratory problems. Fillers are inexpensive additives that are mixed into dog food to pump it up but have little or no nutrient properties. A dog could eat a massive amount of food and yet still be hungry again shortly after. Because of that fast metabolism function, this has become one of the major causes of Coprophagies eating feces. By-products — There are animal parts such as some intestines that are not suitable even for a boxer. Consumption and feeding formulas that involve such food might cause troubles with spinal tissue, lung failure, spleen removal, issues in hooves and tails and undeveloped ovum, etc. Every bite of food will be detrimental or beneficial to this breed's health. Overview Food is fuel both for a growing Boxer pup and large strong adult Boxer dogs. The type of food that you offer for both meals and snacks has a direct affect on your Boxer's health both now and in the future. Also of importance is a feeding schedule and making sure that you offer the proper amounts. This section will cover everything you need to know in order to provide a well-balanced, nutritious diet for your Boxer puppy, adult, or senior. How Often to Feed a Boxer Puppy or Dog Let's look at a summary and then the details: Puppies under 12 weeks: free-fed Puppies and up to the 2-year mark: 3 meals per day Adults 2 years and up: 1 to 2 meals per day Young pups 8 to 12 weeks old: Very young pups, and particularly those that are a bit underweight, should be free-fed for at least the first month at their new home. This is the method of having fresh food accessible at all times. For a pup still trying to gain their bearings, you may need to lead them to their bowl throughout the day. Note that food should be thrown out and the bowl washed and then refilled several times per day as opposed to just topping off the food since pups may not be interested in stale food. Growing pup to 2 year mark: It's best to get a Boxer onto a feeding schedule as soon as possible. Schedules of anything feeding, exercise, sleep time, etc. Young Boxers often struggle a bit to fill out and during the 1 to 2-year mark Boxers can go through a 'skinny phase', so 3 meals per day, plus snacks, can work well during this time. Adults 2 years and up: Most adult Boxers that have reached their final adult weight and height do well with 2 meals per day, plus snacks. If snacks are regular and of substance, a Boxer may be perfectly content with 1 main meal per day. Note that this breed is prone to bloat, so you want to avoid letting a Boxer get so hungry that he rapidly gulps his food down. If that is the case, increase the frequency of meals or use a slow-feed bowl; stainless-steel is best, something like Mr. How Much to Feed a Boxer Puppy or Dog The exact serving size that is appropriate for each Boxer varies and depends mainly on age and current weight but also is affected by activity level, health status, type of food wet vs dry , and individual metabolism. This said, there are general guidelines: Puppies usually require about 55 calories for each pound of body weight. Young pups might eat a bit over a cup a day, older pups can eat up to 3 cups a day. Adults need fewer calories per pound of body weight than their younger counterparts, about .Depending on an adult Boxer dog's size, food is usually in the 3 to 5 cup per day range. To know exactly how much to give your Boxer, know your dog's weight. Don't guess since that can be wildly off. Then, look at the feeding guidelines on the bag of kibble; these are listed by age and weight and are usually pretty spot on. Dry Kibble vs Wet Canned Though many Boxers may prefer wet canned food, dry kibble is better to maintain healthy teeth and gum and a strong jaw. You'll still have to provide some level of at-home dental care , but the crunch of a hard kibble will work to some extent to remove plaque. Additionally, dry food seems to keep the stools firmer and healthier. If your Boxer is a finicky eater and balks at dry food, try mixing in just a bit of canned stick with the same brand or add just a bit of water or low-sodium chicken or beef broth. Grain vs Grain-free It's wasn't that long ago that putting a dog on a grain-free diet wasn't much of a big deal. Some grains, especially those with gluten, can cause excessive gas , upset stomach, and other issues. And, some dogs are allergic to wheat or gluten which can manifest as itching and other skin problems. But recently, a suspected link between certain grain-free dog foods and dilated cardiomyopathy DCM, a canine heart disease caused veterinary experts to take pause. And, since Boxers are one of the breeds prone to DCM, it's important to understand where things are on this. Though it was first thought that any grain-free diet may be the cause, the current thought is that it is a BEG diet, meaning boutique small specialty brands that have exotic meats non-traditional meats like alligator, kangaroo, bison, venison, etc. Many more studies need to be done for conclusive answers to be found. For now, it is recommended to offer healthy grains and this can be done while avoiding gluten if your Boxer has an issue with it. Navigating the Many Choices of Dog Foods What to Avoid: Many brands are guilty of having at least one of these elements that you do not want your Boxer's food to have: No grains at all. Until conclusive studies are complete, play it safe and offer a kibble with some level of healthy grains unless the veterinarian recommends otherwise Boxer needs to be on a specific grain-free diet, etc. Synthetic preservatives. These can be toxic. Butylated hydroxyanisole BHA , butylated hydroxytoluene BHT , and ethoxyquin, just to name a few, are linked to behavioral issues, organ damage, and some forms of cancer. Artificial coloring. Common dyes like Yellow 5 and 6 and Blue 2 are linked to behavioral and health issues. Artificial flavor enhancers. MSG is one of the worst, it is linked to anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and breathing issues. Generic animal digest, meats, oils, or fats. When anything is listed as 'animal', it is derived from a 4-D animal: dead, dying, diseased or disabled animals and can literally be any meat from any animal at all: minks from mink farms, roadkill, zoo animals, expired meats from supermarkets and butcher shops, etc. Fillers are cheap ingredients that are put into dog food to bulk it up but they have little to no nutritional value. The 'food' goes right through their system; a dog will eat but be hungry again soon afterward and this is one cause of coprophagia eating feces. These are the animal parts that are not fit for human consumption and includes such things as spinal tissue, lungs, spleens, hooves, tails, undeveloped eggs, etc. Made outside North America since meats from overseas can be questionable. The kibble will be preserved using a vitamin blend often listed as mixed tocopherals and will be naturally flavored and colored. Some level of grains. Grains that are generally well-tolerated include rice, oatmeal, and quinoa. Wholesome real meats, veggies, and fruits. Some ingredients sourced from Norway are fine; this country has very strict guidelines. If you are not sure what is in your Boxer's food, investigate it. Know about grain content and the presence or lack of additives and subpar ingredients. Recommended Dog Food for Boxers Please note that the following recommendations are formulas with some level of healthy grains; if you did not read the previous ' Grain vs Grain-free ' you may wish to do so before continuing on. This meets all of the requirements of what you're looking for. There are no synthetic preservatives; vitamins are used instead shown as mixed tocopherals. The grains in this formula are generally very well tolerated: quinoa technically a seed , oatmeal, and barley. There are 3 different recipes to choose from: beef, chicken, or lamb. Other ingredients include peas, salmon, carrots, apples, blueberries, and flaxseed. There are good levels of glucosamine chondroitin vital for joint health , antioxidants, and omega fatty acids important for skin and coat health. There are no by-products, fillers, or generic meats or oils and this is sourced and made in the USA. For this one, the base is chicken a very classic tasty protein that most dogs love , along with oatmeal, brown rice, ground barley, peas, flaxseed, carrots, tomato pomace, spinach, sweet potatoes, apples, and blueberries. All other ingredients shown on the label are either vitamins and minerals or natural preservatives. This has no wheat, corn, soy, meat by-products, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, and this is made in the USA. This brand offers a top-quality formula that is gluten-free. There is no wheat, corn, soy, by-products, artificial flavors, artificial colors, or chemical preservatives. The base is chicken and brown rice and other ingredients include white rice, oatmeal, rice bran, avocado, flax seed, herring, and kelp. It has good levels of omega fatty acids and antioxidants. The one trade-off for having it be gluten-free is that it does not contain any fruit; however, it does have all required vitamins and minerals and you can always offers a small amount of fresh fruit as snacks. Homemade Vs Commercial Commercial dog food is convenient and, if you choose a superior brand, it will ensure that your Boxer receives all needed nutrients and is on a well-rounded and well-balanced diet. And, home cooked food gives you complete control over what your Boxer eats and does not eat and can be tweaked to satisfy a finicky eater. So, there are pros and cons to each. Whether you opt for a top-quality kibble or you use good cuts of meat and fish and fresh produce in homemade meals, neither option is super-cheap. Because, of course, you get what you pay for. But, if you buy in bulk and lean toward frozen vegetables and fruits, home cooking may be a bit less expensive. That said, when you prepare meals at home, you'll need to offer a good daily vitamin and mineral supplement even good brands of kibble need to add this in because it's nearly impossible for a dog to receive all nutrients just from food alone. Some of the foods that can be incorporated into meals include: Proteins: Chicken, turkey, veal, beef, fish mackeral, haddock, salmon, whitefish, cod, and others , eggs, and certain beans kidney, lima Vegetables: Carrots, broccoli in moderation , potato, sweet potato, sugar snap peas, green beans, spinach Fruits: Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, pumpkin Grains: Quinoa, oatmeal, rice Related Articles: Best Snacks, Chews, and Treats for a Boxer - A great rundown of the difference between these 3 things and top recommendations. How many calories does a Boxer dog need - Requirements based on age, size and activity level. Recommendations to lower or raise intake. Boxer dog weight issues - This breed can become overweight, usually due to a combination of eating too much and being sedentary. Boxer begging behavior - Boxers are pretty good at playing their humans and it's easy to fall into the trap of giving in to begging. Read how to stop the cycle. Choosing the Best Bowl for a Boxer - Size, height, material and design are all important. Male boxer puppies would be around 17 inches or more during their 6th month while females will be slightly smaller at around 16 inches. Birth to 3 weeks old When your boxer pup is still very young, they should be with their mom and be nursed properly. Keep in mind that your boxer should get equal amounts of milk, especially if they belong to a large litter. Observe the litter for any signs of bullying or some puppies being overpowered. This is also the case if the mother is too thin to supply milk to all of her pups. When your puppy reaches 3 weeks of age, you might start to notice rapid growth. That is normal for boxer puppies since the breed tends to grow faster than most dogs. Boxer pups of this age still need to be nursed. To do this mix 1 part puppy food with 3 parts water in a bowl and offer it to them. It also helps to train your pups to only eat when they are hungry. A good rule of thumb in terms of scheduling for the water and puppy food mixture would be 3 to 4 times a day. You want the process to be a pleasant one for your boxer pup. This is when the weaning process becomes slightly visible. The mother dog will slightly let go of her little ones for them to be independent. Keep them away from dangerous objects and supervise them as much as possible. Ensure that their food is easy to chew to avoid eating problems. If your vet allows for it, you can add some veggies or other food ingredients that are deemed safe for pups as advised. Your puppy will need more nutrition by this time so they need to learn to eat solid puppy food. After all, 6 weeks old is a time for exploration, playtime, and energy bursts whether indoors or outdoors. You may also want to feed them more if they spend a lot more time playing or running around. Once your puppy reaches 7 weeks old, they should already know how to eat their solid food. Give them the serving somewhere between 3 and 4 times a day depending on your available time and their hunger pangs. Your boxer pups will also get nursed less often during this time, as the mother will likely just stand up while giving milk reluctantly to her little ones. She might even run away from them at some point, allowing them to become more independent. Keep their meals served at 3 to 4 times a day, with at least 2 or more cups per day, divided equally. You can also follow the chart that we mentioned above, especially if your boxer pup is quite the active fellow. Having more cups a day is important for puppies that have far less weight than others. You can also ask your vet about how many calories they need depending on their energy levels. Know the activity levels of your puppy and adjust accordingly. If your boxer pup is always on the go, they might need more calories than usual. Moreover, a 9-week-old boxer pup might also roam around and pick various objects to ensure that their surroundings are kept puppy-proofed. Bloating comes from excessively gobbling food so make sure they only get equal portions for their daily meal schedules. While we did say that boxer pups during this period are likely to eat twice as much as a regular adult boxer, always observe if your puppy is getting overweight by checking their waist. Talk to your vet if you suspect your pup might be gaining too many pounds. Always keep in mind to avoid bloating problems with your pup by ensuring the schedule gets followed. Continue with the usual puppy food or as instructed by your vet. Recommended Food Now that your boxer puppy has a set schedule, what should you feed them? Here are some suggestions: 1. Quality Kibble Like most active breeds, dry kibble is the way to go if you want affordable and easy-to-store food for your boxer puppy. Worry not — there are grain-free options in the market. Wet or canned food If you want added calories for an active boxer puppy, consider wet food. After all, canned puppy food is tasty to most dogs, especially during their puppy years, since the smell is enough to get them eating. Omega fatty acid foods Boxers are prone to cardiomyopathy, which can be lessened if they take foods and supplements rich in omega fatty acids, such as fish. Talk to your vet for a diet plan that will help lessen the likelihood of such eye problems. Glucosamine foods Hip dysplasia is common in boxers so we recommend foods that are rich in glucosamine, such as chicken feet and seafood. Consider looking for either kibble or canned puppy food that has glucosamine to help prevent hip dysplasia and other joint problems. Look for primarily meat-based puppy food rather than cheap commercial brands. Commercial brands out there may have more corn and wheat than protein from meat. Instead, look for slightly pricier yet more quality brands of puppy food for your boxer. And, as usual, you should also stay away from human foods that are toxic to dogs, such as grapes, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and the like. FAQs on Feeding a Boxer Puppy Boxer pups need extra care when it comes to their diet — here are some frequently asked questions with regards to feeding them properly: When do I switch to adult food for my Boxer puppy? By this time, you can slowly transition your puppy to adult food in portions. Should I give my Boxer puppy supplements? As a workaholic dog breed, boxer pups need protein and other nutrients, which are fortunately already in most quality dog food brands. Raw feeding a Boxer puppy A raw diet is okay for boxer puppies provided that you get expert advice from your vet about it. Raw feeding is no walk in the park since you need to do the math on calories and nutrients as compared to commercial food. Also, take note of food handling to avoid bacterial infection, especially if you live in areas where humidity is high. If you need help, talk to a breeder or someone you know tried raw feeding before — especially for puppies. Conclusion A healthy and energetic boxer puppy will be a satisfied life companion if you feed them properly. All you need to know is that boxers are typically workaholics so they need to have a balanced diet with sufficient calories based on their activities. We hope this helped you figure out how much to feed your boxer puppy!

It all started when we became empty-nesters and purchased our first lab, since then our Lab family has continued to grow. We strive to breed for great all around family Labradors that are healthy, calm, intelligent, and are of the beautiful English type Labs stocky bodies, square, blocky heads. We're happy to answer any questions you may have. Thanks for visiting! Healthy Parents We welcome litters a year with the goal of producing healthy family dogs, all purpose Labradors placed in loving homes. We strive for good temperament, structurally sound, intelligence and to improve the breed. Our Labs are sweet, intelligent, easily trained, and so eager to please. Our Labrador Retrievers have superior pedigrees with champion bloodlines from traditional English lines. We do recommended Genetic health testing. The puppies are also dewormed at recommended times. We keep puppies until 8 weeks of age. Labs take 2 to 3 years to develop mentally and physically, training is an important part of the development of your Lab. We strongly recommend you locate a Beginner puppy class, enroll and take several classes. Labs are very intelligent and require socializing, training and exercise. Labs do not socialize themselves. Commitment to the welfare of your dog is extremely important. This puppy will be with you the next years. It's important our puppies are placed in homes where they receive the type of care Lab puppies need. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dogs in the United States and many other countries, too. Rather than wondering if you can find any breeder, you might be interested in discovering how you can find a solid, reputable one. If you want quality puppies with tremendous temperaments, see what they have to offer and learn how to contact them about future litters. The 7 Breeders in Ohio 1. Since their humble beginnings, they have taken on the task of placing Labs as family companions into forever homes. The puppies are raised among the family, making them ideal for family roles, show dogs, and even for work. These dogs possess a strong champion lineage and all puppies come with applicable health checks before placement. This family has a very personal connection with this breed, falling in love initially with a rescue Lab and then choosing to continue the breed after her passing. Also, they specifically breed the English-style Labradors rather than American. These pups are bred for show, field, and companionship. They provide American Kennel Club Labradors from strong bloodlines that come with paperwork, health certificates, and the first few weeks of housebreaking done before you even bring yours home! Plus, they show lots of interactive photos and videos so you can get to know the dogs and pups. If you have any questions, there is a list of contact information on the site. Simply email the breeder for further instruction on how to bring one of these cuties home. This breeder has only English-style Labs, which are the blockier variation of the two. This breeder sells puppies with a limited AKC registration, meaning they can be fully registered but come without breeding rights. If you want breeding rights, you must go through the process of approval beforehand. The primary focus of this breeding is to create the highest quality gun dogs around, so these pups are bred for work. This breeder has yellow, chocolate, and black labs for placement. You must contact them directly for potential upcoming puppies. If you are interested in breeding rights, you must apply for approval and follow the rules laid out. Originally, Avon Kennels began breeding Rottweilers but expanded to Labs in .They also breed Himalayan cats. Puppies come with all applicable health checks and microchipping, which is an expense relief for some buyers. They specialize in the colors of Labs on the silver spectrum—such as charcoal, champagne, and traditional silver. So, you definitely get a unique spin on the breed. All Labs are health tested and microchipped prior to new home placement. Each Lab they possess is registered with the AKC. These rare pups are part of the family and all whelping areas are located indoors. Featured Image Credit: Piqsels Ashley Bates Author Ashley Bates is a freelance dog writer and pet enthusiast who is currently studying the art of animal therapy. A mother to four human children— and 23 furry and feathery kids, too — Ashley volunteers at local shelters, advocates for animal well-being, and rescues every creature she finds. Her mission is to create awareness, education, and entertainment about pets to prevent homelessness. Her specialties are cats and dogs.Read more Advertisement. Striving for excellent quality with emphasis on temperament, conformation, intelligence and all around health. Our dogs come from top pedigree, filled with champion lines. Our goal is to produce calm, intelligent "English" Labradors who will provide wonderful companions to you and your family. We are a small kennel, located outside of Alliance, Ohio and believe in producing the utmost quality in our pups. Therefore, we are able to make sure all of our breeding stock and pups receive lots of attention and care. We believe that Labs are at their best when they are in the companionship of people, and where they have freedom to run and play. We take great pride in the quality of the pups we produce emphasizing temperament, conformation and all around health. Our dogs have great pedigrees, filled with champions, from traditional English lines. Our pups are in homes throughout the United States and have proven to be accomplished service dogs, therapy dogs, hunters and companions to many families. You can see many, many years of our dogs, growing from pups to seniors, as well as testimonials from puppy families, on our Facebook page at Maple Creek Labradors. Our Labradors are the 'English' type, meaning they have a square or 'blocky' head, a well muscled body and thick bone. Their soft, kind expression make them instantly lovable. They are not separate color genes. We do not breed dilutes, nor do we support them.

Raw liver, heart and kidney Raw fish sometimes from a tin, sometimes fresh and whole such as mackerel Raw Eggs Natures Menu supplements tend to give her 4 cubes per day - think I might be a bit off the allowed amount here? Natures menu tripe I cut into small cubes and give her one per day Bone marrow these keep her occupied for an hour if we need her not to be in the house Pigs trotters Small handful of nuts Then when I prepare food for us in the evening, I often pass her a few small amounts of avocado, cheese, tomatoes usually one small cherry tomato and small piece of avocado and a small bit of cheese. This is pretty much what we've 'landed on' these days and is pretty constant mixed up as per above. If we give her them now, it would be once a week. She tends to have one bone marrow every day by the way it's hard to calculate how much the meat weighs, but it appears that the amount of 'marrow' isn't huge here? Since dropping her lunch and those pigs trotters, she's definitely getting a better shape. We also purchased a kong a few months back and we perhaps over did that that's stopped for the time being. BTW - 9 times out of 10 we give her all this frozen. If anyone has a spare moment to see if anything looks awry here, I'd be most grateful. We get all out meat from a local farm they have a frozen meat section and the woman a Lab owner as it happens gave us some good advice. We've also found a local speciality raw food store nearby, but haven't visited yet - apparently they're very helpful. All in all, she seems absolutely fine on it I used to hate the way she smelled on the dried food, and not keen on her polishing off that food in seconds! Perhaps a bit calmer too. The vet mentioned seemed to know little about RAW diets if she was having much in the way of carbs.Unfortunately she's had a bit of a limp for some time and since taking her to the Vets, the x rays confirmed hip dysplasia perhaps that's for another thread. I'm mentioning it here as that's one more reason to get her weight down and we're having to walk her less too. We're still waiting on feedback from the vets as to the next steps. She's great though and has the shear amount of new friends we've made purely from walking a dog is crazy people right on our doorstep. Safe to say I 'get' dogs now I'll try and pop a couple of pics up. Many thanks. Whole animals rabbit, quail, etc. This is especially important for small breed puppies as they can become hypoglycemic if meals are spread out too long. Watch to see if he gets too fat or too thin and adjust accordingly. They are important because they are full of nutrients not found in muscle meat. But you want to introduce them slowly. Liver and other organ meats can cause some pretty nasty loose stools in puppies who have never had them before. If your puppy is new to raw feeding, wait until you see a good two or more weeks of solid stools before you introduce organ meats. Then add them in gradually instead of feeding one giant meal of liver. Find out here. Your puppy will benefit from some supplementation. Supplements to consider include: Phytoplankton — whole food nutrition that contains nearly every nutrient your dog needs Nutritional herbs — alfalfa, dandelion leaf, nettle and more Probiotics — friendly bacteria that protects the body from bacteria, viruses and fungi Digestive enzymes — break down and absorb nutrients from food Bovine colostrum — helps to build a strong immune system 8. He should also have plenty of fresh air and exercise. Exercise for young puppies should not be forced walks. His growing joints will suffer less stress if you take him outside for short play or training sessions instead. Keep the walks short — about five minutes per month of age until he is about six months of age. One day, you can return the favor and help another puppy owner realize how simple it is to raise puppies on raw! Plus get new recipes delivered right to your inbox. She's a sought-after speaker and loves to help dog owners give their dog a healthier, more natural life. Dana also breeds Labrador Retrievers under the Fallriver prefix and has been a raw feeding, natural rearing breeder since the 90's. Dana works tirelessly to educate pet owners so they can be the driving force to change veterinary medicine for dogs and make their world a safer place. Visit Dana's Labradors at Fallriver Labs. You can do this with a little guesswork, or you can do the math. Calcium Replacements If your dog is too small to consume bone or you have a dog who struggles to crunch through bone, you can give a bone substitute. Seaweed and coral calcium have a bit more calcium, but the same rule applies. The best bone replacement for raw diets is bone meal. Give 2 teaspoons bone meal powder per pound of food for adult dogs. Feed 2 teaspoons per pound of food for adult dogs. These organs are essential. You should also try to get kidney, pancreas, spleen, lung, eyes, brain, sweetbread and green tripe. When raw feeding dogs, you need to remember that not all proteins are made the same. Some are richer in vitamins and minerals than others. And the organ that supplies the most, pound for pound, is the liver. This will supply most of his vitamins such as vitamins B and C and many of his minerals including copper and folate. The main mistake raw feeders make is only adding liver. There are many other organs you should feed your dog … and your job is to source as many of them as you can. Taurine deficiency can cause heart disease. Glandular therapy is based on the principle that organ meats support the corresponding organ in your dog. For example, pancreas is rich in enzymes. If your dog has pancreas disease, he will have trouble making enzymes. So feeding pancreas will supply him with the enzymes he needs. Another example is brain. Your dog needs DHA for healthy brains and nerves, especially puppies. And brain as an organ meat is rich in DHA, so it supports healthy brains and nervous systems. If you have trouble finding these organs at your butcher, you can buy them in powdered form. If you buy tripe, try to get green tripe from grass-fed animals. If the animal is fed corn, then pass on the tripe, as it will be too rich in unhealthy omega-6 fats. Adding Organ Meats Because organ meats are so rich in nutrients, they can cause digestive upset if you add too much, too soon. But not all fats are created equal! There are two fat properties you need to consider with the raw diet for dogs: Saturation this just refers to the number of double carbon bonds in a fat Omega family whether the fat is an omega-6 or omega-3 fat Saturated Fat There are three main types of dietary fats: saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. The meats you feed your dog will have a combination of all three, but mainly saturated and polyunsaturated. In the wild, grazing animals would normally eat grasses, while most birds would eat grasses, seeds and insects. Grain-fed animals will contain more saturated fat than their grass-fed counterparts. Poultry is naturally higher in polyunsaturated fat and lower in saturated fat. Feed low fat meats and add polyunsaturated oils. Avoid coconut oil, which is saturated fat. Omega Fats There are two main types of polyunsaturated fats: omega-6 fats and omega-3 fats. Both fats help control the immune system and inflammatory response. Omega-6 fats tend to increase inflammation and omega-3 fats reduce it. Just as grains change the amount of fatty acid in meats, they also change the omega fats. While wild animals eating grasses contain equal amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 fats, animals fed grains contain a lot more omega-6 fats. Here are some tips to balance the omega fats in raw diet for dogs: Trim the skin off poultry. It can contain 30 times more omega-6 fat than omega.Pork has a lot of fat in the meat and can contain large amounts of omega-6 fat. Make sure you feed both poultry and ruminants such as beef, lamb and goat. Add a source of omega-3 fats. My favorite sources are ahiflower or hemp a good source of a healthy fat called GLA and green lipped mussels a sustainable and clean alternative to fish and marine oils that carries several beneficial omega-3 fats. Broccoli, kale and especially broccolo sprouts are a good source of cancer-fighting and anti-inflammatory polyphenols. Blueberries have a special affinity for the brain and nervous system, and cranberries add bladder and kidney benefits … but most berries are a good choice. Research shows that vegetables reduce the risk of cancer in both humans and dogs. This is because fruits and vegetables have important immune benefits. All fruits and vegetables contain polyphenols , which are bioactive substances that play a role in health and immune function. They pass through his small intestine to the colon, where they are fermented by bacteria that live there. Polyphenols have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and have been extensively studied for their role in preventing and treating chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Their immune benefits come mainly from short chain fatty acids … which are byproducts when bacteria consume polyphenols. They feed the wrong types of gut bacteria and are linked to chronic inflammation. To boost the vitamin D content, feed whole raw fish, egg yolks, vitamin D rich mushrooms or green lipped mussels. Green lipped mussels will also increase manganese levels, as will oysters and shellfish. This last step will make sure your dog gets enough of the two micronutrients that are most likely to be lacking in a raw diet. The problem is, many food animals are raised indoors and might be deficient in vitamin D. So there should be a source of vitamin D in the raw diet. Here are some of my favorite food sources of vitamin D for the raw diet for dogs: Mushrooms: When mushrooms are exposed to sunshine, they can product vitamin D, just like animals. Egg yolks: Yolks from pastured hens raised in sunshine and eating a proper diet are rich in vitamin D. You can feed eggs several times a week. Mussels: Green lipped mussels and other mussel species are rich in vitamin D. Fatty fish: Salmon, sardines and mackerel are all rich in vitamin D, as is cod liver oil. Manganese Manganese is an essential trace mineral that activates important metabolic processes in the body. It also helps the body detoxify harmful free radicals. If your dog is deficient in manganese, it will usually show as weakened ligaments and connective tissue that can cause joint issues such as cruciate tears. If your dog is very active, you may need to feed a little more. And if your dog is more of a couch potato, you may need to feed a little less. If you can feel the ribs, but not see them, your dog is at a good weight. Pound for pound, puppies need more calories and nutrition than adult dogs. Remember, puppies need to eat more calcium and less fat than adult dogs too. Puppies need to eat more to support their growth. Diet, Nutrition, and Weight Diet, Nutrition, and Weight There is no question about it — labradors love food and are greedy! The most important thing is to provide a balanced diet. Labradors are not finished growing until months old. During this time, their bone structure and joints are still developing and ossifying forming and hardening , and the right amount of calcium and nutrients in their diet is critical. We hope you will find our diet information interesting and inspiring. We strongly believe that health comes from within. Many dog owners remain naive about nutrition and appropriate diet for their dog. This is largely because of the commercialisation and advertisement tactics surrounding dog food, and the huge effort by dog food companies and brands to make their food seem the best and only way. We want our puppy owners, and all dog owners, to be as well-educated and able to make informed choices as we are. We believe natural is best and that health comes from within. Our dogs sport shiny coats and healthy physiques as a result. Balance Nature is always working to restore and maintain a state of health. Health means a state of balance, called homeostasis. Health is a condition where all the tissues, organs, and systems of the body are functioning in a normal manner. To maintain health, the body needs the right amounts of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and nutrients to sustain normal function and be healthy. But what is balanced? If you ate the one food all the time, your nutritional levels inside your body would become very unbalanced, since one food alone cannot provide all the nutrients that are necessary to maintain healthy body funcitons. Cells require many different nutrients contained in the forms of water, carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals and vitamins. These nutrients have responsibilities in every aspect of normal homeostatic processes in the body, including regulating cell fluid levels, supplying glucose and energy, tissue building, and, regulating cell functions, growth and repair. This is why your dog needs a variety of foods to provide the necessary nutrition to maintain healthy. What we feed We acknowledge there are a range of approaches to canine diet and feeding out there. Our preference is to feed a combination of raw food meat and veg alongside kibble dry food. To clarify, raw means feeding a combination of raw meats, organ and bone, plus vegetables; and kibble means a premium quality dry food. This is responsible for contributing to overweight dogs, health problems, and cancers. Hence, in terms of dry food, we recommend premium quality for Kodalihart puppies. Although we are not against dogs having grain entirely, we know that they do not require grains in their diets, and that the carbohydrate converts to sugar, contributing to weight-gain labradors are already naturally prone to weight-gain. A high-quality dry food should not consist of grain fillers, and its primary ingredients the first few ingredients listed on the packing should be meats. If raw-feeding is not possible, then an absolute premium quality dry food is a must. However, we hope to inspire you to include some raw feeding. Raw feeding in this way attempts to mimic the proportions of meat, organ, bone and vegetable that dogs in nature would have eaten. Based on the belief that for dogs to achieve the long and healthy life they deserve, they should eat what nature intended them to eat. We find this to be a fantastic raw feeding ratio. Not only do our dogs love it, but they sport shiny coats and healthy physiques to show for it. Muscle tissue of meat and poultry alone cannot supply complete nutrition to the dog. They supply high quality protein and phosphorus, however are deficient in adequate calcium, sodium, copper, iodine and several trace elements that are essential. A correct raw diet includes meat and organ and bone, not just muscle meat. Perfectly Rawsome is a really good resource if you are wanting to expand your knowledge on raw feeding, including ratios, raw feeding calculator, and recipes, and the theory behind BARF diet. Dogs Naturally Magazine and online videos also discuss raw feeding. Preparing raw meals You only need the knowledge, ingredients, a bucket or tub for mixing, containers and a freezer. This diet is surprisingly EASY to prepare we pre-prepare and freeze it in containers ready to thaw and use. Proper food-handling techniques keeping meat cold, freezing and thawing appropriately will prevent bacteria and contamination of meat, just like with human-grade food. Making raw meals in bulk batches is easier and cheaper. A variety of meat species is ideal. Not all at once of course — we vary it slightly each time we make and freeze a new batch of raw food. The types of meats and vegetables used can be alternated or rotated to keep it interesting for your dog and to promote balanced nutrition. Our preparation process remember we make bulk, as we are feeding many dogs, plus it saves time and cost : Raw meal preparation Step 1: source the veggies Step 2: source meats. Faster nutrient absorption Weight management A BARF diet ensures dogs eat fresh, wholesome, and allergen-free foods, as no chemicals, additives, or fillers are used in raw diets. Raw Dog Diet Research Increased lifespan. Generally, raw-fed dogs are so much healthier. The changes are profound. A study on feeding practices in the United States and Australia indicated that .Lisa M. Freeman Freeman, a nutrition professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, tells WebMD many benefits attributed to a raw food diet for dogs, such as a shinier coat, are the result of the high-fat composition of the typical raw diet. Ingredient contamination. Raw ingredients pose a higher risk of contamination with potentially harmful pathogens i. Coli that can sicken your pet and possibly be transmitted to humans. Feeding whole bones to dogs presents a risk of choking, broken teeth, intestinal obstruction, or internal punctures. Nutritionally unbalanced. Raw allergies. Dogs might be allergic to raw ingredients. Wash all meats, organs, and other raw ingredients. Buy raw products from reputable grocery stores or butchers with high sanitary standards. Raw bones. Avoid big bones and feed only raw bones that are small or ground bones. Never feed cooked bones. They become softer after cooking and are more likely to splinter when chewed. Speak with a vet nutritionist. They can provide nutritional guidance to formulate the best Labrador raw diet or recommend a raw food delivery service. However, after two weeks of storage, most samples declined compared to salmonellae. We also analyzed the price for the most popular meats. According to the U. It might be cheaper. Conversely, buying commercial raw-meat food over traditional kibble is a tad more expensive, but we think the health benefits and convenience are worth the price. Read our feeding raw dog food on a budget guide for tips on how to feed raw for cheap. Choose lean cuts. Raw meat is the main source of protein. Builds and repairs muscles and other body tissues. Needed to make new skin cells, grow hair, hormones, enzymes and more. Ground bones are the safest choice. Avoid heavy or big bones - They can break teeth or get stuck in the digestive tract. Provide essential calcium, phosphorous, and other essential nutrients. Great source of high-quality protein; vitamins A, B12, B6; folic acid; iron; zinc; and essential amino acids. Organs are a great source of vitamins and minerals. The more organs you add to the diet of your dog, the better the mix of nutrients your dog will receive. Fruit such as apples, cranberries, and blueberries. Fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, and oregano. Never feed toxic fruits or veggies Fruit provide antioxidants while vegetables have carotenoids, flavonoids, antioxidants, and many other phytochemicals that are beneficial to immune function and health dogs. It states every dog meal should have six indispensable nutrients to create a balanced meal that supports life and proper function in dogs. These include protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. No fruits or veggies. Always consult with your vet. Adding a multivitamin like Zesty Paws Multivitamin Chews ensures your Labrador gets the recommended balance of vitamins and minerals. Do you have a busy lifestyle with little cooking time for your pup? They deliver Biologically Appropriate Raw Food straight to your door. Their formula is a balanced blend of raw meat, fruits, vegetables, organs, and bones. All of their ingredients are USDA-sourced. Their formulas are developed with the input of a veterinary nutritionist to meet the nutritional guidelines AAFCO sets. The body weight percentage method is the most straightforward alternative to many raw feeders new and experienced. Please consider his metabolism, activity level, lifestyle, health, and other factors to determine the perfect amount. Labrador Retrievers Raw Feeding Chart You have four scenarios to choose from to determine how much to feed your dog. Senior, less active, or overweight dogs weight loss : Feed 1. For a Labrador that weighs 70 pounds, here is how much raw food you would need to feed him daily. How to feed a safe, healthy raw diet The majority of Labradors are fed on a commercial processed food. But there is a growing interest in feeding dogs BARF or a completely raw diet of meat and bones. I have been feeding my own Labradors and Spaniels, all working dogs, on a natural raw diet for over a decade. However, I am not evangelical about raw feeding. Why do some people feed dogs on raw? They are designed to chase, catch, kill and eat other animals. Raw feeding is designed to replicate the kind of diet that wild dogs and wolves eat when they catch and consume their own prey, and to replace commercial dog food entirely, for the modern raw fed dog. Considerable numbers of experienced dog owners have changed over to raw feeding in the last few years. They are still in a minority, but the minority is growing. Motives for feeding raw vary, but for many people, it is because they believe raw feeding will confer some health benefits to their dog or puppy. Objections To Raw Feeding Of course, modern dogs are not wolves. They no longer need to kill in order to survive, and most dogs get their daily rations in a bowl. Some people feel that raw feeding is dangerous for dogs and those who live with them, and irrelevant in the modern world. Different types of raw feeding Not everyone who feeds raw dog food, does so in the same way. Natural raw diets are based on protein and fat, and are low in carbohydrates or virtually devoid of them. What is BARF? What is the prey model? Those feeding RMB diet are mimicking more closely the diet of the predator. I feed my own dogs the prey model diet and do not feed vegetables other than for the occasional treat. Most of this article is about feeding raw from scratch, using meat, fish, and eggs. But I also want to take a quick look at our third option, which is to purchase raw food, ready prepared. There are a number of similar companies in the USA, You can find them by searching online for raw pet food. Is raw feeding safe? The issue of safety is paramount when we are choosing food for our dogs. One of the problems when it comes to raw feeding is that while there are plenty of opinions, evidence is sadly lacking. Much information is therefore anecdotal. And though many people try, neither I nor anyone else can tell you for sure that one method of feeding is safer, in the long term, than the other. What we can do, is look at the advantages and disadvantages of raw feeding and at the risks and benefits, and then try to compare those with the risks and benefits of feeding dogs on kibble. Will raw feeding make my dog aggressive? Some people worry that if a dog is allowed to tear and consume the flesh of other animals, he will revert to his wild instincts and become a dangerous killer. Happily, this is not the case. Raw fed dogs do not experience any changes in temperament or personality as a result of raw feeding. There are several distinct aspects of raw feeding to consider when you are looking into switching your dog over to a raw diet. These include Health and safety for your dog Health, and safety for your family Convenience and practicality Many people have concerns about the safety of a raw diet for their dogs, and worry about their dogs choking or dying from a bone penetrating their stomach or gut. And these risks need to be addressed. But a part of your decision should also be based around the practicalities of raw feeding. For many modern people, used to processed and convenience food, handling raw carcasses is a big deal. What do raw fed dogs eat? Raw fed dogs eat meat and bone. More precisely, they eat meat on the bone. In fact, your bowl will probably be redundant as anything you put in there will be lifted out so that your dog can get to work on it with his jaws. You need to be comfortable with this aspect of raw feeding, and it can take a bit of getting used to. Are you comfortable with handling raw meat? If you want to feed a natural raw diet, you are going to be handling raw animal body parts not pre-packed steak or ground mince, and you need to be comfortable with that too. If you are going to feed BARF you will also need a food processor and be prepared to spend some time liquidizing vegetables for your dog. Which brings us to storage and preparation. Storing raw food for dogs Feeding raw requires a generous amount of storage space. Buying in bulk can save you money and many suppliers will only deliver to each area once every few weeks, so you will need a big freezer. This includes separate defrosting areas in the fridge, separate chopping boards, separate meat knives and somewhere to wash everything in very hot soapy water or sufficient space for those utensils in the dishwasher. And many if not most kibble fed dogs are happy and healthy with shiny coats too. If your kibble fed dog is not one of those, then he may need a check up from your vet to begin with, rather than a change in diet. The known benefits of raw feeding There are some benefits to raw feeding which are widely acknowledged and for which in some cases there is good evidence. By less, I mean smaller poops, not less often, though this can happen. This is a particular advantage to those who have to pick it up! In fact, it is easy to underestimate just how this can improve life at home if your dog poops in your yard or garden. Raw fed dog faeces are firm and within a few hours of being passed, if broken open, will crumble into a pale dry powder. This is simply because almost all the food is tailor made to suit the dog and fully digested. What is passed is mostly powdered bone. Healthy anal glands Every dog has some glands next to his anus which nature designed to be emptied regularly by the pressure of his poop as it travels on its journey to the outside world! Anal glands that are not emptied can become very smelly, and irritating to your dog, who may then scoot around on his bottom in an attempt to relieve the irritation. Good dental health for your dog Removal of plaque build up in some kibble fed dogs may be necessary on a regular basis from quite a young age. This usually involves subjecting the dog and your wallet to a general anesthetic, not just once but possibly on an annual basis for the rest of his or her life. So raw fed dogs do not usually suffer from dental caries. This is a more significant benefit that it might at first seem. It means freedom from dental surgery and the associated risks of repeated general anesthetics. Pleasure and relief from boredom for your dog Raw fed dogs take a lot longer to eat their food than kibble fed dogs, and gain a great deal of pleasure from their meals. Chewing is also a pleasurable activity for many dogs and alleviates boredom. A reduced risk of bloat Another condition that has been linked to some types of kibble those high in fat in some studies is bloat. It is usually found in the larger deep-chested dogs such as Weimaraners and sometimes in Labradors. It is less common in little dogs and in dogs fed wet or raw food. A low or no carbohydrate diet and freedom from grains This is particularly helpful for dogs with grain allergies, but may benefit other dogs too. Dogs have adapted to the consumption of grains but their short carnivorous digestive tract is not ideally suited to digesting them and there is still much we do not know about the long term effects of feeding dogs with on carbohydrates derived from grain. The jury is still out on this one, but in recent years, studies on carbohydrate intake in humans have thrown up a lot of surprises. It is possible we will hear more about their effects on our carnivorous pets in the not too distant future. What are the risks of raw feeding for dogs? Because like most things in life, there are some. This was my chief concern about switching to raw food. The rising mountain of anecdotal evidence suggests that the risk of intestinal perforation from bones is very small. And I am one of thousands of people in the UK feeding their dogs raw. We have never seen a raw fed dog with a perforated gut. I am just trying to put the risk into perspective. Intestinal impaction in your dog Another concern for the prospective raw feeder is intestinal impaction — blockage of the gut — by semi-digested bone. Fortunately, it is likely that the risk of impaction can be greatly reduced by feeding bone wrapped in meat as part of a meal, rather than as a recreational treat for the dog to consume on its own. The risk of your dog getting infected by raw meat Another claimed risk from raw feeding is that of gastrointestinal infection from the bacteria, which we know are commonly found on raw meat. This is a particular worry with raw poultry. We all know how dangerous raw chicken can be and how it can carry nasty pathogens like Salmonella and Campylobacter. Surely a dog could die from eating those? Again it comes back to the weight of anecdotal evidence. And the thousands of meals of raw chicken that have been safely consumed by dogs in recent years. The reality is that dogs seem to be very resistant to pathogens in raw chicken that would make you or I extremely ill. Nor is kibble guaranteed free from contamination, with regular recalls of accidentally contaminated food announced almost every month. General Risks Gastro-intestinal infections are a risk a dog runs whenever it eats anything rotting or disgusting found lying on the ground. And the fact is, most dogs eat foul rubbish including the faeces of other animals on a regular basis without any ill effects at all. Again, it is likely that the risk from consuming fresh good quality meat, fish and poulty, is simply far lower than was once thought The risk of your dog getting parasites Parasitic infections are another concern, a raw fed dog may consume the eggs of a parasite such as a tapeworm from a raw rabbit for example and become infected himself. These risks need to be countered on a case by case basis. When you are feeding your dogs on raw rabbit regularly they need to be treated for tapeworm regularly. Where feeding meat that potentially contains dangerous parasites, then in many cases freezing the meat for a period will kill off any problems. She had tried to swallow it whole and it was much too big for her to do so. This was not because I did not cut the food up small enough, but quite the reverse. I have given her too small a section of wing, and also I had made her fearful of losing it by standing over her. Obviously, if you handle raw meat in your kitchen and you do not follow good food hygiene practices, you or a family member could get a serious infection. The same is true when handling raw meat for your own consumption. However, I have to say I think this risk has been very overstated by the anti-raw brigade. You need to use disposable gloves and a dedicated poop scooper to dispose of the poops and to dispose of them carefully — this applies to kibble fed dogs too. Kid Concerns The risk that concerns me is a different one, and it is the risk to small children who may be in close contact with a dog or puppy immediately after that dog has eaten raw meat. When your dog eats a piece of raw chicken he gets raw chicken juices on his face and his paws. Wiping them off with a cloth is not going to kill all the pathogens in his fur. Small children are very bad at following good hygiene practices and in my view are at risk when playing with a dog that has eaten raw food, especially raw poultry, recently. Nutritional deficiencies in raw fed dogs Many of us have become quite dependent on processing and packets to keep our dogs nutritionally balanced in a way that we would find ridiculous if applied to our children who are surely even more important to us. And if you feed enough variety, the balance will come naturally, just as it does with your children. Nutritional deficiencies in puppies With small puppies, the rapid growth rate of a puppy can make getting the right nutritional balance a little more demanding and critical. After all, it takes a child sixteen or more years to reach full size, whereas a puppy does so in a matter of months. This means there is a greater risk of nutrient deficiencies when feeding a puppy. So this is something you need to consider if you want to raw feed your new friend. Which way to turn? And all this information can be very bewildering. Will my dog die of bloat if I feed kibble? Will his stomach be ruptured by a shard of bone if I feed raw? When faced with possible death and disease on both sides of the feeding debate which way is a dog owner to turn? There are however, some important factors that you need to focus on when making your final decision. Many thousands of dogs live full, long, and healthy lives on kibble alone. Thousands of dogs are now fed on raw meat and bones without ill effects. What you chose to do should reflect your current circumstances and they way you feel about raw feeding. Here are some important things to consider. Are you happy to handle and preparing raw meat? Do you have plenty of storage space in your freezer and fridge? These are basic conditions that need to be in place before you begin. Do you travel a lot with your dog? If you do, feeding him from convenient and readily available kibble may make more sense for you. If so you might not want to risk exposing him to the pathogens found in raw meat. Has your dog ever had bloat? Or have any of his close relatives ever had bloat? If so, this is a reason to seriously consider switching to raw. More Questions! Is your dog an adult or older puppy, or if he is a younger pup, are you confident of getting the nutrient balance right for him? It is important that you are prepared to invest some time in getting the information you need to make sure your puppy is fed appropriately to meet his growth needs. If you are not sure, it may be better to feed kibble Remember, you can always switch to raw dog food later when he is bigger and stronger. Likewise if you have small children, you might want to delay raw feeding until they are better at washing their hands thoroughly after playing with the dog. Are you happy that the risks of raw feeding are countered by the benefits? And do you have a supportive vet? Confidence Although you are unlikely to be able to eliminate all doubt before you begin, it can be tough ploughing your own furrow without confidence or a good support network. There is no point in doing this if you are going to live in fear for the next ten years, or are afraid to tell your vet that you are going against his own views Coping with conflicting advice As you can see there are reasons for and against switching and only you can know which apply to you. Focus on the points that are relevant to you and that affect your family. Each family is different and what is appropriate for one family may not be appropriate for another. Be skeptical with anyone that predicts a horrible death for your dog should you dare to allow him to chomp and swallow raw bones. Neither of these claims is true. Be wary too, of claims that kibble is akin to poison, and those who predict dire consequences should you be so lazy and selfish as to feed convenience food to your pet. There is little evidence to support the view that kibble is dangerous to most dogs, or that it will make your pet sick. Making A Choice If you have no compelling reasons to feed kibble and raw feeding appeals to you, take the plunge and try not to worry. I did a lot of research before I changed to raw feeding and initially was particularly concerned about the risks of intestinal perforation. As the weeks of raw feeding turned to months, and the months to years I began to relax. Life is too short to spend it agonizing over how to feed your dog. We start raw feeding by introducing on meat at a time. What should I feed my raw fed dog Many people that feed raw rely heavily on chicken backs and wings. And on ground or minced chicken sold in freezer packs in pet stores. This is understandable as chicken is readily available to all of us. Provided he has no known allergies, you can feed the following to your dog Chicken. Nutritional requirements of a Labrador Retriever What exactly should the diet of a Labrador Retriever consist of for optimal health? Protein from quality meat sources 2. Essential Fatty acids and omegas 3. Natural vitamins and minerals from bone and plant sources 5. Hydration — high moisture foods and drinking water 1. Protein When selecting what to feed your Labrador Retriever, choose a diet with high-quality animal-based protein sources, such as beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, duck, eggs, and fish. As such, protein impacts canine health in many ways, including: Providing consistent energy Forms new skin, hair, nails, and other tissue. Keeps the immune system healthy. Makes hormones, enzymes, and antibodies. Properly balanced fats are essential for optimal health, and also provide energy. Dietary fat we generally refer to as a triglyceride. There are two types of triglyceride, saturated and unsaturated fat. In balance, they promote a healthy coat, skin, eyes, nervous system, control hormones, fuel brain and learning, and reduce inflammation. Carbohydrates, such as vegetables and some fruits, provide fibre, prebiotics food for beneficial bacteria , and antioxidants that are lacking in meat alone. Dogs are carnivores, but they can benefit from some vegetation in their diets for optimal health. Natural vitamins and minerals A raw food diet aims to replicate what dogs evolved to eat in the wild. As such, meat, bone, offal and a small amount of plant ingredients are all important ingredients in the diet of a Labrador Retriever, each adding highly beneficial vitamins and minerals to meal times. Incorporating ground bone in meals or providing recreational bones for enrichment add nutrients that will support digestion, skin and bone health, and mobility. As such, water is a vital nutrient for all cells, systems and functions, including: The regulation of body temperature Maintaining healthy organ function. The digestion and absorption of nutrients. Detoxification; water helps to flush out toxins and waste products from the body. Preventing dehydration which can lead to serious health problems, including kidney damage and heat stroke. Lubrication and cushioning of joints, thereby supporting ease of movement. Discover more about a raw food diet for dogs in our complete. Labrador Retriever raw feeding guide Whilst you could create homemade raw food meals for your Labrador Retriever, dog owners new to raw feeding can often find making their own raw dog food meals complicated. Formulating meals with the appropriate ratios of key ingredients is essential to ensure your dog receives optimal nutrients, so going it alone can seem daunting. The good news is there is a much simpler approach. By choosing a reputable supplier of pre-prepared raw dog food supplier, you can stock your freezer with quality raw food meals at the click of a button. Labrador Retriever Feeding Chart. May 1, Your dog is a fundamental part of the family. Always there for you through thick and thin, they brighten up your day by a simple wag of the tail. When it comes to their nutrition, it is undeniable that at times they may be treated to the odd human food such as biscuits, cheese or other unhealthy indulgences. Finding the right balance however is essential, and pet owners want to ensure that you are feeding them correctly — so that they remain healthy and happy throughout their life on Earth and any health risks are minimized. Dogs may have evolved from wolves, but they should not follow the same diet as them. What is a raw food diet? Many believe that because wolves survive on such a diet, dogs will also be alright to follow it. However, feeding your dog a strictly raw food diet has many risks, that can affect both you and your pup. The potential risks of the raw food diet Firstly, raw foods carry many bacterial pathogens which can cause serious danger to both you and your dog. A common bacterial infection that can also be life-threatening caused by the raw food diet is salmonella, which causes you or your pet to get diarrhea, a horrendous fever, vomiting and loss of appetite. Dogs can also become carriers of such bacteria and parasites, without them actually getting any symptoms — spreading them to other dogs through their feces or by physical contact to humans. Many vegetables and fruits that are included in the diet are difficult for the dogs to digest due to the nutrients inside of them, causing your dog discomfort when it comes to the inevitable bathroom break. If your dog is severely dehydrated or has contracted sepsis among other infections that the raw food diet results in , it may need to be taken to the vet. Treated by IV fluid therapy or a blood transfusion, they can either fully recover or, unfortunately, have to be put down. For the latter, having your beloved pet treated for such conditions is not only heartbreaking but in a practical frame of mind, extremely expensive. Vets are not cheap and the treatments may not be covered by your pet insurance. There is also the danger of contracting gastrointestinal obstruction, which completely or partially blocks the food and fluid flow through the small intestines a risk of your dog eating bone. Another hazard of feeding your dog bones is that if the bone shards or splits it can get caught in their throat — causing them to choke, or could puncture an organ or cause tooth wear. No matter what the age of your dog, whether you are thinking of using the raw food diet for puppies or for a more mature dog, these risks are something to consider. This can, in the long term, affect their bone density resulting in them developing horrific skeletal issues. Ensure that in order to protect your pup from these diet-related issues, you are feeding them a diet consisting of plenty of water, healthy fats, minerals, vitamins, carbohydrates and protein. This will also help to protect them from getting degenerative diseases such as arthritis and diabetes that can be attributed to eating fully processed food. It goes without saying that different dogs whether it be because of their age or breed have their own specific nutritional requirements. Whether your furry friend is a labrador retriever puppy, an elderly greyhound or a chocolate lab, health is a key thing to keep on top of and it is essential that you tailor their diet to their needs. With their diet, you can also minimize the chance of them developing food intolerance by rotating and changing up what you are feeding them. The Old Dawg Treat Co. The process of intestinal permeability defined as the term used for describing when material flows through the intestinal tract into the gut wall decreases drastically when your dog is exposed to the same food regularly. Not only is the raw food diet potentially dangerous for you and your dog, but in the long term, it can also be costly. Preparing the fresh meat and other ingredients of the diet can be time consuming and expensive, as you have to buy fresh produce in bulk. Yes, you can freeze some of the food, but the preparation needed to serve it to your dog twice or three times a day is not beneficial to you. Across the internet there are many studies published both for and against a raw pet food diet. It is clear that there are mixed reviews over whether or not the eating raw meat diet is beneficial. When it comes to the health of your dog, it is important that you research before you feed them certain items or put them on a restrictive diet. They mean the world to you and your family, so show them how much you love them by treating them correctly. Whether you are a breeder a Labrador retriever breeder for example or simply have them as your pet, it is important to keep them healthy so that they live their best life. Conclusion We all want the very best for our dogs, starting by giving them the nutrition possible. Raw food diets have grown in popularity as of late. This diet focuses on returning your dog to its ancestral diet of meat and bones. But can Labradors eat raw meat? Can Labradors Eat Raw Meat? According to some animal experts, the answer is yes. As you know dogs are descended from wolves, who survive in the wild by eating the raw meat and organs of their prey. Proponents of the raw diet argue that Dogs are designed by nature to eat raw meat. However, one could argue that the digestive system of dogs has changed with millennia of domestication and that it is now very different from that of wolves. Also, the meat that wolves eat in the woods is very different from what we can buy in the supermarket to feed our dogs. When wolves consumed prey in the wild, they are eating it fresh. Now meat goes through a whole process: being packaged, shelved, maybe even frozen. While your dog does have the ability to eat raw meat, the FDA advises against it. They state that it puts both your dog and your family at risk for contracting bacteria found in raw meat like Salmonella. The easiest and safest way to feed your dog raw food is to find a supplier of specially prepared raw diets called BARF. Australian-born vet, Ian Billinghurst, coined the acronym in .Billinghurst proposed the idea of returning your dog to its primal diet which consists of raw meat, bones, and uncooked vegetables. Notice there are not any grains included in BARF. The main difference between the two is that BARF contains vegetables. RMB does not. Rather than including vegetables, this model requires that dogs consume green stomach tripe as a way to ingest nutrients. BARF, on the other hand, includes ground-up or pureed vegetables in an attempt to replicate the nutrients found in the stomach of their prey. Components of a raw food diet: -Muscle meat and organ meats like liver or heart. However, those who do choose to follow this diet swear by the benefits. While the positives of using a raw food diet do seem attractive, the list of cons seems to be concerning. Overall, the main issue is the lack of nutritional balance in the diet of dogs. Be realistic if this is something you can devote your time to or not. Different sources contain different vitamins and minerals. Rotating meat sources helps to ensure a healthy nutritional balance. A main component of the raw diet is bone consumption. The muscle meat should still be attached to the bone when feeding your dog. Please take note, do not feed your dog cooked bones. Cooking makes them brittle and has potential choking hazards. In an attempt to avoid broken teeth, be selective in which bones you give your dog. Avoid bones that bear a significant amount of weight. Leg bones for instance in cattle have a high reputation for breaking teeth. Bones are now part of a meal. Also, do not cut up the meat or attempt to break the bones into smaller chunks. This only creates potential choking hazards. Your dog will instinctively break everything up naturally. Furthermore, you have a few other things to consider when switching to a raw diet. For instance, where will you feed your dog? If you live in an apartment or if there is inclement weather, lay out a washable sheet or rug to protect the surfaces in your home. Similarly, think about storage. Most people buy in bulk because it saves time and money. Do you have room in your freezer? Transitioning From Kibble to Raw If your dog has any preexisting health conditions, consult with your veterinarian first. Get the medical issues under control before switching over to raw. This gradual process allows you to discern if your dog has any food allergies or intolerances. If they become sick or bloated after the introduction of an ingredient, simply eliminate it from their diet. To be safe and responsible, consult with a vet before and during the process. Some alternatives have the same benefits as a raw food diet, as well as consistent nutritional content. The first alternative is Freeze-Dried Raw Meat. Freeze-Dried Raw Meat usually contains up to 95 percent muscle meat, ground bone, and organ meat. The other 5 percent is made up of raw or lightly processed ingredients. As a bonus, freeze-dried raw meat has a significantly longer shelf life than average kibble. The average moisture content of freeze-dried meat is typically around 5 percent. This low moisture content prevents food from spoiling prematurely. Take note that this dog food is still raw. Another option is Biological Appropriate Kibble, this sounds like a very scientific name. In this case, dogs. Biological Appropriate Kibble is designed to meet the specific nutritional needs of dogs. This means that the food has been made with the same type of meat, vegetables, bones, and fruits that would be found in the BARF diet, but in the form of dry food. This method of feeding is perhaps the easiest to ensure nutritional balance. Finally, there is fresh dog food. Like BARF food, fresh food is made with natural ingredients that promote a balanced and healthy diet in dogs, such as: such as beef, chicken, and lamb, vegetables such as peas, spinach, carrots, and fruits such as blueberries, among others. The main difference between fresh food and the BARF diet is that fresh food is not raw, which reduces the potential risks of contamination with bacteria that are harmful to health and do not need to be frozen. They may have words of wisdom, or they may beg you to reconsider. Regardless, remember your choice is ultimately up to you. If you have the time and effort to put into feeding your dog a raw diet, then why not? However, if you have a busy lifestyle, start with one of the alternative suggestions like biologically appropriate kibble. All in all, ensure that your Labrador is happy and feeling good. If you want to find the best pet insurance for your labrador, click here.

Categories Smartest Dogs Boxers are some of the most cheerful and playful dogs you can find. Despite this, Boxers are intuitive learners and can easily learn from past experiences. Plus, their versatility also makes them a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to instinctive intelligence. It was created by Stanley Coren , a canine psychologist and pHD, and measured how fast a dog learns commands. Of course there may be a correlation between breeds that learn quickly and intelligence. However, this is not a true measurement of dog intelligence though a good starting point. It is, however, the easiest to objectively measure in dogs. The judges were given a criteria to evaluate, assess, and rank as many dog breeds as possible. The criteria they used for their trials is the following: The number of repetitions necessary for a dog breed to learn a brand new command. Coren believed that a fewer number of repetitions needed means a smarter dog breed. The success rate that a dog breed will obey a known command on the first attempt. Coren believed that a higher success rate meant a more obedient and intelligent dog. Though Coren received a huge number of responses from the obedience judges, not all breeds made the cut for his final intelligence rankings. Rather only dog breeds with at least assessments qualified to be included in the list. In addition, not every dog breed was even tested. This meant that no intelligent hybrids, such as the Labradoodle or Goldendoodle had the opportunity to show off their intelligence. Fortunately, Boxers are recognized by both kennel clubs — so they did participate. But what does being average actually mean for the Boxer? Being in the average intelligence class means that Boxers were able to learn a new command with 25 to 40 repetitions. Of course, there are reasons why Boxers could have scored so low in this department. But with the right motivators, you may be able to experience a much higher success rate. Boxers vs. Dogs that scored and performed the best are in a class of their own. And conveniently, this intelligence class makes up the top 10 smartest dogs. The smartest dog breeds were able to learn a new command with less than 5 repetitions. These dogs are at least 5 times faster at learning commands than the Boxer! The top 10 dogs are almost two times as obedient as the Boxer! Not only are they smart, but also some of the most obedient pets. The biggest flaw with the Stanley Coren dog intelligence trial is the criteria used to measure dog intelligence. Not all dogs are obedient because different breeds, and even the individual dogs of the same breeds, have different motivators. For example, the top-ranked dog breed is the Border Collie. However, these working dogs love obedience training because they love to work and do it for the sake of working. Some Boxers may have motivators such as dog games, treats or pets — it really depends on the dog. But once you figure it out, training a Boxer can be as easy as any other dog breed. Generally, the more stubborn a dog is, the less obedient the dog will be, especially with obedience training. They will do as they please. One Boxer owner tells us about his stubborn dog, saying: My Boxer has turned into a very stubborn little guy. Some owners suggest trying different treats if you encounter a stubborn Boxer. This could very well be their main motivator, as it is for so many Boxers. With a hungry stomach, Boxers may be much more willing to comply. There are 3 components of canine intelligence: obedience, instinctive and adaptive intelligence. And according to Stanley Coren, the other two may be more important in determining dog intelligence. The problem is that both instinctive and adaptive intelligence are difficult to objectively measure. But the good news is that Boxers excel in both instinctive and adaptive intelligence. Believe it or not, prior to mainstream dog domestication, all dogs were bred for a purpose in society. In almost all cases, they did work that benefited humans. We have retrievers that helped hunters retrieve shot game. Some served as trackers that would help hunters locate a specific animal. And of course we had guard dogs, such as the Doberman Pinscher, that specialized in protecting a person or property. The fact that no additional training is necessary for these dogs to start herding cattle speaks volume. But how is herding a type of intelligence? The innate ability to round up cattle, guide them into a formation and drive them to a destination requires a lot of instinctive intelligence. These dogs need to know how and where to cut off the livestock to move them. But what about the Boxer? Boxers were bred for a lot of very different jobs. Believe it or not, Boxers are some of the most versatile dog breeds in the world. To name a few, Boxers were bred for cart-pulling, herding, large game hunting boar or bison , bull baiting, guarding and even dog fighting. How many dogs are smart enough to do this all? This intelligence refers to what the dog can learn for him or herself. Can the dog learn from past mistakes? Are they able to solve problems? All of these are excellent questions when assessing adaptive intelligence in dogs. Unlike instinctive, adaptive intelligence can vary great among individual dogs within the same breed. Not all Boxers are guaranteed to excel in this dimension of intelligence. But even so, most owners seem to describe Boxers as a breed with extremely high adaptive intelligence. One Boxer owner gives us his theory. He says: I feel like a smart dog learns all the rules very quickly. But a Boxer constantly pushes the technicality of the rules and figures out ways around them — child thinking and figuring things out. Learning from past experiences is one of the top indicators of a dog with high adaptive intelligence. Boxers are among the most intuitive dog breeds. Again, the ability to think on their own is a clear sign of high adaptive intelligence. These are just two examples of adaptive IQ seen in Boxers. We went around the internet and into forums and there were plenty more stories just like these. Is Your Boxer Smart? We asked this question and surveyed owners from the popular Boxer Subreddit. Real Owner Answers: 1. I always tell people, my boxer is quite smart. He will sit and mull over a plan in his head and I can see him thinking through a problem. Seriously, sometimes too smart for their own good. They can be a bit clumsy sometimes, they seem to have an innate ability to step on your feet and crotch when you least expect it. Let us know in the comments section below! Posts you may like:. We've had her for 2 days now and she is adjusting well to her new home. We recommend boxermompupsaz. Dave and Debbie Phx. Cheryl was extremely helpful and supportive throughout the entire process. I would recommend her to anyone looking to find their nest boxer puppy. Kona is a great addition to the family! We just adopted Rock fawn male boxer on Jan 20th from Cheryl, we are so happy with the service and great care they gave our boy! We are so blessed to have found the and brought us our new boxer, We had Sparky for 12 years and we just fell in love with the breed. We are very happy with our whole experience with this breeder and would recommend them to all. Thank you again I have been a Boxer fan my whole life. My mom bred Boxers back in NY. I love that sweet face, silly personality and wiggle butt you can only have with a boxer! We recently had to put our girl Reese down at 12 years old. We didn't know if we were ready.My boss recommended I reach out to Cheryl, as she had just gotten a pup from her a month before. I did and Cheryl took the time to find out what color, gender and timing we wanted to have a puppy. She kept me posted on available litters and when I could expect a new baby. Cheryl was very good about answering all the new mom questions I had and was very patient. Within 3 months of putting down our deposit we were the proud parents of Riplee! Our crazy, beautiful Seal puppy. We could not be happier with her. She is bright eyed, sweet and full of energy. Michelle Phx So here we are.Boxer parents again. Doris has went to the vet with our Yorkie for vaccinations. Low and behold there was a 6 month old boxer more than likely from Cheryl there that jumped and played with my wife as the story goes. She came home and was crying. Prior to us moving here, we had two boxers. Once you have a Boxer your life will never be complete without a Boxer jumping around, slobbering and those eyes.That day after the vet my sole purpose was to find another Boxer. I searched Phoenix not knowing we had the best breeder here in Tucson! I called Cheryl and we actually went to a visitation for other parents to be that weekend. We got to play, snuggle and bathe some of the pups. Miss Cheryl was busier than a one legged man in butt whooping contest. It was Amazing. So we chose to get a pup from the next litter. We too started getting texts at like am. We chose Princess Tessa. She is home with us now and we love her so. The anxiety was killing us like a kid around Christmas! Could not wait for that day Tessa came home. Thank you Cheryl for making us whole again. Tessa is happy and doing well. If you want a Boxer, please call Cheryl! We decided that we would get a boy and a girl. It had great information on it and lots of pictures so we could see how the dogs were taken care of. We got lucky and Cheryl had a pick of the litter male available first. Moose has been a blessing to us as he reminds us daily of our old boy we lost. We then waited for our girl to be born from Khalessi and Bama Boy. We finally went to pick up Poppy a few weeks ago and the two have been inseparable ever since. Cheryl also gave us a nice starter kit for both dogs and provided the microchip for the dogs. We would definitely recommend her if you are looking to get a boxer in the near future. Working with Cheryl was absolutely amazing and you can truly see that she honors the work that she does each and every day. She cares about these animals and she keeps her promises. We purchased a beautiful female fawn boxer this past February after she was born into a litter last December. The price was also very reasonable and Cheryl went above and beyond our expectations. Our baby boxer Bella is an absolute gem and beyond everything we thought she was going to be. Thank you Cheryl and God bless you. We were thrilled to find Cheryl in Tucson. I loved that we could see her previous puppies on the website as well as the expecting parents. Even the sales contract was online to help us understand what to expect. We felt comfortable making a deposit and waiting for the right puppy to come along. Cheryl communicated throughout the process and she was responsive to any questions we had. Love at first sight! He has melted our hearts as well. He is very handsome too, clearly has good genes! Highly recommend obtaining a boxer puppy from Cheryl! Great experience and great dogs! Michelle- Phx Cheryl is great to work with, she was very helpful with all my questions. Would definitely work with Cheryl again, if I was crazy enough to get 2 puppies at the same time again! When she passed in December, we did the math and calculated that putting in a deposit on a pup in February would be perfect timing for a new summer family member. Best laid plans.Eddie "Cue Ball" McDonald came home just in time to keep us company and get the best puppy pampering and bonding experience ever during quarantine. He's brought so much love and joy--and much needed entertainment and exercise--into our lives, and has been exactly the happy, healthy, smart, good boy we hoped for. Cheryl was so kind and great to work with, and her love for the animals is very clear. We'd recommend working with her anytime! Leigh - Tucson Would definitely recommend Cheryl when purchasing a puppy. She was there for us during the good and not so good times. Cheryl is a very knowledgeable breeder, she is a compassionate and loving human being. I have already been recommending her here in Willcox. Thank you so much for Buckshot Cheryl. She kept us up to date through the entire process. When it came time to pickup Ava, she provided us with a little goody bag to give Ava the best start! We are so happy we added her to our family. She is already bossing her big brother around and they love to snuggle. Racheal in Phx Hi, Cheryl! My husband has wanted a Boxer dog since he was a kid. We finally got into the golden stage with our family -- kids all the perfect age, big house with a big back yard -- and we decided to go for it. I happened upon Cheryl's site and immediately reached out to her. We got in touch over the phone and had the greatest conversation ever. She answered every single one of my questions and helped me feel so comfortable! I could tell right away that she'd been doing this for a long time and that she truly cared about her dogs. It was so comforting! It would be a whole lot worse though if we didn't have Hondo and Duke around to keep us company. Thank you, Cheryl, for everything! We could not have asked for a better experience! Michelle- Phx Cheryl is such a pleasure to work with. We bought our first boxer from her almost a year ago. Dex has such a great temperament and Cheryl does a great job at socializing her puppies. We couldn't be more pleased with Dex. In fact we had such a great experience with Cheryl that when we decided to get a friend for Dex and more Boxer love for us, we contacted Cheryl and we bought our little girl Remi basically over the phone. Cheryl sent us some pictures of her and we fell in love. Over the next 2 weeks Cheryl was great with sending videos and pics before pick up day. We have gotten a lot of compliments on Dex and Remi Kristen We contacted Cheryl through her website, we were not sure we wanted to travel to Tucson but after looking at her pups online we were interested. There just was nothing in Phoenix. Either they didn't have the mom or they didn't have the dad, we weren't interested. So we drove down to meet Cheryl. She was well into breeding and knew a lot about the boxer breed. She didn't have any puppies available at the time as they were all sold. But we came on a visitation day, we were impressed with her puppies. She said there would be a couple of litters coming up if we were interested. We wanted a flashy female. She called us in a couple weeks and said she had one come available and we could have her in 5 weeks, we could come and see her in a week so we jumped at the chance. Cheryl kept us updated and sent pictures once a week. Very very impressed with Cheryl and feel we gained a friend as well as our dear Daisy. Cheryl thanks again! Janet-Phx Cheryl was absolutely amazing from start to finish. Getting a puppy from her was the best experience. From getting to meet the parents then getting updates on puppies along with pictures. Even visitations with them while we were waiting to take him home. I will definitely be coming back. We love our Onyx more than words. Lynette-Tucson Cheryl Galloway is absolutely amazing and the quality care she puts into breeding boxers is absolutely amazing. She truly cares about what she does and we are over the moon with our baby Boxer Bella, born December .I highly recommend Cheryl. She definitely has a passion for what she does. Thank you again Cheryl! Lois-Phx Cheryl was amazing through every step of the way!! She is VERY knowledgeable and takes great care of all her dogs and puppies. She was very honest and accommodating with all my questions and fantastic at responding to my MANY requests for pictures and videos of our girl : Our little firecracker is FULL of personality, well-socialized, and came home knowing how to use the doggy door bonus! Domino is the perfect addition to our family, and there is no doubt that we know just who to contact when we are ready for another. Can't thank you enough! Kim Phx We had a great experience! Cheryl and boxermompupsaz. Great communication leading up to the sale, great payment options and very friendly to deal with. Our pup was in excellent health,,he had current health record and all of the proper shots for his age! Adam and Jodi in Tucson I found Cheryl on line when looking for a boxer puppy after losing our best friend Rookie. Cheryl was friendly and kind on the phone but when we met her in person I was taken by her knowledge and her professionalism as well. Mugsy was born to Lexi the night before Thanksgiving. Cheryl texted me all night long starting at 10pm until am until all 9 pups were born. You might not want to do that but I asked and Cheryl delivered! After Mugsy was born we came out several times for visits. The puppies were all healthy and clean and full of personality. When we picked Mugsy up Cheryl sent us home with a care package with everything we would need to get us through the first week just in case we forgot anything. She thought of everything! New toys, food bowls, collar and leash, first aid kit, basic medical supplies. Because Cheryl socializes her pups so well, Mugsy came home already using the doggie door. Cheryl is warm and caring and she loves her pack. All that we met had great temperaments and were living long healthy lives. Mugsy is part of our family now and we know Rookie would approve. Thanks Cheryl for a great experience. Working with Cheryl was wonderful! From the very beginning she was very open to communication and tons of questions from us. She was patient when we explained we had to wait because we lost our dog in February. We were able to go meet Cheryl and a few of her dogs, just to put a face to the name. She is open to any questions and very knowledgeable about the Boxer breed. Once we found out a litter was due, she kept us informed on the due date and sent pictures of the pups immediately! We were so happy! Even for the first weeks, Cheryl sent pictures of our chosen pups and videos! Which made my day! I would recommend Cheryl to anyone seeking a Boxer to add to their family! Shelley W. While we were waiting for our little Kai in December, we decided to adopt Meka Gucci one of your retired females in October. Meka is such a sweetheart and gets along with the family. Then in December we were able to bring Kai home. They get along so well, and they're so much fun to watch. They sure bring a lot of joy and happiness! Thank you for what you do, we know for sure who to go to when we need another boxer or two! Thanks again! Pam and Bob Surprise Az. .Cheryl was wonderful to work with. I was very lucky that when I called her she had just had a litter of pups available! And I have Lucy. We had decided on getting a brindle girl, and when the litter came, Cheryl let us know. We came for the first visit and saw that she had a boy still available. And of course we couldn't leave him so we ended up with two puppies. We love Luke and Leia so much and Cheryl was so easy to work with. If ever we are looking for another puppy, we will come back to Cheryl. When I was ready for another pup, I knew Cheryl was the one to call. I had expressed my interest in an older Boxer that was retiring and needed some love. It was so special to have the opportunity to adopt little Scout's dad, Buddy has absolutely completed the home and he is the most loving and gentle dog in the world. It means so much that you chose and trusted me to take care of this sweet boy, he is beyond spoiled and so very loved! Thanks for all you do! Xoxo Kenzie,Scout and Buddy Hey Cheryl, I have gotten two dogs from Cheryl and have really been pleased with the service she gives and you can really tell this is her life passion. Cheryl always explains what she has done for the puppies she brings into your life and really wants her puppies to start out right with you. Cheryl is always willing to give you advice and always willing to answer questions. I would highly recommended Cheryl and her puppies to anyone. Thank you Cheryl Sincerely, P. Mongo and Brawley are doing great and getting along. I lost my beloved boxer a few years ago and was ready to get another one. I love the breed and how they bond with their families. The previous breeder was no longer breeding, so I decided to try Cheryl because of the reviews. She did not disappoint. She let me and my daughters come down to pick our pup, spent time talking with us and telling us about the parents and their temperaments. Our puppy, is a puppy and full of boxer energy, but she has already bonded with me and comes near if she feels I am upset, she is amazing with my 2 year old. Shannon-Chandler Cheryl is a total joy to work with, and an awesome breeder. It is obvious how much she loves her dogs. They all have great and gentle personalities as well as being physically beautiful. She clearly explains the process to transfer CKC registration and microchip ownership information. She sends your puppy home with a great starter bag that includes a dog pillow, a leash and collar, stuffed toys, treats etc. We would highly recommend Cheryl as a breeder. Our little Bella is now four months old. We take her everywhere and she always draws a crowd of admirers which she graciously soaks in. We are so very blessed because of Cheryl and her beautiful babies. My husband is retired and the house was just too empty without Damien. I hated not being greeted by my fawn colored kidney bean when I would get home from work. So we talked and decided we would get a Boxer from a breeder. We found Cheryl and we feel so fortunate that we did. The first Boxer we got from her is Lil-Bit and she is retired and the sweetest girl ever. She's laid back and very protective of myself and my Husband. Loves to just be with us and go on walks. We also got a brand new pup and his name is Sam. He is almost 9 weeks old and very smart. I had many questions about his shots and was super concerned about the Parvo virus. He already had three shots and was wormed when we brought him home. Cheryl told me to have visitors take off their shoes before they enter my house and wash their hands before touching the pup. I went as far as buying shoe covers! She is always available for questions or to just run something by her. She really loves her dogs. I truly believe that this is her calling, just by the way she is with all of them. You could not find a better person to buy a Boxer from. Cheryl lets you visit whenever you want, unless one of her girls is delivering. She stays home with them the whole time, You also bring home a huge bag of goodies when you bring your pup home. Food,bed,toys,collar and leash and so much more. Every Boxer I ever get will be from Cheryl. So I googled and found Cheryl. I decided to surprise the family for Christmas and Cheryl made this such an easy and fun experience! She was very informative and willing to be on call for any help I needed. Our baby Petunia is healthy, adorable and smart. If we ever decide on another puppy, we will definitely be calling Cheryl again. Julie- Chino Valley Cheryl is not only an amazing breeder but a kind heartened and sweet women that is passionate about her boxers. This is a late review but there is no better time then now to share my experience. I had to put down my old boxer of 15 years back in April and I was distraught. After a couple months I branched out, looking for boxer breeders. I'm so glad I found Cheryl. She responded to my text right away and I was set on the last male puppy in Luna's litter. Cheryl was attentive and sent updated photos of baby Apollo, all the way up until pick up. She was kind enough to meet my boyfriend and I half way, on her way to Phoenix. Baby Apollo is now 19 weeks old. He is a great addition to our little family; very healthy, happy, goofy and spunky. I'm so thankful for Cheryl. We might come back for second addition soon! Nicoletta- Az. My Husband and I knew we wanted a puppy for our family. We have always adopted from a shelter, but now with 4 small children and one on the way we decided to find a breeder. The minute we made contact with Cheryl we knew that we were working with a person who loves her dogs and her puppies. Our sweet boy Leo is just the most amazing puppy and we are all so in love with him. From the first day that I contacted her, she sent tons of photos, videos and had quick responses to my emails and texts and she always had the puppies best interest at heart, which I absolutely loved. We can tell that our puppy Aspen was so well taken care of and loved because of how attached to Cheryl she was every time we went and visited her. I would recommend Cheryl to anyone looking for a purebred boxer that is very well taken care of and loved. Cheryl, thank you for our precious new puppy and her amazing going home bag and gifts. We love Aspen so much! Rivers Family It all started back in early December as my wife and I were wanting to get a second boxer as we had to put our Boy down in , we have a female 6 year old boxer named Delpheena Rose. Cheryl contacted me back saying that she has a litter due in late Dec. Well the puppies were born and on we got the best present, we got 1st pick of the pups! We picked the all black male boxer. We were so excited, starting putting names on a list and name after name we just couldn't pick one. We asked if we could come and meet our puppy and Cheryl welcomed us to come and meet our boy. The puppy was 2 weeks old when we went to meet our baby. Love at first sight to say the least, we chose the name "Dexter". I have to say that being able to go and meet the puppy was one of the best things we did. We ended up going to see Dexter twice and then at week 7 and one day we picked Dexter up. We are so happy with how well Cheryl takes care of these babies. I would totally recommend Cheryl to anyone who is looking for one of the best additions to the family. We will be getting a second puppy in the future. Marc and Megan I am so happy I was able to find Cheryl and her pups. I had a horrible experience of losing my brindle baby and best friend of 8 years. We rescued her from the streets and gave her love and I never thought I would lose her. Well, when I found Cheryl, i knew i had to get another puppy. I have been in love with my puppy since we went to pick her up. She is amazing, she has adapted very well and she loves seeing us walk thru the door after a long day of work. I will forever be grateful for Cheryl for giving my new baby girl and myself a new chance. We will definitely be going back to you!! Just got Firulais! I contacted Cheryl months after losing my best friend Winslow, a rescue boxer who had to be put down do to lymphoma. I was sure I wanted another boxer because a home is just not complete without one. I found Cheryl online. Having always done rescues I was nervous, but Cheryl had great info about her and her dogs and all her reviews were glowing. Cheryl responded to my and email right away and asked to put Winslow's picture on the memorial page. She asked if I was ready for another puppy but understood if I wanted to wait. She told me Midnight and Buddy had just had a litter. She sent me photos and I fell in love with Wyatt. Cheryl encouraged us to come see Wyatt right away. She worked hard to coordinate with us and brought Wyatt and even his mom Midnight. It was obvious Cheryl loves and cares for all the dogs she has. Both were happy, healthy and social. We got to see Wyatt every week and even met his dad, Buddy, and his siblings on and off her property. He was always clean, and on schedule for shots, de-wormer etc. Cheryl would text me photos, videos, and updates. Wyatt even got his nub nipped by a litter mate and she made sure he was looked at and cared for. We picked Wyatt up to bring him home and Cheryl literally gave us everything we needed. At 18 weeks Wyatt is an active, healthy, playful, loving puppy who is great with people of all ages and other dogs. Thank you so much Cheryl! As someone who doesn't trust easily and as someone who always had rescues, I can say this was a great experience. I wish all breeders were as responsible and caring as Cheryl. Someday Wyatt may get a sibling and we will be using Cheryl! Thank you Boxer Mom Pups Az! Christina Amazing! We now have a happy, healthy and very special little girl. Cheryl is one of a kind, she takes great care in making us feel apart of the whole experience from birth to take home. The pictures during the first weeks the visits and take home care package. We will never buy from anyone else. Thank you so much for our new baby girl, Zoey! They came home with us Dec 4th. What a wonderful delight they are- healthy happy puppies. Cheryl does a wonderful job with her breeding! If you are in the market for a puppy- Cheryl is definitely the place to go. She loves her Dogs! Not a typical breeder.Yvonne - Tucson Cheryl is not your average breeder. She cares about everyone of her puppies and she makes sure they go to the right homes. We just got not one but two puppies and I couldn't be happier!! We met and picked our first one at 4 days old and fell in love with another one while we had visitation of the one we originally picked!!! When the 7 weeks finally came so we could take our babies home. Cheryl had a bag full of needed items as well as pillows to make the transition easier!! I will definitely keep in touch with how our babies are doing and would love to see new puppies as they are born!! My whole experience was amazing. I recommend Cheryl to everyone. My nephew and daughter both are proud owners of Cheryl 's boxers. I consider her a friend now! I will be in the market again SOON! Shawnee - Tucson Boxer Mom I want to thank you so much for our wonderful puppy Angel we got from you a couple years ago. You were so helpful and when she got lost, you were so helpful in reminding us about the microchip and got her BACK! You have been there anytime we have an issue and referring your vet they are Great! Just recently Angel had 6 puppies and you were on the other end of the phone the whole time, offered to come over if there was a problem. Everything went well, pups all found loving homes. Thanks again for your help. So glad you have this section for us to tell our experiences, I am sure I'm not the only one! April - Tucson Dear Cheryl I want to let everyone know I have purchased several dogs over the years, and have never met a more compassionate person as you. You really want whats best for your pups. We will certainly refer you to anyone interested in purchasing a Boxer puppy. Our pup came with a starter kit. It even had some things in there for me! It was much more than I expected. We brought Honey home and didn't need to go to the store to buy anything. You were very through in selecting what we would need our first night at home with our new puppy. Also, your Memorial page is very thoughtful for those of us that have lost a canine companion. He is such a good puppy and great addition to our other Boxer Lola. The starter kit you sent him home with shows how much you love your dogs and want the best home for them. Thanks again for all the pics and updates you sent me prior to us bringing him home! Sheryl - Scottsdale Cheryl was so amazing to work with and we would do it again in a heartbeat! The initial conversational was great, she took the time to ask us our needs as a family and helped match us to the right pup; Sigourney is exactly that, the perfect boxer girl. Cheryl also sent pictures and updates during the waiting period which was immensely appreciated. Pick up day went smooth and we had a peaceful time chatting with her for a bit. Her goodbye with Sigourney touched our heart, her love for all her dogs and the puppies were palpable. Sigourney's temperament is amazing. She is happy, calm and patient. She is doing great with all three kids and all under 5yrs old! She truly is a little ball of joy. We recommend and will continue to recommend Cheryl to everyone who genuinely wants a happy, healthy boxer paired with the best experience. We look forward to the future, God Bless! My daughter named her Baja. You were wonderful in keeping us up to date with pictures and helpful with our questions. It was such a pleasure to have met you. I will definitely recommend you to other people. It was a wonderful experience and Cheryl is a loving, caring breeder. Our puppy Coco is a beautiful, healthy and a joyous addition to our family. We highly recommend her puppies! As a lifelong boxer owner and lover, I have to say this was my best breeder experience ever. From my initial contact to email to the day I picked Max up, Cheryl was so responsive to questions, sent lots of pictures and updates as Max grew with his siblings. When I first went to meet Max not only could I meet his parents, but a lot of her adult boxers. I knew right away this was a great place. Every dog adults and pups were clean, friendly and happy. Sure enough Max has that same great temperament as his parents. It is hard to find breeders who are truly loving and care so deeply to better this great breed. This is the only breeder I know who actually holds the pups till 9 weeks just to make sure the 2nd round of the 4 puppy shots is done. In addition Max came home with all the info I could ever need, plus a great goody bag with treats, food, food bowl, and some of his favorite toys. Along with a surprise for us! I could have found 50 breeders closer to my home, but will never get another pup anywhere but from here and would recommend them to everyone. I can't thank Cheryl enough for completing our family! Mesa, Az. I want to thank you so much for giving us the most awesomest experience in finding our new family member. Being able to visit with our new pup throughout the weeks was so great, bonding with her and seeing her grow. All of your dogs were so great and after meeting them the first time I knew I made the right choice coming to you. I could tell you take pride in breeding and raising such wonderful dogs. You made this such a pleasant experience. I look forward to keeping in touch and we are so proud to be apart of boxermompupsaz family!! Thank You, Thank You!! Shannon O. Tucson We want to thank you so much for Lego, he is the perfect addition to our family. From the moment we met you till we picked up Lego, you were great! You gave us a lot of advice and answered our questions and concerns. Even now I know I could call and you will be there to help. Thank you so much for the wonderful experience. Stevie H. Tucson On an odd rainy day in February, I met up with Cheryl at the vet's office to meet Valentino, when I saw the puppies I could not decide which one so I adopted them both as love is not for sale. There were only 3 in their litter and Romeo was already reserved. Teddy and Valentino named so due to being born on Valentines Day are the love that we needed in our family. Let me tell you, sometimes they are very mischievous, rambunctious and can be down right stubborn. With that being said, I would not trade them for the world. Valentino is the leader, he has gotten into the sink and stole a defrosting London Broil. How did he get into the sink? Maybe he stood on Teddy's back. I can imagine them doing this, they are THAT intelligent. Well dinner was a little late but I was more concerned about his sensitive stomach. Teddy loves being on my white Italian leather sofa, he loves it so much that he smelled something probably crumbs and tore a hole right into the shoulder of it. I spent a Saturday sewing it up, while arguing with Teddy. He has claimed this sofa as his own. This is the love that I speak of. No matter what they get into, just one look at those sad eyes and I am a big bag of mush. They are the cleanest babies I have ever seen. They love to play in the mud and I let them! They are my babies. They are so smart, I lock them out of the doggie door and they will clean themselves, when finished they knock on the door. They loves kids! They use to jump on them but I have trained them that babies cry. So now they walk up and allow them to pet them while they wag their stumps and drool thank goodness Walmart has an endless supply of baby wipes. They are very territorial,nthis is our fault. We have kept them all to ourselves. We love them so much. Cheryl, the cost that we paid for them is nothing to the joy that they have brought us. The wagging stump waiting for us after a bad day, they love us unconditionally, to hear them "talking back" when one of us tells them to " Go to bed", it is priceless. Thank You Cheryl for doing such a good job with your breeding services. The Reades Tucson We found Boxermompupsaz. Cheryl bent over backwards to give us a few chances to meet our new family member before we brought her home. We had to drive a few hours to get there and were thankful for that. Our care package was a fun "treat" to go through too. Charles's personality?? I can't say enough about her. She is our second dog with our other boy being "not so friendly to other pups BIG dog", Charlie walked in and took his heart along with his toys, but somehow knows how to back off when she needs to. She is smart, loves to please and the most adorable dog we have EVER seen! Apart from out first born boy of course! Thank you Cheryl. We recommend Boxermom to the moon and back! Angela A. Tucson Thank you so much for our beautiful sweet and snuggly little Lily. We are so grateful to have met you and been given the opportunity to adopt her. She is adapting nicely to her new home, but misses her mama, brothers, sisters and of course you! She's got quite the personality. We will keep in touch and share your site with our friends, family and neighbors who are interested in boxer pups. I can't thank you enough for the experience and being so kind and helpful during this whole process. Best of luck to you always. Jill C. Phoenix Follow Us. If you have a Cimarron Boxer and would like to leave a review and picture, please do so below. Great family dog. Loving personality. No health issues. Cimarron Boxers was very professional to work with. Would definitely use them again. Rene Madeiras Bona This handsome boy is five years old today! We love you Zeek Von Cimarron!!! They are great camping buddies, Great with kids and grandkids. Kenny Thompson Clyde E litter is 1 year old today! Colin Lee-To Freya, our 7 month old boxer is a joy to have in our lives! She is spunky, sweet and a very smart girl! Thank you Cimarron Boxers for sharing her with us! Penelope is beautiful and an amazing personality. Great with every human and animal soul. Sweet as sugar, smart as a whip, and a beautiful boxer. And a real strong facial profile and perfect physique. But most of all, a kissy, lovey, loyal, extremely affectionate girl. I fell in love with Finn in from the picture that Christy had on her website. A few weeks later he was ours!! They are the best parts of my day!! I just wish I could share more pics with you!! Thanks, Cimarron Boxers for giving us all great family dogs!! Our Hanna is almost 11 and Falcon is 8 months. Both are great family dogs and have good temperaments. Minimal health issues and vet visits for both, Hanna being older has had some recent concerns which are being managed and she is doing well. We had good communication with the breeder from when we picked out our pup to when we got it home. We love our Cimarron Boxers! We love him to pieces! Kaitlyn Denopoulos We have gotten 2 pets from Cimarron Boxers, wonderful healthy, happy pets when we picked them up. Christie and her husband are wonderful to work with, providing great updates on the pups until they are ready to go to their forever homes. Highly recommend!! Jenny Javers Our beautiful Sage. She is the queen of the house, no doubt. Little sleepy in this pic. Just back from the beach! Love her, thank you Christy and Jonathan. He is doing great and being spoiled. I am working on getting a better set of photos but he seems to know when I am trying and either lays down looking away or runs up and sits in my lap looking at the camera from about an inch away. Thank you and your family again for the opportunity to have such an amazing puppy to my family. Sweet, feisty, and super smart. We just adore her and loved working with Cimarron. Thank you, Christy, for letting us raise one of your beautiful babies. Janice Mesli We got Beau and loved his temperament so much, we were lucky to be able to get his sister from another litter Lily, a year later. You can tell they came from the same parents. They are attached to each other. Such an amazing part of our family. Danelle Stipes This is Sita! She is perfect in every way and is the best pet sister to her human siblings. We can take her anywhere and she is the life of the party. I flew out to pick her up and brought her back to Washington state just in time. I met Cimarron Boxers at the airport and I fell in love with her the moment I saw her. He is my baby and Cimarron boxer she was great to work with. Leslie Parkins We have two boxers from Cimarron and they are the light of our lives! Everyone that sees them, comments on how beautiful they are and we have to agree!! Cristina Viola We have two babies from them, a 9. I love working with them! He is a healthy, happy, and engaging 80 lb 21 month old male. We live in AZ and flew out to pick him up just as Covid struck in March ! Let us know how your puppy is doing and send us a photo! Great for kids, loyal, loving and protective but not aggressive in my experience. Fun loving breed that loves to cuddle. Rating: Boxer Breed Review by Andrea The most loyal and fun loving yet stubborn babies on the planet! They are happy, friendly dogs that are easily trained and aim to please their human. My boxer lived 10 years. I miss him every day and soon I will begin again with another of his breed. Such loyal companions and the best of watch dogs, ever. I adore them.I love red fawn.Id like to come fet on soon! Id like a beefy girl or boy Rating: Boxer Breed Review by Johnna Trone Yes, my family and I have had two boxers are less boxer passed away in March we are looking to fill our furry family pet again. My wife and I have be married 60 years, and we had boxer dogs until six years ago, when we lost out last boxer at sixteen years ago of natural causes. I have had a Boxer really my entire life. Her birthday just passed. If you really want to have a family dog that comforts, protects and is adorable, get a Boxer. Rating: Boxer Breed Review by Maggie Boxers are a great family dog and very playful, but can also be protective. I have had Boxers all my life and every one has been excellent! I greatly recommend this breed to you and your family. No other breed I trust more with children then the boxer. We love Our Duke. They have huge personalities and with training can be quite obedient. Mine is very protective and takes a couple of minutes to get used to new people. However, she is great with children and very patient with them. They have a lot of energy and would be a great fit for someone with an active lifestyle that has time to wear them out. Their size is perfect as well. They are big enough to be intimating as far as protection goes, and small enough to travel with and meet weight restriction for certain living situations. He was very hyper as a puppy and required a lot of exercise, as all boxers do. As he got older, he calmed down but when I wanted to play or go for a walk, he'd get up for me. They're extremely loyal and are great with kids once they have grown out of their main puppy stage. Even when they're old, they're like big babies. Not a lot of grooming is required other than their nails and face wrinkles along with other normal grooming requirements. I do not recommend getting a boxer if you won't give your companion a lot of attention and if they don't have enough room to run around. He lived 10 years and died of lung cancer. He was raised in a no smoking house and ate life abundance dog food his whole life. He was my best friend, loyal, sociable and very obedient. He was high energy until he died. He was confident and was not shy. Our guests were his guests. He was a blessing to our home. She was the most even tempered, kid friendly dog I have ever met. Even though she could be skittish, she never once nipped or was aggressive toward humans or other dogs, and play-fought with puppies. She was friendly toward every guest we ever had and loved to play with tennis balls. My mother bought Roxann after my father died. They are fantastic with children and very protective of their people. Sweet, loving personalities. Boxers are as good as it gets. We took her to the vet on 3 15 .She is perfect. Ruth and her husband have a friend that will drive your puppy to you. And believe me it was great. I will be looking for another boxer next year I will call them first. Other than. Being 4 pounds under weight which the vet is not concerned about she is perfect thank you for our new addition to the family. Thev are. Sweet, smart, beautiful, loving, protective, funny, did I mention living pups ever!!! The 2 we have now are pretty dry mouthed, but.They have a not unwarranted rep for stinky flatulence,however, ours have been on boxer breed specific food since we got them as babes and that seems to make a huge difference from the ones I grew up with. They are big, lovey lap dogs.My girl, Trixee, likes to sit on my shoulder when I'm propped up in bed watching tv at night awww. They love people and often wan t to greet everyone by jumping up on them. I've found this to be a hard thing to teach them not to do, but you just need to train them to sit before anyone can say hello. Anyone familiar with the breed will say let them jump, I know how exuberant they are and it's ok? So you must be watchful for this with small children, as they really love kids. If I'm watching a video of my grandaughter on my phone, Pip and Trixee both start looking for her. They love babies and are very gentle and protective of them. My husband grew up with English setters and we had 2 lovely girls that we were heartbroken to lose. He's a Boxer man now, and always showing me pictures and such on his tablet. Get aBoxer, or better yet.You won't regret it! Loyal is to say the least. Very active so this keeps the family active!! Most lovable breed of dog we have ever had. Keep a check on health. Keep up on all health visits. If you are thinking of bringing a boxer into your home. Ask yourself if you are ready to put on a seatbelt and hang on for the best ride in your life!!!! Me and my family will always be Loyal to the Boxer breed!! They will truly change your life for the better!!! This was hands down the best dog that I have ever been around. The intelligence, intuitiveness, temperament, playfulness, protectiveness, and the massive amount of love and joy these dogs have to offer you cannot be understated. Extremely loyal, active, smart and great with kids. As soon as my heart recovers from this most painful loss, I will be getting another German Boxer for my children to grow up with. Hands down the best breed you can own in my opinion. They are such a living and loyal family member who can always make you smile!! They have such a unique personality and will always love you as much as you love them? Excellent temperament. Great athleticism, but needs 1 to 6 miles of exercise a day. Excellent cold weather, but limited to 65 degrees F. Excellent latent protection qualities, they sense when necessary vs. Plays well with others, human and others i. Beautiful souls with so much personality, will eventually break your heart as you will never forget them. Rating: Boxer Breed Review by robert Ward Rating: Boxer Breed Review by Odette Feuerschwenger Yes I have owned 2 boxer and loved both so very much I am ready to commit myself to my pet Please send me information on a female boxer that you have for sale. For the first 2 years she's was very active and very strong willed. She needed exercise daily to held work off all that energy. She's was like a 23rd old child. She's never did bite but she's most definitely had a presence about her. I never had to worry in my home or when walking her. She's let me know if there was anyone around. I miss her greatly and I'm alone now and am looking again for another female. Such a beautiful breed and I will love to adopt one someday! Love the breed. On a farm and lost one last fall at twelve. He has healthy and active his whole life. His sister is 13 and active and healthy but losing sight slowly. Would love to have a pupp around her. She mothers every animal. They are children to me, not, dogs. They have the best dispositition than any of the bigger breeds. Rating: Boxer Breed Review by Suzanne I have a female boxer that is all that and a bag of chips, I had a male for only a short time, I would like a boxer puppy and a rott pup, I love both breeds, and understand the breeds. Goodwin Jr. She was so sweet and gentle and great with my daycare children. Rating: Boxer Breed Review by scott wickwire ive had two boxers i just had to put my last one down to rest last sat, he had cancer throughout his body really bad and i cannot stand to see animals in pain at all and i did not him suffering any longer, but yes would give the breed a 5 star rating , they are most definetly very smart loves children very family oriented dog loves attention Rating: Boxer Breed Review by Patricia Persello Love my boxer. He is 8 years old. Never has shown aggression. He learns fast. He stays within 50 feet of me. He's not had to be leased for 7 years. Never leaves the yard. Loves all other animals. He died suddenly of a heart attack at our feet while sleeping. He was our 3rd boxer and I wouldn't get another breed for all the money in the world. They were great with our two boys growing up and now great with our grandchiidren. Our other boxers lived to be between 11 and 12 and even though their life expectancy is not as long as smaller dogs this breed gives you so much love and big wet kisses I cant describe the joy. The only issue is that they are so loveable but so big they love to jump up on people and this is something that you need to teach them as puppies. I cant wait to go on Saturday to pick up our fourth boxer. I feel guilty getting one so soon after Baxter just passed on Saturday suddenly but our hearts have been ripped apart and I am sure that little Buck will help us heal faster. Goofy, personable, people pleaser so very easy to train as long as you establish dominance, awesome with kids and all kinds of animals. He is VERY energetic but loves his naps. He does require quite a bit of patience, especially in the beginning. He is completely harmless. Even though he is not exactly a small breed, he is convinced he is a lap dog. I never have to worry about guests or kids coming over or even coming up to him while on a walk. He loves all people, dogs as well. He doesn't do too well with separation. He can get bored easily, and with all of that energy make sure you take your boxers for walks and supply him with plenty of toys because he can get a bit destructive in the house if he isn't entertained enough. Although in the beginning it was a little tough, he is obedient and well trained now. I would recommend this breed to anyone with a little patience, and a lot of love to give. I am a certified occupational therapy assistant. My 12 year old son and I would love to have a boxer to train. Rating: Boxer Breed Review by William farrow All around family friend guard dog loyally has no limits smarts picks up on requests almost instantly sometimes the goof and above all my best little buddy love him after having him for 8 years can't imagine life without my little buddy tobie Rating: Boxer Breed Review by Yes. Forresttucker Rating: Boxer Breed Review by Fran Words that come to mind when thinking of my experiences owning a boxer; loving, hysterical, protector, smart, and dedicated. Such a great breed. Rating: Boxer Breed Review by Sha Rating: Boxer Breed Review by Elaine Ficociello My first memory is coming home from the breeders in the backseat of my parents' car with my boxer pup, Bonnie on my lap with her ears and tail bandaged from being cropped. I was a little over 3 and she was a tad over 8 weeks old. The stories of her gentleness and bravery are too many to share here, but when we moved to Calif. They bonded instantly and were inseparable until her death of old age years later. My brother who was born after we gave her to my Uncle so he never knew her was so moved by the family stories of Bonnie that he has had 6 boxers - the first named Bonnie of course. His children have grown up with these great, fun, friendly and loyal dogs their whole lives. I guess we are a dedicated boxer family because we have experienced and observed the greatness of the breed for years and can say from experience that they are close to the perfect dog. The best dog I ever owned, easy to train they're very intelligent , fiercely protective and excellent with children. He was a lover. Just make sure it's from good stock. Inbreeding ruins the pedigree chain. He was the best dog I've ever had. Passed miss him every day! Loyal , playful and , very protective of their humans. Great dogs around kids. Also one of the smartest breeds around. Just looking to see if there was any breeders around Roanoke, Va. Eismont Have a boxer named Destiny. She is my baby. Loves to be cuddled but also likes play time. You really have to watch for over breeding and such because Heath problems will arise. Hickson Love the brindle boxer looking for male had a female miss her dearly. Frank 13 S. Main St Boxers are very loving and easy to train. They liked to play and take walks. They want to be where you are at all times. And where are you located? They are the most fun, loving, protective, caring, well-trained, family oriented, great with kids, and a true companion. I wouldn't picture a different breed for my family. Rating: Boxer Breed Review by Erika I have had two boxers and they have both been the best dogs ever loyal and protective they were always very gentle with our babies when they were small and even as they grew I can not given enough praise to this breed I just love their little wiggle butts. J Rating: Boxer Breed Review by Paul Schmitt My boxer was very special and loving gave lots of kisses and loving to both my wife and me. Will be looking to buy a puppy sometime in the middle of May .Have had 4 boxers over the years. My boxer lived for 11 years and will definitely get another one. Must loyal, great with children, very intelligent. They are loyal gentle loving yet very protective. Best dog ever. But since i cant have that, we are def. I recently had to unexpectedly put my 7 yr old boxer, Gunner, down last month due to finding out he was in the chronic stages of cancer. One look at him and I was already attached. Boxers have a very human-like personality and are smarter than some people I know, not to mention the unconditional love they have for family. They are hands down the best breed of all. They are smart, goofy, playful, impish, loyal, affectionate, great with kids I have young kids and the dogs adored them and great watch dogs. What I love most about them is they stay puppy-like for a very long time. But they are stubborn and they do like to jump, they require good training, a lot of exercise and attention. For a first-time buyer they might not be the best fit. I have had 3 Boxers and two of them did have cancer. Boxers are prone to cancer. But I did put them both through radiation and they both lived another 5 years cancer free! Even though they are prone to health issues and their longevity isn't what us Boxer lovers would want, their personality makes it all worth while and I wouldn't get any other breed! He is the most amazing dog, such a great personality and so lovable. Tyson truly brings joy to everyone he meets. Boxers are awesome and charasmatic dogs and I would reccomend anyone to purchase or adopt one if you want a little light in your life. I also had one dog bred twice in her life and another champion line boxer bred once. Love the breed and everything about them. Great with Children, Perfect for adults and normally great with other animals! Easy to train and will be a lifetime best friend! What more can you ask for!? We got our 1st boxer off Greenfeild Puppies 6yrs ago and put her down due to Cancer and just got a 2nd Boxer off Greenfeild Puppies 3weeks ago and both hands down are the best dogs we ever had and we have had many different breeds over the years! So with that said.Rating: Boxer Breed Review by stephanie Boxers are wonderful dogs and great with kids! I have had boxers for the last 15 yrs. Looking to get another one. It's the first dog that I've owned and I am so glad that I went with a boxer. He is like a family member and I could not be happier with him. I don't think that I will ever own any dog other than a boxer in the future. They enjoy being around people and other pets. Great around children and other dogs; pulls a bit on leash when encountering squirrels very strong ; loves to give very wet kisses; seldom has any "dog" odor. Brush their coats, bathe them once a month, and brush their teeth. Can't go wrong with this breed. Rating: Boxer Breed Review by ivette richardson best family dogs ever great with children,protective and kind a dog that will make you laugh! Rating: Boxer Breed Review by vicki g i have had alot of different breeds, but the boxer is by far the greatest, i have a fawn male and female boxer now, they are just so funny to watch. Mine are so loving and do anything they can to get attention. I currently have a 2 year old male. In ,my first boxer sadly passed. He was a great friend. After 4 years I knew I had to have another boxer to make my life complete. Rating: Boxer Breed Review by Debra Latella I have had various breeds of dogs my whole life, but I cannot imagine my life without a boxer. This is my second boxer and the first one I got from Greenfield Puppies. She was, by far, the best dog I have ever had as part of my life. I miss her every day and am grateful to have found her. This breed is strong, clowns, loyal, and obedient with the proper training. This breed does need to be trained, as with any dog, but because of their size and strength, you need to be in control. That said, they also love everyone, especially children. Great family dog. Very lovable, loyal, and great with kids and other animals. I have one that is a year old. His name is Dozer. We bought Dozer from a breeder listed on the greenfieldpuppies website. He has a great bloodline and has been very healthy. I plan to get another one soon. My rescue boxer Tory just died on Sunday and I miss her so much. Their happy, loving, loyal, obedient, and very affectionate. There like Lays potato chips you just cant eat but one! Personality plus! Rating: Boxer Breed Review by Nicole Boxers are absolutely the best breed, I prefer females because they are easier but males are good too. They are just so silly and goofy and loyal and loving, you will forever be laughing and full of love once you bring a boxer into your life. Getting mine was the best choice I ever made, I laugh constantly. Great dogs, very expressive faces, great family pets! We have had many dogs but this breed by far has been the easiest to train and the most playful. Esh he is black and white when we got him I saw his parents he is built just like his dad and a great dog I think if a family really want a dog that will bond well with all u got to get a BOXER they are the best. I have a Boxer that is one great dog! I am thrilled with his personality and he keeps me on my toes with his energy.