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All breeds of Labrador Retrievers are known for being kind and gentle — and this trait runs especially strong with the chocolate-colored sweeties. While these dogs are very friendly to strangers, they have even more affection to give to their beloved families. Your Chocolate Lab puppy or adult will be happiest spending time with their favorite people. If you have young children, a lab is a great fit, as this breed is usually quite tolerant of the horseplay of small children who are still learning how to interact with pets. Just like many people, Chocolate Labs enjoy both downtime — especially if it involves being pampered by their family — and active high-energy fun. We recommend daily exercise, which can include anything from fetch, to tag, or even frisbee games. The average Chocolate Lab lifespan is between 9 and 11 years. The most common Chocolate Lab health problem is hip dysplasia, which occurs more commonly in older and overweight dogs. This is just one of the reasons to make exercise a common part of your time with a Chocolate Lab puppy or fully grown adult. Another problem that occurs in overweight labs is joint and movement issues. The other most common Chocolate Lab health problems are: Progressive Retinal Atrophy Cataracts Elbow Dysplasia As is the case with any dog, when you bring home a Chocolate Labrador, make sure that you have a good vet to handle routing vaccinations and check-ups as well as emergency health problems. Learn more about the Keystone Puppies Health Guarantee! Chocolate Lab Coat Care In general, Chocolate Lab coat care is easy compared to many other dog breeds which require weekly or daily work. Labrador Retrievers all have double coats, which includes an under layer of short hairs and a slightly longer top layer. This coat is useful for repelling water and keeping them cool in warmer temperatures — and warm in cooler ones. Their coat is also noted to be slightly dry and oily. Chocolate Lab coat care is fairly minimal and considered low maintenance. The coat should be brushed with a firm bristle brush 2 — 3 times per month to minimize shedding. In addition to that, baths are needed fairly infrequently. What is more crucial is ensuring that their toenails are well cared for throughout the year. Meet Chocolate Lab Puppies for Sale. It quickly became clear that this new dog, at the time called the St. Then, in the 19th century, visiting Englishmen took note of these incredible dogs, brought them home to England, and soon perfected and standardized the breed—which had now been dubbed the Labrador Retriever. When they began as the St. While this is still true today, the recessive colors of yellow and chocolate have become more and more coveted by those seeking Labs as pets. Thanks to years of breeding efforts, those recessive colors are not as difficult to find as they once were. Chocolate Labrador Retriever Puppies for Sale Chocolate Labs are a favorite among those looking to add a member of the breed to their family. Coat shades can range from a warm, light brown to a deeper chocolate color. Both parents must carry and pass on the recessive chocolate color gene in order for a puppy to be born with this coat. Just like their black and yellow counterparts, chocolate Labrador Retrievers are known as doting and capable dogs. You can put them to work as hunting or service dogs, but they make excellent cuddle buddies as well. Their beautiful coats and breed stature make them great show dogs too. The chocolate lab puppies we breed for sale at Hidden Pond Labradors come with their first round of shots, one-year written health guarantee, and a veterinarian health certificate. We are dedicated to breeding our puppies for premier health and pedigree, as well as raising them in our home so their personalities and happiness can blossom. Experience the love, joy, and comfort this amazing breed has to offer with a chocolate Labrador Retriever puppy of your own from Hidden Pond Labradors. Give us a call at or message us online to inquire about our available and upcoming Lab puppies! Life Span Did You Know? Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dog breeds. The Chocolate Labrador Retriever is not a distinct dog breed from other Labs, but it is a separate coat color variation that is specifically bred for. Similar to the other standard coat colors of Labrador Retrievers, Chocolate Labs are energetic dogs that get along well in a family setting. As a Retriever, they also make great hunting dogs and have also been known to fill other working dog roles including service dogs, guide dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and more. They are even one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units. A point of interest is that all modern Chocolate Labrador Retrievers can be traced to three specific Black Labradors that lived during the s. Chocolate Labs are industrious little pups. They were bred for retrieval and will often sniff about for something to get into. They are also one of the most affectionate dog breeds and absolutely love being with their favorite humans. Properly socialized and well-trained, Labs are one of the kid-friendly dog breeds. They get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. They are famously even-tempered and playful. This makes them fantastic dogs for a growing family, as they tend to be gentle and patient with little ones. They can have a high prey drive. They usually do well with small pets within the family that they have been raised with or socialized around, but likely will still have the urge to chase other animals while out and about. They also tend to be open and friendly with strangers. After all, strangers are just more people to give them attention and play with them. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers may be high-energy dogs, but they are also highly adaptable. They will thrive in homes with fenced yards where they can run freely. They can adapt well to apartment living as well as long as they get plenty of daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation. Their natural urge to dig and bark when they are bored or agitated can be quelled with a little training and exercise. Although they can handle some alone time, Labs love to be with their families and thrive on attention from them, so they do not like to spend long periods of time alone. Chocolate Labs also have a water-resistant double coat that makes them well-suited for most habitable climates. As with most dogs, they are sensitive to heat. Although they can handle some cold and will likely love to play in the snow, they are not a snow dog breed and may need to bundle up while out on walks in areas with harsher winters. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a Chocolate Labrador Retriever can include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hereditary myopathy, and heart disease. There is also a condition with a genetic link called exercise-induced collapse EIC , which can occur in young adult Labradors. Carriers of this can be identified by DNA tests and it is advised that breeders test for this and avoid practices that would produce the disease. Good breeding practices make a big difference in the health of puppies and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. Make sure you ask about the health and genetic history of both parents and about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a large, deep-chested dog breed, Labrador Retrievers are at a higher risk for bloat. Bloat in dogs can be dangerous and can quickly become fatal if the stomach flips gastric torsion. Chocolate Labrador Retrievers are incredible companions and are also one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners. Their energy can make them a handful at times, but their intelligence, adaptability, patience with people, and eagerness to please make them easy to train. Labs are one of the smartest dog breeds , so they pick up on things easily. As long as training is consistent and focused on positive reward and praise, a Chocolate Lab will do their best to respond as expected and will often exceed expectations. Chocolate Labs have a short, water-resistant coat that will shed year-round. Brushing a few times a week, daily brushing during seasonal shedding, and the occasional bath are all that are needed to keep a Lab coat healthy and looking great. They may need baths more often if they are avid swimmers, go on a lot of outdoor adventures, and get dirty a lot. Floppy ears tend to trap dirt, moisture, and debris. Proper dental care for dogs is imperative to help prevent painful dental diseases like gum disease or tooth decay later in life. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with vet-approved dental hygiene chews. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most active dog breeds and need a lot of daily activity to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough, but your Chocolate Labrador will likely be up for more activity if you are. One of the facts about Labrador Retrievers is that they have an extended puppyhood and tend to maintain that puppy-like energy and maturity until they are years old. Swimming can be a great lower-impact activity and Labrador Retrievers are one of the dog breeds that tend to love water. Between that, their water-resistant coat, and webbed toes, you may have trouble getting your Chocolate Lab out of the water. Fully-grown Chocolate Labrador Retrievers usually stand inches tall and weigh pounds. Chocolate Labs generally live for years on average. Fourteen years later, the American Kennel Club did the same in .Featured Chocolate Labrador Retriever Article.

English Bulldog swims on a clean water pool. Here are a few examples to help you get started during your search: Skin Condition and Age The best shampoo for your English Bulldog should match its breed-specific coat and skin care needs. Several moisturizing formulas are ideal for treating itchiness or bacterial infections like skin fold pyoderma. Ingredients Consider looking for dog shampoo containing natural ingredients and vitamins, like aloe vera, vitamin E, oatmeal, and coconut oil. These formulas are less likely to cause skin irritation than a shampoo with harsh detergents, sulfates, and parabens. Fragrance Shampoos with artificial fragrances are more likely to trigger skin allergies in some English Bulldogs. In contrast, others recommend diluting it with water before applying it to your dog to reduce potential skin irritation caused by its concentrated ingredients. Consider bathing your English Bulldog every six to eight weeks to prevent escalating their potential skin problems. My wife and I love playing with our active miniature Labradoodle Max. We want all Oodle puppies to be healthy and happy, have lots of fun and be part of the family. Load More. Most of all, you might be thinking about whether your shampoo could work on your dog. When it comes to shampoos, we often think that it only takes care of our hair. However, it can also affect the skin — mainly our scalp. Our shampoo products are simply not suited for our dogs. They have a more sensitive, thinner, and more alkaline skin than ours. It can then cause several problems such as itchiness and hot spots. Dog shampoos , on the other hand, were manufactured and formulated for their specific needs. However, finding the right shampoo for English Bulldogs is essential to guarantee their needs are met. Dogs have different coat types from its length to its density. There are even dogs with double coats. For example, dogs with thinner or shorter coats will need a gentler shampoo type as their fur is closer to their skin. Meanwhile, dogs with thicker or double coats will need a more powerful shampoo. While you still need a chemical-free shampoo, there are organic shampoos that pack more power and can penetrate through the coarser top coat and the undercoat. English Bulldogs have a shorter and straighter coat, so they make shampoo for English Bulldogs that are milder. Skin and Coat Condition If your English bulldog suffers from a certain skin or coat condition, you need to find a shampoo for English Bulldogs that are made to treat these issues. If your dog has a healthy skin and coat, most normal dog shampoos will work. If they suffer from dry skin, you will need a product that can hydrate and moisturize the skin. Normally, dry skin could lead to itchiness and worse — hot spots. For these problems, shampoos with an oatmeal formula or aloe vera extract would work best. Greasy coats are also common. For this kind of issue, you should avoid oatmeal formula shampoos and choose other emollients like aloe vera. Shedding is normal for dogs, but excessive shedding might be a problem. Anti Ticks and Fleas Ticks and fleas are a year-round threat that your dog faces. But be reminded that these tick and flea shampoos are only temporary remedies. These pup-specific shampoos are often milder and offer a no-tear formula. Your dog will be squeaky clean by the time they step out of the bath. There are no harsh chemicals included in its formulation. While this product was specifically marketed towards dog owners with puppies, you can use it on your adult English Bulldog, especially when they have sensitive skin. It also has the right pH balance that works for dogs of all breeds and life stages. As there are no synthetic colorants and perfumes, the ingredients are veterinary-grade and are safe for use. If the skin is healthy, itching and flaking can also be avoided. Apart from healing dry and itchy skin, this shampoo also effectively cleans your dog and deodorizes them, leaving no traces of bad smell from dirt, urine, or poo. It claims to keep your dog smelling good every after bath and retains this smell for a while. All the ingredients are natural and there are no synthetic colorants, perfumes, harsh chemicals, and parabens. This shampoo does not only deep clean their coat but lightens and whitens their fur even more. However, this shampoo does leave your dog smelling like pina colada after bathing. It also has a synthetic fragrance and uses dyes. Double check these chemicals to ensure that your dog is safe and discontinue use if your dog starts experiencing problems. This product claims to work on a broad spectrum of skin conditions including flaking and scaling from mange, pyoderma, seborrhea, and even mites and acne. However, it is best that you use this with the guidance of your vet. It also has a refreshing and pleasant citrus smell. Leftover shampoo, especially as strong as this one, could cause drying and itching. The best shampoo for English Bulldogs could be different for each dog and dog owner. However, it should be able to clean them while leaving their skin healthy and coat healthy. Also, it should work well on skin and coat issues your dog might have. And remember, find a product with safe ingredients. I was born into a dog-loving family and have been a proud doggy mommy ever since I can remember. I love sharing my dog knowledge and love being an active part of the dog-loving community. Related Posts. I recommend bathing a Bulldog monthly or every two months. If you bathe a Bulldog any more than that, you are risking stripping him of natural oils. This can result in dry, itchy skin and a damaged, unhealthy coat. However, not bathing your dog enough can result in the opposite problem, leading to excessive oil buildup. This is why a consistent bathing schedule and a good, high-quality dog shampoo are so important. This product includes oatmeal to help alleviate any dry or irritated skin. It is also hypoallergenic, which means it is helpful for Bulldogs with sensitive skin or allergies. Best of all, this product is tear free! This brand is full of natural ingredients for sensitive skin. This product deodorizes that stinky Bulldog in need of a bath. However, our favorite thing about this product is the baking soda. Baking soda helps to alleviate itching while also working as a natural deodorant. This product is not only cleansing but conditioning, leaving your Bulldog clean and smelling fresh. It also strengthens and regenerates his skin cells with chamomile. However, we selected them for inclusion independently, and all of the views expressed in this article are our own. Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. We should note that a medicated or anti-itch shampoo may not be necessary for your Bulldog, but we suggested them because Bulldogs are more prone to skin infections than other types of dogs. This is mostly due to their skin folds, which are part of the reason why we love them. But the truth is that these skin folds create a warm and moist environment for bacteria to grow in. But when given the right environment in which to grow, bacteria can multiply in such a way that it is unhealthy and can actually cause discomfort for your dog. If this happens, bacterial skin infections can occur, which can cause itchiness, skin redness, hair loss, and even skin crusting and flakiness. Bacterial skin infections often require a medicated shampoo to treat, which is why we suggested a few for you. However, your vet can also recommend a reliable medicated shampoo as well. The bottom line is that anti-itch shampoos are okay to use with Bulldogs in any situation, but not all Bulldogs will require a shampoo that is medicated. Conclusion We love English Bulldogs due to their wrinkled appearance, but those wrinkles can also lead to skin problems as well. If you need something medicated, there are several great options on our list for that as well. Whatever your Bulldog needs as far as shampoo goes, we hope you found it with our product suggestions and reviews. She is currently living in the United States with her husband and daughter. Other members of her family include a long-haired chihuahua named Penny, three cats Bubba, Kittylina, and Thunder , and an aquatic turtle named Creek. In addition to writing, her passions include gardening, traveling, and protecting our wildlife and natural resources.Read more Advertisement. He has a lot of presence and style and ought never to be shoved out in the ring without the formal rituals of good grooming. A great deal has been written about the origin of the British Bulldog, much of it speculative, but most writers agree that the earliest ancestor was the Alaunt. This dog was described in a dictionary published in as being like a Mastiff and serving butchers by bringing in fierce oxen and keeping them in their stalls The British Bulldog may be a power pack type of dog, but he can display oodles of glamour given the chance. As your standard says the coat should be fine in texture, short, close and smooth and we have the products to help you achieve this! When bathing, attention must be given to finding the right shampoo for your British Bulldog as this breed can suffer a scurfy powdery dandruff problem. If this is the case, use the Plush Puppy Sensitive Skin Shampoo at a ratio of 1 part shampoo to 3 parts water until the scurf clears. Then dilute further to a maximum of for maintenance. Use at a ratio of for show grooming. Your standard also states the coat should be lying smooth and close. No fluffy coats for this dog! This will not soften but retains the correct coat texture. Seabreeze Oil is excellent for maintaining the healthy vigour to the skin and coat and is all plant sourced from Evening Primrose and Calendula Oils. It is non greasy and totally water soluble making it easy to apply and remove each time without build-up. Dilute 1 tablespoon in 4 Litres of water and work well through the coat, right down to the skin with a large sponge. It gives incredible sheen and finish to the hair. This also helps keep any scurf at bay and leaves the coat smelling delightful. We cannot stress enough the wonderful attributes of this product. If you have, as is permitted, white markings on your Bulldog, then you can use either the Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo for a white finish on those areas or Plush Puppy Herbal Whitening Shampoo for a brilliant white finish. Then follow with the Seabreeze Oil as above. Herbal Whitening Shampoo is primarily derived from organic sources with Ginseng extracts, protein, and violet tone combined in a concentrated and rich formula. It works brilliantly in reducing yellowing or warm tones in white coats or white area of the coat without bleaching or lightening. All coat colours are made of the full spectrum of the colours of the rainbow and first tones to fade are always the blues and purples leaving a reddish, orange overtone to the coat. This is a quick and effective way to give depth back to your blacks and reds without damaging the coat or using any artificial coat colourings. This shampoo will intensify these colours and give a sparkling clear sheen. It negates unwanted warm tones from sun fading or reddening in the coat and adds back the lost cool tones to the coat. Plush Puppy Deep Cleansing Shampoo is specifically designed to remove product build-up and to reduce unwanted stains in dogs coats. Its rich formulation using organic sources with added Green Tea and Seaweed extracts to provide the deepest coat clean available. Not only will it spruce up dull whites, this product can be used on any colour coat for a thorough cleansing and clarifying when required. Another clever stain reducing product is Plush Puppy Wonder Blok. It helps to maintain a white stain free coat. Best used on a damp or wet coat. Gently rub into the areas required allowing time minutes and rinse. For maximum effects repeat or allow a longer time for this amazing product to work. As with all products take care around eyes. This is a hypoallergenic sulfate free low foaming shampoo designed just for faces. These special ingredients clean, soothe, add moisture, aid healing and have anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. It can also be used in and around the ears with the same benefits. Its low foaming design allows ease of rinsing, yet complete cleaning. Blow drying is brilliant on short coats to dislodge any dead hair. Grooming mitts and brushes will never get the amount of dead hair out that a good forced dryer will remove. The quicker the dead hair is dislodged, the faster it will regrow. FAST dramatically reduces drying time, adds moisture and conditions while protecting the coat. It contains Australian Native Flame Tree extracts that hydrate a dry or old coat making it look perfect. It also protects the coat from damage from sun and heat. FAST is amazing on short coats for a brilliant shine. A light spray to a wet or damp coat, then brush through before drying. Now let the grooming begin. If you thought this was the end of the contribution to show day — you have another thing coming! I believe in the principle of small things to make a great dog rather than any one big thing. I have seen ordinary dogs turned into extraordinary dogs with the right approach and yet they were always good dogs. Unfortunately, no-one else got to see just how good they could be till taken in hand. Trim the whiskers. This breed looks great with a clean face. Using thinning shears, neaten under his tail and neaten the point of the tail by rounding off. Proceed to neaten also the 2 cowlicks where the 2 hair patterns meet at the back of stifle. This dog does call for good musculature and to appear powerfully developed with all that power pack of dog showing under the skin. When you really need to cover stains your whites or intensify white areas, Cover Up Cream will do the trick. Apply with a barely damp sponge using a small amount. Build up coverage as required layer by layer. Then use powder or chalk as required whilst cream is drying. Brush off excess when dry. Add a tiny bit of Plush Puppy Chalkestral with your fingertips to the white legs to assist holding the white powder you apply. You need something to help grip and to protect the coat from abrasion. Best of all is Plush Puppy Fairy Frost. This ultra-fine and bright white powder that is more effective and innovative than the usual methods of white chalking and adding powder to coats. Fairy Frost will create the brightest white tone that clings all day. Plus, it covers all coats without creating harshness. Fine and easy to use, our formulation means a little goes a long way. Fairy Frost Regular is naturally sourced and contains no chalk or talc. Use this product instead of chalk or mix with your usual white powder. This product is best for glamorous, perfect whites as it never gets clumpy, even when wet. This stays on the coat well and will last the day till washed off. Work well into the area where required for enhancing whites and cover. The absolute best for glamorous perfect whites. Just spray foam with the fingers and towel off. Wonder Wash is a brilliant quick self rinsing bathing alternative solution for quick and easy clean ups without the need for a complete bath. In moments when regular shampooing is not an option, Wonder Wash will clean, whiten and brighten problem areas on all coat kinds. Always keep our handy Plush Puppy Wonder Wash spray in your tack box. It contains optical brighteners, has a fresh apple fragrance, and violet tone. You can sneak in a tiny amount of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust. I do say a tiny amount and add it into the Fairy Frost Regular. I also like a spray of Plush Puppy Odour Muncher for a nice clean smelling dog. It literally deodorises and gives a pleasant fragrance to the dog negating most odours with ease. I can be very frivolous when I am away for a cluster of shows and cannot find time nor facilities for another bathing. A light mist of Plush Puppy Shine and Comb. Good handling, good presentation and a great dog — what else can beat that? Plush Puppy Australia.

They are playful and loyal. Although Boxers were originally bred as working dogs, they make the perfect family pet. Boxers are different from each other but one trait that all Boxers have in common is their playfulness. Boxers, whether they're puppies or ones in their senior years, possess a youthful exuberance that is unmatched by any other breed of dog. Boxers have the natural ability to make their masters smile and fill a household with fun and laughter. Natural Born Entertainers Ask Boxer owners about what they think would be the most fitting profession or job for Boxer dogs and they'd likely tell you that Boxers make the perfect clowns. Boxers are natural entertainers wiggling, wagging and doing their funny antics. If you've ever been around a Boxer, you'll find it very hard to keep yourself from grinning. Put a Boxer in a room with someone in a bad mood and it will waste no time showing off its tricks to make a person laugh. One of the more familiar tricks Boxers are known for is kidney beaning, a dance they do whenever they are excited. No owner could resist smiling whenever he comes home after a hard day's work and sees his Boxer doing this dance. It isn't a bark although it is similar. Boxers are natural entertainers even when they are running. Don't be surprised to see a Boxer twist, jump and even do summersaults while it is out on a walk. However, Boxers aren't for everyone. If you're looking for a dog that will lie quietly at the foot of your bed or sleep most of the day, a Boxer is not the dog for you. Boxers are very energetic and they need plenty of attention. If a Boxer doesn't get adequate exercise every day, it can turn to doing destructive things or find ways to entertain itself like chewing on shoes. Boxers need to be walked or jogged twice a day at the minimum. In addition, they need mental stimulation. Most of the time we do not have much history on them and only know what we have learned about them while in their foster home. Some of these dogs have had some training and some have not. Every profile is accurate to the best of our knowledge and we would never intentionally mislead anyone about any dog's health, personality, or breed. All dogs will need continued training, adequate time for adjustment, and slow introductions to help them succeed in their new forever homes. You and your family have decided to add a Boxer to your home. However, have you considered a few things first? If you prefer, you may fax the application to .When we receive the application, we will contact you to schedule a home visit. Click here for the Adoption Application Are you aware that a Boxer.Can chew? Can dig? Can bark? Can be provoked to be aggressive? Can jump over fences and gates? Can chase cats, birds or small dogs? Can play too roughly with small children? Can be possessive of food, toys and treats? Needs socialization and training? Can live to be 8—12 years of age? Can challenge other dogs in the household for dominance? Can become overly protective of their home and family members? Will need daily love and attention for the rest of their life? Requires flea and tick preventative medication? Can develop health problems as they grow older? Requires a lot of patience, time, effort, money and love? Is very loyal and loving and can be heartbroken if they lose their home and family? If any of these things are a concern for you, please do your research before adopting a Boxer. Hear me woof! I'm looking for some help finding a new place to crash. I'm almost a year old, have a few things yet to learn but I'm eager to please. You Like Kisses? When I'm happy, I'm a kissing machine. I know how to sit. I'm doing better with other dogs but you gotta take it slow and protect me when I get overwhelmed I especially like girl dogs. One of the things I'm working on is jumping. I get excited and my legs become springs.I'm working on that and the leash thing. I would rather just run, jump, play in the fenced back yard but sometimes humans put that leash thing on and I have to behave. Tough for a pup to understand but with your help, I know I'll get the hang of it. Every pup needs to have some boundaries and training, I get that, but I haven't been to puppy school so YOU will help me, right? Gotta go play.He would do best with a female but its not mandatory! He doesn't like the crate and is not destructive if left out. He is a beautiful 2-year-old boy. Neutered and up to date on shots. Potty and crate trained. Sweet boys who need to stay together. Great with kids! Exercises Grooming From ancient Germany precisely around the 19th century had the now extinct mastiff breed Bullenbeisser and bulldogs brought in from England. At the time of their arrival, they served as hunting dogs for bears, deer, and other ferocious beasts, it would capture the prey with the help of its awesome teeth and detain it until the hunter arrives. And in the first boxer standard club was launched with a comprehensive document that is still in use today. Shortly after, the breed made its way into other European countries and got into the U. S in the late 19th century with the American Kennel Club taking registration of its first boxer around .During the first world war, boxers played the role of a military dog as a pack-carrier, a guard dog, and an attack dog, later they were taken home by the soldiers and got introduced into the domestic world as a show dog, best companion, and a reliable guard. One with so much life, energetic, curious, attentive, active, smart, sociable and incredible fun with children is the boxer, they are also known to be very patient and highly protective of their family members making them the love and desire of many homes. As active dogs, they need a lot of exercise to keep them mentally fit, apparently having a mind of its own, you will find your boxer entertain itself by digging the ground often, chewing, and licking the mouth to beat boredom. They are also very stubborn in character which makes them a terrible choice for first-timers with dogs, they are generally a bit difficult with adult dogs including dogs of a similar breed but friendly with puppies. They usually do not bark unless there is a genuine reason behind it but they love to growl. If you have occupied home with people around all the time or you want a canine buddy the whole time, then a boxer is just the perfect breed to get. Being a highly active dog, they dread loneliness and they can cope finely in both a house and an apartment as long as you provide it with enough room and spaces for exercises and activities. What you must have is a large yard if you are living in a house for it to dig the ground and run around as it likes. And more so, if you are given to being away from home most of the time, getting a boxer may not be the best for you and the dog, because they usually get aggressive when left alone. Boxers are known as loud snorers and they drool greatly too. Boxers are playful and very energetic dogs as such regular exercises are part of a good canine relationship, especially a breed of this sort. Your boxer should be allowed to play in a fenced area and on-leashed since it is likely to jump and leap around in excitement. This puts a boxer as a bad choice for a frail owner as they may find it a tad impossible and daunting keeping up with its excessive activity demands. Being a breed with a short and thin coat its grooming demands are quite easy and little, all it needs is a light brushing of the hair twice every week to maintain its good and gleeful looks. Bathing should be a once in a while since boxers are generally clean dogs and its nails, be trimmed once every month or as often as they grow worn on surfaces, its teeth should also be brushed daily to avoid tartar formation and other dental crises. Our Boxer puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell. Boxer Puppies for Sale.

There are just two purebred Boxer colors: fawn, and brindle—with or without white markings. Different levels of these pigments determine the different colors. For example, black can produce a grey or brown coat, and red can produce a yellow or cream coat. Dogs have 8 genes that determine coat color. Each one is responsible for different types of color. Examples: an agouti gene creates coat patterns. What about the fawn color? How do experts define fawn coat color in dogs? Fawn Coat Color Boxers have variations of the red coat color pigment, not the black. The red-based fawn coloring can range all the way from light tan to dark mahogany. Brindle is dominant over fawn, but the combination of genes in an individual puppy determines its coloring. As with fawn vs. Certain colors can be linked to health conditions. The most common relationship most people know about is white color and deafness. White color and hereditary deafness are linked in many animals. This is because lack of pigment is genetically connected to inner ear degeneration. Some dog breeds, such as the Dalmatian, are more prone to hereditary deafness than others. What about a flashy fawn Boxer dog with a large amount of white coloring? Deafness Any dog, regardless of breed or color, can be born deaf or become deaf later in life. Breeds with a high rate of congenital deafness often have a significant amount of white coat coloring, but color is not the only cause of deafness. Boxers in general do not have a high incidence of deafness. If a Boxer has a large amount of white, especially on the head, then the risk for deafness does increase somewhat. What about temperament? Boxers are a much-loved breed with a long and interesting history. The Boxer dog we know today was first developed in the s in Germany. The ancestry of the Boxer can be traced to a very old breed called the Bullenbeisser bull biter. The Bullenbeisser was crossed with smaller dogs to create the modern Boxer. Boxers belong to the working dog group and have been used as guard dogs, military dogs, and even guide dogs for the blind. How large will your fawn Boxer dog get? Boxer Description The Boxer is a sleek and athletic medium sized dog. An adult male boxer weighs between 65 and 80 pounds. The breed standard calls for females to weigh about 15 pounds less than males. The Boxer has a distinctive head with an alert and intelligent face. Both the fawn and brindle Boxer dogs have short, smooth coats that require minimal grooming. Boxer Personality and Training As a working dog breed, the fawn Boxer dog has an alert and intelligent nature with a strong work ethic and a love of exercise and activity. Experts recommend that you enroll your Boxer in formal puppy training classes and socialize your dog around other dogs, animals, and people. As a working breed, Boxers enjoy stimulating and interactive organized activities like agility and obedience trials, sheep herding, and lure coursing. Boxers also make excellent therapy dogs. Boxer Health We talked about a slight risk for hereditary deafness in white Boxer dogs. What about the fawn Boxer dog? While there are no known health issues connected to the fawn coat color, there are a few inherited health conditions common to fawn and brindle boxers. Like many dog breeds, Boxers can be prone to the joint conditions hip and elbow dysplasia. Dysplasia is a joint deformity that can cause chronic pain in your Boxer. Boxers can also be prone to two genetic heart conditions: aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is an electrical conduction disorder that causes the heart to beat erratically and can also be life threatening. Other issues Boxers can also be at risk for certain kinds of cancers, thyroid problems, and a neurological condition called degenerative myelopathy. While Boxers can be prone to some potentially serious inherited health conditions. The good news is that there are health tests including genetic health tests for many of them. But before you fall in love with a particular puppy, make sure to choose a responsible breeder who follows the health testing guidelines outlined by the official breed club. Boxer health tests can take the form of blood and DNA tests, X-rays, and heart monitoring and echocardiograms. Health testing information should also be certified by an official canine health clearinghouse like the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. A healthy puppy should have clear eyes, clean ears and nose, a shiny coat, and well-formed stools. Boxers are one of the most popular dog breeds, and for good reason! They are loyal, energetic, friendly, intelligent, and brave. The Boxer is a handsome dog breed and fans can have definite preferences for what their Boxer should look like. The fawn Boxer dog can be solid colored or fawn and white. The fawn coloring can vary from light to dark and the amount of white can vary as well. Remember to take your new best friend to puppy kindergarten to ensure that your dog is well trained and socialized. Already have a fawn Boxer dog? Tell us about your Boxer in the comments! References and Resources Strain, G. The Genetics of Deafness in Domestic Animals. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, .American Kennel Club. Hip Dysplasia. Veterinary Specialty Hospital. Tou, S. Aortic Stenosis. Merck Veterinary Manual. Wallner, W. Boxer Cardiomyopathy. American Boxer Club. Life Span Did You Know? The Boxer is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. It has been recognized by the AKC since .Although the Boxer dog breed originated in Germany, their ancient ancestry can be traced back to the Assyrian empire war dogs of BC. The modern Boxer breed we know and love today was originally developed in Germany in the late s. English-bred Bulldogs and the Bullenbesiier were crossed to create an energetic and agile hunting dog to chase wild game. The Boxer is a popular family companion and a versatile working dog. As a member of the Working Group, Boxers can be found competing in dog sports like agility, obedience, and herding. They also make great service and assistance dogs, as well as therapy dogs, and can be found working as search and rescue dogs, drug detection dogs, police dogs, and military dogs. The Boxer is a muscular and energetic dog that tends to have a happy, friendly disposition. They bond closely with their families and tend to get along well with children and other dogs. They can even do well with other pets despite their high prey drive if they are socialized and trained with them. As long as they are well-socialized, Boxers are generally upbeat, playful, and friendly. Although they have a natural instinct to protect their family from unwanted visitors, they do tend to warm up once introduced and are happy to make a new friend. They can be prone to barking a lot if you do not work on socialization and training your dog to stop barking early on. Boxers can be highly adaptable dogs. Although they have a lot of energy and are better suited to homes with yards where they can run, they can adapt to apartment living as long as they get the daily exercise, attention, and mental stimulation they need. As with any non-arctic dog breed, they are sensitive to very cold temperatures. Boxers are also a brachycephalic breed, which means they are even more sensitive to heat than other dogs. A Boxer is also one of the most affectionate dog breeds. Because they bond so closely with their families and get bored easily, they should not be left alone for long periods of time. Potential health conditions to be aware of in a Boxer include hip dysplasia, degenerative myelopathy, thyroid issues , and heart conditions like aortic stenosis and cardiomyopathy. Good breeding practices make a big difference and reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking the breeder about the health and genetic history of the parents and about any health tests that have been done. Boxers are intelligent dogs that are eager to please their owners. Despite their energetic personality, they are one of the best dog breeds for first-time owners and are highly trainable dogs. They tend to excel at almost any task put before them! Because of their open, friendly nature and high energy, they have a tendency to jump up at people in excitement and playfulness. Since they grow into powerful dogs, you will want to make sure you train your dog not to jump up. Boxers have smooth and short coats that will shed a little year-round and require minimal grooming. A brush-down once or twice a week and the occasional bath as needed will keep their short coat healthy and looking great. Nail trims once or twice a month are usually enough to keep nails from growing too long. Checking ears weekly and carefully cleaning as needed can help prevent ear infections. Checking and wiping their facial wrinkles weekly or a few times a week if your dog is prone to getting into things can help keep their wrinkles clean and free of irritation. Dental diseases, like gum disease, are the most common health issues in older dogs because dental care is often overlooked; and, it can lead to other serious health issues. Brushing daily, plus cleanings at the vet when needed, is ideal. The Boxer is a high-energy dog breed that needs plenty of daily exercise to stay happy and healthy. Due to their high prey drive and urge to chase, they should only be let off-leash in secure areas. Boxers tend to get bored with repetition, are excellent problem solvers, and are naturally exuberant. A fully-grown Boxer usually stands inches tall at the shoulder and weighs pounds. Boxers generally live years on average. In Germany, the Boxer was one of the first dog breeds chosen for police training. Featured Boxer Article.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Take back control of their behavior using these quick and easy solutions to stop German Shepherd biting that actually works. Even better, have a set of toys that are only used when you want to engage in play with your puppy. Hide these toys in a basket or box after your game of play. This makes them extra special. They are under your control and your dog must give them back to you. Special toys are more fun for your pup to bite than you. When in doubt of what special toy your dog likes, choose from this specially-curated list of what toys German Shepherds love for interactive toy ideas to keep your dog entertained. Say OUCH! When your pup bites you, say OUCH firmly. This simple technique catches the attention of many puppies when done correctly and can train a German Shepherd puppy to not bite you. You could also make a YIP sound instead, just like their little brother and sisters would make a yipping noise when playing too rough. If they continue to bite and nip, say OUCH again and then get up immediately and leave the room for a few moments. You may return to play but keep repeating this simple process until they learn to keep their teeth on their toys. This will only encourage them to continue their unwanted behavior. Use Puppy-Safe Partition Gates Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent your German Shepherd from jumping over. If your pup bites you aggressively when you and your family walk past you, then use an exercise pen or this German Shepherd-sized pet safe partition gate to contain them. Only use pet-safe partition gates that are high enough to prevent and discourage your German Shepherd from jumping over to continue to try and bite you. Use the items during busy times in your home to keep your dog calm and out of areas that might increase their excitement and biting and nipping you. Puppies tend to bite and chew when their teeth are coming in. They do this to relieve the pain and help soothe themselves. Freeze a durable large Kong with their favorite treats and kibble and have them on hand for times when your dog is acting out and biting you. Give them a Kong to gnaw on and bring icy relief to their gums. Plus, chewing has been shown to help relax and calm dogs. Redirections are actions that keep your pup from engaging in unwanted behavior by showing them appropriate behavior. For example: When your dog nips you, find their teething toy to bite instead. When your dog jumps on you to bite your hands or ankles, look around for a Kong to give to them to bite on. Squeaky toys like this toy that continues to squeak , even after a puncture, are ideal to distract your dog from your hand to another object. These toys differ from their special toys mentioned above because these redirection toys are ones you leave out for your pup to chew most of the time. So, be sure to have them nearby! Use Daily Leadership Skills How many times a day do you teach your German Shepherd to listen to you and offer them leadership? Use daily interactions as an effective way of teaching your dog about leadership. Have them sit before you take them for a walk or exiting a door. Ignore them altogether. Only offer them interaction and come back to them when they show you calming behaviors. Our dogs love our attention. And German Shepherds crave it! An overfed dog that is under-exercised may display destructive behaviors because of boredom and lack of energy needs being met. Get up off the couch and go outside for a walk and sniff party. Low impact activities and free-running off-leash running are best. Choose from a list of fun and gentle, age-appropriate German Shepherd puppy exercises to keep your pup healthy and better behaved. Stop roughhousing with your dog before it frustrates them. Use appropriate, puppy-safe toys instead of play sessions. This way, your pup can bite the toy instead of your fingers, hands, or arms. You may also stress out your GSD by engaging them rough of play. For your pup to either keep up with the play or stop you from too rough play, they may bite you! From day one, avoid play that involves mouthing or teeth on the skin. Use toys to provide your dog a way they can bite to release their energy… Without nipping you! And this game is great because it teaches your dog a necessary life skill. Practice the game: multiple times a day for 2 to 3 minutes at a time Your pup learns impulse control during the game and this transfers over to their ability to stop themselves from biting you. Read below for the easy-to-follow directions. If your dog gets too worked up and then bites, then teach them this Rev Up and Cool Down game. After a few running steps and before your pup gets too excited, stop running and walk slowly. Keep moving slowly until your dog also slows down. When you see them slow down, take a few more steps calmly and peacefully. Continue with steps one through three. Each time your dog should slow down sooner and quicker. If your puppy knows any of these basic German Shepherd commands , incorporate those commands to make the training more interesting and fun. The link above will also easily explain how to teach over ten commands! The point of the Rev Up and Cool Down game is to teach them to settle and stay calm without nipping and biting you. You need to keep your pup exercised, mentally stimulated, and show them what calming behavior is. Be fair and understanding. A Shepherd is a joy to own when given the direction they desire and the commitment they need. Found this helpful? Share it! She has a Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, and has been training dogs for over a decade. Related Posts. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. Knowing how to discipline a German Shepherd for biting and nipping will not only help save your hands and legs from tiny razor-sharp teeth… But teaching your GSD puppy to stop biting can also help you with valuable training skills! How do you discipline a German Shepherd for biting and nipping? Follow these steps to discipline your German Shepherd for biting or nipping you. If they still continue to bite and nip, calmly get up and walk away to let them calm down. You can also get your puppy to stop biting by working on their impulse control. Never use physical punishment, yell at your dog, or cause them to fear you. Instead, use reward-based training to teach your GSD what behavior you want them to do instead. There is also extra information you need to know about disciplining your German Shepherd for biting, such as: Why your puppy bites and nips you How to avoid biting and nipping in the first place And what not to do! You might find it cute that your fuzzy little German Shepherd puppy biting your hand or ankles is cute but… Think again! Imagine your dog all grown up as a nearly 90 to pound athletic powerhouse — full of large, adult-size teeth. Some people incorrectly assume that discipline means punishment. This is your essential guide to learn how to discipline your German Shepherd for biting and nipping. Why is my German Shepherd puppy biting and nipping? Is your sweet puppy biting and nipping you all of a sudden? Read below to find out why. When my adorable German Shepherd puppy came home to me her antics were so much fun! I loved to move the toys to play her favorite games and keep her entertained. But, my hands looked like I had accidentally adopted a baby tiger after our playtimes! There were scratches, puncture wounds, and she could even draw blood! German Shepherd puppies love to play and do so by barking, play growling, and nipping their little brothers and sisters. But now, you and your family are the littermates! Puppies quickly learn that if they bite too hard their littermates stop the play, and the fun ends. This is a valuable life lesson for living with people and families. And even studies show that removing a German Shepherd puppy before they are 8-weeks-old could negatively affect their behavior as adults source. Your new German Shepherd must continue to learn bite inhibition skills when you first bring them home. Is yours? German Shepherds get their razor-sharp baby teeth around 2-weeks-old. The baby teeth have usually all grown in by 6 to 7 weeks of age. So, when your pup comes home, around 8-weeks of age to live with you, all 28 of their baby teeth are ready for nipping and biting. When the adult teeth grow in they can irritate the gums and cause your dog discomfort. This leads to your pup looking for things to chew to help soothe their teething pains. You might find tiny teeth on your carpet or on the ground, but most of the baby teeth are swallowed by your pup. Chewing is a natural way to help the pain go away and is very normal. During these times a frozen Kong filled with a mix of treats helps to cool the inflamed gums and soothe their aches. Keep a few frozen Kongs on hand during the teething stage to offer your German Shepherd puppy to stop them from chewing and biting everything in sight! Your German Shepherd comes from a long line of working dogs that were originally bred to herd sheep. These instincts still remain with your dog to this day. German Shepherds bite and nip your ankles due to this natural herding ability and powerful prey drive. This need to herd is in their genes and, unfortunately, your ankles will have to do when there are no sheep to round up! Absence or Lack of Mental Stimulation A bored, mentally understimulated German Shepherd might act out and need brain games. German Shepherds, even puppies, are highly intelligent dogs with a never-ending supply of stamina. Mental stimulation exhausts their minds and bodies! A pup that lacks proper mental stimulation finds themselves looking for ways to keep their brains busy, which generally means getting into trouble. Too Tired or Lack of Sleep A wild German Shepherd probably needs a long nap to help them become their sweet self again. Did you know that puppies sleep 18 to 20 hours a day source? A German Shepherd puppy who is nipping and biting a lot might just be cranky from lack of sleep, and not willfully acting out. Begin teaching them by using body language, hand signals, voice commands, and showing them the right behaviors you want from them. If they continue aggressively biting you, place them in a short time out. Always use positive training and avoid harsh punishment and corrections. You can practice these techniques by following the steps below for disciplining your German Shepherd for biting. Teach your German Shepherd bite inhibition during play. You can teach your German Shepherd bite inhibition to help deter their nipping! There might come a time when your dog is in fear, pain, or discomfort and they put their mouth on you. If your German Shepherd has learned bite inhibition during their play, then they understand to not bite down hard and avoid injuring your skin. You can play these fun games with your German Shepherd while teaching them to not bite you. Slowly move your hand or leg away from them. Try to relax your hand and body so that your puppy is less interested in holding on with their teeth. Stop all play and interaction for five seconds. Then resume activity, but remember no interaction means no talking, no eye contact, and no petting. Sometimes, those sharp puppy teeth are too painful or break the skin! Show your puppy that biting or nipping ends the play. If your German Shepherd is aggressively biting you, show them that this behavior ends the play. But hard bites that draw blood or break your skin mean no more playtime. How to show your German Shepherd that biting and nipping ends play If your dog hurts you painfully during play, quietly and calmly turn away and stand up. Walk away from your puppy, preferably into another room of the house. Leaving play when your GSD becomes too rough is a way to calm them by withdrawing your attention from their rough behavior. Place them in a short time out for continued biting. Sometimes, a short time-out is required for hard nipping and biting. There will be times when your puppy is acting out so badly you might need to place them in a short time out. Time outs are not meant to be punishment, but a moment of calm. Do NOT let them become worked up or stressed if your separation is too much for them. Give your German Shepherd the right things to chew. Help your German Shepherd stop biting you by giving them something else to chew on. You already know your German Shepherd is biting you, so anticipate the biting behavior and substitute a toy for your hand or ankles. Even better… Keep a few small toys in your pocket to offer them as they race around the house. What toys do German Shepherds like to bite and chew? The key to using this toy is to roll it away from yourself when your puppy is aggressively nipping and biting you. Read this hand-picked content… just for you! Instead of letting your dog chew on whatever they want, find appropriate toys to reduce their boredom and give them a place to put their teeth. Redirect biting ankles and legs by using a food lure. A tasty treat comes in handy when your GSD bites at your legs and ankles. Your legs and feet are also enticing since they move and change directions frequently. When your German Shepherd bites your ankles or feet, calmly take a treat out of your pocket and hold the treat near the side of your leg. This disciplining technique also has the added benefit of teaching your dog the first steps of walking nicely on a leash with you. Train a gentle mouth when taking food from your hand. Teach your dog that only a gentle mouth gets its reward. Training your German Shepherd to take treats or kibble with a gentle mouth is extremely easy. Teaching your GSD puppy what is acceptable pressure with their mouth helps to avoid their sharp teeth from damaging your skin or tearing your clothes accidentally. Training a soft mouth with your German Shepherd When feeding your dog a treat, keep the treat pinches between your fingers slightly. This is so your puppy has to lick or nibble at the treat to get it. Instead, pull your hand back slowly. Now, offer your puppy the treat again. When he switches to just licking or using a soft mouth to nibble the treat out release the treat. Withdraw your hand. Wait a few seconds before offering your hand with the treat again. Practice teaching a gentle mouth at least 3 to 5 times daily in short sessions only about 2 to 3 minutes long. Pay attention to the types of items your German Shepherd prefers to pick up and chew. Is it something hard? Then, replace it with a hard, tough chew toy. Is the item soft? Try replacing the item with a furry toy instead. If you want a rock-solid leave it, then use this guide to train your German Shepherd the leave it command. Enroll them in a training class. A structured training class helps your German Shepherd learn to listen to you. But, think about this… Using an online program helps give you confidence in your skills as a trainer and will help train your little play biter to offer more polite responses in the future. German Shepherd puppies , like all puppies, go through a teething phase, and their biting behavior can continue until they are around 4 to 6 months old when their adult teeth have fully grown in. But how do you get German Shepherd puppies to stop biting, and when should you seek out more help? We dive into everything that you need to know here. German Shepherds are herding dogs, and as such, they love to go after anything that moves. This could be cats, kids, hands, fingers, or just about anything else. The more they get away with it, the more acceptable the behavior seems in the future. Addressing the problem early and consistently is vital. Just like babies need something to chew on when their new teeth are coming in, your German Shepherd needs something too! First, it stops when they get their adult teeth. Second, if you try to redirect them to something that they can chew on, most German Shepherd puppies are receptive. At this time, they should have all their adult teeth, which means no more teething to worry about. But at least you know the root of the problem and can start implementing the necessary strategies to address it. Instead, get them a few chew toys, bones, and other acceptable things to chew on as they teethe. You can also throw a few of these toys in the fridge or freezer to cool them down, and this will offer even more relief for your pup when they need it! While there are plenty of techniques to try, we recommend redirection and positive reinforcement. The method is simple. If and when they start chewing on the toy or other appropriate object, give them praise. German Shepherds love to please their owners, so this is typically an effective way to train your puppy. Therefore, you should have levels of concern. If they are still chewing and nipping at the 9-month mark, you should seek obedience training or talk to a vet to see what you can do. So, get on it early and often, and stick with it! Because with just a little work and dedication you can get your German Shepherd puppy to stop biting in no time. Check Price on Amazon 4. Use Positive Reinforcement Positive reinforcement means giving something pleasant to your German Shepherd when they perform what you want them to do so that they learn to associate the correct behavior with the reward. The more this is repeated, they will remember and do it more often. The reward is a reinforcing motivation. In the above example of redirecting your GSDs biting to a chew toy, once he accepts the toy and starts to chew or play with it, you then offer lots of enthusiastic verbal praise and reward with a treat. Again, timing is important, and this must be done instantly so that your German Shepherd will recognize or associate his behavior with the correct action. You can give other rewards, but these may be more suited to older pups, adolescent dogs, or adults. Alternatives could be giving them a special toy, playing their favorite game, such as fetch, or taking them on their favorite walk. Always use lots of verbal praise in parallel to the reward you choose. You will, no doubt, soon get to learn where your dog prefers to be pet. Go here for more guidance on where to pet your German Shepherd. This is also useful when your German Shepherd starts to put his mouth around your possessions or furniture, ready to have a good gnaw! Using a time-out can effectively discipline a German Shepherd for biting and other undesirable behaviors. A great way to do this is to grab their collar, push their bum down, and make them sit. The idea is that your German Shepherd will quickly learn to associate that the fun stops when his nipping starts! As always, timing is critical, so your pup learns what he has done wrong at the precise moment. For very young puppies, you should only put them in time-out for a few seconds, between 7 and 10, and no longer than 30 seconds. At the end of the time-out, redirect your pup back to play and use lots of verbal praise or offer a training treat for good onward behavior. You must time the click at the exact moment your pet is doing what you want to reinforce. If you quickly reward your dog with a positive experience such as a treat, he will soon learn to associate the noise of the click with great things. The idea is that you condition your German Shepherd so that when he hears the sound of the clicker, he knows he has done something to please you. In the case of puppy biting, we are simply rewarding the puppy for choosing not to bite. You can achieve this by using the distraction technique described above. When the puppy makes the right choice and starts to bite on his chew toy, he hears the click and gets his treat. Look out for other symptoms such as drooling more than usual, bad breath, loss of appetite, or sneezing. If you are consistent and patient with your methods, you will achieve great results. Be firm but fair, which also helps to strengthen the loving bond between you and your dog. It leads to fear, avoidance, hurt feelings, guilt, stress, anxiety, and lack of trust. Owners should use positive reinforcement methods as much as possible. In another year-long study by the University of Pennsylvania, researchers found that using confrontational or aversive methods to teach aggressive dogs did not work. The dogs continued to be aggressive until the training methods were changed. The same study found that punishing techniques and dominance-based training, such as hitting or kicking, growling, or yelling at your dog, can cause aggression, as stated by Meghan E. An even more recent study in companion dogs suggests that using even mild punishments like yelling and leash-jerking can stress dogs out more than dogs taught using reward-based training. This stress causes negative consequences and poorer welfare. Alpha rolling is a controversial and outdated technique that physically puts your dog on his back or side in a submissive position to show that you are dominant or the Alpha. This old-fashioned technique is a form of positive punishment and was often used to house-train pups. Many people will have used this method decades ago without success, but at the time, they believed it was the right thing to do. For a positive punishment to work, the problem is that it has to be administered during or immediately after the act within 2 -3 seconds ; otherwise, the dog will not make the connection. Sometimes puppies naturally get over-excited and overtired. When this happens, instead of using the crate as a punishment, lure him into the crate with a treat offering lots of praise and letting him go down for a nap. If you feel sorry for your German Shepherd after disciplining him, you must never reward him out of guilt. Again, this only confuses your dog. Remember to be firm but fair. While a muzzle can prevent your dog from biting, it is not a solution to the underlying behavior issue. Muzzling your German Shepherd without addressing the root cause of their biting can lead to further behavioral problems and may even make the situation worse. Is it ever too late to discipline a German Shepherd for biting? It is never too late to discipline a German Shepherd for biting, but it may take more time and effort to modify their behavior if the biting has become a habit. Start with identifying the root cause and then take the guidance of an expert to set boundaries and train better to eradicate unwanted behavior. Final Thoughts Puppy biting is natural in all dogs. However, you now know the importance of disciplining your German Shepherd as soon as he starts to exhibit biting, nipping, and chewing behavior and how to do it. This is especially important with the German Shepherd breed as they quickly grow into big strong dogs. That could end in disaster for all concerned. No matter what you are teaching your German Shepherd, try to train him when young; 8 weeks old is a great time to start. Make sure you properly socialize him and give him lots of exercise and training will be much easier. Related Posts You May Like:. Puppies Have you ever reached down to play with a German Shepherd puppy, only to have that adorable little fur-ball pierce your skin with its razor-sharp puppy teeth? When I brought Allie into the family, she was fully in the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — so that first month was tough! Unfortunately, biting is an inevitable phase of puppyhood — it comes with the territory when you decide to be a puppy parent. My goal with this guide is to get you through the biting stage with as few battle scars as possible. Why do German Shepherd Puppies Bite? Up until this time, your puppy was with its littermates, and playtime meant lots of mouthy, nipping fun. Accordingly, this is the only way your GSD knows how to play! A German Shepherd puppy also uses their mouths to explore different things like toys — or hands, ankles, furniture… pretty much anything they can get their mouth around. Your puppy could also be teething, which can increase their mouthy behavior. Just be patient as you work through the German Shepherd puppy biting phase — give your pup time to learn to be gentle when playing or seeking your attention. Nothing is worse than an ankle-biter! I was very lucky not to have this problem with Allie. Why does your German Shepherd puppy target the ankles? Because your GSD is a working dog trying to do its job — herd you around the house like livestock. German Shepherds were originally bred for herding flocks of sheep. Your furry pal may also think heel nipping is just a really fun game. Using a toy as a distraction and keeping your pup active will help nip ankle nipping in the bud! Because she was too busy biting hands! There are lots of reasons why a pup may decide to start biting your hands. For one, good things treats, toys, love, attention come from hands. Also, hands are almost like swinging toys from the perspective of a playful pup — too enticing to pass up! How to Discourage Biting Behavior While the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is a rite of passage, there are some ways you can discourage bad biting behavior without harsh discipline. This is one of the most effective ways to teach your German Shepherd bite inhibition — or how to be gentle with her teeth. Think about when your pup was rolling and playing with their brothers and sisters — if your GSD was too rough, their sibling would let out a yelp. This trick worked great with Allie! Just make sure to be consistent until your pup gets the idea and learns to master the power of her jaws. Puppies will be puppies! Redirect the biting to an appropriate toy. For example, when your fuzzy friend latches onto your ankles, give a little puppy-like yelp, and then whip out a toy and encourage your dog to chew on that instead. Tug-of-war is the perfect game for the puppy biting phase. Socialize your puppy as much as possible. Other dogs are great at teaching your puppy that they playing too rough and biting too hard. Try a deterrent to prevent your dog from chewing or biting. If all else fails, there are lots of products designed to deter your dog from bad biting behavior. How do they work? Well, they taste awful. But if used correctly, they can definitely work. This is still attention — your puppy bites, your puppy gets attention. Otherwise, your pup may see this as a fun new game, kind of like tug-of-war but with your hands or feet as the toy. You want your furball to love playing with you! The goal here is to encourage your German Shepherd to play as much as ever but to play gently. As a pup, Allie thought she should greet everyone by jumping in their face and nipping — kind of like a kiss hello, but with teeth. And as she got bigger, it was harder to control. But trust me, it got old quickly. Be proactive. If I knew someone was coming over, I would put Allie in another room or in her crate. Once our visitor was in the house and the initial excitement had passed, I would let her out. By keeping her from greeting people right when they walked through the door, I could minimize her overzealous behavior. This is a simple command that teaches your dog to stay in her place until you give a release command. This is another way to allow the initial excitement to pass and your German Shepherd to calm down a bit before greeting anyone. Redirect attention to a toy like I talked about earlier. Fold your arms and turn away. Keep turning until your GSD stops jumping, then praise them and use a treat as a reward. What to Do If Biting Becomes Aggressive Although puppy mouthing is normal, there can be cases where biting can signal problems and possibly even aggression. Look for physical differences in your pup. If your puppy is having a moment of aggression, their body may stiffen when snarling, and bites will typically be more painful than during regular play. Also, if your GSD puppy is biting out of fear or frustration, you may need to take action. These types of behavior are not something your pup will just grow out of. While the biting phase will inevitably end, you may find yourself asking the infamous question — when do German Shepherds calm down!? I asked myself and our vet this question more than once! It honestly just depends. Sure, she had her calm moments thanks in part to her training , but she was still very hyper especially in more excitable moments. The type of German Shepherd dog is yet another variable that plays a role in its energy levels. So when do German Shepherds calm down? It really depends on your individual German Shepherd. Final Thoughts Unfortunately, the German Shepherd puppy biting phase is something all GSD puppy owners will go through, but it will pass. Try the tips above to help keep your sanity during this phase. Or any tips to help the rest of us? Please share! Since puppies lack the dexterity that you and I have, they use their mouths to explore the world around them. By understanding the behavior of biting itself, you can begin to see just how normal biting is in German Shepherd puppies. Just because biting is a normal behavior in a puppy does not mean we should tolerate it or promote it. Since biting is a form of communication for German Shepherd puppies, there are many things our puppies could be trying to say! So why do Shepherd pups bite? Puppies often communicate with their siblings through biting and pawing, especially when they are trying to incite a play session. Your pup may gnaw on your hand as if it were a chew toy, especially when you are a moving target. Puppies play and bite their siblings from the moment they are old enough to do so. This is why the behavior is so common, and why our Shepherd pupswill need to learn how to transition to playing with appropriate chewing options. Not only are our hands and feet tempting enough, but even more so when a puppy has a high prey drive. A prey drive is an ingrained need to chase after moving objects, whether it is appropriate or not. A swinging hand as we walk by can be extremely tempting for a growing pup, causing them to jump up and nip. If it seems like your Shepherd puppy is always biting you when you are in motion, it may be due to their high prey drive! They Are Curious As we mentioned above, German Shepherd puppies use their mouth to explore the world around them. Biting can help them examine and understand an object, and our hands and feet can fall into that category as well! If you catch your puppy gnawing on everything around your home, it may be their curiosity getting the best of them! A dog quickly learns what behavior gets a reaction, causing them to do it over and over again. Even if their bites result in a negative reaction from you, it still counts as attention. They Are Teething Similar to teething babies, a German Shepherd puppy experiences teething pain as well. If your Shepherd pup seems to find relief when chewing on objects, they may be biting you due to teething discomfort. They Are Herding You If your German Shepherd puppy is constantly biting at your ankles, they may be displaying some herding behaviors. German Shepherds are ingrained with a need to work, especially in dogs with a working bloodline. If your German Shepherd is always nipping at your feet, running to your side when you are moving, or showing signs of anxiety or frustration when you are moving around your home; it may be herding behavior. So how can you stop this normal puppy behavior? Redirect The Behavior One of the most effective ways to stop your German Shepherd puppy from biting is by redirecting the behavior. An effective distraction is a wonderful way to end the behavior without punishment, and show them how much fun the alternative to biting can be. The next time your Shepherd pup is displaying undesirable nipping, try to pull out their favorite toy. Since this will need to be a toy that your dog enjoys, be sure to offer them the option that they find most exciting. This can be a Kong toy , rope, bone, or any other chewing option that your dog loves. By doing this each time your Shepherd puppy begins to bite you, they will begin to understand that they would much rather play with an acceptable chew option. Having a variety of chew toys can alleviate their need to bite our hands and feet, and offer them the relief they seek in this uncomfortable transition. There are so many toys created for teething puppies, that it should be easy to fill your home with plenty of appropriate options. One of our favorite chew toys is the Kong Teething Binkie. Any attention can validate the behavior, causing them to make it a habit. This shows them that the behavior is unacceptable, and does not involve any harmful negative reinforcement. Our attention is important to a puppy, and they do not want to be ignored. By showing them that biting will only result in us pulling away, they will learn to ditch the undesirable behavior. Interrupt The Behavior Sometimes a Shepherd puppy needs a sharp and sudden sound to pull them out of a bad habit. By giving a quick interrupter cue ouch, yip, eek , you can pull your puppy away from the action and gain their attention. Because of this, it is so important to offer plenty of mental and physical activities throughout your home. For example, if your puppy nips at strangers each time they walk in the door, it may be best to limit their time around the guest and send them to a separate play area. Once they begin to understand that biting is unacceptable, you can refrain from using their separate play area as often. Similar to what we discussed above about being proactive, a separate play area can help them calm down and collect themselves. Once your German Shepherd puppy begins to mature and understand that biting is unacceptable, they should require less time away. Just as there are effective methods in canine training, there are counterproductive actions as well. Do Not Hit Or Yell Since biting is a normal behavior that puppies must learn to grow out of, it is not productive to hit or yell at your puppy when they bite. Doing this can show them from a young age that interaction with you results in something negative, and can hinder your training process. By using other distractions and training methods when they bite, you can turn every bite into a learning experience for your pup! This can seem like a fun game to your pup, and can actually encourage the behavior. Try your best to go limp when they bite you, and pull your attention away from the pup. By doing this, you show them that this behavior does not offer them any extra fun. Extra attention can validate their undesirable behavior, making it challenging to break. Try your best to refrain from reacting to a bite outside of your interrupter cue, and pull your attention away from your furry friend afterward. Biting is a normal behavior in puppies of all kinds. Puppies begin to bite their siblings from the moment they can move, and will continue this behavior until they learn otherwise. A biting German Shepherd puppy is to be expected, and should not result in any discouragement on your part. As long as you are following the tips we mentioned above, your puppy should shy away from this behavior in no time! Biting in puppies is not usually a sign of aggression. Mild biting is usually a form of play, and should be easily corrected. However, there are some rare cases where biting in German Shepherd puppies is a sign of something more. If your pup is displaying any snarling, growling, ears pinned back, stiff posture, or any other signs of canine aggression, your pup may be biting in reaction to fear or pain. If you are unable to make any progress within a month of implementing the tips we discussed above, it may be time to contact a dog trainer. A trainer can not only help your pup refrain from biting, but offer other obedience training as well. Final Thoughts As you can see, biting is a normal behavior for our beloved German Shepherd puppies. Be sure to review the tips we discussed above on proper canine training, and you can banish puppy biting for good! Hopefully, we will have the answers to all of your questions in this guide. But, all that cuteness quickly disappears when the biting phase starts. Puppy biting is normal in all breeds, including the German Shepherd. And, luckily, we have some great tips and tricks to minimize the painful biting period. In fact, it could have a number of causes. Here are a few of the most common reasons, in a little more detail. Teething One reason why puppies of all breeds may bite is teething. This stage often starts at around 3 or 4 months of age — only a few weeks after your puppy will arrive at their new home. Luckily, it only takes a few months for your puppy to have their full set of adult teeth. So, biting from teething is not permanent. If your puppy is biting or chewing because of teething, you may notice other symptoms like drooling, irritability, and going off their food. Boredom or Getting Attention Bored puppies may learn that biting gets some fun responses from you! Just like barking can. If your puppy has learnt that they can get some attention from you when they bite, they may do it to alleviate boredom. This can explain why puppies concentrate most of their biting on one family member — the person who gives the most fun response. Natural Play Biting is a natural part of puppy play — as much as some owners might not want to hear it! German Shepherd puppies, just like any other breed, will bite whilst they are playing with you or with other dogs. If this behavior continues into adulthood, the biting can be more problematic. Responding to Rough Play Some people like to play with German Shepherd puppies in quite a rough manner. This can include pushing them, or rolling them over. Behaviors like this can make puppies very excitable, and encourage biting during play. Encourage calm play between your family members or friends and your puppy. Herding Instincts The German Shepherd breed has a history as a herding dog. The creator of the breed, Captain Max von Stephanitz, bred the German Shepherd in an attempt to create the ultimate all-round herding breed. This was all the way back in the late s. Although the history of the breed has changed over time, from herding to working dog, their origins remain the same. Many herding dogs are prone to natural chase instincts. They may chase small children or other animals — particularly those that are making lots of noise. And, these herding behaviors can include nipping at heels. Once again, your behavior can minimize biting from this cause. Exploration Another common explanation for young German Shepherd biting is their natural curiosity. And, they may do this partly with their mouths. What you really want to know is, when will it stop? However, you can minimize the period by making a few easy changes to your behavior when biting occurs. The best ways to stop puppy biting and minimize the biting period are training and prevention. This means training your puppy to be gentle with you and other people, and taking away opportunities for your excited puppy to bite humans. You may need to go as far as to completely separate your GSD puppy from small children and people who insist on rough play with puppies. We know that this can only encourage biting. Remove Yourself Calmly If your puppy starts to bite you, during play or any other time, the best solution is to calmly and quietly remove yourself. You can use tools like baby gates to keep your German Shepherd in a puppy-safe room. In fact — your puppy will learn that biting during play or cuddles only results in you leaving, and them ending up on their own! Not only will this help to show your puppy that biting is not an acceptable part of playtime, but it can also help your own sanity to remove yourself from those sharp teeth occasionally. Think About Clothing You should also think about the type of clothing you wear around your puppy. Loose, hanging clothing can be appealing to your puppy, and provide something easy to grip on with their sharp teeth. Wear tight fitting clothing to minimize the number of things your puppy can bite at. Use Distractions If you, or young children in your household, are keen to pet your puppy without being bitten, you should make the most of distractions like treats or toys. You can hold a chew for your puppy to keep their attention and mouth distracted whilst someone pets them! Often, puppy owners only think about biting whilst their puppy is actively gnawing on them. One method is to reward them with treats when you are petting them and they are not biting you. Another is to reward them for calm behavior around the house. This way they learn that acting calmly and letting you touch them without biting will earn them good things! One popular method to stop puppy biting is to squeal, squeak, growl, or make another loud noise. Some people claim that this method replicates natural puppy play and tells your GSD when they are being too rough. For some owners, this may work. If this is the case, making a noise when your puppy bites will act as a reward, and encourage your German Shepherd puppy to bite you even more. This is one reason why puppies biting children is so common. Many children will make lots of noise, especially if a puppy bites them, which can lead to further nipping. This is similar to the method above, if used alone. This is why training has to be done in small stages — first you must teach the puppy what action you want, and then you can give the action a name, or command. Punishment Methods The best methods to stop your puppy from biting involve positive rewards for the behaviors you want. Studies on dog training and behavior have shown that punishment based methods are often associated with an increase of problematic behaviors. Punishing your puppy for biting can lead to distrust and fear from your puppy. The causes of puppy biting that we looked at earlier in this guide apply to all GSD puppies. In fact, they apply to all puppies of any breed. Biting and chewing is a normal puppy behavior, and a normal part of play. As long as you react to this behavior in the right way, it is a period that will pass. The biggest fear for most German Shepherd puppy owners is that their puppy is aggressive when it bites. German Shepherd puppy biting can be accompanied by ferocious growls or snarls. It can even draw blood. So are behaviors like snarling and growling. And, if your puppy is biting hard enough to injure you, they may not have learnt proper bite inhibition yet. This is the process where your puppy learns to be gentle with his teeth on your skin. The positive reward methods we discussed earlier in this guide are the best way to teach your puppy bite inhibition. Remove yourself calmly and quietly whenever your puppy bites. And make sure to reward any calm behavior — including when your puppy lets you pet it without biting. Speak to a Behaviorist If you think your puppy is exhibiting aggressive behaviors, such as guarding their resources, you may want to speak to a behaviorist. They will be able to look at your puppy as an individual case, and analyse their behavior properly. Do Adult German Shepherds Bite? The German Shepherd breed is known for being aggressive in some circumstances — they make popular guard dogs, and are number one candidates for working dog roles in the police and military.

Heart murmurs are graded on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being mild, and 5 being very loud and easily detected. When a dog is relaxed or sleeping, rates above 35 breaths per minute signify heart problems and warrant an immediate trip to the veterinarian. Count each rise during that period, then multiply that number by four to find out the number of breaths per minute. By the time you see visible signs of a heart problem — difficulty breathing, rapid breathing, coughing, weakness, lethargy, exercise intolerance and collapsing — your dog may have heart disease. What are heart murmurs? There are two broad categories of heart murmurs in dogs: A congenital murmur is present from birth. Congenital murmurs are usually caused by a structural heart defect. Fortunately, most murmurs in young puppies turn out to be benign in nature. An acquired murmur is one that becomes apparent later in life. Acquired murmurs are usually due to heart valve abnormalities or cardiac muscle disease. Fortunately, most dogs with acquired valvular disease never develop congestive heart failure, as long as they receive proper care. The most common cause is myxomatous mitral valve degeneration, which is a progressive degeneration of the mitral valve. The cause is unknown, but in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, a genetic link has been identified. Larger breeds also sometimes develop murmurs associated with cardiomyopathy, which is a term for cardiac muscle disease. Learn more about dilated cardiomyopathy The mitral valve is the valve between the left atrium upper chamber and left ventricle lower chamber of the heart. Oxygenated blood from the lungs goes into the left atrium, where it is transported to the left ventricle, which then pushes the blood out to the rest of the body via the aorta. When the mitral valve degenerates, it becomes bumpy and irregular and no longer closes all the way, allowing blood to wash back into the left atrium. The heart becomes less efficient, making it work harder with every beat. Eventually, fluid backs up into the lungs. When that happens, the dog is in congestive heart failure and will require cardiac medications for the rest of their life. Monitoring is your best defense If your veterinarian tells you that they hear a heart murmur, they will likely recommend an echocardiogram to confirm the diagnosis and establish baseline cardiac function. Repeating the echocardiogram annually is a good way to monitor progression. An echocardiogram is non-invasive and usually done without anesthesia or a sedative. A simple blood test, called pro-BNP precursor of B-type natriuretic peptide , is a useful tool for monitoring as well, as pro-BNP levels rise in the face of cardiac muscle stretch and stress. Obesity makes it harder to breathe, which strains the heart. It also makes it harder to exercise, and exercise is good for the heart. These diets are sodium-restricted, which helps prevent fluid accumulation and supports healthy blood pressure — both of which are important for cardiac patients. The nutrients include antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and other things that support cardiac function. If you are told that your dog has a heart murmur, you should schedule regular follow-ups to monitor its progression, help your dog lose weight through proper diet and exercise, and consider using a prescription diet for canine cardiac health. Your attention to cardiac management could be the difference between a dog who ends up with congestive heart failure and one that does not. If your puppy does not outgrow their murmur, an echocardiogram is recommended to determine the cause, cardiac status and prognosis. This is important whether your dog is intended for breeding or not. For dogs intended for breeding, the echocardiogram will help determine whether the dog ethically should be used for breeding. For dogs undergoing spay and neuter procedures, the echocardiogram provides your veterinary surgeon with important information regarding the risk of anesthesia. The ultimate prognosis depends on the type of congenital heart defect. Many puppies will live a normal lifespan. For other puppies, surgery may be an option. The few dogs with very loud murmurs, however, may be subject to fainting, and there even may be sudden death. Aortic stenosis is the heart condition most commonly associated with these heart murmurs, but cases of pulmonic stenosis and cardiomyopathy, as found in other breeds, have also been detected. Typically, clinical signs of aortic stenosis first appear in the young adult although, rarely, puppies can be affected. It should be stressed that minor "flow" murmurs are commonly found in young in young Boxer puppies, as in other breeds, but most disappear by about 16 weeks of age. Even if they persist there may be no cause for alarm if they are quiet. Such genuine "flow" murmurs" are not associated with heart disease in the adult. The incidence of Boxers with severe aortic stenosis has increased in recent years, although the number of cases is still very low in relation to the number of dogs bred. To rectify the situation the Boxer Breed Council has, with the aid of veterinary cardiologists throughout the country, developed a system of testing based on simple stethescopic examination by the cardiologists. A breeding control scheme has also been established. Therefore, should a heart murmur, or any heart condition other than a genuine puppy "flow" murmur, be recognised in a Boxer it should be referred to one of the cardiologists. The breeder and the Breed Council geneticist should be informed of the result. Dependant upon the findings the condition may be treatable. If a puppy "flow" murmur is loud and persists, the vet in charge may recommend that further advice be sought from a specialist cardiologist. References 1. Clinical and pathological effects The heart is a four-chambered pump which is divided into left and right sides. Each side has two chambers: blood enters into the thin-walled upper chamber atrium. It then flows into the larger, lower chamber ventricle. The ventricles have thick walls composed largely of heart muscle. Between the chambers of the atria and the ventricles there are valves that prevent blood flowing backwards from the latter to the former. On contraction, blood flows from the ventricles into the major blood vessels. There are also valves at the junction of the ventricles and these blood vessels that preventing blood flowing backwards. The right side of the heart receives blood from the whole of the body other than the lungs, via the venae cavae. The blood accumulates in the right atrium and during a heart beat it is sucked past the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle and then as the right ventricle contracts squeezes its muscular wall, the blood is pushed through the pulmonary valves into the pulmonary arteries that take it onto the lungs to take up oxygen. The left side of the heart receives this oxygenated blood from the lungs, via the pulmonary veins. The blood accumulates in the left atrium and during a heartbeat it is expressed past the mitral valve into the left ventricle. Then, as the muscular wall of the left ventricle contracts, the blood is pushed through the aortic valves into the aorta and onto the other major arteries which carry it around the body to perform all the functions of blood circulation such as delivering oxygen and nutrients and sharing heat and metabolic products throughout the body. So, the left hand side of the heart has to pump blood around the major organs of the body, whilst the right hand side only has to push blood through the adjacent lungs. This difference does not affect the structure and function of the atria very much but requires that the muscles of the left ventricle have to be much stronger than the right. As strength is largely a function of muscle size the muscle wall of the left ventricle is thicker than the right Aortic stenosis is a condition of the heart in which there is a narrowing of the aortic valve of the heart that controls the flow of blood from the left ventricle. The condition is characterised by an abnormal ring of tissue at the valve which interferes with normal blood flow, creating resistance to the passage of blood and causing an obstruction The lesion of aortic stenosis in the dog commonly occurs in the subvalvular position, and thus the condition is called subaortic stenosis. The severity of the lesion can range from mild to severe, from an incomplete ridge of fibrous tissue to an extensive fibrous band encircling the aorta. A heart murmur, which is an abnormal sound of blood rushing through the valve when the heart contracts, is heard in dogs with the condition since there is turbulent flow through the obstructed valve. The degree of murmur, and its duration correlates with the severity of aortic stenosis Kvart et al .Exactly what happens in an individual depends on the degree of obstruction of the aorta, whether or not other valves of the heart are affected, and the degree to which conduction of heart beat signals are interfered with. The consequences of various manifestations of the disease are outlined below. When resistance to the flow of blood is high, the left ventricle has to contract more forcefully to expel the blood and this causes high ventricular pressures which may cause the left ventricle wall to become thickened and lead to damage. As a result of this abnormally high ventricular pressure, the intramural coronary arteries - which supply the muscles of the heart with blood- will thicken and collapse, and the muscle wall of the left ventricle will start to degrade necrosis and scar tissue will form fibrosis. Eventually, the cardiac tissue does not receive adequate blood flow and thus does not receive enough oxygen for normal function myocardial ischemia and hypoxia. Heart failure may start to occur since the heart is unable to pump enough blood through the narrow valve to meet the requirements of the body. The reduced volume of blood past the stenosis valve causes abnormally low blood pressure in the rest of the body hypotension. The body is able to compensate, to some extent, for impending heart failure using various mechanisms although some of these can themselves lead to further problems. When there is inadequate blood flow from the heart, heart rate is increased so that blood supply to the organs is maintained. However, this raised heart rate may restrict the ability of the ventricles to relax as there is less time between each contraction; time in which the ventricles can relax and fill. Increasing heart rate can cause backward or congestive heart failure, in which fluid builds up in the lungs pulmonary oedema and in which the amount of blood that the heart can push forwards around the body decreases. A further problem is that it is during relaxation that the heart muscle itself receives blood via its coronary arteries so when beating quickly its own oxygen supply can decrease and heart muscle can die. Inadequate blood flow from the heart also causes the body to react as though there has been a loss of circulating blood volume. Hormones are released in response, which cause fluid to be retained even though there actually has been no loss of blood. The amount of fluid in the body thus increases and this is another reason that fluid accumulates in the lungs. As the walls of the left ventricle thicken the heart shape changes and the valves of the heart can become distorted and leak. Leakage regurgitation of blood in the reverse direction from the aorta back into the left ventricle, and this may manifest in a diastolic murmur Schaer .When the valves, the tricuspid and mitral valves, between the ventricles and atria are affected, they may allow blood to flow backwards into the atria during contraction which causes further backwards or back pressure heart failure problems and the problems, outlined above, associated with this. The abnormally thickened muscle often contains scar tissue or fatty infiltrates which interfere with the conduction of nerve signals through the heart resulting in uncoordinated contractions dysrhythmia or arrhythmia. Irregular heartbeats can contribute to both forward and backward heart failure. Forward heart failure occurs when the left ventricle provides inadequate blood flow to the body and this can lead to weakness, collapse, fainting and sudden death. Other congenital heart abnormalities may be associated with aortic stenosis, including pulmonic stenosis, and atrial septal defect Oliveira et al , though more often than not aortic stenosis occurs alone. Affected dogs may also be at risk of complications such infections of the inner lining of the heart endocarditis , caused by bacterial infiltration due to the defective valve. In one study, a smaller aortic annulus at the junction of the aortic valve and ventricular septum and a steeper aortoseptal angle relative to body size was notable in both healthy and affected Boxers, and these may be key factors for the development of aortic stenosis Quintavalla et al .Return to top 2. Dogs with mild narrowing, which does not progress, may have a normal lifespan, with very few changes to quality of life. Dogs that are moderate-severely affected by the condition may experience serious welfare problems. They may exhibit an inability to exercise, fainting and muscle weakness. The build-up of fluid in the lungs, due to pulmonary odema, leads to difficulty in breathing with the animal showing rapid or laboured breathing or coughing. Where the heart muscles receive reduced oxygen as a result of the obstructed blood flow myocardial ischemia and hypoxia , dogs may experience fatigue or chest pain angina. Affected dogs may be at risk of complications such as changes in heart rhythm arrhythmias — which in themselves may directly cause welfare problems by making the dog faint or collapse - congestive heart failure or infections of the inner lining of the heart endocarditis. In one study of Boxer with aortic stenosis, infective endocarditis and left heart failure tended to occur later in life and in dogs with mild to moderate obstructions Kienle et al .These complications may lead to sudden death. Return to top 3. Duration of welfare impact Aortic stenosis is not a true congenital defect, since it develops after birth Pyle et al .Aortic stenosis is often a progressive disorder, and the severe forms can lead to death in early adulthood. In one study of 96 Boxers with aortic stenosis, 21 dogs .The prognosis for long-term survival of dogs with untreated mild or moderate aortic stenosis if favourable, with an average median survival of 4 years 3 months and 2 years 6 months respectively, but the survival of dogs with severe aortic stenosis was poor, with an average survival of 1 year 7 months Kienle et al .Definitive treatment for severe aortic stenosis requires surgical intervention, either excision of the lesion or replacement of the valve, but the surgery should be performed before 6 months of age for greatest success Muir et al .Return to top 4. Number of animals affected The true prevalence of aortic stenosis in dogs is currently unknown, since the previous studies are based on small, local, veterinary populations. Heart murmurs are commonly reported in dogs; over a 4-year period in the UK, .However, it is important to note that these heart murmur data are not specific to aortic stenosis, and that not all heart murmurs point to significant cardiac disease. Aortic stenosis has been reported to be one of the most frequently recorded congenital cardiac abnormalities in the dog Tidholm .Of dogs with aortic stenosis, the Boxer breed has been shown to have an increased relative risk of the condition, with an odds ratios of 9. A prevalence of 1. As part of a mandatory breed screening programme in Italy, Boxers were screened for cardiac abnormalities and of Boxers 8. There is no reported difference in the predisposition of males and females for aortic stenosis. Return to top 5. Initial diagnosis results from detection of a heart murmur using a stethoscope, although murmurs can be indicative of other heart conditions or even of normal function. Murmurs are categorised on a six point scale from Grade 1, the mildest and least audible, which can be heard with a stethoscope only in a quiet room to Grade 6, the loudest and most turbulent, which can be heard with the stethoscope not touching the chest, or even without using the stethoscope. Echocardiographycan be used to evaluate: heart size, function including the direction and speed of blood flow, and valve appearance. Other diagnostic tools used to determine the severity of the disease and the presence of heart failure, include: ECG recordings, blood tests, chest radiography and full physical examination. ECG can be used to detect occult disease eg heart rhythm abnormalities at a stage before animals show any clinical signs. Return to top 6. Genetics An inherited basis of aortic stenosis is strongly suspected in the Boxer, though there is no definitive data to support this. Boxers have a higher risk of aortic stenosis compared to other breeds, and there are specific conformational traits associated with the Boxer breed that affect the morphology of the aortic valve small aortic annulus, steep aortoseptal angle; Quintavalla et al which may be linked to the development of the condition. To our knowledge, there are no studies of the genetics or mode of inheritance of aortic stenosis in Boxers. Aortic stenosis is considered to be a dominant trait in Newfoundlands Stern et al but in Golden retrievers, the condition is more likely to be a rescessive trait Stern et al .In both studies, authors also suggest that the inheritance pattern may be more complex and involve multiple genes, and especially considering the variation in age of onset and the lesion type and placement associated with the condition Pyle et al .Return to top 7. How do you know if an animal is a carrier or likely to become affected? Since the genetic mechanisms or mode of inheritance is not known for this breed, there is currently no way of telling specifically which animals are likely to become affected. Importantly, not all dogs that carry the genotype show outward clinical signs and there is a range of severities of affected dogs from mild to severe. Return to top 8. Methods and prospects for elimination of the problem Although dogs with a mild form of aortic stenosis have a low risk to develop symptoms of the condition, it is still important to identify these dogs for the purpose of eliminating the condition from the breed Farrell et al , since mildly affected and asymptomatic dogs may pass on a more severe form of the condition to their offspring. Since , a breeding scheme has been in operation in the UK for the Boxer breed, and it recommends cardiac screening for murmurs of dogs at 12 months or older. Dogs with grade 3 murmurs of higher are considered unsuitable for breeding, and dogs with grade 2 murmurs are only recommended for breeding with a dog clear of a murmur. Further research is required to determine the mode of inheritance involved in the development of aortic stenosis in Boxers, in order to establish a valid method to eliminate the condition from the breed Meyers-Wallen .Return to top 9. Return to top .Human Genetics —48 Tidholm A Retrospective study of congenital heart defects in dogs. Because of this blockage, the Boxer dog's heart must work much harder and faster than normal. Yes, it can be. It is a tricky condition.Some Boxers have a mild case which does not affect life span at all.However, with others, it can be severe and fatal. Abnormal heart rhythms in a dog can lead to sudden death. Any dog that is being considered for breeding should be tested for this - along with Doppler studies a particular type of ultrasound machine that uses sound waves to measure the flow of blood through a blood vessel - by a board-certified canine cardiologist prior to any pairing. Diagnosis Once a heart murmur is detected, your Boxer dog should be referred to a canine heart specialist. One of the most important aspects will be to determine the severity of the murmur. This is helpful to see the size and shape of the heart. Any abnormal enlargement of the heart's chambers can usually be spotted, which would indicate a more severe case. EKG - An EKG is important as it will determine the severity of the heart's valve narrowing and it will measure electrical impulses to the Boxer's heart. Ultrasound- With Aortic Stenosis, the left ventricle wall of the heart thickens. This test will measure the extent of the thickness and well as the internal dimensions of the heart. Doppler Test - A Doppler test is a specialized ultrasound test that measures the flow of blood through a blood vessel. Of most concern, will be the left ventricle. The flow rate can tell you a lot. Flow is measured by meters per second. If a dog has a flow that is LESS than 4 meters per second, he will usually live to full life expectancy and not have any major problems. If a Boxer has a flow that is MORE than 5 meters per second, this is an indication that the dog will be affected by this disease; though all tests will be combined together to give the murmur a 'grade'. Medication will most certainly be given and the dog must be monitored on a regular basis. Studies have shown that this procedure does not significantly extend the life span of affected dogs. The 3 most commonly prescribed beta-blockers for Boxers with Aortic Stenosis heart murmurs are propranolol, atenolol and metoprolol. It is available in tablet, injectable and liquid forms. Owners should immediately report any side effects to their dog's veterinarian. It is given as tablets but is also available as injectable doses. It is given as a tablet. Note: Always follow the exact dosing instructions for any of these Aortic Stenosis medications, as an overdose can be toxic and sometimes fatal. A dog should be checked every 6 months to 1 year, with testing done to see if there are any changes. Boxer dog health issues - A list of the health conditions most likely to affect the Boxer dog breed. Boxer dog exercise requirements - Ensuring that your Boxer puppy or dog stays active for a healthy body and mind. Boxer dog is skinny - There is a phase that some Boxers goes through that occurs around the 14 to 22 month old mark, in which the ribs may be visible and the dog looks too lean. Why Boxer dogs drool - While they do have big lips, is it normal for this breed to excessively drool. The few dogs with very loud murmurs, however, may be subject to fainting, and there may even be sudden death. Aortic stenosis is the heart condition most commonly associated with these heart murmurs, but cases of pulmonic stenosis and cardiomyopathy, as found in other breeds, have also been detected. Typically, clinical signs of aortic stenosis first appear in the young adult although, rarely, puppies can be affected. It should be stressed that minor "flow" murmurs are commonly found in young Boxer puppies, as in other breeds, but most disappear by about 16 weeks of age. Even if they persist there may be no cause for alarm if they are quiet. Such genuine "flow" murmurs are not associated with heart disease in the adult. The incidence of Boxers with severe aortic stenonsis has increased in recent years, although the numbers of cases are still very low in relation to the numbers of dogs bred. To rectify the situation the Boxer Breed Council has, with the aid of veterinary cardiologists throughout the country, developed a system of testing based on simple stethescopic examination by the cardiologists. A breeding control scheme has also been established. Therefore, should a heart murmur, or any heart condition other than a genuine puppy "flow" murmur, be recognized in a Boxer it should be referred through the vet in charge to one of the cardiologists. The breeder and the Breed Council geneticist should be informed of the result. Dependent upon the findings the condition may be treatable. If a puppy "flow" murmur is loud and persists, the vet in charge may recommend that further advice be sought from a specialist cardiologist. Welcome Testimonials "Can't be happier with our Rosie who we picked up November .Great temperment, easy to train, and the friendliest fun loving girl ever. We are already thinking of another o.These Boxers are amazing. Top of the line Their temperament, their disposition, their health.I have 3 amazing boxer babies from t.Associated Data The data presented in this study are available on request from the corresponding author. Abstract The detection of a congenital heart defect at purchase is an important step in early detection from a clinical and legal standpoint. Indeed, some cardiac abnormalities may be corrected with surgery, and very often, treatment needs to be performed early before congestive heart failure or irreversible heart damage can occur. From a legal viewpoint, if the defect is revealed in a newly purchased puppy, the buyer may be required to return it and receive compensation. Puppies affected with congenital heart defects are likely to die prematurely, causing emotional suffering to the owner. Furthermore, by considering breed predisposition, early recognition allows breeders to avoid breeding from particular dogs with genetic defects and prevent the continuation of genetic defects in breeding lines. Given gaps in the literature about the recognition of murmurs in the puppy trade, the present article describes how to identify a heart murmur in a puppy during a pre-purchase examination and its significance from a clinical and legal viewpoint. In the canine population, the prevalence of cardiac defects ranges between 0. Pulmonic stenosis is the most common defect found in puppies, followed by patent ductus arteriosus, subaortic stenosis, and ventricular septal defect. On the basis of the above considerations, the veterinarian should recognize and identify the murmur following a protocol for routine examination of puppies involved in trade. Keywords: cardiac murmur, puppy, purchase, heart defect 1. Introduction Buying a puppy is an important step for most pet owners. The prospective owner aspires for the puppy to be healthy and fit well with the new family, often acting on impulse driven by the opportunity and enthusiasm to get a dog. Instead, a pre-purchase examination before selling is strongly recommended in order to evaluate the health status of the animal. The ground rules for a pre-purchase examination are the same as those applicable to clinical evaluation. On the one hand, there are some buyers for whom any risk is acceptable as they do not perceive clinical signs as a problem, but rather as a normal breed-specific characteristic [ 1 ]. On the other hand, some buyers may want assistance to arrive at an informed judgment on the risks related to buying a dog, given that there may be diseases associated with some breeds which reduce the life span or make it unsuitable for its intended use by the purchaser. Indeed, heart diseases of proven or suspected hereditary origin in puppies may constitute a defect vice in buying and selling, making the animal inappropriate for its intended use, or significantly decreasing its value [ 2 ]. The innocent murmur is a common physiological finding in puppies, generally as a result of physiologic anemia. Rising hematocrit in growing puppies can explain the spontaneous disappearance of innocent murmurs with aging [ 4 ]. Generally, puppies are sold when they are at least 6—8 weeks old to ensure that the puppy has received an adequate supply of milk from the mother dog and has completed the period of socialization. Conversely, the detection of a continuous murmur in a puppy requires a complete cardiologic and medical workup. Once the presence of a murmur has been identified, the aim for the veterinarian during the pre-purchase clinical examination is to determine the existence, severity, and exact origin of the underlying cardiac disease. Cardiac examination should be performed to evaluate heart rate, rhythm, and the presence of normal and abnormal sounds. Auscultation should be executed in a silent room, with the animal in standing position, auscultating the precordial valve areas in both sides of the chest and, if an abnormal sound is detected, the point of maximum intensity should be identified. Given the gaps in the literature regarding a clinical protocol or guidelines for the identification of a cardiac murmur during puppy trade, the authors describe how to categorize heart murmurs in the animal during a pre-purchase examination and its significance from a clinical and legal viewpoint, as murmurs can be physiological or pathological. Clinical Examination of the Cardiovascular System Clinical examination is a great help to the veterinarian in the evaluation of the cardiovascular system. Variations in mucous membrane colour and capillary refill time, jugular distension, dependent oedema, tachycardia, and tachypnoea are common findings of congestive heart failure CHF [ 5 ]. The auscultation of the heart is fundamental for the evaluation of the cardiovascular system. Normally, it is possible to hear two heart sounds: S1, caused by the closing of the atrioventricular valves at the beginning of the systole, and S2, generated by the closing of the semilunar valves at the end of the systolic event. Two other heart sounds also can be found in pathological conditions: S3, caused by the rapid filling of the ventricles in diastole, and S4, generated by atrial contraction. Additional sounds generated by turbulent blood flows are called murmurs. The heart murmurs are classified according to intensity, frequency, quality, duration, configuration, primary location point of maximum intensity, PMI , and site s of radiation [ 6 ]. The intensity indicates the loudness of the cardiac murmur and is classified on a scale from 1 to 6 [ 6 ], as summarized in Table 1 [ 6 ]. This is strongly related to the blood velocity at the site of origin of the murmur and is classified as high, medium, or low. The murmurs that originate from mitral valve insufficiency typically have a high pitch [ 7 ], while the murmurs originating from aortic stenosis typically have a low or medium pitch [ 4 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. The quality or timbre of the heart murmurs indicates the type of sound, which can be soft, harsh, rumbling, musical or a mixture of these. The shape, also referred to as configuration, indicates the intensity that it assumes during the cardiac cycle; therefore, a murmur may be crescendo, decrescendo, crescendo-decrescendo or plateau. A crescendo murmur gradually increases in intensity, while a decrescendo murmur gradually decreases in intensity. A crescendo—decrescendo murmur is characterized by a gradual increase in intensity, followed by a gradual diminution. A plateau murmur conserves a moderate continuous intensity regardless of their intensity grade. The duration or timing indicates the portion of the cardiac cycle that the murmur occupies and not in which the murmur onsets. Murmurs may be systolic early systolic, mid-systolic, late systolic, or holosystolic , diastolic early diastolic, mid-diastolic, late diastolic, or holo-diastolic or continuous. A continuous murmur initiates during the systole and continues extending on the second sound, throughout diastole or part of thereof. The location indicates areas on the precordium where the murmur is perceived with a higher intensity and correspond at the site of murmur origin Figure 1. When a murmur is heard at a site other than the point of maximal intensity, it is said to radiate. The murmur may radiate near to the site of origin following the direction of turbulent jet. An aortic stenosis murmur radiates up the carotid arteries, while mitral murmurs radiate dorsally within the thorax. The first and often most challenging step is to determine the clinical importance of a murmur. It is essential to distinguish pathological heart murmurs from functional ones and, in puppies, from innocent heart murmurs [ 11 ].

Dogs - Labrador Retriever This breed is thought to have originated in the geographical area called Labrador, the Newfoundland area on the east coast of Canada. Above: Labradors can be three colours: chocolate, yellow, or black. Red Fox is considered as a yellow. Excellent with kids and loyal family dog. They are active, intelligent and trainable. They have been vet checked, inoculated and dewormed; they will have a microchip implanted when collected. Breeding restrictions apply. Puppies can be transported to any major airport at buyer's expense. R each. More info on our Webpage: Vomvivando. Posted .Dewormed at 2 weeks, 4 and 6 weeks. Vaccinated at 6 weeks, microchipped and vet checked. Can be transported to any major airport at buyer's expense. Deposit must be paid to secure your booking. Puppy Agreement Contract to be signed on collection. Please call Denise Hopley or email alberden. Born 1st August. Stutterheim, Eastern Cape, South Africa. KUSA registered, inoculated 5 in 1, Microchip implanted, dewormed every 2 weeks, thoroughly checked by our vet, and handed over with up to date vaccination book. Price R.It is suggested the buyer have a full health check within 48 hrs of leaving our property, thereafter no latent defects will be humoured. Contact May Field, E-mail: maydfield gmail. Website: www. Webpage: Elioriaium Sherise Roux dt. Hannatjie, Yorma Puppies. Labrador puppy bred by M. Field About Labrador retrievers The dogs were used by fishermen to go into the water and pull the fishing nets to shore. Labradors love water, and care must be taken not to let a puppy go near a pool, or it will drown, as it does not know how to get out. The Labrador became popular in England as a gun dog and was used to retrieve game that the hunter had shot. Welcome to Mirain Labradors, South African owner of labradors and occasional breeder of labradors. Mirain Labradors carefully select and breed yellow, black and chocolate labrador puppies. Our History I was brought up with labradors, my folks bred labradors and I have personally been owned by a labrador for 3 decades. When my kids finished school I decided to show and breed this adorable breed and have made many friends along the way. Our Beliefs Our labradors are family pets and when we are home they spend their time inside with us and sleep in our bedrooms. The labrador puppies are whelped and brought up inside our home and are very well cared for by their mom and the rest of the family. We are a very small scale breeder and have only 1 litter a year from my labrador girls, currently this is 1 litter per year. A contract will be drawn up between the purchaser and seller to protect both parties and puppies. Make sure you read our section on how to select a healthy, happy labrador puppy and familiarize yourself with a labradors health as well. Our Labradors Diet Our dogs are fed on Hills Science Plan, which is what the puppies will be weaned on and a free Hills Puppy Pack is given to each new owner when they collect the puppy. We are a Labrador breeder in South Africa that selectively breeds Labradors for happy, healthy Labrador puppies. By breeding only from healthy, tested dogs and bitches with sound temperaments, we strive to make a positive contribution to the Labrador gene pool in our country as well as to provide families with wonderful Labradors as family pets and companions of outstanding quality. Please meet the Amadeuze Labrador team: Our breeding Labradors, studs and bitches, our Labradors on show team and also our Labrador family pets and companions. Labrador Retrievers are good companions to both men and women. Labradors are great house-dogs as Labradors are people orientated and guard their family. As a Retriever they are excellent shooting dogs, as this is the job for which they are bred, They are one of the most intelligent dog breeds and can be trained from small pleasures like fetching the newspaper and your slippers to service dogs that guide the blind and mountain and water rescue dogs. No doubt — Labs personify what we love most about dogs Anyone that meets an Amadeuze Labrador puppy falls in love with the breed due to the kind nature of Amadeuze Labradors. Our Labrador puppies are adopted all over the Africa Continent and are the most impressive and loyal ambassadors of our kennel. All our breeding Labrador studs and bitches are x-rayed and have excellent scores on hips and elbows, and all the Labrador puppies will be x-rayed and graded before considered for future breeding purposes. All of our Labradors are also PRA clear by parentage , which means they can never produce Labrador puppies that are infected by active PRA, an eye disease that causes dogs to go blind after a few years. Careful selection and matching of pedigrees bloodlines will always be the first consideration when breeding to any of our Labs. Amadeuze Labrador Breeder is proud to say that all of our Labs have wonderful temperaments which they pass on to their offspring. All the Labrador puppies bred by Amadeuze Labrador Breeder are evaluated at the age of 7 weeks by a professional, qualified Animal Behaviorist. Labrador puppies are tested to determine their individual qualities, temperament type, activity levels and reaction to stressful situations before being allocated to families. We find these tests are invaluable in correctly allocating each Labrador puppy to the most suitable family, and vice versa.

All they care about is having fun. If you ever seen two puppies play then you already know how rough, mean and aggressive those games can look while being super adorable at the same time. One pup will chase the other one growling, one will be barking his little head off in his very non-threatening voice while the other will chase his siblings around biting him and tugging him by his ears. At their very core they still have those predatory instincts that come out to the surface. However the instincts to chase down prey, growl in the face of danger and attack their enemies is deeply ingrained in him. Just like little kids like to play games where they pretend to be adults, your little guy is doing exactly the same thing. I bet when your little guy was even younger, you would have had no problem with him biting you with his little teeth because you could barely feel it. However as he got older, those little teeth got bigger, the biting started to hurt more and outrunning your Pug puppy took a bit more effort. Puppies teach each other when to stop biting If left amongst his peers, your puppy would have outgrown his behavior as he got older at the very least he would have learned to take it easy with the aggression. His siblings and his parents would be the ones teaching him when enough is enough. The pup will either yelp out or just stop playing with the aggressive one. At first the biter might not even realize why his pal suddenly changed his mind, but when more of his siblings stop playing with him after he nips too hard he will realize that something is up. He will have to learn that if he wants to keep playing games with his buddies, he will have to play much nicer. All you have to do is show him that if he wants to continue playing with you, he has to keep his sharp teeth off you and your clothes. Otherwise he will have to play all by himself, and we all know that there is no fun in that. Puppies biting their owners while playing have been a problem ever since people kept dogs as housepets. Stop the games whenever your puppy bites you — Just simply stop everything, turn away from him and go about your business while ignoring him. As soon as he realizes that using his teeth during playtime will lose your attention, he will find other ways to keep you interested. Yelp or shout to alarm him whenever things get too rough — You know how I talked about puppies yelping when things get too rough? The only problem though is that you have to teach him those games first. Your little guy only knows how to play with dogs, so teach him games that he can play with humans. If you apply all three of the tips listed above, you will be on the right path to finally stopping your puppies biting. If everyone around him changes how they play games with him, he will have no choice but to change along with them. Watch out for aggressive behavior Sometimes puppies bite for other reasons than just playing. The suggestions above apply mostly to just play biting. Although most of the time when a puppy bites he is doing it playfully, there are exceptions to everything. Other reasons for your puppy to bite you might include: Feeling threatened — if your Pug feels threatened by you or someone around him after growling or barking at the person, he will have no choice but to bite them. Possessive behavior — Some dogs are very possessive and will do anything to defend whatever they feel like is theirs. A lot can go wrong if you approach a dog that has shown warning signs for you to back off. Related Articles. Pug Dog Biting Biting Vs Nipping It's common to use the word biting, however most puppies nip and there is a big difference. A nip is a quick snapping of the jaws.It is done in reaction to one of several triggers: Fear- Sometimes if a pup is startled he may nip in automated reaction. Play - Young puppies and older Pug pups, if not taught nip as they play. This how newborns interacted with litter-mates. Once at their new home, new rules must be taught that this is not an accepted form of behavior. Ruby Photo courtesy of owner Alf Dixon Ruby Photo courtesy of owner Alf Dixon Irritation - If a favorite toy is taken away, if a puppy is too possessive of his "belongings", if a pup has not yet learned his place in the family "pack" and other triggers can cause a young Pug to bite or nip. Before we dive into training for this, let us make note that the above is a nipping problem and not an actual biting issue. Biting is reserved for when a dog aggressively bites, there is a locking of the jaw.There is skin contact and often broken skin. It is a dominant, aggressive action that warrants much different training. The Pug dog is an even tempered, good natured dog breed and very rarely will a Pug actually bite as opposed to nipping. Training for This All dogs find comfort and security in knowing that they are living in a pack. Today's modern dog's pack is his human family. By taking proper care of a Pug , an owner shows him that it is the human who is the leader Alpha. Proper feeding giving the sit command first and training for commands are the 2 main ways that a dog truly understands who is in charge. When a dog of any age is ignored by his leader, this sends a very strong message. Canines do not take this lightly and any action that seemingly lead to the brief social isolation is quickly put into the "do not do" category. This does not mean that an owner should ignore the behavior.What an owner should do, is to immediately take action by purposefully ignoring the puppy to such as extent that he worries that his action damaged his place in the pack.If both owner and dog are sitting down when the bite occurs, the owner should raise. If both were on the floor, the owner should stand or sit on the sofa. The idea is to physically separate from the pup and maintain an authoritative physical position. The next step is to completely ignore the Pug, this means zero talking and no eye contact. It will be a brief banishing in which the puppy is essentially invisible. Everyone in the house should follow this training no matter who was the "victim" of the nipping. And it is important that everyone is on the same page, since it does little good for a biting puppy to be ignored by one of his humans, but able to move on to the next to play and to possibly nip again. This training should last just about 10 minutes, but it should extend even longer if the pup has gone about his own business and is not focused on his owners. One key element the 10 minutes must be a time in which the Pug is very aware that he is no longer receiving attention. Once that time is up, allow interaction, and any time that the Pug nips or bite, immediately begin again. It is important to be very consistent with this.When done each and every time, training can be successful in as little as 2 weeks. Is Teething an Issue? Your Pug may be biting due to teething. While most owners do refer to this as biting, this is actually a gnawing in an attempt to sooth the pain and discomfort that a pup will experience when his teeth are growing in and gums are very sensitive and sore. At this stage in life, a Pug will chew on just about anything that he can get his mouth on. He or she will not care if it is your fingers, your new shoes or electrical cords! There are several ways to help your Pug dog get through this time without damaging your home and belongings. One element that separates this from the above biting issues is that a puppy should be given an option. When chewing on an un-approved object, that object should be taken away and replaced with a chew toy. If the dog seems to be having a really hard time, ice cubes plain or flavored can offer great relief. In addition, toys chilled in the freezer can take the edge off. Always praise good chewing habits while discouraging bad ones. And if the Pug pup nips at hands or feet, immediately follow the training previously explained for biting. In regard to any household items that you absolutely do not need on floor level: remove them or place them high enough so that your dog cannot reach them. Be sure to cover electrical wires with plastic shielding. Allowing a your Pug dog to have an ice cube will be very helpful. Placing dog toys in the freezer for an hour or two, and then offering them will help. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Proven Ways to End The Nipping! February 24, by Susan Puppy biting is a part of the process of dog ownership, but it can also be frustrating and excruciatingly painful. If you have a pug puppy, you have most likely wondered how I get my Pug Puppy to stop biting? This breed is known to be stubborn. However, you can stop the painful nipping problems with the proper training knowledge without using any painful training collar like choke, prong, and electric collars. You want to address the symptom, not the cause. As mentioned above, puppies bite for several reasons, but the most common reasons are teething and interaction with the world. Other reasons your puppy keeps biting you could be: Fear: If you happen upon a puppy that is startled, their first reaction may be to bite or nip at you. During the exploration process, they learn how hard they can bite while interacting with humans and other dogs. Playtime: Young puppies and older Pugs if not appropriately trained will nip as they play. Both puppies and dogs use their mouths to interact with people and dogs. Puppy Biting vs. Puppy Nipping vs. The bite may break the skin and lead to infections that a medical doctor may need to treat. Biting Biting is when a puppy or full-grown dog bit down hard on someone or something. Instead, it is a sharp pinch. It is still painful and can cause injury to people who have thinner skin than dogs do. Nipping can also cause holes and tears in your expensive clothing. Small breed dogs are known to be ankle biters. If ignored, your dog will do this behavior to the mailman, neighbors, and other people, which will cause significant problems for you. Mouthing Mouthing is when a dog or puppy gnaws or puts its mouth around your hand, arm, or another part of your body. Both puppies and dogs will use their mouths to pull at your shoe, clothing, etc. When Do Pugs Stop Teething? Puppy nipping and biting can last until your puppy is five months old or until they have their full set of grown-up teeth. Do Pugs Bite? Instead, they use their teeth, barking, and body language to let us know their feelings. At some point in their life, your Pug will show signs of aggression or fear by barking as a way to let you know to stay away. The final stage will be your dog snapping and possibly even biting you. Unlike other breeds, Pugs are a gentle breed that loves being around people, even children. Is Pug Dog Bite Dangerous? Puppies are prone to biting, and while not life-threatening, it is still excruciating. You may need a bandaid or ice to soothe the cut. There are several humane ways to train your puppy to stop biting. With the proper training, time, and patience, you can train your Pug to stop sinking their teeth into you. How to train a Pug Puppy Not to Bite? Here are several steps you can use to stop your Pug puppy from biting. Make Sure Your Puppy Has Access to Chew Toys If your puppy is teething, make sure she has access to several types of chew toys with lots of different textures. Teething puppies will bite and chew on anything they can find, even your hands and fingers. A great way to keep your puppy occupied is to give them a chew toy instead. It puts their attention on the toy and teaches them what they can chew on. Say goodbye to painful bites.We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. Get them used to you touching their face, paws, ears, tail, etc. While Pugs love to be pet especially belly rubs , not all dogs enjoy you touching certain parts of their body. Some dogs are sensitive to people touching their paws and will nip when touched. It could be because their feet hurt or are ticklish when they are touched? The more you get them used to let you touch them as a puppy, the easier it will be to cut their nails as they get older. A tired puppy means less biting! Just remember not to overdo it. Also, make sure not to exercise them in the heat of the day. For instance, if you know your pups about to bite, you can move your hand away and put a toy in its mouth. If your puppy bites all the time when you bend down to greet them, have their favorite toy in your hand. Your excited puppy will bite the toy instead of your flesh, which is what you want. Most people make the mistake of correcting unwanted behavior after they occur. After doing it hundreds of times, your Pug would sit before they greeted you, and the unwanted behavior would be gone. If this is your puppy, give them the treat with an open palm. When your puppy becomes overly excited, grab their favorite snack, and ask them to sit. It teaches your puppy to want to interact with you and helps you raise a well-behaved dog at the same time. Giving them the treat too early will only reinforce the biting and unwanted behavior. The treat training method teaches your dog to respond to you rather than merely behaving impulsively. The puppy backs away, even for a second before the fierce playing resumes. As a Pug owner, you can mimic this behavior! When your puppy bites too hard, make a high-pitched yelp or squeal sound. The key to this type of training is to ignore your puppy for a while. The training sounds harsh but does work very well, especially for this breed. Pugs are companion dogs, and they want to please you. Some people make the mistake of biting the puppy back to show them how it feels. One jumps and bites on the other dog, and eventually, the other dog gives and starts biting them. Before you know it, the two dogs are fighting, and the people have to break it up before it escalates and someone gets hurt. Teach Them Not to Bite Over Food Pugs love to eat, and one of the most common reasons a puppy will bite is when they feel you or other pets threaten their food. Start by petting your puppy while they are eating. Keep repeating the process every time at mealtime. Quitting too early will cause your puppy to revert to its old habits of biting. Puppy biting can take anywhere from a couple of days, weeks, or even months with extreme biters. Instead of losing your cool, take them for a walk to tire them up. Puppies enjoy being around people and will quickly learn to behave correctly. After all, the goal is to get them chewing and biting on toys, not your flesh. Check out some of the best crates for Pugs that are perfect for sleeping and training. When they calm down, you can let them out of the kennel. Your Pug will fear you and cringe or run away when you approach her. She may respond defensively and attempt to bite you because she sees you as someone who will hurt her. Your puppy may see your gentle tap or slap as an invitation to pay, which will set your training back. Training time will become playtime and will be more likely to bite or nip at you. Never play tug-of-war or wrestling games with your puppy. These types of games encourage biting, jumping, grabbing, chewing, etc. Also, avoid using choking, electric, and prong collars as they will be painful to your pup. Final Word? This guide will help you properly train your puppy, whether dealing with teething or nipping issues. It takes time to train your Pug puppy not to bite. Implementing proper training can help strengthen your bond, which will help your dog become a well-behaved adult. However, when they realize how much work goes into training them, many are surrendered to shelters. You now have the tools you need to teach your Pug puppy to stop biting. Good Luck! However, whilst Pugs tend to have good temperaments, as puppies they use their mouths to learn and will bite anything in sight. In this guide I will explain how you can overcome Pug puppy biting problems, despite the challenges involved. He has never been an aggressive biter, but he would nip a lot as a puppy. Unfortunately, a lot of the biting was down to me, as I would do rough play with him and almost encourage the nipping. But, as my puppy got older, those playful nips started to hurt. Please do take all my tips in, as I believe it to be the most detailed solution you will find for stopping a Pug biting that you see anywhere on the Internet. But first, why do Pugs bite you? Most will let you know they are scared with a little bark, letting you know to keep away. If you continue to advance and upset them, the growl can then become a snap and possible bite. But, with an older and more aggressive Pug, that bite could be very painful, particularly to young children. Do Pugs bite a lot? When Pugs are puppies, they do tend to do a lot of biting. Why Pug puppies bite? The teething phase is when you will notice your Pug puppy biting the most. Some Pugs will also bite a bit too enthusiastically when they are playing with you. This is a hangover from their days with their siblings where mouth play would have been used. You can stop a Pug biting you when they teethe by giving them things to chew on. As mentioned earlier, I would play with my own puppy and he would go for my hands with his teeth. I turned this into a game, which then became an issue as I had to train him out of it as he got older. Pug puppies can also bite as a way of showing their dominance over you. Whatever the reason is for your Pug puppy biting, it needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. If not, you will have problems with your adult Pug thinking that biting is acceptable. Also, if your Pug suddenly starts biting for no obvious reason please go to the vet immediately — it could be the sign of a new illness or injury. How to stop your Pug puppy from biting Here are different ways that really work if you need to know how you can stop a Pug from biting as a puppy. Squeal like a puppy bite inhibition When you see puppies playing together in their litter, they will let out a tiny squealing sound when bitten by sibling. The puppy that bit will hear the squeal and then tends to back off. As Pug owners we can imitate this behavior! If your Pug puppy bites you and gives you a nip, make a high-pitched squeal sound. You might find your puppy seeks re-assurance and comfort, but the key is to not give it. Instead, ignore them for a few moments, for example; turn your back to them. This might sound mean but if you want your Pug to stop biting it can work very well. The quicker you begin using this technique the sooner your Pug will biting you and your family. All it will do is make your dog scared and could lead to more biting out of fear. I made this mistake with my own puppy, as would push him away playfully, but that just encouraged the biting more. They will want more of the play, so will bite back again. But you are training them into thinking your hands are fair game. Instead you should use chew toys for this type of play. If you can focus their attention onto a toy and not your hands, they will learn that fingers and hands are not there to be bitten. You can also see the prices by clicking the photo below. Puppies will often eat things they should not do, so you will need to hook stuff out of their mouth. You will also need to check the health of their teeth and gums. One of the best ways you can train a Pug puppy to not bite your fingers in their mouth is to use a treat or snack. Let them see it, and then use your fingers to pop it into their mouth and out again. Over time, they should get comfortable letting you put fingers in their mouth without biting back. Train your Pug puppy to not bite over food One of the most common times a Pug puppy will bite is when food is in the equation. Puppies tend to be very overprotective of food, which they learned when in the litter as they had to fight for nutrition. Unfortunately, it will be behavior that can extend to occur over their food bowl. If your Pug is showing food aggression, then you need to train the puppy to learn you are in charge and can pick their bowl up and put it back down at any time — with no aggression from the dog. What you do is put a bowl in front of your Pug then quickly remove it again. Dog trainers tell you to do the loud squeal when the Pug puppy bites you then quickly place your thumb in their mouth, pressing it underneath their tongue. You can then put a finger under the chin. Hold this position for 10 seconds if you can, but not hard enough to hurt the puppy. The Pug will not like it, and it could mean they stop biting you and will learn for next time. Let your Pug know you are in charge Older Pugs that bite will often do it to try to exert dominance over their owner. They can also bite due to jealousy, or when you tell them to do something like get off your chair or bed. You need to train your Pug to realize you are the pack leader and the dominant one. Alphas like us owners, should not be bitten by pack members lower down the chain. Being assertive will help, but often simply rewarding good behavior is enough to get a dog to bend to your will. Socialise your Pug puppy with other dogs Puppies will learn from each other and older dogs. We often look after puppies for our friends. Our friends will often say what a positive impact they see in their young pups after spending a day in the company of our now older dog. And that can include not as much biting. The sooner they can get used to things like this, the sooner they should learn not to bite out of fear. Keep your Pug on a leash when exposing them to new things and noises. Always supervise your puppy when young children are present A Pug that bites a child is a massive problem. There are also specialist animal behaviourists who can help with biting and fear aggression in Pugs. Something to consider though is how long your Pug could be teething for. It can last up until they are 8 months of age, so biting and chewing things is to be expected during this phase. The dangers of a dog bite Adult Pugs that start biting can be dangerous. Whilst they are a small breed, people can get ill from infections. For example, around half of all dog bites will infect the person with bacteria, possibly leading to illness. The result is an open, jagged wound. If the wound becomes infected, it is often severe. The No. You may need hospitalization and require intravenous antibiotics. What do so when bitten by a Pug If you get bitten by a Pug and it leaves a bleeding wound rather than just an abrasion, take the following steps: Press down on the bite wound. This might mean that blood comes out, but that is good as it might help bacteria to come away from the wound. Use clean water and a mild soup to clean the bite wound. Use a clean cloth to press down on the bite wound again as this will help to slow and stop any bleeding. If you have it, apply antibiotic cream to the dog bite wound and then dress it with a new or sterile bandage. If serious, contact a health professional for advice. Conclusion To conclude, some of the quickest ways you can stop a Pug from biting is to make sure you use positive and negative affirmations. In other words, you praise the good, and discourage the bad. Whichever method you try to use, and can be a combination, just make sure that you are consistent when training your Pug puppy to not bite. Tell your friends and family to use the same methods too if they have contact with the puppy. Ultimately, unless you a clear and obvious to your Pug, the puppy will not understand that his biting behavior is a bad thing. You need to take the role of the pack leader. You might also like…. But when Pugs are puppies, biting and nipping is just part and parcel of growing up. Pups explore their new world with their mouths. And a few nips here and there is just part of the experience. Here are some of the most common reasons why your Pug puppy might be biting. They are afraid If your pup is afraid, startled, or stressed for any reason they might react by nipping or biting in defense. When your Pug is still very young, this is not a worrying act of aggression. Nipping is a perfectly normal reflex reaction when your pup is feeling anxious or vulnerable. They are asserting dominance Sometimes pups bite as a way to show dominance over you. Even though Pug puppies are tiny, they still have a big ego. They are exploring Pups explore their new surroundings with their mouths and noses. Mouthing behavior is part and parcel of being a pup. When your Pug is still a puppy, they will not understand that a nip or a bite is a bad thing. That way the nipping phase will be just that. A phase. They are teething Last but not least, just like human babies, Pug pups go through a teething stage. And, just like human babies, your pup will want to chew on everything in sight. What they are actually doing is trying to soothe the pain that they are feeling during the teething process. To help them out, offer your pup a teething toy to chew on or some cold ice cubes to soothe those sore gums. Canines use their mouths for a lot of activities and functions. But not all oral behavior constitutes biting. Biting, nipping, and mouthing are all slightly different. Biting describes when a dog clamps down hard on an object or person. Nipping is not an act of aggression but a play response, or a reaction to a moment of fear or anxiety. Mouthing is a natural explorative behavior — especially for puppies during the teething phase. When Should I Be Worried? As your pooch gets older, play biting can turn into real biting. But biting behavior is still not to be encouraged. DO squeal and yelp This might sound a bit odd, but letting out a squeal or yelp when your pup nips or bites is a bit like speaking puppy language. When puppies play together in the litter this is how they tell their brothers and sisters to back off. So we can do this too. DO use chew toys As your pup starts to mature, stop letting their mouth on your hands and introduce a chew toy instead. Plus you can incorporate the chew into tons of fun and games around the house and garden. Around this time we want to be teaching our pups to feel relaxed when we place our hands in or around their mouth area — without biting. Encourage your pup to stop biting by diverting their attention with a delicious treat and plenty of praise. Some pups will develop food aggression. They may become super protective of their dinner and nip or bite when anybody tries to come near. Only let your Pug eat when the biting behavior ceases. If your pup is a persistent biter try placing your thumb under their tongue and finger under the chin and hold for ten seconds. DO assert your dominance You are in charge. Not your Pug. Pugs can be stubborn and prone to jealousy. Be assertive and reward good behavior with any kind of positive reinforcement — love, cuddles, and treats are usually best. Providing plenty of contact opportunities with other dogs and people is really important. Expose your pup to a variety of situations — even those that might be stressful the first time around e. Just remember to always supervise when your puppy is playing with Children. Your Pug will think that you are dangerous and will most likely continue biting out of fear, as a way of protecting themselves from you. If you do then your Pug will think that nipping and biting are totally fun. So resist temptation and give them some cuddles once they have calmed down. Do not let your Pug bite in perpetuity. Eventually, they must learn that this is not okay. So start training and stop your Pug puppy biting as soon as possible. Your precious little pup has turned into a vampire. How do you stop it? What are the best tactics to prevent Pug biting, chewing, and gnawing on people and property? Why do Pugs bite in the first place, anyway? Do Pugs bite their owners? Pugs have been known to bite their owners. Here are some signs that you might have a biter: They nip at you during playtime. They try to lunge and bite people or animals. You come home to destroyed objects such as chewed-up shoes or remotes. Another sign of a biter or potential biter is if they use their mouth a lot in general. However, if you notice that your Pug puts everything in its mouth, it might have become a habit that you need to break. Why is my Pug biting? For example, do they bite things when they get angry or stressed? This is the equivalent of a toddler having a temper tantrum. It can also be compounded by things like separation anxiety where your Pug self-soothes by gnawing on objects with your scent. Do they have any medical issues? Last but not least, your Pug might simply have a habit of chewing on things. How do I get my Pug to stop biting? There are many tips and tricks to stop a Pug biting, and you can employ a little trial and error to figure out which ones work for you. Ignore them whenever they bite. If your Pug is biting to get attention, take the attention away. Buy them toys or teething objects. Get them used to your hands being around their mouth. Some dogs respond instinctively to the perceived threat of a hand near their face and mouth. You can re-condition this response by slowly and incrementally petting them closer to their snouts. You can also deliver more treats by hand or palm! Another option is enrolling in obedience courses such as the ones available at the Pupford Academy. They have a multitude of training modules that can help with biting, leash walking, crate training, and more. With patience, dedication, and a lot of love, you can de-fang your vampire and turn them back into a sweet and snuggly pup. Good luck! Email There is nothing more gregarious than pug puppies. Seemingly born and breed with boundless enthusiasm, these little fellas are sure to bring in more sweet cuddles your way. However, along with the fun and the attention, some pug puppies tend to bite. Some may end up hurting others without even trying when they get carried away during play or when fear for something sets in. It is important to cut this rambunctious behavior before it gets out of control. Take Charge—Consistently! Pug puppies belong to a naturally good-natured dog breed. While it is very rare for them to bite in an aggressive manner, training them how not to bite will also curve their nipping or chewing. Here are ways how: While training is important, it is also vital that such be done consistently. You can engage in social isolation or time outs by walking away and ignoring the pup. It also helps to cry out when your pug bit too hard. This somehow gives the pug puppy the idea what is not acceptable. Young tots, for instance, tend to be very playful. They run and shriek engaging pugs to be hyperactive thereby, adding to the problem at hand. It is also wise to use some anti-bite or anti-chew deterrent. It can be easily washed off your hands, too. Consider the idea that your pug puppy may be teething. Thus, a teething toy can come handy during training. Try to calm the pup by talking in a gentle voice while stroking it. But remember to keep your hand away from easy preying of its mouth. Make sure to stop the game when not in play. It is important to keep safe during training. A biting pug pup must be handled with utmost gentleness and care consistently. Rough play will not only encourage it to bite, it also ascertains such behavior as it grows. Keep them in a fenced surrounding when you have young children in tow. Never go to the point of threatening a young pug with rods or sticks. Preying on their fear will not help in the long run. Like a small child, a reward is essential when learning how to train pug puppy not to bite. Pug pups naturally crave for attention. Preventive Measure Is Best Becoming a new pug parent is an enjoyable task. There is so much to enjoy ahead of you! Knowing how to train pug puppy not to bite is but a small pebble in your shoe. It requires patience and persistence but most importantly, consistency. The key is to realize that teaching your pet not to bite is your responsibility. You would not want it to grow with behavioral issues, would you?

Mouthing Overprotectiveness Early socialization and consistent training can help with overcoming any negative traits your dog might have. Since both of these breeds are intelligent breeds , your dog is likely to be very smart and bring you years of fun. Are These Dogs Good for Families? They are very protective and great with kids. Since Rottweilers are prone to having issues with bloat, you want to give them meals staggered through the day, rather than allowing your dog to eat anything he wants. Otherwise, he might be overeating so he feels full. They need serious exercise. These big dogs need hour-long walks, jogs, or runs per day. You can do it at once or you can do shorter walks. Not only that, but they love agility training with a frisbee or ball. This will help keep him mentally stimulated. This can be things like: Barking Chewing Urinating or defecating inside Another great way that you can give him exercise is to take him to a dog park. This will allow him to socialize with some other dogs and get the exercise he needs. We reviewed the best anti chew sprays — see our top picks here! A lot of people believe that dogs such as Rottweilers need dominance training. This kind of training is best achieved by establishing boundaries and rules. You want to reinforce them using a consistent, firm approach. You can give them a role like carrying a stick, backpack , or ball on your hike or walk. Grooming will help cut down on shedding. Doing this is going to help with removing loose dirt, hair and tangles that might be on his body. Golden Rotties have ears that are folded over, where excess moisture can be trapped easily. This can cause irritations and infections easily. When you dry his ears thoroughly, you can avoid these issues. This will help keep his paws snag-free and healthy. However, with any type of crossbreed, your Golden Rottie Retriever may have issues that are common with Golden Retrievers and Rottweilers. Minor Conditions. Rottweiler mixed with Golden Retriever Rottweiler mixed with the golden retriever Golden Retriever The Golden Retriever is a large-scale gun dog that recovers shot waterfowl during hunting and shooting parties, such as ducks and upland game birds. Golden retrievers enjoy water naturally and are easy to train to simple and advanced levels of obedience. They are a long-coated breed with a thick inner coat that gives them ample outdoor heat and an outer layer that lies flat against their bodies and repels rain. Golden retrievers are ideal for living in suburban or country settings. The breed of purebred dogs is a famous participant in conformation shows. The Golden Retriever is popular as a dog with disability assistance, such as being a blind guide dog and a deaf hearing dog. They are trained as a hunting dog, a tracking dog, and a partner in search and rescue. It is a medium sized, solidly built breed with a dense, water repelling wavy coat. Some regional variations have emerged in the kind as a dog with pedigree breeding origins due to its widespread historical popularity. Hence, the three Golden Retriever subtypes reflect the typical variations in dimensions and coat. The Rottweiler The RottweilerIt is a amazing dog breed, considered to be a large breed here in America. German Rottweilers are top bred dogs just like the Serbian Rottweilers. Rottweilers are used as search and rescue dogs, guard dogs, and police dogs. Rottweilers make great family pets and great guard dogs. Grooming needs are ver simple. Rottweilers all have similar looks but you must know the breed standard to really see the differences. They are medium to large standard size. Golden Rottie The loyal and friendly Golden Rottie is a dedicated and protective family pet that combines the best of two large breed dogs. The downside of having Rottweiler mixed with golden retriever may be that this becomes an issue when, when young, he is not socialized and becomes ultra-sensitive to sudden sounds or new faces—responding aggressively and continuously barking or becoming violent. Your big boy can be welcoming to children, other family pets and dogs when socialized adequately and is a joy to have as a family pet. Features of golden Rotttie Size, height and weight An adult male Rottie can weigh between 95 and pounds and stand between 24 and 27 inches in height. A Rottweiler female can weigh between 80 and pounds and stand between 22 and 25 inches. Golden Rottie crosses such a variety of heights and weights, the best way to predict the weight and height of your adult Golden Rottweiler puppy is to know as much as you can about the length, height, and weight of each parent dog. A diet rich in protein is best with your Golden Rottie being a muscular, highly active pooch. And within an hour of feeding, no workout or intense activity should be expected. This dog is highly vulnerable to common problems later in life, so you must create and maintain an ideal weight by not allowing him to over-eat. To avoid the problems that may arise when an always hungry dog is around people or food, it is essential that while his food is high in protein that satisfies his hunger, it is also low in carbohydrates. Training The parent breeds of the Golden Rottie are both very intelligent. When you combine the ease to please temperament of the Golden with the skill of the Rottie to follow instructions without the need for constant repetition, this pooch learning is a relatively simple process. Today, some believe that dominance training is required for a dog like a Rottie, where the pack-leader is known as the owner versus the dog. This type of training should never be aggressive and can be done by setting rules and boundaries and then using a firm, consistent approach to reinforce them. It can be as easy as having him hold his ball, a stick or a bag on your ride or run. Given its large size, when properly socialized, this dog is kind and loving, getting along well with kids and other animals. He should bark if what he sees as a threat—like new faces or sounds. While this makes him a good protector, it also means that unless his interaction has helped him accept new faces and become relaxed in different situations. He can become a nuisance barker. Golden Retrievers are known to be suffering from anxiety about separation. You may well experience that with this dog, and it may be something you need to look for and work. Stress from being alone, like a lack of exercise or mental stimulation, can result in destructive behaviors. This is because they were crossed in an attempt to limit or eliminate known medical problems. That said, you must understand what your new family member will inherit from the line and the Golden Rottie. Which can include joint issues from both parents, other Golden Retriever tumors and allergies, as well as Rottweiler bloat and aortic stenosis? Life Expectancy The Golden Rottie will need regular exercise. Top-quality food tailored for its age and size, and preventive maintenance checks with your veterinarian to ensure a long, healthy life. As a result, you can expect him to live for 10 to 12 years, which is quite typical of a bigger dog. ACK is solely devoted to the development of pure breed dog breeds. At this time, none of the other, lesser-known registries recognizes this dog as well. Puppies It can be expected that Golden Rotties will have a litter size between 6 and 10 puppies. Litters may be to large to be handled gently from birth. Because these babies come from two smart dog breeds, they are going to be easy to train. Start teaching basic commands from a few months of age. Socialization will be an essential part of raising a well-adjusted dog. The earlier the better, that will get along well with children and other animals, and this process can begin from an early age as well. Exposure to new faces, other animals, sights and sounds that are done slowly and over time. Typically between the ages of 2 and 4 months. It will help the new pup build trust in a controlled environment. Golden Rottie breeders are hard to find. Depending on the quality of the breeder i. The strength and endurance of the parents. When you decide to buy a dog instead of a puppy, it might be a little better for him or her. These dogs are a perfect choice for a family pet. The Golden Rottweilers can be a good watchdog due to its protection. Whenever he perceives danger, he will not hesitate to bark to warn his family. It would be better if at least three times a week you brushed them. They are protective of making Golden Rottweilers a good watchdog. If he perceives a threat, he will not hesitate to bark to alert his friends. Reasons why most households do not prefer Rottweiler mixed with Golden Retriever 1. If you have young children or other sensitive pets, a big and powerful dog is not great. Doggypedia list reasons why you should NOT get a rottweiler retriever mix. If you have young children or elderly animals living with you, it can be quite challenging to have this pet. Golden Retrievers, although Rottweilers tend to be aggressive, are considered sweet. Having a Golden Rotties as a pet is quite a gamble. You may not know which trait is going to be more dominant. Diet and exercise These hybrid animals on both sides of the parentage are incredibly active. In other words, you need to prepare for a lot of fetch games and long daily walks. You may also face the risks of getting soaked because they have a golden retriever passion for swimming. Major health issues of Rottweiler mixed with Golden Retriever There are some significant risks you need to know about your safety. There is an obesity threat that may shorten their lifespan. Besides this, due to their heritage, there is also a notable concern about elbow dysplasia. Rottweiler Boston Terrier Mix Share on facebook. Hemivertebra Rottweiler And Golden Retriever Mix Food Requirements Every dog should have a nutrient-rich diet that is designed to meet its needs from size, activity, and age. A Golden Retriever Rottweiler Mix needs a high-protein diet ideally because of it being muscular and a highly active dog. It is also crucial that you feed your dog smaller meals staggered throughout the day for they are prone to bloat. Because of the health issues of the Golden Rottie, especially with joint problems, it is essential that you establish and maintain ideal weight by not allowing it to over-eat and no exercise or heavy activity should happen within an hour after eating. With an ingredient list that includes: chicken, turkey, and salmon. Aside from this, it also contains high-quality, complex carbohydrates and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid to maintain the beautiful fur of your dog. The good thing about this dog food is that it contains chondroitin and glucosamine which can help in stable bone growth and promotes joint health. Being a responsible dog parent means making sure that your dog, big or small, is always happy and healthy, so you want to chose the best dry dog food for small dogs or best large breed dry dog food appropriately. If your dog is still a yapper, check out our list of best puppy food brands. This big crossed breed dog needs a long, pleasant walk, jog or run of at least 1 to 2 hours a day; it can be at one time or combined. It will help if you also do some agility training such as catching a ball or a frisbee to keep it mentally stimulated. Lack of exercise can make it restless and bored which may lead to it picking up destructive behaviors such as urinating or defecating in your home, barking or chewing. Another excellent way for your dog to interact and socialize with other dogs is an off-leash visit to the park, which can also help in burning off some of his boundless energy. With the size of the dog, it is essential that you teach it the basic commands like: come, sit, stay and down. It is crucial especially when they are young for it will soon become a nuisance behavior after he has reached adulthood. Here are other tips to consider when training your dog: Training should never be aggressive. You can achieve this by establishing boundaries and rules and reinforcing them using a firm, consistent approach. Offer them a job that will make them fulfill their role in the pack like letting it carry his ball or stick. Provide loads of verbal praise and treats when he did a good job. Rottweiler Golden Retriever Mix and Families The Rottweiler Golden Retriever mix is considered to be a good family pet because of his affectionate nature and protective instinct. Golden Rott is a loyal and devoted dog; the Rottweiler Golden Retriever mix is quite popular with an active family. With its playfulness and dynamic traits, your kids can enjoy a Golden Rottie at home. If you are kind to these dogs during their younger years and have helped them established their place in your family, then for sure they will respond with loyalty, kindness and a playful nature making them one of the softest family-centered dogs. Should a Rottweiler Mix take after their Rottweiler parent, they will be a larger and strong dog breed that has a sweet, lovable personality and a protective instinct. Rotties tend to be calm and aloof. They also love their families and are lovable, playful, and affectionate with them. As long as they have been properly socialized, a Rottweiler will still be alert and protective of their families, but they will also be open and friendly to new people, especially once they have been introduced. The other parent breed will introduce some traits that could affect this in a Rottweiler Mix, so you want to make sure you ask about them. You can also meet the mother dog in-person to see what her temperament is like and the manners she is modeling for her puppies. Although the breeder should have started training and socialization, it is up to you to continue training and socializing a puppy once you get them home. Rottweilers are moderately adaptable dogs that are better suited to homes with fenced yards. They are more sensitive to heat and do not tolerate extreme temperatures very well. They also do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. The other parent breed could introduce the potential for a Rottweiler Mix to be more or less adaptable. They could inherit none of the conditions common to their parent breeds, or they could inherit all of them or any combination of them. From the Rottweiler side, potential health conditions to be aware of in a Rottweiler Mix include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and osteosarcoma. The other parent breed will introduce its own set of conditions and you want to be aware of them. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to ensure they are not passing issues on to puppies. So, you should be asking about the health and genetic history of both of the parents anyway. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. Although the Rottweiler is a highly trainable dog breed that picks up on things quickly and is eager to please, they can be a challenge for first-time dog owners. They need structure and consistency in training and a confident leader to train them. As such, puppy training classes are recommended. The other parent breed could make a Rottweiler Mix easier or more difficult to train, so you do want to ask the breeder about them. They help reinforce training, strengthen the bond you have with your puppy, and also offer socialization opportunities. A Rottweiler Mix can inherit a coat similar to one of their parents or a coat that is truly a mix of both. If they inherit the Rottie coat, they will shed a bit year-round and heavier as the seasons change. Due to a lack of good dental care for dogs , gum disease is one of the most common health issues for them. Brushing teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day can help prevent painful dental diseases later in life. A Rottweiler is a working dog breed with moderate exercise requirements. They need a job to do in addition to daily walks, playtime, and some extra activity. If the other parent breed also sits in the moderate range, then you can expect something similar from a Rottweiler Mix. But, if the other parent breed is a high-energy breed, then you will need to be prepared for the possibility of a high-energy dog. Fully-grown Rottweilers usually stand inches tall and weighs pounds. The other parent breed can have a big effect on this, especially if they are the mother. So, make sure you ask the breeder about them. Although it is not a guarantee, you can also meet the mother dog in-person to get an idea of what size to expect in a fully-grown Rottweiler Mix. Rotties generally live for years. Although the other parent breed may affect this slightly, you should still be able to expect a similar life span in a Rottweiler Mix. Featured Rottweiler Mix Article. Playful Friendly Other than being watchful over you and the house the Rottweiler Golden Retriever is awesome with people of all ages. You can never go wrong with too much training. Exercise needs of the Rottweiler Golden Retriever mix The Rottweiler Golden Retriever Mix exercise needs are high, they need at least two very long walks per day, and or one to two long runs per day. Retrievers also love the water so keep that in mind, the Rottweiler Golden Retriever mix is also pretty smart. So while exercise and play are great you also need to hone in that mind of theirs. Otherwise, they will find a way to amuse themselves so whether that means herding, search and rescue, obstacle course, or just learning new tricks is a great way of keeping him or her out of trouble. Health Concerns for the Rottweiler Golden Retriever Bloat — Bloating happens when he has eaten and is then exercised this can make the stomach turn over and twist which can be very deadly if not immediately caught and fixed. Cataracts — A natural thing that happens with age Arthritis — Some Rotties can get arthritis at an early age Bone cancer — Sadly the Rottie has one of the highest rates of bone cancer. So instead of brushing them once every week. So they would need to be brushed every day during those months. During the changing of summer to winter coats or vice versa you will differently need the vacuum during those times. Make sure to clean the ears whenever you wash your dog. His teeth are also very important so brushing them should be every two weeks. Sadly yesterday Colby was diagnosed with congestive heart failure from a grain-free diet. I am broken-hearted. Please let me know if you can help. Thank you. But I have to say Colby is the most lovable, loyal, kind, fun-loving, kids and family-friendly dog I have ever owned.