how to train a labrador puppy to sit
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click on a link and purchase the item. This comes at no extra cost to you. Looking for the best brushes for your golden retriever? This is an important question since not all brushes are created equal. Some brushes are great for golden retriever coats, some are ineffective on their coats, and some are potentially damaging to their coats. This is because why you need to brush your golden determines what type of brush to get them. There are three reasons you need to brush your golden: Brushing prevents and removes mats Brushing gets rid of loose fur and debris Brushing elps you have less loose fur around the house Preventing and removing mats is the most important reason for brushing your golden. Mats are clumps of tangled fur that can be painful and lead to skin problems. It would be like trying to brush out a piece of gum stuck in your hair. Sounds pretty awful, right? Well, the good news is that regular and proper brushing can prevent mats, or at least remove them before they get too bad. The next reason you need to brush your golden retriever is to get rid of loose fur and debris. My golden, Oliver, loves to roll around outside, but when he comes in he brings all sorts of things with him. Leaves, sticks, dirt, and sticky plant seeds cling to him and either get buried in his undercoat which can lead to mats or get deposited on the floor. Brushing gets this stuff out of his fur. And finally, brushing your golden retriever will get loose fur off of them and onto the brush, rather than off of them and onto your floors. Getting a golden retriever puppy? Check out the Golden Retriever Puppy Handbook! If you only brush the top coat, then you could be missing out on harmful mats in the undercoat. Slicker brushes are made up of fine wire angled teeth that get out tangles, mats, and dead fur. Our favorite slicker brush is this self-cleaning slicker brush because it does a good job at brushing your golden, has gentle teeth, and cleans itself by getting all the fur out of the brush with the push of a button. You can get this slicker brush from Amazon here. Undercoat rakes are a little tougher on mats and tangles than slicker brushes, and are great at getting out dead fur from the undercoat. You can get this undercoat rake from Amazon here. Other Brushes For Golden Retrievers Although most people will be fine with just a slicker brush and an undercoat rake, there are other types of brushes for your golden. Many brushes are 2-in-1 combos of both pin brushes and bristle brushes like this Wahl dog brush. Combs are another option for brushing your dog. They do a similar job as undercoat rakes and are useful for getting mats out. This Andis Pet steel comb is good because it has teeth that are spaced out for when you first start working on a mat, as well as teeth that are closer together to help you finish it off. Remember the gum analogy earlier? Most people opt to just use a slicker brush and an undercoat rake since those do a good enough job. However, some people do love their deshedding tools and use them on their golden retrievers. What are your thoughts on deshedders? Let me know down in the comments! How Often To Brush Your Golden Retriever Since goldens have long, thick coats and shed like maniacs, you need to brush them times per week. Some goldens have longer, thicker coats than others, and need to be brushed everyday, while others like field golden retrievers have shorter coats and need to be brushed just a few times per week. Another factor that goes into how often to brush your golden retriever is the season. Of course, with all the extra dead fur, you may have to brush them more often then. And here are two pro tips if you want a clean house: Tip 1: Brush them outside When you brush your golden hair is going to be flying everywhere. Unless you want it to fall on your floors, brush them outside. Tip 2: Rub them down after you brush them Once you brush them, there will be a lot of leftover fur still laying on them. Rub them down with your hands in the same direction the fur lies to get it all off before you go inside. This will spare your vacuum from having to suck up a little extra fur later. The answer: as soon as you get them! However, you do want to brush them early and often to get them used to being brushed. Give them a lot of treats and keep the brushing sessions short and fun so that they learn to like being brushed. Conclusion The best brush for golden retrievers is a slicker brush. Some goldens will also need an undercoat rake if they have thick coats or get mats often. Have any questions about golden retriever brushes? Related articles:. The firm metal bristles easily brush through the thick coat of a Golden Retriever without harming their skin or causing discomfort. The bristles have a massaging effect on your dog and I find even when applying a good amount of pressure, my Golden enjoys it. This brush has an ergonomic handle with a non-slip grip to ensure a comfortable and safe brushing experience. A steel-tipped pin brush is great for everyday brushing to remove loose hair, dirt, and debris, and to smooth the coat. Pin brushes are gentle and safe to use without causing any discomfort to your dog. Steel Tipped Bristles. Smooths The Coat. Pros: A great brush to use for daily brushing to remove light tangles, and smooth the coat. This brush is lightweight and comfortable to hold. Stimulates the skin and distributes natural oils promoting a healthy shiny coat. Suitable for various coat types, making it a great option for Golden Retrievers with wavy, straight, or thick coats. Well made brush at a great price point. Cons: Not suitable for removing heavy mats or severe tangles. May not effectively remove loose hair from the dense undercoat. Tips For Brushing Golden Retrievers In a perfect world, your Golden Retriever would just sit still and let you brush his coat without a fuss. By following these helpful tips below, you can transform the brushing experience into something positive and enjoyable for both you and your Golden. We discussed 3 different types of essential brushes for Golden Retrievers, each with a different purpose. A slicker brush for removing tangles and mats, and loose hair, an undercoat rake for managing the dense undercoat, and a pin brush for daily brushing. I would suggest starting off with a pin brush as this is the type of brush that is the most gentle and comfortable for your dog. When your dog enjoys the brush you are using, it will make the brushing experience more enjoyable. Keep the brushing sessions short, use treats and praise, and be consistent. Establish A Routine Dogs love having a routine, it makes them feel safe and secure. Use Gentle Brushing Techniques Always be gentle when brushing your Golden Retriever by using light pressure and brushing with the hair growth. It is especially important to apply light pressure when using certain types of brushes such as a slicker brush and grooming rake, to avoid any skin irritation or discomfort. This short video demonstrates how to use a slicker brush properly: Brush One Section At A Time You may find that your Golden has a hard time sitting, standing, or laying in one spot for any amount of time, making it difficult to get the entire coat brushed. This also allows you to focus on any problem areas such as behind the ears where matting can occur, or behind the legs, or the tail which can easily become tangled. Brush Outside Brushing your Golden outside will eliminate the amount of hair inside your home. I always make a point of brushing my Golden Retriever outside, it allows her to lay in the grass or snow and chew her favourite stick. Make It A Positive Experience If you make brushing positive for your Golden Retriever, they will enjoy and look forward to being brushed. How can you make brushing enjoyable? Use treats and praise after a successful brushing session. Keep brushing sessions short and gradually increase the time. Be gentle and use the appropriate brush. Schedule brushing before a walk or playtime, that way your dog is rewarded after with a fun activity. The razor-sharp teeth cut the protective topcoat and make it appear frizzy and damaged. It really does more harm than good. There really is no need to use a Furminator on a Golden Retriever , especially when there are much safer and gentler options such as a slicker brush, or an undercoat rake. FAQs The following are the most frequently asked questions that Golden Retriever owners have about brushing. If you have any other questions please leave them in the comments below. Overall, the best type of brush for a Golden Retriever is a slicker brush, as it effectively brushes and removes loose hair from the double coat, keeping it smooth and tangle free. However, most Golden Retriever owners will use a slicker brush in combination with an undercoat rake to manage the dense undercoat and a pin brush for everyday brushing and smoothing the coat. Yes, Golden Retrievers need to be brushed in order to keep their thick double coats free of dirt, debris, tangles, and mats. Brushing helps to remove any loose dead hair and reduces shedding. It also distributes natural oils through the coat to keep it healthy and shiny. You should be brushing your Golden Retriever at least once or twice a week to maintain a healthy coat and keep it free from any tangles or mats. Daily brushing is really best to reduce the amount of hair in your home, and brushing your Golden Retriever daily only takes about 10 minutes. The best detangler brush for Golden Retrievers is a slicker brush with fine, gentle bristles. The best tool to deshed a Golden Retriever is an undercoat rake. Undercoat rakes are designed specifically to reach and remove loose hair from the dense undercoat. By using an undercoat rake regularly once a week , you can minimize shedding and maintain a cleaner home environment. Overall, if you have to pick just one brush that would be best for Golden Retrievers, it would be a slicker brush. However, incorporating an undercoat rake once a week, or even during the heavy shedding seasons, will really help cut down on the amount of hair in your home. For everyday brushing and removing light tangles, a pin brush is a great option. Do you have a favourite brush to use on your Golden Retriever? What is your experience with using these brushes? Let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you! Jenny I am the proud owner of a Golden Retriever named Ellie. She keeps me busy, and when she is resting, you can find me working on my blog. She is always close by though. I live in Stirling, ON Canada with my husband, and we both enjoy the never a dull moment life with our Ellie. Spread the love. This is the most versatile grooming set on our list, and it offers a range of dog brushes and beyond — in one buy. The set includes slicker and bristle brush options, a de-matting comb, an undercoat rake, a shedding blade, and a double-sided pin and bristle brush. Each tool is a high-quality one, made of durable materials, and is supposed to serve you long. It covers various grooming needs, and not only contains all necessary brushes for Golden Retrievers but also is the only option here with an undercoat rake included in the package. Additionally, the effectiveness of some tools may not match that of standalone grooming tools specifically designed for certain purposes. Brushing, especially for dogs with wavy coats, is essential to remove loose fur, prevent tangles, and maintain a neat appearance. Particularly, the double coat often remains neglected. Classic, or wavy coat Golden Retrievers with a wavy coat type have hair that forms loose waves. The waves are not tightly curled but have a gentle and flowing appearance. This coat type is common and is considered the classic Golden Retriever look. The wavy coat provides good protection against weather elements and requires regular grooming with a suitable grooming comb. English cream, or straight coat Some Goldies have a straight coat, which lacks the wavy or curly texture seen in wavy-coated dogs. While less common than the wavy coat, the straight coat is still recognized and accepted within the breed standard. Dogs with a straight coat may have less feathering on the legs and tail compared to those with a wavy coat. How to choose a good dog brush for a Golden Retriever? Considering the best dog brush for your Golden Retriever, pay attention to a few factors to make sure you select the right one: Bristle type. Opt for a gentle yet effective brush suitable for Goldies. Best dog brushes are fine and flexible slicker brushes that prevent matting and remove shedding hair. Natural or synthetic bristles, on the other hand, distribute oils for a healthy coat. Size and comfort. Look for an ergonomic handle for a secure grip. Coat length. Long-haireddogs benefit from longer bristles that reach the undercoat and enhance blood circulation. Quality and durability. Invest in a durable brush. Stainless steel and high-quality plastic are the best long-lasting materials. Additional features. Your best brush might have something extra to offer. Look for self-cleaning mechanisms, adjustable bristle lengths, or dual-sided designs for added versatility. An undercoat rake or blade included in grooming gear will be a huge plus for dogs with a thick undercoat. To achieve that without too much trouble, follow these tips: Regular brushing. This helps maintain a clean and tangle-free coat. Put an undercoat rake to use if a brush alone seems not enough. Balanced diet. Provide your Golden Retriever with a nutritious and balanced diet to support a healthier coat. Consult with your veterinarian for appropriate food choices. Gentle shampoo. When bathing your Golden Retriever, use a mild dog shampoo formulated for their specific skin type. Avoid harsh chemicals that can strip the coat of its natural oils. Routine grooming. This helps maintain overall coat health. Weather protection. Protect them from hot sun or cold wind to prevent drying out or damaging the coat. Regular vet visits. Ensure regular check-ups to address any health issues that may affect the coat. Your vet can provide you guidance on specific care needs for your Golden Retriever. How to groom a Golden Retriever puppy? Grooming a Golden Retriever puppy requires a gentle and patient approach to help them become accustomed to the grooming process. Here are some tips to groom a Golden Retriever puppy: Start when the puppy is young. Brush your puppy regularly. Other Key Features to Consider in Brushes for Golden Retrievers Ergonomic design for easy handling and reduced strain on hands and wrists during grooming. Retractable buttons or self-cleaning features to make hair removal quick and convenient. High-quality materials that are durable and long-lasting for regular use. Specialized brushes for specific grooming needs, such as deshedding, massaging, or removing loose hair. Gentle bristles or teeth to prevent discomfort or skin irritation during grooming sessions. Non-slip grips for better control while brushing your active Golden Retriever. Versatility to use the brush on both wet and dry fur. Recommended and approved by professional groomers or veterinarians for reliable performance. A healthy coat will feel soft to the touch and not excessively oily or have an unpleasant smell, which might indicate yeast build-up or bacterial issues. A dusty appearance or frequent balls of undercoat fur shedding may signal allergies, hormonal imbalances, infections, or other concerns. For heavy shedders, a slicker brush is effective in tackling matting and removing loose, dead hairs. Alternatively, a gentle pin brush works well for regular coat maintenance, but it may struggle with severe matting. Dogs with long coats, like Golden Retrievers, often require more frequent brushing to manage tangling and matting. Many Golden Retriever owners prefer combining a slicker brush with a metal comb to achieve comprehensive grooming results. If you prefer simplicity and efficiency, opting for a slicker brush could be the best choice, as it efficiently removes matting and loose undercoat hair, streamlining your grooming routine. Every other day brushing for moderate shedders and regular coat maintenance. Weekly brushing for light shedders and short-haired Golden Retrievers. Wrapping Up Finding the best brush for your Golden Retriever is a crucial step towards maintaining their luscious coat and overall well-being. With their unique double coat, Golden Retrievers require specialized grooming tools that effectively address their shedding and matting needs. Embrace the tips and recommendations shared here to make grooming sessions a positive and rewarding experience for both you and your furry companion. Invest in the best brush for your Golden Retriever and witness the remarkable transformation in their health, beauty, and happiness. Happy grooming! How often should I shampoo my Golden Retriever? Shampooing a Golden Retriever should generally be done once a month, or as needed if the dog gets particularly dirty. Over-shampooing can strip the coat of its natural oils. Can you wash a Golden Retriever every week? Washing a Golden Retriever every week can be excessive and might dry out their skin and coat. Can I use baby wipes on my dog? Baby wipes can be used on a dog for a quick clean-up, but make sure they are fragrance-free and alcohol-free. How do you clean Golden Retriever ears? Gently wipe the inside of the ear, but avoid inserting anything into the ear canal, as this could cause injury. Regular check-ups with a vet can ensure proper ear health. Can I shave my Golden Retriever to prevent shedding? No, shaving a Golden Retriever is generally not advised as it can actually cause more problems. Their double coat provides insulation and protects their skin from sun and environmental damage. Regular brushing and grooming are the best ways to manage shedding. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. Gentle and effective on tangles Easy to hold and comfortable grip Stainless steel pins on one side and soft nylon bristles on the other What We Don't Like Nylon bristle side is difficult to clean The Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush is effective, versatile, and suitable for a variety of dog coats. One side has stainless steel pins that can help untangle knots and collect loose hair, particularly for dogs with long, curly, or wiry fur. On the flip side, the brush head has soft nylon bristles for fluffing and for short coats. The heads of the pins have rounded tips, so the brush is gentle against the skin, and the nylon bristles are very soft so most dogs don't seem to notice when they are being groomed with that side. We tested the Hartz Groomer's Best Combo Dog Brush on dogs with a variety of coats, including long, fine hair and long, matted hair—the brush performed exceptionally well with both. It worked best on our border collie test subject. One tester even noted that it worked well on her dog's thick butt hair. The Hartz brush was less effective for dogs with short hair and also isn't the right tool if you're looking to tame your dog's undercoat. The heads of the pins have rounded tips, so the brush is particularly gentle. For humans, the brush has a soft rubber handle that makes it comfortable to hold. The pin side is somewhat easier to clean than the bristle side, and we recommend clearing out all the hair you collect after each brushing session to prevent build-up. Brushing any dog is important , as it helps to keep their skin and coat healthy by removing and preventing mats, circulating natural oils, and getting rid of dirt and debris. However, regular grooming of a golden retriever is even more important than it is for dogs with shorter coats, and pet parents should ideally aim to brush their dog for at least a few minutes every day with the best dog brush for a golden retriever. This can result in their coats getting tangled and muddy after walks, as well as occasionally seeming to bring back half the outside foliage embedded in their coats. Therefore, a regular grooming routine is essential to keep them clean and comfy. Regular Handling Helps To Socialize Your Dog Getting into a good routine of grooming can also make your life much easier when taking your pup to the vet or even to a professional groomer, as they will be used to staying still to be handled. Pin Brush These brushes have long, wide-spaced wire pins. They can come with rubber-tipped pins for added comfort. Bristle Brush Bristle brushes do a similar job to pin brushes, but they are more multipurpose, suiting short-coated dogs as well as longer-coated breeds. They come with different bristle lengths and spacings for different types of coats — longer, wider spaced varieties are best for goldens. They also help to stimulate the skin and remove stubborn dirt. These can be a good everyday kind of tool for a quick brush in between more thorough grooming sessions. Slicker Brush Slicker brushes are great for removing loose hair and dirt. They consist of rows of fine wire pins, which are perfect for detangling longer hair. Each pin has a slightly angled end which helps to remove any loose fur. They come in a range of different sizes, so you can pick one that suits your dog. They should be used with caution, as they can cause discomfort if too much pressure is used. Undercoat Rake The purpose of an undercoat rake is to help remove the undercoat during shedding and also generally detangle the undercoat. They come in different lengths, so be sure to pick one suitable for a golden retriever. A Guide To Buying The Best Brush For Golden Retrievers By now, you already know which brush type to go for, but there are still lots of factors you do not want to ignore when shopping for the best dog brush for your golden retriever. Some come with shorter handles, and others have bigger handles. A handle that does not fit well in your hands will strain your wrist and arm and generally be uncomfortable to use. For golden retrievers specifically, the ideal brush has to be suitable for double-coated breeds. You will also run into some that are versatile enough to cater to different coats. Pin Design Top-grade dog brushes mostly feature either flexible, soft, rounded, or bendable pins. Stay away from extremely cheap brushes, as most of them have stiff, sharp pins that are more likely to harm your dog than properly groom them. As a rule, most golden retriever owners will find they need the following brushes to various degrees: a wire pin brush, a bristle brush, a slicker brush, and an undercoat rake. Most golden retriever owners will use at least one of the following brushes to various degrees: a wire pin brush, a bristle brush, a slicker brush, and an undercoat rake. All of the brushes on our list are ideal to use on a golden retriever. You only have to figure out the purpose for which you need the brush for. This will help you narrow your selection to the best brush for your golden retriever in the four categories we looked at above. How much brushing does a golden retriever need? Golden retrievers should be groomed once to twice a week to avoid instances such as painful matting and excess shedding. Remember to use either a pin or bristle brush for regular shedding for regular brushing. But when their hair is too tangled, it would be better to first spray it with water or an appropriate conditioner before brushing it. A slicker brush is the perfect option for this purpose. How do you use a slicker brush on a golden retriever? Earlier on, I briefly mentioned that slicker brushes should be used with caution because they tend to cause a bit of discomfort, especially when you use excess pressure. Instead, use short, gentle strokes to avoid causing irritation. When should I start brushing my golden retriever? Most vets recommend that you start brushing golden retrievers while they are still puppies or around months old. Take it slow at first to allow your pup to become familiar with the grooming process. Remember to use the appropriate brush for the appropriate purpose. Most manufacturers have various options designed for grooming puppies and adult dogs. Last Word On The Best Brushes For Golden Retrievers For first-time owners of golden retrievers, it can seem like a minefield picking out the best brush for your golden retriever. But even long-time lovers of goldens can find themselves confused, too! You May Also Like.
Apricot poodles are the rarest Poodles of them all. It is caused by a recessive gene. The color comes off as a very light red, almost resembling cream. Apricot is believed to be the last color developed in the Poodle breed. However, phantom Poodles are pretty rare too. Besides the standard phantom , we consider merle as another rare color. Poodle Coat Color Changes Photo from: myfavouritedogsalon When a Poodle puppy is born with a solid color coat, you should be aware of many factors that can affect the coat color change, especially when the dog becomes an adult. If the puppy keeps the same color, it is called holding. However, many Poodles clear. But, what does this mean? When the coat fades or lightens to another color, it is named a clear. Many dog owners can become confused as their Poodle changes color to a completely opposite one than their initial coat color. Take our true blue Poodle, for example. Blue Poodle puppies are often misinterpreted as black. Experienced breeders should know the difference. If that puppy has parti parents in the bloodline, as the coat clears in the first two years, other colors may appear, and the black puppy who was actually a blue parti will become a parti with a wide array of possible colors. Poodles have a gene called progressive graying on the G locus. When a black, blue, or brown Poodle has the mutation in this gene, they will gradually fade in color as they mature. But, not all black, blue, or brown Poodles have this gene mutation. Some dogs even experience small changes throughout their whole lives. Can Poodles Have Blue Eyes? Photo from: wackelbrueder So, can Poodles have blue eyes? The answer is very simple. Yes, Poodles can naturally have blue eyes. Blue eyes can often be a sign of something wrong with the canine, which occurs much more often than a fancy mutation. Another fellow canine, the Siberian Husky , is known for its gorgeous icy blues. Blue eyes are a sign of beauty and grace. Huskies with heterochromia are highly desirable. Signs Of Issues Poodles are a popular dog breed among dog breeders, both reliable ones and those who are not. Illegal breeders use lots of underhanded techniques to breed Poodle puppies. Blue eyes are usually a clue to such breeding. A Poodle with blue eyes likely has some form of issue, for example eye disease. Blue eyes in Poodles are uncommon. The Merle Gene The merle gene is responsible for our gorgeously marked pets. The problems associated with this gene, however, are truly a problem. The merle gene is commonly associated with deafness, blindness, and physical deformities. A double merle puppy will have a much higher chance of being deaf and blind. The first indicators of this gene are blue eyes and the merle coat pattern. The only way you can figure out the type of problems you will be facing with a merle Poodle is to look into the bloodline. The breed standard for these breeds involves dark eyes that are black or dark brown. Moyen Poodle is a French term for the fourth Poodle size. The breed was founded almost five centuries ago in Western Europe. We all know that the Poodle is an active and intelligent dog that is very elegant and squarely built. Poodles have a moderately rounded skull with a slight and definite stop. The muzzle is long and straight. The breed standard includes dark, oval-shaped eyes with an alert and smart expression. The ears should fold over to the head, set at or slightly below eye level. Poodles are easily trainable canines that excel in typical training lessons like potty training as well as obedience training. But, what about the Moyen Poodle? Are they similar to these breed standards? Moyen Poodles are only smaller in size than the regular Poodle but slightly bigger than the Miniature Poodle. This can make your blue Poodle appear black. Many Poodles appear very dark from far away, but once you get closer, you can see their blue tint. Experienced dog breeders even make mistakes by registering blues as black Poodles. They only notice the mistake once the dog turns several months of age. The sun may reveal the secret. Is there any difference between blue and black Poodles? Of course, there is! But, those differences are much deeper than the eye can see. Most people believe there are no major differences between the two Poodle colorations, but you may be wondering about the possible similarities between the two. So, how are blue and black Poodles similar? Well, they are similar in pretty much every way. Both blue Poodles and black Poodles are available in three sizes, toy, miniature, and standard. Dog lovers usually prefer the standard Poodle colors like black and white over the blue Poodle. Since blue Poodles are the result of black Poodles with fading genes, the cost of these blue puppies will be the same as black Poodle puppies. Numerous distinctive characteristics can contribute to your decision when choosing the right Poodle as your pet. Poodles are known for having soft fur, but only if you blow-dry the coat and brush it regularly. In other words, need a dog for cuddling? Look no more! This can mean that Poodles have a single coat. Their hair growth cycle is longer than dog breeds that sport a double coat. Limited Shedding Poodles are hypoallergenic dogs. They shed less than most other dog breeds. They have thick hair, and loose hairs will get caught in the other hairs, making the coat appear non-shedding. Are Poodle Coats Hypoallergenic? Less shedding combined with thick hair means that poodles have less dander than your average pooch. Health Problems With Poodle Coats The soft and curly Poodle hair comes with a unique set of health problems you need to consider before adopting a Poodle puppy. Poodles are high-maintenance dogs. Their coats have some common issues that affect the entire breed. Hair Loss The first sign of health issues is hair loss. The hair may or may not grow back with time. As a rule, male Poodles lose hair in their groin area after castration. A genetic illness called sebaceous adenitis also causes hair thinning, hair loss, and scaly skin. Poodle Coat Thinning and Bald Spots With age or pregnancy, female Poodles develop hair loss problems based on their hormone fluctuations. Their coats can thin out so much that you can see the skin. Matted and tangled hair can also cause Poodles to bite and pick at their hair, pulling them out and leaving bald spots. Red Mange and General Poodle Allergies Poodles are very sensitive to foods and shampoos, which can cause your dog to scratch their skin until the coat begins to thin. Also, there are mites that live on all dogs, but Poodles can have an allergic reaction to these small pests, which is called red mange. Hypothyroidism in Poodles Hypothyroidism is a hormonal imbalance that can cause a wide variety of reactions in Poodles. Some poodles that develop hypothyroidism lose their curls and develop an extremely thick coat. Lethargy, slow reactions, and refusing to walk are symptoms of hypothyroidism. Poodles need to be groomed on a regular basis to keep the coat in good condition. Thankfully, the process of Poodle grooming is not a difficult one. You will need basic grooming tools like a brush, shampoo, comb, and nail clippers. Blue Poodle Name Ideas Photo from: minken. Naming your new dog is one of the best parts of getting a new buddy. Silver beige White Apricot - This and red were two of the last colors recorded for this breed; so they are the newest and quite interesting. An apricot can produce a red. Some apricot Poodles are so light that they appear to be cream, however you will notice a red tint to the hair. A true apricot poodle will have some points or black spots on their skin. Liver points are acceptable but not preferred in the U. All blue Poodles are born black and then "clear" lighten as the pup grows. This often happens within the first year but this change can take place as late as 2 years in some cases. For this reason, many blue Poodles are registered as black. The outer coat of a blue poodle is usually as dark as that of a black, but hairs at the root is a mix of colors. The amount of each color depends on the age of the dog. In middle-aged dogs, medium brown predominates. True blue Poodles will have black points and dark brown eyes. Brown - A brown Poodle is a deep, dark color and in no way can be confused with Cafe Au lait which is much lighter. Pure brown Poodles must have liver points and dark amber eyes. Brown is created by the bb gene, as opposed to the BB gene of black Poodles, and therefore will have no black pigment anywhere on the body, including the eyes and nose. Cafe Au lait - This is a shiny light tan color and some confused this with silver beige. It is not uncommon for the pup to be born brown and 'clear' to this color. A Cafe Au lait should have liver points and dark amber eyes. Black - A true black Poodle is a deep ink black. The dog's coat will have zero blue or silver tinting and not have any white or silver guard hairs. The face when shaved will be deep black, as well. A true black will not "clear" or "fade". Blacks will have black points and dark brown eyes. See More: Black Poodles. Silver Beige - This is a diluted brown, therefore a true silver beige Poodle is born brown. By 6 weeks, silver beige will appear on the face and paws with a full coat change by the age of 2 years. The dog will have liver points and dark amber eyes. Red - This only became an official color in and now many breeders in Canada have come together to form the Apricot Red Poodle Club. A true red will have black points. Read about the fascinating history of reds here: Red Poodles. Silver - A true silver Poodle is born black and "clears" by the age of 2. However, you will know a true silver by the age of 6 weeks, when the face and paws "clear" and the rest of the coat will follow in suit over the next year or two. Silvers will have black points and dark brown eyes. This color is a diluted gray, caused by the silver allele V gene. White - Most white Poodles are a pure, snow white. However, some breeders will dub a white tinted with apricot or beige as being white. A bit of black spotting is acceptable on a white, however there should never be any ticking in the white. The ticking gene is a totally separate gene that makes the coat appear dirty. Gray - While a Poodle can be born gray and stay gray, it is also not uncommon for a black Poodle to turn gray at the age of years old. Cream - These Poodles will have black points; you'll know that a Poodle is cream and not Silver Beige or Cafe au Lait if his nose is black. It is the Cch gene which causes an otherwise brown Poodle to be cream. Color Changes When a Poodle puppy is a solid, one must understand that many variables can affect what will become the adult coat. When a pup keeps the same color coat, this is known as "holding". However, many Poodles 'clear'. To clear means when the coat fades or lightens to another color. A lightening of the coat does not necessarily occur evenly all over the coat, rather Poodle color will often hold more on the dog's ears and the thicker guard hairs. Cafe Au lait Poodles are born dark brown and change to cafe around the age of 2 yrs Blue Poodles are born black and change over by the age of 2 years Sliver Poodles are born black and change over by the age of 2 years Apricots are often born a dark shade that lightens by the age of 2 years Many owners can become confused as their Poodle takes on a completely different color as they grow. For example, a blue Poodle puppy could be misinterpreted as black, although a reputable breeder should be able to know the difference. If that puppy has parents with parti in the bloodline, as the coat clears during the first 2 years, other colors may appear and the once black looking puppy who was actually a blue parti becomes a parti with a wide array of possible colors. Fixing a Dull or Yellowing Coat It is common for a Poodle's coat to dull, become brassy or yellow as the dog matures. Sunlight, air pollution and constant bombardment of minuscule debris are at work here, in addition to the natural aging process cycling out a duller color than a Poodle once had. At all times, each hair strand is in 1 of the 3 phases: Growth, rest or release. Therefore, it is a gradual process.Owners may not notice a difference in the richness, depth and shine of the coat until the process has been going on for a while and enough hairs have grown in faded or dulled to make a drastic difference. The key to fixing and maintaining a beautiful color on a Poodle is to use a color enhancing shampoo. There are some great ones manufactured specifically for canines. In addition, while in general one does not want to use a human product on a puppy or dog, as long as the PH balance is correct, it most certainly can be used with excellent results. When a black, blue, or brown dog has the mutation in this gene, they gradually fade in color as they grow. Not all black, blue, or brown poodles have the mutation, but some do. You will begin to see the change in color starting at a months of age and it is usually complete by the time the dog is mature. In some dogs there may be small changes throughout the life of the dog. Skin Color Skin color can change as well. The most common reason for a Poodle to have a change of color on the skin is exposure to sunlight and this most commonly happens on the belly. It is not uncommon for a pink belly to have darker spots appear. An owner should be concerned if those darker spots are raised above the skin and should have the dog's veterinarian take a look at any raised, dark areas. In the monthly Poodle blog Topic of the Month , you'll find new, helpful articles on a regular basis. All rights reserved. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. Share Us. The original Poodles were a particolored yellowish-blonde, and all Poodles were the same color. In the early s, solid-colored Poodles became popular, and many breeders took it upon themselves to eliminate the parti-color from the genetic pool. This led to the many different colors of Poodles that we see today. Poodles are highly intelligent hunting dogs with prized retrieval skills. They are easily trained and versatile in obedience, agility, and field competitions. Their hypoallergenic nature and low shedding of dander make them an excellent choice for people with allergies and are partly why the breed is so popular. How Blue Poodle Gained Popularity Poodles have been popular dogs for centuries, but people eventually became interested in developing new coat colors. By mixing different breeding lines of Poodles, new coat colors arise. Such crossbreeding also has the added advantage of reducing the number of inheritable genetic diseases in purebred dogs because it increases the variety in the genetic pool. Black Poodles suffer from coat fading, called graying out. When dark coats fade, they look blue instead of black. Blue Poodles are born black, but their coat color changes at about 2 years of age. Blue is recognized as an official color by the American Kennel Club and has a distinct registration from the Black Poodle. Dogs over 15 inches tall are recognized as standard sized, those under 15 inches are considered miniature, and those under 10 inches are considered toy sized. They Are Water Breed Poodles were originally bred as water retrievers. Their job was to bring waterfowl, birds, and ducks back to their owners during hunting trips. They Come in Different Sizes While Poodles come in three different sizes, they all follow the same breed standard. They Are Active Dogs Poodles are active dogs regardless of size, requiring plenty of exercise. This dog breed has hair, not fur, which means it never stops growing, and it will not fall out with the exception of thinning due to age or pregnancy. They had significant problems with the cold, and the race is now restricted to northern breeds that are well-adapted to the climate. They Have High Intelligence Poodles are the second most intelligent dog breed in the world. They Are Family dogs Poodles make excellent family dogs due to their gentle, loving nature. Blue Poodles, or Poodles of any other color , make excellent pets because they are incredibly gentle. They make great watchdogs but are not known for being aggressive. While they get along with other animals, they prefer human company to animal company in most cases. The high intelligence of the Poodle makes them easy to train. While they require plenty of exercise, they are happy to do just about any activity, from a long walk or bike ride to a robust game of fetch. They are great companions for active children because they can keep up with them but are patient. Conclusion Blue Poodles have a distinct and unique color, but they are actually black Poodles with faded coats. Poodles are energetic, intelligent dogs that make great family pets. While they do have significant exercise and grooming requirements, they are patient, loving, and gentle. Finding blue Poodle puppies Blue Poodles have an interesting and popular fur color. This shade is an official color for Poodles of all sizes, but it can be hard to identify blue Poodles as puppies, because this shade takes up to 2 years to fully develop. Blue Poodles will be intelligent, energetic, and loving, just as any other shade might be. And, their grooming needs will be just as complex as any other color of Poodle. The Poodle is a popular working breed that also makes a favorite family companion. Poodles have been around for hundreds of years, originally working as retrieving dogs. Over time, Poodles were bred smaller to create Miniature and Toy varieties. And, many Poodles moved away from working, retrieving roles to become family companions and lap dogs. All three Poodle size varieties have a huge selection of colors. Solid shades range from a deep, dark black, to the lightest white, and everything in between. And, some Poodles will even express two colors in their coats. What Color is the Blue Poodle? The term blue is often used interchangeably with silver and grey when it comes to dog colors. But, blue Poodles are distinct from silver and grey Poodles. In fact, all three of these colors are individually accepted shades on the breed standard. And, each dog is unique. So, one blue Poodle might be a slightly different shade than another, or may have a different intensity of coloring on certain parts of their body. In fact, when they are first born, blue Poodles will have black fur. But, over the course of two years, this black fur will fade to a lighter shade. This process is the same for silver Poodles, but is much slower for blues. This gene is dominant, so puppies only need to inherit one copy in order to experience the associated pigmentation dilution. They will turn into a deep grey with a bluish tint. So, it can be extremely hard to tell them apart. The process of fading for blue Poodles happens quite slowly, so you might only notice very small differences when your Poodle puppy is ready to come home. Over time, these differences will become more obvious. Blue puppies will slowly change color, fading from a deep, strong black to a lighter shade. But, true black puppies will remain the same color until they begin to experience greying as a senior. Silver vs Blue Poodle Puppies Silver Poodles, like blues, will experience progressive greying throughout their early lives. So, they will start life as black dogs and will lighten to a completely different shade. However, despite this similar process, there is a difference between blue and silver Poodles. Silver Poodles will lighten a lot faster than blues, and they will transform into a much lighter shade. But, both types will have similar personalities and care needs. So, blue and silver Poodles can make equally great pets. Are Blue Poodles Rare? But, blue is not the rarest shade that Poodles come in, since the gene that causes this color is dominant. Certain recessive colors, like apricot and cream are more uncommon because puppies must inherit a copy of the appropriate gene from each parent. The more popular a shade is, the higher demand is for puppies. So, though litters of certain shades might be easy to come across, they can often have long wait lists. So, depending on where you live and which shades are the most popular near you, blue Poodle puppies could be hard to come across! Can Poodles Have Blue Eyes? Poodles have very dark eyes. Blue eyes are very uncommon and would be the result of mixed breeding or a health issue. So, they could have quite a few unpredictable traits. Most Poodles will have brown eyes that are very dark in color. Blue Poodle Health and Care The prorgessive greying gene has not currently been linked to any health issues. So, blue Poodles share the same hereditary health problems that any other Poodle can experience. Here are some of the major health problems that your blue Poodle might experience: Hip and elbow dysplasia. COM Blue Poodle temperament and personality Blue Poodles can be very energetic and playful, but they also have excellent guard-dog skills. Do Blue Poodles get along with other pets? Although Blue Poodles are very loyal to their owners, they can also get along well with other pets, particularly dogs. Blue Poodle training Blue Poodles need a firm but gentle hand when training. Blue Poodle exercise requirement Blue Poodles love to run and play. A Blue Poodle that lives a sedentary life can succumb to obesity and develop behavioral issues. Blue Poodle grooming and cleaning Blue Poodles are high-maintenance dogs. For their coat to shine, they need regular brushing using a pin or slicker brush. The Blue Poodle should get a haircut once every 6 weeks. Poodle hair can grow very fast and can become an issue when it comes to hygiene. If you want a show-ready Blue Poodle, you should take her to a Blue Poodle pet salon. What is a Blue moyen Poodle? Moyen is French for middle, but in dog terms, it refers to mid-size Poodles. Blue Moyen Poodles grow to about 14 to 18 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 33 to 42 pounds, putting them between standard and miniature Poodles. Blue Poodle puppies A Blue Poodle puppy looks no different from a Black Poodle puppy, and they only begin to show their actual color once they grow a bit older. However, expert dog breeders can use several methods to determine if a Blue Poodle is genuinely blue. What are the differences between a Black Poodle and a Blue Poodle? Blue Poodles look a lot like black ones, and it may be difficult for the untrained eye to detect a Blue Poodle unless it is standing beside a Black Poodle. Blue Poodles have a slate grey or gunmetal coat that distinguishes them from Black Poodles. Their face has a noticeably lighter grey coloring, whereas Black Poodles have the same shade of black all over their bodies. How much do Blue Poodles cost? Is Blue Poodle hypoallergenic? You can always ask a vet or a professional dog feeder for advice. In any case, your Poodle must get a balanced diet comprising of proteins, vitamins, and some essential minerals. Blue Poodle common health issues Poodles are famous for their gorgeous looks and low likelihood of developing major diseases. If you own a Blue Poodle or any other color in the breed, you should be on the lookout for the following issues. Bloat Bloat is when the pooch eats too fast and eats more than can be digested at one time. This results in a rapid and sudden rise of internal pressure, expanding the stomach and intestines. The symptoms include weight loss, excessive thirst, lots of panting, patchy hair loss, and even seizures. It causes adrenal insufficiency, leading to low blood pressure, vomiting, dehydration, loss of appetite, and weakness. But that coat also requires careful maintenance as it is prone to several diseases. Allergies Poodles may not trigger allergies in humans, but they have allergies of their own. The symptoms can include inflammation of their skin, intense scratching, and bald patches. Sebaceous Adenitis The sebaceous gland secretes an oily substance that protects the fur from becoming brittle and dry. In Sebaceous Adenitis, those glands become swollen and inflamed, causing them to produce thinner oil, leading to hair loss. In dogs that are prone to allergies, these mites cause itchy, inflamed skin and hair loss. This condition is called Demodectic mange. This condition disrupts the natural hormone balance, leading to diabetes, extreme thirst, urination, and hair loss. Blue Poodle lifespan Blue Poodles purchased from a reputable breeder typically live between 10 and 18 years. The costs associated with Poodles are high since they need special diets and haircare to keep their coat looking gorgeous. So, if you can, your Blue Poodle will thank you for adopting him or her and adoption can also help you save some money. These Blue Poodle mixes — also known as Blue Doodles — are getting increasingly popular due to their hypoallergenic coats. They also display some desirable characteristics not present in the Poodle breed. Blue Heelers, or Australian cattle dogs, are an intelligent canine breed known for herding cattle in the Australian outback. Mixing them with a Poodle gives you a beautiful and capable dog that is easy to train and has a striking, non-shedding coat. Blue Heeler Poodle Puppies may resemble a standard Blue Heeler from their coat color, but they have a more Poodle look. Full-grown Blue Heeler Poodle Mix can inherit the floppy ears of the Poodle or sport erect ears of the heeler. Blue Merle Poodle Merle is a gene modifier that results in the dilution of pigment in the pooch. Blue Poodle is a beautiful dog that loves nothing more than spending time with you. Blue Poodles are a very intelligent breed and can even learn tricks. However, this kind of pet requires commitment from its owners as the Blue Poodle has high grooming needs. If you have the time and commitment, then the Blue Poodle may be the dog for you. Related Questions Are Blue Poodles rare? Yes, Blue Poodles are pretty rare. Some even rarer colors such as red, Cafe au Lait, sable, and apricot cost much more. Is there a Blue Poodle? This greyish-black color is what we call blue. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
It all started when we became empty-nesters and purchased our first lab, since then our Lab family has continued to grow. We strive to breed for great all around family Labradors that are healthy, calm, intelligent, and are of the beautiful English type Labs stocky bodies, square, blocky heads. We're happy to answer any questions you may have. Thanks for visiting! Healthy Parents We welcome litters a year with the goal of producing healthy family dogs, all purpose Labradors placed in loving homes. We strive for good temperament, structurally sound, intelligence and to improve the breed. Our Labs are sweet, intelligent, easily trained, and so eager to please. Our Labrador Retrievers have superior pedigrees with champion bloodlines from traditional English lines. We do recommended Genetic health testing. The puppies are also dewormed at recommended times. We keep puppies until 8 weeks of age. Labs take 2 to 3 years to develop mentally and physically, training is an important part of the development of your Lab. We strongly recommend you locate a Beginner puppy class, enroll and take several classes. Labs are very intelligent and require socializing, training and exercise. Labs do not socialize themselves. Commitment to the welfare of your dog is extremely important. This puppy will be with you the next years. It's important our puppies are placed in homes where they receive the type of care Lab puppies need. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. Labrador Retrievers are one of the most popular dogs in the United States and many other countries, too. Rather than wondering if you can find any breeder, you might be interested in discovering how you can find a solid, reputable one. If you want quality puppies with tremendous temperaments, see what they have to offer and learn how to contact them about future litters. The 7 Breeders in Ohio 1. Since their humble beginnings, they have taken on the task of placing Labs as family companions into forever homes. The puppies are raised among the family, making them ideal for family roles, show dogs, and even for work. These dogs possess a strong champion lineage and all puppies come with applicable health checks before placement. This family has a very personal connection with this breed, falling in love initially with a rescue Lab and then choosing to continue the breed after her passing. Also, they specifically breed the English-style Labradors rather than American. These pups are bred for show, field, and companionship. They provide American Kennel Club Labradors from strong bloodlines that come with paperwork, health certificates, and the first few weeks of housebreaking done before you even bring yours home! Plus, they show lots of interactive photos and videos so you can get to know the dogs and pups. If you have any questions, there is a list of contact information on the site. Simply email the breeder for further instruction on how to bring one of these cuties home. This breeder has only English-style Labs, which are the blockier variation of the two. This breeder sells puppies with a limited AKC registration, meaning they can be fully registered but come without breeding rights. If you want breeding rights, you must go through the process of approval beforehand. The primary focus of this breeding is to create the highest quality gun dogs around, so these pups are bred for work. This breeder has yellow, chocolate, and black labs for placement. You must contact them directly for potential upcoming puppies. If you are interested in breeding rights, you must apply for approval and follow the rules laid out. Originally, Avon Kennels began breeding Rottweilers but expanded to Labs in .They also breed Himalayan cats. Puppies come with all applicable health checks and microchipping, which is an expense relief for some buyers. They specialize in the colors of Labs on the silver spectrum—such as charcoal, champagne, and traditional silver. So, you definitely get a unique spin on the breed. All Labs are health tested and microchipped prior to new home placement. Each Lab they possess is registered with the AKC. These rare pups are part of the family and all whelping areas are located indoors. Featured Image Credit: Piqsels Ashley Bates Author Ashley Bates is a freelance dog writer and pet enthusiast who is currently studying the art of animal therapy. A mother to four human children— and 23 furry and feathery kids, too — Ashley volunteers at local shelters, advocates for animal well-being, and rescues every creature she finds. Her mission is to create awareness, education, and entertainment about pets to prevent homelessness. Her specialties are cats and dogs.Read more Advertisement. The Labrador Retriever is also the most popular purebred dog in America for the 21st straight year. More than twice as many Labs were registered than any other breed making it a likely leader for many years to come. In a recent article, a licensed professional counselor for more than twenty-five years, explained how owning a Lab can help produce healthier, happier, more well adjusted children. Here is an excerpt from her article: The ten reasons that I am giving for children to have a dog are not listed in order of importance. All of us have different characteristics which we find more important than others. Every reason I list, however, is important to the childhood of your son or daughter. Regular dog-walking increases social interaction for children—especially those who have just moved to a neighborhood and are feeling homesick for their former home. A child who might not want to go out into the neighborhood alone, feels that he or she has a purpose in walking the dog, and therefore can face unfamiliar faces or places more easily than when alone. Walking the dog could be the perfect way for a shy or awkward adolescent to meet new friends in the neighborhood. Be sure to read the rest of her seven part article, Ten Reasons to Own a Dog. At Twin Lakes Kennel, we have been breeding and training world class Labrador retrievers for more than thirty-five years. Our second-to-none Puppy Guarantee makes buying a pure-bred Labrador retriever one of the wisest decisions you will ever make. Read the personal testimonials from prominent Lab owners from around the country. And visit our Puppy Page or call Woody or Judi for up-to-date puppy information at .Lucas Sullivant, a surveyor from Virginia came here in and founded one of these new settlements on the west bank of the Scioto River. He named his new community Franklinton after Benjamin Franklin. It was named to honor Christopher Columbus. It was founded in at the confluence of the Scioto and Olentangy rivers, and was named the state capital in .Once the National Road reached the city in , many more immigrants came to settle here. The city became a melting pot of many nationalities, each settling in their own favorite area of the city. The distance from Columbus to Washington DC is miles. The distance to the Ohio state capital is miles. Our Latest Happy Clients! Become A Happy Client!
You can find a broad range of colors to choose from including black, black and tan, black and white, fawns, fawn pieds, honey fawns, cream and much more. Blue Diamond French Bulldogs usually mature weighing around pounds and inches to the top of the back. Victory , Rockford, IL, .Still updating photos and information! Parents are retired and some are available for adoption at 4 to 6 years old. Puppies For Sale. Illinois French Bulldog puppies for sale are so popular because they are incredibly cute, very friendly, and a bit goofy too! They are companion dogs that love spending time with their owners. Our goal is to raise healthy French Bulldogs in a caring family environment. Our puppies are of good bloodlines and are well socialized. Cheap French BullDogs for Sale!! Rockford, IL. He is doing great in potty training. Our dogs are raised in our home with lots of love and attention to make sure they have everything they need to live a happy life. They have short and easy-to-care-for hair which generally does not tangle or knot. For more information on Benny, pictures, videos, and FaceTime, please email us or reach us at six4. If you are unable to find your French. I'm sure you'll find the ideal Frenchie puppy with some of these listed breeders. Aside from making people smile with its funny. French Bulldog puppies are great companions! Contact us through email, text, or Instagram! Skip to content. Aside from making people smile with its funny-looking appearance, the French Bulldog will grow to become loyal to its owners. French Bulldog Pu. I live in Illinois and breed English Bulldogs and French bulldogs. Frenchie puppies make amazing non-barking watchdogs. Comes with a thirty day health guarantee. Breed French Bulldog Breed Info. They are friendly and make wonderful family pets. French Bulldogs have erect "bat ears" and a charming, playful disposition. French Bulldog Puppies For Sale. The smushy-faced Frenchie is beloved worldwide as small, non-sporting city dog. Make sure to do research on th MORE. We are located in Los Angeles, CA and. Here at Premier Pups, we work hand in hand with the nation's top breeders to raise happy and healthy French Bulldog puppies. Looking for some fantastic French bulldog puppies for sale in Illinois? Welcome to FantasticFrenchies. French Bulldog Puppies. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help. French Bulldogs for Sale in St Louis. Click on the Retired page tab for any adults who may be available. Originally bred as mini-bulldogs in England, then brought to France, they have compact bodies, upright ears, and are the perfect partner for spending time at home. They are companion dogs that love spending time with their. French bulldogs in Illinois — French Bulldogs for sale …. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help you find the puppy your whole family will love. French Bulldog Puppies for sale in Chicago, IL We are breeders of Frenchie Puppies in Chicago We are re-defining the pet store, with transparency and a focus on socialization, health, and temperament. This is the price you can expect to pay for the French Bulldog breed without breeding rights. Helios Fluffy Carrier IL. Our Frenchies are cared for by passionate Puppy Agents from the moment they are born until they are ready to go to their new homes. Will be up to date on all age appropriate shots and worming. Ready for her forever home, dewormed and UpToDate on shots. We specialize in French Bulldog. Dogs are like Potato Chips, you can't have just one! French bulldogs in Illinois. Dad is blue and tan and L… more. Join millions of people using Oodle to find puppies for adoption, dog and puppy listings, and other pets adoption. She is a sweet lil frenchie and will make someone a wonderful pet. The life expectancy of a Frenchie is around years. French Bulldog. Meet Benny, a truly amazing puppy, beautiful color, with gorgeous eyes, pure quality. We're a small breeder located in Skokie, Illinois. French bulldogs in Illinois — French Bulldogs for sale. History: Despite what its name may imply, the French Bulldog was developed in England. Vaccines are up to date, along with deworming. Originally bred as mini-bulldogs in England, then brought to France, Males tend to be larger in size compared to females. Best seen on a computer, too many photos for most phones. Join millions of people using Oodle to find puppies for adoption, dog and puppy listings, and other pets. They are AKC registered kindly or call for more information about my puppies via x x Photos and contact info on Advertigo website. Get searching and find your Illinois French Bulldog for sale today! Why do French Bulldogs cost so much? About French Bulldogs. Our goal is to raise healthy French Bulldogs in a caring. French Bulldog Puppies make wonderful family pets and are well-mannered. This is Misty. Frenchies are non-hypoallergenic and have short. French Bulldogs for Sale in Chicago. The French Bulldog can be found to have a single-layer coat or a double-layer coat. The most common colors on a French Bulldog are white, cream, black, and fawn. A daily brushing will help keep his coat clean and neat looking. Call or Text puppies frenchpup. Genetically tested with a guarantee! We can safely deliver your puppy right to your door. AKC proudly supports dedicated and responsible breeders. That's because Frenchies are fun-loving, family-friendly, cuddly little guys and girls who love nothing more than to nap away the day with you at their side! Website: Smithenry Bullies-N-More. We encourage all prospective puppy owners to do their research and be prepared with questions to ask the breeder. They're cute, small, and will make every person's day. Breed: French Bulldog. Benny comes from healthy, show quality, champion bloodlines. French Bulldog. Comes with a thirty day health guarantee. It loves companionship and bonds with animals and families. Our goal is to raise healthy French Bulldogs in a caring. I live in Illinois and breed English Bulldogs and French bulldogs. About French Bulldogs. French bulldogs in Illinois — French Bulldogs for sale. The life expectancy of a Frenchie is around years. Benny comes from healthy, show quality, champion bloodlines. Meet Benny, a truly amazing puppy, beautiful color, with gorgeous eyes, pure quality. French Bulldog Puppies make wonderful family pets and are well-mannered. These dogs are descendents of English Bulldogs, who were, unfortunately, used for violent "sports" such as bull-baiting. Dad is blue and tan and L… more. Breed French Bulldog Breed Info. He is doing great in potty training. If you are unable to find your French. Victory , Rockford, IL, .Make sure to do research on th MORE. Our puppies are of good bloodlines and are well socialized. Genetically tested with a guarantee! We can safely deliver your puppy right to your door. French Bulldog Breeders in Illinois! French Bulldogs have erect "bat ears" and a charming, playful disposition. Originally bred as mini-bulldogs in England, then brought to France, they have compact bodies, upright ears, and are the perfect partner for spending time at home. This is Misty. Illinois French Bulldog puppies for sale are so popular because they are incredibly cute, very friendly, and a bit goofy too! They are companion dogs that love spending time with their. We are located in Los Angeles, CA and. They have short and easy-to-care-for hair which generally does not tangle or knot. Frenchies are non-hypoallergenic and have short. They are friendly and make wonderful family pets. History: Despite what its name may imply, the French Bulldog was developed in England. You can find a broad range of colors to choose from including black, black and tan, black and white, fawns, fawn pieds, honey fawns, cream and much more. Our goal is to raise healthy French Bulldogs in a caring family environment. Click on the Retired page tab for any adults who may be available. Blue Diamond French Bulldogs usually mature weighing around pounds and inches to the top of the back. Aside from making people smile with its funny-looking appearance, the French Bulldog will grow to become loyal to its owners. Rockford, IL. Vaccines are up to date, along with deworming. French Bulldog Pu. They are companion dogs that love spending time with their owners. Our dogs are raised in our home with lots of love and attention to make sure they have everything they need to live a happy life. Best seen on a computer, too many photos for most phones. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help. This is the price you can expect to pay for the French Bulldog breed without breeding rights. French bulldogs in Illinois. French Bulldog puppies for sale in Illinois from trusted breeders. Frenchie puppies make amazing non-barking watchdogs. The French Bulldog can be found to have a single-layer coat or a double-layer coat. Cheap French BullDogs for Sale!! Still updating photos and information! Parents are retired and some are available for adoption at 4 to 6 years old. Fawn Merle Female French Bulldog 11 week old puppy. Get searching and find your Illinois French Bulldog for sale today! Why do French Bulldogs cost so much? Website: Smithenry Bullies-N-More. French Bulldog Puppies. AKC proudly supports dedicated and responsible breeders. French Bulldog Puppies For Sale. Looking for some fantastic French bulldog puppies for sale in Illinois? Welcome to FantasticFrenchies. They are AKC registered kindly or call for more information about my puppies via x x Photos and contact info on Advertigo website. We encourage all prospective puppy owners to do their research and be prepared with questions to ask the breeder. Visit our page of available fantastic French bulldog puppies for sale in IL and you will definitely find. A daily brushing will help keep his coat clean and neat looking. Here at Premier Pups, we work hand in hand with the nation's top breeders to raise happy and healthy French Bulldog puppies. Helios Fluffy Carrier IL. Ready for her forever home, dewormed and UpToDate on shots. French Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Illinois. Call or Text puppies frenchpup. Males tend to be larger in size compared to females. Puppies For Sale. She is a sweet lil frenchie and will make someone a wonderful pet. Breed: French Bulldog. For more information on Benny, pictures, videos, and FaceTime, please email us or reach us at six4. He has 1 brother and 1 sister available as well. Our Frenchies are cared for by passionate Puppy Agents from the moment they are born until they are ready to go to their new homes. That's because Frenchies are fun-loving, family-friendly, cuddly little guys and girls who love nothing more than to nap away the day with you at their side! Join millions of people using Oodle to find puppies for adoption, dog and puppy listings, and other pets adoption. French Bulldog Puppies for sale in Chicago, IL We are breeders of Frenchie Puppies in Chicago We are re-defining the pet store, with transparency and a focus on socialization, health, and temperament. We're a small breeder located in Skokie, Illinois. French Bulldogs for Sale in Chicago. We've connected loving homes to reputable breeders since and we want to help you find the puppy your whole family will love. Join millions of people using Oodle to find puppies for adoption, dog and puppy listings, and other pets. They're cute, small, and will make every person's day. I'm sure you'll find the ideal Frenchie puppy with some of these listed breeders. French Bulldog puppies are great companions! Contact us through email, text, or Instagram! Skip to content. The smushy-faced Frenchie is beloved worldwide as small, non-sporting city dog. Dogs are like Potato Chips, you can't have just one! The most common colors on a French Bulldog are white, cream, black, and fawn. View Our Available Puppies! They are also known as F1b pups-meaning a 2nd generation Beabull puppy. We usually have a few Unique Colored Beabull Puppies! In each litter of beabull pups, we are usually blessed with a few unique Lilac or Lilac Merle colored puppies in each litter. These puppies are unique and highly sought after. Our adult beabulls typically weigh between pounds once they are adults. They usually reach an average height of inches at the shoulders. The life expectancy of a beabull is normally years of age. Our second-generation beabulls are usually smaller in size than a purebred English Bulldog and have a lot of added benefits and genetic advantages over registered English bulldogs. They usually have a longer muzzle that allows them to breathe better than the snub nose of the bulldog. Giving your beabull regular baths will help keep their coats clean and shiny. So if you live near Quincy Illinois and are looking for a healthy and beautiful beabull puppy then check out are available pups now by Clicking Here. Below are some beabull pups that have been adopted. Pure white maltese ready for new home dogs for sale Pure White Maltese Ready for New Home We have two dogs one male and one female beautiful special Maltese Puppies for your family. They are vet-checked, registered and have complete shots. Super calm with everyone and friendly with other home pets, love to play together as well with children. Perfect companions. All vet and health papers are available. Puppies are potty and crate trained. They get along with other dogs-big and little have been around kits. Absolutely great with crate but very much enjoys snuggling with our daughter all night. Tessy and Joy will make super pets. .The father, William, has so much character and big attitude for a dog of only 4 lbs. Great with kids and other female dogs. Good with cats too. He is a great dog very laid back. House trained and crate trained. He is neutered. Loves to be pet and loved. Would lay by your side all day. We are only rehoming him because we don't have the time that he deserves. Please call text or email. Quincy Dogs For Sale Illinois Bull mastiff male dog for sale Working and companion dogs for sale dogs for sale We have the perfect dog or pup for you! We specialize in breeding and training working dogs. Puppies are raised in my home and have all shots. You must be knowledgeable about the breed and live in a house with a fenced in yard. It won't let me load pictures I will try to add pictures later but if you want pictures I can text or email them to you.
Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Puppies currently spoken for! Our litters are all currently spoken for. Our waiting list has extremely limited availability and will open for applications in the summer. Please review "Puppy Process" section below for details on getting on our wait list. Most families added to our waiting list wait an average of months for their puppy. If you would like to be considered for our waiting list, please complete our Puppy Application. While we cannot guarantee when your puppy selection will take place, your approved application and deposit reserves your opportunity to select your puppy based on your list position. For example, if 9th on our waiting list and we only had 8 puppies in our next litter, you would be bumped to the following litter. Be sure to follow along on the puppy blog for updates and photos of the puppies as they grow AND keep up with our plans for future litters. Our exceptions to this rule are simple. First, we always reserve right of first puppy for our family. This does not mean we will always keep first puppy, but that we do keep that as an option. Additionally, if show puppies are available, these puppies will be placed prior to pet puppy homes selection. Pet puppy selection generally takes place between weeks of age. Our puppies are ready for their forever homes at 8 weeks of age. First shots, de-worming, microchipping and lifetime enrollment in AKC Reunite, and more is included in the purchase price of your puppy. Do you offer a health guarantee? Your puppy also comes with a 2 year health guarantee read here , first set of shots, vet check and health letter, will be dewormed, and AKC limited registration paperwork. You will also receive copies of both parents pedigrees and OFA and genetic clearances, Where are you located? Nevada or Pennsylvania? Great question! We spent our first six years in Nevada, and the majority of our puppies live on the west coast. In late , we moved to Pennsylvania, and are officially relocating our business in summer .Our mentors, dog co-owners - and some of our most favorite people - live in SoCal and Las Vegas, and we make frequent trips to Vegas. We deliver puppies all over the country each year. If you are located on the west coast, you can meet us in Las Vegas to pickup your puppy from us there, or, continue reading below for our additional delivery options. If your puppy is flown, we will personally carry your pup into the cabin with us and deliver to you. If we drive your puppy to you generally if we have a large number of pups to deliver , you can rest assured knowing we have a partnership with GUNNER kennels, and all of our dogs and puppies are transported exclusively in GUNNER kennels. We are also able to work with you to provide you with GUNNER kennels at a discounted rate if you are interested in utilizing one for your personal puppy or dog transportation needs. Can I meet you, your dogs, or puppies? However, we only allow visitors by appointment. Only those who are on our waiting list are invited to help with puppy socialization we will contact you with times and opportunities. Anyone not on our wait list is welcome to meet us and our dogs outside of puppy visits. Please contact us to schedule a time. Can you deliver my puppy? If you are not able to pick up your puppy due to the distance, we can personally deliver your puppy to you anywhere that Southwest Airlines flies. We have found Southwest to be the most accommodating to bringing puppies into the cabin, and will not ship our dogs in baggage due to the potential trauma and health risks involved. Cost would be determined by distance from our location. Please contact us for additional information. Do you have an older dog available for adoption? We do not offer older puppies or any of our dogs displayed on this page for sale, as they are first and foremost our pets and members of our family. If you are looking for an older or trained golden, we recommend Shadalane Golden Retrievers in Vista, California. Also, please understand that we are not a rescue. How long do I have to wait for my puppy? Our waiting list fills very quickly! Many of our families wait years for their furever friend, though we sometimes have earlier availability. This time frame fluctuates depending on how many litters we have each year, and how many puppies are born in those litters. Can I get full AKC registration for my puppy? However, your puppy is not to be used for breeding and any litters they produced in violation of our contract would not be AKC registerable. What health testing do my puppy's parents have? All of our puppy parents have OFA clearances on their hips, elbows, eyes, and hearts. You can find the links to their test results on their individual pages. You can view the results of our testing from Paw Print Genetics via the links in our dogs individual profile pages. Do I get to pick my puppy or do you pick for me? Puppies are selected in the order in which deposits are received which directly corresponds to your waiting list position. The exceptions to this rule are 1 if our family or our stud owner are opting to keep first puppy, and 2 if any puppies are being placed in show homes. Leading up to puppy selection day, we will provide you with information on each of the puppy's personalities in the litter, what shade of gold we anticipate they will grow up to be, etc. At the end of the day however, you pick your puppy. We do not assign puppies to families. The choice is yours! What payment methods do you accept? If we receive a deposit without an application , it will be rejected or refused and returned to you, which will delay your addition to our waiting list. Personal checks require a copy of your driver's license and cash will be run through a scanner. Please don't take offense - scammers are out there! They charge a minimal fee to utilize their payment service. Zelle is a free, bank-to-bank direct payment service, similar to Venmo or Paypal. That said, your puppy must be completely paid off prior to being picked up at 8 weeks old. I have a question that isn't answered here! Please contact us with any questions you may have that are not answered here! We will do our best to respond within 2 business days. Around holidays, when we have a litter of newborn pups, and when we are out showing, it sometimes takes us days to respond. We appreciate your patience! Application Complete your puppy application. We will review your application within 5 business days and if your application is approved, you will be invited to place your deposit. Most families will wait an average of years for their puppy, though we sometimes have earlier availability. Payments can be made via GoodDog , Zelle, or check. Pupdates Once your application has been approved and your deposit has been received, you will be added to our email list for "pupdates" on anticipated breedings and upcoming litters. Follow us on Facebook , Instagram and YouTube for even more updates! Pups Arrival Once puppies have arrived, you will be given access to our 'Puppy Cam" for regular viewing of your pup's growth and development for eight weeks. Socialization Your puppy will be regularly handled by both children and adults of all ages. They will be exposed to a variety of sights, sounds, toys and stimulation to help them grow into confident adults. Our puppies socialize with our older dogs each day, and weather permitting, will be exposed to water and swimming. Puppy Selection There will generally be two opportunities for you to interact in-person with your puppy's litter. The second visit, around weeks, will be your opportunity to select your puppy. If you are unable to attend our in-person socialization days, we can arrange a Facebook or Zoom call for you to meet your puppy! Furever Home Your puppy will be ready to go home at 8 weeks of age. Family Our pups come with more than just a 2 year health guarantee and seller's contract. When you take home one of our puppies, you become part of the Liberty Golden Retrievers family. We are always available to answer any questions you may have and would love to interact with your pup as it grows up; we hope you'll send us lots of pictures, too! Site photos by our friends at The Focus Photography. Site best viewed on desktop or tablet bottom of page. We are a c 3 nonprofit relying on donations , supporters , fundraising, and event and retail proceeds for funding to provide top-quality care to all DVGRR dogs. Learn more about our Golden Gateway campus and watch our campus tour video. Watch our video to take a quick tour. Click to learn more. Our mission is simple: Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue provides new beginnings for displaced Golden Retrievers, and other golden-hearted dogs, along with a full array of adoptive and educational support for the adopters and broader community. If you are interested in adopting, please attend one of our Monthly Open House: Meet the Dogs, Tour, and Shop events, held every second Saturday of the month from 10am until 12pm. Plus, we always need event sponsors. Learn more, click here! All dogs must remain on lead during the event; no flexis. We ask that each dog be handled by one human. Click here for all the details! Details are coming! Help us cover the costs of renovations! Click here for details! Kennel Caregivers — Dedicated, responsible, hard-working, compassionate individuals. Must be 17 years or older. Click here to learn more and apply.
How often you should feed a German Shepherd puppy depends on their age and their activity level. Many owners also want to know when they can switch to adult food formulas for their German Shepherd puppies. Switch your GSD puppy to adult food when they are around 12 to 18 months old. Puppies can begin adult kibble when they are approximately 80 percent of their adult weight. This usually occurs around 8 to 10 months of age, but you can safely feed puppy food up to 18 months old as long as they are not putting on excess weight too quickly. If you want to know what to feed a German Shepherd puppy, keep reading. Finding the best food to feed your German Shepherd puppy is overwhelming at times. This means choosing what to feed a German Shepherd puppy is even more serious and intimidating! Follow this feeding guide when you need to know what to feed German Shepherd puppies. I understand! The following dog foods are all recommended for large breed puppies and meet and exceed regulated nutritional standards. Feeding a high-quality kibble from a name-brand company that uses feeding trials ensures the best quality and nutrition. Here are some of the best German Shepherd puppy foods that are research-backed. Packed with nutrients to help limit inflammation of the joints and uses fresh ingredients. Easily digestible formula for puppies prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs. Rich aroma with DHA fish oil to entice puppies to finish every last bite while giving shine to their coats. The better the food, the healthier your pup will be inside and out. Cheaper GSD puppy food lacks quality proteins that are essential for your working breed dog. Adding too much weight to your German Shepherd too soon can cause lifelong joint issues that are painful to your pet and expensive on your wallet. Most GSDs are healthy and fit on commercial dog foods that are high quality. These balanced formulas keep their bones and muscles strong throughout their growing periods and can ward off later joint issues, a common breed problem, as they mature. There is a greater demand for quality nutrition during the early growth stage. For these reasons, you must feed high-quality food. Now, consider what to feed a German Shepherd puppy based on their age. These feeding charts and guides will help keep your new companion growing strong and athletic. Tiny portions of canned, wet foods are introduced. Meals per day: 4 or more Puppies should stay with their mom for to keep them healthy. Nutrition Warning! At 8-weeks-old a GSD pup is eating more solid foods and develops a better appetite for kibble and other foods. Add in only a couple of small spoonfuls of canned plain pumpkin, unsweetened Greek yogurt, or cooked oatmeal to entice your pup to eat. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue feeding the same as the 8-week-old diet. Treats are not only enjoyable for your German Shepherd, but help you to eneterain and build a positive relationship with him. Be sure to keep their zoomies under control by playing plenty of fun German Shepherd games for puppies. Meals per day: 4 Week-Old Puppy Continue to feed the kibble. Watch for excessive weight gain during this growth time as their bones cannot take extra weight! Too much weight gain too quickly can cause joint issues as an adult and prevent healthy development. Use their mental energy to help keep them more relaxed throughout the day by playing brain-boosting mind games for German Shepherd puppies. Meals per day: 3 to 4 Week-Old Puppy Keep your puppy trim and athletic by monitoring how much you feed your puppy and their body condition. You can write how much they eat and track this over time, and adjust how much your feed your German Shepherd puppy to keep them at a healthy weight. Try using fresh, raw, cut-up pieces of carrots as healthy treats or small, deseeded cubes of fresh apple as part of their training treats. Keep your eyes open for a growth spurt about to begin! Meals per day: 3 Week-Old Puppy Around 4 months old, you might notice your puppy finish their meal quickly and look for more food. Be sure to watch how many treats you give them throughout the day. You can do this by holding them safely in your arms and weighing them with you on the scale. Then, place them on the floor and step onto the scale without them to weigh yourself. Remember, around 16 to weeks old your German Shepherd puppy begins to rapidly grow. Instead, when looking overhead at your puppy their waist should look trim and not rounded outwards. German Shepherd puppies should appear sleek in their waistline. Meals per day: 3 Week And Older Puppy Continue to feed your German Shepherd puppy dry kibble with a small amount of healthy foods mixed in. You can lessen the healthy food you mix in gradually if you prefer. But, even as adults, German Shepherds love a bit of tasty toppers on their kibble. Around a year old, begin feeding your German Shepherd puppy 2 meals a day. Two meals, one in the morning and evening, are not only safer but also provide your German Shepherd with sustained energy to fuel their high-energy lifestyle. You can create a positive meal time by using the following tips: Always offer fresh water during their meal times. Keep the area where they eat their food in calm and out of the way of the family hustle and bustle. I found sitting with a book reading, just keeping my GSD puppy company, encouraged my dog to eat their meals while giving us time to quietly bond. Feed your German Shepherd at the same time everyday. The best time to feed a German Shepherd puppy is in the morning, before you leave for the day, and in the evening, about 2 hours before you put your dog to bed. Allow them to potty after eating to ensure their comfort. Your dog also needs to eat at other times of the day for their health and growth. How much you should feed a German Shepherd puppy really depends on a number of factors. Your GSD pup should eat enough to maintain their growth and energy, while not carrying any extra fat. Every dog is different. Keep in mind the number of calories in the kibble, which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Each puppy food company has a different amount of calories and size of the kibble. Here are a few things that might affect how much your German Shepherd puppy should eat. The more active a German Shepherd puppy is, the more calories he needs to eat to replace lost energy. For example, puppies need nearly twice the amount of calories as compared to adults. And older or senior German Shepherds who are less active need less food. Health Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to feeding your German Shepherd. Simply put, you can prevent some medical conditions and health problems by monitoring their waistlines. Instead follow the healthy way to bulk up a German Shepherd. To see if your German Shepherd is at the right weight you can find the average weight depending on their age. E-mail Share by e-mail German Shepherds make great family dogs — they are loyal, intelligent, and have lots of energy! A good diet is key to giving your pet a long and healthy life, and the wrong diet can lead to a number of health problems. German Shepherds are big dogs with active lifestyles, so making sure they get the right nutrition at different stages throughout their lives is essential. Feeding your German Shepherd Puppy Puppies are growing rapidly and have very specific nutritional requirements. Puppy food tends to be high in calories and protein as they are bundles of energy at this age! Feeding your German Shepherd puppy a good quality balanced diet is essential to ensure that they grow up to be healthy adults. There are some foods designed specifically for large breeds such as German Shepherds, which provide extra support for their growing joints. You should look out for these foods in the pet store and ideally choose one of these large breed diets. You can find further general puppy feeding guidelines and advice via the AKC as well as specific German Shepherd facts and info. How often should I feed my German Shepherd puppy? Puppies need to be fed more frequently than adult dogs to support their rapidly growing bodies. German Shepherd puppies should be fed 4 meals a day until they are 3 months old, then reduce to 3 meals a day until they are 10 months old when their growth rate starts to slow down. Once they reach this age, they need 2 meals a day. When should I start feeding adult food? Puppies must stay on puppy food until they reach adult size. German Shepherds are large dogs and tend to reach adult size later than smaller dogs. They are usually fully matured at months. German Shepherds should stay on puppy food until they are months old, then they should move on to an adult diet. Feeding your adult German Shepherd An adult German Shepherd will weigh around lbs and need at least an hour of exercise every day, so their diet needs to reflect this. It might seem like your dog is eating a lot, but they need to replace the energy they burn off and eat enough of the right nutrients to sustain them! How often should I feed my German Shepherd? Adult dogs should be fed two meals a day. When should I switch from adult to senior food? As dogs get older their nutritional requirements change again. They are less active, and German Shepherds are more prone to joint problems such as osteoarthritis. You should consider switching to a senior diet at around 8 years of age. What type of food should German Shepherds eat? Whichever diet you pick, you should ensure it is suitable for large dogs or working breeds and that it has plenty of protein and calcium, and also includes some type of doggy superfoods, too. Commercially prepared foods are the best way to ensure your dog gets a balanced diet with all the nutrients they need to stay healthy, and they come in wet or dried forms. Some dogs prefer one or the other, whilst some enjoy a variety and mix of both. Dry Food Dried food is cheap, easy to feed and store, and has lots of benefits for your dogs. Dogs fed a dried food diet will drink more water, and you can soak the kibble to add a bit extra if you like. Wet Food Wet foods contain more water than dried, and often resemble meat which some dogs love. The food is usually in chunks with jelly or gravy, and some dogs prefer it to dried. Final Thoughts German Shepherds are large and active dogs with demanding nutritional requirements throughout their lives. They go through a rapid growth stage as puppies, and as adults need the right balance of nutrients to replenish the energy they burn off exercising. They need to eat a diet that has the right balance of protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients, and ensure they get the right number of meals a day to maintain good physical and mental health. Puppies should eat meals a day until they are around 10 months old then they should eat 2 meals a day as adults. Do German shepherds require a lot of food? German Shepherds are large dogs so naturally, eat larger portions than smaller breeds. They are active dogs and need lots of protein and energy to keep them healthy. Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. Shares German Shepherds are graceful, obedient, and loyal dogs with specific nutritional needs. Following a German Shepherd puppy feeding chart will enable you to track the amount of food your puppy is eating as they grow. There are varieties of foods available in the market and most of them come with guidelines at the back of the packaging showing you how much to feed a German Shepherd puppy. This article will cover different types of diets available and the specific nutritional needs of your German shepherd. It will also help you know what to do to ensure that your GSD gets nutritious and balanced food for every stage of their life. German Shepherd Puppy Feeding Chart There are three aspects of this German Shepherd puppy feeding chart, namely the German shepherd feeding amount, feeding frequency, and mealtime lengths. It is important to find out the appropriate feeding amount, frequency, and length for your German shepherd without leaving out one of them. That way, you can accurately find out the best way to feed your dog. Overall, there are four ranges that you need to keep in mind. An active dog may require a bit more than the numbers in this list, and an inactive dog will need a slightly less amount. But this guide can act as a solid benchmark. A puppy will need to eat more because they are growing very quickly. Talk to your vet about how much exactly so you keep them healthy and happy. Make sure your German Shepherd has access to fresh, clean water all day. When you take your dog for a walk make sure to bring along some extra water in a collapsible bowl. If they get tired on the way or it gets very hot, this can save their life. So for example, if your dog is 60lbs they should eat between lbs of food in one day. If you notice your dog is losing weight, add more calories to its meal size. However, there are other considerations on how much to feed a German shepherd puppy per day. You might want to consider avoiding meals right before bedtime. Let them digest their food first before they go to sleep. Understanding German Shepherd Puppy Nutritional Needs All dogs require nutritious, satisfying, and healthy food and every breed have their special diet. For maximum energy and health, there are factors to consider when deciding what to feed your German Shepherd: Size considerations- the AKC breed standard says that a German Shepherd can go to 26 inches tall at the shoulder. Females can be around 49 to 71 pounds while Males can be around 66 to 88 pounds. This means that they have a big appetite hence it is good to find quality food for them. They grow pretty fast hence they need specific nutrients for specific stages. Activity level- German shepherds are muscular, active, and agile which contributes to higher caloric needs to be complemented by feeding them a high-quality diet. Health consideration- GSDs are prone to many diseases hence a healthy diet will prevent problems. For example, arthritis that is caused by hip and elbow dysplasia can be mitigated through an excellent diet. Ensure that your GSD diet contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. How long does it take for your dog to be full? Is your dog still hungry after eating his portion? German shepherds normally take anywhere from 10 minutes to 15 minutes to finish the meal, given that you followed the proper feeding guidelines properly. If your dog shows signs of slow eating, we recommend sending them to your vet. If you think your dog is already full before finishing his portion, there is no problem. However, if your dog is still hungry after finishing the meal, consider sending him to your vet. This is because this can be a sign of a serious health issue involving their digestive system. They encourage the puppy to chew hence preventing periodontal diseases or tartar. Kibble is less expensive to buy and can stay fresh for longer. See also German Shepherd Gestation Period And Pregnancy Wet food is also essential for puppies because they allow puppies to feel fuller with less food. If your GSD need to shed a few pounds, wet food is a good way to reduce their caloric intake. Wet food is easier to digest, hence they are good for German shepherds with sensitive stomachs. Wet food is appetizing and keeps the puppy hydrated. You need to understand why your puppy cannot eat because it will help you determine the way to deal with the issue. There is no need to worry if the puppy lost appetite shortly and goes back to normal eating without any sign of illness. If the puppy loses appetite and takes a few days without improvement, take your puppy to the vet to find the problem because your dog might be sick. If the vet finds that the puppy is sick, they may suggest a special diet that will boost their immunity and give them extra nutrients to better their recovery. The puppy may have stopped eating because of behavioral issues; therefore, you may need to feed them same time to get a routine. Treats and human food that is given to the puppy may need to be reduced and also you can try different kinds of food. The German shepherd is a medium dog breed according to the AKC. Therefore, free-feeding is not a good idea. For the German shepherds, feeding schedules work better. If the puppies are free-fed the puppy may eat the leftover at any time even when they are not hungry. Sticking to a feeding routine help the puppy to stay healthy and prevent obesity. When you have a schedule, managing their weight and house training will improve. The puppy usually relieves themselves around 15 minutes after eating or drinking, therefore, when they feed at the same time every day and are taken outside after a while, accidents will be minimized. A raw diet is good for German shepherds. A raw diet help improves vitality and energy. The puppy gets healthy white teeth with an increased lifespan and reduced shedding as well as a stronger immune system. Raw meat is a great source of protein and an optimal diet. It is like keto to humans because it allows the puppy to reach their total capacity and good health. Dogs are naturally carnivorous, hence raw diet aligns with their natural needs. However, you should speak to your vet before putting your puppy on a raw food diet. The majority of commercially available kibble food is balanced and complete, and of high quality for your German shepherd puppy. Human supplements often contain harmful substances to animals and are unregulated or minimally effective. Therefore, never give human supplements to your German shepherd puppy. But they can eat small amounts of cooked chicken or turkey, plain cooked sweet potatoes or carrots, plain yogurt, and small amounts of fruits like apples or bananas without getting sick. Talk to a vet for advice on how to feed your German Shepherd puppy a healthy and balanced diet. These include chocolate, fatty foods, coffee, alcohol, chives, avocado, onions, nuts, grapes and raisins, garlic, raw or undercooked meat, and bones. These foods can cause a wide range of health problems, from stomachaches to more serious problems like pancreatitis or kidney failure. Some foods that people eat may have a lot of sodium or sugar, which can also be bad for dogs. How much food to give an older German Shepherd will depend on their needs and how much they move around. But as dogs get older, they tend to slow down and may need less food to stay at a healthy weight. As a general rule, an older German Shepherd needs about 2 to 3 cups of food per day, which should be divided between two meals. A German Shepherd that is getting older should eat high-quality senior dog food that is made for their age and size. Senior dogs might also benefit from getting smaller meals more often. If your German Shepherd puppy seems to always be hungry, you should look at what they eat and how often they eat. Make sure they eat enough for their age, weight, and level of activity. Puppies grow quickly and need more calories than adult dogs, so it is possible that they are not getting enough food. Also, make sure you feed them high-quality puppy food that is right for their age and size. If you are worried about how hungry they are or how much they weigh, you should talk to a vet to rule out any health problems and make a plan for feeding them. The amount of dry food you should feed your German Shepherd will depend on several factors, including their age, weight, and activity level. Puppies: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Adult dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Active dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. Senior dogs: Feed times the recommended amount on the food label. If the dog is obviously overweight or underweight, adjust accordingly. If you can feel most of the ribs without squeezing your fingers in between them — try 1 cup per day. This is a decent starting point for a growing large breed puppy that needs the extra calories to grow big and strong. If you can feel most of the ribs AND see its waist — try 3 cups per day. This is perfect for an adult German Shepherd which needs extra calories due to being very active. With this amount, it will be able to maintain its weight, but not gain any extra fat. If you can feel all the ribs and see their waist — try 3. This is a good amount for a very active German Shepherd which needs extra calories to maintain a healthy weight. This should be sufficient for an adult German Shepherd which is quite active. If you can feel all the ribs and see their waist — try 5 cups per day. This is a good amount for an extremely active German Shepherd which needs extra calories to maintain lean muscle mass. For example, when my dog was a puppy, he would feel all ribs and see his waist when eating 2 cups of food per day. However, as he got older and larger, I had to increase the amount — even though I could still feel most of the ribs! He maintained around .Although there are lots of opinions on how much food your shepherds needs, these guidelines work for me and my German Shepherds. Everyone is different though, so you will have to adjust accordingly if necessary — this guide should help you until you find the ideal amount. If your dog is a very active one it may need more food depending on its activity level. Always be sure to give plenty of water since dry kibble can dehydrate the animal over time. However, this amount will vary depending on the size, age, and activity level of your dog. Puppies and young dogs, for example, generally need more water than adult German Shepherds. And working dogs or those who exercise frequently may require even more. This is because they can easily hydrate themselves if given free access to water. However, you still need to remember some things. For example, take note that your dog will need to drink 6 ounces of water per day for every 3. Depending on the temperature and activeness, this amount can increase. Lastly, make sure you take extra care in providing water access to your German shepherd. The most preferable way is to fill a bowl with a moderate amount of water, not too much. The feeding amount, frequency, length, and water requirements can always be changed. If you have no time to visit your vet, the following topic may help you. How Much Should A 1-year-old German Shepherd Eat A 1-year-old German Shepherd should eat about two and a half to three cups of food each day, broken up into two or three meals. Pointers for Feeding German Shepherds Improper feeding practices can lead to serious health problems for German shepherds. An owner is responsible for taking into consideration the age and weight of a German shepherd before feeding them. When feeding a german shepherd puppy that is four to six months old, you must give them two meals a day that comprises around eight ounces and five ounces. When feeding a German shepherd puppy that is between seven and twelve months old, the meal amounts should be increased to ten ounces for each meal. This amount should be split into three smaller meals. This is regardless of whether they are active or not. Yep, German shepherds can gain weight regardless of whether they exercise or not. If you think your dog is gaining too much weight, you can split their daily calories into four or five smaller meals. Some people prefer using dry dog food, while others would choose canned dog food. Whatever you choose for your German shepherd is usually okay, but canned food tends to contain more moisture than dry food which may lead to bladder stones in certain dogs. However, when it comes to the amount of dog food you feed your German shepherd, canned food leads to more obesity than dry food. If your German shepherds are over five years old, you must give them an extra meal. This additional meal should comprise around four ounces of food so they can easily digest it during their older age. When feeding a German shepherd puppy, you must know how to correctly measure their food amount. Be accurate when following the proper measurements; otherwise, it could lead to your dog gaining too much weight. Use measuring cups that are specifically made for dry food. If you use any other type of measuring device, it might lead to your dog eating too much or too little food. You must not feed your German shepherd until they are full, but allow them to eat until they are slightly satiated. Do not serve unlimited food; give them about two to three cups of food per day. If you are unsure whether or not your German shepherd is obese, check its waistline. If they have a thick waist and their stomach looks like a sphere, then that is a clear sign that your German shepherd is obese. Never let them finish their meal if they are still hungry; otherwise, you will encourage them to gorge on their food. Your German shepherd must always have access to fresh clean water, so you should ensure they can drink it whenever necessary. Feeding Guidelines by Age Before proceeding with the following points, remember that age is not the only determining factor in a German shepherd feeding chart. Make sure to consider all the content in this blog post as well. It is recommended that you slowly let them adapt first. This can be their regular food from now on. This includes fruits, bones, and more. You should also avoid giving them your leftovers. However, they will need time to adapt. You should also consider feeding your German shepherd foods that can be gnawed and chewed. This is so they can develop their jaws, teeth, and gums. This will result in less feeding amount and frequency. Feeding Guidelines by Weight German shepherds can be of different weight ranges. An average weighted German shepherd 35 kilograms will then need calories per day. This only applies to German shepherds that do not exercise or are inactive. Active German Shepherds: In the case of active German shepherds that exercise regularly, every 1 kilogram equals 55 calories per day. So an average weighted German shepherd will require calories per day to be able to function properly. Take note, however, that this calculation may be affected if the German shepherd has a health disorder concerned with metabolism or digestion. German Shepherd Puppies vs. Adults Guidelines Our last topic involves the difference between a puppy and an adult. The following are some of the facts that recent studies have proven: Puppies have higher energy levels than adults. This means they need to eat more than adult German shepherds. German shepherds will need higher protein and fat content at an early age. The amount of fat and protein will decrease as they grow older. Puppies cannot tolerate too many nutrients. Ingesting extra minerals and vitamins may lead to serious health disorders. Meanwhile, adults are only risking being overweight when taking in more than intended. German Shepherds usually have a good appetite and can eat a lot, especially when they are young and growing. But their food intake should be balanced and right for their age, weight, and level of activity to keep them from getting too much food and getting fat. As they age, they should usually eat less quickly. Most of the time, bones that have been cooked and ground up completely may be safe to eat. Instead, give them dog-made chew toys or treats. Can German Shepherds Be Vegetarians? Since German Shepherds consume meat, it follows that they must consume a significant amount of animal protein in order to get all of the necessary nutrients. Although while it is feasible to offer a dog a vegetarian or vegan diet, owners of German Shepherds should avoid doing so since it increases the likelihood that their dogs will not get all of the nutrients that they need. After talking about the feeding amount, frequency, and lengths of a German shepherd, you can now easily plan how much, how many times, and how long you feed your dog. You even learned how to hydrate your German shepherd the proper way. Lastly, we talked about the difference between a puppy and an adult in terms of feeding. Peter My name is Peter and I am a dog lover. I have two German Shepherd dogs, one of which is called Biscuit because his coat is very light with brown patches. My wife and I moved from the UK to Ohio where we now live with our two daughters. We love squash on weekends and following the English Premier League closely! Previous Article. Split that daily amount up between all meals. For example, if your 3-month-old GSD puppy is a male and weighs 30 pounds, you should feed him approximately 2 cups per day. Since she no longer needs the extra calories to help support her fast growth period, you can safely reduce her feedings to 2 or 3 meals per day. While she should still be eating puppy food at this point, you may consider purchasing a bag of her eventual adult formula. You can use individual kibbles from the adult formula for treats or training rewards. This will help her get used to the new flavor and texture. Around 9 months of age, you can begin slowly adding a small amount of the adult formula into her puppy food, though she should still be eating primarily puppy chow. Only your vet will be able to tell you when your dog has reached maturity and can be safely moved to adult food. So, make sure you are in close contact with your vet to be sure that your feeding plan is individualized for your specific dog. Adult dog food will have a different ratio of calcium, protein, phosphorus, and other nutrients than puppy food does. Feeding an adult dog a puppy formula can cause obesity as well as put too much strain on kidneys and other vital organs. Long term use of inappropriate food for an adult dog can have catastrophic consequences. That said, there is no need to panic if your adult GSD eats a bowl of puppy food now and then. Adult German Shepherds should be fed twice a day. Again, bloat is a real problem for large breed dogs, and large meals seem to be a big cause of this. I feed my adult dogs this particular blend for a number of reasons. The blend is designed specifically with German Shepherds in mind, as it uses high-quality, animal-based nutrients to counter the extra stress put on the joints of GSDs and to help the development strong lean muscle to keep your dog in peak physical condition. You really can see the difference. This is evident by the fast decline in health, joint flexibility, and energy in older large breed dogs compared to same-age smaller breeds. When your GSD moves from the adult life stage to senior, you need to adjust her diet. Large breeds reach the older stage not quite senior, but close around half of their assumed life expectancy. Inevitably, your GSD will need to switch over to a senior diet. Older large breed dogs have lower energy needs. Older dogs also tend to slow down their digestion, so an increase in fiber might be a good choice for your senior GSD. Do be sure to confirm this with your vet, however. Not all foods are created equal. For treats, senior dogs should avoid calorie-dense milk bones and high-salt or fatty treats. Opt for healthy, whole-food treats such as apple slices or carrots. Some senior dogs begin to develop health conditions that will require special care. This is often a result of poor nutrition early in life, but can sometimes simply be genetics and old age catching up with them. But for GSDs with health issues such as kidney disease and joint pain, diet can play an even bigger role in the quality of their lives. Getting a personalized recommendation from your veterinarian is worth the time, expense, and effort. These charts can seem pretty straightforward at first glance. Instead, use them as a starting point. Observe your dog, see how he looks and feels, and note any changes in his bathroom habits, weight, or energy level. Adjust his meals accordingly. Generally speaking, they talk about daily intake, not per meal. It means to split that 3 cups total over the entire day. If your dog eats 3 times per day, that would be 1 cup at each meal for a total daily intake of 3 cups. To further confuse dog parents, some manufacturers do list per-meal serving sizes, not the total daily intake! In these cases, if you read it incorrectly, you would end up underfeeding your dog. To help mitigate some of this confusion, it may be helpful to ask your vet how many calories your dog should be consuming each day. Then you can check the calorie content in the dog food and measure things from there. Raw Diets, Cooking for Dogs, and Other Alternative Feeding This article has been focusing mainly on commercially available dry kibble since that is what most pet parents ultimately choose for their dogs. However, there are many dog owners that choose to feed alternative diets. These include raw diets and cooking regular people food for dogs. There are many viable options for feeding your healthy German Shepherd, but there are just as many harmful fads, too. As with commercial foods, be sure to speak with your vet before starting your dog on a raw diet or home-cooking her meals. Human supplements are often unregulated, minimally effective, and often contain substances harmful to animals. Never use a human supplement for your German Shepherd. Final Thoughts What you feed your German Shepherd is just as important as how much you feed them. Pay special attention to the first 4 or 5 ingredients listed on the back of the packaging. Choose high-quality, safety-tested foods with clear ingredient and nutrition labels. The two most obvious goals of feeding your German Shepherd are for health and growth. How fast do German Shepherds grow? German Shepherds are medium-large dogs and therefore grow at a fast rate over the first six to seven months leading up to adolescence. Adult German Shepherds are 22 to 26 inches tall and weigh 50 to 95 pounds. Reputable weight charts suggest your German Shepherd puppy will have attained three-quarters of their final weight over these first six to seven months. This is A LOT of growing to do in a short amount of time — when you brought your puppy home, it was probably only eight inches tall and weighed around 15 pounds. By 12 to 15 months old, a German Shepherd is within an inch or less of their adult height. Therefore, your male German Shepherd will be 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh 59 to 93 pounds by his first birthday. How does diet affect the health of growing Shepherds? Recently it has come to light that a proper diet for puppies does more than prevent malnutrition. As part of this proper diet, there are many things that should never be fed to German Shepherds. Orthopedic Problems Many orthopedic problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia have a strong hereditary component. However, people often discount the role of diet in bone developmental issues. Merely creating an oversized puppy, as is often the case for show animals and people fixated on large dogs, can lead to several painful disorders: Hip dysplasia Elbow dysplasia Panosteitis — Generalized inflammation of the long bones in puppies; common in German Shepherds. Overnutrition and over-supplementation of certain vitamins and minerals lead to paradoxical malnutrition of the bone, and subsequently improper development. Nutritional experts have modified their recommendations regarding the diets of large-breed dogs. Many nutritionists and veterinarians advocate feeding German Shepherds and other large-breed puppies an adult or professionally-formulated homemade diet to limit the occurrence and severity of developmental problems. Pet food manufacturers have caught onto the concept of overnutrition in puppies, and most carry special diets for large-breed puppies. Also, do not supplement your puppy with vitamins, minerals, or proteins without veterinarian direction — their excessive use will disrupt bone and cartilage growth and harm the growth plates. Many people use the food bag as a starting point to decide how much to feed their dogs. However, a label on commercial food is one of the easiest ways to overfeed your growing puppy. Feeding your puppy involves regularly evaluating and tracking their weight. You should be able to assess how close your pup is to their ideal weight just by looking at them. Silhouette from the side — a slight tuck. Pat the ribcage where the abdomen slightly lifts towards the hips. From above — Clear waist; should see an hourglass shape from rib cage to hips When you palpate — You should feel the ribs under a thin layer of fat without having to prod very hard. Puppies will vary in their body scores and may change rapidly within a few days. Pups often lose their abdominal tuck right after a meal. Puppies under 16 weeks old commonly have a pot-bellied appearance without much abdominal tuck. Thin dogs will show more visibility of ribs, waist, and pelvis without appearing emaciated or unhealthy. If your puppy eats well but fails to grow or gain sufficient weight, consult a medical professional. German Shepherds can be susceptible to rare cases of pituitary gland dwarfism or a deficiency of enzyme production from the pancreas. Volume The easiest way to determine how much food to give your Shepherd pup is to figure out how many cups they need in a day and divide it by the number of feedings. German Shepherds eat about four cups of food daily from 16 weeks of age to nine months or a year regardless of weight. The volume accounts for the relatively high caloric requirements of the young growing animal. German Shepherds over a year old may need as much as five to eight cups of dog food. Other references, however, use weight rather than age. Pups eat one cup of food daily per 15 to 20 pounds. Dogs over pounds receive five cups of kibble plus an additional half a cup for every extra 20 pounds. Like all models, more active dogs need to eat more food — make adjustments up or down based on body scoring. You can estimate the volume to feed your German Shepherd pup once you find the conversion rate. Dry dog food bags and wet food cans usually have the kilocalorie equivalence of each cup of the product. The number of calories you feed your Shepherd depends on how close to the adult weight they are. Once your puppy reaches six weeks old, you may still have to feed it a mash but can decrease meals to four per day. German Shepherd puppies between the ages of 12 and 16 weeks can eat three to four times daily, while most dogs over four months of age decrease to a frequency of two to three times daily. Centering a few potty breaks around meals that stimulate their intestinal tracts helps develop consistent habits. GDV Your German Shepherd puppy will begin to develop a deeper chest combined with significant size by four to six months of age. Both physical characteristics put your puppy at additional risk of gastric dilatation and volvulus compared to smaller breeds. Four months is the age at which most pups will see a significant increase in their meal sizes. Studies have linked large meals with GDV , or bloat, life-threatening distension, and rotation of the stomach. Increasing the number of feedings greatly reduces the incidence of GDV. We recommend at least two meals a day for your dog, even as your Shepherd approaches adulthood. How much to feed a German Shepherd puppy is part of a broader equation that includes avoiding overfeeding, calculating portion sizes, and scheduling appropriate mealtimes. However, a fat or pudgy puppy is not a look anyone should encourage. The puppy may appear to be in good shape, but you need to feel the ribs to be certain. Four Months You can really start to see the amount the pup has grown compared to the eight-week-old puppy! To get a better idea of what to expect with a young GSD, feel free to watch this video! It illustrates the rapid growth rate of the German Shepherd and touches on diets as well. Recommended reading. The best food for German Shepherd puppies in their first two to four months of life is milk from their mother. This specialised care is usually left to German Shepherd breeders or veterinarians, who are knowledgeable in caring for pups with no mother to nurse from. If you have recently brought a German Shepherd puppy into your family, they are most likely older than 8 weeks, and so have started to eat solid foods. Before the four month mark, it is advised to include some dry food in their diet. You can do this in a few simple steps: Mix some dry food with specially formulated puppy milk to form a soft mixture. You can feed your puppy this mixture three to four times a day. Over time, reduce the amount of milk you include in this mixture, until they are at the point where they are happily eating dry foods. Read on to learn how much you should feed your German Shepherd puppy as they get older. With this rapid growth can come some risks. German Shepherds are susceptible to bone growth disorders, like hip dysplasia, that can start in puppyhood. They will be very active in their adolescent years, and so should be fed with this in mind. The transition from puppy food to adult food should happen between 12 and 24 months of age. This is because, being a larger breed who grows very quickly, you want to ensure that you are feeding them according to their large breed needs. Remember that the more active the pup, the more food they require. While following feeding guidelines is important to avoid over and underfeeding, you can adjust the amounts of food you provide to your dog based on level of activity. If you are unsure, it is always best to ask your vet for guidance. You need to take special care when considering what you should feed your German Shepherd puppy, as they require different nutrients compared to their adult counterparts. For puppies, this amount will often be two of three times higher, as they are more active and growing quickly. German Shepherd puppies need to eat food that is high in proteins and fats. Carbohydrates are also essential for supporting your active pup. Aside from nutritionally complete dry puppy food, German Shepherd puppies can benefit from the extra protein that raw meat can provide them with, such as lean beef, turkey, chicken, or fish. However, they can also be at risk of gastric dilatation or volvulus, or GDV. Certain dog breeds can be more susceptible to GDV; particularly deep chested breeds including German Shepherds. GDV can occur when a dog bloats a few hours after eating a meal. Though the exact causes of GDV are not known, grains and cereals are suspected to be contributors. The amount of food you give your German Shepherd is determined by their weight, energy levels, and age. For most adult German Shepherds, between 1, to 2, calories per day from high quality food sources is ideal. Female German Shepherds, which tend to be about 8 kilos lighter than males, may need less food, as will less active dogs. Dogs who need less food, whether they are less active or simply older, will usually still need around 1, and 1, per day. You may want to alter the amount of food you are feeding your German Shepherd based on how calorically dense their food is. German Shepherds should be fed twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Their daily allotment of food should be split evenly between these two meals. For most dogs, it is recommended that you exercise your dog before meal times to assist with potty training. However, some dogs who are at risk of GDV may benefit from exercise after eating, to aid with digestion. You should also try to give your German Shepherd a high quality food that is specially designed for larger or working breeds, especially if they are very active. For example, less active senior dogs will need to eat less food as they will not be burning calories as quickly as a lively little puppy will. Senior dogs may benefit from a higher fibre and lower calorie diet. Your dog may also develop chronic or short term medical conditions that require specially formulated food. German Shepherds can be particularly susceptible to skin disease or allergies, including canine atopic dermatitis, bacterial skin infections, flea allergy dermatitis, forms of contact dermatitis, or scabies. If your dog develops a skin issue, it is often a sign that they may be suffering from a form of food sensitivity. If you are unsure about what you should feed your German Shepherd, you should always consult your vet as they will be able to determine if your dog is suffering from any allergies or chronic health issues: creating a nutritional plan to help keep your dog healthy and happy for years to come. Part of figuring out what you should feed your German Shepherd includes deciding between wet, dry, or a raw food diet. Wet food for German Shepherds is often high in protein and fat, and is better at keeping your dog hydrated than other food sources. A raw diet can be a good option for your German Shepherd as you have more control over the kinds of food and amount of nutrients your pup is consuming. For this reason, raw diets require a lot more work on your part as an owner. Whatever you decide to feed your German Shepherd, all dogs need a similar ratio of nutrients in their diets. The amount of food you feed your dog should be determined by their activity levels, age, weight, breed, and size. Any meals prepared for your dog need to contain the right balance of nutrients. You should also be extra careful not to introduce your dog to foods that are harmful to their health. While we might enjoy the taste of nuts, artificial sweeteners, alcohol and onions, these can be toxic for dogs and can cause serious illness and even death. German Shepherds in particular need plenty of exercise as they are a large working breed with a lot of energy. No matter how old your German Shepherd is, it is important to keep to a consistent feeding schedule. A feeding schedule can help you keep track of any changes in behaviour around food that might signal illness or physiological stress.
More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Located in the Allegheny Mountains on the Northern Pennsylvania border we are a small family breeder of Labrador Retrievers. Established in , it is our love of the breed and the joy they bring us that contributed in our creating Winchester Labradors. What sets us apart here at Winchester Labradors is all of our dogs live in our home with us and enjoy a full life of work, play, love, and couch time. Our family consists of neutered labs as well as carefully selected breeding dogs. We also have four cats roaming among the labs. We as breeders are more concerned with the quality of dogs we produce than the quantity. All of our labs have been health tested allowing us to stand behind each and every puppy born. Our pups are sold with a written lifetime guarantee ensuring they will never be affected by genetic hereditary diseases that we test for. All of our puppies are sold on a limited registration unless otherwise agreed upon by the breeder at the time of the deposit. We sell with limited registration to preserve the quality of this breed that we love. We highly recommend neutering your lab, enabling you to have years of healthy companionship. Potential families are welcome to meet the parent dogs in advance by appointment. We update families regularly with information and photos once the puppies are born. We want our families to feel like they already know their puppy by the time they go home. One of our biggest pleasures has been people coming as customers and leaving as friends. Pet Keen is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder, though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. We have not personally investigated all of the breeders below, rather, we have gathered their details for you to get in touch and ask all the right questions before you decide. Learn more about our position and how to choose a breeder here. The 3 Labrador Retriever Breeders in Pennsylvania 1. The breeders have been in operation since and have a sterling reputation. All pups come with AKC limited registration, meaning no breeding rights for the new owner, a microchip, and a genetic health guarantee. Each pup is born and raised at the family home and receives a first vaccination, deworming, and exam from a veterinarian at 8 weeks of age. These dogs are bred on a semi-regular basis and the pups are sold to approved homes at 7 to 8 weeks. The parents have genetic health clearances, and puppies come with AKC limited registration, a three-generation pedigree, current vaccination records, parent records, care instructions, food, and a personal toy. Their puppies are selectively bred with careful health screenings and for a laid-back temperament. Em Labradors puppies are sold with limited AKC registration papers unless you specify that you wish to breed or show. This requires a little more vetting and the approval of the puppy for breeding purposes. Potential buyers can put a deposit down on the litter, color, and gender of the pup. Among puppy mills in the country, several PA breeders have made the list for multiple animal care violations, including puppies exposed to extreme cold or heat, animals living in filth, and owners shooting dogs or puppies they no longer wanted. You should meet the parents and the puppies. Also, that breeder has little interest in the home where the dog will live. Avoid breeders offering puppies at younger than 7 or 8 weeks. Puppies need this time to spend with their mother and develop social skills with littermates. If a pup is taken too soon, it could end up with emotional and behavioral issues , such as anxiety and depression. These breeders are only concerned about money and turnover. Stay out of pet stores. You may also be interested in:. Chico is about to turn two, and Chomper is a year and a half old. We picked each of them up from Reilly Lane at eight weeks old, and they immediately made themselves part of the family, and are absolutely the best of friends! They love people and love playing with other dogs. They are happiest outdoors running, chasing squirrels and birds, and especially playing in water or snow! They enjoy walks and are great jogging partners! We were so lucky to find Reilly Lane Labradors when the time was right to add a new puppy to our family. Communication has always been great, and the process was smooth and simple. Kelly is very knowledgeable, and has been wonderful answering all of our questions and offering advice, before and after purchase! Cathy Cassavaugh It was such a pleasure working with Kelly. She was and is always very responsive to any questions I had during and after the process. She truly cares about breeding the healthiest puppies with the best personalities. Transitioning Finnegan home was super easy and smooth. Micaela Caulkins It was such a great experience working with Kelly. She was super helpful and answered every single question I had no matter the time or day. I recommend her to anyone looking for a lab and will be doing business in the future! Adam Reilly Lane Labradors has exceeded our expectations! From the moment we were interested Kelly gave us knowledgeable information and always kept us updated on our puppy. She is more than helpful and truly cares about her puppies! Kelly is very responsive to any questions at any time of the day. She sold us our first red lab puppy in August , Dexter. We get many questions about his breed. Also, everyone loves his color! We always refer those that ask to Kelly. We highly recommend Kelly at Reilly Lane Labradors! Thank you for everything! With that being said, Kelly is an amazing person and breeder! She truly cares about her dogs and wants to make sure the puppies go to good homes. She makes sure all of them are in good health, and checked over by her veterinarian, and even ensures they have all of their necessary vaccines and deworming before giving them to you. This has been such a smooth process with her. Kelly answers any and all questions in a timely manner, and still will check in to make sure my girl is doing OK. I love being able to openly communicate with Kelly still to this day, and being able to update her on my baby. I can truly trust and depend on her and will definitely be getting another puppy from her in a few years! Thank you so much!!! Katie Marshall When we were first actively looking for our new family member I was searching all over and then came across Reilly Lane and contacted Kelly by text. From the first text to the first phone conversation Kelly was great and very responsive and answered all of our questions promptly even though I know she lives a busy life. We could not be happier with our decision to get Boone from Kelly. She share pics from birth and was a memorable experience every week getting updated pictures with all the pups in their color coded collars. My wife and 2 sons would look at the pics and started to get to know the pups and it was a great chance see their growth. Boone is very smart and even at this young age he is showing signs of being an excellent hiker, swimmer, fetcher, hunter and lifelong family companion. Thanks again from the Nagy family Rob and Agi Nagy I looked everywhere and was just not having comfortable experiences or liked the dogs I was seeing. Until I came across reilly lane labs!! Kelly was amazing and so kind since birth of puppies texting me updates all the time and pictures and always responded so quickly. We still keep in touch she is so kind. I got my black lab Bear from her and he is the most handsome sweetest good fur baby ever!! Bear is so smart!! If I ever get another lab I am def coming back here!! The dogs are gorgeous!! Life Span Did You Know? There is a reason that year after year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog breed in the United States. The history of the Labrador Retriever dates back to the early s in Newfoundland, just off the Atlantic coast of Canada. Had these families not played a vital part in the continuation of the breed, the loving and affectionate Labs we have all grown to love may not exist today. The first recognized Yellow Labrador Retriever was born in .One of the friendliest breeds out there, Yellow Labs are great companions and love to be a part of the family. While the color yellow is part of their namesake, their coats range from fawn or cream to butterscotch or a deep golden hue. Coming into popularity during the midth century, the Yellow Labrador Retriever has been a staple for hunters and family homes alike ever since. These dogs are patient and kind when faced with energetic young ones. Yellow Labs delight in big spaces, opting to run and play wildly. However, they will happily lounge on the couch after having a long, hard run outside. When given a little training, they can easily learn to control barking habits and restrain themselves from digging. Their double coat also makes them a good fit for just about any climate. As with most dogs, they are sensitive to extreme heat or cold. Generally speaking, Labradors are healthy. They can develop certain inherent conditions, along with cataracts and kneecap displacement, but will remain healthy overall. As long as they are taken to their vet appointments with regularity, Labs will usually feel just fine. Yellow Labs are loyal companions with few drawbacks. Treats never hurt, of course. This, paired with their eagerness to please, makes them a highly trainable dog breed that is a good fit for owners of any experience level. With minimal training, these dogs can control their barking and digging without much trouble. Labs have very short, double-layered, and water-resistant fur. Its density protects them from the cold, so they will often try to swim any time of year. They experience heavier seasonal shedding twice a year and slight shedding throughout the year. Giving them a good brush once a week or a few times a week should keep their coats shiny and healthy. Other grooming tasks include nail trimming, ear care, and dental care. Proper dental care for dogs includes brushing their teeth or using an enzyme toothpaste every day. This helps prevent the tartar buildup that causes dental diseases like gum disease and tooth decay. You can also supplement your dental care efforts with dental hygiene chews, a special dental care diet, and more. This breed tends to be very active. They were bred to be working dogs and need exercise. A few daily walks and some time to run should help assuage their energy levels. Yellow Labs also need a fair amount of mental activity as well; they like to stay sharp. Yellow Labs are classified as medium to large dogs. They reach an average height of 23 inches and an average healthy weight of 75 pounds. A Yellow Labrador Retriever generally lives years. It was traditional in Newfoundland for every fishing boat to have a Labrador Retriever that would help retrieve the fish as they came in off the trawl. Featured Yellow Labrador Retriever Article.
Updated on 11 February White German Shepherds are rare dogs with a striking coat. However, White GSDs can have some subtle differences. White German Shepherds have been recongised by the UKC since — and the organization have created a breed standard for this particular variety of GSD. While they were banned from registration in their native Germany in , North America proved something of a hotbed for these dogs and a breed club was formed for White German Shepherds in .Ash, who owns a White GSD called Ghost, warned prospective owners to be prepared for their dog to be confused for another popular dog breed! You will constantly be asked if your dog is a Husky white fur that is so noticeable, needs a lot of attention, lots of energy. They can become very attached to their dog owners and members of the family. This can translate to them being excellent family dogs! Alyssa highlighted this loyal trait, having firsthand experience with Lumi. White Shepherds are incredibly loyal and great family dogs. They love their families and will do anything to protect them. Because of this, they typically are a bit skeptical of strangers but this can be worked through with proper socialization and training. While German Shepherds can often be incorrectly stereotyped as aggressive dogs, the White GSD tend to have more mellow personalities. Only the Border Collie and the Poodle are considered more intelligent! They should be quick to learn new commands and can be highly obedient dogs. Having said that, sometimes smart dogs can have a stubborn or mischievous streak. Alyssa explained that consistency is key where training White GSD is concerned. White Shepherds are incredibly smart. Just keep at it and make sure to give lots of praise when they exhibit the correct behaviors. With high energy compared to other breeds, they may not be suited to all pet parents. As mentioned before they need a solid amount of exercise and mental stimulation or they can become bored and destructive. You should be prepared for lots of white fur on your clothes, on your furniture and on the floor. Alyssa shed further light on White GSD shedding! If you have issues with shedding, White Shepherds are not for you. White GSDs require regular daily exercise to stretch their legs. Aylssa provided her insight on White German Shepherd exercise. Exercise all depends on the drive and energy level of your dog. German Shepherds on average White Shepherds included need quite a bit of exercise. They can get bored very easily so its important to keep their mind busy. Training sessions also do a great job of keeping them mentally stimulated. They need regular brushing to remove shedded hair and debris from their coat to maintain their overall coat health. Ash underlined the importance of regularly grooming a White GSD. Sometimes the fur can grow back, other times the elbow becomes a little bald patch which can scab if it gets hurt. Our dogs have mellow, affectionate, and playful temperaments, love water, and especially children. They are living as trustworthy family members, as emotional support dogs, service dogs, and medical alert dogs around the world! Content Link Block Polarbear is our Name. Or perhaps just looking for the total package in a dog? Health and longevity remains the foundation of all we do. Take for example, the standard German Shepherd dog as seen in this photo: View fullsize …Dogs bred with these traits often end up with crippling disabilities and premature death. This is so inhumane. The focus of our kennel, on the other hand, is to produce dogs with straight backs, broad heads, and short coats, as in the photo of Polarbear's foundation sire, Shack Von Hammer below. Aside from their magnificent appearance, Polarbear White Shepherds are calm, sociable, and affectionate. They are gifted empaths and comedians at heart. Their goofy personalities and love of children make them perfect nannies for even the youngest child. They love water, retrieving frisbees, and diving into the occasional swimming pool. What kind of dogs do all that? And they are living fulfilled lives, as medical detection dogs, service dogs, and family and companion dogs in nearly every state in the United States! World Map of our Clients Before leaving, you might like to click on some of our pages. Our "Words of Warning" for those purchasing a purebred dog for the first time on the internet is a favorite. Just remember this quote…. No amount of training or special food will fix a problem dog. If you want to view videos of our dogs, check out our Youtube Channel page. If you appreciate our breeding philosophy and love what we do, do let us know by becoming a fan! German Shepherds with all-white coats have always been present in litters; however, the exact cause of their beautiful pure white coat remains unclear. It was once thought that the cause of the white coat was due to albinism or other health issues. However, although the albino gene can exist in German Shepherds, it is rare, and most German Shepherds do not carry this defective gene. The genetics of coat color in the white German Shepherd can be a heavy read. To summarize, genetic research has partly identified a recessive gene that is believed to be responsible for their beautiful white coat. This gene appears to have been a part of the original gene structure of the GSD breed and is believed to mask the real color of the dog, causing it to appear white. So, when does the white German Shepherd appear in a litter, and what colors will the pups of a white GSD bred with a non-white be? Here are a few of them: Two non-white German Shepherds can produce a white puppy only if they both carry the white gene. If a white GSD is bred to a non-white dog that does not carry the gene, none of the puppies will be white; however, they will be carriers of the white gene. If offspring are bred to a white, some of them will express the white coat color. Only two purebred white German Shepherds always create a litter of all-white pups. Due to being extremely intelligent, strong, protective, loyal, and obedient, German Shepherds were originally bred to be herding dogs and were responsible for herding sheep and protecting flocks and other livestock. They were not originally considered household pets but were instead bred specifically to work. Their sense of smell, intelligence, work ethic, courage, versatility, and speed made them perfect as all-purpose farm dogs. By the start of World War One, the German Shepherd breed had become incredibly popular throughout Germany and had already started spreading to other parts of the world. This noble and trustworthy dog became especially popular in the UK and America. This was partly from returning soldiers of the First World War who spoke very highly of them and the popularity of German Shepherd movie stars, Strongheart and Rin-Tin-Tin. Dog lovers not only admired the beauty of the German Shepherd but were particularly fond of their temperament, especially their loyalty, easy trainability, bravery, and working ability. White German Shepherds have also been around since the early formations of the breed. These bright white versions were popular due to their unique appearance and the ability to blend in among the flocks, making darker predators, such as foxes, easier to spot. In the s, the purebred white German Shepherd started to be considered a fault by the Nazi regime, which saw the white coat as an undesirable trait. They also wrongly believed that the genes of the white-coated dogs paled the coats of color-coated dogs and were responsible for causing disease. Nazi Germany began to discriminate against white German Shepherds, and they were soon excluded from both breeding and showing. The US followed suit in the late s when the American Kennel Club banned the white German Shepherd from the conformation ring — but still allowed their registration as a purebred. They were also still permitted to participate in events, such as herding trials, tracking events, and obedience. Advances in science proved that the white recessive gene did not cause albinoism. Albinos have no pigment whatsoever, whereas white German Shepherds have pigment in their eyes, nose, lips, mouth, paw pads, etc. Science also proved that the white German Shepherd was not responsible for any other health issues or the paling of color-coated dogs. Now, this is where things begin to get confusing! Let me explain… Supporters for the white German Shepherd Dog began forming their own breed clubs and registries in the late s and s. These supporters vowed to protect the breed and re-named the dog the White Shepherd. Around the same time, another white breed was developed. The resulting puppies were considered to be the foundation dogs of the Swiss Shepherd. This breed is discussed later in the article. It can be somewhat confusing — but technically speaking the white German Shepherd, White Shepherd and the Swiss Shepherd are all considered different breeds recognized by different organizations with different breed standards: The white German Shepherd is recognized by the American Kennel Club although it is disqualified from showing and the UK Kennel Club. In contrast, the UKC is a for-profit institution that is open to individuals. Opinions in North America remain divided into whether the purebred white German Shepherd should be seen as a separate breed from the White Shepherd. Whether you are looking at a white German Shepherd or a White Shepherd, effectively, they are the same dog, and they have the same appearance and traits. White German Shepherd Appearance The white German Shepherd dog is pretty much identical in appearance to every other variety of German Shepherd, apart from, of course, the color of their coat, which is completely bright white all over. They are medium to large-sized dogs with a muscular and athletic build. They have a low-set bushy tail and very distinctive pointy ears , a true distinguishing trait of the German Shepherd breed. Adult male white German Shepherds tend to be around 24 to 26 inches in height, and females are usually around 22 to 24 inches tall. Males usually weigh 66—88 lbs 30—40 kg , and females 49—71 lbs 22—32 kg when fully grown. Remember, though, that each dog is different, and sizes can vary. When identifying a purebred German Shepherd , the head is noble, the eyes are medium-sized and almond-shaped, and the muzzle is long. The white German Shepherd is double-coated, and their stunning weather-resistant coat is medium length or is sometimes long. The outer coat has coarse, straight, or slightly wavy hairs that lie close to the body, and the undercoat is thick. A question often asked is how rare are white German Shepherds? White German Shepherds are rarer than the colored variety, and the availability and price are determined by supply and demand. Breeders can, therefore, charge more, or sometimes less, for these impressive dogs. As with colored GSDs and with any purebred , prices can vary depending on various factors such as breeder reputation, location, bloodline, and litter size. Only two white German Shepherds are sure to have a litter of gorgeous white pups. However, if two non-white German Shepherds both carry the white gene, there is a chance that some of the litter may be white. Exactly how many depend on whether the color-coated dog carries the recessive white gene. As it is unknown what color a white German Shepherd is masking, it is impossible to determine the colors of the pups when bred to a non-white. However, a reputable and experienced breeder can confidently breed two white German Shepherds to create a litter of purebred all-white fluffy German Shepherd puppies. What is the Temperament of the White German Shepherd? White German Shepherds have the same temperament as color-coated dogs. There is often a misunderstanding that they are less aggressive or calmer; however, this is a myth. They make either an excellent companion dog or a great working dog. Their bravery, loyalty, endless energy, easy trainability, and versatility are why they are often utilized in the police, military, search and rescue, or as service or therapy dogs. White German Shepherds are incredibly eager to please their owners, and they love having a job to do. This makes them fun and easy to train. Basic obedience training from early puppy age will help them grow up to become well-behaved adult dogs. You can start training as soon as you bring your new pup into your home, usually from around 8 weeks of age. When faced with strangers, white German Shepherds can become nervous, suspicious, and occasionally a little aggressive. This is due to their deep protective and guarding instincts. Remember, they were originally bred to protect and herd sheep. Early socialization and training are important to prevent any over-aggressiveness. These dogs are very active, and exercise is necessary to keep them out of mischief. They require at least two hours of daily physical activity, and this can include a combination of walking, hiking, off-leash running, flyball, agility, frisbee, or fetch. Mental stimulation, including playing games and having interactive or puzzle toys around, is also important. Your doggo will have hours of fun, and this toy is a true boredom buster! German Shepherds display poor behavior without regular exercise, such as chewing, biting, scratching, digging, barking, or whining. Sometimes the white GSD can be over-sensitive, emotional, or extra clingy. This is due to their intense devotion and loyalty to you! Overall, white German Shepherds are very loving, loyal, trustworthy, and fun dogs. They are full of life with endless energy, and you will enjoy spending time with them for many years. White German Shepherds make wonderful pets as long as you can provide for their basic needs. You will need to have a suitable lifestyle to exercise and care for them properly. A question often asked is whether German Shepherds are good first dogs. Let me offer my experience here as my first dog was — and is — a female GSD. They do make excellent first dogs, but you need to have lots of time and energy to socialize and train them. If you are looking for a dog that needs hardly any exercise, grooming, or training, then a white German Shepherd is definitely not for you! From a young pup, your GSD will need lots of attention and interaction from you. The white German Shepherd is good with children and other family pets, especially if raised with them. All German Shepherd types require a home where someone is around during the day as they cannot tolerate being left alone for hours and hours on end. If you are out at work, you must plan and have a routine. German Shepherds are medium-large breed dogs, but exactly how much space do they need? Even though they are high-energy dogs, with lots of planning and hard work, they can thrive in smaller homes — even in apartments — as long as their needs are met. You will be required to put in more work and dedication, but it can be achieved if you are determined to make it work. Overall, the white German Shepherd makes a great family pet, and if you treat him right, he will give you hours of fun. Are White German Shepherds Aggressive? German Shepherds of any color are known to have aggressive tendencies and behaviors. They are strong, athletic, and muscular dogs, and due to these traits and their high intelligence and protective nature, they are often used as guard dogs or in the police and military. They can be trained to be aggressive towards certain individuals or strangers. However, a well-raised and socialized white German Shepherd has no reason to become aggressive. As long as you socialize and train your puppy as soon as you bring him home, this will give him the confidence and experience he needs around new people and other dogs and help him respond to many different situations calmly and confidently. White German Shepherds are no different from the color-coated variety and are extremely healthy dogs. However, like most other breeds, they can be prone to some hereditary health issues. One of the most common health issues that white German Shepherds are known for is hip dysplasia. All German Shepherds are born with perfectly healthy hips. However, some will develop this hereditary condition. Hip dysplasia may become apparent at any age, but the symptoms are most often noticed in older white German Shepherds. Some white German Shepherds develop malabsorption syndrome, and the breed is prone to other sensitive stomach issues. If you believe your white German Shepherd may suffer from any illness, you should visit your veterinarian for a full check-up. The vet will conduct a physical examination of your dog and take some blood tests and x-rays to determine the correct diagnosis. White German Shepherds tend to live on average between years old. This is the typical living age for all German Shepherds, regardless of their color. To ensure your white German Shepherd lives a long and healthy life, choose a reputable breeder who takes the time the screen the health of the sire and dam. I truly believe that the nutrition you provide for your GSD will keep him fit and healthy. My German Shepherd has been fed a special type of food from being 8 weeks old, and she still thrives on it to this day. To learn more about this food, head over to this page. Another common question that often surrounds the purebred white German Shepherd is whether the white coat causes deafness. Many white dog breeds have trouble with their hearing, such as Dalmatians who carry the piebald gene. Dogs with the piebald or merle gene lack these types of cells — this is what makes them white and contributes to their hearing loss. However, white German Shepherds inherit their white coats differently — through a different gene. This means that while their coat is white, their skin and ears are developed normally, so their hearing is unaffected. The white German Shepherd is double-coated, just like the colored variety, and can have medium or long hair. They require the same basic grooming and maintenance needs as any other variety of German Shepherd. All German Shepherds are classed as heavy shedders, and they will molt consistently all year round. For more in-depth information on this, you may find my full guide on shedding particularly helpful. The white hair does have the advantage of showing up better on floors and furniture, making things a bit easier! The longer-haired white German Shepherd is less common and requires more frequent and detailed grooming. They require special attention around the ears to ensure that they remain clean and healthy. Two to three baths per year will usually suffice. However, this can increase depending on several factors, such as coat color, how dirty they get, or their health e. Clearly, white GSDs are likely to need more baths. Excessive washing can also cause skin dryness that can lead to irritation. White German Shepherds are social animals and prefer to live indoors with their families. However, they can live happily outdoors as long as they have been accustomed to this from an early age. They must also learn to bond with their family and be properly socialized. Remember, though, they were originally bred as herding dogs and were used to living outside whilst protecting their sheep. Their thick double coat keeps them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. If you are considering raising your white GSD puppy to live outside, here are some tips and tricks on how to go about it. All GSDs love having a specific area that they can consider as their own special space, whether that be a crate indoors or a dog house out in the yard. Wherever your white German Shepherd lives, inside or outside, he will still need lots of exercise and human interaction to live a happy life. The Swiss Shepherd Finally, another breed is similar to the white German Shepherd that is now recognized as a separate breed. Although almost identical in their appearance, the Swiss Shepherd differs from the white German Shepherd as they have different temperaments. They were specifically bred to be calmer, less aggressive, and less intense than the GSD with a lower working drive. Like white German Shepherds, Swiss Shepherds are an active breed and require daily exercise. If left without exercise, they can become destructive. Final Thoughts The white German Shepherd has endured a tough time earning his status as a recognized purebred. Here is a summary of the key points of the article: The white German Shepherd is purebred. They are identical to other German Shepherds except for their all-white coat caused by a recessive gene. The white German Shepherd is recognized by the American Kennel Club but disqualified from the show ring. The UK Kennel Club also recognizes him. They make wonderful family pets if properly socialized and trained. White GSDs have the same health issues as the colored variety. The gene responsible for the white coat does not cause deafness. They are truly wonderful dogs, no matter what their color! Related Posts You May Like:. Raising dogs for you and your family. Call or text .Every breed has different requirements, whether the space they must have or the amount of exercise they need. If you are not certain yet, check out our essential White German Shepherd breed info to find out everything about the White German Shepherd. How to find White German Shepherd puppies for sale? When buying a puppy, it is important to consider not only the pet but also the breeder. Because a responsible breeder will ensure their dogs come from the strongest bloodlines and have the best start to life. Ask about the health and temperament of their White German Shepherd pups as well as their living environment. But also find out about the breeder's practices and commitments. A good breeder will be happy to answer everything before you decide. After all, they will want to ensure that their dog goes to a good home. When you have done your research and got all the info you need, you can then choose the right breeder with confidence. To help ensure you choose a responsible breeder, all the White German Shepherd kennels you see listed here are verified by Pets4You. You will also find that the best breeders will provide a guarantee with their dog. This information, and more, is available on the breeder's website within Pets4You. Browse through our dog breeder directory with complete breeder profiles and current puppies for sale to find your dream dog. Disclaimer It is the duty of every person that is considering buying a puppy or dog to confirm all the information provided to them by the breeder is accurate. Pets4You makes no warranties, expressed or implied, as to the condition of any dogs offered for sale, the standards or practices of any breeder, the quality of their canines, or the accuracy of any information contained within our site. Pets4You does not endorse, recommend, or guarantee a particular kennel, breeder or dogs listed on the Pets4You website. For Buyers. Please leave this field empty. Got our girl home to Minnesota. Little freaked out by the snow and the zero temps. She is doing great. She is a lovable sweetheart. Also fairly adventuresome. In and out of tight spaces outside and crawling over a pretty sizable and messy rock pile. Anyway, thank you. Tom Ziggy is awesome! My 3 yr old hugs and lays with him and he sleeps at the door of her room at night. Sara Thanks so much Doug. Proud to be the guardian of such joy. Thank you so very much, trust me when I say he will be loved and cherished. Take care. Sharon The puppy I received, 8 week old female Legacy was beyond my expectations, she was everything I was promised and more! Everyone who meets her loves her, she is the sweetest smartest thing. She is excelling in her obedience and her service dog training, I am very blessed for that. Thank you Doug! John B. Wells — former Coast to Coast talk show host, now at Caravan to Midnight. Our dog Luna is all you said she would be and more,beautiful,intelligent,we love her so much! Thank you, Heidi P. She is fantastic! We got him from you back in July .Ghost is the most amazing dog. He is the most loyal, the most loving, protective, and smartest dog I have ever known. Have a great day! The puppy has been started on its vaccination series, dewormed, vet checked, and given lots of T.
Plus 9 Tips on What to Look For! French bulldogs have become quite a craze with everybody wanting to bring this bundle of fun into their lives. The French bulldog is an expensive breed but their price is well worth it. They are an absolute charmer, smart, playful, and affectionate. Their cute face, adorable bat ears, wrinkly face, and short noses are hard to resist. French Bulldogs have every trait of a good pet dog. They are an extremely sociable breed and will be unhappy and depressed if left alone for long hours. So, now the question is where do I buy a French bulldog? A French bulldog can be purchased from an ethical, local breeder. Use local shelters, vets, or ask other French bulldog owners about recommended breeders. It is best to seek a breeder who has been in the market for several years, maintains pedigrees of the French bulldogs lineage and health, has medical history of vaccinations and health, and has professional references. Always take your time to perform due diligence on the breeder. This is not something that should be done hastily because you want to be sure you find a great breeder and the right French bulldog for YOU. Adoption is also a great choice but this may come with added responsibility and health issues that need to be tended to. My wife and I adopted our bulldog Daisy, but it was the right fit for our family. Owning a French bulldog can definitely change your life for the better. But owning one of these snuggle buddies requires work and patience. To help you know if a Frenchie is right for you here are 8 must know tips. So, if you want a Frenchie the first thing you should know is their potential genetic problems and behavior problems. You may end up paying thousands and thousands of dollars for a sick Frenchie. Due to the brachycephalic airway syndrome, these dogs are susceptible to a multitude of health problems. Most of these health issues are non-life threatening but can escalate the vet bills. Therefore, it is imperative to look for a healthy well-bred Frenchie, even if you have to pay more. Although small, French bulldogs may have a stubborn streak in them making them a little bit more difficult to train than other dogs. French bulldogs do not need a lot of exercises. Frenchies have fairly low energy levels. So, if you want to take your dog for long hikes on trails, then a Frenchie is not for you. They are loud breathers and snore a lot. This is due to the general makeup of their airways. French bulldogs suffer from digestive issues and can easily get constipated. They are extremely affectionate and want nothing but the love and attention of their owners. They are the happiest in the company of their owners sitting in their laps. Typically, French bulldogs do not bark excessively and can make wonderful apartment dogs. French bulldogs are excellent with children and also get along with other pets, as long as they are just playful. Before you buy be sure to do your homework. Here are several pointers that should help you in your search for the perfect fur buddy. A reputable and ethical breeder invests in genetic testing of their breeding stock and will be able to prove the same to you. An ethical breeder will not allow a dog who has been tested positive for genetic problems to be used for breeding. If a puppy is bred correctly and has an excellent health history then there is little chance of it developing any health problems. Your breeder should also be able to provide you the documentation of the vaccinations of the first 8 to 10 weeks of the pup. Good breeders will allow their breeding stock to have one or two litter every year so that they can protect the health of the female French bulldog. Even if there are multiple breeding females, a good breeder makes sure they do not have litters within the same period. So, ask the breeder about their breeding policy. Beware of the unethical breeders who exploit dogs and scam the potential owners. It is advisable to visit the facility and make sure that the dogs live in a positive and clean environment. A reputable breeder will not have several litters at once and also a variety of dog breeds for sale. An ethical breeder will also not try to let the puppy go before they are 8 to 10 weeks old. It can be dangerous for the puppy to be introduced into a new environment without prior vaccinations. Do not fall for what seems to be an abnormally low price. Ask the breeder about the health history of the parents as Frenchies have severe health issues in their bloodlines. Check for the eyes of the puppy as well as the parents for redness or any other issues. Always ask the breeder to show you the parents so that you know what your pup will grow into. It may not be always possible to see the father but this is a must with the mother. Ask the breeder if the puppies have been socialized. You can also ask the breeder for references who would have previously bought a French bulldog puppy from them. A refusal from the breeder should raise red flags! If a breeder is not telling you what you need to know, then just walk away. If you did not get a French bulldog that was AKC registered, you may find value in it, and the process in having your bulldog AKC registered is fairly simple. There are a lot of differences between male and female Frenchies in terms of personalities and temperaments. Male French bulldogs are more playful, mischievous, and assertive. On the other hand, females are often more docile, moody, dominating, and affectionate between the two. Female bulldogs are typically easier to house train than their male counterparts. Female dogs, although timid, get aggressive quickly if tempted and often more temperamental as puppies. They become calmer with age. Male French bulldogs also have the same problem but are less aggressive than females. These are some typical personality traits, however, the personality of a French bulldog is also dependent on the environment they live in, how they are raised, and trained. Spaying and neutering French bulldogs will also make a huge difference in their personalities, curtailing a lot of negative traits in both the sexes. Spaying and neutering French bulldogs reduces their health issues, makes them calmer, and easier to train. Another difference between a male and a female French bulldog is the difference in cost. Female French bulldogs are more expensive than the male French bulldogs because you can choose to breed her. Male Frenchies have big heads and a larger physical frame. They weigh more than females and are more susceptible to health problems than females. Male puppies are more energetic than females, who tend to be more relaxed. It ultimately boils down to the level of care and training you put into your dog. Why are French bulldogs so expensive? French bulldogs are expensive because of the expenses required for breeding and caring for them. The price of a French bulldog depends upon the number of puppies in the litter, color of fur, and the genes carried. French bulldogs come in an array of different colors. French bulldogs in rarer colors can cost a whopping price. The color of a French bulldog is dependent upon the genes of their parents. But some most common colors of French bulldogs are white, fawn, brindle, or pied white and brindle. Lilac, blue, and chocolate are rare colors and cost more than the other colors. Blue French bulldogs have a blue coat which is the result of a genetic disorder called color dilution Alopecia. French bulldogs are not easy dogs to breed and there are lots of reasons for this. If you are seriously thinking about bringing a French bulldog into your home you should know all the pros and cons of owning a Frenchie. Exorbitant Tests and Procedures A series of pricey tests and procedures are done during the breeding process. Progesterone tests These tests are required to know when exactly is the female ovulating. Blood tests are also needed to make sure the female is healthy and strong enough to carry puppies. Artificial insemination and c-section A natural way of mating is hardly accessible and therefore, female French bulldogs have to be artificially inseminated. This whole process is time-consuming and expensive. French bulldogs have relatively large heads and shoulders and so a female French bulldog cannot birth naturally as the birthing canal is very small and cannot handle the labor. Another reason is their narrow hips. The large heads and shoulders of puppies can also get stuck and can result in injury or their death. Therefore, all the French bulldog puppies are delivered through c-section, which is an expensive procedure. Then come the pregnancy tests, prenatal care, including check-ups, a good diet, supplements — all adding up the cost. High Protein Diet A French bulldog female also needs to be fed a high protein diet to induce lactation and to help her provide the puppies with plenty of vitamins. Constant Attention and Care French bulldog puppies can also not be left alone with their mommy for the first several days. A female French bulldog is a very good mom but can sometimes unknowingly roll over her babies and suffocate them. Newborn French bulldog puppies also need to be fed every three hours and require a great deal of care and attention. Health Issues Because they are brachycephalic dogs flat face they are prone to more health problems, especially breathing issues. Their skin folds look cute but can easily become infected. They are also susceptible to eye conditions like the cherry eye, and other problems such as hip dysplasia, joint disorders, and heart problems. A good breeder will conduct tests to ensure the pup does not have any of the preventable genetic health problems. Another reason for the high cost of the French bulldog is that their litter is relatively small with only one or two puppies. After understanding how much time, money, effort goes into the breeding of French bulldog puppies, you should have a new appreciation for the breeders. High-quality food, vet bills, toys, medicines, vaccinations, treats make breeding the French bulldogs an expensive affair. Despite the plethora of health issues associated with the extreme facial features of the French bulldog, there is a staggering demand for the French bulldog puppies which has given a fillip to unscrupulous and unethical breeding of this wonderful breed. From where you buy a French bulldog is your choice. However, always research carefully about where your French bulldog puppy comes from and buy them only from reputable breeders. It is important to do your homework on the breeder. The French bulldog is by no means a cheap breed but having pet insurance can surely mitigate those worries. Plus 4 Recommended Plans. But if you are looking for a furry companion who will have you amused and in splits all day, then look no further! Life is much better with a Frenchie. Post Views: .They are also big business today! Why do we mention this unpleasant fact up front? This is the only way to avoid falling prey to puppy mill scams that breed unhealthy Frenchie puppies. Researching Reputable French Bulldog Breeders The information included in this article can absolutely help you in your quest to identify a reputable, responsible, health-focused French Bulldog breeder that can sell you a healthy Frenchie puppy. Identifying Responsible French Bulldog Breeders A responsible French Bulldog breeder will demonstrate a consistent commitment to breeding healthy, happy puppies. What does this mean, exactly? Read on for specifics. Commitment to breed health and temperament Responsible breeders will voluntarily conduct pre-mating genetic health tests and participate in health oversight and research organizations like CHIC, the Canine Health Information Center database. Adherence to breed standards Responsible Frenchie breeders will voluntarily provide proof of purebred registry with the appropriate oversight organization. Proper care and socialization of puppies Responsible French Bulldog breeders will provide new puppy owners with a comprehensive packet including but not limited to puppy registration and pedigree certification, proof of microchip, veterinary clearance, remaining vaccination schedule, initial good health guarantee, take-back guarantee and food recommendations. As of time of publication, the Frenchie is now the number one most popular dog in the United States — a record previously held for over three decades by the Labrador Retriever! This means you need to know each of these red flags for unscrupulous breeders backward and forwards when searching for a French Bulldog puppy. Multiple litters from the same breeder available simultaneously Any dog breeder that advertises multiple litters of puppies for sale or back-to-back or year-round litters of puppies for sale may be operating as a French Bulldog puppy mill. Unwillingness to provide pedigree and health records Any dog breeder that sells Frenchie puppies without proof of registration, pedigree, proof of pre-mating health clearances and proof of puppy clean bill of health is a potential puppy mill. Questions To Ask A French Bulldog Breeder French Bulldog puppy mill breeders are literally counting on demand for Frenchie puppies to ensure they never have to answer any questions about how they breed and supply their puppies. In other words, unless you ask, they will never tell. So you must ask! Inquiries about breed-specific health concerns A health-focused, responsible French Bulldog breeder will care about the health of the breed itself, their personal breeding lineage and the puppy you are purchasing. This type of breeder is happy to answer questions about known genetic French Bulldog health concerns, especially the tendency towards serious lifelong health issues such as BOAS Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome. These breeders may even volunteer this vital information before you ask! Expectations for potential French Bulldog owners French Bulldog breeders that care about their operation and its reputation will have their own pre-screening protocols for prospective puppy buyers. Pre-screening protocols may include an agreement to limitations on breeding rights, purchase of pet insurance, proof of initial veterinary exam requirements and more. However, if possible, try your best to check off each of these boxes before committing to purchase a Frenchie puppy. Observing Litter Dynamics Litter dynamics is a fancy way of saying you need to check to be sure the puppies get along with each other and the mother dog…not to mention new human guests like you! Interaction between puppies Appropriate puppy behavior is an indication that puppies have been permitted to remain with the mother dog and each other long enough to get some socialization pre-training under their belts. Puppy socialization and early development Puppies go through two fear periods as they grow up. The first period is from 8 to 11 weeks and the second period is from 6 to 14 months. Puppies that are properly fed, handled and socialized will demonstrate basic self-confidence and a playful nature when you bring them home. This will help them successfully weather the fear periods, especially the first one that begins about the time they come home with you. French Bulldog Puppy Temperament Assessment You should know going in how to assess the temperament in any Frenchie puppy you are considering. Personality traits to consider The official French Bulldog breed standard gives you insight into basic breed temperament traits to watch for. Playful, affectionate, even-tempered, alert and active are all hallmarks of the Frenchie breed. You can also make use of various standardized tests. Physical French Bulldog Puppy Evaluation While your canine veterinarian will be the ultimate authority when it comes to a physical evaluation, you can also do a basic evaluation at first meeting. Appearance and conformation Look for clear eyes and ears, healthy skin and coat and clean private areas. Also be aware that aggression or shyness can be signs of budding health issues. Checking for potential health concerns French Bulldog clubs in different geographic areas can be a great resource to find local temperament, conformation and health testing resources for your new prospective Frenchie puppy. But is the Frenchie the right dog breed for you? Activity Level and Exercise Requirements Frenchies adapt quite readily to life in smaller spaces. Their exercise needs are moderate and they are heat-intolerant so the indoor life suits them just fine. Time Commitment and Availability The Frenchie may not be a natural athlete, but a puppy of any breed are always going to have more energy and need more of your time and care than an adult version of the same. Your Frenchie puppy will need your help with potty training, mealtimes, initial and ongoing training and socialization, interactive playtime , bedtime routine, daily walks and more. It is a good idea to be sure you have sufficient time for all of this every single day before signing the breeder contract. Essential Supplies Reputable French Bulldog breeders should provide you with a specific list of supplies they recommend, including puppy food and transitional food for adults of the breed. The breeder may also send you home with a starter pack of food, toys , bedding and a l eash or harness. But child-proof latches and puppy gates will get you off to a good start. Here again, your local French Bulldog breed club and your canine veterinarian will be excellent resources for you to find convenient puppy training and socialization classes, play groups, dog parks and other essentials. Making the right decision on a French Bulldog Puppy can be a wonderful experience for your family Making the Final Decision Sooner or later, the big moment will come — decision-time. Are you ready? How can you know for sure? Additionally, be aware that French Bulldogs frequently come with added health challenges and associated expenses. Pet insurance may help with some of these potential costs. Selecting the Perfect French Bulldog Puppy Buying a puppy is a decades-long commitment — and investment. As such, you may have your exhaustive wish list of color, gender, size, pedigree and all that good stuff. But underneath it all, what matters most is good health. A healthy puppy of any size, gender and color is much more likely to be a happy and rewarding member of your family over the long term. This is even more crucial for French Bulldogs, since their short brachycephalic muzzle shape means they typically cannot be transported via commercial airline cargo. Conclusion Becoming a pawrent is a huge commitment and you want to get started on the right foot…. You can use all of the information provided in this article to do your due diligence before committing to your forever Frenchie puppy. Good luck and be sure to stop back by and let us know how it is going! Additionally, in her twin roles as freelance pet writer and animal communicator, Shannon is passionate about crafting knowledge-based, science-supported articles that foster healthy bonds of love and respect between people and animals. Close share Copy link Some of our readers who are not owners of French Bulldogs yet and intends to buy one, have repeatedly asked us to put together an article like this one, so we can properly guide them in buying their first French Bulldog. Though, if you are already a Frenchie Mom or Dad, trust you may still find the information here quite useful. In this piece, we'll give you a checklist of questions and warning signs to look out for while buying a French Bulldog puppy in order to ensure that you have an amazing experience with your new pet. Flow with me. Some of us are owners of Frenchies, while some of us just love the cute little pet. No doubt, French Bulldogs are a bundle of joy, and if you have decided to go for one, you have made the right decision. Just like while getting any valuable thing in your life, you want to be properly guided. When you get to the breeder, you'll notice that this dog is unlike some breed of dogs get along with human beings very easily, especially during their puppy life. So, you may find one or more playing with you even without knowing who you are. That feeling is indescribable when they are all over you. You are just going to love it - to say the least. But that can be a trap. Don't give in to it. French Bulldogs can play on your emotions, and you'll fall in love with them right at the breeder's place and forget to do the proper due diligence before actually going home with one. So, after your warn reception, its fine if you already have developed a soft spot for one, but still go-ahead to do the right thing. There are some very unscrupulous breeders, who carelessly breed dogs with the ill-health condition. French Bulldogs have some common health conditions, you should also try to familiarize yourself with some of these. Other important tips you should note is that male Frenchie puppies are more energetic while the females are more relaxed. There are other subtle behavioral differences too. Also, ensure that you are buying from a reputable breeder, one who is knowledgeable about breeding and caring for French Bulldog puppies. If they assure you that it is a quality breed and yet give you an abnormally low price, it may be too good to be true - don't yield! Check the eyes of the puppy, if they look red, it may be a sign of a health problem. Let's jump right into the questions you should ask a breeder before buying a French Bulldog. Buy a puppy of a mother who has only had only one litter, more than that means over-breeding and can lead to serious health implications; Ask if the puppy has been checked by a Vet; Ask to see the Puppy's parents; Ask if the parents have had health checks. Look out for conditions such as hip problems, cataracts, cherry eye, deafness, and soft palate issues; Ask to see the parent's medical history; Ask how old the parents are. It is preferable to buy the puppy of a mother who is over 3 years old because by less than 3 years, some genetic defects, may not have manifested yet; Ask about where the puppies have been living. Their previous living condition will go a long to have an impact on their training while with you. If they have had minimal contacts with a human being, training them might be a little bit more difficult than puppies that have interacted with human beings. Ask to speak to a previous client. Failure to offer these references may mean that there may be something about their puppies that they are hiding. There you go, what to look out for when buying a French Bulldog Puppy. Are there other things you think one should look out for? You can share your experience when you bought your Frenchie below, let's learn. Thanks for reading Frenchie. Shop French Bulldog Article. This question is usually accompanied with wanting a list of questions to be asking the French Bulldog breeder. Based on this feedback I wanted to give you the ultimate list of questions to ask, plus all the warning signs that should make you walk away. Not just warning sings about the French Bulldog puppy, but also her mother and the breeder too. Things to know before buying a French Bulldog puppy The moment you see that adorable French Bulldog puppy for the first time will last with you forever, it certainly did with me when we first met our own dog. Just take a step back for a second as there will be some red flags to watch for. I wish we had, but luckily, our dog ended up being ok, but it could have been very different: French Bulldogs are a notorious breed for health problems and unscrupulous breeders. With their cute squashed faces and cuddly squat bodies, they will tug at your heart strings. You will be tempted to just take that French Bulldog puppy and go. But please, please, please… before you do that, here are some things you should check before you pay your money. Your French Bulldog will become a huge part of your life, but make sure you know what to look for before you buy a puppy. Read these before you spend the money. By doing this due diligence you should hopefully get a puppy that not only fits your family and lifestyle, but also lives a long and happy life. You want to choose one that has a track record, online reviews, and a good reputation in the French Bulldog world… not some first timer nobody has heard of. Be suspicious of low prices: If the French Bulldog puppies are advertised as a lower than average price, be wary. The old adage about if it looks too good to be true is almost always the case with puppies. Low prices can be a sign of an unhealthy litter. Find out how many litters the mother has had already: French Bulldog mothers should not have anything more than one litter each year. The best scenario would be a litter every couple of years. More pregnancies than this mean she has been over-bred and both her and the puppies could have health problems. Look out for serious conditions and hereditary issues including dwarfism, hip and spine issues, soft palate issues, eye problems, and hearing problems. I would recommend getting a puppy from a French Bulldog older than this just to be sure. Before 8 weeks of age, they should still be with her, and it can also help you understand what type of dog your puppy will grow up to be. If the breeder refuses access to the mother, walk away. Ask where the puppies have been living: If the French Bulldogs have been in a dark garage away from human interaction it will mean they will be harder to socialize and harder to train. Ask how often the French Bulldogs have been handled: When puppies are regularly handled by humans, they will be much easier when taken home. Ask whether a vet has checked the puppies: Puppies should have been checked by a vet and had their first set of vaccinations before going to their new home. Ask to speak to a previous buyer:A reputable breeder will let you talk to people who have bought a French Bulldog puppy from them before. If they are unable to supply references and contacts, they could be hiding something. I hope you find these questions to ask a French Bulldog breeder helpful. Please do print them off before you visit the litter and decide to buy. The personality of the French Bulldog breeder This is so often over-looked, but I wanted to add it on as something to look for when buying a French Bulldog puppy. Only buy a French Bulldog puppy from a breeder who is prepared to take the time to answer any questions and concerns you might have. Breeders that treat buyers with respect will most likely extend that kindness to the French Bulldog mother and her puppies. This gives you an indication of what health problems could in store. These can include: Allergies. I know I did when my wife persuaded us to go and see our own dog for the first time. Of the four of them, this one little fella scampered over to me and immediately started chewing on my knuckles. That when I fell in love with him. It was a really simple decision in which one we wanted to take home. As you know, we went on to name him Claude. But, given hindsight, there are some questions I would have asked the breeder before deciding to buy him. And there are also some things I should have looked for too. It was our first ever dog though, so hindsight is a wonderful thing. However, there are unscrupulous breeders and there are certain health and physical problems view all Frenchie health conditions and concerns you should check for before you get too excited. It also includes some questions to ask a breeder when buying a French Bulldog puppy. Choose a male puppy if you want a more energetic dog: or a female if you want a more relaxed dog. There are subtle behavioural differences in the two genders which you can read in this blog post where I discuss the differences between male and female Frenchies. Make sure your breeder is knowledgeable: on breeding and cares for the puppies. I would always do online research into the breeder before I would even visit them. Be wary of what seems to be an abnormally low price: this can be a sign of an unhealthy puppy. Red eye can be a signal of a health problem. Ask the breeder how many litters the mother has had: a French Bulldog should only really have 1 litter a year , preferably only one every couple of years. Any more than that is a warning sign that she is being over-bred, and health issues could be present. Ask if the puppy has been checked by a vet: and has had the relevant vaccinations. If not, walk away as this should be handled by the breeder before the puppies go on sale. It can give you some insight into what type of dog your Frenchie puppy is going to grow into. If the breeder refuses to let you see the mother, then walk away as this is a huge warning sign. Ask if the parents have had health checks: as this can give you insight into any potential health problems further down the line. Conditions to look out for include hip problems, cataracts, cherry eye , deafness, and soft palate issues. Ask how old the parents are: if the mother is less than 3 years old, any genetic health conditions might not yet have manifested themselves. Ask how often the puppies have been handled: the more the young pups have been handled by humans frequently it will be far easier to get him used to all the excitement in store when you get him home. Ask to speak to a previous client: the best breeders will be more than happy to let you talk with people who have previously bought a Frenchie puppy from them. Ask for a hearing test: whilst this might not always be possible, it is a concern. White Frenchies in particular can develop hearing loss at birth due to a congenital issue. You can read more about this my recent French Bulldog hearing loss blog post. Cheap and rude breeders are an absolute no-no. When buying your Frenchie, you need a caring breeder that gladly answers your questions and shows you the parents and tell you about their history and problems. If you are dealing with a breeder who is just looking to make a quick buck and not telling you what you should know then walk away. How to best buy a healthy French bulldog puppy There are several factors you should consider before buying a French Bulldog who is hopefully going to live a healthy life. Sadly Frenchies can have some severe health issues in their bloodlines which you should look out for when purchasing your puppy. Health issues can include:. This popularity attracts them to inexperienced and unscrupulous breeders. So how do you know the difference between a responsible and irresponsible breeder? Dogs Australia registered breeders follow a strict code of breeding ethics, conduct health testing to help reduce the incidence of inherited diseases and, for accountability, and research. This could be the difference between a happy and healthy puppy and a poorly bred one. Dr Hedberg previously bred German Shepherds for over 30 years. Dr Hedberg gives a great guide on what to consider when purchasing a French Bulldog puppy as your new best friend. What is a healthy French Bulldog? Cheerful, deeply affectionate, intelligent, and courageous, yet with clown-like qualities, the French Bulldog is a popular family and companion dog. What health testing should breeders be doing? There is a range of health tests recommended for French Bulldogs. It is strongly recommended that Dogs Australia registered French Bulldog breeders test for the following health conditions in their breeding stock. Most testing is done after 12 months, with respiratory and eye tests done regularly to see how the dog is going over time. Puppies with high numbers of hemivertebrae, especially when in the lumbar area, are not recommended for breeding and placed in lovely pet homes. Dr Karen has seen an improvement in French Bulldog puppies bred by Dogs Australia registered breeders, seeing far fewer spinal issues. What is a well-bred French Bulldog like? Many French Bulldogs participate in Agility and do equally well at Obedience. There are concerns with dogs sold as French Bulldogs who have off-standard colours and coats that are sold for large amounts, for example black and tan, merle and lilac. The long coat gene really shouldn't occur. Dr Karen highlights how the merle and hairless gene do not occur naturally in the French Bulldog and how lethal the merle gene can be in French Bulldogs. Right breed — Have you researched all you need to know about your breed from its natural instincts to grooming? Right Breeder — Is your breeder responsible, operating under a code of ethics, with regulations and health checks? From getting a dog to keeping them happy we will have you covered at dogsaustralia. It champions the highest standard of animal welfare through education and fostering dog-loving communities. Keep Updated Want to stay across the latest news? Sign up here and we will add you to our mailing list.
how to train a labrador puppy to sit - Twitter Pinterest A Goldendoodle puppy is a furry ball of energy, smarts, and love. Chloe: cuddles and cuteness. Having raised our two kids and our kiddoodle , I think the term fur baby is both a term of endearment for our beloved dogs and a truism too. A Goldendoodle puppy brings: late-night potty outings, schedule changes, and puppy zoomies. Golden Nugget 2: Doodle puppies are golden. From potty training to feeding schedules to questions about teething, our veterinarian was a great resource. He took the time to answer questions and shared information on everything from piranha puppies teething puppies to loose-leash walking. Just like having a great pediatrician for our children, our veterinarian was and still is today one of our most trusted resources and partners. Are you familiar with AAHA? They are the gold standard of veterinary care. Vet practices who are AAHA-accredited have been evaluated on requirements. You can find an accredited vet in your area by using the AAHA vet locator. Like many Goldendoodle puppies, Chloe had two speeds. She was either a little red fireball of energy or one pooped pup. Our family quickly learned that the sooner we could guide all that energy and intelligence, the better. Puppy training was a great way for Chloe to: socialize with other dogs and people learn new skills and commands in class practice those new skills at home bond with her humans and us with her! Golden Nugget 4: Puppy proofing the house pays off. Like a toddler, Goldendoodle puppies explore with their mouths and are incredibly curious. Chloe had an affinity for our socks. This seems to be a common Goldendoodle thing. Keeping our Goldendoodle puppy safe meant putting safety plugs into the electrical outlets, putting up child safety gates, keeping everything picked up including phone cords and socks, and watching Chloe like a hawk. Additionally, we learned about the dangers of xylitol a sugar substitute that is found in hundreds of foods and consumer products. I found this article by integrative veterinarian Dr. Golden Nugget 5: There is a direct correlation between intake and output. What goes in must come out! By keeping Chloe on a feeding schedule, potty training was easier. Additionally, we watched for the signs of puppy potty behavior: Was she sniffing the ground? Did she suddenly stop playing or stop in her tracks? Was she circling? All are potty cues. A Goldendoodle puppy sees a giant chew toy. She pulled at the seams and drug it around with her mouth. Needless to say, the dog bed quickly went into a closet. Golden Nugget 7: Climb every mountain…or wire pen. We had invested in a sturdy wire exercise pen and sat it in the living room. The exercise pen made a great garage sale item. For Chloe, the coziest place for her when she needed a safe spot was her crate. Doodle puppies are comics…and energizer bunnies…and lap sitters…and smarties……and muppets…and golden. From puppy days to adulthood, Happy-Go-Doodle Chloe has filled our home with joy. Do you have tips on caring for a Goldendoodle puppy? Please comment below. And if you enjoyed this post, please PIN it! What is a Goldendoodle? Background the influences training Goldendoodle Training Tips The key to enjoying your dog is to train them early or as soon as possible. After all, training your new puppy in socialization is part of their essential needs. Training your dog is a big undertaking, though. One that may seem daunting. Rest assured, though, you can do it yourself without expensive obedience classes. The first thing you need to do is build a strong foundation for training. Goldendoodle Training Timeline Infographic The infographic showing the Goldendoodle training timeline. Goldendoodle Puppy Training at Home First 30 days Puppies are born blind and deaf and cannot see or hear for the first ten to twenty days. However, they have a fantastic scent and touch abilities. Puppies are also aware of the temperature. If the mother is unavailable, humans can step in to help. Training sessions for newborns are short and to the point. These sessions consist of Bio-Sensor training, where they are stimulated with swabs like Q-Tips. Exercises can be performed along with exposing them to minor temperature changes. This will stimulate the brain and help them deal with stress. Mother dogs stimulate the senses from birth by licking and cleaning the puppies. This helps them develop. Wavy coat Goldendoodles are typically low shedding. Wavy coat Goldendoodles come in all sizes from standard right down to Teacup Goldendoodles. Since dogs have scent receptors twenty-five times better than ours, they can smell things several hundred feet away. You should expose them to calming scents and daily scents of rain, grass, and other things outdoors. Then, their ears will open, and they will need to be introduced to sound. Dogs learn by association, so only play soothing sounds. As their eyes start to focus, you should start with colors. This will help build confidence. Goldendoodle Puppy Preschool and Earliest Socialization months of age At around three months of age, your Goldendoodle is full of energy and ready to play. But remember that they are still a baby — just an infant animal. It is so essential you practice positive reinforcement with your puppy and avoid punishment altogether. This is also the age your Goldendoodle is ready to learn basic commands. The first thing you should do is pick a definite marker. A positive marker is a word, sound, or phrase used to tell your dog they have done something right. Use the same marker every time. Also, you should follow it up with positive reinforcement in the form of a treat, playtime, or affection. Do Goldendoodles Smell? Reward your puppy often and early, so they associate the treat with the behavior. Negative reinforcement or punishment will likely do nothing but scare your puppy. Puppies will chew things and have accidents in the house. However, you should remember they are still learning, and any punishment is counterproductive. Simply correct the mistake and praise them when they do something right. The most important thing is to be consistent. Your puppy learns by doing, and repetition is the best thing for them. This is also the age where socialization is a critical part of their development. All this begins once the Goldendoodle has the all-clear from the Veterinarian to socialize in public. .During this age, your Goldendoodle should be exposed to new people, places, and animals every day. If your puppy shows fear or anxiety, take a step back. This is when you should begin doing gradual exposure. Safe introduction to different sizes and temperament dogs is important early If you introduce a dog to a household with cats , extra care needs to be taken early to ensure a long-term relationship of tolerance. Predicting Goldendoodle coat types is tricky. Goldendoodle Training for Safety and Basic Commands 3 months to one year At around four months old, your puppy will begin to develop preferences. Your job is to make them feel safe and secure in any environment. This way, your puppy will grow up to be confident, kind, and ready to take on anything. Positive reinforcement techniques are especially important during this stage. Any harsh punishment can have adverse effects on the Goldendoodles psyche. Since your puppy has had all his shots, they are ready to go to the dog park, daycare, and puppy training classes. This will help with socialization. Keep in mind that forcing your puppy to interact with others can hurt the bond you have with them. Always make sure your dog is enjoying the experience and is safe. Allow him to explore the world at his own pace. This I the time to start introducing your Goldendoodle to water. Early and frequently exposure will make taking your Goldendoodle to the pool or even the beach a breeze. Learning Commands Additionally, this is when puppies can begin learning commands like sit and stay. Teach them to sit before exiting with treats. Lure them into a sit by the door and begin to open it. If they get up too quickly, close the door. Keep up this game until the dog remains seated and patiently waits for the door. When they do, give them a treat. Most puppies are highly motivated by treats and food. If they anxiously await each meal or immediately pounce on the food bowl when it is set down, this is an excellent opportunity to work on self-control. Before every meal, have your Goldendoodle wait to eat. Place the food down and say stay. If they lunge for the bowl, take it away for five minutes. Start with a five-second wait and gradually increase it by five-second increments. This will allow their self-control to get better. Another great Goldendoodle training tip is the Four on the Floor for those puppies that jump on anyone entering your home. Practicing this technique can stop the puppy from jumping up on unsuspecting bystanders and knocking over kids. When you come home, and your Goldendoodle is happy to see you, make him sit before saying hello. Give an ear rub or greeting only when all four paws are on the ground. Training a Goldendoodle to Enjoy Grooming All ages Start grooming your puppy at a young age and practice handling with this Goldendoodle training tips: Work when your puppy is relaxed and not hyper. Keep grooming sessions short like a few brush strokes or clipping a few toenails. Use a quality slicker brush that will not hurt your Goldendoodle Practice frequently, like weekly. Pair it with a treat. Lightly touch-sensitive spots like between the paws or on the ears from an early age Consider buying a grooming table early so your Goldendoodle can get used to it if you are going to be DIY grooming your Goldendoodle at home. See the best grooming tables specifically for Goldendoodles. Advanced Goldendoodle Training Options 12 months plus, agility, and advanced classes The American Kennel Club, or AKC, says that once dogs learn basic commands, they can move on to advanced training or sports. You may opt to teach them scent training. Treibball, a German dog sport not just for herding breeds , is when the dog drives eight oversized inflatable balls into a goal. They can also do obstacle courses and test their agility. Scent training is also a fantastic way to mentally enrich your dog and stimulate their brain daily. Scent training starts as simple as a muffin tin game at home. Then advanced courses do wonders and can result in some very complicated tricks and habits forming. While they vary in size depending on their parents since Poodles range from mini to medium , they almost always have hypoallergenic hair and rarely shed. You can see which types of Goldendoodle shed the least in our Goldendoodle Coat Prediction article. Goldendoodles are highly intelligent and lovable dogs that are ideal for families with children or other pets. Goldendoodles typically weigh anywhere from forty-five to pounds. Still, they can weigh as little as fifteen pounds if a parent was a miniature Poodle. The smallest Goldendoodles are Teacup and Toy Goldendoodles. They have a height of thirteen to twenty-six inches with a curly coat in red, black, gold, cream, brown, white, or grey. Goldendoodles are very friendly, affectionate, playful, and trainable. Goldendoodles became popular in the s for their hypoallergenic , non-shedding Poodle-like fur and having the temperament of a Golden Retriever, the most popular dog breed in the U. They have been used as pets, agility dogs, therapy dogs, guide dogs, diabetic dogs, and search and rescue dogs. Goldendoodles are in the top five of the smartest dog breeds. When you choose a Goldendoodle, rest assured you are getting an intelligent, athletic, loving companion, the whole family can enjoy. 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. October 25, In search of a new forever best friend? Not sure what puppy breed works best for you and your family? The Goldendoodle, a hybrid breed that launched into popularity in the United States in the s and never left the top list, Goldendoodles are affectionate and smart dogs whose amiable personalities are well-suited for a variety of owners and lifestyles! How do you know if the Goldendoodle is the right fit for you and your family? A Brief Background on Goldendoodles! As we quickly stated earlier, the Goldendoodle is a hybrid, a cross between a Poodle and a Golden Retriever. Thanks to the success of Labradoodles Labrador Retriever and Poodle cross-breed , dog breeders began to intentionally breed Golden Retrievers with a range of Poodles, creating a variety of Goldendoodles in different coloring and sizes. What are Goldendoodles Breed Characteristics? Some distinguishable characteristics of the Goldendoodle include their sizing range, variety of coloring, and temperament. Goldendoodles can come in mini to standard size, thanks to the genes from their poodle side. Goldendoodles can weigh starting at 15 lbs for miniature sizes up to 80 Ilbs for standard. One of the most distinguishable features is their thick, soft, curly coats that are considered hypoallergenic because they shed less frequently than other dog breeds. What are Goldendoodles Personalities like? Goldendoodles love people! They are friendly, affectionate, and love to please. With the right amount of socialization, this breed will be a friend to everyone! However, their fun-loving personalities also bring a lot of high energy, jumpiness, and nippiness throughout puppyhood. This is important to remember especially if you have young children at home. Goldendoodles can make excellent family dogs, but proper training and boundaries must be started the moment you bring them home to help get them there! Think about your current living environment and where you plan to be in the next few years. That being said, if you were planning on adding a Goldendoodle to your life, consider that these pups do best in a home with enough space especially if you are getting a standard-sized Goldendoodle and a fenced in yard! While some Goldendoodles on the smaller range of the size scale work great for apartment dwelling, these are energetic breeds that need space to exercise and play. Regular walks and training sessions at a local park will help them expel some energy in a constructive way, and are highly recommended for this breed, especially if you live in a city environment! How to Care for Your Goldendoodle! Goldendoodles can suffer from hip and elbow dysplasia, ear infections, allergies, hypothyroidism, and Gastric Dilation Volvulus Bloat. To avoid having to shave down their beautiful coats, daily brushing to remove mats is recommended, along with regular professional grooming appointments. Like all other breeds, having their nails trimmed and teeth brushed regularly will ensure they stay clean and healthy! Goldendoodle puppies are very smart and love to work! With consistent puppy training from an early age, they can master basic obedience skills quickly, and also move on to more advanced training, including therapy and service animal training. Start your puppy off on the right paw by establishing their daily puppy schedule complete with feeding, potty breaks, nap times, playtimes, and puppy training sessions! Going back to their wilder instincts, puppies will naturally avoid soiling where they sleep. Crate training your Goldendoodle puppy will help boost their confidence and resilience while learning to be alone at home. Puppy training can provide your puppy with controlled socialization with other puppies under the supervision of a puppy trainer that can watch out for rough playing or dominant behaviors between puppies. When done correctly, socialization helps teach your puppy the proper way to great people, other dogs and create boundaries. During socialization sessions, you can work with your puppy on barking or jumping, which are common puppy behaviors when they are excited or over-stimulated when meeting strangers. And if you're not sure how to do this on your own, hire a local puppy trainer to help set you up for the best success! Consider advanced training to keep them engaged Goldendoodles are very intelligent which means they love stimulating activities! Along with basic obedience, dog sports like agility are a great way to motivate them and help your puppy work out their energy. Agility helps establish a stronger communication bond through body language while your puppy is participating. You will learn to communicate with more body language and signals to focus your puppy at performing tasks necessary to help individuals that are incapable of doing it themselves. Respect their alone time. This is especially challenging for young kids when they can look like real-life stuffed animals! But, this constant handling can often cause some frustration for these young pups, having them act out with more nipping to try to make the petting stops, or growling, which can lead to more serious behavioral issues down the road. Make sure to give them dedicated time through the day to rest and their own space where they can be left alone to nap, unbothered. And always monitor young kids when they are interacting with the puppy so you can easily step in to give your puppy a break when they need it! Did you recently bring home a Goldendoodle puppy? Are you still planning and not sure what breed fits your lifestyle? Let us know in the comments! Check out these blogs related to puppy training and more! The Labradoodle is a gorgeous cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle, and the Goldendoodle is an adorable mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Characteristics and traits can vary significantly because these pups are a hybrid breed, but they are usually incredibly people-focused, laid back, and playful, making Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training an enjoyable moment. Doodles make awesome pets, especially if their owners fully comprehend the importance of training from a young age. The type of adult dog breed you end up with depends a little bit on their personality and a lot on how you take care of them. Before you begin Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training, it helps to decide exactly what kind of dog you want to have. Do Plenty of Research It is vital that you have an understanding of canine learning theory because dogs learn very differently from people. A puppy does whatever it can to get what it desires the most at that moment. There are plenty of online resources that can teach you about methods to get the best out of your training. It may be helpful to consult a puppy training professional or spend some time at doggy school to get a headstart and pick up tips from experts. Your pup is a blank slate — with your guidance, they can develop the traits and learn the behaviors that you value the most. Labradoodle and Goldendoodle puppies are curious and they love exploring their new home as they make it their own. Getting it right during the early stages sets a precedent for the rest of their life. Spending as much time as you can with them helps build the foundation for a happy, confident and well-behaved dog. Form a Bond and Gain Trust With Your Doodle Before you do anything, you will need to develop a strong bond with your new pal to make sure they trust you. Try to keep your own energy as calm as possible — they bounce off you. While it may be tempting to get excited by their cuteness and mirror their enthusiasm, this makes it more difficult for them to listen to you and regulate their own behavior. Teach your furry friend what to expect from the moment they get into the home to stop them from getting confused. Use Positive Reinforcement Intimidation or fear tactics are never the best way to build a loving and secure bond between you and your fur baby. To make the most of this method, reward your pooch for good behavior and ignore bad behavior. Treats, verbal praise, and clicker training reward them for a job well done. This also helps them to make positive associations with you and training time. Everyone has their own list of priorities and yours will depend on factors such as whether you have children or other pets. Potty training is a straightforward, formulaic process that your new puppy will adapt to. A consistent routine is the key to getting them toilet trained as efficiently and effectively as possible. Let them outside at the same time each day, and take them to the same spot. In the early days, it may be difficult for them to make it all the way through the night, so try to make provisions for this stage. Select a word for them to associate with potty training and repeat it over and over whenever you take them to the toilet. Every time they do their business outside, give them lots of cuddles and praise, treat them and play one of their favorite games. There will be setbacks — getting it right takes time! If they mess in the wrong place, take them outside to their toileting spot and give them the chance to relieve themselves. We cannot emphasize the importance of praising them when they get it right enough! Crate Training Not everyone opts to crate train their puppy, but it can be useful for the earliest stages of Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training. The crate gives them a safe place they can call their own. Be sure to make the time they spend in the crate a positive experience, and never leave them in there for more hours than their age in months plus one hour. For example, a three-month-old puppy can be kept in their crate for no more than four hours. Socialization Dogs are social animals, and Goldendoodles and Labradoodles, in particular, are happiest when they spend time pleasing people and playing. However, building confidence takes effort and guidance from their pet parent. If you want to ensure they grow up to have a balanced personality, you need to expose them to plenty of dogs, people and different situations. Take them out and about as much as possible to help them become accustomed to a range of noises, sights and sounds. Bring them to a local dog park to get them used to spending time around other dogs. Manners Your adorable little pup has the potential to develop a host of bad habits, but these behaviors can be nipped in the bud. Temperament and Dealing with Small Children There are several steps to take while getting your canine cutie used to being a member of a family with children. Both pup and child will need to have clear boundaries mapped out for them so they can build mutual trust and be kind to each other. Let the child practice with a toy before they pick up or cuddle the pup. Ensure the child sits down when they play with the dog; this helps to prevent the pup from getting overexcited. Teach the child to do small tasks to help care for the dog, such as filling the bowl or helping with grooming. Knowing what to expect according to the time of day helps them to settle and feel reassured. Always wake them up at the same time, feed and walk them around the same time and do training exercises at a set time. Patience Is Everything! The best piece of advice for Goldendoodle and Labradoodle training is to have patience. Spend lots of time bonding and playing with your pooch so you can make training something fun that you both enjoy. If there is a behavior your puppy exhibits that you may think is cute while your puppy is small, you need to think ahead and determine if this behavior will be acceptable from an adult dog. Consistency is the most important tool for training a puppy in their first year and beyond. Each family member needs to use the same techniques and commands so as not to confuse your puppy. It is important to remember that a puppy associates a reward or a disciplinary action with its behavior in the past 3 seconds. Waiting longer than 3 seconds to reward or discipline is very confusing to a puppy. You cannot stop this behavior, but you can certainly direct your puppy to chew upon acceptable items until this phase passes at about a year of age. The only way puppies know how to play is the typical wrestling, biting, chasing, tackling, pulling, and nipping they do with littermates. In the absence of littermates, you and your family suddenly become the littermates. Repeat this same disciplinary action a total of three times in a row. Every now and then, a particularly feisty puppy will become more excited by this disciplinary action and need a more distinct disciplinary measure. This next action needs to be initiated quickly. This will be uncomfortable for your puppy. When behavior meets with uncomfortable consequences, the behavior will stop. With all this being said, the absolute best remedy is for you to arrange daily play dates with other puppies or young dogs. The bottom line is that your puppy needs to have active playtime each day. Jumping — Your puppy will jump on you to get your attention. This may seem innocent while your puppy is small, but Grandma may not appreciate being knocked over by the full grown untrained dog. Make sure you do not reward the puppy for the act of getting down as this will enforce the behavior of jumping up only to be told to get down for a reward. This is not a sign of aggression unless you allow this to go undisciplined over time. You need to actively discourage any and all growling directed at you. If your puppy growls at you when you get close to the food bowl, immediately remove the food bowl and feed the puppy out of your hand. Do not stop brushing until the puppy accepts this without growling. Each puppy needs to learn its place in the pecking order of a family. Obviously, they need to be the lowest on the totem pole. If allowed to be boss, growling is a normal thing for a puppy to exhibit when showing its dominance. Each family member must establish they are boss. This includes young children who are timid or fearful of the puppy. Remember that any behavior you allow as a puppy is then extremely difficult to curb later in life. If you do not wish to have your adult dog on the furniture, do not sit on the sofa holding your puppy. If you do not want your grown dog to grab your pant leg, etc. Leash Training — Training your Goldendoodle puppy to walk on a leash without pulling will take some time. Be patient and read our complete guide to leash training here. Buying a Trained Puppy — You can opt to have your puppy purchased at Fox Creek Farm trained by a professional trainer. Buying a trained puppy can save you a lot of time and benefit the entire family. Please visit our board and train services page for more information. Pet Insurance — We always recommend that any dog owner have a good quality pet insurance. Choosing the best pet insurance will take you a bit of time to learn about the coverages and fees associate with the brand and your particular dog. Spend some time with our blog articles on pet insurance linked above to determine what is right for you and your furry friend. Goldendoodles have a great desire to please. Teaching them what it takes to please you sets them up for happiness. In this blog, we are going to cover how to train your Goldendoodle puppy. Having a well-trained dog around is appreciated by all other humans that encounter your dog as well. The training you administer to your puppy will pay off in spades as he continues to use the skills you have taught to please you and your guests throughout life. Being isolated and not included in family activities will cause stress, anxiety, and overactive behavior to become the norm for the untrained dog. Are you a pushover? Do you give in and reward inappropriate behavior? Do you scold without giving direction on what you want to see in place of that behavior? Without giving consistent queues, you will easily confuse a young puppy or even an adult dog. You must dedicate yourself to always rewarding good behavior and redirecting unwanted behavior. While it is easy to forgive a puppy for exhibiting their love in a rambunctious way, you are doing the little fellow a disservice by not expecting good behavior always. Once he is an adult, you will look back and wish you had curbed that undesirable behavior when he was a small puppy. You also need to help the children in the home to understand how and why they should not promote undesirable behaviors as well. Are Goldendoodles Easy to Train? A hybrid with Golden Retriever and Poodle genes, Goldendoodles are always fast learners and easy to train. Golden Retrievers are, by nature, extremely loyal dogs and are always eager to make their owners happy. They tend to have a happy demeanor whereas Poodles tend to have a more sophisticated air about them. While all dogs can learn, some dogs have shorter attention spans than others. Training in a busy home with loud and active children can affect the attention span too. Make sure in the beginning to work on commands with no distractions like other dogs, traffic, children, or wildlife. Setting expectations is vital in establishing the groundwork before you begin your dog training. It is always best to start with a clean slate vs. Set boundaries such as no jumping from day one. Take advantage of this innocent period where you have no bad habits that have been set. Obedience training is essential to living a harmonious life with your dog and the amount of time it takes to train a good behavior will take less than half the time it will take to change a bad behavior. Because puppies have a short attention span, training sessions should be only minutes in length but can be repeated once an hour. Positive Reinforcement Using positive reinforcement convinces your puppy that behaving accordingly or following instructions will merit them a reward in the form of food, verbal praise, or petting. While it is easier to instill fear in your puppy or punish them for inappropriate behavior, this method will never result in consistent positive behavior. A dog that behaves out of fear will eventually retaliate. Positive reinforcement training provides your puppy with an incentive to behave correctly. A treat will keep them seated quietly even when they are overly excited to meet your guests. Once a command is mastered, the food rewards can be rotated with pets or positive words each time the command is successfully followed. Over time, they will need fewer and fewer food rewards and be happy to oblige for a simple pat on the head or verbal praise. The timing is critical so that the puppy associates not only the click but also the reward as a positive reaction to their behavior. A clicker helps your puppy identify the very instant that they are doing what you want them to do making their learning process quicker. On the other hand, shock training is one of the most detrimental training methods you can utilize on your Goldendoodle puppy. This is a training method that makes use of punishment through the use of shock collars which subjects your puppy to pain as a result of unwanted behavior. This method may result in aggression or fear-based behavior. We advise you to give them positive reinforcements and train them with love and care. It is always best for your puppy to want to please you rather than to be afraid to displease you. Training Basics We love dogs who can perform a fun trick, but learning the basics of obedience first is important. Before we ask them to roll over, sit up on their haunches, or heal without a leash, it is crucial that they first learn the basics. You have to ensure they have already mastered the basic commands of sit, down, stay, and place as they will be the building blocks for all other commands. Some people choose to send their puppy to board and training, to get a jump start from a professional. Dog Socialization Dogs are very sociable and Goldendoodles are one of the friendliest breeds. Taking them out to dog parks or the mall or just letting them interact with your family members or other dogs helps them learn how to handle themselves around unfamiliar people or pets. Little by little, through guided socialization, they will learn not to be rattled by unexpected circumstances or guests. Keep in mind that until a puppy is fully vaccinated, he needs to avoid exposure to areas of high traffic of other dogs. Therefore, until the puppy reaches 16 weeks of age the age of full vaccination , he needs to play only with other fully vaccinated dogs in areas such as your backyard. Carrying them in public places such as Home Depot and Tractor Supply will allow safe exposure. Your Goldendoodle puppy must meet as many as new people a week. Be consistent, and tolerant, and offer positive reinforcement when necessary. The time and effort you put in now will pay off in the long run. It is beneficial to purchase a crate for your puppy and use it when you are not able to directly observe him. Doing so will give him a safe and secure place to stay and will also help in the housetraining process, as dogs have an instinct not to soil their sleeping area. The crate will teach your pup to control their urge to eliminate until the appropriate time. It is important to ensure that everyone in the family follows the same rules for potty training a pup. Find an area in the yard that the pup can use as their designated elimination spot and take them there on a leash when it is time to go. The smell of this spot will act as a reminder to the pup that this is where they should go to do their business. Developing a consistent verbal cue during the toileting process will help to create a language between you and your canine companion. Have patience as your dog may need multiple attempts to go and may not always do so immediately. Focus on the task at hand, not on socialization. Reward them with positive reinforcement when they have completed the job. Once your puppy has completed their business, bring them inside to enjoy some quality time. Dogs are creatures of habit; they like to eat, sleep, and relieve themselves on a regular schedule. Creating a consistent routine for your puppy can be a simple process and it will become more straightforward as they age. Take note of when your pup usually does their business, such as in the morning, evening, or after meals, and then adjust your schedule accordingly to accommodate these needs. In case you miss it, just tidy up the area and acknowledge your unavailability. Avoid reprimanding the puppy. As soon as you notice him behaving restlessly, sniffing around, circling, or attempting to leave unnoticed, immediately pick him up and take him outside, as these are clear indications that he needs to eliminate. Crate Training Your Goldendoodle puppy should be placed in the crate during any unsupervised time. When your puppy is 8 weeks old, it should be treated like a one-year-old human toddler. To ensure their safety, they should not be allowed to roam freely around the house or be left unsupervised for any length of time. If an accident does occur, avoid scolding the pup and instead reprimand yourself, as the puppy only learns if the reprimand is given at the time of the accident. Each accident is a setback in the training process and should be avoided. A puppy should not be allowed access to the floor unless it has gone potty outside within the last 45 minutes. This will help to avoid accidents. If the playtime reaches an hour, the puppy should be taken outside to potty again. In the crate, the limit is 3 hours, but outside the crate, the limit is one hour. Every month, the crate time limit can be increased by one hour. Food is an easy motivation for our furry friends to follow commands and instructions and works wonders when associated with a command or routine you want them to remember. Rich treats like liver or hotdog bits can cause stomach issues and should be used only in very small quantities. A properly carried-out routine is the most consistent form of puppy training you can provide. From meal times, bathroom breaks, and playtime to naps and bedtime, a structured list of activities will give your Goldendoodle a rhythm that they will grow to expect. Feeding your puppy around the same time daily also gives you consistent potty time. Professional Trainers Are Always an Option Not all dog owners have the time to train their puppies personally. Although this could be a rewarding experience, some of us may be too busy with work or other matters that may not allow consistency which is very important for retention and behavior formation. Some trainers will do board and train which means they keep your puppy for a designated amount of time to work one on one with your puppy to teach housebreaking and basic commands. Others will work with you and your puppy together which involves you in the process and this is typically a one-a-day-a-week lesson. In summary, Goldendoodles are great dogs, but they are the best when they are properly trained. If you emphasize their training from puppyhood on, you will be assured a polite, mannerly adult dog that is enjoyed by the family members and all others that come in contact with your Goldendoodle. In the first week you've probably already introduced your new little guy to the family, offered a tour around the new digs, made some key introductions with other housemates in their furrever home and maybe even said hello to a neighbor or two…but now what? Many new goldendoodle owners are often unprepared for what comes next and find that the honeymoon period is not always as glamorous as imagined. This is a HUGE transition both for you and for them! Many new owners will buy the best food money can buy or, more commonly, offer the same food the breeder has been using. It is very common for puppies to have a transitional period where eating is suppressed. Different factors can be at play here — homesickness, stress, or even intimidation by other household pets. We encourage you to be patient, supportive and just keep offering food — especially during those down times when things are quiet and pup is feeling settled. Eventually, your little guy will come around! This is the first night your pup has been away from littermates so he or she may spend a lot of time whining in the crate spare a tear for sibling bonding. This can last for several nights, but usually decreases with each passing night. At JLDD, we start all pups on crate training by the time they are just two weeks old. At JLDD we introduce a potty area at around three weeks old and encourage the pups to use puppy pads throughout their time with us. The smaller the area, the more likely your pup will be to use the puppy pad. In fact, confining them to just a room or two of your house at first is often a good idea in general to make things less overwhelming for them. Bonus points if your predesignated area is within direct eyeline to the outside door…that way your little guy can quickly get familiar with the way outside. Be prepared…young pups have to pee A LOT! This aspect of owning a new pup takes time and is sometimes a 2-steps forward, 1-step back process.At night, you can expect your pup to be able to go around hours at first without needing to potty…some of our bigger pups can go 8 hours from night one, but it just depends on the pup. Most will need a potty break at some point in the middle of the night for the first couple weeks—it can be tough, but fortunately they are usually able to stretch it out pretty quickly. To review, when raising a goldendoodle puppy, the best tools you can have in your belt are patience, a good sense of humor and consistency. Puppies thrive on schedules and predictable expectations, and lots of snuggles and chew toys! Doodles are very smart and learn fast, so you should see marked improved by the week, meaning that each progressive week is generally easier than the last. The transition in the first week with your goldendoodle is tough for them, but remember, they are learning that YOU are their new pack. This is a critical phase for bonding to humans and you are about to have a profoundly loyal best friend for life. You got this!
Similar services:
how to train a labrador puppy to sit - Royal Canin makes dry food tailored explicitly to particular breeds. Its Golden food variation uses chicken and brown rice ingredients to support digestive health, strong bones, and a healthy coat. Gorgeous coats, healthy body conditions, great activity levels- perfect puppies! With a combination of healthy proteins, fruits, vegetables, and more, this dry dog food will encourage healthy muscle development in your Golden Retriever as well as strong teeth, a healthy heart, and improved skin and coat texture. Looking at the ingredients makes me feel that I have purchased a quality product for my guy. With ingredients like real protein, fruits, and vegetables, this dry food increases energy, strengthens bones, improves immune strength, and neutralizes free radicals. Her coat is healthier and shiny. She even trimmed down a little as her old dog food was making her fat. They produce high-quality dog food for your Golden Retriever at an affordable price. Veterinarians recommend IAMS Proactive Health because it uses ingredients like animal protein and antioxidant-rich veggies to nourish your dog and meet their complete health needs. Highly recommend it. Good for maintaining a decent weight too. Gobbles it down! With fish as the main protein, this kibble promotes a gorgeous coat and healthy skin and improves digestive issues. He eats it enthusiastically, and it has really helped him thrive! He is energetic, has a gorgeous coat, and devours his meals! She is a much happier dog. The Save Shredded Puppy Blend includes probiotics to help ease the digestion in growing Golden Retriever puppies with sensitive stomachs. I mix it with wet food, and he loves it. He loves the chunks of shredded chicken! I highly recommend it. This large-breed dry food can help your Golden Retriever maintain a healthy coat and great skin as well as smooth digestion. All of them love this food! Their coats are shiny and soft, and their poops are small! The exclusive formula also increases energy levels! We tried another brand, and it caused all kinds of allergic reactions. We went back to Eagle Pack, and all is right again. Great product! That may be because they have a senior Golden Retriever who is struggling with dental issues or feel that dehydrated food options are healthier. This particular food contains real protein and essential nutrients that can benefit dogs of all ages. Once we got this, she became a food-crazed puppy! This food includes a combination of freeze-dried raw-coated kibble with real pieces of freeze-dried raw meat! This variety has lots of meat sources plus several strains of probiotics. In general, your dog will benefit from puppy food from about 8 weeks of age until they are six months to a year old. Check with your vet to determine the right time to switch from a puppy food to one for adult dogs, as recommendations vary based on the size of your dog. A few days later, you can begin making it a half-and-half blend. Make sure to watch for loose stool from your pup as you transition — if you notice that your Golden is struggling with the new diet, wait for a few days before increasing the blend. When in doubt, check with your vet! Most dog foods come with specific volumes listed on the side. Overfeeding your pet can lead to a variety of health concerns. To determine what food will suit your dog the best, check out 17 of the top dog foods on the market for Golden Retrievers, no matter their age. Check with your vet to determine whether your Golden will need any special dietary considerations. Foods considered toxic to Golden Retrievers are macadamia nuts, chocolate, onions, garlic cloves, grapes, raisins, walnuts, alcohol, and any foods sweetened with xylitol. Try to avoid feeding your Golden food containing any of these ingredients. Grain is an essential component to the diet of Golden Retrievers. The absence of grain has been known to lead to a deficiency in taurine, which can potentially cause heart problems for your golden. Galen has been connecting quality Golden Retriever breeders with loving families since and is the founder of My Golden Retriever Puppies. He and his wife have four children and love spending time together, traveling lived oversees for 4 years , enjoying the outdoors and connecting Golden families. Be the first to know when we have new puppies! All Rights Reserved. They are growing quickly, so while they eat smaller quantities of food than adult dogs, they need to extract far more nutrients like protein, minerals, and vitamins, to sustain their growth and development. Different Dogs, Different Diets Nutritional needs vary from breed to breed. One only needs to look at golden retrievers to know they require a different diet than a Chihuahua! For example, joint and bone problems are much more common in big dogs than in little ones, but choosing the right puppy food can reduce the risk. Large-breed puppy food has reduced amounts of calcium and phosphorus, which helps control the rate of skeletal growth. Also, you may find puppy foods that contain glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and mobility. By consuming too much food, your puppy will have elevated levels of the very nutrients that should be limited. Additionally, overweight puppies may develop other health issues such as diabetes and heart disease. Good eating habits developed during puppyhood will lead to a healthy mature dog in the years to come. Nutrition For The Outside One of the most visible components of your dog is its fur. Nutrition plays a vital role in this area. A large percentage of the protein your puppy takes in goes towards maintaining its coat. Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids are also essential for healthy skin and fur. Which Food Do I Choose? There will always be those who buy the cheapest brand on the market. Some will opt for the most expensive, while others will simply go with a brand name they recognize. The key is to find the right food for your particular puppy. One thing you cannot afford to ignore is the nutritional content. Because they are still growing, puppies need more protein than adults. Proteins foster muscle growth and development in puppies and lean muscle maintenance in adults, so the more of it there is in a diet, the better it is for your growing retriever. Fats, too, are important for golden puppies because they provide the energy required for everyday activities. You should be careful, however, not to feed your golden excess calories because this will result in excess weight or obesity. Eventually, your dog will end up battling joint problems. For instance, less expensive dog foods typically have lower-quality ingredients. The contents are often inexpensive, low-grade animal protein sources, like by-products and fillers. Fillers are frequently things like cornmeal, rice flour, or seed hulls. In general, thoroughly review the nutritional content of your chosen diet. Are the ingredients wholesome and natural? Does the diet have controlled calcium and phosphorous levels? Is the calorie and fat content limited to manage growth? Does the label state that the diet is complete and balanced? This can lead to obesity and will certainly cause increased defecation. The latter of these two issues will make house training more difficult than it already is. By contrast, costlier dog foods usually have higher-quality ingredients. The scales will be tipped heavily in favor of high-grade animal protein sources and fillers will be few and far between. Price is not, however, a guarantee of quality. The best dog foods for a golden retriever puppy are made with high-quality natural ingredients and have high levels of protein. Make sure the food is complete and balanced for daily feeding and formulated to meet the nutritional needs of large breed puppies. At this point, golden retriever puppies have likely already been switched to dry puppy food and you should continue feeding your pup the same type of food the breeder used. From the day you bring them home until they are six months old, you should feed your golden retriever puppy three times a day. Ideally, your pup should have breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. A grain-free diet is the default meal for golden retrievers that are sensitive to grains, but if your dog is healthy, feeding her such a meal boils down to choice. A lot has been said about grain-free diets. Reports and studies have been carried out in recent years trying to establish any connection between it and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy DCM. That all starts with choosing the best puppy food for golden retrievers. Avoid low-cost foods that are more filler than substance, and look for better foods that are packed with nutrients to help your puppy grow. In particular, consider trying a large breed formula to meet the specific needs of your golden retriever puppy. Good nutrition is an essential part of any health regimen, and providing high-quality puppy food will lay the foundation for a long, and enjoyable life. You May Also Like. The thought of grain free diets has become popular in recent years, as many people believe that grains are not healthy for dogs. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. In fact, most veterinarians agree that grains are not only safe for dogs, but they can actually be beneficial. Grains provide essential vitamins and minerals that are necessary for a dog's overall health. They also contain fiber, which can help with digestion. So, if you're wondering whether or not you should feed your Golden Retriever grain-free food, the answer is no. Grains are not only safe for Goldens, but they can actually be beneficial. Stick to a high-quality food that contains grains, and your pup will be just fine. What is the best grain free dog food for Golden Retrievers? There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the best dog food for Golden Retrievers. First, make sure that the food is made with high-quality ingredients. Second, choose a food that is designed for active dogs. Third, make sure that the food contains all of the nutrients that your Golden needs. What foods are Golden Retrievers allergic to? Golden Retrievers are typically not allergic to any particular food. However, some Goldens may be allergic to certain ingredients, such as corn or wheat. If you think your Golden is allergic to a specific ingredient, talk to your veterinarian. They will be able to recommend the best food for your pup. What is the best way to transition my Golden Retriever to a new food? If you're looking to transition your Golden to a new food, it's important to do so slowly. Start by mixing the new food with the old food, and gradually increase the amount of new food over time. This will help your Golden get used to the new food and minimize any stomach upset. Make sure to talk to your veterinarian before making any major changes to your dog's diet. They will be able to recommend the best dog food for golden retrievers and help you make a smooth transition. How to choose the best dog food for golden retrievers? There are many factors to consider when selecting the best dog food for your golden retriever. Here are some of the more important factors to evaluate before buying one of the 20 best dog foods we've featured here today: Quality of ingredients Look for a food that has high-quality, easily digestible proteins like chicken, turkey, or lamb. Avoid foods with low-quality proteins like by-products or meal. The best dog foods will also have vegetables and fruits for antioxidants and fiber as well as omega-fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. Choose a food that is specifically formulated for golden retrievers. While there are many high-quality all-purpose dog foods on the market, feeding your golden retriever a food that is designed specifically for their breed can help ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need. Consider your dog's age Puppies and adult dogs have different nutritional needs, so be sure to choose a food that is appropriate for your dog's age. Puppy foods will have higher levels of protein and fat to support growth, while adult foods will be lower in calories to help maintain a healthy weight. Senior golden retrievers may need a food that is easy to digest and has added joint support. Think about your dog's activity level Active dogs will need more calories than less active dogs, so be sure to choose a food that matches your dog's activity level. If you are not sure how many calories your dog needs, talk to your veterinarian. Now that you know what to look for in a food, here are our picks for the 20 best dog food for golden retrievers: 1. Pupper Toppers Image courtesy Pupper Dogs are susceptible to the same health problems as humans when their diet is poor. Carbohydrate imbalances, unbalanced meals rich in carbohydrates and other macronutrients, and other factors can all increase a dog's risk of diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. A poor diet not only puts your dog's health at risk, but it can also result in the same symptoms of hunger and lethargy as a human eating poorly. As a consequence, your dog may have low energy levels, which might encourage them to eat more—leading to an unhappy and unhealthy pet. Fuel is made with all-natural, grain-free ingredients for optimum health and peak performance. Pupper uses grass-fed beef and real vegetables, which are loaded with nutrients. It is made with deboned chicken, peas, and sweet potatoes. This food is grain-free and does not contain any artificial colors or flavors. The first ingredient in this food is deboned chicken, which provides your dog with high-quality protein. The second ingredient is peas, which are a source of fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. The third ingredient is sweet potatoes, which are an excellent source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber. This food also contains flaxseed, which is a source of omega-three fatty acids. These fatty acids are important for the health of your dog's skin and coat. This food is also enriched with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin E, and zinc. These nutrients are also essential for the health of your dog's immune system, skin, and coat. They think that feeding dogs properly is the best method to avoid chronic illness. To give dogs with all stages of life the essential nutrients they require, they combine high-quality proteins and vegetables with particular vitamins and minerals. There are no fillers or nonsense in this formula. It is made with real salmon, which is a source of high-quality protein. This food also contains sweet potatoes, which are an excellent source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber. The first ingredient in this food is salmon, which provides your dog with high-quality protein. This is a necessary part of your golden retriever's diet to ensure that they are getting all of the nutrients that they need. A unique combination of probiotics, nutritious fiber, and digestive enzymes can help your dog's gastrointestinal health. The delectable tastes are complemented with joint-supporting elements as well as other vitamins and minerals for a delicious, healthy meal that will keep your pet occupied all day long. Each Diamond Naturals dry formula is complemented with superfoods and guaranteed probiotics to aid in the development of your canine's physical, mental, and emotional health. Your dog will enjoy the taste of this high-quality food. It's made with fresh cage-free chicken, whole grain brown rice, and real fruit and vegetables including kale, blueberries, and coconut to provide your canine with protein, minerals, omega fatty acids to improve skin and coat health. Assist your buddy in obtaining a comprehensive and balanced holistic diet with Diamond! It is made with real chicken, which is a source of high-quality protein. The first ingredient in this food is chicken, which provides your dog with high-quality protein. It is made with real duck, which is a source of high-quality protein. The first ingredient in this food is duck, which provides your dog with high-quality protein. Duck is a great source of protein for your dog and it is also a very tasty food. Your dog will love the taste of this food and you will be able to see a difference in their energy level and overall health. This food is made with real chicken, which is a great source of protein for your dog. This food also contains sweet potatoes and carrots, which are both excellent sources of carbohydrates and dietary fiber. The first ingredient in this food is chicken, which provides your golden retriever with high-quality protein. This is an essential part of their diet to ensure that they're getting all of the nutrients that they need. The other natural ingredients in this best dog food are both great sources of carbohydrates and dietary fiber, which can help to keep your dog's energy level up and their digestive system healthy. This adult dog food has been developed to meet the specific nutritional requirements of your large-breed pooch. The first ingredient is real farm-raised chicken, which aids in muscular strength. It's also designed to help your pal stay active by supporting bone and joint health. It nourishes with a unique combination of whole fibers and prebiotics, which promotes proper digestion and a healthy immune system. It's the nutritional boost your strong buddy needs to help him live bigger than life! The other ingredients in this food are all natural and are great sources of carbohydrates and dietary fiber, which can help to keep your dog's energy level up and their digestive system healthy. This natural dry food is designed to give your big breed pup with complete-body nutritional support. It's made with high-quality proteins and healthy grains, as well as omega fatty acids—including DHA—vital vitamins, antioxidants, glucosamine, and probiotics. The following balanced, nutritious dry dog food is created to support teeth and bone development, general health, energy and vitality, optimal nutrient absorption, and healthy muscle growth. It's made without GMOs, meat by-products, fillers, or preservatives, so Rover will always get the right nutrients. It also includes rice and oatmeal for easy digestion, DHA for brain and vision development, and calcium for strong bones. This formula is designed to support your pup's large frame and rapid growth, as well as his immune system, skin, and coat. The kibble is also extra-large and easy to eat, so your big guy can chow down at mealtime. It also includes DHA for brain and vision development, calcium for strong bones, and whole grains for easy digestion. The kibble is also extra-large and easy to eat. This recipe includes natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to support your pup's joints as he grows, calcium for strong bones, and a clinically proven antioxidant blend for a healthy immune system. Plus, it's made with no artificial flavors or preservatives. Salmon is the 1 component in this high-protein dry dog food, which also has specific nutrition designed to meet your pup's needs. An easily digested combination of oatmeal and rice is included in this dog food for sensitive stomachs. Zinc, selenium, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids fish oil , plus glucosamine and EPA to aid with joint health and mobility. A biologically active prebiotic fiber is also included to nourish good intestinal flora. We add antioxidants to this dry dog food for dogs for immune support. This salmon and rice dog food also includes omega-6 fatty acid-rich sunflower oil for skin health to help soothe your dog's sensitive skin. There are no eggs, corn, wheat, soy, poultry by-product meal, or any other additional colors or tastes in this Purina Pro Plan adult dog food recipe. Every bag of this dry dog food is made in Purina-owned U. Made with real chicken and turkey, this grain free wet food also includes potatoes, peas, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Plus, it's packed with essential vitamins and minerals to support your dog's overall health. This dog food is also free from artificial flavors and preservatives. Protein aids in the maintenance of your dog's bounding energy levels. Veterinarians develop their recipes, which contain the greatest balance of protein and fat without including any grains. For quality control and each batch being tested to verify that it meets high standards, the best ingredients are sourced in the United States. This grain-free recipe, which is formulated with novel proteins like wild boar, includes nutrient-dense legumes such as peas and garbanzo beans that provide highly digestible energy to your active dog, as well as natural antioxidants from real fruits and vegetables and dried chicory root for prebiotic support and healthy digestion. For complete and balanced nutrition with a taste of the wild your furry companion will constantly desire, essential minerals are chelated with amino acids to improve absorption and assure optimum benefit! Do Golden Retrievers need special food? No, Golden Retrievers do not need special food. However, they may benefit from a diet that is higher in protein and fat than the average dog food. This is because Golden Retrievers are active dogs who need the extra energy to maintain their activity level. The best dog food for Golden Retrievers will contain high-quality ingredients that are easily digestible. The food should also be formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of Golden Retrievers. How do I keep my golden retrievers coat shiny? The most important thing you can do to keep your golden retriever's coat shiny is to feed them a high-quality diet. Golden retrievers are prone to allergies, so it's important to find a food that doesn't contain any fillers or artificial ingredients. You should also make sure that the best dog food for golden retrievers that you're feeding them has plenty of omega-fatty acids, as these will help to keep their coat healthy and lustrous. Finally, regular brushing will also help to remove any dead hair and promote new growth. How will I know if my golden retriever likes their food? There are a few ways to tell if your golden retriever likes their food. The first is to simply observe their eating habits. If they seem to be gulping their food down without chewing, this could be a sign that they're not getting the nutrients they need. If you're looking for a food that will help your golden retriever maintain a healthy weight, you should look for one that is high in protein and low in calories. You should also make sure that the food you choose has plenty of omega-fatty acids, as these will help to keep your dog's coat healthy and lustrous. Our Criteria for Ranking the Best Dog Food Choosing the right dog food is essential for your pet's health and well-being. With the plethora of options available in the market, it can be challenging to determine which dog food is best for your furry friend. To simplify this process and help you make an informed decision, we have established a set of criteria for ranking the best dog food products. These criteria are based on scientific research, expert opinions, and the specific nutritional needs of dogs. Ingredients Quality: High-Quality Protein: The primary ingredient should be a high-quality animal protein source, such as chicken, beef, or fish, to support your dog's muscle development and overall health. Whole Grains and Vegetables: Whole grains and vegetables should be included to provide essential carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Absence of Fillers and Artificial Additives: No Fillers: The best dog food should not contain fillers like corn, soy, or wheat, which offer limited nutritional value and may cause allergies. No Artificial Additives: It should be free from artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, which can harm your dog's health over time. Meat Meal vs. Whole Meat: Preference for Whole Meat: Whole meat sources are preferred over meat meals or by-products, as they are less processed and retain more nutritional value. Digestibility and Allergen Consideration: Hypoallergenic Options: For dogs with allergies or sensitivities, hypoallergenic options that avoid common allergens like poultry or grains should be available. High Digestibility: The dog food should be highly digestible to ensure your pet absorbs the maximum nutrients from each meal. Life Stage Appropriateness: Age and Size-Specific Formulations: The best dog food should offer formulations tailored to your dog's life stage puppy, adult, senior and size small, medium, large. Transparency and Sourcing: Transparent Labeling: Brands should provide transparent information about ingredient sourcing and processing methods. Sustainable and Ethical Sourcing: A commitment to sustainable and ethical sourcing of ingredients reflects a brand's responsibility toward animal welfare and the environment. Health Benefits and Special Considerations: Support for Special Health Needs: The best dog food may offer formulations to address specific health concerns, such as joint health, dental care, or weight management. Customer Feedback and Reviews: Positive User Experiences: Customer feedback and reviews are valuable indicators of a product's performance, safety, and palatability. Price and Value: Affordability: The cost of the dog food should be reasonable and commensurate with its quality and ingredients, offering good value for pet owners. Recall History and Safety: Safety Record: Brands with a history of recalls or safety issues should be viewed with caution, as the safety of your pet is paramount. Final Thoughts on 20 Best Dog Food for Golden Retrievers When it comes to choosing the best dog food for golden retrievers, there are a lot of options out there. However, not all of them are created equal. It's important to do your research and to choose a food that is high in protein and low in calories. We hope that our list of the best dog food for golden retrievers has helped you see just how many options your furry friend has available. Evaluate our list and information above before selecting your favorite brand to try today. When choosing dog food, consider factors such as your dog's age, size, activity level, any allergies or sensitivities, and consult your veterinarian for specific dietary recommendations. What is the difference between dry and wet dog food? Dry dog food kibble is convenient, has a longer shelf life, and can help with dental health. Wet dog food contains more moisture and can be more palatable for picky eaters. Some owners choose to feed a combination for variety. Is homemade dog food a good option? Homemade dog food can be an option but requires careful research and balance to ensure your dog gets all the necessary nutrients. Consulting with a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist is recommended. How can I tell if a dog food is of high quality? Look for high-quality protein sources, whole grains and vegetables, minimal fillers and additives, and adherence to AAFCO guidelines for complete and balanced nutrition. Checking customer reviews and consulting experts can also help. Should I choose a dog food based on my dog's breed? While some breed-specific formulas exist, it's more important to consider your dog's individual needs, age, and size when selecting dog food. What should I do if my dog has food allergies or sensitivities? If your dog has allergies or sensitivities, consult your veterinarian for advice. They may recommend hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient dog foods. Is grain-free dog food a better choice? Grain-free dog food isn't necessarily better. While some dogs may benefit from grain-free options, it's essential to ensure the food still provides balanced nutrition, as some grain-free diets have been associated with certain health issues. How often should I feed my dog, and in what portion sizes? Feeding frequency and portion sizes depend on your dog's age, size, and activity level. Puppies typically require more frequent meals. Follow the feeding guidelines provided on the dog food packaging and adjust based on your dog's needs. Can I mix different brands or types of dog food? Mixing different brands or types of dog food can be done, but it should be done gradually to avoid digestive upset. Consult your veterinarian for guidance on the best way to transition your dog to a new diet. Should I be concerned about recalls when choosing dog food? Yes, it's important to stay informed about recalls. Check the FDA and manufacturer websites regularly for recall information. Brands with a history of recalls may be worth avoiding. What is the role of my veterinarian in selecting dog food? Your veterinarian can provide valuable guidance on selecting the right dog food based on your pet's specific needs, health conditions, and dietary requirements. How can I ensure my dog stays hydrated when feeding dry dog food? Always provide access to clean, fresh water. Wetting the dry food or incorporating wet food into the diet can also increase moisture intake. Can I give my dog human food as part of their diet? While some human foods are safe for dogs, it's essential to know which ones are and to avoid potentially toxic foods. Always consult with your veterinarian before adding human food to your dog's diet. Remember that each dog is unique, and their dietary needs may vary. Regular check-ups with your veterinarian and open communication about your dog's diet are key to ensuring their health and well-being. Related Content.