how do i get my labradoodle f1 puppy coat off

We may receive commissions from purchases made via our links. Labradors are known for being versatile dogs and great companions. However, they have a distinctive look that is hard to miss. But why does your Labrador have a curly tail? Labradors can have curly tails due to genetic variations. This can come about through Labradors breeding with other dogs with curly tails as a standard breed characteristic. You'll also learn the signs that a medical issue needs to be taken care of quickly. In this article Standards for Labrador Tails For a Labrador to be considered part of certain breed classifications, dogs must meet specific established standards. There is an extensive list of characteristics a dog must have, and cannot have to qualify as a particular breed. Docked tails or tails that curl over to touch the body do not meet the AKC standards for a Labrador's tail. The standards give further details on what the tail should look like. Labradors will usually have tails that are straight and thick. So, neither the tail nor its tip should be able to curl around to come in contact with the back. There are several faults, also known as disqualifying points, that will exclude a dog from qualifying as a Labrador. Therefore, Labrador tails should not be docked or their natural length altered; otherwise, this is a disqualification. Curly tails or naturally short or thin tails are merely considered faults. These features include a Labrador with too short a tail, a long, thin tail, or a tail that curls over the back. A curly tail will not disqualify your dog from being a Labrador, it may just lose points in a show. Such variations are just genetic differences and do not necessarily mean it is not a purebred Labrador. Another reason is that the bones are wedge-shaped and naturally form a curve. Curly tails are commonly the result of hemivertebrae. Therefore, many dog breeds will have the curved tail as a standard for their species. Genetic Reasons for Curly Tails Curly tails will be a result of genetics. If the dog exhibits pain with its tail, this could signify that the process causing hemivertebrae is ongoing. The AKC standards count a curly tail as a flaw. Crossbreeding can be a cause of a curly tail. If the breeder has guaranteed that you have a purebred Labrador, but it has a tail that does not meet the breed standards. The OFA maintains databases to track health concerns of dog breeds. This database will also require input from breeders and parent clubs of dog breeds. I actually used this test on my dog. Check out this article to see my journey with the test and the timeline of when I received my results. AKC provides certification for up to 4 generations. This certification only measures pedigree and so will not list health conditions or medical problems. Curly tails or tails that hang over the back are listed variations of a Labrador per the AKC. This means that it is more an aesthetic preference for the dog breed standard than tracking health risks for dogs. Straightening a curly tail is impossible without unnecessary surgery. Attempting this can cause severe issues with the tail should it not go as planned. Legal Actions If you have purchased your Labrador because you thought it was purebred or full-blooded, you may have a cause for action. It would likely be a breach of contract as the agreement was that the seller was supposed to supply a purebred dog breed as agreed upon. You should keep all copies of any correspondence of the advertisement or seller communication, you should keep it. If the Labrador is described in terms such as purebred, then the agreement is not for a dog with other breeds mixed into it. If the contract was oral, it might be harder to win legally due to a lack of proof. Limber Tail Dogs can have a condition called Limber Tail which can mean the tail is limp or drooping. This condition will indicate that although the tail may be upright, the tip is drooping down. Limber tail is often the result of muscle sprain from activities like swimming. Other causes can be prolonged crate confinement and excessive exercise. Generally, the sprain will fix itself after a few days, but it is time to visit the vet if you notice no improvement after a week. Limber tail will likely cause your dog pain, and so anti-inflammatories can help. Always consult with your vet to determine an appropriate course of action, but medication to help reduce swelling has been shown to speed up recovery. Conclusion A curly tail on a Labrador is likely nothing to worry about health-wise. It serves important functions like communication, balance, and coordination. It comprises vertebrae, with larger bones at the base and smaller ones near the end. These individual segments are separated by soft discs — similar to those found in spinal columns — providing flexibility for movement. This natural curl helps them maneuver effortlessly through water or tight spaces during adventurous pursuits. Labrador puppy tails are built with strength and adaptability. It allows them to communicate emotions efficiently or swiftly navigate through tricky situations. Labrador Tail Types Labrador tails cannot be explicitly divided into different types. However, the tails may appear different from one dog to another. The reason for what they were bred can make a difference. Show dogs are bred to match the distinct breed standard. Dogs not bred for appearance can have a distinct look. A working lab can have a thinner, longer, shorter, or curly tail. Every other dog of this breed may not have the same thick tapering tail. Two dogs can have tails with slight variation. A black lab tail, a yellow lab tail, or a chocolate lab tail can be slightly different. It serves as a way for dogs to express themselves, whether happy, scared, or nervous. If a Labrador Retriever wags its tail rapidly from side to side with excitement when greeting you, it indicates happiness. If their tail is tucked between their legs while cowering away from something or someone, it shows that they are fearful or anxious. These dogs were originally bred for fishing and hunting. Their powerful tails were essential for diving into icy waters and retrieving fish from boats. Their tails were also selectively bred for balance, coordination, agility, and communication. The thick base provided strength while swimming or moving about in the water or on rough terrain. The thin tail tapering toward the tip enables nimble movements on land or water. When your Labrador wags its tail vigorously while jumping around, it reflects excitement. A slow tail wagging signifies uncertainty or confusion, while a tucked tail between the hind legs shows submission or anxiety. Dogs communicate with their entire body language, not just their tails alone. They use subtle cues such as ear movements, eye contact, posture, vocalizations, and tails to express feelings. Balance, Coordination, And Agility The thick base of their tail is a counterbalance when running or jumping. It allows them to make sharp turns and sudden stops easily. When swimming, the tapering shape of the tail helps generate thrust in the water. Ensuring your Labrador gets plenty of exercise and playtime keeps their tails happy and maintains good muscle tone. Swimming And Water Activities Labrador Retrievers love water, and their thick tail is a powerful rudder. The breed was originally developed to retrieve from water bodies, making it an integral part of their DNA. It provides balance while standing or moving on slippery surfaces like rocks or boats. This painful condition causes the tail to become limp and flaccid. It can occur suddenly, usually after intense physical activity like swimming or overexertion. Most cases of Limber Tail Syndrome resolve themselves within a few days. Supportive care like rest, heat therapy on the tail base using a warm washcloth , and anti-inflammatory medication help. Limber Tail Syndrome is not life-threatening but can be very uncomfortable for your dog. A wagging tail may look harmless, but it can be quite powerful and easily hit hard objects, causing injury. Fractures and dislocations are more common in dogs with short or thin tails. Treatment includes rest, anti-inflammatory medication, and sometimes physical therapy. Mast cell tumors, including Labradors, are the most common type of tumor found in dogs. These tumors originate from white blood cells and can manifest differently depending on their location. If located near the base of the tail or spine, it may cause pain or discomfort. Regular visits to the veterinarian detect any potential health issues early on so they can be treated promptly. Provide exercise for proper circulation, and ensure adequate nutrition with supplements like fish oil or glucosamine. Keep the fur around the base of their tail trimmed to avoid matting or tangling. Use a dog-friendly shampoo to wash their tail when needed. Trim any long hairs on their tail using sharp scissors or clippers, careful not to cut too close to the skin. Check for any signs of injury, such as cuts or bruises, and seek veterinary care if necessary. Swimming, running, and playing fetch are all excellent ways to keep your dog active while promoting a healthy tail. Give your furry friend plenty of opportunities to swim in open water or a pool. Water activities help strengthen their powerful tails as they paddle through the water. Running on soft surfaces like grass, sand, or dirt keeps their joints healthy and reduces the risk of joint problems. It can affect their tails over time. A balanced and nutritious diet includes high-quality protein, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. Fatty acids maintain healthy skin and dense coats, promoting healthy tails. Hydration is crucial for a happy tip-tapping tail! Provide clean water at all times so they remain hydrated throughout the day. The ideal Labrador tail should be thick at the base and gradually taper toward the tip, with no signs of kinks or knots. According to AKC breed standards, a wagging tail can indicate friendliness. But excessive wagging or stiffness can denote fear or aggression. Docking or altering their tails can cause unnecessary pain and discomfort, leading to long-term health issues. With proper care comes better communication through body language signals. Labrador tail is medium and not longer than the hock per breed standard. However, some tails can be different from the standard. However, a labrador tail does not curl up over its head. Yes, golden retrievers can have curled tails. This is not a breed standard, but it is not uncommon either. Some golden retrievers may have a slight curl in their tail, while others may have a more pronounced curl that goes all over their back. What is the otter tail on a Labrador? The otter tail in a labrador is a thick rounded appearance. The thick look comes from the thicker coat. The tail has a small c-shape, is pointed downward, and is fairly straight. What does a Labradors tail look like? Labradors usually have a thick tail base that tapers toward the tip. It is free from feathering and is medium in length. It is thick with a short and dense coat surrounding it and gives an otter-like appearance. What does a lab tail mean? A stiff lab tail held high reflects confidence and dominance. It means your labrador will not back down. A low tail tucked between the legs indicates fear. Labs have thick and sturdy bodies with broad heads and long otter-like tails. The tail helps them steer in the water and reflects their emotions. Labrador retrievers have about 15, hairs per square inch of skin. This means that a full-grown Labrador retriever with an average surface area of 20 square feet would have about million hairs on its body Why does my Lab puppy have a curly tail? A lab can have a curly tail due to genetic variations. It can also occur when a lab is bred with another dog breed with curly tails. The happy tail syndrome can also cause a curly tail. Genetic traits determine the specific tail shape of a dog and can vary from straight to curved or curled. This variation results from natural selection, historical environmental factors, and selective breeding practices. Her experience as a pet owner and dog enthusiast drives her to create meticulously researched and fact-checked content, offering valuable insights on Labrador training, grooming, and health. Each article reflects Shradha's passion and dedication, enriched by personal experiences with her beloved Labradors, Tom, and Kurt. Whether exploring breed-specific training techniques or providing product reviews, Shradha ensures Labrador owners receive the most accurate, up-to-date, and trustworthy information, aimed at enhancing their companions' health and happiness. Labrador tail injuries Lab tails are thick and tapering, covered in the same dense hair as the rest of their bodies. Labrador tails are also practical, helping them to steer quickly through water in their original retrieving role! Some Labs may have shorter or thinner tails than average, which is considered a fault in show dogs. Happy Labrador puppies wag their tiny tails! The traditional Labrador Retriever tail is thick and gradually tapers towards the tip. Unlike some other retriever breeds, such as the Golden Retriever, Labradors have little to no feathering on their tails. Instead, their entire tail is covered in dense fur, like the rest of their body. However, some Labrador tails fall outside of this standard, being shorter, longer, or thinner than average. Instead, it follows their topline the line from their neck to tail. Giving them the overall balanced appearance that we know of this breed! Labradors can use their tails to help with swimming, as a powerful rudder. Labs communicate through their tail — like other dogs. Some Labrador tails curve upwards although not over their back , and others may be dead straight. Labrador Tail Types There are no real different Labrador tail types. But, Labrador tails may look slightly different from one dog to the next, depending on what they were bred for. For instance, Labs bred for show are bred to fit the strict breed standard. Dogs who are not specifically bred for appearance can differ a little more. So, you may find working Labs with thinner tails, shorter or longer tails than average, and even tails that curve upwards a little more than you expect. Of course, many theorize that the otter tail shape also helps Labs with their working ability. Some may have a thinner tail, or one that does not taper so gradually. Lab Tail Colors These variations can happen in Labs of any color. Labrador Tail Injuries It is possible for your Labrador to injure their tail. The most common problem that affects Labrador tails is limber tail. Other than limber tail, this condition is also called water tail, swimmer tail, limp tail, and more. If your Lab has limber tail, their tail will hang lifelessly, or may jut out a little before hanging limp. But, fortunately, there are ways to help a Lab suffering from limber tail. Potential risk factors for limber tail include swimming, high latitudes, and even genetic predisposition. If your Lab seems to be suffering with limber tail, you should take them to your veterinarian straight away. In the first 24 hours, anti-inflammatories can be given to shorten the length of the flare up. And, your vet will be able to give your Lab dog-safe pain relief, if nothing else. This could take anywhere from a few days to over a week. Do you have a Labrador with the popular, classic otter tail? Has your hard-working retriever ever suffered from limber tail? Find Out More.

They are almost square in appearance, with a strong body and sturdy legs. The maximum height for a male is 24 inches, which puts them in the medium-size dog category, but their sturdy build can make them seem much larger. Weights range from 85 pounds for a large male to 55 pounds for a smaller female. Field line bred dogs are often taller and somewhat thinner in build. Labrador retrievers are easily recognized by their broad head, drop ears and large, expressive eyes. Two trademarks of the Lab are the thick but fairly short double coat, which is very water repellent, and the well known "otter tail. The feet are described as "webbed," with longer skin between the toes to aid in swimming. The Labrador retriever is a moderately fast maturing breed, reaching adult height from six to 12 months, but possibly still filling out up to 2 years of age. Many Labs reach 12 to 14 years of age. Personality: In general, Labrador retrievers are excellent family dogs, as long as you keep in mind their need for exercise and training. These are dogs bred to work and work hard and they love to have jobs to do, particularly retrieving. Labs are usually good with other dogs, other pets, and children as long as training has toned down their natural exuberance. They are strong dogs and need some obedience training at an early age or they can be seen dragging their owners down the street at will. Owing to their energetic nature, Labradors who are left alone or not well exercised can become destructive — chewing, digging and barking to excess. The field line dogs are especially high-energy dogs, while some of the show line dogs become perfect couch potatoes at an early age. Chewing can be a problem because the strong retrieve urge gives them an oral fixation. Sturdy chew toys, exercise and training all help with this. Living With: Obviously, Labradors have a number of endearing traits or they would not be so popular. They are intelligent and fairly easy to train, partly from their desire to work with people. They are "easy keepers" and can become overweight if they are not exercised and food portions adjusted as needed. Labs are excellent family dogs because they do want to be with people and many do not do well as kennel dogs. Labradors do tend to be protective of their families and homes but are usually happy to greet company, too. With the strong retrieving instinct, they can develop into destructive chewers if not given appropriate toys and guidance. Labs may tend to "mouth" people and the solution is often simply to give them a toy to carry around, so their mouths are already full! These are very strong dogs and early training is necessary to have a dog that walks nicely on lead. The wonderful double coat that keeps the Labrador warm while retrieving in icy water also gives this breed top billing as shedders. Normally, their coats do fine with a quick weekly grooming, but at shedding time daily grooming is needed. The amount of exercise they need varies with the different lines: field line dogs can run all day, whereas show line dogs only need moderate exercise. History: Early in the s, some of the multipurpose dogs used in North America mostly Canada by hunters were shipped back to England. Many of these "water dogs" were of the Newfoundland type, but the smaller ones were often designated "St John's" dogs. In England, the breed was developed and refined probably with some flat-coated retriever input into the breed we recognize today. As is evidenced by their name, Labrador retrievers were bred and selected for their outstanding retrieving abilities, particularly in water. They have worked as partners with duck hunters in all kinds of weather and conditions. Their intelligence and desire to work as a partner with man has led to many other jobs, and to their current status as popular pets. Today, Labradors excel as service and guide dogs, family pets, scenting dogs for the military, customs and arson task force dogs, search and rescue dogs as well as hunting companions and performance dogs. The breed's good nature has propelled it to the number one ranking in popularity in America, a position it intends to keep. Despite their fame as indoor pets, they are even more at home outdoors. It should always be remembered that Labradors are water retrievers at heart and from early on, puppies show a strong desire to carry things around with them and a strong attraction to water, even puddles! Related Pet Care Articles. 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. Built for sport, the Lab is muscular and athletic. They have a short, easy-care coat, friendly demeanor, keen intelligence, and plenty of energy. Devotion to this breed runs deep; Labs are loving, people-oriented dogs who live to serve their families, and owners and fans sometimes liken their Labs to angels. The breed originated on the island of Newfoundland, off the northeastern Atlantic coast of Canada. Originally called the St. Today, most Labs skip the hard labor and spend their days being pampered and loved by their people. However, some Labs still serve as indispensable working dogs. They also excel as a search and rescue dog or as a retriever for hunters, thanks to their athletic build, strong nose, and courageous nature. And Labs have also become the breed to beat at dog sports such as agility and obedience competitions, especially obedience. In fact, owners say their sweet, helpful Lab is likely to greet an intruder and happily show them where the goods are stashed. One role has remained constant: wonderful companion and friend. Labrador Retriever Highlights Friendly and outgoing. Labrador Retrievers are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are good with people of all ages and other animals. Intelligent and trainable. Labrador Retrievers are intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are often used as working dogs, such as guide dogs, search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs. Active and playful. Labrador Retrievers are active dogs that need plenty of exercise. They enjoy playing fetch, swimming, and other activities. Loyal and devoted. Labrador Retrievers are loyal and devoted dogs that make great family pets. They are known for their gentle nature and love of children. Grooming needs are minimal. Labrador Retrievers have a short, thick coat that is easy to groom. They only need to be brushed a few times a week and bathed as needed. Overall, the Labrador Retriever is a versatile and popular dog breed that makes a great family pet. They are friendly, intelligent, and trainable, and they have a low grooming requirement. If you are considering getting a Labrador Retriever, be sure to do your research to find a reputable breeder. Labrador Retrievers are wonderful dogs, but they require a lot of time and attention. They are not a good choice for people who are not active or who do not have a lot of time to spend with their pets. Originally called St. Although their heritage is unknown, many believe the St. The second Earl of Malmesbury was one of the first, and had St. The third Earl of Malmesbury was the first person to refer to the dogs as Labradors. In Newfoundland, the breed disappeared because of government restrictions and tax laws. Families were allowed to keep no more than one dog, and owning a female was highly taxed, so girl puppies were culled from litters. In England, however, the breed survived, and the Kennel Club recognized the Labrador Retriever as a distinct breed in .They also top the list in Canada and England. Today, Labs work in drug and explosive detection, search and rescue, therapy, assistance to those with disabilities, and as retrievers for hunters. They also excel in all forms of dog competitions: show, field, agility, and obedience. Labrador Retriever Size Males stand .Females stand .Aside from a winning personality, they have the intelligence and eagerness to please that make them easy to train. Training is definitely necessary because this breed has a lot of energy and exuberance. The working heritage of the Lab means they are active. This breed needs activity, both physical and mental, to keep them happy. There is some variation in the activity level of Labs: some are rowdy, others are more laid back. All thrive on activity. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Elbow Dysplasia : This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to control the pain. Osteochondrosis Dissecans OCD : This orthopedic condition, caused by improper growth of cartilage in the joints, usually occurs in the elbows, but it has been seen in the shoulders, as well. It causes a painful stiffening of the joint, to the point that the dog is unable to bend his elbow. It can be detected in dogs as early as four to nine months of age. Cataracts : As in humans, canine cataracts are characterized by cloudy spots on the eye lens that can grow over time. Cataracts can usually be surgically removed with good results. Early in the disease, dogs become night-blind. As the disease progresses, they lose their daytime vision, as well. Many dogs adapt to limited or complete vision loss very well, as long as their surroundings remain the same. Epilepsy : Labs can suffer from epilepsy, which causes mild or severe seizures. Seizures may be exhibited by unusual behavior, such as running frantically as if being chased, staggering, or hiding. Seizures are frightening to watch, but the long-term prognosis for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy is generally very good. Puppies are born with TVD, which is a malformation of the tricuspid valve on the right side of the heart. It can be mild or severe; some dogs live with no symptoms, others die. TVD is detected by ultrasound. Research is ongoing to learn how widespread it is in the breed, as well as treatment. Myopathy : Myopathy affects the muscles and nervous system. The first signs are seen early, as young as six weeks and often by seven months of age. A puppy with myopathy is tired, stiff when he walks and trots. He may collapse after exercise. In time, the muscles atrophy and the dog can barely stand or walk. There is no treatment, but rest and keeping the dog warm seems to reduce symptoms. Dogs with myopathy should not be bred because it is considered a heritable disease. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid themselves of the excess air in their stomach, and blood flow to the heart is impeded. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is drooling excessively, and retching without throwing up. Theyalso may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. If you notice these symptoms, get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. Acute Moist Dermatitis: Acute moist dermatitis is a skin condition in which the skin red and inflamed. It is caused by a bacterial infection. The more common name of this health concern is hot spots. Treatment includes clipping the hair, bathing in medicated shampoo, and antibiotics. Cold Tail : Cold tail is a benign, though painful condition common to Labs and other retrievers. The dog may bite at the tail. It is thought to be a problem with the muscles between the vertebrae in the tail. Weekly checking and cleaning if necessary helps prevent infection. Labrador Retriever Care The lovable Lab needs to be around their family, and is definitely not a backyard dog. Labs show some variation in their activity levels, but all of them need activity, both physical and mental. Daily minute walks, a romp at the dog park, or a game of fetch, are a few ways to help your Lab burn off energy. However, a puppy should not be taken for too long walks and should play for a few minutes at a time. It is up to you to end play and training sessions. Without training, a rambunctious Lab puppy will soon grow to be a very large, rowdy dog. Luckily, Labs take to training well; in fact, they often excel in obedience competitions. Start with puppy kindergarten , which not only teaches your pup good canine manners, but helps them learn how to be comfortable around other dogs and people. Look for a class that uses positive training methods that reward the dog for getting it right, rather than punishing them for getting it wrong. Normal play on grass is fine, as is puppy agility, with its one-inch jumps. Labrador Retriever Feeding Recommended daily amount: 2. Dog domestic dog The Labrador Retriever, or simply Labrador, is a British breed of retriever gun dog. It was developed in the United Kingdom from fishing dogs imported from the colony of Newfoundland now a province of Canada , and was named after the Labrador region of that colony. It is among the most commonly kept dogs in several countries, particularly in the European world. The Labrador is friendly, energetic, and playful. It may also be trained as a guide or assistance dog , or for rescue or therapy work. Another early advocate of these Newfoundland fishing dogs was the 2nd Earl of Malmesbury , who bred them for their expertise in waterfowling. The dogs Buccleuch Avon and Buccleuch Ned, given by Malmesbury to Buccleuch, were mated with bitches carrying blood from those originally imported by the 5th Duke and the 10th Earl of Home. The offspring are the ancestors of all modern Labradors. John's water dogs bred by European settlers in Newfoundland were first introduced to Britain from ships trading between Canada and Poole in Dorset. These were then bred with British hunting dogs to create what became known as the Labrador Retriever. Early writers have confused the Labrador with the much larger Newfoundland and the Lesser Newfoundland , with Charles St. John even referring to the Lesser Newfoundland as the Newfoundland. Colonel Peter Hawker describes the first Labrador as being not larger than an English Pointer , more often black than other colours, long in its head and nose with a deep chest, fine legs, and short and smooth coat, and did not carry its tail as highly as the Newfoundland. John's breed of these dogs [6] [7] in the fifth edition of his book Introductions to Young Sportsman, published in .Black Chocolate There is a great deal of variety among Labradors. The following characteristics are typical of the conformation show bred bench-bred lines of this breed in the United States and are based on the American Kennel Club standard. Size: Labradors are a medium-large breed. They should be as long from the withers to the base of the tail as they are from the floor to the withers. The AKC standard includes an ideal weight for dogs of 25—36 kg 55—80 lb and for bitches as 25—32 kg 55—70 lb. The coat is water-resistant, so the dog does not get cold when taking to the water in the winter. That means that the dog naturally has a slightly dry, oily coat. Acceptable colours are black, yellow, and chocolate. The eyes should be kind and expressive. Appropriate eye colours are brown and hazel. The lining around the eyes should be black. The ears should hang close to the head and be set slightly above the eyes. Jaws: The jaws should be strong and powerful. The muzzle should be of medium length and should not be too tapered. The jaws should hang slightly and curve gracefully back. Body: The body should have a powerful and muscular build. The tail and coat are designated "distinctive [or distinguishing] features" of the Labrador by both the Kennel Club and AKC. If a dog carried wild type alleles at all three loci, the dog will have a yellow coat. If a dog has a loss-of-function mutation at MC1R, it will also have a yellow coat, regardless of their genotype at the other two loci. Within the breed, this trait is not visible. Show and field lines[ edit ] Head and muzzle appearance: field left , and show right , showing the shorter muzzle length, more solid appearance head, and "pronounced" stop of the latter As a result of specialised breeding, there are significant differences between field and trial-bred and show-bred lines of Labradors. In the United States, the former are sometimes mistakenly referred to as "American" and the latter as "English", in fact, both field and show types are bred in both countries and all Labrador Retrievers are descended from British lines. In this experiment, German Shepherds had the highest chance of not completing it. However, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers had a higher success rate after going through longer training than the training required for Labrador Retrievers. For retrieving the Labrador Retriever has a soft mouth , a trait that allows it to carry game and waterfowl without damaging it. It continues in that role today, along with the Leonberger , Newfoundland and Golden Retriever dogs; they are used at the Italian School of Canine Lifeguard. During the Vietnam War they were used as scout dogs to track down dead or wounded soldiers or enemy positions. Notable issues related to health and well-being include inherited disorders and obesity most are missing all or parts of the appetite-regulating POMC gene. As of , it was widely considered the most popular breed in the world. However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on.

In fact, the American Kennel Club ranks goldens as the third most popular breed. Golden retrievers are loving, intelligent, active dogs that make great family pets and excellent show dogs. If you would like a golden retriever puppy for your family, contact us to learn about our available or upcoming litters. Meet Our Goldens Our dogs are all healthy and qualified to act as service dogs — which is how we got our start. Our daughter, Hailey, needed a service dog and we had a difficult time finding one. The search led us to our first golden, Hunter. Hunter is one of our top sires and has passed all of his tests and health evaluations with flying colors. Choose Your Puppy When you are looking at American golden retriever puppies for sale, you should have at least some idea of what you want. If you are familiar with the temperament and traits of goldens, you will have an easier choosing a puppy that will fit in with your family. Goldens are active, hard-working, and intelligent dogs. A healthy golden will live years. Goldens are a sporting breed and need plenty of exercise, though some have more mellow attitudes than others. Because goldens are loving and eager to please their owners, they are easy to train, which makes them great family pets, show dogs, and service or companion animals. Tom Thorpe Blog Are you looking for the best golden retriever champion breeders? If you are eyeing a purebred healthy puppy that you want to include in your family, you should search for the breeders that possess excellent qualities making sure that the puppy feels ennobled because of how carefully they are bred. Of course, these will take a large sum of your money but if you want the best and top prized golden retriever breeders, then you should consider this fine list of breeders. Getting a golden retriever puppy from a reputable breed is one of the best things to make sure that your ideal Golden is in great shape with no genetic disorders. Also, you get the chance to seek advice from expert breeders. Why buy from the best dog breeders? There are thousands upon thousands of dog breeders currently providing services across the United States but there are only a few breeders that have a remarkable reputation and guarantees that what they breed is in excellent condition with the provision of their utmost care. The ones who have adjusted well to the environment are stronger and healthy. This is what reputable dog breeders are. They have conditioned and took care of the puppies and the parents during pregnancy. Furthermore, although you can still get the chance to have a golden retriever puppy from private rescue groups or adoption shelters, although they are often mixed-breed adult dogs or puppies. As previously mentioned, there are only hundreds of more or less dog breeders that have the highest reputation. Sometimes they can be found among the list of American Kennel Club AKC , sometimes through recommendations from the vet, and sometimes through word of mouth. This article will also help you find some of the excellent golden retriever champion breeders. What exactly is the champion bloodline title? Basically, when a dam or a sire has entered into an AKC competition and earned a title. For obvious reason, bearing the title of champion and an AKC recognized dog will be deemed as something royal or have noble blood because of its said title. This will also affect the price of the puppy. This will also help you evaluate the temperament and the health of the puppies easily. The fact that it garnered recognition makes the dog breeder proud. The reasons why you should search for golden retriever champion breeders Breeders will always ensure you will get the best golden retriever puppy With the best breeder chosen, they will make sure what you will get will be the best and ensure to you that your ideal golden retriever puppy will be a perfect match for you. That said, make no regrets or be hesitant with the puppy they will choose for you because they are expert and highly trained golden retriever breeders. You get to meet the parent of your golden retriever puppy The advantage of getting a puppy from responsible breeders is you get to meet their parents and also the whole dog family which also you will get to know their behavioral issues and even health concerns if there are any. Also, you will get along with the breeder and may also give you expert advice on how to raise your golden retriever into a responsible dog. The dog breeder will also get in touch with you once in a while to check about your golden retriever. These kinds of people are some of the wonderful dog people you will ever meet in your life. Get better recommendations and advice Aside from you will get the chance to meet the dog parents and establish a connection with the breeder, you will also get better recommendations and tips. Being a first-timer dog golden retriever owner or maybe an experienced with little knowledge of dog care, the breeder will generously give you recommendations about dog diets, proper grooming, and others drawing from their own experience which is very valuable. Also, you will have the chance to have recommendations from a veterinarian that offers the best care. And because champion breeders know best, they will not hesitate to give you some of the best advice and recommendation they could think of. Because the application process will undergo extensively Most highly reputed dog breeders have at least 50 pages of list of potential candidates for selection of owning a puppy and before you even own or visit the center, your application process will be carefully reviewed and they will determine if you are really the rightful owner or not. After all, the breeders need to choose responsible dog owners who will make the right choices for his Golden as he grows along. Your puppy will be an example of what pure breed golden retriever look like Golden retriever breeders and any other breeders have always chosen for the best outcome. Some breeders are buying semen samples for old golden retrievers who are in good shape and healthy without having any health conditions. Your puppy can go back to the breeder Just like a warranty guarantee or an after-sales service for the product you buy, this is also the same with responsible dog breeders. If something wrong happened to your goldie puppy, you can just ask for assistance and further discussion on some matter or even arrange a vet for you depending on the intensity of the condition. Or in some other case, if ever you want to bring back your golden retriever puppy due to complicated reasons, or say, one of your family members is allergic to dogs or other dire straits situation, you can just call your dog breeder and take the puppy back. They will help you through the transitioning process and even make sure that you and your puppy are in good terms. There are many scammers all over the internet who sell golden retriever puppies at a low price. Ask the seller first to pay a visit so you can get a glimpse of the puppy in reality. You know they are legit and responsible breeders if they are more than willing to pay the puppy a visit. Ask the right questions One of the most important aspects of selecting the best breeders is by inquiry. Then if there are some breeders in mind, get to know them first and ask some questions about the puppy. AKC has the authority to guide you and select the best golden retriever puppy for you within your ideal match. AKC has some links from different parent clubs which will also give you potential lists on picking the best dog breeders. That said, you should choose the latter one. Dog breeders should be the epitome of a responsible and caring dog owner. Also, the way the dog breeders sell their dogs is also reflected in what kind of dog breeders they truly are. May ask questions about your ability to tend for the dog For the dog breeders part, they should also scrutinize the person who is buying their puppy first just like a job interview. They should know you first and ask some simple questions in order to truly know that you are a rightful owner. In addition, prior to your purchase of the puppy, the dog breeder will also provide some suggested nutritional needs and diet so you will have no trouble finding out the best meal for your golden retriever puppy. Top 5 golden retriever champion breeder These are what we have gathered so far for one of the best golden retriever champion breeders. Although some of these breeders have bred or had a bloodline connecting to a champion breeder. These are in no particular order:. We fell in love with the Golden Retriever breed years ago when our family adopted an American-type Golden puppy. But, when our golden passed of cancer, we were devastated, and determined to find a puppy with better health. We started researching in , adopted our first English Goldens a few months later, followed by our first litter born in .It's important to us that your puppy is not just a pretty face, but a healthy dog that will be with you for years to come. Each dog that is brought into our program is extremely vetted. In addition to conformation, our dogs must pass health clearances — including hips, elbows, eyes, heart, and ICH testing — before admission into our program. We only accept dogs that pass these clearances in the top percentiles. We truly hope to leave a mark on the world where whether our puppies serve as companions, making the burden of everyday life a little lighter — or service dogs, by providing crucial life changing skills to those who need it. We have trained companions, service dogs, therapy dogs and emotional support dogs all over the United States. We love the stories of how our dogs are being used to improve lives and make a difference! Boyscout, Registered Therapy Dog. Trigger, an A. The puppies have big, beautiful, blocky heads, and simply gorgeous color. They are intentionally socialized and raised with children, resulting in good-natured, friendly dogs. Top Quality Health Careful, ethical breeding practices, and top health clearances. Family Owned All puppies are born in our laps, socialized and raised on our Indiana farm. Training Programs We have a variety of training programs to ease the transition into your family life. Individualized Care Top facilities, with full-time manager. Close to vet care. Core Clearances Our dogs must pass health clearances — like hips, elbows, heart, and more. Champion Bloodlines.

It all started when we became empty-nesters and purchased our first lab, since then our Lab family has continued to grow. We strive to breed for great all around family Labradors that are healthy, calm, intelligent, and are of the beautiful English type Labs stocky bodies, square, blocky heads. We're happy to answer any questions you may have. Thanks for visiting! Healthy Parents We welcome litters a year with the goal of producing healthy family dogs, all purpose Labradors placed in loving homes. We strive for good temperament, structurally sound, intelligence and to improve the breed. Our Labs are sweet, intelligent, easily trained, and so eager to please. Our Labrador Retrievers have superior pedigrees with champion bloodlines from traditional English lines. We do recommended Genetic health testing. The puppies are also dewormed at recommended times. We keep puppies until 8 weeks of age. Labs take 2 to 3 years to develop mentally and physically, training is an important part of the development of your Lab. We strongly recommend you locate a Beginner puppy class, enroll and take several classes. Labs are very intelligent and require socializing, training and exercise. Labs do not socialize themselves. Commitment to the welfare of your dog is extremely important. This puppy will be with you the next years. It's important our puppies are placed in homes where they receive the type of care Lab puppies need. Striving for excellent quality with emphasis on temperament, conformation, intelligence and all around health. Our dogs come from top pedigree, filled with champion lines. Our goal is to produce calm, intelligent "English" Labradors who will provide wonderful companions to you and your family. We are a small kennel, located outside of Alliance, Ohio and believe in producing the utmost quality in our pups. Therefore, we are able to make sure all of our breeding stock and pups receive lots of attention and care. We believe that Labs are at their best when they are in the companionship of people, and where they have freedom to run and play. We take great pride in the quality of the pups we produce emphasizing temperament, conformation and all around health. Our dogs have great pedigrees, filled with champions, from traditional English lines. Our pups are in homes throughout the United States and have proven to be accomplished service dogs, therapy dogs, hunters and companions to many families. You can see many, many years of our dogs, growing from pups to seniors, as well as testimonials from puppy families, on our Facebook page at Maple Creek Labradors. Our Labradors are the 'English' type, meaning they have a square or 'blocky' head, a well muscled body and thick bone. Their soft, kind expression make them instantly lovable. They are not separate color genes. We do not breed dilutes, nor do we support them.

My fascination for this breed actually began as a child while growing up in Great Britain. The yearly outing with my father was one I looked forward to with much anticipation. Years later I married my husband, Gene. It was always my ambition to one day bring a boxer into our own family, to be raised together with our two young sons. In we ventured out to purchase our first American bred boxer. Both my husband and I consider ourselves very fortunate indeed to have been able to purchase a beautiful, show potential brindle bitch named Chelsea from Glenn and Zona Grupe of Glennroe Boxers. Attending shows together, Zona and I put four owner-handled majors in quick succession on our beautiful Chelsea. As our foundation bitch, she launched Telstar on its way to success. Much more, I might add, than my wildest dreams. Striving to do the very best we possibly can in every aspect of raising, breeding and showing our own dogs has enabled me to enjoy the benefits of knowing our achievements have come from our love and devotion for the Boxer. Showing and breeding has had additional perks. I have had the great fortune of meeting many wonderful people along the way. As a boxer breeder, I also derive a great deal of satisfaction when placing a pet puppy in a companion home, knowing that these buyers benefit not only from our philosophy of breeding a quality, healthy, structurally sound boxer, but also from having the joy and love of owning one. I still enjoy competing as an owner handler, and oddly enough, still feel that same overwhelming sense of accomplishment being on the other end of the leash when I finish the championship on one of my dogs. The feeling is no different than I felt in the beginning, some thirty years ago. The Fox family prefers to register their purebreds with the American Canine Association ACA and holds a 5 Star rating with them for their focus on quality bloodlines. She provided all pertinent information and more regarding the process and puppy. My dog was healthy and his veterinarian was very happy with his progress. All necessary paperwork provided by Miriam was completed and ready when I arrived. My pup is friendly and a joy to have. They were forthcoming with all the relevant information regarding their breeding process and puppy health precautions they take. The puppies were exactly as promised and given a clean bill of health by our veterinarian. They have friendly dispositions and are so observant and are adapting quickly. The whole experience was better than I could have hoped for! She was easily potty trained and at 21 months old has become the boss of the house. She was loved by hospice nursed and aides when my husband was going through vascular dementia and was at his side with me when he passed. I don't know what I'd do without her. She goes to doggie daycare when I am at work and loves it! She has her own seat in my car and loves to go anywhere. The Fox's made sure we got a healthy puppy, had her well socialized and I would definitely go to them if I was looking for another puppy. Formerly known at Micky and Misty Glenn and Miriam were wonderful to work with. Miriam was a pleasure to work with. We will definite call her in the future to adopt more pups! Thanks so much Miriam! He is so sweet and perfect! She came for us in November and is the best thing that happened in our lives. She is the best Yorkieshire ever, so sweet and passionate. So calm and lovely, she is always around me or my husband. Miriam was a pleasure to work with and Now our little dude is turning five soon we are thinking about getting him a brother at some point and we will definitely be going back to this breeder. Could not be any happier with our little Morkie dude. He's a happy healthy maltipoo and we had a great interaction with Miriam Fox and her husband. The puppy area was clean and well lit. I would highly recommend Glenn and Miriam Fox to acquire a puppy. We are in love with Ivy, previously Twinkle. She is well socialized and was obviously in good hands prior to us picking her up. Glen and Miriam were both very informative, easy to work with and gave us everything we needed prior to taking Ivy home. Miriam gave us a follow up call to make sure everything was going well. We strongly recommend them to anyone who is considering buying a puppy. We visited every week from 3 weeks old on. The first puppy we chose wasn't doing well so Miriam offered us another from the litter of 3. We named her Angel because we felt an Angel led her to us. She has been a joy. Miriam impressed us with the care she gives all her puppies. She always answered my questions honestly and was a pleasure to work with. She was recommended by the Vet we used when we had our other Yorkies so we trusted that and didn't regret it. Miriam is a jewel and I would recommend her to anyone looking for a puppy. Miriam is on point and will give you everything you need including all the necessary vet checks and paperworks before the puppy is picked up. Miriam is very communicative and gives precise instructions. We had to drive 5 hours from NYC to pick him up and all worth it. Duke has been the best addition to our family. Thank you Fox Kennels. All the best. She explained that she had a litter on the way and I would be placed on the list. I waited a month and received a call from Miriam letting me know that she had 2 females born out of 5 puppies. After a few weeks I was provided photos and updates on the female pups. We visited after the puppies were 4 weeks old, She took great measure in explaining that puppies are not released until after 8 weeks and it was under her discretion if they need an extra week to be weened away. Bubbles is so loves to be cuddled and gets along very well with our senior male dogs, Shiba Inu and Coton de Tulear. She is as healthy and happy as can be. We were truly fortunate to have gotten a puppy from Miriam. I highly recommend speaking to them about acquiring your new puppy! They were a pleasure to work with. We drove 10 hours to get her. We are in total love. Miriam is very knowledgeable and a great breeder. We highly recommend the Fox's! Molly is 1 year old and a Morkie breed. Sadie is 6 years old and a Lhasa poo. She has brought us happiness, playfulness, energy, and unconditional love. She is as beautiful as she is well behaved. We highly recommend Glenn and Miriam Fox as being exceptional in their field. They were easy to work with and helpful, as Daisy is our first family pet. They are Five Star in every category. Thank you. His name was Blitz, now goes by Chester, is in excellent health and is such a good puppy! Miriam was so nice to work with and had great communication. It was the first family dog, and he was worth the trip. In the weeks leading up to making the trip she promptly returned all my calls and patiently answered all of my many questions. Her facility is clean and you can tell how loved the puppies are. I have had Ollie for three months now and getting him was the best decision. He is smart, loving and has the best temperament. I can not say enough good things about Miriam and the amazing dogs she breeds. When none were available locally, we were directed to Greenfield Puppies by a dear friend who had been very pleased with her experience with this organization. We echo that sentiment fold! I spoke with several of the breeders; all were prompt in returning calls, polite, and helpful. She has been with us now for 6 weeks; happy and healthy, she is a joy! I have already recommended Greenfield Puppies to others and would not hesitate to look to them again in the future. She is the most amazing and smart puppy. Miriam was great with answering all my questions and being very flexible with my pick up date. She made the process so smooth and efficient which was fantastic due to our long drive back to NY. Thank you for giving me the best baby ever! Stoogie just turned 3 months and he is the most adorable, loving puppy ever.

At Parti Goldendoodle, we aim to provide a friendly and social environment for our dogs and puppies. In addition to breeding only the best of breeds and temperaments, we OFA and Paw Print Genetics test each dog to make sure they are healthy. Our Goldendoodle puppies are bred from healthy, social, and friendly dogs that are part of our family. As a veterinarian-owned dog breeder, we specialize in breeding F1 and F1B Goldendoodles by breeding our purebred Parti Poodle with either Golden Retrievers or Goldendoodles. To learn more about our dogs or reserve your Goldendoodle puppy from our next litter, contact us online or by phone or text at .Apart from her innate beauty, she is very loving and serene. She is smart, energetic, and loves to play! Lotus — Parti Goldendoodle Calm, cute, and super sweet, this 2-year-old female F1 Phantom Parti Goldendoodle ticks all the right boxes. Loquitis, just like other Goldendoodles, is outgoing, friendly, and has a great temperament. Lightening — Parti Poodle This stunning 3-year-old male is a premium Apricot and cream Parti Poodle, all set to breed the healthiest of Goldendoodles. He has undergone Paw Print Genetics and OFA The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals tests that use high quality, cutting-edge laboratory standards to identify genetic traits and inherited diseases. He is, of course, very smart and loves kids. What are F1 and F1B Goldendoodles? So what exactly does this mean? As Goldendoodles are crossbreeds between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, their generational name will always include an "F. In the designation F1B, "B" indicates "Backcross", which means that a first generation offspring is bred back with one of the original breeds. As such, the F1B Goldendoodle inherits 25 percent of its genes from the Golden Retriever and 75 percent from its purebred Poodle. Both F1 and F1B Goldendoodle dogs make great family pets, but they do have some minor differences. For example, F1B Goldendoodles tend to be more non-shedding compared to F1 Goldendoodles thanks to the higher percentage of Poodle genetics. Whichever generation you choose, our Goldendoodle dogs are sure to capture your heart with their curly coat and gorgeous eyes. We ensure our beautiful dogs receive comprehensive veterinary care and are bred in a high-quality environment. This ensures you take home a healthy, well-socialized, and friendly Goldendoodle. To find out more about our dogs we use for breeding or to learn about our Goldendoodle puppies for sale , get in touch with us today. I'd like to subscribe to be notified of upcoming litters If you are human, leave this field blank. Each new litter of Goldendoodles is unique and may inherit various features from each parent breed. That is why it is crucial to pick a reliable Golden doodle breeder with expertise in both parent breeds. As all dog owners know, every new puppy has a unique personality waiting to develop with your love and care. The standard is the largest Goldendoodle size, ranging in height and weight from 25 — 28 inches to 90 pounds. Typically, Standard Goldendoodle weighs between 50 and 65 pounds and stands between 23 and 25 inches in height. Families adore standard Goldendoodles because of their prominent playful personalities and peaceful, friendly demeanors. The Miniature or Mini Goldendoodle grows between 15 and 20 inches tall and weighs between 25 and 35 pounds when fully grown. This size Goldendoodle is the sweet spot — people who live in large homes with enclosed yards and those who live in condominiums or townhouses love this size. These little cuties weigh less than 25 pounds usually pounds and range in height from 10 to 18 inches. Our Toy Goldendoodles have the sweetest personalities and hypoallergenic qualities, making them another popular choice. Raising puppies is our job, passion, and calling. Each of our healthy puppies for sale will envelop the characteristics mentioned above but have individualized, unique qualities that we want you to look for. A good breeder in Illinois will only show you what they want you to see, but a reputable breeder will go the extra mile to ensure health, promise a warranty and be fully honest with your next Goldendoodle puppy. Our parent dogs and puppies undergo a comprehensive set of health and DNA tests to ensure you get the healthiest dog possible from health tested parents. All of our adorable Goldendoodles come with a 2-year written genetic health guarantee. As Professional Goldendoodle breeders, we do everything possible to ensure that our Goldendoodles are the happiest and healthiest. Honesty Reputable Goldendoodle breeders are open and upfront with their customers. They must answer any of your questions about their breeding program and the dogs they breed with honesty and competence. If they do their job well, they will have a good breeding reputation by following through on their promises and professionally handling issues. At Central Illinois Doodles, we are Goldendoodle breeders operating openly and transparently. Simply put, it means that your puppy comes from carefully chosen parent dogs whose lineages have been OFA DNA tested for genetic issues and common health concerns. As a result, all of our puppies come with written guarantees that they are free of health conditions and genetic disorders. Temperament is also a priority for us, and our goal is to ensure that the dogs we breed are the best match, not just for adorable puppies but well-tempered ones, too. Variety of Sizes and Colors Our Goldendoodles come in various sizes, from standard to miniature to toy, encapsulating the breed in a lovely tiny package! Every litter features a wide range of hues, from white to brown to tan and everything in between. The coat types of our Goldendoodle pups range from wavy to wavy, with loose curls to very curly. Whatever your preference, they are all extremely precious! Owners will be thrilled to see that our little puppies are already displaying indications of their intelligence as they learn and play in their new surroundings at just a few weeks old. While other breeds at the same age may be distant and unsure of their place in the family, our Goldendoodle pups bond quickly and develop devotion and loyalty at a young age. Goldendoodle breeders can ensure that their puppies inherit the best and healthiest qualities by carefully selecting parent dogs. So whether you are looking for a devoted friend, a service dog, or a therapy dog, Goldendoodle puppies are the best possible breed to consider! Check out our available puppies page to learn more about our current litters. We look forward to talking with you about our current or upcoming litters and helping you reserve your new puppy. Are Goldendoodles Hypoallergenic? If you are looking for reduced shedding in your dog, then the Goldendoodle may be the perfect fit for you. Most Goldendoodles inherit less shedding and hypoallergenic coats, but not all Goldendoodles inherit these traits. When the puppy is around three weeks old, Goldendoodle breeders can usually tell the type of coat they will have. This allows them to find the perfect family for each pup. Do Goldendoodle Puppies Need Training? Unfortunately, at the time being, we have no specialized training packages to offer you. But we would highly recommend finding an experienced dog trainer in your local area. We have a range of prices for our Goldendoodles, depending on the type of coat, color, size, and parents. Our Goldendoodles might not be as cheap as dogs from puppy mills or backyard Goldendoodle breeders. They reflect the effort and dedication we put into presenting you with a healthy and well-tempered perfect puppy. Please review our puppy price guide on our website for more information. Doodle Breeder Near Me. We specialize in breeding Mini Goldendoodles as well as a few other breeds. We also have partnered up with several other high quality breeders that raise mini goldendoodle pups that meet our strict genetic criteria and testing. So we usually have a good selection of very high quality puppies. View Our Available Puppies! Not all mini Goldendoodles are equal, there are a few different versions to choose from each having a little different genetic background based on the pups parents. We will explain all the differences in Mini Goldendoodle puppies and how they are bred below. We raise all versions of the mini goldendoodle breed. F1 Mini Goldendoodle Pups. A F1 puppy is also known as a First Generation puppy. The puppies mother is a Golden Retriever and the pups dad is a Mini Poodle. This version of mini goldendoodle usually has soft wavy or curly puppy fur. They will shed until they lose their puppy fur, after shedding they will shed a lot less, but will shed. This version is partially hypoallergenic and usually requires low maintenance. F1 mini goldendoodles usually need to be groomed every 6 months along with daily brushing to keep their curly hair from matting and getting tangled. The dogs usually grow up having great temperaments similar to golden retrievers. They usually get about inches high at the shoulder and range in weight from pounds. F1b Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1b is known as a second-generation mini goldendoodle with the pups mother being already an F1 Goldendoodle and the pups dad being a mini poodle also. So the difference between F1 and F1b is that the mom is not a golden retriever but an actual F1 Goldendoodle. They also have very soft curly hair but with almost no shedding. This F1b version is semi-hypoallergenic and a better choice for anyone who has pet allergies. The F1b also should be brushed on a daily basis but will need to be groomed more frequently then a F1. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is recommended to keep their coat in perfect condition. F1b Mini goldendoodles get around 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulders and range between pounds in weight. F1bb Mini Goldendoodle Pups. An F1bb goldendoodle is also known as a third-generation mini goldendoodle. This mini goldendoodle version has a coat more similar to a poodle than of a golden retriever. This is because the pup is more of a poodle than a retriever. Making it the very best version for anyone with pet allergies. A 6 to 8 week grooming schedule is required to help prevent knots or matting. This version is super intelligent and loving, and usually seems to have more energy than the other versions of Mini goldendoodles. This version is usually smaller in size, weighing around pounds and only getting inches tall at the shoulders. The smaller size makes them a great size for smaller homes and apartments. So if you live near Chicago Wisconsin and are looking for a healthy and beautiful Mini Goldendoodle puppy then checkout our available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some Mini Goldendoodle Pups that have been adopted! Questions about Goldendoodle puppies for sale in Chicago IL? We have answers. What is an overview of Goldendoodle puppies for sale in Chicago IL. Goldendoodles were originally bred to combine the intelligence and incredible coats of the Poodle with the people-centric attitude of the Golden Retriever. How much are mini Goldendoodles for sale Chicago? Goldendoodle price varies depending on a variety of factors. For example, a tiny Goldendoodle with an uncommon coat color will probably be more expensive than a medium or standard Goldendoodle in a common coat color. One of the awesome things about working with us is that you have so many options to choose from! Will you only connect me with local mini Goldendoodle breeders Chicago? Our network focuses on connecting families and puppies based on preferences, and not purely on geographical location. How do you screen mini Goldendoodle breeders in Chicago? Why is Uptown Puppies different from other places with mini Goldendoodles Chicago? Unethical, dishonest breeders are an epidemic—especially online, where puppy mills and scams are all over the place. There are no puppy mills around here—just awesome puppies. What is a puppy mill for mini Goldendoodle puppies Chicago? Puppy mills are factories where dogs are bred on an industrial scale. At mills, puppies and their parents are often mistreated and forced to live in inhumane conditions. Are there any mini Goldendoodle puppies in Chicago available now? All you need to do is begin your MatchMaker process below, and Uptown will take care of the rest. What is the MatchMaker process like for miniature Goldendoodle Chicago? 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Thanks for stopping by! If you are a first time visitor, then congratulations on your decision to adopt a dog! Your are about to improve and potentially save! Every state page here on Local Dog Rescues contains a complete list of all the local rescue organizations that we have identified in each state. You will be able to see all their current contact information, as well as a link to their website, so you can check and see what dogs they currently have available for adoption. We provide all this information to help you identify ALL the available dogs for rescue near you, so you can find your perfect pup. It is jam packed with awesome info that will help you on your adoption journey! If you are considering getting a Labradoodle, you'll want to check out the incredible book "The Complete Guide to Labradoodles". It's written in an easy-to-understand way but still has the expert knowledge to help any new owner successfully raise their Labradoodle from puppy to old-age. It's widely available, so pick up a copy if you see one, or click here to grab one on Amazon. A cross between the Labrador Retriever and the Poodle, the Labradoodle is an intelligent and friendly breed. They love nothing more than to be around their family. The Labradoodle combines the energy of the Labrador Retriever with the strong work ethic and intelligence of the Poodle. They do have a desire to please so training is not overly difficult but early training is necessary. The Labradoodle gets along well with everyone, from other dogs and pets to children — though their size may be a bit problematic for smaller children. They enjoy hanging out with you on the couch but can easily transition to playful and energetic. Though they will bark when a stranger is near, they will not make a good guard dog due to their friendly nature. Overall, the Labradoodle is a great pet for first-time owners thanks to their friendly nature and easy trainability. We are so grateful that we are able to help you rescue the dog of your dreams. In addition to coming back here, you can also check us out on Facebook , Twitter , and Pinterest for additional info on rescue groups near you, current posts, and pictures! Their adorable curly fur and expressive faces make you want to cuddle them — and these little guys love nothing more than a good squish. All this and more makes our labradoodle puppies for sale one the most in-demand in our center. Activity-loving families adore these dogs for their propensity towards sports, and anyone who prefers low-shedding pooch benefits from their wooly or fleecy fur. Labradoodle puppies for sale are so cute and come in such a wide range of colors that it makes choosing your new best friend super-hard! While spearheading the Royal Guide Dogs Association of Australia breeding program, he conducted the crossbreeding of a standard poodle and Labrador retriever in view of it being a hypoallergenic guide dog for blind people. The first example of this type of dog, called Sultan, went to live with a lady in Hawaii, where other breeders saw him as an inspiration and this is how Australian Labradoodle puppies started. Both the International Australian Labradoodles Association and the Australian Labradoodles Association of America are working hard to incorporate more intergenerational breeding so these dog breeders can register this type of dog as a purebred dog. Its gentle, obedient and intelligent personality combined with a hypoallergenic coat make it ideal for family members with allergies, but it also makes an excellent service or therapy dog. Labradoodle Puppies Lifespan When properly taken care of, healthy dogs tend to live anywhere from 10 to 13 years. The lifespan of our Labradoodle puppies for sale is slightly above average at 12 to 14 years. Here are the life stages of multigenerational Australian Labradoodles: Puppyhood: First five months Adolescence: Between five months and two years Adulthood: Between two and three years Middle age: Between seven years and 10 years Senior: Over 10 years Labradoodles need the most attention and care in the first and last stages of their life. During puppyhood, their minds are highly impressionable, which is ideal for training. During their senior years, Labradoodles are more susceptible to health problems, which means owners need to keep a watchful eye. Labradoodle Size The size of labradoodle puppies for sale directly relates to the size of their parents and which generation of breed Labradoodle breeders chose. The larger the puppies, the larger the adult dog will be, and the faster their growth will be coming out of the puppy stage. A standard labradoodle puppy will weigh from pounds by the time it reaches two months of age. By a year old, it will have grown dramatically to up to 80 pounds, depending on the size of its parents. Medium Labradoodles occupy a spectrum of sizes between standard and mini Labradoodles, with the specifics depending heavily on the details of the breeding pair that birthed them and the breeding program they come from. Labradoodle Puppies Temperament While Labradoodle breeders originally bred the Australian Labradoodles as therapy dogs, their fun, friendly personalities made them popular pets. Now you can find these sociable dogs in homes across the globe. Here are some of the top personality traits of our Labradoodle puppies for sale. They tend to do best in active households where they can work off all that pent-up energy. You can fulfill their needs through the following activities: Walks or jogs: Labradoodles make great walking companions and can even keep up with you during a jog. Playing in the yard: Enjoy a game of fetch with your furry friend in the yard or just let it loose on its own. Dog sports: If you stay active through sports, consider making your labradoodle a part of your routine. Bring it on bike rides, go for a run together or kick a ball around in the yard. Obstacle courses: Set up an obstacle course for your dog using household items. Scavenger hunt: Creating a scavenger hunt for your canine is a great way to exercise its body and brain. In general, Labradoodles need anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day. You can also enroll them later at a Labradoodle puppy alumni school for proper training. Friendliness What makes Labradoodles the perfect puppy compare to other dog breeds is their ability to get along with just about anyone. They inherit this trait from their Labrador retriever parent, a breed also known for its outgoing nature. You can trust your labradoodle to form friendships with everyone, from children and older adults to strangers and other puppies. Thanks to their affectionate, sociable personalities, Labradoodles make great pets for first-time owners, families, or anyone looking for a companion. Intelligence Thanks to their poodle parent breeds, Labradoodles are incredibly intelligent dogs. Because Labradoodles are intelligent, they often crave mental stimulation. Labradoodle Puppies Grooming Our Labradoodle puppies for sale have a variety of coat textures that dog owners enjoy, but in general, their low shedding coat needs brushing at least twice a week. Not only does this keep them tangle-free but it also removes excess debris from their coat, keeping them fresh and hygienic. Regularly trim the hair around their eyes and in between their paws to prevent these problem areas from causing irritation. Pooches with fleece coats tend to have longer fur and benefit the most from going to a professional groomer — although every dog loves getting pampered once in a while. At Pride and Prejudoodles, we send a can and a bag of the foods we use for free with your hand-delivered bundle of joy. If you need to change it for any reason, it must be done gradually to avoid stomach upsets. Just bear in mind that a diet is such a crucial aspect of wellness that feeding them good quality food will add years to their lives compared to opting for low-quality feed. Pride and Prejudoodles is here to help. We hope you found our guide informative. Please contact us with any other questions you have about our Labradoodle puppies for adoption. Dog lovers from Montauk to Manhattan come to us for adoptions for Australian Labradoodles. So please, give us a call today for more information about adopting a Labradoodle! The number for our office is .When you call, we can provide you with all the necessary information regarding adoptions. So we treat them as such. They get the care and attention they so truly deserve. We afford them an upbringing to become an outstanding and loving dog. The Labradoodles we breed are treated as a member of our family and live in our home. We are Labradoodle breeders for the joy of these puppies and the eventual happiness they bring to their new families. We look forward to welcoming you into our family. Committed Labradoodle Breeders Families are invited to come and visit with both the mommy Labradoodle and her puppies. This way you get a firsthand chance to see how special Australian Labradoodles are. We also want you to acclimate yourselves with them. All of our breeding dogs are tested by a veterinarian to ensure a healthy litter. These dogs are all hip, elbow, heart and eye certified by OFA. Our puppies are vaccinated at an age-appropriate time and receive their 8-week distemper. They are also dewormed and microchipped. And all puppies have a two-year health guarantee. Once they are between 8 and 9 weeks old we can send them to their new home. After six months, we recommend spaying or neutering the Labradoodle. This breed of dog is highly intelligent, loyal and friendly. All qualities of an excellent pet! We have been breeding puppies since and have become a trusted name for many prospective dog owners in the New York City area and beyond! For more information about adopting a Labradoodle, please contact us today. We gladly answer any questions you may have at the moment. The number to call to speak to our office is .When you call, we can answer any questions you have about the adoption process. Vocality level 3 in 5 Disclaimer: While the characteristics mentioned here may frequently represent this breed, dogs are individuals whose personalities and appearances will vary. Please consult the adoption organization for details on a specific pet. They are generally very friendly and are an ideal best friend. Labradoodles are very playful and have a high energy level. Long walks, hiking or jogging will definitely be a part of your future life as dog-parent to a Labradoodle. These dogs tend to do well with children in the home, but sometimes are better suited for older kids since they could knock smaller family members over with their size and exuberance. Are you looking for a dog park buddy? The Labradoodle could be the perfect match for you! They usually like to play with other dogs, so a good romp with some canine friends is ideal for them, with proper oversight and introductions. They would be a good choice if you have other pets in the home, given their general good nature. Still, cautious introductions of new pets are always a must! Labradoodles usually want to please their parents, so can be easily trained with positive methods. Upkeep Labradoodles have a lot of energy to burn! You should expect to dedicate at least minutes per day to giving your Labradoodle an outlet for their energy, whether in the form of a structured walk, playing in the yard with them, training, or a trip to the dog park to socialize. Their enthusiasm could easily turn to destructive behavior if not given this outlet. They would do best in a home with a fenced yard, so this energetic dog may not be the best option if you have a low-energy apartment life. Grooming needs will vary, depending on whether your Labradoodle inherits smoother or curlier fur from the Labrador and Poodle breeds. You can expect to devote some time each week to regular brushing and bathing, but some may require a trip to a professional groomer every weeks. Labradoodles of Long Island has many wonderful Labradoodles that are up for adoption. Dog lovers from Montauk to Manhattan come to us for adoptions for Labradoodles. So please, give us a call today for more information adopting a Labradoodle! The number for our office is .When you call, we can provide you with all the necessary information regarding Labradoodle adoptions. We are a trusted home breeder of Australian Labradoodle puppies. The Labradoodles we breed are treated as a member of our family and live in our home. We breed for the joy of these puppies and the eventual happiness they bring to their new families. Committed to Raising Quality Labradoodles At six weeks, families are invited to come to visit with both the mommy Labradoodle and her puppies. We want you to see firsthand how special Australian Labradoodles are and how well you acclimate to them. Each puppy comes with their own lineage back to Australia. These multigenerational dogs all maintain the integrity of the breed. For your assurance, all of our breeding dogs are tested by a veterinarian. And they are all hip, elbow, heart and eye certified by OFA. Our puppies are vaccinated age-appropriate and receive their 8-week distemper. They are also dewormed and microchipped. And all puppies have a two-year health guarantee. Once they are between 8 and 9 weeks old we can send them to their new home. These dogs are highly intelligent, loyal and friendly, which makes for an excellent pet! We have been breeding puppies since and have become a trusted name for many prospective dog owners. For more information about our adoptions for our Labradoodles, please contact us today. We gladly answer any questions you may have at the moment. The number to call to speak to our office is .When you call, we can answer any questions you have about the adoption process. We look forward to hearing from you!

View All Articles in Goldendoodle Grooming Goldendoodle Lifespan The great thing about Goldendoodles and other hybrid breeds is that they generally live long and healthy lives. Nonetheless, Goldendoodles are still at risk of certain health conditions , so you should be aware of the risks associated with them. By the way, choosing the right breeder will also go a long way in contributing to their lifespan and quality of life. More on that later. All in all, Goldendoodles have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. As a general rule of thumb, smaller Toy and Mini Goldendoodles tend to outlive their larger Standard Goldendoodle counterparts. This is common across all dog breeds. Therefore, we can expect the average lifespan of Toy and Mini Goldendoodles to be around 12 to 15 years. Meanwhile, Medium and Standard Goldendoodles may have a slightly shorter life expectancy of 10 to 13 years. One of the most important aspects of owning a Goldendoodle puppy is making sure that you have the space, time, and energy to care for one. Instead, you may want to consider getting a Toy or Mini Goldendoodle. Be sure to also check out our full puppy checklist here. The real work begins the moment your Goldendoodle puppy arrives home. As the day gets closer, you should also be prepared for the first night with your new puppy. This way, both of you will have a much easier time adjusting to the new family dynamic. Once your new puppy gets home, you should start with potty training , crate training , obedience training , puppy socialization , and leash training as soon as possible. This will help establish good behaviors and also help your pup to grow into a well-rounded and confident adult. If you struggle with certain behavioral problems, this guide will surely help you out. In terms of grooming and personal hygiene, this step-by-step guide on how to groom a Goldendoodle at home would be an excellent resource. Likewise, you should learn the basics of line brushing , since Goldendoodles are quite tangle prone dogs. In addition to that, our ultimate guide to dog nail trimming covers everything you should know about the topic. You may also want to learn more about Goldendoodle teething — the timeline, symptoms, and our top tips for caring for a teething puppy. For more resources on caring for Goldendoodle puppies, be sure to check out all of our Doodle Puppyhood Survival Guides. As we briefly mentioned earlier, choosing a reputable breeder is crucial if you do decide to adopt your puppy from a breeder. First of all, reputable breeders follow responsible breeding guidelines. This means that they only use health and DNA tested parents in their breeding programs, provide genetic health guarantees, and utilize various forms of enrichment methods to raise healthy, well-socialized, and well-rounded Goldendoodle puppies. You may also want to check out this article on Doodle scammers and puppy mills — a growing problem all across the globe. Goldendoodle is such an amazing breed, we cannot stop raving about these Doods! Goldendoodles are affectionate, fun-loving, social, and intelligent pups. They also tend to get along super well with children, provided that your Goldendoodle puppy has been properly socialized from an early age. For this reason, Goldendoodles make excellent companions for families with children, but also singles and couples. As intelligent and easily trainable as they are, Goldendoodles often have the tendency to be vocal. To be more precise, barking is a common problem that many Goldendoodle owners struggle with. Training is also vital here, as teaching your Goldendoodle puppy from a young age will help establish good behaviors. Are Goldendoodles High Maintenance? Indeed, some people would say that Goldendoodles are high maintenance when it comes to their coat care and grooming needs. Goldendoodles are prone to matting, which means that these pups need to be regularly brushed, bathed, and have their hair trimmed every few weeks or so. In fact, to prevent those knots and tangles from forming into full-blown mats, you should brush your Goldendoodle every single day. Goldendoodle Puppies Final Thoughts Goldendoodles make wonderful companions, but before you adopt one of these cuddly pups, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. From their size and grooming needs to their energy levels and lifespan, Goldendoodles require quite a bit of care and attention. These furry little bundles of joy will fill your days with happiness, laughter, and unconditional love. I blogged about my bout with the puppy blues. I shared on YouTube and Instagram how hard it was to have a puppy in the house. And wow do I have loads to share about the experience of being a Goldendoodle owner. First things first. People choose to adopt or shop for a whole host of different reasons — many of which are highly personal. We had been wanting to add a dog to the family for years, but landed on a Goldendoodle puppy intentionally and thoughtfully. This decision was taken seriously and we contemplated a lot of options. Ultimately we wanted the experience of raising a puppy. Point being — I made the choice I made and I stand by it. We adopted our cat from a shelter and have mad respect for that experience. For us, sourcing a puppy from a reputable breeder was the right choice at the time and honestly, given the competition at shelters, the only real choice. But I digress. Who this post is for. I was in the market for a Goldendoodle puppy and was after all the info on the breed I could get. What exactly is a Goldendoodle? Goldendoodles are produced when a Golden Retriever is mixed with a Poodle. There are many different types and generations of Goldendoodles. You can also find Medium and Mini Goldendoodle options — all of which are determined by the size of the Poodle. The parent breeds of the puppy ultimately determine the generation of the puppy — and different generations are known for different traits such as coat type, temperament, body size and shape, etc. Goldendoodle generations. Like I said, Goldendoodle dogs come in a whole host of generations. This breeding variety can offer a lot of trait blends you might find in a Poodle Golden Retriever mix, from coat type to body shape and more. This is the first generation of Goldendoodle. Our dog, Lemon, is an F2 Goldendoodle. The brutal truth about owning a Goldendoodle. People will likely get upset that you chose to shop and not adopt. Yep — please refer to the above. Ironically — neither does team purebred! Folks who run in the purebred dog circuit sometimes have strong opinions about the lineage and breeding standards of a dog. Honestly, I do understand where the criticism about the Goldendoodle breed comes from. The result? A lot of really nasty, unsavory backyard breeding tactics. Many Goldendoodle breeders are unscrupulous and hard to verify. Unlike an AKC recognized breed where you can search for reputable and verified breeders, no such official list exists for Goldendoodles. This means most of us shopping for a Goldendoodle are just hitting up Google, praying to see good reviews, and maybe hopefully getting a good word of mouth recommendation from another doodle owner. There are plenty of ethical, legitimate Goldendoodle breeders out there. Kindly ask the owner where they got their dog from and if they liked the experience. Extra points if you can learn about the health of the dog. I also highly recommend only buying from a breeder that performs various health screenings on the parent dogs. Good breeders should be testing for the Goldendoodle health issues seen most commonly. There are no health testing requirements when it comes to breeding doodles, so all health tests are at the expense and discretion of the breeder. Good breeders DO test! Goldendoodle sizes vary widely — and breeders cannot guarantee them. Breeders often price their Goldendoodle puppies by size. Standard size Goldendoodles tend to cost less than Mini Goldendoodles because the Miniature Goldendoodle size is considered more popular. Goldendoodles are a mixed breed group at the end of the day — so weight fluctuates wildly. Best estimations can absolutely be made based on the weight of the parents, but ultimately no breeder can accurately promise or guarantee the end size of your dog. Sizing as advertised by a breeder is a ballpark range, not an absolute promise. Another Goldendoodle trait often promised by breeders is coat type. Goldendoodle colors and coats do change as your dog grows. Puppy coats also may be curlier or straighter than their adult coats. Unfortunately the dark curly coat you fall in love with when bringing your puppy home might in fact shed away to a much lighter or straighter coat. Also — hot take — the Goldendoodle hypoallergenic and non-shedding promise pumped out into the world by breeders is a bit of a myth. This is one of the biggest misconceptions about Goldendoodles. Goldendoodles with more Golden Retriever in them have a higher likelihood of shedding than generations with more Poodle or potentially more mixed. Goldendoodle coats require a lot of maintenance. For the most part, Goldendoodle coats do require a fair bit of maintenance. This is especially true if you like your doodles hair to be long and shaggy. Goldendoodle puppy fur is fine and both tangles and mats easily. The shorter cut is so much easier to maintain than that beautiful, long look. Goldendoodles are known for having gut issues. From allergies to just general bubble gut, doodles can tend to have finicky tummies. It also means you might need to put up with random bouts of diarrhea. Goldendoodles are known for having allergies — both food related and seasonal. Lemon wakes up every single morning with eye boogers thanks to her seasonal allergies. But in all seriousness, allergies are actually a fairly well known fact of doodles in general. Doodles are also susceptible to seasonal allergies and allergies to specific plants, grass, etc. We just give her some supplements, watch her diet, and try to discourage rolling around in freshly cut grass. Goldendoodles are expensive. Goldendoodles are wildly expensive. End of story. To purchase a Goldendoodle in , the average puppy would ring in at multiple thousands of dollars. Even in more rural areas, breeders were still able to charge a pretty penny. Many people actually fly puppies into wherever they live from rural breeders just to save money! Lemon had stomach issues from the moment we brought her home, resulting in expensive vet visits, tests, medicines, and food. For the record, I highly recommend getting pet insurance for your dood. Goldendoodles have endless amounts of energy. Somewhere along the way I feel like Goldendoodles got the reputation for being amazing for beginner dog owners and as family dogs. Goldendoodles are like Energizer bunnies. Man, do they have a lot of energy! Goldendoodles constantly need to be engaged or have something to do. But for the most part, this breed is not a lap dog nor are they a true couch potato. Goldendoodles will require a minimum of one healthy walk per day, often more. Goldendoodles can survive on less exercise, but the result is often behavioral problems that may lead them to ultimately be surrendered. Goldendoodles are smart AF. One of the most frequently asked questions about doods that I get over on Instagram is about trainability of this breed. Goldendoodles make for amazing training class dogs. These doods are sharp as a tack and genuinely love to be challenged and work with their humans. Goldendoodles are re-homed at high rates because not enough people do their research into the facts of this designer dog breed. For as expensive as these designer dogs are — they do actually end up surrendered. They just saw a cute puppy and fell in love. Some owners purchase their Goldendoodle puppy imagining a sweet, mellow, curly, non-shedding, hypoallergenic pup only to find out their puppy is, well…a Goldendoodle. Loads of energy. May or may not shed. But yes, still very sweet. I knew my pup would come home with energy, but even I was surprised by just how much energy she had to burn each day! Lemon typically gets walked twice per day. We also absolutely love taking Lemon to training classic, sport classes, and doggy daycare — all of which really wear her out. Sport classes like nosework or agility are also great energy releases! Doggy daycare is an amazing way for dogs to socialize together in a safe, supervised environment. Goldendoodles are an amazing mixed breed. Out of all the dog breeds out there — I honestly still see each and every day why my husband and I chose to go with a dood. Lemon is funny, quirky, and goofy — and so are all her siblings. Lemon is insanely smart and incredibly loving. Even after all the late night bouts of diarrhea, the endless vet visits, the tangled fur, the training woes, and the morning eye boogers — we love our dog. We love our Goldendoodle. We love Lemon. Thinking of adding a dood to the family? Feel free to drop questions into the comments below! Goldendoodle puppies are all the rage right now. However, as cute as they are—getting a Goldendoodle puppy is a big deal! Their cuteness is just an added bonus! Goldendoodle Puppy Is a Goldendoodle the right fit for you and your family? Nowadays any and every level of dog owner is purchasing a doodle—people who have only owned short-haired dogs, incredibly calm dogs, and sometimes first-time dog owners. As a result of not knowing what a person is getting themselves into when they purchase a doodle, doodle rehoming is at an all-time high! Even though many people love their doodle—a doodle may not be the right fit for you. Many people are giving away their Goldendoodles, rehoming them, or sending them to a rescue. If you skimp on the price, you could end up with a dog that is poorly bred. Which is incredibly dangerous for you, your puppy, and the breeding industry. Genetic testing helps prevent the breeding of dogs that test poorly for bad genes or health and behavioral issues. This will essentially cost you a fortune later in high vet bills, training costs, and potentially medical and lawsuit charges. Dogs in a Kennel Additionally, buying from a low-quality breeder to save money helps keep puppy mills in business. Puppy mills over breed their dogs. Those poor overbred dogs are usually stuck in a kennel their entire life—usually in a cramped space, stacked on top of each other, sitting in their urine or feces. There are also puppy mill breeders that keep their puppies in outside kennels, never getting to socialize with other dogs or humans. And they never have a chance to live a life of happiness and freedom. Why on earth would anyone want to support something so inhumane??? Remember the age-old saying, you get what you pay for. And that goes for dog breeders as well. Please choose to purchase your dog from an ethical breeder. If you purchase from a breeder that does not perform genetic testing, you are at risk for a plethora of issues. Please do your research, but due to the explosion in Goldendoodle popularity, there is a higher chance of running across a bad breeder and bad genetics because there are many who are in it for the money and not for the love and care of breeding a sound Goldendoodle. High Coat Maintenance The biggest complaint I hear from Goldendoodle parents is how high maintenance the coat is. Their coat requires quite a bit of brushing. Actually……a lot of brushing. At least 15 minutes a day! A little too easily. And those mats hurt and restrict body movement. Not only do you have to brush your Goldendoodle, but you also have to comb down to the skin, until the comb goes through the coat effortlessly. This means you will actually have to block out time from your day to physically brush your dog every single day. Otherwise, your doodle ends up completely knotted up. This leads to moisture becoming trapped in the coat once this happens, bacteria begins to grow and then your doodle will get hot spots and major skin issues. Putting your dog through that kind of torture for simple aesthetics is really uncool. To ask your dog groomer—who is more than likely an insanely over the top dog lover will feel awful torturing your dog for 3 hours as they try to hurriedly brush and pull out mats due to appointment restrictions. If you feel you have what it takes to brush your Doodle daily and keep them mat free, then a Goldendoodle is a great choice for you! If not. .Plus it can be dangerous, especially if you attempt to trim out matting. During quarantine I witnessed quite a few dogs with burns, cuts, nails quicked too short, and uneven faces and coat lengths. Some dogs were so burned by the clippers they needed vet attention. The cut caused the leg to get infected Luckily the dog was surrendered and ended up with a great life! They take longer to wash, dry, and trim. Almost times longer than many other dog breeds. Therefore, they cost more professionally. Your dog begins to lick these itchy areas and bites incessantly until the spot becomes red and irritated, sometimes bloody. Doodle with Skin Issues And sometimes if a Goldendoodle is bred poorly, they can have health and skin issues ranging from ear infections, hot spots, and skin allergies as well. Which is kinda gross considering your house will begin to smell the same way. I have groomed many sour-coated Goldendoodles that have smelled so bad, we had to air out the grooming salon. They tend to hold moisture and grow bacteria quickly. The trouble areas are usually underneath the ears, under the chin, their feet, and their sanitary booty and pee-pee areas. Getting on a regular bath and professional grooming schedule can help save your furniture, carpet, and bedding from getting that dog odor. Doodle Grooming Guide 7. This can sometimes be too much for people to handle. I have older clients that have Goldendoodles and sometimes they are too afraid to bring them in alone for fear of falling from being pulled holding the leash, or tripping over their Goldendoodle while trying to bring then in for a professional groom. Many times the mouthiness feels like extreme biting. However, training can fix most mouthiness cases. Goldendoodle Puppy 9. Shedding Many Goldendoodles do shed! Especially if they are a first-generation or F1, which is a Golden Retriever crossed with a Standard Poodle. And for this reason, I have witnessed many Goldendoodles either returned or given away, or sent to a rescue group or shelter. Goldendoodle Hair .Their friendliness results in jumping, barking, using their arms and feet, mouthing people, and of course—crotch sniffing. In some rare cases, Goldendoodles can be aggressive. Size Nowadays Goldendoodles come in a variety of sizes, ranging from toy to standard. I have witnessed countless Goldendoodles come out large, and large Goldendoodles come out small. They were supposed to only grow to 30lbs, but now weigh a whopping 90lbs! Dog Allergies Despite popular opinion, I can assure you that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Even if your dog is an FB doodle. All dogs have skin which sheds and all dogs have hair which sheds, some less than others. Otherwise, all of the pollen, dirt, leaves, and dust they come in contact with, will stick to their coat. Thus, creating an allergy-ridden furball running around the house. I feel like this just about covers many of the reasons I see Goldendoodle rehomed. Hopefully, all of these points can help you make a better, informed decision in regard to purchasing a Goldendoodle puppy! Join My Tribe to learn more about Pet Parenting! October 25, In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? The Goldendoodle, a hybrid breed that launched into popularity in the United States in the s and never left the top list, Goldendoodles are affectionate and smart dogs whose amiable personalities are well-suited for a variety of owners and lifestyles! How do you know if the Goldendoodle is the right fit for you and your family? A Brief Background on Goldendoodles! As we quickly stated earlier, the Goldendoodle is a hybrid, a cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. Thanks to the success of Labradoodles Labrador Retriever and Poodle cross-breed , dog breeders began to intentionally breed Golden Retrievers with a range of Poodles, creating a variety of Goldendoodles in different coloring and sizes. What are Goldendoodles Breed Characteristics? Some distinguishable characteristics of the Goldendoodle include their sizing range, variety of coloring, and temperament. Goldendoodles can come in mini to standard size, thanks to the genes from their poodle side. Goldendoodles can weigh starting at 15 lbs for miniature sizes up to 80 Ilbs for standard. One of the most distinguishable features is their thick, soft, curly coats that are considered hypoallergenic because they shed less frequently than other dog breeds. What are Goldendoodles Personalities like? Goldendoodles love people! They are friendly, affectionate, and love to please. With the right amount of socialization, this breed will be a friend to everyone! However, their fun-loving personalities also bring a lot of high energy, jumpiness, and nippiness throughout puppyhood. This is important to remember especially if you have young children at home. Goldendoodles can make excellent family dogs, but proper training and boundaries must be started the moment you bring them home to help get them there! Think about your current living environment and where you plan to be in the next few years. That being said, if you were planning on adding a Goldendoodle to your life, consider that these pups do best in a home with enough space especially if you are getting a standard-sized Goldendoodle and a fenced in yard! While some Goldendoodles on the smaller range of the size scale work great for apartment dwelling, these are energetic breeds that need space to exercise and play. Regular walks and training sessions at a local park will help them expel some energy in a constructive way, and are highly recommended for this breed, especially if you live in a city environment! How to Care for Your Goldendoodle! Goldendoodles can suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia, ear infections, allergies, hypothyroidism, and Gastric Dilation Volvulus Bloat. To avoid having to shave down their beautiful coats, daily brushing to remove mats is recommended, along with regular professional grooming appointments. Like all other breeds, having their nails trimmed and teeth brushed regularly will ensure they stay clean and healthy! Goldendoodle puppies are very smart and love to work! With consistent puppy training from an early age, they can master basic obedience skills quickly, and also move on to more advanced training, including therapy and service animal training. Start your puppy off on the right paw by establishing their daily puppy schedule complete with feeding, potty breaks, nap times, playtimes, and puppy training sessions! Going back to their wilder instincts, puppies will naturally avoid soiling where they sleep. Crate training your Goldendoodle puppy will help boost their confidence and resilience while learning to be alone at home. Puppy training can provide your puppy with controlled socialization with other puppies under the supervision of a puppy trainer that can watch out for rough playing or dominant behaviors between puppies. When done correctly, socialization helps teach your puppy the proper way to great people, other dogs and create boundaries. During socialization sessions, you can work with your puppy on barking or jumping, which are common puppy behaviors when they are excited or over-stimulated when meeting strangers. And if you're not sure how to do this on your own, hire a local puppy trainer to help set you up for the best success! Consider advanced training to keep them engaged Goldendoodles are very intelligent which means they love stimulating activities! Along with basic obedience, dog sports like agility are a great way to motivate them and help your puppy work out their energy. Agility helps establish a stronger communication bond through body language while your puppy is participating. You will learn to communicate with more body language and signals to focus your puppy at performing tasks necessary to help individuals that are incapable of doing it themselves. Respect their alone time. This is especially challenging for young kids when they can look like real-life stuffed animals! But, this constant handling can often cause some frustration for these young pups, having them act out with more nipping to try to make the petting stops, or growling, which can lead to more serious behavioral issues down the road. Make sure to give them dedicated time through the day to rest and their own space where they can be left alone to nap, unbothered. And always monitor young kids when they are interacting with the puppy so you can easily step in to give your puppy a break when they need it! Did you recently bring home a Goldendoodle puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! Goldendoodles are very smart dogs and rank just below bordie collies when ranked among dog breeds. They are not only gentle and playful, but they are super smart which makes them easy to train. This is one of the reasons why so many people love goldendoodles, their intelligence and trainability makes them a very desirable pet. How Much Does a Goldendoodle Cost? If you are wondering how much a goldendoodle costs, we can help. Where you get the puppy from will be the main factor that determines how expensive the dog is, in addition to who the puppies parents are, and what physical attributes the dog has that makes it special. If the goldendoodle puppy is in excellent health, has high-quality pedigree parents, and has unique, beautiful colors or coats, you can expect it to be a good price. Many people purchase goldendoodles as puppies and decide that they cannot handle them when they get older and end up giving them up for adoption. Reading guides like this before purchasing any dog can help prevent that from happening by giving you an idea of what to expect from the dog before you get it in terms of the cots and the amount of care required to properly take care of it. You may be able to select which puppy that you want out of the litter based on the color or physical attributes. You can review the health and papers of both parents since Golden Retrievers and Poodles are both breeds that are recognized and registered with the AKC. Cons of Buying a Goldendoodle Puppy From a Breeder If the price of the goldendoodle puppy is too low or they seem to have a lot of puppies it could indicate that the breeder is running a puppy mill. Watch out for puppy mills because they abuse animals and the puppies often have health problems, some even dying after being adopted. There are goldendoodles in shelters waiting to be adopted. The cost of the goldendoodle can depend on a few different factors. Goldendoodle puppies are incredibly cute, fluffy and adorable. Here are a few of the factors that will affect the price of a goldendoodle puppy. You can also sometimes find people online looking to rehome their pets with little to no rehoming fees. The color of the goldendoodle puppy may affect the price. If the puppy is a rare color it will be worth more money. They also come in beautiful red colors, grey, or black. They can be a combination of colors including red with white, etc. The price of the goldendoodle puppy may be more if it is a sought after color and is aesthetically beautiful. The size of the goldendoodle puppy will affect the price. We do not mean the size of the puppy when it is still young, but the size that it will eventually grow to. You can expect goldendoodle puppies that are miniature puppies or very large puppies to be more expensive than the average sized ones because they are more rare. Is it Hard to Take Care of a Goldendoodle? In this section of the guide we will talk about how to take care of a goldendoodle. Are goldendoodles high maintenance dogs? Well, that depends. They do have a lot of energy and require exercise, attention, and sometimes grooming, but they are also half well-mannered golden retrievers which are very easy to take care of. They can have health problems with their skin or legs to watch out for. Here is a list of things to consider about taking care of goldendoodles if you are thinking about getting one. Exercise Goldendoodles have a ton of energy, especially when they are young. If you are considering getting a goldendoodle you should consider how much room the dog will have to play. Will you take him on walks? Do you have a backyard he can play in? Kids or other dogs to play with? If you are looking for a dog to leave at home or in an apartment all day , the goldendoodle is not the right dog for you. These intelligent animals have a lot of energy and the bigger the goldendoodle is the more room they will need to play happily. Training It is actually really easy to train a Goldendoodle , which is one of the reasons why it is such a popular dog for families. They are naturally very well-mannered and they are smart so they pick up on commands easily. Both poodles and golden retrievers rank high in terms of intelligence, and this makes them very easy to train. Goldendoodles are amazing dogs that have a lot of potential if you take the time to train them right. They love attention and positive reinforcement during training. Conclusion If you are looking for a great family dog you should consider the goldendoodle. This mix of a poodle and a golden retriever is super intelligent, friendly, and affectionate. They are very, very cute as well which is one of the reasons why they can come with a big price tag as a puppy. Before buying from a breeder, consider adopting a goldendoodle from a local shelter. Ultimate Guide to Goldendoodles. But, what to know before getting a Goldendoodle? Learning more about the Goldendoodle before bringing a puppy home is essential. What to know about Goldendoodles? Do they need special care and attention? What do I need to know before getting a Goldendoodle? You should know about the puppy schedule, health care, separation anxiety, and puppy price. Goldendoodles are quite affectionate and have a lovely attitude. Since , the Goldendoodle has become a sought-after cross-breed for families who want a good temperamental dog. Often, most folks refer to Goldendoodles as designer dogs because you get the best of both worlds. Read on and get to know all the essential information about Goldendoodles before getting one. Such information helps to burst myths and prepare you for the best pet parent experience. What to Know Before Getting a Goldendoodle 1. Puppy Schedule Puppies need structure. A basic puppy schedule for a Goldendoodle will include feeding time, potty training, playtime, and naptime. Unlike big dogs, your puppy will need to eat three times a day as recommended by the American Kennel Association. So, you must know when and how to feed them so that your puppy gets all their meals. Another important item to add to your schedule is potty training. Since puppies eat and drink often, they have to take bathroom breaks throughout the day. Scheduling breaks is one way to prevent accidents and ensure they learn where to do their business. Have a specific time when you take them out for potty breaks or show them where to go in the house. Also, ensure you plan ample playtime to keep your high-energy pup entertained. Running around in the backyard and lots of playtime is healthy for Goldendoodle pups. Puppies tend to sleep most of the day. When your Goldendoodle pup is full and calm, it can sleep for 18 hours a day. Also, you can have a specific time when your pup goes to bed. Health Care Having a Goldendoodle or any other pet requires health care. A Goldendoodle is a cross-breed of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Cross-breeding makes the new breed less prone to breed-specific conditions that their parents can experience. However, some health conditions can affect your Goldendoodle. So, healthcare and some pet insurance will come in handy. Some of the illnesses include: Sebaceous adenitis skin disease Subvalvular aortic stenosis heart condition Progressive retinal atrophy Glaucoma Cataract Always be cautious about the breeder you interact with when you want a puppy. Separation Anxiety Goldendoodles are an affectionate breed that loves being around people. While such temperament is good for a family dog, it can also lead to separation anxiety. While other breeds tend to cope better with separation anxiety, Goldendoodles go the opposite way. This leads to destructiveness, lots of noise, and anxious behavior. Often your dog is bored and wants some company. So, always have this point in your mind when getting a Goldendoodle. It might be better to start with a puppy to engage in lots of training. Note the signs of separation anxiety like chewing things, going to the bathroom anywhere, trying to escape, whining, and lots of barking or howling. When you note this, start simple training and remember to give lots of cuddles. It takes time, and your whole family needs to participate for this to work. Price of a Puppy Reputable breeders take time to choose the right Poodle and Golden Retriever to mate. As a result, they charge specific amounts for Goldendoodle pups. Therefore, always take time to have a budget before you buy one. The price variation is because of the generation and size of the puppy you want to buy. Apart from buying puppies, you can adopt a Goldendoodle. Shelters have many dogs that need a new home, so try to find out if they have a Goldendoodle. Cost of Grooming and General Care Many folks love Goldendoodles since they are a low-maintenance breed. All dogs need grooming and proper care to ensure they live a comfortable life. Goldendoodles need regular brushing each week. Start grooming your Goldendoodle as a puppy to set a routine and get them accustomed to the process. As part of your welcome-home kit, get some grooming tools to help ease the process. Some of the best Goldendoodle grooming items to have include: brush. Although the breed status may change in the future, these dogs are not currently recognized as standardized by any major kennel club in the world today. Breeders were working on this project as a way to develop guide dogs for people with visual impairments who had severe animal allergies. Because the standard poodle is considered hypoallergenic, the hope was to create a dog with less dander without sacrificing the trainable attitude. There is no guarantee that a goldendoodle will inherit the coat traits of the poodle, including the non-shedding coat. The guiding traits are not a given either. What you will discover in these pros and cons is that this cross-breed can make for an excellent family dog. List of the Pros of Owning a Goldendoodle 1. Most goldendoodles see less shedding than a golden retriever. Although some goldendoodles do not exhibit the hypoallergenic coat that you can find with the standard poodle, most of them do inherit less shedding as a common trait. The amount of actual shedding that you can experience varies from dog-to-dog, but there is typically less with this option compared to full breeds. Pet parents will need to incorporate regular brushing, the occasional bath, and some fur trimming to ensure that they are looking their best at all times. There is less of an allergic response to goldendoodles. Because there is less shedding with the goldendoodle, fewer dandruff flakes make their way from the body of the dog. That means individuals with allergies have a lesser response to contact with the animal. The actual response that a person experiences depends on the nature of the pup itself. There are still some heavy shedders with this cross-breed that could be problematic for some households. If you have concerns in this area, then you might want to consider a dog in the range of years old instead of a puppy to gauge your reaction. Goldendoodles have three primary coat types. You have three different coat types from which to choose when deciding on a goldendoodle to add to your family. You can also choose from the curly or straight coats that trend more toward one parent or the other with this cross-breed. All of them provide the same allergic response and shedding benefits at some level, so you can keep looking for an option that suits your personal preferences. There are multiple color options with the goldendoodle as well thanks to the coat variations found in the standard poodle. The most common colors are gold, cream, white, grey, red, black, and brown. You can still enter goldendoodles in some performance events. The established breed associations around the world, including the AKC, UKC, and CKC do not recognize the goldendoodle as a breed — which is the same approach they use to any designer cross that are used today. Despite this fact, most kennel clubs do allow for the registration of a mixed-breed dog to perform in agility or obedience events. There is one exception to this rule. If you can produce paperwork for both of the parents of a goldendoodle, then the Continental Kennel Club accepts and grants a pedigree. There are multiple size options available with this cross-breed. You can find goldendoodles of almost any size if you look at all of your options. Miniature ones are usually under 20 pounds and the perfect size for apartment living. Almost all of them work well with kids and other pets because of their intelligence and sociable nature, even if there are times when it seems like they might want some alone time. If you see a small goldendoodle, then that typically means a breeder crossed a miniature poodle with a golden retriever instead of a standard poodle. You will still see the same generational status with this option. Goldendoodles love a good snuggle. Goldendoodles love to receive attention from their family. You could be watching TV, trying to go to sleep, or even in the bathtub. You will find the pup nuzzling you for a head scratch. They love to be lap dogs whenever possible. Some puppies might resist the urge because of their adventuresome nature, but most of them love to spend time every day snuggling with you. These dogs tend to be quiet most of the time. Most goldendoodles limit their barking to the times when they feel threatened, when you walk in the door after being gone a while, or to let you know that they need something. Even if the other dogs in the neighborhood are barking for some reason, yours prefers to stay quiet unless something exciting is going on — like a squirrel or an exciting game of fetch. Your goldendoodle will love you forever if you take them swimming. If you have a pool at home, then this is where your pup will want to be most of the time. Your children will have an instant companion in the pool that can help them to develop healthy water habits too. Their speed in paddling is such an advantage that some organizations train this cross-breed to become rescue dogs. Goldendoodles are excellent with children. Although goldendoodles tend to be high-energy dogs that can forget about their boundaries when they get overly excited, there is still patience and gentleness practiced when they are around their people. This advantage is beneficial for families with children since they can still have antics that make you fall in love with them all over again. There can sometimes be a little nipping during play times, but these pups have the gentle mouth of their retriever parent. This cross-breed works well in homes with other pets. Goldendoodles are rarely aggressive. If you have cats at home already, then your new pup will adopt them as part of their pack. These dogs are easy-going when meeting other doggos as well, although there can be some separation at first when figuring out who will be the alpha. These dogs are easy to train too, which means you can use their eagerness to please as a way to encourage healthier behaviors. List of the Cons of Owning a Goldendoodle 1. You will need to pay attention to the F-status of your goldendoodle. When you start looking for goldendoodles to bring home, then you may notice that some animals have an F-status associated to their designation. This lettering is a generational designation that provides a better understanding of the lineage of each dog so that you can tell from a glance how much retriever and poodle is there in the mix. If you have an F1 goldendoodle, then that means it is the direct offspring of a golden retriever and a poodle. If you see an F2 goldendoodle, then that means it is a second-generation dog that had two goldendoodles as parents. If you see an F1B goldendoodle, then that means back-crossing occurred, which is usually done to get the softer, curly coat from the poodle. There are issues with hip dysplasia with the goldendoodle. When breeders take a knowledgeable approach to the goldendoodle, then the dogs tend to be rather healthy. Most will live years with adequate care, medical help, and lots of love from their families. The problem that happens most often with this cross-breed is hip dysplasia since poodles and retrievers both encounter the issue in their genetic history. If you are bringing a goldendoodle puppy home, then ask the breeder for the results of this exam before agreeing to any contract or price. When this information is not available to you, then you should treat the transaction as suspicious. Goldendoodles can need a lot of exercise. If the traits of the retriever are strong in your goldendoodle, then you will need to get that pup outside to get some exercise every day. Veterinarians prefer about 60 minutes of time each day for walks and supervised play. If you are unable to get outside for some reason, the intelligence of these dogs allows you to train them to use a treadmill. When the dogs keep their energy pent up, then it will usually release in an explosive burst of running around indoors. Because of this disadvantage, the medium and large varieties may not see much success in smaller homes. Social anxiety is fairly common with this cross-breed. Goldendoodles get very anxious when they are by themselves, even if they are in a familiar environment. If you leave them alone every day to go to work, then their worries or boredom can result in destructive behaviors. These dogs love to chew anything that is within their reach, so you might discover furniture vandalism, broken dishes, or shredded shoes waiting for you. Some people are still allergic to these dogs. Although the goal of developing the goldendoodle was to create a hypoallergic alternative for people who need a support companion or a guide dog, there can still be problems with allergic reactions. Some of the dogs, especially the ones of larger size, can see even more shedding with their coat compared to what the golden retriever experiences during the changing of seasons. You will want to look at the miniature options in this category or pursue one with a B-status designation to reduce the risks of this potential disadvantage. The popularity of goldendoodles makes them an expensive dog. You can pay more for a goldendoodle from a reliable breeder than you would for a standard poodle or a golden retriever. Conclusion of the Pros and Cons of Owning a Goldendoodle The pros and cons of goldendoodles prove that they are friendly pups who only want to please their family and have a safe place to live. Their quiet personalities are far from introverted, but they are almost always gentle and kind. You will find a wide range of colors, coats, and sizes, which means this cross-breed can find a place in almost any home. If you are looking for a goldendoodle to adopt today, then the first stop would be to check with your local shelter, adoption agency, and registered breeders. You can also become a new pet parent by browsing through sites like adoptapet. Speak to a member of our team to learn more You Should Know the Temperament of Goldendoodles Both the standard poodle and golden retriever were originally bred as a sporting breed. The Standard Poodle was originally bred as a retrieving dog specifically for the water! The Golden Retriever as its name would suggest was also bred to accompany his master on the hunt to retrieve game. Retrieving is a skill that requires dutiful obedience on the part of the dog and an active, alert disposition. In recent decades, the vast majority of poodles and golden retrievers have been bred for family pets rather than hunting companions, but their original roots remain. Golden retrievers in particular have been frequently bred for their obedience and service dog potential. And both breeds are quite athletic, tend to like retrieval games like fetch, and are overall moderately active dogs. Bred specifically for its small size and companionship, the Miniature Poodle tends to be more demanding of attention and can be more excitable and less docile than their standard-sized counterparts. Miniatures are still known for their intelligence and affection and combined with the little extra spunk they pack, they can make an ideal addition to the right family. This is something to consider if you are wanting a smaller version of the doodle. An amazing dog! Goldendoodles are known for their friendly, gentle dispositions and their eager-to-please attitudes. They are incredibly people-oriented and easy to train! They have a charming sense of humor and an uncanny ability to know when their humans could use an extra snuggle. This type of coat is very similar to the Golden Retriever hence the shedding. Wavy coats are still prone to some shedding but are fairly easy as far as grooming - typically only requiring brushing a couple times a week to avoid matting. This type of coat is a good middle blend between the two breeds. The curly coat will be ultra-low shedding and is best for people with allergies, but it will require more frequent brushing to prevent matting. We find that they shed about as much as a human — so you will see hair in the brush when you comb them, but it will not be all over your floors and furniture as with most other non-doodle dog breeds. Your breeder should be able to tell what type of coats the pups have from an early age. At JLDD we love our multigenerational litters. Adding more poodle generally equates to a curlier coat and less shedding as seen in a F1b or multigenerational doodle. When bred down correctly such as coat testing completed on parent dogs then a breeder can ensure to only pass on the non-shedding gene to the next generation, so the result is an ultra low-shedding dog! Helpful Tip Alert! The trademark temperament and low-shedding coat of this breed do not necessarily mean this is a low-maintenance dog. When considering the athletic breed backgrounds of this dog as well as their very high intelligence, its no surprise that goldendoodles do require a lot of human attention. This is what makes the breed incredibly easy to train and great for first time dog owners but it also means that your goldendoodle will not be happy to spend his days alone in the backyard. The same intuitive, sensitive nature that makes the goldendoodle an excellent therapy dog candidate, also means that your pup will want to be with you all the time! If you are not prepared to never watch Netflix alone again, then the goldendoodle may not be the best fit for you! Most goldendoodles tend to be a second shadow to their owners and follow them around the house and are up for being a companion on any adventure! This is not a sedentary dog and will require some kind of physical exercise several times a week in order to be at his best. Finally, many people are attracted to the Goldendoodle for its minimally shedding coat. But this does not mean the coat is low maintenance. We have had owners groom their doodles themselves to save on costs, but it is certainly still a significant commitment to keep your dood looking fresh and mat-free! In conclusion, if you are prepared for a dog that enjoys an active lifestyle, lots of human interaction and mental stimulation and you have a plan for coat maintenance, the Goldendoodle is a great fit for you!

When you bring a new puppy home, it's important to keep feeding it the same food that it has been eating at its previous home. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source Talk to the person or organization that you are adopting your puppy from to see what food they are feeding it. They should willingly provide that info and they may even send you home with some if you can't find any to buy. If you can't find the right food in your local pet supply store, consider ordering it online. However, you would need to order it ahead of time so that you have it on hand when the puppy comes home. If you want to feed your puppy a different food from what it has been eating, you will need to switch its food over the course of several days. Feed that mix for several days. Finally, you can give the puppy all new food. If you are content to give your puppy the food it was originally eating, it's fine to do that. Every puppy will have different nutritional needs. Because of this, it's a good idea to discuss proper nutrition with your vet. They can suggest great foods to give your puppy and how much it should be eating. Go to source The right portion size depends on the size of your puppy and its metabolism. Ask your vet to teach you how to body score your puppy. This will allow you to do a quick visual check to see whether your puppy is losing or gaining weight. Tip: If your vet suggests a specific food but doesn't tell you how much to give your puppy, follow the instructions on the packaging. Doing 3 or 4 feedings per day allows your puppy to get enough nutrients without overwhelming its digestive system with a huge amount of food at once. This is especially important when your puppy is under 6 months old, as they have delicate systems. Go to source Don't just leave the food out all day. Take the food away after the puppy eats for about 10 or 15 minutes. Lab puppies should always have access to fresh water so that they can stay adequately hydrated. Put out a dish of water and dump it out, clean the dish, and refill it daily. Some puppies are really messy with their water dishes. To prevent a mess, try putting the water dish on a tray, so that spilled water won't go right onto the floor. Top Picks For Our Dogs Preparing Your Home For A Puppy You should treat the preparation of your home for the arrival of a new puppy in much the same way as you would for the arrival of a baby because the process is almost identical. You must be ready to provide every little thing your puppy needs in life, making sure they have water, are fed, comfortable, happy, catered for and safe. To achieve this there are 4 main things that you need to do: Go shopping for equipment and supplies Puppy proof your home and garden to make sure your puppy stays safe Set up an area for your puppy to sleep and spend time in when you cannot supervise them Decide on the rules and routines required to successfully raise a puppy Without such preparation, things will be difficult. A Nutritious Puppy Food The most important supply needed for a new puppy is a highly nutritious puppy food. Hopefully your puppy came from a responsible breeder who was feeding them a high quality, complete and nutritious food. If so, you should ask what they were feeding, stock up on and continue feeding this if possible. If not, then puppies are incredibly active, growing fast and developing bone, muscle and more every day. Because of this they need almost double the calories, more protein and have different nutritional needs to mature adult dogs. Furthermore, they have far smaller mouths than adult dogs so puppy food comes in smaller chunks more suited to their size. Click here to see our recommendations for the best puppy food for labs Bowls for Food And Water There is a bewildering array of dog bowl choices out there so choosing the best can be difficult. Looks and design aside, I recommend going for stainless steel bowls because they are long-lasting, cannot be chewed and are very easy to clean. I also recommend buying bowls with heavy rubber bottoms so they stay rooted to the spot and are harder to spill or flip over. Unless of course you buy bowls in a stand, then these problems are already solved. A Puppy Crate And Bedding A good crate is one of the most beneficial things you can provide for the good of yourself and your puppy. First of all, supply some bedding to place inside for your puppy to sleep on. My recommendation for this is VetBed. Many puppies can chew and ingest normal bedding which can result in medical emergencies and VetBed is the most durable bedding on the market. During these times you need to provide a larger, but still safe enclosure to confine your puppy. You might also like to buy a plastic sheet and some puppy pads or use lots of old newspaper for them to use as a potty in your absence. Puppy Chew Toys Puppies chew. A lot. And they seem to prefer chewing phones, footwear and TV remotes more than anything else. Just make sure whatever toys you do buy are suitable for a puppy as many will be too large for their little mouths to begin with. Interactive Puppy Toys So you can play games with your puppy, provide exercise and mental stimulation, you will want to buy a few toys that encourage the two of you to interact. Balls for throwing and chasing, soft toys and ropes for playing tug, other toys for fetch, there are many available. You will also need a collar to provide a place to attach an all important ID tag. ID Tag An ID tag is an essential means to be reunited with your puppy should the worst happen and you somehow lose them or they run away. Clicker A clicker is an extremely useful tool used during training as a reward marker that dramatically improves the timing of communication between you and your puppy when you want to reward a behavior. Although not essential, I do highly recommend you use one. Puppy Training Treats Tasty food treats are the go-to reward used during training so you will want to make sure you always have a good stock at hand. They need to feel happy with being bathed, happy having their coat and teeth brushed, their feet touched, nails clipped and having their eyes and ears inspected. To do so, you should fake going the process, getting them used to being handled, the sight and feel of the tools and so on. To achieve this, you will need to buy and get them used to the following items: Dog shampoo Combs and brushes suitable for a Labrador Scissors Cotton balls Toothbrush Use these tools right away and often, and give your puppy praise and tasty treats as you go so they form positive associations with grooming. Puppy Proof Your Home and Garden The process of puppy proofing your home is very much like baby proofing before the arrival of a child. Except a puppy is far more curious, active and destructive and can get themselves into far more trouble. A puppy is a new-born. Everything is a toy and they will run and pounce and jump and chew on anything in their environment. So before you bring your puppy home you simply must make it safe for them. For things you cannot move skirting boards, table legs etc. To keep them safe while still providing an area for them to play in and stretch their legs, you want to restrict their access to a single room, or otherwise create an enclosed space for them. To do so, either buy a pet barrier or baby gate that goes across a doorway to restrict them to an easy to clean and safe room, or buy an exercise pen puppy pen to create an enclosed space in another room. I also strongly recommend buying a crate for many reasons, but initially, mostly just to provide the perfect place for them to sleep. I shall discuss crate training a little later in this article. All of this must be decided BEFORE you get your puppy home because consistency is a key part of raising a puppy successfully. Everyone must enforce and live by the same rules for your puppy to thrive. Initially they have no idea how you want them to behave, or how and when they can expect the things they want and need in life. The more consistent everybody is with the puppy, the quicker they will learn all this stuff and the happier everyone will be. So decide and write down if necessary when your puppy will have all their needs met, make sure everybody knows who is responsible for each task and make sure everybody knows the rules. You might think the collection and journey home with your new puppy is no big deal, but there are many things can go wrong. Therefore, you should never take a puppy before 8 weeks old. During the first 8 weeks, a puppy learns a lot from their mother and litter-mates: Bite inhibition, canine body language, acceptable play and interaction with other dogs and how to accept discipline. Things you will find it very hard to teach them later yourself. The flip side of this is that the 7 to 14 week stage is the most impressionable for a puppy, where they bond strongest with people and must be socialized to all the sights, sounds and smells of the world so they grow up confident and comfortable with their surroundings. So anyway, for the journey home there a few things you need to consider: Safety in the car, the need for water and toilet breaks and the possibility your puppy will be sick. Having a loose puppy in the car presents a very real danger of leading to a crash, they can easily climb out of a box and now is not the time to use a harness and car safety belt. If the crate is small enough you can place it on a front or rear passenger seat and secure it with the seat-belt, or you may have to place it in the trunk of your car. Fully line the crate with absorbent paper in case there are any accidents, this will keep most of the mess off your puppy and make cleaning easier. And finally, place a chew toy or two in the crate to keep your puppy occupied. If you have another person to help you, your puppy can ride home in their lap if the journey is short. They must be under your passengers control. They will also need to potty every half or so. Therefore, you should plan breaks along the way every 30 minutes or so. Stop the car, allow them to drink, then wait for them to wee before setting off again. When you stop, make sure your puppy is on leash and tightly held by someone before letting them out of the car. And as an extra precaution, carry your puppy and only put them down to do their business, then carry them back into the car. Take with you some towels, plastic bags, kitchen roll and deodorizer to take care of any accidents. And when driving, take all corners slowly, and accelerate and brake gently. If your puppy is on a passengers lap, they will be able to see some warning signs that puppy is about to be sick: Their lips will curl, they will excessively salivate and then eventually start to heave. When your passenger spots these signs, they can place a thick towel beneath the puppy to catch everything and avoid a mess in your vehicle. When bringing home a new puppy, make sure you collect them and then drive straight home. Your puppy is having the most stressful day of their short life so far, try not to make it harder than it already is by taking them to strange places and passing them around to strangers to say hello. You want to get them home quickly so they can start the process of settling in as soon as possible. Whether this is inside on paper, or a spot outside, as soon as you arrive home carry them there, set them down and wait for them to do their business before doing anything else. This might take 30 seconds or it might take 10 minutes, but patiently wait and when they go, praise them profusely. Well done! Shut them in another room away from the puppy as things are intense enough as it is. Explain they have to be calm and gentle during the first introductions. Let them sniff and look around, getting used to the area and their new little world. You can now let people come and say hello. Have people sit or kneel to greet them. Once everybody has said hello, you should stay with your puppy, show interest but stay calm. Allow Your Puppy To Sleep After all the excitement, stress, massive change and huge amount of mental stimulation your puppy has just been through, they will likely need to sleep soon after arriving at your home. So as soon as they either start to look tired, or the introductions to their new living space and family have ended whichever comes first put them to bed for a short while. On the other hand they might feel completely overwhelmed, retreat into themselves and show reluctance to explore. They might slink into a corner silently and sit there watching their new world with wonder but apprehension, before falling asleep for hours. And when it comes to the first night they might sleep right through, or they might cry and whine the whole night. As your puppy begins to get used to everything, their character will start to shine through and you will begin to see their true personalities. Exactly what this will be is different for every puppy…it will be fun for you to find out! And by being the provider of everything they need in life, giving them all that is good, it will only take 2 or 3 days for your puppy to learn to love you and get excited and happy to see you when you turn up. So your task is to set up and stick to these schedules, begin training your puppy and help them to learn how you want them to behave and when they can expect the things they need in life. What should you feed your puppy You should feed your puppy the same food they had at the breeders because an abrupt change in diet almost always leads to stomach upset. Complete and balanced means it has everything a puppy needs, and in the right quantities. So seek out this kind of wording and check the internet for other owners reviews. Puppies need to eat a lot because their rate of growth is very high. For puppies up to 12 weeks, you should divide their daily requirement into 4 portions, for puppies 12 to 26 weeks, feed them 3 times per day and from 26 weeks on feed them twice per day. You should also aim to feed them as close as you can to the same times every day and evenly spaced throughout the day. This will help their body clocks fall into a pattern and will help your house training immensely because they then potty the same times every day. For example: 8 to 12 weeks old, 4 times a day at AM, AM, PM and PM 12 to 26 weeks old, 3 times a day at AM, PM and PM 26 weeks old and ongoing, 2 times a day at and Obviously you can adjust these times to take into account when you get out of bed and to fit around your life. Also… The first few nights have the crate or exercise pen your puppy sleeps in placed in your bedroom. One night move the crate next to the bedroom door. The next night move it outside the door, but leave the door open so they can still see you. The next night further into the hallway. Finally to their eventual resting place. They might take to sleeping on their own OK, they might whine and cry. NEVER go to them to comfort them if they cry, you must only get up to take them to potty and then silently and without fuss put them back into the crate. Rewarding silence and ignoring noise is the only way they will eventually learn to be quiet at night themselves. Any time you cannot closely supervise them, you have to confine them, either in their crate, an exercise pen or a puppy proofed room secured with a barrier across the doorway. The point of confining them as a puppy is so they can enjoy all the freedom in the world once they are an adult. By confining them with treat dispensing chew toys they get rewarded for chewing the right things and develop a chew toy obsession. Confine them now, they form a good chew toy obsession and have no chance of developing bad chewing habits. Then once they are over their adolescent chewing stage you slowly open up the house to them and eventually they can have free roam and be completely trusted. A little sacrifice when young for a better life later. And a second hugely important reason for confining your puppy when you cannot supervise them is for speedier house training. In fact if you read my comments from earlier, you will see you start the very first moment you finish the journey home. In essence, house training is about creating good habits while avoiding bad ones and for the speediest success you want to start immediately. Wherever your puppy is able to potty has the chance of becoming their favored toilet spot for many weeks or months to come. So you want to prevent them pottying inside, and encourage them to potty outside. The main ingredients of a successful house training program are preventing mistakes and praising heavily for doing the right thing. Achieving this is all about schedules, supervision and confinement. Now, your puppy will need to potty anywhere from every 15 to 45 minutes. So to start with, take them outside every 30 minutes and adjust this schedule to suit their natural rhythm. You must also take them outside immediately after they wake up from any sleep, after any eating or drinking, after play and after any heightened excitement. These are times that often lead to a puppy needing to potty so take them outside at these times and you will avoid many mistakes while taking advantage of predictable opportunities to praise them for doing the right thing. In the first week or so, you will likely find your puppy almost instantaneously leaks with little warning. Simply do your best to take them out to potty extremely often so they go in the right place as often as possible. And confine them to a single enclosed room or in an exercise pen for the first week or so to protect your carpets. Crate training goes hand in hand with house training, being one of the best tools to help speed up the process. Therefore, you want to start crate training very early on, after just a few days of getting puppy home, and I personally aim for 9 weeks old to start. I prefer to wait a week or so to avoid them pottying in the crate as much as possible, doing the most I can to preserve their instinct not to soil where they sleep, the instinct that helps most when using a crate for house training. But by all means sleep them in their crate at night if you wish and I do. For more information on crate training your puppy and using it for house training purposes, please see the links below:. Rachael Ray Nutrish is another brand I love for Labrador Retriever puppies as it is packed with DHA for healthy brain and eye development and specially formulated for young, growing dogs. You can also select different sizes and recipes. My favorite is chicken and brown rice. Bedding And Toys Lab puppies need quality bedding and toys for teething. Labrador puppies grow quickly and have sharp claws and teeth. Puppies also go through a teething phase and will need special teething toys to help soothe their sore mouths and help keep your furniture safe. As far as bedding, the best bedding for a Labrador puppy is going to be made of high quality material that is soft and plush while also being sturdy enough to keep them off the floor and support their growing bodies. KONG toys are wonderful tools to use during crate training , but they also help with separation anxiety , boredom, and the teething stage that all puppies go through. Enter the Nylabone Puppy Starter Pack. These flavored chew toys come both textured and regular to help get your pup and your furniture through the teething stage safely. Cuddly toys like the Smart PetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy above can help your new Labrador puppy adjust to sleeping on his own, assist in crate training, and may even help alleviate anxieties including noise phobias and separation anxiety. Puppy blankets are a must and can be used for multiple purposes in your home for your pup. My favorite puppy blankets are blankets that are specially made for dogs, like the Luciphia fleece blankets above. While you can use any blankets on hand, blankets that are specially made for dogs are usually a bit more durable, easier to wash, and have been made with quality and safe material for your pooch. Puppy blankets just make it easy to always a comfy place for your puppy to rest his head no matter where you are. Ultra Squeaker Ball is an absolute favorite in my house and with my clients. I especially love using this toy for puppies who are just getting the hang of playing fetch. For puppies, picking up on how to play fetch can be tough. Balls that squeak or make noise when thrown help to make the game more exciting and help encourage young pups to chase whatever is making that high pitched sound! Leashes, Harnesses, and Collars Collars, leashes, and harnesses are important tools to help socialize your puppy. Getting your puppy used to wearing a leash, harness, and collar is an important step towards socializing them. So even though your Labrador puppy will outgrow his harness and collar quickly, I still suggest investing in these items. Here are five of my favorite leash, harness, and collar products for Labrador Retriever puppies. As I mentioned above, puppies are especially fragile so steer clear of attaching a leash to their collar and try to help them adjust to wearing a harness that is comfortable. What I like about this harness is that it is adjustable so you can use it a bit longer as your puppy grows. Best of all it is the perfect length five feet for puppy training and is a leash your Lab puppy can take with him into adulthood. It is built like a standard leash, but it offers you control over how far away your puppy can get. This is excellent for puppy parents who live in busy neighborhoods or who are working with a puppy who likes to wander. Large breed puppies like Labrador Retrievers require crates that grow with them. This is why I love crates that come with dividers so that they can grow with your Lab puppy. I also recommend playpens, as Labrador puppies are notorious for being very active and energetic. Lab puppies are also incredibly curious and tend to chew a lot in their first few months, which is why indoor dog gates will also be an important part of puppy proofing your home. Take a look at some of my favorite puppy-proofing products below. Nobody likes cleaning up potty accidents. Of course, no one wants a big, bulky pen that takes up half of their home either! I also love that the pen is big enough for puppies to grow into and allows them to learn how to explore a space larger than their crate while keeping them and your home safe from their curiosity. And since crate training is such an important part of puppyhood and actually helps your puppy adjust to being alone and feeling secure, we recommend investing in a good, high quality crate you can use for years. It has two separate doors for entrance and exit and it comes with a divider so it can be adjusted to the size of your dog as he grows. Just remember to leave your pup inside his crate with a KONG and some bedding so he is comfortable, and remember that puppies who are younger than six months old should not stay in their crates for longer than four hours. For those of you who plan to leave your puppy out and about while you are gone and after he is trained, of course , then a crate that folds may be your best bet. The MidWest Foldable Dog Crate posted above is one such crate that is not only made well, but also stores well. Like most crates ideal for Labrador puppies, this crate also comes with a divider so it can grow with your dog. Along with crates and puppy playpens, you also might consider getting a gate to keep your puppy from entering places in your home that may pose a risk to him. Many of my clients keep gates up in their kitchen entryway, or gate their living rooms where puppies are tempted to chew on wood furniture. Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate Sale Buy on Amazon For those of you worried about installing something or accidentally damaging walls or paint, there are always free-standing gate options, like the Richell Wood Freestanding Pet Gate. I do like the way these gates look and the simplicity of them, however, they are not always the most secure and may not stand up to a strong and curious puppy. These gates are also not ideal for leaving puppies unsupervised as they can sometimes find ways to knock them down. Grooming your Labrador puppy early on not only helps to socialize him and prepare him for a life of vet visits, groomer visits, and physical contact with people, but it also helps to keep him clean and healthy. Like babies, puppies are more sensitive to certain products and require products that are specifically designed to be gentle on their sensitive skin and fur. Be selective of the shampoos, dog brushes , and other grooming products you pick for your Labrador puppy and make sure you always use high-quality products. Some of the products I recommend most for grooming a Labrador puppy are listed below. Pet Care Sciences Puppy Shampoo. You might want to limit them to one or two rooms in the house at first so they can get used to everything slowly in their own time. Calming products: Plug-in diffusers that release calming pheromones can be good for the first few weeks. They can help your puppy feel more relaxed around the home — especially during those first nights! Set boundaries: Make sure your boundaries are clear from the beginning and stick to them. You can begin by socialising your puppy at home and by carrying them out and about with you. If they need to sleep and rest, give them the space to do so and encourage them to play on their own sometimes to help prevent separation problems later in life. Consider training classes: It can be a good idea to go along to training classes with your puppy, so you can let them have positive experiences with vaccinated dogs and people in a safe environment. Make sure you choose classes run by trainers who are certified or accredited and use reward based methods. For more tips, read our guide on the first day with your puppy. It's also a good idea to get your new puppy insured as soon as possible. This will help make sure they have all the cover they need in future if they fall ill or become injured. Feeding your puppy With so much choice available, it can be tricky to know what to feed your new puppy. Puppies need a particular level of nutrients compared to adults to help them grow, so finding an appropriate puppy food is essential. Speak to your vet for advice on the best puppy food for your dog to make sure you pick one that will suit their needs as they grow. You can still keep your puppy happy and entertained in lots of other ways, for example playing games or trying a puzzle feeder. Before you start exercising your puppy in the big wide world, you must make sure that their vaccinations are fully up to date, in order to keep them safe and healthy. Training your puppy Your new puppy will likely need to learn all of their skills from scratch, which means lots of basic training! Start the basics at home, such as teaching your dog recall and sit. It can help the two of you bond, and your pup will see training as a fun thing to do. One thing that most people think about when bringing their puppy home, is toilet training! Always use positive, reward-based training and never punish your puppy for toileting in the wrong place. Toilet training might take time — some pups can learn toilet training in a few months, while others might take a lot longer. Non-slip bottom dog dishes Puppies naturally move their dish around as they are eating, especially if the dish has a flat bottom that easily pushes around the floor. We have found that dishes with a non-slip bottom can help so that your puppy is not chasing around his food dish. Make sure that it is large enough. And since dogs grow fast, that means they will likely grow to that size within a year to a year and a half. Almost all dogs we train eat between 4 -6 cups of dog food a day. So, make sure that your dish is large enough to accommodate this many cups. Water dish It is vitally important that your puppy have access to clean water for drinking. With the puppies we raise, we have found that it can be challenging to keep a small water dish full, so we prefer to use these 2-gallon water dishes. They are easy to fill and allow us to only have to fill them a couple times a week instead of several times a day. We suggest that you introduce a lead to your puppy as they start to grow in confidence and walk further from you when outside. There are two great reasons to do this early on. First it teaches your puppy how to handle the pressure of not being able to go wherever they want whenever they want. And it keeps your puppy from developing a habit of running away from you. A Flexi-lead works especially well if you want to give your puppy a little more freedom to go do his potty business but still keep control. Toys Puppies need toys. If you do not give them toys that they CAN chew and play with, they will chew on your sofa leg, or a book or a blanket or anything else they can find. So, purchase some good durable puppy chew toys. But watch your pup carefully. As they get older and stronger, they will be able to rip apart cloth toys and ingest them. Or they will chew rubber toys into small pieces and eat them. When your pup gets strong enough to destroy toys, it is time to take away the puppy toys and give them only dog toys designed for older , larger dogs or quality rawhides that they can chew that will not cause digestive problems. Stay away from rope toys. Many puppies have managed to ingest strings and ropes requiring surgery to remove them. Puppy-sized bumper If your plan is for your Labrador puppy to become a hunting or competition dog, you should have a puppy sized bumper. Learn more about teaching your puppy to fetch in this post. Barriers I recommend that you section off a small portion of your home and not let your puppy have full run of the entire house. Learn more about housebreaking your Lab puppy in this post. To section off a part, it can be helpful to have some child-gates available or an area of your home that you can close doors. This means that you need to show your puppy where the boundaries are and what is and is not allowed. To do this, you will need a few more tools. This is often when we see dogs that are running away from their owners, playing keep-a-way when retrieving and just basically being naughty. A lot of this could be avoided with the use of a check cord. Yes, a check cord can be cumbersome and often a pain to use, but it only takes one or two times of your puppy running away from you to make it worth it. Put a check cord on your puppy and allow them to drag it around with them. This alone is a great lesson for a dog. Dragging the weight is a type of pressure that they will need to learn to deal with. Occasionally, step on the rope and allow your dog to feel the pressure of being stopped and controlled. These sound like such minor things, but you would be surprised how much more well-adjusted your puppy will be just from learning these minor lessons. Chain or prong collar As your puppy gets stronger, it will get more and more difficult to control your puppy with a lead just hooked up to a nylon collar. As you notice that your puppy is getting harder to control, is pulling you around or dragging you down the street, you need to move to a chain or prong collar. Actually, it would be best if you changed to a chain or prong collar long before this becomes an issue. Remember, it is always easier to fix problems when they are small rather than waiting for them to become huge problems. Larger bumpers for retrieving dogs As your dog gets larger, you will want to move away from the puppy bumper and start using regular sized retrieving bumpers. We prefer to use plastic or rubber bumpers since they do not get as dirty or smelly as the canvas ones. They also last a lot longer and can be used for both water and land retrieves. Learn all about the different bumpers used for training hunting dogs here. Orange is a color that is difficult for retrievers to see, so that color should not be used for young dogs that are just learning about retrieving and hunting. Save the orange ones for advanced dogs working on blind retrieves. Final thoughts on What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy? There are many things that you will need for your new puppy both now and in the future. Take some time to prepare before you bring your puppy home so that you will avoid buying things on impulse that you may or may not need. If you are planning on using your puppy as a hunting or competition dog, check out 6 vital tools every gun dog trainer needs. You can email me at ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time happy retrieving. What do I need to buy for a Lab puppy? Vet bedding fleece on a roll is ideal puppy bedding. You can line both his bed and his car crate with this. Buy several pieces so that you can pop one in the washing machine when it gets dirty or if he has an accident. There are lots of lovely beds you can get to go around the house, but in those first days veterinary bedding is an essential alternative to keep his crate cosy and clean. Puppy Toys For Labradors Puppy toys need to be sturdy. Many puppies destroy soft toys quite quickly though they are so adorable, you may not be able to resist buying one or two. Kongs and rope toys are very tough and seem to survive the onslaught of puppy teeth. A Radio If you intend your puppy to sleep alone in the kitchen from the first night, you may find it helpful to leave a radio next to his crate. Just a simple, cheap Portable Radio with the volume turned down low can serve the same role as some human company. It just helps him feel less along during those first few nights when he may be feeling very homesick. Puppy Harness There is no rush for this, but once your puppy is too heavy to carry, and going out and about on the ground, he needs some kind of safety restraint. These days I usually recommend a harness as they avoid pulling on the puppies neck. The kind where the lead attaches at the front and on the back are ideal. You can find an expert review of the big brands of harnesses, from a professional trainer here. When he is older and has learned to walk next to you, you can buy him a collar. To let your puppy know when he has done something you like. It is a really useful tool to help you teach your puppy to be quiet, and to learn simple skills. It will make training your puppy much quicker, easier and a lot more fun. Getting a recall to whistle established at an early age gets your puppy training off to a great start. I recommend the Acme Dog Whistle. There is plenty of information on the use and choice of dog whistles in this article: Should you buy a dog whistle .It will help to get you off to a great start with your new puppy. However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on.