labradoodle puppies for sale idaho

Print Preparing for the teething stage If you have been following my puppy training program since the beginning, you will have some down time for the next month or so. This is not to mean that you will not be working with your puppy at all, but only means that you will not be adding any new training. For the next month or two, you should continue working on basic obedience. I will discuss this more later in the post but Here is the training for your 4-month-old Labrador puppy. About this series of posts This is post eight of a step-by-step training and socialization program for Labrador puppies. If you read our first post , you know that this series follows our training of Bubba, a female chocolate lab puppy. Bubba is already sold as one of our Custom Trained Retrievers, so it is our responsibility to raise and train her until she has progressed to the level of training the owner has requested. In this case, Bubba will be with us for almost a year and a half. Bubba Training and socialization for four-month-old Labrador puppy Here are the things we worked on during the past two weeks while training Bubba. Working on self-control and restraint If you have ever been pushed out of the way as your large dog rushes to get outside or inside ahead of you, you know how that feels. It can be downright dangerous, and there is no reason to allow it. You can start eliminating these future problems by spending time now, teaching your 4-month-old puppy to have self-control and restraint. There is a vast array of situations that you can use to teach your puppy self-control. The first and easiest one to teach is sitting before eating. Simply do not give your puppy their food until they SIT calmly. Here are some other opportunities. Sitting before getting a leash on and off Sitting by door, waiting to go outside or inside, until released from SIT Staying in crate or kennel until released, even with door open All these training opportunities work toward the same thing — self-control. There are probably many more situations that would also apply, use your imagination, and teach your puppy to listen and exert restraint in all situations. Bubba has learned all these lessons well. She understands that she must wait for a release command and that if she SITS very still the release comes sooner. Obedience training your 4-month-old puppy We continue to work on obedience training using a chain collar and heeling stick. Bubba has come a long way regarding heeling. She is not perfect, but she does understand the command. However, remote SIT is not going well. Bubba really struggles to SIT still, even for a few seconds. I had to be reminded that Bubba is a chocolate lab. Chocolate labs tend to mature much slower than blacks or yellows, and Bubba is proving that to be true. Given this, Bubba will probably need some more maturity before I can expect too much from her on obedience. Well, let me rephase. Bubba knows the HERE command but still struggles to respond to it consistently. This is a huge source of contention for me, but again, Bubba is a chocolate and is very immature. A halt on retrieving Up until now we have been doing retrieving daily with Bubba, but as she enters the fourth month, we are increasing aware that she will be teething very soon. Because of this, we will be stopping retrieving until we can confirm that all her adult teeth are in. This concerns a lot of owners; they are concerned that their puppy will forget how to retrieve or will stop wanting to retrieve. We have never had this happen. Final thoughts on training for your 4-month-old Labrador puppy As your puppy approaches four months of age, it is good to take a moment to reflect on all the progress you have made in terms of training. These are important steps that will lead your puppy down a path of becoming a happy, healthy family dog and hunting companion. If you are struggling or need additional help with your new puppy, you can email me ottertailkennels gmail. I would be happy to discuss your goals for your retriever and tell you about the programs I offer. Until next time, happy retrieving. Training your 4-month-old Labrador puppy? You should take your puppy outdoors and let him exercise his socialization potential at a young age. Visiting friends and family is one way to go about it. You can also spot a dog park and carry him there. Remember that your pet is still learning to follow directions and walk with you. You cannot expect him to cover long distances. The best way to avoid this is to take them far enough from the house and ensure they have a positive outside experience. It is worth noting that you should do this as often as you can, preferably daily. Start Potty Training It would be best to start potty training your Lab puppy the first day you bring him home. Start by showing your pup where you want him to potty, such as a sectioned-off area of your yard or garden. A good idea is to cordon off a small area and add some bark chippings. Next, you need a potty training schedule such as first thing in the morning, after mealtimes and play, and hourly for young pups. Many owners use dog crates to help with house training. I have a step-by-step guide on Labrador puppy crate training where you can learn tons more. Discourage Biting If you follow my blog, you know I am against punishment-oriented training. If you train your dog young enough to avoid harsh bites, you will not need punishment-driven discipline strategies. In any case, using physical force or yelling at your pup will only instill fear and distrust and can cause aggression in your dog. You can also check out my article, How to Discipline a Labrador , for greater insight into this topic. Instead, you can wait until your Labrador bites during a positive activity and then discontinue it. It will anchor the consequence better. Follow up using positive reinforcement by rewarding the correct behavior with a treat. Your Labrador will quickly learn that displaying good behavior reaps nice things. Puppies need to learn their bite inhibition soft-mouth by continuing the excellent work their mother and siblings taught them. Learn Bite Inhibition Training! Instill Patience You must use your best judgment when training your dog to be patient. Generally speaking, your Labrador will be mature enough to learn self-control by the tenth week. You can use a clicker or a whistle to teach your puppy to assume the natural heel position. Chances are, at first, your Labrador will try to change his pace to be behind you because of the force of habit. Walking in areas familiar to your dog will eliminate this problem. While you previously trained him to assume a heel position, you can also teach him these techniques. You may notice that your puppy can tell your words apart by the thirteenth week. So by the time he is four months old, you can use the position cues and positive reinforcement to get your dog to follow. These included whistling, clapping, or saying a specific word to indicate that your Labrador is doing a good job, typically followed by a well-deserved treat. Now is the time to see whether the anchors work! Where you previously whistled when your Lab ran towards you, now you must whistle, so he begins his run. This is the start of his Labrador recall training. Teaching good recall is an ongoing process. My dog was around 12 months old before seeing a noticeable improvement in her recall. Please avoid forcing the dog, as that only introduces confusion. Build Comfort With Crowds — Work on Socialization You have trained your Labrador to acknowledge close friends and family in the past few weeks. While this enables the puppy to be more social when you have visitors, a grown dog must learn to walk outdoors without acting out. This transition must be gradual, and try to keep experiences positive. Whether it is a cuddle, a pat, attention, or something tasty, you must teach your pup target training , for example, to touch a target with a specific part of his body. Remember that your Lab may end up biting or clawing to communicate if you do not teach him more acceptable communication methods. Here, I recommend teaching your Labrador to touch your hand with his nose. Ultimately, this is an excellent replacement for bites! Hand targeting is fun to teach, helps your pup build trust, and gets him using his brain! You have laid a strong foundation of discipline and positive reinforcement, making it easier to train your dog to follow more complex commands. In these weeks, you will introduce him to assuming different positions, obeying your commands as he moves away from you, and reacting to more nuanced anchors. Remember, 4-month-old Labrador puppies have a short attention span, so avoid long training sessions. Teach the Sit and Stay Teaching your Lab to sit and stay is a useful command for him to learn. Train Your Dog to Fetch If you have taken your Labrador to public parks and he has seen other dogs play fetch, it will be easier to teach him to retrieve whatever you throw. Your Labrador may not bring the toy back to you for a second round, but he will soon get the idea of retrieving it. You can gradually turn it into a game of fetch over the next few weeks and reward your doggo with high-value training treats. Continue Potty Training In the fourth month of Labrador training, you will continue potty training with a degree of independence. Continue with a good schedule and sync your walks with his natural cycle to align with the times he needs to go. You can use it to control your Labrador and later to test his ability to execute a command off-leash. A harness is also a good idea and is used for outdoor training and walks. Many owners will opt for a rear-attaching harness. Related: Harness vs. Collar for Lab Puppy: Which is Best? How to Train a 5-Month-Old Lab Puppy A five-month-old Labrador puppy is ready to be tested for his general obedience and the ability to deal with distractions, whether other dogs, people, or other animals such as squirrels or birds. Earlier, I mentioned that you could not expect an eight-week-old puppy to delay gratification. Your puppy can deal with distractions at five months old if you introduce them slowly. You must be prepared for your dog to run ahead of you now! However, suppose you have developed a solid relationship with your pup and worked on his training. In that case, he will stay within a reasonable distance, remaining by your side and showing loyalty. Once your Lab puppy has reached his 6-month milestone, it also marks the point where you introduce him to advanced obedience training. The good news is that all the training you have previously given will make it easier for your dog to follow your lead. Conclude Potty Training Your dog has had months to learn how to communicate his need to go potty. He has also likely refined the patience to hold it instead of relieving himself on the floor. Therefore, you can communicate your disappointment with your body language if your dog makes a mess. Avoid physical punishment and even verbal chastising as it impacts your dog negatively. All dogs can still have the odd accident up to 12 months old. Moreover, you must be prepared for your dog to relieve himself indoors if he is excited or frightened, known as either excitement or submissive urination. Increase Exercise Now that your Lab puppy is six months old, you can increase his exercise to thirty minutes twice daily. Energy levels, especially for larger breed dogs, escalate during this time. While the average exercise for a pup before this is generally five minutes of exercise per month of age, twice a day, a six-month-old Labrador can be out for one hour if you split his walks into thirty minutes a day. To train your 6-month-old Lab puppy, start with two commands with the most practical use. From six months onwards, until your Labrador is a well-trained adult, you can teach the following commands or tricks in any order. How to Train a 7-Month-Old Labrador As your Lab progresses to seven months old, a lot of the previous training needs to be kept consistent as you gradually teach him to comprehend more commands. Maybe there is a trespasser, and you want your dog to scare them away. You will need to continue training your dog to hold things or release them on command, but you can also proceed to add distance and even more background distractions. Ironically, you need to teach him to bark on command before learning to be silent on cue. Over this month, he will learn to associate the respective commands with barking and silence. This is quite tricky, but your Lab will eventually get there if you practice and stay consistent. The eighth month is ideal for training your Lab to go to different places upon hearing the command word. Either way, do not overload him with place commands, and stick to no more than two per month. Or you can use the ninth month to teach a cool party trick! After a week, you can remove the treat and teach your Lab to follow your finger. Of course, you will still need to reward him after he follows the command. By the third week, you can cue your doggo to spin and see if he does so without your finger guiding him in a circular motion. It might take an extra week or two, but I recommend this as an addition in the ninth month because it allows you to continue training your pet to learn previous commands better. You can teach him to go to different places, hold or release objects, and fetch toys. You can now progress this further and teach him to roll over on command. Your 1-year-old Labrador only learns to comprehend more at the same pace as he has since the 6-month mark. You should also audit previously taught commands and see any weak associations you can reinforce. How to Train an Month-Old Labrador You will not have to alter your training regimen dramatically if you have trained your Labrador properly from eight weeks onward. If anything, this is the period where you customize his training to your convenience. Now is when your dog must learn to be compatible with your life. From the month mark onwards, you must train your dog to be harmonious with modern adult life within reason. It is sad to see dog owners having to give away their pets because of behavior issues. Such things are avoidable if you train your dog correctly and sufficiently exercise him. It would be best if you simply established authority by having a positive yet commanding presence. Once your dog acknowledges your authority and sees you as a guide, you can merely treat him as a six-month-old, albeit on an accelerated schedule, and train him accordingly. Your job becomes even easier once you have a workable training schedule and stick to your routine. This month-by-month Labrador puppy training schedule will help you successfully train your doggo and turn him into the beloved companion you always desired. Good luck with your training! Related Posts You May Like:. But those first weeks of puppy development are very similar whatever the breed, and these landmarks are good general rules for any dog. Puppy development week by week, changes quickly. Newborn Puppies Newborn puppies are born at the end of nine weeks of pregnancy, with their eyes and ears tightly closed. They already have a fur coat but they cannot yet control their own body temperature. They are dependent on their mother or another heat source to keep them warm. Newborn puppies may cry if cold. But they do not have the strength to cry for long. Newborn Labrador puppies snuggle together to keep warm when their mother is away How Helpless are Newborn Pups? Although they rely on mom for a lot at this stage, newborn puppies are not completely helpless. They can use their front feet to drag themselves towards a heat source or their milk supply. This means their mom, not milk alternatives like cow or goat milk. Newborn pups have no teeth yet. But they can move their heads about to search for a nipple, and they can latch on and suck strongly. Their mother leaves them only to eat, drink and for bathroom purposes. While she is away, the puppies will crawl together to preserve their body heat, as you can see in the photo above. They may also crawl under a heat lamp source to keep warm. In every other respect newborn puppies are completely dependent on the care of their mother. Newborn pups have little control over the rear end of their bodies. The mother dog washes them and licks their bottoms to encourage elimination, licking up and swallowing anything they produce to keep her babies and their nest scrupulously clean. In fact, he may even double his birth weight! One week later and the puppies have doubled their birth weight. Changes are taking place under his eyelids to prepare them for opening. And usually begins during the second week of life. Ears open at this point too, so your puppy will begin to hear. The Labrador puppies in this picture are two weeks olds. Two weeks old and the puppies eyes are now open! You can see that their eyes are now open and the puppies are beginning to look a little more dog-like. The breeder will be handling the puppies more now. And most puppies are wormed for the first time at two weeks old. Most 3 week old puppies can stand and sit, and are beginning to totter about. They are also starting to develop their individuality. No longer are they just a row of identical little fat furry sausages! This little three week old puppy :- Can easily be distinguished from his brother: Teething and Further Development At 3 weeks old, this is also the point at which puppies start teething — cutting their first deciduous baby teeth. Obviously the teeth are appearing for a reason! Some breeders will start to offer the first tastes of solid food at this point. Especially if the litter is a large one and putting a strain on the mother dog. It is lovely to watch a litter of 3 week old puppies beginning to interact with their brothers and sisters. They are running, playing enthusiastically, and have started to wag their little tails. The puppies will start to show bowel control as they move away from the other puppies to defecate. And solid food is becoming a major part of their diet. These little pups are tucking into some puppy food. Four week old puppies having their dinner in the fresh air If the weather is warm enough, puppies will be spending some time outdoors now. Mealtimes are a messy process, so feeding puppies out in the yard can be a good idea. Breeder Involvement Some mother dogs will lose interest in cleaning up after their pups at this point or soon afterwards. And many puppies will be wormed again this week. Vocalizations are becoming stronger at this puppy development stage. The litter will greet their mother noisily when she returns to them, and try hard to follow her out of the whelping box whenever she leaves. The puppies themselves are now eating solid food several times a day and gradually being weaned of their dependency on her milk. Puppies will still suckle ravenously when their mother returns and she will now often feed them standing up and only for a short time. She will also be teaching the puppies not to bite too hard. So, they should be increasingly spending time with humans and learning to be familiar with the sounds and sights of a human family environment. Puppies being raised in kennels must be brought into a home environment regularly from now on to ensure they develop into confident, friendly dogs. Six weeks old and full of mischief Puppies Still Have a Lot to Learn at 6 Weeks In some countries, puppies are taken to their new homes at this age. But this is not a good idea, and can result in a puppy that has poor bite inhibition and is challenging to manage. The puppies are learning not to bite too hard from the reactions of their mother and siblings. Growth is not quite so fast now. But the puppies will still grow strongly for the next few months. Many puppies will be wormed again this week. All that remains is for plenty of great socialization experiences to be packed into this week, with final checks on health. Many breeders will arrange for each seven week old puppy to have a vet check this week. And though some vets advise against it, some puppies are also given their first vaccinations before they leave for their new homes. Some breeders will now have the puppies trained to pee and poop on puppy pads or newspaper. And some will have been whistling to the puppies at meal times to get them used to coming to a human signal. Potty training is now underway and puppy socialization plans are being made. At this point, many of you will be thinking about training your puppy too. The next four weeks are vital in puppy development stages. Your main job is socializing your puppy. This means taking him to lots of new places and exposing him to lots of new experiences. So, life will be starting to get back to normal. Most puppies in the U. In the U. So, not all puppies will get their vaccinations at the exact same age. Socializing your puppy is still the most important job for you at this age. But, you cannot put your puppy on the ground outside until they have received their final vaccination. So, make sure you know exactly when their final jab is. And carry on introducing them to as many new people, things, and experiences as possible throughout this puppy development stage. Some people can suffer from the puppy blues at this stage too, as your life has completely changed! But, that does not mean socialization can stop. Puppies who are isolated at this point will soon lose that friendly fearlessness. You have an important job now, building on what has been achieved so far, and introducing your puppy to the world at ground level. This part of his education can begin once his vaccination cover is complete. He should be fully immunised at around this point. But check with your vet for confirmation of the actual date. Three months also marks the point at which many puppies will drop down from four daily meals, to three. This can cause problems for some puppies because the portions are larger If your puppy gets an upset tummy when you make this change, just go back up to four meals again for a few days, and give smaller portions for a few days when you try again. But, many will need another month before they can cope without frequent bathroom breaks and the occasional accident. Your puppy will begin to lose his baby teeth. This can also be a time at which biting can be most challenging. And try not to worry, this stage will soon be over! A few will need another month or two to complete the process. Remember, no two puppies are the same. That puppy fluffiness will have gone. For many puppies, five months is an awkward, gangly time. A five month old puppy may have shed the last of his soft puppy lines and be looking quite skinny. By the end of this month most puppies will have finished teething but an urge to chew may continue for another few months in some breeds, Labradors included. Some female dogs will have their first season during this month. But, for many, it will be another three or four months before this happens. This is a major milestone for your puppy. He is now looking very much like an adult Labrador. Still a Puppy Because he looks quite grown up, people expect a lot of their 6 month old puppy. But inside, he is still very much a puppy. The beginnings of adolescence and with it an increasing independence of spirit can bring its challenges, but also a whole lot of fun. However, a healthy six-month-old labrador will grow significantly in size. Some of them can weigh up to 50 pounds. For a more balanced diet at six months, you can shift from feeding your puppy three smaller meals per day to two meals a day. To counteract this, you can drop the amount of food and gradually increase it. Setting Your Lab Puppy Up for Successful Potty Training Training an animal to control their bladders until you get outside is no different than potty-training for toddlers. In other words, crate training speeds up the potty-training process for your pet. Effective crate training depends on two things: Praising and rewarding your puppy for relieving itself outside. They come to understand this as a desirable behavior. Preventing your puppy from going to the toilet within the home. So, why is using a crate to train your puppy to go outside so effective? Initially, this should be every hour or so. As labs grow older, you can reduce the frequency as they learn to hold and release independently. Step 2: House Training a Lab Puppy Housetraining or potty-training small labs can be, well, frustrating. As a pet owner, there are simple ways to train your puppy to understand ideal behavior quickly. Instead, they simply forget that they should control it. This helps avoid any issues early on. Keep small labrador puppies off the carpet. How to Feed Your Dog for Optimal Growth Feeding your labrador puppy a balanced diet could be an entire guide all on its own. It can feel overwhelming because you do have many options when it comes to feeding your dog. For example, if you work from home, it would be easy to feed your dog homemade dog food. Similarly, you might work a and yet want to reap the health-related benefits of a raw diet. Make sure to speak to your vet first. You do have choices for what to feed your puppy and you can mix and match these. Popular feeding options for any animal include kibble, wet food, raw food, and home-cooked food. Remember, a puppy is still growing, and they need a complete profile of nutrients and minerals to support their development. There are many commercial brands of dry food or kibble to choose from and you can adjust what you buy based on the ingredients. Do your research and find a brand you trust, with as much bioavailable nutritional content as is helpful. These can harm your puppy. In order to maintain good health and prevent simple ailments, your puppy can also benefit from taking a supplement. Some families choose to mix scraps or raw food with kibble to provide moisture and decrease the amount of food versus the calories consumed. Any veterinarian will tell you that a hard and fast rule is not necessarily the type of food but the amount. Obesity is a condition that can lead to many health issues for this breed. Over-exertion, especially for a puppy, is possible. This includes activities like playing fetch or tug and release. However, breeds that worked as a hunting companion for humans love to be active. Again, this goes back to the strengths of the breed. Keeping up with your puppy could be a task-and-a-half, so in the first months of life, you should be keeping them in your backyard or playing with them at home. As they become house trained and get all their vaccinations, you can turn walks into light jogs or runs if you want. In the long-term, exercise will help keep dogs healthy and disease-free. However, early dog training can eliminate common problems with puppy temperament and help make sure that your fur friend is always as friendly and happy as possible through the years. Puppy socialization simply means making your puppy open to and familiar with new experiences. You want to provide stimulation and encounters with experiences that they will probably face as adults. The window of opportunity to make sure your puppy is always a happy and friendly pooch closes around 14 weeks. Pre-Vaccination Lab Puppy Socialization Any veterinarian will tell you that a puppy is all done with their vaccinations after 12 weeks of age. The main point is to keep your puppy away from other dogs who may not yet be vaccinated or the excrement and markings of other animals that could carry data diseases. You can head to an off-leash dog park to allow them to explore and meet other fur friends. You can also take them beyond your backyard to the countryside to enable them to swim or set up obstacle courses and play with them. Another thing that people forget about is spaying or neutering their dogs. Spaying or neutering your dog could help with behavioral issues and can also reduce the onset of certain health conditions. At the same time, spaying or neutering a puppy too early may also lead to health issues. For many people, this is a worthwhile and even enjoyable trade-off. A happy, sociable dog is always the result of consistent training. Training your dog is a significant aspect of their early years. The different stages include: Get it — Using positive reinforcement, trainers will help your dog carry out actions without commands. Teach it — This stage harnesses the progress you made in the previous stages. Your dog now knows the word and the action that goes with it. Proof it — Proofing is where many people get stuck. Your dog will learn to listen and obey commands at this stage even when they are engaged in other things. Maintain it — Consistently using the techniques you learned to keep your dog following the same desirable behavior. All breeds of dogs respond best when you train them. Every labrador retriever relies on their human taking control and showing them how to respond in any situation. You can be sure that if you follow these tips that you will be taking proper care of your new puppy and will be able to make sure that your puppy will live a long and healthy life. Share on. Puppy training development after 6 months It is very tempting to get carried away with puppy training. Your young do is so willing to please and such fun to be around. It is important to go at a happy pace for you both. Positive reinforcement training is the right choice for your puppy because there are no negative consequences to getting something wrong. But you can still both suffer from burnout and frustration if you try to reach the later puppy training stages without totally aceing the earlier developments. Your Puppy Training Schedule This may not be exactly the same for each puppy, especially with retrieving which is more Labrador specific. However, it gives you a rough idea. Constantly changing direction. Stopping frequently for cuddles and rewards. This means I blow the recall whistle whenever the puppy runs towards me, no compulsion, and no whistle unless the recall is already underway. Socialisation: Lots almost daily of outings to different places rural and urban carried Visits to family and friends. Bite inhibition: Discourage hard biting, allow mouthing. Working with food: Learning how to take food gently without snatching or grabbing at the treat pot. I still give the puppy lots of encouragement by running away as soon as I blow the whistle. Socialisation: More socialisation, at least twice a week to busy public places. Bite inhibition: Discourage hard biting, allow gentle mouthing. Retrieving: Encourage chase and pick up retrieve drive. Hand touch: I teach all new puppies to touch my hand with their noses. This is a great foundation for other skills. Recall: Puppy recall continues, reduce my run to a walk, avoid any distractions. Still frequently blow the recall whenever the pup runs towards me of her own free will. Socialisation: From ground level after vaccination. No other leash walking at all Bite inhibition: No biting, gentle mouthing allowed. Retrieving: Continue to build drive. Positions: I introduce three positions — sit, stand, down. What to expect from your 3 month old puppy Most three month old puppies will be sleeping through the night. And will be having less potty training accidents in the house. There are a few potty training problems that arise at this age, and they are all covered in 15 potty training problems solved. Biting is a big shock and a big problem for many new Lab puppy parents so do check out our complete guide to biting , and join the forum for help and support. Help encourage your puppy to stay in their bed while you are eating. I have a pot of dog treats on our kitchen table, and whenever we sit down to a meal, the puppy gets a treat each time she steps into her basket. Just a treat for stepping in there. What to expect from your 4 month old puppy Your 4 month old puppy will be pretty much potty trained, but accidents still happen if they are left alone too long. Biting is usually starting to subside now, and many four month old puppies will be able to mouth at your hand without hurting you. At this point I start to discourage all mouthing. I teach every puppy to let me touch her face or approach her with my hand, food, a leash etc while holding eye contact and not grabbing at me, or at what is in my hand. This is the age at which people often start to push forward with training. Your 4 month old puppy is capable of quite a lot. There is nothing wrong with teaching your puppy different cues and even some tricks. I recommend you still avoid long duration activities at this point as they are a common stumbling point with puppies young enough to have a short attention span. A ten second sit is ample. Add mild distractions Recall: Fade additional cues. Begin to whistle the pup and stand still. Add mild distractions. Clicker train to polish this in more mouthy puppies. No commands are needed for this. Gradual introduction of distractions. Advanced puppy training begins in earnest This is where I start a programme of sporting training with my Labs. You can begin raising your standards and expectations, asking for longer and more complex behaviors. Teaching your puppy to walk to heel nicely for longer distance and past all kinds of distractions and temptations. Or teaching your puppy to sit and stay for longer periods of time, and even while you go out of sight or while other dogs play nearby. What to expect from your six month old puppy Six months is a common time for people to have a lot of questions and to be struggling with a few challenges. This is now a very bouncy, quite powerful and rapidly maturing young dog. And you may need to patch up a few holes in his training or manners. We have a great article for owners of six month old Lab puppies.

Provides DHA from fish oil for healthy brain and eye development Promotes regular and healthy stools with the special blend of prebiotics Gentle of small stomachs Not suitable for pups with a maize or gluten allergy or intolerance FAQs How much food does a French Bulldog puppy need? The amount of food your Frenchie puppy needs depends on how much your pup weighs, and whether you're opting to give them a wet puppy food or dry food diet. Every type of food will have its own feeding guidelines so you can use these to figure out how much food they should have compared to how much they weigh. When they get to six months, increase their food intake to up to two and a half cups daily, but only feed them two times a day. Frenchies are prone to obesity, so it's important to keep an eye on their weight. If you start to notice your pup is piling on the pounds more than they should for their age, you should reduce their portion size by half a cup. If you have any concerns about your pup's weight, speak to your vet. Can French Bulldog puppies have allergies? Allergies are a common problem with French Bulldogs. These can be genetic, but they can also be food-based. They can usually get acne that causes sores or dry, flaky patches on their body. If you spot your Frenchie pup excessively and constantly scratching, chewing or biting at their legs, paws, face, sides or their behind, it could be a sign they have an allergy. We suggest eliminating or isolating certain ingredients in their diet to find out the trigger, which can be a little trial and error. You can then opt to feed them puppy foods for sensitive stomachs as these are typically made without ingredients that dogs are commonly allergic or intolerant to. We would also recommend collaborating with your vet to find the best food for your French Bulldog puppy. She grew up always having at least one dog as part of the family and has experience in owning a variety of breeds, including Labradors, Cockapoos and Yorkshire Terriers. Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us. There are hundreds of different options on the market all claiming to be the best, no wonder our Frenchie parents constantly turn to us asking what they should feed their puppies. The usual nutritional needs of French Bulldog A well-balanced Frenchie diet should contain the correct amounts of macronutrients: water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. However, this is only a general guideline, and a more accurate calculation can be made based on specific factors. For instance, the age and activity level of your dog are essential factors to consider. Hormonal changes can cause neutered dogs to become less active than their fertile counterparts. Store-bought vs. Most commercial dog foods and canned goods contain preservatives, flavor enhancers, coloring, and other additives. Instead of real meat, they often contain animal by-products or meat meal, which can cause allergic reactions in some dogs. Subscribe to our weekly blog newsletter: Subscribe to our blog newsletter! First name Email When you cook food for your dogs, you can be sure of what goes into their bowl. Finally, homemade meals can prolong the average French Bulldog lifespan , so we definitely recommend homemade food! Why is it so hard to find the right dog food? Feeding is an evergreen topic among Frenchie parents in our Facebook group. They know they should feed their puppy with high-quality premium dog food to keep their baby healthy and fit, but they are left puzzled when they see the plethora of different choices. The answer is actually quite simple: every Frenchie is different and what works for one puppy may unfortunately cause problems for the other. The best French Bulldog breeders will always give you advice on how to continue feeding your puppy once you welcome them home. So what are the most important things to consider while trying to find the perfect food for your Frenchie? Read on to find out! The quality of dog food is always determined by the percentage of its protein content, in other words, the amount of meat or fish it contains. So what should you pay attention to when looking at the ingredients list? This could be beef, lamb, salmon, or any other type of meat. The list usually ends with some sort of animal fat, vegetables, and fruits. Jasper, available French Bulldog puppy at TomKings Puppies Any other ingredient not mentioned above is only included to increase the volume of the dog food and to ensure the most economical production possible. So, if you see that a food contains an unrealistic amount of filler ingredients like wheat, corn, or chemical preservatives, it is definitely not a suitable and healthy choice for your Frenchie. Dog foods without chicken and grains A question that always comes up when choosing the right food for a Frenchie is whether it has to be chicken or grain-free. For that reason, we usually recommend giving chicken and grain-free food right from the start to avoid any possible problems. Makayla, French Bulldog puppy at TomKings Puppies That means that if you look at the list of ingredients, you can find companies whose food meets all the criteria we mentioned above and is much more affordable. Like with so many things, the name is not everything! On the other hand, if the kibble is too large they will have difficulties consuming the food. The flavor of the dog food When looking at dog foods, you can choose from lots of different flavors like a lamb, fish, beef, duck, etc. If one of the foods from a particular brand works fine for your Frenchie, the flavors can and should be changed as long as they have the same nutritional values. A varied diet is important not only for humans but dogs as well, not to mention that your fur baby will be very happy to taste some new flavors. The stool of your Frenchie A very important criterion and perhaps the best indicator of the given food is suitable for your Frenchie is their stool. A healthy stool should always be completely solid, which means you can easily collect it with a bag. You should always ensure a smooth transition by gradually mixing in more and more of the new food with the old to avoid any dietary issues. Signs of a food allergy in your Frenchie We have already mentioned that Frenchies tend to be allergic to chicken, but what are the actual signs of a food allergy? The most common symptoms include scratching, hair loss, dull lifeless fur, inflamed eyes and ears often with some discharge, paw licking, swelling, but also vomiting, and loose stools. You may not notice all of these and the degree to which they occur may also vary. Any of these symptoms indicate that an immediate change of diet is necessary, about which you should always consult your vet first. Eating a bit more slowly and with less appetite are usually signs telling you to cut out the middle meal. As for the amount, nice-looking French Bulldogs are a bit stockier, so you should always increase and lower the amount of their food with that in mind. Read our article to learn more about maintaining a healthy body weight for your Frenchie. Odie, French Bulldog puppy at TomKings Puppies Special recommendations by TomKings Puppies The best food for French Bulldog with a sensitive stomach For dogs with sensitive stomachs, we always recommend home-cooked food , so you can be sure of what your dog is eating. However, it is important to ensure that the transition from store-bought to home-cooked dog food is gradual. Consultation with a veterinarian can also be helpful in determining the best wet food for a French Bulldog. It is essential to choose a high-quality brand that uses real meat and avoids fillers, artificial preservatives, and additives. Look for products that are labeled as complete and balanced, which means they contain all the essential nutrients your French Bulldog needs in the right proportions. The best dry food for French Bulldogs Although cheaper dry food may appear to be similar to premium brands based on the label, there are significant differences in the quantity and quality of the ingredients. Additionally, we advise you to switch to adult food at the age of months. We always inform new parents of Tomkings puppies of the brands we used to feed the pups and we recommend to continue using the same brand for some time. The best raw food for Frenchies There are several types of raw food diets for dogs, including the Prey Model Diet, the B. To ensure that TomKings puppies receive only the highest quality food, we continuously evaluate available options and test the latest trends. We consult with a panel of experts and experienced puppy parents within the TomKings Frenchie Family, and we are proud to recommend the B. Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods diet. Consulting with a veterinarian is also recommended to determine the best course of action. In general, weight management dog foods can be a good option for overweight French Bulldogs. These foods are formulated to be lower in calories and fat while still providing high-quality protein and other essential nutrients. Avoid feeding table scraps or high-calorie treats, and make sure to provide plenty of opportunities for exercise and play. In some cases, a prescription diet recommended by a veterinarian may be necessary to help your French Bulldog achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Best food for French Bulldogs with skin allergies If your French Bulldog has skin allergies, it is important to choose a diet that is specially formulated to help support skin health and minimize potential allergens. Consultation with a veterinarian is also recommended to determine the best course of action. Some high-quality dog food brands offer special formulas that are designed for dogs with skin allergies. These foods typically contain limited ingredients and exclude common allergens such as wheat, soy, chicken, and dairy products. Instead, they may use alternative protein sources such as fish or venison and may contain added omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to help support skin health. Some veterinarians may also recommend prescription diets that are formulated specifically to manage skin allergies in dogs. These diets may contain hydrolyzed proteins, which have been broken down into smaller components to minimize the risk of an allergic reaction. Even though processed dog foods might not look healthy to us, they actually contain all the nutrients that Frenchies need to stay healthy. Home-made and raw diets like B. Should I opt for dry kibble or canned wet food? Wet foods are of course more appealing to dogs, which means they get used to them easily and will not want to eat dry food again. If your Frenchie is a picky eater you can mix the dry and wet food but never give them the latter only. We recommend wet food for dogs who are ill and have no appetite. How much time does my puppy need to adjust to a new food? At what age should I switch to adult food for my French Bulldog? We usually recommend switching to adult food at the age of months old. If you notice that your puppy looks a bit chubbier or bigger compared to other Frenchies you can make this change even sooner. What is the best food for a Frenchie puppy? The best choice for your Frenchie puppy is to continue providing the same brand the breeder used to provide. This should be a high-quality brand that uses real meat and avoids fillers, artificial preservatives, and additives. What is the best food for an adult French Bulldog? You have several options. You can buy high-quality wet and dry god food at your local pet store or if you want more control over what goes into the bowl, you can feed your adult Frenchie with home-cooked food. Raw diets like B. The article is based on the expert knowledge of the TomKings Puppies team who have been breeding French Bulldogs for 10 years on their farm. All the pictures in the post belong to them and their customers, and show puppies from their breed. Check their available French Bulldog puppies , or if you have any questions or comments let us know below the article. Regardless, it is best to feed your puppy their old food for at least two weeks if you can. Then, you want to swap the proportions. After a few days, you can give your puppy only the new food. The most common is diarrhea. It might be worth a trip to the vet if your pup starts throwing up their meals, refuses to eat, or has allergic reactions to the new food. French Bulldog Puppy Diets French Bulldog puppy diets may consist of kibble, wet food, raw food , or homemade food. Each of these has pros and cons. Some pet owners go all in and make their own dog foods. This can get complex, as, with raw or homemade food, you have to be sure to give your dog all the nutrients they need to stay healthy. It is also typically more expensive than prepared meals kibble or wet food. However, the benefits might be important if done correctly. You know exactly what your dog is eating, no questions asked. Frenchies often have allergies and sensitive tummies. So you should avoid foods with too much protein but make sure meat is still the first ingredient! Also avoid or limit grains, soy, and wheat, as these are common allergens. The number of calories your puppy needs will depend on their age, weight, and exercise levels. Different types of food will also have different calorie levels. For example, they will generally need to eat more wet food than kibble for a balanced meal, because canned food has fewer calories. At the start of the day, weigh out the right amount on some scales and divide it between five bowls. Four of these will make up regular meals spread throughout the day, the final bowl is for you to put aside to use as training treats or to reward good behavior. This will help you to resist the temptation to use higher carb training treats. Feeding a French Bulldog Puppy Kibble The most affordable option, when considering both your time and money, is kibble. The most time-consuming and expensive are raw and homemade diets. You can find it easily at the store, and your only prep time will be to open it and pour it into a bowl. The biggest con is that there are some low-quality brands of kibble out there. As in any business, some are just in it for the money. However, these disadvantages can be overcome by choosing a high-quality brand. Look out for formulas specifically tailored for French Bulldogs. Specialized recipes are carefully shaped to help them out. Another good thing about wet food is that it keeps your dog hydrated. However, due to the water in wet food, it has fewer calories. Your pup will need to eat more wet food than dry food, making it the more expensive of the two. Wet food is also messier than dry, especially if your pup is a messy eater. It also takes time to prepare as you will need to buy the ingredients individually, and prepare the meals. Raw food also requires more clean-up time than any other food. Feeding a French Bulldog Puppy a Homemade Diet Feeding a puppy a homemade diet has many of the same pros and cons of feeding raw. Homemade food with properly cooked meats is less risky than a raw diet. It will still be costly and time-intensive though. Leave a Reply Your email address will not be published. May 31, Are you head over heels for your adorable French Bulldog puppy? These little bundles of joy bring so much laughter and love into our lives. Best Food for your French Bulldog puppy According to vets and French Bulldog experts in the US, the best bulldog diet should contain proteins, carbohydrates as well as an equal amount of healthy fats for brain power and energy. Just like humans, your dog could be allergic to some kind of food, such as corn or soy, but in most cases, they are actually allergic to fillers found in processed food. These fillers are used to add mass to the product, but have no nutritional value and are difficult to digest. The best way to save your dog from this kind of suffering is avoiding fillers and giving him whole food ingredients. These budget-friendly choices mostly trigger allergies and contribute to various health problems. Having earned the highest of all ratings, NutriSource is a great choice for puppies! Contains all the essential nutrients for the optimum health of your pet. Contains no animal by-products, whole corn, artificial additives or preservatives. Fromm Besides containing nearly all of the essential nutrients, the fact that you can get grain-free varieties and non-grain-free varieties is great. Salmon oil and probiotics have been added to aid digestion and promote good health. No corn and no wheat. Highest consumer ratings!

They are amazing breeders, and the puppies are so beautiful and healthy. Chubba Chubba Choo is almost a 1. Jason and Michelle run a successful business with healthy pups that are loved from day one. I highly recommend them!!! His puppies are gorgeous and I promise your heart will tug at you to bring more than one home. The mama dogs were so happy, sweet, pretty and just wanted your attention. The puppies were adorable, healthy and competing for you to play with them. Not one of those dogs ignored you and didn't want to be the center of attention. You could tell they all had great personalities and were very social. Puppychase is Bulldog Heaven! I was very satisfied with the purchase of our puppy. The environment is clean, cool and does not smell. That's hard to accomplish with so many dogs. The Bulldogs are well cared for and the property shows they are a top priority. I can't imagine not being pleased with any dog from Puppychase. The only regrets I have are not being able to take more puppies and I wish I could have seen the male Bulldog in person. I didn't even think to ask. Maybe next time! I have had 3 Bulldogs from PuppyChase. Chester 13 yrs old, Henry 8, and Gus 15 wks. Chester died 2 wks ago. Jason is so knowledgeable and loves his Bulldogs. The health and personalities of his dogs are perfect! The hardest part is picking which one. He uses a flight nanny to ensure the safety of these little guys which allows families from all over U. S A to have a dog from PuppyChase. What a beautiful home and kennel he has in Georgia. Thank you Jason and Michelle! Keep up the great work with breeding English Bulldogs and giving families and experience of a lifetime of owning and loving these beautiful dogs!!! I would highly recommend. Jason and Michelle are dedicated to ensuring their pups and litters are taken care of! Their pups have the best disposition!! Exceptional customer service and will go above and beyond to accommodate your needs. New to the breed? Will definitely make our way back to PuppyChaseKennels. Life Span Did You Know? The loving and gentle English Bulldog is one of the most well-liked companion dog breeds around the world. A breed of English origins, the Bulldog was first recognized as a non-sporting dog by the American Kennel Club in .The original use of this breed was Bull baiting, which was eventually outlawed with the establishment of the Cruelty to Animals Act of .This legislative act made the act of Bull and Bear baiting both illegal. The current role most suitable for the English Bulldog would be as a companion or family pet, given their sweet demeanor. The English Bulldog is relatively easy to train but definitely takes some work for more complicated commands. If you are looking for a breed to sit, stay, and play dead for treats, this is the breed for you. While they may not be the sharpest tool in the shed compared to some of the other highly intelligent breeds, they are easy going and apt to please their owner. Training this breed will be accomplished with less difficulty if you make the training reward based. Can you say Sweetheart? While this dog breed makes an above average watchdog because of their courage, this breed is a loving companion at heart. The Bulldog is excellent with kids when socialized and should be very agreeable with guests of the house. The English Bulldog breed as a whole is heralded as one of the most well liked companion breeds in the world. The Bulldog should do well with other family pets as long as properly introduced and socialized. They need to be socialized early and often to curb any negative feelings towards strange dogs. This breed is generally agreeable to most environments. Although they easily adapt to a noisy and chaotic household, they are not very tolerant of extreme weather, whether it be hot or cold. Although they are well liked and very popular, one must be aware of the potential health pitfalls with this breed. Some of the potential issues you can see with the English Bulldog is Cherry Eye, Entropion, or dysplasia. This breed also has a high risk for weight gain, so this should be monitored. An average Bulldog life span is between 8 and 12 years. You do not need to be a professional dog trainer to own an English Bulldog. They are good for most novice owners because they are passive by nature. The English Bulldog is an average shedder, so brushing him twice a week with a firm brush will be a good idea. Also, they can have a tendency to drool, so making sure you wipe their face off everyday can help ensure they do not suffer irritation on their faces and between their wrinkles. Because of the amount of wrinkles they have, it is recommended that you clean between the wrinkles fairly often to avoid irritations. The English Bulldog is a generally low energy breed. They do not require a lot of exercise, but when they do play, they play hard! Because they can be intense when they do have an energy burst, an owner must be aware of overexertion. They can be very playful, but do tend to tire out quickly. The English Bulldog is a short, stocky breed that should weigh between pounds. This dog breed generally lives for years. Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Warren G. Harding both owned English Bulldogs. Featured English Bulldog Article. At BigBullDogs. We offer the best service for purchasing the perfect bulldog puppies, and we have quality studs that have set us apart as the top breeders for bulldogs. Whatever it is that you need regarding these beautiful bullies, this is the right place for you. Here are the varieties we have; What You Need to Know About English Bulldogs English Bulldogs are very distinct from the other breeds of bulldogs and are the more prevalent breed. These sturdy, muscular dogs have a cute waddle walk that directly results from their short, stubby legs. The English bulldog also has a flat-looking face, dark and low set eyes, massive and broad jaws, and fleshy cheeks and lips that give it that signature pouty and droopy look. Its short neck, thick shoulders, and barrelled chest, slightly arched back make it one breed that you can easily identify anywhere. Our standard Male English bulldogs are inches and weigh an average of 50 pounds, while the Female English bulldogs weigh about 40 pounds. All our English bulldogs have the finest textured coats and healthiest skin with a variety of colour patterns. Whether you pick a male English bulldog or female English bulldog from us, you can be assured of their wonderful demeanor and gentle disposition. The AKC recognizes over dog breeds and rated the Bulldog as 2 for the best family dog breed. They are incredible family dogs but not the best watch dogs these days. The last nine decades of domestication has turned them into couch potatoes, considerably different from their original genetic breeding that made them perfect for Bull Baiting. Nevertheless they are fantastic at lying on the couch and giving you the stink eye when you disturb their rest. Quick Guide to French Bulldogs French bulldogs were named for their origin story, which says that they were a breed of English toy bulldogs and several unidentified dog breeds. They have distinct features that make them stand out against their English counterparts, such as their pointy, bat ears. French bulldogs are small, cute dogs that are very playful and perfect for being a home pet. Regardless of whether you pick the male french bulldogs or the female French bulldogs , you get a pet that is calm, attentive, attention-loving, and a partner to you and your kids. The male french bulldog is an estimated 12 inches in height and 25 pounds in weight. On the other hand, the female french bulldog is about 11 inches and 20 pounds. The male french bulldogs are usually a bit more muscular than females and have larger heads. However both are equally affectionate and super family oriented. Not to be outdone by their British Bulldog cousin, the female french bulldogs also made the Top 10 Best Family Dog breeds list in .Looking to Adopt Bulldogs?

Black, black and tan, red and tan, fawn and tan Activity level High; requires up to minutes of exercise daily Suitable for families Yes, for families that can meet the exercise and nutritional requirements Dietary needs High-protein diet; adults require high quality food depending on activity level Potential health issues Hip dysplasia, bloating, osteoarthritis, arthritis, allergies, and cataracts Australian Kelpie History Image Source: Gili Pup — pexels. The Australian Kelpie is a herding dog that was originally bred in Australia in the s. The German Shepherd is a working dog that was originally bred in Germany in the late s. These two breeds were mixed together in the early s in Australia. The Kelpie dog breed is known for being intelligent, loyal, and hardworking. They are also very active and need an abundance of exercise. German Shepherd Australian Kelpie Mix makes great family dogs and are good with children. Appearance of Kelpie Shepherd The Australian Kelpie German Shepherd mix is a beautiful dog that is sure to turn heads when out on walks. They have a sleek, black coat with tan markings around the eyes and on the legs. This unique combination makes them stand out from other dogs and is sure to get you compliments from strangers. While they may be a bit of a handful, the Kelpie Shepherd mix is a loving and loyal dog that will be your best friend for life. They are great with children and other pets and will make a wonderful addition to any family. If you are looking for a new furry friend, be sure to consider the Australian German Shepherd mix. Size Australian Kelpie German Shepherd Mix are a large breed of dog, averaging between 20 and 24 inches in height at the shoulder. They can weigh anywhere from 50 to 80 pounds. German Shepherd Kelpie Mix are medium to high energy dogs that need lots of exercise and activity to stay happy and healthy. Average weight of a Kelpie is around lbs. They are also very intelligent and can be trained to do many things. Kelpie Australian Mix are a great choice for a family dog. They are also good with children. It is good to know about Kelpie temperament before buying this dog. This mix is an excellent choice for families with children, as they are very loving and protective. When it comes to grooming, the Australian Kelpie mix is relatively easy to maintain. They only require occasional brushing and bathing. It is important to keep their nails trimmed and their ears clean to prevent infections. Australian Kelpies are known for being heavy shedders, so regular brushing is necessary to keep their coat looking its best. German Shepherds have a double coat that sheds seasonally. This mix is moderate shedders, so they will require more frequent brushing during shedding seasons. Overall, the Kelpie mix is a low-maintenance breed that is easy to groom. Feeding them the right amount will help keep them healthy and prevent obesity. When it comes to German Shepherd Kelpie Mix, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to feeding. First, these dogs need a lot of protein to maintain their energy level. Exercise Kelpie Australian Shepherd mix are a great breed for those who want an active and intelligent dog. They excel in obedience and agility trials and make wonderful companion dogs. However, they are not the best choice for first-time dog owners as they can be headstrong and require firm training. Australian Kelpie German Shepherd Mix need lots of exercise and if left alone for too long, they can become destructive. If you are looking for a Kelpie Shepherd to add to your family, be sure to do your research and find a reputable breeder. They make wonderful companion dogs for active families. Training Aussie Kelpie Mix are highly intelligent and active, so training is a must. They need an experienced owner who can provide firm, consistent leadership. Training should be started as early as possible to prevent any unwanted behaviors from developing. Here are some tips on how to train your German Shepherd Australian Kelpie Mix: — Be consistent with your commands and rewards. With patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement, you will be able to successfully train your Kelpie Shepherd Mix. Soon you will have a well-behaved, obedient dog that is a joy to be around. Hip and elbow dysplasia are common among large breeds, and the Australian Kelpie cross German Shepherd is no exception. This can be a very painful condition, and it can lead to arthritis. This disease is a blood disorder that can cause excessive bleeding. Allergies are also common in German Shepherd cross Australian Kelpie. Many dogs in this breed are allergic to grass, pollen, and dust. If your dog is showing signs of allergies, it is important to take them to the vet so that they can get the proper treatment. While there are some health problems that are common among Australian Kelpie German Shepherd Mix, there are also many that are healthy and happy. This breed is a great choice for families who are looking for a loyal and loving companion. The answer is yes, this mix can make a great guard dog. They are loyal and protective of their family and home. They are also intelligent and easily trainable. However, they can be territorial and may not do well with other animals or children unless they are properly socialized from a young age. If you are looking for a guard dog that will also be a loving family member, then the Australian Kelpie German Shepherd mix may be the right dog for you. How much does a Kelpie German Shepherd Mix cost? They are medium to large-sized dogs that are very active and need plenty of space to run around. They are also very intelligent and trainable, making them great pets for families with children. Well, it depends on a few factors. Of course, like with any dog, there are always exceptions to the rule. Some pups may cost more or less depending on the individual circumstances. These dogs are highly trainable and make great family pets. However, they do require plenty of stimulation and may not be suitable for first-time dog owners. If you think you can provide a loving home for a Kelpie German Shepherd mix, then check out our list of rescue organizations below. Rescue Organizations:. German Shepherd history German Shepherds have been around since the late s, along with a handful of other working dogs in France and Italy. As a breed, it was found to be a relatively no-nonsense herding dog, with the demeanor almost of a stern nanny — it would protect its flock from outside predators, but sometimes seem like a brusque barking authoritarian. Proof that the value of the breed was highly appreciated is that during and after the Second World War, the German Shepherd disappeared for a while. The two names are still interchangeable today, although in the significantly post-war world, the name German Shepherd has lost the vast majority of its stigma. An intelligent and perhaps surprisingly good-natured breed, they are generally patient with children. Beware boredom in the Kelpie, though — either physical or mental. Bore a Kelpie and you can expect barking for attention and even the digging of random holes, simply by way of exercising the legs. Train an Australian Kelpie and it will pick up disciplines relatively easily and without too much fuss — some Australian Kelpies have been trained as rescue dogs because of their calm capability in most situations. Simple walks with plenty to see and smell will keep your Kelpie happy, as will some toys in the home environment. German Shepherd personality and temperament The temperament of the German Shepherd is mostly calm , intensely loyal to its clan or family, wary of strangers, either human or canine, and highly trainable. The breed was originally a herding animal but has proved adaptable to urban occupations, for instance with police departments, as sniffer dogs at airports, and in search and rescue operations. Exercise and stimulation will take the edge off your German Shepherd though, and let its loyalty and intelligence win through. The mix brings both the intelligence and trainability of its parent breeds forward, so you get a highly aware, hugely loyal dog that likes — in fact, that needs to have some sort of purpose to be best pleased with its life. Good with children, the Australian Kelpie German Shepherd mix has a protective streak that can be useful in a watchdog, but can also, without training, be preemptively defensive against strangers — both human and canine. Usefully though, the breed takes to training instinctively, the herding instinct of its forebears making it one of the easier breeds in which you can instill rules of behavior. German Shepherd size, height, and weight The German Shepherd is a dog to be reckoned with. It can stand anything from 1 foot 10 inches to 2 feet 2 inches at the shoulder, so a lap dog, this is not. Weight-wise, it dwarfs the Australian Kelpie, coming in healthily at anything from pounds. Australian Kelpie German Shepherd Mix size, height, and weight There is some fluctuation in the size, height, and weight of the Australian Kelpie German Shepherd mix, but it verges more on the lower end of the German Shepherd range than it does on the Australian Kelpie side. So you can expect a dog upward of 50 pounds, with lots of leg power, though nowhere usually near the height and ruggedness of the German Shepherd. If you leave an Australian Kelpie German Shepherd mix alone long enough to get bored, both halves of its ancestry are likely to act up — there will be barking, perhaps even a whine or howl, and there may well be digging, vandalism, and destruction. The dog will want to do anything it can to escape — both in physical and mental terms — from the situation in which it has no purpose, no action to take, no stimulation to address. Perversely, though they really need exercising to take the edge of the torpor that is distinctly unnatural to them, Australian Kelpie German Shepherd mixed breeds are not especially high maintenance, physically speaking. Moderate but regular walking will help turn the potentially bored animal into a satisfied companion. Anywhere you can let them run without a leash will be extremely appreciated, but remember to always do this safely and only in designated areas. Prepare for molting come springtime, though — they may need extra brushing then, not only to keep them comfortable but also to save your furniture and carpets from extra clumps of Kelpie hair. Bathe as needed — which might be more often than you think, because they tend to be goal-oriented dogs. That can make them unwary of their environment, so a muddy puddle is an irrelevance in the moment of chasing a stick, say. Shedding is a definite issue with German Shepherds though. There are a handful of things to watch out for with the Australian Kelpie though. Cryptorchidism, dysplasia in the hips, cerebellar abiotrophy, and luxating patella are among the things that can slow your Australian Kelpie down, and as they get older, that slow-down might happen anyway. Perversely, it will be more noticeable in the Australian Kelpie than in many breeds, because for the majority of their lives, they present as being so capable and energetic, without boredom permitting being yappy, attention-seeking dogs. German Shepherd longevity and health issues The modern German Shepherd is something of a martyr to the early in-breeding that helped produce the breed we know today. Hip dysplasia can be a real problem for German Shepherds, and can also lead to arthritis as the dog ages. German Shepherds are also prone to osteoarthritis. As with the Australian Kelpie, you can expect at least a decade of active life out of your German Shepherd. They will slow down and lose a little interest after that first ten years but have been known to regularly live to the age of .Hip dysplasia is common in older dogs especially some that have been particularly bred to have distorted weight distribution towards the back , and both arthritis and osteoarthritis can be issues for this mixed breed. If you can give them that commitment though, the Australian Kelpie German Shepherd mix could well be a good, loyal, loving fit for you and your household.

Blankets, pillows, and towels. The mother GSD and her litter need a quiet place to stay. It should be spacious, clean, and comfortable. If money is not an issue, you may purchase a commercial whelping box and a washable vet bed. But if you want to be thrifty, you can just make use of a clean cardboard box. Just make sure that the box is big enough for your GSD to stretch out comfortably. You may also buy a heat pad. It will provide warmth to the litter. Instead, put the heat pad under the whelping box, with one end on top of the box. Cover it with a towel to avoid overheating. The whelping box should be close enough to an electrical outlet so you can easily plug in the heat pad once you need more warmth for your Litter. Make sure they stay warm by providing a heating pad and lamp. You may add blankets, pillows, towels, or even old newspapers and a warm water bottle wrapped in a towel. Be careful though because puppies might get entangled and suffocate if the blanket, pillows, and towels are not taut. Puppy milk replacer, baby bottle, or feeding syringe If the litter is abandoned or orphaned, ask your vet to prescribe milk formulated for German shepherd puppies. Purchase a baby bottle or syringe for feeding. If you leave newborn German shepherd puppies with their mother, give her the first two days to bond with her litter and feed them. Once you see that your GSD has accepted her litter and is feeding them, you can put the puppies in a box beside their mother. She will take care of cleaning and nurturing her pups while continuing to feed them with her milk. But if she still refuses to take care of her pups, you must take matters into your own hands. To do this, place a clean towel or a washable vet bed inside a cardboard box. Keep the box beside your GSD but make sure that she cannot get in touch with her pups. Plug the pad into an electrical outlet and adjust the heat to maintain its temperature at 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The pups can get hypothermia if their body heat drops below 94 degrees Fahrenheit. See also How long should a puppy chew on a bully stick and when to take the bully stick away? Now, put your German shepherd puppies under the warmth of the heating pad at 95 degrees F and wait for them to feed. Only put three puppies per towel or one puppy per section of the vet bed for ease in feeding and monitoring. A mother GSD can produce about 4 to 5 cc of milk every hour. This means that she will need someone to feed her pups every 2 or 3 hours. To correctly use the eyedropper, put your puppy on its stomach and tickle its throat to induce swallowing. Repeat this process until you see that the pup has emptied the eyedropper. Pups will probably fall asleep after feeding. To avoid suffocation, place rolled-up newspapers in their box the pups can use them as pillows when they sleep. These are only temporary until the mother GSD starts to take care of them by licking them clean and keeping them warm with her presence. Weighing scale To make sure if the German shepherd puppies are gaining enough weight, monitor their weight by using a weighing scale at least 4 times a week. If the puppies are not gaining enough weight, they may not be getting enough milk or nourishment so consult your vet right away. Use a wet cotton ball or washcloth to massage or rub gently the anal region. A mother GSD can give birth to 4 to 9 puppies in one litter, 6 as the average. Newborn German Shepherd Puppies Newborns especially 1 to 3-day old German shepherd puppies are vulnerable so before you do anything, consult with your vet especially if you are inexperienced. Right after your GSD gives birth, check the 1-day old German shepherd puppies if they are breathing. If you notice a puppy having breathing difficulties, use a suction bulb syringe to suck out the blockage and clear its airways. Most of the time, they just sleep or eat. They usually eat every two hours during their first week of life. If the puppies are orphaned, you may wash them gently using a warm and moist cloth. Avoid over-bathing the pups because it can cause dehydration. You will notice some of them wagging their tails as well which is adorable to look at. The puppies will gradually open their eyes for the first time in 2 weeks. They will be curious so expect them to move around to inspect their surroundings. Instead of crawling, they attempt to use their legs even though their legs may shake. Check their weight to see if they are gaining well and continue keeping them warm and clean. Their ears will open so they can hear the sounds around them. Though their legs still shake when they attempt to walk, they can finally stand on their own. They will begin to socialize and explore their surroundings more so you should not separate the puppies from each other. They will start teething so they tend to bite everything. They will also be interested in eating solid food. The puppies can walk well at 4 weeks so they will continue socializing with their siblings, their mother, and their handler through playing. They can begin eating solid foods for the first time now that their teeth are fully developed. The puppies can be fully weaned when they reach 6 weeks because they become independent of their mother. They also improve their social skills by playing not only with each other but also with people. Not to worry because this is just a normal phase. This is a good time to expose the puppies to various sounds, places, and people. Teach them basic commands but focus on socialization and bite inhibition. If the puppies are not fully potty trained , train them now. At 9 weeks, the weight of male German shepherd puppies normally ranges from 9 to 10 kg while the females would be from 7 to 9 kg. Their height ranges from 12 to 15 inches. See also How to Crate Train a German Shepherd Puppy When the German shepherd puppies reach 10 weeks, their ears will become pointy but sometimes the ears are floppy. Their height and weight will continue to grow as long as they are adequately fed. By this time, your puppies should already know how to gently use their mouth in dealing with humans so you can enhance their training by teaching other basic commands. When they are done, let them play so that they learn how to do this on their own. Be patient because it takes time before they get the hang of it. If after 24 hours it still refuses to eat, use a baby bottle or feeding syringe to feed the puppy. Prepare a milk replacement formula using evaporated milk mixed with egg yolk, using two egg yolks for every half cup of milk. To avoid bacteria growth, boil the water first before mixing everything and store any leftover formula in the fridge. Gradually increase the proportion of milk replacement formula and decrease the proportion of puppy chow until you wean them off milk replacement completely. Your GSD puppy may have parasites because stools may look like pebbles or tan-colored, small balls which can be a sign that they have swallowed something in their litter box. This is particularly common when they are still with their mother because they tend to eat the feces of the other pups. Diarrhea can also be caused by stress, which is common for a newborn GSD puppy that has been removed from its mom. If this happens, make sure you give them enough attention and place your hand gently on their body to calm them down. Conclusion German shepherd puppies are truly a sight to behold from birth to adulthood. 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. They cannot see or hear yet, or regulate their body temperature, and they require a lot of tender care from their mom. The new mom is usually very excited and concerned about each newborn, and sometimes overly enthusiastic about chewing off the umbilical cord, which may later result in an umbilical hernia that will take a little longer to close, but is no danger to the puppy. We record the ribbon color and weight of each puppy so that, when we weigh the pups throughout the next days and weeks, we can make sure that each one is gaining weight. Normal weight for a newborn German Shepherd puppy ranges from g to g 0. We take great care to ensure that our newborn German Shepherd puppies have the best chance for a healthy start. A German Shepherd female can be in active labor for 6 to 18 hours, sometimes even longer if she takes a break while having a large litter, and we of course do not leave her side during this time. I stay up making sure that the whelping box which is always in my office or bedroom is clean and dry after each puppy is born, and that the temperature stays constant 86 - 88 F in the room. We keep the temperature at this level for about 2 weeks, gradually reducing it down to normal F by the end of the third week. Someone is always present with the puppies during the first 5 days. I handle the puppies several times a day, as well as weigh them every other day during this period, to make sure that everyone looks and acts healthy, nurses well, and is gaining weight. I usually buy a dozen fluffy cotton towels, and use two at a time as bedding for the whelping box. I change these towels twice daily at this stage to make sure the puppies are always clean and dry. Starting from day 3, and until day 16, I follow The "Super Dog" Program for our puppies - an early neurological stimulation program described by Dr. Carmen Battaglia. It has numerous benefits later in life for puppies. Often, puppies that were born the smallest overtake the bigger ones. Even at this tender age strong individual differences can be noted among German Shepherd puppies. Also, there is difference in their color and markings, and long-hair German Shepherd puppies can often be identified at this age. The new mom is very attached to her puppies at this age and is very reluctant to leave them even for the shortest time. She spends a lot of time sleeping with the puppies nursing peacefully, and is also very happy to be busy cleaning each puppy several times a day and flipping them around gently with her nose. At about 2 weeks of age German Shepherd puppies actually start looking more like puppies, and not just fat black sausages with feet attached. We use undiluted evaporated goats milk from a can, warmed up to be pleasant to the touch. Most puppies readily accept the bottle, and we consider this to be very important bonding and social time as well. Three weeks of age is my favorite age of all. The puppies now can be recognized as German Shepherd puppies. They are alert, playful, and there is a lot of wrestling, tail-wagging, and even barking going on as they explore their surroundings and interact with each other and their mom, all of which is extremely cute. I will often just sit in the whelping box with them, letting them play with my clothes, climb up on my lap, and generally just enjoying their carefree company. We also provide them with various toys starting at this age, and make sure that they listen to loud music, banging on the door, vacuum cleaner, etc. They weigh around 1. At first, they may not have a lot of success with it, as some of them try to suckle on the meat, but in a few days they master this new type of eating very well. We also continue giving them goats milk, but in a shallow saucer pan now, and with some rice baby cereal added, so that they can practice lapping. At this age, the mom is no longer so keen on constantly staying with her puppies, and only visits them to feed them and for a clean up. We continue changing the bedding twice a day now, knowing very well that in about a week it will become times a day, as the mom will not be able to keep up with her cleaning duties any more. We wash soiled towels with a little bit of bleach and a little bit of perfume-free detergent. Four weeks of age is even more fun as the puppies keep developing, but the amount of cleaning starts to increase in geometrical progression, and it becomes a full time job to keep the puppies well fed and clean. The mom is only visiting now and then at this point, and enjoys spending her time in the office, so that she can hear and see the puppies, but not necessarily be with them. With mom visiting for a few brief feedings each day, we feed them three times a day with the following diet: 1. Cottage cheese 2 tbsp per puppy , mixed with plain yogurt 1 tsp per puppy , evaporated goats milk, rice baby cereal 1 tsp. Raw tripe, or beef liver cooked with all kinds of vegetables At about 5 weeks of age the duty of keeping the whelping box clean becomes nightmarish, and this is a good time to introduce German Shepherd puppies to the outdoors. This is a room that is a part of the house, but has free access to the outside world. This room is equipped with a wooden resting platform so that puppies do not lay on concrete, with a heating lamp above it, and the floor is completely covered with a layer of pine woodchips. The outside area is about 6 x 6 ft and the floor is made of paving stones. There is another wooden laying platform here. This is a very important period when we introduce our German Shepherd puppies to more noises, show them the way in and out of the house, introduce them to the other dogs, play tug-of-war, etc. Also, we introduce raw frozen sardines and "The Honest Kitchen" products to their diet, and will occasionally feed kibble, soaked well in warm water and mixed with green tripe from a can At 3, 5, and 7 weeks of age our German Shepherd puppies get dewormed with a high quality wormer, to be certain that they are free of intestinal parasites. At about 6 weeks of age the puppies get their first combination 5-way vaccine including Parvo and Distemper , and at 7 weeks of age we start welcoming visitors who are interested to come and look at the puppies. Often during weekends we have several groups of visitors of all ages coming to interact with the puppies, which is such a great socialization opportunity for them. Copyright .All rights reserved. The German Shepherd is a widespread breed of service dog that is popular with breeders. This breed develops into a beautiful large size body with well-developed muscles giving the dog the ability to perform well in many different environments. With proper care and competent training , an owner will get a loyal and devoted friend. Raising German Shepherd puppies is a responsible and difficult task which will require a lot of patience and love. Of course, we can easily fall for these German Shepherd newborn puppies whose photos look so cute on the Internet and in magazines but they also need competent care. Litter size The normal litter size for this breed is often of interest to novice dog breeders and this information is especially relevant for those who have their first experience with a young bitch. Amongst German Shepherd breed experts, there is consensus that the normal litter size is generally driven by genetics and the conditions or the timing of mating do not have a significant influence. A shepherd dog can give birth from 1 to as much as 15 puppies but in most cases a little less than the median of this range is more typical. Basically, you can expect a litter size of five to six puppies, which is really the optimal size. Of course, a healthy bitch is able to feed twelve babies, but it will be much more difficult for her, and the babies may not grow strong enough. Mating Experienced dog breeders recommend no more than one mating per year, otherwise it may affect the physical appearance and health of German Shepherd newborn puppies and the health of the mother herself. First two weeks of the German Shepherd newborn puppies Learning to care for the puppies during the first two weeks of their lives is particularly important. The condition of a German shepherd puppy immediately after birth, already speaks volumes to the fact that he is absolutely helpless as babies are born blind and deaf. However, despite this obstacle, their sense of smell is already quite developed and they perfectly feel the maternal scent and look for nipples of the mother by touch. Moreover, newborns instinctively know that the rear nipples contain more milk, so a struggle begins between them for the most advantageous places. Hearing in newborns starts functioning three to four days after birth. In the first hours after birth, babies are susceptible to various kinds of infections and they are especially vulnerable in cases when the health condition of the mother is not good. Real life experience shows that those who were born last have a much higher survival rate than those who came out first. If there are more than six newborns in a litter, the owners will need a lot of strength and patience to help the mother hatch and provide the conditions necessary for their survival. The litter will need to be divided into two areas and newborns fed in two steps. It is recommended to set up two box or containers to separate the group. In that case, you will need the help of a nurse dog who could take over some of the feeding responsibilities. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead in case the need comes up. There are certain criteria for selecting a nurse dog: Height at withers more than 50 cm Strength Health Milk availability It is important, to pay special attention to the weak and small puppies and place them against the rear nipples. Monitoring of German Shepherd newborn puppies You will need to closely monitor the behavior of newborns, weigh them daily and record the results in a log book. In doing so, you can track the evolution of the babies and identify those that may have development issues. In the first week, babies suckle their mother about twelve times a day, then the frequency drops to eight and in the final days it will go down to four times. At first, the mother stimulates the physiological functions of the puppies by licking them. Once the German Shepherd newborn puppies begin to eat a little solid food, the mother stops doing it. Keep in mind that from that point on you will have to take care of the cleanliness of the birthing area where the bitch lives with her puppies. If you notice that the mother does not really care for the babies, you will need to massage their abdomens. You can do so with a cotton swab dipped in sunflower oil. When the babies are five days old, the dog owner should start changing the litter in the box on a daily basis. Make sure the area where the litter is set up is warm but well ventilated and that nothing can contribute to suffocation of the puppies such as fabric, attachments, etc. On the seventh day, trim the small claws of the front legs as they can scratch the mother while feeding. If the case she has wounds, lubricate them with synthomycin liniment. In that case, wash them with a weak potassium permanganate solution, rosehip oil or sea buckthorn oil and make sure that she does not lick that area. Feeding of German Shepherd newborn puppies You can start feeding puppies once you notice a decrease in their daily growth, despite the fact that they become restless, whine and try to crawl. Appropriate timing is crucial as rushing the process is just as dangerous as delaying it. If you start feeding too early, the mother will have less milk production, which is a source of vitamins and antibodies to various infections. In fact, breast milk is the best whey that protects droppings from all sorts of infections. In general, feeding can start around the fourteenth day. In cases where the shepherd mother has problems with lactation, you can start on the twelfth day. You can give milk from a cow, sheep or goat by mixing egg yolk and powdered milk into it. A bottle with a nipple is suitable as a feeding tool and the hole should be of such a size that milk does not pour out, but drips. The frequency of feeding in case of insufficient lactation in a bitch is every three hours and three times a day with normal lactation. Learning to care for Shepherd puppies A one-month old German shepherd puppy is not much different from its younger counterparts, but it is much larger. Its weight is from two and a half to four kg and height at the withers is from 19 to 21 cm. Once the puppy starts eating solids, the diet should be optimally balanced. The young German Shepherd is growing fast and his food intake must be nutritious! Meals should be provided at regular intervals with 6 meals a day being the optimal frequency. Then, gradually increase the amount of servings and decrease the number of meals. The main principle is that each meal should provide the shepherd puppy with the necessary complex of vitamins, fats, carbohydrates and proteins. One serving of food is usually around g. Only select premium quality food for large dog breeds and make sure they contain all the necessary nutrients. Alternatives to processed food are natural products cottage cheese, porridge with meat broth, grated vegetables, boiled eggs, boiled or raw minced meat. Both approaches in their pure form have their advantages and disadvantages. Get the help of a dog nutritionist, if needed. Good luck! Related topics of interest to our readers. Not just for you, but for your German Shepherd puppy as well. For most new parents, though, the thought of that initial introduction is a bit nerve-wrecking. Introducing new smells, working on training, and socialization can all help your German Shepherd get ready to meet your new addition! This excitement can stress your puppy out, causing him to get overexcited. Try rubbing baby lotion onto your hands, and having your puppy sniff from a safe distance. Your goal should be curious, but a respectful puppy. Similarly, recordings of babies crying will help your pup avoid getting overexcited when hearing these noises for the first time. Also, be sure your dog is prepared for lots of visitors; this is a good time to work on socialization. On daily walks, make sure your puppy is following commands. Work in the backyard on other training and commands. Set Ground Rules Your home will be undergoing lots of changes as well, with new furniture, gates, and bedding moving in. Set ground rules with your dog about this new furniture. To start, make the nursery off-limits, especially for the first few months. A burp cloth or nursery hat works great! When you bring the clothing item home, make sure your puppy sniffs from a safe distance, and reward calm sniffing. How to Introduce Your Baby and Your German Shepherd The initial introduction might cause you to become nervous, thinking about how it might go. Start by taking your puppy for a long walk. This will help him burn off extra energy and naturally calm down. If your puppy is just overexcited — he might not have seen you for a few days, after all! Pay Attention to Your Emotions Your puppy mirrors your emotions in many situations. Start slowly! Have one adult hold the baby, while the invites the animal into the room. Your puppy will likely want to sniff. Start at a safe distance, a few feet away is best. Then you can slowly allow your puppy to get closer if he stays calm. Use Rewards to Reinforce Positive Behavior If your puppy shows positive behaviors, have treats or a new toy handy. This will help him have positive associations with the baby. You might offer a new toy after your puppy has sniffed from a safe distance and is remaining calm. Long-Term Success: What to Do After Your Introduction After the initial introduction, there are some steps you can take to ensure safety and help ease the transition for your puppy. Here are a few tips: Supervision Is Always Important You should always keep a close eye on your puppy when he is in the same room with the baby. And they need to exercise daily to stay happy. Try to keep the routine as normal as possible. Chances are your routine will change. Teach Baby about Boundaries In the first year, your baby will grow quickly, start crawling and moving. This can help prevent any territorial issues from cropping up. A trainer can help to determine the cause of problematic behavior and provide actionable tips for reversing behaviors. Do you need a training refresher to prepare your puppy for a new baby? Schedule a session with Misty Ridge today. We bring decades of German Shepherd training experience and can help you prepare for a successful family introduction.

The socket is where the femoral head fits and also articulates. In unaffected dogs, the femoral head fits tightly into properly formed sockets. In severe cases of hip dysplasia in golden retrievers, there can be partial dislocation and bone spurs present on the rims of the sockets and the femoral heads themselves. So are all golden retrievers likely to get hip dysplasia? This survey has been tracking the prevalence of hip dysplasia since and allows you to examine the severity and frequency of hip abnormalities over time. We do know that golden retrievers are among other large breeds like Great Danes, German Shepherds , and Saint Bernards as being dogs that are primarily affected by hip dysplasia due to their size and breed characteristics. But there are some environmental factors that contribute to the likelihood of a golden retriever with hip dysplasia as well. Excessive, quick growth, too much exercise, the wrong nutrition, and injuries to their joints are all factors that will determine if and how much golden retriever hip dysplasia could affect your pup. Golden Retriever Hip Dysplasia Prevention Tips Your golden retriever is your family, and no one wants to see someone they love in pain. Prevents further breakdown in the joints. Reduce pain and inflammation in their hips. Improve the lubrication of the hip joints. Adding a joint supplement also helps your golden retriever with hip dysplasia to avoid further pain, so even if your golden has already developed this condition, supplements can offer tremendous benefits. But making sure you know how to read a supplement label is important so you can pick the right joint supplement for your beloved pet. Low Strain Exercises via GIPHY That means they love to get outside when possible and are just a little extra prone to excited zoomies around the house. But you have to be careful with your pup — getting the right amount and type of exercise is important if you are looking to prevent golden retriever hip dysplasia. Giving your puppy too much hard exercise like jogging, bike riding, agility, or hiking can further increase their risk of hip dysplasia. Plus, young and clumsy puppies are more prone to injuries, and more injury to the joints may mean an increased likelihood of developing golden retriever hip dysplasia. Instead of sporadic, intense exercise, your pup needs exercise that is: Consistent and low-impact Allows them to stay on a leash Promotes the stretching of hip joints Not sure where to start? Type of Exercise. References 1. Clinical and pathological effects Hip dysplasia HD is a disease of the hip coxofemoral joints. Dysplasia means abnormal development. Both hips are usually affected Brass .It is a complex disease that results from a combination of genes that predispose a dog to developing hip dysplasia interacting with environmental factors that lead to its full development and expression Riser .It is characterized by hip joint instability which, if compounded by environmental factors, then results in secondary osteoarthritis and the clinical signs of hip dysplasia which include pain, lameness and disability Zhang et al .To fully understand hip dysplasia, it is necessary to understand the structure of the hip joint. The hip joint is the joint at the top of the hind leg, where it articulates forms a joint with the pelvis. It is described as a ball and socket joint, as in normal hips the ball-shaped head of the femur the thigh bone fits perfectly into a cup-shaped socket in the pelvis, the acetabulum. The head of the femur femoral head and the acetabulum are normally covered with cartilage which produces a smooth, low friction surface. Within the joint there is also a fine layer of synovial fluid that acts as a lubricant between these cartilaginous surfaces. This thin layer of synovial fluid, along with the round ligament a ligament that runs round the edge of the acetabulum — between the acetabulum and the femur , keeps the two cartilaginous surfaces together by creating a suction-like effect. The ligaments and the joint capsule also help to hold the ball and socket closely together. In newborn puppies, because the bones are soft and not fully ossified turned into bone as they need to grow and develop, they are still deformable if abnormal movements or stresses and strains occur in them. Riser suggests that, in a normal six month old individual, ossification of the bones and soft tissue strength the strength of the surrounding ligaments, joint capsule and muscles have developed enough to prevent hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is described as a biomechanical disease. The hips appear normal at birth. However, in affected individuals, the hips develop abnormally due, at first, to joint instability sometimes called joint laxity Riser .This means that the developing femoral head and acetabulum are not held constantly, closely together, and can move into abnormal positions relative to one another. This puts abnormal stresses and strains on the joint. Riser states this is due to the soft tissues, such as ligaments and muscle, not being strong enough to maintain congruity between the articular surfaces of the femoral head and the acetabulum ie the constant contact between the surfaces of the bones is not maintained. Joint laxity the looseness of the joint, allowing abnormal movements of the parts relative to one another can lead on to joint subluxation partial dislocation of the joint on movement that in turn causes flattening of the acetabular cup and femoral head Shell and Harasen .The pathological changes seen due to the joint instability are progressive inflammation and degeneration of the tissues that together form the joint. Brass details the following changes in the joint: The joint capsule can become thickened and the round ligament can become stretched or ruptured leading to additional, excessive movements. The synovial fluid increases in volume and changes in nature, due to inflammation, this pushes the joint surfaces apart. The cartilage on the bone surfaces gets worn away exposing subchondral bone the layer of bone beneath the surface cartilage. Unlike cartilage, bone contains nerve endings and such exposure will commonly cause pain. The rim of the acetabulum becomes damaged and flattened and later new bone starts to grow here as the body tries to stabilize the joint. The femoral head becomes deformed and flattened and also grows abnormal bone called exotoses or osteophytes. This changing of the shape of the joint with new bone growing in abnormal positions, and being lost in others, is called joint remodelling. The signs that are seen with hip dysplasia can vary hugely in their severity, the age at which they first appear and their progression. In mild cases dogs can be free from clinical signs for years; however, for more severely affected individuals, signs of pain can develop whilst they are still immature less than a year old Signs include acute pain, particularly after strenuous exercise or movement. This may show as lameness or reluctance to jump, to go for walks, climb steps or move at all if really severe. The pain may be worse in cold, wet conditions Brass .These signs may start intermittently, but over time can become constant. Muscle wastage is often seen in the hind legs Brass .There appears to be little correlation between the severity of pain shown by the dog and physical abnormalities felt on examination by a vet or revealed on an x-ray Brass ie some dogs can be in severe pain but have few changes on x-rays and vice versa. This is typical of any joint disease. Controlling food intake during growth has been shown to decrease hip dysplasia in Labradors ie by reducing excessive energy intake and therefore excessive weight gain during growth Kealy et al .High calcium intake during growth has been shown to delay maturation of the skeleton and increase the risk of hip dysplasia in Great Danes Hazewinkel .It is thought that controlling the amount and form of exercise during development may also help Corr .Bennett and May suggest excessive exercise during development can lead to hip dysplasia. Treatment for hip dysplasia is complex; many surgical interventions have been developed to prevent signs appearing in young animals with high joint laxity and to treat dogs with severe osteoarthritis. All need specialist surgeons. Various medications to aid pain relief are also available, along with recommendations to reduce the effect of environmental factors. Return to top 2. Intensity of welfare impact Though some dogs may be mildly affected, for many Golden retrievers with hip dysplasia, the impact of the condition is a major and life changing. These animals suffer pain that is severe and debilitating, leading them to be in pain even with small everyday movements such as standing up. Their quality of life is severely affected so that they are unable to enjoy normal canine behaviours such as walking and running. It is not uncommon for dogs to be euthanased due to the pain and disability of arthritis associated with hip dysplasia. Return to top 3. Duration of welfare impact Hip dysplasia is a progressive disease with signs seen from any age. For some dogs pain starts before a year of age. Signs may be intermittent to start with but often progress to be constant. Medical treatment and advice can help control pain and possibly slow progression, though a cure can only be obtained with major surgical intervention in dogs that are considered suitable candidates for such surgery. Return to top 4. Number of animals affected Hip dysplasia is the most common joint problem of large dogs Smith et al .UK VetCompass data for dogs overall showed that 7. In this sample, diagnosis of conditions affecting pelvis eg hip dysplasia did not significantly differ between purebred and crossbred dogs. Figures vary greatly for how frequently Golden retrievers are affected by hip dysplasia, depending on the method by which they have been screened and the database reviewed. The frequency is likely to vary for different populations of the same breed Brass .Sturaro et al. Previous studies in the USA, using the OFA Orthopedic Foundation for Animals database, have given lower figures, but, Paster et al suggested that the OFA population was biased, as it is not compulsory for radiographed dogs to have their x-rays submitted to the OFA scheme so some vets and owners pre-screened them and only sent apparently non-dysplastic ones for consideration and scoring. Earlier studies in Europe and Canada suggested frequencies of hip dysplasia in Golden Retrievers of between .From data on estimates of total dog population in the UK and on the percentage of all micro-chip registered dogs that are golden retrievers Lucy Asher, , personal communication , we estimate that the UK population size of this breed may be around , Return to top 5. Diagnosis For a young dog suspected of hip dysplasia, a diagnosis can be made on the clinical signs shown at home and on examination of the dog, including assessment of joint laxity and joint pain plus evaluation of radiographs x-ray pictures of the hip joints Corr .Assessment of the joint laxity and radiographs may need to be performed by a specialist vet who is used to checking for this condition. For a formal diagnosis, the radiographs are usually submitted to a panel for evaluation. There are three methods of assessing joint laxity. Radiographs and assessment of joint laxity need to be performed under heavy sedation or anaesthesia Corr .Return to top 6. Genetics Hip dysplasia in dogs is a polygenic disease; many genes are thought to play a role in its development. Most of these genes probably have small additive effects quantitative, polygenes and some probably have larger effects Zhang et al .Currently, none of these genes have been identified. Wilson et al .Genes are not solely responsible for whether a dog with the genetic potential for hip dysplasia develops the condition. Environmental factors play an important part. They are discussed in the clinical and pathogenic effects section above. However, there are significant breed predispositions to this condition and the Golden retriever is one of the breeds affected. Return to top 7. How do you know if an animal is a carrier or likely to become affected? There are a number of breeding schemes around the world developed to decrease the incidence of hip dysplasia in dog breeds. These schemes assess potential breeding animals in somewhat different ways. All aim to give breeders and owners a strong indication of which dogs are likely to produce healthy offspring and which should not be bred. However, this is by no means straightforward for hip dysplasia as it is a polygenic condition in which the genetics are poorly understood and which is also affected by environmental factors in a major way. This lack of clarity has produced much debate over the best way to assess potential breeding dogs. A brief summary of the various schemes follows including some current evidence for their benefits. All dogs must be at least 12 months of age. There are nine radiographic features which are scored, including the Norberg angle NA - a measurement for hip laxity taken from the EHR and each dog is given a score out of 53 for each hip total of up to for both. A low score indicates healthy hip joints e. Greyhounds would score 0, as hip dysplasia is not seen in this breed and a higher score indicates worse hip dysplasia. Breeders are recommended to only breed from animals with a score lower than the breed median score e. It is also based on an extended hip radiograph EHR , which is then graded by three independent experts to give an overall grade. All dogs must be over 2 years of age to be assessed. There are seven possible grades for the radiograph: excellent, good, fair, borderline, mild, moderate or severe hip dysplasia. Dogs must be between 1 and 2 years of age and the radiograph is graded by someone appointed by each breed club — they do not have to be an expert. Grades include: A- no signs of hip dysplasia, B — near normal hip joints, C — mild hip dysplasia, D — moderate hip dysplasia, E- severe hip dysplasia. Older dogs can be assessed but the likelihood of more secondary osteoarthritic changes is taken into account. Dogs from 4 months of age can be assessed. It involves the assessment of three different radiographic views of the hip joints called the distraction view, the compression view and the EHR. The radiograph must be taken by a vet who is registered with the scheme and the radiographs are assessed by vets at the PennHIP Analysis Center. Dogs with a DI lower than 0. Dogs with increasing DI values over 0. Dogs are ranked within their breed. Vets from the PennHIP scheme recommend breeding dogs with overall scores and DIs that are better than the breed average, to continue to try to improve the hips in the breed whilst not excessively narrowing the gene pool. If only dogs with normal DI were used ie those below 0. Advocates of the PennHIP method like it because it accurately identifies individuals who have hip laxity - the primary phenotypical abnormality that predisposes dogs to hip dysplasia. The other schemes only look at the EHR and though the NA can be measured from this, the NA has been shown to be an inaccurate method to assess hip laxity Culp et al .Much of what is assessed on the EHRs are secondary arthritic changes, these are not specific to hip dysplasia and are affected by many environmental factors. Recently, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have confirmed that the Distraction Index DI is a significant risk factor for the development of hip dysplasia. In other words, DI scores give a very good indication of the likelihood of osteoarthritic changes, due to hip dysplasia, developing in the future Smith and others , , , Smith , Runge et al .These and other researchers argue that the other schemes are not as good at detecting animals that have hip dysplasia as the PennHIP method and, despite older schemes existing for over 40 years, little improvement has been seen in hip dysplasia in the general pet population Corley , Kaneene et al , Leppanen et al , Paster et al .In fact, one recent study looking at a database of over 1,, dogs found an increase in the prevalence of hip dysplasia Witsberger et al .However EHR scores were found to have a much higher heritability 0. Heritability studies are difficult to compare between different populations with different environmental influences. To improve the gene pool, phenotypic traits that can be easily detected with strong links to the genotype genetic make-up of animals have to be found. Ideally, any potential pet would have had its hip joints assessed by one of the above schemes prior to purchase, although this is often unhelpful, as most pets are purchased as young puppies. Unfortunately, this does not guarantee all their offspring will be free from hip dysplasia. .Certainly any potential breeding animal should be assessed prior to breeding using an appropriate scheme. Return to top 8. Methods and prospects for elimination of the problem Hip dysplasia is a complex trait which involves multiple unknown genes and environmental factors. Eradication schemes have been running in some countries for decades and still it is commonplace. Thus prospects for its quick elimination are low. In a recent study, Zhang et al suggested that using scores from four hip traits combined to create a breeding value for each animal would help speed up elimination of the condition. They felt that information on the single joint trait EHR eg the OFA scheme gave insufficient information to provide the basis for breeding decisions. The DLS is a measurement made from an x-ray taken in a weight-bearing position to measure the subluxation of the femoral head Farese et al .In this study on two populations of dogs where environmental factors were strictly controlled, heritabilities for all these traits were found to be relatively high eg heritabilities were 0. The researchers suggested these heritabilites were higher than expected due to the controlled environmental conditions. Zhang et al suggested an improved way for selectively breeding out hip dysplasia would be if breeders could be given breeding values derived from the four traits for each potential breeding animal, plus a measurement of the inbreeding of any potential mating e. This way, they suggest, inbreeding can be avoided and only animals with phenotypes strongly indicative of healthy hip joint genes would be bred from. This scheme is a more organised form of others that have suggested using a combination of breeding values determined from pedigree information and phenotype score Ginja et al , Hou et al .As described by Bell , when breeders are prioritising raising dogs that have good hip dysplasia genotypes for future breeding the phenotype has to be used as a marker for the genotype. Although the diagnostic signs can be affected also by environmental factors such as feeding and exercise regimes. It is important that the puppies are raised in a standard and not excessively protective way. Otherwise, dogs that would normally have developed radiographic signs of hip dysplasia will have this masked and their genes will be perpetuated. Future development of genetic tests to help identify some of the hip dysplasia genes, along with more use of pedigree data that includes the health of ancestors and progeny for clinical signs of hip dysplasia and also for other inherited defects of Golden retrievers , may well help to improve methods used to eliminate this condition. Currently we have to continue to rely on choosing phenotypical traits which apparently indicate the presence of healthy genes. Return to top 9. What You Need to Know Know the signs of hip dysplasia and whether or not your dog is prone to the condition so you can treat it early on. By Sarah Mouton Dowdy Sarah Mouton Dowdy writes for both pet parents and veterinary professionals and is passionate about meeting the needs of both to the benefit of all involved—especially the pets. With a master's degree in human health communication, she's particularly interested in the ways in which human and animal health overlap. Sarah's own health has been positively impacted by adopting a dog named Agnes whose tricks include sitting, staying, and stealing pizza from the kitchen counter. Updated on April 15, Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Jenna Stregowski, RVT Jenna is a registered veterinary technician with a range of veterinary experience that includes small animal internal medicine, oncology, neurology, emergency, alternative medicine, and practice management. As the Pet Health and Behavior Editor for Daily Paws, Jenna is living the dream as she combines her veterinary knowledge and passion for animals with her love of writing and education. Learn More Hip dysplasia in dogs is a common developmental condition in large and giant breed dogs. It's caused by a hip deformity that results in joint laxity, or looseness, and can lead to pain, mobility issues, and osteoarthritis. Though the condition is present from a young age, many dogs won't show clinical signs until they're older. However, screening your pet for hip dysplasia early on can give you an opportunity to treat the deformed joint before it causes problems. What is Hip Dysplasia? Canine hip dysplasia occurs when a dog's hip joint doesn't develop as it should. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint, and if the two components don't grow properly and at the same rate, it can result in a very loose, unstable joint. This may not sound like a big deal, but according to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons , hip dysplasia in dogs can cause serious problems. When a dog moves around with a loose hip joint, it can cause permanent damage to the joint's anatomy. If left untreated, dogs may develop osteoarthritis also called degenerative joint disease in the hip because the abnormal movement wears away cartilage and leads to the formation of scar tissue and bone spurs. Dogs can pass the condition to their offspring and large breed dogs are more prone to the disease. Commonly affected breeds include German shepherds , Rottweilers , golden retrievers , Saint Bernards , Labrador retrievers , and Newfoundlands. However, any breed or mixed-breed can develop hip dysplasia, and breed isn't the only risk factor. Puppies with a genetic predisposition for hip dysplasia are more at risk of developing the condition if they're given more food than they need, resulting in faster than normal weight gain and growth. Heavy exercise is another risk factor in puppies. Canine hip dysplasia can affect both young and old dogs, but not always in the same way. The Morris Animal Foundation divides the signs according to age of onset: Juvenile dogs younger than 18 months of age lameness limping in one or both of back legs bunny-like hopping dog holds its back legs together and hops instead of running normally difficulty getting up clicking sound from hips when moving or getting up shifting of weight to front legs unable to exercise for long periods Mature dogs older than 18 months of age history of lameness limping in back legs limping after exercising loss of muscle mass in one or both of back legs difficulty jumping or climbing It's important to note that while dogs can develop clinical signs as puppies, many don't show any outward symptoms until they've lived with the condition for multiple years. How is Hip Dysplasia Diagnosed? Your veterinarian may also use their hands to examine the hip and check for looseness. What is the Treatment for Hip Dysplasia? There are two common surgical options for dogs with hip dysplasia: total hip replacement, which involves implantation of an artificial hip joint, and femoral head ostectomy, in which the head and neck of the femur are removed and scar tissue forms to create a "false joint. Hip dysplasia home treatment is also often recommended for dogs with mild to moderate disease. However, it's important to note that NSAIDs like carprofen can have significant side effects and must be closely monitored. Other potential treatments include cold laser therapy, acupuncture , and physical therapy. Your veterinarian will work with you to determine the best options for you and your pet. Bear in mind that treatments often need to be adjusted over time, so be sure to follow your vet's recommendations for follow-up visits. These radiographs can help you determine how likely it is your dog will have problems in the future and whether you want to consider early surgical intervention. A veterinarian who knows your pet and can examine him in person is in the best position to offer information and advice. Was this page helpful? Hip dysplasia is a degenerative condition, which can affect any dog. Although the causes may vary, the effects are always the same: loss of mobility, increasing pain, impaired gait, and even behavioral and mood changes in your dog including snappishness and depression. Dysplasia is simply the dislocation of a bone from its proper place. Hip dysplasia or displacement is one of the best-known types of dysplasia in dogs. The degenerative process of hip dysplasia is gradual. The onset of symptoms, specifically pain, is also somewhat gradual taking place over the course of years. In simple terms, the two bones of the hip joint shift out of alignment. Perhaps because they are such hand-working structures, the ball and socket joints are prone to disease, and simple mechanical wear and damage over time. The muscles and joints become lax, and the joint capsule, a strong band of connective tissue which circled the bones for added stability, loses its elastic strength. As this happens, the articular working surfaces of the two bones lose contact with each other. The bones slowly separate as the soft tissues around the joint degenerate. The disease may affect one or both right and left hips. With the loss of protective scaffolding between the bone surfaces, the nerves in the bone endings themselves become exposed. When bone touches bone, there is acute pain. In addition, the loss of tensile strength of the supporting tendons, muscle, and cartilage means that other structures in the hip and leg must compensate in terms of weight-bearing and movement. This unnatural compensation may cause fatigue and pain. It may even cause the dog to injure itself—running to catch a Frisbee, or climbing stairs, for instance. What Causes Hip Dysplasia? Experts disagree as to the source of hip dysplasia in dogs. Too much food One theory is that feeding a young, growing dog too many calories early in its development contributes to the disorder. Too much exercise Another theory is that too much exercise, or the wrong kind of exercise, or simply too much high-impact exercise, such as fetching, jumping, and catching a ball or Frisbee on concrete, contributes to hip dysplasia. A factual observation about this condition is that hip dysplasia tends to affect large breeds more so than smaller dogs. This, too, is relative—it is possible for small dogs to become affected by hip dysplasia, too. However, we correctly associate the condition most frequently with big breeds. These breeds do carry a genetic predisposition toward the condition. It is also true that purebreds, especially large dogs, are most likely to become vulnerable to hip dysplasia, therefore calling upon informed and responsible breeding practices. Sometimes our decision-making process is clouded by emotion—guilt, fear, even panic when we see our beloved canine companion suffering. These are also common in dogs, attacking the cartilage, muscles, and membrane linings of cartilage and joints. These may offer your dog safe alternatives: calming inflammation as an immediate solution and helping to rebuild joint integrity as a long-range treatment. These trusted products can slow or even stop the degeneration of the hip joint. In many cases, hip replacement surgery which is the last resort may be prevented altogether. An X-ray examination will be recommended as a first step. If your dog becomes less active, weight gain may become a challenge. Eliminate treats, and if possible, offer your dog low-impact exercises like stretching and swimming. We Can Help. Does your dog have trouble walking, standing, or getting up? There is an excellent chance we can help your dog. This breed of dog is as loyal and as loving as they come. So, in order to ensure that your new, faithful companion lives a long and healthy life, there are some common medical issues Goldens face which you should be aware of. Unfortunately, Goldens, amongst a few other dog breeds, are predisposed towards joint problems a. Should it go untreated, it could severely impact both their overall health and well-being along with the length of their life. That said, if you know the common signs of hip problems and catch it early on, there are steps you can take to manage the issue, mitigate symptoms, or all together treat the problem. Below, we will discuss golden retriever hip problems, the signs, and treatment options at your disposal. The Universities Federation for Animal Welfare had this to say in response: The primary reason for this abnormal development is hip joint laxity if the joint is too loose; leading to the two articulating parts of the joint of the pelvis — the femoral head and the acetabulum which form the ball-and-socket of the joint - moving abnormally relative to one another; the femoral head in subluxation partly dislocating from the acetabulum. This leads to abnormal stresses and strains on the joint and leads to inflammation and degeneration of the joint tissues. According to the American Kennel Club AKC , Golden Retrievers were the third most popular breed in the United States in and have consistently been in the top 10 for the past decade. The total number of Goldens in households is difficult to assess, but approximately 50, are newly registered with the AKC each year. Based on their average lifespan of 10 years, the number of registered Goldens is , This number is estimated to represent less than 10 percent of the total breed population, as many are unregistered. In addition to their friendly, energetic, and likable dispositions, Goldens also are known for something else—hip dysplasia. Less desirable than their personality attributes, hip dysplasia is a complex, multifactorial condition that involves multiple genetic and environmental factors. This includes restricting juvenile animals from repetitive, high-impact activities. Per the statistics collected by the OFA, , radiographs for hip dysplasia have been evaluated since .Of those, the incidence of abnormal hip joints is approximately 20 percent. Again, this estimation is low, as many affected dogs do not have their radiographs submitted through the OFA. It was discovered that she has hip dysplasia through a proactive radiograph taken prior to her first visit to the Rehabilitation Service. Her owners are working closely with Dr. As her primary care veterinarian, Dr. What is hip dysplasia? Per Dr. The first is during skeletal immaturity when canines are between 6 and 14 months of age; these signs are predominantly due to loose hips. The second is when canines reach skeletal maturity 4- and years-old ; these signs are primarily due to osteoarthritis OA. Hip dysplasia diagnosis is made through a pelvic radiograph where veterinarians look at the hip socket acetabulum in relation to the head of the femur to determine if there is a proper fit or if there are any secondary arthritic changes. Once OA is present on a radiograph, dysplastic changes are irreversible and usually continue to progress over time. Kiszka leads Summer as she does figure-eights. Studies have shown that up to 76 percent of dysplastic dogs with osteoarthritic changes on radiographs are able to function and live comfortable, quality lives with conservative management. Conservative management includes exercise modification, physical rehabilitation, and anti-inflammatory and analgesic medications. For the cases in which canines do not respond to this method of management, surgery, such as a total hip replacement or femoral head and neck excision FHNE , may be recommended. Even with a prosthesis total hip replacement in place, or an FHNE, OA may still develop in the opposite hip joint and cause ongoing problems that require constant conservative or surgical management. With appropriate treatment, however, the prognosis for long-term comfort and function is good to excellent. Exercise modifications are typically tailored to avoid activities that cause limping and decrease high-impact type forces. If the dog is overweight, a weight-loss plan would be recommended as excess fat promotes OA. At-home exercises and rehabilitation help maintain muscle tone and strength while stabilizing the joint. The goals of the exercises are to help to maintain range of motion in the joint and prevent compensation, and promote body awareness, sense of proprioception, and core strength to avoid injury. Medical management involves anti-inflammatories, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and chronic pain medications. Additional medications may include injections that protect the joints. Treating the pain and inflammation in hip dysplasia patients is extremely important, as pain limits mobility, joint range of motion, and decreases quality and quantity of life. Kiszka helps Summer practice how to shift her weight on an uneven surface. Summer takes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and eats egg whites as a protein additive to her food. She starts her day with a 23—minute walk on the underwater-treadmill at 1. This speed and time equates to her walking approximately yards. The water allows Summer to bear only 70—80 percent of her body-weight, which lessens the impact on her hips, while she is walking. The water contact also increases sensation and the moving treadmill belt increases multiple-joint range of motion. After her water exercise, Summer rests before she begins therapeutic exercises. There are seven different exercises prescribed to Summer; based on her strength and mobility, her exercises vary each rehabilitation session. While exercising, she is monitored for signs of fatigue, pain, and poor posture, as the Rehab team pushes her to maximum potential to achieve the greatest therapeutic benefit. After she completes the exercises, she receives a therapeutic laser treatment of her hip and lower back region. The laser has factory presets for her weight, body type, and hair coat length and color. This type of laser therapy has proposed benefits of increased circulation and improved tissue repair with decreased pain and inflammation. How is Summer doing now? Summer walking on the underwater treadmill. Through the relationship among Dr. The early intervention allowed her to maintain mobility and quality of life for both her and her owners. Related Stories.

Home Happy Hill Pups is a family- run business offering beautiful, friendly puppies for sale. Our goal is to raise happy, healthy puppies that will be a blessing to their owners, as our dogs have been to us. The Washburn family consists of two parents and seven children, three of whom still live at home and work with Happy Hill Pups. Our dogs are family pets and receive a lot of attention and affection. We enjoy our puppies immensely and are delighted to be able to place them in loving homes. We believe in following the Golden Rule by treating others the way that we would want to be treated, and are always grateful to receive happy testimonies from individuals who have purchased puppies from us. In , we purchased our first AKC registered Labrador and shortly thereafter began raising puppies. We have always been a Labrador family and had not considered raising other breeds until .It was then that we began researching the Cavachon and Beaglier designer breeds and a short time later, we had the opportunity to add several adult Cotons to the family as well. Most of our puppies go to companion homes, although some of our Labradors are trained for hunting also. All of our puppies are handled from birth and are introduced to other animals. Many people comment on how friendly and well-socialized they are. We hope that you enjoy browsing our website and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. While we do offer delivery options, we are glad to welcome visitors to our farm where they can see the atmosphere in which our puppies are raised. Thank you for visiting and please let us know how we can assist you in finding the right puppy for you! You can use the information o.Show more How much grooming does a Labrador need? Although Labradors have short fur, they do shed so you'll need to groom your Labrador occasionally. To help your dog feel comfortable with handling and grooming, introduce it in a positive way, one step at a.Show more What size crate do you need for a Labrador? When inside their crate, your dog should have plenty of space to: sit and stand up at their full height turn around without touching the sides lie down fully stretched out.To find out more about potential health issues f.Show more Labrador crossbreeds One popular Labrador crossbreed is the Labradoodle. This is a mix between a Labrador and a Poodle and Labradoodle colours include silver, cream, black and chocolate. Labradoodle size is typically large. Are Labradors easy to train? You can teach any breed of dog new tricks! Find out what your dog loves so you can use this to reward them after a success. Just like you, every dog is an individual with their own personality and prior experiences. So, every Labrador temperament is different. As dogs grow from puppies, they learn all about the world. They develo.Show more Are Labradors good with children? Every dog has their own unique personality that has been shaped by their own experiences of the world. However, there are som.Show more. We are a family-run and passion-driven breeding endeavour located in the beautiful city of South Manchester. Our love for Labrador Retrievers began when we welcomed our very first furry friend into our home back in August of .Since then, we have been dedicated to breeding and raising show type Labrador Retrievers in both black and chocolate colours. The Welfare of our Dogs is our Priority At Isaiki Labradors, the welfare of our dogs is paramount and our expertise in breeding these beloved dogs has been honed over many years of experience, and we take great pride in producing healthy, well-tempered and adjusted Labrador puppies that make wonderful companions for families of all sizes. As a breeder we are committed to providing the highest quality Labrador Retrievers possible. We carefully select our breeding pairs based on their health, temperament, and conformation to breed standards. We also conduct health checks on all of our puppies to ensure that they are free from any genetic disorders or other health issues. We believe that a Labrador Retriever is not just a pet, but a member of the family, and we treat each and every one of our dogs with the love and care that they deserve. Comprehensive Health Test Labrador Retrievers are a remarkably healthy breed with relatively few breed-specific health concerns. Nevertheless, at Isaiki Labradors, we place a strong emphasis on the health and wellbeing of our breeding stock. To achieve this, we work closely with the British Veterinary Association and Kennel Club health schemes, subjecting all of our Labrador Retrievers breeding stock, both dogs and bitches, to comprehensive health test screening. We are proud to offer full transparency with our breeding program, making all of our dogs and bitches' health certificates available for inspection, and including them in your puppy pack. Isaiki Labradors also provide our dogs with plenty of socialisation and attention, ensuring that they are well-adjusted in an environment full of love and ready to become part of your family. We have a deep understanding of the breed and are committed to producing high-quality puppies that meet exceptional breed standards. Our passion for Labrador Retrievers takes us to dog shows all around the country to compete and learn from others. You Can Count on us to Provide Unwavering Support Welcoming a new puppy into your home is a major decision, and we are committed to assisting you throughout the process. We are dedicated to answering any inquiries you may have regarding our breeding program, providing additional information about our dogs, and guiding you in bringing one of our puppies into your family, whether you reside in the UK or abroad. Our team is always available to offer assistance and support every step of the way. Check out our photo gallery to see pictures of our beautiful Labrador dogs and puppies that have gone to their forever homes. We also encourage you to read our client testimonials to see what others have to say about their experience with Isaiki Labradors. If you're looking for a big boy who brings joy, look no further please! Outdoor adventures? I'm all about that too! I enjoy everyone that I've met at the shelter so far, and if you're looking for a goofy, loving boy, I'm the one for you! I have loads of love to offer one lucky family! I would do best in a home without other animals, I'd LOVE to be the only pet in the home and soak up all the attention I truly deserve! I'm a busy body, a home with enough space for my silly boy antics would be best for all! A fenced yard, although not required, would be a dream come true for me! Think of all the fun we could have! A home with active people teens and adults would help me tone up my summer body, and manage my energy level accordingly! Plus, if you're looking for a workout partner, I pass no judgment, only supportive enthusiasm! Due to my vocal nature, and desire to avoid other animals, an apartment setting would not be ideal for a guy like me. If you think I might be the right fit for you, please call the shelter at to speak with an adoptions counselor! Just looking for that someone to get me "riding in a getaway car" out of the shelter!

Breeds The link has been copied! The Husky Pug Mix, also known as the "Hug," is a fascinating mixed breed that combines the best traits of two popular dog breeds: the Siberian Husky and the Pug. This hybrid dog has been growing in popularity in recent years, and it's easy to see why. In this article, we'll delve into everything you need to know about the Husky Pug Mix, from their appearance and personality to their health and grooming needs. This unlikely pairing results in a unique and charming dog with a captivating blend of physical and personality traits. As the popularity of mixed breeds continues to rise, the Husky Pug Mix has become a sought-after choice for those seeking a unique and loyal companion. But what makes this hybrid dog so special? Typically, a Husky Pug Mix will have a compact and sturdy build, with a weight range of 30 to 60 pounds and a height of 16 to 22 inches at the shoulder. Their coat can be short to medium in length, often featuring the distinct markings of a Siberian Husky. Their facial features can vary, with some having the wrinkled face and pushed-in nose of a Pug, while others inherit the sharp and wolf-like features of a Husky. One of the most captivating aspects of the Husky Pug Mix is its appearance. These dogs are a delightful blend of both parent breeds, with physical traits that can vary greatly between individual dogs. These dogs are highly social and love to be around people, making them excellent family pets. Their Siberian Husky heritage contributes a playful, energetic, and intelligent nature, while their Pug ancestry brings a loving, loyal, and easy-going temperament. Despite their high energy levels, Husky Pug Mixes can also be quite laid-back and are known to enjoy a good cuddle. However, these dogs can also inherit a stubborn streak from their Pug parent, so patience and consistency are essential during training sessions. Husky Pug Mixes require a moderate amount of exercise to keep them healthy and happy. A daily walk, coupled with some playtime in the yard or at the park, will help keep your Husky Pug Mix mentally and physically stimulated. However, like all mixed breeds, they can be prone to certain health issues inherited from their parent breeds. Some potential health concerns to watch for in a Husky Pug Mix include hip dysplasia , eye issues, and breathing difficulties due to their shortened snout. Regular veterinary check-ups and a healthy diet can help mitigate these risks and ensure your Husky Pug Mix lives a long and happy life. If your dog has a short coat like a Pug, grooming will be relatively easy with regular brushing to remove loose hair and keep their coat looking shiny. If they have a longer coat like a Siberian Husky, more frequent brushing will be necessary to prevent matting and keep shedding under control. Additionally, regular nail trimming, ear cleaning, and dental care are important to maintain your Husky Pug Mix's overall health and well-being. Now that you know all about the Husky Pug Mix, you might be wondering if this unique and lovable breed is the right fit for you and your family. When considering a Husky Pug Mix, it's essential to take into account their exercise, grooming, and training needs, as well as their friendly and outgoing temperament. If you're looking for a loyal, affectionate, and energetic companion who will bring joy and laughter to your home, the Husky Pug Mix might just be the perfect match! Training and Socialization The intelligent nature of the Husky Pug mix makes them highly trainable, but it's essential to start early and be consistent. Use positive reinforcement techniques, such as praise, treats, and play, to encourage desired behaviors. This breed may inherit the Pug's stubbornness, so patience and persistence are key. Socialization is crucial for a well-rounded and confident Hug. Expose your dog to a variety of people, animals, and environments from an early age to help them become comfortable in different situations. Enrolling in puppy socialization classes or obedience training can be a great way to kick-start the process. Exercise and Activity As mentioned earlier, the Husky Pug mix has moderate to high energy levels, and it is essential to provide them with daily physical activity and mental stimulation. Aim for at least 45 to 60 minutes of exercise per day, which can include walks, jogs, hikes, or play sessions in a fenced yard or dog park. Keep in mind that the Pug's brachycephalic short-nosed features can make the Hug more susceptible to overheating and breathing difficulties, especially during hot weather or strenuous exercise. Monitor your dog closely and provide them with plenty of water and shade to avoid heat exhaustion. Mental stimulation is just as important for your Husky Pug mix. Engage their minds with puzzle toys, interactive games, and training sessions. Teaching them new tricks or commands can be a fun and rewarding way to bond with your Hug while keeping them mentally sharp. That's why we recommend Fi Collar , the most trusted tracking collar company on the market. The Fi Collar offers high-quality, durable, and stylish collars designed to keep your dog safe and comfortable. This specially designed collar provides the perfect combination of style, comfort, and durability for your beloved canine companion. Expose your puppy to a variety of people, animals, and environments to help them become comfortable and confident in different situations. Puppy training classes can be a great way to introduce your Husky Pug Mix to other dogs and reinforce basic commands and good behavior. Remember that patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement are key when training your Husky Pug Mix. Using treats, praise, and play as rewards will help motivate your dog and create a strong bond between the two of you. Select a high-quality dog food formulated for your dog's age, size, and activity level, and be sure to follow the feeding guidelines provided by the manufacturer. Since Pugs are prone to obesity, it's important to monitor your Husky Pug Mix's weight and adjust their food intake accordingly. Avoid feeding table scraps, and opt for healthy treats to reward your dog during training sessions and as occasional snacks. Finding a Husky Pug Mix: Adoption and Responsible Breeders If you've decided that a Husky Pug Mix is the perfect addition to your family, you have a few options when it comes to finding your new best friend. Adopting a dog from a rescue organization or shelter can be a wonderful way to give a Husky Pug Mix in need a loving home. There are breed-specific rescues for both Siberian Huskies and Pugs, and they sometimes have mixed breeds like the Husky Pug Mix available for adoption. If you prefer to purchase a Husky Pug Mix puppy from a breeder, be sure to do thorough research and choose a responsible and ethical breeder. Ask for references, inquire about health testing and guarantees, and visit the breeder's facility to ensure that the puppies are being raised in a clean, healthy, and loving environment. There are many online forums, social media groups, and local meetups where you can share stories, ask questions, and exchange tips and advice with other dog lovers who share your passion for this unique breed. By joining a community of Husky Pug Mix enthusiasts, you can gain valuable insights and build lasting friendships, both for you and your furry friend. With their friendly and outgoing personalities, along with their striking appearance, it's no wonder that these dogs are quickly becoming favorites among dog lovers. By providing your Husky Pug Mix with proper care, training, and love, you'll be rewarded with a loyal and affectionate companion who will bring joy and laughter to your life for years to come. And remember, when it comes to equipping your dog with the best collar, trust Fi Collar, the most trusted collar company on the market. Whether you have a Husky Pug Mix or a German Shepherd, Fi has the perfect collar to keep your dog safe, comfortable, and stylish. For more helpful articles about pet-parenting tips, check out the Off Leash blog at TryFi. Want to know more about TryFi. This is the fastest way to find your dog after an escape. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! The link has been copied! You might also like. Inheriting the pug-like friendliness, these dogs are highly affectionate to their family members. They also display friendliness towards kids as well as other pets. Many Hugs can be lazy couch potatoes, sitting in its bed, dozing or sleeping. Some hug dogs might also not feel very comfortable living in small living spaces, a trait inherited from their Husky parents, especially if it is on the bigger side. They may even display single-mindedness or willful behavior. Being an extremely alert breed, they make good watch dogs. Care Exercise Because of their high level of energy, these dogs need a significant amount of daily exercise. This is also because they belong to the working dog category, and tendency towards physical exertion is in their genes. Take your dog out for a leashed walk every day for at least an hour or so. Setting out for a long jogging with your dog would also be a good idea. Let your dog play independently, if you have an enclosed yard. The best would be your own participation in some interactive or retrieving game. Health Problems Generally healthy. No serious health problems have been reported. Training You need to make your Hug puppy learn to be obedient from the prime of its life. Next, come in front of your pet and stand for a few seconds, and then get back to your seat. You should keep socializing your Hug dog throughout its life, for which, you must make plans to help it continue meeting new people and new dogs. Ask your friends and neighbors, especially those who own dogs, to visit your house from time to time with their pets. Like most crossbreeds, Husky-Pug mixes can have an unpredictable yet endearing appearance. As mentioned above they may reach up to .Common coat colors include black, gray, red, silver, and white. You can count on Pugsky puppies to be highly affectionate, loyal, and eager to please. Huskies, on the other hand, are known for their outgoing nature and low aggressive tendencies. Most Husky-Pug dogs are friendly even towards small children and other dogs. With these qualities, the Husky Pug Mix is an excellent addition to most families. Imagine welcoming these adorable little puppies into your home: Despite their willingness to snuggle up with you, the Hug dog not to be confused with a Bugg , the cross of a Boston Terrier and Pug is not an ideal pet for small living spaces. Like its Husky parent, a Pug Husky mix may need plenty of space to run to spend its energy. How much exercise does the Husky Pug Mix need? Take your Pug and Husky hybrid for a walk every day for at least an hour. A long jog up to twice a week will also help your dog burn off its energy. Avoid walking your Siberian Husky and Pug cross in the early afternoon, which is the hottest time of the day. This way, your dog has a lower risk of getting overheated or dehydrated. Let your Husky Pug Mix enjoy some off-leash play at least once a day if you have a fenced-in yard. You can keep your living room safe by giving your Pug Husky Mix chew toys if you have to leave him alone for an extended period. You may need some patience when it comes to training Hug puppies, as many of these hybrids inherited the willfulness of the Siberian Husky. Positive reinforcement goes a long way in getting the Pug-Husky breed to behave. It also helps to train your puppy as early as possible. Some Pug Husky Mix dogs display more of their Pug heritage by having couch-potato tendencies. You can get rid of this laziness by using treats, toys, and games to get your dog moving. What to expect when you bring home a Husky Pug mixed breed Despite its easygoing temperament, the Pugsky is not exactly a low-maintenance breed. Here are some things you need to consider if you choose to welcome this crossbreed into your home. You can expect an average to heavy shedding from your Husky Pug cross. A Husky Pug Mix that has the long, thick coat of its Husky parent needs to be brushed up to four times a week to prevent tangles and matting. This way, you can keep your couch, floors, and walls clean and hair-free. Feed your dog 2. Resist the urge to give treats too freely, no matter how much you love your Husky Pug Mix. Husky and Pug mix dogs are prone to several health issues. As mentioned in the first paragraph a healthy Siberian Husky-Pug cross has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years. However, these hybrid dogs are also prone to some serious health issues, which they inherited from their parent breeds. This condition causes breathing difficulties and chronic discomfort in Siberian Husky and Pug mix dogs that have short noses. Pug Husky mixed dogs can also get dermatitis in their facial skin folds and around their short, twisted tails. Dermatitis causes skin irritation and hair loss and may progress into infections. Due to its Husky side, the Husky and Pug crossbreed is also vulnerable to eye conditions such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy. I want a Hug dog! Where do I get one? The Husky Pug Mix is slowly gaining popularity as a family dog. You can get Hug puppies from breeders and rescue shelters in your area. Here are some rescue organizations that you can contact:. If your Hug takes after the Siberian Husky in stature, they will likely be closer to 60 pounds during adulthood. Dogs that take after their Pug parent may be half as small and weigh in at the pound mark. Chances are that they will give you a hug or try to explain the nature of humans embracing each other. But most Hugs will work hard on the farm or at the workplace, whether pulling or herding something or keeping a human they love company. A puppy might even turn into an adult that exhibits a delightful mixture of both Pug and Siberian Husky traits. Your Hug may thrive in a highly active environment, or they might be happier relaxing at home much of the time. It all depends on their size, activity level, and personality. If your Hug takes after the Siberian Husky, they will expect to spend a great deal of time outdoors exercising. No matter the stature, most owners note that their Hugs are excellent escape artists. They try to make their way out of fences, doors, and kennels. Are These Dogs Good for Families? But they can also thrive in a single-person household as long as that person is adventurous and active. Hugs love playing with children and tend to be gentle with small children even after they are fully grown. These dogs are highly inquisitive, so owners should make puzzle toys and chewable items out for their Hug puppies. Hugs should be taught the other animals are to be accepted as soon as they are brought home for the first time. Consider making play dates with pet parents of dogs and cats that have already been socialized. Things to Know When Owning a Hug Puppy Owning a Hug puppy means experiencing pure love and joy, whether enjoying a weekend of camping or spending a day on the couch watching movies. You should know about everything from feeding and training to grooming requirements and potential health problems before deciding whether to adopt a new Hug puppy. Look for a food that features whole meat as the main ingredient. You should also look for something that is labeled to meet the nutritional needs of puppies specifically. You can expect to feed your Hug pup up to a cup and a half of puppy food every day until they reach adulthood at about 12 months of age. Hugs that take more after their Siberian Husky parent might need to be walked once or even twice a day, in addition to regular play sessions in the yard or visits to the dog park. Hugs that tend to take after their Pug parent may only need three to five walks each week to feel content and satisfied with their lives. The breeder you adopt your Hug puppy from may be able to provide you with some insight into which parent they will most likely to take after. So, if exercise needs are important to you when adopting a puppy, take the time to talk to the breeder about this issue. Hugs need something to do, like their working dog Siberian Husky parent. Hugs do well when it comes to agility training, so if you find that your pooch is highly active, consider enrolling them in agility courses. You can even set a homemade agility course up in your yard. Just use chairs and a broom to create a jump and use cones or plastic bottles to create poles for your pooch to weave through. You may need to brush your Hug a few times a week if it takes after its Siberian Husky parent. If it takes after its Pug parent, you can get away with weekly or even bi-weekly combing. So, you should know what to look for now to help keep your pup happy and healthy throughout their adulthood. Minor Conditions. Like most dogs, you should spend some time on obedience training. This mixed with the stubborn qualities of the pug makes it important to train your Hug early. But how much does a Hug cost? The cost of buying a Hug will be pretty high because not many people breed these designer dogs. Luckily the medical expenses and grooming on your average Hug will be lower than a purebreed Pug. How much is a Hug puppy? This mix is pretty rare due to the size difference of the two parent breeds. Food Cost: The average Hug will eat about 1. Insurance: We recommend every dog have health insurance. If you find you can not afford pet health insurance, please try to get your Hug puppy insured for the first year or two. That is when they are the most curious. Hugs are energetic dogs and will chew on anything they can get a hold of. We recommend TruPanion, because they are easy to communicate with. If you require a groomer or a dog walker, expect your average running costs to go way up. In addition plan on spending a few hundred dollars in the first year on obedience training school for your Hug. It will be worth the expense! Pug puppies are even cuter! So the Hug puppy must be the cutest of them all! There are usually only puppies in a Hug litter depending if the mom is a Pug or a Siberian Husky. An average Husky has between puppies in a litter! Meanwhile a Pug has around the same puppies at a time. The Hug puppies are known for playfulness, chewing on things, and being extremely pack oriented. Pug Husky Mix puppies will be extremely friendly and want to use their energy. They are extremely smart and eager to please. Please visit the breeder and poke around first! Find a responsible breeder. A good Hug breeder will have a spacious clean home. They should be transparent and open. Good Hug Mix breeders will want to meet you in person. They will also specialize in only one or two mix breeds. FaceTime is usually a good way to check the Hug puppies living conditions if they are far away. Both will live on average around years, so you can expect the Hug to also live around years old. The higher lifespan of the lethargic Pug might be offset by the energetic Husky. However the average Hug also has better breathing due to its elongated muzzle. This will play a roll in letting your Hug live for a long long time! Hugs are no more aggressive than any other dog. Though these dogs have a lot of energy, so if not properly obedience trained the Hug can become problematic in the home. The Husky parent is a working dog and so the Hug needs to have a job. Give them something to chew on, give them something activity to perform. It will be great bonding time for you and let your Hug blow off some steam too! They have an enormous amount of energy which means that they will require a good amount of training. There is also a chance that your half Pug half Husky might take on some of the stubborn qualities of the Pug. In general, we recommend you use only positive reinforcement in training your dog. Use tons of treats and praise them whenever they do something you want them to. To properly train your Pug Husky mix we recommend you also take them to obedience school. This will both allow your Hug to learn how to follow commands, be social around other dogs, pay attention while distracted. Obedience school also has the benefit of helping teach you, the owner, new tricks for training your puppy. The Hug needs a lot of exercise every day. Though the Pug is a lazy couch potato, the Husky parents need up to 2 hours of exercise per day. That makes this a great dog for families who like hiking and outdoor activities. The Hug is not a great apartment dog. Crate Train your Hug as a puppy. Spend 10 minutes every day training. Work on the basics first: Sit, Stay, Come. However the Hug might have a few medical problems that you will want to be aware of. These include a few Hug eye problems and watching out for their hips and knees. Patellar Luxation or kneecap dislocation from being so active for their whole life. Cataracts: Clouding of the normally clear eye, blurring their vision and eventually leading to blindness. Corneal dystrophy - degenerative eye disease. Minor Eye Problems like cataracts, retinal dysplasia, or corneal dystrophy Hip Dysplasia - when the hip ball becomes dislocated. Dental Decay - Brush those teeth so they dont become rotten or infected. This is starkly different from the Pug which has long been known as a lap dog to royalty! They have a compact body with a nice furry coat and upright ears. Many Huskies have a beautiful silver black coat. He must be brushed weekly to get rid of dead hair and to keep its fur shiny. While if it inherits the long and thick coat of its Siberian Husky parent, he needs to be brushed or combed out at least four times weekly to prevent tangles and matting. Make sure to clean his ears weekly by using an ear wash specifically designed for dogs to flush away the bacteria that accumulates in their ears. Your Hug will also need nails and paws care too. Monthly nail trimming should be done as overgrown nails can be painful and it might also serve as a site of dirt, moisture, and bacteria accumulation. A good call would be bringing your Pug Husky to the veterinarian clinic or to a pet groomer for it to be done professionally. Pug mixed with Husky Health Problems A healthy Husky Pug mix can live as long as 12 to 15 years; however, these designer breed is also prone to some health conditions which they inherited from their parents. Dermatitis: Your dog is prone to get dermatitis around its facial skin folds and short twisted tails. This skin condition causes irritation and hair loss which may progress into a severe infection if left untreated. While PRA is an inherited familial eye disease caused by the deterioration of the retina. Hip Dysplasia causes pain and often lead to arthritis. Feed your adult dog 2. It goes without saying that you should serve your young pup only the best puppy food brands , and when they are all grown up, transition into the best dry dog food for small dogs. If your Husky Pug develops a taste for the best large breed dry dog food instead, make sure to watch their portions, as these have more calories. Grandma and grandpa doggos should nibble only on the best senior dry dog food to ensure their fragile bones can stay strong even past their prime! Moreover, make sure to resist the urge of giving treats freely, no matter how much you love your pet. This dog food is formulated to minimize food sensitivities while maximizing the nutritional value dogs receive. Wellness Core Dog Food : This dog food is a favorite grain free food for all breed types. Its primary ingredients are deboned turkey, turkey meal and chicken meal. It has all-natural ingredients infused with additional minerals and vitamins. Its main components include chicken, real beef and salmon meat products. Husky Crossed with Pug Exercise Requirements The Siberian Husky and the Pug have completely different energy levels, that is why you need to check for yourself how much endurance and strength your Husky Pug mix has as he grows up. Generally, Siberian Huskies need at least two hours of heavy exercise daily. A bored Husky has tendencies to chew on anything he grabs. Siberian Huskies are also suited for agility classes and activities which channel their high intelligence productively. Pugs love going on short walks, at least 40 minutes a day. They like to move around, and they prefer doing indoor games since they are quite sensitive to warmer weather. Depending on which traits your Husky Pug inherits from its parents, make sure you attend to its daily activity needs to prevent developing unwanted behaviors. Getting them to do physical activities daily will keep your pet companion happy and healthy. Pug crossed with Husky Training Properly training your pup is just as crucial as its regular exercise needs. You may need some patience on your part while training this dog breed since they may inherit the willfulness of their Siberian Husky parent. This is for your dog to learn the proper etiquette at a young age and avoid developing aggressive behaviors when he grows up. Remember to keep the pace of the training slow as your pup is still young and his body might still be fragile. Later on, when your pup is ready physically, you can increase the pace. Use Positive ReinforcementEven if this mixed breed has a tendency to become stubborn due to its Siberian Husky lineage, avoid taking extreme measures. The use of positive reinforcement goes a long way in getting your Pug Husky mix to behave. Using negative punishment-based training will not do any help, but instead, your pup might just end up not respecting you. Make it a regular routine to reward him whenever he does something right. Implement simple rules that they can follow and in return and give them praises and treats for obeying the rules. Remember not to overfeed them with food treats as this hybrid has a high tendency to be obese, especially if it inherits most of his Pug parent breed characteristics. Puppy socialization has been proven to reduce developing aggressive behaviors, anxiety, and fearfulness later on in their adulthood. Do Mental ExercisesYour Pug Husky is undoubtedly an intelligent dog, which means this trait needs to nurtured and stimulated. Bad things happen when they get bored. They can easily rip apart newspapers, your carpet and furniture. Avoid this scenario by including mental stimulation activities on your training session, which can be in the form of games or puzzles. You can modify the toy by adding treats, such as kibbles or dry dog food. Kong Jumbler Ball Toy: This toy is made of sturdy rubber which contains a tennis ball inside. Your pet dog will definitely enjoy devising creative ways to knock this ball toy around. Moreover, this rubber ball squeaks every time it bounces making it great for dogs who are more responsive to auditory cues. It allows you to hide treats beneath the movable pieces to keep your pup busy for some time. Husky Pug Mix and Families The Husky mixed with Pug breed is a great family dog because of its easy-going and friendly personality. Due to its Pug breeding lineage, this hybrid has low aggressive tendencies and enjoys spending time with the family more than anything. They love demanding attention from anyone in the household, including children and even strangers. When properly trained and socialized at an early age, the Husky Pug can get along well with other dogs and children. Kids love the Husky Pug because of its affectionate and lively personality. Their genuine nature and friendly disposition make them a devoted family dog companion. Moreover, the Hugs make great therapy and companion dogs. They generally do well when given lots of attention and affection. They would cuddle with you when they want your attention. So give love lots of love to your Husky Pug mix and expect that it will shower you back with much affection. Most Suitable For: Most family units and children, though not suitable for the elderly, or first-time dog owners. Photo: kodalovesnahla A Husky Pug mix will borrow a decent amount of its physical appearance from both sets of parent breeds. They may be short in stature, but long in body with blue eyes and floppy ears, or hanging or flat ears. They may also have a squashed face, like the Pug. They will also be stocky and muscular with a curly or flat tail. Are you looking for a way to treat your furry friend? Sign up for our newsletter for a chance to win a free month of Barkbox! Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to get emails from myk9life. We'll respect your privacy and you can unsubscribe any time. They developed the Siberian Husky to aid in the transportation of food and people across the vast Arctic tundra. Later on, the Siberian Husky was brought to Nome, Alaska to serve in the same capacity and eventually as racing dogs, pulling sleds across the Alaskan wilderness. The Siberian Husky is plenty popular in the United States, this can be attributed mostly to the fact that they are such beautiful animals. Not only are they good-looking pets. This has earned them the 19th spot in the popularity rankings , measured by the American Kennel Club. How Did Huskies Come About? Siberian Huskies were bred by the Chukchi people of Siberia, who used the dogs originally as working sled dogs for transporting goods and people across the snow swept Russian wilderness. They were later brought to Alaska, where they helped transport gold miners to the Yukon during the Gold Rush. Due to their fantastic appearance, the Siberian Husky has long been a favourite among cross-breeders. Though the exact history of when the Husky was first crossbred has been difficult to ascertain, most dog cross breeding — within the United States — began in the s and early s. Common colors include fawn, black, silver, and white. Coat Type Medium length, straight and double-coated. Temperament Intelligent, energetic, sociable. Can be stubborn at times. Exercise Needs Moderate to high. They need at least minutes of exercise daily. Health Issues May inherit issues from either breed, such as hip dysplasia, eye problems, and breathing difficulties. Training Difficulty Moderate. Early socialization and consistent, positive reinforcement methods work best. Grooming Needs Moderate to high. Regular brushing is required to manage shedding. Good with Children and Other Pets Generally, yes, but socialization from a young age is crucial. Living Conditions Adaptable to both apartments and houses, provided they get enough exercise. Not suitable for hot climates. And with the two dogs being so different from one another, the results can change dramatically! Many people argue that first-generation breeds tend to have more health issues and can have bad temperaments. Whether or not you see this as a bad or good thing is up to you. But when looking to purchase any mix breed, you should always have proof from the breeder that the parents are in good health and were used to breed that particular litter. All reasons will be covered in detail throughout the entire article. Prone to a lot of serious health issues Hard to train and can be significantly stubborn High maintenance breed that will require a lot of attention Intolerable of very hot, and very cold weather Pug genes All of these points will be covered throughout this article in depth. Check out the Husky Chihuahua Mix! The most unique mix ever? Great family dogs and good with kids Very friendly and are rarely ever aggressive Can make great watchdogs for your family Are generally small dogs, not needing too much space or exercise IF containing more pug genes This was just a quick snapshot of just a few of their positive traits which might make you want a Husky Pug mix. The Husky and the Pug are two breeds that could not look more different even if they tried! The best way to describe the Hug dog is almost like a mini-husky that has Pug features and shape! Many people ask how big does a husky pug get, and are interested in the full-grown size of the Hug dog. This depends on which parent genes the crossbreed takes on more. Weight This is similar to height, as the two breeds are so drastically different. The weight ultimately depends on the size and height of the Husky Pug mix. The average weight of a Husky Pug mix can range from as little as 15lbs all the way to 60lbs. Coat, Color, and Markings Huskies have medium to long thick double-layered coats and contrary to belief the Pug also has a double-layered coat! Although their coat is short with a smooth glossy feel. Their color and markings tend to stay separate. Huskies are typically white, gray, black or red with very bold markings, especially on their face, around their eyes, and head. Pugs are typically fawn color with a dark snout. Husky Pug mixes will usually either be one or the other. Their colors and markings are usually either that of the pug parent or the husky parent. Nose and Snout The snouts of each parent breed could not be more different. Huskies have a long prominent snout, and the Pug snout is pretty much non-existent. Ears Pugs tend to have small floppy ears whereas Huskies have large triangle standing ears. With Hugs, you can see a range of ear shapes. An interesting observation, commonly seen with Husky Pug mixes is that when the coat color and markings of the Husky parent come through more, the ears tend to be floppy like the Pug. On the contrary, when the coat color and markings of the Pug come through, the ears tend to be standing upright triangles shape like Huskies. Pretty cool! Eyes One of the most visually striking parts of the Siberian Husky are their eyes. Husky Pug mixes have been seen to have the piercing blue eyes that the Husky can have. In even rarer cases, you will get a Hug puppy that has one brown and one blue eye. What also has a big effect on temperament is what the parents were like. If one of the parents had any behavioral issues this could pass down to the offspring and cause them to show similar behavior. We know that both the Siberian Husky and the Pug are both very friendly, loving and affectionate. Both breeds love attention. Huskies are considered by many to be the No. The Hug will definitely want all the time they can possibly get from you and the family. The Husky is very social and can easily make friends with other dogs or strangers without being aggressive or suspicious. The Pug, on the other hand, needs strong socialization training in order to be like this. Pugs are not generally aggressive BUT they can be to unknown dogs or strangers. So, how much does a Husky Pug mix Cost? Here are some of the basic things to look for when getting a new puppy: Use a trusted breeder that has references you can check on. If the breeder has been recommended by a veterinarian, this is the best. A good breeder will not pressure you into making any purchases. If the breeder seems too pushy for your money. This is not a good sign. Make sure the breeder has had the necessary healthy check-ups and test for the new puppy Proper certificates and health documentation should be present for the parents of the husky pug mix. If the parents are there, you should go and see them. Get a feel for their temperament and their general health and well-being. Unfortunately, there are many illegitimate breeders using online websites to make a quick profit. Do the same checks as you would otherwise when looking in person. Grooming is an important part of keeping all dogs healthy and you will have to groom your Husky Pug mix frequently. If your Hug inherits the shorter, smoother coat from the Pug parent, then you should brush them once or twice per week, which will remove any dead hairs that need to come out, as well as removing any dirt dust or hair tangles. The longer the hair, the more dead hair there will be in the undercoat. Exercising a Husky mix with Pug Huskies and Pugs are very different when it comes to their exercise requirements. The only way you will really know by monitoring your Hug as they grow up. Siberian Huskies need around 2 hours of intense exercise per day. They have extremely high energy levels and they need to channel this through physical and mental exercise. When Huskies do not receive the exercise they need and desire, they tend to become very destructive and badly behaved. As the parents are so different, the only way you will know how much exercise your Hug needs, is to monitor and gauge them as they grow. Pug mix with Husky Diet Requirements Siberian Huskies tend not to have big appetites and despite their size, are not greedy. When a Husky is feeling remotely full, they will leave their bowl even with food still in it. Oftentimes, people consider Huskies to be very fussy eaters. Pugs, in general, are pretty normal eaters, they typically do not have issues eating, they can sometimes be fussy, or have sensitive stomachs, but usually, they have normal eating habits. While they may not be as smart, many owners say that their Pugs are quick learners and can be very obedient once trained. However, both breeds, especially the Siberian Husky have a stubborn streak in them, which means training can be very challenging. If your Husky Pug mix has more Husky genes, training will not be easy and you will be tested from day one! The truth is your puppy is ready to be trained instantly and should be to instill the correct behavior. The longer you wait, the harder it will be. Establish the hierarchy Both the Husky and Pug look to appease their owners, but you first must establish yourself as the leader, this will also help with all subsequent training. Remember that you are in charge and your puppy has to do things when you want them to. All training should be Positive Reinforcement Based The absolute best way to train all puppies is through positive reinforcement. Do not punish your puppy when they get it wrong, praise them when they get it right. Praise can be a small treat , or by making a big fuss out of them for a few seconds. Reward them the second they get any training correct. Consistent training every day will be needed Training should be done every day as much as possible. Once your puppy knows these commands, it makes more difficult training a lot easier and feasible. Recall and sociability training should start as soon as possible after basic commands. Recall and sociability training will be super important for a well-behaved crossbreed. Shift your focus to recall training and sociability after your Hug gets the basic commands. This will be just as useful for a Husky Pug puppy as well. It walks you through training, step by step. Unfortunately, despite the generous lifespan, this crossbreed is prone to many health issues that can be difficult to fix. The Husky is a generally healthy breed with typical health issues affecting most dog breeds. There are a few common problems that affect Huskies more and I will list them below. Pugs, on the other hand, are known to have many health issues. Unfortunately, this breed is likely to suffer from many different problems throughout their life. Pug Dog Encephalitis PDE is common amongst Pugs and is considered an aggressive and fatal inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system.

The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile dog breeds in the world. They are strong willed and highly intelligent with a very playful spirit. These qualities make them a wonderful family pet. German Shepherds can be a bit wary of strangers and other animals, so early socialization is very important. German Shepherds are born protectors. They will give their families a great sense of security, while their loving and lively personality will make them true companions. German Shepherds are also quite adaptable. They are police dogs, military service dogs, guide dogs for special needs individuals, and of course they still retain their herding instincts. German Shepherds love to run around the yard with children and adults, playing daily games of fetch, and any other physical activities enjoyed by their family. When choosing the sex of a German Shepherd, it is good to keep in mind that males are more protective of their surroundings and females are more protective of their family. Overall, the German Shepherd combines the best qualities of all breeds into one - loyal, dedicated, attentive and courageous. We have created a list of the Best German Shepherd Breeders in Pennsylvania to help you find a healthy puppy. You can ensure that our list will not include any backyard breeders or puppy mills. They only breed puppies from parents who are certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals to be free of hip and elbow dysplasia. Their German shepherd puppies have excellent physical and mental qualities and come from superior lines. This breeder specializes in breeding black and red purebred German shepherd puppies, as well as they also breed for those who are interested in German shepherd dog ownership for the purpose of the Show Ring, or for the disciplines of Schutzhund, or as Service dogs. All puppies come with a 1st vet check, a two-year written health guarantee, as well as their first vaccination and their first round of deworming. Every German shepherd puppy also comes with a three-generation pedigree from the A. They strive to produce German Shepherds with a stunning black and deep red coat, exceptional character, and family protection all in one. All parents dogs and are health screened and hip and elbow certified. Breeders invite everyone to come to visit their house to see how their dogs are raised and what facilities that get it. German Shepherd Breeder Info:. Life Span Did You Know? The German Shepherd is one of the most versatile, well-recognized, and popular dog breeds in the world. The modern German Shepherd is descended from a family of various German herding dogs. Breed standards were not developed until the late 19th century when Captain Max von Stephanitz, a German cavalry officer, worked with Arthur Meyer and other breeders to develop the ideal German herding dog. Stephanitz and Meyer wrote the breed standard in and the American Kennel Club recognized the German Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in .Although they were originally bred as herding dogs, they were also bred for versatility, which made the German Shepherd an all-around working dog that could excel in a variety of applications. German Shepherds are one of the common dog breeds employed in K-9 units in both police and military applications. They also make great service dogs and, of course, are still awesome herding dogs and farm dogs! The German Shepherd is a strong-willed and highly intelligent dog. They have a playful, energetic spirit and tend to get along with children, other dogs, and other pets, which makes them a great family companion. A born protector, the German Shepherd will provide a great sense of security for their family while their loving and lively personality will make them fit right in as a companion. German Shepherds are naturally protective and can be wary of strangers at first. A well-socialized German Shepherd will bark to alert you and tends to warm up to strangers once introduced. German Shepherds are dogs that were bred to herd and work. This, plus their high energy, makes them a better fit for homes with fenced yards where they can run. They can adapt well to larger apartments as long as plenty of time is dedicated to ensuring they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention every day. A bored, ignored, or under-exercised German Shepherd can often become a destructive one. They also can be sensitive to their surroundings and large gatherings can be off-putting. With a longer coat, they tend to prefer cooler climates and are sensitive to heat. The German Shepherd is a generally healthy breed, but there are some potential health concerns and good breeding practices make a big difference. Potential health concerns to be aware of in a German Shepherd include hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia , and degenerative myelopathy. Reputable breeders will screen their dogs to avoid passing preventable issues to puppies. So, make sure you are asking about the health and genetic history of both parents. You can also ask about any health tests or clearances that have been done. As a barrel-chested breed, the German Shepherd is also at risk for bloat. While the German Shepherd is highly intelligent and highly trainable, they are generally not recommended for novice owners. If you are a novice dog owner, enroll in puppy training classes or enlist the help of a professional dog trainer; not just for your dog, but for yourself as well. Training assistance will help you grow in experience and build a strong bond between you and your German Shepherd puppy, which is essential. Also, the GSD has a thirst for training and fulfillment. They get bored easily and especially with repetition, so continued training with your German Shepherd throughout their life will be necessary. German Shepherds have a medium-to-long double coat. They will shed year-round and heavier as seasons change. Brushing a few times a week is usually sufficient; brushing daily is even better and your GSD will likely love you for it. Bathing is occasional on an as-needed basis. Ear checks weekly with careful cleanings as needed can help prevent ear infections. German Shepherds are high-energy working dogs. Not only do they require a lot of daily activity, but they also are a herding breed that was made to run, guard, and observe, so they need a job to do to be happy and healthy. Daily walks plus playtime, time to run, and other activities are usually enough for a GSD, but they will likely be up for more activity if you are. With their versatility and athleticism, you can try a lot of different activities when puppies finish growing and they are cleared for higher-impact things. A fully-grown German Shepherd usually stands inches tall and weighs pounds. German Shepherds generally live for years on average. Corporal Duncan brought him back to the United States and Rin-Tin-Tin became one of the most famous dog actors in history. Featured German Shepherd Article.