golden retriever puppy pittsburgh

We are a small hobby breeder located in Spokane, Washington. We chose Goldens because they are intelligent and versatile, but most of all because they make great family pets due to their friendly, eager to please demeanor and their loyal, gentle temperaments. We knew that for our family, this was a great breed for us! We are thrilled to share this wonderful breed with our clients. Why Goldens? Their easy going, affable personality is something you will love, especially as they snuggle up to you! They have enormous love for water and games, but even more love for you! Eager to Please — while some pets can be hyper-independent or very clinging, Goldens are so intelligent that they are always looking for ways to please their owners, which makes them willing and enthusiastic when following your commands with proper training of course! Great with Children — most children love dogs, but not all dogs love children. Goldens have a natural gentleness and long-suffering personality that make them perfect for kids even if they are the tail-pulling, climb-on-top variety of children! They are known as symmetrical, powerful dogs bred for tough working conditions with a muscular, well-coordinated body. They are known to turn heads and bring smiles wherever they go! Spending time with your Golden will foster a fierce loyalty and forge a bond that will last a lifetime. Golden Mountain Retrievers. We have answers. What are Golden Retriever puppies for sale near Spokane like? A Golden Retriever is a perky, loyal, and loving breed of dog that has become increasingly popular as a companion pet. With an outgoing and friendly personality, Golden Retrievers are incredibly smart creatures that easily learn new tricks. They are very family-oriented and thrive when given a job or task to focus on. The breed has a thick, luxurious coat that typically sheds and requires regular brushing and grooming. Frequent exercise is necessary for a Golden Retriever since they possess a strong will and require plenty of mental stimulation. How can I manage allergies with Golden Retriever puppies for sale in Spokane? Golden Retrievers can be wonderful family pets, but allergies can be a concern for some potential owners. To help manage allergens, it's important to regularly bathe and groom your furry friend to reduce the amount of free-floating allergens in the air. Keeping their fur trimmed short may also help reduce the amount of allergens they shed. Be sure to regularly vacuum carpets and furniture, and dust shelves and walls to help remove these dirty particles from your home. Additionally, use an allergen-reducing air filter to capture and filter the air of particles. What do Spokane Golden Retriever puppies for sale eat? Golden Retrievers have a diet variable depending on their life stage. Generally, they should receive a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet that includes essential vitamins, minerals, and protein. Puppies require more frequent meals of a high-quality diet designed to meet their growth and development needs. Adult Retrievers should be given a good quality diet of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Treats should be given sparingly, as their nutrition should mainly come from the diet. What are some essentials I should buy before getting Golden Retriever puppies in Spokane? Before getting a Golden Retriever, you should make sure you have the essentials necessary for a smooth transition. It's important to get a comfortable bed for your pup, chew-proof toys, a crate or kennel, potty pads, quality food and treats, grooming supplies, a harness or collar with an ID tag, and a securely-closed fence or pens. Additionally, it's a good idea to purchase items such as a collar with a leash, interactive toys, and a puzzle toy. How big do Golden Retrievers for sale in Spokane get? Golden Retrievers are typically considered a medium-sized breed of dog. Generally speaking, an adult Golden Retriever will measure anywhere from 20 to 24 inches in height and may weigh up to 75 pounds. While this is typically the largest size you can expect to see, there are instances where a Golden Retriever may reach heights of 27 inches or more and weigh as much as pounds. However these cases are usually caused by intentional overfeeding and can have adverse effects on a dog's health. Are Golden Retriever puppies near Spokane active dogs? Yes, Golden Retrievers are highly active dogs. They have high energy levels and need lots of exercise and playtime. They are usually described as sporting, energetic, enthusiastic, intelligent and sociable; characteristics that keep them moving and interacting with their environment. They enjoy outdoor activities such as hikes, swimming, running, and agility courses. Golden Retrievers are also excellent family dogs, as they bond quickly with their owners and love to play with family and friends. They are sensitive to human emotion and thrive when given plenty of affection and attention. Do Golden Retrievers in Spokane get along with kids? Golden Retrievers are known to be very friendly and gentle, and they develop strong bonds with their families. This breed stays active and playful into adulthood, so you may find that they want to join in whatever game the kids are playing. As long as Golden Retrievers are socialized and trained properly, it's easy to see why they make such great family pets, especially when there are children in the home. Are Spokane Golden Retrievers for sale considered smart dogs? Yes, Golden Retrievers are considered to be highly intelligent dogs with an eagerness to please their owners. They are consistently ranked among the most intelligent dog breeds for their ability to learn commands quickly and overall trainability. They have an excellent memory that helps them retain what they have learned and an intuitive and natural ability to get along with people and other animals. This makes them an ideal companion and great family pet.

This adorable week-old Boxer puppy has stolen our hearts and is ready to take on the world. With his cute button nose and soulful eyes, Boris sits ever so patiently, looking up at us with pure innocence against a crisp white background. This high-angle portrait captures Boris in all his cuteness glory, showcasing his youthful energy and playful spirit. His fur shines like silk under the bright lights, making him even more irresistible. It's hard not to fall head over heels for this little guy! With his floppy ears and chubby cheeks, Boris embodies everything we love about baby animals. He's a true bundle of joy that brings smiles wherever he goes. Whether he's chasing after toys or cuddling up for naptime, this mischievous pup is always full of surprises. Mark Taylor has perfectly captured Boris' personality in this delightful photograph from Nature Picture Library. The plain background allows us to focus solely on the star of the show — our lovable boxer friend who reminds us that sometimes all you need is a wagging tail and wet kisses to make your day brighter. So go ahead and let Boris melt your heart with his undeniable charm! Just one look into those innocent eyes will have you falling head over paws for this precious little boxer. In Stock - Available Now! Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart. As a medium to large-sized dog breed, Boxers need more time to fill out and reach their full size than smaller dog breeds. As a general rule, expect your Boxer to grow until they are 18 to 24 months old. Keep in mind that this range is an estimate, so there are always exceptions. Image Source: Canva How big should a 6-month-old Boxer be? A 6-month-old male Boxer should weigh around 41 to 48 pounds, while a 6-month-old female Boxer will weigh about 39 to 44 pounds. According to Care. For a male Boxer puppy, this would be around 17 to 19 inches tall. Pro Tip: Check out this downloadable new puppy checklist covering topics like vaccination schedules, setting up the home for a new puppy, teething, veterinary visits, and more! How much bigger will my Boxer get? There are several ways to estimate how much bigger your Boxer will grow. If your Boxer is less than two years old, they are likely still growing. Some Boxers stop growing closer to 18 months, but many Boxers will continue to fill out in weight and body size until they are two years old. A puppy will rarely be larger than either parent, so this can give you a clearer idea of their maximum size. Do their paws look oversized compared to their legs and the rest of their body? This is a strong sign that your Boxer is still growing and filling out! What is the size of a full-grown Boxer? According to the American Kennel Club Official Boxer Standards , a full-grown male Boxer will stand around 23 to 25 inches tall, while a female Boxer will stand about .A fully grown male Boxer will weigh around 60 to 70 pounds, with their female counterpart will weigh about 55 to 65 pounds. As with many things, prevention is always better than treatment. Taking your Boxer to regular veterinary appointments is one of the best things you can do for their health, along with consistent love and care at home. One of the best things you can do at home is brush your dog's teeth regularly to help prevent painful periodontal disease and avoid pricey dental treatments in the future. Periodontal disease can cause bad breath and oral pain for your pup and may require your Boxer to have a dental cleaning or tooth extractions under anesthesia at some point in their lives if not attended to at home. Keeping your Boxer at a healthy weight is crucial for their longevity, overall health, and happiness. If your Boxer is overweight, talk to your veterinarian to develop a weight loss strategy so that you can get them back on track. Consult with your veterinarian about the ideal food and exercise for your Boxer. Like all dogs, Boxers have certain conditions that they are prone to. Boxers are a purebred dog breed prone to heart problems, like cardiomyopathy, heart valve narrowing, and congenital heart defects. Brachycephalic syndrome increases their risk of respiratory distress, allergies, heatstroke, and sinus problems. Regular veterinarian appointments are crucial in finding and treating illness early to give your Boxer the healthiest and longest life possible. Unfortunately, veterinary bills can be costly with many treatments for emergencies and illnesses, such as heart problems, being thousands of dollars to treat. When surveyed, .The financial safety net provided by pet insurance is why pet insurance is worth it for many pet parents. Keep in mind that even healthy behaviors, like exercise, can be overdone. Consult with your veterinarian about how much exercise is prudent. Medium to large-sized dogs that are still growing may suffer from joint damage if they are overexercised. Make a plan with your veterinarian today to provide your Boxer with the ideal amount of exercise to keep them lean, healthy, and happy. Boxer puppies grow into strong and sturdy adults that make fun-loving, often silly companions, and fierce protectors. Do you want to find the best pet insurance? Let's analyze your pet's breed, age, and location to find the right coverage and the best savings. Analyze My Pet About Pawlicy Advisor The pet insurance marketplace endorsed by veterinarians, at Pawlicy Advisor we make buying the best pet insurance easier. We can see when your Boxer puppy will become their adult size and reach its full height. Your new puppy will grow rapidly for the first two weeks. Your pup should weigh between 4. When your doggo is between six and eight weeks old, they should also prepare for their first vaccinations. Males should be around 17 to 19 inches .At one year old, females should weigh between 55 and 65 pounds .Many factors are involved. For your doggo to maintain a healthy lifestyle, monitoring their growth and weight is a good idea. How can you tell how big a Boxer will get? Within the first six months of age, your Boxer will grow rapidly. You can tell how big your pooch may get by looking at their paws and head. For example, your furry friend may look disproportionate for a while. However, some parts of their body will catch up to the rest within a few months or even a few weeks. Is your Boxer at a healthy weight? You can typically tell whether or not your Boxer is at a healthy weight by their ribs. But, on the other hand, if you can feel and see their ribs, they may be underweight. Always check with your vet to be on the safe side. What are some Boxer dog body shape changes? Boxer puppies grow in height faster than their weight gain. When this dog breed matures and becomes an adult, they will have a wide chest. But, overall, Boxer is strong and lean. In addition, different factors are involved when it comes to impacting how your dog grows. In addition, reputable breeders should have this information. The nutrition you feed your pooch can help or hinder their growth. For example, if you feed them dog food with unhealthy fillers and lots of fat, they may become obese, thus hurting their growth and overall health. Will neutering or spaying your Boxer affect their growth? Spaying or neutering your Boxer has more pros than cons. For example, some health conditions may include hip dyslexia, bloat, acne, arthritis, and cancer. The best way to ensure your pooch remains healthy is to work together with your veterinarian. Take your dog to regular vet appointments at least once per year for an annual check-up. In addition, talk to your vet about the type of dog food and exercise your Boxer should be getting. If your doggo is overweight or underweight, the vet will be able to help. Finally, properly groom your doggo. Physical activity Boxers need plenty of room to run around and stretch their legs. However, they love to play and enjoy a round of fetch with you in a fenced-in yard. Just be sure to wait until their bones and joints are fully developed before taking them for jogs or hikes. Otherwise, they could have joint issues later in life. Dangers of stunted or accelerated growth If your Boxer is a little bigger or small than the others of its breed, that may not necessarily be a bad thing. However, some issues can occur. For example, your pooch may be smaller due to a growth hormone deficiency. This controls the growth rate in dogs, their bone and teeth development and maintains a healthy coat. Dwarfism could also be the reason. When do Boxers stop growing? You can expect your Boxer to be fully grown and stop growing between 18 and 24 months of age. This system works on a scale of one to nine. One means your pup is underweight and unhealthy. Nine means they are extremely overweight. The ideal place on the scale where you want your large dog to be is a five. What should you do if your Boxer is growing too fast? Growth disorders can occur in larger dogs, such as Boxers. If you notice your dog growing too fast, talk to your vet first. How to help your Boxer lose weight if he is overweight? This includes their diet and exercise. Take a look at what dog food you feed your pooch. In addition, do you feed your doggo people food and table scraps? Do Boxer mixes vary in size? If you want to learn more, you can read about Boxer mixes here. How Big Is Your Boxer? These happy doggos are a delight to have around. Boxers are great companions dogs for anyone young or old. While this pooch can have certain health conditions, they do have an average growth track. Overall, with proper exercise and dieting, your Boxer will develop into a happy, healthy pup. Did your Boxer puppy grow on track? Let us know in the comments below. Further reading: Learn more about the Growth of other Dog Breeds. Before you start training your Boxer puppy—or, even better, before you get the puppy—read up on what kind of training is ideal for your breed. Check online, local libraries and local organizations. You can also ask your vet for advice. Remember, the more knowledgeable you are, the better you know how to react under different circumstances. Make sure as well that you have what you need to effectively train your dog. If you're planning to clicker train, get a clicker. If you're planning to crate train, get the right-sized crate. Also be sure to pick up an appropriate collar and leash for general training. A leash should be no more than five to six feet in length. The best leashes for training are leather. Always check your equipment to make sure it is in good order and not liable to snap or break. Training works best when you dedicate a couple of short sessions 10 to 15 minutes twice a day to it. Try to train at times when the dog is not tired, but also not bursting with pent-up energy. Karen Pryor. Publisher: Ringpress Books Consider expending your Boxer's energy before training sessions by allowing him 20 to 30 minutes of high-intensity physical activity. This will enable him to better focus on training. Try to train the dog in a place where there are few distractions, so that your Boxer puppy can focus his attention on you. This means avoiding places with other animals or people. Always begin training in your home or yard and build up to environments with more distractions e. Your commands need to be simple, short, clear and consistent. Don't lecture your dog; they're not human so they don't process language in the same way. Phrases like "I've told you not to do that" or "Please stop chewing on the table" will not work as they are too complicated. John Bradshaw. Publisher: Penguin Experts believe that a given dog registers the first part of the word as the most important, so longer commands such as "Sit Fido if you want a treat" are liable to confuse him. Just say the word "Sit" instead. In general, shouting at any dog is ineffective. This is especially true for Boxers who are hyper breed by nature. Use a firm but pleasant and upbeat voice when instructing your dog; don't yell or lose control. Dogs are very intuitive and will be able to sense your frustration and may react in kind. The tone of voice matters, especially since, again, dogs don't process language in the same way that humans do. So how you say something may mean as much if not more than what you say. Publisher: Penguin Boxers are playful by nature, and a light, breezy tone will not suffice; he will think you are just playing with him if you are not firm enough. Try using hand gestures at the same time as you issue verbal commands. For example, raise your hand at the same time as saying "Sit". Dog behaviorists believe that dogs look for multiple clues as to what we want them to do, which includes the command word, tone of voice, and body language. Admonishing a Boxer puppy too long after the incident is ineffective. If you need to admonish or correct your dog, it needs to be done during or within a few seconds of the act. Dogs will have forgotten the event within seconds of its occurrence, so it's key to address the behavior immediately in order to facilitate the retraining process. Boxers are notoriously stubborn and steadfast, so you may have to correct your puppy numerous times. Always be consistent in your commands and desires of the dog. This helps your dog to understand what is expected. Don't forget to enforce training when you are out and about, so that your dog doesn't just thinking that "Sit" and "Stay" are things he has to do in the yard or house. By enforcing commands in public places it helps your Boxers to understand he must obey under all circumstances. Leave no room for doubt about what is acceptable behavior for your Boxer puppy. If he is not allowed on the furniture, be consistent. Boxers won't understand the concept of "sometimes"; they are either permitted to lie on the couch or they are not. If you live with other people, make sure that everyone in the house is on board with the training program. Using different words for the same action will confuse the dog, disrupt the training already done, and ultimately delay progress. Although a playful pup sounds endearing, consider how many games of fetch or tag you want to play each day, and whether you have kids or other dogs who can stand in as playmates for the dog. Click here for more information on this characteristic Boxer Overview Boxers, large, muscular, square-headed dogs, appear imposing until their mischievous and joyful eyes reveal their true nature. Boxers reach full maturity at three years, boasting intelligence, alertness, and fearlessness, while remaining friendly. Their loyalty to the family is remarkable, though they can be headstrong when faced with harsh training. With minimal grooming needs, Boxers make excellent family companions, as long as they receive ample physical exercise and mental stimulation. Their origin traces back to Germany, and their short, shiny coats are usually fawn or brindle with white markings. Docked tails and cropped ears are common, but many owners now prefer leaving them natural. Boxers are renowned for their love and loyalty, often trying to be lapdogs. Their strength and courage make them suitable for military, police, and search-and-rescue work. Proper care includes indoor living due to their sensitivity to extreme temperatures. Boxer Highlights Here are some of the highlights of the Boxer breed: Affectionate: Boxers are very affectionate dogs and love to be around their people. They are known for their wagging tails and slobbery kisses. Playful: Boxers are also very playful dogs and love to have fun. They are always up for a game of fetch or a good belly rub. Intelligent: Boxers are very intelligent dogs and can be easily trained. They are often used as working dogs, such as therapy dogs and search and rescue dogs. Trainable: Boxers are also very trainable dogs and can be taught a variety of tricks. They are eager to please their owners and love to learn new things. Loyal: Boxers are very loyal dogs and will always protect their family. They are known for their bravery and willingness to stand up to danger. The Bullenbeisser was used as a hunting dog for centuries to hunt bear, wild boar, and deer, tasked with catching and holding the prey until hunters arrived. Over time, Bullenbeissers lost their jobs on estates and began to be used by farmers and butchers to guard and drive cattle. The Boxer we know today was developed in the late 19th century when a Munich man named Georg Alt bred a brindle-colored female Bullenbeisser named Flora with a local dog of unknown origin. Schecken was then bred to an English Bulldog named Tom to produce a dog named Flocki, who became the first Boxer to be entered in the German Stud Book after winning at a Munich show that had a special event for Boxers. One of her pups was a white female named Meta von der Passage, considered to be the mother of the Boxer breed, even though photographs of her show that she bore little resemblance to the modern Boxer. Our great line of sires all trace directly back to this female. She was a substantially built, low to the ground, brindle and white parti-color, lacking in underjaw and exceedingly lippy. As a producing bitch few in any breed can match her record. She consistently whelped puppies of marvelous type and rare quality. Those of her offspring sired by Flock St. Salvator and Wotan dominate all present-day. The breed became known in other parts of Europe in the late s. Around , the first Boxers were imported into the U. Lehman of New York. When Word War I broke out, Boxers were enlisted into the military, serving as messenger dogs, carrying packs and acting as attack and guard dogs. Boxers started becoming popular in the U. Through them, the breed was introduced to more people and soon became a favorite companion animal, show dog, and guard dog. In the early days, there was a lot of controversy within the club about the Boxer standard. In , the club finally approved a new standard. The latest revisions of the standard were in .Today, the Boxer ranks 7th among the breeds and varieties registered by the AKC. Boxer Size The height at the shoulder for males usually ranges from .Females typically stand 21 to .Strangers are met with wariness, but they respond politely to friendly people. They display aggression only in defense of their family and home. Temperament is influenced by factors like heredity, training , and socialization. Boxer puppies with good temperaments are curious, playful, and open to approaching and being held by people. Socialization, early exposure to diverse experiences, people, and places, is crucial to ensure they grow up as well-rounded, friendly dogs. Enrolling them in puppy kindergarten classes and regular interactions with visitors, neighbors, and various environments help develop their social skills. Boxer Health Boxers are generally a healthy breed, but like all dogs, they have certain health conditions to be aware of. Here are some conditions to watch out for, along with precautions: Cancer : Boxers are prone to mast cell tumors, lymphoma, and brain tumors. White Boxers with excessive white markings can get sunburned and may develop skin cancer. Apply sunscreen to their ears, nose, and coat when they go outdoors. This condition can lead to fainting and sudden death. A veterinary cardiologist can diagnose it after detecting a heart murmur. Affected dogs should not be bred. Boxer cardiomyopathy BCM : An inherited condition causing an irregular heartbeat due to an electrical conduction disorder. It can result in weakness, collapse, or sudden death. Detection is challenging, leading to unexpected fatalities. Dogs showing signs of this condition should not be bred. While some dogs show signs of pain and lameness, others may not exhibit discomfort. X-ray screening helps detect hip dysplasia, and affected dogs should not be bred. Hypothyroidism : Caused by a deficiency of thyroid hormone, leading to infertility, obesity, mental dullness, and lack of energy. It can be managed with daily thyroid replacement pills. Corneal Dystrophy : Non-inflammatory eye diseases inherited in Boxers, affecting one or more corneal layers, causing opaque areas in the eyes. A weakened immune system can lead to demodectic mange, resulting in localized or generalized skin issues. Gastric dilatation-volvulus GDV , also called Bloat or Torsion : A life-threatening condition more common in deep-chested dogs like Boxers. Feeding habits and exercise patterns can contribute to GDV. Immediate medical attention is crucial. Allergies : Boxers are prone to both environmental and food-related allergies. Itchy, scaly skin should be examined by a vet. Responsible breeding is essential to reduce the risk of deafness. Boxer Care Boxers are indoor dogs due to their short noses and coats, making them unsuitable for outdoor living. However, they enjoy playing in a fenced yard. Engage them in play or walk them twice daily for at least half an hour to keep their muscles toned and their energy satisfied. Activities like fetch, long walks, or dog sports like agility and flyball are great options. Adequate exercise ensures good behavior—a tired Boxer is a well-behaved Boxer. Training is crucial for Boxers, as their size and strength can inadvertently harm people. Their temperament, being happy and excitable, requires early and consistent training using firm, fair methods with positive reinforcement through praise, play, and food rewards. Be consistent to avoid pushing boundaries. Settle them down before training class with a walk or play session for better focus. Housetraining requires patience; some Boxers are trained by four months, while others take longer. Regular potty breaks and praising them outdoors are essential. Crate training is recommended for their successful training. Boxer Feeding For an ideal Boxer diet , choose high-quality food suited for medium-sized breeds with high energy. Optimize their chances for a long, healthy life by providing proper nutrition. To prevent weight gain, adhere to a regular feeding schedule with two meals per day. Limit treats and avoid leaving food out all day. Consult your vet for personalized recommendations based on factors like weight, energy levels, and overall health. Boxer Coat Color And Grooming Boxers boast a sleek, short coat with tight skin, accentuating their athletic bodies. They come in fawn or brindle colors, occasionally with white markings. Fawn ranges from light tan to mahogany, while brindle displays striking black stripes on a fawn background. White markings should not cover more than one-third of the coat, and excessive white is discouraged due to potential health issues like skin cancer and deafness. They lack the gene for a solid black coat, so black Boxers are not seen. Bathing should be done as needed. Maintaining dental hygiene and nail care are essential. Regularly brushing their teeth prevents periodontal disease, and trimming nails every few weeks keeps their feet in good condition. Starting grooming routines early in puppyhood helps them become accustomed to the process, ensuring positive veterinary exams and handling as adults. Regular grooming also provides an opportunity to check for any potential health issues, such as sores, rashes, or signs of infection, promoting early detection and care. Boxer Children And Other Pets Boxers are fond of kids and make excellent playmates for active older children. However, their rambunctious nature may be too much for toddlers, possibly causing accidental knocks during play. Never leave a dog unsupervised with a child. With proper socialization, Boxers can also get along well with other dogs and cats, particularly if raised together. Boxer Rescue Groups Boxers are often purchased without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one. There are many Boxers in need of adoption and or fostering. There are a number of rescues that we have not listed. Many can be found with a quick internet search. These dogs can be broadly categorized by having a heavy bone set, naturally hanging pendent ears, a rather short and well-muscled neck, and a short broad muzzle. The compact muzzle places the Boxer in the Brachycephalic group, though to a lesser degree than other short-nosed breeds. The tail is naturally long, with only about half of Boxers in the U. The ears are naturally pendant, of moderate size, with very few in the United States being cropped to create shorter, erect ears. He is considered a medium to large breed in the Working Dogs category, with a short, tightly-packed coat. Puppies have a roundish, soft appearance and adults are well-muscled. Expected Appearance Per Breed Standards The breed standard serves two main purposes; it is a guideline for breeders in their efforts to produce dogs that fit close to the ideal to work towards the 'betterment of the breed' and it is used as a guideline for judges when evaluating dogs in the show ring. So, to first understand Boxer dog appearance, let's take a quick look at some excerpts from both the AKC and FCI Boxer dog standards: AKC: The ideal Boxer is a medium -sized, square - built dog of good substance with short back, strong limbs, and short, tight-fitting coat. His well - developed muscles are clean, hard, and appear smooth under taut skin.His expression is alert.The chiseled head imparts to the Boxer a unique individual stamp. It must be in correct proportion to the body. The broad, blunt muzzle is the distinctive feature, and great value is placed upon its being of proper form and balance with the skull.Substance — Sturdy, with balanced musculature. Males larger boned than females. FCI: The Boxer is a medium sized, smooth coated, sturdy dog of compact, square build and strong bone. His muscles are taut, strongly developed and moulded in appearance.The Boxer must be neither cumbersome nor heavy, nor light or lacking in body substance. In addition, the measurement from the top of the withers shoulder blades to the floor is about equal as from the middle of the chest to the rear of the upper thigh. Size Though there are guidelines in regard to how tall a Boxer 'should' be and what his adult weight 'should' be, many Boxers do fall below or above this. In regard to height, per AKC standards, males are to be inches .In regard to weight, the AKC does not list any certain weight. However, most adult male Boxers will fall in the pound range and females will be slightly smaller, often between pounds. You do need to keep an eye out to make sure that a Boxer is at a healthy weight as being overweight brings along quite a few health issues; however, most large Boxer dogs simply have large bone structure. Modifications - Ears The US is one of the few countries in which ear cropping is legal; and in show, ears may be cropped or natural. More often than not, those who believe that a Boxer may do well in the show ring lean towards cropping the ears many judges do prefer this, independent of the standard's non-bias verbiage. Photo courtesy of Terry Faircloth Modifications - Tail Similar to ear cropping, tail docking is illegal in many countries; however, the United States does allow this and it is actually expected in the show ring. Since this is done within just days of a Boxer pup being born, it is the breeder who decides on this. Many will go by what they know puppy buyers prefer and most if they do not oppose docking will ask the intended owners in advance, if someone has a deposit on a pup. What we see more often than not, is that with a docked tail, the ears are rarely cropped. So, it is uncommon, at least in the U. Once a Boxer is close to the 1 year mark and up to the 2 year mark, he can sometimes be growing so fast in height, that he can't keep up in weight. We refer to this as the Boxer dog skinny phase and it typically only lasts a short while. Young Boxer pups are just power-houses waiting to mature. They are rounded and muscles are not yet fully developed. Just look at how big this pup's paws are; he'll be at full adult size by about the 2 year mark. Atticus, at 9 weeks old Photo courtesy of Anthony Klintworth Nearing the 1 year mark, Boxers have grown exponentially in height. They are, of course, gaining weight as well. This is a transitional phase before full adult form takes place. As the Boxer matures, his chest fills out, widening and really becoming a focal point. Flanks are lean and legs are relatively long, which gives him a great profile. Due to the short, packed coat, muscles are often quite visible, which lends to a sleek, strong appearance. Boxers were used extensively in WWII but both American forces and the British army; not only can they look intimidating, they do very well in regard to training for guard, security, surveillance and as messengers. Today's Boxer is a family dog, yet good breeding gives us super confident looking dogs that are great watchdogs, not only just by their appearance, but also loyalty to protect their family. Stella, at 5 years old Photo courtesy of Kendall Foy Coloring There are only 3 basic colors for the Boxer dog: Fawn, brindle and white. Fawn and brindle are standard and white is an alternate color. Though white is not accepted in the show right, white Boxers can, of course, be registered. Of these, the majority are unilaterally deaf one ear , as opposed to bilaterally both ears. In regard to fawn and brindle, this does not mean that all Boxers look alike; far from it! Color is, perhaps, the one feature that causes Boxers to have such varied appearances. Fawn can range from a very light tan to a reddish fawn. And brindle which is a pattern of striping can range from light to super dark. In fact, some very heavy brindled Boxer dogs may appear to be a solid dark color. A few even may appear to be black, though this is genetically impossible. This often appears on the chest. It may also be on the legs anywhere from just the paws - referred to as mittens - to almost the entire leg. And if he is almost all white with just a bit of fawn or brindle, he is 'extra flashy'.

If not, here is the form! Get a bite of what is happening at WCBR, our dogs, our amazing adopters and all the incredible people that keep this rescue going! Email Address Woot Woo! We will never keep you chained or leashed to our list. You can run free at anytime, unsubscribe at the bottom of any emails you receive. We are so excited to have you in the fun! His love and compassion for Boxers was felt by those who had the pleasure of spending time with him. Ken loved sports and spending time with friends. He also collected sports memorabilia and other collectibles like Hot Wheels. He truly loved Milo, featured in the the photo with him. Every time we received a message from him he included a picture of him and Milo. He never gave up hope that some treatment would be the ultimate cure. He worked as long as he could and made his journey to the light in late June. His weakened system just couldn't fight any longer. He will be deeply missed by WCBR, and we wish his family peace with his loss. Thank you to so many who have donated to WCBR in his memory. Ken will forever be in our hearts. We need your help. The number of Boxers being surrendered by families and in the shelters is overwhelming. We continue to receive owner surrenders a week, along with multiple pleas from surrounding shelters for Boxers in need. So many Boxer are coming from families that are no longer able to financially care for them, just don't want them, many are dealing with illness or the Boxer's pet parent has passed away, and many just are moving. Without the funding or foster homes, sadly we have to turn away these surrenders. Please Foster, Fund or be a Forever Home. Nonprofit helps boxers and pit bulls find forever homes Prev Next Bakersfield Boxers and Bullies Rescue is a local nonprofit dedicated to placing boxers and pit bulls in permanent, loving homes. I want you to come to me in six months and say to me, 'I fixed my problem,'" said Sundee Martineau, director of Bakersfield Boxers and Bullies Rescue. She said people oftentimes adopt pit bulls as puppies but can no longer handle them when they grow up. This leads to an excessive number of pit bulls in shelters or abandoned on Kern County streets. She connects stray dogs with people who are truly ready to take care of them. Sundee said she also wants to help people keep the dogs after welcoming them into their homes. This is done with proper training and preparation. Sundee connects pit bull and boxer owners with affordable and effective trainers in the community, giving them confidence to build lasting relationships with their dogs. Here's a raffle basket. Go make some money. Raffle off these goods. Entering the new year, Sundee hopes COVID restrictions will ease up enough to allow in-person adoption events and fundraisers. She wants to help dog owners feel supported and confident in having pit bulls and boxers as permanent family members. If you know someone who should be featured in Kern's Kindness, email us your idea at kernskindness kero. Copyright Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sign up for the Headlines Newsletter and receive up to date information.

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is an exciting time filled with joy, cuddles, and a few inevitable challenges. One of the most common questions new puppy owners ask is, "When can puppies go outside? Table of Contents Easiest Dog to Take Care of: Top 10 Breeds for a Happy Home Do you ever dream about having a furry best friend who loves to play fetch, gives the warmest cuddles, and greets you with the happiest tail wags every time you come home? A friend who is not just any dog, but the easiest dog to take care of? We know, it sounds like a dream come true, right? But we also understand that bringing a new puppy home is a big step. It's like adding a new member to your family, a little brother or sister.All French Bulldog Insights French Bulldog Breed Info If you're seeking an adorable companion with a charmingly squashed face, an easygoing personality, and a distinct penchant for lounging on the couch, the French Bulldog could just be your perfect match. With their signature bat ears and expressive eyes, French Bulldogs, or "Frenchies" as they are lovingly known, have captured the hearts of many dog lovers around the globe, consistently ranking among the most popular breeds. Renowned for their easy maintenance and the ability to thrive in apartment living, French Bulldogs are a city dweller's delight. Their small size, typically weighing under 28 pounds, makes them perfectly suited to compact urban spaces. However, their charming personalities and heartwarming companionship are universally loved, irrespective of city or countryside living. This breed's laid-back nature does not mean they're devoid of fun and play. On the contrary, French Bulldogs can be quite playful and are known for their often comical and entertaining antics, which only further endears them to their owners. Their affectionate demeanor, combined with a remarkably low barking tendency, makes them a joy to have around the house. French Bulldogs are sturdy, compact, and stocky, with a powerful muscular build that contradicts their small size. They have a smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, from fawn and brindle to white and grey. Their facial expressions are human-like, and they're known to "talk" using a complex system of yawns, yips, and gargles. However, owning a French Bulldog does come with responsibilities. Their brachycephalic short-nosed nature makes them prone to certain health issues and less tolerant of extreme temperatures. Despite their muscular appearance, they are not the best swimmers, and care should be taken around bodies of water. Look no further than Hooch Jr. With his endearing resemblance to the iconic Hooch from the movies, Hooch Jr. His expressive eyes and that classic pitty smile will melt away your worries in an instant. But wait, there's more — Hooch Jr. It's like he's a master at tugging at your heartstrings with every glance. Hooch Jr. He thrives on human companionship and can't wait to become your new best friend. While he's more than happy to make new furry buddies, his heart truly belongs to his human family. He's a prime example of a lap dog trapped in a slightly larger body, and he's guaranteed to provide you with an endless supply of cuddles, snuggles, and affectionate gazes. Whether it's a romp in the yard or a leisurely stroll with his canine pals, Hooch Jr. This little guy is no slouch when it comes to learning. And if you're a fan of peaceful walks, you're in luck! He's a leash-walking extraordinaire, making every stroll a breeze. If you're looking for a furry companion who wears his heart on his paw, Hooch Jr. His enthusiasm for life and his love for everyone he meets are truly heartwarming. Whether you're young or young at heart, he's bound to wrap you around his little paw with his irresistible charm and his expertly executed pout lip. If you're ready to open your heart and home to a forever friend, don't miss the chance to bring Hooch Jr. He is microchipped, current on his vaccinations and preventatives. If someone has caught your eye and you wish to arrange a meet and greet, we do need you to fill out the adoption application. When your adoption application is received our screening team will verify the information given. Once your application has been confirmed and approved, we will be send it over to the foster parent for review to determine if your home is a good match for the dog. In the event one lucky dog receives multiple applications, please know we do not select based on a first come basis. We try our best to select the best-fit for our animals and families.

Perhaps you have heard great things about this breed! Average sizes and life expectancy of the breed. They are serious workers at hunting and field work, as guides for the blind, and in search-and-rescue, enjoy obedience and other competitive events, and have an endearing love of life when not at work. The Golden Retriever is a sturdy, muscular dog of medium size, famous for the dense, lustrous coat of gold that gives the breed its name. The broad head, with its friendly and intelligent eyes, short ears, and straight muzzle, is a breed hallmark. In motion, Goldens move with a smooth, powerful gait, and the feathery tail is carried, as breed fanciers say, with a 'merry action. These records were released to public notice in Country Life in , when Lord Tweedmouth's great-nephew, the sixth Earl of Ilchester, historian and sportsman, published material that had been left by his ancestor. They provided factual confirmation to the stories that had been handed down through generations. Goldens are outgoing, trustworthy, and eager-to-please family dogs, and relatively easy to train. They take a joyous and playful approach to life and maintain this puppyish behavior into adulthood. These energetic, powerful gundogs enjoy outdoor play. For a breed built to retrieve waterfowl for hours on end, swimming and fetching are natural pastimes. Most of the time, a good brushing-out with a slicker brush once or twice a week will remove much of the dead hair before it has a chance to fall onto the furniture. During times of heavy shedding, these brushing sessions turn into daily affairs. Baths help to loosen the dead hairs, but the dog must be completely dry before brushing begins. Otherwise, Goldens only need occasional baths to keep them clean. As with all breeds, the Golden's nails should be trimmed regularly. They are loving and loyal, friendly, and great with children. They have the perfect balance of energy when you want to play and laid back when you want a loving family companion. Candy Rock Golden Retrievers is excited to provide adorable Golden Retriever puppies that will brighten your day and give you a wonderful sense of pride. Our puppies are worked with using ENS training or Early Neurological Stimulation and have received their veterinary health certifications along with up to date worming and vaccinations. We make sure your new puppy is happy, healthy, and ready to go home. We also strive to connect with our golden family through FB and Instagram. Visit our contact page to speak with us right away. Meet Sierra! As a family that loves animals, we took this loss very hard. A couple of weeks after, we quickly realize that void needed to be filled. We had previously set up our home for our boy to run free and to be very comfortable. After looking everywhere for another American Golden, we found Oxford Golden Retrievers which luckily for us Bentley and Bella just had a litter of puppies. After contacting Richard on the new litter, he sent us pictures of the females so we could then proceed to decide on choosing one since it was a twelve-hour drive from Northern Ontario to go see them. After discussion it with the family, we chose our new little girl Nova. Spending a little time with Richard, Bentley and Bella, we knew right away that Nova would be a great addition to our family. In the following year with Nova, which she exceeded all expectations and more. We are very thankful of Oxford Golden Retrievers to have helped us in providing a beautiful, well mannered and loving baby girl. We are very thankful to Richard and his family. In the fall, we started casually looking at different breeders online so that when the time came, we would already have some in mind. Oxford Retrievers caught our interest right away. We loved the look of their dogs, especially the darker coat. They were beautiful, happy pups and their parents, Bentley and Bailey, were very friendly and gentle. Choosing between the four pups was hard, but ultimately there was something about Sierra that captured our hearts. We brought Sierra home on December 1st, .She has already brought so much happiness into our home. Everyone that meets Sierra comments on how calm and sweet she is. She is also very smart. Potty training was a breeze and she has been doing well in her puppy classes! Sierra is a very special girl and we are so glad that we listened to our gut and made the trip to Woodstock. We will definitely be getting another pup from Richard in the future! They were all extremely friendly, well tempered dogs and not to mention, their colour was gorgeous! Once March came along and all the lockdowns with it, our search for our first house was put on hold and Richard and Natasha were extremely understanding of this and allowed us to postpone adding a puppy to the family until we had found a house. In September , we decided to make a trip to Waterford to meet some of their adult dogs. We immediately fell in love with all of them, especially Bentley and one female in particular, Maddie. All the dogs looked to be in great health and were very friendly and approachable. We let Richard and Natasha know that we were still on the hunt for a house and again, they were so understanding of this during COVID and all the uncertainty surrounding it. When we finally found a house and moved in, almost a year and a half after putting our deposit down, we let Richard and Natasha know and they said we would be able to have a puppy from one of their summer litters. One of their pregnant females happened to be our favourite one, Maddie. We knew it was meant to be! On May 17th , Maddie gave birth to 8 puppies and our boy Bodhi came home 8 weeks later. He is the most calm, gentle, friendly and smartest dog we have ever met. He loves everyone he meets, human or dog. He is great with our two cats and he picks up any training almost instantly. We receive compliments constantly on how well behaved, calm and handsome he is, even from our trainers who spend their entire careers working with dogs. Meet Moose! From the moment we brought Moose home, we considered ourselves so lucky to have been blessed with such a beautiful, sweet, well behaved boy with an incredibly amazing temperament. A wonderful combination of his father Bentley and his mother Becky. Moose brought so much love and happiness into our home during a very sad time when we really needed it. He was easily trained and eager to learn. He gets along wonderfully with our other dogs, cats and children young and old. We receive many compliments on Moose, from his colour, gentle manner and attractive looks. We were very impressed with Richard and how he raises his pups and interacts with all his dogs. His goldens are among the happiest dogs we have ever interacted with, and they clearly are showered with love and care. Richard was searching for a good, loving home for her to spend her retirement years. And what better place than with her son we thought? We could never have dreamed what an easy transition it would be to welcome Becky into her new home. Within hours she was settled and happily snuggled next to her boy. Moose and Becky have really completed our family and we are truly grateful for Richard and Oxford Goldens for blessing us with this amazing pair! The McAlpine family.

Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Deer Creek Comfort Dogs Shaping future companions for families and those in need of comfort Our family has been raising puppies for over 20 years. Our children have always had a passion for dogs which began our journey and now our grandchildren enjoy growing up with our wonderful dogs by their side. Deer Creek provides emotional support dogs, therapy dogs, service and therapy prospects, canine good citizen dogs as well as family pets. Deer Creek assists our families with puppy selection to help ensure the families get the puppy that will work well with their needs. Someone once said, "Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative" and we hope you choose one of ours. If you are interested in finding your new family member, fill out our puppy application and we will be thrilled to work with you. We recognize that our dogs have the capability of changing peoples' lives on a therapeutic level. Many of our Doodles have become therapy dogs at funeral homes, children's advocacy centers, hospitals and nursing homes, and others have found homes as anxiety, PTSD and emotional support dogs. Learn more about our nonprofit organization Deer Creek Paw Prints at www. Learn More Molly, Rhys, and Beau! Specializing in Australian Labradoodles and Bernedoodles, and Havapoos. Conscientious breeding with an understanding and testing of the genetic factors: health, temperament, coats, and colors. Proudly serving the entire United States of America since .A dedicated breeder with a main focus on ethics in responsible breeding We would love for you to join the Journeycreek family- we were prioritize puppy care, parent dog care, and Journeycreek fur family care. Learn more Our Process See why so many people refer their friends to not only our pets, but also our interactive, fun, and smooth process of getting you the best puppy for you! Learn More We love this boy so much!! Finn has been the best addition to our family. He always seems to know when the girls are having a bad day and is there to make things better! Erin, Indiana Our Rudy is a big guy but so trustworthy with our little kids. Susanna, Indiana The best dog we could have ever asked for… we love our Wrex Alesha, Minnesota Why you need a Journeycreek Doodle- Doodle snuggles are chicken soup for the soul. Contact Us Our Story In the beginning, I was a young mom looking to step away from teaching to be home with my young children. Aside from using my masters to teach, my passion was animals. Growing up on a dairy farm made a wonderful childhood for me and I knew animals were to be apart of my future in some capacity. I love raising animals and developed an understanding of the tremendous commitment I was looking at when thinking of bringing new life into the world. Our current pet at the time was an amazing, high shedding labrador retriever. All these things combined led us labradoodles. We started small in with one lab and one poodle. We have developed a legacy line in our doodles from this first cross. It's a wonderful thing to see how the puppy's carry great temperaments and health from our decade of commitment to labradoodles. Journeycreek labradoodles has been one of the hardest and yet most rewarding venture we have done. Life is truly a journey filled with unexpected blessings. Journeycreek is that for us! Thank you for trusting us to raise your new puppy! In the here and now, it's truly a family environment. Day in and day out our five kids ranging from toddler to teen are involved in the lives of the puppies. We realize the value of high-quality care and take every effort to see that the puppies arrive here safe and sound and that the mamas receive the much-needed care. It takes a village. Losing a Puppy Puppy loss is most often avoided because of our type of care. Breeding in our eyes in a complicated process of genetics, care, and the dedicated decision to doing whats best, not always what's profitable. If you are looking into others breeders, we strongly encourage you to make sure price is not the only factor you consider. As always, rescuing is a great option for adding to your family as well! The trend is steadily increasing since we started raising labradoodles and so we also caution you to avoid thinking a significantly higher priced dog is better as well. Stay in the loop Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Email Address. How to reserve a dog: Contact Journeycreek via journeycreek live. Fill out the application and email it back. Once a litter is born, I will contact you in the order of the wait list before listing them for sale to the public. At that time, you may choose to put a reserve on that litter specific pups are not picked until 4 weeks, so you catch a glimpse of their personality and coat. The decision to reserve needs to be made by 1 week old for planning and outside reserves to begin. This one week to decide also holds your spot on the waitlist. You will go back on the waitlist to the next available spot, not at your original spot. If you cancel on your puppy reserve no matter the reason, money is not refundable. We also reserve the right to not transfer the money to another puppy if you cancel after the puppy is 6 weeks old. This is very hard for the puppy to find a new family. Thank you for allowing us to raise your newest family member! Spay and Neuter Fullfillment Here are some of the medical benefits: Your female pet will live a longer, healthier life. Neutering your male companion prevents testicular cancer and some prostate problems. Your male dog will be less likely to roam away from home. Your neutered male may be better behaved. Shortly after, she knew there was nothing more that she desired than to work with these incredible dogs and to become a Labradoodle breeder. Her breeding program began in .She was a Labradoodle breeder in the U. She bred both Australian Labradoodles and developed American lines to contribute genetic diversity to the Australian lines. Spring Creek is proud to have a program focused on therapy dogs, service dogs, and fantastic pets. A lifelong love of animals and desire to be a veterinarian ended up in an amazing journey of a lifetime! So privileged to do what we love, and to love what we do! The focus at Spring Creek as a Labradoodle breeder is temperament, health, coat type, and conformation, and we strive to do everything with the highest integrity. The main goal is to produce puppies suitable for a variety of therapy and service dog situations, which make for outstanding family pets as well! We work closely with other breeders who are committed to pursuing excellence, and are involved with the Australian Labradoodle Association of America and the Worldwide Australian Labradoodle Association. I am blessed to be doing what I love, and doing it with people I love. I may be the one who had the vision and passion for Spring Creek in the beginning, but the heart of our success has been due to the entire family being involved in the raising and socialization of our labradoodle puppies. There is nothing more critical than the proper handling of puppies. They are whelped and raised in the master bedroom and then later moved to our family room. When they are old enough to play outside, they are introduced to puppy doors and a fun play yard and lots of toys that are wonderful for mental development. Our puppies receive undivided love and attention. Round the clock care is given to both mother and pups during the first critical weeks of life. Our puppies get endless socialization, and as much love as you would hope for your newest family member. Jordan has been a valuable part of Spring Creek since the beginning in .She has been an assistant in the office as well as involved in daily care, socialization, whelping litters, breedings, veterinary appointments, training, and meeting with families. In , Jordan opened a separate board and train program for Spring Creek, and then opened it to other breeders and families in .She sees amazing results with her puppies and families reserve her services months in advance. She lives in Creswell, OR, with her husband and much loved standard poodle. We are wholeheartedly committed to pursuing genetic soundness, and just as committed to standing by our health warranty for each puppy we sell. You can have peace of mind about your decision to welcome one of our precious Labradoodles into your home! Puppies are exposed to a variety of handling and situations to support this temperament at each developmental stage. Silky, non-shedding fleece coats, blocky heads, thick boning, and physical traits that reflect more of the lab features than poodle features. We hope our site and program focus and goals will help you feel confident in our experience. Read our testimonials, seek out unbiased feedback about us online. We do our best to develop and maintain positive relationships with every family we work with. We feel a responsibility to research and understand genetics, common breed problems and the particular line we plan to perpetuate. The following is the code of ethics we operate by: Only breed with parent dogs that are in good health and are physically and temperamentally sound.

They are outgoing, active and affectionate companions who have a lot of energy and love making their owner happy. They have strong retrieving instincts as they were bred to be gun dogs, so they love both soft toys and diving into bodies of water. 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 Labrador puppy will get most of their nutrition from their mother's milk. At around 4 weeks you may wish to introduce a mush of minced protein such as beef, but always consult your vet first before changing your puppy's diet at this stage. Health During this time it is important to monitor your Lab 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 Labrador puppy 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. You will soon notice their attentiveness to you and their intense love of play — many Labs keep this caring and fun attitude for their whole lives if you foster it. Nutrition During the weaning stage, you should slowly introduce into their diet a nutritionally complete dog food which is appropriate to your Labrador's large size and young age. Labs are notoriously greedy and will quickly gobble down food and snatch treats from hands. You should familiarise yourself with lists of toxic foods and plants to avoid and hide as your puppy will soon find ways to get into forbidden snacks found only in bins. Labradors puppies instinctively like to 'dig' inside their water bowls so much of their water will end up on the ground. Make sure to get your puppy used to touching inside their small ears as they are prone to ear infections and will need regular checkups. Behaviour Due to the changes in their environment, your Labrador puppy will likely be under a significant amount of stress. It's important that you provide lots of attention and positive reinforcement for good behaviour at this time to establish boundaries early. Labradors are eager to love anyone but can be overbearing, so you should introduce them to a number of different people and environments so that they are not overwhelmed with excitement later in life. PUPPY By the time your Labrador Retriever reaches puppyhood their personality will be well developed and you will have established a loving, social friend who wants to maximise time with you and others. Your Labrador puppy will do well socially and behaviourally from puppy training classes as long as treats are involved. Nutrition Your Labrador puppy's diet should be based around a high quality, nutritionally complete puppy food. You may also wish to introduce them to fresh, lean raw meat — however, don't feed your puppy any meat you would not feed to a fellow human being. Bloat is potentially fatal but can be combatted by feeding your dog two smaller meals per day, a habit you should start while they are a puppy. A rough guide is that they should exercise for minutes per day and less after 5 years when many lose their appetite for long marathons of activity. Your pup will need brushing every few days, with more frequent grooming during seasonal changes to combat shedding. Bathing should be infrequent as this can damage the waterproofing of their coats, however, you should wash them after swimming or rolling in muck. 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 Do not be complacent with training your Labrador puppy — almost all are very gentle and well behaved, but this does not mean that training is unnecessary. Labs are very loving and patient with all that they meet, but they often do not know their own size. To combat this, they should be trained in how to act around small dogs and children to avoid intimidation or accidental injury. They will also benefit from obedience training to drop things from their mouths, avoid rushing across busy streets and make sure they come when called. Recommended Articles. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As we all know too well, what we put in our belly has a huge impact on our health, vitality, length and quality of life. They have to strike a fine balance between getting enough nutrients to grow and avoiding an over-abundance that can lead to abnormal growth and disabling conditions. In this article you will learn precisely how to feed your puppy. What they can eat, what they should not, how many times you should feed them each day, basic information on home-made diets and the pros and cons of various commercial dog foods. The majority of Labrador owners feed their puppy kibble. Kibble is ground meal, shaped into dried biscuit-like pellets that are extremely convenient to buy, store and feed, providing everything a puppy needs in one easy to handle product. All the major brands carry a range of kibble and many are specifically formulated to suit the precise needs of puppies. For our recommendations of the best puppy food for labs, please read our article on: The Best Food for Labrador Puppies. Good breeders will supply you with all the information you need to feed your new puppy and you should follow this advice. Puppies almost always get upset tummies during a change of diet. The stress of moving to a new home is enough to deal with without them potentially having tummy upset on top. So try to avoid this. But expect your puppy to get diarrhea after such a sudden change. What Can Puppies Eat? With a bewildering choice of different puppy foods available, what to feed your puppy may not be the easiest decision to make. You Can Feed Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is ground up food, formed into pellets and dried for easy storage and convenience. It is a specially formulated, complete and balanced diet, containing everything a puppy needs to grow and be healthy. Many people believe kibble is the best way to feed a puppy, with it being so easy to buy, store and feed while containing every nutrient a puppy needs in the right proportions. Wet, Complete Puppy Foods Are An Option As the name suggests, complete wet dog food is complete and balanced, meaning nothing should be fed in combination. Everything needed is included in this one food. Complete wet foods come in individual pouches or tins with one pouch or tin containing one single serving. In the main these foods are low in nutrition, contain a high amount of cheap fillers, by-products and water and need mixing with a biscuit to give them some substance and to make them more complete. Because the food is such low quality, you have to feed a lot of it. And what goes in, must come out. This type of feeding was popular decades ago and I do remember my parents feeding our first dogs this way, but most people have moved on from this and are feeding their dogs in better ways now. Raw Food, BARF And Home-Made Diets Raw feeding is a diet that consists of mostly raw meat, edible bones and animal organs, though most practitioners also mix in small portions of fruit, veg and selected other foodstuffs. There are many people feel strongly that this is the best possible way to feed a dog. But I would caution most people that to feed this diet successfully, you need to do A LOT of research, gain a lot of knowledge and truly understand a dogs nutritional needs to make sure they get exactly what they need in the right amounts. Many people wonder if they can feed their puppy human foods, anything found in the fridge or larder. Furthermore, there are many human foods that are toxic to dogs that you should avoid at all costs. Too much of some nutrients can be bad in itself, but also prevent the absorption and use of other nutrients too. So supplementing a balanced diet is a bad thing to do. Can You Give Puppies Milk? Assuming you get your puppy at the recommended 8 weeks, they will have been fully weaned before you bring them home. Many puppies are intolerant of cows milk and drinking it leads to an upset tummy and diarrhea so you would do best to avoid giving your puppy any milk at all. One exception is for very young puppies under 6 weeks of age. When we have newborn puppies at our house we sometimes need to supplement and use Esbilac Milk Supplemen t. However, if you have a very young puppy that you think may need supplementing please first consult with your veterinarian. Are They Necessary? You will likely be feeding your puppy a commercially available complete and balanced dog food, in which case you certainly should not supplement their food. Supplementing this will mean too much of one or more things, making it unbalanced which can actually lead to harm. But an excess amount of calcium in the diet of a Lab puppy can lead to skeletal development problems. So adding a calcium supplement to an already complete diet can actually do more harm than good. There may also be times your vet advises you to do so. But if feeding raw, you should know more about nutrition than I do. This is a hard question to answer and sadly I cannot give you a definite quantity or weight to feed them each day. Puppies grow at different rates, some are more active than others and there can be large differences between metabolisms too. However… The biggest determining factor is how concentrated the nutrients and calories are in the brand of food you feed them. High quality foods are nutrient rich and give a puppy all they need from quite small amounts of food. But cheaper brands are full of low quality and nutritionally empty fillers that mean a puppy needs considerably more to get what they need. Start by feeding your puppy according to the guidelines on the label of the puppy food you buy for them. Then see how their body develops. Puppies should not be fat! But at the other end of the scale if they start to look and feel a little slim, up their portion sizes a little. The guidelines on the food you buy are just that…guidelines. You might also be interested in:. We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. Once they reach eight weeks, changing to dry kibble food is best. We recommend feeding a Labrador puppy dry kibble for the first months before changing to an adult food type. But to remain healthy, owners should know what to feed them. Dog owners should feed a Labrador puppy dry food kibble , wet food, or fresh human food, depending on their budget and lifestyle. There are many options for food for dogs, and it can become challenging to determine which one is the best option for the dog. We have found the best options and listed them below. They help us with our daily tasks, are always there when we need them, and bring great joy to our lives. But, it is essential to ensure that our dog gets the best nutrition possible. They have a lot of energy and need to be fed accordingly. This includes the number of calories, food type, and the number of meals per day. We will explain all of these factors to help understand what to feed these precious animals. A Labrador puppy needs high-quality protein in their diet, so they should not be fed just any type of food. This is why we recommend three food options: dry food or kibble, fresh food or human food, or wet food. We prefer using dry food or kibble in most cases, but it is beneficial to start with wet food for young puppies and transition to dry food after a few weeks. Feeding a puppy human food is possible, but it can be more expensive and requires extra work to stick to a cleaner diet at this age. We have found it to be a healthier and more convenient option for our pets. It is also a good alternative to wet food which can be difficult to store and prepare. The benefits of dry dog food are that it offers the pup a balanced diet that doesn't need refrigeration. It also offers convenience because we can buy it in bulk and store it in the pantry or freezer until needed. Dry dog food is also less expensive than wet food, which is another benefit for pet owners. Fresh Food Human Food Feeding a Labrador puppy a diet of fresh, real human food is one of the best things to do for their health and well-being. It will not only make them happy and content, but it will also keep them healthy. This eliminates the guessing game; they are only fed real, natural foods with no unknown ingredients. However, it will become expensive and require regular cooking and preparation. Wet Food Wet food is recommended for Labrador puppies when they are first born and for the first weeks while they grow. It can be either raw or cooked. Wet food is a good source of water and minerals, which are important in the early days of their life to help them grow strong bones and teeth. It should be given to a puppy as soon as it comes out of its mother's womb, but it must not be given before it starts eating solid foods because it will cause diarrhea. Once they get more mature, moving to kibbles is best. It is known for its low level of grain and carbohydrate content and high protein content. Once they reach the week mark, there are better options to help the puppy continue to develop and grow. This food also helps with digestion and weight management. It also promotes proper bone growth with antioxidants and necessary nutrients like vitamin E. The kibble is also shaped strategically to help puppies who chew fast while helping with jaw growth. Overall, this is the best food option for a Labrador puppy. It is designed for all life stages, from puppies to seniors, and we love the benefits it provides to younger labs. The product features a blend of highly digestible proteins, omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, taurine, and glucosamine. This ensures the dog gets the nutrition they need while also reducing the risk of digestive tract problems such as bloat or pancreatitis. It also has a low glycemic index and no corn, wheat, or soy in the recipe. Dog owners can also expect an excellent protein ratio when using this food. Both veterinarians and nutritionists have recognized it for its high-quality ingredients for young puppies. The Acana High Protein formula is made with a blend of chicken, turkey, and fish meals, whole eggs, and natural beef or lamb meal. The product has a limited ingredient list with no corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, or preservatives. It also has no added sugar and a low glycemic index. This food also contains probiotics and prebiotics to help the pet maintain a healthy immune system. This is the perfect dry dog food for puppies after eight weeks old. This brand is also very affordable for those who want to feed their dog a healthy diet without breaking the bank. It features a patented recipe that helps to promote healthy digestion, strong teeth and gums, healthy skin and shiny coat, a strong immune system, healthy joints and muscles, and a healthy heart. This is a high-protein food option for Labradors too. It promotes lean muscle growth and improved body health with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics 5. It is made with high-quality ingredients and has a great taste and texture for labs to enjoy. This food is to help with puppy development and is suitable for all Labradors under one-year-old. This wet food provides the perfect balance of healthy proteins to support a dog's growth while providing the energy they need to maintain its fitness levels. This can be fed as a meal or as an occasional snack between meals. It has no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or added sugar. It also contains omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which are important for healthy skin and the dog's coat. They are large, strong, intelligent dogs that need a lot of attention, exercise, and food. These dogs can be picky eaters and usually need a lot of calories because of their size. This is especially true for puppies so they can grow properly and remain healthy due to their increased risk of health issues. Food Type Labrador puppies' most popular dog foods are kibbles and canned wet food. Kibbles are the best option for a puppy because they are easy to chew and digest. Canned food is a good option for pups who have difficulty chewing or digesting dry food and would benefit from a little moisture in their diet. The food type also depends on the owner. Dry food or kibbles are faster to prepare, while serving human food to a lab puppy requires extensive prep time. Nutritional Value When it comes to nutritional value, we want dog food that has high-quality protein and carbohydrates. This will help the puppy grow strong and healthy. This is why we need to take into account the nutritional value, quality of ingredients, and taste. It should be made with all-natural ingredients that are sourced from human-grade materials such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. A brand should have all the essential nutrients for a pup but still, be low in toxic elements and preservatives too. Dietary Restrictions Lastly, consider the dietary restrictions of the Labrador puppy before choosing a dog food option. This includes any allergies or health concerns for the dog and shopping for something that suits them best. For example, lab puppies must reach a certain carbohydrate and protein number daily. Labradors are also known to have allergies, especially young ones, so planning around this is crucial. A puppy should be fed at least three times a day, with a meal size that is appropriate for its body weight. They should also be given small daily snacks to keep them satisfied and happy, including treats to help with training. We feed our puppies the best that we can. We want to give them all the nutrients and vitamins they need. We also want to make sure that they are getting a balanced diet. The most important thing when feeding a Labrador puppy is that they get enough calories from their food every day. In the first weeks, the puppy should eat four smaller daily meals. Once the lab reaches three months, this can be changed to three meals per day. And after months, we recommend two meals per day. The key is not to change the calories much when the meals change but to simply modify the size of each meal to fit the total daily food amount. Feeding a Labrador puppy is not rocket science, but there are some things everybody should know about what to feed them and when to feed them. We have covered this basis, but changes need to be made as they age. This leads to a common question about changing food to fit the needs of a grown adult Labrador. The dog's age will determine how quickly they grow and how much energy they need. Lab puppies can stick with kibbles for up to 12 months. Remember, Labs do not have a natural food intake regulator so you will need to monitor them with portion control. Using a cheaper brand is a poor option at half the price. You will use twice as much and you will have to clean up larger amounts of waste in your yard. To allow for an accurate control of body weight and growth rate, this amount of food can be dispensed over 3 meals per day. After 5 months of age, the feeding regularity can be reduced to two meals per day with the commensurate increase in food quantity. The amount of food a Labrador puppy requires will increase then level out during first 14 months of their life. At months, their bone density is increasing and their growth plates are set. We do not recommend desexing you pup until at least 3 years of age. This allows for an appropriate development and supply of hormone which in turn produces proper bone, muscle and vital organ development. Table foods dispensed randomly to dogs are not nutritionally balanced. We do not offer our dogs table food at all. There will be no problems if you are feeding a puppy with a homemade diet but it should be prepared from prescribed recipes that are nutritionally complete and balanced. Diets consisting of an unplanned and indiscriminate mixture of human foods particularly including carbohydrates will likely result in obesity and even dietary-induced disease. When you Lab reaches 14months of age, it should be given an adult food that contains less energy and calcium. This will decrease the risk of obesity and orthopaedic conditions. And do not feed them coffee or tea as they can contain caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline. These toxic substances can dangerously affect the heart and nervous system. Onions, garlic, raisins and grapes can be severely toxic in labradors. Raw meat is potential source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria for your puppy. Eggs yokes are an excellent source of protein. Raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin a B vitamin. This can, in extreme cease, lead to skin and coat problems. Liver contains higher levels of protein, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Raw liver can be a source of parasites and pathogenic bacteria. Excessive amounts of liver can cause Vitamin A toxicity. Raw bone chewing will control tartar buildup on a pups teeth. However, bone chewing can cause intestinal blockages and perforations. Never use cooked bones. Commercial Puppy Foods Most commercial puppy foods are designated for small, medium, large and giant breeds. This designation can be found on the label. Puppies of medium sized breeds are less than '25 kg fully grown adult body weight'. A full grown and lean Labrador will usually weigh between 25kg and 45kg. We feed our dogs at the 'lower' level of the recommended range. The 'Hills Body Fat Index' is a very helpful body shape indicator. The same food as the bitch You should feed your new puppy with the same brand of food as the bitch received during lactation. From 2 weeks into pregnancy, our expectant mothers are fed 'Royal Canin Labrador Puppy' food. Introducing a new brand of food If you are wanting to introduce a new brand of food to your puppy, then blend it gradually with the existing brand in increasing amounts over 3 days. This should prevent food rejection and any kind of gastric upset. It is best to choose a diet designed for large breed puppies. Selected commercial feeds should contain a limited percentage of filler compounds. Pawlinglabs uses Royal Canin Labrador as our preferred option. Growing labradors Labrador pups have a very steep growth curve, and their total daily energy needs do increase as they grow. Calculate the amount of puppy food that will satisfy that need. The feeding guidelines on the commercial pet food label provides an estimated quantity of feed for several different ranges in body size. These instructions will give you an estimated starting point for the particular brand. Medium or large? Medium breeds should be transitioned to an adult diet by 12 months of age, while large breeds between 14 — 18 months of age. Mature female labradors are medium and weight approx kg. Mature males are large and weight approx kg. Their calcium and energy content should not exceed that level recommended by a registered nutritionalist. Sound skeletal development Sound skeletal development in labradors is produced by the interaction of genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors. The phase prior to weaning and the growth phase, up to 14 months are integral to sound skeletal structure. Don't take your young pup on extended distance walks and certainly not 'running' until at least 18mths of age. You must avoid stairs and slippery floors for the same reasons. Their growth plates are set at about mths of age. Feeding and Overfeeding Large breeds like Labradors are the most susceptible to skeletal disease. Feed consumption, nutrients balance and feeding methods influence our ability to produce sound skeletal development and eliminate skeletal disease. Appropriate food consumption and nutrition plays a critical role in bone development. Overfeeding will not increase or benefit the growth rate of young and growing labrador puppies. And it does not correlate with optimal adult size. However, it does increase the risk of skeletal abnormalities. The vast majority of skeletal disorders occur in large breeds including labradors and they are associated with consumption of table food and an excessive intake of a commercial food and supplementation. The large breeds like labradors are limited in their ability to cope with an excess of minerals such as calcium. The result of this over consumption is abnormal bone development and skeletal disorders. Nutritional management will be critical in the to prevention of bone and joint diseases. In most cases, skeletal disease can prevented by appropriate quantities of feed in a regulated diet with optimal nutrient levels. A complete and balanced commercial diet is essential. Dietary deficiencies will be of little concern if your labrador pup is fed with a complete and balanced commercial diet. Brands like Eukanuba and Royal Canin are specifically formulated for young, growing labradors. There is real potential for harm by over feeding and giving additional supplementation. Housing safety and activity levels Housing safety and activity levels are under the your influence. Nutrition is also under your control and it is the single most important factor affecting the development of the musculoskeletal system. Energy, protein, and calcium are the critical nutritional components affecting skeletal development. However, if they are given in excess, they will be detrimental to normal bone and joint growth. Most pet owners feed commercial dog food. These prepared diets are balanced and complete. Pawling Chocolate and Black Labradors. Active, eager to please and easy to train — with the waggiest of tails and smiliest of doggy faces — when it comes to being a good-natured family pet, Labrador Retrievers tick all the boxes. How trendy is your dog? The breed has certainly come a long way from its hard-working Canadian roots — in 16th century Newfoundland, the ancestors of the Labrador Retrievers we know and love today were used to help fishermen retrieve nets and lost lines and pull carts loaded with fish. Labs will try their hardest to beg, steal or borrow just about any kind of food , even if it will do them absolutely no good at all. Sensitive puppy food is suitable for feeding Labrador puppies from 6 weeks to 12 months old. Shop sensitive puppy food. A recent scientific study has shown that a gene alteration specifically found in Labs indicates greater food-motivated behaviour than in other breeds. Researchers discovered that this variation occurs more frequently in Labradors chosen as assistance dogs and might explain why these canines seem more trainable with food rewards. When searching for the best diet for Labradors, look for recipes that are made from premium ingredients such as lamb , turkey and salmon to ensure excellent quality and superior taste. Shop high-quality Burgess dog food. Dogs need a balance of vitamins and minerals, and their food must contain zinc and copper supplements. They also need a little bit of fibre in their diet to help maintain a healthy gut. Burgess Sensitive dog food range caters for your dog at every stage of their life — all the way through from puppy to senior. Sensitive puppy food is suitable for Labrador puppies from 6 weeks to 12 months old and nursing mothers. Sensitive adult dog food is designed for dogs over the age of 12 months. For dogs over the age of 7, sensitive senior dog food is the perfect food for your Labrador dog. Our Labrador has a sensitive stomach and took to this change of food well. Healthy and balanced! We tried various diets, and this was the only one that settled him. She produces smaller poos! Dry kibble dog food is widely acknowledged to be a great way to deliver a nutritious, balanced, complete diet. The best dry food for adult and puppy Labradors is carefully crafted to provide exactly the right balance of vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fats that your dog needs, in an easy-to-feed form. When introducing a new food to your dog, you should do it gradually to avoid upsetting their digestion. Mix in the new food with the old over a period of 7 to 10 days until the new food completely replaces the old diet. How often should you feed a Labrador Retriever and how much? Puppies, with their small stomachs need three or four small meals a day, while adult dogs generally have two meals a day. Sometimes, elderly dogs benefit from three or four smaller meals. If you feed treats for training or when out on walks, this should also be taken into account. Remember that treats should be just that — something special, fed occasionally, in small amounts. Feeding frenzy? While some dogs like to savour every mouthful of their food, you might find that when feeding your Labrador puppy or adult dog, that they scoff down their dinner in seconds, which is really not good for them. Eating food too fast can cause digestive upsets, some of which can be very serious, requiring immediate veterinary attention. By switching the food you are feeding them to something more nutritionally beneficial you may be able to change your Lab's eating behaviour and allow them to slow down. What foods are dangerous to Labrador Retrievers? Here are some of the main foods that are dangerous for dogs and should be avoided in a Labrador diet. If you suspect your Lab has eaten any of the following, consult your vet immediately. Alcoholic beverages Can cause intoxication, coma, and death. Chocolate, coffee, tea Contain caffeine, theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous system. Fat trimmings Pits from peaches and plums Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract. Grapes and raisins Contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys. Gravy If made from meat juices, it can contain high levels of fat, which can cause pancreatitis. Large amounts of liver Can cause Vitamin A toxicity, which affects muscles and bones. Macadamia nuts Contain an unknown toxin, which can affect the digestive and nervous systems and muscle. Milk and other dairy products Some adult dogs do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose in milk. This can result in diarrhoea. Mouldy or spoiled food Can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhoea and can also affect other organs. Mushrooms Can contain toxins, which may affect multiple systems in the body, cause shock, and result in death. Onions and garlic raw, cooked, or powder Contain sulfoxides and disulfides, which can damage red blood cells and cause anaemia. Garlic is less toxic than onions. Potato, rhubarb, and tomato leaves; potato and tomato stems Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems. This is more of a problem in livestock. Raw eggs Contain an enzyme called avidin, which decreases the absorption of biotin a B vitamin. This can lead to skin and hair coat problems. Raw eggs may also contain salmonella. Raw fish Can result in a thiamine a B vitamin deficiency leading to loss of appetite, seizures, and in severe cases, death. More common if raw fish is fed regularly. Excessive salt If eaten in large quantities, it may lead to electrolyte imbalances. Sugary foods Can lead to obesity, dental problems, and possibly diabetes mellitus. Table scraps in large amounts Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced and if excessively fed can lead to obesity. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed. Xylitol This artificial sweetener sneaks its way into all sorts of foods — from peanut butter to jellies and jams and is highly toxic to canines. After a dog consumes a significant amount of xylitol, there is a massive release of insulin from the pancreas. This, in turn, results in a dangerously low blood sugar level and symptoms such as weakness, trembling, seizures, collapse, and even death. Is a Labrador Retriever the right breed for you? These easy-going, rewarding dogs have high energy levels, and will thrive on lots of attention, positive reward-based training , plenty of exercise as well as the right nutrition to keep them happy and healthy throughout their lives. The source of protein matters when considering a high-quality diet. FATS The rest of the diet should be made up of fats, carbs, and vitamins. Labs need to have a correct protein -to-fat ratio, where protein takes the lead. Dogs tend to convert fat into glucose, so this is an important source of energy. Dogs rely mostly on protein and fats, but carbs are necessary. That said, a low carb diet is best for puppies. However, you still need the right percentage of carbs, since this gives your dog the sensation of being full. These include starches, fibers, and sugars. Try to opt for more complex carbs like starchy grain and veggies because these are easier to digest. Your Lab puppy will thrive when his or her diet includes: Vitamin B12 especially during puppy development , Vitamins A and E, C, Vitamin D, phosphorus, and calcium, Potassium Each of these required vitamins and minerals contributes to a healthy, happy, and energetic puppy. They also help offset issues like obesity. Vitamins A and E are important because they help your dog burn calories and promote eye and skin health. Vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus, on the other hand, are part of a trifecta that works to strengthen teeth and bones. Potassium is a heart health-preserver. Labs with poor genetics are especially prone to orthopedic issues. Osteoarthritis and hip dysplasia are common health problems for this breed. Glucosamine, an amino-sugar, together with chondroitin sulfate, helps replace and support naturally degrading cartilage during old age. Recently,"grain-free" foods are being championed as a preferred and even high-quality form of dog food. That's, not the whole story. An investigation launched by the FDA revealed that there are potential links between a form of canine heart disease and grain-free foods. So far, researchers have provided an update to this researchers have provided an update to this research staring that the issue may not just be grain-free diets. Grain-free may be part of other trends knows as "BEG"- boutique companies. Puppy diets don't' need to be complicated. They also don't need to include ingredients that humans might enjoy. Enjoyment doesn't necessarily bring any nutritional value to your puppy's development. Keep it simple, using the guidelines for fats, proteins, and carbs above and don't shy away from food with grains in them. It's not their presence that's a problem it's often the ratio. There shouldn't be more carbs or grains than protein. Nor does including only legumes, seeds, lentils, or chickpeas as the primary ingredients make the food more superior. It's perfectly healthy to include complex carb sources like starchy rice and other grains. Grain-free isn't and shouldn't be a qualifying factor for your choice in puppy food. Feeding Your Puppy Kibble Kibble is dried, pelleted food that stores well is easy to eat, and is pre-formulated with everything your puppy needs to thrive and grow in his early developmental months. There are plenty of popular brands that don't measure up to the Snowy Pines standard. That's why it's so vital for you to learn how to read puppy food labels. Puppies should stick with "puppy stage" food, while adults should stick to bags marked "adults. Instead, your dog should have regular bowel movements, allowing them to absorb all the nutrients available. You should also keep in mind that caloric intake is calculated a little differently for puppies. Kibble diets are measured by how many calories the proteins, fats, and carbs represent for each gram. For puppies, this should be 3. Sticking to these ratios will help ensure your kibble choice is a healthy one. It's also important to note that kibble calories are often higher when compared to wet food. If it's high-quality wet food, it won't have as much fat to preserve it, which means fewer calories. You may have to supplement with dry food, especially if you're trying to keep the calories of carbs, proteins, and fats in the right per-gram ratio. How often and what time to feed I will show you the best puppy foods, whether dry, wet, or raw, and look at food safety, together with schedules, quantities and even a handy puppy diet chart. Best Puppy Food for Labs The best Labrador puppy food provides a diet that is nutritious, healthy, and tasty. So, what is the best puppy food for your Lab? Puppy kibble or dried food is the most popular option. Kibble is complete and can give a perfectly balanced diet. Puppy kibble and tinned dog meat combined is another common choice among puppy parents. Feeding your Labrador puppy on home cooked food or on a totally raw diet is also possible. Raw puppy food is growing in popularity, and there are pros and cons to raw feeding your puppy. People often feel very strongly that one way of feeding is better than another, and you can always find evidence to support your view. Dog breeders, veterinarians and even nutritionists have their own strong views. The dire consequences they list for not listening to them can have puppy owners very worried. The truth is that there is no good quality evidence showing that kibble is better for the long term health of your dog, or that raw feeding is better. There are risks and benefits to both, and the main thing is to ensure that your dog has good quality food to eat. Puppy kibble suits some better, and raw puppy food is better for others. Puppy Kibble for your Labrador Puppy food made into pellets is called kibble. An airtight plastic container or tin will do the job, although you should make sure it is food grade quality. Puppy kibble is the best way of feeding your Labrador according to most breeders and your veterinarian is most likely to support this method of feeding. Good puppy kibble will contain every nutrient your Labrador puppy needs in order to grow and remain healthy. The kibble pieces will be tasty, good for keeping teeth healthy, and free from additives that can provoke allergies or stomach problems. Labrador puppy kibble only needs to be fed next to water. Puppy kibble from a reputable manufacturer is intended to be a complete and balanced food. But some owners like to mix in canned dog food or even scraps of raw food with kibble. Your puppy is likely to get an upset stomach or to not have the right balance of nutrition when fed this way. Whether you decide to feed only with kibble or you want to mix it up, pick a good dried food manufacturer and stick with them. Feeding your Labrador puppy raw food has its benefits and drawbacks. One of the downsides is that there is a lot to learn. Here is a link to the articles you need to help you decide whether or not raw feeding is for you: Although I like the raw diet for my dogs, most puppies fed kibble go on to have long and healthy lives. Whatever puppy food you choose, the most important thing is portion control. How Much to Feed your Labrador Puppy? People often tell me how much their puppy weighs, and ask how much puppy food they should give him. Your Labrador is particularly at risk if they grow too quickly. The following diet chart is for kibble fed puppies and does not apply to raw fed pups. It gives you an idea of how much to feed your Labrador puppy Lab Puppy Feeding Chart The Lab puppy feeding chart below is only a very rough guide. The quantity of food you need for your puppy will vary depending on your puppy and on the brand of food you are feeding him. Labrador puppy food must be aimed at medium to large breed dogs. Check the pack carefully and look at the dietary charts. Ideally, you want the optimal protein content and the lowest amount of additives. Part of this always comes down to the cost. The healthiest puppy food is usually the most expensive and may not be affordable for some families. The Cost Of Puppy Food Some puppy food brands are more concentrated than and contain a higher proportion of proteins, essential oils, and other nutrients. The absence of these fillers means that you can often feed lower quantities of more costly food, making them less expensive than they first seem. You might also find that cheaper brands make your puppy poop more due to those extra fillers going straight through him. While some brands are beyond the budget of many families, it is usually good to buy a premium brand. High Quality Brands of Puppy Food Some brands of puppy food have developed a reputation for producing a high quality product and have many devoted supporters, including breeders that have fed them to generations of puppies. You are planning to adopt a Labrador puppy, or already are a proud pet parent of one, you must be anxious about how best to assure optimum growth and health to your pup. This piece of writing is an attempt to give you some useful information about the kind of food which you can feed and also about how best you can feed it. In earlier times, the breed was mostly utilized and appreciated for being a versatile hunter. It can hunt on land as well as water; besides, this intelligent dog is a possessor of a gentle temperament, which makes it easily fit into the role of a friendly family dog. Types of Dog food Broadly speaking, the food for your pet is available in three forms — Wet, Dry and Raw. Wet food is the commercially manufactured food which offers chunks of meat, with or without gravy, with added vitamins, minerals and other important elements to make it nutritionally complete and balanced. Dry food consists of pellets called kibbles of food, which are easy to store and convenient to serve. The ready-made food bits meant for puppies consist of nutrients in the right proportions to support a healthy growth. Raw diet consists of raw meat, bones, fruits and vegetables. There are benefits and risks involved in administering a raw diet, which one should be aware of before adopting a fully raw diet. You may go for dry, wet or raw diet, or a combination of them. You may also consult your vet to guide in case you are confused about your choices. Labradors are always hungry and that is because of their huge appetites. As a pet owner you need to monitor the amount of food they eat, as their greed for food can easily drive them towards obesity, and consequently towards various diseases. Commercially made food Many companies categorize their foods on the basis of life stage puppy, adult, senior , breed large, medium or small , or may offer pet food specifically targeting a particular breed like Royal Canin Labrador Junior , which seeks to take care of a Labrador dog up to 15 months of age. The formulation of diets like this are based on the assumption that all pure breed dogs have their unique needs, which if addressed would bring the dog to an optimum level of health. Information from the breeders If you have brought the puppy from a breeder, then he would supply you a diet routine which needs to be followed, some food or may be some information regarding feeding. Follow it religiously for some days to give some sort of familiar touch to the puppy that is undergoing the stress of being separated from its mother and siblings. In absence of any information from the breeder, best thing would be to consult a vet. Milk for the puppy? Beware of confusing food labels Learn how to read a food label. The food label is given in decreasing order, making the first ingredient the biggest element in the food. That is why it is very important to know what the first two or three ingredients of the food are. Ideally, the first element of any dog food should be a specific kind of meat like chicken, duck, beef ; meat-by-product, meat or animal should not be mentioned on the package as they present an ambiguous picture. Leftover of slaughter houses can find its way to your dog food, something which cannot be classed in the category of healthy and complete food. So if you care for your dog, be aware and make the right selection. Water Make sure that water is available to the puppies at all times of the day, except for one hour before sleeping time. Divide the daily diet The daily dietary requirement of your Labrador pup should be properly divided into portions of meal to be fed at regular intervals. This would help in managing digestion and for keeping its overall health at a good level. You can begin by feeding four meals a day to your 8 to 12 weeks old puppy, and have a time marked for each. Have a gap of at least 3 hours in between each meal so that the little doggie is able to digest it well. Two meals a day is also something which most dog owners continue to feed even after the dog grows up. Feeding your dog once a day after 12 months of age can work as long as you feed it raw meat. The dry kibbles tend to swell once the dog drinks water, and this may cause bloating and also damage its stomach, hence is strictly not recommended. Teach the dog to eat at meal times Your dog would learn to eat the food when it is offered to it if you take back the bowl after a specific interval of time, say 15 to 20 minutes. Household scraps Avoid giving leftovers from your own meals to your puppy, unless you have enough knowledge and experience in dealing with the nutritional requirements of a growing canine. The nutritional needs of your puppy are different than that of humans; also it may differ from one breed of dog to another. The growing pup needs complete and balanced diet to achieve its potential growth, otherwise lifelong disabilities or problems can find easy entry into its life. As, your heartfelt, but nutritionally lacking edible additions might unbalance the diet of your dog. How much to feed? How much food to feed your dog each day is something no one can precisely tell. But the guidelines on the package of the food you are feeding, along with your observation of how the dog is doing with the quantity fed, would help you decide an adequate quantity. The important thing to remember is that the dog should neither be too fat or too slim. Following some instructions related to diet, regular appointments with vet, observing the puppy and showering it with lots and lots of love would give such environment to the little canine in which it would thrive. About Petsworld Team The blog editor of Pets World is a pet aficionado and fervently follows her pet-obsession. A pet parent to animals big and small for the past two decades. The sum of all experiences gathered is an amalgamation of useful knowledge and research. More like this. Although I am not a veterinarian myself, I have been a lab owner for 11 years and been in the pet food industry for the last 6 years. However, if this is not the case for your pupper, no need to worry. Be sure not to feed normal cerelac or cow milk as that will result in loose motion as well as stunted growth. At this tender age, you need to feed your lab pup via feeding bottle like you would feed a human baby of age 2 months. Milk is the only food apart from purified water which your dog is gonna need till 1. After this age, till 3 months you have two options. You can either continue with milk or look at starter food options like Royal Canin Maxi starter , Drools starter, Farmina Puppy Starter, Canine Creek Starter , Orijen puppy and plenty of other brands which are available in the market. The kibble for starter food is small and most probably, your puppy will be able to chew it. Certain dry food can be extremely hard to chew, so depending on the toughness of the kibble you might have to break i. Puppies of age 1. You should be following this diet of starter food till 3 months age at least. Also, make sure you are vaccinating as well as deworming your pup at the right intervals. So, a proper nutritious diet is essential to achieve good growth. You can either go for Royal Canin Maxi Junior or Royal Canin Labrador Junior or puppy variants of other brands like drools, canine creek, Orijen Puppy and Junior Recommended , Acana large breed puppy, pedigree not recommended at this age. If you are giving a good diet like Royal Canin, farmina or even home-made food, growth should be good. For those who can extend their budget, you can go for something even more premium like Acana, Orijen, Arden Grange and the likes. No need to add additional supplements. If you are feeding home-made food like boiled chicken which itself is a very good food option, consider adding some fish oils like Beaphar Salmon Oil. However, a good diet is recommended to ensure a good life span above 12 years and muscle development. Homemade food can be a healthy option as well. Feeding guide amount to feed in grams depends on dog weight and varies from brand to brand. You will find the recommended portion for your brand based on the calories it carries on the packet you will buy. At other times, you can give chews or treats but whole meal should be fed not more than twice a day. Do not keep food available in front of the dog except during his eating time. However, you can keep water available in a bowl all the time. Sticking to schedule regularly is recommended. Wait, till now we have been speaking about commercial dry food. Yes, this happens to many dogs. While some dogs like pugs are voracious eaters, labs or goldens can be extremely choosy. They will eat whatever liquid you put in the feeding bottle at this age. However, once puppies mature and learn to eat themselves, they may not like dry food, rarely touch it. In these cases, the best option is to first add a home-made additive with the dry food. You may add many things dog like in small quantities of chicken stalk, chicken pieces boneless for puppies , curd, egg and others to the dry food. Changing or trying out another brand helps as well. I have seen many dogs who hate Drools but like Canine Creek although they are manufactured by same company. Every dog has a mind of his own. Most common diseases of Indian bred dogs like canine hyp dysplasia, ear infections, bent hind legs can happen to any dog. Take your dog to a registered veterinary practitioner in case such situations arise. Lack of appetite is also observed during this age at times. For not-so-severe cases, you may administer Himalaya Liv52 syrup or tabs or other appetite stimulants of various brands twice a day for days. In case, your dog has gastrointestinal disorders, referring to a prescription diet under the guidance of a veterinarian can be immensely helpful. This entry was posted in Pet Blog. Bookmark the permalink.

Questions about Pug puppies for sale in Dallas TX? We have answers. How much are Pug puppies for sale in Dallas TX? Without a doubt! Can I only pick from local breeders? Before companies like Uptown Puppies were around, consumers were pretty limited when it came to finding qualified Dallas Pug breeders. Luckily, the companies and breeders in the Uptown Network have decades of experience arranging travel for their dogs to major airports around the US, which makes your search easier than ever! How does Uptown Puppies screen Pug breeders? Instead of creating a list of puppy breeders based on yearly sales or marketing budgets our strategy is to only list top Pug breeders Dallas who are able to pass our rigorous vetting process and take our prestigious Breeder Pledge. How much is the average Pug? Prices of Pugs for sale in Dallas are likely to vary based on several factors, such as experience of the breeder, rarity of the sub-breed, or color of the dog. No matter your price range, with help from the Uptown Puppies network you can find your ideal pup. Why is Uptown Puppies better than finding a dog online? When you begin your search for Pug puppies in Dallas for sale online, you are simply compiling a list of puppy businesses and breeders who have prioritized their marketing budget over everything else! Why are puppy mills so bad? You may be thinking, why would it be bad to have more puppies available to consumers? The unfortunate truth is that Pug puppies for sale in Dallas who were raised at puppy mills are far more likely to suffer from health or behavioral issues, many of which can cost owners a small fortune in additional vet bills and even the dog 's life. Vetting and screening each one of the breeders in our network is just one way Uptown Puppies is working to deter puppy mills in Dallas. Are Pugs available in a large variety? Designer breeders and adorable Pug puppy mixes are all the rage at dog shows and among private owners right now. While there are some mixed colored Pugs available, sometimes the most sought after puppies are solid grey, black or white with distinctive eyes or facial features. What kind of dog is a Pug? Pugs are a unique dog that is a part of the toy breed. Pugs originated in China, and were then brought to European countries hundreds of years ago. What is a backyard breeder? Backyard breeder is a term that has been given to a puppy raiser or breeder who does not take the proper precautions and safety measures into account when breeding new puppies. A lot of these types of businesses have a primitive setup in their backyard, hence the term backyard breeder. Are there any litters available right now? The Uptown Puppies breeding network is extremely large. No more settling for local backyard breeders, with the Uptown Puppies network finding a Dallas Pug for sale will be no problem! Checkout The Breed Soooooo, you think you want a pug? Leave no Pug Behind is our goal and that includes finding them the forever home they deserve1 The Facts Pugs are people dogs! They generally come in two colors: fawn tan or black. They were bred in the 16th century to be companion dogs. They are considered to be medium sized dogs and are known for their temperament which is friendly, outgoing, charming, playful, mischievous, if left alone too long and even-tempered. Pugs, like other mammals, have energy levels that suit their age at the time. Pug puppies are high energy and very playful while senior pugs are couch potatoes for the most part, except at meal time. Pugs are indoor dogs and cannot be left outside in the summer heat at all and only for limited periods of time in cool weather. Pugs have short airways and do not have the ability to cool themselves by panting as other long-snouted dogs do. So they can easily over heat. Depending on the gender of the pug, they can range from 10 inches to 14 inches tall. A good weight for an adult pug will average 14 to 18 pounds. However, pugs are always hungry and are especially talented at pleading; so many of our rescued pugs weigh a tad more than that from time to time! Pugs live from 12 to 15 years. Like all dogs, pugs benefit from training. They are food motivated and easily trained! What is the down side to owning a pug, you ask? But if we are being perfectly honest, you should be aware that pugs shed — a LOT! Also, pugs snore — some not so much; some like freight trains! Pugs often have breathing issues because of their short airways and often have eye issues because of their cute, big eyes. We rescue all purebred pugs regardless of age or medical condition. No Pug Left Behind.

While we do respect the achievements of more dog show oriented fellow breeders offering great praise to some of them , and while Blasco dogs have indeed stood in the winner's circle, such beauty contest victories are not our focus. We are professional breed developers, focused exclusively on hybrid, working type American Bulldogs and Bandogge Mastiffs. It is a scientific fact, outcross breeding breeding dogs together of different breeds , promotes vastly superior dog-health across a broad range of metrics. Our goal is to segregate the superior health, structural, performance and protection characteristics of the more ancient dogs, from the modern dog genome. It can be categorically stated, that all Blasco dogs, whether our American Bulldogs or Bandogges, are suitable for stable family companionship, home defense, and personal protection. Our Bandogges also being registered, pedigreed dogs , are the results of outcross breedings between American Bulldogs, South African Boerboels, English Mastiffs, Cane Corsos, Dogue de Bordeaux and other traditional and exotic Mastiff breeds. Sorry if I look a little mean, the sun was in my eyes. Except where otherwise noted, all Blasco dogs can be trained as AKC Canine Good Citizens , while retaining a strong drive towards family protection. Our Bandogges' and American Bulldogs' prey drive is subordinate to their pack drive, motivating protection of the "pack" that's you, your kids and the other animals you've taught the dog to accept. This is a big deal. It is rare that guard dogs and personal protection dogs are also trustworthy family members. Many police dogs and Schutzhund dogs that are "stable" in public on the end of a leash live in professional kennels, not living rooms. Even in hunting American Bulldogs and Bandogges do not typically kill hogs or other large game, much less your cat, chickens, goats or other domestic or livestock animals. They are bred to corral and contain, or to catch and hold a threat; i. Bandogges and other predecessors of American Buldogs were originally developed on medieval European farmyards. With no law enforcement or guns, with ruffians, scoundrels and wild beasts ever present, the Ancient World was dangerous. Children ranged many miles tending flocks, and managing unruly livestock with only their fearsome family farm dogs to protect and assist them. These dogs almost without fail will naturally distinguish between lambs to be protected and predators to be driven off or killed - a distinction clearly not prey driven. Please enjoy the site. It's admittedly long-winded. We use it as a scrap book, for memories, articles and opinion statements wanting you to know who we are, and where your dog comes from. Some basic info follows for your convenience.Please glance through it before emailing. If I'm busy you may wait a few days, but I will answer you. We also do not maintain waiting lists. Such practices attempt to get money from you as fast as possible, preventing you from shopping around. Our typical process is to email Blasco Puppy Announcements to our email contacts as puppies become available. Email me if you require clarifications. Trained adults are only rarely available. Other destinations incur additional costs. We will not ship to any venue with quarantine requirements, or to any country where dog fighting, live animal baiting, or the eating of dogs is not explicitly illegal. We provide standard day in-house evaluation before delivery. There's no cell service at the house and our landline is unreliable. We generally use email, so please don't send me call-back requests. We'll gladly speak by phone to intended buyers before you make a deposit. Just let me know that's your desire and we'll schedule a call. I'm happy to answer questions, and I answer all polite emails. That said, family and dogs keep me busy. I tend to answer emails in bursts every few days, sometimes taking as long as a week. I'm sorry about that. Nonetheless, please do email me by form or directly. Regarding the dogs pictured, some dogs are no longer with us whether having passed on, or been rehomed as adults , and we do own quite a few dogs not pictured on the site as well. Below you'll find the first few photos of our family, and our dogs, to help you get to know both of us better. There's also more pics and useful bits of information in the Dog Profiles and Photos sections. And hey, do you already own a Blasco dog? The first were hunting dogs and the second large herding dogs, who effectively protect sheep and goats. From this description of these herding dogs we quote: The lower jaw is undershot. From it grows two teeth, one on the left, the other on the right, which are only slightly exposed.These dogs have large heads and drooping ears, a strong nape and neck.The tail is thick, the bark sonorous, the jaws large; the color usually is white.I sold several dogs to folks for hog dogs. Judah with his kids. All are over pounds, "kid friendly and mother approved. Kids and American Bulldogs.Daughter Kat and son John with Doc, still a baby at 9-months with a whole lot of growing to do. Look at the peaceful demeanor of this teenage dog, totally trustworthy and gentle with children. All of our dogs develop a similar calm maturity early in life, growing in a calm, loving environment. Treat your dog like a baby bunny for the first months or so, no need to be rough to "raise their aggression. American Bulldog puppies.Our dogs meet human hands and voices at birth. E ach receives extra feedings by bottle from day-one , imprinting them as much on children as on their own mother. That says something about the bond of trust with the mother, and the early socialization these puppies already have when they enter new homes. Abi is special needs and with a unique connection to animals. She called to Mambo when he was less than a week old and still blind. He crawled feet across the floor to her a distant adventure at his age. From that moment on he preferred Abi to his own mother, often refusing to nurse off unless Abi's hand was on him. For the rest of his life, Mambo was inseparable from Abi. Of course, Mambo didn't remain a puppy for long.Mambo grew.Here's John at four hugging Mambo at under a year old. The collar is 24" making his head quite a bit larger. Mambo is over lbs. This profile shot shows Mambo's slightly longer nose. It's an important distinction between straight Johnson or Bully type American Bulldogs and "hybrid type" American Bulldogs. The "hybrid types" still achieve the heavier weights, but gain clear breathing and much better stamina. American Bulldogs like to play.John with Doc at 9-months. At this age, dog, boy and sisters had a blast. The kids would lay on the tile floor holding a leash and Doc would run them around, sliding across the floor. Doc truly loved playing with the kids. Many dogs tolerate kids, but I haven't met a well loved American Bulldog that didn't genuinely enjoy the company of little kids, forming deep and lasting bonds with the children in their families. He can catch a football, crunch up a soup bone or swallow a sock or a toy, so be sure to pick up the laundry and toys! Here the lovely wife Rebecca with Doc having just had his ears and teeth checked. Obviously we use bleach on our counters! Doc is months here, roughly pounds. This breed is not suitable for full-time crating and cages, but do okay in apartments with daily walks. Train them early and they'll be fine. Young Adult Puppies.Mambo, Doc in the rear and Pete on the right, all at or just over lbs. Pete was smallest of the litter and just look at him. He's a pound dog and can leap easily to the roof the roof of my Dodge Durango sitting on 31 inch tires a bit over six feet. Shortest dog in the litter at .Doc is also a regular flying Bulldog, but not the mischief maker Pete is. Pete was our Dennis the Menace, always into stuff, digging holes, pretending he wants to fight, but then when someone turns around snarling, throwing himself dramatically onto his back in surrender, only just teasing them. Pete is just too funny. Doc and Mambo are big fun, but a bit more serious. Not properly socializing these dogs is tantamount to attack training them. Poorly socialized, carelessly trained dogs are a high risk liability LIKELY to bite strangers in an effort to control them by forced herding and attack. To the left, Judah herds me away on Becky's command.Placerville is on Hwy. Customers would come in and Athena would let children sit on her, put their fingers in her mouth, and best of all, entertain them. At that point, we knew we had something special to offer the American Bulldog world. The pup litter went very quickly to homes across the United States and Canada. We are continually striving to create excellence in the American Bulldog. We are extremely proud to have been one of the 12 U. At our El Dorado County licensed, non-commercial kennel, we breed for kindness, conformation, and working ability. Pups are given their required vaccinations and de-worming. All dogs are sold with full breeding rights and a great guarantee. American Bulldogs are uniquely wonderful dogs. They are powerful and dominant, protective and smart! Please research the responsibility of owning an American Bulldog and become familiar with their unique characteristics prior to purchase. Thank you for visiting our website, and please contact us if you decide that the American Bulldog is the breed for you. American Bulldog Guardian Dog Group The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges. Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated. Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dogs ability to perform its traditional work. History Bulldogs in England were originally working dogs that drove and caught cattle and guarded their masters property. The breeds strength, courage, and familiarity with livestock led to its popularity in the brutal sport of bull baiting. When this sport was outlawed in England, the original type of Bulldog disappeared from Britain and was replaced with the shorter, stockier, less athletic dog we now know as the English Bulldog. The original Bulldog, however, was preserved by working class immigrants who brought their working dogs with them to the American South. Small farmers and ranchers used this all-around working dog for many tasks. By the end of World War II, however, the breed was almost extinct. John D. Johnson, a returning war veteran, decided to resurrect this breed. Along with Alan Scott and several other breeders, Johnson began carefully to breed American Bulldogs, keeping careful records and always with an eye for maintaining the breeds health and working abilities. Because of the many different types of work this breed can do, several distinct lines evolved, each emphasizing the traits needed to do a specific job. The best known lines are usually referred to as the Johnson and Scott types. The Scott dogs, commonly referred to as standard, are more of a performance style, athletic dog, sleeker in appearance than the bully dogs, with less bone, longer muzzles, more moderate stop and a less extreme undershot bite. Today, however, many American Bulldogs have crosses to two or more of the original lines and are considered to be hybrid in type, with characteristics of more than one of the original lines of bulldogs. The Johnson dogs, commonly referred to as bully, are bulkier in body, heavier in bone, with larger heads that have more stop, a shorter muzzle and a more pronounced undershot bite. They generally have more muscle mass as well. The modern American Bulldog continues to serve as an all-purpose working dog; a fearless and steady guard dog; and a loyal family companion. General Appearance The American Bulldog is a powerful, athletic short-coated dog, strongly muscled, and well boned. The body is just slightly longer than tall. The head is large and broad, with a wide muzzle. Ears are small to medium in size, high set, and may be drop, semi-prick, rose, or cropped. The tail may be docked or natural. The American Bulldog comes in solid colors, white with colored patches, and brindle. Gender differences are well expressed in this breed, with males typically larger and more muscular than females. Honorable scars resulting from field work are not to be penalized. The American Bulldog should be evaluated as a working dog, and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dogs ability to work. Characteristics The essential characteristics of the American Bulldog are those which enable it to work as a hog and cattle catching dog, and a protector of personal property. These tasks require a powerful, agile, confident dog with a large head and powerful jaws. The American Bulldog is a gentle, loving family companion who is fearless enough to face an angry bull or a human intruder. Note: It is common for young American Bulldogs to be somewhat standoffish with strangers, and judges should not penalize this. By the time the dog is around 18 months of age, however, the breeds normal confidence asserts itself. Disqualifications: Viciousness or extreme shyness; cowardice. Head The head is large and broad, giving the impression of great power. When viewed from the side, the skull and muzzle are parallel to one another and joined by a well-defined stop. The stop is very deep and abrupt, almost at a right angle with the muzzle. Despite the depth of the stop, the forehead is wider than it is high. Viewed from the top, the skull is square. There is a deep median furrow that diminishes in depth from the stop to the occiput. Cheek muscles are prominent. In bully dogs, the skull is generally box-shaped to rounded, with a more definitive stop, and more wrinkles than the standard type, which has a skull that is box or wedge shaped. Serious Fault: An excessively narrow skull, in any type. The length of the muzzle in the bully type dogs is 25 to 35 percent of the overall length of the head. In the standard dogs, it is 30 to 40 percent of the overall length of the head. The jaws are well muscled, displaying great strength. Lips are moderately thick, but not pendulous. Black pigment on the lips is preferred. The chin is well defined, and must neither overlap the upper lip nor be covered by it. Serious Fault: An excessively narrow muzzle in any type. Disqualification: Any dog that exhibits difficulty breathing while in the ring. In the standard type, a reverse scissors bite is preferred, a scissors bite or a moderate under bite up to inch is acceptable. An even bite is allowable but not preferred. An extreme undershot bite is considered faulty to the degree that the bite interferes with the dogs ability to work. Teeth are not visible when the mouth is closed. Worn teeth or broken teeth are acceptable. Disqualification: Overshot. Wry jaw. NOSE The nose is large, with wide, open nostrils. Black color is preferred, but shades of red or brown are acceptable. Lack of pigment is a cosmetic fault. EYES Eyes are medium in size, round to almond in shape, and set well apart. All colors are acceptable, but dark brown is preferred. Haw is not visible. Black eye rims are preferred. Faults: Very visible haws. Disqualifications: Crossed eyes. Eyes that do not match in color. EARS Ears may be cropped, but natural ears are preferred. Natural ears are small to medium in size, high set, and may be drop, semi-prick, or rose. Drop ears: The ears are set high, level with the upper line of the skull, accentuating the skulls width. At the base, the ear is just slightly raised in front and then hangs along the cheek. The tip is slightly rounded. When pulled toward the eye, the ear should not extend past the outside corner of the eye. Semi-prick ears: Same as drop ears except that only the tips of the ears drop forward. Rose ears: Rose ears are small and set high on the skull. Fault: Hound ears. Neck The neck is where the American Bulldog exerts power to bring down livestock. The neck must be long enough to exert leverage, but short enough to exert power. The neck is muscular and, at its widest point, is nearly as broad as the head, with a slight arch at the crest, and tapering slightly from shoulders to the head. A slight dewlap is acceptable. Faults: Neck too short and thick; thin or weak neck. Forequarters The shoulders are strong and well muscled. The shoulder blade is well laid back and forms, with the upper arm, an apparent degree angle. The tips of the shoulder blades are set about 2 to 3 finger-widths apart. The elbows are set on a plane parallel to the body, neither close to the body nor turned out. Viewed from the front, the forelegs are perpendicular to the ground or may, especially in a dog with a very broad chest, incline slightly inward. The pasterns are short, powerful, and slightly sloping when viewed in profile. Viewed from the front, the pasterns are straight. Body The chest is deep and moderately wide, with ample room for heart and lungs. The ribs are well sprung from the spine and then flatten to form a deep body, extending at least to the elbows or lower in adult dogs. The topline inclines very slightly downward from well-developed withers to a broad, muscular back. The loin is short, broad, and slightly arched, blending into a slightly sloping croup. The flank is moderately tucked up and firm. Serious Faults: Swayback; sloping topline. Hindquarters The hindquarters are well muscled and broad. The width and angulation of the hindquarters is in balance with the width and angulation of the forequarters. The lower thighs are muscular and short. Viewed from the side, the rear pasterns are well let down and perpendicular to the ground. Viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns are straight and parallel to one another. Serious Faults: Narrow or weak hindquarters. Faults: Cowhocks; open hocks. Feet The feet are round, medium in size, well arched, and tight. Fault: Splayed feet. The seriousness of this fault is based on the amount of splay in the feet. Tail The American Bulldog may have a natural or a docked tail, but the natural tail is preferred. The natural tail is very thick at the base, set low, and tapers to a point. It should reach to the hock joint. A pump handle tail is preferred, but any tail carriage from upright, when the dog is excited, to relaxed between the hocks is acceptable. Serious Faults: Tail curled over the back; corkscrew tail; kinked tail, tail that ends in a complete curl; upright tail when the dog is relaxed. Coat The coat is short, close, and varies from soft to stiff to the touch. It is one inch or less in length. Disqualifications: Longer than one inch, any feathering, or a wavy coat. Color Any color, color pattern, or combination of colors is acceptable, except for solid black, solid blue, merle, and tricolor. A full black mask is also unacceptable. Some dark brindle coats may appear black unless examined in very bright light. A buckskin color pattern, where the base of the hair is fawn and the tips are black, may also appear solid black. A judge should not disqualify an American Bulldog for black color unless the dog has been examined in sunlight or other equally bright light. Disqualifications: Solid black or blue with no white markings; tricolor; merle; full black mask. Height and Weight The American Bulldog must be sufficiently powerful and agile to chase, catch, and bring down free-ranging livestock. Dogs capable of doing this come in a rather wide range of height and weight. Standards are leaner and more athletic in appearance. Bullys are thicker and more powerful in appearance. Males are typically larger with heavier bone and more muscle than females. Both sexes, however, should have a well-balanced overall appearance and all dogs should be well conditioned, neither over nor under weight. Desirable height in a mature male ranges from 22 to 27 inches; in a mature female, from 20 to 25 inches. In all types, weight should be in proportion to height. Gait When trotting, the gait is effortless, smooth, powerful and well coordinated, showing good reach in front and drive behind. When moving, the topline remains level, with only a slight flexing to indicate suppleness. Viewed from any position, legs turn neither in nor out, nor do feet cross or interfere with each other. As speed increases, feet tend to converge toward center line of balance. Poor movement should be penalized to the degree to which it reduces the American Bulldogs ability to perform the tasks it was bred to do. Disqualifications A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to UKC. Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.